QB carnage in Week 14: Carson Wentz injury could sink fantasy title hopes

Some of the toughest decisions fantasy owners had to make this week were at quarterback, where several of this season's best faced difficult matchups.

The results weren't pretty.

Carson Wentz of the Philadelphia Eagles -- fantasy's No. 2 QB through 13 weeks -- was the only one in the top 10 to deliver a solid performance. 

Wentz torched the Los Angeles Rams defense for 291 passing yards and four touchdowns, but even that performance had its downside. He took a hard hit (on a fourth-quarter touchdown run that was called back because of a penalty) and did not return due to a knee injury. 

Fantasy owners who've ridden Wentz to the verge of a title may need someone else to get them the rest of the way there. 

Elsewhere:

-- Russell Wilson -- this season's No. 1 QB -- needed a couple second-half touchdown bombs to salvage a day in which he threw for 271 yards and three TDs, but was intercepted three times.

-- Alex Smith (No. 3 QB) couldn't take advantage of the Oakland Raiders' 23rd-ranked pass defense, throwing for 268 yards with no touchdowns and an interception.

--  No. 5 Kirk Cousins laid an egg against the Los Angeles Chargers, throwing for just 151 yards with a TD and a pick. 

-- No. 6 Cam Newton was even worse through the air with 137 yards, a touchdown and an interception -- although he did add 70 yards rushing.

-- And No. 7 Josh McCown was the worst of all, completing only six passes for 46 yards and an interception before suffering a broken hand against the Denver Broncos. 

How bad were things? While Wentz and Wilson ended up among Week 14's top five fantasy quarterbacks, Dak Prescott, Brett Hundley and Mitchell Trubisky joined them.

The rest of the top 10: Philip Rivers, Case Keenum, Blake Bortles, T.J. Yates (in relief of Tom Savage) and Deshone Kizer. 

Missed opportunities

When the fantasy playoffs roll around, every play could end up being the difference between the continued pursuit of a league title or the end of the season. 

Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce might have carried his fantasy owners into the next round of the playoffs -- if it weren't for a some unfortunate luck on replay, on a penalty and on a misplay of his own.

Early waiver wire

Carson Wentz owners have to hope they have a decent backup already on their roster. If not, Nick Foles would start in Week 15 against the New York Giants if Wentz can't play.

Otherwise, check on the availability of Jameis Winston, Jimmy Garoppolo, Mitchell Trubisky or Blake Bortles. And don't forget ... Aaron Rodgers will be back next week.

Chicago Bears wide receiver Kendall Wright had his best game of the season. He caught 10 of his 11 targets from Trubisky for a season-high 107 yards.

And Arizona Cardinals running back Kerwynn Williams could help fantasy owners if Adrian Peterson's neck injury lingers another week. Williams has rushed for a total of 170 yards over the past two weeks and will have the Washington Redskins up next.

Broad Shoulders Award

Our weekly honor for the player who single-handedly carried his fantasy owner to victory goes to Houston Texans wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins.

Despite losing starting quarterback Tom Savage to a concussion, Hopkins hauled in 11 passes for 149 yards and a pair of touchdowns, both from backup T.J. Yates.

While running backs Jonathan Stewart, Rod Smith, Jordan Howard and Todd Gurley finished ahead of Hopkins in standard scoring leagues, he was tops among wide receivers -- and his 35.9 fantasy points in point-per-reception formats led all players in Week 14.