Starts and Sits: Week 13

By Joe Goodwin

In an effort to expedite this process for everyone, I will target a receiver, running back, tight end, and QB to start or sit from each team.

Sunday Early Afternoon

Cleveland at Houston

Start: Nick Chubb, Amari Cooper, Deshaun Watson, Dameon Pierce

Sit: David Njoku, Brandin Cooks, Kyle Allen

The Texans have looked very much like a team that wants the first overall pick in next year’s draft.  Although fantasy owners are growing a little impatient with Dameon Pierce, he’s still a start in this game.  For the Browns, they are a full go in this game.  The Texans give up points to every offense they play.

Denver at Baltimore

Start: Latavius Murray, Lamar Jackson, Mark Andrews

Sit: Russell Wilson, Cortland Sutton, Greg Dulchich, Kenyan Drake

This game appears to be a low scoring affair.  I don’t see the Broncos passing attack doing much against the Ravens since all three top receivers are trending to a DNP.  I like Latavius Murray as a volume player.  Lamar Jackson and Marc Andrews are elite players and should always be started.

Green Bay at Chicago

Start: Aaron Jones, Justin Fields, David Montgomery

Sit: Aaron Rodgers, Allen Lazard, Cole Kmet, Darnell Mooney

Aaron Rodgers has not looked great with his thumb injury and also left last week’s game against the Eagles after a hard hit.  If Jaquan Brisker doesn’t play in this game, I ride Christian Watson breaking off another big play.  The Packers will lean on the run game; especially Aaron Jones.  Justin Fields returns to the field for the Bears and will look to get back to what he does best: run.  The Bears will use Montgomery and Fields to wear down the Packers.

Jacksonville at Detroit

Start: Trevor Lawrence, Christian Kirk, Jamal Williams, Amon-Ra St. Brown, Jared Goff

Sit: Travis Etienne

I love how this game sets up for the Lions.  That “GRIT” that coach Dan Campbell preached in this summer’s “Hard Knocks” has finally showed up.  The Lions are playing hard and with passion.  I am a full start on the Lions this week.  I also love the Jaguars against this Lions defense that has been inconsistent.  Trevor Lawrence looked like he had the breakthrough every quarterback needs to solidify their ability to be a starting quarterback in the NFL.  Doug Pederson is hoping that’s the case too.

NY Jets at Minnesota

Start: Dalvin Cook, Justin Jefferson, Mike White, James Robinson

Sit: Kirk Cousins, Garrett Wilson

The Jets have been a solid defense all season.  I believe they will “slow down” the Vikings offense, but not completely stop it.  The STARS of the Vikings offense will look the part.  Dalvin Cook and Justin Jefferson will be factors in fantasy this week.  With a bunch of injuries, James Robinson appears to be lined up for a bunch of touches in the backfield.  Mike White looked awesome last week.  He may not be that effective this week, but he will be worth a superflex start.

Pittsburgh at Atlanta

Start: George Pickens, Najee Harris, Cordarelle Patterson

Sit: Kenny Pickett, Pat Friermuth, Marcus Mariota, Drake London

I see this game focusing on ball control and running the ball.  Harris and Patterson are both stars.  I don’t see the passing games getting too much going in this game, but George Pickens seems to make highlight catches and I anticipate a game-winning touchdown to secure it.

Tennessee at Philadelphia

Start: Derrick Henry, AJ Brown, DeVonta Smith, Jalen Hurts

Sit: Ryan Tannehill, Robert Woods, Miles Sanders

The Titans always commit to Derrick Henry to win games, and this week is no different.  They will try to run down the Eagles defense similarly to the way the Commanders did.  It will be a close game, the passing game of the Eagles will be too dynamic to contain.  And, just when a defense thinks they have a team under control, Jalen Hurts breaks off a big run and changes the momentum.

Washington at NY Giants

Start: Brian Robinson, Chris Samuel, Saquon Barkley, Daniel Jones

Sit: Taylor Heinicke, Terry McLaurin, Darius Slayton

I see the running games having a lot of success in this game.  Brian Robinson always falls forward and he loves to wear a defense down.  Daniel Jones and Saquon Barkley will run around to soften the Commanders defense.  Those waiting for a big play in this game, may not see one and that’s why those players are a sit for me.

Late Afternoon

Miami at San Francisco

Start: Tua Tagovailoa, Jaylen Waddle, Tyreek Hill, Jimmy Garoppolo, George Kittle, CMC, Deebo Samuel

Sit: Raheem Mostert, Mike Gesicki

Fireworks appear in the night sky for this game.  Both offenses will break off big plays, as each defense will try to limit the run games from the other.  Start all the usual suspects in this game.  

Seattle at the LA Rams

Start: Geno Smith, Kenneth Walker, Tyler Lockett, DK Metcalf, Tyler Higbee

Sit: John Wolford, Cam Akers, Allen Robinson

Nothing has gone right for the LA Rams this year.  I believe the Seahawks are going to score early and often and all the key players are a start.  I just hope the Rams can score a little bit to keep the starters in the game long enough to pile up the stats.  With all the injuries to the Rams, the offense, under Wolford, will struggle mightily this week.  Higbee may accrue a few stats as he becomes the dump off option for Wolford.

Kansas City at Cincinnati

Start: Patrick Mahomes, Travis Kelce, Joe Burrow, Tee Higgins, JuJu Smith-Schuster

Sit: Joe Mixon, Ja’Marr Chase, Isiah Pacheco

It appears the Bengals are getting healthy and could be very dangerous moving forward.  I want to wait on Chase and Mixon to make sure they are ready to contribute.  Burrow will continue to feed Higgins the ball.  The Chiefs will continue to get creative as their offense looks to utilize players in space.  Travis Kelce and Patrick Mahomes are automatic starters as they are both the best at their positions.

LA Chargers at Las Vegas

Start: Justin Herbert, Austin Ekeler, Keenan Allen, Josh Jacobs, Davante Adams

Sit: Derek Carr

I can see another high-scoring game this week in the Chargers v. Raiders game.  Josh Jacobs absolutely exploded last week.  And since the Chargers have had their issues with stopping the run, this should line up for another big week.  The Chargers, like the Bengals, are getting healthier and will be hard to stop.  

Sunday Night

Indianapolis at Dallas

Start: Jonathan Taylor, Dak Prescott, CeeDee Lamb, Ezekiel Elliot, Dalton Schultz

Sit: Matt Ryan, Michael Pittman, Tony Pollard

I am not sure why, but the Cowboys seem focused on giving Elliot the ball; even though Pollard has looked more dynamic.  The passing game has looked very consistent, as Dak looks for CeeDee on most pass plays.  Indianapolis will look to establish Taylor early.  With the front line of the Dallas defense always aggressive, the runs up the middle by Taylor should be available.

Monday Night

New Orleans at Tampa Bay

Start: Alvin Kamara, Raschaad White, Chris Godwin, Tom Brady, Mike Evans

Sit: Andy Dalton, Chris Olave

The Saints offense was shut out last week.  While I don’t see a repeat of that performance, I don’t see the Saints exploding either.  Kamara will get plenty of looks as I only see him being effective for the offense.  Tampa Bay will get it going again after a poor, overall effort by the offense last week.  I don’t know why or how, but Brady to Evans hasn’t looked right lately.  I see that getting fixed this week.  White continues to be the strongest play in the backfield for Tampa Bay.