Week 14 Quarterback Preview: Why Jayden Daniels Belongs Closer to QB12 Than QB1
Top Fantasy QBs for Week 14
Let's examine the key usage notes and matchups that are driving our Week 14 QB Rankings.
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1. Josh Allen, Buffalo Bills
QB1 on
Hurt by a thin pass-catching corps, Allen's production has dipped over the past two weeks. The good news is that TE Dalton Kincaid has a chance to return from a hamstring injury. Buffalo might also get LT Dion Dawkins and RT Spencer Brown back from injuries. A matchup with the Bengals certainly looks favorable, as they’ve allowed the second-most passing TDs and yards per game.
2. Dak Prescott, Dallas Cowboys
(Played on Thursday)
3. Matthew Stafford, Los Angeles Rams
Matthew Stafford
QB3 on
Matthew Stafford
QB3 on
Stafford leads the league with 32 TD passes and has only thrown 4 INTs. Stafford has thrown multiple TD passes in six straight games and should be in a good position to extend that streak this week in Arizona. The Cardinals allowed Brock Purdy and Trevor Lawrence to throw 3 TDs each in their last two games at State Farm Stadium. Los Angeles' implied total of 28.5 points is the third-highest for Week 14, so expect another top-5 fantasy performance out of Stafford.
4. Jalen Hurts, Philadelphia Eagles
QB4 on
Hurts has finished 11th or worse among fantasy QBs in three of four games since Philly's bye. But the other week found him leading the position in scoring. And he posted three straight top-8 finishes before that bye. It's not comfy right now, but Hurts most likely belongs in your lineup.
5. Jared Goff, Detroit Lions
(Played on Thursday)
6. Patrick Mahomes, Kansas City Chiefs
Patrick Mahomes
QB6 on
Patrick Mahomes
QB6 on
Mahomes recorded 260-1 and 177-1 in two matchups with Houston in 2024. The Texans’ defense remains potent, slotting top-six in sack rate, passing yards per game, and pass yards per attempt. They’ve also allowed only one passing TD per game. Mahomes remains a clear fantasy starter as the engine of Kansas City’s offense, but there’s more risk than usual this week.
7. Joe Burrow, Cincinnati Bengals
Joe Burrow
QB7 on
Joe Burrow
QB7 on
In Week 13, Burrow returned from a serious turf toe injury to post 261-2 at Baltimore. Now he gets a Bills pass defense that ranks second-toughest in fantasy points allowed. Still, Burrow will remain a viable QB1, especially if Tee Higgins (concussion) returns.
8. Jayden Daniels, Washington Commanders
Jayden Daniels
QB8 on
Jayden Daniels
QB8 on
Daniels has been practicing in full, setting him up to return to Washington's lineup. Daniels has been out since injuring his elbow in Week 9. The injury was to his left (non-throwing) elbow and won't impact his throwing. However, between the elbow and a knee injury that cost him a pair of games in Weeks 3-4, Daniels may not run as much in a lost season. He also has a negative matchup against a Minnesota defense that has allowed the ninth-fewest fantasy points to QBs. As long as he starts, Daniels is still a top-12 QB, but he's closer to 12 than 1.
9. Lamar Jackson, Baltimore Ravens
Lamar Jackson
QB9 on
Lamar Jackson
QB9 on
Jackson has scored single-digit fantasy points in each of his last three games, including last week against one of the worst defenses in the league. He hasn’t thrown a TD in any of those games, though he did have some bad luck that could have produced a TD or two. Jackson remains on the injury report with an ankle injury that clearly is hampering him. We outlined his poor film altogether. Jackson’s upside against a volatile Steelers defense makes him a potential start, but if you have other viable options, don’t hesitate to bench him.
10. Daniel Jones, Indianapolis Colts
Daniel Jones
QB10 on
Daniel Jones
QB10 on
Jones' leg injury is clearly impacting his mobility and his rushing production. But his passing has looked fine. The numbers haven't been great the last two weeks (57% completion rate, 6.6 yards per attempt). But that's come against the Chiefs' 11th-ranked QB defense and the Texans' top-ranked unit. The matchup is much easier this weekend against the Jaguars, who rank 22nd in adjusted fantasy points allowed to QBs. The Colts' 24.5-point implied total is eighth-highest of the week. Jones doesn't come without risk, but this is a nice bounce-back spot.
11. Bo Nix, Denver Broncos
Bo Nix
QB11 on
Bo Nix
QB11 on
Nix threw for a season-low 150 yards in the first meeting with the Raiders. But he has rebounded for 295 and 321 yards the past two games, on elevated passing volume. A struggling run game (without J.K. Dobbins) should keep the focus on Nix, and we'll bet on improved outcomes vs. a merely average Raiders defense.
12. Jordan Love, Green Bay Packers
QB12 on
Love has tallied top-12 QB performance in two of the past three weeks. With the Packers nearly at full strength in their WR group, Love could continue to be efficient and toss TDs. He has a good matchup against the Bears, who sit bottom 10 in the league in completion rate and yards per attempt.
13. Jacoby Brissett, Arizona Cardinals
Jacoby Brissett
QB13 on
Jacoby Brissett
QB13 on
Brissett continues to deliver fantasy goods every week. In seven starts, he's averaged 312.5 passing yards and has finished as a top-12 QB every week. But that streak is in jeopardy in Week 14. The Cardinals host a Rams' defense that allows the seventh-fewest fantasy points to QBs. L.A. ranks ninth with 33 sacks and has forced the third-most turnovers (20). However, Brissett delivered against the Packers and Seahawks, so he remains on the QB1/2 borderline.
14. Baker Mayfield, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Baker Mayfield
QB14 on
Baker Mayfield
QB14 on
Mayfield played through a shoulder injury last week, leading to the Buccaneers leaning on the run. He only threw for 194 yards and a TD. Mayfield has only had one top-12 QB week over the past six games and has now settled as a QB2 moving forward. The Saints aren’t a great pass defense, but teams funnel to the run when they get ahead in the game. Mayfield could put up attractive numbers if the game is close, but if not, expect another QB2 week.
15. Sam Darnold, Seattle Seahawks
Sam Darnold
QB15 on
Sam Darnold
QB15 on
Darnold comes off his worst fantasy outing of the season in what was a 26-0 Seattle win. The Seahawks are more than a TD favorite in Atlanta, which brings up concerns of another low-volume game from Darnold. Atlanta's defense has regressed significantly over the past month, so the matchup looks fine. Consider Darnold a QB2 with some chances of posting top-10 numbers if the Seahawks get off to a fast start and the Falcons can mount enough offense to stay in striking range.
16. Trevor Lawrence, Jacksonville Jaguars
QB16 on
Lawrence has cobbled together top-12 fantasy performances in four of his last five games, including three straight top-10 finishes. He's still not playing particularly well, and the Jaguars have leaned toward the run since their Week 8 bye (-2.0% pass rate over expected). But Lawrence is in a nice spot on Sunday as a small 1.5-point underdog to a Colts defense missing top CB Sauce Gardner. This game's 47.5-point over/under is tied for third-highest on the week.
17. Caleb Williams, Chicago Bears
Caleb Williams
QB17 on
Caleb Williams
QB17 on
Williams had another down ending as QB25 last week, throwing for 154 yards and a TD. His volatility makes him a difficult start, especially against a strong Packers’ defense this week. They allow the second-lowest yards per pass attempt (6.2) and play even better at home. Bench Williams if possible, as he should be a matchup-dependent option at this point.
18. C.J. Stroud, Houston Texans
QB18 on
Stroud delivered lines of 244-2-2 and 245-0-0 in a pair of road matchups at K.C. last season. While the Chiefs' defense has regressed, they’ve still surrendered only 1.1 passing TDs per game. Stroud’s up and down 2025 further cements him as a QB2.
19. Justin Herbert, Los Angeles Chargers
QB19 on
Herbert and HC Jim Harbaugh expect his surgically repaired left hand to be ready for game action Monday. But Herbert has averaged just 150.7 yards and 1 TD over the past three games. So try to avoid him anyway.
20. Tyrod Taylor, New York Jets
QB20 on
Playing without Garrett Wilson, Taylor totaled 23 fantasy points in a Week 13 win vs. Atlanta. Wilson remains out, but Taylor still carries some QB2 appeal against Miami. The Fins sit mid-pack in pressure rate, while Taylor’s run for 40+ yards in two of three starts.
21. Tyler Shough, New Orleans Saints
QB21 on
Shough finished as QB12 last week, throwing for 239 yards and 2 TDs. That is his second top-12 week out of the past four. The downside is that he also has two games outside the top-20 in those four weeks. If the Saints get down in a game and have to throw, Shough can give you a solid week, but he should only be used in case of emergency.
22. J.J. McCarthy, Minnesota Vikings
J.J. McCarthy
QB22 on
J.J. McCarthy
QB22 on
McCarthy missed last week's disaster with a concussion. As badly as he's played, McCarthy should be an upgrade for Minnesota's pass-catchers, but not a massive one. In his 6 starts, McCarthy is averaging a meager 154.8 passing yards, and he's sporting a 6-to-10 TD-to-INT ratio. Washington has allowed the third-most fantasy points to QBs, so there's some hope that McCarthy can put up competent numbers, but the considerable downside risk keeps him as a low-end QB2.
23. Tua Tagovailoa, Miami Dolphins
Tua Tagovailoa
QB23 on
Tua Tagovailoa
QB23 on
Tua posted 177 yards and 2 scores in a Week 4 meeting with the Jets. This time, though, he'll be without WR Tyreek Hill, while the Jets won't have their defensive studs (CB Sauce Gardner and DL Quinnen Williams). Ultimately, Tua’s recent form suggests he’s just a low-end QB2. He’s hit 30 passes only once over the past six weeks, while he’s been held without a score in three of his past four.
24. Aaron Rodgers, Pittsburgh Steelers
QB24 on
Rodgers continues playing through a fractured left wrist and was abysmal against the Buffalo Bills last week. He only threw for 117 yards and no TDs. He hasn’t topped 250 yards in any game this year. Now he faces a volatile Ravens defense that can step up. Joe Burrow had success last week, but Rodgers and the Steelers' passing game are really struggling. Rodgers should be benched if possible.
25. Kirk Cousins, Atlanta Falcons
Kirk Cousins
QB25 on
Kirk Cousins
QB25 on
After a pair of middling starts on the road, where he averaged 216.5 passing yards and 1.5 TDs, Cousins makes his first home start since Week 8. But he won't be a recommended fantasy option. The reeling Falcons host a Seahawks' defense that allows the third-fewest points per game (18.1) and has forced the second-most turnovers (22). The Falcons are also expected to be without WR Drake London, which handicaps Cousins. He's little more than a desperation Superflex QB2 with limited ceiling.
