Start Em’ Sit Em’ Week 13

Alright ladies and gents its crunch time now, just two weeks away from the playoffs for most traditional leagues and if you are in the hunt, now more than ever is it of the upmost important to make sure you got the right guys in your lineup. There are some wacky things going on in the NFL, like Eli getting benched for Geno and the potential return of Aaron Rodgers week 14. With that being said fortunately I am here to help you get those lineups set.

Start Em’ QB

Kirk Cousins has been heating up the past 3 weeks averaging just under 300 yards passing with 8 total TDs over that span. He had a field day two weeks ago in New Orleans against a solid defense and this week he draws a nice matchup in prime time Sunday night against the struggling Dallas Cowboys. This is a divisional game and the Cowboys have a lot of question marks about their defense. They will be without Sean Lee their star linebacker and there are questions about their secondary. Couple that with the fact the Cowboys offense has struggled to get anything going and the Skins should be in line for some serious time of possession. Cousins always heats up at the end of the season and he is due for another solid game tonight in Dallas.

Sit Em’ QB

Jimmy Garoppolo the Italian Stallion gets his debut for the 49ers this Sunday. However, unless you are a 49ers fan you shouldn’t be too hype about him getting the start. While Jimmy G did show promise in the games he started for the Patriots last season and long term I think he could be a really solid QB, you can’t trust him in his first start with a tough matchup. Its not like Garoppolo is going to be surrounded by a bunch of playmakers he will be asked to do a lot himself. I think Marquise Goodwin gets a nice bump, but I would be warry of starting Jimmy G. He gets to go in to Chicago and that defense has been very good at home.

Start Em’ RB

Jordan Howard has been up and down over the past few weeks, but I think things return to normalcy in Chicago this Sunday. Howard is still their workhorse back and should be good for 20+ touches especially given the matchup against the 49ers who have not only struggled on offense, but on defense have allowed the 2nd most fantasy points to opposing running backs. If you were concerned with last weeks output, I wouldn’t stress this week. Howard should get 20+ touches eclipse 100 yards and has a good chance of scoring a TD.

Sit Em’ RB

Demarco Murray has been slowly but surely losing touches to Derrick Henry and with the touchdown production going away, Murray is looking riskier and riskier as a fantasy starter. Last week he had 12 carries for 9 total yards, but fortunately he caught 3 balls for 33 yards and scored a touchdown, but without finding pay dirt Murray would have had a rather poor game for an RB2. His snap count has come down and it seems like the Titans want to go with Henry who has been the better runner of late. Couple that with the fact the Titans face the Titans who are allowing the 4th fewest points per game to opposing backs and I would have a hard time rolling with Murray at this point in the game.

Start Em’ WR

Mike Evans has had a pretty underwhelming season so far this year. With only 700 receiving yards and 4 TDs he is far and away from the player everyone expected him to be this season. Especially after hardknocks got everyone so hype. That being said there are two positives for Evans going in to his week 13 matchup. He gets the benefit of getting QB Jameis Winston back under center and he gets to face the Packers who have actually allowed the 4th most fantasy points to opposing receivers this season. Those two factors I think play a big role in his production this Sunday and we should see the old Evans back in action. He should be good for double digit targets, over 100 receiving yards and should secure his 5th TD of the year.

Sit Em’ WR

Marvin Jones Jr. has been red hot as of late accruing 10 catches for 194 yards and 3 Tds over the past two games. Clearly he has become Stafford’s favorite target in the passing game. So why is he in the sit section you ask? The matchup. He faces off against the ravens who are allowing the 2nd fewest fantasy points to opposing receivers this season. That game is in Baltimore and Stafford does not play as well on the road. The Ravens D has been one of the best in the NFL this season and I think that inhibits those Lions receivers from breaking out in this one. I think the Lions will have to run the ball and spread it around to be successful in this one, and as such I would temper expectations for Jones Jr.

Start Em’ TE

Jared Cook, while he has slowed down recently is looking like he is going to be the best weapon for Derick Carr in this matchup against the Giants in week 13. Amari Cooper is still in the concussion protocol and it is looking like he will not suit up. We know for sure that Michael Crabtree will not be playing in this game after his suspension for fighting with Aqib Talib. Both Crabtree and Talib will miss week 13. That leaves Seth Roberts and Cordarrelle Patterson to pick up the slack for those receivers. I think that leads to a double digit target outing for Cook who has good rapport with Carr. To make the story better the Giants are one of the worst in the league against opposing TEs allowing 15.1 points per game over the past seven weeks. Cooks is a really nice play this week at home against the struggling Giants.

Sit Em’ TE

Tyler Kroft is probably the definition of a touchdown or best at the TE position as he just doesn’t get enough catches or yardage to be a factor. That being said he has managed to catch two touchdowns in the last two games. However this week he faces off agains the Steelers who are allowing the 3rd fewest fantasy points to opposing TEs this season. Without that all important TD Kroft will likely wind up with a measly 3 points in standard scoring, and thats exactly what I am expecting Monday night.

By: Nicholas Rizzo @nicholasrizzo1