Week 14: Fantasy Football Starts and Sits

By Fox Sports
Published

Starts:

QB - Jameis Winston, TB (vs. NO)

Step right up, step right up! Who is next to tear apart the Saints defense? In four of the past five weeks, New Orleans has allowed at least four passing TDs per game to opposing quarterbacks. Four per game! In Week 2, Winston only threw for 207 yards and one TD in his first attempt against the Saints, but, since then, he had a five-touchdown performance against the Eagles. New Orleans is the only defense allowing more points to opposing QBs than Philadelphia.

Other notables: Tyrod Taylor (BUF), Andy Dalton (CIN), Ryan Tannehill (MIA)

RB - LeSean McCoy, BUF (@ PHI)

I love a good narrative when setting my fantasy football lineups. Shady McCoy returns to Philly for the first time since being traded to Buffalo in the offseason. You can guarantee that he is extra motivated for a game against Chip Kelly. Last week, McCoy rushed for 112 yards on 21 carries (5.3 yards per attempt) and has rushed for over 100 yards in three of the past five games.

Other notables: Charcandrick West (KC), Frank Gore (IND), Shaun Draughn (SF)

WR - Jarvis Landry, MIA (vs. NYG)

I can predict to see plenty of questions about whether to start Landry this week during the Sunday chat. Let me just address that now: YES! Sure, Landry had a terrible showing last week (two catches for five yards), but he sustained a knee injury during the process. Up until Week 13, Landry managed to produce double-digit fantasy points in every game. This week, his Dolphins face a Giants secondary that has allowed 314.5 passing yards per game (most in the NFL).

Other notables: Martavis Bryant (PIT), Jeremy Maclin (KC), Doug Baldwin (SEA)

TE - Travis Kelce, KC (vs. SD)

Even though the targets and receptions are slacking for Kelce, he is still making the most of his opportunities. Against the Raiders, Kelce caught only two passes, but he totaled 42 yards and even caught a two-point conversion. The Chargers are getting abused by opposing TEs, lately. In the past four games, San Diego has allowed three TDs to TEs. Two weeks ago, Julius Thomas caught nine balls for 116 yards and a touchdown against them.

Other notables: Austin Seferian-Jenkins (TB), Julius Thomas (JAC), Coby Fleener (IND)

Sits:

QB - Kirk Cousins, WAS (@ CHI)

If you managed to stay awake for the entire Monday Night Football game, you saw Cousins, among others, struggling. Though the four-TD game against the Saints might still be in your mind, remember that Cousins has thrown only one TD in each of the past three starts. As for Chicago, they haven't allowed more than one touchdown pass in five of the past six games.

Others include: Matt Ryan (ATL), Derek Carr (OAK), Teddy Bridgewater (MIN)

RB - Giovani Bernard, CIN (vs. PIT)

In the Cincinnati two-back system, it seems as though Bernard has taken a backseat to Jeremy Hill. In the past three games, Bernard hasn't rushed for more than 30 yards and has seen 10 carries or less per contest. In his last game against the Steelers, Bernard rushed for 12 yards, on one carry, and caught only two passes (22 receiving yards).

Others include: Javorius Allen (BAL), Antonio Andrews (TEN), Melvin Gordon (SD)

WR - Stefon Diggs, MIN (@ ARI)

While he may be the Vikings leading receiver this season, that doesn't mean that Diggs should be starting on your fantasy team on a weekly basis. Last week, he was shut down by Seattle (two receptions for 22 yards). It was his second-straight game with less that 60 receiving yards and under five catches. Also, in the past four games, the Cardinals have only allowed one TD to an opposing wide receiver (Doug Baldwin in Week 10). 

Others include: DeSean Jackson (WAS), Stevie Johnson (SD), Ted Ginn Jr. (CAR)

TE - Gary Barnidge, CLE (vs. SF)

Sorry, Barnidge owners, but Johnny Manziel is back at the helm for Cleveland. In the four games where Manziel has substantial playing time (at least 15 passing attempts), Barnidge caught only one TD and surpassed 40 receiving yards only once. As for the 49ers defense, Larry Donnell was the last TE to score a touchdown against them (Week 5).

Others include: Jacob Tamme (ATL), Crockett Gillmore (BAL), Eric Ebron (DET)