NFL Week 14 fantasy football, betting cheat sheet: Trevor Lawrence hits injured reserve

Welcome to the Week 14 fantasy and betting cheat sheet, a one-stop shop for The Athletic’s game previews, injury and weather updates, and expert analysis. Bookmark this page and check back often, as we offer regular updates on Thursday and Friday to assist with fantasy lineups and betting decisions. We’ll come back with a special Sunday cheat sheet that morning as well.

Player rankings referenced in this article are current as of Dec. 5 at 7:30 a.m. For updated rankings, see the “Fantasy football player rankings” section.

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Last updated: 7:30 a.m. ET, Dec. 5

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Injury news

Updated through 7:30 a.m., Dec. 5

Thursday Night Football

Romeo Doubs, WR, Green Bay Packers (concussion) — Out
Doubs has been ruled out for the Packers’ TNF matchup against the Detroit Lions. Doubs is averaging a team-high 5.4 targets per game, so those will be shared among Jayden Reed, Dontayvion Wicks, Christian Watson, and TE Tucker Kraft. Reed is averaging the most PPR points per game of any Green Bay receiver with 14.01 but has had five sub-10 fantasy point games this season.

Sunday 1 p.m.

Trevor Lawrence, QB, Jacksonville Jaguars (concussion) — Injured reserve
Trevor Lawrence was placed on injured reserve after taking a massive blow to the head in Week 13, clearing the way for Mac Jones. WR Brian Thomas Jr. and TE Evan Engram take big hits with Lawrence out. Jones’ highest passer rating (100.0) came in Week 3. In Week 10, his next game, he achieved only a 38.2 passer rating. On the season, he has a 62 percent completion rate, lower than Daniel Jones, Aidan O’Connell, Will Levis and Aaron Rodgers.

Tyreek Hill, WR, Miami Dolphins (wrist) — Questionable
Hill didn’t practice Wednesday due to his lingering wrist issue but also for rest. He’s played through his injury before and likely will again. The week is young.

Breece Hall, RB, New York Jets (knee) — Questionable
Hall didn’t practice on Wednesday, but interim head coach Jeff Ulbrich seemed optimistic the Jets’ lead back would play on Sunday, according to ESPN’s Rich Cimini. If he sits, Braelon Allen is a flex consideration on a heavy bye week. Hall only had 60 yards rushing in Week 13 but averaged five yards per carry and had 31.1 PPR points in Week 11. With Aaron Rodgers’ struggles, the Jets may lean on Hall against the Dolphins in Week 14 if he’s ready to go.

Bucky Irving, RB, Tampa Bay Buccaneers (hip/back) — Questionable
Irving was a non-participant in Wednesday’s practice, and if he can’t make it back for Week 14, Rachaad White’s fantasy value elevates. Irving has been getting the bulk of the carries for the Bucs since Week 10 and has been efficient. He’s had just over 27 PPR points the past two weeks and had 152 yards rushing in Week 13. White is down to 13.2 PPR points per game on the season but put up 6.9 yards per carry in Week 13, though half of his 76 rushing yards came off a 38-yard run.

Mike Evans, WR, Tampa Bay Buccaneers (hamstring/calf) — Questionable
Evans didn’t practice Wednesday but it’s early in the week, so Evans owners shouldn’t worry just yet. TE Cade Otton stands to benefit the most if the WR misses time. Without Evans in Weeks 8 and 9, Otton was heavily targeted (10-plus targets) and had 29.1 and 21.7 PPR points, respectively.

Taysom Hill, TE, New Orleans Saints (knee) — Out
Foster Moreau, TE, New Orleans Saints (shoulder) — Questionable
Juwan Johnson, TE, New Orleans Saints (foot) — Questionable
Hill is out for the season due to a torn ACL. Hill’s skillset is unique, and he’s utilized like no one else in the league, but Juwan Johnson and Foster Moreau should see more work — that is, if they’re healthy. Both Johnson and Moreau are questionable but participated in limited fashion rather than sitting out practice Wednesday, which bodes well for their Week 14 availability.

Cedric Tillman, WR, Cleveland Browns (concussion) — Questionable
Tillman hasn’t played since Week 12, but the real Cleveland WR to start in fantasy is Jerry Jeudy, who had 40.5 PPR points in Week 13. I suggested flexing Jeudy last week and this week he may even deserve a WR slot on your roster with six teams on bye.

Will Reichard, K, Minnesota Vikings (quadriceps) — Questionable / injured reserve
Reichard was designated to return to practice on Tuesday. In Reichard’s absence, John Parker Romo has gone 11-for-12 on field goals and 7-for-8 on extra points this season; his longest kick was a 55-yarder. While Romo played well, Reichard will start for the Vikings when healthy.

Dallas Goedert, TE, Philadelphia Eagles (knee) — Questionable
Goedert injured his knee in the win over the Ravens and did not participate in Wednesday’s practice, according to InsideTheBirds’ Andrew DiCecco. If he can’t play, it’s Grant Calcaterra time again … but probably not for your fantasy team. Calcaterra scored zero PPR points in five games this season, and his high of 10.7 points came in Week 6. Even with six teams on bye, starting the Eagles backup tight end is for the desperate.

Theo Johnson, TE, New York Giants (foot) — Injured reserve
Johnson was placed on injured reserve and underwent season-ending foot surgery, according to SI.com’s Patricia Traina. Chris Manhertz is now atop the depth chart at TE for the Giants.

Ja’Tavion Sanders, TE, Carolina Panthers (neck) — Questionable
Sanders missed last week and has had only two games with over 10 PPR points this season. Backup TE Tommy Tremble, who had 12.7 PPR points in Week 13, would get another start if Sanders sits again.

Zamir White, RB, Las Vegas Raiders (quadriceps) — Questionable
Alexander Mattison, RB, Las Vegas Raiders (ankle) — Questionable
With both White and Mattison out last week, Sincere McCormick led the backfield with 12 carries and 64 yards, while Ameer Abdullah had 10 rushes for 39 yards. Expect a similar scenario if Mattison and White are out in Week 14.

Sunday 4 p.m.

Christian McCaffrey, RB, San Francisco 49ers (knee) — Injured reserve
Jordan Mason, RB, San Francisco 49ers (ankle) — Injured reserve
The Niners placed McCaffrey and Mason on injured reserve early this week, and I subsequently placed a waiver claim for Isaac Guerendo in every one of my leagues (seven) and was successful in one. Guerendo is now San Francisco’s No. 1 back, and he’s been good when given the chance. He has averaged 5.9 yards per carry, and among RBs with over 40 carries — Guerendo has 42 — he’s ranked first in yards before contact per rush.

DK Metcalf, WR, Seattle Seahawks (knee) — Questionable
Head coach Mike Macdonald told reporters Metcalf “tweaked his knee” in Seattle’s win over the Jets. After running tests, Macdonald said, “I think he’s doing all right right now,” according to John Boyle of the team’s official site.

Dalton Kincaid, TE, Buffalo Bills (knee) — Questionable
Kincaid was listed as a limited participant in Wednesday’s practice, according to the Bills’ Maddy Glab. Kincaid hasn’t played since Week 10, and if he sits again, Dawson Knox is a streaming option during a week with six teams on bye.

Keon Coleman, WR, Buffalo Bills (wrist) — Questionable
Curtis Samuel, WR, Buffalo Bills (foot) — Questionable
Coleman and Samuel were limited in Wednesday’s practice. Coleman and Samuel are targeted more than Amari Cooper on a per-game basis but bring in fewer receptions; Khalil Shakir gets the most usage for Buffalo. If either (or both) of them sits, Shakir’s and Cooper’s stock rise a little when the Bills head to Los Angeles to face the Rams.

D’Andre Swift, RB, Chicago Bears (quadriceps) — Questionable
Roschon Johnson, RB, Chicago Bears (concussion) — Questionable
Swift and Johnson did not participate in Wednesday’s practice. Behind them on the depth chart is Travis Homer, who has three carries on the year. Swift (3.9 yards per carry) is the No. 1 back in Chicago, but Johnson (2.9 YPC) did see 10 carries in Week 11. Swift is averaging 13.89 PPR points per game, with a 29.5-point season high in Week 4. He likely starts on most fantasy rosters with six teams on bye if he’s active. But, if he sits, Johnson enters the flex conversation.

Keenan Allen, WR, Chicago Bears (ankle) — Questionable
DJ Moore, WR, Chicago Bears (quadriceps) — Questionable
Neither Allen nor Moore practiced Wednesday, but it’s early. If neither of them plays, high-ceiling, low-floor WR Rome Odunze becomes fantasy viable in Week 14.

Sunday Night Football

Ladd McConkey, WR, Los Angeles Chargers (knee) — Questionable
Head coach Jim Harbaugh said he expects McConkey to practice this week, according to The Athletic’s Daniel Popper. But if he can’t play in Week 14, Quentin Johnston will benefit the most, and Joshua Palmer could also see additional targets. On the season, McConkey’s seen 24.9 percent of team targets; TE Will Dissly’s had 16.3 percent, Johnston’s absorbed 14.2 percent and Palmer gets only 12.6 percent. McConkey’s absence leaves a lot behind, and Johnston’s ceiling is around the 22 PPR points he scored in Week 9, while he’s averaged 9.72 points this year.

Matthew Stafford, QB, Los Angeles Rams (ankle) — Questionable
Stafford suffered a lateral ankle sprain in Week 13 but is expected to practice and play this week, according to The Athletic’s Jourdan Rodrigue.

Spencer Shrader, K, Kansas City Chiefs (hamstring) — Injured reserve
After Harrison Butker was placed on IR, the Kansas City Chiefs signed Shrader from the Jets’ practice squad. Shrader was 3-for-3 on field goal attempts (including a game-winner in Week 12) and made all six extra-point attempts. But a hamstring injury sent Shrader to IR, and the Chiefs signed Matthew Wright to their active roster. In Week 13, Wright made 4-of-5 field goal attempts (missing only a 59-yarder) and hit his only extra-point attempt.

Monday Night Football

Evan McPherson, K, Cincinnati Bengals (groin) — Injured reserve
McPherson has been placed on injured reserve. In his absence, the Bengals are signing Cade York to the practice squad, and he’ll likely be next in line to kick for Cincinnati. York kicked for the Commanders in Week 1 and went 0-for-2 on field goals but made both of his extra-point attempts.

CeeDee Lamb, WR, Dallas Cowboys (shoulder) — Questionable
Jake Ferguson, TE, Dallas Cowboys (concussion) — Questionable
Lamb is the only reliable Cowboys receiver and Dallas owner Jerry Jones said he will benefit from rest and should be ready for Week 14, according to Jon Machota of The Athletic. With all the Cowboys’ struggles and Cooper Rush taking over QB duties, Lamb is still averaging 16.49 PPR points on the season. Ferguson hasn’t played since Week 11 and is only averaging 8.66 PPR points per game, but he has averaged 6.44 targets and 4.78 receptions per game and could make it back for Week 14. If Ferguson remains out, Luke Schoonmaker is once again a TE streaming option with two 10-plus PPR performances in the past three weeks.

According to Rotowire’s aggregated NFL-related forecasts, no games on the schedule will be impacted by weather. None have expected temperatures below 35 degrees, which would impact the passing game as per Jake Ciely’s fantasy football strategy guide to weather and as illustrated in the table below.

Featured games

Game-specific previews and live updates are available on the day of the game.

Thursday night

Green Bay Packers (9-3) vs. Detroit Lions (11-1)

• Venue: Ford Field — Detroit, Mich.
• Time: 8:15 p.m. ET
• TV: Prime Video

Jared Goff and the Detroit Lions are favored at home against the Green Bay Packers. While the Packers rank eighth in rush yards allowed per game, they rank 18th in defensive success rate (EPA-based) and 30th in opponent yards before contact. Detroit’s talented RB tandem of David Montgomery and Jahmyr Gibbs (yes, Dan Campbell forgave Gibbs for inadvertently leaking plays) could still achieve their typical PPR points per game of 16.23 and 18.13, respectively. The Packers are more susceptible through the air, giving up 217.3 passing yards per game (19th); their average time to sack is the league-worst. Amon-Ra St. Brown could rebound this week after two 12-ish PPR point performances the past two weeks, and Jameson Williams should be in flex consideration.

The Packers are coming off a 30-17 win against the Miami Dolphins, where Josh Jacobs had only 43 yards rushing but added 74 yards receiving and had a touchdown. Jordan Love was an efficient 21-for-28, which is encouraging given his season-long completion percentage of 63 percent, right above Aaron Rodgers and below Daniel Jones.

Read the full preview.

Sunday afternoon

Buffalo Bills (10-2) vs. Los Angeles Rams (6-6)

• Venue: SoFi Stadium — Inglewood, Calif.
• Time: 4:25 p.m. ET
• TV: Fox

The Buffalo Bills, having clinched the AFC East, go on the road as favorites to face the Los Angeles Rams. The 6-6 Rams still have a shot at the NFC West title and have plenty to play for, but motivation does not equal victory. LA’s defense ranks 28th in rushing yards allowed per game, which bodes well for James Cook who averages 4.7 yards per rush and has 11 rushing TDs on the year. Josh Allen has the odds to win MVP this year with 2,691 passing yards, 334 rushing yards, 26 total TDs and only five interceptions. His primary targets are Khalil Shakir (6.64 targets per game) and Dalton Kincaid (5.9), while Amari Cooper has averaged only 3.25 and only 3.3 yards after catch per reception, compared to Shakir’s 8.0.

The Rams suffered from wide receiver injuries early in the season, but Cooper Kupp and Puka Nacua are now healthy. Matthew Stafford ranks in the top 10 in passing TDs and passing yards but ranks last in passer rating under pressure. Fortunately for him, the Bills rank in the bottom half of the league in sack percentage and opponents time to pressure and time to throw. Kyren Williams has 926 rushing yards (5th in the NFL) and 10 rushing TDs (T-7th) on the year. Blake Corum had eight carries in Week 13, tying his season-high in Week 2 but remains a handcuff with limited fantasy viability.

Read the full preview (coming Sunday).

Sunday night

Los Angeles Chargers (8-4) vs. Kansas City Chiefs (11-1)

• Venue: GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium — Kansas City, Mo.
• Time: 8:20 p.m. ET
• TV: NBC
• Streaming: Peacock

The Kansas City Chiefs are home favorites in their second matchup with the Los Angeles Chargers. In the teams’ first meeting, the Chiefs won 17-10, typical of a skin-of-their-teeth season in which they’ve won by three points or fewer in three of their last four games — the fourth game was their only loss, to Buffalo. Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce have renewed their chemistry since Week 4, and Kelce has had three 20-plus PPR performances since then. During the past three weeks, DeAndre Hopkins has run the most routes (87) and been the most targeted (19) receiver (outside of Kelce). Xavier Worthy is right behind him with 19 targets and 83 routes. Isiah Pacheco averaged 6.3 yards per carry in his first game back last week, and he’ll likely see more touches going forward.

The Chargers’ 8-4 record is their best at this point in the season since 2018, but much of their success has come against weaker opponents. They’ve lost to the Steelers, Cardinals, Ravens (and Chiefs). Head coach Jim Harbaugh has made massive improvements to the defense, and Justin Herbert and the offense are coming along. But J.K. Dobbins is out for the season, Gus Edwards is an inadequate fill-in, and Ladd McConkey is battling a knee injury. If McConkey plays, he’s shaping into an every-week starter with 17.8 PPR points per game over the past three weeks, fantasy’s WR13 during that time.

Read the full preview (coming Sunday).

Monday night

Cincinnati Bengals (4-8) vs. Dallas Cowboys (5-7)

• Venue: AT&T Stadium — Arlington, Texas
• Time: 8:15 p.m. ET
• TV: ESPN, ABC
• Streaming: ESPN+

The 4-8 Cincinnati Bengals are favored on the road against the 5-7 Dallas Cowboys. While the Cowboys defeated the Giants on Thanksgiving, they face a tougher QB in Joe Burrow, who is having a career year with a 108.4 passer rating to go with a league-leading 3,337 passing yards and 30 passing TDs. Chase Brown is averaging 14.78 PPR points per game, and Ja’Marr Chase leads the league in receiving yards (1,142). Tee Higgins ranks fourth overall in PPR points per game (18.4) for receivers who have played in five or more games, putting up WR1 numbers as the team’s No. 2 receiver.

The Cowboys may struggle to stop Burrow, but even with Cooper Rush under center, they may be able to score on the Bengals, who allow the second-most points and are ranked 27th in yards per game allowed. CeeDee Lamb, tied for fourth in total receiving yards, tweaked his shoulder on Thanksgiving but should be ready for MNF, according to Jon Machota of The Athletic. Rico Dowdle is a boom-or-bust RB3/flex (in 12-team leagues) with under 10 PPR points in five games this season and over 19 in three but should find opportunities against Cincinnati’s defense.

Read the full preview (coming Monday).

Statistics in this section come from TruMedia.

Week 14 best bets

Austin Mock scours his weekly projections to spot the top values on the board.

Green Bay Packers +3.5 (-115) at Detroit Lions

If you gleaned any takeaways from the Bears-Lions Thanksgiving matchup other than the Bears’ incompetency, it was that the Detroit defense was absolutely gutted during the game. Well, a week later, things aren’t looking much better. Maybe the Lions just score all over the Packers defense, but I think there is a good chance the Packers put up a bunch of points here and have a chance to win outright.

• Worst price to bet: Packers +3 (-110)

— Mock

See all of Mock’s best bets for Week 14.

The Buccaneers were the popular pick a week ago, but if you saved them and still have them at your disposal, they will be one of the most popular picks again. I know they got a scare against Carolina, but the Panthers have been a problem in recent weeks, especially now that Bryce Young is slowly but surely adapting to the NFL. They might not be good, but they are putting up a fight.

Get Ciely’s full Week 14 analysis. Plus sleepers and projections.