Fantasy football advice, Week 13: Who to start/sit for Colts vs. Steelers on Sunday night
Two teams in the thick of the AFC playoff race face off Sunday night.
Both the Indianapolis Colts and the Pittsburgh Steelers are 6-5. The Colts are tied with the Houston Texans atop the AFC South, while the Steelers, Colts, Texans, Kansas City Chiefs and New York Jets are all tied for the AFC's two Wild Card spots. The Colts and Steelers face off Sunday, meaning the winner will be in the driver's seat for the postseason, while the loser will have a lot more work to do.
Indianapolis will once again be without quarterback Andrew Luck for Sunday's game, but should have its full complement of fantasy contributors ready to go otherwise. The Steelers, meanwhile, should have quarterback Ben Roethlisberger ready to go after some concussion worry in the week, and wide receiver Martavis Bryant is expected to play as well. Tight end Heath Miller, though, is considered unlikely to play with a rib problem.
The Steelers host the Colts Sunday, with kickoff scheduled for 8:30 p.m. ET. Here’s a look at the fantasy considerations:
COLTS
Start ‘em: He hasn't been consistent, but if you have T.Y. Hilton, you're using him. ... Adam Vinatieri has been strong of late, averaging almost 13 fantasy points a game in his last four.
Start ‘em?: In four games as the Indianapolis starting quarterback, Matt Hasselbeck has averaged 15.8 fantasy points a game. A competent quarterback with a full stable of weapons has value. ... Frank Gore's numbers have cratered of late; he's more of a flex play than a starting running back. ... Donte Moncrief has been close to Hilton's performance this year and is a fine flex option.
Sit ‘em: The "Andre Johnson works well with Hasselbeck" whispers from Hasselbeck's first stint as starter have really quieted since Johnson has three total points in the last two weeks. ... Coby Fleener is a better fantasy option right now than Dwayne Allen, but ultimately, you should avoid both of them. The Colts' defense has been better in recent weeks, but against the Pittsburgh offense, better to stay away.
STEELERS
Start ‘em: The only reason you'd be avoiding Ben Roethlisberger would have been if his concussion had held him out of Sunday's game; that isn't happening, so he's a must-start. ... DeAngelo Williams managed 16 fantasy points against a strong Seattle defense; against Indianapolis, his ceiling is enormous. ... Antonio Brown was quiet last week, but he's still Antonio Brown, and still an every-week starter. ... Chris Boswell has been strong since joining Pittsburgh.
Start ‘em?: I’m the last holdout, but I don’t love the boom-or-bust potential of Martavis Bryant every week; he’s more of a flex play to me than a must-start.
Sit ‘em: Last week was huge for Markus Wheaton, but don't expect that to be the new normal. ... Heath Miller probably won't play Sunday, and isn't a fantasy asset if he does. Jesse James is likely to fill in, but won't be a fantasy option either. ... The Steelers' defense isn't anything special, and Indianapolis still has a strong offense.
SUMMARY
Start in every league: T.Y. Hilton, Adam Vinatieri, Ben Roethlisberger, DeAngelo Williams, Antonio Brown, Chris Boswell
Start if you're desperate: Matt Hasselbeck, Frank Gore, Donte Moncrief, Martavis Bryant
Bench: Andre Johnson, Coby Fleener, Dwayne Allen, Indianapolis defense, Markus Wheaton, Heath Miller, Jesse James, Pittsburgh defense
