Fantasy Football Week 14 Start Decisions Involving Cowboys: Javonte Williams, Jake Ferguson and More

For a second straight week, the Detroit Lions and Dallas Cowboys play on a Thursday. This time, it's the only NFL game. Let's break down the matchup, first looking at the top Cowboys and some of the start/sit decisions their players are part of.

Check back in a bit for a similar story on the Lions, plus a DFS story.

Having trouble deciding who to start? Let the FantasySP start/sit tool help you make a decision.

Javonte Williams Start Decisions

Williams has been a surprisingly good fantasy asset as the Cowboys' lead back in 2025.

He has slowed a bit from a great start to the season, but really, it's a lack of touchdowns which is holding him back from being a high-end fantasy back. Williams is still a very good weekly starting option.

This week, he has a brutal matchup against the Lions. In fact, it's the toughest fantasy matchup a running back could have. 

Williams is in two trending decisions on the FantasySP start/sit tool. He is up against Cleveland's Quinshon Judkins and Las Vegas' Ashton Jeanty.

Fantasy owners are taking Williams over Judkins, but are starting both backs in 78% of fantasy leagues. The projections favor Williams by a little bit this week. 

Williams was my No. 14 running back for week 14, while Judkins was 13th, so I actually prefer Judkins between the two. Both are still worthy of standard league starts, but I prefer Judkins in his above-average clash against the Titans over Williams' brutal test.

Williams is preferred over Jeanty, but both backs are starting for 82% of fantasy owners. The projections prefer Williams by nearly two points.

Jeanty ranked 15th for me, so I like Williams over the rookie back here. I'd still want to be starting both in just about every situation. Jeanty has a tough challenge against the Broncos, so he and Williams are close in the rankings for that reason.

Dak Prescott Start Decisions

Next up, let's go over the Cowboys' quarterback. Prescott has been over 20 fantasy points in three straight games, and he's been a high-end fantasy option and finisher all season. 

His matchup against the Lions is super favorable, with Detroit being a top-five matchup heading into week 14.

Prescott is up against Buffalo's Josh Allen and Kansas City's Patrick Mahomes in start/sit decisions.

Fantasy owners are taking Allen most often. The projections like Allen by over six points. 

I have Prescott as my No. 2 fantasy quarterback for week 14. However, Allen is my top option, as he gets a similarly great matchup against the Bengals. I prefer Allen over Prescott this week.

Mahomes is preferred over Prescott, but it's much closer. The projections like Mahomes, but by 0.31 points only.

Mahomes ranks fourth for me heading into the toughest fantasy matchup a QB could have - against the Texans. I prefer Prescott over him, with the matchup being the biggest reason why. 

Jake Ferguson Start Decisions

Ferguson has been a steady fantasy asset over the past four weeks, but he's not producing nearly as he was early in the season.

He has just one touchdown grab over the past five games, and no more than 60 receiving yards in any of those contests. Ferguson has four or five catches in the past four contests.

His matchup this week is very tough, so fantasy owners are not super high on him. Neither am I, as I ranked him fifth - remember, four teams are on byes, and a few top-end fantasy tight ends are injured, so he'd probably sit 10th or worse without those things working in his favor.

Ferguson is in start/sit decisions with Las Vegas' Brock Bowers and Atlanta's Kyle Pitts Sr.

Fantasy owners are starting Bowers nearly every time, and both are starting 36% of the time. The projections like Bowers by over four points. 

Bowers is my No. 2 ranked tight end this week, so he's the choice over Ferguson if you have to choose between the two. 

Fantasy owners like Ferguson over Pitts, with both tight ends starting just 10% of the time. The projections actually prefer Pitts, and it's not all that close.

Pitts is ranked 10th, but has a great matchup against the Seahawks, so I understand the fantasy owners who want to take him over Ferguson. 

In the case where you are taking Bowers over Ferguson or Ferguson over Pitts, Ferguson and Pitts are still decent fantasy options, depending on your other flex options for the week.

Other Starting Options

The other two big offensive fantasy assets from Dallas are receivers CeeDee Lamb and George Pickens. They are two of the top fantasy wideouts this season.

The matchup for the wideouts is super favorable, so both should deliver big fantasy scores. Detroit is a top-five fantasy matchup for a wide receiver.

I have Lamb ranked third and Pickens sixth this week. They are both auto starts in this super favorable matchup. Expect big-time performances from both.

Kicker Brandon Aubrey is another good fantasy option. He's projected for nine fantasy points tonight, and is starting in nearly 93% of leagues. Trust Aubrey to deliver a big fantasy score in what could be a high-scoring clash tonight.

The Cowboys DST is only projected for five fantasy points, and is starting in just 6% of fantasy leagues. I would also be worried about starting them this week, as the Lions' offense can go off, even if they are down a couple offensive players. Look elsewhere for a DST this week.