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

Week 13 was a wild one, filled with tight finishes, unexpected results, and multiple upsets. Unfortunately, the most recent NFL slate won't provide much clarity for fantasy managers heading into a pivotal Week 14.

In many season-long leagues, this will be the final week of the regular season. It'll be a tricky one to navigate, in part because the Carolina Panthers, San Francisco 49ers, New England Patriots, and New York Giants will be on bye.

Here, you'll find an early look at some of the best and worst matchups of the week, along with a few sleepers to consider targeting on the waiver wire.

Start: Chase Brown, RB, Cincinnati Bengals

AP Photo/Nick Wass

After starting the year slowly, Cincinnati Bengals running back Chase Brown has morphed into a veritable league-winner. The return of quarterback Joe Burrow can only boost the stock of a back who has topped 15 fantasy points in five straight contests.

Brown is a must-start against the Buffalo Bills this week, and he could have a real shot at finishing as RB1. A lot will hinge on how heavily Brown is used in the passing game and whether wideout Tee Higgins returns from his concussion in time to face Buffalo.

Higgins missed Week 12, and in Burrow's return, Brown caught all seven of his targets and finished with 113 scrimmage yards. Only three teams have surrendered more fantasy points to opposing running backs this season than Buffalo.

Other strong matchup-based starts in Week 14 include:

James Cook, Buffalo Bills

Woody Marks, Houston Texans

Kenneth Walker III, Seattle Seahawks

Sit: Ashton Jeanty, RB, Las Vegas Raiders

AP Photo/David Becker

After getting blown out by the lowly Cleveland Browns in Week 12, the Las Vegas Raiders fired offensive coordinator Chip Kelly. Unfortunately, the coaching change did nothing to improve the outlook for rookie running back Ashton Jeanty.

Jeanty has been plagued by bad play-calling and even worse run blocking this season. He had a respectable 12.1 fantasy points in Week 13, but it required six receptions for him to reach that mark.

Consistency has not been Jeanty's biggest strength this season. Despite being a high-volume back, he's failed to reach double-digit fantasy points four times. He may well fall short of that mark again this week against a Denver Broncos defense that has surrendered the sixth-fewest fantasy points to opposing running backs.

Other running backs to avoid this week include:

Tony Pollard, Tennessee Titans

Javonte Williams, Dallas Cowboys

Zonovan Knight, Arizona Cardinals

Start: Jameson Williams, WR, Detroit Lions

AP Photo/Ryan Sun

The Detroit Lions lost on Thanksgiving, and they also lost star receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown to a low-ankle sprain. While the injury isn't likely to cause an extended absence, it leaves his status for Thursday's game uncertain.

Though he finished without a catch just two weeks ago, Jameson Williams should be trustworthy this week. He became a focal point of Detroit's offense after St. Brown exited last week and finished with a season-high 26.9 fantasy points. He's now topped 19 fantasy points in three of his last four outings.

Williams also has a favorable matchup this week against a Dallas Cowboys defense that has shown improvement but still has some issues on the back end. No team has surrendered more fantasy points to opposing wide receivers than Dallas.

Other receivers to trust this week include:

George Pickens, Dallas Cowboys

Christian Watson, Green Bay Packers

Courtland Sutton, Denver Broncos

Sit: Deebo Samuel, WR, Washington Commanders

AP Photo/Stephanie Scarbrough

Washington Commanders wide receiver Deebo Samuel had a respectable 11.1-point outing in Week 13, though he was firmly behind Terry McLaurin and Zach Ertz in the offensive game plan.

The problem is that McLaurin and Ertz aren't going anywhere, and Washington's offense may see a bit of a shakeup this week. According to NFL Media's Ian Rapoport, there's a "chance" that Jayden Daniels will return from his elbow injury to face the Minnesota Vikings.

Daniels has a higher ceiling than Marcus Mariota, of course, but he also hasn't played with Samuel since Week 9. There's simply too much uncertainty to trust Samuel's situation or role against a Minnesota Vikings defense that has surrendered the second-fewest fantasy points to opposing receivers.

Other receivers to avoid include:

Tre Tucker, Las Vegas Raiders

John Metchie III, New York Jets

Khalil Shakir, Buffalo Bills

Week 14 Sleepers

AP Photo/Nick Wass

Commanders RB Chris Rodriguez Jr.

Chris Rodriguez Jr., RB, Washington Commanders

It seems that Chris Rodriguez Jr. has emerged as the Commanders' most reliable backfield option. He led the team with 11 carries on Sunday night, and he's now topped nine fantasy points in three of his last four games.

Rodriguez will face a fairly pedestrian Vikings run defense this week and is still available in over 75 percent of Yahoo and ESPN leagues.

Blake Corum, RB, Los Angeles Rams

Los Angeles Rams running back Kyren Williams suffered an ankle injury on Sunday, though he did eventually return. Blake Corum filled in admirably, though, finishing with 81 yards and a touchdown.

Corum's performance and Williams' health might earn the former more opportunities against an Arizona Cardinals defense that has surrendered the seventh-most fantasy points to RBs. Corum is available in over 80 percent of Yahoo and ESPN leagues.

Jayden Higgins, WR, Houston Texans

The Houston Texans' offense is finally starting to click, and rookie receiver Jayden Higgins has benefited greatly. He's topped 11 fantasy points in back-to-back games and has hit that mark in three of the last four.

This week, Higgins will face a Kansas City Chiefs defense that is starting to slip, surrendering 320 passing yards in Week 13. He's still available in over 60 percent of ESPN and Yahoo leagues.

*Fantasy roster and scoring information from FantasyPros.