The NFL season seems to fly by. One moment, you’re prepping for your draft; the next, you’re staring down Week 14. This time of year is a bit bittersweet, as the playoffs are on the horizon, and it’s time to reflect on the ups and downs of your fantasy squad. Who’s been your MVP? Which player has been your biggest bust? These questions are vital as you look to optimize your roster for the stretch run, so let’s dive into the important starts and sits for this week to help set your lineup.
With a few weeks left to secure your playoff spot—or even to make a final push—making the right choices can be the difference between success and disappointment. This week brings some intriguing matchups, so let’s break down the best options for Week 14 and give you the edge you need in your fantasy football league.
Starts
QB - Will Levis - Tennessee Titans (Jax)
Week 14 is crucial for many fantasy owners, so I’m recommending a quarterback who has been flying under the radar but is primed for a strong showing: Titans QB Will Levis. Levis is currently only owned in 5% of leagues but has been quietly putting together solid performances over the last month. For reference, over his past four games, Levis has averaged 240 yards per game, thrown 7 touchdowns, and committed only 2 interceptions. Those are impressive numbers for any QB, especially considering his matchups during that stretch.
This week, he faces the Jacksonville Jaguars, who are currently allowing the most passing yards in the league and the fourth most fantasy points to opposing quarterbacks. With Levis' ability to put up decent yardage and touchdowns, this matchup looks promising for him to finish as a top-10 option. If you’re scrambling to fill in for a bye week or don’t love your current QB’s matchup, Levis is an excellent plug-and-play option.
RB - Rico Dowdle - Dallas Cowboys (Cin)
The Dallas Cowboys have leaned more heavily on the running game since QB Dak Prescott went down, and one beneficiary has been RB Rico Dowdle. In Week 13, Dowdle saw a season-high 25 touches, including back-to-back games with over 20 touches. This volume is crucial for fantasy production, as Dowdle has averaged 18 touches per game over his last five outings.
Interestingly enough, the only thing holding him back from being a solid RB2 is his lack of touchdowns. However, he’s got a good chance to change that this week against the Cincinnati Bengals. Cincinnati is allowing the second-most points to running backs and has given up over 120 yards per game on the ground. Dowdle’s workload and matchup make him a strong flex option, and he could even be a low-end RB2 depending on your lineup needs.
WR - Jakobi Myers - Las Vegas Raiders (@TB)
Raiders WR Jakobi Myers is another undervalued player who has been quietly productive. Over the last two weeks, Myers has seen a whopping 26 targets, which is an encouraging sign that the Raiders’ offense has found its rhythm. Additionally, his increased role in the passing game makes him an intriguing option in Week 14, especially as the Raiders take on the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Tampa Bay’s pass defense has been abysmal, as they've allowed the third-most passing yards and rank near the bottom in terms of fantasy points allowed to wide receivers. It's been so bad that even a struggling offense like the Panthers managed to find success against them last week. With Myers seeing heavy usage and a favorable matchup, you can play him with confidence as a high-floor WR3 or flex option.
TE - Luke Schoonmaker - Dallas Cowboys (Cin)
If you need a tight-end filler this week (especially with so many TEs on bye), look no further than Cowboys TE Luke Schoonmaker. While I would typically advise caution with the Cowboys’ offense, Schoonmaker has shown that he can contribute when called upon. Over the last three weeks, he’s been highly involved in the offense, catching 14 passes on 20 targets for 144 yards and a touchdown.
What makes Schoonmaker particularly enticing is his matchup against the Cincinnati Bengals, who have allowed the second-most fantasy points to tight ends on the year. With players like the Patriots' Hunter Henry and the Ravens' Mark Andrews on a bye, Schoonmaker could be a sneaky play if you need a fill-in for the week.
Defense - Seattle Seahawks (@Ari)
If you’re streaming defenses, the Seattle Seahawks are an excellent option. Seattle has been a top-10 performer this season and has been on a bit of a hot streak lately, scoring over 15 fantasy points in back-to-back weeks. This week, they face the Arizona Cardinals, a team they dominated in Week 12 to the tune of just 6 points, 5 sacks, and a defensive touchdown. Additionally, with Arizona’s offensive struggles, this is a game that looks ripe for another big fantasy performance. Seattle is available in over 70% of leagues, so don’t hesitate to plug them in and look for a solid performance in this divisional matchup.
Sits
QB - Justin Herbert - Los Angeles Chargers (@KC)
It’s been a rough couple of weeks for Chargers QB Justin Herbert. In a promising matchup in Week 13 against the Atlanta Falcons, (who rank sixth in fantasy points allowed to QBs), Herbert threw for under 150 yards and didn’t score a touchdown. That performance came on the heels of another week without a TD, marking back-to-back weeks of disappointing production. Coming up, he faces a tough divisional opponent in the Kansas City Chiefs, a team that held him to under 200 yards passing and just one touchdown earlier this year. The Chargers are still fighting for their playoff seeding, but with Herbert’s recent struggles, it’s a week to keep him out of your lineup if you can.
RB - Kareem Hunt - Kansas City Chiefs (LAC)
Chiefs RB Kareem Hunt is another player to avoid this week. Since his counterpart Isaiah Pacheco returned to action, Hunt’s role has diminished significantly, and his production has taken a hit. In Week 13, he had just 7 carries for 15 yards, continuing a trend of inefficiency. Over the last three games, Hunt has failed to rush for more than 70 yards or find the end zone. His passing game involvement has also been minimal, with just 5 catches for 19 yards during that span. With the offense featuring multiple playmakers, Hunt’s opportunities have become limited. Additionally, since the fantasy playoffs are quickly approaching, it’s time to find a better option.
WR - Amari Cooper - Buffalo Bills (@LAR)
Bills WR Amari Cooper was a reliable option in Cleveland, but since joining Buffalo, has been nearly invisible. Case in point: his most recent performance saw him catch just 3 passes for 12 yards to go with only 8 targets in his last three games. Currently, The Bills’ offense is too crowded for him to make a significant impact, and he is no longer worth starting, especially in a tough matchup against the Los Angeles Rams. If you’re looking for a flex option, there are far better choices than Cooper, who continues to struggle to stay involved.
TE - Kyle Pitts - Atlanta Falcons (@Min)
Falcons TE Kyle Pitts has been one of the most frustrating players of the year to this point. After a promising performance in Week 8 (4 catches, 91 yards, 2 TDs), he has completely disappeared. Additionally, over his last four games, Pitts has totaled just 6 catches for 75 yards with zero touchdowns. He has also just come off his worst performance of the season, catching no passes on two targets. With his lack of involvement, it’s time to drop Pitts if you haven’t already. His inconsistency has made him unreliable, and with the fantasy playoffs on the line, you can’t afford to keep him in your lineup.
Defense - Detroit Lions (GB)
Despite being a Top-10 fantasy defense, I’m avoiding the Detroit Lions this week. My logic is simple: The Green Bay Packers have a great offense and are averaging the third-most offensive yards and eighth-most points in the league. Even though the Lions have been able to produce from a defensive perspective, this matchup isn’t ideal. While Detroit has managed to score at least 5 fantasy points in 8 straight games, against a high-powered offense like the Packers they have a much lower ceiling. Better streaming options are available, so look elsewhere for a defense in Week 14.
As we head into the final stretch of the fantasy football season, making the right start/sit decisions is more important than ever. These next few weeks will determine whether your team advances in the playoffs or is left on the sidelines. With Week 14 upon us, don’t overthink your lineup; trust your research and play matchups wisely. Whether it’s taking a chance on a rising star like QB Will Levis or avoiding underperforming veterans like QB Justin Herbert, these key decisions can be the difference between a victory and a loss. Good luck!
