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Fowler's Fantasy Football Playoffs Sleepers List

Updated Mar. 4, 2020 2:29 p.m. ET

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Ryan Fowler

Play your studs.  Let me repeat this, play your studs.  During the 2014 fantasy football playoffs, don’t try to overthink the room and play your studs.  What I’m about to share below are options for those owners who learn Arian Foster is going to miss that week’s game at 11:30 in the morning or those fantasy football assets that continue to work their way into FLEX consideration at RB / WR / TE.  As is the case in most of my FOXSports.com fantasy football features, the advice below pertains to those in PPR formats.

Most of the analysis below heavily weighs fantasy points allowed to each position per game.

Quarterback – Ryan Mallett vs. Jacksonville

Through their first 10 games, the Jaguars have allowed 21 fantasy points per game to opposing quarterbacks.  Against Cleveland’s pass defense (third-best), Mallett completed two-thirds of his passes for 211 yards with two touchdowns and one interception.  He targeted Andre Johnson and DeAndre Hopkins 17 times combined in his first career starts and managed to target tight end Garrett Graham in the red zone against the Browns.  With a few more weeks to get regular season reps, Mallett could be a sneaky play come Week 14.

Running Back – Isaiah Crowell vs. Indianapolis

Coach Mike Pettine said earlier this week that he wouldn’t name a specific RB1 and would continue to embrace the hot-hand approach.  Now that Ben Tate is out of the equation (picked up by the Vikings today), Crowell and West will fight it out for most touches each week.  Despite him fumbling three times and losing two this season, popular opinion is that Crowell runs harder than West and could emerge as the “winner” of the backfield committee.  West could easily flip that script and be the name mentioned above heading into Week 14’s RB-friendly matchup with the Colts (22.2 FPAPG).  If you look ahead, Crowell is mentioned Weeks 14-16, meaning if you have an opportunity to snag West / Crowell off the waiver wire, it would be wise investment of time.

Running Back – Bishop Sankey vs. NY Giants

If the Titans’ defense can hold Eli in check and keep the score close, Sankey should flirt with 15-18 carries in Week 14.  To-date, the Giants rush defense has allowed 20-or-more fantasy points in seven games or 23.7 FPAPG.  Sankey is averaging 14 carries per game over the last five contests.

Running Back – Chris Ivory vs. Minnesota

Like the Browns’ backfield, Ivory has a very favorable fantasy playoff schedule if the Jets’ defense does their part to keep the running game part of the gameplan.  While his ceiling is limited to RB3 status due to Michael Vick’s mobility in addition to the Percy Harvin wrinkle in the rushing attack as of late, Ivory is averaging 4.5 yards per rush this season – ranked 19th in the NFL.

Wide Receiver – Kenny Britt vs. Washington

Why not Britt?  Odds are he’ll lead the Rams in targets against the Redskins’ pass defense – ranked 21st in fantasy points allowed per game (23.7 FPAPG).  For a PPR WR3, there are worse options in Week 14.

Wide Receiver – Cecil Shorts / Allen Hurns vs. Houston

For all the positive accolades and attention the Texans’ front seven (see: Watt, J.J.) receive, their secondary has been torched all season.  Heck, Taylor Gabriel caught five balls for 92 yards in Week 11.  They allows opposing receivers (team unit) to average 28.3 fantasy points per week.  So, if you start Shorts as a potential WR2 in PPR leagues or Hurns as a WR3 flier, chances are you could cash in a winning Jaguars lotto ticket in Week 14.

Note: Marcedes Lewis has returned from the IR, which could expand Bortles passing options by Week 14.

Quarterback – Josh McCown vs. Carolina

Averaging 21 fantasy points in four games completed this season.

Running Back – Chris Ivory vs. Tennessee

Running Back – Joique Bell vs. Minnesota

With Reggie Bush OUT, rushed 18 times for 74 yards, caught two passes for 23 yards with a touchdown against the Vikings in October.

Running Back – Isaiah Crowell vs. Cincinnati

Wide Receiver – John Brown vs. St. Louis

With attention on Michael Floyd and Larry Fitzgerald, Brown will look to trump his five receptions for 73 yards and a touchdown he posted against the Rams’ second the first time around.

Wide Receiver – Martavis Bryant vs. Atlanta

Never want to assume the obvious.  Although Braynt failed to score a touchdown in Week 11 against the Titans, Roethlisberger targeted him three times in the end zone.

Wide Receiver – Cecil Shorts vs. Baltimore

Quarterback – Mark Sanchez vs. Washington / Zach Mettenberger vs. Jacksonville / Blake Bortles vs. Tennessee

Reminder: play your studs

Running Back – Tre Mason vs. NY Giants

Averaging 21 carries per game over last three games.

Running Back – Fred Jackson (or TBD) vs. Oakland

Interested to see how Bryce Brown’s PPR value is impacted when Fred Jackson plays an entire game.

Running Back – Isaiah Crowell vs. Carolina

Running Back – Chris Ivory vs. New England

Wide Receiver – Kenny Stills vs. Atlanta

Wide Receiver – Andre Johnson vs. Baltimore

Over their last five games, the Ravens’ secondary has allowed nearly 29 fantasy points per game to opposing receivers.  Big day for DeAndre Hopkins and AJ in store.

Wide Receiver – Steve Smith vs. Houston

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