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Denver Broncos | News

Fantasy Factor: Week 14

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Flip through photos of the Broncos' 58 touchdowns this season, from Julius Thomas' opening-week hat trick to Peyton Manning's No. 509 to Virgil Green's first NFL touchdown.

ENGLEWOOD, Colo. --**Welcome to the playoffs fantasy players! Injuries and suspensions have really made this a challenging fantasy year, but if you made the playoffs, good for you. If you're like me, you have been doing it by rotating running backs and quarterbacks. The rotation will need to continue unless you have Aaron Rodgers, Drew Brees or Peyton Manning.

Even Tom Brady has been tough to stick with at times, because the Patriots are a running team. They were powered in their key wins over Detroit and Indy by LeGarrette Blount and Jonas Gray. I subbed in Ben Roethlisberger for Mark Sanchez this week because of a terrible New Orleans defense. I was rewarded with seven extra points. Sanchez and the Eagles play Seattle this week. The Seahawks' D is rounding into form the last two weeks, but that trip east could be tough. The champs did catch a break with the 2:25 start time. That will keep their body clocks on schedule. Sanchez may need to ride the pine again.

Roethlisberger has a hand injury, and didn't exactly light up the Saints defense the way I expected at home. He faces the Bengals in Cincinnati this week. He should probably be scratched off the list this week too.

Ryan Fitzpatrick and Colt McCoy are a couple of names you could plug in if you need a QB. Fitzpatrick faces a surprisingly stingy Jacksonville defense in Florida this week. The Jaguars don't like giving QB's fantasy points, so be leery there. McCoy has a matchup with the Rams. It is a home game, but DeSean Jackson, McCoy's top target, has a bruised fibula. That Rams defense is rolling right now so I don't love that matchup either.

The wild card of the week is Johnny Manziel. He may or may not be the starter, but the Browns have a home game against the Colts. The Colts' defense has had its struggles, but I don't know what will happen with Johnny Football. It's not the time of year to gamble, but he could pay out big.

Other injuries to track:
Jamaal Charles - bruised knee
Rashad Jennings - ankle
Andre Ellington - hip pointer

If you're in a Draft Kings league, grab the Packers' skill guys. Aaron Rodgers is worth the big chunk of your budget as he faces the Falcons at home. Jordy Nelson and Randall Cobb should go off too. DeAndre Hopkins could be a smart buy, as he is really becoming the man in Houston. Tre Mason could be a bargain. He looks like the biggest beneficiary of Shaun Hill starting in St. Louis. I would avoid the Chargers players and good luck guessing which back will be featured in New England. Also watch for Julius Thomas to return, but don't pick your lineup until Sunday morning.

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