Fantasy football advice, Week 14: Who to start/sit for Saints vs. Buccaneers

The New Orleans Saints, at 4-8, are done for the 2015 season, as far as contention goes. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers, though, have won three of four to climb to 6-6 and, with some luck down the stretch, could find themselves in line for a Wild Card slot. The two face each other Sunday.

After a brief worry late in the week, it looks like the Saints will have wide receiver Brandin Cooks ready to go Sunday, and positionmates Willie Snead and Marques Colston both should play as well despite appearing on the weekly injury report. For Tampa Bay, wide receiver Vincent Jackson should play through a knee issue.

Start ‘em: Well that was a whirlwind late week for Brandin Cooks, who went from must-start to likely out with a concussion to fine again. Unless the health news somehow changes again, Cooks is a must-start. ... Benjamin Watson isn't as appealing a play as he was a few weeks ago. He's still a starting tight end, but near the bottom of the list of starters.

Start ‘em?: For whatever reason, Drew Brees has more of a difference in his home/road performance than just about any player. He's on the road this week, which makes him a QB2.

Sit ‘em: The placement of Mark Ingram on injured reserve really threw the New Orleans running game into question. If I had to pick a running back to use this week, it'd be Tim Hightower over C.J. Spiller, but the best plan is to avoid the whole situation until you see how it shakes out. ... Willie Snead was productive earlier this year, but he's fallen on hard times of late. He, Marques Colston and Brandon Coleman are all good to bench, now that we know Cooks is healthy. ... Kai Forbath is averaging under five points a game with New Orleans, with three or fewer points four times. ... The Saints' defense has been terrible this year; the unit has put up four or fewer fantasy points nine times in 12 games.

Start ‘em: The Saints struggle against the run mightily; Doug Martin has averaged 13.8 in his last four games and should stay hot. ... Mike Evans has averaged 11 fantasy points a game in his last five. He's a must-start.

Start ‘em?: Any quarterback facing New Orleans is intriguing; Jameis Winston doesn't have a very consistent upside, but this is as good a situation as he'll find himself in. ... In a good matchup, Charles Sims is even worth a look as a low-end flex. ... Vincent Jackson's only real problem this season has been health; when he plays, he's good more often than not, and he should play Sunday. ... In an ideal world, you'd be able to sit Austin Seferian-Jenkins on your bench until he has a big game so you can be sure he still has it in him, but in a pinch, he should see plenty of targets. ... Connor Barth averaged 12.8 fantasy points a game in his first four games this year, and that's fallen to six a game in his last four. He still has strong upside in a game where the offense should do well.

Start in every league: Brandin Cooks, Benjamin Watson, Doug Martin, Mike Evans
Start if you're desperate: Drew Brees, Jameis Winston, Charles Sims, Vincent Jackson, Austin Seferian-Jenkins, Connor Barth
Bench: Tim Hightower, C.J. Spiller, Willie Snead, Marques Colston, Brandon Coleman, Kai Forbath, New Orleans defense, Tampa Bay defense