Welcome into Week 14 of the 2021 season, and the latest in our Start ‘Em Sit ‘Em series. We have four teams on bye this week, so hopefully you’ve got cover for this crucial week. But on the plus side, it’s the last week of them!
- Indianapolis Colts
- Miami Dolphins
- New England Patriots
- Philadelphia Eagles
As always, if you are struggling with a decision you can checkout our rankings for each Week. Or, if you want a more personal touch, reach out on social media. You can find us on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram. Or jump into our Discord server.
Start’Em
Cam Newton v ATL
Newton had a poor time on the field against Miami, you don’t need me to tell you that. But, if ever there was a team that was a good matchup for him to bounce back, it’s this one. Atlanta has struggled all season in limiting QBs to score on them, and Newton is a constant rushing threat. He might even be available now as a free agent in your league.
Taysom Hill @NYJ
One thing to keep your eye on is the injury to his finger. That could limit his ability to throw the ball, which could limit his ceiling but there is no denying the floor that he has. The Jets defense have struggled to limit teams running the ball on them, so there is no reason why Hill couldn’t have another big game on the ground as he had last week.
Joe Burrow v SF
Speaking of injuries to monitor, Burrow is another guy that you are going to need to check on. Burrow has been great recently and could have been even better if Ja’Marr Chase caught that pass instead of bobbling it for an INT. The 49ers defense hasn’t played fantastically against QBs this season either
Sit’Em
Ryan Tannehill v JAX
You might be out on Tannehill already, but if you had some creeping thoughts that he would be worth starting this week, stop it! Yes, we could see the return of Julio Jones, but this game isn’t going to require the ball to be moved through the air. I mean it’s almost a yearly tradition that the Titans run for a ridiculous total against the Jags (it just won’t be Derrick Henry this year)
Derek Carr @KC
This is much more of a pump the brakes than a complete sit. Carr has been performing at a high-level this season, with an incredible passing volume this season. The thing is, the Chiefs defense has really improved in the past few weeks, and Carr could be without Darren Waller. If you have a better option, I would take it
Updated thoughts
This week it seems to be a week of absence, with players being ruled out through injury/ COVID. With four teams on bye too, it’s almost at a point where if a player is fit you play them. a few backfield thoughts:
Detroit’s Backfield
Jermar Jefferson is likely the guy that is going to be looked at for the team. But, in any PPR leagues I’d be looking at Godwin Igwebuike. He has run more routes of the two, and is likely to be splitting carries too (and is more widely available)
Seattle’s Backfield
The Seattle offense has started to get back to being effective, and have a great matchup against Houston. Alex Collins and Rashaad Penny are both worth starting, but given his struggles, I’d opt for the unknown with Penny. Penny has shown himself to be a dynamic runner, and is likely to be given the opportunity to impress.
The Jets’ Backfield
Simply, I don’t really want to have to play any part of this backfield. If I was absolutely forced to then it has to be Ty Johnson who could well see ALOT of dump-offs this week, with the number of players missing for the team.
Start ‘Em
Tony Pollard @WAS
Keep an eye out for injury reports, as this looks like a game-time decision. Pollard has looked great in games this season. Dynamic and agile, he has had great success in spells this season. The Cowboys might not give him a big workload, but he should still get plenty of touches, as the team looks to spell Ezekiel Elliott to allow him to recover from his knee injury.
D’Onta Foreman v JAX
One of the Titans backs is going to have a big game. It could be Dontrell Hilliard, but he is more likely to be the pass-catcher than the guy killing the clock. So I’ll go with Foreman to have a good performance in this game. I’m not expecting Derrick Henry dominance, but he should have solid production in this game.
Sony Michel @ARI
You might want to hold your nose, but Michel is an interesting start this week. Darrell Henderson was active last week, but didn’t get on the field due to a leg injury. As a result, I’m not holding out too much hope that he will return to a large workload. Instead, I think we see a split of carries against the Cardinals who should be making this game competitive **UPDATE: Darrel Henderson was added to the COVID reserve list. Unless Michel is a close contact, he becomes a must start**
JaMycal Hasty/ Jeff Wilson @CIN
The 49ers backfield is currently in a mess. Injury has hit them hard, with Eli Mitchell looking like he is likely to miss this week. Trey Sermon is on IR too, meaning it’s going to be Hasty/ Wilson leading this backfield. I’d start Hasty of the two, as Wilson is still returning from his knee injury, but I’d look at both as options for this week, especially with four teams out on bye.
Adrian Peterson @HOU
This feels a little bit like a trap game. The Texans defense has been anything but good this season, and Peterson was given a bulk of carries in this run-first offense. With four teams on bye, and the players already injured, you could be forced to start him and hope he improves his efficiency. I know I am. **UPDATE: Peterson is now confirmed out. If Rashaad Penny is available in your league he is worth picking up and starting**
Sit ‘Em
Tevin Coleman v NO
Earlier in the week, I said that Coleman was worth a flex consideration- and he is. I just think that you might be able to find better options this week. The Saints defense has been great this season at limiting RB production, and the Jets don’t seem like they are going to be in a close game, or positive game script. **UPDATE: Coleman is now confirmed out**
Mike Davis @CAR
Davis had a decent game last time out, but that was really an exception after getting in the endzone and catching four passes in that game. Carolina’s defense is one of the strongest units in the league against the position. Don’t point chase.
Start ‘Em
Hunter Renfrow @KC
My confidence in this selection in this start would be even higher, if Darren Waller were to miss the game. Renfrow is at this point a must-start for you, especially in PPR leagues, given his targets in this offense. With his previous two games he has amassed 17 receptions for 236 yards. If he manages to get into the endzone- golddust.
Russell Gage @CAR
Gage has really had an up and down season so far. But, it seems like he is starting to find his feet in this offense as one of the leading offensive options. Carolina has performed well against WRs generally this season, but did just allow a big game from Jaylen Waddle through the air.
Tyler Boyd v SF
The Bengals offense has been firing this season, through the air and on the ground. Alot of the receiving work has been going to the way of Tee Higgins recently, but with the volume in the offense there should be enough for a second receiver to be fantasy viable. With the struggles that Ja’Marr Chase has had recently, and Boyd having a good outing last week, he is a decent WR3 start this week.
Sit ’em
Courtland Sutton v DET
Sutton being a sit is alot about how the game is likely to go. I can’t see the Broncos needing to pass the ball too often, especially given the strength of their running game. That lack of volume, as well as Jerry Jeudy impressing means I’m not starting Sutton even with bye weeks biting.
Marvin Jones @TEN
This is relatively simple. It’s hard to trust anyone on the Jaguars that isn’t James Robinson. The Jaguars offense has really struggled to score points this season. There isn’t alot of upside to justify selecting Jones, and there isn’t a particularly great floor here either. The temptation comes with the matchup against the Titans- but don’t do it.
Start ‘Em
Evan Engram @LAC
There isn’t alot of hope for the Giants offense this week, as they look set to put Jake Fromm on the field. The thing is, the ball has to go somewhere on the field, and there aren’t alot of healthy options for the Giants. Combine that with the Chargers being a defense to target for TE, and it’s a good start option.
Dawson Knox @TB
The game against the Patriots was an odd one to say the least, with the weather playing a massive part in the result. That box score, or lack thereof, might put doubts in your mind on starting him. But this game against Tampa is one that the Bills should be able to move the ball in, giving Knox starting value.
Ricky Seals-Jones v DAL
This is really going to need you to look at the injury reports that come out this week, as there are doubts over his ability to play this week. However, if he does manage to get out on the field this is a game you can put him in. The Cowboys have struggled at times to defend the position, and the TE position has been an important part of this offense.
Sit ’em
Tyler Higbee @ARI
The Cardinals defense is fantastic at limiting production to the TE position, only allowing 2 TDs to the position this season. With the way the Rams have been spreading the ball through the air in the redzone too, I’m not confident with Higbee this week.
Jared Cook v NYG
This is a risky sit, especially if both Keenan Allen and Mike Williams miss the game due to COVID. But given how the Giants have defended against the position in recent weeks, despite a number of tricky matchups, I’d look elsewhere.
Start ‘Em
Carolina Panthers v ATL
The Panthers didn’t live up to expectations against Miami, but that game just got out of hand with the Panthers offense imploding. After having the bye week to recover, they should get the better of the Falcons defense, given their struggles with protecting their QB, and the ball.
Kansas City Chiefs v LV
The Chiefs defense has really taken a step forward in the past few weeks, and is actually a viable streaming option. That feels crazy to say given how they started the season, but it’s true. The Raiders have found a way to score this season, but the offense is different without Darren Waller.
Sit ‘Em
Los Angeles Rams @ARI
The Rams defense is an effecitve real-life unit, but I can’t see that translating to fantasy production this week against the Cardinals. Arizona now have Kyler Murray and DeAndre Hopkins back in the lineup, and have been on fire on offense this season.
Buffalo Bills @TB
The Bills defense is another unit that is effective, but aren’t likely to translate that to fantasy value this week. Tampa Bay are playing fantastically, and are making a strong push for going deep into the playoffs. Just don’t do it, I almost feel regardless of how deep your league is, there are better options.
Start ‘Em
Brandon McManus v DET
McManus has an opportunity to have a solid game this week, with Detroit’s defense allowing teams to move the ball on them. With the TDs they give up too, you have a constant safe floor with PATs, and potential for a number of FG attempts if the Denver offense does stall.
Randy Bullock v JAX
Bullock is a great start this week, for much the same reason as McManus is above. The way the game is likely to go should give plenty of PATs and a potential for a number of FGs too.
Sit ‘Em
Jason Myers @HOU
Myers suffers as a fantasy kicker, because his only involvement generally is PATs. Given the number of TDs that Houston concede too, there’s no reason to think that won’t be the case this week.
Brett Maher @NYJ
You can pretty much copy with I write above. The Saints offense should have more than enough to deal with the Jets, and that doesn’t lead to alot of fantasy appeal.
Well that’s it for our Start ‘Em Sit ‘Em for Week 14 of the 2021 season. Remember, you can check out rankings for each Week. Reach out on social media, you can find us on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram. Or jump into our Discord server.
Image Credit: Tim Heitman – USA TODAY Sports
