Fantasy Football: Who to start and sit in NFL Week 14

The fantasy playoffs are upon us, and if you are reading this that means you probably made it; congratulations! If not, there is always next year.

In any case, the best advice I can give is don’t get cute. Do what got you to this point. Don’t sit one of your studs who has carried you through the season for this week’s hottest sleeper. You’ll regret that all offseason if it costs you a win.

Must starts

Lamar Miller (Texans RB): As far as talent, matchup and opportunity go, Miller is as good as it gets this week. He has had a rough time since Deshaun Watson went down for the Season, but the 49ers defense gives up the third most points to running backs in fantasy, according to Fantasy Pros. You combine that with the fact the Texans want to run the ball and keep it out of Tom Savage’s hands as much as possible, and he could be in line for a great fantasy game.

Michael Crabtree (Raiders WR): Crabtree is coming off his one-game suspension, and if you include that week, he hasn’t scored for four weeks straight. The last team he scored against though was the Chiefs, who he will be playing this week again. The other reason Crabtree is vaulted up to this status is Amari Cooper is still dealing with an ankle injury. If he can’t play this week than Crabtree should get as many targets as he can handle.

Favorable matchups

Frank Gore (Colts RB): Gore is still out touching Marlon Mack for some reason. In any case the Bills’ rushing defense has been awful recently, and Gore will have ample opportunity to take advantage of it this Sunday. In four of the last five game Gore has ran the Ball over 15 times in a game. That should continue here.

Josh Gordon (Browns WR): All those fantasy owners who have been holding onto Gordon have finally been rewarded it seems. The receiver played in his first game in almost two years. He only caught four passes for 85 yards, but he did it against a very good corner. The Packers don’t pose that kind of threat, so while I don’t think many people on the Browns are playable, you should have Gordon in your lineup this week.

Good but not great

Jay Ajayi and LeGarrette Blount (Eagles RBs): The Eagles have a great back field for winning games, but it is such a mess to sort through for fantasy. Ajayi was supposed to be the guy, but the Eagles sprinkle everyone else in so much it has made him a very unreliable fantasy player. Blount has been the only other back since Ajayi has come to town to be even remotely playable. I’d say these two are flex guys at best this week against the Rams terrible rushing defense.

Marquise Goodwin (49ers WR): Honestly I’ve had Goodwin for a few weeks, and I’ve had trouble trusting him enough to actually play him, but he has really come on, and with the 49ers starting Jimmy Garoppolo he gets a huge bump in value. He should easily be a flex starter against the Texans terrible secondary.

Unfavorable matchups

Todd Gurley (Rams RB): Gurley has been having a great season, but the Eagles have one of the stingiest defenses against running backs. There is a chance that this game could stay close, and he could break a long one at any point. Still, just temper your expectations this week for Gurley.

Doug Baldwin (Seahawks WR): It is probably too hard to sit Baldwin, but the Jaguars have been one of the best teams at stopping the pass all season. If you aren’t in a points per reception league you should sit Baldwin altogether. In PPR leagues he may also struggle, but you have a better shot at a decent outcome.

Just sit them

Christian McCaffrey (Panthers RB): Unless you are playing in a points per reception league there isn’t much point in having him in your lineup. The Panthers don’t run the ball with him enough to make it worth playing him. He is up against the Viking this week, and they hold opposing running backs to the fewest points in fantasy. It is best to put him in your flex next round.

Jermaine Kearse (Jets WR): Kearse has been putting up quite the numbers in PPR leagues, but with the Jets set to take on the Broncos you should possibly look elsewhere for production this week. The Jets have been on a tear, but this Broncos’ defense could easily put an end to that.