Fantasy Football News: Josh Allen for MVP? + Add Isaac Guerendo

Let’s take another ride racing around the league in this week’s “Fantasy Whiplash!” It’s a new week and a make-or-break for fantasy teams everywhere who are knocking on the proverbial playoff door. I’ll prepare you with all the fantasy football news and notes affecting your squad as you barge through the week and into your fantasy postseason.

It’s an unseasonably warm day, so I thought we’d take in the sights atop the back of my trusty ride du jour. This here motorcycle goes by the name of Ben Hoglisberger and will carry us not only through the news and notes but along the way you’ll pick up some tips for surviving the fast-approaching onslaught of holiday work parties.

So get on the back of the bike, and let’s see how fast this baby can go. There’s nothing but open road ahead, and we’ve got a postseason to get to. A lot happened in Week 13; let’s see what NFL Week 14 has in store.

Ready? Get on the Choppa!

Fantasy Football News & Notes for Week 14

Fantasy Football News

Here Comes That Man

Josh Allen being on his own fantasy football team makes his TD pass to self that much better https://t.co/MHNVeJGtHb pic.twitter.com/8fssSgR44S

— For The Win (@ForTheWin) December 3, 2024

Each week, it feels like we talk about someone flag-planting themselves in the discussion for the NFL Most Valuable Player (MVP). Week 13 was no different when Josh Allen submitted his claim in the wake of a Sunday night’s 35-10 thrashing of San Franciso.

As the snowflakes fell like so many airborne ashes of the 49ers’ playoff aspirations, Allen put on a show for the hometown crowd amidst field conditions cringeworthy for other quarterbacks. Allen completed just 13 passes, but two went for touchdowns, including one credited to him after a lateral. Scoring summary: Josh Allen seven-yard pass from Josh Allen. Before celebrating the win with snow angels alongside his coach, Allen also tallied 18 yards and a rushing touchdown to cap his day.

All told this season, Buffalo’s Superman has tossed 20 touchdowns and has rushed for more touchdowns (six) than interceptions thrown (five). Above all, he looks like a player who won’t be denied and has already beaten nemesis Patrick Mahomes this season… perhaps the most important stat of all.

League-Winning Upside

Isaac Guerendo entering the fantasy playoffs. pic.twitter.com/DBv0hZEHVK

— Analytics of Dynasty (@McNamaraDynasty) December 2, 2024

Fantasy managers and talking heads alike are fond of pointing to players far too early and labeling them “league-winners.” The fact is, this is the time of year – just before the fantasy playoffs – when those players typically emerge. Heads roll from the top down (no pun intended), and players emerge with more on the line. Teams that took a great big Amber Heard this season are tanking further into the shitter and switching horses to unproven rookies to see what they’ve got.

Next Man Up

Jordan Mason stockholders had all of about an hour to celebrate his return to relevance after the Christian McCaffrey news broke when they were hit with the news that Mason had joined him on the Injured Reserve (IR). Cue Isaac Guerendo, the explosive fourth-round rookie pick out of Louisville who toiled as a backup for years in Wisconsin. Guerendo had 22 catches his final year in college and then wowed with a 4.33-second 40-yard dash time at the NFL Combine. He fits the profile of a league-winner regardless of San Francisco’s season. That sound you hear is everyone emptying their entire Free Agent Acquisition Budget (FAAB) into the bidding war.

Monday Night Preview

It just wouldn’t be an NFL season if Jameis Winston wasn’t somehow involved in your fantasy team’s success in the playoffs, and it sure seemed like we saw a preview of that on Monday. I’m not talking so much about the dub-eating crab king himself as much as I am about his supporting cast.

Jerry Jeudy somewhat predictably blew up in his revenge game against the Broncos’ vaunted defense. He left it all on the field, except for the nine grabs for 235 yards and a touchdown, which he presumably took with him. It was a record-breaking night for Jeudy but lost in the stat shuffle is Elijah Moore nabbing eight receptions for 111 yards of his own. All this was done without Cedric Tillman, whose emergence also makes him a threat in the fantasy playoffs upon returning from concussion protocol.

Long story short, other surprise performances are pointing to a surge, but Guerendo, Winston and any of the Cleveland receiving corps are lined up as league-winners. My money is on the running back and Jeudy.

Party Talk

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We’ve all been there. This time of year, you’re forever being dragged to and from holiday shindigs. An endless parade of kids’ art shows, recitals and neighborhood soirees. There are parties where you know no one. Even worse are the parties where you know everyone; just a room full of people you’d never want to be stuck with. Luckily, I’ve prepared a few tidbits for you to sprinkle into conversations with like-minded adults. They won’t be long enough to turn into a lengthy discussion, and it’s way better idle chatter than politics. Grab another glass of bubbly and loosen up before that social anxiety comes calling.

- The Cincinnati Bengals have gone belly-up. At 4-8, they have a 2% chance of making the playoffs. This is in a year where Ja’Marr Chase has led everybody in everything, and Joe Burrow is playing MVP-caliber football. At this point, players are playing for job security, and coaches are coaching for their lives. Zac Taylor should avoid the axe, but defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo and offensive line coach Frank Pollack are in danger. The fantasy stalwarts from the team should continue to be key contributors to teams down the line, starting Monday at the Dallas Cowboys.
- Those lucky enough to have caught the Courtland Sutton express early are witnessing that man earning his money. He is far and away rookie Bo Nix‘s favorite target. He just keeps producing fantasy numbers. He has had seven or more catches five times in 2024 and six on two other occasions while averaging 94.8 yards receiving in his last five matchups.
- Is it time to apologize to Arthur Smith? Tight end Jonnu Smith (pictured above, no relation that I know of) is killing it right now as the primary weapon for Tua Tagovailoa is the Miami Dolphins offense. He is now up to the Points Per Reception (PPR) TE5 (for reference, his ex-teammate Kyle Pitts is TE15) on the back of a trio of big games. Smith’s accounted for 301 yards on 15 catches with three touchdowns in his last three affairs.
- Of all teams, the Raiders put a scare into the Kansas City Chiefs on (fittingly) Black Friday. Patrick Mahomes and company came out on top with a field goal at 10 minutes left to seal the 18-17 victory. This was not before all-unicorn team’s Brock Bowers reasserted his standing as TE1. He is just 16 catches and 116 yards shy of 100 receptions and 1,000 yards. Unreal.

What to Watch for Around the NFL in Week 14

Wasn’t that “no byes” thing great last week? Well, don’t get comfortable. At what seems like the worst possible time, fantasy managers will be without more than a few star players in Week 14. The Baltimore Ravens, the Denver Broncos, the Houston Texans, the Indianapolis Colts, the New England Patriots and the Washington Commanders all have a respite this week. As far as this writer can tell, that’s no less than a whopping 12 players – at least – that are consistently in fantasy lineups week to week.

Sorry, We Have Plans

The Ravens are idle but will probably have one eye on the TV. They beat the Los Angeles Chargers on “Monday Night Football” (“MNF”) on Nov. 25, but sandwiched around that game were two painful losses to Pittsburgh and Philadelphia. Meanwhile, the Steelers suffered an ugly loss to the Browns two weeks ago but bounced back and took down the Bengals. Now they get another crack at Cleveland with a chance to go up two games in the division without Baltimore in action.

The AFC North is the first to be featured in the new edition of “Hard Knocks In Season,” airing on HBO Tuesdays at 9 p.m. ET and streaming on MAX thereafter. Come for the football, stay for the Winston.

Total Football

Where Week 13 was awash with mediocre game totals from Vegas, Week 14 has some potentially high-scoring fantasy affairs. Most totals are hovering in the 45 to 46-point range that could easily go over, and several are set for shootouts.

Fantasy football managers should benefit from players in the Packers-Lions matchup on Thursday. Arizona squaring off with Seattle should be a good one, too. A lot of managers have pushed their chips in on Arizona’s stretch schedule; it will be interesting to see which team shows up.

The Rams and Bills should be high-flying with no snow on the ground, and Jerry World hosting the Cowboys and Bengals on Monday night could produce fireworks.

Fantasy Quick Hits

Kyler Murray called this before he threw it 🔥🔥🔥 pic.twitter.com/ar8cWy44Nl

— Jireh #BirdGang (@jirashon) December 1, 2024

Guerendo is what you’ve been waiting for. You can’t nickel and dime a potential league-winner, so drop the whole wad and go all-in. If you don’t do it, I promise someone else will. Check their budgets; if you have the most FAAB, just outbid the largest wallet.
Saquon Barkley is now the second-highest odds to win the MVP after the odds-on favorite Allen. Barkey gets another juicy matchup this week against the Carolina Panthers. The Commanders, Steelers, Cowboys and Giants are waiting in line for the buzzsaw. He’s already hit 1,499 rushing yards and, at this point, is worth tuning in for.
As I stated before, much hope rests on the Cardinals, especially those hoping to finally see that Kyler Murray and Marvin Harrison Jr. connection come to fruition. Their upcoming schedule features the Seahawks, Patriots, Panthers and Rams.
Aaron Rodgers has completely taken over the Jets and laid waste to the running game in the process. That’s bad news for Breece Hall managers hoping for postseason magic. At this point, starting any Jets player is playing with fire… just ask Garrett Wilson, who had five receptions for 41 yards Sunday.
Juwan Johnson is an intriguing add in New Orleans for those desperate at tight end. Taysom Hill is done for the season after tearing his ACL. The Saints are suffering a dearth of pass-catchers. In addition to Johnson, this is likely to open up more red zone opportunities for Alvin Kamara.
Austin Ekeler has been placed on IRe as a result of his concussion. Brian Robinson Jr. has also been banged up, so Jeremy McNichols should be rostered everywhere, ahead of teammate Chris Rodriguez.
Jayden Daniels is back up and just in time for the fantasy postseason. He has seven total touchdowns in his last two games, with 481 yards passing and over 100 rush yards to his credit.
Who had “Dem Boyz” winning two straight games? All they are doing at this point is ruining their draft position. And Jerry Jones is probably happy about that.
The Houston Texans’ Nico Collins had a mammoth touchdown called back due to a penalty. He has one in each of his last three games.

“Sunday’s Comin'”

Thanks for coming along for the ride! That’ll do it for the fantasy football news this week, so pick the bugs out of your teeth and get to work on your plan, fellow degenerates. Championships aren’t won without putting in some blood, sweat and tears. Hit that waiver wire and strengthen your bench with handcuffs or high-upside players. Remember, sometimes the best move is no move at all. Get your Thursday players into your positional slots, and leave the flex open for unforeseen circumstances. Say some prayers to the fantasy gods while you’re at it!

As always, trust your gut and have fun. I’ll be back for another “Whiplash!” ride delivering all the fantasy football news next week. If you need last-minute help, I’ll see you on Twitter/X from 10 a.m. ET until the games start on Sunday to answer your start/sit questions. You can also find me here at In-Between Media (IBT) again on Friday with player prop bets for Sunday’s games!

Check out all of our Week 14 fantasy football content:

Thanks for checking out my Week 14 fantasy football news and notes! Track me down on Twitter/X @BuyAndSellYou for more redraft and dynasty fantasy football content.

*Photo Credit: Ed Mulholland – USA TODAY Sports*

Samwise

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Fantasy Football Whiplash! | Week 14 News & Notes (2024)