Dissenting Opinions: Don't demote Eagles because of tough matchup

Group-think can be an especially scary thing when it comes to fantasy football rankings. After all, the unpredictable nature of the NFL game is part of what makes fantasy football so popular, and why some people like to say that the NFL acronym stands for "No F****** Logic." But when one of our Yahoo fantasy football analysts veers particularly far away from the rankings consensus, our curious nature begs for an explanation. So, with that in mind, I've identified two players from our Week 14 rankings that our Yahoo analysts love/hate significantly more than the rest of us (including an Alfred Morris showdown), and have asked them to explain their reasoning. I'll kick things off with a couple of my outliers:

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Love him: Kenny Stills, NO, WR - Funston WR rank No. 12 (Yahoo rank No. 18)

Why not rate Stills as a WR1? What's the issue? Since Brandin Cooks went down, Stills has been Drew Brees' go-to wideout. He's been targeted 19 times combined over the past three games, and he's caught 17 of those passes for 292 yards and 2 TDs. This is a receiver with good size and speed, one that unfairly gets pegged as a deep-ball specialist when in fact much of his production has come across the middle. And his league-high 80 percent catch rate is further proof that he's no one-trick pony . So, athletic, reliable target in one of the league's most prolific passing offenses is playing at home (indoors) against the ninth-most generous defense to opposing receivers. Again, where's the cause for concern? I'm all in.

Hate him: Alfred Morris, Was, RB - Funston RB rank No. 25 (Yahoo No. 15)

Morris might be the only one still pining for RGIII to return behind center for Washington. After all, he's averaging just 64.6 rushing yards and has just 1 TD in the three games in which Colt McCoy has seen action. And he's facing a Rams defense that has allowed the ninth-fewest fantasy points to the RB position despite facing a who's who of name-brand running backs (Adrian Peterson, DeMarco Murray, LeSean McCoy, Jamaal Charles, Marshawn Lynch, C.J. Anderson, Andre Ellington). Morris is looking like a middle-of-the-road RB this week, with a return that I'm expecting to be around 65-80 yards (no TD). That's not going to provide much lift to your fantasy bottom line.

[Week 14 rankings: Quarterback | Running Back | Receiver | Tight End | Kicker | DST]

BRAD EVANS

Love him: Alfred Morris, Was, RB - Evans RB rank No. 11  (Yahoo No. 15)

I’ve been overly critical of Morris for much of the year. Entering the season, I pegged him for a major downturn, noting Jay Gruden’s two-back system, Washington’s questionable offensive line and the RB’s lack of versatility as reasons for the anticipated decline. Mea culpa. On a per game basis, ‘The Butler’ has improved on his 2013 numbers, netting 12.0 standard fantasy points per game. Though he’s no Le’Veon Bell, he’s also catching passes with more regularity. Yes, the Rams have given up just 3.77 yards per carry to RBs on the year, but the ‘Skins offense is really clicking with Colt McCoy under center. Not to mention, despite the pass protection woes, Washington’s O-line continues to open up wide holes for the RB. Look at what Morris did on the road in San Francisco two weeks ago (130-1). At home, he’s a good bet to eclipse the century mark in total yardage for the fourth time in his last five games.

Hate him: Sammy Watkins, Buf, WR - Evans WR rank No. 41  (Yahoo No. 31)

Watkins, the focus of defensive coordinator game-plans, has crash-landed, torching owner confidence in the process. He ranks No. 92 in points per game among wide receivers over the past five weeks. When Hakeem Nicks is contributing more to virtual rosters than you, you’ve hit rock bottom. Denver’s relentless offense does typically force quarterbacks, and thusly wide receivers, into high volume situations. However, Chris Harris (48.4 QB rating allowed), the No. 1 ranked defensive back in the NFL in pass coverage according to Pro Football Focus, is likely to shadow the rookie. Robert Woods, and not Sammy, stands to benefit. Trusting the rookie to get you to the semifinals is a futile exercise.

DALTON DEL DON

Love him: Jeremy Maclin, Phi, WR - Del Don WR rank No. 13 (Yahoo No. 20)

His production has dipped some since Mark Sanchez has taken over quarterback duties, and Seattle has allowed the fewest fantasy points to opposing wide receivers this season. Still, I can't see benching someone on pace to finish with 1,450-plus receiving yards and 12 touchdowns. Maclin is still a top-15 WR on my board this week.

Hate him: Mike Wallace, Mia, WR - Del Don WR rank No. 31 (Yahoo No. 24)

Baltimore has actually been a terrific matchup for wide receivers this year, but Wallace hasn't reached 75 yards since Week 1 (when he posted his season high of 81). The touchdowns have dried up as well (just two over his past six contests). Teammate Jarvis Landry frankly looks like a better fantasy option down the stretch.

ANDY BEHRENS

Love him: Jordan Matthews, Phi, WR – Behrens WR rank No. 21 (Yahoo No. 25)

To be clear, I don't necessarily love any elements of Philly's passing attack this week, not with Seattle's defense looming. But my expectation is that whatever success the Eagles have through the air will involve the tight ends and the slot. I seriously doubt we'll see the outside receivers feast against Richard Sherman & Co. If any Philadelphia pass-catcher has a useful day, my bet is that Matthews is the guy.

 Hate him: Charles Johnson, Min, WR - Behrens WR rank No. 56 (Yahoo No. 38)

I think we all appreciate the quality of Johnson's matchup this week, but let's not pretend his team is preparing an aerial assault. Teddy Bridgewater has made eight starts at quarterback for Minnesota this season, and he's passed for less than 200 yards in half of them. Last week, he attempted just 21 throws and finished with 138 passing yards. I'm a fan of Johnson's talent, but the team context limits his fantasy ceiling.

SCOTT PIANOWSKI

Love him: Mark Sanchez, Phi, QB - Pianowski QB rank No. 10  (Yahoo No.  15)

The Seahawks defense has tightened things up, but look at the schedule, amigos. Specifically, look at the quarterbacks it's been defending. The last five were Colin Kaepernick, Drew Stanton, Alex Smith, Eli Manning, and Derek Carr. Good work if you can get it.

Okay, you might say Sanchez belongs in that motley crew, too. Maybe he does. But Sanchez is at home, in a Chip Kelly offense, tied to a number of dynamic offensive pieces. Sanchez grades out as the No. 7 fantasy quarterback in points-per-game since he took over a starting position, and two of the guys he's behind are one-offs Ryan Fitzpatrick and Colt McCoy. I'm not promising you Sanchez's game tape will be pretty, or without error. But I'm just in it for the numbers, and I expect they'll be there at the end of the day. Vegas has Philly scoring in the mid-20s, and I can live with that.

Hate him: Cam Newton, Car, QB - Pianowski QB rank No. 13 (Yahoo No. 17)

I'll consider matchup history when it applies to division rivals, and Newton's isn't good here. Remember, the Saints have never been known for their defense in recent years, but here's how Newton has passed in the last six matchups: 90-for-162, 1151 yards, four touchdowns, four picks. That comes out to 192 yards per game and a 75.9 rating.

Newton at his best would make it up to us in the running game, but that hasn't been as much of a factor this year. He has just two rushing touchdowns on the season, and his rushing yards per game is at an all-time low.

Maybe you prefer current form to historical form. Have you noticed Newton's average fantasy rank the last six weeks is 16? Does he look healthy to you? Not a chance I'm risking a fantasy playoff game on this chap.