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Fantasy Football Week 14: Start or Sit?
Carolina Panthers

Fantasy Football Week 14: Start or Sit?

Published Jun. 30, 2017 6:28 p.m. ET

Who should you start and who should you sit at each position in fantasy football Week 14 in the 2016 NFL season?

If you are reading this, there’s a strong possibility you made the fantasy football playoffs. If that’s the case, congratulations. Now, stop celebrating because any chump can make the playoffs. It’s another thing to string together two or three wins against the best teams in your league and win it all.

The most important piece of advice I can give you while you prepare for the playoffs is to do what you think is right for your team. If you think a player has a great matchup and is going to have a good game on Sunday, start him. If some “expert” has a player you really don’t like this week ranked above a player you have a good feeling about, bench him. At the end of the day, it’s a lot easier to live with the results you believe in. If you end up losing and the player you trusted went off on your bench, you’ll be kicking yourself until next season.

Just remember, no “expert” had Colin Kaepernick ranked as the bottom-three quarterback last week, but that’s where he finished. No “guru” predicted Brock Osweiler, Sam Bradford and Joe Flacco were going to finished ahead of Drew Brees last week, but that’s how it played out.

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Just trust yourself and your judgment and live with the results.

This is Fantasy Football: Start/Sit, Week 14 Edition.

Oct 16, 2016; Landover, MD, USA; Washington Redskins quarterback Kirk Cousins (8) rolls out as Philadelphia Eagles defensive end Vinny Curry (75) defends during the second half at FedEx Field. Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports

Quarterbacks

Start

Kirk Cousins, Washington Redskins vs. Philadelphia Eagles – Personally, I think Captain Kirk is one of the most underrated plays this week. He faces the Eagles who just gave up 332 passing yards and two touchdowns to Andy Dalton. He did that without superstar wide receiver A.J. Green and passing-down running back Giovani Bernard. The week before that, they were torched by Aaron Rodgers for 313 passing yards and two touchdowns. For his career, Cousins is averaging 336 passing yards, 2.5 touchdowns and 0.5 interceptions per game against the Eagles.

    Jameis Winston, Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs. New Orleans Saints – It’s always beneficial when your quarterback is playing against the Saints. The Saints typically put up a lot of points and it forces the opposing quarterback to throw a lot in order to keep up and/or catch up. Even when that scenario didn’t happen last week, Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford still threw for 341 yards and two touchdowns. Winston has multiple touchdowns in five out of his last seven games and I’ll be shocked if he doesn’t get at least two in this game.

    Andy Dalton, Cincinnati Bengals vs. Cleveland Browns – Last week Dalton proved he can still fill up the stat-sheet without multiple offensive weapons. This week he gets the Browns who given up three touchdown passes to an opposing quarterback in three out of the last four games. Even though the Browns had an extra week to prepare for this game, I still don’t trust them to stop Dalton from having multiple touchdowns and 225+ passing yards.

    Sit

    Marcus Mariota, Tennessee Titans vs. Denver Broncos – As a Mariota owner in multiple leagues, it pains me to put him on this list. The guy has been brilliant this season and has bailed me out of trouble on a few occasions. However, I just can’t recommend starting him this week against the Broncos. I don’t think he’ll have a horrible game this week but his ceiling is seriously limited on Sunday.

    Dak Prescott, Dallas Cowboys vs. New York Giants – It’s hard to bench Prescott because he’s been more than productive this season. Yet, his matchup this week makes me too nervous. Over the last seven games, only one quarterback has thrown multiple touchdowns against the Giants. That one quarterback was Ben Roethlisberger last week. Yet, even with the two touchdown passes, he still just managed 17 fantasy points. That was the most fantasy points they have given up to a quarterback since Week 3.

    Dec 14, 2014; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cincinnati Bengals running back Jeremy Hill (32) and Cleveland Browns outside linebacker Paul Kruger (99) at FirstEnergy Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports

    Running Backs

    Start

    Jeremy Hill, Cincinnati Bengals vs. Cleveland Browns – Lets not pretend Hill has been good or productive over the last few weeks. Last week he finished with 33 rushing yards on 23 attempts. The week before that, he had 21 rushing yards on 12 attempts. However, he has been a workhorse. He’s been averaging over 19 touches over the Bengals last five games. He also has two receptions or more in three-straight games. Before Week 11, he only had seven receptions the entire year. That type of volume against the Browns who he smoked for 192 total yards back in Week 7 is something you want a part of.

    Jonathan Stewart, Carolina Panthers vs. San Diego Chargers – Stewart’s 11 carries last week was the lowest amount in any game this season where he didn’t get injured. Don’t expect that type of low-usage to happen two weeks in a row. The Chargers have given up a rushing touchdown to an opposing running back in 75 percent of their games this season so there’s a good chance the 235 pound Stewart can find six on Sunday.

    Robert Kelley, Washington Redskins vs. Philadelphia Eagles – The Eagles are kind of a mess right now and I don’t see them turning it around this week. They have given up a rushing touchdown to an opposing running back in three straight games after only giving up three rushing touchdowns in Weeks 1-10. Kelley should flirt with 18-20 touches and I’m confident one of them will be for a touchdown.

    Sit

    Theo Riddick, Detroit Lions vs. Chicago Bears – In Weeks 2-9, Riddick had double-digit carries in six of those eight games. Not only has he not had double-digit carries in three straight games but he averaged less than six carries per game. Sure he has five or more receptions in three-straight games, but over his last two games he’s averaging just 2.8 yards per catch. If he doesn’t find the endzone with his 10 touches this week, it most likely won’t be a good fantasy day.

    Green Bay Running Backs vs. Seattle SeahawksJames Starks seemed to have a stable role in the Packers offense since returning from injury in Week 10 but after last week, that’s not the case. Both Ty Montgomery and Christine Michael had more touches than him, so who knows what to expect moving forward. No owners should start any of these three in a brutal matchup.

    Devontae Booker, Denver Broncos vs. Tennessee Titans – Booker scored a touchdown last week but his overall running ability was awful. On Sunday he averaged less than two yards per carry after averaging less than 3.3 yards per carry the week before that. Head coach Gary Kubiak already said recent free agent addition Justin Forsett will get some work Sunday so this is a situation to avoid.

    Oct 16, 2016; Landover, MD, USA; Washington Redskins wide receiver Pierre Garcon (88) runs with the ball as Philadelphia Eagles cornerback Jalen Mills (31) chases in the second quarter at FedEx Field. The Redskins won 27-20. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports

    Wide Receivers

    Start

    Pierre Garcon, Washington Redskins vs. Philadelphia Eagles – The former Mount Union star has been flying under the radar but he deserves a little more attention. Over the last five games he has averaged 8 targets, 6 receptions and 77 yards per game. Him and Kirk Cousins have hooked up for three touchdowns in their last four games together against the Eagles.

    Malcolm Mitchell, New England Patriots vs. Baltimore Ravens – It might be hard to trust a recent  relevant rookie in the playoffs but I think you should. After all, he has Tom Brady throwing him the ball. Over the last three games Mitchell has averaged 5+ receptions, 74 yards and 1 touchdown per game. The Ravens have a terrific run defense which makes the Patriots that more likely to air it out 40+ times on Monday Night Football.

    Kenny Britt, Los Angeles Rams vs. Atlanta Falcons – The Falcons have scored 28+ points in five of their last six games and I expect them to score early and often against the Rams. When they do, it’ll force the Rams to throw. Britt is their best wide receiver (sorry Tavon) and has a touchdown in back-to-back games.

    Sit

    Donte Moncrief, Indianapolis Colts vs. Houston Texans – He now has a touchdown in five-straight games, which is amazing. However, his volume is concerning. In those five games he’s only averaging four receptions for 41 yards per game. The Texans secondary has played pretty well this season and it’s hard to trust his touchdown-or-bust wide receiver against them.

    Kelvin Benjamin, Carolina Panthers vs. San Diego Chargers – Benjamin is struggling this season but in all fairness, so is the entire Panthers offense. He hasn’t had a 100 yard receiving game since  Week 2 and only has one touchdown over his last eight games. As tempting as it is to start Benjamin because of his history, it’s better to leave him on benches this week.

    Rishard Matthews, Tennessee Titans vs. Denver Broncos – In seven out of his last eight games, Matthews either has a touchdown or 100+ yards receiving. This week, I don’t care about all of that. He will have to face the best secondary in the NFL that has shutdown bigger and better receivers than Matthews.

    Dec 4, 2016; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers tight end Ladarius Green (89) runs the ball against the New York Giants during the first half at Heinz Field. Mandatory Credit: Jason Bridge-USA TODAY Sports

    Tight Ends

    Start

    Ladarius Green, Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Buffalo Bills – You want players with massive ceilings in fantasy football and that’s what Green offers. He’s in an explosive offense where he won’t garner much attention due to Antonio Brown and Le’Veon Bell. Green will get one-on-one opportunies on Sunday and when he does, Ben Roethlisberger will give him more than a few chances to cash in on them.

    Cameron Brate, Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs. New Orleans Saints – Other than Mike Evans, I’m not sure who else Jameis Winston has to throw the ball to. I wouldn’t blame the Buccaneers if they tried to lure Joey Galloway out of retirement, because after all, I would trust him more than Josh Huff. Either way, Brate should see plenty of opportunities in the passing game because there isn’t really any other options.

    Sit

    Dwayne Allen, Indianapolis Colts vs. Houston Texans – He had a career day on Monday. This is the perfect opportunity for him to let you down like he has to owners many times throughout his NFL career.

    Eric Ebron, Detroit Lions vs. Chicago Bears – When he came back from injury in Week 8, he had seven receptions in back-to-back weeks. Over his last three games, he has combined for seven receptions. He’s an athletic freak but an athletic freak that’s only averaging four targets a game since Week 11.

    Dec 4, 2016; Cincinnati, OH, USA; Cincinnati Bengals outside linebacker Vontaze Burfict (55) reacts to a defensive play against the Philadelphia Eagles in the first half at Paul Brown Stadium. The Bengals won 32-14. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports

    D/ST

    Start

    Cincinnati Bengals vs. Cleveland BrownsRobert Griffin III should come back this week, but that doesn’t make a difference to me. The Browns are still the Browns, with or without RG3.

    Atlanta Falcons vs. Los Angeles Rams – Last week the Falcons gave up 29 points but that wasn’t because of their defense. Matt Ryan threw the game away (literally) and the special teams gave up a fake punt for a touchdown. Expect them to dominate Jared Goff.

    More from NFL Spin Zone

      Detroit Lions vs. Chicago Bears – I’ll admit, Matt Barkley has surprised me with how well he’s looked over the last couple games. With that said, if the Lions are capable of shutting down Drew Brees and the Saints, I have little faith in Barkley against them.

      Sit

      Seattle Seahawks vs. Green Bay Packers – I think the Seahawks will win the game, but I also think Aaron Rodgers will put up some points. The defense isn’t the same when they play on the road and there will be some miscues without Earl Thomas.

      Kansas City Chiefs vs. Oakland Raiders – Over the last two weeks we have seen what the Chiefs defense and special teams are capable of. I’m still not comfortable trotting them out there against Derek Carr and company.

      Dec 4, 2016; Jacksonville, FL, USA; Jacksonville Jaguars head coach Gus Bradley reacts after a play in the second quarter against the Denver Broncos at EverBank Field. Mandatory Credit: Logan Bowles-USA TODAY Sports

      Last Week and Season-Long Record of Start/Sit

      This week and every week I’ll be keeping track of my recommendations from the week before and total for the entire season. Keep in mind, I’m not going to recommend ridiculously obvious players to sit or start just to pad my stats.

      Week 13 QB Starts: Tyrod Taylor, Matthew Stafford and Colin Kaepernick – Taylor found the end zone with his legs which we love, but it still wasn’t enough. As for Kaepernick, I don’t think anyone saw that coming. Result 1/3

      Week 13 QB Sits: Andy Dalton and Philip Rivers – Dalton couldn’t be stopped on Sunday while Rivers had just as many turnovers as touchdowns (2). Result 1/2

      Week 13 RB Starts: Devontae Booker, Tim Hightower and Jeremy Hill – Booker and Hill both scored a touchdown while Hightower and the entire Saints imploded. Result 2/3

      Week 13 RB Sits: Robert Kelley and Rashad Jennings Jennings scored a touchdown, but Kelley was shutdown by the Cardinals top-notch run defense. Result 1/2

      Week 13 WR Starts: Mike Wallace, Golden Tate, Dontrelle Inman – Both Tate and Inman found the end zone while Wallace fell short in his #revengegame. Result 2/3

      Week 13 WR Sits: Randall Cobb, Jarvis Landry and Kelvin Benjamin – Cobb only had 19 receiving yards, but he did score a touchdown. Landry picked a helluva time to set a season high in receptions (11). Result 1/3

      Week 13 TE Starts: Jermaine Gresham and Eric Ebron – Gresham was one yard away from a touchdown and that’s the difference in fantasy football. Result 0/2

      Week 13 TE Sits: Martellus Bennett and Jason Witten These two combined for zero points in standard scoring leagues. Yikes. Result 2/2

      Week 13 D/ST Starts: New England Patriots, Green Bay Packers and Tampa Bay Buccaneers – The Texans managed to score a touchdown with two minutes left in the game. That made the Packers D/ST’s day on Sunday go from good to blah. Result 2/3

      Week 13 D/ST Sits: Buffalo Bills and New York Giants – Neither of these teams did well on the road last week. Result 2/2

      Week 13 Results: 14/25 = 56 percent

      Season Long Results: 183.5/328 = 56 percent

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