We are getting to the crucial time of the fantasy season where the playoff picture takes shape. Getting your starting lineup right is more crucial than ever. With that in mind, here are our recommendations at each position for Week 14.
Quarterback
Start ‘Em
Jordan Love, Green Bay Packers (vs NYG) – Love has finished as a top ten fantasy quarterback in each of his last three games. He has also scored 15+ points in six of the Packers’ seven games since their Week 6 bye. This weekend he faces a Giants team who have allowed 18.8 points per game to opposing quarterbacks over the last four weeks.
Russell Wilson, Denver Broncos (vs LAC) – Wilson has finished as QB12 or better in three of his last four outings and he gets an excellent matchup this weekend. The Chargers may have held the Patriots scoreless last weekend, but that says more about New England than anything. This unit is still allowing the fourth most fantasy points to opposing quarterbacks.
Justin Fields, Chicago Bears (vs DET) – Fields has been up-and-down in terms of fantasy production this season, but this is an excellent matchup. The Lions’ defense has been really struggling through recent weeks and is allowing the fourth most points to opposing quarterbacks.
Sit ‘Em
Matthew Stafford, Los Angeles Rams (vs BAL) – Stafford has looked very good through recent weeks, but this is a very tough matchup to gamble on. The Ravens’ defense has been absolutely excellent this season and is allowing a league-low 10.2 points per game to opposing quarterbacks.
Geno Smith, Seattle Seahawks (vs SF) – Smith finished as QB1 in Week 13 but I would be wary of starting him here. When Seattle last faced the 49ers in Week 12 they held him to 180 yards and just 8.3 fantasy points. It could be another tricky game for Geno.
Desmond Ridder, Atlanta Falcons (vs TB) – The matchup against the Buccaneers is a good one on paper, but low passing volume, a lack of touchdowns, and a tendency to turn the ball over mean that Ridder is a tough start. He hasn’t scored 15+ points since Week 6.
Running back
Start ‘Em
Joe Mixon, Cincinnati Bengals (vs IND) – Mixon is getting a good workload with Joe Burrow out. He also benefits from a very good matchup against the Colts this weekend. This feels like a high floor play with plenty of upside too.
Alexander Mattison, Minnesota Vikings (vs LV) – Mattison’s production through recent weeks has been underwhelming, but there lots to like about this matchup. He faces a Raiders defense that is allowing 25 points per game to running backs. The Vikings’ running game should also be opened up by the return of Justin Jefferson.
Chuba Hubbard, Carolina Panthers (vs NO) – Hubbard looks like he will get plenty of work under interim head coach Chris Tabor. He earned 25 carries for 104 yards and two touchdowns against the Bucs last week. Even with a challenging matchup this week I’m willing to bet on him again.
Sit ‘Em
AJ Dillon, Green Bay Packers (vs NYG) – Aaron Jones is once again questionable to play this weekend, but even with a potential increased workload I wouldn’t bet on Dillon. He hasn’t finished higher than RB24 since Week 7 and has topped 12 points just once this season.
Jerome Ford, Cleveland Browns (vs JAX) – Kareem Hunt is beginning to get more work in the Browns’ backfield and that has come at the detriment of Ford. Even with some receiving upside he remains very touchdown dependent and there are better options to choose from.
Jaylen Warren, Pittsburgh Steelers (vs NE) – Warren looked incredible a few weeks ago and whilst his efficiency has remained, he has seen a lower workload now that Matt Canada is gone. He hasn’t topped eight points in the two post-Canada games and this week he is facing a good Patriots run defense.
Wide receiver
Start ‘Em
Elijah Moore, Cleveland Browns (vs JAX) – Moore looked very good in Week 13, earning 12 targets in his first game with Joe Flacco. The pair spent two years together with the Jets and clearly have some good chemistry. That is worth betting on against a Jaguars defense that is allowing 37.8 points per game to opposing wide receivers.
Jaylen Waddle, Miami Dolphins (vs TEN) – Waddle’s production through recent weeks has been modest, finishing above WR36 once since Week 8. This matchup is too good to pass up though. The Titans have real issues in coverage and Waddle should get plenty of favourable looks.
DeAndre Hopkins, Tennessee Titans (vs MIA) – Hopkins has been earning a load of targets with Will Levis under center and it feels like the Titans will be trailing a lot in this game. I would fully expect the veteran receiver to be the biggest beneficiary.
Sit ‘Em
Cooper Kupp, Los Angeles Rams (vs BAL) – There may be some risk here but I am not sure we can rely on Kupp week-in and week-out anymore. He has only logged one double digit scoring performance since Week 6. He hasn’t topped 50 yards in his last six games.
Jordan Addison, Minnesota Vikings (vs LV) – There’s a chance that Addison is helped out by the return of Justin Jefferson this weekend but it is difficult to overlook the fact that he has struggled to be a relevant fantasy receiver with Joshua Dobbs at quarterback. He hasn’t finished higher than WR29 since Week 8.
Zay Flowers, Baltimore Ravens (vs LAR) – Flowers was excellent last week, but his fantasy production was significantly boosted by a pair of touchdowns. He just isn’t getting the volume to be a reliable starter and has a tough matchup against this Rams defense.
Tight end
Start ‘Em
Taysom Hill, New Orleans Saints (vs CAR) – Hill has been a key part of the Saints’ offense through recent weeks, finishing as TE6 or better in five of his last seven games. The Panthers have been good against tight ends, but most of Hill’s production has come on the ground, where Carolina struggle.
Gerald Everett, Los Angeles Chargers (vs DEN) – Everett has now scored double digit points in back-to-back games. This weekend he will face a Broncos defense that is allowing a league-high 16.1 points to opposing tight ends.
Isaiah Likely, Baltimore Ravens (vs LAR) – Likely earned six targets in the Ravens’ last game against the Chargers. This weekend he goes up against a Rams defense that has allowed the second most touchdowns to tight ends this season.
Sit ‘Em
Tyler Conklin, New York Jets (vs HOU) – Conklin’s production has tailed off in recent weeks, despite a healthy target share. The return of Zach Wilson at quarterback isn’t exactly inspiring and with Conklin also dealing with a hamstring injury I’d be tempted to avoid starting him.
Tyler Higbee, Los Angeles Chargers (vs BAL) – Higbee has been one of the most boom or bust tight ends in football this season. He has three games as a top ten tight end, but he has as many games where he has fallen short of TE30. Add in a tough matchup against the Ravens and I would be inclined to avoid.
Hunter Henry, New England Patriots (vs PIT) – New England’s offense is absolutely garbage at the moment and it is killing the fantasy relevance of their players. Henry has only managed to top double digit points once since Week 4 and has two games with zero points.