Playoffs, we’re in the playoffs? Do you see what I did there? Anyway, congratulations if you are setting lineups this week. This is the beginning of what we have been playing for all season. I swear, it seems like we just set the starting lineup for Week 1.
Week 14 was a good week, going 4-1 on my calls. That brings my record on the season is: 16 hits, 11 misses, and 2 pushes.
Be sure to follow our other start/sit articles and authors; they contain great advice to help you each week.
Changing the Call (QB): Mike Hicks
The Cutback (RB): Jake Oliver
Slant Pattern (WR): Tristan Cook
12 Formation (TE): Steven Pintado
Flex on ‘Em (FLEX): Evan Brown
IDP Start/Sit (IDP): Jon Glosser
There is one thing I want to note. For this article and every running back start/sit article I write, I won’t include players like Christian McCaffrey or Austin Ekeler. These are apparent starts so long as they aren’t on bye or injured. If you don’t start them, well, you’re a Taco. I’ll be focusing on players who are a bit harder to decide whether to start or what to expect from them. All scoring in this article series will be PPR. All stats/RB# number finishes come from FantasyPros. So, let’s make this a great season as we watch over 200+ games of NFL football. It’s back! Good luck with this dynasty fantasy football season.
The Recap
Week 14 was my best week since I started writing this column. Some calls were lucky, and others worked out just like I predicted. Either way, I’ll take 4-1 on the week. Thank you very much, fantasy Gods!!
Sit: Austin Ekeler, Chargers, RB5 – finished RB8 miss
This one left me with an egg on my face. Ekeler had a solid, if not spectacular, game with 100 total yards, 5 catches, and a touchdown.
Start: Javonte Williams, Broncos, RB21 – finished RB11 hit
Williams didn’t hit the season high in targets and receptions I called for, but he was productive on the ground and punched one into the end zone.
Start: Joe Mixon, Bengals, RB11 – finished RB6 hit
The Bengals leaned on the veteran Mixon in a favorable matchup with the Colts. He was productive on the ground, in the air, and scored.
Sit: David Montgomery, Lions, RB19 – finished RB26 hit
I’m not going to lie; I was sweating this one going into the Sunday night/Monday night games as Monty was still a low-end RB2. Good games from Pollard, Barkley, Henery, Mostert, and Spears turned this one into a hit.
Start: Jahmyr Gibbs, Lions, RB20 – finished RB14 hit
I just squeaked this one over the line. But I’ll take it. If the touchdown had gone to Montgomery, I would have missed both calls.
Let’s see if we can keep the hot streak rolling in Week 14.
Start: Najee Harris, Steelers, RB25
I’m going back to the Colts well again as I head into the playoffs. The Colts give up the sixth-most rush yards and the second-most rushing touchdowns. Harris hasn’t been great in 2023, but he has been doing well against the teams he should do well against. I have Harris inside the top 15 running backs for Week 15.
Sit: Zack Moss, Colts, RB9
The bloom is off the Zack Moss rose. Brad Custer’s Positional Matchup grid has the Colts matchup with the Steelers as a neutral-slightly positive matchup. The RB9 on the season has averaged 16 points per game; Moss is averaging 12.9 points per game and hasn’t finished higher than RB14 since Week 6. Moss will be outside the top 15 running backs in Week 15.
Start: Derrick Henry, Titans, RB11
Daddy’s home. Henry has been dominant against the Texans. Look for Henry to get fed in a game where the Titans will really want to control the game script. He has averaged 203.6 rushing yards and scored 10 touchdowns in the last five games vs. the Texans. Look for a top 3 finish from King Henry in Week 15.
Sit: Travis Etienne, Jaguars, RB12
Travis Etienne cruised into the Week 9 bye with four straight top 4 finishes. Post-bye week, Etienne has put up just one RB1 week in five games. In Week 15, the Jags have the Baltimore Ravens and a tough run defense. The Ravens give up the eighth fewest fantasy points to running backs. Baltimore has given up a total of 5 touchdowns to running backs in 2023. Look for this one to be tough sledding for Etienne with a finish outside the top 18 running backs.
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