Field of Streams: Week 14

In this series, we narrow the focus to just the current week and give you some streaming options for the upcoming games. The goal is to identify a player at each offensive position, as well as a team defense, who is owned in less than 30 percent of leagues and may be in line for a productive outing.

You can read more about this series here. We use MFL rates for the ownership percentages.

Let’s take a look at how things went for our top picks in week 13, using standard PPR scoring. The weekly average through 12 weeks is in parenthesis.

QB — Brock Osweiler, 9.74 points (16.72)

WR — Jarius Wright, 4.4 points (12.7)

RB — Bilal Powell, 24.8 points (9.9)

TE — Scott Chandler, 16.10 points (10.9)

K — Dustin Hopkins, 12.0 points (8.2)

D — Chicago Bears, 7.0 points (7.97)

Osweiler hooked up with Demaryius Thomas for an early touchdown but did very little after. Wright tied for the team lead in catches, but Teddy Bridgewater had a terrible passing game, even by his standards, as the entire Vikings’ offense was shut down by Seattle. Powell erupted for 108 total yards and finished with eight receptions in the Jets’ overtime win. Chandler had 61 yards and a touchdown filling in for an injured Rob Gronkowski. Hopkins booted three field goals on his way to a 12-point day. The Bears’ defense had a funky game against the 49ers’ offense. On one hand, Chicago recorded seven three-and-outs and four sacks. But the 49ers didn’t turn the ball over, and Blaine Gabbert was better than expected.

Here are the picks for week 14.

Quarterback

Matt Hasselbeck, QB IND

(owned in 23 percent of leagues)

Hasselbeck had a nightmare game against the Steelers in week 13. Not only did he throw for just 169 yards, but he left early with a neck injury. The early reports say Hasselbeck is iffy for this week’s matchup with Jacksonville. The matchup is a lot better this week, and I expect him to put up better numbers. If he doesn’t go, I’d opt for Gabbert. As I mentioned earlier, Gabbert has been surprisingly not terrible in his four starts, scoring at least 16 points each week. He finished week 13 with 25.34 points, thanks in large part to gaining 75 yards and a touchdown with his legs. He gets a solid matchup at Cleveland this week.

Honorable mention: Gabbert (at CLE).

Wide receiver

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Dwayne Harris, WR NYG

(30.1 percent)

Harris made just one grab for eight yards against the Jets in week 13, but he scored a dazzling punt return touchdown. Since week eight, Harris has averaged 9.34 points per game, with two weeks of at least 18 points. This week, I like his matchup with the Dolphins, who rank 21st against the pass. It’s terrifying to invest in any Rams’ wideout, but I think Brian Quick could be in line for a solid game this week. Quietly, Quick has been targeted at least five times in the Rams’ last three games. The reason he’s done it quietly is, he’s caught an awful 4-of-18 targets in that span. Quick certainly takes some blame for that, but a lot of it falls on his quarterbacks. Quick has a nice home matchup with the Lions, and Case Keenum will be under center, which can’t be a downgrade over Nick Foles.

Honorable mention: Quick (vs. DET).

Running back

Bilal Powell, RB NYJ

(22.6 percent)

I don’t like picking the same player in consecutive weeks, but Powell is clearly the top option among running backs owned in less than 30 percent of leagues. He’s garnered at least eight touches in three straight games. Game flow and the Jets’ pass-heavy game plan worked in his favor in week 13. Don’t expect another huge output this week, but a home matchup with Tennessee isn’t a bad matchup. Orleans Darkwa is a player who hasn’t done much, but he appears to have a somewhat steady role, which is extremely valuable when digging this deep. Last week, against the Jets’ stout run defense, he led the Giants with 23 yards on eight carries. The Giants get a much easier matchup this week as they face the Dolphins. Miami has allowed the 29th most points to running backs.

Honorable mention: Darkwa (at MIA).

Tight end

Jared Cook, TE STL

(29.87 percent)

Cook has been the Rams’ top receiver of late. Over the last three weeks, he is averaging seven targets per game. In week 14, St. Louis hosts the Lions, who have allowed the 16th most points in the passing game. As mentioned earlier, it’ll be Keenum, not Foles, at quarterback for the Rams, which is a good thing. Vance McDonald left San Francisco’s week 13 game with a concussion, so there’s a chance he’ll be unable to play at Cleveland this week. If he’s able to go, however, he’s a solid option. Before exiting in the first quarter, McDonald had two receptions for 18 yards. Prior to last week, he’d averaged just over five targets per game over the 49ers’ last three contests.

Honorable mention: McDonald (at CLE).

Kicker

Chris Boswell, K PIT

(17.08 percent)

Boswell has been a savior for Pittsburgh. He’s averaging 12.25 points per game over the last four weeks. With Ben Roethlisberger finally healthy, Boswell is kicking for one of the game’s top offenses. He’s made 20-of-22 field goals since joining the Steelers in week five. He’ll be on the road at Cincinnati this week. San Francisco’s Phil Dawson is 18-for-19 on field goals this year, with the one miss coming in season opener. With a game at Cleveland, the 49ers should be able to move the ball well enough to give Dawson a chance to produce.

Honorable mention: Dawson (at CLE).

Team defense

San Francisco 49ers

(22 percent)

Cleveland is starting Johnny Manziel this week. While Manziel has shown some improvement from his rookie season, he’s still one of the worst starters in the NFL. The Browns have given up the most sacks in the league, and if the 49ers can pressure Manziel, I really like their chances of coming up with a turnover or two. The Bears weren’t able to fully take advantage of a nice home matchup with the 49ers in week 13, but Chicago did have a solid week. All they were missing was turnovers, which can be random. I think the Bears can produce this week with a home matchup against the Redskins.

Honorable mention: Chicago (vs. Washington).

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