Top daily fantasy football plays for Week 14 of the NFL season

SB Nation brings you the top Daily Fantasy options each week through the regular season and into the playoffs. This week, we’re focusing on the Millionaire Maker on Draftkings and the FanDuel Sunday Million slate, so you will not see players from Saturday’s two games in this list. As for who should be in your lineups, here are the top value plays of the week, with an eye toward low ownership and high upside.

Quarterback

Tom Brady, New England Patriots at Pittsburgh Steelers ($7,600 DK, $8,800 FD)

Hell hath no fury like a GOAT scorned. You can get Brady once, like the Dolphins did on Monday night, but expecting that kind of lightning to strike twice in a week? Don’t count on it. As the Ravens proved last week, even a benign offense can move the ball on the Steelers through the air. With so much quality discounts on the slate at other positions, paying up for Brady shouldn’t be a problem, but his high price and recency bias should hold down his ownership. Go GOAT and go happy.

Ben Roethlisberger, Steelers vs. Patriots ($6,700 DK, $8,000 FD)

Roethlisberger at home is almost always a great play, and that’s proving true the past four weeks. Big Ben has put up 29, 35 and 32 DK points in his past three home games, and now he draws the still shaky Patriots defense at Heinz Field in the biggest regular season game of the year. At $900 cheaper than Brady, Roethlisberger is the ideal way to get exposure to this fireworks show.

Cam Newton, Carolina Panthers vs. Green Bay Packers ($6,400 DK, $7,900 FD)

You think Packers fans (and wide receivers) are overjoyed about Aaron Rodgers’ return? Think about what this means for Newton, who already draws a smash scenario based on the fragility of the Packers’ secondary. Now add in Rodgers and the possibility of a high-scoring, back-and-forth affair and suddenly Newton could be looking at a massive day throwing and running. At $6,400, Newton feels like a steal against this defense.

Blake Bortles, Jacksonville Jaguars vs. Houston Texans ($5,700 DK, $7,400 FD)

The once-proud Texans defense is now just a tattered husk and if Bortles didn’t already have that advantage going for him, there’s an excellent chance that rookie Leonard Fournette won’t play because of an injury that caused him to miss practice all week. With no ground game of note, Bortles could throw it 40 times. Bortles almost can’t help but crush his salary.

Discount Darling: Joe Flacco, Baltimore Ravens at Cleveland Browns ($5,100 DK, $6,800 FD)

I think this is the first time all season that Flacco has drawn mention in this column, but there’s no denying his recent performances, and there’s no getting away from the fact that the Browns, for all their recent success on offense, are still a dreadful defensive unit. If Flacco puts up another 18 points (or more), his $5,100 can go a long way to include expensive pieces from the Pats-Steelers game.

Avoid: Jared Goff, Los Angeles Rams at Seattle Seahawks ($6,200 DK, $7,600 FD)

Goff has been terrific this season and is close to being an every-week option. But not this week, against this team at this venue. Even with their injuries, the Seahawks are still a tough defense at home and Goff had arguably his worst game of 2017 against Seattle earlier this season.

Also consider: Russell Wilson, Seattle Seahawks; Jimmy Garoppolo, San Francisco 49ers; Nick Foles, Philadelphia Eagles.

Running back

Mark Ingram, New Orleans Saints vs. New York Jets ($8,200 DK, $8,300 FD)

In three of the four games where Ingram broke 100 yards rushing he got 20+ carries. The most recent was five games ago, a 47-10 rout of the Bills. But with Bryce Petty playing quarterback against the stout Saints’ defense, the odds of Ingram topping 20 carries looks really good, as do his chances to work in the red zone, as the Jets might struggle all day to move the ball. Alvin Kamara is also a solid option, but this feels like a grind-the-clock type game, especially in the second half, and that’s where Ingram excels.

Kenyan Drake, Miami Dolphins at Buffalo Bills ($5,800 DK, $6,500 FD)

We wrote this about Frank Gore last week: “The Bills have been downright dreadful at stopping the run since they traded Marcell Dareus. They are fourth worst in the league in yards rushing allowed and dead last with 18 rushing touchdowns, including 11 in the past five weeks.” And, on cue (and inside a slow-globe), Gore ran for 130 yards. Drake has topped 100 yards with ease the past two weeks. His only drawback is expected ownership, but he’s going to be hard to fade given his production and the state of the Bills’ run defense.

Alex Collins, Baltimore Ravens at Cleveland Browns ($5,000 DK, $6,600 FD)

Collins’ rushing totals the past four weeks: 49-60-75-120. Cleary, Collins is trending in the right direction. The Browns’ run defense, one of the toughest in the league for most of the season, is trending in the other direction and got smashed by Jamaal Williams last week. Collins is also excelling in the passing game, making him a steal at 5K on DraftKings.

Jay Ajayi, Philadelphia Eagles at New York Giants ($5,000 DK, $6,100 FD)

Presumably the Eagles are going to lean a little heavier on the run game until Nick Foles has a full grasp on playing with the first unit. The Giants are the perfect opponent to break Foles in easy, while allowing Ajayi to fully assume lead-back duties with the playoffs on the horizon. If Rod Smith could destroy the defense, we’re willing to bet on Ajayi doing the same.

Discount Darling: Mike Davis, Seattle Seahawks vs. Los Angeles Rams ($4,000 DK, $5,800 FD)

Davis had 16 carries two weeks ago and 15 last week. He is the guy in this offense now and the Rams allow the second-most fantasy points to running backs. If Davis can avoid an injury like the rib issue that plagued him last week, he should top 20 carries with ease and a score would pay off his salary with equal ease.

Avoid: Orleans Darkwa, Giants vs. Eagles ($3,700 DK, $5,900 FD)

Wayne Gallman is turning this into a true RBBC and the Eagles are among the toughest defenses in the league against the run. Even at this minimum price, Darkwa is not a player you can trust.

Also consider: Le’Veon Bell, Pittsburgh Steelers; Todd Gurley, Los Angeles Rams; Rex Burkhead, New England Patriots.

Wide receiver

Antonio Brown, Pittsburgh Steelers vs. New England Patriots ($9,100 DK, $9,300 FD)

We talked about Ben Roethlisberger’s recent success at home. It goes hand-in-glove with AB, who was 45, 44 and 35 DK points in his las three home games. We just saw the Pats’ secondary get destroyed by Jay Cutler, of all people, and now they face Brown on short rest. Buckle up and fire up the Steelers stacks.

Josh Gordon, Cleveland Browns vs. Baltimore Ravens ($6,800 DK, $7,500 FD)

I guess missing three years wasn’t that big of a deal, after all. Gordon has looked like the receiver with all the potential in the world the past two weeks, turning 17 targets into 7 catches for 154 yards and a score. The Ravens have really struggled with opponents’ No. 1 receivers since Jimmy Smith was lost for the year and that should continue this week with DeShone Kizer finally showing some consistency.

Devin Funchess, Carolina Panthers vs. Green Bay Packers ($6,600 DK, $7,300 FD)

Funchess has become the clear No. 1 in the offense, with 32 targets over his past four games, and now he gets to face a Packers secondary that is missing its best players (who weren’t particularly good to begin with) and have been overwhelmed by opposing wide receivers for weeks on end. With Greg Olsen still slowed by injuries, Funchess figures to be Cam Newton’s primary target, which should lead to a monster performance in a potential shootout if Aaron Rodgers is on his game.

Jamison Crowder, Washington vs. Arizona Cardinals ($5,600 DK, $6,800 FD)

The formula remains the same: When facing the Cardinals and Patrick Peterson, look to the slot receiver. The last two times Crowder saw double-digit targets, Washington was facing Janoris Jenkins and Xavier Rhodes. That’s a pattern that can’t be ignored.

Discount Darling: Keelan Cole, Jacksonville Jaguars vs. Houston Texans ($3,700 DK, $4,500 FD)

I’ve been singing the praises of Dede Westbrook for a few weeks, and I’ll continue to do so, but it’s the other rookie receiver for the Jaguars who also deserves consideration in a smash spot for the Jags’ passing game. Cole has scored a touchdown in consecutive games and had 99 yards last week. At near minimum price, Cole could be a tournament-winning play.

Avoid: DeAndre Hopkins, Houston Texans at Jacksonville Jaguars ($7,700 DK, $8,200 FD)

He’s hobbled with a toe injury that caused him to miss practice Thursday and Friday. His quarterback this week is T.J. Yates. His opponent is the top secondary in the league (and a nasty pass rush to boot). It could not be a more perfect storm against Hopkins this week. Season-long players probably have no choice, but you do.

Also consider: Michael Thomas, New Orleans Saints; Brandin Cooks, New England Patriots; Nelson Agholor, Philadelphia Eagles.

Tight end

Zach Ertz, Philadelphia Eagles at New York Giants ($6,000 DK, $7,900 FD)

Tight end is not an exciting place to be this week, although I’m sure interest in Rob Gronkowski will be high after his one-week suspension. The best of the high-priced plays, however, is Ertz, who is also expected back this week after clearing concussion protocol. The Giants are the worst defense in the league against the tight end and Nick Foles might want to lean on Ertz as he gets his game legs underneath him.

Delanie Walker, Tennessee Titans at San Francisco 49ers ($5,200 DK, $6,500 FD)

Last week was the first time in seven games that Walker didn’t score in double figures in DK points. He has been arguably the most reliable tight end in the league this season – always steady, if never spectacular. Walker offers a nice discount from Gronk and Ertz, while having arguably the most upside of any tight end below him.

Ricky Seals-Jones, Arizona Cardinals at Washington ($3,000 DK, $5,300 FD)

Seals-Jones has come back to earth after his two-game touchdown-fest, but he still is getting targets from Blaine Gabbert and he takes on a Washington defense that has struggled against the position all season. RSJ’s price is still low enough that just one score is all it takes to make value.

Charles Clay, Buffalo Bills vs. Miami Dolphins ($3,000 DK, $5,300 FD)

Clay has been the most consistent receiver for the Bills all season, and the Dolphins are tied with Washington for third-most touchdowns allowed to the position.

Discount Darling: David Njoku, Cleveland Browns vs. Baltimore Ravens ($2,700 DK, $4,800 FD)

The Ravens have allowed the past two tight ends they’ve faced to put up nice numbers, so Njoku has a chance to succeed this week. Before last week, Njoku had 10 targets over two games, so he can get it done if Kizer looks his way.

Avoid: Greg Olsen, Carolina Panthers vs. Green Bay Packers ($4,000 DK, $5,600 FD)

The Packers can and will be beaten on the outside by wideouts, but tight ends have struggled against Green Bay’s linebackers. Olsen is still trying to get up to game speed and hasn’t been a factor in the passing game since his return. He is very hard to trust this week.

Also consider: Rob Gronkowski, New England Patriots; Jimmy Graham, Seattle Seahawks; Vernon Davis, Washington.

Defense

Jacksonville Jaguars vs. Houston Texans ($4,500 DK, $5,900 FD)

New Orleans Saints vs. New York Jets ($3,900 DK, $4,600 FD)

Philadelphia Eagles at New York Giants ($3,600 DK, $4,700 FD)

Seattle Seahawks vs. Los Angeles Rams ($3,100 DK, $4,500 FD)

Discount Darling: Arizona Cardinals at Washington ($2,900 DK, $4,500 FD)

Avoid: Tennessee Titans at San Francisco 49ers ($3,000 DK, $4,700 FD)