It’s week 14, people! Time to set up those fantasy lineups! Start ‘Em, Sit ‘Em is the ultimate look at a week’s best and worst matchups in fantasy football leagues. Each week I examine the running backs who may or may not exceed expectations based on their weekly opponent…like Bucky Irving and D’Andre Swift in Week 13!

For your final lineup decisions, check out my fantasy player rankings. I update them daily! Also, be sure to subscribe to the Fantasy Dirt Podcast with Lindsay Rhodes and I where we break down all things fantasy football five days a week!

All positions: QBs | RBs | WRs | TEs | Ks | Summer time

Bye: Broncos, Colts, Commanders, Patriots, Ravens, Texans

1. Saquon Barkley vs. Panthers
2. Alvin Kamara at Giants
3. Bijan Robinson at Vikings
4. De’Von Achane vs. Jets
5. Chase Brown at Cowboys (Mon.)
6. Bucky Irving vs. Raiders
7. Kyren Williams vs. Bills
8. James Cook at Rams
9. Jahmyr Gibbs vs. Packers (Thursday)
10. Isaac Guerendo vs. Bears

Complete the Week 14 Running Back Rankings (Coming Soon)

beginning of the week

Chase Brown at the Cowboys (Mon. 8:15 p.m. ET, ESPN): Brown has been one of the hottest running backs in fantasy football, scoring 19 or more points in four straight games. He will be in a good position to score his fifth straight goal on Monday night as Brown faces a vulnerable Cowboys defense. Their defense has allowed seven running backs to beat them by at least 18.9 points, including five with more than 20 points and three with more than 30 points.

Start them

Bucky Irving vs. Raiders (1 p.m. ET, CBS): Irving, who was listed as the starter last week, had his best game of the season with 27.5 points in a win over the Panthers. I also like him this week as the rookie faces a plus matchup against the Raiders. Their defense allowed running backs to score more than 15 points nine times, including five who scored over 20 points. Irving, who has overtaken Rachaad White on the Bucs depth chart, is practically a must-have.

Isaac Guerendo vs. Bears (4:25 p.m. ET, Fox): With Christian McCaffrey and Jordan Mason both on injured reserve, it is now “Guerendo season” in the Niners backfield. The Bears defense has allowed more than 14 fantasy points to nine different runners, including five who have done so since Week 9. Additionally, opposing running backs averaged five yards per rush against Chicago, putting the rookie in a good position to make statistical waves.

Tony Pollard vs. Jaguars (1 p.m. ET, CBS): Pollard comes off poorly in Washington, but that had a lot to do with the script of the game. I think he will bounce back against the Jaguars, who have struggled against opposing running backs. Only the Panthers gave up more points per game to the position, as Jacksonville’s defense allowed running backs to beat them for more than 15 points 11 times, including six that had more than 20 points.

Tyrone Tracy Jr. vs. Saints (1 p.m. ET, Fox): Tracy Jr. and most of the Giants offense were fantasy turkeys last week, but the rookie still had 14.5 points in a loss to the Cowboys. I would also use him this week as Tracy Jr. has a great matchup against the Saints coming up. Their defense has been generous to runners, allowing more than 16 points to the position eight times, including five since Week 7. That makes Tracy Jr. a viable No. 2 fantasy this week.

RBs with good matchups

Seat of the week

Chuba Hubbard at the Eagles (1 p.m. ET, Fox): Hubbard is coming off one of his worst stats of the season, scoring just 2.3 points despite a great game against Tampa Bay. The most concerning thing about this game was that Hubbard only touched the ball 12 times and freshman Jonathon Brooks had nine touches on his 15 offensive shots. Hubbard also has a tough time going up against a formidable Eagles defense, so I would temper expectations.

Set them

Isiah Pacheco vs. Chargers (8:20 p.m. ET, NBC): Pacheco saw his first action since his injury in Week 2, and it wasn’t what fantasy fans expected. Kareem Hunt was the starter, and the two defenders split snaps and touchdowns almost down the middle. That hurts the performance of both defenders, and a matchup against the Chargers makes it hard to trust Pacheco. Their defense has allowed the Runners the sixth-fewest points per game.

Aaron Jones vs. Falcons (1 p.m. ET, Fox): Jones was poor last week, rushing for just 22 yards and was benched for a few snaps after fumbling in the win over the Cardinals. He’s now scored 12.2 points or fewer in five of his last six games, and a matchup against the Falcons isn’t great on paper. Their defense has allowed one rushing touchdown and the seventh-fewest points per game to backs since Week 11, so Jones is a risky flex.

Nick Chubb on Steelers (1 p.m. ET, CBS): Chubb has scored three touchdowns and 31.5 total fantasy points in his last two games, but is still a risk this week against the Steelers. Their defense was tough against the run at home, allowing the sixth-fewest fantasy points to opposing runners on runs alone. Since Chubb doesn’t do much in the passing game and is losing work to Jerome Ford, I would leave him out if possible.

Travis Etienne Jr. on Titans (1 p.m. ET, CBS): Etienne Jr. has been one of the biggest disappointments in fantasy football, scoring in single figures in six of his 10 games and averaging just 8.4 points. With Tank Bigsby back in the mix, it will be difficult to get either of them back into the starting lineup, regardless of the outcome. Even though the Titans traded it to Brian Robinson Jr. a week ago, I still have a hard time starting Etienne Jr. unless I’m completely desperate.

RBs with bad matchups