The fantasy football season is wrapping up with the playoffs starting next week. Managers on every platform are setting their teams for what could be the last time this week, as only a handful of players continue on. Some teams are on the fence, one way or the other, and need a win to keep going. Some teams have already been eliminated, and some teams are safely in their playoff spot.
In looking at the Washington Commanders and Minnesota Vikings Week 14 game, there are some interesting matchups on both sides of the ball. And for both teams. The Vikings aren’t having a successful season any more than the Commanders, and the Commanders are actually favored in this game, even though they’re on the road. Plus, they got some good news on Friday, that Jayden Daniels will be starting this week.
Let’s take a look at which players to start and sit in fantasy football from the Commanders and Vikings Week 14 matchup.
Start: WR Justin Jefferson
The Commanders’ secondary is missing a couple of key players in Trey Amos and Marshon Lattimore, and Justin Jefferson is one of the best receivers in the NFL. Last week, he had a career-worst performance (two receptions for four yards) with Max Brosmer under center. This week, J.J. McCarthy could be back, but even if he isn’t, Jefferson is still averaging 66.5 receiving yards per game. The Commanders struggle to defend the pass, allowing the third-most fantasy points to wide receivers and second-most passing yards per game in the league. Without Amos and Lattimore, Jefferson could feast on Sunday.
Sit: RB Aaron Jones
Aaron Jones suffered a shoulder injury in the third quarter of the Vikings’ loss to the Seattle Seahawks. He left the field and did not return, and he remains questionable this week. Even if he plays, though, it’s risky to put him in your lineup. Jones has been injured often in his career, and this close to the initial injury risks re-injury, especially against a Commanders’ team that desperately wants to win. The Commanders do give up the fourth-most fantasy points to running backs in the NFL, but that won’t matter if he’s not on the field. Or if their passing game suffers so much that the Commanders can solely focus on stopping Jones.
Start: WR Terry McLaurin
Scary Terry is back! Marcus Mariota targeted McLaurin 14 times on Sunday, leading to seven receptions for a season-high 96 yards and a touchdown. McLaurin looks like his old self last week, no rust, and should remain heavily involved in the Commanders’ offense this week, especially with Jayden Daniels back under center. The two connected on a deep level last season, and McLaurin has been integral to Daniels’ development. The Vikings have a solid passing defense, allowing under 180 yards per game, but this could be a game where Terry McLaurin and Jayden Daniels remind us how good they were last year.
Sit: RB Chris Rodriguez Jr.
The Vikings have a solid pass defense and an okay run defense, which would usually lead you to believe that starting Chris Rodriguez Jr. is a good idea. However, the Commanders have turned into a running-by-committee approach with Rodriguez, Jeremy McNichols, and Jacory Croskey-Merritt. They get their ground yards, but none of them typically get more than 50 yards a game. That’s not going to change this week, either, so keep Rodriguez on your bench.
Sleeper: QB Jayden Daniels
This one is tough because he’s been injured on and off all season. But, because of those injuries, Daniels is likely to come out and play like we haven’t seen him play all year. He will return from a dislocated elbow this week to lead a struggling Commanders’ offense. Everyone is going to expect Daniels to struggle, to be off his game, to be rusty from missing so much time this season. But, it’s more likely that Daniels takes control of the game and shows us a glimpse of last year’s Offensive Rookie of the Year.