Start 'Em, Sit 'Em Week 13: Lineup Advice, Stars to Exploit and Sleeper Options
Some fantasy football managers have already clinched a spot in their league's playoffs. Others aren't as fortunate and will be playing critical matchups in Weeks 13 and 14, the final two weeks of the fantasy regular season, to try to make a push into the postseason.
Even if you have clinched a playoff berth, there could still be first-round byes at stake, depending on the size and format of your league. And of course, all fantasy managers want to win as many matchups as possible, if only for bragging rights.
Bye weeks won't be much of a factor in Week 13, though, as the Arizona Cardinals and Carolina Panthers are the only teams out of action.
As the Week 13 action nears, here's some early start/sit advice for fantasy lineups.
Trevor Lawrence has been putting up some big numbers of late. He even had his best showing of the year in Week 12, when he passed for a season-high 321 yards and three touchdowns in the Jaguars' comeback victory against the Baltimore Ravens.
Now, the 23-year-old quarterback has a great opportunity to keep his momentum going on Sunday. Jacksonville is going on the road to face the Detroit Lions, which are giving up the most fantasy points per game to QBs this season, per NFL.com.
Lawrence is available in a decent percentage of fantasy leagues. So, if you're a fantasy manager whose quarterback has a bad Week 13 matchup or is on a bye (such as Arizona's Kyler Murray), then it could be wise to pick up and start the 2021 No. 1 pick.
The Jags' offense has been faring much better, and they should thrive in this matchup. That makes Lawrence a top starting option among QBs this week.
Jeff Wilson Jr. was traded from the San Francisco 49ers to the Miami Dolphins ahead of the Nov. 1 deadline. On Sunday, he will get an opportunity to face his former team when his new one travels to the Bay Area.
Although the 27-year-old has scored a touchdown in each of his three games since joining Miami, that streak could end in Week 13. He exited the win over the Houston Texans this past week due to an injury but later returned. Still, it's possible he could be a bit banged up.
Even if Wilson is healthy, Miami's rushing attack doesn't have a great matchup this week. San Francisco is allowing an NFL-low 79.5 rushing yards per game and giving up the second-fewest fantasy points per game to opposing RBs this season, per NFL.com.
Some fantasy managers may need to start Wilson out of necessity. But if you have other start-worthy options, it may be best to leave the Dolphins player on the bench this week.
With six receiving touchdowns over the past three weeks, Christian Watson is solidifying himself as an every-week starter for fantasy lineups moving forward.
The 23-year-old has been much more involved in the Packers' offense of late, and he's had more than 100 yards twice over their past three games.
Watson should continue to have success in Week 13 when Green Bay goes on the road to face the Chicago Bears. It's a solid matchup for the Packers' aerial attack, as the opposition secondary is a beatable unit that has plenty of younger players.
It's possible Green Bay could be without quarterback Aaron Rodgers, who exited the Week 12 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles with a rib injury. However, Watson's lone TD grab in that game came after Jordan Love took over, so the two may work well together if that's what is needed this week.
So, no matter who is under center for the Packers, consider Watson a solid starting option. There's a decent chance he'll keep his touchdown frenzy going at least another week.
Over the past two weeks, Treylon Burks has had the best showings of his rookie season. He had seven catches for 111 yards in a Week 11 win over the Green Bay Packers and then recorded four catches for 70 yards in a Week 12 loss to the Cincinnati Bengals.
There's a good chance the 22-year-old will have more solid showings down the stretch and could be in starting consideration for fantasy managers some weeks. That isn't the case this week, though.
The Titans have a road matchup against the NFL-best Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday. And not only are the Eagles a great team, but they also have a strong secondary. They're allowing only 183.6 passing yards per game, the second fewest in the league.
Burks likely won't be able to get open due to an unfavorable matchup with a top Philadelphia cornerback. So, it's best to leave him on the fantasy benches this week.
