With Week 13 here, the fantasy football playoffs are on the horizon.
Fantasy football, Week 13: Who to start and sit across the NFL
A look at the biggest decisions facing your fantasy football team with the fantasy playoffs approaching fast.
Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports
With that in mind, here is a look at the biggest start-sit decisions facing your fantasy lineup heading into the final month of the 2017 NFL season.
START
The Titans are closing in on a playoff berth, and Marcus Mariota could help your fantasy team do the same with a great matchup vs. the fading Texans. Houston ranks dead last in fantasy points allowed to quarterbacks this season. Despite an inconsistent season from Mariota, he has scored the 11th-most fantasy points among quarterbacks over the last three weeks. Get him in your starting lineup this week.
Slowly but surely, the Patriots have made Dion Lewis their featured back ... for now, at least. While that could change in an instant, Lewis has at least been the most productive back in recent weeks, getting 227 yards rushing on just 39 carries over the last three weeks. He now gets to face a Bills defense allowing the most fantasy points to running backs over the last five weeks. Start Lewis in Week 13.
One of the biggest surprise receivers in recent weeks has been Davante Adams. It took him a while to get used to Brett Hundley at quarterback, but Adams is becoming a reliable fantasy option heading into the playoffs. He enters Week 13 ranked sixth in fantasy scoring over the last three weeks among receivers. He now faces a Bucs defense allowing the most fantasy points to receivers this season. Start Adams in Week 13.
With so many issues at quarterback in Arizona, Adrian Peterson has become the workhorse in this offense, something he should remain for the rest of the 2017 season. He now gets to face a Rams defense that, while strong overall, is allowing the most fantasy points to running backs this season. Get AP into your starting lineup this Sunday.
One of the biggest breakout stars of 2017 has been Robby Anderson. In a Jets offense expected to be one of the worst in football, Anderson has become a fantasy stud. He enters Week 13 ranked ninth in fantasy scoring among receivers. He now faces a Chiefs defense allowing the second-most fantasy points to receivers this season. Keep Anderson in your starting lineup this week.
SIT
Matt Ryan hasn’t had quite the season fantasy owners envisioned, but he still ranks sixth in fantasy scoring among quarterbacks over the last five weeks. However, Ryan now faces his toughest test of the season in a Vikings defense that routinely shuts down quarterbacks. They enter Week 13 allowing the fourth-fewest fantasy points to quarterbacks this season. Keep Ryan on the bench this week.
Ben Roethlisberger has had an up-and-down 2017 season, though he’s been good enough to be a regular fantasy starter. However, the Bengals’ pass defense ranks fifth in the NFL, and they are also tied for fourth in passing scores allowed this season. They have not allowed an opposing quarterback to throw more than one score in the past four games. That is bad news for Big Ben, who has just six passing scores in his last five road games, so keep him on the bench this week.
Tennessee Titans RB DeMarco Murray vs. Houston Texans
As the regular season has worn on, DeMarco Murray has slowed down quite a bit with just 19 rushing yards over the last two weeks. Things won’t get easier with the Texans coming to town, as they’re allowing the fourth-fewest fantasy points to running backs this season. Bench Murray in Week 13.
Cincinnati Bengals RB Joe Mixon vs. Pittsburgh Steelers
Joe Mixon is coming off his best game of the season, gashing the Browns for 114 yards and a touchdown. But don’t expect Mixon to keep that up when the Steelers come to town on Monday Night Football. Entering Week 13, Pittsburgh is allowing the third-fewest fantasy points to running backs over the last five weeks. Keep Mixon tucked away on your bench this week.
Doug Baldwin has been a fantasy stud for much of 2017, but he’s hit a bit of a cold stretch with just four catches for 65 yards and one score over the last two games. Part of that is due to the emergence of other passing options, like Jimmy Graham and Tyler Lockett. Now, Baldwin will face an Eagles defense allowing the second-fewest fantasy points to receivers over the last five weeks. Stick Baldwin on your bench for Week 13.
