This is it fantasy football community, Belly Up is here to bring you the starts and sits to get you into the playoffs, to get you a first-round bye, or whatever else you’re fighting for in Week 14. It’s do or die time and we’re going to make sure you get in with the help of this week’s starts and sits article. We cover all the guys you need to know about in the starts and sits on this hectic week for byes. I hope you guys enjoy this week’s starts and sits. Good luck on your matchups this week everyone, let’s go to the playoffs.

Quarterback

Starts

Cam Newton vs Atlanta Falcons

I have mentioned Newton as a start once before, and that didn’t go so well, but the second time is the charm. Newton has a juicy matchup against the Falcons who have allowed the second-most fantasy points/game (20.8) to the QB position. They have also been susceptible to running QBs, giving ups the fifth-most rushing yards (286) as well as having the fewest sacks (15) in the league. Newton is the definition of boom/bust and I think he’s going to drop the boom in this game. Looking for a top 5 performance from Newton against the Falcons.

Russell Wilson vs Houston Texans

Back corner. Too pretty. @DangeRussWilson ➡️ @TDLockett12

📺 #SFvsSEA on CBS pic.twitter.com/6MK4cCnMqA

— Seattle Seahawks (@Seahawks) December 5, 2021

Russ needs to start cooking if he wants to pull off a hail mary miracle this year. The best matchup he could have has fallen into his lap and were going to see if he can take advantage of it. Ideally, this Houston team tends to lend itself to RBs, but since Seattle’s backfield is broken. The door for Russ to perform is wide open. Russ has 4 TDs and 1 int in the past two close games, if he can get the Seahawks out in front of this game early then we may be in for a QB1 show from the former MVP candidate.

Sits

Justin Fields vs Greenbay Packers

Fields was coming off his best stretch of the season prior to a rib injury that took him out of Week 11 and has held him out till this game. Fields is coming back to a big game against the Packers and will probably not be at his best. I’m not going to hedge my playoff bets to Fields this week, he’s got to show me that two-game stretch is sustainable before I put him in this week.

Baker Mayfield vs Baltimore Ravens

Mayfield is somehow going to make it out there to play in this game, and he won’t be making it in my lineup. The last time Mayfield played the Ravens, he put up decent numbers, throwing for 247 yards and a TD. This week seems like a back-to-basics game for both teams, which mean the running backs will be used heavily in this game. I don’t expect Mayfield will be given the opportunity to throw the ball 37 times in this game. Look for him to be a low-end QB2 in this game.

Running Back

Starts

Chuba Hubbard vs Atlanta Falcons

One of Hubbard’s best games this year came against these Falcons, going for 91 total scrimmage yards and a TD. The Panthers have fired Joe Brady, which could lend itself to Cam Newton taking away rushes. This should allow for Hubbard to break big runs against this troubled defense. The one downside to Hubbard is he may get his TDs poached by Newton. Otherwise, he should be a viable RB2/3 in this game.

D’Onta Foreman vs Jacksonville Jaguars

D’Onta Foreman’s Rushing TD#Houston #Texans #Donta #Foreman pic.twitter.com/hJFk3A1lTz

— Houston Sports Focus (@HouSportsFocus) August 20, 2017

Foreman is coming off a 109 yard game against the New England Patriots. This week he has a big matchup on the ground against the Jacksonville Jaguars. Foreman should be limited on the receiving end with Jeremy McNichols and Dontrell Hillard but should be productive as a runner. In the past three games, the Jaguars have allowed 101 yards and a TD a game. I think if Foreman gets adequate touches in this game then he should be a solid RB2.

Sits

Devonta Freeman vs Cleveland Browns

Everyone is on the Freeman train in this game, but I’m the opposite. I didn’t like what I saw with the first game against the Browns. Freeman went for 52 yards on the ground and caught one pass for 8 yards. The Browns are 11th in yards (1,009) given up to opposing RBs and the 5th fewest TDs (8). This is going to be a tough matchup for the veteran, and in a week that we need good RBs, Freeman isn’t an option. Freeman is at best a flex.

Ezekiel Elliott vs Washington Football Team

Elliott’s season has been rough sledding till this point. So far his games have only been saved by a TD or 2, and if he can’t get into the endzone he busts. Zeke has also had Tony Pollard breathing down his neck this year, which doesn’t seem to be going away. This week the Cowboys face a stout WFT run defense that has given up the least amount of rushing yards (765). They also have allowed the 12th fewest fantasy points (16.8) to opposing RBs. This week Zeke could be an RB 2 or an RB4, I’m banking on the latter.

Wide Receivers

Starts

Michael Gallup vs Washington Football Team

Gallup has been getting peppered with targets since his return to action, averaging 8 targets/game. This week offers the Cowboys a chance to spread the ball all over the field as the Football Team has allowed the fourth-most fantasy points (24.9) to opposing wide receivers. This is going to be a hard-hitting affair that may require both teams to look to the passing game to move the ball. If this narrative plays out, I think everyone in Dallas eats, and Gallup should be a WR3 with WR2 upside.

Russell Gage vs Carolina Panthers

Russell Gage bouncing off of TB defenders

pic.twitter.com/gpAziZ2V8c

— Alex (@dbs408) December 5, 2021

Gage is on his way to becoming a playoff hero after some deemed him a regular-season zero. The Falcons slot receiver has been getting the volume recently, with 7.6 targets/game since Week 9. This included a monster 12 targets, 11 reception, 130 yard game against the Buccaneers last week. This was by far his best game but also showed that he’s gaining the confidence of Matt Ryan and should be locked in for targets going forward. Confidence is what you need to have in the playoffs and being confident in Gage getting 7-8 targets a game. Look for Gage to have upside as a WR3.

Sits

Allen Robinson vs Green Bay Packers

If you are thinking, man there are so many byes this week that I may have to play my 5th-7th round pick, Allen Robinson, then you may have a problem Houston. Robinson has been a problem for your lineups all year long, so why trust him now? You shouldn’t, his best game this year was a four-catch, 68-yard performance against Pittsburgh. This Green Bay team will also be looking to add pro bowl corner, Jaire Alexander, back into the fold this week. Look for Robinson to be a flex at best in this game, but still, nothing compared to the guy you thought you were drafting.

Laquon Treadwell vs Tennessee Titans

You ever thought to yourself, jeez Louise I can run a team better than Urban Meyer? Anyways Treadwell has been effective in the past two weeks garnering 13 targets, 8 receptions, and 115 yards. A great statline for flex, but it’s who he’s playing for that worries me in this all-important week. I just don’t trust Urban Meyer to do the right thing. Making Treadwell a WR3/4 option for me

Tight ends

Starts

Dawson Knox vs Tampa Bay Buccaneers

This game seems like it’s going to be a classic barn burner. This means Buffalo is going to need his tight-end Dawson Knox to be in his best form. Knox has had some really impressive outings this season, he’s been targeted five or more times in four games this year, he also has two multi-TD games this season. This week against the Buccaneers, Knox will be playing an exploitable defense who have given up the 10th most yards (700) and the 12th most fantasy pts/game (8.1) to tight ends. Knox has the potential to be a top 5 TE in this game.

Sits

Evan Engram vs LA Chargers

Engram had a good game for a TE last week, finishing in the top 10 in fantasy for the position. While the Chargers have been one of the worst teams against the tight end position allowing 10 TDs to opposing team’s TEs. That being said, this Giants team is somehow getting worse, with Daniel Jones out. Leaving Mike Glennon or the third-string Jake Fromm to quarterback the Giants. This Giants squad is just so beaten up and can’t seem to get someone back without losing another. I think Engram will perform down to the level of his QB, so I expect a top 20 performance at best.

Conclusion

This is your make-or-break week and Belly Up has the starts and sits article to make your playoff dreams a reality. So let’s make it happen, captains! I hope you guys are ready for this week, because if you’re still searching for answers then the Belly Up starts and sits is here for you. This is the first week of your championship run, lets go.

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