The Fantasy Footballers’ Starts of the Week for Week 14
It is that wonderful time of the year! The Christmas trees are up, the stores are playing Christmas music, and the fantasy football playoffs are starting soon! It is the perfect time for five important teams of fantasy-relevant players to go on bye, oh, and the Patriots. You are possibly starting your playoffs or right on the cusp of the playoffs beginning, and if you are on the fringe of making them, this is a hyper-critical week! If you are like the countless shredded rosters due to bye-mageddon this week, you must focus on The Fantasy Footballers. Andy, Mike, and Jason are locked in on helping you make the playoffs because if you make the playoffs, you have a chance to win the title; that is what you must work towards! On Thursday, The Ballers laid out their Week 14 Starts of the Week, which is critical to have some confidence on where to turn. To watch the full episode on YouTube, check the link below:
If you need more guidance, you can always access the Ballers’ knowledge through the website fantasyfootballers.com or download the mobile app! If you are a member of the prestigious FootClan, you get access to all the premium tools, articles, and guidance the Ballers team offers.
Now, let’s break down The Fantasy Footballers’ Starts of the Week for Week 14.
Andy’s Starts of the Week
Andy’s new theme is guys who have disappointed you, but you need to keep faith in them.
QB – Baker Mayfield vs. LV
The last few weeks have been rough for Baker, with only one top-12 performance since Week 9. However, this week, he is in a great matchup against a Raiders defense ranked in the bottom 10 in all the essential metrics for fantasy football: expected points added per pass attempt, schedule-adjusted fantasy points allowed, and completions allowed per game. If you are thinking of benching Baker, don’t! Could you keep him in your lineup?
RB – Tony Pollard vs. JAX
Last week, Pollard was a victim of a terrible game script in which Washington jumped out to an early lead. This week, facing the banged-up Jags and Mac Jones, the Titans should be looking to grind the game out with Pollard on the ground. That will work great against the Jacksonville defense, which is ranked 29th in schedule-adjusted fantasy points allowed to RBs. Pollard is averaging over 20 attempts per game, including three receptions. It is a good week for Pollard, so do not give up on him this week!
WR – Darnell Mooney @ MIN
The last two weeks coming off the injury have been rough for Mooney. It hasn’t been his fault, as Kirk has looked like he lost some zip on the ball. This struggle has led to the Falcons leaning on the run game even more, but facing Minnesota will force Atlanta to change their game plan. The Vikings use two high safety looks on defense at the highest rate in the NFL. That is coverage where Mooney has thrived this year, averaging 2.47 yards per route run and 38% air yards share, and performed better than London. Minnesota ranks dead last in schedule-adjusted fantasy points allowed to WRs. Keep the Moon Man in your lineup; know he can provide this week.
TE – Jake Ferguson or Luke Schoonmaker @ CIN
If Ferguson is back, go with him; if not, go with Skoonman for Monday night. Since Cooper Rush became the starter, Dallas TEs are seeing 23% of the team targets. With CeeDee Lamb banged up, the Cowboys need the TEs in this fantastic matchup! The Bengals rank 31st in schedule-adjusted fantasy points allowed to TEs and 29th in TE receptions allowed per game. The Cowboys will focus the passing game on the TEs, and the Bengals can’t stop anyone.
Jason’s Starts of the Week
QB – Jameis Winston @ PIT
This choice is risky, but with a critical week for many, you might need Winston’s explosion power. His games produce for fantasy, with averages of 70 offensive plays per game and 336 passing yards, both first in the NFL. Winston is averaging over 21 fantasy points per game and 44 passing attempts. It is good for fantasy when he throws those pick-sixs because he will come out the next play and chuck it right back up. Remember, he beat the Steelers just two weeks ago. If you need a big game and your quarterback is on bye, Jameis could be on the waiver wire and get you into the playoffs.
RB – Isaac Guerendo vs. CHI
If you dumped your FAAB and got the hot name of the week, it is time to play Guerendo. He isn’t just a random backup; he has elite speed at a 100th percentile speed score. In his limited action, he averaged 5.9 yards per carry. We have reached the part of the season where Shanahan running backs start balling out and winning people’s fantasy championships. They now face a Bears defense that ranks 27th in EPA per rush attempt, 25th in rushing yards per game, and 31st in adjusted yards before contact. With Guerendo’s speed, this is a matchup where he could break big plays and win the week.
WR – Jauan Jennings vs. CHI
Jason was going to point to Jayden Reed this week, but on the Footcast, tons of people were asking about Jennings, so Jason wants to bring the confidence back to Jennings. Remember the story: at the beginning of the season, Jennings looked excellent and performed great for fantasy, then he was injured, and when he came back, he returned to being awesome! Then Purdy was hurt, and Jennings struggled with the backup, and last week was the crazy snow bowl when the 49ers all sucked. Jennings is averaging 2.71 yards per route run, which is slightly better than Justin Jefferson this year, and his 28.5% first-read target share puts him right in with other elite WR1 options. Please don’t run away from Jennings after the last few weeks; he is too good this year for that.
TE – Cade Otton vs. LV
He has been quiet over the last month, scoring 13.5 fantasy points. However, he still sees a 19% target share and is on the field all game. He is third among all TEs in route runs and first in total offensive snaps. Over the last six weeks, the Raiders have ranked last in schedule-adjusted fantasy points allowed to TEs. This game could be a high-scoring matchup, and the TEs on both sides can play a big part in both offenses.
Mike’s Starts of the Week
QB – Will Levis vs. JAX
It might sound wild, but the Jaguars’ defense is terrible, and Levis has been chucking the ball and has hit some big plays. Levis has a 13.5 average depth of target and 22.7% deep throw rate, both second in the NFL. He has Westbrook-Ikhine, a guaranteed touchdown scorer each week, and Calvin Ridley will want a big game against his former team. Again, Jacksonville is terrible, ranking 32nd versus QBs and 31st in explosive pass rate allowed. A few big plays and Levis could give you a solid week!
RB – Tyrone Tracy vs. NO
Since Week 5, Tracy has been the RB16 right behind Alvin Kamara, with four top-10 finishes in that span. As long as he doesn’t fumble and get punished, he should be good to go against the Saints’ defense. New Orleans’ defense is one of the worst in the NFL, tied for last in yards per carry allowed, 30th in expected points added per rush attempt, and 30th in schedule-adjusted fantasy points allowed to RBs. Keep riding with Tracy; he won’t disappoint this week.
WR – Calvin Ridley vs. JAX
To stack along with Levis, Mike follows the Ridley revenge game narrative. The usage for Ridley is still there, as he sees 29% of the team’s targets. Ridley hasn’t had the touchdowns; just like before, this Jacksonville defense is dreadful, ranking 31st against fantasy WRs. If Ridley finally gets one of the deep balls, he will give you a great week.
TE – Will Dissly @ KC
Ignore the whole goose from last week; the Dizzler is a tremendous one-week spot start during bye-mageddon. Ladd McConkey is questionable this week with multiple injuries, and before last week, Dissly was averaging 4.6 receptions in his previous seven games. Now they face a Chiefs defense that, while being very good, is a funnel to TEs. KC ranks 30th in schedule-adjusted fantasy points allowed, 32nd in TE receiving yards allowed, and is tied for 32nd in TE receptions allowed. With so many TEs that are fantasy-relevant on bye, you could turn to many worse options than Dissly this week.