If you want definitive proof the NFL schedule makers don’t play fantasy football look no further than the number of teams on bye this week: the Atlanta Falcons, the Chicago Bears, the Green Bay Packers, the Indianapolis Colts, the New Orleans Saints, and the Washington Commanders.
Six teams in total.
Six!
This matches the Week 9 “Bye-apocalypse” that also had six teams and left fantasy managers scrambling. Well, we’re back again, and this time it’s the most pivotal week in the regular season. This week will determine so much, including who is in and who is out of the playoffs. There were no byes in Week 12. There were two teams on bye last week. Why take a second look and spread everything out?
If you feel the pain of the byes this week you may want to shield your eyes. Here’s a list of all the fantasy stars who are sitting this pivotal week:
Cordarrelle Patterson, Justin Fields, David Montgomery, Aaron Jones, Christian Watson, Jonathon Taylor, Michael Pittman, Alvin Kamara, Chris Olave, Brian Robinson, Terry McLaurin.
Not to mention shield-your-eyes dart throws that one could make the case could help your team in a pinch. The Drake Londons. The Cole Kmets. The way my bench is looking I’d even take a Parris Campbell.
All of this deters from the leading story, and that’s the sad fact this is the last week of the fantasy regular season. All the hopes and dreams from the summer, the thrills of the draft, the ups and downs of the wins and losses….all of that may be over after this week. It takes the air out of a Sunday. What are we supposed to do here? Look forward to Christmas? Take up knitting?
I say make this last week count. If you’re 11-2, fine, kick back and relax. If you’re 2-11, you’re out of it, but that doesn’t mean you don’t have one last punch. One more haymaker that will land on your opponent who desperately needs a win.
Go out on top and feel optimistic about next season. And if you’re like me in one league, you’re in the trenches. Win and you’re in. You may have the aforementioned players on bye. You and me both. Now’s the time to dig deep. Do your research.
Please scroll below to get my thoughts, but I am just one person. You know your league better than me. Go with what the data tells you. Or maybe go with what your guts tells you. Either way, walk into opening kickoff on Sunday prepared. This may be the last game you have in a long time.
Make it count.
Fantasy football Week 14 start ’em
Quarterbacks to start in Week 14
Jared Goff (DET) vs. Vikings
Goff has made it easy on us this season. You start him in games at a home against lower-ranked pass defenses, and you sit him all other weeks. He was a great start against Washington in Week 2, Seattle in Week 4, and last week against Jacksonville.
He now is going against Minnesota’s bottom-10 pass defense at home in a legitimate game for the Lions. They have been on fire lately, and they know the way to beat their division foes is to throw on them.
Mac Jones (NE) vs. Cardinals
This is digging at the bottom of the barrel, but I know some of us are at that point. Look, Mac Jones is going to be on waivers unless you have a die-hard New England fan in your league who has not looked at their lineup since the draft.
The argument for Jones is that the Cardinals are 29TH in the league against fantasy quarterbacks and that the Patriots defense has struggled with mobile quarterbacks. Kyler Murray should be able to put up points with his legs, necessitating that the Patriots respond in the passing game. This is not for the weak of heart, but neither is fantasy football.
Running backs to start in Week 14
D’Onta Foreman (CAR) vs. Seahawks
OK, him talking about how his ribs and foot are bothering him scares me, but you know what doesn’t? The Seahawks’ 29TH ranked defense against running backs. Coach Steve Wilks has already said he wants to give Foreman 20+ carries/game, and that’s this team’s identity.
The Panthers may need to open it up to keep pace with the Seahawks, but that doesn’t mean they are going to phase Foreman out all together. Start him as long as he’s healthy.
Raheem Mostert (MIA) vs. Chargers
It looks like he’s back to being the main back in Miami, and this is a position you want to be in against the 30TH ranked rush defense. Even if this turns out to be a 50/50 split with Jeff Wilson, Mostert is someone you want to take a shot on.
Teams have known for years the way to beat Los Angeles is on the ground, and they’re powerless to stop it. The Dolphins need a win after losing last week. Look for them to lean on their run game to get them a W.
Wide receivers to start in Week 14
D.J. Chark (DET) vs. Vikings
Not all of Goff’s passes are going to Amon-Ra St. Brown, right? D.J. Chark looks to have solidified himself as the no. 2 receiver in Detroit, if only for this week, with rookie sensation Jameson Williams getting into the line-up. It looks like they are still working Williams into the line-up, but it’s been a full go for Chark. He’s at 84% of snaps and he’s someone Goff looks to in the red zone.
Again, the way to beat (or keep up with) Minnesota is to throw on them, and you want receivers in this type of atmosphere. You can do worse than Chark this week.
Jerry Jeudy (DEN) vs. Chiefs
Cortland Sutton is dealing with a hamstring and an illness, and in the game against the Ravens last week you saw Jerry Jeudy step up. He’s not going to light the world on fire against the Chiefs, but there will be a chance for garbage time. Points in garbage time count just as much as the ones in the first quarter.
It’ll probably be just him and Greg Dulcich getting targets from Russ, but not much outside of those two pass-catchers. If you have a solid option do not play Jeudy. Only do this if you’re in week 14 purgatory.
Tight end to start in Week 14
Hunter Henry (NE) vs. Cardinals
Here’s another one to hold your nose at. Do yourself a favor and DON’T look his numbers this year. Just know this: the Arizona Cardinals want you to throw to your tight end. They have a red carpet rolled out on the field and all. No team has allowed more receptions, more yards, and more touchdowns to tight ends. You know, all those things that make up fantasy points.
The argument for Henry is that he has been in the end zone before, and he looks to be the Patriot’s top TE. Just don’t hold your breath.
Fantasy football Week 14 sit ’em
Quarterbacks to sit in Week 14
Tom Brady (TB) vs 49ers
As of Monday night, Brady is being given 6.5 points going up against a team led by this year’s last pick in the draft. You may be taking the points, but you don’t want to take a chance on Brady this week. The Niners’ defense is too good. Tua was on fire until he set his foot in Levi’s Stadium. This is a top-5 defense against quarterbacks, and although he is the GOAT, he has looked vulnerable this season.
Lamar Jackson (BAL) vs. Steelers
By the time this posts, Lamar may be ruled out this week. He may be a game-time decision. He may start, and hop onto the field on one leg against the Steelers. Just know that he has no receivers, and if you take the running game component out how many points can you expect from Jackson?
Update: Lamar Jackson has a sprained PCL and is almost certainly going to be sidelined this Sunday against the Steelers, and could miss more time.
Running backs to sit in Week 14
Gus Edwards (BAL) vs. Steelers
After holding the Bengals and Saints in check, but this looks to be a sloppy, field-position-wins it type of game. Ronnie Staley is out, Edwards was held in check against the Broncos, and they’re still working in Kenyan Drake and Justice Hill. Unless there are multiple chances for a score—and after seeing this team against Denver last week, this is looking improbable—this is a stay-away.
Dameon Pierce (HOU) vs. Cowboys
I just don’t see Pierce having a chance in this game. The Cowboy’s defense is too good, and can penetrate the line with too much ease. The Cowboys have a top-10 defense against the run and although we saw a ray of light from Pierce last week, it’s still worth noting he didn’t get into the end zone. He hasn’t since week 8. This is not an argument for returning to the mean. This is an argument that the Texans’ offense is just that bad.
Wide receivers to sit in Week 14
Gabe Davis (BUF) vs. Jets
I said it last week: you have to call your shot on Gabe Davis. He saved you (maybe?) with a touchdown last week, but don’t bank on that against the Jets. Other than the Broncos, they are the stiffest defense against wide receivers this year. They don’t give up big plays. This week again I do not see that bomb touchdown falling into his hands.
Diontae Johnson (PIT) vs. Ravens
If you want 10 points in a PPR league, great, throw him in there. Just know that his range is probably 7-12 points, as that’s what it has been most of this season. His best week came in week 3 with 16 points. He has yet to reach the end zone. He is not the most explosive player on the team, and you have a rookie quarterback going against a tough Ravens defense that will look to keep the score low. But yeah, if you want 10 points, give the guy a start.
