The playoffs are just around the corner and these late-season games are crucial for many teams still hoping to qualify for the postseason. Here are some players to consider starting and others to think about benching ahead of Week 14.
Start
Cam Newton (QB) Carolina Panthers
I know this one is scary. Especially if you fell victim to Newton when the Dolphins destroyed him before the Panthers’ bye week. However, they are now coming off that bye and this Falcons’ defense isn’t anything close to how good the Dolphins have been over the second half of the season. The Falcons are allowing the second-most fantasy points to quarterbacks and Newton is likely on waivers everywhere after that awful performance. Newton does come with a brutal floor, but he’s just one game removed from a strong fantasy outing.
Mark Ingram (RB) New Orleans Saints
Despite coming off a terrible Week 13 showing you should get Ingram in your lineup this week when he takes on the porous Jets’ defense. They are allowing the most fantasy points in the league to running backs. If Kamara misses another game Ingram has high-end RB1 upside. Nonetheless, even if Kamara plays Ingram is a no-brainer to at the very least be in your flex spot. With a likely positive game script against the lowly Jets, I expect Ingram to get close to 20 carries, a handful of receptions, and find the end zone at least once.
Rex Burkhead (RB) Houston Texans
The Texans get a terrible Seahawks defense this week. The only better possible matchup for a fantasy running back is the lowly Jets’ D. Despite his Sexy Rexy moniker, I understand Burkhead is not a sexy play but maybe a strong play. We also don’t know what the availability of David Johnson will be. If Johnson is out Burkhead becomes an even stronger play against a miserable Seahawks defense who can stop anyone on the ground. It’s safe to plug him in your lineup this week.
D’Onta Foreman (RB) Tennessee Titans
Following the Titans’ Week 12 explosion from their running backs, all the attention has been on Dontrelle Hilliard after his highlight-reel 68-yard touchdown run. What people are overlooking is that Foreman had 19 carries to Hilliards 12 and both had a reception. Foreman also managed 109 yards against a tough Patriots’ defense in that one and if McNichols returns Hilliard could be completely irrelevant. Foreman’s job is safe. In a matchup against the Jags this week Foreman deserves flex consideration at the very least.
K.J. Osborn (WR) Minnesota Vikings
Osborn saw an immediate uptick in snaps once Adam Thielen went down last week with a high-ankle sprain and he’s going to miss multiple weeks because of it. Osborn saw his snaps go from about 56-percent up to 92-percent. He also saw an uptick in targets to seven. He caught four of them for 47 yards and a touchdown. As long as Thielen is sidelined Osborn becomes a WR3/flex option for owners.
Tyler Conklin (TE) Minnesota Vikings
Like Osborn, Conklin sees an uptick with Thielen out but perhaps with more valuable targets. Not only should Conklin see generally more targets, but he should be the top target in the end zone now. As long as Thielen is out Conklin should be started as a TE1 with confidence. Last week he caught seven of his nine targets for 56 yards and there is no reason to expect a dropoff from that and you can add TD upside. Unless you have an absolute stud on your roster he is worth a long look. I’d start him over guys like Kyle Pitts, T.J. Hockensona, and Tyler Higbee this week.
Sit
Matt Ryan (QB) Atlanta Falcons
Ryan should be nowhere near your starting lineup this week against the Falcons. This is a bad matchup against the Panthers and despite a big name, Ryan is no longer a very good quarterback. Still, plenty of the questions in my inbox have asked me about him, especially in SuperFlex leagues and the answer is consistently to sit him. Even in a SuperFlex spot, I’d sit him for any one of the options above in the Start Em category. It’s not farfetched for Ryan to give you almost nothing or worse than nothing so avoid him this week and find a better option.
Tevin Coleman (RB) New York Jets
Despite being a bad running back and playing on a terrible team, Coleman has been than expected since Michael Carter went down. Nevertheless, he is going up against the Saints this week and should be firmly locked on your bench. No team has given up fewer fantasy points to the position this season and it certainly isn’t the Jets and Coleman who I expect to buck that trend. I’d rather start guys like Adrian Peterson, David Johnson, and Latavius Murray over Coleman this week.
James Robinson (RB) Jacksonville Jaguars
James Robinson fumbled the ball last Sunday and was barely used for the remainder of the game. Since coming to Jacksonville Urban Meyer has seemed to have it out for Robinson and he loves Carlos Hyde. I’d have a real hard time trusting him this week against a Titans’ defense who is allowing the fifth-fewest fantasy points to running backs and the most fantasy points to wide receivers. This is not lining up to be his day and coming off last week I’m hoping to find a better option if possible with all the injuries and bye weeks.
Kenny Golladay (WR) New York Giants
Yea, I labeled this as Golladay but it actually applies to all Giants wide receivers. I just don’t know who the WR1 will be yet with all the injuries. However, whether it’s Kadarius Toney, Sterling Shepard or Golladay don’t try to find value in any of these pass-catchers. The Chargers are a top-four defense when it comes to stopping the pass and Jake Fromm is looking like the starting quarterback this week. To make matters worse none of these guys are healthy. Some are just less injured and none of them ever seem to play a full game. Even if you are struggling through a tough week of byes and injuries you need to look elsewhere for fantasy production.
Russell Gage (WR) Atlanta Falcons
Gage is extremely tempting this week coming off a monster 11 reception,130-yard outing. That’s following up a six for 62 and a TD effort in Week 12. So the appeal to start Gage is clear. With the Panthers coming off a bye this is a brutal matchup though. They are coming off an embarrassing loss and their defense is allowing the fifth-fewest fantasy points to wideouts. The only Falcon I’m starting in this game is Cordarrelle Patterson. Everyone else I’m looking for a better option.
T.J. Hockenson (TE) Detroit Lions
Hockenson hasn’t been seeing the volume we expected this year and saw early on in the season. This week he has a brutal matchup against the Broncos who are top-five when it comes to shutting down fantasy tight ends. I expect him to be a TD or bust option this week. I know it may be tough to find a better option on waivers but at the very least temper expectations. Take a look though because there may be better options available. Ricky Seals-Jones comes to mind with Logan Thomas out.
