NFL Week 14: Final Bye Week Brings Significant Roster Challenges for Fantasy and Real-World Teams

As the NFL enters Week 14, six teams will be on their final bye of the 2024 season, marking a critical period for both fantasy football players and real-world teams. The teams on bye this week include the Baltimore Ravens, Denver Broncos, Houston Texans, Indianapolis Colts, New England Patriots, and Washington Commanders.

This bye week comes at a particularly challenging time for fantasy football players, as it is the final week of the regular season for most leagues. Key players like Lamar Jackson, Jayden Daniels, Derrick Henry, Joe Mixon, Jonathan Taylor, Nico Collins, Courtland Sutton, Terry McLaurin, Mark Andrews, and Zach Ertz will be unavailable, forcing managers to seek alternatives on the waiver wire.

In terms of real-world matchups, Week 14 features several pivotal games. The Cleveland Browns and Pittsburgh Steelers will face off again after the Browns’ recent upset, with the Steelers now favored by 6.5 points. The Cincinnati Bengals, despite their strong road record, are set to face the Dallas Cowboys on Monday Night Football, with the Bengals favored by 6 points.

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers, fresh from an overtime win over the Carolina Panthers, will host the Las Vegas Raiders, with the Buccaneers favored by a touchdown. Other notable games include the Los Angeles Chargers at the Kansas City Chiefs and the Seattle Seahawks at the Arizona Cardinals.

Fantasy players are advised to target players like Will Levis of the Tennessee Titans, Ray Davis of the Buffalo Bills, and Sincere McCormick of the Las Vegas Raiders, who could provide crucial points in the absence of their bye-weeked counterparts.