With the Thanksgiving holiday and weekend now over, we can completely focus our attention on fantasy football. Because this is the final week before the fantasy playoffs begin in most leagues, absolute clarity on what to do with the roster is necessary. Of course, that includes, at a minimum, who to start and who to sit. To get it all sorted out, this Week Fourteen Fantasy Starts/Sits edition is here to help!

Those that have read my articles this season are aware, all of the position rankings are taken from ESPN. Additionally, as has been true with each and every writing, I welcome questions and comments. Hit me up and I will respond.

Finally, before I proceed with the presentation, it must be pointed out that there are teams on bye in week fourteen. Not only that, but there are six teams that won’t take the field. Obviously, that being the case, the available player pool will be severely restricted. The six teams are: Baltimore, Denver, Houston, Indianapolis, New England and Washington. With that vital information out of the way, we can get down to business.

Week Fourteen Fantasy Starts

Quarterbacks

Will Levis, Tennessee Titans vs. Jacksonville Jaguars

When it comes to finding fantasy worthy starting quarterbacks, checking to see who is playing Jacksonville is always a good first step. In this case, research indicates that Will Levis and his managers are the lucky recipients. In his last game, Levis had a much more difficult assignment going up against the Commanders in Washington.

His final line wasn’t terrible, but you would like to see him complete more than his 18 of 37 passes. With that said, he did throw for 212 yards and two touchdowns without an interception. Levis has now thrown a TD pass in five straight games and has four in his last two with just a single pass picked off.

As mentioned above, the Jaguars are up next. They have the worst defense in fantasy against quarterbacks. Further, the game is in Tennessee. Without doubt, the Titans aren’t very good, but team results mean nothing in fantasy. If in a pinch, Levis makes for a fine starter this weekend. 

Sam Darnold, Minnesota Vikings vs. Atlanta Falcons

When it comes to Sam Darnold, he has been featured in more than one of these start/sit articles. He last appeared as a sit in week 12. However, on this Week Fourteen Fantasy Starts/Sits edition, he takes his place as a starter. In his last three, Darnold has two touchdown passes in each game without an interception. Further, he has thrown for 11 TDs in his last six contests.

As is the case more often than not, the opponent takes precedence here. The Falcons come into this game toting a bottom of the barrel QB defense, ranked at 28. Don’t be surprised if Darnold ups his total with at least two TDs to four straight games. With a playoff berth on the line, you could do a lot worse than having Darnold as a starter. Remove all doubt if he is on the roster and get him into the lineup.

Running Backs

Tyrone Tracy Jr, New York Giants vs. New Orleans Saints

Like Darnold above, Tyrone Tracy Jr. has been featured in more than one start/sit article. In fact, he was in the same edition as Darnold, but as a starter. Without question, we know that the Giants season has completely collapsed. Even so, Tracy has emerged as a reliable fantasy option. He has reached the end zone in four of his last seven games, including Thanksgiving against the Cowboys.  

Certainly, going up against the Cowboys’ run D has been a pleasurable experience for running backs in 2024. Likewise, the going gets real smooth when facing New Orleans. Dallas ranked 30th against the run coming into their game, and the Saints even worse, ranking 31st. New York will want to keep the Saints offensive off the field as much as possible. They can accomplish that using Tracy. Managers should have confidence in him as a fantasy starter in week 14.  

Ameer Abdullah, Las Vegas Raiders at Tampa Bay Buccaneers

When it comes to recommending starters, considering Raider players will give anyone pause. After all, Las Vegas is not a good team. Even so, this Week Fourteen Fantasy Starts/Sits edition is going forward with Ameer Abdullah in a starting role. The reason, as usual, is the team on the other sideline. No longer do Abdullah and the Raiders have to face Kansas City, the number one rushing defense in fantasy. 

Not surprisingly, Abdullah didn’t have a huge game against the Chiefs. He rushed ten times for 39 yards and caught two passes for another 14. However, he did catch a TD pass in his previous two contests. Even with this week’s game on the road, Tampa doesn’t present much of a challenge when defending running backs, ranking 17th. With so many teams on bye and a lot of player injury concerns, the RB pool looks shallow. If in that situation, make the call and start Abdullah.  

Wide Receivers

Nick Westbrook-Ikhine, Tennessee Titans vs. Jacksonville Jaguars

Above, Levis was featured as a starter at quarterback. That being the case, adding one of his wide receiver weapons just make sense on this Week Fourteen Fantasy Starts/Sits edition. On Sunday against Washington, Nick Westbrook-Ikhine caught just three passes, but turned two of them into touchdowns. Further, he was targeted eight times and averaged 20.3 ypc.

Truly, the TDs are not a surprise, as Westbrook-Ikhine now has caught a scoring pass in each of his last three games. Even more impressive, he has a TD in seven of his last eight contests. On the season, only three wide receivers have more scores. That is an impressive feat, to be sure.

I believe that enough has been said about Jacksonville for everyone to know how bad a defense they have. Just to be certain, though, that my readers and I are on the same page, look and you will find that the Jaguars rank a dismal 28th against enemy WRs. No other information is necessary. Get Westbrook-Ikhine into starting lineups.  

Keenan Allen, Chicago Bears at San Francisco 49ers

Often times, a manager has to go with a hot player regardless of the matchup. Such is the situation we find Keenan Allen in.  Even as that is true, the 49ers don’t present nearly the defensive challenge that they have in the past. None of that matters, as we are looking past the matchup and focus on the player.

Over the past two weeks, Allen has discovered the end zone, scoring in each game. In fact, against Detroit, he punched the ball in twice, Allen’s second time to do that this season. Coming into this game, the Bears will have a new coach at the helm, which assuredly will help the offense.

Rookie Caleb Williams, meanwhile, despite the turmoil on the sidelines, has played much better of late. Williams has thrown for five TDs in his last two games and hasn’t been intercepted since week six. Further, he has found a target he likes in Allen, having focused his throws on him 54 times in the past six weeks. With all of the above being true, Allen is truly as starter Sunday afternoon.  

Pat Freiermuth, Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Cleveland Browns

Ever since the quarterback change in Pittsburgh, the Steeler offense has been humming. One of the beneficiaries of the change has been Pat Freiermuth. His last game against the Bengals clearly demonstrates this fact. Playing in Cincinnati, Freiermuth caught six of seven targets for 68 yards, including a score. The catch total was his high for the year, while the seven targets matched his season best set in week four.

The last two games for Pittsburgh have been on the road, but they return home Sunday afternoon to face bitter rival Cleveland. The Browns defend running backs very well, but tight ends not so much, ranking 23rd. Their offense put 32 points on the board against Denver, one of the best defenses in football. To be sure, this Week Fourteen Fantasy Starts/Sits edition forecasts lots of points will be scored in this game. Make sure that Freiermuth is a part of it.

Week Fourteen Fantasy Sits

Quarterbacks 

Bryce Young, Carolina Panthers at Philadelphia Eagles

After a nightmarish beginning to the season and a benching, Bryce Young has actually shown some promise since returning to the starting lineup. In his last five games, Young has thrown a touchdown pass. Further, he has not been intercepted in his last three contests. Against Tampa, he threw for 298 yards, throwing for a TD and ran in a score.

All looks well until the next opponent is factored in. That team is Philadelphia on the road. In their last game, the Eagles faced the Ravens, winning the game in Baltimore. They faced a two time MVP in that contest. Clearly, Young won’t be nearly as intimidating. The Eagles have the sixth best defense against fantasy QBs. Despite the improvement, managers are highly advised to keep Young away from starting lineups in week fourteen.

Brock Purdy, San Francisco 49ers vs. Chicago Bears

At this point in the Week Fourteen Fantasy Starts/Sits edition, it doesn’t matter that Brock Purdy has regained his starting spot over Brandon Allen. In a truly ugly performance, Purdy completed just 11 of 18 passes for a lowly 98 yards against Buffalo. Even worse, he didn’t throw for a touchdown and lost a fumble. True, the game’s conditions were less than ideal, but Josh Allen seemed to do alright for himself.

Whatever the result, we have to focus on the next game. Fortunately for the Bears, the turmoil at the coaching level hasn’t affected their defense, especially against QBs. In fact, they have the best defense in all of fantasy against the position. Even with this game at home, unless backed into a corner, fantasy managers need to ensure that Purdy rides the bench against Chicago.

Running Backs

Rico Dowdle, Dallas Cowboys vs. Cincinnati Bengals 

Just when we were all ready to write off the Dallas Cowboys, especially their run game, Rico Dowdle rides to the rescue. Over the past two games, both victories, Dowdle has 41 carries for 198 yards and a score. Further, he has three catches in each of those games.

Obviously, this brings up the inevitable question: why is Dowdle on this Week Fourteen Fantasy Starts/Sits edition on the bench? Dallas has faced the Commanders and Giants in their last two games. The Commanders ranked 29th against the run and the Giants 25th when they played the Cowboys.

However, Cincinnati is up next. Certainly, they have had their issues this season, but are in the top half of the league in defending running backs. The Bengals will realize that Dallas will want to keep their offense off the field and they will focus on Dowdle. The prediction here is that Cincinnati will succeed in that strategy. Therefore, keeping Dowdle on the bench is the advisable play.

Isiah Pacheco, Kansas City Chiefs vs. Los Angeles Chargers

As we are all aware, Isiah Pacheco missed a lot of time this season with an ankle injury. However, he was activated against Las Vegas and saw action for the first time in nine weeks. Against Vegas, Pacheco rushed seven times for 44 yards and brought in his only target for just five more yards.

Granted, it was great to see him on the field after so long, but what does it mean going forward? Unfortunately, for this week it means Pacheco is headed to the bench against the Chargers. Los Angeles has a strong defense, including facing running backs, ranking eighth. Even with the game at home, Pacheco builds no confidence in week fourteen. If at all possible, keep him from starting lineups.  

Wide Receiver Sits

Rome Odunze, Chicago Bears at San Francisco 49ers

After what has gone on over the past several weeks, it is impossible to have confidence in their offensive players, other than Allen above. Be advised: it would be wise to count Rome Odunze among them. Recommended last week as a starter, Odunze crash landed with only two catches of six targets for just 25 yards Thursday. Undoubtedly, it was a disappointing performance from a player that had 20 targets, catching 11 for 109 yards the previous two games.

Until further notice, expect that Odunze will be on the wrong side of any future starts/sits discussions. Make sure to include that advice this week, as Chicago travels to San Francisco. Obviously, the 49ers have come well short of expectations in 2024, including their wide receiver defense. Even so, this Week Fourteen Starts/Sits edition declares longly and loudly: bench Odunze.  

Quentin Johnston, Los Angeles Chargers at Kansas City 

Ever since he was drafted in the first round a year ago, people have wanted to believe in Quentin Johnston. For the most part, that hasn’t worked out very well. In his last four games, Johnston has just six catches. Even more ominous, he has caught more than four passes in a game this year just once, and that was clear back in week two. Take away his six TDs and his season would be completely in the ditch.

As bleak as the above is, the going gets even darker in week fourteen with the Chiefs up next. Johnston faced them in week four and Kansas City held him to a single catch for a scant nine yards. To top in all off, that game was in Los Angeles. However, this upcoming match is in KC. Add in the information that the Chiefs have the number two defense against WRs. When that is factored in, there’s no doubt that starting Johnston should be a no go for any fantasy manager this week.

Tight End Sit

Noah Fant, Seattle Seahawks at Arizona Cardinals

As much as I hate to sit Seattle Seahawk players, I must recommend what’s best for my readers. Such is the case this week with Noah Fant. After missing three games, Fant returned against the Jets. I would love to report that all went swimmingly, but that would be a lie. Fant finished the game with three catches of four targets for 26 yards.

Of course, that is nothing to get excited about, even with the tight end position having limited options. Ahead for Seattle is another key NFC West clash, this time in Arizona. The Cardinals have lost their last two, but the tight end defense is not to blame. At present, they rank sixth against the position. Add it all together, and Seahawk or no, Fant must be a sit.  

The Last Word

Thank you for joining me for this Week Fourteen Fantasy Starts/Sits edition! Follow me on X (formerly Twitter)  @kevin62wilsea. Please feel free to share this article. Be sure to turn to bellyupsports.com and bellyupfantasysports.com for all the MLB, NBA, NFL, NHL happenings and the latest sports news!