It’s finally here! Thanksgiving, the day we all cherish. It is filled with food, fun, family, and football, what a great holiday. It is personally favorite holiday, and I’m excited to celebrate with my family on Thursday. As for what I am thankful for, for one I am thankful to be able to write these articles on this great website to you readers.
It’s not only Thanksgiving, as it’s also a huge Fantasy week. For some leagues it’s playoffs, but for most others it’s another stretch game that could be the difference between a playoff spot or not. Thus, it’s time to tighten up.
I will do best my best to help you tighten up and get that win you desire, and need. Luckily, there are no teams on bye weeks this week, so no missing players other than injuries.
Remember: If you win, thank me. But if you lose, it’s your team. Let’s get started.
Week 13 Start ‘Em Sit ‘Em
Start Of The Week: Ryan Tannehill at N.Y. Jets
Projected Fantasy Points: 24
Tannehill is coming off one of his top performances of the season against Denver, in which he threw for 228 yards and 3 TDs, and he added in a 15 yard rushing TD. Tannehill has become a reliable option in fantasy aside from last week, as he’s over 20 fantasy points in 3 out of his last 4 games, with 2 of those games being with over 30 fantasy points. On Monday Night, he travels to play the Jets, which has allowed 24.5 fantasy PPG to opposing quarterbacks, which ranks last in the NFL. The Jets’ secondary has been horrid this season, and look for Tannehill to take advantage of that. Thus, makes him my start of the week.
Bust Alert Of The Week: Mark Ingram at Pittsburgh
Projected Fantasy Points: 8
Don’t get me wrong Ingram has been great this season, but he has calmed down the last two weeks, not reaching over double-digit fantasy points. Ingram has also seen a decrease in carries, as he only saw 11 against the Ravens, which is just 1 higher than a season low. The Saints look like they could be going back to their old ways of passing the ball a ton, which also hurts Ingram’s value, as does the return of Pierre Thomas. Pittsburgh has been modest against the run, and I’d consider sitting Ingram this week.
Quarterbacks Start ‘Em: Matthew Stafford vs. Chicago
Projected Fantasy Points: 22
Stafford will play on Thanksgiving Day, which is good news because he’s been historically good on Thanksgivings over his career. Stafford has at least 27 fantasy points in the last two Thanksgivings, and although he has been a bust in fantasy this season, his success on Thanksgiving should continue Thursday. Stafford faces Chicago, a team that ranks 31st against opposing fantasy quarterbacks this season. I know it’s been tough to trust Stafford in fantasy, but this is the week to start him.
Other QBs To Start: Tony Romo (vs. PHI), Alex Smith (vs. DEN)
Quarterbacks Sit ‘Em: Colin Kaepernick vs. Seattle
Projected Fantasy Points: 15
Kaepernick has also been a disappointment in fantasy this season, as Kap has yet to reach 20 fantasy points since all the way back in Week 6. The 49ers are continuing to have more of a run-based offense with Frank Gore and Carlos Hyde, and that continues to hurt Kaepernick in fantasy. This week, he gets his NFC West foe, the Seahawks, which has allowed the 2nd least fantasy points to opposing quarterbacks this season. Don’t ruin your Thanksgiving by starting Kaepernick on Thursday Night.
Other QBs To Sit: Joe Flacco (vs. SD), Brian Hoyer (at BUF)
Running Backs Start ‘Em: Rashad Jennings at Jacksonville
Projected Fantasy Points: 13
Jennings has played well since returning from injury, as last week Jennings got over double-digit fantasy points in a tough matchup with the Cowboys. Not only did Jennings see 19 carries last week, as he was also effective in the passing game, catching 8 balls for 68 yards. On Sunday, Jennings gets to face off with Jacksonville, which has allowed the 27th most fantasy points to opposing running backs this season. Look for Jennings to have success this week, and make sure you start him.
Running Backs Start ‘Em: Andre Ellington at Atlanta
Projected Fantasy Points: 14
Ellington has not been good at all the last couple of weeks, as he’s struggled to get to double-digit fantasy points since his 18 fantasy point performance back in Week 9 against Dallas. However, Ellington has still seen a hefty workload, especially with quarterback Carson Palmer done for the season. With that being, Ellington should find success against the Falcons in Week 13, a team that has allowed an average of 23.6 fantasy PPG to opposing running backs this season, which is last in the NFL. Ellington should definitely bounce back this week; make sure he’s in your fantasy lineup.
Other RBs To Start: Alfred Morris (at IND), Alfred Blue (vs. TEN), C.J. Anderson (at KC)
Running Backs Sit ‘Em: Isaiah Crowell at Buffalo
Projected Fantasy Points: 6
The rookie Crowell exploded last week, rushing for 88 yards and 2 TDs against the Falcons. However, Crowell saw just 12 carries, which was less carries than fellow rookie Terrance West. That’s a bad sign, although Crowell took more advantage of his carries, as West gained just 62 yards. This week however, Crowell will have to take on the Bills, which has allowed just 12 fantasy PPG to opposing rushers this season, ranking 3rd in the NFL. I’m staying away from Crowell this week, as should you.
Other RBs To Sit: Frank Gore (vs. SEA), Trent Richardson (vs. WAS), Chris Ivory (vs. MIA)
Wide Receivers Start ‘Em: Brandon LaFell at Green Bay
Projected Fantasy Points: 12
LaFell continues to be one of Tom Brady’s top targets, hauling in 9 of his 12 targets for 98 yards last week against the Lions. What I am seeing more and more of from LaFell is that New England seems to have designed plays for such as screen passes etc. LaFell and the Pats take on the Packers this week in a game I say is a super bowl preview. Anyway, there should be a lot of offense in this game, which means the Pats will throw the ball, which is good news for LaFell. The Packers’ secondary has also been sort of weak, allowing 22.4 fantasy PPG to opposing receivers this season. Look for LaFell to have a lot of production on Sunday and I’d without doubt start him.
Wide Receivers Start ‘Em: Keenan Allen at Baltimore
Projected Fantasy Points: 13
On Sunday, Allen finally rewarded fantasy owners that have stuck with him, as Allen caught 6 balls for 106 yards and a TD against the Rams. Allen continues to see hefty amounts of targets from Phillip Rivers, which means every week the opportunity will be there for the 2nd year receiver to produce. This week he gets a great opportunity against the Ravens, a team that has surrendered the 2nd most fantasy points to opposing receivers this season. The Ravens have been good against the run, which could cause the Chargers to pass in this game, benefiting Allen. I like Allen a lot this week, and I would start him if you own him.
Other WRs To Start: Terrence Williams (vs. PHI), Justin Hunter (at HOU), Rueben Randle (at JAX)
Wide Receivers Sit ‘Em: Michael Crabtree vs. Seattle
Projected Fantasy Points: 4
I think we all know what is coming this week, as Crabtree faces off against his foe, Richard Sherman. It’s given that Sherman is ready and motivated to face Crabtree, and he should be blanketing Crabtree the whole game. Seattle has allowed the least fantasy points to opposing receivers this season, and Sherman most likely won’t allow Crabtree do anything against him this week. Crabtree has been very up and down this season, so I’d stay away from him in this game.
Other WRs To Sit: Vincent Jackson (vs. CIN), Roddy White (vs. ARI), Sammy Watkins (vs. CLE)
Tight Ends Start ‘Em: Travis Kelce vs. Denver
Projected Fantasy Points: 9
Kelce has actually been playing well given how the Chiefs are passing the ball. Kelce has led the team in targets and receiving over the last three weeks and continues to impress. Kelce should find the end zone this week, as he faces Denver, which has allowing the 19th most points to opposing tight ends this season. This also a game that the Chiefs should throwing the ball a lot in, and as always, Kelce will be heavily involved in their passing game. Kelce is a must-start at tight end this week.
Other TEs To Start: Eric Ebron (vs. CHI), Charles Clay (at NYJ), Vernon Davis (vs. SEA)
Tight Ends Sit ‘Em: Mychal Rivera at St. Louis
Projected Fantasy Points: 2
Rivera went on that tear in which he had at least 8 fantasy points in three straight games, but he has calmed down ever since. Rivera had just 4 fantasy points two weeks ago, and didn’t have 1 point last week. This week, Rivera faces the Rams, which has allowed the 3rd least fantasy points to opposing tight ends this season. It’s hard to trust Rivera in such a crucial week; I’d sit him.
Other TEs To Sit: Martellus Bennett (at DET), Owen Daniels (vs. SD)
Defense/Special Teams Start ‘Em: St. Louis Rams vs. Oakland
Projected Fantasy Points: 13
The Rams’ defense has played very well since Week 7, especially at home. Since Week 7, the Rams’ D had double-digit fantasy points four times, and in both home games they have had double-digit fantasy points. Not to mention, both of those home games were against the two teams in last years Super Bowl, the Broncos, and the Seahawks. This week the Rams get the Raiders, and rookie QB Derek Carr, who has struggled scoring points on the road. I’m all in on the Rams’ D this week.
Other DSTs To Start: Dolphins (at NYJ), Vikings (vs. CAR), Texans (vs. TEN)
Defense/Special Teams Sit ‘Em: New England Patriots at Green Bay
Projected Fantasy Points: 5
Don’t get me wrong, the Patriots have one of the best defenses in the NFL, and they have been good in fantasy, but this week provides a tough task. The Pats travel to Green Bay to take on Aaron Rodgers and the Packers, which has one of the best offenses in the NFL, especially at home. Don’t start the Patriots’ D at all, this week; it’s too risky.
Other DSTs To Sit: Eagles (at DAL), Chiefs (vs. DEN), Steelers (vs. NO)
I hope everybody enjoyed this Week 13 Start ‘Em Sit ‘Em, and I’ll be back next week! Follow me on Twitter: @Nadelman99 for Fantasy talk, advice, or any questions you may have. Feedback on my articles is always appreciated. Have a great Thanksgiving!
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