Fantasy football advice, Week 13: Who to start/sit for Broncos vs. Chargers
Denver looks to keep its recent success going again against the last-place Chargers.
After getting back on track with back-to-back wins, the 9-2 Denver Broncos look to shut down the last-place San Diego Chargers Sunday. The Chargers, at 3-8, are only in the business of playing spoiler the rest of the way.
The Denver injury report is long. Quarterback Peyton Manning will miss another game, but he's the only one of the team's fantasy contributors expected to miss time. Quarterback Brock Osweiler, running back Ronnie Hillman, wide receivers Emmanuel Sanders and Cody Latimer and tight end Owen Daniels are all on the injury report, but all five are officially listed as probable. For the Chargers, quarterback Philip Rivers and tight end Ladarius Green are both on the report, but both expected to play.
Sunday’s game between the two teams will be played in San Diego, with a 4:05 p.m. ET scheduled kickoff. Let’s take a look at the fantasy names to consider:
BRONCOS
Start ‘em: After a miserable start to the season, C.J. Anderson has looked much better since the Denver bye. I'm back on board. ... The hate on Demaryius Thomas after a bad Week 12 has gone way too far; both he and Emmanuel Sanders are still must-starts. ... You're still using the Broncos' defense if you have it, but it's no longer elite.
Start ‘em?: Despite Anderson looking better of late, the Broncos say Ronnie Hillman remains the starter. I still think Anderson is the better option, but in a good matchup, Hillman's still a strong flex play, if not more. ... Brandon McManus averaged 12.1 fantasy points a game through his first seven; he's totaled 17 in four games since.
Sit ‘em: From a real-football perspective, Brock Osweiler has been decent since taking over. For fantasy, though, he has 30 fantasy points in two starts. It's not terrible, but it's not special, either. ... Good luck deciding between Owen Daniels and Vernon Davis for a given game.
CHARGERS
Start ‘em: The Denver defense is still scary, but not as much as it was early in the season. Philip Rivers should be fine. ... After a few bad weeks in a row, it was nice to see Antonio Gates put together a big game again in Week 12. He's a low-end TE1. ... Josh Lambo has been strong, with five-plus points in every game since Week 3, averaging 8.8 in that time.
Start ‘em?: If you're using a San Diego receiver, it's Stevie Johnson. He carries easily the most upside of the group.
Sit ‘em: After a strong early season, Danny Woodhead's stock has plummeted. He's a fine flex-to-better in PPR leagues, but in standard, better to just steer clear. ... Melvin Gordon hasn't reached double-digit points in a game all season. ... Neither Malcom Floyd nor Dontrelle Inman is week-to-week consistent enough to crack lineups. ... Now that Gates is more or less healthy, Ladarius Green is safe to keep on all benches, if he's even rostered. ... The Chargers' defense doesn't have much to offer.
SUMMARY
Start in every league: C.J. Anderson, Demaryius Thomas, Emmanuel Sanders, Denver defense, Philip Rivers, Antonio Gates, Josh Lambo
Start if you're desperate: Ronnie Hillman, Brandon McManus, Stevie Johnson
Bench: Brock Osweiler, Owen Daniels, Vernon Davis, Danny Woodhead, Melvin Gordon, Malcom Floyd, Dontrelle Inman, Ladarius Green, San Diego defense
