Fantasy football advice, Week 14: Who to start/sit for Washington vs. Philadelphia Eagles

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 NFC East teams on the fringe who are trying to reclaim spots in the playoffs. Let’s take a look:

Washington tight ends could not have asked for a worse string of matchups than having the Cardinals and Eagles back-to-back, as both defenses rank first and second in fewest fantasy points allowed to their position. Vernon Davis managed a 5-47-0 line in Week 13, and should Jordan Reed sit, he will be considered a low-ceiling TE1. Reed practiced at a limited capacity all week and would offer top-three upside even in a tough matchup, provided he suits up.

Kirk Cousins looked human against the Cardinals’ third-ranked pass defense in the wake of securing November’s player of the month honors, and also posted a modest 263 yards, two touchdowns and an interception against the Eagles in Week 6. However, like Week 13’s dud against the Cardinals, Cousins’ modest totals against the Eagles came during a game without Reed at his disposal. With Reed in the lineup, Cousins remains a solid QB1.

Jamison Crowder has 85 yards, a touchdown, or both in each of his last seven games, making him a high-floor WR3/flex option while his teammate DeSean Jackson can be considered a volatile one. The Eagles are the only team in the NFL to allow a 40-yard pass in each of their last six games, and if Washington has a candidate to extend that streak, Jackson would be at the top of the list.

Robert Kelley has a fine matchup at hand against an Eagles run defense that has surrendered rushing touchdowns in three consecutive games, but Kelley has been an afterthought in the offense since erupting for three touchdowns against the Packers. Kelley remains a low-end RB2 with upside, but should Washington fall behind early, fantasy owners need to be prepared for disappointment. He has clear precedence in the backfield, but as long as Washington remains prone to abandoning the run, Kelley makes for a riskier option than other bell-cows.

Pierre Garcon is a reliable chain mover, but fantasy owners can’t be excited about his prospects if Reed is active. Garcon would be a high-floor flex option in his absence. He, Vernon Davis and Chris Thompson can remain on fantasy benches.

Ryan Mathews is expected to play, and against Washington’s putrid run defense, fantasy owners won’t need to exercise the same apprehension as they usually would regarding a running back fresh off an injury. Washington has allowed a 31st-league-ranked 17 rushing touchdowns, giving Mathews an excellent ceiling. He can be considered an RB2, while Darren Sproles maintains flex value in PPR formats.

With Jordan Matthews at less than 100 percent and Dorial Green-Beckham inactive, Zach Ertz will likely be a focal point of the offense along with the backfield tandem of Mathews and Sproles. Ertz remains a TE1 and will need to step up with Matthews likely drawing the attention of Josh Norman.

Wendell Smallwood can go back to the bench with Ryan Mathews active, and Jordan Matthews can stay on the bench amid a poor matchup. The opportunity is there for Carson Wentz to end his slump, but it’s needless for fantasy owners to take a risk on such an unsteady quarterback with no teams on bye.