Fantasy football advice, Week 13: Who to start/sit for Seahawks vs. Vikings
Seattle and Minnesota find themselves right in the thick of the playoff race.
One of the top games of Week 13, going a long way toward deciding the NFC playoff race, features the 6-5 Seattle Seahawks and the 8-3 Minnesota Vikings. The Vikings are clinging to a tiny lead over the Green Bay Packers in the NFC North, while the Seahawks need every win possible to stay alive for a Wild Card berth.
The Seahawks will be without running back Marshawn Lynch for another week Sunday — and of course put tight end Jimmy Graham on injured reserve earlier this week — but should have all the rest of their fantasy contributors ready to play for the game. On the Minnesota side, the Vikings come in very healthy; the team has none of its fantasy-relevant players listed on the injury report.
The Vikings host the Seahawks in Sunday’s crucial game, with kickoff scheduled for 1 p.m. ET. Let’s take a look at the fantasy names to consider:
SEAHAWKS
Start ‘em: Undrafted free agent rookie Thomas Rawls has put up 10-plus fantasy points in a game five times this year. He's only started four games. It's been a strong season out of nowhere, and it should continue. ... Off of a bad Week 12, I'm still comfortable using Steven Hauschka whenever possible. ... The Seahawks' defense hasn't reached double-digit fantasy points in any of its last four games, but it still has strong upside.
Start ‘em?: Off of two straight strong games, Russell Wilson's stock is rising again, but against a stronger defense and playing on the road, I still say he's more QB2 than QB1. ... No, Doug Baldwin isn't likely to recreate his 32-point Week 12, but he's still far and away the top receiving option on what should be a competent offense. He's a fair flex option.
Sit ‘em: Behind Baldwin, Jermaine Kearse and Tyler Lockett both have marginal potential, but neither offers any real consistency. ... Luke Willson is an interesting sleeper candidate with Jimmy Graham sidelined, though I want to see if they use him heavily before he gets any peek at my lineups.
VIKINGS
Start ‘em: It's been a crazy strong fantasy season for Adrian Peterson, who has 27-plus fantasy points in two of his last three.
Start ‘em?: The Vikings’ defense has had decent moments this year, and the Seattle offense hasn’t always been consistent. Minnesota is a sneaky play this week.
Sit ‘em: The last time Teddy Bridgewater reached 20 fantasy points in a game was Week 4. Of 2014. ... The Vikings' offense has been almost entirely Peterson-based, with Stefon Diggs, Mike Wallace and Kyle Rudolph struggling to offer much on a week-to-week basis. ... After a hot middle of the season, Blair Walsh has cooled off lately, and Minnesota might not get a lot of kicking chances Sunday.
SUMMARY
Start in every league: Thomas Rawls, Steven Hauschka, Seattle defense, Adrian Peterson
Start if you're desperate: Russell Wilson, Doug Baldwin, Minnesota defense
Bench: Jermaine Kearse, Tyler Lockett, Luke Willson, Teddy Bridgewater, Stefon Diggs, Mike Wallace, Kyle Rudolph, Blair Walsh
