X
Lost password?

Don't have an account?
Gain Access Now

X

Receive free daily analysis

NFL
NBA
NHL
NASCAR
CFB
MLB
MMA
PGA
ESPORTS
BETTING

Already have an account? Log In

X

Forgot Password


POPULAR FANTASY TOOLS

Expert Advice
Articles & Tools
Import Your Leagues
Draft Rankings
Draft Simulator
Enter League Settings
Value Picks
Compare Any Players
News and Alerts

Week 14 Thursday Night NFL Matchups Analysis: Start/Sit

It's time for the Week 14 installment of Thursday night matchups with my start/sit recommendations. This week, divisional foes meet as the Raiders travel to Kansas City to take on the Chiefs.

Each week of the NFL season, we will be breaking down every game and providing you with some fantasy football advice and lineup recommendations based on matchups that we love, matchups that we hate, and injury information as well. Later this week, you will find parts one and two of our Week 14 NFL matchups, which should help you prepare your lineups to win this week. It’s essential to analyze the weekly NFL matchups to find lineup sleepers and gems, while also avoiding those players who may turn out to be busts.

New users that sign up on FantasyAces, make a $20 deposit, and enter any game will receive our full season NFL (or NBA) Premium Pass for free, a $59.99 value. Just email [email protected] with your new FantasyAces username - and boom, that's it! We will email you with your Premium pass.

 

Raiders @ Chiefs - Thursday 12/8 @ 8:25 PM EST

Matchups We Love

Spencer Ware (RB, KC)

Even though Ware only gained 52 yards total last week in a plus matchup with the Falcons, he should still be trusted heading into this game with Oakland. Last week, Ware rushed 14 times for 29 yards with a three-yard TD in the first quarter. He also caught three passes for 23 yards, and another TD on a three-yard reception in the second quarter. He will likely be able to find the red zone again against Oakland, who have given up the fourth most fantasy points to the RB position. They have given up the third most rushing yards, and the seventh most TD to opposing RB this season (11). Not to mention, that Ware’s only 100-yard game this season came against Oakland back in Week 6. Even coming off of a down week in the yardage category, Ware is a strong play this week in all formats.

Amari Cooper (WR, OAK)

Amari Cooper only had four targets last week (season-low) against the Bills, but was able to haul two of them in for 59 yards, including a 37-yard TD in the fourth quarter. Even though he has seen his targets dip a bit since the bye week (16 total over the past three weeks), he has scored a TD in two of the past three weeks to keep his value afloat. The Chiefs have given up the most fantasy points to the WR position this season, while giving up the most receiving yards and the third most receptions to opposing WR. Last time he went up against the Chiefs, Cooper caught 10 passes for 129 yards.  In the first week of your fantasy playoffs, you can feel confident about Cooper.

 

Matchups We Hate

Michael Crabtree (WR, OAK)

After two straight mediocre games, Crabtree has turned it back on over the past two weeks. He has caught a combined 15 passes for 184 yards and a TD against the Bills and Panthers. Since the Raiders bye week, he leads the team in targets with 31, which is 15 more than Amari Cooper. Even though the Chiefs have given up the most fantasy points to opposing WR this season, this matchup may be difficult for Crabtree. They have been stingy against WR2 this season; the last time Crabtree faced them he was held to two catches for 10 yards. Due to his spike in targets he still is worth a play unless you have strong backup options, but keep expectations in check against a Chiefs defense playing some good football of late.

 

Notable Players

Latavius Murray (RB, OAK)

Ever since Week 7 when he returned from injury, Latavius Murray has been an absolute touchdown machine. He has eight touchdowns over those six games, averaging about 20 touches per game. Since the bye week, he has received 14 targets from Derek Carr, the most he has seen over a three-game stretch this season. As he becomes entrenched in the RB1 spot and his role in the offense grows, there becomes more of a surety in playing him than there wasn’t when the season began. He should be a fine play this week, but the Chiefs defense has been good at stopping the run. Since their Week 5 bye they have only allowed two rushing scores - both to Devonta Freeman last week. With the Chiefs defense playing well of late, it could limit Murray’s TD potential.

Tyreek Hill (WR, KC)

Tyreek Hill once again led all WR on the Chiefs in targets last week with six, catching five passes for 53 yards. Outside of Travis Kelce he has been the most targeted player on the team since the bye week. Hill would be a strong start the rest of the season, but Jeremy Maclin is set to return this week from injury. Hill has been the most effective WR this season for the Chiefs, so his role should be safe. However, with targets already limited if he takes two or three away from Hill it would diminish both players value. Unless you have to play him, this would be a good week to sit Hill and see how that situation plays out in the passing game.

Travis Kelce (TE, KC)

Travis Kelce has been on an absolute roll for Kansas City over the past three weeks. He has recorded three straight 100-yard games, tallying 32 receptions for 349 yards. Unfortunately, he has not scored any touchdowns since Week 8, limiting his fantasy impact. Oakland has done well against opposing TE this season, and limited Kelce to only three receptions for 32 yards last time these teams met. As the focal point of the passing attack, expect an improved performance from his last time against Oakland. However, it will be tough to keep his 100-yard streak up against a defense that stops opposing TE fairly well.

 




POPULAR FANTASY TOOLS

Expert Advice
Articles & Tools
Import Your Leagues
Draft Rankings
Draft Simulator
Enter League Settings
Value Picks
Compare Any Players
News and Alerts

REAL-TIME FANTASY NEWS

Ricky Stenhouse Jr1 hour ago

a Great Place Differential Play This Weekend
Justin Haley1 hour ago

Has Been Very Respectable at Atlanta Since The Repave
Mark Andrews2 hours ago

A Potential Salary Cap Casualty?
Norman Powell2 hours ago

On The Injury Report For Sunday
Kawhi Leonard2 hours ago

Could Miss Sunday's Game
P.J. Washington2 hours ago

Questionable Against The Warriors
Mark Canha2 hours ago

Joins Brewers On Minor-League Deal
Josh Hart2 hours ago

May Miss Another Game On Sunday
OG Anunoby2 hours ago

Questionable Against Boston
Cody Ware5 hours ago

Faster Than Some Big Names In Atlanta
Aaron Gordon5 hours ago

Set To Play Against The Lakers
LeBron James5 hours ago

Available Versus Denver
Ty Dillon5 hours ago

A Low-Tier Fantasy Option At Atlanta
BJ McLeod6 hours ago

Qualifies 38th For Ambetter Health 400 At Atlanta
Luka Dončić6 hours ago

Luka Doncic Cleared For Saturday Night
Hyeseong Kim6 hours ago

To See Work In Center Field
Nolan Arenado6 hours ago

Astros Rekindle Talks For Nolan Arenado
Michael Kopech6 hours ago

Throws Off The Mound
Brayan Bello6 hours ago

Still Not Throwing Bullpens
Blake Mitchell6 hours ago

Suffers Broken Hamate Bone
Andrés Muñoz6 hours ago

Andres Munoz Working On Changeup
Dante Fabbro8 hours ago

Back For Blue Jackets Saturday
Sean Durzi8 hours ago

Returns From 52-Game Absence
Matthew Tkachuk8 hours ago

Will Not Play Against Kraken
Jordan Eberle8 hours ago

Back In Action Saturday
Boone Jenner8 hours ago

Ready For Season Debut Against Blackhawks
Nico Hischier8 hours ago

Returns To Devils Lineup Saturday
Mika Zibanejad8 hours ago

Available Against Sabres
Igor Shesterkin8 hours ago

Good To Go Saturday
Lucas Sims11 hours ago

Set To Throw Batting Practice On Sunday
J.B. Bukauskas11 hours ago

Suffers Significant Lat Injury
Wilyer Abreu11 hours ago

Still Battling Illness
Brandon Sproat11 hours ago

Tinkering With Sinker
Kutter Crawford11 hours ago

In Doubt For Opening Day
Jesús Sánchez11 hours ago

Jesus Sanchez Could Be Limited To DH Early In The Season
Blake Perkins11 hours ago

Suffers Shin Fracture
Connor Norby12 hours ago

Eyeing 30 Home Runs
Spencer Strider12 hours ago

Throws Curveball In Bullpen Session
Taylor Trammell12 hours ago

Strains Calf
Victor Mesa Jr.12 hours ago

Has Tight Hamstring
Washington Commanders12 hours ago

Jonathan Allen Could Be Salary Cap Casualty
Donovan Solano12 hours ago

Expected To Join Camp On Saturday
Alex Cobb12 hours ago

Playing Catch
Treylon Burks12 hours ago

Could Use A Fresh Start Elsewhere
Tampa Bay Buccaneers12 hours ago

Jamel Dean A Cut Candidate For Buccaneers
Jarrett Allen12 hours ago

Set For An MRI, X-Rays Negative
Seattle Seahawks13 hours ago

Dre'Mont Jones' Cap Figure Is Untenable
Cam Thomas13 hours ago

Nearing A Return?
Maikel Garcia13 hours ago

Leading Off On Saturday
Pittsburgh Steelers13 hours ago

Steelers Could Be Looking To Replace Larry Ogunjobi
Philadelphia Eagles13 hours ago

Darius Slay Has Sixth-Highest Cap Hit For Eagles
Graham Gano13 hours ago

Could Be On His Way Out
Derek Carr13 hours ago

Saints Could Cut Derek Carr
Kendrick Bourne14 hours ago

Patriots To Move On From Kendrick Bourne?
Minnesota Vikings14 hours ago

Vikings Likely To Move On From Ed Ingram
Jason Sanders14 hours ago

Could Be A Cap Casualty
Cooper Kupp14 hours ago

Rams Could Cut Cooper Kupp
Los Angeles Chargers14 hours ago

Something Has To Give With Joey Bosa
EDM18 hours ago

Matt Savoie Set To Make Team Debut
SEA18 hours ago

Cale Fleury Promoted To NHL
Evander Kane18 hours ago

Resumes Skating
Sidney Crosby18 hours ago

A Game-Time Decision
Elias Pettersson18 hours ago

Considered Day-To-Day
Quinn Hughes19 hours ago

Not Expected To Play On Saturday
Jacksonville Jaguars1 day ago

Jaguars Hire James Gladstone As New General Manager
Donald Parham Jr.1 day ago

Steelers Sign Donald Parham Jr. To One-Year Deal
Philadelphia Eagles1 day ago

Nolan Smith Has Surgery For Torn Triceps Muscle
George Kittle1 day ago

Discussing Extension With 49ers
Matthew Stafford1 day ago

Rams Give Permission To Matthew Stafford's Agent To Talk To Other Teams
Patrick Williams1 day ago

To Miss At Least Two Weeks
Jarrett Allen1 day ago

Won't Return On Friday
Fred VanVleet1 day ago

Nearing Return
Josh Giddey1 day ago

Considered Probable For Saturday
Jalen Smith1 day ago

Unavailable Saturday
Jabari Smith Jr.1 day ago

Will Come Off The Bench On Friday
Nikola Vučević1 day ago

Nikola Vucevic Probable For Saturday
DaQuan Jeffries1 day ago

Remains Out On Saturday
Mike Conley1 day ago

Back In Action Friday
Mark Williams1 day ago

Removed From Injury Report
Rudy Gobert1 day ago

Will Not Play Against Rockets
Skyy Moore1 day ago

Could Be Salary Cap Casualty
Arizona Cardinals1 day ago

Cardinals Plan To Be Active In Free Agency
Henry Cejudo2 days ago

Set For Bantamweight Clash
Song Yadong2 days ago

Faces A Legend At UFC Seattle
Anthony Hernandez2 days ago

Looks To Extend His Win Streak
Brendan Allen2 days ago

Looks To Get Back In The Win Column
Jean Matsumoto2 days ago

Looks To Remain Undefeated
Rob Font2 days ago

An Underdog At UFC Seattle
Melsik Baghdasaryan2 days ago

Looks To Win Back-To-Back Fights
Jean Silva2 days ago

A Favorite At UFC Seattle
Alonzo Menifield2 days ago

Opens Up UFC Seattle Main Card
Julius Walker2 days ago

Makes His UFC Debut
Jeremy Lauzon2 days ago

Ruled Out For Rest Of Season
Kyle Connor2 days ago

Scratched On Thursday
Josh Morrissey2 days ago

Will Not Play On Thursday
Igor Shesterkin2 days ago

May Be Available Against Sabres
Bryan Rust2 days ago

Ready To Return To Penguins Lineup
Evgeni Malkin2 days ago

On Track To Return Saturday
Seth Jarvis2 days ago

Rejoins Canada's Lineup Thursday
PGA4 days ago

Kris Ventura A Strong Value Pick At The Mexican Open
Sam Ryder4 days ago

A Player To Watch At The Mexican Open
Aldrich Potgieter4 days ago

An Intriguing Option At The Mexican Open
Mac Meissner4 days ago

Looking To Regain Form At The Mexican Open
PGA4 days ago

K.H. Lee A Player To Avoid At The Mexican Open
Stephan Jaeger4 days ago

Aims For Consistency At Mexican Open
Nicolai Hojgaard4 days ago

Poised For Strong Performance At Mexican Open
Joel Dahmen4 days ago

Difficult To Trust At Mexican Open
Michael Thorbjornsen4 days ago

Looks To Get Things Going In The Right Direction At Mexico Open
Davis Riley4 days ago

An Unlikely Candidate For Success At Mexico Open
Luke List4 days ago

A Risky Play With Upside At Mexican Open
Carson Young4 days ago

A Volatile Option At Mexican Open
Ryan Fox4 days ago

A Boom-Or-Bust Play At Mexican Open
Alex Smalley4 days ago

A Solid Play At Mexican Open
Kevin Yu4 days ago

A Risky Play With Upside At Mexican Open
Taylor Moore4 days ago

An Intriguing Option At Mexican Open
Rasmus Hojgaard4 days ago

Eyeing A Major Bounce-Back At Mexican Open
Michael Kim4 days ago

Looks To Keep Momentum Going At Mexican Open
Sam Stevens4 days ago

Continues His Excellent 2025 Season At Genesis Invitational
Patrick Rodgers4 days ago

Finishes Tied For Third At Genesis Invitational
Thorbjorn Olesen4 days ago

Makes First PGA Tour Start In 2025 At Mexico Open
William Byron5 days ago

Trusts His Instinct To Win Second Straight Daytona 500
Jimmie Johnson5 days ago

Has Unexpected Emotions After Podium Finish At Daytona 500
John Hunter Nemechek5 days ago

Gets First Career Top-Five Finish At Daytona 500
Gregory Rodrigues5 days ago

Gets TKO'd At UFC Vegas 102
Jared Cannonier5 days ago

Gets Back In The Win Column
Nazim Sadykhov5 days ago

Remains Undefeated In The UFC
Ismael Bonfim5 days ago

Suffers Fifth Career Loss At UFC Vegas 102
Rodolfo Vieira5 days ago

Drops Decision At UFC Vegas 102
Andre Petroski6 days ago

Extends His Win Streak
Ryan Blaney6 days ago

Strong Daytona 500 Performance Falls Short Of Victory
Kyle Larson6 days ago

Continues To Struggle At Daytona After Underwhelming Result
Chase Briscoe6 days ago

Scores First Top-Five Finish With Joe Gibbs Racing At Daytona 500
Tyler Reddick6 days ago

Quietly Finishes The Daytona 500 As The Runner-Up
Ross Chastain6 days ago

Daytona 500 Effort Ends In An Early Crash
Connor Matthews6 days ago

Gets Knocked Out At UFC Vegas 102
Jose Miguel Delgado6 days ago

Jose Delgado Gets Quick Win In Debut At UFC Vegas 102
Dylan Budka6 days ago

Suffers First-Round Knockout Loss At UFC Vegas 102
Edmen Shahbazyan6 days ago

Gets Knockout Win At UFC Vegas 102
Calvin Kattar6 days ago

Suffers Fourth Straight Loss At UFC Vegas 102
Denny Hamlin6 days ago

Fights For The Win But Gets Eliminated In Last-Lap Crash
Austin Cindric6 days ago

Has Best Run At Daytona 500 Until Last-Lap Crash
Justin Allgaier6 days ago

Earns First Top-10 Finish Since 2015
Martin Truex Jr6 days ago

.'s Sour Luck Continues With Early Daytona 500 Crash
Helio Castroneves6 days ago

Eliminated From Daytona 500 In Crash With Teammate
RANKINGS
C
1B
2B
3B
SS
OF
SP
RP

RANKINGS

QB
RB
WR
TE
K
DEF