Fantasy Football Quick Hits: What We Learned Week 13

Quick Hits on Week 13
Dorian “The Trashman” Colbert, Rosterwatch.com

Just a few brief thoughts on week 13 in the NFL.

cecil shorts– Homecoming doctrine is realized once again. Cecil Shorts is a Cleveland native. Shorts got over on Joe Haden. Don’t discount the home town games, whatever the match-up.

– The Jags’ defense gets better and better every week it seems. They are worth a spot play in their next couple of games.

– Ace Sanders is the real deal with 8 catches for 67 yards on Sunday. He should at least be owned in the majority of PPR leagues.

– I said it Week 2 on the Sirius show, the best thing you can do for your fantasy team is to get Josh Gordon on it. I never expected to get the kind of performances we’re seeing from him though. He’s fantasy’s number two receiver, even after missing two games.

– I’m still holding out hope for a strong finish for Jordan Cameron. Weeden likes him much more than Josh Campbell did, even though it may not have shown on the stats sheet yesterday.

– In close games, Nate Washington is the go to receiver for Tennessee.

wilsongriffinluck– Something is up with Andrew Luck. He just hasn’t looked the same since Reggie Wayne left, and I’m not sure he’s going to get his mojo back anytime soon. He has Cin, Hou, KC, and a rising Jacksonville defense on the playoff schedule.

– Trent Richardson is useless for the playoffs. Drop him. I hate to say it, but he is a complete fantasy waste.

– Alshon Jeffery is a better fantasy player than Brandon Marshall. His affinity for the end-zone places him ahead in my eyes.

– Jay who? Josh McCown deserves to be the QB for the Bears, regardless of Cutler’s status.

cordarrellepatterson– Cordarrelle Patterson should be owned in all standard leagues, not just return yardage leagues. He’s going to have a big season’s end.

– Brian Hartline isn’t a big-play kind of guy, but he’s quietly having a strong finish to his season. He’s averaged almost 10 points over the last 4 games, and what’s better is that he has a favorable schedule going into the playoffs. Hartline still isn’t owned in over 40% of leagues.

– I think the production we saw out of  the Eagles’ tight ends was largely the product of a particular game plan for the Cardinals. I wouldn’t risk starting either Zach Ertz or Brent Celek next week, unless I absolutely needed to.

– The idea that LeSean McCoy would wear down as the season wore on is unfounded. He’s going to be a solid start from here on out.

– It was comforting to see Bobby Rainey bounce back against a legitimate opponent. I feared that he wasn’t tough enough to produce against a decent defense, but he passed that test nicely. Rainey has a brutal schedule coming up, but I wouldn’t be afraid to start him.

geno smith 2– The Jets QB situation is in shambles. Oakland makes for a strong defensive play next week.

– To be completely honest, Brandon LaFell is the only Panthers wideout I would take with me into the fantasy playoffs.

– The Patriots win was a lot closer than it should have been. They would be wise to bring Stevan Ridley back into the fold next week. I think he’s learned his lesson.

– Julian Edelman is back to stay. I’d start him over any other Patriots receiver during the playoffs.

– Dennis Johnson can be dropped in all but the deepest of leagues. Ben Tate is going to get the lion’s share of carries for Houston. Broken ribs be damned.

– Antone Smith is going to get some run for the Falcons. If I was hurting at running back, he’d be my first waiver add this week.

– E.J. Manuel loves taking shots to Marquise Goodwin. He’s going to hit more often than not.

knowshon moreno– Michael Crabtree looks no worse for the wear, and is primed to help fantasy teams win their leagues.

– So is Knowshon Moreno. I’m actually considering starting both him and Montee Ball on the same roster.

– The Chiefs receiving corps is still a craps shoot, but Dwayne Bowe has actually maintained some consistency over the past few weeks.

– Even in low scoring games Keenan Allen is a target hound. He’s going to be an absolute beast next year.

– Peyton Hillis looked serviceable last night, but that will all go away when Brandon Jacobs gets back. Don’t chase his carries.

– Stick with Pierre Garcon. He had a couple of bad drops yesterday, and the Giants defense is playing with heart these days. Garcon’s best games this season are ahead of him.

7 Comments

  1. Post By The_Based_Gruden

    My team has been struggling since the Chiefs D has been performing at a subpar rate. Last week I took a chance on the Jets D and they went negative. I’ve got a first round bye solidified but what do you think about rolling with the Chiefs for the rest of the season?

  2. Post By The_Based_Gruden

    Also, I have Garrett Hartley as my kicker any suggestions for someone to go with instead for my playoff push? Succop, Gould and Prater are all available.

  3. TBG, I think the Chiefs are a solid play from here on out. To their credit, they’ve had to face the Broncos twice in the last three weeks. They have Was, Oak, and Ind on their plate for the playoffs, so I think you’re good. Prater needs to be owned. I’d like a piece of any of the Broncos offense going into the playoffs.

  4. Should I be afraid for Jordy Nelson going into playoffs? And how do you feel about Spiller v Jackson going forward? Thanks!

  5. I would never be scared for a great receiver on a pretty good team. I would be scared of keeping him in your lineup just because of his pedigree though. If you have a better play due to matchup on your bench, don’t be afraid to play him over nelson. If Rodgers comes back next week, he’s all systems go for sure. I like Spiller for the fact that he has the most big play upside. He only needs a few carries to go huge for you. If Jackson doesn’t score a touchdown, we probably won’t see too much from him, especially in a lost season.

  6. Thank you for the feedback; I’ve been leaning Spiller myself. I think it would be quite the story to have him answer the critics by dominating playoffs. Talking about match-ups, what do you think of benching Jordy in a standard scoring league for these 3:
    Ben Tate v Jaguars, Vereen v Browns, Vjax v Bills, Jordy v Falcons. Start 3

  7. I’d play all three over nelson.

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