Fantasy Football Week 14: Start ’em, Sit ’em

After what was an insane week 13 slate, we’ve learned a lot about what the playoffs will look like come January. The Eagles are the team to beat in the NFC, the Bengals are back, and the 49ers defense is terrifying.

Six teams are on byes this week, leaving fantasy managers without big names such as Jonathan Taylor, Christian Watson, Justin Fields, and Alvin Kamara. Injuries also play a big factor heading into week 14, as Josh Jacobs is dealing with a couple lower-body injuries, Kenneth Walker seems doubtful with an ankle injury, along with key others to keep an eye on (Lamar Jackson, David Njoku, Mike Williams, etc.). With all this in mind, here’s who should be starting and sitting on the eve week of fantasy playoffs.

Ian’s Record: 70-36

Start ’em

Kirk Cousins (QB, Vikings) vs. Lions

While a handful of the Vikings’ wins may have been flukey, they’ve managed to win 10 games and are going to run away with the NFC North handily.

I give credit when it’s due, and credit here should go to Kirk Cousins who while not always a viable fantasy option is consistently an effective field general who is able to go out and win football games.

The Lions have continued to get obliterated by opposing QBs, ranking dead last in the fantasy category. With Minnesota in a full head of steam, expect a multi-touchdown performance from Captain Kirk.

Raheem Mostert/Jeff Wilson Jr. (RBs, Dolphins) vs. Chargers

Against the 49ers defense, Mike McDaniel and the Dolphins were unable to establish any sort of run game. I don’t see that happening in consecutive weeks against a historically bad Chargers run defense.

After last week against the Raiders, the Chargers on the season are allowing 5.4 yards per carry, 32nd in the league. Before last week they were averaging 5.53, which is the worst average for any defense since 2000, 734th out of 734, according to TruMedia. Cha-ching.

Jerry Jeudy (WR, Broncos) vs. Chiefs

While it may seem crazy for me to tell you to start a player on the Broncos offense, hear me out.

After missing two weeks with an ankle injury, Jeudy looked good in his return against the Ravens. Meanwhile, even though it’s the Chiefs, they’ve been pretty generous to wide receivers this season.

It’s also worth mentioning that Courtland Sutton is nursing a hamstring injury, so him being banged up or sitting on Sunday can and will raise Jeudy’s ceiling this week.

Foster Moreau (TE, Raiders) vs. Rams

While his tenure on this Raiders offense has been relatively touchdown-or-bust, this week’s matchup in L.A. was too delicious to pass up. With all the injuries piling up, Moreau should fit just fine in an empty flex spot for you this week.

With Jalen Ramsey on Devante Adams, Derek Carr will most certainly have to look to other options at various points throughout this game. Fortunately for Moreau, the Rams have surrendered the most fantasy points to tight ends in the past six weeks.

Sit ’em

Mike White (QB, Jets) vs. Bills

As much as I like Mike White more than Zach Wilson, don’t find me chasing his stellar performance against the Bears two weeks ago.

In the two games he’s started so far, White has posted above 300 passing yards and was close to knocking down the previously mentioned red-hot Vikings, but the Bills defense now looks too much like the Bills real defense, even with no Von Miller.

Even with the injury roller coaster they’ve been on (which I’m sure I’ve brought up a few times), they’ve been giving opposing QBs trouble all season. With how battered the Jets’ backfield is, expect White to throw a lot again this week and for Leslie Frasier to put pressure on him often.

Rachaad White/Leonard Fournette (RBs, Buccaneers) vs. 49ers

Do I even need to say anything else?

D.J. Moore (WR, Panthers) vs. Seahawks

After a strong performance against the Broncos before the bye, some may say Moore has regained his place in the Panthers’ offense. That performance came with Sam Darnold at QB, who will likely be the team’s QB1 going forward after releasing Baker Mayfield.

This week though, Moore faces a tough matchup outside against Tariq Woolen, who currently leads cornerbacks in pro bowl votes. Expect Moore to pump the brakes, at least this week.

Greg Dulcich (TE, Broncos) vs. Chiefs

After weeks of fantasy irrelevancy, Dulcich finally heated up against the Ravens and posted a season-high 14.5 fantasy points while leading the team’s pass-catchers in targets.

While he may be Russell Wilson’s favored target if Courtland Sutton is sidelined, the Chiefs have allowed the fewest points to tight ends in the last six weeks. Don’t go selling yourself on one above-average performance in four weeks.

BYES: ATLANTA FALCONS, CHICAGO BEARS, WASHINGTON COMMANDERS, GREEN BAY PACKERS, INDIANAPOLIS COLTS, NEW ORLEANS SAINTS