After watching a surprisingly decent Thursday night game between the New England Patriots and Pittsburgh Steelers, the focus shifts toward a weekend full of vital decisions for fantasy football lineups.
The majority of bye weeks have passed as only the Arizona Cardinals and Washington Commanders are the only two teams to get the week off. With most leagues finalizing the regular season in Week 14, the start/sit decisions have never been more crucial.
Hopefully, we can help get you into the dance for those trying to make it or help you spoil it for someone else.
Doing start/sit articles can be a little challenging. The players featured on the list below should not be taken as “must starts” or “must sits.” Instead, these are more suggestions on what we believe managers should do with fringe players heading into the weekend. The choice is ultimately up to the manager.
Just because a player is listed as a “start” doesn’t mean he should be put in the lineup over the secure, bona fide studs. Vice versa for the “sits.” If there’s no better option on the waiver wire or the bench, a manager shouldn’t automatically sit the player. That’s why these can be tricky waters to navigate.
Feel free to ask any specific start/sit questions via X, formerly Twitter, (@KevinHickey11), or check out our start/bench list for Week 14:
Quarterback
Start ‘Em
Jordan Love, Green Bay Packers at New York Giants: We simply have to stay in the flames with Love, who is averaging 22.0 fantasy points per game over his last four. The Giants may be middle of the road in fantasy points allowed, but they also have allowed the 12th-most passing yards over their last four games.
Justin Herbert, Los Angeles Chargers vs. Denver Broncos: Though the Broncos aren’t the pushover defense we saw earlier in the season, Herbert is still a fringe QB1 option in this divisional matchup.
Sit ‘Em
Geno Smith, Seattle Seahawks at San Francisco 49ers: Smith put on an incredibly impressive performance against the Dallas Cowboys in Week 13, but I’d rather not rest my playoff hopes in his hands as he takes on the 49ers, who have allowed just two touchdown passes over their last four games.
Jake Browning, Cincinnati Bengals at Indianapolis Colts: There’s a chance Browning turns in a decent streaming week, but the Colts have been solid against quarterbacks over the last month, allowing the fewest fantasy points per game since Week 9, to go along with the second-most sacks in the NFL on the season.
Running Back
Start ‘Em
AJ Dillon, Green Bay Packers at New York Giants: It feels gross, but Dillon is a fine RB2 option this week. The Giants have allowed the fourth-most PPR points per game (25.6) to the position over the last five weeks, and Dillon has averaged 10.1 PPR points per game over his last eight games.
Alexander Mattison, Minnesota Vikings at Las Vegas Raiders: Though Mattison’s production has left much to be desired, he’s still the lead back in Minnesota. The return of Justin Jefferson should open some lanes for the run game, and Las Vegas has allowed the sixth-most PPR points per game (27.5) to the position over the last three weeks.
Javonte Williams, Denver Broncos at Los Angeles Chargers: We’ve been doing this song and dance with Williams all season. He’s a fine RB2 option against a Chargers defense that has allowed the eighth-most PPR points per game (23.3) to running backs over the last five weeks.
Sit ‘Em
Breece Hall, New York Jets vs. Houston Texans: There’s a chance Hall (ankle) is ruled out after this is published. Even if he’s not, his lack of ceiling can’t be trusted against a Texans defense that ranks seventh-best against the position over the last five weeks, allowing just 3.4 yards per carry to running backs during that span.
Houston Texans RBs at New York Jets: Maybe you can get away with starting one of Devin Singletary or Dameon Pierce as a flex option, but the unpredictability of the backfield split makes it very risky. The matchup is there if you can stomach the potential let down, but it might be best to find a pivot option if possible.
Khalil Herbert, Chicago Bears vs. Detroit Lions: Though we listed Roschon Johnson as a sleeper, that’s due to the fact that he will see the receiving work and because he was the lead back the last time we saw the Bears play. With D’Onta Foreman also on track to play, it’s difficult to find confidence in Herbert right now.
Wide Receiver
Start ‘Em
Drake London, Atlanta Falcons vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: It’s been a rough year for the 22-year-old, but he should find success against a Bucs defense allowing the second-most receiving yards (999) and sixth-most PPR points per game (39.1) to the position over the last five weeks. Consider him a fringe WR2 with upside.
Romeo Doubs, Green Bay Packers at New York Giants: There’s a good chance Christian Watson (hamstring) misses this game, which likely means a bigger target share for Doubs. The Giants have allowed the second-most PPR points per game (47.6) along with the second-most receptions (68) and fifth-most receiving yards (846) to wideouts over the last five weeks.
Brandin Cooks, Dallas Cowboys vs. Philadelphia Eagles: Cooks is a fringe WR2 option with upside considering he’s averaged 18.2 PPR points over his last four games. His splits at home also are much better as he’s averaging 17.4 PPR points per game and 73.2 receiving yards per game. Philadelphia has allowed the most PPR points per game (50.8) and receiving touchdowns (nine) as well as the seventh-most yards (826) to the position since Week 9.
Sit ‘Em
Adam Thielen, Carolina Panthers at New Orleans Saints: If anything, temper expectations. Thielen has averaged 8.0 PPR points and 34.4 yards per game since Week 9. The offense is crumbling even after the firing of Frank Reich, while the Saints have allowed the fewest PPR points per game (20.7) to the position over the last five weeks.
Tyler Boyd, Cincinnati Bengals vs. Indianapolis Colts: Boyd popped up on the injury report this week with an ankle injury but even if he plays, it’s not a great matchup. The Colts have allowed the fifth-fewest PPR points per game (25.0) to wideouts over the last five weeks while Kenny Moore II‘s 70.2 passer rating allowed from the slot is the best mark among qualified slot defenders, per Pro Football Focus.
Jacksonville Jaguars WRs at Cleveland Browns: The combination of potentially poor weather, a poor matchup, C.J. Beathard under center and their own inconsistency, managers should be looking to pivot away from Calvin Ridley and Zay Jones if they can this week.
Tight End
Start ‘Em
Isaiah Likely, Baltimore Ravens vs. Los Angeles Rams: The weather doesn’t look great, but Likely is in a prime spot to produce against a Rams defense allowing the ninth-most PPR points per game (14.2) to the position over the last five weeks.
Dallas Goedert, Philadelphia Eagles at Dallas Cowboys: Even though the matchup may warrant managers to temper expectations, there aren’t enough decent options to keep Goedert on the bench this week as he returns from a broken forearm.
Sit ‘Em
Evan Engram, Jacksonville Jaguars at Cleveland Browns: Just when Engram reaches the end zone for the first time this season, we are going to bench him. This is another poor weather game and with C.J. Beathard likely under center, we should be looking to avoid the majority of options if we can. Also, the Browns have unreservedly dominated tight ends this season.
Cole Kmet, Chicago Bears vs. Detroit Lions: Kmet has been streaky, but this matchup against the Lions is a tough one. Over their last four games, they’ve allowed the second-fewest receptions (12) and receiving yards (102) to the position.
