Matthew Berry's Week 14 Fantasy Football Rankings: 5 Shocking Picks To Win Your Playoff Berth

As the 2025 NFL regular season winds down, Week 14 represents the final, critical hurdle for many fantasy managers aiming for a coveted playoff spot. The margins for error are razor-thin, and turning to a trusted expert like Matthew Berry for the most up-to-date and comprehensive rankings is essential. His analysis, released on NBC Sports and Fantasy Life, cuts through the noise to identify the high-floor studs and the unexpected sleepers you need to deploy in this win-or-go-home scenario. This week's rankings are heavily influenced by the latest injury news, pivotal defensive matchups, and crucial target volume shifts, making them arguably the most important set of the season.

The landscape for Week 14 is defined by high-stakes matchups and the pressure of the fantasy football playoffs looming. On this Wednesday, December 17, 2025, Berry’s positional rankings—from Quarterback to Tight End—reveal a handful of shocking "Love" picks and a few surprising "Hate" designations that could single-handedly decide your season's fate. Whether you're a seasoned veteran or a nervous newcomer, ignoring these expert recommendations is a risk few can afford.

Matthew Berry: The Fantasy Football Expert's Profile

Matthew Berry is widely regarded as one of the most influential and recognizable figures in the fantasy football industry. His career trajectory has been defined by his unique blend of statistical analysis, player access, and engaging storytelling, particularly through his famous "Love/Hate" column.

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• Full Name: Matthew Berry
• Primary Role: Fantasy Football Analyst, Writer, and Media Personality
• Current Platforms (2025 Season): Fantasy Life (Founder), NBC Sports (Analyst, Host of Fantasy Football Happy Hour with Matthew Berry, Jay Croucher, and Connor Rogers)
• Previous Affiliations: ESPN (Long-time Senior Fantasy Analyst)
• Signature Content: The "Love/Hate" column/segment, which provides detailed rationale for players he is higher (Love) or lower (Hate) on than the consensus rankings.
• Notable Achievements: Multiple Fantasy Sports Writers Association (FSWA) awards; inducted into the FSWA Hall of Fame.
• Content Focus: PPR and Half-PPR leagues, with emphasis on player utilization and matchup analysis.

The Week 14 Fantasy Football Rankings Tiers: Elite Stacks and Must-Starts

Week 14 is not the time to overthink your elite players, but it is the time to confirm their status against a tough slate of games. Matthew Berry's top-tier rankings for the 2025 season solidify the players with the highest floors and ceilings, the ones you simply cannot afford to bench.

Quarterback (QB) and Running Back (RB) Dominators

The QB position is anchored by the usual suspects, but the RB landscape is where Berry’s rankings often diverge, especially with playoff implications on the line. The top of the rankings is a clear indicator of who is matchup-proof in a critical week.

• QB1 Anchor: Josh Allen remains the top-ranked quarterback, a testament to his high rushing floor and massive passing volume. He is a weekly lock, regardless of the opponent.
• Elite RB Duo: Jahmyr Gibbs and Bijan Robinson continue to lead the running back rankings. Gibbs, in particular, benefits from his receiving work, making him a PPR monster who is virtually matchup-proof. Robinson's volume and red-zone usage keep him in the elite tier.
• The High-Floor Streamer: While not a top-tier name, players like C.J. Stroud, mentioned in waiver wire discussions, are often ranked highly by Berry due to favorable matchups, providing a top-12 floor for managers who missed out on the elite QBs.

Wide Receiver (WR) and Tight End (TE) Locks

The wide receiver position is stacked, but the tight end spot is notoriously volatile. Berry highlights the players whose usage and matchups make them essential starts.

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• WR Elite Tier: The top of the WR rankings is a who's who of target hogs: Ja'Marr Chase, Puka Nacua, Rashee Rice, and Davante Adams. Nacua's consistent volume and high-leverage targets keep him among the WR1s, while Chase's ceiling is undeniable.
• The Must-Start TE: Trey McBride is a consensus top-tier tight end. His target share in the Cardinals' offense is among the highest in the league for his position, giving him a safe floor and high ceiling that few other TEs can match.
• Rising Star: Nico Collins is consistently ranked as a high-end WR, often landing in the WR5-WR6 range overall, a clear indication of Berry's belief in his role and the Texans' offense.

Matthew Berry's Week 14 Love/Hate: The Playoff Deciders

Matthew Berry's "Love/Hate" segment is the cornerstone of his weekly advice, pointing out players he is significantly higher ("Love") or lower ("Hate") on compared to the consensus rankings. In a do-or-die Week 14, these calls are the difference between a playoff berth and a disappointing end to the season.

The "Love" List: Players to Trust in Crunch Time

These players are projected to outperform their general expectations due to a confluence of factors, including favorable matchups, increased utilization, or a clear path to the end zone. Berry is telling you to hit the 'Start' button with confidence, even if the general public is hesitant.

• RB "Love": James Cook. Despite what might be a mid-tier ranking elsewhere, Cook is a strong "Love" pick. The rationale often centers on his receiving work in PPR leagues, especially in a game where the Bills may need to throw more, or against a defense that struggles to contain pass-catching backs. His dual-threat ability gives him a massive boost in Berry's analysis.
• WR "Love": Nico Collins. Collins is a repeat "Love" pick, a clear signal that Berry trusts his quarterback and his role as the Texans' primary receiver. Against a vulnerable secondary, Collins is poised for a massive Week 14 performance, pushing him into the top-five WR conversation.

The "Hate" List: The Risky Starters to Bench

The "Hate" list identifies players who are typically reliable but face difficult matchups, have concerning usage trends, or are battling an undisclosed injury/illness. Berry advises caution, suggesting you look to a high-upside streamer instead.

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• WR "Hate": George Pickens. Pickens often lands on the "Hate" list due to the volatility of the Steelers' passing game. While his talent is undeniable, the quarterback situation and the tough coverage he is expected to face in Week 14 make him a high-risk, low-floor option that Berry recommends fading.
• QB "Hate": Matthew Stafford. While a veteran, Stafford's inclusion on the "Hate" list is likely matchup-driven. Facing a defense that generates significant pressure or plays well against the deep ball can severely cap his ceiling, making him a risky QB in a week where you need guaranteed points.

Deep Dive: Waiver Wire Targets and High-Upside Sleepers

For managers needing to plug a hole due to injury or poor performance, Berry's weekly waiver wire and "sleeper" analysis are invaluable. Week 14 is the last chance to grab a key contributor before the fantasy playoffs begin in earnest.

• RB Waiver Focus: Players like Devin Singletary are often highlighted as late-season waiver wire adds. Berry looks for backs with a clear path to volume, especially those who could take over a backfield due to an injury or performance-based change.
• WR Sleeper Watch: Rookies or mid-tier receivers with recent utilization spikes, such as Emeka Egbuka or Brian Thomas Jr., are frequently mentioned in his Start/Sit discussions. Their potential for a breakout game against a weak secondary makes them ideal "sleeper" plays.
• QB Streamers: As mentioned, the viability of QBs like Bo Nix (Broncos) or even a late-season surge from Justin Fields is a common Berry theme, focusing on their favorable systems and high-upside rushing potential, even if they are not ranked as top-10 options.

The critical takeaway from Matthew Berry's Week 14 rankings is the need to prioritize volume and favorable matchups over past reputation. The fantasy playoffs are a new season, and his "Love/Hate" picks—from the confidence in Jahmyr Gibbs and Puka Nacua to the caution around George Pickens—provide the essential, up-to-the-minute intelligence you need to set your optimal lineup and secure your spot in the fantasy football championship hunt. Trust the process, and let Berry's expertise guide your critical Week 14 decisions.