NFL 2018: Week 14 - Preview

Potential game of the week - Minnesota Vikings vs Seattle Seahawks

The time has come again, a few games left until the playoffs and here the two teams are right in the thick of it. Century Link Field in Seattle is one of the toughest stadiums to play in, and this game between the Seattle Seahawks and the Minnesota Vikings will be a tightly contested game.

The Minnesota Vikings will have to rely on their trio of receivers in Adam Thielen, Stefon Diggs and Kyle Rudolph to score for the Vikings as lately, the Seahawks have been good against the run, which means Dalvin Cook might have a tough game. The play of quarterback will be the key for the scoring to happen if the Kirk Cousins that we all thought all year would show up for the Vikings.

The Vikings defence will be trying to win on the road, which will be hard because that is where Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson plays his best. Players like Doug Baldwin and Rashaad Penny have been spark plugs of late, but the key is the defence of the Seahawks led by their true defence leader Bobby Wagner they will be in tight to stop the Vikings offence.

Minnesota Vikings offence and defences will have to be aware of one of the loudest stadiums in all of the NFL. The 12th man can be a difference maker when it mainly comes to the Vikings offence, and they will have to have some way of signalling, so they don't get a lot of false start penalties.

Potential upset of the week - Indianapolis Colts vs Houston Texans

Indianapolis Colts v Jacksonville Jaguars

Andrew Luck brings his luck all the way to Houston where I can see this divisional matchup being an important win for the Indianapolis Colts.

The Indianapolis Colts offence has four key guys, and if the strong Houston defence does not stop those four key guys, then the Colts will win the game. The first player is the tight end, Eric Ebron. Ebron has been just fantastic this year with all the touchdowns he has scored. Andrew Luck looks for his skilful tight end in most red zone drives this year.

The next key player for the Colts is running back Marlon Mack. Marlon Mack has been good since his return from injury. Mack needs to keep going on his pace and make it difficult for the Houston defence to either play the run or the pass. The third key player is a wide receiver, TY Hilton. Hilton has been consistent year in and year out.

Hilton again coming off a solid year will have the job of stretching out the Texans secondary so that Andre Luck has the time and space to find just not Hilton, but any receiver. Last, but not least the most important key player for the Colts is quarterback Andrew Luck. Luck has to command the field and not let the Texans defence control the line of scrimmage, and he has to be at his best with Clowney and JJ Watt in his face.

If those key players show up for the Colts and the Texans offence is off their game, Colts should win this divisional match-up.

Fantasy Football Starters

Los Angeles Chargers v Pittsburgh Steelers

Philip Rivers has been one of the best fantasy quarterbacks in the last couple of weeks, and playing against the Cincinnati Bengals this week helps that cause even more. Philip Rivers does not have Melvin Gordon to run the ball, so he will use his arm a little more than he needs to. Against the weak secondary of the Bengals that will be all right and look for 20 points or more for Rivers this week.

RB Alvin Kamara, New Orleans Saints vs Tampa Bay Buccaneers

QB Philip Rivers, Los Angeles Chargers vs Cincinnati Bengals

WR T.Y. Hilton, Indianapolis Colts vs Houston Texans

TE Kyle Rudolph, Minnesota Vikings vs Seattle Seahawks

Sleeper Zay Jones WR, Buffalo Bills vs New York Jets

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Fantasy Football Bench

Sam Darnold and the New York Jets are one of the worst offences in the NFL right now. They have no momentum going for them, even with rookie Sam Darnold expected to be back into the lineup. The number two defence of the Buffalo Bills have been impressive all season and will continue to make it a nightmare for quarterbacks. Not a game to start Sam Darnold.

RB Jordan Howard, Chicago Bears vs Los Angeles Rams

QB Sam Darnold, New York Jets vs Buffalo Bills

WR Stefon Diggs, Minnesota Vikings vs Seattle Seahawks

TE George Kittle, San Fransisco 49ers vs Denver Broncos

Beware Kenyon Drake RB, Miami Dolphins vs New England Patriots