Week 13 Fantasy Advice

Did you have a good week 12? This may be your last week to get into the playoffs, for others, it may be the penultimate. Either way: you’d best be ready for the toughest fantasy week of the year. I’m here to lend a helping hand of course.


Writer’s Note: This column will not include the Thursday game HOU/PHI.



Who to Start:

QB Matt Cassel (KC) vs. DEN: There are many great QB matchups this Sunday, but this one is the best. Denver’s pass D, and D overall, is horrendous, and Cassel threw for 467 against Denver in Week 10. Granted most of that was in garbage time, but still he remains a must start for anyone with QB issues.

RB Felix Jones (DAL) vs. IND: With Marion Barber sidelined due to a nagging calf injury, Jones will see the bulk of the workload. It helps that he’s facing the Colts and their banged up, porous run-D.

WR Steve Johnson (BUF) vs. MIN: If he can get over last week soon enough, Johnson should be a good start against Minnesota. Minnesota allows tons of yards to wideouts, about 152 yards a game, so Johnson should be started.

WR Mike Williams (TB) vs. ATL: What a nice surprise he’s been for Tampa this year. On pace to finish with over 1000 yards receiving, he has found success against the many a bad D Tampa has faced this year. Atlanta does give up a ton of yards to opposing wideouts, so Williams is a good start this week.

TE Jacob Tamme (IND) vs. DAL: Who? The new Colts starting Tight End, who has seen a good chunk of passes thrown his way since Dallas Clark went on IR. That should continue against a bad Dallas pass D, and Peyton Manning may need a safety blanket because of his O-Line (did I just say that?)

DEF New Orleans vs. CIN: The Saints D has been off and on this year, not nearly as productive as last season. But, that should change against Cincinnati’s pretty poor offense which also turns the ball over plenty.

Who to Sit:

QB Donovan McNabb (WSH) vs. NYG: Even though he’s on pace to break his own single-season pass records, try to avoid him against the Giants. One, the Giants D is revamped and played much better, and 2, McNabb doesn’t have much of an O-Line to help him out.

RB Benjarvus Green-Ellis (NE) vs. NYJ MON: The New England starting RB job is a carousel, one’s in, the next week he’s out. Even though Green-Ellis has been a great pickup off waivers for those who needed him, avoid him against the Jets great rush D.

WR Michael Crabtree (SF) vs. GB: Even though he’s getting TD’s, he isn’t getting many yards. Once the TD’s go away, he may not do much at all. That could start against Green Bay, whose pass D is pretty good, and is playing pretty well right now.

WR Hines Ward (PIT) vs. BAL: Not only is this a bad matchup for Ward and the Steelers, Big Ben has a broken, not a sprained foot as was once believed. That could provide problems for all Steelers offensive players, Ward hurting the most. Avoid if possible.

TE Todd Heap (BAL) vs. PIT: Heap is quietly having a great year for Baltimore, but watch out against Pittsburgh. In his last 5 games against the Steelers, he has 7 catches for 102 yards only.

DEF New England vs. NYJ MON: This defense has been victimized by plenty of great offensive teams this year, and with Mark Sanchez having 10 days to prepare, and the Jets O having success against New England this year, the Pats D should be avoided this week.

3 Super Sleepers for Week 13:

QB Jay Cutler (CHI) vs. DET: As much as he turns the ball over, he should feast on a bad Lions pass D on Sunday. After his great performance against the Eagles, his success should continue.

RB Mike Tolbert (SD) vs. OAK: The Chargers are a lot like the Colts with the amount of injuries and players they’ve affected, yet seem to keep rolling along with success. Tolbert has been a great find off the waiver wire, and he should continue to impress against an Oakland rush D that struggles to defend the run.

DEF St. Louis vs. ARZ: After that Monday Night debacle for the Cards offense, the Rams D should be licking its chops. They had a good game against the Cards in Week 1, and with the Cards fading fast that should hold true once again.

Good Luck in Week 13!