Week 13 is here and with it, for many leagues, is the last week of the fantasy regular season. As a reminder in this fantasy football start/sit article, we will be looking at players on the fringes at QB1, RB2 and WR2 in typical PPR fantasy leagues to help you with any lineup decisions you may face.
With the fantasy playoffs approaching, it all comes down to trust. Which players do you trust with your season on the line? When determining your lineup for the coming weeks, the rule of thumb I always use is what choice will I not regret? Perhaps you will start the player with a higher floor who doesn’t offer the greatest upside, or perhaps you are an underdog and you need to shoot for the ceiling game with a player who has a larger range of outcomes. Whatever your situation is pick the players you trust the most to get it done.
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Week 13 Fantasy Football Start/Sit
Quarterbacks | Fantasy Football Start/Sit
Start: Taysom Hill at Falcons
Last week, Taysom Hill was a recommended start against the Broncos and he finished as the QB11 for the week. This week, he gets another matchup with the Falcons, who he played two weeks ago and put up a QB6 performance. As mentioned in this article on a near weekly basis, the Falcons D has been terrible against opposing QBs and, as an added bonus, they have given up six rushing TDs to opposing QBs, including two to Hill in their previous meeting. You can trust Hill to deliver QB1 numbers this week.
Start: Kirk Cousins vs. Jaguars
It appears that Kirk Cousins likes his home cooked meals, as he has gone over 20 fantasy points per game (fppg) in all of his home games, averaging 23.5 fppg, while his road split is 12.2 fppg. In addition to the game being at home, he also gets to face the Jaguars D, which is giving up 22.6 fppg to opposing QBs (third-worst in the league). Now, throw in the return of Adam Thielen to go along with the emergent Justin Jefferson and a banged up Dalvin Cook, and you have the recipe for another QB1 performance this week.
Sit: Matthew Stafford at Bears
In what has been a tough season for the normally dependable Matthew Stafford, this week looks like another week to leave him on the bench. Stafford has only finished as a QB1 thrice this season. Ironically, they were all against tough pass defenses, but this will not be the fourth time. Stafford has some glaring home/road splits,, averaging 20.6 fppg at home and only 14.2 on the road. Going on the road into Chicago in December against the Bears D giving up only 16.6 fppg to opposing QBs, this is not a situation to trust him in.
Sit: Derek Carr at Jets
Derek Carr fell flat on his face in a prime matchup against the Falcons last week, putting up a feeble 1.6 fantasy points on 215 yards without a TD and throwing an INT. This week, he gets another great matchup against the Jets, who give up 22 fppg to opposing QBs. You might be interested in chasing one of those ceiling games that Carr has flashed this season, but I am here to advise you not to start Carr, except when he plays the Chiefs. He is not to be trusted with your season possibly on the line.
Check out our Week 13 Fantasy Football Rankings, including scoring settings for PPR and half PPR leagues! Rankings are updated throughout the week and can be useful for finding the best fantasy football start sit candidates.
Running Backs | Fantasy Football Start/Sit
Start: Wayne Gallman at Bengals
Since taking over for the injured Devonta Freeman in Week 7, Wayne Gallman is the RB6 and has been remarkably consistent as well, finishing as an RB1 in four out of five and averaging 16.2 fppg. His touches have also increased each week, culminating with 24 carries and five targets in the passing game last week. Now, with Colt McCoy at the helm, expect him to get another heavy workload this week in a matchup with the Seahawks, which is actually one of the better matchups he has seen. You can trust him this week.
Start: Melvin Gordon at Chiefs
It was a week to forget for the Broncos, with the exception of Kendall Hilton, who will speak of that game for years to come. This week, they should have a competent QB back at the helm. They will need it for their matchup with the Chiefs and their otherworldly passing attack. Denver will attempt to chew up some clock this week and, with Phillip Lindsay leaving injured last week and in danger of missing this week, that leaves Gordon as the workhorse. If Lindsay misses, Gordon is a rock solid RB2 this week.
Sit: J.D. McKissic at Steelers
This past week was J.D. McKissic’s lowest scoring game since Week 2. While he has been a solid low end RB2/Flex for most of the season, that might have changed. He has been in double-digits in PPR points in six of the last eight weeks, but it was alarming how he only had three touches and was out-targeted in the passing game by Antonio Gibson, 7-2. Gibson is just a better player and all-around athlete. If the coaching staff continues to involve him in the passing game, McKissic loses all value. This week, leave him on your bench against the Steelers, who allow only 12.9 fppg to opposing RBs.
Sit: Bills RBs at 49ers.
Last week, Devin Singletary led the way with 11 carries and three targets that he turned into 102 scoreless yards, good for RB21. Zack Moss had nine carries and two targets, resulting in 68 and RB28. This week, they get a tougher matchup against the 49ers D, which is giving up only 15.7 fppg to opposing RBs. In order to reach RB2 status, you will need a TD from either of these two, because they won’t get there on yardage and reception totals alone. Leave both on your bench this week.
Wide Receivers| Fantasy Football Start/Sit
Start: Brandin Cooks vs. Colts
Last week, in this same spot, Brandin Cooks was a recommended start for his Thanksgiving matchup with the Lions. He came through, with five receptions for 85 yards, good for 13.5 fantasy points. In doing so, he pushed his streak to seven straight games of double-digit PPR games. This week, he draws a tougher matchup against the Colts, who are only giving up 21.8 fppg to opposing WRs. With Will Fuller beginning a six-week suspension for PEDs, Cooks becomes the de facto number 1 receiver for Deshaun Watson, which is a good spot to be for fantasy production. Cooks is a safe WR2, even in this matchup.
Start: Deebo Samuel vs. Bills
In Week 12, Deebo Samuel was targeted 13 times, good for a 38% target share in a tough matchup against the Rams D, who are second in the league against opposing WRs. He caught 11 of them for 133 yards, good for 24.3 fantasy points. The Bills are giving up only 21.7 fppg to opposing WRs, so they are no slouches either, but it was clear last week that Samuel was fully healthy and he looked great in the alpha role in this offense, with Nick Mullens at the helm. Brandon Aiyuk will be back this week, but Samuel, who has three straight games in double-digit fantasy points, will return value as a WR2.
[sc name=”newsletter” ]Sit: Christian Kirk vs. Rams
Even though he has had at least six targets in each of his last three games, Christian Kirk has not had over 50 yards or double-digit fantasy points in any of them. This week, he draws his toughest matchup to date against the Rams, who are only allowing 17.4 fppg to opposing WRs. The Rams have allowed only 10 WR3 or better performances through 11 games. Keep him on your bench for a WR with a higher floor.
Sit: CeeDee Lamb at Ravens
With Andy Dalton at the helm, Amari Cooper has been over 80 yards each of the last two weeks, but CeeDee Lamb has not topped 34 yards and was out-targeted by Michael Gallup last week. This week the Cowboys head to Baltimore for a matchup with the Ravens, who are giving up only 17.2 fppg to opposing WRs, which tops the league. This is a tough spot in an offense that is barely treading water. Look elsewhere for your WR2 this week.
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