Fantasy football advice, Week 13: Who to start/sit for Dallas Cowboys vs. Minnesota Vikings

Fantasy football playoffs are right around the corner, which means less and less room for error each coming week. For fantasy owners who are lucky enough to still be in the thick of the playoff hunt, Thursday night’s matchup presents unique opportunities for fantasy-relevant players on the Dallas Cowboys and Minnesota Vikings. Let’s take a look:

Ezekiel Elliott simply can’t be stopped right now, and if he is going to be, it wouldn’t likely be at the hands of a Minnesota defense that continues to fade. The Vikings are now allowing 4.2 yards per carry, which is good enough for 17^th in the NFL, and have allowed 95 rushing yards or more to opposing running backs in five of their last six contests. No fantasy owner has any reason to think about benching Elliott for Week 13 and beyond.

Fantasy owners will roll with Dez Bryant and Dak Prescott due to their upside, but a tough matchup presents itself. Though the Vikings haven’t been great defending the run recently, their pass defense remains tough to overcome. They have yet to allow a 300-yard passer in 2016, and no team has thrown for more than two touchdowns against them. Bryant and Prescott have the talent to overcome this, but fantasy owners have to be prepared for the potential downside that comes with investing in this QB/WR tandem. Jason Witten can be started regardless of the matchup, but that’s more of an indictment on the shallow tight end position than faith in the veteran’s Week 13 prospects.

Fantasy value won’t likely come easily for this Cowboys offense, so complementary players such as Cole Beasley would be tough to trust, even with the Vikings being susceptible to slot receivers in 2016. He, Terrance Williams and Brice Butler can remain on fantasy benches.

Stefon Diggs practiced throughout the week and is listed as questionable, and while it’s fair for fantasy owners to question his effectiveness fresh off an injury, it would be bold to bench a player who has monopolized targets in the receiving game when active. Diggs makes for a fine WR2 option, and Kyle Rudolph justifies a starting spot at the shallow tight end position.

Adam Thielen can be expected to have a role even with Diggs back, but not to the point of warranting starting consideration. Thielen can remain on benches with Sam Bradford, Matt Asiata, and Jerick McKinnon.