Ashton Jeanty or Travis Etienne: Who should I start in fantasy football? (Week 14, 2025 season)

It's do-or-die time. The playoffs are on the line, and you may have to choose between Ashton Jeanty or Travis Etienne to make it in. Which player would Basement Brewed Fantasy Football recommend you start? Let's go through the details to find out.

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Game Scripts

The Raiders are entering this game as uncomfortable 7-point home underdogs with a dangerously low projected team total of 16.5 points, the 2nd fewest among all 28 teams on the week 14 slate. The uncomfortable spread suggests a potentially pass-heavy approach while the dangerously low projected team total suggests touchdown opportunities will be severely limited. This is a prime opportunity to fire up the Broncos D/ST.

The Jaguars are entering this game as slim 1-point home underdogs with a decent projected team total of 23.5 points, the 11th highest among all 28 teams on the week 14 slate. The narrow spread suggests a balanced offensive approach while the decent projected team total suggests serviceable touchdown opportunities. With a strong over/under of 48.5 points and both teams sporting top 11 projected team totals above 23 points, Colts @ Jaguars projects as a possible shootout chock full of touchdowns and fantasy football fireworks. This is a game you want exposure to in your week 14 fantasy football lineups.

Positional Matchups

The Broncos present a terrifying matchup for RBs, holding them to the 7th fewest rushing yards, fewest catches, 6th fewest receiving yards, 15th fewest TDs, 3rd fewest PPR points per game and 10th fewest PPR points per touch (0.79). Just 10 RBs in 12 games have been able to reach 10 PPR points against the Broncos.

The Colts present a mediocre matchup for RBs, allowing the 16th most catches and 14th most touchdowns while limiting them to the 10th fewest rushing yards, 12th fewest receiving yards, 12th fewest PPR points per game, and 11th fewest PPR points per touch (0.82). 11 RBs in 12 games have scored 10+ PPR points against the Colts.

Ashton Jeanty: Bottom Line

I expect Ashton Jeanty to finish, on average, around 13–17 PPR points on ~17–21 touches, 5–7 targets, 4–5 catches, ~75–95 scrimmage yards and 0–1 TD in a negative, pass-heavy script where his receiving keeps him afloat against a brutal run defense. He's a fringe RB 1/2 in this dangerously low-scoring game and brutal matchup. He scored 15.3 PPR points on 22 touches (5 targets, 3 catches) against these Broncos in week 10.

Travis Etienne: Bottom Line

I expect Travis Etienne to finish, on average, around 13–17 PPR points on ~16–20 touches with ~2–4 catches, solid yardage and slightly dinged TD odds with Bhayshul Tuten lurking at the goal line. Etienne is a mid-range RB 2 entering a possible shootout and mediocre matchup.

Should you start Ashton Jeanty or Travis Etienne?

Neither of these players instill a ton of confidence in me this week.

Travis Etienne clearly has the better matchup, but has downside risk baked in with what could be a slightly split backfield, especially in the red zone.

Meanwhile, Ashton Jeanty is getting 90+% of the touches, including passing-down work, but gets a brutal matchup against the Broncos - and the Raiders offense hasn't exactly been an offense to fear.

Ultimately, I think I'd still go Ashton Jeanty here and bet on volume.

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Portions of this article come directly from our Week Winner tool (formerly Heat Map), designed to help you make more confident decisions on your way to a championship. And our private Discord server features a specific Start/Sit channel where any questions you have can get answered in real time - plus our community of hardcore fantasy football players talking DFS, sports betting, dynasty, best ball, and more. From draft to trophy, we have you covered with every decision along the way.

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