Happy Thursday to all and welcome back to my weekly Start/Sit HUB! Mike here, providing you with information that can help you win your fantasy league week in and week out. For all things fantasy football, follow me on Twitter (@FantasyHubbard).
Week 14 is here, and fantasy playoffs are within reaching distance so it’s a pivotal time to make informed decisions. The TNF game tonight is between the New England Patriots and the Pittsburgh Steelers. The 7-win Steelers are 5.5-point favorites over the 2-win Patriots in Pittsburgh. The over/under is incredibly low sitting at 30.5. My prediction for this game is a 13-9 win for the Steelers.
I’m here every week during the fantasy football season with start and sit suggestions that can impact your team each week. My decisions as always include obvious and not so obvious picks. I would also like to clarify that my sit suggestions are based on the assumption you have or can add a player that has a better chance at success. Good luck this week and continue to check out my weekly articles.
TNF START/SIT
Patriots @ Steelers
Start – Jaylen Warren – Warren seems to be getting better each week. Najee Harris is dealing with a knee injury currently but is expected to play against the Patriots. Obviously if he were to not play, Warren would be even more appealing, but even with the presence of Harris I like Warren here. Jaylen is averaging 85 rushing yards in his last 5 games, has scored twice, and has at least 1 reception in every game this season. Patriots are in a downward spiral, and I don’t think they can contain both Najee and Jaylen for 4 quarters. Pittsburgh will need to rush a lot and be effective if they want to make life easier.
Sit – Hunter Henry – I couldn’t decide on who to put in this spot that was at least somewhat owned in most fantasy leagues. I didn’t choose Zeke because even on the Patriots RB1 is the best spot he could be in right now, and I think the Patriots and Steelers defenses are both in play due to the low scoring projection of this hopefully not boring TNF game. Both teams struggle to score and after putting up 0 points last week, Patriots have a tough time ahead.
Welcome back to my Start/Sit Hub. Week 14 began on Thursday with a matchup between the Steelers and the Patriots. I said to bench Hunter Henry so clearly my Thursday sit spots are reverse cursing me. Either way the game was 21-18 Patriots in a game with an over/under around 30. Steelers need to figure stuff out if they want to make a run. Next week we get a TNF game between the Chargers and the Raiders. Both teams desperate to get a win late in the season.
The games that I’m looking forward to watching in week 14 include the Lions/Bears, the Eagles/Cowboys, and the Chiefs/Bills. Enjoy your weekend of football and good luck getting that fantasy W.
WEEK 14 BYES – ARIZONA CARDINALS, WASHINGTON COMMANDERS
START OF THE WEEK
Start – Josh Allen – Josh Allen may be on the losing side of the scoreboard a lot more lately with the Bills, but that doesn’t mean he isn’t producing in fantasy. Josh has accounted for multiple TDs in all but 1 game this season. That’s rather impressive given he has 9 rushing TDs. Allen has 33 total TDs this season, he just needs to cut down on his INTs. Allen gives all he has and that’s on the ground and through the air, and this week should be no exception playing the team that continuously ends their season early and fingers crossed for a high scoring game.
Buccaneers @ Falcons
Start – Mike Evans – Evans has yet another season with over 1000 receiving yards and there are still games to go. Mike has scored 10 receiving TDs which is 2nd to only Tyreek Hill this season. Evans has played the Falcons once already and he finished with 82 receiving yards and a TD.
Sit – Kyle Pitts – Atlanta has turned into a run heavy offense which doesn’t benefit Pitts. He still has just the 1 score this season and having Desmond Ridder as your QB can’t help too much. Ridder hasn’t thrown for 200 yards since week 7.
Colts @ Bengals
Start – Zach Moss – Moss remained relatively bottled up rushing 19 times for just 51 yards in last week’s games. I hyped Moss up then, and I’m going to do it again now. Moss gets the volume when he is RB1, and he usually makes the most of it. I think Moss plays well this week and extends the Colts winning streak.
Sit – Both DST – I couldn’t pick who to bench in this matchup, so I took the defenses. This game has an over/under of 43.5 but I believe that is low. This could end up being a higher scoring game.
Jaguars @ Browns
Start – Jerome Ford – Ford has been splitting time with Kareem Hunt for the Browns backfield. Ford has been consistent in getting his opportunities and consistent in making the most of them. I’m expecting a low scoring game but plenty of rushing.
Sit – Amari Cooper – Going with Coop here after 3 lackluster consecutive performances. In his last 3 games played, Amari rushed for 34 yards twice and just 16 in the other of the 3. Joe Flacco would be smart to target him but can’t forget Cooper has been dealing with an injury to his ribs.
Texans @ Jets
Start – Nico Collins – No Tank Dell to rely on in this game for rookie Stroud, making Nico Collins the top pass catching option on the Texans this week. The Jets passing defense is elite but it’s not scaring me away from Nico. Stroud has been having a terrific rookie campaign and Nico is coming off a 191 receiving yard game which was his 4th 100+ receiving yards game this season.
Sit – Garrett Wilson – Houston’s pass defense isn’t exactly easy to play against either. The Jets are supposed to play Zach Wilson again this week which should benefit Garrett a little but that remains to be seen. Garrett has 3 or less catches in 2 of his last 3 games.
Rams @ Ravens
Start – Keaton Mitchell – Keaton has been a nice addition to the Ravens backfield. He has not had double digit carries in a game yet, but he has 2 rushing TDs and a 100+ rushing yard game while only playing in 4 games total. I think Baltimore will be running a lot this week.
Sit – Matthew Stafford – I hope this pick doesn’t return to haunt me, but he is playing against the Ravens who have shut down opposing QBs all season. He faced the Browns great defense last week and put up 3 scores. I think he struggles more this week.
Lions @ Bears
Start – Sam LaPorta – LaPorta is having a really great season at TE for Detroit. Sam has scored in each of his last 2 games with 6 total on the season. In week 13 LaPorta set career highs in receptions with 9 and a career high in receiving yards with 140.
Sit – Cole Kmet – Cole has had a rollercoaster season statistically and takes on the Lions next. When they previously played this season Kmet was held to 20 receiving yards, and I would imagine they will try to do the same.
Panthers @ Saints
Start – Alvin Kamara – Obvious choice yes, but I liked Taysom Hill in this game, but he might not be playing due to a foot issue. Kamara gets plenty of carries and is gold in PPR with 4+ receptions in all but 1 game. Kamara should get more than he can handle.
Sit – Chuba Hubbard – Chuba is coming off his best game of the season rushing for 104 yards and scoring 2 rushing TDs giving him 3 in his last 2 games. The Saints defense should be able to contain him even with the momentum he’s gained.
Vikings @ Raiders
Start – TJ Hockenson – Hockenson has played well for the Vikings this season and continues to do so. This week seems different with the return of Justin Jefferson very likely. Yes, Jefferson will most likely demand a lot of targets, but that also means he demands a lot of defensive attention. TJ should be covered less then he would have if Jefferson was still injured.
Sit – Alexander Mattison – Mattison has had a rough go at it lately. He has 3 receiving TDs this season but none since week 9. Mattison is not included in the pass game enough and it’s clear that Ty Chandler is digging into Mattison’s workload.
Seahawks @ 49ers
Start – Brock Purdy – Purdy looked fantastic when dismantling the Eagles defense last week and now gets the Seahawks. Purdy has 3+ TD passes in 3 of his last 4 games. He has 26 passing TDs and 2 rushing TDs this season. All of the 49ers star playmakers on offense are currently healthy making defenses nervous. Seahawks have a tall task this week.
Sit – Seattle RBs – It is unclear who will be playing RB for the Seahawks due to injuries lingering with Kenneth Walker and Zach Charbonnet. 49ers defense isn’t playing around anymore. Walker didn’t play in the 1st matchup a couple of weeks ago so it will be nice to have their starter back if he is able to go, but I would steer clear of Seahawks RBs due to the matchup.
Bills @ Chiefs
Start – Josh Allen – SEE START OF THE WEEK TOP OF PAGE
Sit – Dalton Kincaid – Kincaid has been stellar as a rookie TE on the Bills this season. He has 5+ receptions in each of his last 6 games. Dawson Knox is apparently supposed to play in this game despite a wrist injury. Now Kincaid has gotten a lot of volume, so I don’t expect it to diminish but I expect Knox to be a target once again, especially in the red zone.
Broncos @ Chargers
Start – Courtland Sutton – I can’t say enough good things about Sutton this year. Sutton has 9 receiving TDs this season and those scores took place in 9 different games. Only 3 games was Courtland held scoreless and he gets the Chargers next whose defense is not so good this season. I see Sutton continuing his TD dominance this week in LA.
Sit – Gerald Everett – Going Everett here. The matchup isn’t bad for Everett, but the Broncos have been playing better football than early on this season. Everett seems to have a low ceiling that only changes when he scores. AKA he is mostly TD dependent. He has 3 this season but has yet to hit the 50 yards receiving mark in any game all season.
Eagles @ Cowboys
Start – Dak Prescott – Dak is another QB like Purdy who has just been on fire lately. When the Eagles beat the Cowboys earlier this season Dak went off for 3 passing TDs. He also stepped out of bounds at the 1-yard line which would have changed everything. Dak gets the Eagles suspect secondary in Dallas this week where it is hard to keep up with the Cowboys. I think Dak tried to replicate that last performance against Philly but maybe even do more.
Sit – D’Andre Swift – Swift has had a rough go lately for the Eagles. 6 rushes for 13 yards last game which are both lows on the season if you don’t include week 1 when he carried the ball just once. Philadelphia is expected to run the ball more this week but it’s not easy to get handoffs with a crowded RB room and a QB like Hurts who lives inside the 1 yard line ready to score at all times.
Packers @ Giants
Start – Jayden Reed – Christian Watson is listed as OUT in this game leading me to believe the main pass catchers will be Jayden Reed and Romeo Doubs. Reed leads the 2023 Green Bay Packers in receiving yards this season currently at 513 right ahead of Doubs. Both are solid options against the Giants defense that isn’t intimidating anyone, and Jordan Love is playing some of his best ball.
Sit – Giants passing attack – Giants passing attack is not pretty. Well at least it isn’t when they play anyone except for the Commanders. This week the Packers should handle their business. DeVito will have to play lights out this week to stay competitive. Barkley is the only Giant worth mentioning as a starter.
Titans @ Dolphins
Start – Tua Tagovailoa – Tua has the green light here to make some more Dolphins magic. The Dolphins have made a habit out of demolishing teams they should crush and then getting beat by teams that are good. The Titans are pretty far from good making this an excellent spot for Tua. Hill has been on another level and Waddle is the perfect complement on offense. They are stacked at RB as well so scoring shouldn’t be a problem this week especially at home.
Sit – Titans DST – Like I said above, the Dolphins should be able to score plenty in this game given the matchup. That’s enough to scare me away from the Titans defense.