Start ‘Em Sit ‘Em Week 14
Welcome to the most crucial week of your fantasy football season. Week 14 represents the last chance to stand. Your final opportunity to secure a playoff berth, lock up a first-round bye, or climb the standings before the postseason gauntlet begins. Championship dreams are made or shattered by the decisions you make right now.
This isn’t the week for loyalty plays or sentimental starts. Your draft-day studs who’ve disappointed all season? Bench them without hesitation. That waiver wire pickup who’s suddenly commanding 20 touches per game? Fire him up with confidence. Week 14 demands cold-blooded roster management and fearless pivots based on matchups, volume, and opportunity. The stakes have never been higher. Managers sitting at 6-7 need wins to sneak into the playoffs. Those at 8-5 are fighting for seeding advantages and crucial first-round byes. Even league leaders can’t afford complacency; one loss could cost home-field advantage throughout the postseason. Every lineup decision carries maximum weight.
This week presents unique challenges. Injuries continue to mount, with Breece Hall doubtful and Justin Herbert’s surgically repaired hand creating uncertainty. Meanwhile, unexpected heroes like Kimani Vidal and Adonai Mitchell are delivering league-winning performances at the perfect moment. The waiver wire has become a goldmine for desperate managers willing to make aggressive moves.
Check out my Start ‘Em Sit ‘Em Week 14 recommendations.
Last Week’s Start/Sit Recap
- Start Jordan Love QB2
- Start R.J. Harvey RB8
- Start Kenneth Gainwell
- Start Devin Neal
- Start Jakobi Meyers WR10
- Start Darnell Mooney
- Start Jayden Higgins
- Start Theo Johnson
- Start Zach Ertz
- Sit Daniel Jones – QB16
- Sit Jordan Addison WR43
- Sit Orande Gadsden II
Fantasy Football Recommendations Starts for Week 14
Start Jacoby Brissett
Matchup: Cardinals vs. Rams
Brissett continues his hot streak as Arizona’s starter with Kyler Murray sidelined on IR. The veteran completed 33 passes for 317 yards last week and has eclipsed 300 yards three times in six starts. He faces a Rams secondary that has allowed big passing numbers this season. With reliable target Trey McBride leading all tight ends in fantasy points, Brissett has weapons to exploit. His safe floor and surprising upside make him a top-12 streaming option for Week 14’s playoff push.
Start Breece Hall
Matchup: Jets vs Dolphins
If he plays (injury), Hall offers elite upside against Miami’s 32nd-ranked run defense. The Dolphins have surrendered the most rushing yards per game, creating a smash spot. Hall dominated touches in Week 13 with all 19 RB carries. However, his doubtful designation means fantasy managers must have a backup plan ready. Monitor his status closely—if active, he’s an auto-start RB2 with league-winning potential.
Start Kimani Vidal
Matchup: Chargers vs. Eagles
Vidal exploded for 126 yards and a 59-yard touchdown last week, forcing 12 missed tackles, the most by any Chargers player since 2020. With Justin Herbert’s hand injury uncertain, expect increased rushing volume on Monday Night Football. Vidal has rushed for 543 yards and three touchdowns while serving as the lead back. Though Omarion Hampton nears return, Vidal’s hot hand and premier matchup timing make him a must-start RB2/flex with touchdown upside in primetime.
Start Troy Franklin
Matchup: Broncos @ Raiders
Franklin leads Denver with 48 catches, 530 yards, and five touchdowns despite inconsistency. He draws a Raiders secondary ranked among the league’s worst against perimeter receivers, having utilized single-high coverage extensively. Las Vegas allows the ninth-most receiving yards per game to wideouts since Week 5. Though Franklin’s volume fluctuates, his red-zone usage (fourth among WRs) and deep-target role create boom potential. Fire him up as a WR3/flex in a favorable divisional matchup with top-24 upside.
Start Adonai Mitchell
Matchup: Jets vs Dolphins
Mitchell’s breakout continues after his trade from Indianapolis. The second-year receiver erupted for 102 yards and his first NFL touchdown on eight catches last week. With Garrett Wilson sidelined on IR through Week 14, Mitchell commands a significant target share alongside increased snaps. He faces a Dolphins secondary that allows touchdown receptions consistently. Mitchell has drawn 25 targets across three Jets games, showcasing growing chemistry with Tyrod Taylor. Start him confidently as a WR3/flex with spike-week ceiling.
Start Jayden Higgins
Matchup: Texans @ Chiefs
The rookie second-rounder is emerging as Houston’s reliable WR2. Higgins’ 63.1% route share and consistent target volume (14.2% share) provide a safe floor. Despite facing Kansas City’s stout defense on Sunday Night Football, Higgins’ growing connection with C.J. Stroud and recent touchdown production (three scores in six games) make him a worthy WR3/flex start for desperate fantasy managers.
Start Devaughn Vele
Matchup: Saints @ Bucs
Vele finally delivered on his preseason promise with eight catches for 93 yards and a touchdown in Week 13. Since the Saints traded Rashid Shaheed, Vele’s snaps have soared above 89% of routes. He faces a Buccaneers defense that is surrendering bottom-12 fantasy points to perimeter receivers. With Chris Olave battling back spasms, Vele’s target share could spike further. The former Bronco offers boom-or-bust WR4/flex appeal with an exploitable matchup and emerging rapport with Tyler Shough.
Start Brenton Strange
Matchup: Jaguars at Colts
Strange is your top Week 14 waiver priority at tight end. Since returning from IR, he’s caught eight of nine targets for 138 yards and a touchdown across two games. He draws Indianapolis, which allows the second-most receiving yards and third-most fantasy points to tight ends. With Parker Washington (hip) potentially sidelined, Strange’s target share should increase alongside Jakobi Meyers. The 84% snap rate in Week 13 confirms his featured role. Start Strange as a top-12 TE with touchdown upside.
Start Gunnar Helm
Matchup: Titans at Browns
The fourth-round rookie provides touchdown upside against Cleveland’s vulnerable defense. While Helm’s volume remains inconsistent in Tennessee’s struggling offense led by Cam Ward, the Browns allow exploitable matchups for tight ends. His 6-foot-5 frame creates red-zone mismatches, and Cleveland’s 1-11 opponent presents a game-script opportunity. Helm is strictly a desperation TE2 streamer in deep leagues or for managers facing injury issues. Proceed with caution, but recognize the touchdown-dependent ceiling in a winnable road game.
Fantasy Football Recommendations Sits for Week 14
Sit Justin Herbert
Matchup: Chargers vs. Eagles
Herbert fractured his left (non-throwing) hand against the Raiders and underwent surgery on Monday. His Week 14 status remains uncertain despite optimism about playing through injury. Even if active, expect limitations. The Chargers went 100% shotgun post-injury, and Herbert’s mobility/ball security will be compromised. Philadelphia’s defense ranks in the top five in pressure rate and sacks. Trey Lance looms as a potential starter. Single-QB league managers should pivot to safer streaming options rather than gambling on a compromised Herbert in primetime.
Sit Ashton Jeanty
Matchup: Titans vs. Broncos
The hyped rookie sixth overall pick faces a harsh reality against Denver’s elite defense. Jeanty averages just 3.5 yards per carry behind the Raiders’ overmatched offensive line, managing only 31 yards on 15 attempts last week. He faces the Broncos’ top-10 run defense that stuffed him twice already this season. Vegas’s 2-10 record means negative game script,s limiting rushing opportunities. Despite unquestioned backfield dominance, Jeanty’s brutal efficiency and impossible matchup make him a low-ceiling RB3 best left on benches.
Sit Jaylen Waddle @ Jets
Matchup: Jets vs Dolphins
Waddle’s recent production has vanished, failing to surpass 55 receiving yards since Week 11. The Jets present additional concern; Miami historically struggles in cold-weather road games, and December temperatures at MetLife Stadium will challenge the Dolphins’ offense.
New York’s defense, while inconsistent, limits slot receivers effectively. With Tyreek Hill commanding primary attention, Waddle becomes touchdown-dependent without volume security. His quiet stretch and unfavorable conditions make him a risky WR3/flex despite the matchup appearing neutral on paper. Fade him.