ClutchPoints
The fantasy football playoffs are here, making every matchup do-or-die from this point forward. Setting lineups is never more stressful than it is in December, but it is important not to overreact to just a few bad performances.
Any manager in the playoffs has gotten to this point because of their roster. Some league-winners might have cost managers their Week 14 matchups, but that does not mean players like Bijan Robinson, George Pickens, Justin Jefferson and Terry McLaurin should be trusted any less in the fantasy football playoffs.
It is officially crunch time, and the entire season comes down to these final weeks. But as important as it is to research matchups and scour the waiver wire for any last-minute league savers, it is equally as vital not to forget who got you to the dance.
Bijan Robinson is the type of player who cannot exit any fantasy football lineup, regardless of matchup. He let managers down with an 8.4-point performance in Week 14, which was even worse in non-PPR formats, but he is primed to rebound in Week 15.
All things considered, Robinson’s lackluster performance was still impressive. He faced the best rushing defense in the league and still produced 94 yards on 22 touches. A costly fumble and his failure to reach the end zone simply marred what was otherwise an encouraging outing against a stout defensive front.
Robinson’s matchup will be much easier in Week 15, when the Atlanta Falcons face the struggling Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The Buccaneers have been a top-10 defense against the run all season, but they just allowed 62 rushing yards to Bam Knight and 70 yards to Devin Neal.
Robinson is levels above both players and will be seeking vengeance after notching just 24 rushing yards against Tampa Bay in Week 1.
Fantasy football managers who have ridden the success of George Pickens were let down in Week 14 when the star wideout caught five passes for just 37 receiving yards. The yard total marked Pickens’ second-lowest of the season and his fewest since Week 1.
However, few players’ stock rose more than that of Pickens in Week 14. The troubled star has a chance to reclaim his former role as Dak Prescott’s No. 1 target with CeeDee Lamb suffering a scary concussion injury in the game.
In three games without Lamb earlier this year, Pickens averaged 8.7 targets, 6.3 receptions, 119.7 receiving yards and 1.3 touchdowns, which translated to 26.3 fantasy points. He was the No. 1 receiver in fantasy football during that span.
Even if Lamb plays, his odds of maintaining his usual workload do not appear to be high. Pickens should return to elite status against the Vikings’ zone-heavy defense, a scheme he has had a lot of success against in 2025.
Terry McLaurin’s disappointing fantasy football season continued with another mediocre outing in Week 14....
