The question of “who should I start in fantasy football” is make-or-break for many fantasy managers with their playoffs either on the line or even starting this week. There is a lot that goes into making those decisions on a weekly basis, with data around fantasy points allowed to the position in recent weeks being a key part of that process.
With managers looking for fantasy football advice for Week 14, let’s examine some of the options that could be in starting consideration. These matchup recommendations can also aid with decisions for DFS and Best Ball leagues on Underdog Fantasy.
For the purpose of this article, all data discussed is using half-PPR and four-point per passing touchdown scoring unless otherwise stated. Additionally, teams on a bye in Week 14 are not included in the matchup data.
Who Should I Start in Fantasy Football This Week?
At QB, there are a number of intriguing options this week who were started in fewer than 50% of ESPN leagues last week. Tua Tagovailoa is coming off a tough matchup last week, but gets the Los Angeles Chargers in Week 14, who are one of the five easiest matchups. This week, Tua is the QB6 in our fantasy QB rankings.
Another name with a nice matchup is Kirk Cousins, with the Minnesota Vikings facing the Detroit Lions. No team has allowed more fantasy points to the QB position in the last four weeks than the Lions. In deeper leagues, Ryan Tannehill and Mac Jones both have matchups they could potentially exploit and were started in less than 10% of leagues last week.
In terms of the RB position, D’Onta Foreman has had two 100-yard games in his last three and now gets the best matchup for the position in the last month. However, it is worth noting that the Seahawks allowed more than 60 fantasy points in one game, with Josh Jacobs having a monster performance. Additionally, Foreman missed practice on Wednesday, so his status is one to watch this week.
MORE: Week 14 Fantasy RB Start/Sit Recommendations
Meanwhile, Kareem Hunt could be an intriguing option, with the Cincinnati Bengals having allowed more than 25 fantasy points to the RB position in two of the last three weeks. There is enough upside in the matchup for both Hunt and Nick Chubb to provide starting-level value in Week 14.
The situation with the Los Angeles Rams’ backs is tough to trust, but this has the makings of a tight game between them and the Las Vegas Raiders. That should play into the hands of Cam Akers, who had 17 rushing attempts and two touchdowns last week. His matchup with the Raiders comes against a team that has allowed 25 or more fantasy points to RBs in three of the last four weeks.
James Cook is a deeper-league option, having been started in 3.4% of leagues last week. There is enough upside in his matchup with the New York Jets that we could see both he and Devin Singletary as starting-level options in leagues of various sizes.
Moving onto WRs, a player that did not perform as we hoped last week was Zay Jones. However, he has another good matchup this week against a Tennessee Titans team that has allowed the most fantasy points to opposing WRs in the last four weeks.
With the New York Jets offense coming to life in recent weeks, both Garrett Wilson and Corey Davis are interesting options this week in their matchup with the Buffalo Bills. Despite shutting down the New England Patriots’ mediocre receiving group last week, the Bills are still allowing an average of 35.53 fantasy points per game (PPG) to the WR position in the last four weeks.
Jerry Jeudy reminded fantasy managers of his big play threat on his return last week. With Courtland Sutton dealing with a hamstring injury, Jeudy could see an increase from the four targets he had last week and has a nice matchup with the Kansas City Chiefs defense.
For Thursday Night Football, Mack Hollins is a tempting option against the Los Angeles Rams. With Hunter Renfrow and Darren Waller unlikely to be activated this week, Hollins could be in line for another game with around 10 targets. His ceiling is relatively limited, but with six teams on a bye, he could have value against this Rams pass defense.
Digging a little deeper and DJ Chark, who was started in 1.9% of leagues last week, is intriguing with his matchup against the Minnesota Vikings. In really deep leagues, managers may want to take a chance on rookie WR Jameson Williams, who should see his snap count increase this week. He is a risky option in just his second game as a pro, so it would really only be in a situation where other options are thin on the ground.
MORE: Week 14 Fantasy Football Sleepers
At tight end, things are always a little tricky for fantasy managers. Greg Dulcich has become an intriguing option this year. With his usage at WR, he could take advantage of the Chiefs’ deficiency preventing the WR position from scoring fantasy points. Dulcich is the TE7 in our Week 14 TE fantasy rankings.
Foster Moreau is another top-12 option at the position this week with a nice matchup with the Rams. Hunter Henry is the TE13 this week as he gets a friendly matchup with the Arizona Cardinals. In deeper leagues and tight-end premium formats, Titans’ tight end Chigoziem Okonkwo has an intriguing matchup against the Jaguars.
Top Fantasy Football Matchups in Week 14
When it comes to potential matchups to consider in Week 14, we can look back at fantasy points allowed to each position in the last four weeks. Let’s take a look a look at the most and least favorable fantasy football matchups for each position to help managers determine who they should start in their lineups.
The five teams to allow the most fantasy points to opposing QBs in the past four weeks and their matchups for this week are:
1. Lions (27.14 PPG) | vs. Vikings
2. Jaguars (25.27 PPG) | at Titans
3. Titans (21.54 PPG) | vs. Jaguars
4. Cardinals (21.18 PPG) | vs. Patriots
5. Chargers (21.15 PPG) | vs. Dolphins
The five teams to allow the most fantasy points to opposing RBs in the past four weeks and their matchups for this week are:
1. Seahawks (34.37 PPG) | vs. Panthers
2. Vikings (26.63 PPG) | at Lions
3. Giants (25.63 PPG) | vs. Eagles
T4. Bengals (23.93 PPG) | vs. Browns
T4. Raiders (23.93 PPG) | at Rams
The five teams to allow the most fantasy points to opposing WRs in the past four weeks and their matchups for this week are:
1. Titans (37.70 PPG) | vs. Jaguars
2. Bills (35.53 PPG) | vs. Jets
3. Chiefs (34.65 PPG) | at Broncos
4. Vikings (34.55 PPG) | at Lions
5. Rams (34.50 PPG) | vs. Raiders
The five teams to allow the most fantasy points to opposing TEs in the past four weeks and their matchups for this week are:
1. Jaguars (18.07 PPG) | at Titans
2. Rams (15.47 PPG) | vs. Raiders
3. Cardinals (13.70 PPG) | vs. Patriots
4. Buccaneers (13.11 PPG) | at 49ers
5. Steelers (12.23 PPG) | vs. Ravens