Week 13 is truly one of the best weeks of any NFL season. Every team is playing, Sunday afternoons are busy, and the playoff race is on in full effect. Week 13 is also one of (if not the) last weeks of the fantasy regular season. Getting the best lineup possible this week can be critical to making the playoffs or grabbing a higher seed. These players all have the potential to make or break your team. For Week 13, here are the best starts and recommend sits in fantasy.
Start of the Week Quarterback – Philip Rivers vs Cleveland Browns
Coming off one of the best performances of his entire career, Philip Rivers is likely to continue his hot play in Week 13 against the Cleveland Browns. The Browns beat the Chargers last season, but Rivers is playing better this year, and the team is much healthier overall. The Browns have not allowed a 300-yard passer this season, but give up the second most touchdowns per game and the third highest quarterback rating. Look for the Chargers and Rivers to pour it on against the Browns, in their hunt to return to .500.
Sit of the Week Quarterback – Matthew Stafford vs Baltimore Ravens
Matthew Stafford and the Detroit Lions will be in for a rough day when they visit Baltimore on Sunday. The Ravens have yet to allow a 300-yard passer this season (only giving up 300-yards total to two Browns’ QBs). The Ravens have a TD-INT ratio of 10-18 and have only allowed one quarterback to throw over two touchdowns this season. The Lions will need to use the running game if they want to win in Baltimore.
Start of the Week Running Back – Leonard Fournette vs Indianapolis Colts
Despite a poor performance in Week 12, Leonard Fournette is still one of the top backs and fantasy this season. In Week 13, against the Colts, Fournette will show that off. Fournette “missed” the Jaguars previous game against Indianapolis. However, without Fournette the Jaguars rattled off 177 rushing yards and two touchdowns. Look for Fournette to get his share of carries and yardage in Week 13 and help the Jaguars run all over the Colts.
Sit of the Week Running Back – Devonta Freeman/Tevin Coleman vs Minnesota Vikings
With Devonta Freeman questionable for this game, both he and Tevin Coleman have the privilege of being lumped together as the sits of the week against the Vikings. The Vikings simply do not allow running backs to have great games and fantasy. The Vikings allow 11.0 per game to running backs, best in the NFL. If both play, sit both. I only one is active, they should have a better game, but do not expect much against Minnesota.
Start of the Week Wide Receiver – Mike Evans vs Green Bay Packers
Against one of the worst passing defense in the NFL, Mike Evans is primed to have a monster game. The Packers allow the third most points to wide receivers this season (despite playing the Bears twice and the Ravens). Some of the top wide receivers in the NFL have gone off against Green Bay, highlighting to inability to stop top pass-catching talent. Additionally, Evans has proven he can be productive with Fitzpatrick at quarterback. Expect big things from Evans on Sunday.
Sit of the Week Wide Receiver – Marvin Jones vs Baltimore Ravens
Few secondaries in the NFL have been as great as the Baltimore Ravens’ this season. The Ravens limit wide receivers to the second-fewest fantasy points per game (only 14.73 in standard scoring). The Ravens have allowed a 100-yard receiver in consecutive contests (after allowing none through their first nine games). However, they are still one of the top defenses, especially when playing at home. The better bet is for Golden Tate to have a big game, due to his flexibility and play style, meaning Jones should be left on bench.
Start of the Week Tight End – Julius Thomas vs Denver Broncos
The Broncos are and should continue to be, one of the worst teams in the NFL at stopping tight ends. The unit allows the second most points (behind only the Giants) to the position. Additionally, this will be Julius Thomas’ first game every against his old team, giving him that revenge game boost. The Broncos are expected to be without Aqib Talib due to suspension, which will affect the entire Broncos defense, opening things up more for every receiver on the Dolphins.
Sit of the Week Tight End – Tyler Kroft vs Pittsburgh Steelers
As reliable as Tyler Kroft has been since he took over the starting job, he will be in for a tough test in Week 13 against the Steelers. Kroft had a touchdown against Pittsburgh back in Week 7, to salvage a 23-yard receiving performance. The Bengals may use Kroft more frequently in blocking scenarios, to help establish a more effective rushing attack, thereby limiting his target potential.
Start of the Week Defense – Los Angeles Chargers vs Cleveland Browns
For the second straight week, the Chargers defense gets the nod for start of the week. They have looked great over the last few weeks (especially on Thanksgiving against Dallas). With some extra days off and a home game against the Browns, the unit should put up some monster fantasy numbers.
Sit of the Week Defense – Carolina Panthers vs New Orleans Saints
The Panthers have a solid defense overall, but a second consecutive road game will not do the unit much good. The Panthers defense did not look terribly sharp in Week 12 against the Jets and face a much tougher offense in the Saints. The defense will not be asked to shut the Saints down, but instead, make timely plays. That is all good in the NFL. However, in fantasy, it does not amount to much.
Start of the Week Kicker – Ryan Succop vs Houston Texans
The Texans are one of the worst fantasy teams in the NFL against kickers, giving up 8.82 fantasy points to kickers per game. The Texans shut down Succop earlier in the season, but that was when Deshaun Watson was forcing teams to get touchdowns, not field goals. Expect a much better game from Succop this weekend.
Sit of the Week Kicker – Phil Dawson vs Los Angeles Rams
Phil Dawson is coming off arguably his best game of the season, but expectations for him this weekend should be lowered. The Rams are one of the hardest teams to kick field goals against and the last team these two teams played, the Rams shutout the Cardinals. Skip Dawson in Week 13.
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