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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
David Njoku Dec 6 8:20pm CT
David Njoku

Cleveland Browns tight end David Njoku hauled in two touchdown passes in a high-scoring loss to the Denver Broncos in Week 13. He will look for more success in Week 14's road matchup against the Pittsburgh Steelers. The Steelers have been decent against tight ends in fantasy this season, allowing the 17th-fewest fantasy points per game to the position thus far. Njoku has been a no-brainer TE1 in fantasy since Jameis Winston took over as the team's quarterback and can be treated as a top-six option heading into his Week 14 matchup.

From RotoBaller

Khalil Shakir Dec 6 8:20pm CT
Khalil Shakir

Fantasy managers needing a steady hand at wide receiver should look at Buffalo Bills wide receiver Khalil Shakir in Week 14. Outside of last week's snow bowl, the slot receiver has no fewer than six receptions in every game since Week 7. Unfortunately, his yards per reception has hit double digits only once in that stretch. He also hasn't scored a touchdown since Week 3. Shakir's usage often comes near the line of scrimmage, creating a solid PPR floor. Fantasy managers in need of upside should look elsewhere at receiver. Otherwise, Shakir is a solid flex option against the Los Angeles Rams.

From RotoBaller

Dustin Hopkins Dec 6 8:20pm CT
Dustin Hopkins

Cleveland Browns kicker Dustin Hopkins made one of his two field-goal attempts and added three extra points in a high-scoring loss to the Denver Broncos in Week 13. He will now take on the Pittsburgh Steelers on the road in Week 14. The Steelers have been tough on kickers this season, allowing the third-fewest fantasy points per game to the position thus far. Hopkins has struggled with his accuracy in 2024, missing seven of his 23 attempts, which doesn't help his cause. He should not be in fantasy lineups heading into Week 14.

From RotoBaller

Ray Davis Dec 6 8:20pm CT
Ray Davis

Buffalo Bills running back Ray Davis has zero starts this season but remains one of the most valuable bench stashes as the fantasy football postseason nears. The rookie showed his worth in spot duty in the snow against the San Francisco 49ers, tallying 12 touches for 67 yards and a touchdown. Davis has been effective when given the opportunity. If starter James Cook suffers an injury, Davis would be the most valuable waiver-wire addition. Fantasy football players can beat the potential rush by adding Davis to benches ahead of Buffalo's matchup with the Los Angeles Rams. Davis ranks as a low-end RB3 this week.

From RotoBaller

Dawson Knox Dec 6 8:20pm CT
Dawson Knox

Dawson Knox's time as a full-time starter may be coming to a close. The Buffalo Bills tight end has been atop the team's depth chart with Dalton Kincaid (knee) sidelined for the last two games. Kincaid has returned to limited participation in practice and is questionable on Sunday against the Rams. If he is inactive again, Knox will be Josh Allen's primary tight end target. However, he shouldn't be started in fantasy football. Knox has totaled six receptions for 96 yards and zero touchdowns in the two games without Kincaid.

From RotoBaller

Drake London Dec 6 8:20pm CT
Drake London

Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Drake London had been one of the most consistent, higher-scoring wide receivers for fantasy in the early going of the season, but as Kirk Cousins has faded, so too has London. After recording five touchdown catches through the first seven games, the 23-year-old has just one TD over the last five games. On the bright side, the 6-foot-4 wideout still maintains a 36.4% target share, even drawing totals of 13 and 16 targets in two of the last three contests, resulting in an eight-catch and a nine-catch performance respectively. This week's opponent, the Minnesota Vikings, are one of the toughest teams to run on, so the Falcons could be forced to take to the air, even if they'd rather not given Cousins' recent struggles. Atlanta is a six-point underdog in this contest, and if they are also forced to play catch-up, it should work in London's favor. View the former first-round draft pick as a borderline WR1 this week who could get back into the end zone if his quarterback cleans up the turnover issues.

From RotoBaller

Jerry Jeudy Dec 6 8:10pm CT
Jerry Jeudy

Cleveland Browns wide receiver Jerry Jeudy (knee) turned in a career performance in a Week 13 loss to the Denver Broncos, catching nine passes for 235 yards and a touchdown. The veteran has been listed with a knee issue on the practice report for the past month or so but he practiced fully all week and does not have an injury designation heading into the weekend. He will look to stay hot in a road matchup against the Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 14. The Steelers have been tough on receivers this season, allowing the ninth-fewest fantasy points per game to the position thus far. That being said, the Jameis Winston-to-Jeudy connection has been fruitful for the Browns and fantasy gamers this season, even in difficult matchups. He can be treated as a low-end WR1 in fantasy heading into Week 14.

From RotoBaller

James Cook Dec 6 8:10pm CT
James Cook

What a difference a year makes. Last season, Buffalo Bills running back James Cook's lack of touchdowns (six) prevented him from ascending to elite status. This season, the 25-year-old has 12 touchdowns in 11 games, including four in his last three. The Rams haven't allowed a running back to catch a touchdown this season, but have surrendered nine on the ground. Even better for Cook's Week 14 prospects is that the Rams are the fifth-worst run defense in the NFL. With six teams on bye, Cook is a lineup lock with the potential to explode.

From RotoBaller

Elijah Moore Dec 6 8:10pm CT
Elijah Moore

Cleveland Browns wide receiver Elijah Moore (shoulder) turned in his best performance of the season in a Week 13 loss to the Denver Broncos, catching eight passes for 111 yards. While he dealt with a shoulder injury throughout the past week, he practiced fully on Friday and does not have an injury status on the team's final practice report heading into the weekend. The veteran receiver will have his work cut out for him in a Week 14 matchup against a Pittsburgh Steelers defense that is allowing the ninth-fewest fantasy points per game to opposing receivers this season. Treat Moore as a mid-range WR3 in fantasy this weekend.

From RotoBaller

Amari Cooper Dec 6 8:10pm CT
Amari Cooper

Buffalo Bills wide receiver Amari Cooper (wrist) still appeared on the injury report ahead of Week 14 but doesn't carry an injury designation into the weekend. He fully participated in practice all week. Cooper's play since arriving in upstate New York is more concerning than his wrist. The veteran has yet to play more than 51% of Buffalo's snaps, whether due to injury or game script. He hasn't had more than three targets since his debut with the team. That makes Cooper difficult to trust, despite a positive matchup against the Rams in Los Angeles.

From RotoBaller

Jerome Ford Dec 6 8:00pm CT
Jerome Ford

Cleveland Browns running back Jerome Ford had one of his most productive games in weeks in a Week 13 loss to the Denver Broncos, rolling up 62 yards on 10 touches. Ford will look to build upon that performance on the road against the Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 14. The Steelers have been decent against running backs this season, allowing the 22nd-most fantasy points per game to the position thus far. That being said, Ford has emerged as the team's preferred passing-down back even with Chubb in the fold, giving him some value as a low-end flex option in PPR leagues.

From RotoBaller

Josh Allen Dec 6 8:00pm CT
Josh Allen

Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen remains a reliable QB1 as he and the Bills travel to Los Angeles to take on the Rams. He's scored 20 fantasy points every game over the last seven weeks, doing it through the air, on the ground, and even "catching" a touchdown in the snow. This week, the favorite to win MVP won't have to worry about the weather inside SoFi Stadium. The Rams defense isn't much of a concern, either. Los Angeles is a middle-of-the-pack fantasy defense against quarterbacks. For a quarterback of Allen's caliber, that's a green light for fantasy success.

From RotoBaller

Chase McLaughlin Dec 6 8:00pm CT
Chase McLaughlin

Tampa Bay Buccaneers kicker Chase McLaughlin saw a ton of the field during last week's win over the Carolina Panthers. McLaughlin connected on 4-of-5 field goals, including the game-winner in overtime. He did miss his first try from 55 yards in overtime, but knocked it down the second time. It was a busy day for McLaughlin who has been quiet recently. The expectation is that McLaughlin will be busy once again for the Week 14 matchup against the Las Vegas Raiders. Fantasy managers in need of a kicker should take a look at McLaughlin for this weekend.

From RotoBaller

Demarcus Robinson Dec 6 8:00pm CT
Demarcus Robinson

Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Demarcus Robinson found the end zone again last week, giving him six touchdowns in the last six weeks, and he'll look to keep that string going in his Week 14 home matchup against the Bills. He had to leave in the fourth quarter with a hand injury and was limited in Wednesday before getting in two full practices and receiving no injury designation. As the Rams' clear No. 3 receiver behind Puka Nacua and Cooper Kupp, Robinson has only had seven total catches in the last four weeks but continues to find the end zone at an amazingly high rate. With two catches or fewer in four straight games and such limited targets, his touchdown production is unsustainable. In a less-than-favorable matchup against the Bills, he's RotoBaller's WR49, meaning he's only a desperation flex option.

From RotoBaller

Sterling Shepard Dec 6 7:50pm CT
Sterling Shepard

Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Sterling Shepard has surprisingly seen significant involvement in the offense over the last few weeks. In fact, Shepard has seen seven targets in each of the last two games. He has hauled in nine of those targets, but only has 58 receiving yards to show for it. That being said, Shepard isn't an ideal fantasy option ahead of the Week 14 matchup against the Las Vegas Raiders. The Bucs have shown a willingness to get Shepard involved, but that doesn't guarantee he'll deliver on the field. Fantasy managers can go ahead and consider Shepard a low-end flex option for Week 14.

From RotoBaller

Bijan Robinson Dec 6 7:50pm CT
Bijan Robinson

Atlanta Falcons running back Bijan Robinson is coming off of a 32-touch performance last week in which he eclipsed 100 yards rushing and scored. It was the eighth time in 12 games that the 22-year-old tallied 100-plus total yards rushing and receiving and the eighth time he scored. All that has made him a top option at RB in fantasy this season, however, production will be harder to come by in Week 14 against a Vikings defense that is allowing the third-fewest fantasy points to opposing running backs, limiting them to the second-lowest yards per carry average in the entire NFL (3.7 YPC) while yielding a league-low five rushing touchdowns. Working in Robinson's favor, though, is that the former first-round draft pick has recorded three or more receptions in 11 of 12 games in 2024, giving him a solid weekly floor. You won't find many backs that handle as many touches as the second-year pro does on a weekly basis, so fire him up as a higher-end RB1 despite the tough matchup.

From RotoBaller

Jameis Winston Dec 6 7:50pm CT
Jameis Winston

Cleveland Browns quarterback Jameis Winston is coming off a record-setting game that saw him throw for a team-record 497 yards while tossing four touchdowns and three interceptions against the Denver Broncos. He will look to keep it going on the road against the Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 14. The Steelers have been a tough matchup for quarterbacks this season as they are allowing the fewest fantasy points per game to the position. The Browns have shown that they will throw the ball frequently with Winston under center regardless of the matchup, which keeps the signal-caller on the radar as a mid-range QB2 in fantasy in Week 14.

From RotoBaller

Cade Otton Dec 6 7:50pm CT
Cade Otton

Tampa Bay Buccaneers tight end Cade Otton has come back down to Earth following his elite three-game stretch. The return of wide receiver Mike Evans has pretty much finished the elite Otton era in Tampa Bay. Over the last two games, Otton has five receptions for 50 yards and he hasn't found the end zone since Week 9. The good news is that Otton does have a plus matchup against the Las Vegas Raiders this weekend. However, Otton had a strong matchup last week and only finished with 20 yards. Fantasy managers should consider Otton as a TE2 for Week 14.

From RotoBaller

Nick Chubb Dec 6 7:50pm CT
Nick Chubb

Cleveland Browns running back Nick Chubb is coming off a slow performance that saw him gain just 21 yards on nine carries in a high-scoring loss to the Denver Broncos in Week 13. He will look to bounce back on the road against the Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 14. The Steelers have been decent against the run this season, allowing just the 22nd-most fantasy points per game to fantasy running backs. That being said, Chubb had success against them back when these two teams met in Week 12, running for 59 yards and two touchdowns in a win. Fantasy gamers can treat Chubb as a high-end RB3 heading into Week 14.

From RotoBaller

Cooper Kupp Dec 6 7:40pm CT
Cooper Kupp

Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Cooper Kupp is a strong option this week against the Bills since the Rams will need to be aggressive to keep up with the high-scoring Bills. He saw a drop in volume last week vs. the Saints and only had three catches for 17 yards on six targets. All of those were season-lows for the eighth-year veteran, but he is expected to bounce back this week. Kupp had double-digit targets in three of four games before last week, reaching over 100 yards in two of those contests while totaling three touchdowns. On the season, he's averaging over 70 yards per game and has five scores. The Bills have been the second-best team in the NFL at limiting wide receiver production, but with his volume back to normal, Kupp is still RotoBaller's WR8 this week.

From RotoBaller