Fantasy Football Week 14 Start Decisions Involving Lions: David Montgomery, Jared Goff, Isaac TeSlaa and More

We just went over some fantasy football offensive assets for the Cowboys, and will now cover some Lions, who are the other half of a fun week 14 NFL Thursday night game.

Check back in a bit for a DFS lineup centered on the Lions, Cowboys game. 

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

David Montgomery Start Decisions

Montgomery is in the most trending decisions, so let's discuss him first in this article.

He scored a touchdown last week to salvage a down fantasy showing. Montgomery has been pretty underwhelming as a fantasy asset since about week 5.

He and Jahmyr Gibbs have a pretty average matchup coming against the Cowboys, so there's a chance both guys deliver, especially with Amon-Ra St. Brown battling an injury. I have Montgomery ranked 28th among running backs for week 14, so he's definitely an option, especially with four other teams on byes.

Montgomery is in start/sit decisions on the FantasySP tool against Houston's Woody Marks, Arizona's Bam Knight, Chicago's Kyle Monangai, Minnesota's Jordan Mason, Kansas City's Kareem Hunt and New Orleans' Devin Neal.

Fantasy owners are taking Montgomery over Marks barely, with both backs starting in 34% of leagues. The projections like Montgomery by 0.02 points. 

Marks was my No. 25 back, so I like him over Montgomery. Marks has a very tough matchup against the Chiefs, so I understand wanting to try Montgomery instead. I'd prefer the lead back over Montgomery though.

Montgomery is the easy favorite over Knight, with both starting in 14% of leagues. The projections like Montgomery by about a point-and-a-half.

Knight wasn't in my top-30 running backs for week 14. The Rams are a brutal test for Knight, and he might not even start with the return of Trey Benson coming at some point. I'd take Montgomery over Knight, then consider Knight in a flex spot only if Benson isn't cleared to return.

Montgomery is the preferred starter over Monangai, with both starting in 23% of leagues. The projections like Montgomery by nearly three full points. 

Monangai wasn't in my top 30 either, so give me Montgomery here again. Monangai is not only dealing with an injury that complicates matters, but he has a tougher test against the Packers, so give me the Lions' No. 2 back over the Bears' No. 2 guy in week 14. 

Montgomery is the easy favorite over Mason, with both starting in 20% of leagues. The projections again like Montgomery by nearly three full points. 

Mason could end up starting for Aaron Jones Sr., who is injured again, but we probably won't know that until later in the week. I have whichever Minnesota back starts at No. 19, but if you are deciding on one starting spot between these backs, I'd take Montgomery today, since Mason could end up as a No. 2 back.

It's very tempting to take Mason over Montgomery because the Vikings have a fantastic matchup against the Commanders. This decision is based on timing, and you have to take the given and that's Montgomery.

Fantasy owners like Montgomery over Hunt by a good amount, with both starting in 29% of leagues. The projections like Montgomery by just over a point.

I have Hunt ranked 30th, so this is basically a coin flip in my eyes. Hunt has a below-average matchup, which is why I ranked Montgomery a couple spots higher, and why I'd take him over Hunt.

Montgomery is also preferred over Neal, with both backs starting in 24% of leagues. The projections like Montgomery by over a point.

I have Neal or Alvin Kamara ranked 24th this week, but again, not knowing who will play or lead the way, I think you have to take the given here, and that's Montgomery. The Saints have a great matchup against the Buccaneers, so you could gamble and bench Montgomery for Neal, but if Kamara is cleared, then Neal might only get a handful of touches.

Jared Goff Start Decisions

The Lions' quarterback is in most of the other trending decisions. 

Goff has been a pretty steady fantasy asset most of the season, and has mostly been above average of late. The chance for him to shine this week is there, as Dallas is the most favorable fantasy matchup a quarterback could possibly have.

Goff is part of trending decisions with Kansas City's Patrick Mahomes, Philadelphia's Jalen Hurts, Denver's Bo Nix and Tampa Bay's Baker Mayfield. Let's break those all down.

Goff ranks sixth for me in my week 14 quarterback rankings.

Fantasy owners prefer Mahomes over Goff this week. The projections like Mahomes by over two points. 

Mahomes ranks fourth for me this week, so I too like him over Goff. However, Mahomes has the toughest fantasy matchup a quarterback could have, so I understand wanting to take Goff over him. 

Hurts is also preferred over Goff in week 14. The projections favor Hurts by half-a-point.

Hurts is my No. 3 quarterback for this week, so I also like him over Goff. Hurts has a very tough test against the Chargers, so I get the temptation to take Goff over Hurts.

Goff is the preferred starter over Nix. The projections again favor the non-Detroit quarterback though, as Nix is projected for more than a point more.  

Nix ranks eighth for me, so I again agree with fantasy owners and am taking Goff. Nix has a below-average matchup, so that's part of the reason why Goff gets the nod this week.

Goff is taken over Mayfield nearly every time. The projections still like Mayfield, by 0.3 points more. 

Mayfield ranks 14th for me in week 14, so this decision isn't very close in my eyes. Mayfield's matchup is below average, and he hasn't been as good as Goff of late, so take the Lions' quarterback with ease if having to choose between the two quarterbacks. 

Isaac TeSlaa Start Decisions

With St. Brown dinged up, and maybe not playing, TeSlaa could step into the No. 2 wide receiver role.

TeSlaa has three touchdown grabs, but just six receptions and 11 targets on the season. If St. Brown is out, he's definitely a decent fantasy option for a high-flying Lions' offense.

The matchup for the Lions' wide receivers is the most favorable matchup that position could have, so don't write off TeSlaa. 

TeSlaa is in just one trending decision, going up against Kansas City's Xavier Worthy. Worthy is favored, and both wideouts are starting 9% of the time. Those numbers could change if St. Brown is eventually ruled out. The projections like Worthy for now. 

Neither receiver made my top-30 list. However, it's worth noting that I have St. Brown and Jameson Williams as the No. 8 wide receiver for week 14. If St. Brown plays, then I'm dropping Williams, but he's still a top-20 option.

If St. Brown doesn't play, that means TeSlaa has top-20 potential. With not a ton of fantasy success this season, I'd probably rank him closer to 30th, if he even made my top 30 at all. 

I prefer Worthy over TeSlaa if St. Brown is playing, but if St. Brown is out, I'd take the gamble and try TeSlaa over Worthy. The Chiefs' wideout has the third-toughest fantasy test, and as the No. 2 option behind Rashee Rice, I don't see Worthy doing much this week.

Keep an eye on St. Brown's status and react accordingly.

Other Starting Options

Gibbs is a high-end fantasy running back, and I have him ranked second in his average matchup tonight. Gibbs is an auto start, so we won't spend much time on him.

Williams is a guy we briefly went over, but I want to discuss more. He's a top-10 option if ARSB is out, or a top-20 option if St. Brown plays.

I think Williams needs to be starting in all fantasy leagues this week, regardless of St. Brown's status. The matchup is just too favorable to not try him in, especially with the top receiver banged up or out. The team's top-two receivers should shine in week 14.

Tight ends Brock Wright and Shane Zylstra are both out, so Ross Dwelley seems like the top fantasy TE option in Detroit. No Detroit tight end came near my top-25 list this week. 

The matchup for tight ends is above average, but with no standout option, I'm against starting any Lions' tight end. 

Jake Bates is the Detroit kicker, and he's set for seven fantasy points tonight. He's starting in 86% of leagues. I love the idea of starting Bates, even with the Lions' aggressive offensive nature. Bates should put up plenty of points tonight.

The Lions DST is projected for just seven fantasy points. They are starting in 37% of leagues. I'm surprised that start percentage is that high, as the Dallas offense is a very tough one to slow. I'd avoid Detroit's DST in standard leagues this week.