Start 'em, Sit 'em Week 14: Don't Get Conned by Conklin and Other QB/TE/DST Fantasy Advice
The Week 14 start/sit fantasy advice for quarterbacks, tight ends, and defense/special teams (DSTs) might be the last time I have your attention in this space, as many of you might be done after this week.
Just remember, it's not the end of the world if that happens. I say it all the time – fantasy football is a cruel, cruel mistress. I've been playing this game for a long time, probably for more decades than some of you are even alive. I've been to the mountain top. And I've also bottomed out hard. I've seen enough in my time that I now have a very Zen-like attitude toward both winning and losing. It is what it is.
Week 14 Positional Rankings: QB I RB I WR I TE I DST I K I Flex
Teams on bye: Atlanta, Chicago, Green Bay, Indianapolis, New Orleans, Washington
And that's not to say I don't curse when my fortunes change in the final minute of the MNF game or that I am not happy when I do win the championship in any of my leagues. I just know that win or lose, that feeling won't last long.
But here's hoping I can help you get to that mountaintop and that includes this week's options.
The options I am looking at for this column are those in the "QB2/TE2/DST2" range, i.e. those ranked from around 13 to 24. That's the tier I will be evaluating. And as more often than not, I'll try to give you a lower-ranked option for whom to start and a higher-ranked option for whom to sit when possible.
START This QB
Mike White, New York Jets at Buffalo Bills
I'll be honest with you. Once you get outside of the top 10 QBs this week, things get really ugly really quickly. Picking a QB to start outside of the range is kind of like picking the most colorful zebra.
But Mike White has the potential to lead the pack. White now has back-to-back 300-yard games this season and in his only two starts this season. That's more such performances than either division-leading QBs Kirk Cousins or Lamar Jackson have this season.
And if you watch the film, some of his throws are even more impressive than his actual stats. His teammates are rallying around him for a reason. Right now, Mike White just has that "it" factor. Can he keep it up? Tough to say. But I'm riding this Jet while it's flying high, with no plans of bringing my seatback forward.
Related: Week 14 Start/Sit Fantasy Advice for RB/WR
SIT This QB
DeShaun Watson, Cleveland Browns at Cincinnati Bengals
I promise not to get into the moral argument here, but even a strategic argument says to avoid Watson.
First off, did Watson impress you last week? Despite the revenge narrative being in full roar, Watson completed just 12 of 22 passes for a whopping 131 yards and an INT. Not good.
Secondly, we know the Browns prefer to run the ball if they can. And with Nick Chubb as their bell cow, I don't blame them. But even if Watson was playing well, the volume is likely to be very low.
Finally, the Bengals have allowed the sixth-fewest fantasy points per game to quarterbacks this year. I don't see that ranking declining.
START This TE
Tyler Higbee, Los Angles Rams vs. Las Vegas Raiders (TNF)
Look, the Rams are bad. I mean it's almost comical how bad they are. And as much as I might like the Raiders D this week (see below), the Rams will still put up at least 100 yards through the air. Perhaps barely, but I'm confident in them clearing that extremely low bar.
And I expect Higbee to get the majority of those yards. I am pretty confident that Higbee can post four receptions for 60-plus yards. I know, nothing to get excited about. However, that's a reasonable floor and one we can reasonably expect. And given how sketchy things get outside the top half-dozen TEs, let alone the top dozen, I'll take the safety of Higbee.
SIT This TE
Tyler Conklin, New York Jets at Buffalo Bills
Doesn't matter how much I like Mike White. Don't get conned by Conklin. I say that because, with the ascension of White, I saw Conklin as a popular waiver wire add this week. But we've seen this before. Could he score? Sure. But I'm not gambling on that happening. Do you know how many scores he has so far this year? Three. And not a single one after Halloween. Do you really want to bet on that happening?
Conklin also doesn't offer much beyond scoring potential either. Conklin notched 2.9 fantasy points last week, catching two passes for nine yards. He has scored fewer than four fantasy points in three of his last four games. He has not topped double-digit fantasy points since Week 8. Yuck!
Plus, among the many strengths of the Bills' defense is shutting down TEs. They have allowed the league's seventh-fewest fantasy points per game to TEs. When the Jets and Buffalo met back in Week 9, Conklin had one reception for seven yards.
I wouldn't expect much more than that this week.
START This Defense/Special Teams (DST)
Las Vegas Raiders at Los Angeles Rams (TNF)
I won't sugarcoat it. The Las Vegas Raiders' defense has not been good this year. They have been scored upon to the tune of 24.7 points per game, the seventh worst in the league. Despite that, I'm still going to recommend them. For one, the addition of defensive tackle Jerry Tillery seems significant. Secondly, and perhaps more importantly is because yes, the Rams are actually that bad.
Does it make a difference whether John Wolford, Bryce Perkins, or Baker Mayfield are starting? Nope. Rams QBs are being sacked an average of 3.5 times a game and the team is turning the ball over nearly twice a game as well.
I will also point out that Maxx Crosby has the most tackles for a loss, along with the fourth-most sacks in the league this season. The Raiders rank 10th in blitz rate and don't expect them to hold back against an impotent Rams offense.
The Raiders are certainly worth a start this week for those of you streaming DSTs.
SIT This Defense/Special Teams (DST)
Tennessee Titans vs. Jacksonville Jaguars
I said this last week and I'll say it again – what am I missing about the Titans? I am constantly seeing folks rave about the Titans' defense. Sure, they are good against the run as one of only three teams that have allowed less than 1,000 rushing yards on the season. But they are still allowing the 11th-most yards per game. You can't consistently do that and expect to beat your opponent.
And they've been pretty worthless as a fantasy DST over the last three weeks. They have just four sacks over that span with zero interceptions or fumble recoveries. In my home league, for example, they are averaging just two points over that same time span. That's NOT good. And yes, I know DST scoring is probably the most variable part of scoring from league to league, but they've been proportionally bad across all types of scoring.
And call it a hunch, but I think Jacksonville upsets the Titans this weekend. If Jacksonville is going to make the playoffs, the Jags absolutely have to beat the Titans this week. Jacksonville is within the top dozen for yards per game and the top half of the league in touchdowns per game.
I'm willing to bet we don't hear too much about how strong the Titans' defense is after this week.
— Written by Mark Strausberg, a member of the Athlon Network Contributor, who despite his youthful exuberance and good looks has been playing fantasy sports before Wildcats or Hoosiers even made it to VHS. Got a fantasy sports question or thought? Hit him up on Twitter @MarkStrausberg.
