Start ‘Em, Sit ‘Em Kickers and Defenses for Fantasy Football Week 14
It’s week 14, folks! Time to nail down those fantasy lineups! Start ‘Em, Sit ‘Em is the ultimate look at the best and worst games in a given week for fantasy football leagues. Each week I examine kickers and defenses who could exceed or fall short of expectations based on their weekly opponent…like Matthew Wright and the Dallas DST in Week 13!
For your final draft decisions, check out my fantasy player rankings. I update them daily! Also make sure you subscribe to the Fantasy Dirt Podcast with Lindsay Rhodes and I as we break down all things fantasy football five days a week!
All positions: QBs | RBs | WRs | TEs | K & DSTs
Goodbye: Broncos, Colts, Commanders, Patriots, Ravens, Texans
1. Chris Boswell vs. Browns
2. Chase McLaughlin vs. Raiders
3. Brandon Aubrey vs. Bengals (Mon.)
4. Tyler Bass at Rams
5. John Parker Romo vs. Falcons
6. Jake Elliott vs. Panthers
7. Cameron Dicker at Chiefs
8. Jake Bates vs. Packers (Thursday)
9. Brandon Aubrey vs. Bengals (Mon.)
10. Chad Ryland vs. Seahawks
Complete the Week 14 kicker rankings
Start of the week
Chase McLaughlin vs. Raiders (1 p.m. ET, CBS): McLaughlin, listed as a start ’em last week, scored 15 fantasy points in a win over the Panthers. I would also keep him active this week as he has another great game against Las Vegas. Their defense has allowed nine or more fantasy points to 10 kickers, including six who have scored at least 12 points.
Start them
Jake Elliott vs. Panthers (1 p.m. ET, Fox): Elliott was a disappointment last week, scoring just six fantasy points in a win over the Ravens. However, he had scored double figures in two of his previous three games, and a matchup against Carolina makes him a good option. Their defense allowed seven kickers to beat them by more than 12 points in 2024.
John Parker Romo vs. Falcons (1 p.m. ET, Fox): Romo was a strong fantasy kicker in his four games with the Vikings, averaging 11.3 points. I’d also keep him in the starting lineups this week as Parker Romo faces a Falcons defense that has given up at least eight fantasy points to all but two kickers, including five with at least 11 points.
Kickers with good matchups
Sits of the week
Younghoe Koo at Vikings (1 p.m. ET, Fox): Koo has failed to score more than nine points in all but one of his last six games, averaging a paltry 4.7 points. Next up is a tough matchup against the Vikings, who have given up the second-fewest points per game to opposing kickers. Only one boater even scored double figures.
Sit down
Matthew Wright vs. Chargers (8:20 p.m. ET, NBC): Wright, who was listed as a sleeper last week, had 13 fantasy points in a win over the Raiders. Still, I would avoid chasing the points if he faces the Chargers. Their defense has not allowed any kicker to score in double figures against them this season, and overall, no team has allowed fewer points to kickers.
Eddy Pineiro at Eagles (1 p.m. ET, Fox): Pineiro has come out of nowhere and totaled 33 points in his last three games, but that double-digit point streak is in jeopardy against the Eagles. Their defense has allowed the seventh-fewest points per game to kickers, and seven booters have been held to six points or less against them.
Kickers with bad matchups
1. Vikings Defense vs. Falcons
2. Steelers defense vs. Browns
3. Eagles defense vs. Panthers
4. 49ers defense vs. Bears
5. Saints defense at Giants
6. Defense of buccaneers versus looters
7. Cardinals defense vs. Seahawks
8. Dolphin Defense vs. Jets
9. Titans Defense vs. Jaguars
10. Rams Bills Defense
Complete the Week 14 defensive rankings
Start of the week
Vikings defense vs. Falcons (1 p.m. ET, CBS): The Vikings defense is solid in the stats, and this week’s matchup against Kirk Cousins and the Falcons makes it a must-start. Cousins has played very poorly in recent weeks, including throwing four picks last week, so it’s hard not to like the Minnesota DST despite the revenge game narrative.
Start them
Buccaneers defense vs. Raiders (1 p.m. ET, CBS): The Buccaneers defense could be used as a streamer this weekend, facing a Raiders offense that has committed the second-most giveaways and allowed the sixth-most sacks. The Silver & Black have also averaged just 18.6 points and 304.4 yards of offense per game, so Tampa Bay’s DST should do well.
Titans defense vs. Jaguars (1 p.m. ET, CBS): The Titans defense hasn’t really been a fantasy option this season, but with six teams out and a plus game against Mac Jones and the Jaguars, this unit is a viable streamer. He has lost two fumbles and thrown three interceptions in the three games in which he has thrown at least 22 passes this season.
Defense with good matchups
Sits of the week
Cowboys Defense vs. Bengals (Mon. 8:15 PM ET, ESPN): The Cowboys defense has put up great fantasy totals in recent weeks, but I would still sideline it in a tough matchup against the explosive Bengals offense. Dallas has allowed 34.5 points and almost 400 yards of offense in the Jerry Dome this season, so I’d go with the Boys.
Sit down
Dolphins Jet Defense (1 p.m. ET, CBS): The Jets defense put up 17 fantasy points in a loss to the Seahawks, but I wouldn’t chase the points against Miami. Tua Tagovailoa has been the league’s most accurate passer in recent weeks and the Dolphins have averaged 28.3 points and 367 yards of offense since Week 11. Make sure you keep the Jets D on the ground.
Chiefs defense vs. Chargers (8:20 PM ET, NBC): The Chiefs defense gave fantasy fans a four-point stink last week despite a great game against the Raiders. This week’s enemy is the Chargers. They have committed just six giveaways this season and their offense has averaged 24.7 points over their last three games of the season.
