Fantasy Football Start ‘Em Sit ‘Em: Week 14 lineup advice, best matchups, DFS picks

We made it — the end of the fantasy football regular season. This is undoubtedly a bittersweet time for some, as yet another long — and ultimately disappointing — season comes to a close. Others are gearing up for the “real season,” i.e. the fantasy playoffs. Of course, there are plenty of owners who don’t know their fate yet, which makes this a de facto playoff situation. When it’s win-or-go-home time, owners tend to check every possible source for lineup advice, so whether you’re a long-time reader of this article or here for the first time, welcome. Now, let’s break down some Week 14 fantasy start ’em, sit ’em decisions. 

With four teams (Patriots, Dolphins, Colts, Eagles) on bye and a mountain of injuries, more than a few owners will be in a pinch this week. Worse, all of the key “questionable” players, like Alvin Kamara (knee), Darren Waller (knee), Melvin Gordon (hip), Darrell Henderson (quad), Julio Jones (hamstring), Keenan Allen (COIVID), and Deebo Samuel (groin), will likely cause some decisions to go down to the very last minute. For now, we’ll arm you with as much as knowledge as possible so you’re ready to make some quick pivots when finalizing your lineup. 

Fantasy Football Week 14 Start ‘Em: Quarterbacks

QB must-starts

1. Josh Allen, Bills (at TB)
2. Kyler Murray, Cardinals (vs. LAR)
3. Justin Herbert, Chargers (vs. NYG)
4. Aaron Rodgers, Packers (vs. CHI)
5. Patrick Mahomes, Chiefs (vs. LV)
6. Tom Brady, Buccaneers (vs. BUF)
7. Matthew Stafford, Rams (at ARI)
8. Lamar Jackson, Ravens (at CLE)
9. Dak Prescott, Cowboys (at WAS)

Stronger starts

Taysom Hill, Saints (at NYJ). He’s back doing his wacky running things with the right dash of passing to produce — even when throwing away some points with mistakes.

Russell Wilson, Seahawks (at HOU). He’s been pretty solid with multiple TDs in consecutive weeks and can light up the Texans’ secondary with his wideouts despite limited volume.

Joe Burrow, Bengals (vs. SF). He could’ve had a bigger day with a better break against the Chargers, but he will roast the 49ers’ further depleted secondary.

Ben Roethlisberger, Steelers (at MIN). The Steelers are feeling comfortable about him passing more in the offense he knows better now, and his receivers can help get it done again with favorable matchups across the board.

Cam Newton, Panthers (vs. ATL). He’s at home and loves playing against his hometown team, and he will be boosted by a more traditional running game and Carolina’s stellar receivers.

Ryan Tannehill, Titans (vs. JAX). Tannehill’s success is predicated on the run working well, which it will here, and he should get one top wide receiver back in time to rip the Jaguars’ secondary.

DFS Bargain/Streamer Special

Taylor Heinicke, Washigton (vs. DAL, $5,500 on DraftKings, $7,100 on FanDuel). Heinicke is feeling it as a passer and sometimes runner distributing to whatever weapons he has at his disposal. The game script and matchup opposite Dak Prescott should call for heavy volume with some big-play return.

WEEK 14 PPR RANKINGS:
Quarterback | Running back | Wide receiver | Tight end | D/ST | Kicker

Fantasy Football Week 14 Sit ‘Em: Quarterbacks

Weaker starts

Kirk Cousins, Vikings (vs. PIT). He won’t have Adam Thielen (ankle), which limits his TD potential, and look for them to stay grounded vs. the Steelers, which limits his yardage work.

Derek Carr, Raiders (at KC). Carr on paper should come through in this matchup for decent back-end QB1 numbers, but that was said last week against another defense that’s been much improved of late.

Teddy Bridgewater, Broncos (vs. DET). It might be tempting to get him in there, but expect Denver to be run-heavy, as there won’t be much scoring from the other side to prompt high volume.

Jimmy Garoppolo, 49ers (at CIN). This feels like more of a grinding game for San Francisco with plenty of the rushing attack, so something like 275 yards and one TD feels right for his projection.

Matt Ryan, Falcons (vs. CAR). Ryan did throw for almost 300 yards last week with no TDs, but he’s tough to trust with so many better QB options available.

Zach Wilson, Jets (vs. NO). The matchups for him and Trevor Lawrence this week feel pretty good, but you should avoid the two volatile first-round rookies in any streaming or two-QB situation if you can.

WEEK 14 STANDARD RANKINGS:
Quarterback | Running back | Wide receiver | Tight end | D/ST | Kicker

Fantasy Football Week 14 Start ‘Em: Running backs

RB must-starts

1. Austin Ekeler, Chargers (vs. NYG)
2. Joe Mixon, Bengals (vs. SF)
3. Najee Harris, Steelers (at MIN)
4. Antonio Gibson, Washington (vs. DAL)
5. Aaron Jones, Packers (vs. CHI)
6. Nick Chubb, Browns (vs. BAL)
7. Alexander Mattison, Vikings (vs. PIT)
8. Leonard Fournette, Buccaneers (vs. BUF)
9. Alvin Kamara (if he returns, at NYJ)
10. Ezekiel Elliott, Cowboys (at WAS)
11. Josh Jacobs, Raiders (at KC)
12. David Montgomery, Bears (at GB)
13. Kareem Hunt, Browns (vs. BAL)
14. Darrell Henderson Jr. (if he returns) or Sony Michel, Rams (at ARI)
15. Elijah Mitchell (if cleared) or JaMycal Hasty, 49ers (at CIN)
16. James Conner, Cardinals (vs. LAR)
17. Cordarrelle Patterson, Falcons (at CAR)
18. Saquon Barkley, Giants (at LAC)
19. Clyde Edwards-Helaire, Chiefs (vs. LV)

Stronger starts

James Robinson, Jaguars (at TEN). Don’t buy into Robinson being hurt again or Urban Meyer benching him. Jacksonville desperately needs its best offensive skill player to touch the ball often to not embarrass itself badly in Nashville.

Devonta Freeman, Ravens (at CLE). Freeman has taken over the backfield with strong running and adept receiving, and he should put together another solid performance in what should be a rebound road win.

Jamaal Williams, Lions (at DEN). D’Andre Swift (shoulder) will likely miss another game, making Williams a volume-based play against the Broncos.

Chuba Hubbard, Panthers (at ATL). He’s filling in again for Christian McCaffrey (ankle) in a plus matchup at home in a new offense.

A.J. Dillon, Packers (vs. CHI). Dillon should continue to key complementary touches in a positive game script for the second half.

Darrell Williams, Chiefs (vs. LV). Williams should stay involved well, and the Raiders couldn’t handle his versatility in the first meeting.

Rex Burkhead, Texans (vs. SEA). It’s been impossible to trust a Houston back, but by default Burkhead can get enough touches against a weak enough Seahawks run defense.

DFS bargains

D’Onta Foreman, Titans (vs. JAX, $5,100 on DraftKings, $5,900 on FanDuel). Foreman is the primary ball carrier in power situations and the game script should work nicely as Tennessee pounds the ball often for a get-well win.

Javonte Williams, Broncos (vs. DET, $5,500 on DraftKings, $6,700 on FanDuel). No matter the status of Melvin Gordon (hip), Williams has earned himself another massive running and receiving role in a smash spot.

WEEK 14 DFS LINEUPS: DraftKings | FanDuel | Yahoo

Fantasy Football Week 14 Sit ‘Em: Running backs

Weaker starts

Mark Ingram, Saints (at NYJ). Taysom Hill has hurt his value with similar power running, and he doesn’t offer the same receiving pop as Alvin Kamara to produce despite of it.

Tony Pollard, Cowboys (at WAS). Pollard is a big-play/TD-dependent backup, and this matchup isn’t the greatest for him.

Tevin Coleman, Jets (vs. NO). You can go ’round and ’round trying to get good value from this backfield minus Michael Carter (ankle), but don’t do it here against a strong Saints’ front.

Melvin Gordon, Broncos (vs. DET). He might return this week, but expect him to take a lesser role behind the more dynamic Javonte Williams.

Dontrell Hilliard, Titans (vs. JAX). The pace-changing back can clean up a bit, but Tennessee will run downhill more with D’Onta Foreman.

All Seahawks (at HOU). Rashaad Penny? Adrian Peterson? Travis Homer? DeeJay Dallas? Alex Collins? We really miss Chris Carson (neck).

All Bills (at TB). Matt Breida? Devin Singletary? Zack Moss? We really miss Thurman Thomas.

Devontae Booker, Giants (at LAC). Don’t chase his committee-like production with Saquon last week.

Mike Davis, Falcons (at CAR). Don’t chase his committee-like production with Cordarrelle last week.

Fantasy Football Week 14 Start ‘Em: Wide receivers

WR must-starts

1. Cooper Kupp, Rams (at ARI)
2. Tyreek Hill, Chiefs (vs. LV)
3. Davante Adams, Packers (vs. CHI)
4. Deebo Samuel, 49ers (if he returns, at CIN)
5. Stefon Diggs, Bills (at TB)
6. Justin Jefferson, Vikings (vs; PIT)
7. CeeDee Lamb, Cowboys (at WAS)
8. D.J. Moore, Panthers (vs. ATL)
9. Ja’Marr Chase, Bengals (vs. SF)
10. Keenan Allen, Chargers (vs. NYG)
11. Terry McLaurin, Washington (vs. DAL)
12. Mike Evans, Buccaneers (vs. BUF)
13. Chris Godwin, Buccaneers (vs. BUF)
14. D.K. Metcalf, Seahawks (at HOU)
15. Tyler Lockett, Seahawks (at HOU)
16. Diontae Johnson, Steelers (at MIN)
17. Tee Higgins, Bengals (vs. SF)
18. Amari Cooper, Cowboys (at WAS)
19. DeAndre Hopkins, Cardinals (vs. LAR)
20. Mike Williams, Chargers (vs. NYG)
21. Marquise Brown, Ravens (at CLE)
22. Chase Claypool, Steelers (at MIN)

Stronger starts

Hunter Renfrow, Raiders (at KC). He will be busy with plenty of short, catch-up targets in the second half from Derek Carr.

Brandin Cooks, Texans (vs. SEA). Believe it or not, going back to Davis Mills might actually help him get going in a decent spot with high volume.

Brandon Aiyuk, 49ers (at CIN). Deebo Samuel’s potential return could boost Aiyuk, and this is more of a matchup to his liking outside and inside.

Michael Gallup, Cowboys (at WAS). He’s been locked in with Dak Prescott since his return, and he will draw another favorable matchup this week.

Darnell Mooney, Bears (at GB). Mooney got bottled up big time with Andy Dalton struggling in the weather last week, but he can keep up his prime-time production.

Van Jefferson and Odell Beckham Jr., Rams (at ARI). They keep getting it done for Matthew Stafford playing off Cooper Kupp.

Jarvis Landry, Browns (vs. BAL). He’ll be a busy blitz beater and gets a massive break with no Marlon Humphrey (pectoral).

Marquez Valdes-Scantling, Packers (vs. CHI). He has a good shot to score on a shot play away from Davante Adams.

Russell Gage, Falcons (at CAR). He’s become more reliable as their default No. 1 of late, and there’s nothing too scary about the matchup.

Christian Kirk, Cardinals (vs. LAR). He’ll get more run with DeAndre Hopkins most likely shadowed by Jalen Ramsey.

DFS bargains

Elijah Moore, Jets (vs. NO, $5,900 on DraftKings, $6,300 on FanDuel). He’s at a nice price despite his sizzling production that will continue with volume against a shaky secondary.

Jerry Jeudy, Broncos (vs. DET, $5,600 on DraftKings, $6,300 on FanDuel). Teddy Bridgewater was trying to make Jeudy happen at least against the Chiefs and not bothering to connect much with his other wideouts. Jeudy can succeed in the slot this week.

Julio Jones, Titans (vs. JAX, $5,400 on DraftKings, $6,500 on FanDuel). There’s a good chance he returns from his hamstring injury, and he immediately steps into a terrific cornerback matchup to boost Ryan Tannehill downfield.

Fantasy Football Week 14 Sit ‘Em: Wide receivers

Weaker starts

All Jaguars (at TEN). The matchup is pretty good, but who knows how and how much the Jaguars will use or not use them all?

Courtland Sutton and Tim Patrick, Broncos (vs. DET). Why did they get those contracts again?

Emmanuel Sanders and Cole Beasley, Bills (at TB). The matchup is pretty favorable, but this has become the Diggs, Knox and Davis show for Josh Allen.

All Giants (at LAC). Good night in this tough matchup, as New York’s healthy receivers aren’t not nearly as good as the Bengals’ trio the Chargers just faced.

All Saints (at NYJ). The Jets’ secondary is actually pretty good, so the Saints need to win on the ground.

All Lions (at DEN). Good for them on the win, but Amon-Ra St. Brown and Josh Reynolds will cool off against Patrick Surtain II and friends.

Robby Anderson, Panthers (vs. ATL). He loves December, but this is a big D.J. Moore game.

Donovan Peoples-Jones, Browns (vs. BAL). No way, DPJ.

MORE Week 14: Top waiver pickups | FAAB budget planner

Fantasy Football Week 14 Start ‘Em: Tight ends

TE must-starts

1. Travis Kelce, Chiefs (vs. LV)
2. George Kittle, 49ers (at CIN)
3. Rob Gronkowski, Buccaneers (vs. BUF)
4. Mark Andrews, Ravens (at CLE)
5. Kyle Pitts, Falcons (at CAR)
6. T.J. Hockenson, Lions (at DEN)
7. Pat Freiermuth, Steelers (at MIN)

Stronger starts

Foster Moreau, Raiders (at KC). Darren Waller (knee) is an easy play should he return, but Moreau should do much better subbing after making only one long catch vs. Washington last week.

Evan Engram, Giants (at LAC). They are finally using him more, and they will be throwing a lot his way in a matchup that calls for it.

Zach Ertz, Cardinals (vs. LAR). The Rams have some coverage issues at linebacker and safety to the point he’ll become relevant in the offense again.

Cole Kmet, Bears (at GB). The matchup isn’t great, but he’ll get the targets again with a good chance at a garbage-time score.

Austin Hooper, Browns (vs. BAL). The Ravens struggle to cover the tight end, and the Browns should go back to basic passing to help Baker Mayfield after the bye.

DFS bargain

Dawson Knox, Bills (at TB, $5,000 on DraftKings, $6,000 on FanDuel). Knox had the expected MNF clunker against the Patriots, but he’ll rebound in a big way against the Buccaneers, who can’t cover him well assuming his good hands show up again. This is very afforable ROI for the main slate.

Fantasy Football Week 14 Sit ‘Em: Tight ends

Weaker starts

Noah Fant, Broncos (vs. DET). Fant is fading will all the rest of their pass-catchers, and the Lions actually are pretty good covering the position.

Dalton Schultz, Cowboys (at WAS). Schultz got more run than expected against the Saints, but Washington slowed down the TE TDs of late. This should be another big game for Dallas’ wideouts.

Gerald Everett, Seahawks (at HOU). His ball security issues almost cost his team last week, and he’s not viable unless you’re desperate.

Tyler Conklin, Vikings (vs. PIT). This is a great spot for Minnesota’s running game and Justin Jefferson — not so much for this tight end against active linebackers and safeties.

Tyler Higbee, Rams (at ARI). The Cardinals are nasty in tight end coverage, turning around a recent bad trend.

Fantasy Football Week 14 Start ‘Em: Defenses

Defense must-starts

1. Titans (vs. JAX)
2. Packers (vs. CHI)
3. Broncos (vs. DET)
4. Saints (at NYJ)
5. Chargers (vs. NYG)
6. Chiefs (vs. LV)

Stronger starts

Cowboys (at WAS). It’s hard to see Taylor Heinicke having a clean game without any key sacks or giveaways based on the pressure he will see.

Cardinals (vs. LAR). Arizona is at weekly play status, and it had good success against the Rams earlier this year.

Seahawks (at HOU). The matchup is phenomenal for a defense playing better in many areas.

Buccaneers (vs. BUF). Josh Allen hasn’t been perfect passing, and Tampa Bay has plenty of playmakers to turn the tide.

Steelers (at MIN). The Steelers should be up to the task of being active and aggressive in Minnesota.

Ravens (at CLE). Here’s going with the projected winner to make more plays with a lead.

DFS bargain

Jets (vs. NO, $2,500 on DraftKings, $3,000 on FanDuel). This is the “how low can you go” concept at work again. Taysom Hill was turnover prone against the Cowboys, and there should be some other big-play opportunities to rise for Robert Saleh’s defense in a sneaky spot at home.

Fantasy Football Week 14 Sit ‘Em: Defenses

Weaker starts

Rams (at ARI). Kyler Murray is back to putting up big numbers, and the Rams won’t make the plays that came easy against the Jaguars.

Bills (at TB). Not against the GOAT on the road.

Vikings (vs. PIT). They’re just not good, and the Lions game provided that evidence.

Panthers (vs. ATL). They’ve lost key pieces and they are lost, period.

Browns (vs. BAL). Lamar can burn their style of defense.

Get more of Vinnie Iyer’s in-depth fantasy football advice for Week 14 by subscribing to the Locked On Fantasy Football podcast.