Week 14 Start ‘Em Sit ‘Em
The drama never ends in the National Football League. It made sure to attend several games on the Week 13 slate, including a walk-off touchdown for the Detroit Lions to earn their first win and a failed two-point conversion by the Baltimore Ravens in the waning seconds of the game. Massive fantasy outbursts from Javonte Williams, Justin Jefferson, George Kittle, and Kyler Murray won quite a few matchups. At the same time, James Robinson, Brandon Aiyuk, and Dak Prescott managed to disappoint by failing to generate any significant production.
Week 14 is the last week of Byes, but all four teams are in postseason contention, meaning rosters will temporarily thin out, forcing difficult start/sit decisions. With the fantasy playoffs gearing up, winning the matchup is the only thing that matters. I’ve collected some of the most challenging players to analyze entering Week 14 and will provide a thorough breakdown of why each player deserves to be in starting lineups or riding the bench in the most pivotal week for many fantasy leagues. Here we go!
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Start ‘EM
Chuba Hubbard (RB) Carolina Panthers
Rookie running back Chuba Hubbard has been thrust into action much quicker than anticipated after being drafted in the fourth round by the Carolina Panthers. Hubbard has handled a full workload several times this season, including a previous game against the Atlanta Falcons back in Week 8, where the rookie churned out 24 carries for 82 yards and a touchdown. Hubbard will return to being the primary ball carrier for Carolina at home against an Atlanta defense that ranks fifth-worst against fantasy running backs.
Ameer Abdullah soaks up the most designed targets, lowering Hubbard’s ceiling. However, as long as Hubbard sees 15 or more carries and a couple of targets, he is a solid RB2 and can be inserted into lineups in an NFC South divisional showdown. Additionally, Cam Newton’s ability to vulture goal-line touches should not detract from starting Hubbard, assuming he handles a similar workload as he did during their 19-13 win over the Falcons back in Week 8.
Devonta Freeman (RB) Baltimore Ravens
Devonta Freeman has been rebirthed in Baltimore, earning the RB1 role and producing enough to remain a fantasy-relevant prospect entering Week 14 against the Cleveland Browns. These two teams squared off in Week 12 before Cleveland hit their Week 13 Bye, and Freeman finished with modest production, averaging 3.25 YPC on 16 carries and hauling in his lone target for eight yards. Freeman has a touchdown in two of his last three games and will try to find paydirt against the Browns while handling roughly 15-20 touches. Freeman’s ceiling fluctuates based on Lamar Jackson’s passing rhythm in any particular game, as the eighth-year running back has at least five receptions in two of his last three games, struggling only against the Browns. Latavius Murray averaged a meager eight percent of the Ravens’ rushing share compared to 56 percent for Freeman during their hard-fought loss in Pittsburgh last week, so don’t worry about Freeman ceding touches. Freeman is a mid-range RB2 who can rise to an RB1 finish in Week 14 if he scores or remains locked into four or five receptions.
Tony Pollard (RB) Dallas Cowboys
Tony Pollard has been one of my favorite players to continuously recommend as a start in recent weeks. The third-year running back has relied on his burst that impressed during his Pro Day workout, as he ripped off a 58-yard touchdown run during a 27-17 win over the New Orleans Saints in Week 13. This play preserved his week, but Pollard is used in many roles, from kick returner to receiver, to ball carrier. Ezekiel Elliot looks hobbled and lacks the burst Pollard is equipped with, which Cowboys’ OC Kellen Moore has to understand. Washington is a fairly difficult matchup for fantasy running backs, as they rank 14th-best at 22.47 points per game. This means Dak Prescott will likely turn to Pollard in the flat like he’s done at least four times in three of Dallas’ last four games. Keep Pollard plugged into lineups as a low-end RB2 that can deliver a home-run play at any time, raising his ceiling into fringe RB1 territory against Washington in Week 14.
Jarvis Landry (WR) Cleveland Browns
Cleveland is limited with their receiving options, but veteran wideout Jarvis Landry has begun to take advantage of these limitations in recent weeks. Landry battled through injuries in the first half of the season but finally broke through the four receptions for 26 yards that he finished with during Week 10 and Week 11, exploding for six receptions and 111 yards against the Baltimore Ravens in Week 12.
After a Bye Week allowed the Browns and Landry to nurse their bumps and bruises, Landry gets a favorable matchup against a Ravens secondary that was already vulnerable before Marlon Humphrey’s shoulder injury. Austin Hooper is Mayfield’s only other preferred target in a run-centric offense, so expect Landry to transfer the momentum from his previous 100-yard game against Baltimore during Week 12 when the Browns host the Ravens in Week 14. Landry’s floor is a WR3 and can climb into fringe WR1 territory if he draws double-digit targets for the third time in his last six games.
Michael Gallup (WR) Dallas Cowboys
Dak Prescott turned to Michael Gallup eight times even with Amari Cooper and CeeDee Lamb playing in Week 13, leading to the fourth-year wideout’s first touchdown. Gallup has only cracked 50 yards once but has only played five games entering a Week 14 road matchup against a sneaky good Washington Football Team. Gallup benefits from the defense scheming up formations to eliminate Cooper, Lamb, and Ezekiel Elliot in any matchup. Washington presents an extra appealing matchup for Gallup, as their secondary has surrendered the third-highest fantasy points per game to opposing wide receivers. Gallup has only seen fewer than seven targets once, which occurred in a 43-3 rout over Atlanta back in Week 10. This was Gallup’s first game since Week 1, so it makes sense that he took time to adjust back to game speed. Gallup has run 46 or more routes in consecutive games, making him a low-end WR2 in a plus-matchup for Week 14.
Elijah Moore (WR) New York Jets
The New York Jets struck gold at the beginning of the second round of the 2021 NFL Draft, selecting former Ole Miss wideout Elijah Moore who has burned numerous secondaries with the 89.8 speed score he earned during his Pro Day workout, ranking 35th amongst all rookies. Even in tough matchups against Buffalo, Miami, and Philadelphia, Moore has a touchdown against every one of these secondaries. Zach Wilson’s return under center concerned quite a few fantasy managers after he temporarily ended Moore’s touchdown streak in a plus-matchup against Houston in Week 12.
Elijah Moore’s target shares over his last three games: 31.4%, 34.8%, 33.3%.
I’d say it’s happening, but it’s already happened. Dude is a baller.
— JJ Zachariason (@LateRoundQB) December 6, 2021
Fortunately, Moore proved that he is too fast and good at route running against Darius Slay in Week 13, snagging six passes for 77 yards and a touchdown while enjoying a healthy 33.3 percent target share. New Orleans is struggling against wide receivers, so keep Moore inserted into lineups as a high-end WR2 who can easily slide into a WR1 finish if he extends his touchdown total to six at home while hosting the Saints in Week 14.
Zach Ertz (TE) Arizona Cardinals
Colt McCoy seems like the preferred quarterback for Zach Ertz’s fantasy usage, as he saw his targets drop from nine in Week 11 to two during a bad weather game in Chicago during Week 13. Kyler Murray is unquestionably the best player on the Arizona Cardinals and had a huge game over the Chicago Bears during his return after a three-game absence, accounting for four total touchdowns and relying on DeAndre Hopkins and James Conner to find the end zone through the air. However, it’s a game that can be thrown out when looking ahead to a primetime divisional showdown against the Los Angeles Rams in Week 14. Playing indoors and eliminating the elements will do quite a bit to improve Arizona’s passing game, as Murray will return to attempting 25 to 35 passes as he did earlier in the season. Additionally, the Rams’ defense is susceptible to tight ends, surrendering the 14th-most fantasy points to the position this season. Ertz balled out at home against a bad Houston pass defense with Murray back in Week 7 and should garner five or six quality targets. This is enough to justify rolling Ertz into Week 14 lineups due to a fully healthy Cardinals’ roster playing indoors against a slightly overrated Rams defense.
Kirk Cousins (QB) Minnesota Vikings
Kirk Cousins has lost numerous close games, leading to a disappointing 5-7 season for the Minnesota Vikings. However, he’s played well individually, accounting for the most money throws (34) of any quarterback this season. Money throws are defined as a pass requiring exceptional skill or athleticism and critical throws executed in clutch moments. The injury to Adam Thielen should be monitored, but the Vikings will play a Pittsburgh defense on a short week that gives up chunk plays in the passing game. The Steelers’ defense came through in the final moments of Week 13 in a must-win game against their division rival but allowed 41 points to the Chargers and Bengals in consecutive games during Week 11 and Week 12. The Steelers defense has also allowed at least 230 passing yards in four straight games, meaning Cousins should continue airing it out to Justin Jefferson with success at home in Week 14. Cousins is a fringe QB1 that will improve his value if star running back Dalvin Cook can return from a shoulder injury, as the Steelers won’t be able to focus on shutting down the passing game as quickly.
Sit ‘EM
Mike Davis (RB) Atlanta Falcons
While Mike Davis did manage to end his touchdown drought against a good Tampa Bay run defense in Week 13, his increased usage in the passing game is the only metric that keeps him as a viable prospect entering Week 14 against the Carolina Panthers. Davis has seen his role fade due to the efficiency and explosiveness provided by Cordarrelle Patterson. Facing off against one of the league’s stingiest run defenses on the road in Carolina in Week 14 is a matchup to avoid if you still roster Mike Davis. He ripped off an impressive 17-yard run on an outside zone play against the Buccaneers last week, but Davis still finished with only 32 rushing yards. He has recently been more involved as a receiving option for Matt Ryan, adding three receptions and 20 yards to counter his inefficiency in the Falcons’ running game. Regardless, the Panthers are a tough out for any skilled player, especially one who has struggled to produce all season long. Pivot off Davis and consider prospects like Chuba Hubbard, Sony Michel, or Rhamondre Stevenson.
Darnell Mooney (WR) Chicago Bears
Darnell Mooney was the victim of a bad weather game at Soldier Field during a 33-22 loss against the Arizona Cardinals in Week 13. The second-year wideout has been on fire lately but came crashing down to a WR41 finish in PPR formats after yielding only five receptions for 27 yards on seven targets. Allen Robinson and Marquise Goodwin were absent, so if they return to the Bears’ offense in Week 14 against a talented Green Bay Packers defense on the road. Mooney has three 100-plus receiving yard games this season, with two of these occurring in November. However, Andy Dalton is not Justin Fields, and the Packers defense is a lot better than Baltimore and Detroit, who are incredibly vulnerable against wide receivers. It’s a tough decision, but Cole Kmet and David Montgomery are Dalton’s safety valves that he leans into during difficult defensive matchups. As a result, Mooney should be left out of Week 14 lineups when he travels up to Lambeau Field.
Courtland Sutton (WR) Denver Broncos
It’s safe to not only bench but drop Courtland Sutton from rosters in most leagues. It’s a difficult decision to come to terms with, but Jerry Jeudy’s return from Injured Reserve has spelled doom for Sutton’s usage in a conservative passing attack. The Denver Broncos continue to start Teddy Bridgewater, who has not produced a multiple touchdown outing since Week 7 against the Cleveland Browns. As long as Bridgewater is under center and Jeudy is soaking up valuable intermediate and long-range targets, Sutton remains a role player on one of the league’s most inept offenses. So spare yourself more disappointment and pivot to Jarvis Landry, Michael Gallup, or even Cole Beasley heading into the Week 14 slate.
Tyler Higbee (TE) Los Angeles Rams
All signs are trending in the wrong direction for Tyler Higbee. The Rams’ tight end appeared destined for a top-five breakout after Gerald Everett’s departure to Seattle during free agency. Unfortunately, Higbee is seeing his routes drop considerably since Week 9, which could be attributed to the signing of Odell Beckham Jr. and the emergence of second-year wideout Van Jefferson. Matthew Stafford has been excellent, but he’s only got eyes for Cooper Kupp, while the running game has yet to establish itself fully. Until the offense can fully unlock both phases, Higbee will be a touchdown reliant tight end that sees fewer and fewer opportunities. Pat Freiermuth, Zach Ertz, or Jared Cook serve as better pivot options due to their usage or matchup in Week 14.
Derek Carr (QB) Las Vegas Raiders
The Las Vegas Raiders saw running back Josh Jacobs soak up all of their offensive production during a 17-15 loss against Washington in Week 13. Derek Carr attempted 38 passes which translated into 249 passing yards and zero touchdowns. While he did manage to avoid turnovers and ran for over 20 yards in the second consecutive week, the Raiders’ offense lacks the explosive receiving options that Carr requires with Darren Waller injured and Henry Ruggs III no longer playing in the league. What once appeared to be a formidable offense to take seriously has undergone several significant events within its organization to pile up adversity, which now seems to be taking its toll on Carr and the rest of the offense. While he is likely to continue airing it out roughly 40 times again in Week 14, the matchup against Kansas City is less than ideal. The Chiefs’ defense has not allowed a team to score over 17 points in five consecutive games. Combining their improved defensive unit with the demise of the Raiders’ offense over the last five weeks makes Carr untouchable in Week 14. Pivot to Ryan Tannehill if necessary, as he is expected to get Julio Jones back against Jacksonville.
