Week 14 Fantasy Start 'Em Sit 'Em
As a big fantasy football player myself, I haven't talked much about it on the site this season. With fantasy football playoffs either starting next week (in most leagues) or actually starting THIS week, this is maybe the most crucial week of fantasy this season. With that being said, I decided to make a start and sit list based on who I think will pop this week and who I think will disappoint, many based off of match-ups. Let's get into it!
*Quick Disclaimer: I'm not just going to say the best guys at each position because those are obvious starts, I'm going to look down the board a little for each spot
START 'EM
Quarterback:
Tua Tagovailoa, QB, Dolphins (@ Los Angles Chargers)
My QB start of the week has to be Tua Tagovailoa. Sure, he is near the top of the stack in terms of QBs anyway, but his match-up is too good to not mention. Tua is coming off of back to back pedestrian fantasy performances which might give managers some pause, and his is a little banged up himself. Also, Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle each progressed through some of their own injuries during the week. However, all 3 players are healthy and good to go, and this is a delicious match-up for the Dolphins. The Chargers defense has been awful this season, and they are a bottom 10 defense in terms of points allowed to QBs in fantasy as well. All of this combines to make Tagovailoa a great start on SNF this week.
Tyler Huntley, QB, Ravens (@ Pittsburgh Steelers)
Here is my more obscure start of the week at QB. Huntley is back into starting action following the leg injury to Lamar Jackson, and he is in line for a big game. Huntley impressed in multiple games of action last season filling in for an injured Jackson, and this time around feels no different. While no one is Lamar Jackson, Huntley is one of few QBs who one could say comes close. He has an underrated arm but really makes his money scrambling. The once vaunted Steeler defense has been banged up and inconsistent all year. They too are a bottom 10 defense in fantasy in terms of points allowed to QBs. With bye weeks in play and managers dealing with the Jackson injury, Huntley figures to be an elite fill-in option this week with a great match-up.
Running Back:
(@ Seattle Seahawks)
This is EASILY my start of the week at the running back position. D'Onta Foreman has been nothing short of spectacular since assuming the Panthers' starting RB job following the CMC trade. Foreman is getting a lion-share of carries, averaging 19 since assuming the RB1 job. Not only that, he has been so productive, with 4 games of 100+ rushing yards. Foreman is close to a lineup lock, but this week, he HAS to be, as he heads to Seattle to take on the second-worst fantasy run defense in the league. Seattle has been absolutely torched by RBs over the past few weeks (Josh Jacobs with over 200 yards, Cam Akers with 60 and 2 TDs, and Rachaad White with 105 yards). Foreman is better than all of those guys except for Jacobs. Expect a massive workload and a massive game from Foreman on Sunday, especially in one that could feature wet and cold conditions.
Travis Homer, RB, Seahawks (vs Carolina Panthers)
Flipping sides to the other offense in the Seattle/Carolina game, Travis Homer is a sneaky good start in week 14. Homer has not had a big season by any means, he is the third-string RB in Seattle behind Ken Walker and DeeJay Dallas, and has also been banged up for much of the year. However, his bad injury luck has subsided at the perfect time. Both Walker and Dallas are likely to miss this game with injury, leaving Homer as the clearcut feature back. He is starting to be picked up in many leagues with this news, but still is available in over 91% of ESPN fantasy leagues. Homer not only is a productive runner (averaging 4.8 yards per carry) but he is an elite pass catching back which could be big with Geno Smith this week, who likes to dump off to his RBs. Again, with a lot of teams on bye this week and many injuries as well (especially if you have Walker on your team) Homer can fill is as an awesome RB2 or FLEX option this week against an iffy Panther defense.
Who would have seen this coming to start the year: backfield mate Tony Pollard has entered lineup LOCK status, meaning talking about him on this list wouldn't make a ton of sense. However, Ezekiel Elliott, who has fallen from that tier, feels like must-start this weekend. First things first, Zeke has been really good over the past couple of games. Elliott has scored at least one TD in each of his past 5 games. Not only that, Elliott has gotten at least 15 carries in 4/5 of those games. While Pollard takes away some upside from Zeke, he is clearly still a very productive back. To make matters even better for Elliott, he is taking on the 32nd ranked fantasy run defense in the Texans. Feed Zeke, because he's about to EAT!
(P.S. Pollard is also an obvious must-start this week, if you didn't catch that)
Wide Receiver:
Marquise Brown, WR, Cardinals (vs New England Patriots)
This is where this column has to alleviate fears that shouldn't be there. That's what this is for. Many people might be down on Hollywood Brown as he is still working his way back to full health after missing some time with injury and having an average first game back before the bye. However, it's been two weeks since then and Brown is probably almost if not back to 100% health. The New England defensive match-up might scare some, which makes sense, but Belichick and co. are going to focus their attention on 'Nuk' Hopkins, leaving Brown many targets in the wake of that. Sure, they know Brown is a speedster who can pop off any game, but in game-planning you have to make sacrifices, which will be done here. In a crucial week, Brown has to be in at FLEX or WR2 for fantasy teams. Turning to waiver options or bench options would be foolish just because of injury fear/a tough match-up for a nearly elite player. Start Brown with confidence.
Christian Kirk, WR, Jaguars (@ Tennessee Titans)
In a breakout year for Christian Kirk, we have seen him play very up and down football. At his best, Kirk is genuinely one of the best and most underrated WRs in fantasy football, at worst though, he can disappear. This fact might make some managers have some pause and leave Kirk on their benches. However, this is not the week to do that, especially with crucial matches in leagues around the country. The Titans are THE worst defense in fantasy against the pass, meaning Kirk is set for a field day. To make things even better, Tennessee actually does have a pretty good run defense to counter it AND Travis Etienne has been slumping lately. All of this meaning that Jacksonville is likely going to pass the ball A LOT, and to Kirk A LOT. Expect a huge game from Kirk, and probably Jags' WR2 Zay Jones as well.
Tight End:
Gerald Everett, TE, Chargers (vs Miami Dolphins)
This has also been a breakout year for Bolts' TE Gerald Everett, and he too has still seen his fair share of ups and downs despite this fact. However, at the wasteland that is the TE position in fantasy, Everett's recent hot play leads to him being a must-start this week. Miami is a bottom 3 fantasy defense against TEs and I could also see the Chargers playing from behind or even straight up playing in a shootout against the Dolphins in this one. Everett is a redzone threat and a player who gets peppered with targets on a weekly basis from Justin Herbert. I expect a good game from Everett.
The TE wasteland continues as Greg Dulcich has become a big fantasy asset of late just off of the fact that he's played a few solid games. That's all it takes for TEs these days. Dulcich is coming off of his best game as a pro. He corralled 6 of 8 targets for 85 yards. Russell Wilson does not have a lot of trust in many receivers right now, but he is building a rapport with the rookie TE and I can see the momentum carrying over to this week. Sure, the Chiefs are a brutal match-up on paper for the flailing Broncos, but think about it deeper. Denver is going to be playing catch-up all game and throwing the ball a TON. Dulcich figures to get a ton of looks and yardage if that stays true. He's a must start unless you have one of the very few top end TEs (Kelce, Andrews, Kittle, Schultz, Hockenson, Friermuth).
D/ST:
Dallas Cowboys D/ST (vs Houston Texans)
I'm not going to delve too deep into this obvious one. The Cowboys D has been the #1 defense in fantasy throughout 13 weeks and that shouldn't change this week against the worst offense in the NFL in the Houston Texans this week. This could be a major slaughter.
Kansas City Chiefs D/ST (@ Denver Broncos)
While the Chiefs D as a whole has been hit or miss this season so far in fantasy, this week feels like a near lock to be a hit. They get one of the worst offenses in the NFL in Denver in this game. While there aren't a ton of all-star level players on this defense, this match-up alone makes them a must-start. This game could get ugly quick.
Buffalo Bills D/ST (vs New York Jets)
This is another one to alleviate fears that shouldn't be there. The Bills possess one of the best defenses in the league, but they've been a little iffy over the past couple of games. Still, facing the Jets keeps them in lineup-lock territory. Sure, Mike White has been electric for the Jets in his first two starts, but those were against two bad defenses in the Bears and Vikings. While I can still see White having a serviceable game in Buffalo, I foresee multiple picks and an easy Bills win this time around. Don't be afraid to put in the vaunted Buffalo D this weekend.
SIT 'EM
Quarterback:
Deshaun Watson, QB, Browns (@ Cincinnati Bengals)
I love Deshaun Watson. Don't get me wrong here. I think he's going to figure it out in Cleveland and that first game was clearly just some rust being shook off for him. However, I don't think that this is the game he will fully do that, or at least not well enough to an extent to make him a great fantasy play. Whether you think so or not, the Bengals quietly have one of the better defenses in the NFL, and not to mention how good their offense has been too. Cleveland might get down early and have a hard time keeping up with Joe Burrow and company. While Watson *could* have a good game, it feels too risky in this big of a week to play him with confidence.
People will not turn their back on the GOAT. It is totally fair to be that way, but if you want to win fantasy games, Brady has not been the answer this year. His play hasn't even been bad in real life, but it doesn't translate to fantasy success. This week especially, do not settle for just playing Brady just because he's Brady. Tom and his team head to San Francisco to take on the best defense in the NFL. This Niner D has been arguably the most dominant defense I've seen since the 2016 Broncos or 2015 Seahawks. This game screams a ceiling of 14 points for Brady, and a floor of like 6-8. In a crucial week of fantasy matches, don't settle for Brady (add someone like Tyler Huntley^ with rushing upside off of waivers).
Running Back:
Latavius Murray, RB, Broncos (vs Kansas City Chiefs)
For some who are desperate at the RB position, adding Latavius Murray has been awesome for them. Murray has been consistently rushing for 40-90 yards and scoring a rushing TD here and there. He gets just about 8-10 points per week, which is a solid RB2 or FLEX for some. This will not be one of those weeks. Denver takes on a good run defense in the Chiefs and will definitely be playing from behind for probably this entire game. That game script does not translate well for Murray, who relies on getting a lot of carries. Avoid Murray this week.
Zonovan "Bam" Knight has been a pleasant surprise waiver wire snag of late with all of the injuries ahead of him in the NYJ backfield. Knight has had back to back games of at least 14 carries for at least 70 yards (along with 8 total catches amongst that span as well). Knight has been good for over 12 points PPR in both weeks he's been integrated into the offense. Don't be fooled to just keep riding with him this week though. Michael Carter returns from injury for this game, and will likely split with Knight or even get more work. There's that and then there's the fact that they travel to Buffalo to face one of the best defenses in the league. This is a tough match-up for Knight, and with the return of Carter and a negative game-script likely to be coming the Jets' way, it adds up to returning to fantasy benches for after the nice two-game fill in.
Leonard Fournette, RB, Buccaneers (@ San Francisco 49ers)
While it has been a rough year for Leonard Fournette, he has picked it up of late in fantasy. Over the last two or so games that he has played in, he has been a worthy RB2/FLEX. This week, I don't like him at all. Like I mentioned above with Brady, this 49er defense is so so good and it is going to be hard for Fournette to run on. I could also see the Niners controlling the clock with their gritty run game and making the Bucs play from behind. Not only will this elite D limit Fournette's usual involvement in the pass catching department, but Tampa also has rookie RB Rachaad White, who is a bit of a pass catching specialist himself. I just don't feel good about Fournette in a huge fantasy week. The name value makes him tough to bench, but you will be glad you did in the end!
Wide Receiver:
Michael Gallup, WR, Cowboys (vs Houston Texans)
After a huge performance in week 13, many managers may rush to throw Gallup into their lineups. Please don't! Look closer at the numbers. Gallup had just 4 catches for 23 yards, but the two scores buoyed his point total big time. I get that Dallas has a very favorable match against the Texans, but that alone plus a lucky game last week should not prompt you to play Gallup in a hugely important week. Dallas is going to prioritize CeeDee Lamb, Tony Pollard, Ezekiel Elliott, and even Dalton Schultz on offense and the redzone before they look to Gallup. Don't play him!
Despite being the WR1 in the high-flying KC offense, Juju has had a very up and down debut season in the red and yellow. With Kadarius Toney out with injury again this weekend, it may tempt some who aren't deep at WR to put Juju in. Juju has had some good weeks and that coupled with the fact that he's on this good of an offense and playing a team that KC will likely destroy is enticing, but look closer. Juju will draw none other than the arguable best CB in the NFL in Patrick Surtain II. Denver has the #1 defense against fantasy WRs this year, which doesn't bode well for Smith-Schuster. Also, Juju has not had a good fantasy game since week 9. Since then he hasn't top 3 catches or 38 yards in a game. While he always has boom potential in this offense, this is not the week to risk it.
Tight End:
Cade Otton, TE, Buccaneers (@ San Francisco 49ers)
Back to the wasteland of the TE position, rookie TE Cade Otton had a huge game in week 13, catching 6 out of 10 targets for 28 yards and a TD. For a TE that is as good as you can hope for if you aren't Travis Kelce. Otton has been trending up lately anyway. Still, don't let last week prompt you to putting him in. Tampa's usual top TE Cameron Brate was out for the game with an illness and he will likely play tomorrow. Also, once again, SF's defense makes everything go awry. These two things combine to make Otton a definite sit this week, even though he's tempting.
D/ST:
After dropping a whopping 31 points last weekend against the Houston Texans, the Browns defense is probably a hot waiver wire add and plug and play this week. Don't fall for it. The Browns have to head to Cincinnati and take on the red-hot Bengals, who couldn't be a tougher match. Don't be misled and stupid from that last week game plus the week 8 fluke first game against Cinncy in which this defense had 14 fantasy points as well. Don't start this D, they are bound to go negative.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers D/ST (@ San Francisco 49ers)
The Tampa Bay defense has been pretty good and reliable all year long. Some might think to leave them in due to a match against a rookie 7th round QB making his first career start. However, it isn't the same as usual. Brock Purdy has the luxury of playing in the Kyle Shannahan Niner offense, surrounded by playmakers at every position. Purdy is not going to have to do a lot. He will throw short and intermediate and do a lot of handoffs and backwards passes to CMC and Deebo Samuel. The Niners are filled with YAC weapons and Tampa's D is set to have a tough time, even with the unknown of Purdy under center. I'd avoid Tampa and go to the waivers this week instead for defense.
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