Fantasy Football Start ‘Em, Sit ‘Em: Week 14 lineup advice, best matchups, DFS picks | Sporting News Canada

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): He should have some run-based production a la Love in the same TNF game.

10. Will Levis, Tennessee Titans (vs. JAX): He keeps up the production of the past month in a sweet spot at home.

11. Patrick Mahomes, Kansas City Chiefs (vs. LAC): Mahomes should be game to do more air damage with little team rushing success.

12. Justin Herbert, Los Angeles Chargers (at KC): Anything Mahomes can do, Herbert can do this week, if not a little better.

13. Caleb Williams, Chicago Bears (at SF): He’s feeling it in the adjusted offense now, led by interim coach Thomas Brown, and the 49ers’ defense will allow him some second-half production.

14. Aidan O’Connell, Las Vegas Raiders (at TB): He is feeling it with weapons who have great matchups against the Buccaneers’ back seven.

WEEK 14 FANTASY FOOTBALL RANKINGS
QBs | RBs | WRs | TEs | D/ST | Kickers

DFS pick

Aidan O’Connell, Las Vegas Raiders (at. TB, $4,800 on DraftKings, $6,700 on FanDuel): Bryce Young gave us exceptional return on a similar price vs. the Buccaneers’ pass defense, and here’s going with the next guy in the matchup. O’Connell provided more reasons to feel good about it with his strong outing in Kansas City, much like Young before facing Tampa.

Fantasy Football Week 14 Sit ‘Em: Quarterbacks

Weaker starts

15. Tua Tagovailoa, Miami Dolphins (vs. NYJ): This looks OK, but consider Geno didn’t do much in the revenge game, and Tua may not need to do much with the defense rolling.

16. Jameis Winston, Cleveland Browns (at PIT): Sometimes, the big interceptions don’t get outweighed enough by yards and TDs. This is that case.

17. Brock Purdy, San Francisco 49ers (vs. CHI): He is too short on weapons, and the ‘Niners should be rather run-heavy at home.

18. Kirk Cousins, Atlanta Falcons (at MIN): His revenge game will be a clunker as Brian Flores’ defense comes up with the right pressure to keep him slumping overall.

19. Geno Smith, Seattle Seahawks (at ARI): Geno stays cold among the cacti against a better home-standing D.

20. Matthew Stafford, Los Angeles Rams (vs. BUF): Staffford will have it rough as the matchup is much easier on the ground.

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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 gone from dominant to consistently gashed, and the rookie comes through again.

18. Kenneth Walker III, Seattle Seahawks (at ARI): He’s having some issues with efficiency but he can get back on track with at least one score.

19. Aaron Jones, Minnesota Vikings (vs. ATL): He redeemed himself last week late after his fumble and should stay busy per usual.

20. Rachaad White, Tampa Bay Buccaneers (vs. LV): He’ll tag-team to good things again with Irving.

21. Rico Dowdle, Dallas Cowboys (vs. CIN): He’s been the key part of the offense of late and that doesn’t change on MNF.

22. Travis Etienne Jr., Jacksonville Jaguars (at TEN): The Titans can be more giving for the running game than vs. the pass, and there’s a good bet he scores with 80 scrimmage yards or so.

WEEK 14 FANTASY FOOTBALL ROSTER MANAGEMENT
Lessons Learned | Stock Up, Stock Down | Sleepers | Busts | Usage Report

DFS Picks

James Cook, Buffalo Bills (at LAR, $7,400 on DraftKings, $8,500 on FanDuel): Cook is an explosive back on any surface and should blow through this defense on a fast track, trying to follow in the recent Los Angeles footsteps of Barkley.

James Conner, Arizona Cardinals (vs. SEA, $6,700 on DraftKings, $7,600 on FanDuel): Conner and the Cardinals’ running game excel more at home and can pound away well on Seattle after disappointing in the road meeting two weeks ago.

Fantasy Football Week 14 Sit ‘Em: Running backs

Weaker starts

23. Chuba Hubbard, Carolina Panthers (at PHI): The overtime fumble is a bit concerning but more so is the Eagles’ defense.

24. Najee Harris and 25. Jaylen Warren, Pittsburgh Steelers (vs. CLE): They got lucky with a Warren TD in the first matchup but otherwise make for blah plays.

26. Kareem Hunt and 27. Isiah Pacheco, Kansas City Chiefs (vs. LAC): This is trending toward a split committee at the wrong time ahead of the Chargers’ run defense.

28. Gus Edwards, Los Angeles Chargers (at KC): Get off the Bus in this brutal matchup, especially since he’s still in a clear timeshare.

29. Nick Chubb and 30. Jerome Ford, Cleveland Browns (at PIT): Chubb is far too-TD dependent with Ford cutting into his work with limited production.

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): Mooney should get back to stretching the field well to boost Cousins.

26. Jordan Addison, Minnesota Vikings (vs. ATL): The Falcons stink in the slot, and Addison should add to those woes.

27  Nick Westbrook-Ikhine, Tennessee Titans (va. JAX): This dude is a scoring machine from anywhere on the field as one of the best second-half fantasy stories.

28. Marquez Valdes-Scantling, New Orleans Saints (at NYG): MVS is the NWI of the Saints, scoring TDs and making long plays every week.

29. Khalil Shakir, Buffalo Bills (at LAR): He’s the only option from this big-play committee, and the Rams are vulnerable enough for him.

30. Keenan Allen, Chicago Bears (at DET): He’s feeling it with Williams in the new offense with key targets.

31. Jakobi Meyers, Las Vegas Raiders (at KC): He’s feeling it with O’Connell in the new offense with key targets.

32. Romeo Doubs, Green Bay Packers (at DET): The Lions can be more vulnerable outside now with Carlton Davis hurt again.

WEEK 14 FANTASY FOOTBALL WAIVER WIRE ADVICE
Full Waiver Wire List & FAAB recommendations | Top Waiver Wire Targets

DFS picks

George Pickens, Pittsburgh Steelers (vs. CLE $6,800 on DraftKings, $7,500 on FanDuel): Pickens has been hot with Wilson making big plays before and after the catch, and the Browns were torched downfield by the Broncos on the road on Monday night.

Calvin Ridley, Tennessee Titans (vs. JAX, $5,700 on DraftKings, $6,300 on FanDuel): The revenge game will lead to huge things to the one-and-done Jaguar from last season, operating on the other side, working against one of the league’s worst cornerback corps.

Darnell Mooney, Atlanta Falcons (at MIN, $5,500 on DraftKings, $5,900 on FanDuel): Mooney should be healthier post-hamstring injury in a fantastic familiar matchup against a former NFC North foe. The former Bear should go back to making field-stretching plays in another indoor venue.

Fantasy Football Week 14 Sit ‘Em: Wide receivers

Weaker starts

33. DeAndre Hopkins, Kansas City Chiefs (vs. LAC): D Hop might show up in primetime or just disappear again.

34. Jameson Williams, Detroit Lions (vs. GB): The Packers still contain deep shots well.

35. Jauan Jennings, San Francisco 49ers (vs. CHI): This is a rough corner matchup for him.

36. Jerry Jeudy, Cleveland Browns (at PIT): He’ll lose his MNF punch on the road.

37. Deebo Samuel, San Francisco 49ers (vs. CHI): He’s going the wrong direction in his production.

38. Amari Cooper, Buffalo Bills (vs. SF): He’s the Hopkins of the Bills.

39. Jaylen Waddle, Miami Dolphins (vs. NYJ): He’s gone back to doing little behind Smith and Hill.

40: Rome Odunze, Chicago Bears (at DET): He’s been the odd rookie out lately after Allen and Moore.

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 Cheifs should give up plenty of room for him to work well.

10. Sam LaPorta, Detroit Lions (vs. GB): He’s back hot as a red zone target, and the Packers just got roasted by Jonnu.

11. Dalton Kincaid, Buffalo Bills (if he plays, at LAR): The Rams are rather giving to the position, so it’s either him or Dawson Knox.

12. Kyle Pitts, Atlanta Falcons (at MIN): His roller coaster continues as he gets overcorrected with his involvement.

13. Luke Schoonmaker, Dallas Cowboys (vs. CIN): Either him or Jake Ferguson is an easy plug and play on the Bengals.

14. Pat Freiermuth, Pittsburgh Steelers (vs. CLE): Muth is the truth again with key targets at home.

DFS pick

George Kittle, San Francisco 49ers (vs. CHI, $5,800 on DraftKings, $7,500 on FanDuel): Kittle is the best thing left going in the 49ers’ offense to help a struggling Purdy, and the Bears just allowed a couple scores to LaPorta.

Fantasy Football Week 14 Sit ‘Em: Tight ends

Weaker starts

15  Evan Engram, Jacksonville Jaguars (at TEN): Engram has been meh even with volume, so no.

16  Tucker Kraft, Green Bay Packers (at DET): The Lions are rough on the position still.

17.  Cole Kmet, Chicago Bears (at SF): Fred Warner says nyet.

18. Mike Gesicki, Cincinnati Bengals (at DAL): Remember when he was a thing?

19. Noah Gray, Kansas City Chiefs (vs. LAC): He’s had his 50 shades of fame.

20. Juwan Johnson, New Orleans Saints (at NYG): Remember, he’s not that Taysom Hill type of tight end.

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 rip into Aaron Rodgers with their top-notch pass defense.

8. Arizona Cardinals (vs. SEA): They should fare much better making plays than they did at the Seahawks.

9. New York Giants (vs. NO): They’re sneaky vs. Derek Carr with their pass rush.

10. San Francisco 49ers (vs. CHI): The ‘Niners should rack up some sacks and get a turnover or two.

11. Tennessee Titans (vs. JAX): The Titans can create some problems by playing from ahead for a change.

12. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (vs. LV): They aren’t the high-upside play but should have decent success even if O’Connell compiles.

DFS pick

Arizona Cardinals (vs. SEA), $3,000 on DraftKings, $3,700 on FanDuel): They’ve been the ultimate desert trap, playing their best defense for Jonathan Gannon at home, correlated to a better running game. The Seahawks can be plenty giving at times with Smith.

Fantasy Football Week 14 Sit ‘Em: Defenses

Weaker starts

13. Detroit Lions (vs. GB): This can be a rather clean run-oriented offensive-minded games, so same goes for 14. Green Bay Packers (at DET)

15. Los Angeles Chargers (at KC): Mahomes will work to get the ball out quickly and thwart pressure-based production.

16. Chicago Bears (at SF): The 49ers are weakened offensively, but you can trust that the Bears won’t get run over.

17. Seattle Seahawks (at ARI): They cool off in the hotter road indoor climate vs. Murray.

18. New York Jets (at MIA): They will once again underachieve on the road.

Get more of Sporting News NFL writer Vinnie Iyer’s Week 14 fantasy football advice by subscribing to the Locked On Fantasy Football podcast.