It's almost fantasy football playoff time in seasonal leagues, and many owners will be scrambling with six teams on a bye in Week 14. The Falcons, Bears, Packers, Colts, Saints, and Commanders all get a late rest before the final stretch of the 2022 NFL regular season, creating plenty of start 'em, sit 'em headaches for weary fantasy owners in need of lineup advice.
Running back is hit the hardest by the byes, with Cordarrelle Patterson, David Montgomery, Aaron Jones, AJ Dillon, Jonathan Taylor, Alvin Kamara, Antonio Gibson, and Brian Robinson Jr. off the table. Top rookie wideouts Christian Watson, Chris Olave, and Drake London are also missing, along with veteran staples Michael Pittman Jr., Terry McLaurin, and Allen Lazard.
Of course, the bigger concerns for many are injury-related. Top of that list is how the 49ers will deal with not having Jimmy Garoppolo (foot) in the long term and the Ravens will fare without Lamar Jackson (knee) in the short term. Joe Mixon (concussion), Mike Williams (ankle) and David Njoku (knee) all will return, while Kenneth Walker (ankle) is questionable and Courtland Sutton (hamstring) will not play.
With all that in mind, here are the rankings and start/sit recommendations across positions based on the players available to help you survive the final bye. If you have specific lineup questions, check out RotoBaller's industry-leading "Who To Start?" tool below and compare up to four players across all positions.
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WEEK 14 FANTASY PICKS: Sleepers | Busts
Fantasy Football Week 14 Start 'Em: Quarterbacks
QB must-starts
- Jalen Hurts, Eagles (at NYG)
- Patrick Mahomes, Chiefs (at DEN)
- Josh Allen, Bills (vs. NYJ)
- Joe Burrow, Bengals (vs. CLE)
- Justin Herbert, Chargers (vs. MIA)
- Tua Tagovailoa, Dolphins (at LAC)
- Kyler Murray, Cardinals (vs. NE)
Stronger starts
Dak Prescott, Cowboys (vs. HOU). He seems back to his old passing self, and the Cowboys are starting to be aggressive downfield again. It doesn't hurt that the Texans have tightened their run defense just a little.
Tom Brady, Buccaneers (at SF). The pass rush matchup is brutal without Tristan Wirfs and a struggling Donovan Smith, but there are enough holes in the 49ers' backend for him to exploit for another 250-yard and two-TD performance. He isn't about to let down in his happy homecoming.
Kirk Cousins, Vikings (at DET). The Lions are getting destroyed on the backend, and his weapons should lead him to a big NFC North-clinching afternoon.
Geno Smith, Seahawks (vs. CAR). The matchup on paper is tough, as was the case last week, but questions about Seattle's depleted running game should make him air it out more at home.
Trevor Lawrence, Jaguars (at. TEN). He disappointed a little in Detroit, but he's still using his weapons well and the Titans will have trouble covering them inside. He is expected to play through his toe injury.
Jared Goff, Lions (vs. MIN). He's at home in the dome with high volume against another weak pass defense. Cha-ching.
Ryan Tannehill, Titans (vs. JAX). He'll throw more than expected with the Jaguars doing everything they can to not get destroyed by Derrick Henry again.
DFS Targets
FanDuel cash game pick
Kirk Cousins, Vikings (at DET, $7,500). Cousins has a high floor and a high ceiling in a matchup he tends to own. He's one of two clear standouts in DFS this week with only 20 QBs from which to choose on the main slate.
DraftKings tournament pick
Jared Goff, Lions (vs. MIN, $5,600). Goff is very cheap here and will be chucking a ton to earn his dough in Detroit. Cousins also is intriguing a little more at $6,100.
Streamer Special
Tyler Huntley, Ravens (at PIT). He's a plug-and-play for Lamar Jackson (knee) with a decent floor, as we learned last season.
WEEK 14 PPR RANKINGS:
QBs | RBs | WRs | TEs | D/STs | Kickers
Fantasy Football Week 14 Sit 'Em: Quarterbacks
Weaker starts
Derek Carr, Raiders (at LAR). The volume will be limited in a rare easy victory, and the Rams' defense is good enough to contain the numbers.
Deshaun Watson, Browns (at CIN). This isn't just reacting to his shaky debut, but rather an improving Bengals' pass defense on the road.
Daniel Jones, Giants (vs. PHI). It's hard to expect much from him against this defense at home.
Mike White, Jets (vs. BUF). He's not that guy from "The White Lotus," but the bloom will come off the White rose against a Bills defense that's looking like the Bills defense of old again.
Mac Jones, Patriots (at ARI). The numbers might say "yes," but the player says "no" on the road in prime time.
Kenny Pickett, Steelers (vs. BAL). Don't start a rookie against this improving secondary.
Russell Wilson, Broncos (vs. KC). You can't even trust him in a negative game script.
Brock Purdy, 49ers (vs. TB). He's tempting as a streamer in place of Jimmy G (foot), but take more of a wait-and-see with his first start.
WEEK 14 STANDARD RANKINGS:
QBs | RBs | WRs | TEs | D/STs | Kickers
Fantasy Football Week 14 Start 'Em: Running backs
RB must-starts
- Austin Ekeler, Chargers (vs. MIA)
- Derrick Henry, Titans (vs. JAX)
- Josh Jacobs, Raiders (at LAR)
- Nick Chubb, Browns (at CIN)
- Christian McCaffrey, 49ers (vs. TB)
- Rhamondre Stevenson, Patriots (at ARI)
- Saquon Barkley, Giants (vs. PHI)
- Miles Sanders, Eagles (at NYG)
- Tony Pollard, Cowboys (vs. HOU)
- Joe Mixon, Bengals (vs. CLE)
- Ezekiel Elliott, Cowboys (vs. HOU)
- Dalvin Cook, Vikings (at DET)
- D'Andre Swift, Lions (vs. MIN)
- Jamaal Williams, Lions (vs. MIN)
- Dameon Pierce, Texans (at DAL)
- Travis Etienne Jr, Jaguars (at TEN)
Stronger starts
Jeff Wilson Jr., Dolphins (at LAC). He needs to get hot again to help their offense, and everyone runs well on the Chargers.
D'Onta Foreman, Panthers (at SEA). The Seahawks are getting gashed, and Carolina should feed him well now that he's healthier after a bye.
Isiah Pacheco, Chiefs (at DEN). He'll score for a third-straight week as Kansas City closes out the Broncos with a big lead in the second half.
Cam Akers, Rams (v. LV). He's suddenly the man in their backfield again, and he can take advantage of this spot with all-around volume.
Gus Edwards, Ravens (at PIT). Look for some pop here with Tyler Huntley, as the Steelers can be very giving vs. power-running teams as JK Dobbins status remains uncertain.
Latavius Murray, Broncos (vs. KC). He's the only way Denver can stay in the game early, as the Broncos can run on the Chiefs.
Zonovan Knight, Jets (at BUF). He has to be their main man in the backfield, and he's looked great in two games.
DFS targets
FanDuel cash game picks
Tony Pollard, Cowboys (vs. HOU, $7,500). The Cowboys should be in control, and he can be shot out of a cannon to pad their lead with nice volume.
Miles Sanders, Eagles (at NYG, $7,100). Sanders goes as the matchups go, and the Giants struggle against the run -- a direct opposite of the Titans toughie last week. He'll also be motivated opposite his Penn State predecessor, Saquon Barkley.
DraftKings tournament picks
D'Onta Foreman, Panthers (at SEA, $5,400). Foreman should lead the backfield in a great matchup that was just exploited big time by the Raiders and Rams.
Miles Sanders, Eagles (at NYG, $6,200). He has a shot at returning 4X value with multiple short rushing scores.
WEEK 14 DFS: Best stacks | Best values
Fantasy Football Week 14 Sit 'Em: Running backs
Weaker starts
Rachaad White and Leonard Fournette, Buccaneers (at SF). They worked well together against the Saints, but the 49ers' front is a different, nastier story. Fournette also is "questionable" with a foot injury, so if he's out, White can bump up to a PPR flex, but he still has a low ceiling.
Najee Harris, Steelers (vs. BAL). It's very tough to run on the Ravens with anyone, and he's a matchup-based play.
James Conner, Cardinals (vs. NE). His volume isn't guaranteed after the bye, and the Patriots will be stingy against the run after their anomaly vs. the Bills.
Devin Singletary and James Cook, Bills (vs. NYJ). This is a tough spot where Josh Allen will need to do most of the work running and passing.
Raheem Mostert, Dolphins (at LAC). The matchup is awesome, but his work behind Jeff Wilson is sporadic.
Kareem Hunt, Browns (vs. CIN). He won't get the surprise punch with Nick Chubb this week.
WEEK 14 DFS LINEUPS: DraftKings | FanDuel
Fantasy Football Week 14 Start 'Em: Wide receivers
WR must-starts
- Justin Jefferson, Vikings (at DET)
- Tyreek Hill, Dolphins (at LAC)
- Ja'Marr Chase, Bengals (vs. CLE)
- A.J. Brown, Eagles (at NYG)
- Stefon Diggs, Bills (vs. NYJ)
- Davante Adams, Raiders (at LAR)
- CeeDee Lamb, Cowboys (vs. HOU)
- Amon-Ra St. Brown, Lions (vs. MIN)
- DeAndre Hopkins, Cardinals (vs. NE)
- Christian Kirk, Jaguars (at TEN)
- Tee Higgins, Bengals (vs. CLE)
- Jaylen Waddle, Dolphins (at LAC)
- DK Metcalf, Seahawks (vs. CAR)
- Tyler Lockett, Seahawks (vs. CAR)
- Deebo Samuel, 49ers (vs. TB)
- Garrett Wilson, Jets (at BUF)
- Keenan Allen, Chargers (vs. MIA)
- Amari Cooper, Browns (hip, questionable at CIN)
- Chris Godwin, Buccaneers (at SF)
- Mike Evans, Buccaneers (at SF)
- Brandon Aiyuk, 49ers (vs. TB)
- Gabe Davis, Bills (at NYJ)
- DeVonta Smith, Eagles (at NYG)
- Mike Williams, Chargers (vs. MIA)
Stronger starts
Marquise Brown, Cardinals (vs. NE). The Patriots cannot handle outside receivers well, especially ones with great downfield speed.
Jerry Jeudy, Broncos (vs. KC). He looked good in his return last week, and he can put together a good catch-and-yardage game with Sutton (hamstring) out.
DJ Chark, Lions (vs. MIN). Chark revved up in his revenge game last week, and he can burn this secondary well outside.
Adam Thielen, Vikings (at DET). Thielen finds the end zone in working the slot here.
Mack Hollins, Raiders (at LAR). The Rams cannot contain wideouts away from Jalen Ramsey.
Zay Jones, Jaguars (at TEN). The Titans struggled badly with outside receivers, so he can produce again away from Christian Kirk. He should be OK to play with his chest injury.
Michael Gallup, Cowboys (vs. HOU). He's bound to make big plays working off the run.
Tyler Boyd, Bengals (vs. CLE). He lit them up without Ja'Marr Chase the first time, and he'll be relevant again with no Hayden Hurst (calf)
Jakobi Meyers, Patriots (at ARI). If he plays, Meyers (concussion) is a volume-based play against a shaky cornerback corps.
Chris Moore, Texans (at DAL). They will put up some garbage points on the outside, and he'll be the beneficiary with no Brandin Cooks (calf) or Nico Collins (foot).
DFS targets
FanDuel cash game picks
Amon-Ra St. Brown, Lions (vs. MIN, $8,600). St. Brown will be active again all over the field in another fun, high-volume game at home.
Christian Kirk, Jaguars (at TEN, $7,300). The Titans are bad on the outside and still burnable in the slot for big numbers.
Tee Higgins, Bengals (vs. CLE, $7,800). Chase might be more popular for ownership, but Cincinnati's No. 2 is bound for more big production, too, while being much cheaper.
DraftKings tournament picks
Tyler Lockett, Seahawks (vs. CAR, $6,500). Lockett can blow up at any time, especially with the attention likely on DK Metcalf in this matchup.
Mike Evans, Buccaneers (at SF, $6,500). At some point, Evans will explode for TDs and big plays in the same game, and this might be it given how well the 49ers defend the run. Tampa will be forced to air it out often.
Zay Jones, Jaguars (at TEN, $4,700). This should be a Jones week on the outside based on the matchup, giving him a shot to replicate his Week 12 production (11 catches, 145 yards).
Fantasy Football Week 14 Sit 'Em: Wide receivers
Weaker starts
D.J. Moore, Panthers (at SEA). He's likely to see a tough spot outside vs. Tariq Woolen.
George Pickens and Diontae Johnson, Steelers (at BAL). The Ravens' secondary is nasty with the coverage, and you can't trust either to produce.
JuJu Smith-Schuster and Marquez Valdes-Scantling, Chiefs (at DEN). The Broncos will contain these guys in a big Travis Kelce game.
Josh Palmer, Chargers (vs. MIA). He won't get Xavien Howard with Williams back but that return will lessen his role.
Donovan Peoples-Jones, Browns (at CIN). The chemistry with Deshaun Watson isn't there yet.
Darius Slayton, Giants (vs. PHI). He might get the almost same-named Darius Slay in coverage.
Corey Davis and Elijah Moore, Jets (at BUF). Garrett Wilson is the only playable Jets' receiver.
Demarcus Robinson, Ravens (at PIT). The matchup numbers say "yes," but the usage of Baltimore's wideouts says "no."
Fantasy Football Week 14 Start 'Em: Tight ends
TE must-starts
- Travis Kelce, Chiefs (at DEN)
- Mark Andrews, Ravens (at PIT)
- T.J. Hockenson, Vikings (at DET)
- George Kittle, 49ers (vs. TB)
- Dalton Schultz, Cowboys (vs. HOU)
- Pat Freiermuth, Steelers (vs. BAL)
- David Njoku, Browns (at CIN)
Stronger starts
Greg Dulcich, Broncos (vs. KC). He finally heated up and will keep it going as Denver's best receiving option.
Evan Engram, Jaguars (at TEN). He'll stay hot against a Titans defense that's shaky against tight ends.
Hunter Henry, Patriots (at ARI). This "cheat-code" matchup comes through again here.
Gerald Everett, Chargers (vs. MIA). He'll find the end zone and get back on track in this favorable matchup.
Tyler Higbee, Rams (vs. LV). He missed out on the Seahawks but comes through here.
Foster Moreau, Raiders (at LAR). The Rams can't cover this position anymore.
Chigoziem Okonkwo, Titans (vs. JAX). He's a deep sleeper, but the rookie is bound to be busy with Treylon Burks (concussion) out. Okonkwo is always a threat for a big play.
DFS targets
FanDuel cash game pick
Mark Andrews, Ravens (at PIT, $6,800). Andrews produced big-time with Tyler Huntley last season, and the Steelers have had plenty of trouble containing him.
DraftKings tournament pick
T.J. Hockenson, Vikings (at DET, $5,100). Unlike FD, where he's only a little cheaper than Travis Kelce and Mark Andrews, Hockenson is priced low here for a great matchup and revenge game. Don't be surprised if this mirrors his performance against the Seahawks earlier this year while he was with the Lions.
Fantasy Football Week 14 Sit 'Em: Tight ends
Weaker starts
Dawson Knox, Bills (vs. NYJ). He's not seeing the ball much at all, and this matchup doesn't help.
Tyler Conklin, Jets (at BUF). The Bills are strong in coverage against the position, and Mike White favors his wideout trio.
Mike Gesicki, Dolphins (vs. LAC). Touchdown or bust? Bust.
Noah Fant, Seahawks (vs. CAR). Fant will cool off against Carolina's solid safeties and linebackers.
Cade Otton, Buccaneers (at SF). Don't chase the TD from the Saints game especially with Cameron Brate playing.
Daniel Bellinger, Giants (vs. PHI). He's on track to return, but he can't be trusted here yet.
Fantasy Football Week 14 Start 'Em: Defenses
Defense must-starts
- Cowboys (vs. HOU)
- Bills (vs. NYJ)
- Ravens (at PIT)
- 49ers (vs. TB)
- Eagles (at NYG)
- Seahawks (vs. CAR)
- Chiefs (at DEN)
Stronger starts
Cardinals (vs. NE). Emotional prime-time bump vs. an iffy Mac Jones? Boom.
Raiders (at LAR). The Rams have been free money of late (see the Chiefs, Seahawks).
Bengals (vs. CLE). They'll tee off a bit here vs. Deshaun Watson with the positive game script this time.
Vikings (at DET). Expect a big play for a TD vs. Jared Goff.
DFS targets
FanDuel cash game pick and DraftKings tournament pick
Ravens (at PIT, $4,100 and $3,300). Kenny Pickett faced some tough defenses early into his rookie starts, but he hasn't seen a pass defense this good that can get after him in the pocket. Baltimore remains undervalued on that side.
Fantasy Football Week 14 Sit 'Em: Defenses
Weaker starts
Patriots (at ARI). This is a trap against a deft running QB.
Buccaneers (at SF). This is a trap against a strong, QB-proof offense.
Steelers (vs. BAL). This is a trap against a solid fill-in QB.
Titans (vs. JAX). This is risky against a streaky QB.
Jets (at BUF). This isn't smart vs. an elite AFC QB.
Broncos (at KC). This isn't smart vs. another elite AFC QB.
Browns (at CIN). This isn't smart vs. yet another elite AFC QB.
Get more of Vinnie Iyer's in-depth fantasy football advice for Week 14 by subscribing to the Locked On Fantasy Football podcast.