The Primer: Week 14 Edition (2025 Fantasy Football)

Can you smell it? Can you? A familiar scent lingers in the air.

One that evokes memories of soul-wrenching defeat and the absolute jubilation of victory. The seal broken, and the packaging tape immediately split in two. The Fantasy Football playoffs are ready to be unboxed.

Last-second miracles that advance you to the next round, jaw-dropping bludgeonings, and everything in between. For some, the fantasy football playoffs begin this week. For others, the trail begins next week.

Whether you’re fighting for a final playoff spot this week or you’re starting your championship journey, the Week 14 Primer is here to help. Welcome & enjoy.

DAL vs. DET | PIT vs. BAL | SEA vs. ATL | TEN vs. CLE | IND vs. JAC | WAS vs. MIN | MIA vs. NYJ | NO vs. TB | CIN vs. BUF | DEN vs. LV | CHI vs. GB | LAR vs. ARI | HOU vs. KC | PHI vs. LAC

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Fantasy Football Primer

Dallas Cowboys vs. Detroit Lions

• DET -3, O/U 54.5
• Dallas Cowboys vs. Detroit Lions Player Prop Bets via BettingPros

Cowboys Players & Weekly Rankings

Lions Players & Weekly Rankings

Must-Start

These are no-brainer MUST starts.

• Dak Prescott
• Javonte Williams
• CeeDee Lamb
• George Pickens
• Jake Ferguson
• Jared Goff
• Jahmyr Gibbs
• Amon-Ra St. Brown*
• Jameson Williams

*This is easy. If St. Brown is active, he’s in your lineups. He has been listed as questionable.*

Strong Starts

Here are players that should be in starting consideration for most fantasy teams.

N/A

Fantasy Football Flex & Deep Plays to Consider

Let’s fill out those flex spots.

Isaac TeSlaa (WR)

Last week, TeSlaa had an 83.9% route share, a 7.4% target share, 35 receiving yards, 1.35 yards per route run, and a 12.5% first-read share. TeSlaa didn’t garner a large portion of the passing offense even with Amon-Ra St. Brown going down. Overall, this season, he has had an 8% target per route run rate with 0.71 yards per route run and a 3.9% first-read share. He has four red zone targets, one deep target, and three touchdowns. He’s a deep league flex play this week because of the matchup. Since Week 9, Dallas has allowed the 13th-most PPR points per target and the most receiving yards per game to perimeter wide receivers.

Concerning Starts & Players to Fade

Players in consideration for lineups, but temper your expectations this week.

David Montgomery (RB)

David Montgomery‘s role has been shrinking in the Detroit offense. Since Week 11, he has averaged only 8.3 touches and 33.2 total yards. In those three games, he has split the red zone work with Jahmyr Gibbs, with both players seeing four red zone rushing attempts. In his last three games, he has averaged a 36.8% snap rate. Overall, among 55 qualifying backs, Montgomery ranks 32nd in explosive run rate and 20th in yards after contact per attempt. Since the acquisition of Quinnen Williams, Dallas has allowed the second-fewest rushing yards per game, the 13th-lowest yards after contact per attempt, and the sixth-fewest yards before contact per attempt. Montgomery is a flex option better left on the bench this week.

DAL vs. DET | PIT vs. BAL | SEA vs. ATL | TEN vs. CLE | IND vs. JAC | WAS vs. MIN | MIA vs. NYJ | NO vs. TB | CIN vs. BUF | DEN vs. LV | CHI vs. GB | LAR vs. ARI | HOU vs. KC | PHI vs. LAC

Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Baltimore Ravens

• BAL -6, O/U 43
• Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Baltimore Ravens Player Prop Bets via BettingPros

Steelers Players & Weekly Rankings

Ravens Players & Weekly Rankings

Must-Start

These are no-brainer MUST starts.

• Derrick Henry

Strong Starts

Here are players that should be in starting consideration for most fantasy teams.

Jaylen Warren (RB)

Jaylen Warren is the RB20 in fantasy points per game. Last week, he resumed his lead-back duties even though he had a down game. Warren played 55.8% of the snaps with ten of the 15 running back rushing attempts, with a 52% route share. He finished with 12 touches and 44 total yards while splitting the red zone role with Gainwell. Each back had one red zone rushing attempt. Among 55 qualifying backs, Warren is fourth in missed tackle rate and tenth in yards after contact per attempt. He gets another plus matchup this week. Since Week 9, Baltimore has allowed the fifth-highest explosive run rate, the 12th-highest missed tackle rate, and the 11th-highest yards after contact per attempt.

Fantasy Football Flex & Deep Plays to Consider

Let’s fill out those flex spots.

Kenneth Gainwell (RB)

Last week, Gainwell saw his role in the offense diminish with only seven touches and 45 total yards. He had one red zone rushing attempt, which equaled Jaylen Warren‘s usage in that department. Gainwell played 41.9% of the snaps with a 44% route share. He’s a viable flex option this week if you’re struggling to fill out a lineup. Since Week 9, Baltimore has allowed the fifth-highest explosive run rate, the 12th-highest missed tackle rate, and the 11th-highest yards after contact per attempt.

DK Metcalf (WR)

DK Metcalf is the WR32 in fantasy points per game with a 21% target share, 50.4 receiving yards per game, 1.79 yards per route run, and a 26.9% first-read share. Metcalf has nine red zone targets and 13 deep targets this season. With Aaron Rodgers not healthy and struggling, Metcalf hasn’t surpassed 50 receiving yards in a game since Week 8. This week, he gets a nice schematic matchup, but I don’t know if he’ll be able to take advantage of it with the state of Rodgers and how well the Ravens’ secondary is playing. Since Week 11, Baltimore has the fourth-highest single high rate (66.1%). Against single high, Metcalf has had a 27.8% target share with 1.85 yards per route run and a 33.3% first-read share. The problem for Metcalf is that since Week 9 has ranked 15th in receiving yards per game against perimeter wide receivers while also limiting the position to the second-fewest PPR points per target.

Zay Flowers (WR)

Zay Flowers is the WR31 in fantasy points per game with a 26.2% target share, 63.9 receiving yards per game, 2.22 yards per route run, and a 31.7% first-read share. He has six red zone targets and 12 deep targets. Last week was the first game he hasn’t hit double-digit PPR points since Week 6. Flowers has been living in the low-end WR2/high-end WR3 bucket for most of the season. This week, he faces a Pittsburgh pass defense that has utilized single high at the fifth-highest rate (59.8%). Against single high, Flowers has seen his target share increase to 28.4% with 2.66 yards per route run and a 32.7% first-read share. Flowers is a solid flex/WR3 this week despite Jackson’s struggles. Since Week 9, Pittsburgh has allowed the 13th-most fantasy points per game and ranked 16th in receiving yards per game against perimeter wide receivers.

Mark Andrews (TE)

Mark Andrews has fallen off a cliff this season as the TE19 in fantasy points per game. He has four TE1 outings this season. In the other weeks, he has been unplayable. Last week was the first time all season that he had more than 40 receiving yards in a game, and most of that came in garbage time. Andrews has a 16.1% target share with 27.7 receiving yards per game, 1.40 yards per route run, and a 21.3% first-read share. He leads the team with ten red zone targets while seeing only one deep target this season. This week, he faces a Pittsburgh pass defense that has utilized single high at the fifth-highest rate (59.8%). Against single high, Andrews has seen his target share increase to 16.7% with 1.84 yards per route run and a 19.5% first-read share. It’s a dice roll, but Andrews could finish as a TE1 this week. The Steelers have allowed the seventh-most receiving yards per game and the sixth-most fantasy points per game to tight ends.

Concerning Starts & Players to Fade

Players in consideration for lineups, but temper your expectations this week.

Lamar Jackson (QB)

Lamar Jackson isn’t playing good football. There, I said it. He is the QB14 in fantasy points per game this season. The last time that he cleared 40 rushing yards in a game was Week 4 against the Chiefs, and he’s done it only twice this season. After his four passing touchdown performance against the Dolphins in Week 9, Jackson has had only one passing touchdown. Across his last four games, he has finished as the QB15, QB29, QB25, and QB27 in weekly scoring. Since Week 10, among 35 qualifying passers, he ranks 16th in yards per attempt, 35th in highly accurate throw rate, and 29th in catchable target rate. It has been horrible. There’s no way around that, and if Jackson can’t supplement his struggling passing production with rushing equity, it’s tough to trust him in fantasy. Now, as I write this, watch Jackson go out and have a massive bounce-back game against a struggling defense in a divisional game and spike everything I just said in my face. That’s the risk of benching Jackson this week, but we can also say that he hasn’t played well over the last four games. Since Week 9, Pittsburgh’s pass defense has picked up the slack, allowing the seventh-fewest yards per attempt, the ninth-lowest passer rating, the fourth-lowest CPOE, and the eighth-lowest success rate per dropback.

Aaron Rodgers (QB)

Aaron Rodgers is the QB24 in fantasy points per game, and now he’s severely limited with a wrist injury. Rodgers hasn’t finished as a QB1 since Week 7 against Cincy. He hasn’t managed more than 205 passing yards or multiple passing touchdowns since Week 8. There’s no way I’m playing Rodgers this week. Since Week 9, Baltimore has allowed the fifth-fewest yards per attempt, the lowest passer rating, the lowest CPOE, and the third-lowest success rate per dropback.

Isaiah Likely (TE)

On paper, the matchup for Isaiah Likely puts him on the streaming radar, but I wouldn’t plug him into a lineup this week. Yes, the Steelers have allowed the seventh-most receiving yards per game and the sixth-most fantasy points per game to tight ends, but the coverage matchup doesn’t favor Likely. This week, he faces a Pittsburgh pass defense that has utilized single high at the fifth-highest rate (59.8%). Against single high, Likely has only a 9.6% target share with 1.58 yards per route run and a 9% first-read share. That’s not usage that I want to depend on the week before many leagues begin the fantasy playoffs. Could it pay off? Sure, it’s possible, but there’s an equal chance that he burns you and you’re left wishing that you didn’t stream him for Week 14.

*The Steelers tight end room remains a fantasy wasteland. Last week, Darnell Washington led the room with a 68% route share while Jonnu Smith and Pat Freiermuth had 40% and 28% route shares. Would I be surprised if that flipped this week? Nope. That’s exactly why I can’t trust this group. Also, it has to be said, but I can’t invest in the tertiary passing game options for Pittsburgh with the way that Aaron Rodgers is playing right now.*

DAL vs. DET | PIT vs. BAL | SEA vs. ATL | TEN vs. CLE | IND vs. JAC | WAS vs. MIN | MIA vs. NYJ | NO vs. TB | CIN vs. BUF | DEN vs. LV | CHI vs. GB | LAR vs. ARI | HOU vs. KC | PHI vs. LAC

Seattle Seahawks vs. Atlanta Falcons

• SEA -7, O/U 44.5
• Seattle Seahawks vs. Atlanta Falcons Player Prop Bets via BettingPros

Seahawks Players & Weekly Rankings

Falcons Players & Weekly Rankings

Must-Start

These are no-brainer MUST starts.

• Jaxon Smith-Njigba
• Bijan Robinson
• Kyle Pitts

Strong Starts

Here are players that should be in starting consideration for most fantasy teams.

Sam Darnold (QB)

Since Week 7, Sam Darnold has fallen off some. He has been a QB1 twice in weekly scoring but QB24 or lower in four other games. Since Week 7, among 42 qualifying passers, he has ranked third in yards per attempt, fourth in hero throw rate, and third in highly accurate throw rate, but he has also been 29th in catchable target rate and 23rd in fantasy points per dropback. This could be the Darnold bounce-back spot. The Falcons’ pass defense has had serious issues in recent weeks. Since Week 9, they have allowed the third-most passing yards per game, the ninth-most yards per attempt, the sixth-highest CPOE, and the 13th-highest success rate per dropback.

Kenneth Walker III (RB)

Last week’s blowout win for Seattle led to muddy snap counts for the backfield again. In the first half, Walker was leading the way with a 54.5% snap rate and 42.1% route share, but he only played one snap out of six possible snaps in the red zone. Seattle remains committed to using Zach Charbonnet as their red zone back. Since Week 11, Walker has averaged 16.3 touches and 95.4 total yards as the RB15 in fantasy points per game. Overall, among 55 qualifying backs, Walker ranks second in explosive run rate and fifth in missed tackle rate. Walker is in a good spot to continue his RB2 production this week. Since Week 9, Atlanta has allowed the fifth-most rushing yards per game, the ninth-highest rushing success rate, the 13th-most yards before contact per attempt, and they have logged the fifth-lowest stuff rate.

Fantasy Football Flex & Deep Plays to Consider

Let’s fill out those flex spots.

Zach Charbonnet (RB)

Last week, the blowout win for Seattle distorted the snap counts. In the first half, Zach Charbonnet played 45.5% of the snaps with a 5.3% route share. Charbonnet was the early down assistant to Kenneth Walker and the team’s red zone back as he had an 83.3% snap share inside the 20-yard line in the first two quarters. Since Week 11, Charbonnet has averaged 11 touches and 44.6 total yards as the RB39 in fantasy points per game. Overall, among 55 qualifying backs, Charbonnet ranks 21st in missed tackle rate and ninth in yards after contact per attempt. Charbonnet remains a decent flex option this week. Since Week 9, Atlanta has allowed the fifth-most rushing yards per game, the ninth-highest rushing success rate, the 13th-most yards before contact per attempt, and they have logged the fifth-lowest stuff rate.

Cooper Kupp (WR)

If I’m picking between Cooper Kupp or Rashid Shaheed for a last flex spot as the tertiary Seattle pass catcher to believe in this week, it’s Kupp. I’ll say that Atlanta has been horrible at defending perimeter wide receivers over the last few weeks, so I could easily be wrong about this and Shaheed could pop off, but looking at their usage against single high, I lean to Kupp. Atlanta has utilized single high at the second-highest rate in the NFL (64%). Since Week 11, against single high, Kupp has ranked second on the team with an 18.8% target share and 18.5% first-read share with 1.12 yards per route run. Since Week 9, Atlanta has allowed the 13th-most fantasy points per game and the seventh-most receiving yards per game to slot receivers.

Concerning Starts & Players to Fade

Players in consideration for lineups, but temper your expectations this week.

Kirk Cousins (QB)

Kirk Cousins doesn’t have a QB1 finish in weekly scoring this season. His best effort was against the Saints as QB14. He hasn’t surpassed 240 passing yards in any game, and only once has he thrown for multiple touchdowns. I have zero interest in playing him this week against one of the best pass defenses in the NFL. Since Week 9, Seattle has held passers to the fifth-fewest passing yards per game, the lowest yards per attempt, the fourth-lowest passer rating, and the third-lowest CPOE.

Drake London (WR)

I’m expecting Drake London to be sidelined again this week, but I’ll update his status on Friday once we know more. He opened the week with a DNP (knee).

Darnell Mooney (WR)

Over the last two games, with Drake London on the shelf, Darnell Mooney has had only a 14.3% target share with 49.5 receiving yards per game, 1.87 yards per route run, and a 22.2% first-read share. He has had two red zone targets and one deep target since Week 12. Mooney is a low-end flex play this week. Since Week 9, Seattle has held perimeter wide receivers to the third-fewest PPR points per target and the fewest receiving yards per game.

DAL vs. DET | PIT vs. BAL | SEA vs. ATL | TEN vs. CLE | IND vs. JAC | WAS vs. MIN | MIA vs. NYJ | NO vs. TB | CIN vs. BUF | DEN vs. LV | CHI vs. GB | LAR vs. ARI | HOU vs. KC | PHI vs. LAC

Tennessee Titans vs. Cleveland Browns

• CLE -4, O/U 34
• Tennessee Titans vs. Cleveland Browns Player Prop Bets via BettingPros

Titans Players & Weekly Rankings

Browns Players & Weekly Rankings

Must-Start

These are no-brainer MUST starts.

• Quinshon Judkins

Strong Starts

Here are players that should be in starting consideration for most fantasy teams.

N/A

Fantasy Football Flex & Deep Plays to Consider

Let’s fill out those flex spots.

Shedeur Sanders (QB)

In his two starts, Shedeur Sanders has finished as the QB18 and QB24 in weekly scoring. Since Week 12, among 36 qualifying passers, Sanders ranks sixth in yards per attempt, 23rd in highly accurate throw rate, 25th in hero throw rate, and eighth in deep ball rate. His aggressiveness downfield could work to his advantage in Week 14. The Titans have been a horrible pass defense, but they have also been giving up downfield production. Since Week 9, they have allowed the ninth-most passing yards per game, the third-highest yards per attempt, and the sixth-highest success rate per dropback. During that same timeframe, Tennessee has allowed the third-highest deep ball completion rate, the second-most deep passing yards per game, and the third-highest deep passer rating. Sanders could flirt with QB1 production if he hits a few explosives in the passing game this week.

Jerry Jeudy (WR)

Jerry Jeudy is an intriguing deep league flex this week. In Shedeur Sanders‘ two starts, Jeudy has finished as the WR75 and WR59 in weekly scoring. Yes, I know that’s not sexy, but stay with me. Let me explain. Since Week 12, Jeudy has had a 15.2% target share with 32.5 receiving yards per game, 1.55 yards per route run, and a 23.1% first-read share. In those two games, Jeudy has led the team with three deep targets. The Titans have struggled to defend perimeter wide receivers and downfield passing. Since Week 9, Tennessee has allowed the third-highest deep ball completion rate, the second-most deep passing yards per game, and the third-highest deep passer rating. Also, since Week 9, Tennessee has allowed the seventh-highest PPR points per target and the seventh-most receiving yards per game to perimeter wide receivers.

Harold Fannin Jr. (TE)

With Shedeur Sanders under center, Harold Fannin Jr. has finished as the TE15 and TE12 in weekly scoring. He has led the team in those two games with a 23.9% target share, 41.5 receiving yards per game, 2.02 yards per route run, and ranked second with a 19.2% first-read share. Fannin is a low-end streaming option this week at tight end. Tennessee has held tight ends to the 11th-fewest receiving yards per game and the seventh-fewest fantasy points per game.

Concerning Starts & Players to Fade

Players in consideration for lineups, but temper your expectations this week.

Cam Ward (QB)

Cam Ward is a sit this week. He has one game this season where he has finished higher than QB17 for the week. He hasn’t passed for more than 265 yards in any game this season, and he has zero games with multiple passing touchdowns. Since Week 9, Cleveland has allowed the fourth-fewest passing yards per game, the tenth-lowest yards per attempt, the sixth-lowest passer rating, and the lowest success rate per dropback.

Tony Pollard (RB)

Since Week 6, Tony Pollard has averaged 12.3 touches and 51.3 total yards with a 50% snap share. He has split the red zone work with Tyjae Spears, with each back seeing five red zone rushing attempts. Pollard is a low-end flex play best left on the bench this week. Since Week 9, Cleveland has allowed the tenth-lowest explosive run rate, the lowest rushing success rate, and the eighth-lowest yards before contact per attempt.

Tyjae Spears (RB)

Since Week 6, Tyjae Spears has averaged nine touches and 45.3 total yards per game with a 49.1% snap share. He has split the red zone work evenly with Tony Pollard, with each back seeing five red zone rushing attempts. Sit Spears this week. Since Week 9, Cleveland has allowed the tenth-lowest explosive run rate, the lowest rushing success rate, and the eighth-lowest yards before contact per attempt.

*I DO NOT want to play anyone from the Tennessee passing attack in Week 14. The Browns have been a no-fly zone for EVERY position for fantasy. Since Week 9, they have allowed the fewest PPR points per target to perimeter wide receivers and the ninth-fewest PPR points per target to slot receivers. Cleveland has given up the 12th-fewest schedule-adjusted fantasy points per game to tight ends this season. This passing offense has been on life support in most weeks, but I want nothing to do with it this week.*

DAL vs. DET | PIT vs. BAL | SEA vs. ATL | TEN vs. CLE | IND vs. JAC | WAS vs. MIN | MIA vs. NYJ | NO vs. TB | CIN vs. BUF | DEN vs. LV | CHI vs. GB | LAR vs. ARI | HOU vs. KC | PHI vs. LAC