Welcome to the Monday Night Showdown Slate for NFL Week 14!

Before we start, please allow me to reiterate that while we all love having a little skin in the game, these showdown slates are basically lottery tickets. Sure, there are times when the chalk hits and everyone shares in the prizes, but more often than not, you need that random, differentiated yourself from the herd dart-throw to hit in order to claim that top prize. As a result, we are encouraged to play responsibly. Stick to the GPP contests (single-entry preferred), don’t blow your whole bankroll and understand that, unless you are a max-entry player, you should prioritize having fun.

OK, lecture over. Let’s get to tonight’s action.

Baltimore Ravens vs Cleveland Browns

Spread: Ravens -3

O/U: 45.5

Weather: High 30’s, partly cloudy but no precipitation; winds 20-25 MPH.

Notable Injuries

Ravens:

Calais Campbell , DE (calf – questionable)

Jimmy Smith , CB (groin – questionable)

Tramon Williams , CB (concussion – doubtful)

Browns:

Khadarel Hodge , WR (hamstring – out)

Denzel Ward , CB (calf – out)

Austin Hooper , TE (neck – questionable)

 

DVOA Defense Ranks

Ravens:

vs Pass: 10th

vs Run: 4th

Browns:

vs Pass: 22nd 

vs Run: 19th 

 

Please note that players not listed below do not mean they are a complete fade. All players listed can be used as MVP/Captain.

MVP/Captain

Baltimore Ravens D/ST – Winds around game-time are expected to be between 15-20 MPH which will make throwing the football a bit difficult for the Browns in this one. With both teams focusing on the running game I think we will see Baltimore keep the Browns at bay when it comes to scoring points. The game total for this one is just 45.5 which is low for the NFL this season. If Baltimore gets the lead and Cleveland needs to throw I can see this defense causing problems for Baker Mayfield .

Lamar Jackson , QB BAL – We saw Jackson get the job done with his legs last week against the Cowboys and that was nice to see. Given the game script and wind I think we see a lot more from Jackson on the ground here but also love the return of Mark Andrews for his upside. I don’t often like to pay up for the quarterback position MVP but Jackson is a rare exception.

Nick Chubb , RB CLE – Chubb has been a monster since returning from IR, averaging 116 yards per contest over the last four games. He faces a very strong Ravens run defense, but he also averaged 6.0 YPC against the Ravens back in Week 1 but due to Cleveland trailing he was limited to just 10 carries. I expect increased volume and low captain ownership on Chubb tonight.

 

Mid-Tier

Kareem Hunt , RB CLE – We haven’t seen a ton from Hunt since the return of Nick Chubb but this could very well be a game where his services are required given his pass catching ability. In Week 1 against the Ravens he caught four of six passes while rushing 13 times for 72 yards. If Cleveland falls behind in this one I would expect to see Hunt on the field more than Chubb.

Mark Andrews , TE BAL – This will be Andrew’s first game back since landing on the Covid-IR following the Ravens Week 11 loss to the Titans. Though the Ravens passing game has struggled this season, Andrews has still largely been affective and the injury to Nick Boyle in Week 10 against New England has resulted in Andrews actually playing more snaps. In Week 11, following the Boyle injury, Andrews played a season high 86-percent of the team’s snaps. The increased volume and chemistry with Lamar Jackson makes him a strong option.

J.K. Dobbins, RB BAL – This is going to be a ground heavy game by both teams and Dobbins is going to see his share of the touches out of the Ravens backfield. In Week 13 he rushed 11 times for 71 yards and a touchdown while playing 38-percent of the team’s snaps. He’s likely in for a similar role tonight but his big play upside is appealing.

Gus Edwards , RB BAL – Edwards played 33-percent of the offensive snaps in Week 13 and carried the ball just seven times but he made the most of his touches as he finished with 101 yards rushing against Dallas. Like Dobbins, Edwards is part of this Baltimore three-headed backfield but both he and Dobbins are the most productive of the trio.

Jarvis Landry , WR CLE – The short passing game could be what gets it done for the Browns tonight given the winds that are expected, and Landry has been balling out of late, totaling 16 catches on 21 targets over the last two weeks. He is the clear-cut top receiving option for Cleveland.

Marquise Brown , WR BAL – I don’t expect the Ravens to throw much in this game but with Denzel Ward out there is at least the potential for Brown to find the end zone for the third straight week. That’s right, Brown is actually scoring fantasy points lately. Over the past two games he has nine catches on 16 targets for 124 yards and two touchdowns. Last game against Dallas he had five catches for 39 yards and a score. Its not much but the big play upside is there if Jackson can connect.

Willie Snead , WR BAL – Snead has largely been the most consistent receiver on the Ravens this season. He hasn’t played since Week 11 due to Covid-19 but prior to missing games he had seen at least seven targets in three of the last four games.

Rashard Higgins , WR CLE – Higgins has a big game against the Titans, catching six passes for 95 yards and a touchdown. It’s unlikely he has that type of upside against a much tougher defense but if Cleveland is playing from behind then they will need to take some shots down field and Higgins is that guy.

 

Dart Throws

Harrison Bryant, TE CLE – Austin Hooper is doubtful to play tonight with a neck injury which means the rookie Bryant should be in for a larger role in tonight’s offense. When Hooper missed time earlier this season Bryant saw his snap counts jump to near 80-percent. He is definitely a boom or bust play and thus perfect as a dart throw.

David Njoku , TE CLE – Spin the tight end wheel in Cleveland tonight and hope you get it right. With Hooper unlikely to play both Bryant and Njoku will see increased opportunity to produce. In Week 1 against Baltimore Njoku caught three passes for 50 yards and a touchdown. Maybe history repeats tonight.

Cody Parkey /Justin Tucker , K – Both kickers are in play as salary savers tonight. We are expecting a low scoring contest and that usually results in more field goals than touchdowns. The wind could be the only factor here tonight, but I expect both to get some work.