New York, December 13, 2025
Week 14 Daily Fantasy Sports (DFS) strategy centers on key lineup locks and matchup insights critical for cash game stability and tournament upside. James Cook of the Buffalo Bills emerges as the top lineup lock on DraftKings due to his lead-back role and a favorable matchup, while Ja’Marr Chase offers high upside contingent on injury developments.
James Cook dominates the rushing workload for Buffalo, carrying the ball 32 times last week, and continues to see substantial targets, making him resilient against varying game scripts. His matchup against the Cincinnati Bengals is particularly advantageous, as the Bengals allow the most fantasy points per game to opposing running backs. This reliability renders Cook a foundational cash game option for Week 14 lineups.
Ja’Marr Chase presents upside potential, particularly if teammate Tee Higgins is sidelined. Despite a recent downgrade due to tougher matchups and defensive pressures, Chase’s previous 7 receptions for 110 yards on 14 targets against the Baltimore Ravens at a discounted DraftKings price underlines his value. Joe Burrow-Higgins-Chase stack remains a strategic consideration, leveraging their chemistry and the target distribution dynamics within the Bengals’ offense.
Quarterback selections also feature value pivots such as Trevor Lawrence of Jacksonville against Indianapolis. Lawrence benefits from the return of key offensive contributors including Brian Thomas Jr., Brenton Strange, and the addition of Jakobi Meyers, boosting his recent QB1 performance credentials over Jacoby Brissett. This situational edge provides cost-effective exposure at the QB position.
The latest Shadow Reports highlight important injury and matchup updates informing lineup decisions. Tight end Dalton Kincaid is recommended as a must-start if healthy, given the tight end dominance expected against the Bengals. Conversely, Dustin Knox should be avoided if Kincaid is out. Marvin Harrison Jr. and Ja’Marr Chase are downgraded due to challenging opponent secondaries and recent performance trends. Upgrades have been noted for players on the Browns, Vikings, and Saints, reflecting improved matchup outlooks.
From a strategic build perspective, stacking Burrow with Higgins and Chase in Bengals games exploits target competition and rapport advantages. Additionally, Garrett Wilson offers a valuable option for tournaments if Harrison Jr. is out, as his target share spikes in pass-heavy scripts against Arizona. Jacoby Meyers is gaining flex consideration for Jacksonville lineups due to quick chemistry with Lawrence.
Roster construction also needs to address the broader context of running back scarcity caused by multiple player byes, with discussions around options such as Elijah Mitchell and Chris Rodriguez reflecting market trends.
Continued vigilance on injury reports remains essential for final lineup optimization, with updates on Higgins, Kincaid, and Harrison Jr. having material impacts on ownership projections and value plays. This evolving data underscores the importance of adaptive strategy in DFS competition during Week 14.