The Fanatics Start/Sit Advice for Week 14
The fantasy playoffs are finally here! It’s time for heartbreak, happiness, and some random player to come out of nowhere and lead teams to glory! Below are some players who are outside of the must-start territory who I think get a bump up or bump down in value this week.
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Quarterback
The Fanatics QB Start of the Week
R. Tannehill (TEN) @ OAK
Ryan Tannehill has revived the Tennesee Titans with his play since taking over for Marcus Mariota in Week 6. He’s thrown for multiple touchdowns in five of six starts and faces a Raiders defense that gives up the fourth-most fantasy points to opposing quarterbacks. They’ve given up some monster games this season, allowing Aaron Rodgers, Matthew Stafford, and Patrick Mahomes to all throw for over 400 yards and 3+ touchdowns. They give up the ninth-most passing yards per game (258.2) and are tied for allowing the third-most passing touchdowns on the year (27). He’s shown the ability to rush the ball when needed, and the Raiders have given up three rushing touchdowns to quarterbacks. Tannehill is coming his worst game since taking over for Mariota but should bounce back this week in a big way.
Other Starts
- R. Fitzpatrick (MIA) @ NYJ
- B. Mayfield (CLE) vs CIN
The Fanatics QB Sit of the Week
Kyler Murray (ARZ) vs Pit
(note: This is for 1QB leagues. It’s hard to sit any QB in Superflex/2QB)Â
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Kyler Murray has been able to supplement his at times lackluster passing numbers by being able to rush the ball. It was evident that he wasn’t 100 percent against the Rams after being added to the injury report with a hamstring injury late in the week. Without his full mobility, Murray is set up for another rough day against a Steelers defense that gives up the ninth fewest fantasy points to opposing quarterbacks and has only allowed multiple touchdowns passes once in the past four games.
Other Sits
Running Back
The Fanatics RB Start of the Week
James White (NE) vs KC
After an abysmal performance in Week 12 against the Cowboys that saw him rush for five yards and catch one pass for negative six yards, James White was available on some waiver wires this past week. That isn’t the case anymore after his best game of the season, racking up garbage time stats against the Texans to the tune of 79 rushing yards, 8 catches for 98 receiving yards and two touchdowns. Up next is the best match-up a running back could ask for, a Chiefs defense who has given up the most fantasy points to the position. Look for White to stay hot in a game where the Patriots will likely have to keep up with the Chiefs offense.
Other Starts
- P. Lindsay (DEN) @ HOU
- B. Snell (PIT) @ ARZ
The Fanatics RB Sit(s) of the Week
Ronald Jones and Peyton Barber (TB) vs IND
It’s time to give up on the Buccaneers’ backs. Just when Bruce Arians named Ronald Jones the starter and he started to produce, he then gets only four carries in Week 11, has another solid game in Week 12, then gets benched for a missed blitz pickup in Week 13. Don’t get excited about Peyton Barber’s two-touchdown game either. He’s a plodder who only rushed for 44 yards on 17 carries and happened to find his way to the end-zone twice. You can’t depend on either in the fantasy playoffs, especially facing a tough Colts rush defense. Stay far away from these two.
Other Sits
- T. Coleman (SF) @ BAL
- M. Mack (IND) @ TB
Wide Receiver
The Fanatics WR Start of the Week
Alshon Jeffery (PHI) vs NYG
Although the Eagles disappointed by not walking away with a win in Miami, it wasn’t because of Alshon Jeffery. Jeffery exploded for his best game of the season with 9 catches for 137 yards and a touchdown. Up next is a New York Football Giants defense that’s been torched all year, giving up the second-most points to opposing wide receivers. The Giants have allowed eight receivers to score over 20 points, including a 32 point game from Adam Theilen and a 45 point game from Mike Evans. Safety Jabrill Peppers has been placed on IR due to a transverse process fracture, so an already terrible defense will be undermanned. Jeffery is finally healthy and the go-to receiver for Carson Wentz, and is in a blow-up spot on Monday Night.
Other Starts
- C. Samuel (CAR) @ ATL
- R. Anderson (NYJ) vs MIA
The Fanatics WR Sit of the Week
Marquise Brown (BAL) @ BAL
There is no denying that Hollywood Brown can be a game-changer and has an extremely high ceiling week to week. The problem is he has an extremely low floor as well. He doesn’t get a ton of targets so if he doesn’t break a long touchdown he’s likely not going to offer much value. This week he faces a Bills defense that gives up the third-fewest passing yards per game (195.8) and the second-fewest passing touchdowns (8). Brown will likely be shadowed by TreDavious White and is shaping up to be a player I’m not starting outside of the deepest of leagues.
Other Sits
Tight End
The Fanatics TE Start of the Week
Jack Doyle (IND) at TB
Jack Doyle took advantage of a season-high 11 targets in Week 13 for his best game of the season, with six catches, 73 yards, and a touchdown. Eric Ebron and T.Y. Hilton are both out with injury, so Doyle should continue to be the focal point of this passing game. Up next is a Tampa Bay defense that has been shred by opposing TE’s this season, giving up the fifth-most fantasy points to the position. Doyle is a locked-in TE1 with upside.
Other Starts
- V. McDonald at ARZ
- M. Gesicki MIA @ NYJ
The Fanatics TE Sit of the Week
Jimmy Graham (GB) vs WAS
Although the match-up is solid, stay far far away from the ghost of Jimmy Graham. He has three games with double-digit points all season, and those are when he caught a touchdown. He’s gotten six combined targets in his last three games and is not a part of this passing offense. Aaron Rodgers may throw him a jump ball in the end-zone, but you can’t risk your season on that in the playoffs. Graham is no longer a startable TE outside of the deepest of leagues.
Other Sits
Defense
The Fanatics Defense Start of the Week
Philadelphia vs NYG
I had Philadelphia as my start of the week last week, and boy was I wrong. Ryan Fitzpatrick and the Dolphins put up 37 points and came away with the upset. But sometimes you have to have a short memory in fantasy, and this is one of those cases. The Eagles are fighting for their playoff lives, and with an injury to Daniel Jones, Eli Manning is on track to start Monday night in Philadelphia. Manning has a wet noodle left for an arm and won’t be able to take advantage of the weak Eagles secondary like Fitzmagic did. The Eagles are a top-five play this week and a defense I’m starting with confidence.
Other Starts
- Atlanta Falcons vs CAR
- Green Bay Packers vs WAS
The Fanatics Defense Sit of the Week
Buffalo Bills vs BAL
If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it. Fade any defense playing Lamar Jackson.
Other Sits
- San Francisco 49ers @ NO
- Los Angeles Rams vs SEA
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