Week 14 signifies the first week of fantasy playoffs for many people across this grand fantasy nation. With this important date upon us, I'm not going to bore you with the obvious 'check your matchups' and 'keep track of injuries' speeches. No, I'm simply going to say that for those of you in the playoffs, congratulations; it's been one heck of a bumpy ride this season and the payoff is in sight.
Good luck. Here are my week 14 Love-Hate choices.
James LeBeau is an avid fantasy sports participant and a sports contributor for CraveOnline Sports. You can follow him on twitter @LoboISbroke or “like” CraveOnline Sports on Facebook.
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Week 14 Love Hate
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Andrew Luck QB – Indianapolis
Where has all the luck gone for Andrew? Apparently it's not on the football field as Luck hasn't broke 20 fantasy points in a game since week 9. To add insult to misery, he has only thrown two touchdowns against five interceptions over his past four games. These facts stacked up against the Colts facing a Cincinnati Bengals defense that hasn't allowed a 20 point fantasy day to any QB since week 7 leads me to recommend immediate benching of Luck for this week.
HATE
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DeMarco Murray RB – Dallas
Coming off of a three touchdown game on Thanksgiving, Murray again is poised to do good things as the Cowboys face the Chicago Bears. For the season, Chicago has given up the second most fantasy points (21.7) to running backs, allowing them an average of 4.9 yards per carry and a total of 14 touchdowns. If there is ever a no brainer start when not talking about an elite player, then this it.
LOVE
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Frank Gore RB – San Francisco
Gore has a brutal matchup in week 14 as the 49ers face the Seattle Seahawks. Nursing an ankle injury that is limiting him in practice, Gore just isn't a solid start, especially considering that he has averaged less than three yards a carry over his past three games. No, it might be best to look elsewhere for fantasy production out of the running back position this week.
HATE
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Jordy Nelson WR – Green Bay
Even though Nelson has struggled mightily without quarterback Aaron Rodgers, not scoring once, it's my belief that the Packers matchup against the Atlanta Falcons will remedy this absence. Atlanta has been a major disappointment this season and a big part of that lack of play falls on their defense. Currently they rank 20th against the pass, the main stat of note to Nelson owners, so there should be plenty of opportunity for Nelson to break out of his funk no matter who is throwing the ball. I look for Nelson to cross the century mark with a score.
LOVE
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Marques Colston WR – New Orleans
Speaking of players in a funk, Colston enters his week 14 matchup against the tough Carolina Panthers sporting back to back bad games. His latest, against the Seahawks, saw him catch four passes for only 27 yards. With an equally efficient Panthers defense this week, the smart move is to steer clear of Colston if you have anyone even remotely productive to replace him with.
HATE
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Tom Brady QB – New England
Brady gets my top love nod this week as he and his resurgent offense welcome the troubled Cleveland Browns to what is sure to be a week 14 beatdown. Over his last four weeks, Brady has completed 70 percent of his passes with 10 touchdowns to just two interceptions. These stats, coupled with a Patriots defense that isn't playing up to standard (thus allowing Cleveland to score, thus making it so Brady needs to keep scoring), means big points in New England this weekend.
LOVE
