Essential start ’em, sit ’em advice for fantasy football in Week 14

Need help with filling out your fantasy football lineups for Week 14 of the 2024 NFL season? It’s an important part of the year ahead of the fantasy playoffs, so every decision becomes more crucial. Vinnie Iyer is here for you again, back with another edition of the Decider, a unique blend of positional rankings and start ‘em, sit, ‘em advice. Let’s break down the best and worst plays in redraft based on matchups, usage, and other factors, plus some good price values to target in DFS.

Fantasy Football Week 14 Start ‘Em: Quarterbacks

Regular starts

1. Josh Allen, Buffalo Bills (at LAR)
2. Jalen Hurts, Philadelphia Eagles (vs. CAR)
3. Joe Burrow, Cincinnati Bengals (at DAL)
4. Kyler Murray, Arizona Cardinals (vs. SEA)
5. Baker Mayfield, Tampa Bay Buccaneers (vs. LV)
6. Sam Darnold, Minnesota Vikings (vs. ATL)
7. Jordan Love, Green Bay Packers (at DET)
8. Russell Wilson, Pittsburgh Steelers (vs. CLE)

Stronger starts

9. Jared Goff, Detroit Lions (vs. GB): Expect some run-based production, similar to Love in the same TNF game.

10. Will Levis, Tennessee Titans (vs. JAX): He’s been on a roll at home, keeping up the production of the past month.

11. Patrick Mahomes, Kansas City Chiefs (vs. LAC): Mahomes should be primed for an aerial assault with limited rushing success.

12. Justin Herbert, Los Angeles Chargers (at KC): Anything Mahomes can do, Herbert can do just as well, if not better.

13. Caleb Williams, Chicago Bears (at SF): Under interim coach Thomas Brown, he’s finding his rhythm and could shine against the 49ers’ defense.

14. Aidan O’Connell, Las Vegas Raiders (at TB): With great matchups against the Buccaneers’ secondary, he’s ready to make an impact.

DFS pick

Aidan O’Connell, Las Vegas Raiders (at TB, $4,800 on DraftKings, $6,700 on FanDuel): After Bryce Young’s success against the Buccaneers, O’Connell is set to follow suit. His strong outing in Kansas City adds to the confidence.

Fantasy Football Week 14 Sit ‘Em: Quarterbacks

Weaker starts

15. Tua Tagovailoa, Miami Dolphins (vs. NYJ): While it seems okay, Tua might not need to do much with the defense performing well.

16. Jameis Winston, Cleveland Browns (at PIT): Big interceptions can overshadow yardage and touchdowns, and this week is no exception.

17. Brock Purdy, San Francisco 49ers (vs. CHI): Lacking weapons, the 49ers are likely to rely on the run game at home.

18. Kirk Cousins, Atlanta Falcons (at MIN): Expect a clunker in his revenge game as Brian Flores’ defense pressures him effectively.

19. Geno Smith, Seattle Seahawks (at ARI): He’s been cold against a better home defense.

20. Matthew Stafford, Los Angeles Rams (vs. BUF): Stafford faces a tough matchup where the ground game looks more promising.

Fantasy Football Week 14 Start ‘Em: Running backs

Regular starts

1. Saquon Barkley, Philadelphia Eagles (vs. CAR)
2. Chase Brown, Cincinnati Bengals (at DAL)
3. Alvin Kamara, New Orleans Saints (at NYG)
4. Bijan Robinson, Atlanta Falcons (at MIN)
5. James Cook, Buffalo Bills (at LAR)
6. Bucky Irving, Tampa Bay Buccaneers (vs. LV)
7. De’Von Achane, Miami Dolphins (vs. NYJ)
8. Kyren Williams, Los Angeles Rams (vs. BUF)
9. Josh Jacobs, Green Bay Packers (at DET)
10. James Conner, Arizona Cardinals (vs. SEA)
11. Tony Pollard, Tennessee Titans (vs. JAX)
12. Jahmyr Gibbs, Detroit Lions (vs. GB)
13. David Montgomery, Detroit Lions (vs. GB)
14. Isaac Guerendo, San Francisco 49ers (vs. CHI)
15. Breece Hall, New York Jets (at MIA)
16. D’Andre Swift, Chicago Bears (at SF)

Stronger starts

17. Tyrone Tracy Jr., New York Giants (vs. NO): The Saints’ run defense has faltered, making him a solid option.

18. Kenneth Walker III, Seattle Seahawks (at ARI): He can bounce back with a score despite efficiency issues.

19. Aaron Jones, Minnesota Vikings (vs. ATL): He should stay busy after redeeming himself last week.

20. Rachaad White, Tampa Bay Buccaneers (vs. LV): Expect good things as he teams up with Irving.

21. Rico Dowdle, Dallas Cowboys (vs. CIN): He’s been pivotal in the offense lately.

22. Travis Etienne Jr., Jacksonville Jaguars (at TEN): The Titans can be more generous against the run, and he’s likely to score.

DFS Picks

James Cook, Buffalo Bills (at LAR, $7,400 on DraftKings, $8,500 on FanDuel): Cook is explosive and should thrive on this fast track.

James Conner, Arizona Cardinals (vs. SEA, $6,700 on DraftKings, $7,600 on FanDuel): Conner excels at home and can dominate against Seattle.

Fantasy Football Week 14 Sit ‘Em: Running backs

Weaker starts

23. Chuba Hubbard, Carolina Panthers (at PHI): The Eagles’ defense poses a significant challenge.

24. Najee Harris and 25. Jaylen Warren, Pittsburgh Steelers (vs. CLE): They’ve been underwhelming, making them risky plays.

26. Kareem Hunt and 27. Isiah Pacheco, Kansas City Chiefs (vs. LAC): A split committee approach isn’t ideal this week.

28. Gus Edwards, Los Angeles Chargers (at KC): This matchup is tough, especially in a timeshare.

29. Nick Chubb and 30. Jerome Ford, Cleveland Browns (at PIT): Chubb relies too much on touchdowns, and Ford is cutting into his work.

Fantasy Football Week 14 Start ‘Em: Wide receivers

Regular starts

1. Justin Jefferson, Minnesota Vikings (vs. ATL)
2. A.J. Brown, Philadelphia Eagles (vs. CAR)
3. Amon-Ra St. Brown, Detroit Lions (vs. GB)
4. Ja’Marr Chase, Cincinnati Bengals (at DAL)
5. Mike Evans, Tampa Bay Buccaneers (vs. LV)
6. CeeDee Lamb, Dallas Cowboys (vs. CIN)
7. George Pickens, Pittsburgh Steelers (vs. CLE)
8. Puka Nacua, Los Angeles Rams (vs. BUF)
9. Cooper Kupp, Los Angeles Rams (vs. BUF)
10. Drake London, Atlanta Falcons (at MIN)
11. Tyreek Hill, Miami Dolphins (vs. NYJ)
12. Malik Nabers, New York Giants (vs. NO)
13. DJ Moore, Chicago Bears (at SF)
14. Tee Higgins, Cincinnati Bengals (at DAL)
15. Calvin Ridley, Tennessee Titans (vs. JAX)
16. Jayden Reed, Green Bay Packers (at DET)
17. DK Metcalf, Seattle Seahawks (vs. ARI)
18. Marvin Harrison Jr., Arizona Cardinals (vs. SEA)
19. Brian Thomas Jr., Jacksonville Jaguars (at TEN)
20. Ladd McConkey, Los Angeles Chargers (if he plays, at KC)
21. Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Seattle Seahawks (at ARI)
22. DeVonta Smith, Philadelphia Eagles (if he returns, vs. CAR)
23. Davante Adams, New York Jets (at MIA)
24. Garrett Wilson, New York Jets (at MIA)

Stronger starts

25. Darnell Mooney, Atlanta Falcons (at MIN): He should stretch the field effectively against a familiar foe.

26. Jordan Addison, Minnesota Vikings (vs. ATL): The Falcons struggle in the slot, making this a favorable matchup.

27. Nick Westbrook-Ikhine, Tennessee Titans (vs. JAX): He’s been a scoring machine lately.

28. Marquez Valdes-Scantling, New Orleans Saints (at NYG): He’s been making big plays consistently.

29. Khalil Shakir, Buffalo Bills (at LAR): He’s the big-play option in a vulnerable matchup.

30. Keenan Allen, Chicago Bears (at DET): He’s been a key target in the new offense.

31. Jakobi Meyers, Las Vegas Raiders (at KC): He’s also been a crucial part of the offense.

Fantasy Football Week 14 Sit ‘Em: Wide receivers

Weaker starts

32. DeAndre Hopkins, Kansas City Chiefs (vs. LAC): He may either shine or fade away.

33. Jameson Williams, Detroit Lions (vs. GB): The Packers have been effective at limiting deep shots.

34. Jauan Jennings, San Francisco 49ers (vs. CHI): He faces a tough matchup against the corners.

35. Jerry Jeudy, Cleveland Browns (at PIT): Expect a lackluster performance on the road.

36. Deebo Samuel, San Francisco 49ers (vs. CHI): His production has been declining.

37. Amari Cooper, Buffalo Bills (vs. SF): He’s been inconsistent lately.

38. Jaylen Waddle, Miami Dolphins (vs. NYJ): He’s been overshadowed by Smith and Hill.

39. Rome Odunze, Chicago Bears (at DET): He’s been the odd rookie out recently.

Fantasy Football Week 14 Start ‘Em: Tight ends

Must starts

1. Brock Bowers, Las Vegas Raiders (at TB)
2. Trey McBride, Arizona Cardinals (vs. SEA)
3. George Kittle, San Francisco 49ers (vs. CHI)
4. Jonnu Smith, Miami Dolphins (at GB)
5. Travis Kelce, Kansas City Chiefs (vs. LAC)
6. T.J. Hockenson, Minnesota Vikings (vs. ATL)
7. David Njoku, Cleveland Browns (at PIT)
8. Cade Otton, Tampa Bay Buccaneers (vs. LV)

Stronger starts

9. Will Dissly, Los Angeles Chargers (at KC): The Chiefs should provide ample opportunities for him.

10. Sam LaPorta, Detroit Lions (vs. GB): He’s becoming a red zone target, especially after the Packers’ struggles.

11. Dalton Kincaid, Buffalo Bills (if he plays, at LAR): The Rams are generous to tight ends, making him a solid option.

12. Kyle Pitts, Atlanta Falcons (at MIN): His involvement has been inconsistent but could improve.

13. Luke Schoonmaker, Dallas Cowboys (vs. CIN): He’s a reliable plug-and-play option this week.

14. Pat Freiermuth, Pittsburgh Steelers (vs. CLE): He’s back in the mix with key targets at home.

DFS pick

George Kittle, San Francisco 49ers (vs. CHI, $5,800 on DraftKings, $7,500 on FanDuel): Kittle is a crucial part of the 49ers’ offense, especially against a struggling Bears defense.

Fantasy Football Week 14 Sit ‘Em: Tight ends

Weaker starts

15. Evan Engram, Jacksonville Jaguars (at TEN): He’s been underwhelming, even with volume.

16. Tucker Kraft, Green Bay Packers (at DET): The Lions are tough on tight ends.

17. Cole Kmet, Chicago Bears (at SF): Facing Fred Warner is a daunting task.

18. Mike Gesicki, Cincinnati Bengals (at DAL): He’s been largely ineffective.

19. Noah Gray, Kansas City Chiefs (vs. LAC): His production has been inconsistent.

20. Juwan Johnson, New Orleans Saints (at NYG): He’s not the type of tight end that can make a significant impact.

Fantasy Football Week 14 Start ‘Em: Defense/Special Teams

Stronger starts

1. Pittsburgh Steelers (vs. CLE)
2. Philadelphia Eagles (vs. CAR)
3. Minnesota Vikings (vs. ATL)
4. Buffalo Bills (at LAR)
5. New Orleans Saints (at NYG)
6. Kansas City Chiefs (vs. LAC)

7. Miami Dolphins (vs. NYJ): They should pressure Aaron Rodgers effectively.

8. Arizona Cardinals (vs. SEA): Expect them to make more plays at home this week.

9. New York Giants (vs. NO): They can create problems for Derek Carr with their pass rush.

10. San Francisco 49ers (vs. CHI): They should rack up sacks and force turnovers.

11. Tennessee Titans (vs. JAX): Playing from ahead can help them create opportunities.

12. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (vs. LV): They may not be high-upside but can still perform well.

DFS pick

Arizona Cardinals (vs. SEA, $3,000 on DraftKings, $3,700 on FanDuel): They’ve been effective at home and can take advantage of Seattle’s vulnerabilities.

Fantasy Football Week 14 Sit ‘Em: Defenses

Weaker starts

13. Detroit Lions (vs. GB): This matchup may lead to a high-scoring game.

14. Green Bay Packers (at DET): Similar concerns apply as both teams focus on offense.

15. Los Angeles Chargers (at KC): Mahomes will likely get the ball out quickly.

16. Chicago Bears (at SF): The 49ers may not be at full strength, but the Bears are still risky.

17. Seattle Seahawks (at ARI): They may struggle in the indoor climate against Murray.

18. New York Jets (at MIA): Expect underwhelming performance on the road.

Get ready to make those lineup decisions! Week 14 is pivotal, and with the right moves, you can set yourself up for a successful fantasy playoff run.