Fantasy Football Start ‘Em, Sit ‘Em for Week 14

Fantasy Football Start ‘Em, Sit ‘Em for Week 14

Start ‘Em

Sidney Rice exploded in Percy Harvin’s absence and is a must-start this week vs the New York Giants who have allowed the 7th most fantasy points to opposing wide receivers. His two touchdown performance last week showed that he is as close to full health as he will likely get this season and that he is fantasy relevant for this critical stretch of the playoff season. He needs to be in fantasy lineups this week and should be employed with confidence as a WR3 with WR2 upside.

Joe Flacco gets a start on prime time against the defense that has given up the most fantasy points to opposing QB’s in the Houston Texans. The Ravens will be rearing to go after a heartbreaking loss to the Steelers this past Sunday and T.J Houshmanzadeh and Donte Stallworth should provide an extra spark for Flacco with Todd Heap out of the lineup. The Texans have given up an average of 2.25 touchdowns per game to opposing quarterbacks.

Knowshown Moreno gets a appetizing match-up this week as he squares off against a Cardinals defense that has given up the most fantasy points and the 2nd most rushing yards to opposing running backs. Moreno is fresh off a 23 carry, 161 yard performance against the Chiefs and should erupt once again with the Broncos expected to jump out to an early lead. An added bonus? The Broncos running backs coach was promoted to interim head coach in wake of Josh McDaniels’ firing.

Peyton Hillis squares off against the Bills this week and this every week starter gets one of his tastiest match-ups of the year vs the Bills. The Bills have been giving up 4.6 yards per carry against opposing running backs and Hillis should top five yards per carry on the day. Peyton Hillis is a candidate for fantasy football’s MVP and should generate at least 100 yards rushing and one score vs the Bills.

Jeremy Maclin is a must-start this week as the Eagles go up against the Dallas Cowboys who have given up the most fantasy points to opposing wide receivers of any team in the league. DeSean Jackson is a weekly must-start, but Maclin should also be in lineups for this match-up regardless of league size. Maclin should be employed with confidence as a WR3.

Sit ‘Em

Cedric Benson – If you have better options this is one week you do not want to start Cedric Benson. He is going up against the Pittsburgh Steelers top rated run defense and this is not the same smash-mouth offense that helped him erupt last season. Benson managed 54 yards and one score earlier this season at home vs the Steelers but in Pittsburgh we expect his numbers to dip considerably as they did last year when he managed 74 yards and a TD at home vs the Steelers but only 7 carries for 22 yards when they visited Heinz Field.

Braylon Edwards goes up against a tough Miami Dolphins defense who have allowed the sixth least fantasy points to opposing wide receivers of any team in the league. Playing any Jets receiver is usually a hit or miss proposition but with the Dolphins on the slate we recommend employing other options rather than Braylon Edwards.

Jahvid Best looks like he has reclaimed the Lions backfield from Maurice Morris despite his nagging turf toe injury, but he is not a recommended play this week. The Lions square off against a Packers team that is very likely to build an early lead and has been one of the most effective in the league at limiting fantasy points to opposing running backs. The Packers currently rank 4th in limiting the fantasy points of opposing running backs ahead of more vaunted run defenses like the Vikings and the Ravens. Look for other options in this critical week.

Brandon Marshall is due back for the all important week 14, but he is not a recommended play against the Jets. The rationale is two-fold: he is coming back from a hamstring injury that can be easily aggravated and in turn devastate your fantasy day; the second, is the painfully obvious…Brandon Marshall has the treat of returning from injury to square off against one of the most feared cornerbacks in the game in Darrelle Revis.

Matt Cassel has been hot recently but runs into a hotter San Diego Chargers pass defense in week 14. Matt Cassel managed only 10 completions for 68 yards in their first meeting this year and the Chargers have given us no reason to believe that they wont be able to limit Cassel’s fantasy value this week. The Chargers have allowed the second fewest fantasy points to opposing QB’s of any team in the NFL.