It’s the final week of regular-season fantasy football for most leagues, with the playoffs starting in Week 15. That means it’s the last week you’ll have to worry about players on bye, and the last week you have to cement your spot in your league’s playoffs.
Normally, deciding who to start and sit in a Tennessee Titans game hasn’t been that hard. But this week, the Titans face the Cleveland Browns in a battle with draft implications because both teams are at the bottom of the league. The Browns sit slightly above the Titans in most rankings and have two more wins, but that’s still not saying much.
This week, there’s truly only one player you should be starting, which you’ll see below. But, in deeper leagues, there’s a potential second option. That said, here are some players to start and sit from the Titans vs. Browns Week 14 matchup.
Start: RB Quinshon Judkins
Quinshon Judkins is, by far, the one player from this matchup who is worth starting. The Titans allow the 5th-most fantasy points to running backs in the NFL, and Judkins is the Browns’ biggest offensive weapon. He’s recorded 20 or more carries in five of his last nine games, and has at least 15 rushing attempts in four consecutive games. Because the Browns’ passing game is lacking, teams have been able to focus on shutting him down. However, the Titans’ run defense allows over 127 yards per game on the ground. Judkins is a must-start this week.
Sit: RB Tony Pollard
On the flip side, Titans’ running back Tony Pollard doesn’t have much fantasy value these days. Most of the Titans’ roster doesn’t have fantasy value anymore, except for certain matchups. But Pollard hasn’t scored a touchdown or recorded more than 68 yards from scrimmage in a game since Week 5. He’s still the main focus of the backfield and has gotten 11-15 touches in every game since Week 6, but he’s not producing like he has in the past.
Start: QB Shedeur Sanders
This one is shaky. Sanders has been inconsistent, completing just 60% of his passes through two starts. He has connected on several big plays, though, giving him some potential against a struggling Titans’ defense. That said, he should only be used in leagues with a two-quarterback format because of the Browns’ reliance on the run game. Sanders has the potential to put points on the board, but his opportunities will be limited with Judkins healthy and on the field.
Sit: WR Chimere Dike
Chimere Dike has a ton of upside and could potentially have a breakout game against the Browns in Week 14. Unfortunately, he’s been very inconsistent as of late, recording just three strong offensive performances in the last six games. In those strong games, he had 16 catches for 207 yards and two touchdowns. The problem is that in the other three games, he had just four catches for 27 yards. The Browns have an excellent pass rush and allow the 6th-fewest points to wide receivers in the NFL. Weighing the pros and cons, sitting him is the safer bet.
Sleeper: TE Chig Okonkwo
Cam Ward is going to have minimal time to operate in the pocket this weekend with Myles Garrett in his face, but Chig Okonkwo has quietly become the Titans’ leading receiver with 406 yards. He doesn’t have a touchdown this season, but he has become one of Ward’s most reliable targets. He will split time with Gunnar Helm, but the Browns are average at defending tight ends, and Okonkwo’s sure hands are likely to find the ball on many occasions as the Browns’ defense forces him to make quick decisions.