2015 Week 13 Fantasy Advice

Did you have a good Week 12 and Thanksgiving? Now that you have woken up from your stuffing and tryptophan induced coma, it's time to get yourself ready for the playoffs that lie ahead. For some, they have already started. For others, this is your last chance to get in and/or jockey for position, so making the right calls this week is more critical than ever.

Who to Start:

QB Cam Newton (CAR) vs. NO: Not only is Cam red hot and playing the best football of his career, now he gets to go against the wet tissue paper that is the New Orleans pass defense. Superman has been dabbing all over the Saints in recent meetings, and there is no reason to think that he won't be able to do it again (other starts: Jay Cutler, Matthew Stafford, Andy Dalton)

RB Matt Forte (CHI) vs. SF: He wasn't awe inspiring against the Packers on Thanksgiving night, and many are worried about how touches and plays will be split with him and rookie Jeremy Langford, the matchup against San Francisco is quite favorable for both of them. There isn't much risk in starting either the veteran or the rookie on Sunday (other starts: Jonathan Stewart, LeGarrette Blount, Doug Martin)

WR Jarvis Landry (MIA) vs. BAL: Hello PPR Superstar. Last week, thanks mainly to garbage time, he went off for 13 catches and 165 yards, and this was against the stout Jets defense. Next up, the Ravens secondary that is depleted by injuries and gave up big plays to Josh McCown and Austin Davis on Monday night.

WR T.Y Hilton (IND) vs. PIT: He hasn't been great of late, but the performance against the Bucs could awaken him down the stretch when the Colts need him most. The Steelers secondary was torched for five touchdowns against by Seattle last week, and even with the aging Matt Hasslebeck starting, Hilton could have another huge game (other starts: Alshon Jeffery, Martavis Bryant, Michael Crabtree)

TE Delanie Walker (TEN) vs. JAX: He went for over 100 yards in the first meeting between the two teams this season, and repeatedly the Jaguars have shown that they cannot defend Tight Ends. Marcus Mariota doesn't have the weapons on the outside to challenge even a bad Jags secondary, so Walker could have another big afternoon (other starts: Kyle Rudolph, Greg Olsen, Coby Fleener)

DEF Cincinnati vs. CLE: Austin Davis is starting. Need we say more? (other starts: ARZ, DEN, CHI).

Who to Sit:

QB Matt Ryan (ATL) vs. TB: Some of his throws recently have been beyond head-scratching and have gone into "should the Falcons bench him" territory. Now even though in reality that wouldn't be a wise decision, in fantasy you absolutely should bench him considering Tampa's pass defense has improved and due to his inconsistencies (other sits: Russell Wilson, Tyrod Taylor, Brian Hoyer)

RB Latavius Murray (OAK) vs. KC: Kansas City's defense has been very solid against the run all season, and while there aren't many options left at the running back position, Murray is a risky play on Sunday due to this (other sits: T.J Yeldon, Eddie Lacy (THU), Frank Gore)

WR Brandin Cooks (NO) vs. CAR: Josh. Norman.

WR Stefon Diggs (MIN) vs. SEA: Even though Seattle's formerly fearsome pass defense isn't quite what it used to be, they can still shut down opposing signal callers and pass offenses especially those prone to it like Minnesota's, which means the former Terp is not necessarily the best option (other sits: Jordan Matthews, Doug Baldwin, Mike Evans)

TE Jason Witten (DAL) vs. WSH MON: The Matt Cassell factor here obviously comes in to play, but he's not the elite fantasy Tight End he once was, and the Washington defense is way better at FedEx Field than it is on the road (other sits: Zach Ertz, Benjamin Watson, Martellus Bennett)

DEF St. Louis vs. ARZ: The Cardinals offense on the road is not the same as it is at home, but the Rams defense has dropped off a cliff from a fantasy perspective. They're now a very risky proposition (other sits: PHI, NYJ, BUF).

Three Super Sleepers:

QB Marcus Mariota (TEN) vs. JAX: When these teams met a couple of weeks ago, he was very solid all night long. He wasn't incredibly effective, but this week facing next to no pass rush and a secondary that was torched against San Diego he could be in for a better day than even the first Thursday night.

RB Javorius Allen (BAL) vs. MIA: The center of the Ravens no-name brigade on offense, he could be in for a big game because he is the focal point of the offense going up against a woeful Miami defense.

WR Danny Amendola (NE) vs. PHI: While his health might not be in the best of shape, he's going to be one of the more reliable of the few weapons Tom Brady has left, and the Eagles defense is still a sieve.

Buyer Beware:

WR Sammy Watkins (BUF) vs. HOU: He can take the top off of almost any defense, but the Houston defense has been insanely good since getting their tails kicked by Miami in late October. In fact, they've allowed only two touchdowns since then in four games! Watkins is a major risk on Sunday even though he's become an almost assured start every week.

Good Luck in Week 13!