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NFL: 20 Must Start Players In Fantasy Football For Week 14

Playing the right player in the right matchup is what can make or break your fantasy football season! These are players that you need to get into your lineups this week.

QB: Jalen Hurts, Eagles

PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA – SEPTEMBER 19: Quarterback Jalen Hurts #1 of the Philadelphia Eagles throws the ball during the second half in the game against the San Francisco 49ers at Lincoln Financial Field on September 19, 2021 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)

Carolina is tied for allowing the third-most touchdown passes to opposing teams. They also have the fifth-worst DVOA against opposing quarterbacks. There’s also a great chance that Hurts runs at least one in for a touchdown. Put all those things together, and you get the best QB play of Week 14.

QB: Joe Burrow, Bengals

CINCINNATI, OHIO – SEPTEMBER 30: Joe Burrow #9 of the Cincinnati Bengals celebrates after scoring a touchdown in the fourth quarter against the Jacksonville Jaguars at Paul Brown Stadium on September 30, 2021 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images)

Burrow is having an MVP type of season except he’s playing on a team that won’t come close to making the playoffs. The game on Monday night against Dallas should be a shootout, and I think Burrow throws for 275 yards and at least two touchdown passes.

QB: Cooper Rush, Cowboys

ARLINGTON, TEXAS – NOVEMBER 18: Cooper Rush #10 of the Dallas Cowboys looks to pass on the run during an NFL Football game against the Houston Texans at AT&T Stadium on November 18, 2024 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Michael Owens/Getty Images)

The Bengals defense has been horrible all season long and even Ja’marr Chase said in a recent interview that the offense feels like it must score every time it touches the ball. Surprisingly, Dallas has an outside chance to make the playoffs, making this a must-win game at home. Rush has been very good since taking over for Dak Prescott, and I think he throws for 240 yards and two touchdowns.

QB: Aidan O’Connell, Raiders

KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI – NOVEMBER 29: Aidan O’Connell #12 of the Las Vegas Raiders throws a pass against the Kansas City Chiefs during the first quarter in the game at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium on November 29, 2024 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by David Eulitt/Getty Images)

O’Connell plays with a maturity that we don’t often see, and this week, he gets a Tampa Bay defense that has the second-worst DVOA to opposing quarterbacks. The Raiders have some amazing matchups for their skill players, and O’Connell should throw for 235 yards and two touchdowns.

QB: Will Levis, Titans

HOUSTON, TX – DECEMBER 31: Will Levis #8 of the Tennessee Titans warms up prior to an NFL football game against the Houston Texans at NRG Stadium on December 31, 2023 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Cooper Neill/Getty Images)

The Jaguars secondary has allowed 24 touchdowns to opposing quarterbacks and they have the worst DVOA against opposing quarterbacks as well. Levis has picked up his game in the second half of the season, and I think he builds on that and throws for 225 yards and two touchdowns with one going to Calvin Ridley.

RB: Saquon Barkley, Eagles

PHILADELPHIA, PA – SEPTEMBER 16: Saquon Barkley #26 of the Philadelphia Eagles carries the ball against the Atlanta Falcons during a football game at Lincoln Financial Field on September 16, 2024 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Cooper Neill/Getty Images)

The Panthers have the worst DVOA against opposing running backs and Barkley is having an MVP type of season. A lot of people are commenting that they think that he won’t need to do that much in this game and that he might be benched in the fourth quarter, but if that happens, he likely has 150 rushing yards and two touchdowns on the stat sheet.

RB: Alvin Kamara, Saints

INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA – OCTOBER 29: Alvin Kamara #41 of the New Orleans Saints runs the ball in the game against the Indianapolis Colts at Lucas Oil Stadium on October 29, 2023 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Justin Casterline/Getty Images)

No Taysom Hill changes the entire way the Saints feature Kamara. He won’t lose any short touchdowns, and he will get even more passes thrown to him out of the backfield. The Giants are reeling, and Kamara should be able to have an 18-25 point fantasy week.

RB: Kyren Williams, Rams

INGLEWOOD, CALIFORNIA – DECEMBER 25: Kyren Williams #23 of the Los Angeles Rams runs with the ball during the first half of the game against the Denver Broncos at SoFi Stadium on December 25, 2022 in Inglewood, California. (Photo by Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Getty Images)

The best way for the Rams to compete is to keep the time of possession and the Bills offense off the field. Additionally, the Bills Achilles heel has been their susceptibility to power running backs. If I know it, then for sure, you know that Sean McVay knows it too. Look for Williams to get at least 20 carries and have 100 yards rushing and a touchdown.

RB: Tony Pollard, Titans

DETROIT, MICHIGAN – OCTOBER 27: Tony Pollard #20 of the Tennessee Titans plays against the Detroit Lions at Ford Field on October 27, 2024 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)

The Jaguars have the second-worst DVOA against opposing running backs, and Pollard has been a stalwart for the Titans this season. He feels like a lock for 100 all-purpose yards and a touchdown.

RB: Isaac Guerendo, 49ers

ORCHARD PARK, NEW YORK – DECEMBER 1: Isaac Guerendo #31 of the San Francisco 49ers carries the ball during the second half of an NFL football game against the Buffalo Bills at Highmark Stadium on December 1, 2024 in Orchard Park, New York. (Photo by Kevin Sabitus/Getty Images)

Here we are in week 14, and Isaac Guerendo might be winning people fantasy leagues. Expect the 49ers to give him somewhere around 25 touches, specifically because the Bears have allowed the sixth most rushing yards to opposing running backs. I think Guerendo goes for at least 85 rushing yards and scores a touchdown.

WR: Justin Jefferson, Vikings

MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA – OCTOBER 8: Justin Jefferson #18 of the Minnesota Vikings lines up for a play in the second quarter of the game against the Kansas City Chiefs at U.S. Bank Stadium on October 8, 2023 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Stephen Maturen/Getty Images)

Trevor Hillstrom, one of the top fantasy experts in the business, was at the Vikings game last week, and he said that in the second half, the team was having Jefferson run shorter pass patterns. Jefferson was far more effective against the Cardinals and had a solid fantasy day. Expect the Vikings to continue using Jefferson the same way and to finish the game with 150 yards and a touchdown.

WR: George Pickens, Steelers

ATLANTA, GEORGIA – AUGUST 24: George Pickens #14 of the Pittsburgh Steelers leaps for a reception over Natrone Brooks #35 of the Atlanta Falcons during the first quarter of a preseason game at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on August 24, 2023 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Todd Kirkland/Getty Images)

George Pickens does an outstanding job against man coverage, and the Browns run the second-most man coverage in the league. Additionally, the Browns give up the most explosive plays and allow the most deep balls to opposing receivers. That plays right into the hands of Pickens, who should have 100 yards receiving and a touchdown.

WR: Malik Nabers, Giants

EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ – AUGUST 08: Malik Nabers #9 of the New York Giants runs a route during an NFL football game against the Detroit Lions at MetLife Stadium on August 8, 2024 in East Rutherford, NJ. (Photo by Perry Knotts/Getty Images)

In a short time, Nabers has shown that he is an absolute beast when it comes to playing against man coverage. The Saints secondary plays that coverage at a top-five clip in the league, and Drew Lock will feature Nabers to the tune of 18-22 fantasy points.

WR: Ladd McConkey, Chargers

CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA – SEPTEMBER 15: Ladd McConkey #15 of the Los Angeles Chargers runs with the ball during the fourth quarter against the Carolina Panthers at Bank of America Stadium on September 15, 2024 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images)

Right now, McConkey is questionable with an injury, but I expect that he will play on Sunday night, and if he does, I think he will be able to carve up the Chiefs secondary, which has not played very well since injuries have decimated them. McConkey is one of the top receivers in the league against man coverage and should finish the game with 7 catches for 90 yards and a touchdown.

WR: Ray-Ray McCloud, Falcons

ATLANTA, GEORGIA – DECEMBER 01: Ray-Ray McCloud III #34 of the Atlanta Falcons warms up before the game against the Los Angeles Chargers at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on December 01, 2024 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Todd Kirkland/Getty Images)

Minnesota has the worst DVOA versus slot receivers. Additionally, because they blitz so much, Kirk Cousins will have to get the ball out of his hands quickly, and there’s no better person to do this than McCloud, who will be waiting for the outlet pass. Look for McCloud to have a very under-the-radar 15-point fantasy day.

TE: Brock Bowers, Raiders

LAS VEGAS, NV – SEPTEMBER 29: Tight end Brock Bowers #89 of the Las Vegas Raiders stands on the field during the fourth quarter of an NFL football game against the Cleveland Browns, at Allegiant Stadium on September 29, 2024 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Brooke Sutton/Getty Images)

Bowers is having arguably the greatest season for rookie tight end that we’ve ever seen. Think back to how well Tommy Tremble played against the Buccaneers, and now imagine what Brock Bowers is going to do against that same defense. I think we’re looking at 10 catches for 100-plus yards and a touchdown.

TE: Will Dissly, Chargers

GLENDALE, ARIZONA – OCTOBER 21: Will Dissly #81 of the Los Angeles Chargers runs after the catch during the first quarter against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium on October 21, 2024 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Brandon Sloter/Getty Images)

The Chiefs have the third-worst DVOA against opposing tight ends and have let up the third most catches to the position, too. Dissly has been a very reliable receiver for Justin Herbert and should continue that trend, catching at least five passes and going for 12-16 fantasy points.

TE: Jake Ferguson, Cowboys

ARLINGTON, TEXAS – NOVEMBER 18: Jake Ferguson #87 of the Dallas Cowboys runs with the ball during an NFL Football game against the Houston Texans at AT&T Stadium on November 18, 2024 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Michael Owens/Getty Images)

Ferguson has been out for a couple of weeks with a bad concussion, but he’s trending toward playing on Monday night. Cincinnati’s defense has allowed the fifth most receiving yards to opposing tight ends, and I think this game is going to explode with a lot of offensive fireworks. Look for Ferguson to get 60 to 70 yards receiving and a touchdown.

TE: Cade Otton, Bucs

TAMPA, FLORIDA – DECEMBER 5: Cade Otton #88 and Robert Hainsey celebrate after a touchdown against the New Orleans Saints at Raymond James Stadium on December 5, 2022 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Mike Carlson/Getty Images)

The Raiders have allowed the 4th most receptions to opposing tight ends. Additionally, Mike Evans doesn’t look like he’s 100%, so Baker Mayfield might throw the ball more to Otton than he did last week. The key thing when playing tight ends is to look for touchdown equity. Otton has that in spades and scores.

TE: Juwan Johnson, Saints

NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – DECEMBER 1: Juwan Johnson #83 of the New Orleans Saints is unable to make a catch against the Los Angeles Rams during the first half of a game at the Caesars Superdome on December 1, 2024 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Derick E. Hingle/Getty Images)

The Giants allow the highest catch percentage to opposing tight ends in the league. With Taysom Hill out for the season with a horrific knee injury, Johnson steps in to be the TE 1, and with that, expect to see 6 catches for 70 yards and a touchdown.

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