Week 14 was kicked off with one of the more exciting Thursday Night matchups this season. The Detroit Lions took down the Green Bay Packers 34-31 on a game-winning field goal. This proved to be another example of Dan Campbell’s aggressive coaching and how Detroit continues to look like a legitimate Super Bowl threat.
The rest of the Week 14 slate will resume and will mark the final round of bye weeks. While the Baltimore Ravens, Denver Broncos, Houston Texans, Indianapolis Colts, New England Patriots and Washington Commanders will each be off on their respective bye weeks, there is plenty of action still set to take place on the field.
There are far more ways to get involved in the action than just traditional betting. One of the more unique features on DraftKings this year is Pick6 Fantasy Football! This article will look at my top picks for the Week 14 slate in which you simply chose more than or less than the assigned statistic.
Saquon Barkley More Than 111.5 Rushing Yards
This is one of the higher rushing totals you will see but Saquon Barkley has earned it. The Philadelphia Eagles running back is leading the NFL in carries, rushing yards, yards per carry, yards per game, touches, and yards from scrimmage this season. He is averaging 124.9 rushing yards per game this season and is in the ballpark of breaking Eric Dickerson’s single-season rushing record. He would need to average 121.4 rushing yards per game across the final five games to break this record.
The Eagles enter this game on an eight-game winning streak and are set to face off with the Carolina Panthers this week. Carolina ranks dead last in rushing yards allowed this season as well as 30th in rushing touchdowns conceded and 27th in net yards per rush attempt. It has also allowed the most points in the NFL and the second-most overall yards. Carolina allowed 236 total rushing yards to the Buccaneers last week and has only held opponents to less than 128 total rushing yards in two games this season.
Barkley is playing at an MVP level and will face the worst rushing defense he has seen all season. While the debate over whether he will go for the rushing record or rest in the final weeks of the season is to be determined, expect Barkley to put himself within range with another strong rushing performance this week. He has recorded more than 111.5 rushing yards in five games already this season and the Panthers will have no answer for Barkley and the Eagles’ offensive line.
Jameis Winston More Than 247.5 Passing Yards
If not anything else, Jameis Winston has made the Browns entertaining again. Following the injury to Deshaun Watson, Winston has stepped in as Cleveland’s starting quarterback and will be starting his sixth game of the season this week. He is coming off a thrilling performance on Monday night, which showcased the rollercoaster that is the Jameis Winston experience. The Florida State product completed 34 of his 58 pass attempts for 497 passing yards and four touchdowns. Unfortunately, he also had three interceptions, with two of them being taken back for a touchdown and the third shutting the door on any comeback opportunities.
There is no doubt about the arm talent of Winston or his willingness to throw the ball. While decision-making is a different conversation, he is going to put himself in a position to make some massive plays. Winston has thrown for more than 247.5 passing yards in three of his five games as a starter and also led the NFL in passing yards with 319.3 per game the last time he was an every-week starter.
This will be a tough matchup for Winston and the Browns as they face off with the Steelers. Pittsburgh enters this matchup ranking sixth in points and yards allowed on the season. However, it has been weaker defending the pass and ranks 18th in passing yards allowed and 14th in net yards per pass attempt. Winston is looking to prove he deserves a look as a full-time starting quarterback next season and has plenty to play for. While you will have to live with some of the reckless decision-making, it can also create big plays. It will not be the cleanest pathway to getting there, but there will be enough volume of opportunities for the Browns’ quarterback to record more than 247.5 passing yards again this week.
Jalen Hurts Less Than 201.5 Passing Yards
Despite the lack of buzz, Jalen Hurts has been extremely solid this season and has pulled all the strings the Eagles organization has needed him to. He has averaged 207.8 passing yards per game on the season and has thrown for 14 passing touchdowns and just five interceptions. Hurts has also added 485 rushing yards and 12 rushing touchdowns.
Unfortunately for Hurts, Saquon Barkley has overshadowed his production this season and this is expected to be the case in this week’s matchup. While Hurts is a better passer than he is sometimes given credit, the Eagles are a run-first team set to face off with the worst rushing defense in the NFL. Hurts has been held to less than 201.5 passing yards in five games this season, including just 118 passing yards on 19 pass attempts last week against the Baltimore Ravens.
This is a matchup that has a chance to get out of hand early, which will only further maximize the reliance on the run game. There will be better performances ahead for Hurts, but look for him to take a step back in this matchup as the Eagles assert themselves on the ground. Expect him to record less than 201.5 passing yards for the sixth time this season with Hurts showing little care for his own statistical output.
Nick Chubb More Than 47.5 Rushing & Receiving Yards
Nick Chubb made his long-awaited return from injury midway through this season and is still trying to fully find his stride. The four-time Pro-Bowl running back will be returning to the place where his gruesome knee injury occurred last season with this matchup being in Pittsburgh. This occurred in Week 2 of the 2023 season and it has been a long path back to the field for the 29-year-old.
In the six games he has played this season, Chubb has carried the ball 82 times for 243 yards and three touchdowns. He has also added five receptions for 31 yards and a touchdown through the air. Chubb has recorded more than 47.5 combined rushing and receiving yards in three of the six games since he has returned.
While Cleveland’s goals as a team are out the window for the season, Chubb is still focused on returning to full form. This is a matchup that will carry some extra meaning and he has acknowledged how fully aware of this he is. Chubb has not played his best football since returning and this is an excellent opportunity to change this. Expect Chubb to put forth an inspired performance and have his best output of the season, recording more than 47.5 rushing and receiving yards in the process.
Bucky Irving More Than 0.5 Rushing & Receiving Touchdowns
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers will face the Las Vegas Raiders this week, who enter with a 2-10 record and have struggled across the board this season. The Raiders rank 28th in points allowed this season and are allowing 2.9 touchdowns per game, which is tied for 25th in the NFL. Las Vegas has given up 27 or more points in four of its past five games and have already shifted its focus to rebuilding next season.
For Tampa Bay, there has been a constant running back battle this season between Bucky Irving and Rachaad White. While the level of opportunity has been fairly equal for the two running backs, Irving has emerged as the top option in recent weeks. On the season overall, Irving has carried the ball 133 times for 732 yards and five touchdowns while adding 35 receptions for 285 yards. In contrast, White has received 103 rush attempts, which he has converted to 419 yards and two rushing touchdowns as well as 39 receptions for 303 receiving yards and four receiving touchdowns.
Irving enters this game after recording a rushing touchdown in three consecutive weeks. He is also coming off a season-high 25 carries, which he took for 152 rushing yards along with the touchdown. Irving has also received 29 carries in the red zone this season compared to just 14 for White. Look for this trend to continue and for White to find paydirt again this week as he begins to cement his spot as the surefire top running back on the roster.
Sam Darnold More Than 1.5 Passing Touchdowns
Sam Darnold was one of the biggest stories in the NFL through the opening few weeks. The former third-overall pick looked to have found his footing in Minnesota after struggling in the early parts of his career. While his level of play has returned closer to normalcy as the season has progressed, this is an intriguing matchup as Kirk Cousins returns to Minnesota for the first time.
On the season overall, Darnold has thrown for 2,952 passing yards, 23 touchdowns and 10 interceptions. He has produced more than 1.5 passing touchdowns in nine of the 12 games this season, including the past three weeks leading up to this matchup.
This is a great chance for Darnold to continue his aerial attack against a struggling Falcons defense. Atlanta ranks 22nd in points allowed, 21st in yards given up, 21st in passing yards allowed and 25th in passing touchdowns conceded. Minnesota ranks fifth in passing touchdowns on the season and has a struggling defense in front of it that it can look to build off. Expect Darnold to do his best to play spoiler to Cousins’ return to Minnesota and have the inside track to throwing more than 1.5 touchdowns for the fourth consecutive week.
What is DraftKings Pick6?
Pick6 is a peer-to-peer fantasy variant where you build a lineup (“Pick Set”) of at least two players and select whether you believe each will outperform their listed stat projection. Enter your Pick Set in Pick6 contests to compete against other users. Get enough picks correct and win a share of cash prizes.
How to Play DraftKings Pick6
Create a Pick Set
Create a Pick Set by choosing 2+ players from the same sport and Pick Group (a set of picks available from a group of set competitions). For each player, simply select if you think they’ll have more or less than their listed stat projection. In each Pick Set, you cannot pick the same player twice and you must select players from at least two different teams.
Enter an Amount
Once you finalize your Pick Set, choose your entry fee amount. Your entries will be automatically distributed into available contests, subject to your confirmation.
Sweat Your Picks
When the games go live, use the My Picks tab to follow your picks in real time to track how your players are performing against their projections and how they stack up against other users.
Compete for Prizes
Make enough correct picks and win a share of the contests’ guaranteed prizes. Any prizes won will be credited to your DraftKings account after contests are finalized.
Play at DraftKings Pick6 or by downloading the DraftKings Pick6 app on Apple or Google!
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I am a promoter at DraftKings and am also an avid fan and user (my username is seanbarnard) and may sometimes play on my personal account in the games that I offer advice on. Although I have expressed my personal view on the games and strategies above, they do not necessarily reflect the view(s) of DraftKings and do not constitute a representation that any particular strategy will guarantee success. All customers should use their own skill and judgment in building lineups. I may also deploy different players and strategies than what I recommend above. I am not an employee of DraftKings and do not have access to any non-public information.
Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER.Must be at least 18 years or older. Higher age limits may apply in some states. Eligibility restrictions apply. Valid only in states where DraftKings Pick6 operates. Void where prohibited. For entertainment purposes only. Winning a contest on DraftKings depends on knowledge and exercise of skill. See terms at pick6.draftkings.com.
