We’re entering the homestretch of the 2025 fantasy football season as teams are making their final push for playoff berths. With that said, picking the ideal lineup is more important than ever.
Considering the stakes at hand, Week 14’s edition of Start ‘Em, Sit ‘Em could feature the toughest decisions yet.
Here, we'll pit Packers WR Christian Watson vs. Buccaneeers WR Emeka Egbuka in an intriguing Start ‘Em, Sit ‘Em debate.
After a blistering start to the 2025 season, Egbuka’s production has plummeted in the last month and change. Meanwhile, Watson’s production has picked up over the past three weeks.
Utilizing stats and PrizePicks projections, let’s break down the start or sit matchup for Week 14 between Watson and Egbuka. Which wideout is gearing up to be the best play in fantasy football and PrizePicks this week to add to your Lineup?
Week 14 Start 'Em, Sit 'Em: Christian Watson or Emeka Egbuka
For the NFL Week 14 slate, we’ll utilize advanced stats to circle the most promising receiver to start. PrizePicks offers an shot to win real money by picking More or Less for their stat projections; just pick your players and cash in if you're right
Christian Watson: Start or Sit? Breakdown
Returning from a torn ACL in Week 8, Watson posted only 8.9 fantasy points per game in PPR leagues over his first three games of 2025. However, his snap shares were only 56.3% and 66.2% in Week 8 and 9.
Since then, Watson has recorded snap rates of at least 73.0% in four consecutive games, enjoying a full-time role in the Green Bay offense.
That’s led to consistent production since Week 11, as Watson has averaged 16.3 fantasy points per game. He’s posted 7 and 10 targets since Week 12, which are his highest marks of the season.
It’s safe to say Watson is trending in the right direction, building more rapport with QB Jordan Love in 2025.
Week 14 brings a matchup against another NFC North foe – the Chicago Bears. According to Sumer Sports, the Bears rank 14th in expected points added (EPA) per dropback allowed. It’s a slight step up from last week’s opponent, as the Lions rank 16th in the category. However, Chicago features a worse pass rush, potentially providing Watson with deep targets.
ESPN lists the Bears as 29th in pass rush win rate while the Pack sit 6th in pass block win rate. Keep in mind, Watson touts an average depth of target (aDOT) of 19.4 yards, via PlayerProfiler. If Green Bay QB Jordan Love has time in the pocket, Watson should be able to attack downfield – especially when Chicago features man coverage at the eighth-highest rate.
Watson has also posted three touchdowns over his last three games. Most of these have come from big plays with an 8.7% red zone target share, but those deep targets could still be on the table in this matchup.
Christian Watson Projections vs. Bears for Week 14
Projections via PrizePicks — pick More or Less on player stats and win cash if you're right.
- 3.5 Receptions
- 55.5 Receiving Yards
- 11 Points Fantasy Score
- 25.5 Yards Longest Reception
Emeka Egbuka: Start or Sit? Breakdown
If this were a debate early in the season, it’d be a short one. Egbuka totaled an absurd 20.5 fantasy points per game over the first five weeks.
Since then, the rookie wideout has totaled a double-digit fantasy total in only one of his past seven outings.
Egbuka appears to tout the more favorable matchup compared to Watson; the Saints rank 20th in EPA per dropback allowed. Plus, Egbuka’s workload is still safe with 9.8 targets per game over his previous six.
PlayerProfiler credits Tampa Bay’s rookie with a 26.0% target share (15th among receivers).
However, the Bucs’ receiving corps is finally getting healthy at the right time. Tampa Bay WRs Mike Evans (collarbone) and Jalen McMillan (neck) were limited participants at Wednesday’s practice.
McMillan has yet to play in the 2025 season, and Evans has been absent since Week 7. Bucs WR Chris Godwin also returned from injury in Week 12. Suddenly, this receiver room is like a jam-packed subway.
After posting 5 TDs in the first five weeks of the season, Egbuka has 1 TD over the last seven games. As usual, negative touchdown regression hit.
His 25.0% red zone target share remains promising, but it’s difficult to ignore Egbuka’s cold streak, especially with Evans coming back into the fold.
Emeka Egbuka Projections vs. Saints for Week 14
Projections via PrizePicks — pick More or Less on player stats and win cash if you're right.
- 60.5 Receiving Yards
- 3.5 Receptions (Goblin)
- 21.5 Yards Longest Reception
- 0.5 Rush+Rec TDs (Demon)
Start ‘Em, Sit ‘Em Verdict: Start Christian Watson
Across the full 2025 season, Egbuka has the larger role on his team. His 26.0% target share and 25.0% red zone target share easily surpass Watson’s marks of 19.8% and 8.7%.
Yet, Watson is producing 16.3 fantasy points per game since Week 11 compared to Egbuka’s 7.8 mark during the stretch.
Watson is making his case to become Green Bay’s clear WR1, and Tampa Bay’s receiver room is becoming more crowded with targets getting healthy. Neither receiver’s matchup is head and shoulders above the other, making recent production the deciding factor.
One could argue that Watson actually carries the most favorable matchup against the Bears. New Orleans ranks 17th in fantasy points per game allowed to wide receivers while Chicago is 29th, per Pro Football Reference.
The Bears also cede 7.6 yards per passing attempt (27th) compared to the Saints’ tally of 7.4 (25th).
As mentioned, Watson’s success has mostly come from deep targets. Week 14’s meeting with Chicago still offers Watson the chance to catch some deep balls.
With Egbuka as cold as ice, Watson is the better choice for Week 14’s edition of Start ‘Em, Sit ‘Em.
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