Fantasy plays: Players to start and
sit for NFL Week 14
[December 04, 2025]
By DORIAN COLBERT
By Week 14, the fantasy football playoff push becomes a weekly
stress test. Lineups tighten, injuries pile up and matchups take on
outsized importance. These are the plays and fades that can tilt
your roster toward the postseason this week.
Quarterbacks
Start: Jared Goff, Lions vs Cowboys
Goff draws the single best quarterback matchup of Week 14. Dallas
has struggled all season to contain rhythm passers who work the
intermediate areas of the field, and Detroit’s offense thrives
there. Even if Amon-Ra St. Brown (ankle) can’t suit up, Goff should
have clean throwing windows to Jameson Williams, Jahmyr Gibbs and
rookie Isaac Teslaa, throughout the game. Add in red zone stability
and Detroit’s willingness to lean on Goff in high-tempo scripts, and
he carries legitimate QB1 upside in Week 14.
Other locks:
— Caleb Williams vs Packers
— C.J. Stroud vs Chiefs
— Lamar Jackson vs Steelers
Avoid: Kirk Cousins, Falcons vs Seahawks
Cousins has the playmakers to deliver in the right spot, but this
matchup isn’t one of them. Seattle’s defense has tightened
considerably against traditional pocket passers, squeezing the
intermediate windows Cousins depends on to stay in rhythm. Their
revamped secondary forces quarterbacks to hold the ball longer than
they want, and that’s when Cousins’ efficiency drops off sharply.
With Seattle capable of generating pressure without blitzing,
Atlanta may struggle to keep Cousins clean long enough for deeper
routes to develop. In a matchup that compresses his strengths and
amplifies his weaknesses, Cousins is a shaky Week 14 play and best
avoided if you have alternatives.
Running backs
Start: Kyle Monangai, Bears vs Packers
Monangai has taken over as Chicago’s most reliable early down
option, and Week 14 gives him one of the cleanest matchups on the
schedule. Green Bay has struggled all season with physical, downhill
runners who create yards after contact and Monangai thrives exactly
in that role. With the Bears leaning run-heavy to support Caleb
Williams and maintain offensive rhythm, Monangai projects for both
stable volume and premium goal-line equity, even with D’Andre Swift
working in. He enters Week 14 as a strong RB2 with real touchdown
upside.
Other locks:
— Bijan Robinson vs Seahawks
— Kyren Williams vs Cardinals
— Woody Marks at Chiefs
Avoid: Bam Knight, Cardinals vs Rams
Knight has held onto the starting job in Arizona, but this is one of
the harshest matchups he’ll face all season. The Rams’ front has
been excellent at shutting down early down runners, consistently
winning at the point of attack and allowing almost nothing after
contact. Knight’s fantasy value relies heavily on volume and
short-area efficiency, neither of which project well in a game where
Arizona may struggle to sustain drives.
Without meaningful passing-game usage to buoy his floor, Knight
becomes a touchdown-dependent dart throw. There’s also the very real
possibility that fellow RB Trey Benson gets activated ahead of the
Week 14 matchup. Knight is an avoid in Week 14.
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Chicago Bears running back Kyle Monangai (25) scores a touchdown
during the second half of an NFL football game against the
Philadelphia Eagles, Friday, Nov. 28, 2025, in Philadelphia. (AP
Photo/Matt Rourke)
Wide receivers
Start: Nico Collins, Texans vs Chiefs
Collins remains Houston’s most reliable perimeter option, and the
Chiefs have had issues containing physical receivers who can win
through contact. With C.J. Stroud pushing the ball into intermediate
windows and Houston likely needing to match Kansas City
drive-for-drive, Collins’ combination of volume and matchup gives
him WR2 with WR1 upside this week, even in a tough matchup.
Other locks:
— Jameson Williams vs Cowboys
— Christian Watson vs Bears
— Puka Nacua vs Cardinals
Avoid: Josh Downs, Colts vs Jaguars
Downs remains a tempting PPR option, thanks to his ample target
share, but this matchup caps his value sharply. Jacksonville has
defended the slot well all season, squeezing throwing windows in the
short middle and forcing targets outside. With Indianapolis
spreading the ball unpredictably and Downs rarely used in scoring
situations, his floor becomes extremely fragile. Bench him in Week
14.
Tight ends
Start: Darren Waller, Dolphins vs Jets
Waller has stepped into a featured receiving role in Miami’s offense
since returning from a five-week absence, and Week 14 sets up
perfectly for him. The Jets have been stout on the perimeter but
softer against athletic tight ends who can attack the seams and
stress linebackers in space. That’s where Waller does his best work.
With defenses selling out to contain Miami’s speed on the outside,
Waller consistently finds single coverage and high-efficiency
targets underneath and up the hash marks. In a matchup that funnels
volume directly toward his skill set, he carries strong TE1 upside
in Week 14.
Other locks:
— Jake Ferguson vs Lions
— Dalton Schultz vs Chiefs
— Zach Ertz vs Vikings
Avoid: Dallas Goedert, Eagles vs Chargers
Goedert’s talent is unquestioned, but Philadelphia’s passing attack
has become increasingly perimeter-focused. The Chargers frequently
erase tight end production by crowding the intermediate windows, and
with Goedert’s weekly usage already inconsistent, this matchup
amplifies the volatility. If you have another option, you should use
it.
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