Fantasy Football Week 14 Begin ‘Em, Bench ‘Em

Prepare your Week 14 fantasy football rosters with Dalton Del Don’s essential start/sit recommendations for every matchup on the schedule.

New York Jets @ Miami Dolphins

Start: Jonnu Smith

Smith is at the top of the Dolphins’ target share (21.5%), first-read share (26.3%), and designed target opportunities following Miami’s Week 6 bye. He tops all receivers in first downs per route run during that time. He’s been the fantasy TE1 in the previous three weeks, and Smith is expected to be heavily utilized on Sunday.

Atlanta Falcons @ Minnesota Vikings

Start: Sam Darnold

Darnold has achieved multiple touchdown passes in five of the last six games. He faces a Falcons defense that ranks among the top seven in fantasy points allowed to quarterbacks, coupled with an NFL-low 15 sacks this season. Minnesota boasts a solid implied team total of 26.5 points in this high-paced game, and the Vikings have had difficulties rushing effectively near the end zone. Darnold is a top-10 QB for this week.

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New Orleans Saints @ New York Giants

Start: Tyrone Tracy Jr.

Tracy Jr. experienced a reduction in touches last week but bounced back with a 71% snap rate, including a rushing touchdown (just a week after losing snaps due to a fumble). The rookie is averaging 5.0 YPC and ranks as fantasy’s RB16 since Week 8. The game script appears favorable against a struggling New Orleans team, and Tracy Jr. could receive more opportunities with Malik Nabers facing a groin injury. Recent opponents of the Saints have exhibited the fourth-lowest pass rate over expectation in the past month, making Tracy Jr. a top-20 running back this week.

Carolina Panthers @ Philadelphia Eagles

Sit: Chuba Hubbard

Hubbard recorded a 79% snap rate last week, though he missed out on 9-of-21 running back chances. His 67% rushing share represented his lowest since Week 2, as rookie Jonathon Brooks received increased usage in his second game back from injury. Competing against the league’s top defense is an even greater concern this week. The Eagles have allowed only 241 yards per game in the past two months, which is over 65 yards fewer than the next best team.

Philadelphia has yet to permit any running back to reach 100 rushing yards this season, and they successfully prevented Derrick Henry from scoring in the previous week. The Panthers possess the league’s lowest implied total of 16.5 points and are 13-point underdogs, meaning game script could pose challenges. Hubbard is ranked as the RB22 in “expert consensus rankings” and could be useful during a week with six teams on bye, but it’s advisable to look for alternatives when possible.

Cleveland Browns @ Pittsburgh Steelers

Sit: Nick Chubb

Chubb has found the end zone three times in his last two matches, but he finished with a season-low nine rushing attempts last week — the same amount as Jerome Ford. Chubb has participated in only 20% of the routes since Ford’s return four games ago, playing in a Cleveland offense with a notably high pass rate under Jameis Winston. Since returning from significant knee surgery, Chubb has averaged just 3.0 YPC, and he faces a tough Pittsburgh defense that has allowed the second-fewest schedule-adjusted fantasy points to running backs over the past five weeks.

Las Vegas Raiders @ Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Start: Cade Otton

Otton has had a quieter two games recently, but he may see increased usage on Sunday. Mike Evans missed practice on Thursday due to hamstring and calf issues, making his availability uncertain for this week. Otton has been the TE25 (averaging 5.9 fantasy points per game) when Evans is active this season, but he has excelled as the TE1 by a significant margin (16.1 fpg) when Evans is out (h/t FTN).

Rising star running back Bucky Irving (hip/back) missed practice on Wednesday and Thursday before participating in a limited session on Friday, making him officially questionable for Week 14. Chris Godwin remains on IR, positioning Otton for good volume against a Raiders defense that has struggled against tight ends; opposing TEs have tallied an average of 8.6 catches, 101.2 receiving yards, and 1.2 touchdowns in the last five games against Las Vegas. The Raiders’ opponents have registered the highest PROE in the last month. Start Otton in fantasy lineups this week.

Jacksonville Jaguars @ Tennessee Titans

Start: Calvin Ridley

Ridley tops the NFL in air yards (776) and averages 8.5 targets and 82.7 receiving yards over six games following DeAndre Hopkins’ trade. Will Levis has averaged 8.3 YPA while throwing for about 240.0 passing yards and 1.8 touchdowns over four games since returning from injury, indicating that Tennessee’s passing attack is lively.

Ridley faces an advantageous match-up this week in a revenge tilt against Jacksonville’s abysmal pass defense which has allowed the third-most fantasy points to wideouts. Ridley’s target rate increases from 18.2% against zone to 27.9% against man coverage, which the Jaguars have employed at the second-highest frequency in the league. Ridley is right on the cusp of being a top-10 wide receiver this week.

Sit Tank Bigsby, who was outperformed in carrying opportunities by a healthier Travis Etienne Jr. after Jacksonville’s bye last week. The Jaguars hold one of the lowest implied team totals (18.5 points) this week with Mac Jones under center.

Seattle Seahawks @ Arizona Cardinals

Sit: Geno Smith

Smith ranks third in passing yards per game (270.1), yet he has achieved multiple passing touchdowns only twice all year. DK Metcalf missed Thursday’s practice with a shoulder injury, creating uncertainty about his status for Sunday. Additionally, the Cardinals have shown significant improvement on defense lately (alongside Seattle).

Arizona has surrendered only four touchdowns to quarterbacks in the last six games and ranks second-fewest in schedule-adjusted fantasy points to QBs over the past five weeks. These teams combined for just 22 points in their last contest two weeks prior, and a similarly low-scoring encounter could occur this Sunday.

Buffalo Bills @ Los Angeles Rams

Start: Khalil Shakir

Shakir was targeted seven times last week, marking a season-high in target share during a snowstorm where Josh Allen managed only 17 passes. Anticipate more opportunities this Sunday in a matchup indoors with the highest total this weekend (49.5 points). Shakir is eighth in target share (29.1%) and 10th in yards per route run (2.51) this year. His target rate rises from 18.3% against man and 29.5% against zone coverage, which the Rams utilize at one of the league’s highest percentages (77.1%) this season. He also ranks in the top 15 among 131 WRs in fantasy points per route run (0.50) against zone coverage. A full-strength Rams’ offense could challenge Buffalo, making Shakir a must-start this week.

Chicago Bears @ San Francisco 49ers

Start: Isaac Guerendo

Guerendo quickly transitioned from being on waivers to a top-10 fantasy running back this week following season-ending injuries to Christian McCaffrey and Jordan Mason. Guerendo has averaged the fourth-best YPC (5.9) this season and possesses fresh legs. While he still needs to refine his vision and is not a fully developed back, he may be quicker than most (with potentially greater fantasy upside).

The Bears have permitted the fewest fantasy points to quarterbacks this year, but Chicago has allowed the fifth-most schedule-adjusted FP to RBs in the last five games. The 49ers’ offense has struggled without Trent Williams and a banged-up Brock Purdy, but San Francisco retains a robust implied team total (24.5 points) and should have a positive game script as four-point favorites. Patrick Taylor will also contribute, but Guerendo deserves a spot in fantasy lineups.

Los Angeles Chargers @ Kansas City Chiefs

Sit: Justin Herbert

Although the Chiefs’ pass defense has shown some decline lately, Herbert may still face a challenging situation this Sunday night. Ladd McConkey is questionable with shoulder and knee troubles, and his absence could impact the game against a man-heavy Kansas City defense. Herbert suffered five sacks on just 23 attempts against an Atlanta front that entered the game with the lowest sack total in the league due largely to other receivers being unable to create separation last week.

Furthermore, Herbert obtains 8.4 YPA with a 106.9 Passer Rating against zone coverage, while achieving only 6.2 YPA with a 76.9 Passer Rating against man coverage, which Kansas City frequently employs at a high frequency. The Chargers are projected for one of the lowest implied totals (20.5 points) this week, leaving fantasy managers starting Herbert hoping McConkey participates.

Cincinnati Bengals @ Dallas Cowboys

Start: Rico Dowdle

Dowdle commanded 25-of-29 RB opportunities and set personal bests in snap rate (71%), carries (22), and rushing yards (112) last week. He holds an 8.2 Utilization Score in the past fortnight, placing him historically in RB1 territory. The Bengals have conceded the fourth-most EPA/rush and the fifth-most RB rushing touchdowns this season, and Dowdle is expected to have a significant workload with CeeDee Lamb ailing. He is a top-15 RB for this week.