Week 14 of the 2023 fantasy football season featured big surprises. Who were the big winners and losers? Which players received "A" and "F" grades?
Matt Bowen and Tristan H. Cockcroft offer their analysis and Seth Walder provides his grades. We also asked NFL Nation reporters to answer questions about what happened in the Thursday and Sunday games.
Jump to a topic:
Ranking winners | Ranking losers
Who got an A | Who got an F
Biggest injuries and what's next
Top questions from Week 14
Ranking fantasy winners of Week 14
1. Deebo Samuel, WR, San Francisco 49ers
Is there a more explosive playmaker in the league right now than Deebo? I don't see it after he racked up 34 points in Sunday's win over the Seahawks, a week after dropping 35.8 points on the Eagles. Samuel caught 7 of 9 targets here for 149 yards and a score, plus he added a rushing touchdown. That gives Samuel at least one touchdown in each of his past three games. His versatility is being maximized in Kyle Shanahan's offense right now, and the 49ers are rolling. Samuel gets the Cardinals' defense up next in Week 15. -- Bowen
2. David Njoku, TE, Cleveland Browns
Njoku logged a season-high 27.1 points in the Week 14 win over the Jags, catching 6 of 8 targets for 91 yards with two touchdowns. And I loved how Njoku was deployed as a play-action target for quarterback Joe Flacco (who can still hammer the ball to all three levels of the field). Deep shot there, plus the catch-and-run ball on a crossing route. Njoku has now seen at least six targets in eight straight games. He'll stay in the TE1 mix for the Week 15 game versus the Bears. -- Bowen
3. Drake London, WR, Atlanta Falcons
His 29.2 PPR fantasy points set a new personal best, and his 11 targets represented the fifth time he has been in double digits in the category. The usage and fantasy rebound were welcome signs after his quiet Week 13, establishing a clear matchups pattern (Jets last week, Tampa Bay Buccaneers this). London's Week 15 matchup against the Carolina Panthers is only a below-average one because the Panthers have been easier to attack via the ground all year. His hefty usage says he's a WR2 consideration nevertheless. -- Cockcroft
4. Lamar Jackson, QB, Baltimore Ravens
He reached the 30-point plateau in fantasy (31.64, to be exact) for the second time this season, thanks in large part to the 21-yard touchdown pass to Zay Flowers with 1:16 remaining in regulation, which per ESPN Ravens reporter Jamison Hensley was the latest go-ahead touchdown pass in regulation of his NFL career. Maddeningly, Jackson did it while on my bench in a key fantasy league -- though Matt had him active in his, while Dak Prescott was my starter -- but that underscores that this wasn't a matchup in which that should be expected. Perhaps it's a trend, and Jackson can again deliver a top-three positional score against the Jacksonville Jaguars in Week 15, when I will surely have him in my lineup ahead of Prescott (who faces the Buffalo Bills then). -- Cockcroft
5. Ezekiel Elliott, RB, New England Patriots
Let's go back to the Thursday night game, because Elliott, who is rostered in only 61.6% of ESPN leagues, dropped 27 points on the Steelers' defense. With Rhamondre Stevenson down for the game (ankle), Elliott saw a season-high 29 touches, which included seven receptions for 71 yards and a score. He can still be that underneath outlet in the pass game. Elliott should be a roster add ahead of the Week 15 game versus Kansas City, where he'll be in my RB2 ranks if Stevenson is still out. -- Bowen
6. Breece Hall, RB, New York Jets
Overlooked in what has been a miserable stretch of games for the Jets has been Hall's excellence in the receiving game. He has caught 39 of his 47 targets for 322 yards and three touchdowns in his past seven games for a position-best 89.2 PPR fantasy points (out of 109.1 total) receiving in that time. Hall caught 8 of his 9 targets for 86 yards and a touchdown and a third-best-in-his-career 26.6 PPR fantasy points on Sunday. That's good to see with a pair of pass-oriented matchups ahead in the Miami Dolphins (Week 15) and Washington Commanders (Week 16). -- Cockcroft
7. Jake Browning, QB, Cincinnati Bengals
For the second straight game, Browning was efficient throwing the football, and the scheme fits his traits. Browning totaled 23.7 points in Sunday's win over the Colts, logging three total touchdowns, while completing 18 of 24 passing for 275 yards. The screen game was big for Browning in this one, and he reads it out quickly from the pocket. Take the throws that are available. Browning, who is currently rostered in just 28.6% of ESPN leagues, will be a top streaming option for the Week 15 matchup versus the Vikings. -- Bowen
8. DJ Moore, WR, Chicago Bears
Though his quarterback, Justin Fields, had a plenty productive day of his own (24.72 fantasy points), Moore was the Bears' true Sunday star. He began the day's scoring with a 16-yard rushing touchdown, on what was the 41st rushing attempt of his career, on a trick-play direct snap, then capped his day with a 38-yard touchdown reception on fourth-and-13 to give the Bears a lead they'd never surrender. Moore has now averaged 22.7 PPR fantasy points in the 10 games Fields has fully played, compared to 9.9 in Fields' four absences and early Week 6 departure. The pair will get a tough assignment against the Cleveland Browns next, but Moore remains a weekly, high-end WR2. -- Cockcroft
Ranking fantasy losers of Week 14
1. Detroit Lions' passing offense
On the road, against a Bears defense that is playing its best football of the season, the Lions' passing offense had a really rough day. Quarterback Jared Goff threw two interceptions and logged just 6.44 points. Wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown, who has been one of the most consistent players in fantasy this season, caught three passes and recorded a season-low 5.1 points. The same story here with tight end Sam LaPorta (4.7 points). Detroit will look to rebound in Week 15, when it is back indoors at Ford Field versus the Broncos. -- Bowen
2. Ja'Marr Chase, WR, Cincinnati Bengals
A week after he had 31.26 points and 11 receptions in the win over Jacksonville, Chase was really a nonfactor in Sunday's game versus the Colts. He saw just four targets in this one, finishing with three receptions for 29 yards. Chase should see more isolation matchups in the Week 15 game versus the blitz-heavy Vikings, where he'll look to bounce back. -- Bowen
3. Mike Evans, WR, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Here's hoping that Sunday didn't mark the return of the wildly inconsistent Evans model, as his 1.8 PPR fantasy points was by far his worst of 2023, and his third-worst score in any of his 150 career NFL games. He had been a regular target of Baker Mayfield's all season until this game, though it should be noted that he had eight targets and 20.2 PPR fantasy points in the Buccaneers' previous Atlanta Falcons meeting in Week 7. Shrug it off and expect a rebound to near-WR1 levels against the Green Bay Packers next week. -- Cockcroft
4. Trevor Lawrence, QB, Jacksonville Jaguars
Though it should be noted that he played at noticeably less than 100% off a limited practice week due to the ankle injury he suffered in Week 13, Lawrence's play was still frustrating to his fantasy managers who started him in 21.6% of ESPN leagues. Yes, the 17.38 fantasy points he scored weren't a matchup killer, but that came on 50 pass attempts and he threw three interceptions, the third of which quickly led to a crushing Cleveland Browns touchdown. Lawrence will need to heal swiftly to recapture our confidence heading into another tough matchup in Week 15 against the Ravens. -- Cockcroft
5. Fantasy managers with players in the Vikings-Raiders game
The Vikings' 3-0 victory was the first game to see three or fewer total points scored since 2007, the seventh such game since the merger and the lowest-scoring indoor game in NFL history. Of the 23 total possessions, 17 ended in punts, two with fumbles, one with an interception and one in a missed field goal. We saw Joshua Dobbs, who scored 24-plus fantasy points in Weeks 9 and 10, get benched for Nick Mullens, and only Davante Adams (12.3 PPR fantasy points) and T.J. Hockenson (10.3) scored more than 7.5 PPR fantasy points from either side. Josh Jacobs, started in 80.7% of ESPN leagues, scored 6.0 points before injuring his knee in the fourth quarter (see below). Fantasy superstar Justin Jefferson got hurt (also see below). So we understand if you were kvetching through all 60 minutes of Vikings-Las Vegas Raiders, and both offenses' struggles are a major concern heading into the fantasy playoffs. -- Cockcroft
6. Stefon Diggs, WR, Buffalo Bills
Diggs' 6.4 points in the win over the Chiefs tied a season low for the wide receiver, and he now has posted fewer than seven points in three of his past four games. The positive here? Diggs has seen 11 targets in each of the past two weeks, and we know quarterback Josh Allen will continue to give him opportunities at all three levels of the route tree. Diggs will get a chance to get back on track in Week 15 versus a Dallas defense that leads the NFL in man-coverage rate. -- Bowen
Injury impact
Justin Jefferson, WR, Minnesota Vikings
What we know: In his first game back since Week 5, Jefferson suffered a chest injury in the first half versus the Raiders. He left the game and was taken to a local hospital for evaluation. Jefferson caught 2 of 3 targets for 27 yards before the injury.
What's next: If Jefferson can't go next week versus the Bengals, Jordan Addison would move up into the Flex/WR2 range, with K.J. Osborn carrying WR3 value. -- Bowen
Justin Herbert, QB, Los Angeles Chargers
What we know: He left Sunday's game in the second quarter with a finger injury and was ruled out for the day shortly after halftime. Easton Stick completed 13 of 24 pass attempts for 179 yards in relief of Herbert.
What's next: That Herbert was ruled out so quickly is worrisome for his Week 15 status, so keep an eye on the team's news and practice reports the next few days. Stick would probably start if Herbert can't go. -- Cockcroft
Josh Jacobs, RB, Las Vegas Raiders
What we know: As mentioned above, he left Sunday's game in the fourth quarter due to a knee injury.
What's next: If Jacobs is unable to heal in time for Week 15, Zamir White would elevate to starter status. He's a recommended stash considering that possibility. -- Cockcroft
C.J. Stroud, QB, Houston Texans
What we know: Stroud left the game versus the Jets in the second half with a reported concussion, and he did not return. Before the injury, Stroud really struggled versus the Jets' defense, completing only 10-of-23 passing for 91 yards, and he didn't log a single rushing attempt. Tough day for the rookie. Davis Mills, who took over for Stroud, completed just 1 of 5 passes for 4 yards.
What's next: If Stroud can't go in Week 15 against Tennessee, Mills would get the start for a Houston offense that is really being hit by injuries at the skill positions. We'll continue to monitor the status of Stroud, Collins and tight end Dalton Schultz throughout the week. -- Bowen
Nico Collins, WR, Houston Texans
What we know: Collins left the game with a calf injury during the first half against the Jets, and he did not return to the game. Collins had one reception for 13 yards on the day.
What's next: If Collins is out for next week's game versus the Titans, Noah Brown, Robert Woods and John Metchie would elevate in the Texans' route tree. All three are currently available in over 55% of ESPN leagues. -- Bowen
Who earned an 'A' this weekend?
Jaylon Johnson, CB, Chicago Bears
Johnson continued a strong season with a stellar performance in Week 14 in which he didn't allow a single yard as the nearest defender over 39 coverage snaps, per NFL Next Gen Stats. He was targeted twice and picked off Jared Goff once as Chicago was able to get the best of Detroit. -- Walder
Sauce Gardner, D.J. Reed and Michael Carter II, CB, New York Jets
The Jets' defense shut down the Texans and, per usual, their cornerbacks were critical in that effort. Gardner, Reed and Carter combined to allow just 57 yards to Houston over 89 combined coverage snaps. Yes, the Texans were banged up, but the numbers were still impressive in a surprisingly strong win for the Jets. -- Walder
Who earned an 'F' this weekend?
Zay Jones, WR, Jacksonville Jaguars
Jones actually caught 5 passes for 29 yards, but this was a rough advanced statline: The Jaguars wide receiver had negative-92 receiving yards over expectation on his 14 targets, according to NFL Next Gen Stats. That's the worst receiving yards over expectation game by any receiver this season! -- Walder
Bryce Young, QB, Carolina Panthers
The rough season for the Panthers quarterback only got worse. The Panthers lost 27.5 expected points added on Young's plays, according to NFL Next Gen Stats. His 36% completion percentage resulted in a negative-16% completion percentage over expectation, and he was sacked four times and fumbled once. -- Walder
Lingering questions from Sunday's games
Huge game by Drake London today (10 catches for 172 yards). How big of a deal is this for the No. 8 overall pick last April, and do you think it helps him trend up in terms of fantasy production the rest of the way?
With Atlanta, it's tough to say because so often the Falcons get very game-plan specific when it comes to the players who receive the most work. That said, Atlanta has leaned heavily into running back Bijan Robinson and Drake London over the past two months. London has been targeted four or more times every game since Week 2, and he has caught five or more passes in six of the past eight games he has played in. Is there a guarantee in a fantasy uptick? No, no there's not. But other than Robinson, London is the best bet for consistency, fantasywise, in the Atlanta offense. -- Michael Rothstein
Jake Browning followed up a terrific showing on 'Monday Night Football' with another solid game against the Colts. Is there a sense around the team that confidence is growing with Browning and this Bengals offense with each successful showing by the fill-in starter?
Even before Browning took over as the starter, teammates professed genuine confidence in the backup quarterback. And he has delivered. According to ESPN Stats & Information, Browning is the first player to have more than 800 passing yards and complete 75% or more of his passes in his first three starts since starts were first tracked in 1950. And Browning has settled into his role leading the offense. "I feel like I'm going to keep getting better, but I feel comfortable," Browning said after Sunday's win. -- Ben Baby