Fantasy Football Week 14: Start ’em, Sit ’em
(Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports)
13 weeks of football have gone by, and just like that it’s the week before fantasy playoffs start in ESPN leagues. Adjusting and creating that perfect lineup is as important as ever, especially if your team is on the cusp of getting in.
Notable injuries from this past week include Kenny Pickett (surgical procedure on his ankle, out 2-4 weeks), Derek Carr (shoulder and concussion after getting pummeled), Brian Robinson Jr. (hamstring, probably back after the bye), Tank Dell (fractured fibula, out indefinitely), Puka Nacua (AC sprain, should against Ravens), and Amari Cooper (concussion).
On the bright side, after dealing with six teams on bye last week, managers will only have to deal with two this week.
Ian’s Record: 63-42
Start ’em
Jordan Love (QB, Packers) at Giants
The Pack is back baby!
Love and the Packers have been red hot riding a three-game win streak, most recently stunning the Chiefs on SNF. Love has tossed eight touchdowns in those three games, and it’s tough to think the Giants will do much to slow him down.
De’Von Achane (RB, Dolphins) vs. Titans
Achane was welcomed back into the Dolphins’ offense with open arms as he found the endzone twice in their offensive onslaught against the Commanders. Tennessee has a much more talented defensive front, but now that he’s getting reps again Achane is a must start every week.
His volume may not be huge as he still heals from his knee injury, but McDaniel will find more ways to get him touchdowns. Cha-ching.
Brandin Cooks (WR, Cowboys) vs. Eagles
He was quiet in their first meeting, but Dak Prescott has been fully-feeding CeeDee Lamb AND Cooks recently. Cooks has a touchdown in three of Dallas’ last four games, and averaged over ten yards a catch in each of them.
It’s been established for a while now that Philadelphia’s secondary is very forgiving. They’ve surrendered the most fantasy points to opposing WRs in the past eight weeks, so I think Cooks will find the endzone for a third straight week.
Dalton Kincaid (TE, Bills) at Chiefs
He was on a bye last week so I couldn’t say to start him, but now he’s back. So start him.
Expect the Bills to go balls to the wall as they hope to remain alive in the playoff hunt, making this crucial game at Arrowhead a must win. Kincaid was quiet against Philadelphia, but he brings the clutch-hands catching ability I think the Bills will need to beat the Chiefs.
Sit ’em
Matthew Stafford (QB, Rams) at Ravens
The Rams are putting together a solid run towards the NFC playoff race, and Stafford has played very well in the past couple weeks, but I think he gets brought back down to Earth in this brutal matchup in Baltimore.
The Ravens haven’t surrendered 250 yards through the air in each of their last five contests, and they consistently hold good quarterbacks to under two passing touchdowns. Pass.
D’Andre Swift (RB, Eagles) at Cowboys
While the Eagles won their first matchup, Swift was held to 2.4 yards per carry on 18 attempts. He’s also been relatively quiet recently and got banged up good against San Francisco.
It ALSO doesn’t help that whenever Philadelphia reaches the goal line, everyone knows the tush push is coming.
Dallas has been capable of eliminating RBs pretty much all season, and I’m expecting a shootout through the air amid both Jalen Hurts and Dak Prescott making MVP cases.
Diontae Johnson (WR, Steelers) vs. Patriots
This isn’t going to be a good game.
Mitchell Trubisky starting all but aids New England’s pass defense in being able to make better reads, and Belichick’s defense hasn’t let up over 10 points in the past three weeks. Neither offense will be able to score (at least through the air), so don’t expect any production from Johnson, or any wide receiver on either team really.
Evan Engram (TE, Jaguars) at Browns
Engram finally found the endzone last week against the Bengals, but was very quiet against good TE defenses in the three weeks prior. He has his toughest matchup yet coming up, and if you know me, I don’t like taking risks.
On the season, Cleveland has surrendered 57.7 total fantasy points to opposing TEs, an average of 4.8 per game. The team below them is San Francisco, who held Engram to 12 yards on seven targets. Pass.
BYES: WASHINGTON COMMANDERS, ARIZONA CARDINALS
