Start ‘Em, Sit ‘Em Kickers and Defenses for Fantasy Football Week 14

It’s week 14, people! Time to set up those fantasy lineups! Start ‘Em, Sit ‘Em is the ultimate look at a week’s best and worst matchups in fantasy football leagues. Each week I examine kickers and defenses that may or may not meet expectations based on their weekly opponent…like Matthew Wright and the Dallas DST in Week 13!

For your final lineup decisions, check out my fantasy player rankings. I update them daily! Also, be sure to subscribe to the Fantasy Dirt Podcast with Lindsay Rhodes and I where we break down all things fantasy football five days a week!

All positions: QBs | RBs | WRs | TEs | K & DSTs

Bye: Broncos, Colts, Commanders, Patriots, Ravens, Texans

1. Chris Boswell vs. Browns
2. Chase McLaughlin vs. Raiders
3. Brandon Aubrey vs. Bengals (Mon.)
4. Tyler Bass at Rams
5. John Parker Romo vs. Falcons
6. Jake Elliott vs. Panthers
7. Cameron Dicker at the Chiefs
8. Jake Bates vs. Packers (Thursday)
9. Brandon Aubrey vs. Bengals (Mon.)
10. Chad Ryland vs. Seahawks

Complete the Week 14 Kicker Rankings

beginning of the week

Chase McLaughlin vs. Raiders (1 p.m. ET, CBS): McLaughlin, who was listed as the starter last week, scored 15 fantasy points in a win over the Panthers. I would also keep him active this week as he has another great match against Las Vegas. Their defense has given ten kickers nine or more fantasy points, including six who scored at least 12 points.

Start them

Jake Elliott vs. Panthers (1 p.m. ET, Fox): Elliott was a disappointment last week, scoring just six fantasy points in a win over the Ravens. However, he had scored in double figures in two of his last three games, and a matchup against Carolina makes him a good option. Their defense has allowed seven kickers to beat them by more than 12 points in 2024.

John Parker Romo vs. Falcons (1 p.m. ET, Fox): Romo was a strong fantasy kicker in his four games with the Vikings, averaging 11.3 points. I would also keep him in the starting lineup this week, as Parker Romo faces a Falcons defense that has given up at least eight fantasy points to all but two kickers, including five with at least 11 points.

Kickers with good matchups

Seat of the week

Younghoe Koo at Vikings (1 p.m. ET, Fox): Koo hasn’t scored more than nine points in all but one of his last six games, while averaging a paltry 4.7 points during that time. Next up is a tough duel against the Vikings, who have given up the second fewest points per game to opposing kickers. In fact, only one booter scored double figures.

Set them

Matthew Wright vs. Chargers (8:20 p.m. ET, NBC): Wright, who was listed as a sleeper last week, scored 13 fantasy points in a win over the Raiders. Still, I would avoid chasing the points when he takes on the Chargers. Their defense has not allowed a single kicker to score in double figures against them this season, and overall no team has allowed fewer points to kickers.

Eddy Pineiro at the Eagles (1 p.m. ET, Fox): Pineiro has scored a combined 33 points in his last three games out of nowhere, but that streak of double-digit points is in jeopardy against the Eagles. Their defense has allowed kickers the seventh-fewest points per game, and seven booters have managed just six or fewer points against them.

Kickers with bad matchups

1. Vikings defense vs. Falcons
2. Steelers defense against Browns
3. Eagles defense against Panthers
4. 49ers defense against Bears
5. Saints defense at Giants
6. Buccaneers defense against Raiders
7. Cardinals defense vs. Seahawks
8. Dolphins defense against Jets
9. Titans defense against Jaguars
10. Bills defense at Rams

Complete the Week 14 Defense Rankings

beginning of the week

Vikings defense vs. Falcons (1 p.m. ET, CBS): The Vikings’ defense has proven solid in the stats, and this week’s matchup against Kirk Cousins ​​and the Falcons makes it a must-see start. Cousins ​​has played very poorly in recent weeks, throwing four picks last week, so it’s hard not to like the Minnesota DST despite the revenge game narrative.

Start them

Buccaneers defense vs. Raiders (1 p.m. ET, CBS): The Buccaneers defense can be used as a streamer this weekend as it faces a Raiders offense that commits the second-most giveaways and allows the sixth-most sacks. The Silver & Black have also averaged just 18.6 points and 304.4 yards of offense per game, so Tampa Bay’s DST should do well.

Titans defense vs. Jaguars (1 p.m. ET, CBS): The Titans defense hasn’t been a major fantasy option this season, but with six teams down and a plus matchup against Mac Jones and the Jaguars, this unit is a viable streamer. He has lost two fumbles and thrown three interceptions in the three games in which he has thrown at least 22 passes this season.

Defenses with good matchups

Seat of the week

Cowboys defense vs. Bengals (Mon. 8:15 p.m. ET, ESPN): The Cowboys defense has posted great fantasy numbers in recent weeks, but I would still keep them on the sidelines in this tough matchup against the Bengals’ explosive offense. Dallas has allowed 34.5 points and nearly 400 yards of total offense at the Jerry Dome this season, so I’d bet those guys.

Set them

Jets defense at Dolphins (1 p.m. ET, CBS): The Jets defense put up 17 fantasy points in a loss to the Seahawks, but I wouldn’t chase the points against Miami. Tua Tagovailoa has been the league’s most accurate passer in recent weeks, and the Dolphins have averaged 28.3 points and 367 yards of total offense since Week 11. Be careful to keep the jets D on the ground.

Chiefs defense vs. Chargers (8:20 p.m. ET, NBC): The Chiefs defense gave fantasy fans a four-point hit last week despite a great game against the Raiders. This week’s opponent is the Chargers. They have only committed six giveaways this season and their offense has averaged 24.7 points over the final three games of the season.

Defenses with bad matchups