Excuse me for a minute, but as a Raiders fan, it is so cool to see teams like the 49ers struggle for once.  The last two games have been specifically traumatizing for the 49ers.  Welcome to the party 49ers fans! But we aren’t here to talk about mediocre teams.  We are here for players that will help boost your return game in Week 14.  Before we mention those players let’s look back at the players we talked about last week. 

As I continue to mention the players towards the end of each season, it becomes more challenging to find a diamond in the rough. Dylan Laube is the first player we’ll discuss, and his performance in Week 13 was rough.  Laube had only 2 kick returns and did not touch the ball on offense at all.  We will need to be patient with Laube, as right now, he isn’t someone you can effectively roster.  On the other hand, Devin Duvernay came through with a strong performance against the Texans, scoring 19.9 points. If you took a chance on him in the Scott Fish Bowl (SFB), he likely helped your team. Next week, the team has a game in Nashville, but the dreaded “B word” is looming for several teams, so consider keeping Duvernay or looking at these two players to help boost your return game in Week 14.

Malik Washington

Reflecting on Malik Washington’s muffed punt in Week 13, it’s a reminder that football is an imperfect game, and mistakes are part of it. Unfortunately this error resulted in six points for the Packers. However, what stood out was how he responded both on and off the field.  On the field, after the mistake, Washington went on to record four returns for 108 yards. Off the field the rookie exhibited a veteran-like attitude, stating, “That’s a play I gotta’ make.  No matter the position I’m in, I know I gotta’ make that play.  I gotta’ learn from it.”  In Week 14, the team is set to face the Jets, who give up an average of 56.3 kick return yards per game, ranking fifth in the league for the most return yards allowed. For the season, the Jets have allowed only 1.2 kicks to be returned on average. However, in their last two games, they’ve allowed 3.5 kicks to be returned. Given these statistics, Washington could be a solid option for a spot start, especially with the key decisions coming up. He is currently rostered in just 3% of Sleeper league.

Calvin Austin

What a difference a quarterback makes! Calvin Austin has been performing well, scoring over ten points in five games in SFB leagues. Just a couple weeks ago, the Browns and Steelers played in the snow, where Austin recorded 78 yards and a touchdown. He is becoming more involved in crucial moments on offense, which has reduced his special teams touches, although he is still contributing as a punt returner. Recently, the Browns haven’t given many opportunities to kickoff returners, however in Week 8 they allowed six kick returns. With minimal wind and no precipitation expected, Austin may have more chances this week. Calvin Austin is in concussion protocol so be careful and make sure to watch reports on his availability.  Hopefully he plays and if he does you start him this week.