The fantasy football playoffs have begun.
Most leagues are entering that time of year, so finding the right matchups is necessary for fantasy football teams capable of competing at this level with a lower-tier quarterback. There are multiple matchups to choose from with waiver wire quarterbacks and lower-valued QBs.
Here’s the week 14 fantasy football start ’em, sit ’em guide for quarterbacks.
Start
Baker Mayfield vs. Carolina Panthers
Mayfield came crashing back to earth in week 13 against a better-than-advertised Houston defense. Much like I anticipated, Mayfield struggled against a Houston team that can rush the passer. With the ability to force Mayfield into quick decisions, the Texans were able to generate turnovers, which is something Mayfield has been able to avoid in recent weeks.
Now, Mayfield can return back to his form previously, against a Carolina team unable to stop opposing quarterbacks.
The Panthers are allowing the fourth-most fantasy points per game to quarterbacks. in the last four weeks. The Panthers also are giving up 7.7 yards per pass attempt in the last three games, up form its season average of 7.3.
Before last game’s meltdown, Mayfield threw just two interceptions combined in the last five games. He should return to that level in this matchup.
Dak Prescott vs. Philadelphia Eagles
Prescott maybe isn’t back to his rookie year campaign, but he’s getting close.
Prescott has three turnovers in the last five games against nine touchdowns. He has more than 250 total yards in four of those games, too. And now, he gets a plus-matchup against a Philadelphia team that is having several difficulties in stopping much of anything on the defensive side of the ball.
The Eagles are allowing the sixth-most fantasy points per game to quarterbacks in the last four games. The Eagles also are giving up 8.5 yards per pass attempt in the last three games, much higher than their season average of 7.5.
Prescott looks more comfortable in the system and the Cowboys are hot. They’ll stay that way for at least another week.
Matt Ryan vs. Green Bay Packers
This is a tough one, but I’m going to side with Ryan in this one.
Ryan and the Falcons offense has been grounded in recent weeks, but the Packers are having a tough time competing against anyone at the moment. Ryan went for less than 10 fantasy points in week 13 against Baltimore, giving him fewer than 15 points in two of the last three games.
And while the Packers are a top-half defense in giving up fantasy points to quarterbacks, I don’t trust Green Bay’s secondary against the Falcons. Ryan still has the weapons to move the ball efficiently and this game has the makings of being shootout.
Sit
Marcus Mariota vs. Jacksonville Jaguars
Mariota is on a short week in week 14 and is battling an injury. That’s a major problem against Jacksonville, which turned back the clock to last year with its defense in week 13.
At their best, the Jaguars can harass any quarterback, especially Mariota, who has looked up and down this season. He’s been better in recent weeks, but he’s not consistent enough to trust on a weekly basis, especially against a Jaguars defense that is capable of being the best in the NFL.
I don’t like the matchup in this instance and I especially don’t trust the injury woes hampering Mariota.
Jameis Winston vs. New Orleans Saints
Can you trust Winston?
I just don’t think I would bet my playoff life on Winston. Winston has six touchdowns and one interception in the last three games. He also has more than 290 total yards in the last two games.
So for now, he looks like the quarterback who I anticipated would be much better last year. He hasn’t been the consistent option who I thought he would be, so that’s why I’m not banking on him to deliver in this spot.
The Saints have been solid against quarterbacks, since being one of the worst defenses in the early part of the 2018 season. The Saints are a top-half defense in allowing fantasy points to quarterbacks.
Winston’s roller-coaster season will continue, so I’m sitting him in week 14.
Matthew Stafford vs. Arizona Cardinals
The Cardinals still shouldn’t be considered as a team that can win NFL games. However, the defense is good enough to beat a Lions team incapable of being consistent on the offensive side of the ball.
Stafford hasn’t had a 20-point fantasy effort since week 4. He hasn’t even eclipsed the 17-point mark since week 9 in fantasy football.
So even in a game that the Lions should win, I’m not betting on Stafford. The Lions offense just doesn’t have the weapons necessary to be a viable fantasy weapon.
In the playoffs, Stafford is nothing more than a low-end QB2.
