Week 14 Fantasy Football Rankings: Box Score Projections for Stars with Top Matchups

Week 14 kicked off with an NFC North showdown between the Green Bay Packers and Detroit Lions on Thursday night. Not only was it an intense rivalry matchup, but it was a game drenched in playoff implications.

The playoffs are right around the corner for fantasy managers too, and for many, this may be a make-or-break week.

Six teams will be on bye in Week 14, meaning several top players won't be available. However, managers should have no shortage of enticing options over the final 12 games of the schedule.

Here, you'll find a look at the top remaining matchups of Week 14, along with the best plays and box-score projections. All rankings and analysis are based on point-per-reception (PPR) scoring.

1. Josh Allen, Buffalo Bills: 288 passing yards, 3 TDs, 41 rushing yards

2. Jalen Hurts, Philadelphia Eagles: 279 passing yards, 3 TDs, 52 rushing yards

3. Joe Burrow, Cincinnati Bengals: 366 passing yards, 3 TDs, 15 rushing yards

4. Kyler Murray, Arizona Cardinals: 280 passing yards, 2 TDs, 34 rushing yards

5. Baker Mayfield, Tampa Bay Buccaneers: 313 passing yards, 2 TDs

6. Sam Darnold, Minnesota Vikings: 305 passing yards, 2 TDs

7. Patrick Mahomes, Kansas City Chiefs: 280 passing yards, 2 TDs

8. Tua Tagovailoa, Miami Dolphins: 275 passing yards, 2 TDs

9. Justin Herbert: Los Angeles Chargers: 270 passing yards, 2 TDs

10. Russell Wilson, Pittsburgh Steelers: 266 passing yards, 2 TDs

Matchup to Love: Joe Burrow at Dallas Cowboys

The Dallas Cowboys have shown a little heart over the past couple of weeks. Despite having little playoff hope and having Dak Prescott on injured reserve, the Cowboys have clawed their way to two consecutive wins.

However, Dallas' defense has remained suspect. In fantasy, it has allowed the fifth-most points to opposing quarterbacks. Cincinnati Bengals signal-caller Joe Burrow, meanwhile, has been on a roll.

The Bengals offense has been terrific, but Cincinnati keeps losing because its defense has been even worse than Dallas'. This sets up a potential track meet on Monday night, which should keep Burrow racking up the yardage.

Burrow doesn't quite offer the same rushing upside as quarterbacks like Josh Allen and Jalen Hurts, but he should be among the top scorers in Week 14.

1. Saquon Barkley, Philadelphia Eagles: 6 receptions, 189 scrimmage yards, 2 TDs

2. Alvin Kamara, New Orleans Saints: 7 receptions, 145 scrimmage yards, 1 TD

3. Chase Brown, Cincinnati Bengals: 5 receptions, 128 scrimmage yards, 1 TD

4. De'Von Achane, Miami Dolphins: 5 receptions, 118 scrimmage yards, 1 TD

5. Bucky Irving, Tampa Bay Buccaneers: 6 receptions, 105 scrimmage yards, 1 TD

6. Kyren Williams, Los Angeles Chargers: 5 receptions, 111 scrimmage yards, 1 TD

7. James Cook, Buffalo Bills: 4 receptions, 115 scrimmage yards, 1 TD

8. Kenneth Walker III, Seattle Seahawks: 3 receptions, 121 scrimmage yards, 1 TD

9. Tony Pollard, Tennessee Titans: 3 receptions, 115 scrimmage yards, 1 TD

10. James Conner, Arizona Cardinals: 3 receptions, 109 scrimmage yards, 1 TD

Matchup to Love: Saquon Barkley versus Carolina Panthers

The Carolina Panthers haven't won over the past two weeks, but they've been extremely competitive. They've lost to the Kansas City Chiefs and Tampa Bay Buccaneers by a field goal in each game.

There is a big reason why the Panthers may struggle more against the Philadelphia Eagles this week. His name is Saquon Barkley.

Barkley has been one of the most productive players at any position in 2024, and he's a legitimate league-winner in fantasy. He also has an extremely enticing matchup this week against Carolina.

No team has allowed more fantasy points to opposing running backs than the Panthers. Managers in season-long leagues aren't taking Barkley out of the lineup, of course, but DFS players might want to consider paying the premium for Barkley this week.

1. Ja'Marr Chase, Cincinnati Bengals: 9 receptions, 133 yards, 1 TD

2. Justin Jefferson, Minnesota Vikings: 7 receptions, 141 yards, 1 TD

3. A.J. Brown, Philadelphia Eagles: 7 receptions, 122 yards, 1 TD

4. Puka Nacua, Los Angeles Rams: 8 receptions, 109 yards, 1 TD

5. Malik Nabers, New York Giants: 7 receptions, 110 yards, 1 TD

6. Cooper Kupp, Los Angeles Rams: 6 receptions, 98 yards, 1 TD

7. Mike Evans, Tampa Bay Buccaneers: 5 receptions, 101 yards, 1 TD

8. CeeDee Lamb, Dallas Cowboys: 5 receptions, 99 yards, 1 TD

9. Tee Higgins, Cincinnati Bengals: 5 receptions, 97 yards, 1 TD

10. Drake London, Atlanta Falcons: 6 receptions, 109 yards

Matchup to Love: Malik Nabers versus New Orleans Saints

This week's top 10 is largely filled with the usual suspects. New York Giants receiver Malik Nabers is poised to crack the list despite some quarterback uncertainty for his squad. Tommy DeVito is still dealing with a forearm injury, so Drew Lock is set to start for the second straight week.

"Drew's going to take all the reps with the [starting offense Wednesday] and he'll be the quarterback this week," head coach Brian Daboll said, per ESPN's Jordan Raanan.

Lock was behind center last week against a bad Cowboys defense, and Nabers finished with a good-not-great 68 yards on eight receptions. This week, though, he'll be up against a New Orleans Saints secondary that no longer features Marshon Lattimore.

Lattimore was traded to the Washington Commanders at the deadline, and New Orleans' defense has underwhelmed without him. The Saints have allowed the seventh-most fantasy points to opposing wideouts.

1. Brock Bowers, Las Vegas Raiders: 11 receptions, 129 yards, 1 TD

2. Trey McBride, Arizona Cardinals: 6 receptions, 98 yards, 1 TD

3. Travis Kelce, Kansas City Chiefs: 7 receptions, 89 yards, 1 TD

4. Cade Otton, Tampa Bay Buccaneers: 5 receptions, 81 yards, 1 TD

5. Jonnu Smith, Miami Dolphins: 6 receptions, 77 yards

6. George Kittle, San Francisco 49ers: 5 receptions, 76 yards

7. T.J. Hockenson, Minnesota Vikings: 5 receptions, 74 yards

8. David Njoku, Cleveland Browns: 5 receptions, 68 yards

9. Evan Engram, Jacksonville Jaguars: 5 receptions, 62 yards

10. Will Dissly, Los Angeles Chargers: 5 receptions, 59 yards

Matchup to Love: Cade Otton versus Las Vegas Raiders

Buccaneers tight end Cade Otton isn't quite a star, but he's become a fairly reliable fantasy tight end this season. He had a stretch as arguably Baker Mayfield's top target, and he's remained productive even with Mike Evans back in the lineup.

Otton only tallied 20 receiving yards against the Panthers last week, but he caught four of seven targets.

The 25-year-old should see a similar target share again this week, as the Buccaneers host the Las Vegas Raiders. The Raiders came excruciatingly close to upsetting Kansas City last Friday, but they did allow Travis Kelce to catch seven passes for 68 yards.

The Raiders have struggled to contain tight ends all season, surrendering the third-most fantasy points to the position. They'll probably have a plan for Evans, but Tampa offensive coordinator Liam Coen has shown that he can adapt his game plan on the fly. Expect this week's plan to include a heavy dose of Otton in the passing game.

*Fantasy scoring information via FantasyPros.