Fantasy Football Week 14 Quarterback Start Decision: Jordan Love, Sam Darnold, Patrick Mahomes, Jared Goff, Russell Wilson and More

Week 14 of the NFL regular season is nearly here, which means it’s time to put together our quarterback start decision story.

This week, we’ll cover Jared Goff, Jordan Love, Justin Herbert, Russell Wilson, Kyler Murray, Caleb Williams, Tua Tagovailoa, Patrick Mahomes, Sam Darnold, Matthew Stafford and Will Levis.

Looking for start/sit help? Be sure to check out the FantasySP Who Should I Start tool.

Season Stats

Goff has 2,982 passing yards, 22 touchdowns and nine interceptions on 71.8% passing this season. He’s added 40 rushing yards. Goff scored 17 fantasy points last week, and only has two single-digit scoring totals this season.

Love is up to 2,518 yards, 20 touchdowns and 11 interceptions on 63% passing. He also has 48 rushing yards and one touchdown. Love scored 19 fantasy points last week, and has scored at least 15 in three straight games.

Herbert has completed 63.4% of his passes for 2,551 yards, 13 touchdowns and one interception. He’s also got 212 rushing yards and two scores. Herbert only scored eight fantasy points last week, which was his lowest mark of the season - he had at least 14 points in the previous seven contests.

Wilson now has 1,626 passing yards, 10 touchdowns and three interceptions for the season. He’s completed 65.8% of his passes and rushed for 27 yards and a score. Wilson went off for 27 fantasy points last week, and has 14 or more points in all but one of his six starts.

Murray has completed 68.7% of his passes for 2,603 yards, 13 touchdowns and six interceptions. He’s also rushed for 428 yards and four scores. Murray scored 15 fantasy points last week, and only has one single-digit performance this season.

Williams is up to 2,612 passing yards, 14 touchdowns and five interceptions on 61.6% passing. He scored 26 fantasy points last week and had 27 the week prior.

Tagovailoa has accumulated 2,125 passing yards, 15 touchdowns and four interceptions on 74.5% passing so far. He has 47 rushing yards. Tagovailoa scored 25 fantasy points last week, and has at least 24 points in three straight games.

Mahomes now has 2,979 passing yards, 19 touchdowns and 11 interceptions on the season. He’s completed 68.4% of his passes and rushed for 231 yards and a score as well. Mahomes scored 17 fantasy points last week, and has at least 16 in his past six contests.

Darnold has completed 67.6% of his passes for 2,952 yards, 23 touchdowns and 10 picks. He’s also rushed for 187 yards and a touchdown. Darnold scored 20 fantasy points last week, his lowest mark in his past three games.

Stafford has racked up 2,983 passing yards, 17 touchdowns and seven interceptions on 66% passing this season. He has just 11 rushing yards. Stafford scored 16 fantasy points last week, which was his lowest mark in the past three games.

Levis has 1,659 passing yards, 12 touchdowns and nine interceptions on 64.2% passing this season. He also has 172 rushing yards. Levis has scored 16 fantasy points in three straight contests.

Week 14 Matchups

Goff and Love square off in the Thursday night game. Both defenses allow opposing quarterbacks to score 14 fantasy points per game. 

Herbert and Mahomes are part of the same game on Sunday night. It’s a more favorable matchup for Herbert, as Kansas City allows 17 fantasy points a week. Los Angeles gives up 15.

Wilson will face the Browns again. Cleveland allows 19 fantasy points per week. Murray has a game against the Seahawks this week. Seattle gives up 16 fantasy points per game.

Williams faces the Niners in week 14. San Fran surrenders 15 fantasy points to opposing quarterbacks. Tagovailoa takes on the Jets, who allow 16 fantasy points.

Darnold goes up against the Falcons, who are giving up 20 fantasy points a week to quarterbacks. Stafford will take on the Bills, who only allow 13 fantasy points. Levis battles the Jaguars, who are allowing a league-high 22 fantasy points a week.

Projections and Starting Recommendations

In the weekly projections, it’s Murray and Herbert who are projected for the most points (19) among these quarterbacks.

Stafford, Mahomes, Goff, Darnold, Tagovailoa, Williams, Love and Wilson are all projected for 17 points. Levis sits at 14 projected points.

These quarterbacks are all pretty close in my book this week, and a big determining factor in my decisions came down to the defensive matchups they have.

I actually like Darnold the most among these quarterbacks. The matchup is really favorable, and I think Minnesota passes a ton in this one.

Give me Wilson second. He scored 14 fantasy points in his first matchup with the Browns two weeks ago, and that came in adverse weather conditions. I think Wilson erupts for a second straight week.

I’d then try Herbert. He only scored 11 fantasy points the last time he faced the Chiefs, but the Chargers’ offense is a different animal now, and I think Herbert puts up a good fantasy showing. 

I’d take Tagovailoa here. He’s been on a roll of late, and a slightly below-average matchup isn’t going to scare me off playing him. Tagovailoa could turn in his fourth straight 20+-point showing.

Give me Murray next. I think his projection is a bit too high, but his dual-threat ability can make him a great fantasy asset any week. Murray should be in line for another good fantasy showing in week 14.

I’d take Mahomes here. The matchup is a bit below average for him, but the Chargers also slow the run game well (if not better), so I think Mahomes will have to pass a good amount. He scored 13 fantasy points the last time the teams met, and I think he exceeds that mark this week.

I’d then try Love. Detroit’s defense stuffs the run as well as anyone, so I think Green Bay passes enough on Thursday night to help Love to a good fantasy score. Don’t be afraid of the below-average matchup.

I’d then take Goff. Detroit might pound the running game, which is why I have Goff below Love and quite a ways down my list. I think Goff is a fine starting option for week 14.

I’d then go with Stafford. His matchup is very tough, but with Puka Nacua and Cooper Kupp as passing targets, I’m fine playing Stafford any week. I think Stafford delivers another solid score for fantasy owners this week. 

Give me Levis over Williams for the final spot.

I really wanted to put Levis much higher on my list, but I’m not sure how many fantasy owners are really going to trust him over any of these guys. If you are about playing matchups, then he should actually be at the top of this list, but I simply don’t trust Levis enough. That being said, it wouldn’t surprise me in the slightest to see Levis outscore several of the quarterbacks I have ranked ahead of him.

Williams has been on a tear of late, but something about this game is screaming to avoid him. The Niners are desperate for a win, and are a bit tougher matchup on quarterbacks already. I think they make life extremely tough for Williams and frustrate the rookie QB, which will lead to a subpar fantasy showing.