Game Info
Kickoff: Sunday, December 13th, at 1:00 PM EST
Location: Hard Rock Stadium, Miami Gardens, Florida
Betting Odds: KC -7, 49.5 total via Oddsshark
Network: CBS
Kansas City Chiefs
Quarterback
Patrick Mahomes (Start, QB1)
Week 13 was actually a ‘down’ performance for Patrick Mahomes, as he passed for only one touchdown. He still managed to pass for 318 yards, completing 25 of 40 attempts in the closer-than-expected victory. Week 14 is an interesting slate for Mahomes, as the Dolphins secondary has been pretty stout against opposed quarterbacks. They are allowing the second-fewest passing touchdowns to date. They have also given up the seventh-fewest fantasy points to the position this year, but you are going to start Mahomes without hesitation.
Running Backs
Clyde Edwards-Helaire (Start, RB2 but monitor his status!), Le’Veon Bell (Sit)
So if there is anything we know about Andy Reid and his RB usage, it’s that he for sure does not care about your fantasy team. Last week, Clyde Edwards-Helaire was active despite a case of the stomach flu, yet he did not see a single snap in the game. If you sat him, kudos, but if you started him, you still may be livid depending on how your matchup faired. If CEH is over his illness and actually plays, he projects to be an RB2 against a Miami defense that has allowed the 12th fewest fantasy points to the running back position this year. Le’Veon Bell ever since joining the Chiefs has not been a true factor whatsoever in their offense. Even last week with CEH not posting a carry, Bell only managed to rush for 40 yards on 11 carries. Truthfully, I would not trust starting Bell – only if CEH is ruled inactive – but even then, you might have better options on your team to pivot to.
Wide Receivers/Tight End
Tyreek Hill (Start, WR1), Sammy Watkins (Start if you must, WR3), Travis Kelce (Start, TE1)
Tyreek Hill had his touchdown-streak of five straight games ended last week when it actually shouldn’t have. The Chiefs failed to challenge a ruling on a bobbled end zone grab that Hill actually came down with. Because of the no-score, Hill’s week was down in comparison to most of his weeks, as he only caught six of 10 targets for 58 yards. Sammy Watkins projects to be a WR3 this week and could be in line for a larger role late in the season if he can remain healthy. I personally would only start him if you need to.
No one is more locked into their position than Travis Kelce. He’s the bonafide TE1 on the year, and enters the game with at least eight receptions in each game since Week 8; in Week 9 against Carolina, he had 10 catches.
Miami Dolphins
Quarterback
Tua Tagovailoa (Start, QB2)
The back and forth decisions at QB for Miami is head-scratching, to say the least. Rookie Tua Tagovailoa got the start last week against the Bengals despite nursing a thumb injury. Miami won, but he completed 26 of 39 attempts for 296 yards and just one touchdown. In what should be a shootout, you can justify starting Tua off that alone. The Chiefs are a middle of the pack defense against the quarterback position this fantasy season.
Running Backs
Myles Gaskin (Start, RB2)
Myles Gaskin may have the backfield to himself again if Matt Breida remains out with an illness. Even with Breida back, Gaskin is the only Dolphin RB worth starting. He returned to action last week for the first time since Week 8 and turned 21 carries into 90 yards on the ground. Going forward, he’s going to be a volume-based RB2 and faces a Kansas City defense that has given up the 14th most fantasy points to running backs this season.
Wide Receivers/Tight End
DeVante Parker (Start, WR2), Jakeem Grant (Sit), Mike Gesicki (Start, TE1)
DeVante Parker had his Week 13 cut short after an ejection against the Bengals. He enters this game against the Chiefs set to face a KC defense that has given up the second-fewest fantasy points to the WR position on the season. He’s a viable WR2 option in an offense lacking true wideout depth, but Parker greatly benefits when Ryan Fitzpatrick is under center over Tagovailoa.
If you’re an NFL Red Zone watcher, it seems that tight end Mike Gesicki is always popping up on your screen throughout the afternoon. Gesicki posted nine catches on 11 targets for 98 yards and a touchdown against the Bengals last week. The matchup against the Chiefs is enticing, as points will be scored, and the Chiefs are struggling to defend the TE position as of late.
-Matthew Cava (@cavaM_ Twitter & Reddit)