Rejoice! It’s almost the playoffs my friends! Only a few more weeks until glory! This is the Fantasy Fallout going into week 13:

Eagles vs Lions

 

• Behind Jordan Matthews, there isn’t any Eagles player I trust to catch more than a couple balls from week to week — especially with the QB situation so tenuous.

 

• Abdullah is getting the carries, but Bell still vultures goal line snaps, and Riddick is very involved as hurry-up and passing down back. They’re all going to step on each other’s toes until one of them gets hurt.

 

• I’d usually shy away from Stafford going into the playoffs, but he has a cake schedule after St. Louis this week with NO, SF, and Chi on the plate.

 

Panthers vs Cowboys

 

• Devin Funchess is an exciting player, and he could have some impressive games to close out the year, but the Panthers don’t need him, or really any other receiver, to win games. He and Ginn will be players to be wary of relying on during the fantasy playoffs.

 

• It’s back to the drawing board for Cowboys skill players with Romo down for the count. Bryant will still draw heavy targets, but they’ll be off the arm of Matt Cassel, making Dez a WR2 at best during the playoffs. McFadden is the only Cowboy I’m banking on to return value during that time.

 

Bears vs Packers

 

• The good news for Langford owners is that he remained a major cog in the Bears’ offense, eve with Forte back in the mix. This same news is going to make Forte owners lose sleep as it relegates him to flex status. Both can be used confidently, but neither is going to carry you through the playoffs.

 

• Lacy is starting his late season charge — looks like those extra lbs are coming in handy during the winter months. I’m playing him over Starks if I have the choice.

 

• I have no idea what is going on with the rest of the Packers offense. Fortunately, they face the Lions next week. They’re a tough squad, but Rodgers had 61 attempts against them a couple weeks ago, and you have to like that for and Packers pass catcher.

 

Vikings vs Falcons

 

• Like I said a while ago, the Minn passing game is a luxury as long as AP is running roughshod over defenses. Fortunately for Diggs and Wallace owners, the Vikings face Seattle and Arizona over the next couple of weeks. Yes, they are tough on the pass too, but at least there’s hope for more than a handful of targets in those matchups.

 

• Tevin Coleman had a nice one in a losing effort, but he looks to be back in relief duties for week 13, as Freeman is likely to return.

 

• Matt Ryan has been doing his best Romo impression, keeping his team in the game until making a costly decision at the worst possible time. He’ll be a borderline QB1 through the playoffs, but things are going to get really dicey for Julio owners during the first week of the playoffs when he faces Josh Norman.

 

• Jacob Tamme could be a very nice streaming option in week 14 if Hankerson remains sidelined, with Jones matched against Norman.

 

Bills vs Chiefs

 

• Things don’t look good for Karlos Williams this week, as his arm was seen in a sling on Monday. This is probably not terrible news for his owners as they were probably anxious about using him during the most important part of the season anyway. McCoy is going to feast without the disturbance.

 

• Charcandrick West has a hamstring injury, which can linger longer than most. Spencer Ware could be in for another heavy workload in week 13, which I cannot say for Knile Davis. He’s droppable in all formats.

 

Rams vs Bengals

 

• Foles is back under center, and the Rams are still losing. I’m not touching any St. Louis player except Gurley from here on out. Even Gurley is scary with the brutal slate of matchups he has ahead.

 

• Sure A.J., wait until your worst matchup in weeks to go big. He’s been underwhelming all season, but you have to keep Green plugged in for the playoffs with his considerable upside.

 

• Hill should be fine for week 13, even with his ankle injury. He’s getting regular carries, and he faces the Browns this week. He’s worth the gamble.

 

Dolphins vs Jets

 

• The Dolphins didn’t even try to run against the Jets, which makes me worried about their matchup with the Ravens this week. Landry will be in for another high volume week, as will DeVante Parker who is now starting due to the loss of Rishard Matthews. I’d add Parker in all formats.

 

• Fitzpatrick and co. should have another productive outing in week 13 against the Giants. I’m not afraid of starting him over better QBs with questionable matchups.

 

Giants vs Redskins

 

• The Giants running game is anemic as ever, and it’s not going to get any better in week 13 against the Jets. Don’t bother with putting any of them in your lineups.

 

• Will Tye? Dwayne Harris and Rueben Randle had been doing well in recent weeks, but neither is reliable from week to week. Tye could make another start at TE this week, but he’s a TE2.

 

• Alfred Morris is outsnapping Matt Jones, and Jones has no one to blame but himself. He has to stop fumbling. Morris has sweet matchups for the next several weeks, and should be flexed where possible.

 

Chargers vs Jaguars

 

• What can I say about Danny Woodhead? The Chargers are intent on getting Gordon involved, and that hurts Woodhead’s carries. He’s still getting considerable targets though, so he’s worth flexing. He’s not the RB2 he was earlier this season though.

 

• The loss of Hurns to a concussion was a boon for Julius Thomas and his owners. Thomas has scored in two straight games and should remain a hot streamer during the playoffs.

 

Saints vs Texans

 

• The Saints offense lives and dies by Brees’ efforts, and he’s more than likely going to have a rough time against the Panthers in week 13. I’m not bullish on any of their skill players this week.

 

• In what should have been a big day for Houston offensively, the Texans were stymied on that stat sheet. Maybe the Saints defense was bolstered by the loss of Rob Ryan and his flowing locks, but it doesn’t bode well for the Texans against the Bills in week 13.

 

Cardinals vs 49ers

 

• With Chris Johnson and Andre Ellington banged up, this is the perfect opportunity for David Johnson to finally take the reigns in the Cardinals’ backfield. Arians has been wary of giving Johnson the bulk of carries, but he’s stated that he’s confident in handing him the keys this week. Johnson is a top waiver add this week.

 

• I hate to admit it but Blaine Gabbert looks like a decent fit for the 49ers and their milquetoast offense. Their skill players are all middling options for the playoffs.

 

Raiders vs Titans

 

• This week’s game showed why Cooper is ultimately the best receiver to own in Oakland. Even on a day when Seth Roberts went bonkers, he still made his nut. Crabtree was saved by a TD, but he didn’t maintain his target hog status.

 

• Murray is getting tons of volume, but he’s not doing much with it. He’s as good as his blocking on any given Sunday.

 

• Delanie Walker is the only startable Titan in any format for the playoffs. Mariota is in the conversation, but there are too many other options at QB.

 

Buccaneers vs Colts

 

• Jackson’s return has brought Evans back to earth. Both are WR2s with upside.

 

• Hasselbeck might actually be an improvement over Luck these days. This comes as a major relief for Moncrief and Hilton owners, who can start them with confidence during the playoffs.

 

• Gore is hurting, and though he’s still on his feet, you need to have Herron rostered and waiting.

 

Steelers vs Seahawks

 

• The matchup in week 12 favored Wheaton over the other Steelers WRs as the slot guy. He is most likely going to return to an insignificant role in week 13.

 

• Rawls looks like the future in Seattle. He’s got power and wiggle and seems to be impervious to difficult matchups.

 

• Jimmy Graham is lost for the season. Don’t expect much from Luke Wilson in his stead. It’s more likely that the Seahawks will find a way to keep Lockett more involved in the seam.

 

Patriots vs Broncos

 

• Osweiler just laid his claim to the Broncos’ QB position. Manning may have played his last snap as a Bronco — maybe as an NFL QB. Osweiler is worth streaming in plus matchups during the playoffs.

 

• Both C.J. Anderson and Ronnie Hillman can find a way to be productive against the Chargers in week 13. You can start them both and feel good about it. I can’t say the same in weeks 15 and 16 against Pittsburgh and Cincinnati. I think Hillman matches up better those games.

 

• The loss of Gronk leaves a gaping hole in the Patriots offense that can only be filled by Gronk. Scott Chandler is a must add, but it’s not clear behind him. Bolden is worth a speculative add though.

 

• The Patriots shut down your best weapon, and this was Thomas for the Broncos. He should be fine for week 13.

 

Ravens vs Browns

 

• Schaub actually held his own against the Browns. The problem is that was against the Browns, and he’s no guarantee to produce next week. I do think Aiken is worth starting though, as he should remain a target hog.

 

• Buck Allen was exciting to watch and should remain a RB3 in week 13. Look out for Terrance West though. He ran hard and fast, and he likely earned himself more playing time going forward in a lost season.

 

• Crowell was ineffective in what action he did get against the ravens, but then Duke Johnson didn’t do much either. Maybe it was the matchup, but I’m not bothering with Crowell in the playoffs.

 

• Austin Davis was effective in relief of Josh McCown, who is out for the season. It’s still unclear whether he will start in week 13 though, which may not even matter against the Bengals. All Browns skill players are major gambles in week 13.