With Week 14 of the NFL season in full swing, we have multiple high-scoring performances and a few duds from Thursday night football. With the number of injuries and bye weeks this week, fantasy managers might be tasked with digging deep to find the right starters in fantasy football in a do or die situation to make the playoffs. The Start and Sit list contains borderline players for each roster to help you make the right decisions ahead of your matchup. Below are my favorite start/sits for Week 14.
For live Start / Sit questions tune into our post on Sunday at 10:00 AM EST on X where we will answer questions up until kickoff
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Quarterbacks to Start
Baker Mayfield TB
Mayfield has not cashed in on his favorable matchups as of late. Last week against Carolina he finished with 10.2 points and has only two passing touchdowns in his last three games even with the return of Mike Evans. Mayfield will get back on track this week against the Raiders who have allowed the 7th most passing touchdowns while also allowing five quarterbacks to score over 23 points. Mayfield is a top-eight option at the position this week and a must-start.
Sam Darnold MIN
Darnold has been one of the most consistent quarterbacks in fantasy football this season only having two performances below 14 points while posting multiple 20 point performances. In the last two weeks he has been able to score over 19 points against tough matchups and gets an easier matchup this week against the Falcons. This season the Falcons are giving up the 8th most points to quarterbacks while allowing four quarterbacks to score over 18 points since Week 7. Darnold is a steady option at quarterback this week.
Will Levis TEN
Don’t look now but Levis has actually been a viable option in the last few weeks. In his last four games, he has scored over 15.6 fantasy points while throwing for 7 touchdowns and only 2 interceptions. Levis has a chance to continue his hot streak against the Jaguars who are the best matchup for quarterbacks this season. The Jaguars are also 31st in the league at limiting explosive pass plays providing Levis the perfect opportunity to hit Calvin Ridley or Nick Westbrook-Ikhine downfield for a big TD. Levis is my favorite QB streamer in Week 14.
Quarterbacks to Sit
Matthew Stafford LAR
In the last five weeks, Stafford has only had one performance over 20 points despite playing good football. Stafford has 8 touchdowns with 0 interceptions in his last three games but it has not translated into 20 point performances with the low yardage totals and him having little rushing upside. This week I don’t expect him to reach that number again as he faces the Bills who have only allowed three quarterbacks to score more than 15.9 points this season. I’m fading Stafford over other options this week despite his play as of late.
Jameis Winston CLE
Winston delivered a classic performance last week against the Broncos elite defense with over 400 yards and 4 touchdowns while throwing 3 interceptions. Steelers have been tough on quarterbacks all season. At home this season they have also forced more interceptions than touchdown passes this year. Winston finished with only 13.5 points against the Steelers in the snow two weeks ago. Im avoiding Winston’s risk in my starting lineups this week.
Geno Smith SEA
Smith has been disappointing this season only having three performances over 18 points despite ranking 5th in the NFL in attempts per games. The Cardinals provide the toughest matchup for opposing quarterbacks over the last four weeks and held Geno to 12.4 points the last time they played. Despite a plethora of talent on the Seahawks offense it is hard to trust a guy with almost as many interceptions as touchdown this late in the season.
Running backs to Start
Isaac Guerendo SF
With Christian McCaffrey and Jordan Mason on IR, Isaac Guerendo slots into the RB1 role in San Francisco. When McCaffrey was out Jordan Mason averaged 18.3 carries per game providing Guerendo with the volume to cash in on his 5 yards per carry this season. When he saw more action against Dallas and Seattle he finished with 28 touches for 201 yards. The Bears have allowed 185 total yards per game to opposing running backs in the last five weeks providing Guerendo with a matchup to breakout.
Braelon Allen NYJ
With Breece Hall listed as doubtful, the Jets will have a new-look backfield. Backup Isiah Davis has had a limited role this season and rookie Braelon Allen will be thrust into a lead role. Allen has shown promise this season despite never earning a bigger role in the offense ranking within PFF’s Top 15 running backs. Miami has given up 21.3 fantasy points per game to running backs. Allen should be in your starting lineup this week in a must-win game.
Rico Dowdle DAL
Dowdle cashed in on his must-start tag with 22 carries for 112 yards and a touchdown against the Giants. Najee Harris, Jaylen Warren, and Cordarrelle Patterson combined for 22 carries for 100 yards and a touchdown with 13 catches for 146 yards on 13 targets last week. The Bengals have struggled against opposing running backs and have allowed a running back to score at least 14 points in three straight games. Dowdle is in for another big performance in his breakout season.
Running backs to Sit
Nick Chubb CLE
Nick Chubb has found the end zone three times in the past two games, but his workload continues to shrink. Despite scoring 33 points in the last two weeks he has seen his snap share dip under 40%. His efficiency numbers are career lows this season at 3 yards per carry and does not seem fully healthy yet. With the Browns shifting to a pass-heavy approach and the Steelers allowing the second-fewest points to running backs in the last five weeks I’m avoiding Chubb in my lineup.
Chuba Hubbard CAR
Hubbard has combined for 17.3 points in his last two games and has seen his role in the Panthers offense change since the return of Jonathan Brooks. Brooks is expected to continue playing more which only hurts Hubbard’s floor in fantasy football. Philadelphia is also No. 5 in fewest Fantasy points allowed to opposing running backs, and only four running backs have topped 12 PPR points. I think Hubbard is going to be in for his third straight disappointing outing in Week 14.
Aaron Jones MIN
Jones has been trending in the wrong direction in the last few weeks with only one performance over 12.2 points in the last six weeks. Jones salvaged an inefficient day by catching a game-winning touchdown. Jones snap share has decreased as well with his fumbling issues as of late. The Falcons are the 7th toughest matchup for opposing running backs this season. With a tough matchup and his struggles as of late, I would avoid starting Jones this week.
Wide Receivers to Start
DJ Moore CHI
Moore has been one of the biggest takeaways here in the last few weeks post-Shane Waldron era. He has capitalized on his consistent involvement in the Chicago offense, recording seven or more receptions for 90 or more receiving yards and at least one touchdown in each of the last two games. He has at least 7 catches in three straight games and saw 16 targets last week against Detroit. Despite a tough matchup against the 49ers he is a must start.
Jakobi Myers LV
Jakobi Meyers has been on fire recently, scoring at least 15.7 PPR points in four of his last five games, including two straight. Even with Aidan O’Connell returning in Week 13, Meyers didn’t miss a beat, catching six passes for 97 yards on 11 targets against the Chiefs. He now faces a favorable matchup against a Buccaneers defense that ranks eighth in fantasy points allowed to receivers, with seven wideouts scoring at least 12.4 PPR points against them in the past five games. Meyer’s should be a lineup lock this week.
Khalil Shakir BUF
Shakir has been the top receiver for the Bills this season with his 63.3 receiving yards per game and 32.5% first read share. Before the snow game, he had five straight games with 11 points showing how consistent of an option he is in fantasy football. His ceiling is increasing with six red zone targets in his last six games. The Rams have been tough against slot receivers this season but with Shakir’s consistent volume, he will cash in on a 14-18 point outing.
Wide Receivers to Sit
Deebo Samuel SF
Deebo just had his 3rd straight game below 6.5 PPR points and 25 receiving yards. Since Week 6 he has only gone over 12.6 fantasy points twice and since Week 4 he is averaging 7.7 points per game. This season Samuel ranks 200th in EPA while having the 89th ADOT and has received less than a 20% target share in four straight weeks. The Bears defense has allowed the ninth-fewest fantasy points per game to perimeter receivers, and wideouts have scored just seven times.
Adam Thielen CAR
Thielen was a popular waiver wire pickup this week after a 10-catch performance for 99 yards last week against the Bucs. I expect Thielen to be a reliable flex down the stretch but I would fade him in fantasy football this week against the Eagles. The Eagles are the 8th best at limiting opposing receivers while having two corners in Quinton Mitchell and Cooper Dejean ranked in the top five of PFF grades. Since Week 4, only three receivers have scored a touchdown while only three have scored more than 10.1 PPR points.
DeVonta Smith PHI
Smith is returning from injury this week but I would avoid putting him in your starting lineups despite a great matchup. The Eagles have only been averaging 21.5 passing attempts per game in the last eight weeks providing a low floor Eagles pass catchers. With Smith’s 23% target share, he is expected to see 4.5 targets per game which is not enough to throw in our starting lineups.
Tight Ends to Start
Cade Otton TB
Otton has scored fewer than 10 points in three straight contests with fantasy managers starting to hit the panic button. Otton still saw a 94% snap share last week and had 7 targets. If it weren’t for some missed opportunities last week he would be a no-brainer. I’m starting him with confidence this week against the Raiders who are allowing the 4th most points per game to tight ends this season. No team has allowed more yards or touchdowns to tight ends since Week 9.
Jake Ferguson DAL
Cincinnati has been generous to tight ends this season, allowing the fourth-most receiving yards and the second-most fantasy points per game to the position. If Jake Ferguson returns this week, he’ll be in a prime position to capitalize on this, as the Bengals rank 30th in pass defense. Pat Freiermuth, Will Dissly, and Mark Andrews all had big days against the Bengals in the last three weeks. If you’re counting on Ferguson, it might be wise to have Luke Schoonmaker as a backup, just in case Ferguson is sidelined again.
Will Dissly LAC
Will Dissly’s performance last week was concerning, posting a goose egg in a matchup that seemed favorable against Atlanta. However, his role remains unchanged, as only Ladd McConkey and Quentin Johnston ran more pass routes among Chargers. Prior to that dud, Dissly had caught 4+ passes in three consecutive games and six of his previous seven. This week, he could be even more crucial if McConkey is limited or out, especially against a Chiefs defense that has allowed the most yards and third-most fantasy points to the position this season.
Tight Ends to Sit
Kyle Pitts ATL
After a strong four-game stretch, including a 25-point performance in Week 8, Kyle Pitts appeared to be a lineup lock. Since that point he has just totaled 13.5 fantasy points over his last four games, with only 12 targets and 75 yards. Kirk Cousins’ struggles have contributed to this decline, but the bigger issue is Pitts’ is his inability to stay on the field due to his blocking ability. Against a tough matchup in the Vikings there is no reason to trot him back out in your starting lineup.
Mike Gesicki CIN
Mike Gesicki had a productive showing last week, hauling in five passes for 53 yards in a loss to the Steelers, but it was his first strong performance with Tee Higgins healthy. With the Cowboys limiting tight ends to just 44.3 receiving yards per game, and only two players surpassing 12.2 fantasy points against them this season, it’s unlikely Gesicki will deliver another big game. It’s best to leave him on the bench for now.
Cole Kmet CHI
After a brief uptick in usage, Cole Kmet returned to his usual limited role on Thanksgiving, catching three passes for 26 yards against the Lions. The increase in snaps has not raised his floor yet. Since Week 3, he’s seen no more than five targets in all but one game. With the 49ers ranking among the toughest defenses for tight ends, it’s not a favorable matchup to expect big production from Kmet.
DEF to Start
New Orleans Saints DEF
In the last two weeks, defenses against the New York Giants have allowed 27 points, recovered 2 fumbles, have 1 INT, 10 sacks, and 1 touchdown resulting in 29 fantasy points. The New Orleans Saints have not been good this season only posting one performance over 10 points but have not allowed an opponent to score over 24 points in five weeks. The Saints can make it their second performance over 10 points this week
Tennessee Titans DEF
The Titans defense has not been good as of late but this is more about the matchup. The Mac Jones led Jaguars have been a favorable matchup for multiple teams this season. In two starts he has three interceptions and two lost fumbles while scoring only 13 points. I expect the Titans to capitalize on the matchup despite Jones playing better last week.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers DEF
The Raiders offense has been better as of late but is still one of the best matchups for defensive streamers. The Buccaneers defense out of the bye week has a 36.1% pressure rate while the Raiders have the 11st highest sack rate since Week 10. The Bucs are worth streaming in Week 14.
DEF to Sit
New York Jets DEF
The Jets defense has not been the same since Robert Saleh was fired and now will be without Sauce Gardner against the Dolphins. Since Week 11 the Dolphins are averaging 28.3 points per game with 367 yards per game. The Jets are not the right option this week to help you secure a playoff spot.
Kansas City Chiefs DEF
The Chiefs defense can’t be trusted right now in fantasy football. They aren’t capitalizing on good matchups and have flipped from the 4th ranked pass defense DVOA to the 28th since the Jaylen Watson injury. The Chargers provide a tough matchup on top of the struggles this week with them averaging 24.7 points per game while only having six turnovers on the season.
Kickers to Start
Chase McLaughlin TB
McLaughlin, who delivered 15 fantasy points against the Panthers last week, remains a strong start this week with another favorable matchup against Las Vegas. The Raiders’ defense has allowed nine or more fantasy points to 10 kickers this season, including six who scored at least 12. McLaughlin will cash in on another 10+ point performance
John Parker Romo or Will Reichard MIN
Romo has filled in nicely for Reichard averaging 11,3 points but with Reichard being a full participant on Thursday, it looks like his run is over. Before the injury, Reichard was averaging 9.3 points per game. Whoever suits up at kicker for the Vikings should be started against the Falcons who have only let two kickers this season go under 8 fantasy points.
Kickers to Sit
YoungHoe Koo ATL
Over his last six games, Koo has converted just 6 of 12 field goals, missing at least one attempt in four of those contests. This makes him a less reliable option against a Vikings defense that allows only 1.8 field goal attempts per game, the sixth-fewest in the league. With Kirk Cousins struggling with turnovers recently, if those continue, Koo may find himself with fewer chances to score.
Eddy Pineiro CAR
Pineiro has been on a heater as of late with 33 points in his last three games. The Panthers offense has been playing better as of late but will struggle against the NFL’s best defense in the Philadelphia Eagles. This season the Eagles have allowed the 7th fewest points per game to kickers while holding 7 kickers under six points this season.
For a breakdown of each Start / Sit player this week, check out this YouTube video
