QBs to start in Week 14
Titans’ Ryan Tannehill (vs. Jaguars): It was a slow start against the Cleveland Browns for Ryan Tannehill and the Tennessee Titans in Week 13. the Browns would jump out to a 31-7 lead, allowing Tannehill to record 27.56 fantasy points playing from behind. While he likely won’t be playing from behind much against the Jacksonville Jaguars in Week 14, Tannehill faces the 31st ranked pass defense in terms of DVOA and a defense that’s given up 26 passing touchdowns (second-most in the NFL).
Buccaneers’ Tom Brady (vs. Vikings): The offense of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers has looked out of sorts in recent weeks, but they were able to have a bye week in Week 13. As a result, Tom Brady and the weapons in Tampa Bay had a week where they could work on their chemistry. The first team the Buccaneers will face coming off of their bye week is the Minnesota Vikings. Minnesota’s defense has surrendered 24 passing touchdowns (tied for fourth-most in the NFL) and 10.9 yards per completion (tied for eighth-most in the NFL).
Chargers’ Justin Herbert (vs. Falcons): Justin Herbert faced his stiffest test in Week 13 against the New England Patriots and similar to most young QBs against Bill Belichick, he struggled. Herbert finished with a season-worst 4.36 fantasy points, giving him fewer than 20 fantasy points in back-to-back weeks for the first time this season. Look for the rookie gunslinger to bounce back against the Atlanta Falcons, who are allowing 11.1 yards per completion (tied for fourth-most in the NFL) and own the 19th ranked pass defense in terms of DVOA.
Other QBs to consider in Week 14: Colts’ Philip Rivers (vs. Raiders), Falcons’ Matt Ryan (vs. Chargers), Saints’ Taysom Hill (if Drew Brees is inactive vs. Eagles)
QBs to sit in Week 14
Rams’ Jared Goff (vs. Patriots): Jared Goff bounced back in a big way versus the Arizona Cardinals in Week 13 after sputtering against the San Francisco 49ers in Week 12. Goff recorded 24.14 fantasy points, making him the sixth highest-scoring QB in fantasy football. However, Goff faces the New England Patriots, who are a defense he’s faltered against before. We’ve seen him face a similar defense in the Miami Dolphins this season and he notched 10.2 fantasy points. Until Goff proves he can excel against a defense that is built to defeat him, temper expectations on him.
Patriots’ Cam Newton (vs. Rams): On the other side of the game, Cam Newton is essentially trying to will the Patriots by himself offensively. The former NFL MVP doesn’t have many weapons in the passing game, forcing him to run the ball more often. While he’s thrown only five touchdowns this season, he’s rushed for 435 yards and 11 touchdowns on the ground. But in Week 14, he faces a Los Angeles Rams defense that is limiting QBs to a league-low 8.7 yards per completion and are ranked as the fifth-best pass defense in DVOA.
