Fantasy Football Week 14: Start Joe Flacco, Sit Jamaal Charles and More Picks

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It's playoff time for most fantasy football leagues, meaning that if you lose, you're done, and bragging rights are out of the question. The best part about starting fantasy playoffs early is that you don't have to worry about players sitting out.

If your league doesn't start its playoffs till next week, there's a good chance you're fighting for playoff position or trying to sneak in.

Start and sit these following players, and your chances of coming away with a victory will greatly increase.

Start Knowshon Moreno

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Moreno has come on strong of late and you can't dismiss his 23-carry, 161-yard performance against Kansas City. His opponent Sunday will be an Arizona Cardinals team that has struggled to stop the run all year long.

The Cardinals give up the 30th most rushing yards on the ground to its opponents, while Denver has struggled to run the ball this season.

But Moreno has topped the 100-yard mark two out of the past four games, and in the games he didn't he found the end zone. 

With Kyle Orton coming off a poor performance, look for the Broncos to establish the run early and often to take pressure off of Orton.

Sit Dwayne Bowe

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Champ Bailey bottled up Bowe last week, ending the KC wide receiver's impressive stretch of play. Bowe didn't finish with a single catch against the Broncos, and this week he'll take on a San Diego defense that is tops in the NFL against the pass.

But it isn't the Chargers' defense that should worry Bowe owners; it's that Matt Cassel won't be quarterbacking the Chiefs. Cassel underwent an appendectomy this past week, leaving him doubtful for this weekend's contest. 

With Bowe being shut out a week ago and the uncertainty with Cassel, there's no trusting Bowe this week. The Chiefs are going to rely heavily on the run even more than they already do and when they do throw, the Chargers will key in on Bowe.

Start Matt Ryan

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The Atlanta Falcons are in the midst of an impressive season, and a lot of it is due to the efficient play of Ryan. The Falcons will take on the Carolina Panthers on the road this weekend.

The Panthers are the worst team in football and have a banged-up defense to go along with the NFL's worst offense. This means Atlanta will be able to move the ball at will and have plenty of possessions unless Jimmy Clausen magically figures out how to quarterback in the NFL.

This is a great spot for Ryan to put up big numbers.

Sit Jay Cutler

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Chicago has won five in a row, and the biggest reason is Cutler's taking good care of the football. He's thrown just three picks in the past five games with 10 touchdowns. 

Against New England, the Bears are going to need a similar performance from their QB. 

While everything looks good for Cutler, this has been the type of situation in the past when he's had poor games. I'm expecting Cutler to frustrate fantasy owners and Bears fans throughout tomorrow afternoon with erratic play that has defined his career.

Despite the Patriots struggling against the pass this season, they are coming off an impressive performance against the New York Jets. 

Stay away from Cutler this week.

Start Anquan Boldin

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Going up against the Houston Texan pass defense is always a good thing. That's why Boldin finds himself poised for a big game Sunday. 

Last week against Pittsburgh, Boldin finished with five receptions for 118 yards and a TD. The Steelers defense makes the Texans defense look like a JV squad. 

It's going to be a big day for the Ravens' passing game, and Boldin will be the main beneficiary.

Sit Dustin Keller

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Mark Sanchez and Keller had a three-game stretch in which the combo connected for five TDs. Since Week 4, Keller hasn't found the end zone and Sanchez isn't looking for his tight end as much.

Keller has just nine receptions over the past three games, and going up against Miami's pass defense won't be an easy task for the Jets or Keller.

Until Keller gets out of the funk he's in, keep him on the bench.

Start Joe Flacco

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The Texans have the worst pass defense in the NFL, making this a prime opportunity for Flacco to pad his stats. Flacco is having a solid season, but he has a great chance here to have a signature statistical performance.

As long as this game stays close, Flacco will have plenty of opportunities to make plays against the Texans' porous secondary. 

A potential downfall for Flacco owners is if Baltimore rides Ray Rice throughout the game instead of opening up the passing game. My guess is the Ravens will use a balanced attack that should result in a productive game for Flacco and Co. 

Sit Jamaal Charles

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Charles is tied for third in the league in rushing with Chris Johnson—who has played one more game—making it all the harder to put him on your bench. But this week will be tough sledding for Charles and the entire Kansas City offense.

The Chargers give up the fifth fewest amount of yards on the ground to opponents, although they'll be tested against the Chiefs' top rushing attack. But without Cassel leading the offense, the Chargers are going to be able to load the box and force Brodie Croyle to beat them. 

Another reason Charles is in for a potentially disastrous game is the likelihood of San Diego jumping out to a big lead and forcing the Chiefs to throw the ball more than they would like.

It will be tough to sit one of the NFL's top fantasy backs, but if there is a week to do so this is the week.