The playoffs continue on Sunday for many fantasy leagues, and those owners don’t have any more room for error. Luckily, fantasy owners will have more than a few options to choose from in a showdown between two teams on the fringe who are trying to reclaim spots in the AFC playoffs. Let’s take a look:
Fantasy football advice, Week 14: Who to start/sit for Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Buffalo Bills
Dan Ciarrocchi reviews who should be in fantasy lineups or on benches for a Week 14 AFC matchup.
Jason Bridge-USA TODAY Sports
Pittsburgh Steelers
Start ‘em
The Steelers’ “Big Three” may have become the “Big Four” after the performance Ladarius Green turned in on Sunday, catching six passes for 110 yards against a Giants defense that is no pushover. With fantasy owners scrambling to find a suitable tight end in the wake of injuries to Jordan Reed and Rob Gronkowski, Green could be a guy on many league-winning fantasy rosters. His upside puts him back in TE1 territory.
As for Ben Roethlisberger, Antonio Brown and Le’Veon Bell, all present upside in even the toughest of matchups, let alone one against a middling Bills defense. Rex Ryan’s squad ranks eighth against the pass, but that is no reason to bench any of these threats.
Sit ‘em
The emergence of Green keeps complementary receivers such as Eli Rogers and Sammie Coates out of starting consideration.
Buffalo Bills
Start ‘em
LeSean McCoy, who remains the cornerstone of the Bills’ offense, may find it hard to get going against a Steelers defense that ranks sixth against the run. Even in a game that could be kept close by the Bills’ capable pass defense, McCoy could very well be passed out if the Steelers’ offense jumps out to a big and early lead. McCoy’s upside makes him an every-week RB1, but when a team faces an explosive opponent, fantasy owners have to be aware of the potential game script that comes with a downside.
Sammy Watkins has a slightly better outlook when it comes to game script, and him playing in 68 percent of his team’s Week 13 snaps is a step forward. Watkins came out of his injury in Week 12 playing in just 45 percent of his offense’s plays, and his ramped-up workload bodes well for his fantasy owners. Though Watkins has plenty of upside, his downside puts him more as a flex option than a WR1 or WR2.
Sit ‘em
Despite Watkins helping Tyrod Taylor’s upside, fantasy owners in need of a win would be better suited for a less risky option at quarterback. Watkins’ presence also renders Charles Clay and Marquise Goodwin off the starting radar.
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