Week 14 Start ‘Em & Sit ‘Em is here to highlight a few players at each position that we would like to sit or start (where possible). It’s the last week of the regular season for most, and with playoffs on the line, we’re breaking down those lineup decisions to help you get your team over the line.
This series will avoid the “obvious” answers. So, just because I don’t tell you to start the RB1 in the week doesn’t mean you should sit him. It means I just felt it was a no-brainer and didn’t need to be discussed. Also, consider these suggestions in the context of your lineup. When I say to sit a player, there are obviously going to be situations where you have no choice but to play them. Bye weeks and injuries can cause us to start players with whom we are uncomfortable. Examine your squad’s situation before blindly following this column.
Week 14 Quarterback Starts Of The Week:
Trevor Lawrence, JAX vs. IND
There is a lot on the line in the AFC South this weekend as the Indianapolis Colts and Jacksonville Jaguars square off. Both are 8-4, and the winner will have sole ownership of first place in the division. I’m expecting a pass-heavy script from the Jacksonville Jaguars in what should be a closely fought battle. If you are in desperation mode and need someone who is likely on the waivers to make the fantasy playoffs, take the risk with Trevor Lawrence. He’s currently rostered in less than 50% of fantasy leagues. Lawrence has had 2 games in a row with 20+ points, and with the high stakes, I’m taking the high risk for Lawrence to send me into the playoffs.
Jared Goff, DET vs. DAL
It’s time for my weekly “Start whoever is playing the Dallas Cowboys” at quarterback. The Cowboys give up over a league-high 25 fantasy points per game to the position. That’s over 4 points higher than the next closest team. It doesn’t matter if the Cowboys win or lose to the Lions; Jared Goff is a must-start this week, even if Amon-Ra St. Brown doesn’t play.
Week 14 Quarterback Sits Of The Week:
Jacoby Brissett, ARI vs. LAR
Over the last month, veteran backup quarterback Jacoby Brissett has been an awesome mid-season waiver wire grab. He’s been averaging over 21 points per game over the last month and is QB5 since week 6. His next couple of weeks are going to be tough, including against an NFC-leading Rams team. The Rams might have just let Bryce Young look like an elite quarterback, but I’m confident they’ll turn things around after that embarrassing loss last week.
Caleb Williams, CHI @ GB
The Chicago Bears might be 9-3 and have the best record in the NFC, but they’ve had a bit of a cakewalk of a schedule thus far. These next 5 weeks are going to be very challenging, and that includes a division-rivalry matchup at Lambeau this weekend. I don’t have high hopes for Caleb Williams and the Bears to fare well against Green Bay. I am fading Caleb Williams this weekend, and from here on out, he’s going to fall out of the top-10 fantasy quarterbacks.
Week 14 Running Backs Starts Of The Week
Quinshon Judkins, CLE vs. TEN
In what’s slated to be a cold, snow-filled day in Cleveland, the Browns are going to rely on the run. Especially in a matchup against the Tennessee Titans, it’s going to be a big day on the ground for rookie back Quinshon Judkins.
Chase Brown, CIN @ BUF
Someone who missed Joe Burrow, that’s not a pass-catcher, is running back Chase Brown. Joe Burrow is more of a playmaker than Joe Flacco and can help stretch the field better. This will give more red zone opportunities for Chase Brown. Brown had a rough stretch until about week 8, when things started clicking with Flacco. However, with Burrow back, the tension can now ease. I like Brown for the rest of the season, but love him against a Buffalo defense that doesn’t know how to stop the run.
Week 14 Running Back Sits Of The Week
Ashton Jeanty, LV vs. DEN
It’s been an underwhelming rookie season for Ashton Jeanty, to say the least. He’s only had one game over 75+ rushing yards all year and only three games in the top-10 fantasy running backs. Over the last 5 weeks, he’s averaging a pathetic 2.7 yards per carry. To give him some credit, the Raiders’ offensive line ranks near the bottom of the league. This offensive line is going to get torched again this weekend against the Broncos, led by pass rusher Nik Bonitto, and Jeanty is going to have another disappointing performance for fantasy managers.
Javonte Williams, DAL @ DET
Javonte Williams has had a surprising resurgence this season with the Dallas Cowboys. He’s currently RB7 on the year during his career year. This week, I don’t trust him as a top-15 running back, and he might cost some of you your chance at making the playoffs. It’s very appealing to want to play him, but this game is too tough to do that. He hasn’t had a rushing touchdown since week 8, the Lions give up the fewest points per game to the position, and he has only had two out of the last games where he’s been a top-10 running back.
Week 14 Wide Receiver Starts Of The Week
Jameson Williams, DET vs. DAL
Even if Amon-Ra St. Brown was playing in this game, I’d be comfortable starting both him & Jameson Williams. Without Amon-Ra, I have Jameson as a top wide receiver for the week. He just had 100+ yards against the Packers. I can’t imagine what he’ll do against a bottom-five defense in the Cowboys. Jamo is a high-end WR1 this week.
Jakobi Meyers, JAX vs. IND
Since joining the Jacksonville Jaguars, wide receiver Jakobi Meyers has been a favorite target of Trevor Lawrence. Over those 4 games, Meyers has had 18 receptions for 245 yards and 2 touchdowns. Over the previous 7 games this year for the Raiders, he had 33 receptions for 352 yards and 0 touchdowns. His per-game performance has been better since joining the Jaguars. Even with Brian Thomas Jr returning, Meyers had another solid performance last weekend. With Lawrence being a start for me this week, his new favorite target is also a favorite start for me.
Week 14 Wide Receiver Sits Of The Week
Michael Wilson & Deebo Samuel
Different players, different matchups, but the same reason that I am benching both Michael Wilson of the Arizona Cardinals and Deebo Samuel of the Washington Commanders this weekend. Both players stepped up to the plate when the WR1s on their team went down, but with both Marvin Harrison Jr and Terry McLaurin back, it’s apparent who the best receivers on their respective teams are. Both Deebo & Wilson regressed, and their WR1s went back to doing what they do best. I’m staying away from both of them again unless another injury occurs.
Week 14 Tight End Starts Of The Week:
Darren Waller, MIA @ NYJ
In his first game back from the injured reserve, Darren Waller led all Miami Dolphins pass-catchers in receiving yards. Although he only had 47 receiving yards, it was still the highest on the team. I expect Waller and the entire Dolphins offense to get more done through the air this weekend against a Jets defense that’s straight up awful without Sauce Gardner or Quinnen Williams. If you stashed Waller when he was on the IR, you’re in luck, as he should have another high-volume day for the Fins.
Dalton Kincaid, BUF vs. CIN
The NFL’s worst defense against one of the league’s best offenses, this will be a stellar fantasy matchup for Dalton Kincaid if he plays. I’m not concerned about the limited action he’s had and any concern with his injury; Kincaid should have a top-10 finish against the Bengals.
Week 14 Tight End Sits Of The Week
Isaiah Likely, BAL vs. PIT
Last week, I had Mark Andrews as a must-start against the Cincinnati Bengals, and I was wrong on Andrews performing, but it was the other tight end on the roster, Isaiah Likely, who had the big game. Likely finished the game with 6 receptions for 95 yards, both season-highs. This was the only game all year where he’s finished as a top-20 tight end, and I don’t see him repeating that. Don’t buy into the one-game high.
Dallas Goedert, PHI vs. LAC
He’s one of the bigger tight end names, but Dallas Goedert is just not a reliable fantasy option anymore. This season, he was solid up until week 8, and then week 9 was the bye for the Eagles, which is when it went downhill. He hasn’t put up more than 43 yards in a game since the bye and has been outside the top-30 fantasy tight ends for 3 weeks in a row. Add a tough Chargers defense, and you won’t find Goedert in any of my lineups with the playoffs on the line.
For your final lineup decisions, check out the FSAN Rankings Page or check out our Sit & Start live show every Sunday before kickoff on Spilled Coffee.