Key Starters and Tough Calls - Lineup Spotlights for Week 14

December 8, 2019

Scott Engel breaks down his Week 14 fantasy football lineup rankings, spotlighting key NFL players to start and tougher lineup start/sit decisions to make.

Welcome to Week 14, RotoBallers! Below you will find some of my spotlight plays and tough lineup decisions for the upcoming week of the fantasy football playoffs.

These player selections are based on my Premium Weekly Lineup Rankings, available as part of the RotoBaller's NFL Premium Pass. Enter promo code KING at checkout for a 10% discount and get access to all of my ranks in all formats, plus a full roster of tools and analysis for the rest of the 2019 season and in DFS. The Premium Pass is already at a slashed price for your fantasy playoffs!

Note that all skill position picks and analyses here are based on my PPR ranks.

Spotlight RB Starters for Week 14

Chris Carson vs. LAR: Even though Rashaad Penny has forced his way into a time share, Carson remains the starter and preferred goal-line runner for the Seahawks. He will still get a lot of important touches in a significant matchup against the Rams on Sunday night.

Joe Mixon vs. CLE: He is finding ways to deliver respectable totals frequently and while he doesn’t have a lot of upside, Mixon is likely not going to hurt your team and provide adequate production. The Bengals offense simply operates better with Andy Dalton back at QB and Mixon should get some TD chances. He will give you enough production to make him a quality fantasy RB2 play and Mixon will work well enough around your core of more outstanding star players.

Benny Snell Jr. vs. PIT: He has posted respectable totals the past two weeks and now he may be on the verge of his best performance yet. The Cardinals have allowed the third-most Fantasy Points Per Game to running backs over the past month. Snell should be a locked-in fantasy RB2 for the first round of your playoffs.

Spotlight WR Starters for Week 14

Tyler Lockett vs. LAR: He is reportedly sufficiently recovered from a recent leg injury and a very bad case of the flu. The Seahawks staff and Russell Wilson will make it a point to get him involved in the offensive flow again.

John Brown vs. BAL: He is usually ranked as a WR1 fantasy wise in this space, but the matchup drops him to more of WR2 territory. He’s less of a surefire start in 10-team leagues, but he has just been too consistently productive to bench him in 12-teamers. Plus, this is a big game for the Bills to make a statement about where they belong with the AFC’s best. Getting the ball to Brown will be a priority, and the defense does not always win what seems to be a tough matchup.

James Washington vs. ARI: He has really come on as a big-play artist recently as the Steelers have admirably remained in the postseason picture despite all of their injuries on offense. The Cardinals have allowed the second-most FFPG to WRs over the past month and the third-most this season. Washington has a prime matchup and will continue to get the ball downfield and in scoring situations.

Spotlight TE Starters for Week 14

Kyle Rudolph vs. DET: He has re-emerged with incredibly consistent TD production recently and is a must-start option as the fantasy playoffs open. Kirk Cousins is a candidate to have a big day and Rudolph will get more chances to score.

Jacob Hollister vs. LAR: He has effectively replaced Will Dissly as a quality TE option for the Seahawks. While he does not quite match Dissly in upside and athletic ability, Hollister has good hands, runs routes well and has earned the trust of Russell Wilson to the point where he is a regular fantasy starter at TE.

Spotlight QB Starters for Week 14

Jameis Winston vs. IND: He is a much better fantasy QB than in real life. Lock Winston in as a starter for your fantasy playoffs because of the regular high volume and the fact that he arguably has the best WR duo in the game.

Ryan Tannehill vs. OAK: Some other guys you may usually consider over Tannehill have more difficult matchups this week. Tannehill faces the Raiders, who have allowed the fourth-most FFPG to QBs this season. It’s time to comfortably start Tannehill, as he has earned the spot in your lineup.

Tough Lineup Decisions for Week 14

Miles Sanders over Aaron Jones: This looks like it could be a rebound week for Jones against the Redskins. But we cannot be certain of his workload, whereas Sanders has upside and is clearly the lead RB for Philadelphia as they try to not let another must-win opportunity slip away against the Giants.

Derrius Guice over Rashaad Penny: Both of these RBs are starting to tap into their potential late in their second pro seasons. Penny plays in a better offense, but Guice has a better chance to operate as a lead RB this week.

Alshon Jeffery over Robert Woods: The Rams wideout has been coming on strong recently, but he still doesn’t have a TD catch this year. Jeffery has an excellent draw against the Giants and is a much better option for a possible scoring reception.

James Washington over Zach Pascal: Both have good matchups, and are quality fantasy WR3 types for Week 14. But Pascal is more likely to disappoint, as we have seen recently. I would fear he has a better chance of not coming through with a friendly opposing draw.

Jack Doyle over Mark Andrews: Andrews has been ranked ahead of Doyle all year until this point. But the Colts TE is a top passing option this week for his team against Tampa Bay.

Kirk Cousins over Russell Wilson: Both QBs are playing in divisional games, which add an element of fantasy danger of their offenses not meeting statistical expectations. But Wilson’s production has been down recently and he is more likely to disappoint from a fantasy perspective against the Rams. The Los Angeles pass rush has always been a challenge for Wilson.

More Weekly Lineup Prep