Fantasy Football Week 13: Start ’em, Sit ’em

After a full plate of games in Week 12, we are now into the last trimester of regular season games. Week 13 kicks off in Foxborough as the Patriots host the Bills for a showdown in what’s been one of the league’s most competitive divisions.

Byes return this week, but only two teams not playing shouldn’t put many fantasy managers in danger. DJ Moore and DeAndre Hopkins are the only two big names out of lineups this weekend, so let’s explore some viable options for replacing them as well as other good starts and sits.

Ian’s Record: 63-33

Start ’em

Deshaun Watson (QB, Browns) vs. Texans

Regardless of missing the first 12 weeks, Watson is poised for an exceptional debut against his former team. While he wasn’t allowed to play or travel with the team, Watson has been practicing with them since week 11, and surely not a whole lot of preparation needs to be done against the league’s worst team and a defensive scheme he was familiar with prior to Cleveland.

With Amari Cooper, Donovan Peoples-Jones, and David Njoku catching his passes, Watson should return to being a reliable QB1 starting this week. Look for Houston to shower him with boos after what should be a blowout.

Brian Robinson Jr. (RB, Commanders) vs. Giants

While their snap share is split pretty equally, Robinson Jr. and the Commanders are beginning to flourish in this new run-heavy approach while they ride a three game win streak.

The Giants, for a good bulk of the season, are getting gashed by the run game. The volume Robinson Jr. has been receiving sets him up for another end zone visit this week.

Christian Watson (WR, Packers) vs. Bears

Amid the Packers’ season dying in front of their eyes, the shining light has been the recent performance of rookie wide receiver Christian Watson. In his past three games, Watson has 12 receptions for 265 yards and six touchdowns.

It should be monitored whether it’ll be Aaron Rodgers or Jordan Love starting, but against Chicago it shouldn’t really matter. The Bears have been devastated by wide receivers all year, and I’m not seeing a change this week.

George Kittle (TE, 49ers) vs. Dolphins

Kittle has been up-and-down in fantasy this year as the 49ers acclimate themselves in their new offense, but his matchup this week is simply delicious and should look like how he looked against the Cardinals.

The Dolphins have allowed four touchdowns in three weeks to tight ends amid their injury woes on defense. With the attention that needs to go to Deebo Samuel (if he plays), Brandon Aiyuk, and Christian McCaffrey, Miami will likely be unable to cover Kittle.

Sit ’em

Ryan Tannehill (QB, Titans) vs. Eagles

All throughout the season, Tannehill hasn’t been able to put up productive QB1 numbers. After capping 300 yards for the first time this season against the Packers in week 11, he cooled down against the Bengals in a touchdown-less game.

With Jordan Davis’ availability up in the air, I find it hard to believe Mike Vrabel won’t go run-heavy with Derrick Henry. It’s shocking how much influence Davis has on the Eagles’ run defense, so if he’s out Henry should have a field day.

Any Ravens RB vs. Broncos

This list includes:

• Gus Edwards
• Kenyan Drake
• Justice Hill

While it’s near impossible the Ravens will lose this game, the Broncos haven’t allowed a touchdown to running backs in three weeks and rank twelfth in fantasy points allowed to running backs. If you’re going to start one, expect Edwards to take the most carries, but none of them will do much.

Michael Gallup (WR, Cowboys) vs. Colts

While it’s unfortunate because I think Gallup is a good receiver, he hasn’t seen enough volume to land him in starting lineups. Last week saw a season-high eight targets, but not much else to show for.

Gallup also didn’t practice yesterday due to an illness, so that is worth monitoring if you’re thinking of riding his performance against the Giants — which I don’t recommend doing against the league’s best wide receiver defense in PPR.

Hayden Hurst (TE, Bengals) vs. Chiefs

Hurst had a productive day against the Titans last week, notching six catches for 57 yards. With a season-high nine targets, it stinks that he may have significantly caught Joe Burrow’s attention right as Ja’Marr Chase is likely returning.

In what should be a high-scoring affair against the Chiefs, I’m expecting Hurst to be relatively quiet compared to the Bengals’ receivers. He could see a red zone touchdown, but I don’t see more than that.

BYES: CAROLINA PANTHERS, ARIZONA CARDINALS