This is the Fantasy Nerd's look at the best and worst matchups for Week 14 of the 2021 NFL season. Analysis is aggregated from multiple sources including FN. Rankings are based upon PPR (point per reception) scoring. Given the known conditions, these matchups are the ones to watch and/or avoid.
Please Note: This list does not generally include the elite players that you are going to start regardless of matchup. You don't need us to tell you to start Alvin Kamara, Travis Kelce, or Davante Adams. Instead, we take a look at other players on your team that we believe either have great matchups or should be avoided for multiple reasons. Factors like opposing defense, performance trending, and peer comparisons may influence our decisions.
Start 'em Taysom Hill (NO, QB)The last thing you wanted to see from Taysom Hill last week was four interceptions, but he still managed to turn in a 20 point fantasy day largely due to his 101 rushing yards. He's dealing with a finger injury, but should be able to post a decent stat line against the Jets who made Gardner Minshew look serviceable with almost 19 points last week.
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15th Most Pts to QB
Start 'em Russell Wilson (SEA, QB)Even though he's put up back-to-back double digit days, this just doesn't look like the Russell Wilson that we remember. His rushing stats are down and he hasn't thrown more than 247 yards since Week 3. Still, he could post decent numbers against the Texans who have allowed 250+ passing yards and 1.25 touchdowns per game over the last five weeks.
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11th Fewest Pts to QB
Start 'em Javonte Williams (DEN, RB)In his first game without Melvin Gordon, Javonte Williams delivered big time for fantasy owners rushing for 102 yards and tacking on six receptions for 76 yards and a score. Gordon is expected back this week so Williams won't likely see the same 23-carry workload, but the matchup is fantastic nonetheless. Williams remains a solid RB2 in this one.
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4th Most Pts to RB
Start 'em Leonard Fournette (TB, RB)Even in a brutal matchup, Leonard Fournette remains in RB1 discussions based upon workload and ability to deliver. He's the guy the Bucs trust at the goal line, and he's frequently targeted in the passing game (~8 targets/game over last four games). He's got a new lease on life in Tampa Bay and fantasy owners are along for the ride.
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8th Fewest Pts to RB
Start 'em Antonio Gibson (WAS, RB)With J.D. McKissic sidelined, Antonio Gibson got all the work that he could handle. Gibson started the year slow and Washington didn't use him as much as they could. His shins were an issue for a while, but over the last four weeks, his usage has been consistently growing. That volume makes him an attractive option even in a tough matchup.
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5th Fewest Pts to RB
Start 'em Tyler Lockett (SEA, WR)The most productive receiver for the Seahawks as of late has been Tyler Lockett. Lockett has delivered double-digits in four of his last five games. If the trend continues, he shouldn't have much difficulty reaching double digits against the Texans. In PPR formats, Lockett should be a solid WR2/3.
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11th Most Pts to WR
Start 'em Tee Higgins (CIN, WR)With back-to-back 100+ yard days, Tee Higgins is hitting his stride at just the right time heading into the fantasy playoffs. He's managed to find the endzone in each of his last two games and should be able to deliver double-digit points against the Niners. San Francisco hasn't been as stout against the pass recently allowing the opposing defenses' top two receivers to hit double-digit points the past two weeks (Lockett/Metcalf, Thielen/Jefferson).
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11th Fewest Pts to WR
Start 'em Elijah Moore (NYJ, WR)The Jets may be an awful offensive team, but Elijah Moore has been a bright spot for fantasy owners delivering double-digits in six of his last seven games. He's seen his target share increase to an awesome 34% and found the endzone five times in his last five games. With Corey Davis out for the season, Moore is quickly becoming an automatic start in fantasy.
UPDATE: Elijah Moore has been placed on IR and will miss this game.
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5th Most Pts to WR
Start 'em Dawson Knox (BUF, TE)Dawson Knox has largely been hit or miss this season. He only hauled in two of his six targets last week in a wickedly windy game, but keep him in your lineup this week against a Bucs defense allowing the 7th-most fantasy points to the position.
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7th Most Pts to TE
Start 'em Zach Ertz (ARI, TE)The weather was not particularly favorable last week and Kyler Murray didn't throw much (career-low 15 pass attempts), but we're anticipating a return to fantasy goodness this week. The Rams have been fairly easy on tight ends this season. Ertz should be a low-end TE1 in this matchup.
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11th Most Pts to TE
Start 'em Green Bay Packers (GB, DEF)The lack of offensive production from the Bears (3rd-fewest points scored among all NFL teams) isn't fun if you're a Bears fan or have Bears on your fantasy team, but if you have the Packers defense this week, you're green and gold.
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3rd Most Pts to DEF
Start 'em Brandon McManus (DEN, K)Nobody gives up more fantasy points to kickers this season than the Lions. Brandon McManus has been steadily consistent this season and should flirt with double-digit production in this one.
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Most pts to K
Sit 'em Ryan Tannehill (TEN, QB)Without his top wideouts, Ryan Tannehill has been a shell of his former self. With back-to-back games of 9 fantasy points or less, Tannehill lacks the weapons and ability to reliably put up enough fantasy points to warrant a starting spot in your roster.
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15th Fewest Pts to QB
Sit 'em Matt Ryan (ATL, QB)In his last four games, Matty Ice has gone super cold throwing just one touchdown pass and five interceptions. The last time he played Carolina back in Week 8, he managed to deliver a whopping 6.1 fantasy points. It's probably best to keep Matt Ryan on ice for this one.
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5th Fewest Pts to QB
Sit 'em David Johnson (HOU, RB)The Texans are a mess right now, and David Johnson's best days are behind him. Even in a fantastic matchup, DJ can't be trusted in lineups. He's managed to produce just three days with double-digit production, yet hasn't put up more than 11.8 points all year. Rex Burkhead is eating into his volume, so DJ's turnaround isn't likely to spontaneously happen now.
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2nd Most Pts to RB
Sit 'em Mike Davis (ATL, RB)Mike Davis had the best game of his season against the Bucs last week, and he managed to put up 11.6 points against the Panthers earlier this year. Still, he's tough to trust given that the matchup is very tough and he's managed double-digits just once in the last five weeks. He'll continue to play second fiddle to Cordarrelle Patterson making him nothing more than a potential flex option.
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2nd Fewest Pts to RB
Sit 'em Adrian Peterson (SEA, RB)Adrian Peterson has name recognition, and for some perhaps he still holds sway based upon past performance. He managed to find his way into the endzone last week after several tries, but he looked every bit of his 36 years. Keep in mind that he rushed 11 times for just 16 yards (avg 1.4 yards/carry). With Alex Collins expected back, Peterson's workload and value will drop.
UPDATE: Adrian Peterson has been declared inactive after injuring his back in practice.
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7th Most Pts to RB
Sit 'em Laviska Shenault (JAC, WR)Nobody gives up more fantasy points to receivers than the Titans, but the Jacksonville offense is sputtering. Shenault has largely failed to live up to expectations delivering six straight games of single digit fantasy production. He managed to produce just 6.8 points against the Titans when he faced them back in Week 5. With Marvin Jones getting more targets, Shenault is barely even on the flex radar at this point.
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Most pts to WR
Sit 'em Rashod Bateman (BAL, WR)One of the bigger names on the waiver wire this week was Rashod Bateman who flashed glimpses of fantasy goodness earlier this year but has largely gone quiet over the last month. When he faced the Browns just two weeks ago, he put up 7 fantasy points. Don't be surprised if we see a repeat performance.
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8th Fewest Pts to WR
Sit 'em Tim Patrick (DEN, WR)The fantasy darling earlier this year has been frustratingly quiet producing less than 5 fantasy points in his last three games. He hasn't seen more than four catches since Week 5. It's very difficult to consider rostering him at this point let alone starting him.
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10th Fewest Pts to WR
Sit 'em Cole Kmet (CHI, TE)Over the past two games, Cole Kmet has 11 catches on 18 targets. With Justin Fields cleared to return this week, Kmet's role could go back to what it was prior to Fields getting hurt with cracked ribs. Questionable QB play combined with a Packers D that has largely kept TE's in check makes Kmet a risky fantasy play.
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13th Fewest Pts to TE
Sit 'em Evan Engram (NYG, TE)Evan Engram is coming off a decent fantasy outing last week going 4/61/0 and delivering 10.1 fantasy points. The Giants receiving corp has been a merry go round all season, but it looks like Sterling Shepard, Kadarius Toney, and Kenny Golladay may all have a chance to suit up. With the Giants prepping Jake Fromm (assuming Mike Glennon isn't cleared from the concussion protocol), this is a situation to be avoided.
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5th Most Pts to TE
Sit 'em Chicago Bears (CHI, DEF)The Sunday night matchup between Chicago and Green Bay should have been a solid Defense vs Offense game, but with the Packers on a roll and them giving up the 6th-fewest fantasy points to opposing teams, this is not the week to have Chicago in your D/ST slot.
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6th Fewest Pts to DEF
Sit 'em Cairo Santos (CHI, K)Nobody gives up fewer points to kickers this season than the Packers. This just isn't the week to start your Bears.
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Feweset Pts to K
