Week 14 Fantasy Football: 6 player projections that are puzzling

Every week in fantasy football brings surprises, and Week 14 is no exception. Some player projections seem inflated, while others might be underestimated. Here's a breakdown of six players whose Week 14 projections might not align with reality.

Bucky Irving, RB, Buccaneers

Week 14 Projection: 19.2 carries, 2.4 receptions, 103 yards, 0.85 TD
Season Outlook: RB8 vs. RB13

Irving is poised for a bigger role after limited snaps in his return from injury. Last week, he handled nearly 70% of Tampa Bay's carries despite playing just over half the snaps. With a favorable matchup against the high-tempo Saints and an 8.5-point spread, he could see a significant workload. Expect him to climb into RB1 territory if his involvement in the passing game also increases.

Emeka Egbuka, WR, Buccaneers

Week 14 Projection: 8.4 targets, 4.7 receptions, 71 yards, 0.48 TD
Season Outlook: WR15 vs. WR29

Egbuka has struggled to hit projections recently, yet his target share remains high. With key teammates returning from injury soon, this week's projection may be the peak for him this season. Facing the Saints in a pace-up spot gives him potential, but the numbers may be overly optimistic for the rest of the year.

Deebo Samuel Sr., WR, Commanders

Week 14 Projection: 8.0 targets, 5.6 receptions, 67 yards, 0.38 TD
Season Outlook: WR17

Several Washington receivers are favored in matchups against zone-heavy defenses, including Deebo, Treylon Burks, and Noah Brown. This week, with Jayden Daniels back, the dome setting in Minnesota, and favorable man/zone splits, the Commanders pass catchers are likely to thrive. Deebo may see a productive game, but shared opportunities could limit any one player from outperforming projections drastically.

Chris Olave, WR, Saints

Week 14 Projection: 9.5 targets, 5.4 receptions, 63 yards, 0.38 TD
Season Outlook: WR18 vs. WR12

Olave has been a draft-day sleeper success, but this matchup could be tough. The Saints face a slow-paced Buccaneers defense on the road, which may reduce his target volume. Additionally, Olave excels against man coverage, while Tampa Bay favors zone defenses. His projection appears optimistic for this week.

Kimani Vidal, RB, Chargers

Week 14 Projection: 6.3 carries, 0.6 receptions, 32 yards, 0.21 TD
Season Outlook: RB44 vs. RB26

Vidal has been a pleasant surprise off waivers, but Omarion Hamptons return limits his upside. The Chargers plan a 1-2 punch in the backfield, with Vidal expected to take a secondary role. His fantasy relevance is likely to drop significantly this week.

Tyjae Spears, RB, Titans

Week 14 Projection: 5.0 carries, 2.5 receptions, 40 yards, 0.19 TD
Season Outlook: 7.6 PPR points vs. 8.5 PPR points per game

Spears has lost ground in the Tennessee backfield, receiving less than 30% of carries recently. While his passing game involvement is steady, the Browns high rate of man coverage poses a challenge. Given Spears struggles against man defense, his Week 14 output is likely to be limited.

Author: Harper Simmons