National Football League

Fantasy Football: Top 10 Start 'Em Picks for Week 14

Updated Mar. 4, 2020 7:22 p.m. ET

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Heading into Week 14 Fantasy Football action, make sure to start these top 10 picks in the grand scheme of things.

Dec 4, 2016; New Orleans, LA, USA; Detroit Lions wide receiver Golden Tate (15) carries the ball between New Orleans Saints cornerback Delvin Breaux (40) and outside linebacker Dannell Ellerbe (59) during the first quarter at Mercedes-Benz Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Crystal LoGiudice-USA TODAY Sports

Let me be the first person to say congratulations! If your reading this, chances are you’ve made it to the fantasy football playoffs. If you were luckily enough to land a first week bye, this week’s starters aren’t as important to you. However, keep in mind to keep track of the top performers as you head into your matchup next week.

If you’re playing this week, you need to fight your way to the top to not get eliminated and lose all chances of being your leagues fantasy football champion.

With that in mind, your starting lineup will break or make your season. There are no bye teams this week which means, you can finally start the best of the best without worrying about weekly fillers.

After analyzing this week’s games and past performances, I identified the top performers entering Week 14. The rest is up to you! Be sure to start these top players in your playoff lineups.

November 20, 2016; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers tight end Vance McDonald (89) celebrates after scoring a touchdown against the New England Patriots during the second quarter at Levi

10. Vance McDonald, TE – San Francisco 49ers

Vance McDonald has been a huge fantasy football bust. Last week he caught 2-of-4 targets for nine yards; he barely earned one fantasy football point.

The sad thing is, he led the team in targets with only four. However, he’s had at least 50 yards or a touchdown in his last four games.

This week he takes on the New York Jets. Last week the Jets gave Dwayne Allen three touchdowns and 72 yards.

Although Vance McDonald isn’t the best tight end option, going against the Jets he enters the week a borderline TE1/2. McDonald’s is a must-start in all leagues.

Dec 4, 2016; Cincinnati, OH, USA; Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Andy Dalton (14) looks to pass against the Philadelphia Eagles in the first half at Paul Brown Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports

9. Andy Dalton, QB – Cincinnati Bengals

Week after week Andy Dalton and has consistently earned double-digit fantasy football points. There has only been two games he didn’t earn double digits.

Last week he landed owners over 35 points in some leagues. He completed 23-of-31 passes for 332 yards and two touchdowns.

This week seems like a repeat for Dalton as he prepares to take on the Cleveland Browns. In the same match-up earlier in the season he threw two touchdowns and 308 passing yards.

He earned over 45 points against the Browns. Clearly, Dalton is a must-start in all leagues.

Dec 5, 2016; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; New York Jets running back Matt Forte (22) runs with the ball during the first half of their game against the Indianapolis Colts at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ed Mulholland-USA TODAY Sports

8. Matt Forte, RB – New York Jets

Matt Forte hasn’t been the running back fantasy football owners hoped for. For four week’s straight, he didn’t earn double-digit points.

Then, Forte rebounded in Week 7 and had over 30 points in most leagues. However, since his Week 11 bye he hasn’t been able to get it together for fantasy football owners.

Last week he only rushed nine times for 25 yards and caught 3-of-4 targets for 54 yards. He barely earned 10 fantasy football points.

But, this is a comeback week as he prepares to take on the San Francisco 49ers. The 49ers are the worst rush defense in the league. The 49ers have allowed 169 rushing yards per game. If there’s ever a week to put your trust in Forte, it’s Week 14. Start him!

Nov 24, 2016; Detroit, MI, USA; Detroit Lions kicker Matt Prater (5) kicks a field goal during the fourth quarter of an NFL game on Thanksgiving against the Minnesota Vikings at Ford Field. Mandatory Credit: Tim Fuller-USA TODAY Sports

7. Detroit Lions D/ST

When we think of top performing D/ST’s the Detroit Lions don’t come to mind. However, in their last 13 games, they have earned double-digit fantasy football points about 10 times.

Last week was one of their best season games. They held the New Orleans Saints to 13 points. In their last six games, no team has earned more than 20 points against the Lions. This week, the Lions take on the Chicago Bears.

Earlier this season, the Lions D/ST had two sacks, a touchdown and surrendered less than 20 points. Keep in mind this will be the Bears quarterback first away game, as he had his first start last week.

With the Bears struggling offensively, the Lions only need to contain Jordan Howard to win big. Look for the Lions to continue their new defensive momentum.

6. Antonio Gates, TE – San Diego Chargers

Antonio Gates has not been the tight end you want to start every week in your fantasy football league. Actually, he’s only had two double-digit fantasy football outings this season.

Last week he caught only 4-of-4 targets for just 37 yards. He only earned about five fantasy football points last week.

It was also the second straight week Gates didn’t score a touchdown. But, Gates looks for a comeback week against the Carolina Panthers.

The Panthers have surrendered nine touchdowns to the position this season. If Gates can get it together one more week, expect him to have at least 40 yards and a touchdown in his Week 14 matchup.

Dec 4, 2016; San Diego, CA, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Jameis Winston (3) throws a pass during the first quarter against the San Diego Chargers at Qualcomm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Orlando Ramirez-USA TODAY Sports

5. Jameis Winston, QB – Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Jameis Winston hasn’t had the worst fantasy football season although, he hasn’t had the best. There were five games he didn’t earn at least 15 fantasy football points.

Last week was one of them! He completed 20-of-30 passes for 208 yards and a touchdown. Winston has now surpassed 3,000 yards and continues that streak this week against the New Orleans Saints.

The Saints are offering opponents the second most passing yards in the league. Winston enters Week 14 a borderline QB 1/2.

Look for Winston to have over 300 yards and at least one touchdown. He is a must-start especially intwo-quarterbackk leagues.

Dec 4, 2016; Glendale, AZ, USA; Washington Redskins wide receiver DeSean Jackson (11) reacts in the fourth quarter against the Arizona Cardinals at University of Phoenix Stadium. The Cardinals defeated the Redskins 31-23. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

4. DeSean Jackson, WR – Washington Redskins

What can we really say about DeSean Jackson? He’s on again, he’s off again, he scores big and then he busts.

Last week was one of those busts. He caught only 1-of-4 targets for a little under 60 yards. He earned only about six fantasy football points last week.

However, this week he looks for a revenge game against the Philadelphia Eagles. It has been speculated that Jackson may return to the Eagles next season which only means one thing for this game; he’s going show up.

Look for Jackson to have close to 100 yards and one touchdown in this division matchup. Jackson enters Week 14 a borderline WR 2/3.

Nov 17, 2016; Charlotte, NC, USA; Carolina Panthers running back Jonathan Stewart (28) runs the ball during the third quarter against the New Orleans Saints at Bank of America Stadium. The Panthers defeated the Saints 23-20. Mandatory Credit: Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports

3. Jonathan Stewart, RB – Carolina Panthers

The Carolina Panthers just have not been themselves this season. And, the same goes for Jonathan Stewart.

Since his Week 7 bye, he’s only earned double-digit fantasy football points twice. Last week Stewart barely earned 3 fantasy points.

He rushed 11 times for only 50 yards and caught one lonely pass adding 3 yards. Stuart has seven touchdowns this season and hopes to make it eight after this week’s matchup.

The Panthers prepare to take on the San Diego Chargers who have surrendered 16 rushing touchdowns this season; the third-most in the league. Look for Stewart to have a good week. He is expected to have at least 70 rushing yards and a touchdown. Consider Stewart a solid RB2 to play this week.

Nov 24, 2016; Detroit, MI, USA; Detroit Lions wide receiver Golden Tate (15) warms up before the game against the Minnesota Vikings on Thanksgiving at Ford Field. Mandatory Credit: Tim Fuller-USA TODAY Sports

2. Golden Tate, WR – Detroit Lions

Golden Tate has only had about six double-digit fantasy football outings this season. I’m shocked he’s owned in 94 percent of leagues.

However, after his Week 13 blowout there’s no surprise his ownership has increased over the last week. Tate had his second 100-yard game last week.