For many, Week 14 is a formality, with a place in their fantasy playoffs already secured or out of reach. However, for those whose playoff hopes hang in the balance, this week’s start/sit decisions are of paramount importance.

To help you through, I’ve put together a start and a sit for every position, and a plug-and-play waiver add for those with uninspiring flex options this week. As always, lineup decisions are contextual to your roster, but here are some pointers to make things easier.

Also, for those debating a waiver addition or two, my weekly “streamers” article is available here, for anyone needing a one-week rental at QB, TE, Kicker, or Defense.

START: Jared Goff, QB, Detroit Lions

Jared Goff attempted his second-fewest passes of the season against Green Bay in Week 13, but still tallied two touchdowns and was the QB9 on the week. This time around, he faces the Dallas Cowboys, who have allowed 251.5 passing yards per game this season, the third-most in the NFL.

Goff will be short of at least one top receiving option, with Sam LaPorta sidelined, and looks likely to be without Amon-Ra St. Brown as well. Still, the Lions have enough to move the ball, and Dallas’ high-powered offense gives this game elite shootout potential.

SIT: Patrick Mahomes, QB, Kansas City Chiefs

Patrick Mahomes has reminded fantasy managers of his elite ability this season, after disappointing in fantasy over the last couple of years. Still, his form has taken a dip in recent weeks, and things aren’t going to get easier on Sunday night.

The future Hall of Famer was the QB1 vs Dallas in Week 13 (another reason to start Goff), but totaled just one touchdown over his previous three games. He faces the Houston Texans this week, who have allowed the fewest FPPG to quarterbacks of any team this year.

Mahomes is still Mahomes, and could still sneak into low-end QB1 territory, but a significant drop-off from last week should be expected.

START: Zach Charbonnet, RB, Seattle Seahawks

Zach Charbonnet is the preferred goal-line back on a great offense, and that is also very capable of a blowout win this weekend. The Atlanta Falcons have allowed the ninth-most fantasy points per game to the running back position this year, and are likely to be without Drake London again this week.

Either way, Seattle’s defense is among the best in the NFL, and the chances are that the NFC West team will be playing with a lead for much of the game. All of that favors Charbonnet, who should put up RB2/Flex numbers this week.

SIT: Tony Pollard, RB, Tennessee Titans

Amazingly, Tony Pollard is still being started in 43% of leagues, according to Yahoo. That’s despite the fact that he hasn’t topped 60 rushing yards or scored a touchdown since Week 5. He has actually only achieved either of those feats twice this season, as the Titans offense has floundered with rookie quarterback Cam Ward.

The Titans face the Cleveland Browns this week, in an uninspiring Week 14 matchup. Horrendous offense vs elite defense rarely equals fantasy production, and it’s difficult to see Pollard doing anything at all this week.

START: Jakobi Meyers, WR, Jacksonville Jaguars

Fantasy managers appear to be unwilling to trust in Jakobi Meyers, with the Jaguars receiver still starting in only 35% of Yahoo leagues. The perennial fantasy producer has hit the ground running in Jacksonville, and led the team in targets in Week 13.

Meyers was a low-end WR2 in fantasy in Weeks 11 and 12, before sneaking into WR1 territory last weekend with a WR11 finish. He has been targeted six times in each of his last three games, and has found the end zone in both of his last two.

The Colts offense is more than capable of pushing the score up in a massively important divisional matchup, and Meyers is arguably now Trevor Lawrence’s most-trusted target.

SIT: DK Metcalf, WR, Pittsburgh Steelers

After a promising start the the year, the Pittsburgh offense has looked far more like the one we expected over the last few weeks. Arthur Smith’s tight-end-heavy approach has left much to be desired, made worse Sean McVay showing the league how it’s done this season.

DK Metcalf has also disappointed, with a string of disappearing acts, which has also been made worse by George Pickens’ explosion in Dallas. Metcalf has had one usable fantasy week in his last five, with 14.4 PPR points vs Chicago in Week 12.

In the other four games in that stretch, the former Seahawk has averaged just 6.3 PPR points per game, and now faces a much-improved Ravens defense this week.

START: Isaiah Likely, TE, Baltimore Ravens

On the other side of that crucial divisional matchup is Isaiah Likely, who finally put it all together in Week 13. Lamar Jackson had been trying to get Likely involved since returning from injury, but things hadn’t clicked until Thanksgiving.

Likely caught five of six targets for 95 yards against the Bengals, who he faces again in Week 15, and should be looking forward to facing Pittsburgh. The Steelers defense has allowed 247.4 passing yards per game this season, the fifth-most in the league to this point.

Jackson missed practice on Thursday, so keep an eye on that, but the quarterback has clearly been nursing injuries since his return.

SIT: Oronde Gadsden II, TE, Los Angeles Chargers

Identifying “sit” candidates at tight end can be challenging. One, due to the position’s dependance on touchdowns, which can be incredibly volatile. And, secondly, because outside of the obvious names, starting percentages are relatively low compared to other positions.

Oronde Gadsden II may not have been an obvious start this week, but his explosion earlier in the season has made him an attractive name in fantasy. However, the Chargers star has averaged just two catches and 27 receiving yards in his last three games, without a touchdown.

The Eagles are a horrible matchup for tight ends, and if you were tempted by Gadsden this week, there are far safer options on waivers.

Last-Minute Waiver Add of the Week: Isaac TeSlaa, WR, Detroit Lions

This one will depend on the status of Amon-Ra St. Brown, who has missed practice all week and is on the wrong side of questionable heading into Thursday Night Football.

However, if ARSB doesn’t suit up, Isaac TeSlaa is an intriguing play in fantasy this week. The third-round rookie was targeted just twice in Week 13, but scored his third touchdown of the season.

In a likely shootout, as described in the Jared Goof section of this article, TeSlaa could be Detroit’s WR2. Jameson Williams could realistically lead all receivers in fantasy this week if St. Brown can’t go, but TeSlaa would be a high-upside flex play.

Also, due to his game being on Thursday night, if it doesn’t work out, you’ll find out early enough to make adjustments ahead of the weekend.

That’s it from me this week, remember to check out this week’s “streamers” article here, for this week’s priority rentals. Best of luck to anyone needing a win this week, I hope this article helped in some way.

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Thanks for reading!

*Cover Image Photo Credit (Patrick Mahomes): Kevin Jairaj/Imagn Images