QB – Rex Grossman – He is coming off of a decent week 13 performance, but you can never really be sure what Grossman will give you. While the match up against a very average Redskins pass defense leans slightly in his favor, Grossman can be quite unreliable, and makes for a shaky starting option in week 14.
RB – Adrian Peterson – Despite rushing for only 67 yards last week in his first start of the season, Peterson showed promising ability as a receiver out of the backfield, hauling in 7 receptions for 82 yards. He will face a fairly tough Washington run defense in week 14 that is very similar to the one he faced last week in the form of the Giants. You should not expect much on the ground, but if he can continue to produce as a receiver, Peterson could be an effective fantasy option. He has moderate value at best for week 14, and is not highly recommended.
WR – Bernard Berrian – If there is one word that best describes Bernard Berrian as a fantasy WR, it would be dangerous. The word dangerous can take on many meanings, both good and bad. On the positive side of dangerous, he has big game potential. On the negative, he can be fairly unreliable, and drops a lot of passes. While this week’s match up against Washington lies minimally in his favor, Berrian should still be considered a risky start.
WR – Muhsin Muhammad – There is no question that Muhammad has had his bright spots throughout the season, but they have been few and far between. Despite the potential for a solid game any week, he is too much of a liability for your starting roster against Washington.
TE – Desmond Clark – Since Rex Grossman reacquired his starting QB spot, Clark has once again returned to favor as the go to TE for Chicago. He is coming off of his best fantasy outing of the season in week 13 with 5 catches for 76 yards and a TD. While week 14 holds promise for him, Clark remains a slight risk, and has mid range value as a starting TE against Washington.
TE – Greg Olsen – While he is capable of a big game any given week, Olsen has all but disappeared in the Bears offense of late, posting a total of 3 catches for 17 yards in his last 2 games combined. He has the tools to get it done, but if they do not get him the ball, Olsen is useless as a fantasy TE. Based on his recent output, you really have no other choice but to bench him until he can once again prove himself as a worthy starting option.
Chicago Defense – They entered the ’07 season as one of the best fantasy defenses one could own, but after a multitude of key injuries to begin the season, they have fallen into mediocrity. They rank near the bottom in passing, rushing, and scoring defense, but on the bright side, the Bears have been able to uphold their elite fantasy reputation as far as sacks and turnovers are concerned. This week they face a Washington offense that has been fairly shaky as of late, so consider the Chicago defense a very good, but not great week 14 starting option.
WASHINGTON
QB – Jason Campbell – Throughout the ’07 season, Campbell has covered the complete spectrum of fantasy production, from the highest of highs to the lowest of lows. At times he has shown elite potential, while other performances have been worthy of a one way ticket straight to the waiver wire. This week Campbell will face a Chicago defense that has had its struggles throughout the season. On paper, this is a favorable match up for him, but do not underestimate the strength of the Bears pass rush, or their ability to create turnovers. Campbell is risky, and the Chicago defense will likely prove to be too much for the sophomore QB to handle. We recommend leaving him off of your starting roster for week 14.
RB – Clinton Portis – Despite his inability to gain significant yardage on the ground in recent games, Portis remains a very solid fantasy option. He has 7 rushing TD’s on the season, and is a threat to find the end zone any week. He faces a Chicago run defense that ranks a poor 23rd, and has struggled all season in containing high profile RB’s. We like his chances for a solid game, and consider Portis a must start for week 14.
WR – Santana Moss – After a horribly disappointing first half of the season, it appeared Moss was back in a big way when he put on a show against Dallas in week 11. Since then, he has been very average, but it is still a vast improvement over his early efforts. The Cowboys game proved that he still has the tools, but 1 solid game does not qualify him as a fantasy stud. If you roll the dice enough, they will eventually come up 7 then 11, but more times than not, you end up a loser. The same holds true for Moss. The match up is favorable, and he will produce, but will it be enough to make it worth your while? Consider him a #3 WR or flex option at best.
WR – Antwaan Randle El – He may or may not return this week after missing 2 straight games with a hamstring injury. Even if Randle El is deemed healthy enough to play against the Bears this week, he is not worth the risk as a starting option. (Check injury report: hamstring)
TE – Chris Cooley – He continues to be the #1 option in the Redskins passing game. Cooley is also QB Jason Campbell’s favorite target in the red zone. He should do very well against a shaky Bears pass defense that ranks 25th. Cooley is a must start for week 14.
Washington Defense – The Redskins defense ranks 10th in the NFL in total defense, but that ranking is not exactly reflective of their fantasy production throughout the season. They rarely produce turnovers and rank middle of the pack in sacks. While they won’t exactly be playing an offensive powerhouse this week in the Bears, the Skins defense can not be considered a fantasy juggernaut in its own right. They have average value for week 14. They probably won’t hurt you, but do not expect a big boost by starting them either.
