Fantasy football playoffs: Week 14 quarterback rankings

Dec. 4 (UPI) -- Some of the best quarterbacks in the NFL and in fantasy football have terrible matchups in Week 14, but you likely have to start them based on their elite status. There are also several lower-tier fantasy football quarterbacks with great matchups.

Remember to make your lineup decisions based on a combination of factors: recent production, player skill level, role in offense and matchup.

Carson Wentz, Aaron Rodgers, Deshaun Watson, Russell Wilson and Lamar Jackson top my Week 14 fantasy football quarterback rankings, based on those factors.

Baker Mayfield, Jameis Winston, Patrick Mahomes, Kirk Cousins and Tom Brady round out my top-10 options for Week 14.

Here are some of my favorite players in this week's top 20 quarterback rankings:

TOP SHELF

Philadelphia Eagles gunslinger Carson Wentz threw three touchdown passes for the third time this season in a Week 13 loss to the Miami Dolphins. He also passed for 310 yards against the Dolphins. This week he has another great matchup as the Eagles face the New York Giants, a unit allowing the ninth-most fantasy points per game to quarterbacks. Wentz is my top quarterback option for Week 14. I expect the Eagles quarterback to light up this defense.

Cleveland Browns quarterback Baker Mayfield underwhelmed in Week 13 after three consecutive games with multiple touchdown passes. I expect Mayfield to bounce back in Week 14 against the Cincinnati Bengals. The Bengals are tied for allowing the sixth-most fantasy points per game to quarterbacks. Mayfield is my No. 6 option for the first week of the fantasy football playoffs.

SNEAKY PLAYS

Minnesota Vikings quarterback Kirk Cousins sits at No. 9 in my Week 14 quarterback rankings, landing in QB1 territory in most leagues. Cousins has thrown multiple touchdown passes in four consecutive games and in seven of his last eight showings. I expect the Vikings veteran to do so again against the Detroit Lions. The Lions have allowed the third-most passing yards and are allowing the eighth-most fantasy points per game to quarterbacks. Cousins should pass for more than 300 yards and throw multiple scores against this defense in Week 14.

San Francisco 49ers quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo has thrown multiple touchdown passes in four of his last six games. I expect the 49ers to air it out this week against the New Orleans Saints. The Saints are allowing the 10th-most fantasy points per game to quarterbacks. Garoppolo is my No. 13 option, landing in fringe QB1 territory in deeper leagues.

LONGSHOTS

Ryan Tannehill is a solid emergency starting option in Week 14, if you are desperate at quarterback. Tannehill has been great since being named the Tennessee Titans' starter in Week 7. He has thrown multiple touchdown passes in five of his six starts, including in three consecutive games entering a Week 14 matchup against the Oakland Raiders. The Raiders are allowing the fourth-most fantasy points per game to quarterbacks. Tannehill is my No. 15 option this week and can be started in deeper leagues.

Carolina Panthers quarterback Kyle Allen also has a great Week 14 matchup. The Panthers battle the Atlanta Falcons Sunday in Atlanta. The Falcons are allowing the third-most fantasy points per game to quarterbacks. Allen has thrown multiple touchdown passes in back-to-back games entering this NFC South clash. He also had a rushing score in Week 13. I have the Panthers quarterback at No. 17 in my weekly rankings, but he should only be in your lineup if you are desperate.

Week 14 fantasy football quarterback rankings

1. Carson Wentz, Philadelphia Eagles vs. NYG

2. Aaron Rodgers, Green Bay Packers vs. WAS

3. Deshaun Watson, Houston Texans vs. DEN

4. Russell Wilson, Seattle Seahawks at LAR

5. Lamar Jackson, Baltimore Ravens at BUF

6. Baker Mayfield, Cleveland Browns vs. CIN

7. Jameis Winston, Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs. IND

8. Patrick Mahomes, Kansas City Chiefs at NE

9. Kirk Cousins, Minnesota Vikings vs. DET

10. Tom Brady, New England Patriots vs. KC

11. Jared Goff, Los Angeles Rams vs. SEA