Fantasy Football Week 13: Start ’em, Sit ’em
We are six weeks away from the end of regular season, and the playoff picture is still utter chaos. If they were to start today, the Bills and Texans would be out, the Colts and Vikings would sneak in, and the Atlanta Falcons would have a home playoff game.
Week 12 so almost no injuries (from a fantasy standpoint, sorry Browns fans), the most notable being Jonathan Taylor getting surgery on his thumb which will keep him out for a few games. It’s also likely we won’t be seeing Kenneth Walker III for a second straight week.
Week 13 also unfortunately has a good handful of byes, so managers will be without some top-level talent once again.
As always though, I am here to run through our remaining options and give you my best advice, so let’s get into it.
Ian’s Record: 59-38
Start ’em
Brock Purdy (QB, 49ers) at Eagles
The 49ers are back and rolling yet again.
After slamming the Seahawks on Thanksgiving night, Purdy finds himself in a very favorable matchup following his underwhelming performance. His volume should be much higher against a Philly defense that stinks against the pass but rocks against the run.
Zack Moss ( RB, Colts) at Titans
With Jonathan Taylor being out, Moss has a good chance to shine like he was in the beginning weeks of the season. Through his first four games he was averaging 111.25 rushing yards along with three touchdowns.
Tennessee has been stingy against RBs recently, but Moss found the endzone twice against them in week 5. Expect another productive performance.
Jaylen Waddle (WR, Dolphins) at Commanders
The penguin has been wishy-washy pretty much all season, but his targets have been consistently good recently. He surpassed 100 yards for only the second time on Black Friday, and I think this favorable matchup will keep him hot.
The Commanders have surrendered the most fantasy points to opposing WRs in the past five weeks, and I’m feeling Tua will start to spread the ball around more as he tries to play better ball.
Pat Freiermuth (TE, Steelers) vs. Cardinals
Freiermuth finally had his breakout game of the season last week, erupting for 120 yards on nine catches. Arizona has stunk against opposing TEs recently, so I’m expecting Kenny Pickett to feed him again in hopes of finding the endzone for a third time this year.
Sit ’em
Derek Carr (QB, Saints) vs. Lions
Carr has been subpar (I’m a poet and don’t even know it) all season, and even though the Lions have been forgiving to QBs recently, I’m not expecting that to change.
With both Chris Olave (concussion) and Rashid Shaheed (quad) banged up as well as Michael Thomas recently placed on IR, it’s looking like a heavy workload for Alvin Kamara if anything else.
Brian Robinson Jr. (RB, Commanders) vs. Dolphins
Although Robinson woke up for a couple weeks there, he was brought back down to Earth against the Cowboys on Thanksgiving. I’m not expecting any sort of resurgence against Miami, as they’ve rocked against the run recently.
Vic Fangio’s run defense has surrendered the fewest fantasy points to opposing RBs through the past NINE WEEKS, plus not allowing a rusher over 75 yards since week 6. Pass.
Cooper Kupp (WR, Rams) vs. Browns
While this pains me to write since he’s on both my fantasy teams, Kupp shouldn’t be trusted a.) since he’s playing hurt, and b.) this is a brutal matchup for him.
While he’s not listed as questionable or anything, an ankle sprain is hard to walk off, especially as a wide receiver. He only muscled three catches for 18 yards last week, and I’m pretty sure every time I’ve said to sit someone against the Browns I’ve been right.
Gerald Everett (TE, Chargers) at Patriots
He found the endzone last week for LA’s sole touchdown, but don’t chase that into New England this week for a couple reasons.
Reason one, the Patriots have allowed a combined 8.6 fantasy points to tight ends in the past four weeks. That’s 2.15 points per game. Reason two, although the Patriots stink, it’s at least worth noting that they’ve only allowed 10 points in both of their last two contests. Pass.
Not a bad Ray Lewis impression, though.
BYES: BUFFALO BILLS, BALTIMORE RAVENS, NEW YORK GIANTS, CHICAGO BEARS, LAS VEGAS RAIDERS, MINNESOTA VIKINGS
