Week 14 Start ‘Em Sit ‘Em

Playoff Prep: Key Starts and Sits for Week 14

As Week 14 arrives, fantasy managers are staring down the final stretch before playoff brackets lock in. Matchups, usage trends and injuries are shifting quickly, making every decision feel more critical than the last. Below are the players positioned to help push your team forward this week — and the ones who are better left out of starting lineups.

Start

Quarterback

Jordan Love
Love coming off a huge Thanksgiving outing and now draws a Chicago defense tailor-made for his strengths. The Bears play heavy man coverage and blitz at an elevated rate — two areas where Love excels, ranking near the top of the league in efficiency, touchdowns and EPA. Chicago has also surrendered the fourth-most passing scores and sits inside the top ten in fantasy points allowed to opposing quarterbacks. Given the matchup, Love remains a strong play.

Baker Mayfield
Baker Mayfield has been stuck in a slump, staying under 19 points in three straight games and producing poorly in five of his last six. Still, he’s been far more effective at home, averaging 22.3 points per game. Prior to his flop against New Orleans earlier this season, Mayfield had topped 20 fantasy points in four straight meetings with the Saints. Six quarterbacks have already cracked 21.5 points against them this year. Back on his own field, Mayfield is positioned to rebound.

Running Back

RJ Harvey
RJ Harvey has operated as Denver’s lead runner since J.K. Dobbins hit IR, handling the majority of carries, routes and goal-line touches. Though not a full bell cow, he’s close — and with Sean Payton heavily involving running backs in both the passing game and red-zone work, Harvey remains a strong option. The Raiders have held up initially against the run, but constant negative game scripts have led to them allowing the third-highest rushing total to running backs since Week 9 as well as the third-most rushing touchdowns on the year. Given Harvey’s explosiveness and usage, he stays in starting consideration.

Quinshon Judkins
Quinshon Judkins could benefit if Dylan Sampson’s calf injury keeps him sidelined. Judkins’ receiving involvement spiked last week, and he logged 23 carries in addition to his receiving work. He has now delivered at least 15.9 PPR points in two straight games. Tennessee has allowed eight backs to clear 13.1 points this season, making Judkins a viable RB2 in most formats.

Wide Receiver

Christian Watson
Christian Watson continues to dominate Green Bay’s passing attack following Tucker Kraft’s season-ending injury. Over the past month, Watson leads the team in routes, targets, yardage and touchdowns, thriving particularly against man coverage — which the Bears use frequently. Chicago has allowed the most yards to perimeter receivers since Week 9 and has been repeatedly burned on deep sideline throws. With Watson running most of his snaps outside, the upside is too enticing to pass up.

Jakobi Meyers
Jakobi Meyers appears to be settling into the Jaguars’ system, posting at least 11.4 PPR points in three consecutive matchups. With Parker Washington possibly sidelined and the Colts ranking inside the top eight in fantasy points allowed to wideouts, Meyers is well-positioned for another productive week. Brian Thomas Jr. remains more volatile and is best used as a WR3 only in deeper formats.

Tight End

Brenton Strange
Brenton Strange has delivered TE1-level production since returning from his hip injury, finishing top-seven at the position in consecutive weeks. He has established reliable chemistry with Trevor Lawrence and has fallen below 10 points only twice this season. Facing an Indianapolis defense that struggles against tight ends — allowing the second-most yards and fifth-most fantasy points to the position — Strange is firmly in play.

Harold Fannin
Harold Fannin has emerged as Shedeur Sanders’ favorite target, earning a 24 percent share over the past two games while playing a season-high 90 percent of passing snaps last week. His elevated usage secures him as a top-tier tight end option moving forward.

Sit

Quarterback

Justin Herbert
Justin Herbert is already fighting through significant offensive line injuries and now has to play with a broken non-throwing hand. A Monday night kickoff adds unnecessary risk if he’s ruled out late. Even when active, Herbert has failed to reach 15 points in his last three outings due to constant pressure and the need for quick, short throws. Philadelphia has allowed the second-fewest passing touchdowns and boasts the league’s lowest completion rate allowed since Week 9. This matchup is a stay-away.

Caleb Williams
Caleb Williams is coming off another shaky performance and has now logged two straight road disappointments. Green Bay’s defense has tightened considerably, holding four of its last five opposing quarterbacks to 14 points or fewer. Williams struggled in both matchups with the Packers last season, and Chicago is likely to lean heavily on its ground game. He’s better suited as a Superflex option only.

Running Back

Kimani Vidal
Kimani Vidal may lose significant work if Omarion Hampton returns, shifting the backfield toward a timeshare. Even if Vidal remains the lead option, the Chargers’ offensive line is injured, the quarterback situation is unstable and the matchup against Philadelphia is unfavorable. Vidal profiles as a low-end RB2 if Hampton sits, and only a flex if Hampton returns.

Woody Marks
Woody Marks has maintained volume but delivered limited production, staying under eight PPR points in three straight games despite steady workloads. His passing-game involvement has evaporated, and Kansas City remains a difficult matchup, ranking sixth in fewest points allowed