Fantasy Football Start 'em Sit 'em: Who should you start in Week 14?
Quarterback
Automatic Starts: Kyler Murray, Patrick Mahomes, Russell Wilson, Aaron Rodgers, Josh Allen, Deshaun Watson, Tom Brady, Justin Herbert
Start of the Week: Phil Rivers @ Las Vegas Raiders
I vowed this year not to put Rivers a start of the week but I’ve succumbed and here we are, well this is 2020 after all! Rivers has been really good for fantasy in the past month throwing for 8 TDs to just 2 INTs as well as averaging just under 300 yards passing. He may be playing through a toe injury but that hasn’t slowed him down and the Colts face a Raiders team who nearly got embarrassed by the Jets last week. Darnold came away with a good fantasy performance and Rivers is in line to continue his hot streak, i’m going against my burnt past and trusting him again, cue the nervous gulp!
Other notable starts:
Ryan Tannehill @ Jacksonvile Jaguars
The Titans may have got firmly beaten up by the Browns but Tannehill owners would have been buzzing from his fantasy performance last week. Scoring just under 30 points and putting up season high passing yards, Tannehill took advantage of the passing opportunities attempting to come back from a huge deficit. Tannehill has been extremely solid the last 3 games including 2 tough matchups against Baltimore & Indianapolis and now he faces a Jags side giving up the 4th most points to opposing QBs.
Taysom Hill @ Philadelphia Eagles
Looks like Taysom get’s the start again this week (I’m sorry Alvin Kamara owners!) in which the Saints travel to Philadelphia to take on the reeling Eagles who just got easily brushed aside by Aaron Rodgers. Throwing his first TD passes of the season, Hill was impressive throwing the ball as well as rushing for a season high 83 yards on 14 attempts. Hill is getting it done and this Saints team is rolling, this should be a game the Saints win handsomely and Hill gives you a very high floor.
Kirk Cousins @ Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Despite Cousins struggles on the road this season I think he’s in for a decent fantasy performance even if it ultimately ends in defeat for the Vikings. Tampa Bay coming off a late bye will have extra time to scheme up how to stop Cousins and his talented offensive weapons but it’s the matchups I like for Minnesota to cause the Bucs secondary lots of problems. Carlton Davis hasn’t been shutting down receivers lately and Jamel Dean is struggling with a groin injury so Jefferson & Thielen will be able to have success.
Sits – Cam Newton, Jared Goff, Teddy Bridgewater
Running Back
Automatic Starts: Alvin Kamara, Dalvin Cook, Derrick Henry, Aaron Jones, Chris Carson, Josh Jacobs, James Robinson, Ezekiel Elliott, Clyde Edwards-Helaire, Christian McCaffrey, Austin Ekeler
Start of the Week: Ronald Jones v Minnesota Vikings
Talking of the Bucs and the Bye week, it brings me to a guy I’ve featured before as my start of the week and I think Jones will rip off another 100+ yard game to get the Bucs back on track. Arians has once again (for about the 100th time this season) re-iterated his desire to get Rojo more involved. I don’t take much away from this but looking at my own rankings and matchups I love Rojo this week. The Vikings have improved on defense of late but this Bucs team will want to start quicker than they have for a long time and build a lead. All of their big games this year have come on the back of Jones having a successful day on the ground and they will pound him often and early to open up the pass game.
Other notable starts:
Jonathan Taylor @ Las Vegas Raiders
I would love to feature him as my start of the week for the second week in a row but I’m overruling and not picking the same guy all the time otherwise it’ll get boring. Taylor has delivered great performances in back to back games now and despite his snaps hovering around the 50% mark he’s a smash mouth play this week against the Raiders giving up the 4th most points to running backs. This is the guy we all wanted to see, his production is booming just think what would happen if you gave him a full workload!?
Melvin Gordon @ Carolina Panthers
This name is disgusting to me and I’m glad I only have 1 share of him. The problem being I am starting him in that 1 league because he’s been pretty hot lately including last weeks demolition of Kansas City. Rushing for a huge 131 yards at 8.7 yards a carry this is a guy that if you own him and don’t play him you’re going to regret it this week. Carolina have been more stout on the ground than when they opened up the season hopelessly not being able to stop anyone but I can see this contest being a running battle and with Lindsay posting another dud Denver will be silly not to run Gordon into the ground in this one.
JD McKissic @ San Francisco 49ers
So the matchup here is not juicy but McKissic looks set to have the full workload with Antonio Gibson dealing with a nasty case of turf toe. This is typically a 2-3 week injury so I wouldn’t expect the exciting rookie back for at least a couple of weeks giving McKissic a great chance to shine with the increased role. A Whopping 10 catches in week 13 shows what an all round back McKissic is and I wouldn’t expect Peyton Barber to eat too much into McKissic’s opportunities.
Sits – Miles Sanders, Zack Moss, Damien Harris
Wide Receiver
Automatic Starts: Davante Adams, Tyreek Hill, Keenan Allen, DK Metcalf, Tyler Lockett, Stefon Diggs, DeAndre Hopkins, Terry McLaurin, Calvin Ridley, Julio Jones, Chris Godwin, Mike Evans, Allen Robinson, Michael Thomas, AJ Brown, Diontae Johnson, Justin Jefferson, Adam Thielen, Deebo Samuel
Start of the Week: Brandon Aiyuk v Washington Football Team
Aiyuk is averaging over 20+ points & 94 yards a game over his past 4 outings which is up there with the elite receivers in the game. It breaks down to 10 targets per contest coming his way over that span which is exceptional given his electric playmaking ability. Washington is not an easy matchup in fact they rank 4th against fantasy wide receivers so this isn’t a home run but Mullins is looking Aiyuk’s way and desperate for a win the 49ers will look to get the ball in hands of Deebo & Aiyuk as much as possible.
Other notable starts:
Robby Anderson v Denver Broncos
This is another pick that is against a typically stout pass defense but Anderson is going to have to see a hundred targets this week. Well ok don’t bank on 100 but double figures for sure with DJ Moore & Curtis Samuel missing in action with falling onto the covid list this week. Teddy Bridgewater is rested up following their week 13 bye so he will look to keep his great on field rapport with Anderson going at home against the 4-8 Denver Broncos.
Corey Davis @ Jacksonville Jaguars
Corey Davis have a day against Cleveland in that wild high scoring contest. Titans effort not quite enough in a loss that really hurts against fellow their AFC contender but Davis owners don’t care one bit. Davis went off for 182 yards and 35+ fantasy points to help win faithful owners playoff spots all across the country. This week it’s a great matchup on paper travelling to a Jags team who rank 4th worst against fantasy wide receivers. With AJ Brown managing an ankle injury Davis could be leaned on more heavily.
TY Hilton @ Las Vegas Raiders
Along with fellow Colt Phil Rivers I vowed not to play TY Hilton anymore this season after he burned me earlier on. I’m doing a massive U-Turn and I’m not only starting him I’m expecting a good performance! You may say well you’re just chasing the points from his big game last week but I wouldn’t advise you to look further back and you’ll find Hilton putting together big scores back to back. 191 yards and 2TDs against the Titans & Texans both while featuring on my bench thanks TY! The good news is he’s returning to my lineup against the Raiders who are conceding the 13th most points to wide receivers and another solid Hilton game is on the bill.
Sits – Jakobi Meyers, Jalen Reagor, Devante Parker
Tight End
Automatic Starts: Travis Kelce, Darren Waller, TJ Hockenson
Start of the Week: Robert Tonyan @ Detroit Lions
Robert Tonyan is back as a top tight end start and he’s producing big numbers with TDs in each of his last 3 contests. He finds himself with 8 TDs on the season (tied for the most with Kelce) and is a must start going into the fantasy playoff and championship rounds. He’s a huge redzone target for Rodgers who should carve up this Detroit secondary for another big day, bet on Tonyan to extend his TD streak.
Other notable starts:
Cole Kmet v Houston Texans
The 6 foot 6 inch TE giant is emerging as the Bears No.1 and I’ve bought up plenty of shares already. It’s not a smash mouth TE play but more of a longer shot with upside. Averaging a 78% snap percentage over the past 2 contests, Kmet caught only his second TD in the loss to the Lions but the rookie tight end’s arrow is firmly pointing up. This week a meeting with the Texans awaits the Notre Dame product. The Texans rank middle of the pack against fantasy tight ends so there’s more chances for Kmet to find the end zone once again with Trubisky looking his way more and more
Dalton Schultz @ Baltimore Ravens
One of the most consistent tight ends over the past 5 games has been Dalton Schultz. His huge early season production was predicted to fall off a cliff with the season ending injury to Dak Prescott but he seems to have found some form with Andy Dalton of late. Averaging 6 targets over these 5 games, Schultz is producing just under 12 points game and is great low end TE1 for the match in Baltimore.
Logan Thomas @ San Francisco 49ers
Logan Thomas had a career night against Pittsburgh in week 13. 9 catches for 98 yards and 1 score capped off a hell of a team performance as Washington shocked the Steelers for their first loss of the season. The 29 year old has now caught a TD pass in 2 straight games and is a sure bet to be targeted more by Alex Smith this week as they face another tough defense in San Francisco. He’s a solid TE1 streaming option in week 14.
Sits – Zach Ertz, Jordan Reed, Austin Hooper
Alastair Cook
Fantasy Football Analyst
ALASTAIR, A DIE-HARD BUCCANEERS FAN FROM NORWICH AND UP AND COMING FANTASY CONTRIBUTOR CAN BE FOUND ON HIS TWITTER PAGE The Dynasty Grill (@FFDynastyGrill)