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Dynasty $125 - FFL: Week 14 | NFL: Week 14

Unamused 49ers GM: Cool it with Kyle Shanahan 'hot seat' talk

Fri Dec 6 4:55pm ET
Field Level Media

Seven losses in a season is unfamiliar territory for the San Francisco 49ers.

With two Super Bowl appearances in five seasons, general manager John Lynch openly admits the 49ers haven't earned the right to be called "as good" as the 2023 NFC championship group.

San Francisco is 5-7 but only two games behind NFC West-leading Seattle with five games remaining as the Chicago Bears (4-8) arrive Sunday.

"I've found the whole discussion on Kyle rather comical," Lynch said in an interview Friday with KNBR in San Francisco. "We have won four of the last five division championships. We've been to two Super Bowls. The standard here is to win championships, and we've fallen short of that, I understand.

"But we have an excellent head coach, and the fact that people are talking about stuff like that, I do find it comical. We're 100 percent behind Kyle and what he brings to our organization. Like I said, our focus is really on the Bears and doing everything we can. That's where Kyle's focus is, and that's where all our focus is."

San Francisco lost 35-10 in the snow at Buffalo last Sunday night and the 49ers placed their top two running backs on injured reserve due to injuries in that game. Christian McCaffrey (knee) and Jordan Mason (ankle) could return for Week 18 at Arizona if the 49ers are still fighting for a playoff spot.

In a top-down ranking of NFC teams by record and playoff position, the 49ers are No. 11 entering Week 14.

"You are what your record says you are in this league, and that isn't very good. So I think we've been through a lot as a team, this current team with a lot of stuff that has happened to members of our organization. Injuries, tragic circumstances, ultimately those are just excuses. One thing I can tell you is I'm proud of how this group has stuck together, had each other's back. The other thing I can tell you is the story's not written yet. We're still grinding, and we're still playing."

The 49ers last missed the postseason in 2020 with a record of 6-10 that followed an appearance in the Super Bowl -- San Francisco's first title game loss of two to the Kansas City Chiefs.

San Francisco's upcoming schedule after Sunday includes a short week before playing the division rival Rams on Thursday, at Miami (Dec. 22), a Monday night matchup with the Detroit Lions on Dec. 30 and the finale against the Cardinals.

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Hot Plays, Fades and Sleepers: Week 14

Player Notes
Justin Jefferson Dec 6 5:20pm CT
Justin Jefferson

Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Justin Jefferson could be in store for a massive day this weekend when his team lines up against the Atlanta Falcons. The fifth-year wideout rebounded nicely in Week 13 after putting up a stinker the week prior -- becoming just the fourth player in league history to rack up 1,000-plus yards in each of their first five seasons in the process. It's been an incredible start to his career. Jefferson will look to get back into the end zone this weekend -- something he has yet to do since Week 7 -- and has a strong chance to do so against a Falcons defensive unit that has been abysmal against wide receivers in 2024. Atlanta allows the eighth-most fantasy points per game to wide receivers (37.9), with 15 of their 21 passing scores given up coming to the position. The 25-year-old is RotoBaller's PPR WR3 in this week's rankings.

From RotoBaller

Kendre Miller Dec 6 5:20pm CT
Kendre Miller

Despite receiving a questionable tag for the Week 14 game on Sunday against the New York Giants, New Orleans Saints running back Kendre Miller (hamstring) is expected to be activated off Injured Reserve and play. The second-year back out of TCU hasn't played since Week 8 and has only seen action in two games in 2024, carrying the ball nine times for 52 yards while catching two passes for one yard. The 22-year-old has mostly been injured since the Saints took him in the third round in 2023, as Miller has appeared in just 10 total games. However, he's averaged 5.8 yards per carry in his limited sample size earlier this year and could be given a decent role down the stretch behind Alvin Kamara with tight end Taysom Hill (knee) out for the rest of the season. Expect Miller to be the RB3 behind Kamara and Jamaal Williams on Sunday against the Giants, but his role could grow over the next four weeks.

From RotoBaller

Kyren Williams Dec 6 5:20pm CT
Kyren Williams

Los Angeles Rams running back Kyren Williams is coming off a season-high 104 rushing yards last week against the Saints and is in a favorable matchup as his Rams welcome the Bills this week. Williams also scored his 12th touchdown of the season in his 12th game and is averaging over 75 rushing yards per contest. His targets have dropped off with the Rams' receivers healthy, but he still has big potential as a rusher. The Bills have allowed the third-most fantasy points to running backs this year and 4.9 yards per carry, which is tied for third-most in the NFL. He did lose some work to rookie Blake Corum early in the game, but still handled 16 of the 24 running back touches in the Rams' offense. This week, Williams is RotoBaller's RB9, making him a strong RB1 to start confidently

From RotoBaller

Raheem Mostert Dec 6 5:10pm CT
Raheem Mostert

Miami Dolphins running back Raheem Mostert (hip) was limited in practice all week and has drawn a questionable tag for the team's Week 14 divisional matchup this Sunday at Hard Rock Stadium against the New York Jets. Mostert made his first Pro Bowl in 2023 when he led the league with a whopping 18 rushing touchdowns. This year, he's taken more of a back seat to second-year back De'Von Achane, carrying the ball just 65 times for 236 rushing yards (career-low 3.6 yards per carry) and only two rushing TDs in nine games. He led the team in rushing in last Thursday's loss to the Green Bay Packers, but it amounted to just 19 yards on five carries. Even if Mostert is active on Sunday, he won't carry standalone fantasy value and will continue losing valuable playing time to rookie Jaylen Wright. Wright would have an elevated role as a change-of-pace option if Mostert is ruled out.

From RotoBaller

Trey Palmer Dec 6 5:10pm CT
Trey Palmer

Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Trey Palmer (hip) is listed as questionable for the Week 14 contest this Sunday against the visiting Las Vegas Raiders. Palmer was added to the injury report on Thursday with a limited practice session, and he was limited once again on Friday. Mike Evans (calf, hamstring) was cleared from his injuries this week and is good to go to play this weekend, so Palmer will likely maintain a limited depth role for Tampa's receiving corps if he's given the green light to play. Even with Chris Godwin (ankle) suffering a season-ending injury midway through the season, Palmer has seen little involvement behind Evans, Sterling Shepard and rookie Jalen McMillan, catching only 10 of his 18 targets for 141 yards and one touchdown in 10 games (three starts) in just his second season in the NFL. Palmer belongs on the waiver wire in most fantasy leagues.

From RotoBaller

Davis Allen Dec 6 5:10pm CT
Davis Allen

Los Angeles Rams tight end Davis Allen is expected to get at least one more week as the Rams' primary tight end since Tyler Higbee (knee) was ruled out despite putting in full practices all week. Allen has been stuck in a timeshare with Colby Parkinson and Hunter Long for the past few weeks since a five-catch game in Week 10 against the Dolphins. He has only had one target in his last three games combined and hasn't made much of a fantasy impact. Last week, Parkinson and Long each had just one target since the current offense does not prioritize looks for the position. This week the 23-year-old from Clemson is RotoBaller's TE43.

From RotoBaller

Ladd McConkey Dec 6 5:00pm CT
Ladd McConkey

Los Angeles Chargers rookie wide receiver Ladd McConkey (knee, shoulder) was limited in practice all week and is considered questionable to play this Sunday night to face the division-rival Kansas City Chiefs in Week 14. In addition to a sprained AC joint in his shoulder, McConkey suffered a sprained knee in the Week 13 win over the Atlanta Falcons and is up in the air for this weekend. The fact that the 23-year-old took part in all three practices this week gives up hope that he'll be available, but it's a sticky situation for fantasy managers to be in with the Bolts' game not coming until Sunday night. If McConkey is limited or out, Quentin Johnston and Joshua Palmer would see more targets, with Jalen Reagor, DJ Chark and Derius Davis battling for WR3 duties. McConkey has been LA's clear No. 1 wideout in his rookie season and has been a must-start WR2/3 in fantasy when healthy.

From RotoBaller

Aaron Jones Dec 6 5:00pm CT
Aaron Jones

Minnesota Vikings running back Aaron Jones is a solid play in Week 14 in his outing against the Atlanta Falcons at home. Jones is coming off his least productive day on the season in last Sunday's contest against the Arizona Cardinals. Still, he salvaged his day somewhat with a receiving touchdown. It's been a bit of a roller-coaster year for the 30-year-old, but his good weeks have undoubtedly outweighed his bad ones. Atlanta's defense has been one of the stingier units this season against RBs regarding fantasy points per outing (20.7[ninth-fewest]). However, they've allowed the sixteenth-most rushing yards per game (121.3) and the fourteenth-most yards per carry (4.4) to their opponents. The Falcons also allow quite a few receptions to running backs (fourth-most). Fire up the eighth-year veteran as RotoBaller's PPR RB14 in Week 14.

From RotoBaller

Matthew Stafford Dec 6 5:00pm CT
Matthew Stafford

Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford and the Rams are 6-6 coming into a pivotal matchup in the late window this week against the Buffalo Bills in Week 14. Stafford has been on a nice roll with multiple touchdowns and no interceptions in three straight games. He's up to 17 touchdowns and seven interceptions on the season and should reach 3,000 passing yards this week. Last week, he completed 14 of 24 passes for 183 yards and two touchdowns to beat the Saints. He did tweak his ankle in that game but was able to go through full practices all week and does not have an injury designation. The veteran is RotoBaller's QB17 against the Bills, who have ranked slightly above league average against QBs this season.

From RotoBaller

Jake Ferguson Dec 6 4:50pm CT
Jake Ferguson

Dallas Cowboys tight end Jake Ferguson (concussion) practiced in full for the second straight day this week on Friday. Ferguson suffered a concussion early in the Week 11 loss to the Houston Texans and hasn't played since. However, the 25-year-old has returned to practice for the first time this week as a full participant and now just needs to be cleared by an independent neurologist in order to play on Monday night against the Cincinnati Bengals. There's a chance Ferguson could be somewhat limited in how much he plays if he returns in Week 14, but if he's active, he should at least be considered a low-end TE1 in fantasy. In nine games this year as Dallas' primary pass-catching tight end, he's averaging 6.5 half-PPR points, which is tied for 23rd at the position with Dalton Kincaid. Luke Schoonmaker had eight catches for 88 yards and a TD the last two games with Ferguson sidelined.

From RotoBaller

Ja'Marr Chase Dec 6 4:40pm CT
Ja'Marr Chase

Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Ja'Marr Chase (ankle), who was limited in the team's first practice of the week on Thursday, upgraded to a full practice session on Friday. Chase should be just fine to be ready to play on Monday night in Dallas against the Cowboys to close out Week 14 action. Although the Bengals as a whole have been a huge disappointment, the 24-year-old Chase is cementing himself as one of the best wideouts in the league, if not the best. The LSU product has developed an even stronger chemistry with quarterback Joe Burrow and leads all receivers in overall PPR fantasy points thanks to 79 receptions on 109 targets for a league-high 1,142 receiving yards and a league-high 13 touchdowns scored in 12 starts in 2024. Chase is unlikely to carry an injury designation in Monday's contest against Dallas and is a must-start everywhere.

From RotoBaller

Sam Darnold Dec 6 4:40pm CT
Sam Darnold

Minnesota Vikings quarterback Sam Darnold gets an exploitable matchup this Sunday against the Atlanta Falcons at home. The 27-year-old signal-caller has been on a roll over the prior three weeks, averaging 270.3 passing yards per game with six touchdowns and no interceptions. It's been a strong run for Darnold, who will line up against a Falcons defense that's been kind to fantasy quarterbacks -- allowing the seventh-most points per game to field generals (19.3). With the former first-round pick streaking and an above-average matchup on paper for him, he's amongst some of the better options at his position in Week 14. He ranks as RotoBaller's QB5 for this week's slate.

From RotoBaller

DeVonta Smith Dec 6 4:30pm CT
DeVonta Smith

Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver DeVonta Smith (hamstring) was removed from the Week 14 injury report and will return on Sunday to face the visiting Carolina Panthers. Smith returned to full practices this week and will be on the field this weekend after missing the last two contests due to a hamstring ailment. It's good news for the Eagles, as they'll be without tight end Dallas Goedert (knee) for this one. Before his hamstring injury, the 26-year-old pass-catcher had two disappointing games, combining for six receptions on nine targets for only 43 yards and no touchdowns. Fantasy managers probably aren't in a rush to throw Smith back into their starting fantasy lineups, especially if he's at risk of having his snaps limited in his return. The Panthers defense has been much more vulnerable on the ground than through the air this year. Consider Smith to be a shaky WR3/flex in his return in Week 14.

From RotoBaller

D.J. Moore Dec 6 4:30pm CT
D.J. Moore

Chicago Bears wide receiver DJ Moore (quadriceps) is optimistic that he will play in Week 14 against the San Francisco 49ers despite being listed as questionable for Sunday's game on Friday's final injury report. Moore injured his quadriceps muscle while running a wheel route early in the Thanksgiving Day loss to the division-rival Detroit Lions last Thursday but played the rest of the game. "I play through everything," Moore said. The 27-year-old caught eight of a season-high 16 targets for 97 yards and his fifth touchdown of the year on Turkey Day, and he had a season-high 106 receiving yards and a score the previous week in the overtime loss to the division-rival Minnesota Vikings. Fantasy managers will want to check back in on Moore's status for Sunday's game, but as long as he's active, he should be locked into starting fantasy lineups as a WR2 against San Fran.

From RotoBaller

Taysom Hill Dec 6 4:20pm CT
Taysom Hill

The New Orleans Saints officially placed tight end Taysom Hill (knee) on Injured Reserve on Friday. In addition to suffering an ACL tear in last week's loss to the Los Angeles Rams, Hill also suffered additional damage to his left knee and will miss the remainder of the 2024 season. It's a tough blow for the 34-year-old and the Saints offense after Hill had 188 scrimmage yards and three touchdowns just two weeks ago. He did it all for the Saints on offense and special teams and will be sorely missed the rest of the way, which should lead to even more volume for running back Alvin Kamara. Hill's fantasy value was peaking just before his injury. He should have already been dropped in redraft leagues, and Hill's availability for the start of the 2025 season could be in jeopardy. Tight end Juwan Johnson becomes stream-worthy in Week 14 against the Giants with six teams on bye.

From RotoBaller

Jakobi Meyers Dec 6 4:20pm CT
Jakobi Meyers

Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Jakobi Meyers (ankle) was limited in practice on Friday and is officially listed as questionable for Week 14 against the hosting Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday. Meyers popped up on the Week 14 injury report on Thursday with an ankle injury and did not practice. However, he returned to practice and is expected to be available this weekend, so fantasy managers need to leave him locked into all starting fantasy lineups with high-end WR2 upside. In quarterback Aidan O'Connell's return to a starting role in last week's loss to the division-rival Kansas City Chiefs, Meyers caught six of 11 targets for 97 yards. The previous week in the loss to the division-rival Denver Broncos, Meyers had 10 catches on a season-high 15 targets for a season-high 121 yards. Meyers could go off again against a Bucs defense that has been a top-10 matchup for wideouts in PPR setups in 2024.

From RotoBaller

Will Reichard Dec 6 4:10pm CT
Will Reichard

Minnesota Vikings kicker Will Reichard (quadriceps) is questionable for Sunday's game against the Atlanta Falcons, according to Matthew Coller. Reichard has been on the injured reserve and sat out over the previous four contests. However, seeing him return to a full participant during this week's practices is a promising sign he may be able to return to action. Before the injury, the Alabama product held an 87.5% FG% and went 23-for-23 on extra-point attempts. In addition, he was also 4-for-5 on 50+ yard field goal attempts. If Reichard cannot suit up, fantasy managers should expect John Parker Romo to continue to operate as the No.1 kicker in Minnesota.

From RotoBaller

Christian McCaffrey Dec 6 4:10pm CT
Christian McCaffrey

San Francisco 49ers left tackle Trent Williams (ankle, personal) has officially been ruled out for the Week 14 game against the Chicago Bears on Sunday, while defensive end Nick Bosa (oblique) is considered doubtful to play. Williams will miss his third straight game due to an ankle injury, and he's also been grieving the loss of his son, so it's unclear when the All-Pro left tackle will actually return. The Niners next play next Thursday night in a divisional battle against the Los Angeles Rams. It's bad news for a Niners offense that will be without running back Christian McCaffrey (knee) for the rest of the season, and possibly Jordan Mason (ankle) as well. Meanwhile, Bosa is likely to miss his third straight game. The 27-year-old hasn't practiced since getting injured in Week 11 against the Seattle Seahawks. Despite Bosa's absence, the Niners defense/special teams is stream-worthy against a banged-up Bears offense.

From RotoBaller

Brandin Cooks Dec 6 4:00pm CT
Brandin Cooks

Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Brandin Cooks (knee) logged a full practice on Friday, according to Jon Machota of The Athletic. Cooks opened the week as a limited participant, but seeing him already upgrade to full participation suggests he will not have an injury designation for Monday night's game. Cooks returned from his seven-game absence on Thanksgiving and caught three of his seven targets for 16 yards and a score. Cooks was sidelined due to a knee infection he suffered following a minor procedure. Fantasy managers should monitor his status during Saturday's practice, but he should be expected to suit up on Monday. Despite his modest output last weekend, fantasy managers should view him as a solid WR3, as he will likely operate as the No.2 wideout in the Dallas passing attack going forward.

From RotoBaller

CeeDee Lamb Dec 6 3:50pm CT
CeeDee Lamb

Dallas Cowboys wide receiver CeeDee Lamb (shoulder) was a limited participant during Friday's practice, according to Jon Machota of The Athletic. Lamb aggravated a shoulder injury during their Thanksgiving victory over the New York Giants but expressed that he expects to be ready for Monday's game against the Cincinnati Bengals. However, fantasy managers should continue to monitor his status during Saturday's final practice in case he carries an injury designation. Lamb averaged a solid 17.7 PPR points per game during Weeks 11 and 12 but took a step back on Thanksgiving when he got hurt, scoring only 5.9 PPR points. However, fantasy managers should view Lamb as a low-end WR1 facing the Bengals, who have allowed the 10th-most PPR points to opposing WRs this season.

From RotoBaller