Fantasy: Start, Sit, Stash, Quit - Week 14
SSSQ is a weekly look at the under-the-radar fantasy players you should consider starting, and the potential busts you should leave on your bench. We also identify breakout candidates to stash on your roster and players you can safely cut. For the rest of your lineup decisions, consult our weekly rankings.
Start
Jameis Winston, QB, Buccaneers
vs. Saints
The Saints no longer have a historically bad defense, but they still represent an appealing matchup for Winston and top wideout Mike Evans. The Saints are better defending the run than the pass, and the Buccaneers aren't very good running the ball to begin with. That should create a game script where Winston throws the ball plenty and has a good chance to finish with multiple touchdowns. And take note: Winston gets to play the Saints again in two weeks.
Fearless prediction: 341 yards passing, 2 TDs, 21 yards rushing, TD
Other QBs to start
- Kirk Cousins, Redskins
- Andy Dalton, Bengals
Jeremy Hill, RB, Bengals
at Browns
Hill has scored a touchdown in four of his last six games and, with the woeful Browns on his schedule this week, he's a good bet to cross the stripe at least once. Hill disappointed owners for much of the season, but, with Giovani Bernard on injured reserve, Hill has a chance to carry owners to a title with a strong December.
Fearless prediction: 79 yards rushing, 12 yards receiving, 2 TDs
Other RBs to start
- Todd Gurley, Rams
- Rob Kelley, Redskins
- Matt Forte, Jets
DeSean Jackson, WR, Redskins
at Eagles
There are rumors the Eagles are interested in re-acquiring Jackson, whom they drafted in 2008, in the offseason. This contest could serve as an audition for Jackson in front of his old home crowd. He will seize the opportunity and earn himself some money by doing so.
Fearless prediction: 119 yards receiving, TD
Other WRs to start
- Malcolm Mitchell, Patriots
- Tyrell Williams, Chargers
- Terrelle Pryor, Browns
Ladarius Green, TE, Steelers
at Bills
After a summer of injury mystery and weeks of waiting since the season began, the Steelers finally showed off their new weapon in Week 13. The result was a career-high 110 yards and a touchdown for Green. Look for the Steelers to continue ramping up Green's involvement, as his big body and ability to stretch the seams can take this excellent offense to new heights.
Fearless prediction: 52 yards receiving, 2 TDs
Other TEs to start
- Greg Olsen, Panthers
- Cameron Brate, Buccaneers
Sit
Marcus Mariota, QB, Titans
at Team
Owners who spent a late-round pick on Mariota (or scooped him up off waivers) have been generously rewarded for it. That trend should end this week, as the Broncos' pass defense remains among the very best in football and Mariota's touchdown rate is unsustainable. Look for regression to hit Mariota this week and for the Titans to lean heavily on their rushing attack. Bench him and find a better option.
Other QBs to sit
- Blake Bortles, Jaguars
- Dak Prescott, Cowboys
Devontae Booker, RB, Broncos
at Titans
There were whispers that Broncos backup Kapri Bibbs was on the verge of stealing the starting job from Booker - who has been largely ineffective for several weeks running - before Bibbs went down with a season-ending injury. The Broncos claimed Justin Forsett, who is very familiar to head coach Gary Kubiak, off waivers this week. The veteran will reportedly split snaps with Booker on Sunday. Whether that means Forsett gets a 50-50 split or something much smaller is unclear, but Booker's owners can't risk the possibility that the rookie is ineffective again and sees his workload plummet.
Other RBs to sit
- Terrance West, Ravens
- Rashad Jennings, Giants
- Darren Sproles, Eagles
Allen Robinson, WR, Jaguars
vs. Vikings
If you made it to the playoffs after spending a first- or second-round pick on Robinson, you clearly did something else right (or got very lucky). But it takes more than luck to win a fantasy championship and now is not the time to bank on the former stud suddenly finding himself after a season of failure. The Vikings are a brutal matchup and the Jaguars are very close to fully quitting on head coach Gus Bradley. Leave Robinson on your bench.
Other WRs to sit
- Sammy Watkins, Bills
- Rishard Matthews, Titans
- DeVante Parker, Dolphins
Dwayne Allen, TE, Colts
vs. Texans
Don't overreact to Allen's three touchdown catches on Monday night. He only saw four passes in the game and was essentially uncovered on two of them. The Texans are strong against tight ends and owners are probably better off going with a more consistent option than chasing last week's points by spot-starting Allen.
Other TEs to sit
- Martellus Bennett, Patriots
- Dennis Pitta, Ravens
Stash
Alshon Jeffery, WR, Bears
Jeffery is eligible to return from suspension in Week 15 and should be plenty motivated to put up some stats with free agency looming in the spring. Matt Barkley isn't an inspiring quarterback, but he's been better than advertised in two starts. If you're desperate for a receiver and Jeffery was dropped in your league when news of his suspension broke, he could be worth adding.
Charles Sims, RB, Buccaneers
Sims is ready to return from IR, which is convenient timing for the Buccaneers with Doug Martin battling a back injury. It's not out of the question that Martin will aggravate the injury and sit out Week 15 or 16, which could potentially make Sims worthy of a spot start. Stash him if you have the room.
Quit
Colin Kaepernick, QB, 49ers
Four yards passing last week. Four yards! Don't just cut Kaepernick from your roster, burn all evidence that he was ever part of your team.
James Starks, RB, Packers
It's crystal clear that any carry the Packers give Starks is a wasted carry. Their rushing attack should be Ty Montgomery and Christine Michael moving forward. Drop Starks and pray that someone else in your league picks him up and starts him against you.