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Quarterback
Start of the Week: Justin Herbert (@ KC)
Herbert has been quiet in the past two games with production similar to early in the season when he dealt with an ankle injury, but we have him as a top-three play on Sunday night as the Chargers look to prevent Kansas City from winning the AFC West. In the only other primetime game for Herbert at Arrowhead Stadium, he threw for 334 yards, three touchdowns, and one interception in a 27-24 loss, and the Chiefs rank as a bottom-10 pass defense this season. Especially if Ladd McConkey (shoulder/knee) is active, Herbert should put up numbers.
Start: Russell Wilson (v CLE)
The Steelers lost to the Browns a couple of weeks ago, but Wilson was solid in the snow-impacted game—completing 21-of-28 passes for 270 yards and a touchdown. Now back at home and coming off the second-most passing yards of his career (414) to beat the Bengals in a shootout, Wilson should be in the QB1 ranks this weekend with Cleveland being more attackable through the air than on the ground. And the Browns having Jameis Winston to increase the shootout appeal of the matchup will only help.
Start: Jordan Love (@ DET)
Detroit is a difficult matchup for quarterbacks with a 10:14 touchdown-interception ratio allowed on the season, but they are allowing the eighth-most passing yards per game in the league (226.8)—so Green Bay should be able to move the ball on Thursday night. Last month, Love threw for 273 yards against Detroit with heavy rain throughout the game, and not turning the ball over in each of the past two weeks could have him tracking to end the year like he did in 2023. If so, Love should pay off as a start.
Start: Aaron Rodgers (@ MIA)
Rodgers might not be a very exciting play at this point with 192.8 passing yards per game over his past five outings and the media openly asking about him being benched—but he’s thrown for multiple touchdowns in four of the past five games (with just one interception over that span). While the Dolphins have had one of the league’s better pass defenses this season, injuries at cornerback could make this is good matchup for New York with Jalen Ramsey being unable to cover both Davante Adams and Garrett Wilson; and Rodgers wants to finish the season strong whether it’s the end of the line or he’s showcasing his ability for 2025.
Sit of the Week: Matthew Stafford (v BUF)
The Rams having Cooper Kupp and Puka Nacua will always give Stafford upside, but Buffalo is allowing the third-fewest fantasy points per game to opposing quarterbacks (12.8)—with Lamar Jackson remaining the only passer to record more than 17.76 fantasy points against them this year. Also, this could be a spot where Buffalo’s defensive line proves too much to handle to Los Angeles, and Stafford struggled mightily against Sean McDermott’s defense a couple of seasons ago (240 yards, one touchdown, and three interceptions). I would look elsewhere for a streaming option.
Sit: Will Levis (v JAX)
Levis has put up quality numbers since his return to the lineup with multiple touchdown passes in three of the past four games, but I would simply have a difficult time trusting him if you’re playing for a spot in the fantasy playoffs. Last season, Levis was limited to 158 passing yards in a 34-14 loss to the Jaguars, and Jacksonville showed better defensively last week coming out of the bye. If the some of the chunk plays to Calvin Ridley and others don’t hit, Levis could be a clear disappointment in Week 14.
Sit: Jameis Winston (@ PIT)
The pure statistical ceiling for Winston makes him worth considering every week, but he had 219 yards and one interception in the first meeting against Pittsburgh—and the rematch will come on the road with T.J. Watt sure to make a bigger impact than he did a couple of weeks ago. In general, I would anticipate the Steelers playing more bracket-type coverage on Jerry Jeudy to make others beat them, and Pittsburgh has allowed a 12:13 touchdown-interception ratio on the season. Jameis is a midrange QB2 despite the monster game on Monday night.
Sit: Brock Purdy (v CHI)
We’ll see what kind of impact the firing of Matt Eberflus has on a Chicago defense that has remained stingy versus the pass, and Purdy still makes the top 12 at quarterback with six teams on a bye. That said, the 49ers have not been firing on all cylinders recently, so Purdy will need Deebo Samuel Sr. and Ricky Pearsall to step up alongside George Kittle and Jauan Jennings to break out of his struggles over the past two weeks—which won’t be easy if the Bears are fired up under interim head coach Thomas Brown.
Running Back
Start of the Week: Tyrone Tracy Jr. (v NO)
Tracy didn’t draw the start on Thanksgiving, but that was more of a nominal thing due to his fumbling issues—and the rookie ended up capping the opening drive with a one-yard touchdown. While we would obviously like to see more than the nine carries Tracy has had in each of the past two weeks, the Saints are allowing the second-most yards per carry in the league (5.1), and New York’s top back has shown a high floor with 65+ total yards in seven of the past eight games (with a blowout loss to the Eagles being the lone exception). Consider him a high-end RB2.
Start: Isaac Guerendo (v CHI)
The only thing holding Guerendo back from being closer to a top-12 option this week is the aforementioned belief that Chicago could be playing with increased intensity after a coaching change—and the Niners potentially being without Trent Williams (ankle) again hurts the entire offense. However, the Bears have actually allowed a healthy 4.9 yards per carry on the season, and Guerendo’s big-play ability could be on display after Jahmyr Gibbs just rushed nine times for 87 yards against Chicago on Thanksgiving, so he can be immediately started for anyone that claimed him.
Start: Jaylen Warren (v CLE)
Warren was limited to three carries for nine yards last week, but he caught all four of his targets for 55 yards—and he would seem to set up better for a rematch against the Browns than Najee Harris does. A couple of weeks ago, Warren saw increased involvement with 14 touches for 64 yards and a touchdown in the loss to Cleveland, and he’s gone for 59+ total yards in each of the past six games with Russell Wilson under center. We have Warren as a top-20 play.
Start: Isiah Pacheco (v LAC)
Pacheco didn’t have close to a full workload in his return on Black Friday, and it was Kareem Hunt that started for the Chiefs—which creates at least a bit of worry moving forward. Still, Pacheco broke off a 34-yard run in the second half and should see more work on Sunday night, especially after Hunt was bottled up with nine touches for 15 scoreless yards last week. Plus, the Chargers being run on more recently bodes well for Pacheco paying off as an RB2 option.
Sit of the Week: Breece Hall (@ MIA)
Hall isn’t a complete avoid and still ranks as our overall RB16 this week, but there is no denying that 2024 has been a disappointment—including last week when he fumbled twice on 12 touches while rookie Isaiah Davis (three receptions for 28 yards and a touchdown) became more involved to make it a three-man backfield. The knee injury Hall has been dealing with is another factor to consider, and he’s suddenly a volatile start that we would put behind Tyrone Tracy Jr. and Isaac Guerendo.
Sit: Najee Harris (v CLE)
The workload was there for Harris a couple of weeks ago versus the Browns with 18 touches, and he provides a very stable floor with 16+ touches in every game this season. If there is a spot to bench him, though, it would likely be this week with the Browns limiting Najee to 2.6 yards per carry in the first matchup, and the aggressive defense can keep him bottled up and/or track him down when there is a crease. Similar to Monday night when Broncos running back Jaleel McLaughlin had 14 carries for 84 yards against Cleveland, this weekend probably sets up better for Jaylen Warren to have success.
Sit: Rachaad White (v LV)
Bucky Irving (hip) is banged up for the Bucs, and White having an efficient 11 carries for 76 yards last week might have gone overlooked based on what the exciting rookie did with 185 total yards. On the other hand, Irving has undoubtedly taken over the lead role in Tampa Bay, and White hasn’t seen more than 12 carries in a game since the opener—so he’s reliant on receiving work (which has been ceded to Irving recently) and finding the end zone. Now facing a Las Vegas defense that has worked their way back to being a top-10 run defense, White is in the FLEX ranks.
Sit: Chuba Hubbard (@ PHI)
Hubbard will be determined to bounce back after the costly fumble last week in overtime, but Philadelphia might not give him a chance to get going with Jordan Davis and Jalen Carter leading a stout defensive line—and I get the feeling an offensive explosion could be coming for the Eagles to create a negative game script for Carolina. Either way, Hubbard could see more of a split with impressive rookie Jonathon Brooks down the stretch, so he’s a low-end RB2/FLEX despite all the byes this week.
Wide Receiver
Start of the Week: DeVonta Smith (v CAR)
A major reason for believing the Eagles could explode on offense is the likely return of DeVonta Smith (hamstring)—who will surely want to make up for lost time after missing the past two games. Before the injury, Smith had cooled off with a combined six receptions for 43 yards in the previous two weeks, but I don’t think he was himself as he managed the hamstring issue, and the rest will hopefully do wonders for his production. To me, the industry viewing Smith as low as the 30s and 40s at wide receiver (even with six teams out of action) seems crazy.
Start: Jaxon Smith-Njigba (@ ARI)
The breakout campaign for Smith-Njigba continued last week, as despite just four targets, he hauled them all in for a respectable 74 yards (plus a five-yard carry)—and I’d bet on a significant jump in targets in a rematch versus the Cardinals (6/77/1 in the first meeting). It’s a small sample size of four games, but since the start of November, JSN is on a season-long pace of 115 receptions, 1,874 yards, and 13 touchdowns, so he’s established himself as a strong weekly start with a high floor and ceiling.
Start: Davante Adams (@ MIA)
There were a couple of huge gains left on the field last week for Adams (and the Jets in general), but he still finished with a 5/66/1 line on 12 targets—and it’s clear Aaron Rodgers will be feeding him down the stretch. This week, the potential coverage from Jalen Ramsey might scare some off, but Adams has spent a lot of his time in a slot, and Ramsey is an opponent he’s gotten the better of in the past anyway. I’d view him as a WR2.
Start: Amari Cooper (@ LAR)
Cooper’s primary contribution last Sunday night was the heads-up lateral to Josh Allen to help create a historic play/night for the MVP favorite, but snow was obviously a factor—which won’t be the case this week in Los Angeles. Whether or not Dalton Kincaid (knee) and/or Keon Coleman (wrist) return this weekend, I think Buffalo will want to get Cooper going versus a secondary that can be beaten at all three levels, including down the field. So while the floor is lower than fantasy owners would like, the upside makes Cooper worth starting as a low-end WR2.
Others: Ladd McConkey (@ KC), Marquez Valdes-Scantling (@ NYG)
Sit of the Week: Marvin Harrison Jr. (v SEA)
The Cardinals’ desire to get Harrison more involved last week led to a nice fantasy day with a 5/60/1 line, but the connection with Kyler Murray still doesn’t seem to quite be there. After being limited to three receptions for 47 yards versus Seattle a couple of weeks ago, Harrison might not be able to build on the Week 13 numbers—particularly after he was the target on Kyler Murray’s game-ending interception. We have the No. 4 overall pick outside the top 20 at wide receiver.
Sit: Jayden Reed (@ DET)
Reed shined on Thanksgiving with two touchdowns, and he’s capable of having a big fantasy performance against any opponent due to his ability and involvement on manufactured touches (and some shot plays). That said, Reed has been limited to 23, 26, and 24 receiving yards over the past three games, and Thursday night could slant more towards Romeo Doubs and Christian Watson. Another thing to note: Reed had five receptions for 113 yards in the first matchup, but zero catches (one target) before Brian Branch was ejected with 6:17 remaining in the second quarter.
Sit: Jerry Jeudy (@ PIT)
Jeudy is white hot coming off a career-best 9/235/1 line against his former team on Monday night, and he’s been going off since Jameis Winston took over as the starter with lines of 5/79, 7/73, 6/142/1, and 6/85 before Week 13. As stated, though, the Steelers could give more attention to Jeudy similar to what they did against Ja’Marr Chase last week, and the “bad” version of Winston appearing for a full game is always a possibility to sap the fantasy value from everyone. If you have other options, Jeudy isn’t an absolute must start.
Sit: Deebo Samuel Sr. (v CHI)
I would be willing to start Samuel as a low-end WR2/FLEX option because he’s been too good of a player for too long to believe he’s suddenly lost it—but the body language wasn’t great in the loss to Buffalo, and as Cris Collinsworth said on the broadcast, Jauan Jennings is basically the No. 1 wideout for San Francisco at this point. That belief is powered by Deebo falling off with just 18 receptions for 196 scoreless yards over the past six games, and the rushing production hasn’t been there either (eight carries for 28 yards). We’ll see if he can re-emerge this weekend.
Others: Garrett Wilson (@ MIA), Keenan Allen (@ SF)
Tight End
Start: of the Week: T.J. Hockenson (v ATL)
Hockenson has been up and down since making his season debut, and he disappointed with three receptions for 28 yards versus Arizona—which came on the heels of seven receptions for 114 yards the previous week. On the bright side, Hockenson was over 60% of the snaps played for the second game in a row, and he could sting Atlanta at the intermediate level after Ladd McConkey just caught nine passes for 117 yards against them in Week 13. I like him as a solid TE1.
Start: Jake Ferguson (v CIN)
Ferguson (concussion) still needs to get cleared after missing each of the past two games, but he will be back as a TE1/TE2 option if healthy—as Cincinnati’s struggling defense just allowed a 6/68/1 line to Pat Freiermuth last week. On the season, the Bengals have allowed the second-most fantasy points per game to opposing tight ends (13.6), and they’ve really been torched in recent weeks with 16.2+ fantasy points allowed to the position in six of the past eight games.
Start: Juwan Johnson (@ NYG)
New Orleans was unfortunately struck by another key injury as Taysom Hill (knee) went down in the loss to the Rams, so Johnson will be tasked with stepping up—and he’s at least been involved on a weekly basis (including five receptions for 36 yards last week). The Giants have allowed the second-fewest fantasy points per game to opposing tight ends (5.8), but Johnson is a former wide receiver that could be used like a wideout more down the stretch. He’s a decent target for those seeking a tight end in Week 14.
Sit of the Week: Kyle Pitts (@ MIN)
Pitts is someone I haven’t given up on and would still hold onto due to his talent, but comments by Raheem Morris gave me flashbacks to previous years when Atlanta didn’t really know how to get the talented weapon involved. Since a breakout October with lines of 7/88, 3/70, 7/65, and 4/91/2, Pitts has been held below 12 receiving yards in three-of-four games, so he falls outside the TE1 ranks.
Sit: Cole Kmet (@ SF)
The 49ers aren’t what they were in previous years on defense, but they are still allowing the third-fewest fantasy points per game to opposing tight ends (7.5)—and they’ve held Kmet in check with a combined three receptions for 24 yards in two career matchups. With the heavy involvement from DJ Moore and Keenan Allen in recent weeks, Kmet is more of a complementary piece that is difficult to rank higher than a midrange TE2 option.
Sit: Grant Calcaterra (v CAR)
Calcaterra could step back into a starting role for the Eagles if Dallas Goedert (knee) misses time, but again, this week feels like a blow-up spot for DeVonta Smith, and there might not be room for Calcaterra to produce with Saquon Barkley and A.J. Brown featured as well. I would rather roll with Tommy Tremble for Carolina in the same game.