Fantasy Football: Start, sit advice for each Week 14 matchup
Baltimore at New England
Patriots
QB Tom Brady: Is Brady’s status as a must-start QB1 under threat? For now we’ll say no, but Rob Gronkowski is gone and the air is getting cooler, which is a sign the Pats will begin to lean more heavily on the run. Brady’s once sky-high ceiling has dropped slightly. But despite a tough matchup this week, start him at home.
RB LeGarrette Blount: This is a tough matchup for Blount, the Ravens allowing the fewest amount of points to RBs, but he’s worthy of a flex spot due to his touchdown potential. He plays for the Patriots, so opportunities will be there to score.
RB Dion Lewis: Lewis offers (some) PPR value, but stay away in standard leagues. The same is true of James White.
WR Julian Edelman/Malcolm Mitchell: Edelman has been thrown at 40 times in the past three games. Forty. You’re starting him. Mitchell continues to impress, too, with either a touchdown or at least 82 yards in each of his past three weeks. Guess what? You’re starting him too.
TE Martellus Bennett: Many expected Bennett to take over Gronkowski’s role, but the former Chicago Bear is dealing with his own injuries, and he needs to show some consistency before trusting him in the fantasy playoffs.
Ravens
QB Joe Flacco: There’s a good chance the Ravens play much of this game from behind. Given how quickly they’ve abandoned the run game in recent weeks, Flacco can be started.
RB Terrance West/Kenneth Dixon: A dreaded timeshare has opened up in Baltimore. Terrance West is still the RB to own, but the pair continue to eat into each other’s workload. New England has allowed the fifth-fewest points to RBs over the past four weeks, too, so there’s also that.
Ravens WRs: Steve Smith Sr. offers flex appeal, while Mike Wallace is a dart throw. Besides that, there’s not much to get excited about here.
Next: Five Packers who must step up vs. Seahawks
TE Dennis Pitta: Touchdowns are like buses. Pitta waited three years to find the end zone, and then all of a sudden he scored again the same day. Don’t expect a repeat. He’s a risky start.