The playoffs begin on Thursday night 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 AFC West rivals, who happen to sit atop the standings. Let’s take a look:
Fantasy football advice, Week 14: who to start/sit for Oakland Raiders vs. Kansas City Chiefs
Dan Ciarrocchi reviews who should be in fantasy lineups or on benches for Week 14’s Thursday night AFC West showdown.
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Oakland Raiders
Start ‘em
Though Amari Cooper has proven to be a volatile fantasy receiver, his downside is something fantasy owners will stomach if it means cashing in on his upside. When Cooper faced the Chiefs in October, he posted a 10-129-0 line, and fantasy owners won’t have to consider benching him, Michael Crabtree, or Derek Carr for this matchup.
The Chiefs currently have the NFL’s sixth-worst run defense, but are a unit that has allowed just six rushing touchdowns on the season. With Latavius Murray back in control of the Raiders’ backfield, volume should be there for him to give fantasy owners a solid RB2 with RB1 upside if he is able to find the end zone.
Sit ‘em
Complimentary players such as Clive Walford, DeAndre Washington, Jamize Olawale and Seth Roberts can remain on fantasy benches for Week 14 and beyond.
Kansas City Chiefs
Start ‘em
Spencer Ware’s value has been tied more to his volume than efficiency, but in the October meeting between these two teams, Ware had both. In his only game with more than 100 rushing yards, the Chiefs’ bell cow logged 24 carries for 131 yards and a score while adding a 2-32-0 receiving line. Ware is a low-end RB1 as he continues to be heavily involved in the offense.
With Travis Kelce having three straight 100-yard outings, fantasy owners aren’t about to bench him. Having a consistent upper-level performer at a position that has been wholly unpredictable is an advantage that any playoff-ready team will take.
Sit ‘em
Though the Raiders defense is one that can be thrown on, fantasy owners would do well in not having to rely on Jeremy Maclin, Tyreek Hill or Alex Smith for fantasy points. Hill’s role would be set to diminish with Maclin ready to come off the bench, however, with Maclin fresh off of an injury, those snaps Maclin would receive may not be enough to translate into fantasy points. All three can remain on benches in standard formats.
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