Week 13 Start'em - Sit'em
Happy Thanksgiving! This is the Fantasy Football Nerd's look at the best and worst matchups for Week 13 of the 2019 NFL season. Analysis is aggregated from multiple sources including FFN. FFN rankings are based upon PPR (point per reception) scoring. Given the known conditions, these matchups are the ones to watch and/or avoid.
Please Note: This list does not generally include the elite players that you are going to start regardless of matchup. You don't need us to tell you to start Aaron Rodgers, Travis Kelce, or DeAndre Hopkins. Instead, we take a look at other players on your team that we believe either have great matchups or should be avoided for multiple reasons. Factors like opposing defense, performance trending, and peer comparisons may influence our decisions.
Start 'em Jameis Winston (TB, QB)Ranked 7th this week on FFN is Jameis Winston against a Jacksonville team that just gave up 32 points to Ryan Tannehill last week and the 11th-most fantasy points to QBs on the year. He'll throw a pick or two, but we expect him to put up decent numbers nonetheless.
Start 'em Kirk Cousins (MIN, QB)After a rough start, Cousins has become a QB1 this season. Ranked 11th this week, he's still in that QB1 discussion for a Monday night matchup against Seattle who has been giving up close to 20 fantasy points on the year to signal callers.
Start 'em Carson Wentz (PHI, QB)Granted you haven't been playing much of Carson Wentz lately, but a matchup with the Dolphins is just what he needs to return to fantasy relevance. Miami is giving up the 5th-most fantasy points this season.
Start 'em Jonathan Williams (IND, RB)One of the hottest names on the waiver wire is a fantastic flex play this week. Jonathan Williams has filled in nicely for Marlon Mack racking up 104 yards and a score last week. He's ranked 25th this week against a Tennessee defense giving up the 9th-most fantasy points to the position.
Start 'em Phillip Lindsay (DEN, RB)There's no longer a position battle between Phillip Lindsay and Royce Freeman. This is Lindsay's backfield now. He's ranked 16th this week on FFN facing a Chargers defense that has surrendered the 5th-most fantasy points. Can you ask for a better matchup?
Start 'em Kenyan Drake (ARI, RB)Ranked 18th this week on FFN is Cardinals RB Kenyan Drake. He has outperformed David Johnson, and although Chase Edmonds should return, Drake has been much more explosive. The Cards can take advantage of the Rams who are giving up the 10th-most fantasy points to runners this year.
Start 'em D.J. Moore (CAR, WR)Look for the hot streak to continue with D.J. Moore. After a monster Week 12 (126 yards and two touchdowns), Moore has recorded at least 95 yards in four straight games. He's ranked inside our Top 12 this week facing a Washington secondary giving up the 11th-most fantasy points.
Start 'em D.J. Chark (JAC, WR)Also ranked inside our Top 12 this week is D.J. Chark who let us down last week but should bounce back nicely in Week 13. Nobody gives up more fantasy points to wide receivers this year than the Bucs so look for Chark to help lead you into the playoffs.
Start 'em DeVante Parker (MIA, WR)Ranked 22nd this week on FFN is perhaps the quietest fantasy producer that nobody is talking about. The Dolphins have been awful, but Fitzpatrick has found DeVante Parker reliably and often. The Eagles give up the 5th-most fantasy points to WRs this year.
Start 'em Jack Doyle (IND, TE)With Eric Ebron out for the season, Jack Doyle has the opportunity to shine with an increase in weekly targets. He's ranked inside our Top 10 this week in a depleted fantasy position. Doyle is a startable TE every week going forward.
Start 'em Gerald Everett (LAR, TE)UPDATE: Gerald Everett (knee) is out for Week 13.
Assuming that Gerald Everett plays this week (dealing with a knee injury), he should be a solid TE1 against an Arizona defense that has been more than kind to opposing tight ends on the season.
Start 'em Philadelphia Eagles (PHI, DEF)Philly is available in almost 40% of the major league platforms and they shouldn't be - especially this week as they face a Miami offense that has given opposing DSTs more fantasy points than any other team.
Start 'em Jake Elliott (PHI, K)Jake Elliott just got a monster contract extension and he'll show the Eagles why they made him the 3rd-highest paid kicker in the league. The Dolphins have surrendered the 3rd-most fantasy points to kickers on the season.
Sit 'em Ryan Tannehill (TEN, QB)After a monster game last week (259 yards and two touchdowns with an additional 40 yards and two touchdowns on seven carries), look for Ryan Tannehill to come back down to Earth. Indy is giving up the 12th-fewest fantasy points and should make Tannehill struggle.
Sit 'em Philip Rivers (LAC, QB)It's awfully difficult to trust Philip Rivers with your fantasy playoffs on the line. When he faced the Broncos back in Week 5, he gave fantasy owners 4 points. Yep, 4 points. Denver has given up the 5th-fewest fantasy points to QBs this year.
Sit 'em Jimmy Garoppolo (SF, QB)Perhaps no other game is as hotly anticipated as the Ravens/Niners game this week, but expectations for Jimmy Garoppolo are very low in this one. Ranked 23rd on FFN this week, Jimmy G is barely startable even in SuperFlex leagues against a Baltimore defense that has barely allowed QBs to see double digits.
Sit 'em David Johnson (ARI, RB)This is a make-or-break game for David Johnson and we're just not in on him. In his last game before the bye, he didn't even register a single touch. If DJ can't be a factor in this run game, he's no longer worth rostering. He's obviously hurt and the explosive play of Kenyan Drake means that his fantasy value is at an all-time low.
Sit 'em Jaylen Samuels (PIT, RB)Truth be told, most of us expected Jaylen Samuels to lead the backfield duties last week with James Conner sidelined. To our surprise, it was Benny Snell who dominated the touches. The Browns' defensive line has been playing up lately, and without knowing the touch breakdown, Samuels is a roll of the dice prior to your playoffs.
Sit 'em Carlos Hyde (HOU, RB)Ranked 34th this week on FFN is Carlos Hyde facing the vaunted New England defense. The Pats have kept even the best of backs to lower-than-expected production totals (Zeke 16 pts, Ingram 14 pts, Chubb 10 pts, Bell 8 pts, Gore 10 pts). Nobody gives up fewer fantasy points to running backs than New England.
Sit 'em T.Y. Hilton (IND, WR)UPDATE: T.Y. Hilton has been declared inactive for this week.
This is not about T.Y. Hilton's abilities, but rather a concern about his health (calf). Hilton hasn't been himself for weeks, and after coming out last week to the tune of 3 catches for 18 yards combined with a legitimately questionable tag, are you prepared to take the risk? He's ranked 30th this week and is nothing more than a risky flex play if active.
Sit 'em Emmanuel Sanders (SF, WR)Like Hilton above, Sanders is all about your level of acceptable risk. Unlike Hilton though, Sanders has a brutal matchup. The Ravens give up the 11th-fewest fantasy points and Sanders is still dealing with his ribs likely limiting him in this contest. He's ranked 47th this week on FFN.
Sit 'em Marquise Brown (BAL, WR)Lining up against Sanders on Sunday will be Marquise Brown fresh off a monster 2-TD game last week. As dynamic as Hollywood Brown is, this is going to be a difficult matchup. The Niners are giving up the 8th-fewest fantasy points to wide receivers this year.
Sit 'em Vance McDonald (PIT, TE)The QB situation in Pittsburgh makes projecting the skill players a very difficult task. Vance McDonald, despite a positive matchup (Browns giving up the 6th-most fantasy points to TEs this year), can't be counted on to produce. He's averaging less than 6 fantasy points over his previous 3 games.
Sit 'em Jimmy Graham (GB, TE)Has anyone seen the Jimmy Graham that we loved from the Saints and Seahawks? Any way to get that guy back? Unfortunately, Jimmy hasn't lived up to fantasy expectations even with one of the best QBs in the league throwing to him. He's ranked 21st this week on FFN - well outside of starting territory.
Sit 'em San Francisco 49ers (SF, DEF)The San Francisco 49ers have a Top 5 fantasy defense...just not in Week 13. The Niners have been absolutely incredible this year on the defensive side of the ball, but a matchup with Lamar Jackson and the surging Ravens has them relegated to 19th in this week's FFN consensus.
Sit 'em Nick Folk (NE, K)UPDATE: The Patriots have released Nick Folk and signed Kai Forbath.
Patriot kickers have historically done very well for fantasy owners, but a matchup with the Texans is going to present a challenge to Nick Folk. He's ranked 18th this week on FFN.
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jamisdiablo CommentedDec 1, 2019 11:00 am
whats up nerds?! Do or die time in fantasy football and yet again, got some tough lineup decisions, appreciate any insight you can provide to start A>B or vice versa, thanks!
STD league with 5pt QB tds
QB: Winston or Cousins?
WR: starting Diggs, who joins him from OBJ, Deebo or Tyler Boyd. Leaning Boyd after seeing how poor OBJ did against Pitt last time and Landry appears to have become the #1 WR in Cleveland; not liking Deebo's matchup at all either.
RB: starting Chubb, who joins him in RB2 and Flex? MGIII, Penny, Ekeler, Snell, Hunt?
THANKS!!
Nerd CommentedDec 1, 2019 11:00 am
I like Winston just a bit more than Cousins.
I actually like Boyd over OBJ which completely goes against the rankings - although OBJ will probably go off for a big day if you don't start him.
I'd probably start both Gordon and Ekeler. If you don't want to put all your eggs in that basket, swap in Snell.
Good luck!
Nerd CommentedDec 1, 2019 11:00 am
I like Wentz against that Miami defense. Ton of questionable tags on the Pats today.
jamisdiablo CommentedDec 1, 2019 11:00 am
thanks, yeah I already have Henry so there's no way I'm starting 3 chargers with decrepit PR at the helm! ha
jamisdiablo CommentedDec 1, 2019 11:00 am
I'm with you on Boyd. Who has a higher floor, Snell or OBJ? (Flex spot) thx!
jamisdiablo CommentedDec 1, 2019 11:00 am
Wow that was effing ugly. No more browns or chargers players for me. Ever. Asshats.
jamisdiablo CommentedDec 1, 2019 11:00 am
If obj is in your top 30 next week I want my money back please. ?
Nerd CommentedDec 1, 2019 11:00 am
I hear ya. I'd trade any brown or charger that you want for Nick Foles. Now there's an asshat. I'd have been better off starting Ben Roethlisberger...seriously.
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