Start or sit: Week 14

It's a heavy lineup of players to get in your lineups more than not, which hopefully means high scoring games. Those being the ones we love. Players like Laurent Robinson and Mike Tolbert have value this week while Dexter McCluster may not be someone you want to lean on. Don't forget to check out Pro Football Weekly's rankings for any last minute decisions whether for an early game or last second check before kickoff; these are proven weekly rankings.

START

QB Ryan Fitzpatrick, Bills (at Chargers)
In the past five games, Fitzpatrick has only one multi-touchdown game, with three in Week 12. If you pull that game out, between Weeks 9-13, he is averaging 208.5 yards and 0.8 TDs with 1.8 interceptions. However, this past week he threw for 288 yards and only one TD but does have a two-game average of 276 yards and two TDs. On the surface he may look solid but he's inconsistent. Right now, some will be forced to use him and luckily he has a good matchup. The Chargers might have looked like an elite team last Monday night but they're far from it. They're allowing 230.8 and 1.75 TDs per game to opposing QBs the past four weeks and that includes the Jaguars, who struggle to pass. This defense can be beaten.

QB Philip Rivers, Chargers (vs. Bills)
Rivers is on fire. For fantasy owners, he has had one bump in the road, in Week 12, but if you remove his Week 12 game from Week 9-13, he's averaging 2.75 TDs per game. He also hasn't thrown an interception in two games. He's facing a Bills team that is allowing opposing QBs only 187.5 yards but 2.5 TDs per game in their last four. I believe Rivers can throw for more than 187.5 yards but match the TDs. Start him.

RB Mike Tolbert, Chargers (vs. Bills)
Tolbert has been a disappointment this fantasy season with 14.4 utilizations for 66.7 yards from scrimmage and 0.6 TDs per game. Those numbers look solid but consider he also has a three-game average of 10.7 utilizations for 41.7 yards from scrimmage and 0.3 TDs per game. However, the Bills are one of the worst fantasy defenses against opposing RBs the past four weeks. They're allowing 179.8 yards from scrimmage and 1.3 TDs per game to the position in that span. Tolbert has a chance to reach his season average and you should start him.

RB BenJarvus Green-Ellis, Patriots (at Redskins)
Green-Ellis is only good for goal-line opportunities, as last week's game (6-14-1) proves. If you understand that he's not a yardage back, you'll be fine. He has a two-game average of 10 attempts for 29 yards and 1.5 TDs and is a boom-or-bust player right now. Despite not playing in the second half last week, the Law Firm did not get hurt but was merely resting as he has been dealing with an injured big toe over the past month. This could be another week with a TD as the Redskins are struggling against opposing backs over the past four weeks, allowing 98 rushing yards with 1.5 TDs per game. If you have the depth, start Green-Ellis, as he is a low-end No. 2 but better flex-play RB.

WR Laurent Robinson, Cowboys (vs. Giants)
The mailbag question of the week has been whether to start Robinson or not. First, he's still dealing with a shoulder injury but is expected to play. He has been getting 9.7 targets per game the past three weeks and could lose anywhere from 5-7 of those targets to Miles Austin. He'll still see enough targets to warrant playing as a No. 3 or flex WR because the Giants are coming to town. New York is struggling against opposing WRs, allowing 183 yards and 1.8 TDs per game over the past four weeks. That gives Robinson value.

WR Santana Moss, Redskins (vs. Patriots)
You have to like Moss finally breaking out of his two-game average of 4.5 catches for 35.5 yards and zero TDs on 9.5 targets. He is the team's top WR, is improving and did see 12 targets last week. The Patriots continue to be the worst defense against opposing WRs, allowing 238.5 yards and one TD per game the past four weeks. They can be beaten and Moss belongs in your lineup. Start him.

WR Damian Williams, Titans (vs. Saints)
Williams had a solid Week 13 (4-62-0 on seven targets) and has three TDs in the past five games. He has a five-game average of 3.4 catches for 50.4 yards and 0.6 TDs on 7.2 targets. Realize that he's a boom-or-bust player but the Saints are not very good against opposing WRs, allowing 255.7 yards and 0.7 TDs per game the past four weeks. That gives Williams value. He could warrant a start in larger leagues.

TE Kevin Boss, Raiders (at Packers)
This is a long-shot play and for some in large leagues, those that want to go extremely high-risk, high-reward, look no further than Boss. His season average is 1.7 catches for 24.5 yards and 0.1 TDs per game, and if that doesn't scare you off, then you'll love his matchup. The Packers are allowing opposing tight ends 89.3 yards and 0.3 TDs. There are injuries to starting and backup WRs for the Raiders, and for those that have asked, the logic is that Boss could find more opportunities than he has seen all season. If you're desperate, have to go for broke and have nothing to lose, start him and remember — this is what legends are made of.

WR Brandon Marshall, Dolphins (vs. Eagles)
Many wanted more out of Marshall last week (4-60-0) after a great Week 12 performance (5-103-1). However, don't despair; he's still someone to get into your lineup. This Eagles squad is not what everyone saw on paper before the season. They can't stop WRs and, in the past four weeks, are allowing 195.8 yards and 1.8 TDs per game. Start Marshall.

SIT

QB Mark Sanchez, Jets (vs. Chiefs)
Sanchez has a two-game average of 172.5 passing yards, 2.5 TDs and 0.5 interceptions. While that sounds impressive, his four-touchdown game completely skews his true average. He's also facing a red-hot Chiefs defense that refuses to quit and is determined to steer this team into the playoffs. Kansas City is allowing 157.3 yards and one TD to opposing QBs over the past four weeks. Sanchez also has six games this season with one or zero TDs. Sit him this week.

RB Dexter McCluster, Chiefs (at Jets)
McCluster (9-61-0 rushing and 4-46-1 receiving on five targets) had his best game of the season with 14 utilizations for 107 yards from scrimmage. However, the Jets are no longer the sad sack run defense they were earlier this season. They're in the top five in fantasy points allowed to opposing backs the past four weeks, only allowing 88.5 yards from scrimmage and 0.3 TDs. The Chiefs use all their backs and this might be too good of an opponent for McCluster. Sit him.

RB DeAngelo Williams, Panthers (vs. Falcons)
Williams should have had the matchup to produce last week but couldn't despite facing the Bucs, one of the league's worst run defenses against opposing backs. That shows how unpredictable and inconsistent he is. The Falcons are still one of the league's best run defenses, despite the Texans wearing them down and allowing Arian Foster (31-111-1) to go over 100 yards. The Falcons are allowing only 62.5 rushing yards and 0.5 TDs per game to opposing backs the past four weeks. That makes them a top-10 fantasy defense against the position right now and tells us to sit Williams.

WR Pierre Garcon, Colts (at Ravens)
Garcon had a great Week 13 (9-150-2 on 12 targets), and when he performs fantasy owners turn their heads as it's no longer a weekly occurrence. As one would expect, the Ravens are one of the top fantasy defenses. The past four weeks, they're holding opposing WRs to 129 yards and only 0.3 TDs. QB Dan Orlovsky has a much tougher test this week than last week. If you can, sit Garcon.

WR Jerome Simpson, Bengals (vs. Texans)
Everyone's looking for an answer to who can be the No. 2 receiver in Cincinnati behind A.J. Green. Simpson's inconsistency continues after some thought a breakout season could happen. The past two weeks, he has been silent with eight targets for two catches, 15 yards and zero TDs. That comes after an elite performance (8-152-0) in Week 11 against the Ravens, but don't expect a repeat performance against the Texans. They're allowing 115.7 yards and 0.7 TDs to opposing receivers the past four weeks. Sit him.

Source: http://www.profootballweekly.com/2011/12/09/start-or-sit-week-14

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