For many of you, this will be the first week of the fantasy playoffs. For others, this will be the last week until they start. I assume that if you are still reading, it means good things, or you are just as much of a fantasy football sicko as I have become. Either way, lets look at the start sit for week 14 together.
Start
Josh Gordon (CLE) takes on the Colts at home this week. Indianapolis will be without Vontae Davis this week, and that should lead to a field day for Gordon against the Colts. It is also likely that in his third week back from suspension, Gordon has worked out some of the bugs in his route running and the offense and should strike gold for you this week. A shootout is definitely possible in this game against the high octane offense of Indy, so expect a lot of scoring. Get Gordon in your lineup.
Delanie Walker (TEN) is very nearly the last man standing in the passing attack of the Titans. Losing Justin Hunter last week, and likely without Kendall Wright as well this week, Walker should see a large uptick in targets and production this week. The match up for Walker is fantastic as well, taking on the Giants who are reeling and have given up 20 touchdowns through the air on the season. In the vast wasteland that has been the tight end position this season, Walker should be a bright spot this week. Start him.
Frank Gore (SF) has a fantastic opportunity to be the hero in a cross bridge rivalry game with the Oakland Raiders and their 27th ranked run defense. Oakland has allowed 130.5 yards per game, and 13 scores on the ground this season. Last week the Rams showed us how it was done, torching the Raiders with their running game. The only possible negative is that the 49ers get up big early and decide to take Gore out and run Carlos Hyde, but by that time Gore may have already put up solid numbers for you. Start him.
Jordy Nelson and Randall Cobb (GB) has the fortune of facing off against the worst passing defense in the league this week when he and the Packers in the friendly confines of Lambeau Field. The Falcons by yardage are the worst pass defense, likely because they are easy to punch it in against, but I don't see both Cobb and Nelson having trouble finding the end zone. The Packers have been scoring almost at will, and that is unlikely to stop this week against Atlanta. You better have both these guys playing if you want to win.
Sit
LeSean McCoy (PHI) has a tough match up this week against the Seahawks, and his track record this year against good run defenses is not so good. On the season McCoy only has one performance over 10 fantasy points in a PPR format against a top 15 run defense, and even expanding that to 15 points the number only swells to 2. The Seahawks have been playing their best defensive ball of the season, and have the 5th ranked run defense on the season, allowing only 86.3 yards per game. It is tough medicine, but sitting McCoy will cure what ails ya.
Eric Decker (NYJ) is a victim of multiple circumstances for the Jets. Terrible quarterback play, injuries, and now facing the 6th ranked pass defense of the Vikings on the road. If the Jets employ a similar game plan as last week, Decker is lost. Somehow Decker caught 2 passes of the 13 thrown by Geno Smith. The Vikes only allow 219 yards per game, and I would expect that number to go down this week. I would not even think about starting Decker this week.
Percy Harvin (NYJ) falls under a the same category as his teammate Eric Decker. The only bonus for Harvin over Decker is that he gets some rushing yards, but this offense and team are a complete mess. On the season, split between two teams, and two offenses, Harvin has been a disaster. Having only 1 game over 50 receiving yards on the season, and 188 rushing yards on the season, if you have been playing Harvin and made the playoffs, the rest of your team is amazing. Plug in any random player and carry on.
Tre Mason (STL) take on a surprisingly stout run defense of Washington this week. Washington is ranked 9th against the run, and allows only 102.8 yards per game on the ground. Points may be hard to come by this week, and the Rams might have a better chance through the air where Washington has given up 26 touchdowns. After a huge game last week, I expect a big letdown this week for Mason. Sit him.
Sammy Watkins (BUF) has fallen off the last 4 games. Reports that he is dealing with groin and hip issues seem to have limited him. It hasn't helped that Watkins has been facing some good corners, and that is going to continue this week when Buffalo takes on Denver on the road. Watkins will be taking on Aqib Talib, and will once again have a tough time. Banged up and facing a defense that allows only 229.7 yards per game through the air, I am sitting Watkins this week.
Ryan Mathews (SD) is facing the 13th ranked run defense in the league this week in the New England Patriots. The ranking is somewhat deceptive as the Pats have allowed only 5 rushing touchdowns on the season. Mathews had missed much of the season, and is fresh, but in the first week of the playoffs, I am not inclined to recommend that you start Mathews this week.
That brings us once again to the end of the start sit article this week. Here is hoping that this article helps you to either your playoffs, or to the next round. Go out there and get 'em. Good luck this week!
