It’s Week 14, folks! Time to set those fantasy lineups! Start ‘Em, Sit 'Em is the ultimate look at the best and worst matchups in a given week for fantasy football leagues. Each week, I'll examine the quarterbacks who could exceed or fail to meet expectations based on their weekly opponent … like Anthony Richardson and Geno Smith in Week 13!
For your final lineup decisions, check out my fantasy football player rankings. I update them daily! Also, make sure you subscribe to the Fantasy Dirt Podcast with Lindsay Rhodes and me as we break down all things fantasy football five days a week!
Byes: Broncos, Colts, Commanders, Patriots, Ravens, Texans
1. Josh Allen at Rams
2. Jalen Hurts vs. Panthers
3. Joe Burrow at Cowboys (Mon.)
4. Sam Darnold vs. Falcons
5. Tua Tagovailoa vs. Jets
6. Kyler Murray vs. Seahawks
7. Justin Herbert vs. Chiefs
8. Baker Mayfield vs. Raiders
9. Patrick Mahomes vs. Chargers
10. Jordan Love at Lions (Thurs.)
Complete Week 14 quarterback rankings
Joe Burrow at Cowboys (Mon. 8:15 p.m. ET, ESPN): This one is a bit of a no-brainer, but options are thin with six teams off. As a result, Burrow gets listed based on what is a high-end matchup in Dallas. The Cowboys have allowed the fifth-most fantasy points per game to quarterbacks, as a total of seven have beaten them for at least 17.8 points. This has a chance to be a high-scoring affair, so be sure to have Burrow in your starting lineup.
Sam Darnold vs. Falcons (1 p.m. ET, Fox): Darnold has defied the odds during his last two games, scoring 19-plus points in both despite bad matchups against the Bears and Cardinals. Next up is a plus matchup, as Darnold faces a Falcons defense that has given up the eighth-most fantasy points per game to quarterbacks. Furthermore, six different field generals have beaten them for 17.7 or more points, including four since Week 7.
Tua Tagovailoa vs. Jets (1 p.m. ET, CBS): Tagovailoa has been on absolute fire lately, as he’s scored 23-plus points in three straight games including 25.2 points in Green Bay this past week. I’d start him against the Jets, who have allowed two quarterbacks to beat them for 28-plus points in their last three games. What’s more, their defense has surrendered 24-plus points to four different quarterbacks since Week 6, so Tagovailoa should smash.
Baker Mayfield vs. Raiders (1 p.m. ET, CBS): Mayfield is coming off one of his worst stat lines of the season, scoring just 10.2 points despite a plus matchup in Carolina. Still, I’ll keep the faith in the veteran based on another great matchup, this time vs. the Raiders. The Silver & Black have allowed 18-plus points to quarterbacks six times, including five who have posted 23-plus points. Mayfield should bounce back this weekend.
Russell Wilson vs. Browns (1 p.m. ET, CBS): Wilson put up his best stat line of the year last week, beating the Bengals for three touchdowns and nearly 27 fantasy points. I like him this week too, as the veteran faces a Browns defense that has given up 18-plus points to six quarterbacks, including four since Week 6. With six teams on a bye and the fantasy postseason on the line, Wilson should be considered a viable starter in most leagues.
Aaron Rodgers at Dolphins (1 p.m. ET, CBS): The “Curse of the Jets Quarterback” has struck once again! Rodgers has been subpar in the stat sheets with the Men in Green, scoring 16.1 or fewer points in each of his last three games while averaging a mere 14.2 points per game on the season. Next up is a tough matchup against the Dolphins, who have allowed the fourth-fewest fantasy points per game to quarterbacks. Overall, their defense has allowed just four quarterbacks to beat them for more than 13.5 points.
Geno Smith at Cardinals (4:05 p.m. ET, CBS): Geno has been inconsistent for fantasy managers for most of the season, and a matchup against the Cardinals makes him tough to trust. Over the last four weeks, only the Bills have allowed fewer fantasy points per game to quarterbacks than Arizona. What's more, just one has beaten them for more than 15 points since Week 7. Unless you're in a superflex leagues, Smith should be benched.
Matthew Stafford vs. Bills (4:25 p.m. ET, FOX): Stafford has been up and down in the stat sheets lately, and a matchup against the Bills makes him tough to trust. Their pass defense has allowed the third-fewest fantasy points per game to quarterbacks, as just three have beaten them for more than 15.9 points. So, while this could be a high-scoring game (the total on DK Sportsbook opened at 49), the matchup isn’t great for Stafford.
Kirk Cousins at Vikings (1 p.m. ET, Fox): Cousins has seen his stats decline in each of his last five games, culminating in a 2.1-point stinker in a loss to the Chargers. I’d fade him this week too, as he faces a tough Vikings defense that’s surrendered just 15.1 points per game to quarterbacks this season. What’s more, only Caleb Williams has scored more than 15.6 fantasy points against their aggressive pass defense since Week 9.
Jameis Winston at Steelers (1 p.m. ET, CBS): Winston is coming off a massive stat line in Denver, throwing for nearly 500 yards and four touchdowns. Still, the Steelers' defense has been tough on quarterbacks at home, allowing the third-fewest fantasy points per game. What’s more, Pittsburgh has forced more interceptions (6) than its allowed touchdown passes (5) in five games on their home field this season. I'd beware Winston.
Michael Fabiano is a fantasy football analyst for Sports Illustrated. His weekly rankings and Start 'Em, Sit 'Em articles are must-reads for fantasy players. He is also the co-host of the Fantasy Dirt Podcast on SI. Before joining SI in August 2020, he worked for CBS Sports, NFL Network and SiriusXM. He also contributes to Westwood One Radio. Fabiano was the first fantasy analyst to appear on one of the four major TV networks and is a member of the Fantasy Sports Writers Association Hall of Fame.
Follow Michael_Fabiano
© 2024 ABG-SI LLC. – SPORTS ILLUSTRATED IS A REGISTERED TRADEMARK OF ABG-SI LLC. – All Rights Reserved. The content on this site is for entertainment and educational purposes only. All betting content is intended for an audience ages 21+. All advice, including picks and predictions, is based on individual commentators' opinions and not that of Minute Media or its related brands. All picks and predictions are suggestions only. No one should expect to make money from the picks and predictions discussed on this website. For more information, please read our Legal Disclaimer. Gambling content intended for 21+. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, crisis counseling and referral services can be accessed by calling 1-800-GAMBLER.
