Fantasy Football Week 13 is here. Playoffs are here and these sit/start decisions can help lead you to a Championship!
Week 13 is the final week of the regular season fantasy football for many of you, certainly an important week for all of you still reading articles. Covid cases have calmed after a wild week 12 leaving the major sit/start decisions for Week 13 to be more about who to start more than who to pick up. Dive deep on your hardest decisions this week…your championship is going to depend on it.
START Fantasy Football Week 13
QUARTERBACK
Baker Mayfield – CLE
Cleveland’s QB has struggled most of the year with inconsistency, throwing 5 TD’s in week 7, only to have 0 over his next 3 games, before throwing 2 last week. I believe this is due to his low volume…something that should normally scare you away from starting a player. However, there is more to his usage numbers than meets the eye. Yes, the Browns have an excellent running game. But those 3 games without a TD, Mayfield played the first two in wind conditions hitting 50 and 70 mph, with the last game being played entirely in heavy rain. This week in Tennessee, he gets good weather and a Tennessee defense ranking 27th in DVOA. I love this sneaky start.
Also consider starting…
Lamar Jackson BAL – If he is back, he is back against Dallas, a must start. Especially if MANdrews is back in the starting for the Ravens.
Taysom Hill NO – His first passing TD will come against the pathetic Atlanta secondary. I can feel it! Either way, the ball will be going up and down the field regularly, and he will stack plenty of rushing stats to pad his line.
SIT
Matt Stafford – DET
Things are going to look very different this week for the Lions as they take the field without former head coach Matt Patricia for the first time. Gone too is GM Bob Quinn this week, meaning there is not only a philosophical change on the field, there is also a directional change in the front office as well. Both take the field for the first time this Sunday, against the Bears. Personally, I’m excited to see what the new look Lions look like. But it’s still the Lions…don’t let them ruin your fantasy season too.
Also consider sitting… Derek Carr LV – The Raiders should roll the Jets, which will put the ball in Josh Jacobs hands for most of the 2nd half.
Kirk Cousins MIN – Same as above, I see lots and lots of Cook/Mattison in the 2nd half of this one.
RUNNING BACKS Fantasy Football Week 13
START
Chris Carson – SEA
In his first game back after missing four weeks, Carson went for 41 yards on 8 rushes, catching his 2 targets for 18 more yards. He also got into the endzone. Then the Seahawks coaching staff said he’d be getting more work going forward. Carson is gonna be a beast down the stretch this year and it already started last week. Get him in your lineup and love it.
Also consider starting... Adrian Peterson DET – I hate the guy, but Lions interim head coach Darrell Bevell just might be his biggest fan. You may have to grab him off your waiver wire, but trust me, you should.
Wayne Gallman NYG – If he hasn’t already been starting for you, you’re either far ahead in first place or out of the playoffs completely
SIT
De’Andre Swift – DET
There are a few factors in my thoughts here. First, the aforementioned regime change in Detroit casting doubt over all players’ upcoming usage this week. But there are also the reports that he hasn’t been the same since his week 10 concussion. When you sprinkle in the ‘man love’ the new head coach has for Adrian Peterson…it becomes a Must Sit for me. Let him get healthy on your bench.
Also consider sitting… Miles Sanders PHI – Everyone loves Sanders this week. I don’t…I see Philly being forced to throw early and often, which means plenty of Boston Scott.
Devontae Booker LV – Another crowd favorite this week because Vegas gets the Jets. The Jets are average against the run…and I’m not taking the risk on this career underachiever
WIDE RECEIVERS Fantasy Football Week 13
START
DeVante Parker – MIA
In a wasted 2020 year for Parker, he was granted new life with FitzMagick behind center. Parker IS the Miami offense when FitzMagick has the ball. The volume and the opponent, Cincinnati, provide the perfect circumstances for a huge fantasy day.
Also consider starting… Michael Thomas NO – I feel like this needs to be addressed as last year’s WR1 has been an enigma upon his return. He is playing Atlanta and that means there will be plenty of stats to go around. The caveat is he has never thrown a TD before…lol. But I think this is a week that you should be starting him regardless.
Brandin Cooks HOU – Cooks averaged just over 7 targets a week before Will Fuller was suspended for the rest of 2020. Expect his target count to sit between 9-10 starting this week. possibly more.
SIT
Diontae Johnson/Chase Claypool/JuJu Smith-Schuster – PIT
All three of these guys are equally enticing from week to week. Each has had their weeks in the sun, but for the most part, they have let most owners down over the last month. Pittsburgh’s running game and Eric Ebron don’t help things at all. Too many mouths to feed against Washington’s top tier pass defense equals a Sit for me.
Deebo Samuel SF – The return of Brandon Aiyuk is enough for me to sour on Samuel this week. I just don’t see the volume being there with Aiyuk around.
Slayton/Sheppard/Tate NYG – Colt McCoy will make one of these guys look great this week. I’m not trying to gamble on choosing which one. Maybe it ends up being Evan Engram?
TIGHT END Fantasy Football Week 13
START
Noah Fant – DEN
Denver draws a touch matchup up with division rival Kansas City this week. The champs should get the scoring going early. I don’t see a ton of runs this week as the Broncos try to keep pace. Fant is sure to get plenty of work this week for your fantasy team. Just keep in mind the Broncos are one of the least predictable teams fantasy wise, in the NFL.
Austin Hooper CLE – Hooper draws a great great analytics this week. Opportunity and opposition are heavy in his favor against Tennessee.
Anthony Firkser TEN – Tannehill seems to really like Firkser as the starter and Cleveland likes to give up points to the Tight End. Yes…Johnnu Smith is NOT playing.
SIT
Logan Thomas – WAS A trip to Pittsburgh is enough to raise your fantasy ‘red flag’ for any player week to week. This case is no different in week 13. If you’re considering Thomas, it means you probably have a better option this week. Take that option and leave Thomas alone unless he’s all you got.
Also consider sitting… Zach Ertz PHI – The former fantasy stud returns to Philly’s lineup this week. That doesn’t mean you should start him. His first week back will be a limited one.
Hunter Henry LAC – I love Henry next week against the Falcons but this is week 12, and the Patriots dont give much up to Tight End position. But Austin Ekeler is my biggest concern…he is gonna steal a bunch of targets from Hunter Henry and Keenan Allen.
