The Spire

Logan Gooley ‘24

Sports Staff Writer

Must Start

RB: AJ Dillon vs. New York Giants WR: Brandin Cooks vs. Philadelphia Eagles

TE: Gerald Everett vs. Denver Broncos

In what’s been a below-average season for Dillon, the former BC Eagle will get his easiest defense of the season against the New York Giants, who have allowed the 6th most fantasy points to RBs this season. Averaging over 16 touches a game, look for Dillon to have a workhorse-type day against the Giants.

I’ve missed on my last few WR Must Starts, so I’m going to double down and take another gamble. Cooks’ fantasy numbers when he scores vs. when he doesn’t is quite insane, but I think that changes in Week 14. In the previous matchup, Cooks got locked down all game, but I think this go-around Cooks’ increased confidence will prepare him for a huge day against a struggling Philadelphia secondary. 

Coming off of two very good weeks against elite defenses, look for the Chargers to keep Gerald Everett rolling against the Broncos. Playing against the weakest team against TEs in football, Everett should be in for a season-high fantasy day. 

Must Sit

RB: Jerome Ford vs. Jacksonville Jaguars WR: Nico Collins vs. New York Jets

TE: Evan Engram vs. Cleveland Browns

While Jerome Ford had a blazing hot start to the year after star Nick Chubb went down for the season with an injury, Ford has slowed down severely in the past three weeks. He’s had back-to-back weeks of under 10 carries and less than 15 total touches. Going up against an elite run-stuffing defense in the Jaguars, it’s tough to imagine a rebound game for Mr. Ford coming in Week 14. 

With Tank Dell likely out for the rest of the season, it should appear that Nico Collins will have a huge factor this week. While I believe Collins is an absolute must-start come fantasy playoffs, I believe that he will struggle handily against the New York Jets’ elite secondary. Holding Drake London to 1 catch last week, I expect a similar result against Nico Collins this week for the best pass defense in the league. 

While this Browns defense has started to slowly move out of the top-ranking in allowing fantasy points to WRs and RBs, they still hold that top spot for TEs. Although Engram commands over seven targets a game, he has struggled against every elite defense he has played. I expect that Lawrence will look elsewhere against this stout but slipping Cleveland Browns defense.