Start 'Em, Sit 'Em Week 14: Smart Matchup Plays, Sleepers and More

It has been an up-and-down season for the Los Angeles Chargers, starting quarterback Justin Herbert, and any fantasy manager leaning on the former Oregon Duck to guide them to a league championship.

Entering Week 14, a potentially pivotal week for playoff-hopeful managers, is Herbert a worthwhile star or is he worth benching, the latest development in a season that has surprised for all the wrong reasons?

Find out the answer to that question, as well as which previously great running back could be a quality sleeper candidate, with this preview of the week to come.

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All stats via FantasyPros unless otherwise stated.

Start: Rashee Rice, WR, Kansas City Chiefs

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LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - NOVEMBER 26: Wide receiver Rashee Rice #4 of the Kansas City Chiefs celebrates a fourth-quarter touchdown against the Las Vegas Raiders at Allegiant Stadium on November 26, 2023 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Chiefs defeated the Raiders 31-17. (Photo by Candice Ward/Getty Images)

Rashee Rice has developed into the clear No. 2 in Kansas City behind tight end Travis Kelce, as evidenced by his increased role in the Chiefs offense in recent weeks.

The rookie receiver has caught 20 of 24 targets for 193 yards and a touchdown over the last three weeks. He is not yet a game-changer, but he is that secondary outlet that Patrick Mahomes is developing chemistry with a can count on to come through in big spots when the defense has taken Kelce out of the equation.

Look for Rice to have opportunities to make plays against a Bills defense that gave up over 300 yards passing to the Philadelphia Eagles.

Given the Chiefs have lost three of their last five and are in danger of losing their grip on the AFC, do not be surprised to see Mahomes and the Chiefs open up the offense and sling the ball around the field in an attempt to reverse momentum.

That bodes well for managers with Rice on their rosters.

Sit: Justin Herbert, QB, Los Angeles Chargers

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FOXBOROUGH, MASSACHUSETTS - DECEMBER 03: Justin Herbert #10 of the Los Angeles Chargers warms up before the game against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium on December 03, 2023 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Billie Weiss/Getty Images)

On the surface, the idea of benching Justin Herbert in fantasy football sounds rather asinine.

He is one of the best young quarterbacks in the league and the leader of a typically potent offense when it clicks on all cylinders. Unfortunately, that has not consistently been the case in 2023.

In five of the eight games since the Week 5 bye, Herbert has scored under 20 fantasy points, and in two of them, including Sunday's uninspired 6-0 win over the New England Patriots, he was limited to single-digit performances.

In his last two games, he has thrown as many touchdowns as interceptions (one apiece), and against the Pats, his team failed to find the endzone.

He could have success in Week 14 against a maligned Denver Broncos defense that started the season historically bad but has come on late, earning fantasy points for forcing turnovers.

In their last five games, the Broncos have recovered 10 fumbles and forced five interceptions. With Austin Ekeler failing to be the dynamic threat he was in recent years, Denver will have the opportunity to tee off on Herbert and potentially force him into a turnover or two.

Fantasy managers without a better option should still take the risk and start Herbert. Others should consult the schedule, do their research, and decide if their backup signal-caller has a more favorable match-up.

If so, go with that QB and monitor Herbert's play in the coming weeks.

Sleeper: Ezekiel Elliott, RB, New England Patriots

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FOXBOROUGH, MASSACHUSETTS - DECEMBER 03: Ezekiel Elliott #15 of the New England Patriots kneels before the game against the Los Angeles Chargers at Gillette Stadium on December 03, 2023 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)

The ankle injury suffered by Patriots running back Rhamondre Stevenson creates an opportunity for Ezekiel Elliott to take most of the carries for the second-worst team in the league in Week 14.

Against Los Angeles, Elliott rushed 17 times for 52 yards and added 40 yards on five catches.

The Pittsburgh Steelers have given up nearly 20 points per game to opposing running backs and against Arizona in Week 13, let former back James Conner turn 25 carries into 105 yards and two touchdowns.

This end-of-season stretch is not likely to rejuvenate Elliott or have anyone confusing him for peak Cowboys Zeke. Still, if the team leans on the run amid uncertainty at the quarterback position and Elliott can exploit the same openings Conner did, there is reason to believe the former star back can turn back the clocks for one week and lead fantasy managers to victory.