In the history of mankind, we’ve valued different traits at different points in our evolution. But there’s little question that in modern society, intelligence has replaced strength as the ideal trait to continue our evolution as a species. 

Smarts cures diseases. Smarts lands probes on planets. Smarts can change the world. It’s all about being smart, folks. 

Setting your fantasy lineup shouldn’t be any different. Don’t try to predict how many points a player will score in a given week, folks. Try to determine just how smart it is to start that player based on several factors. Curious what those factors should be?

Read on, as I reveal my Week 14 startability rankings. 

Notes: For a full explanation of the rankings, see here. Abridged version: Startability measures how smart it is to start a given player in a week rather than attempting to project how many points he will score. “Ability” measures a player’s overall talent, proficiency at his position and ability to produce fantasy numbers. “Offense” measures how much that team’s offense improves his fantasy stock. The overall “startability” grade is weighted. All point totals and points-against statistics via ESPN standard scoring leagues. 

 

Schedule

 

Quarterbacks

There aren’t too many surprises at quarterback this week, as by this time in the year we have a pretty good idea of whom you can trust and whom you can’t. Two interesting cases are Tony Romo and Ryan Tannehill, however. 

Last week, both players had amazing matchups against the Philadelphia Eagles and New York Jets, respectively, two of the worst pass defenses in the NFL. And both players disappointed. Romo only managed a measly three fantasy points and was hassled by Philly’s pass rush all game long, while Tannehill could only squeak out eight points against Rex Ryan‘s hapless Jets.

So I wouldn’t blame you for being gun-shy about either player this week. But I would also be remiss if I didn’t point out that Romo was facing a Chicago defense that is giving up 20.3 fantasy points to opposing quarterbacks per week, 31st in the NFL, while Tannehill faces a Baltimore defense that has given up a total of 803 passing yards and six passing scores in the past two games.

If you are streaming quarterbacks, either player is an enticing option given the matchup. No, these aren’t the most trustworthy of choices, but both have very nice upsides given the opponents. 

Tom Brady has slowed down a bit. After five straight starts with 20 or more points, he’s failed to reach that threshold in three straight contests. Joe Flacco just threw for 225 yards and two touchdowns—he also rushed for another score—and finished with 23 fantasy points against the San Diego Chargers, however, so perhaps Brady can get back on track in a meeting against the Bolts.

 

Running Backs

LeSean McCoy is back, folks.

With a mostly healthy offensive line once again and a renewed focus on the ground game, McCoy has rushed for a total of 289 yards and two scores in the past two weeks. It’s been a long and bumpy road for Shady’s owners this season, but the electrifying back is hitting his stride just in time for the fantasy playoffs.

Even in a really, really tough matchup, it’s tough not to trust C.J. Anderson. While the Buffalo Bills are allowing just 11.3 fantasy points to opposing running backs per week, second in the NFL, Anderson has a whopping 79 fantasy points in his last four games. 

More importantly, the Denver Broncos have had a running back notch at least 10 fantasy points in eight straight games now (Ronnie Hillman for the first four, Anderson the last four). Don’t be surprised if Anderson has success this week, even against Buffalo’s stout front seven.

Rashad Jennings should have a huge week against a Tennessee Titans defense that has given up 147 total fantasy points to opposing running backs in their last five games, an average of 29.4 per week. Start him with confidence.

 

Wide Receivers

Each week we are surprised by some of the players that explode at various positions. But generally speaking, one of the positions that has remained predictable this year is wide receiver. For the most part, you can trust your studs to perform.

Just look at Week 13. DeAndre Hopkins exploded for 35 points, sure, but he’s been pretty darn good all year. Calvin Johnson scoring 26 points, Julio Jones scoring 24, Antonio Brown scoring 23 or Alshon Jeffery scoring 19 were hardly huge surprises.

A total of 25 wide receivers registered double-digit points last week, and 14 of those players are ranked in the top 26 in fantasy points this season (A.J. Green comes in at No. 26, though of course he’d be far higher on the list if he hadn’t dealt with so many injury issues this season).

Thus, in many ways these rankings are much more about which fringe players are viable starters this week and which matchups might push a player down the rankings (in this case, you might want to consider benching Jeremy Maclin and Jordan Matthews against the Seattle Seahawks, a team that just so happens to possess the best secondary in the NFL). 

At this point in the season, you know who your studs are at wide receiver. Start them. You can’t afford to get cute and, quite frankly, the top receivers this season have been steady enough that you shouldn’t be worrying about them at all in the first place.

 

Tight Ends

If you are like me, you are desperately hoping Julius Thomas can return this week. One of the biggest advantages in fantasy football this season has been owning either Rob Gronkowski, Jimmy Graham or Thomas, so missing Orange Julius has likely sent your team into a slump in recent weeks.

Gronkowski has scored 27 more points than anyone else at the position, while Graham and Thomas come in at Nos. 2 and 3 despite each battling through injuries this season. Heck, only two other players (Antonio Gates and Greg Olsen) have even exceeded 100 fantasy points in standard-scoring leagues.

Still, if Thomas ends up missing even more time, there are alternatives out there. Heath Miller has 15 total fantasy points total in the past two weeks, while Jordan Reed is coming off of a nice performance, catching nine passes for 123 yards. 

No, neither player has the upside of a Thomas. But if you are without Orange Julius, at least each offers a pretty good chance to get seven or more points out of a truly inconsistent position this season.

 

Defense/Special Teams

 

Kickers

 

Hit me up on Twitter—I’ll answer your fantasy questions and make some corny jokes, too. It’s more fun than being Richard Sherman when the San Francisco 49ers come to town.

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