START ‘EM SIT ‘EM – WEEK 13

What is going on, Rush Nation? We’re only 2 weeks removed from the Fantasy Football playoffs now. It’s crunch time. So, let’s get it with this weeks start ‘em sit ‘em!

QUARTERBACK

START: Trevor Lawrence, Jaguars @ Lions

After an impressive fourth quarter vs the Ravens in week 12, that ended in victory. Trev is coming in hot. He’s rallied his way to QB11 on the year overall. Next up, a team that leaks points to all skill positions, the Detroit Lions. Detroit are way out ahead in Fantasy PPG allowed, by over three points actually(24.6). Detroit also allow the seventh most passing yards as well as the most rushing attempts and rushing yards from Quarterbacks. Lawrence can also get it done on the ground punching in three rushing scores on the year so far. 

START: Derek Carr, Raiders vs. Chargers

This may come as a surprise. It’s about time the Las Vegas signal caller started getting it done with his flashy new toy. Back to back QB1 performances from Derek Carr put’s him among the Quarterbacks i’m comfortable starting this week. The Chargers are very middle of the road against the position but have allowed the seventh most passing Touchdowns. Justin Herbert has got his offense ticking but so has Derek Carr. Both defenses are leaking points weekly and Herbert has his main guy, Keenan Allen back in the end zone last week. The third highest over/under amongst this weekends games, I’m expecting a shootout! 

SIT: Lamar Jackson, Ravens vs. Broncos

Is there 12 Quarterbacks I’m comfortable starting over Lamar Jackson this week? No. Is there a whole host of guys with better match-ups that could be on your roster? Yes. This isn’t so much on Lamar but a couple of other things. The obvious one. Denver’s defense is no joke. They’re the second best against Quarterbacks only allowing 12.2 PPG. Similarly very good against wideouts, of which Lamar has none. Denver also don’t give Tight Ends much slack. Only allowing three scores all season. Could Lamar get it done on the ground? Yes. But, don’t risk it if you have a better option. 

SIT: Aaron Rodgers, Packers @ Bears

Rodgers left last weeks game early due to an injury to his ribs plus he’s got the broken thumb, that he’s been playing with for a while now. Surprisingly, Jordan Love came in and done a stellar job. AR12 is also only the QB14 on the year overall. He’s thrown nine interceptions already this season only two less then his season high picks, way back in 2010. Chicago don’t exactly have an amazing defense but do struggle more against mobile Quarterbacks. 39 year old Rodgers, is not that. 

RUNNING BACK

START: David Montgomery, Bears vs. Packers

Way back in week two, Monty put up 136 scrimmage yards on 17 touches. The last two games he’s had no company in the chicago backfield. Khalil Herbert is on IR so won’t be around to take some of the work. In those two weeks, Montgomery has had a very respectable 4.7 YPC. 2.3 before contact and 2.4 after contact. He’s also broke six tackles and accumulated eight targets. To add to all these favourable numbers, Green Bay allow the seventh most PPG to Running backs(23.8).

START: Dameon Pierce, Texans vs. Browns

Pierce has scored 8.3 points over his last two outings. Awful. Only 16 rushing yards on 15 carries, both weeks combined. The only saving grace(s), He’s had nine targets over the two games and he’s not seen a reduced amount of snaps. Simply, the Texans haven’t been running the ball. This is the bounceback week. Cleveland allow the second most PPG to Running Backs. Pierce could easily top 100+ scrimmage yards with the targets he’s been getting out of the backfield the last two weeks, adding to his usual efficient self.

SIT: Jeff Wilson Jr, Dolphins @ 49ers

From a start last week to a sit this week. This is a tough, tough road game for the Dolphins. It is however, not going to be a revenge game for Jeff, Raheem and Mike. Wilson has a clean bill of health after leaving last week’s peachy match-up with the Texans early. Seem’s like that may have been precautionary as a lot of starters left in the 3rd and 4th quarter. The 49ers allow the least PPG to Running Backs and Tua isn’t adverse to slinging the rock, which he’s gonna have to do a tonne to win this game. 

SIT: Miles Sanders, Eagles vs. Titans

Coming off the back of a monster ground game all around for the Eagles offense. Sanders had 160 scrimmage yards against Green Bay. But, this is the Titans. Unless you catch passes, this isn’t a fun defense to play against. Tennessee allow the third least rushing yards on the year and have only conceded 2 rushing touchdowns in 11 games. They’re also holding Running Backs under four yards per carry. Sanders is a RB3 this week without any pass catching upside.

WIDE RECEIVER

START: George Pickens, Steelers @ Falcons

Pickens led the Steelers in receiving in a very quiet game last week. He’s scored double figure Fantasy points in all but two games since week four. And, is now only two points behind team mate Diontae Johnson on the season. The latter is struggling with a Rookie signal caller in Kenny Pickett. Since coming off the bye Pickens has led the Steelers in receiving yards(172), YPRR(1.65) and air yards(264). He also has a whopping ADOT of 15.5 over that same stretch of games. Pickens is the hot hand, taking on an ATL defense that allow the fourth most PPG to Wide Receivers(32.4).

START: Chris Olave, Saints @ Buccaneers

Bit of a Rookie feel to the Wide Receiver starts this week. Big Play Olave is doing just that. He leads the league with 25 deep targets and 12th amongst wideouts in redzone targets(courtesy of Derek Brown – FantasyPros). He’s also second in the league in air yards(1426). Olave is the only pass catcher worth rostering from the Saints. Olave commands a 26.1% target share and receives a target on nearly 30% of routes he runs. The Bucs are a stout run defense meaning Olaves volume he will receive(like last time, 13 targets/361 air yards) makes this a plus match-up. 

SIT: Courtland Sutton, Broncos @ Ravens

If you’re looking for a WR3 floor play, Sutton could be your guy. Problem is, he has no ceiling in this Denver offense. Which is simply put, shambolic. Courtland Sutton has only 1 touchdown on the season. He’s also been dealing with an illness this week. Hackett’s lack of experience is coming to the forefront way too often and mega money signing Russell Wilson couldn’t cook a salad. In terms of volume, he’s had at least 7 targets in all but 2 games this season. Baltimore’s defense has improved the past few games and Sutton could easily be phased out of this match-up. 

SIT: Treylon Burks, Titans @ Eagles

Tough road game for the Rookie. He’s been good the last two weeks averaging over 90 receiving yards and getting a 23% target share on the team. The Eagles however, have been a shutdown secondary this season. Limiting Amon’ra St. Brown to 64 yards, Justin Jefferson to 48 yards and Diontae Johnson to 35 yards. These were all on over nine targets. The Eagles defense allow the least points to Fantasy Quarterbacks and are top 10 to Wide Receivers(25.1 PPG). The Titans could however find success in the run game. Quiet week for Treylon Burks.

TIGHT END

START: George Kittle, 49ers vs. Dolphins

Coming off a week where he was kept in check, this is a bounceback game. The Dolphins allow the third most PPG to Tight Ends and the number of points allowed has been steadily creeping up on the top two each week. Since week eight Miami have allowed four receiving Touchdowns(2nd most), 250 receiving yards(6th most) and 71.9 Fantasy points(4th most) to the position. If you’ve got Kittle you was probably starting him anyway but TE1 overall is not out of the range of outcomes for the people’s Tight End this week. 

START: Hayden Hurst, Bengals vs Chiefs

The return of Ja’Marr Chase might put you off Hayden Hurst this week. Don’t let it. Hurst’s target share(14.9%) has remained a constant in the bengals offense, with or without Joey B’s main target. He ranks 14th in red zone targets with seven and is the PPR TE8 on the year. The Chiefs allow eight PPG to TE’s and in a game which has all the potential to be a shootout, with two of the leagues best Quarterbacks. Hurst has a solid floor and Touchdown upside this week. 

SIT: Tyler Higbee, Rams vs. Seahawks

The Seahawks have been flip-flopping between first and second with the Cardinals all year for Fantasy points allowed to Tight Ends. They’re currently top allowing a whopping 16 PPG. So, the case to start Higbee with Kupp and ARob on IR is understandable. He played 59% of the snaps last week with Rookie Quarterback, Bryce perkins in for Stafford. Higbee did not receive a single target. With Stafford likely out this week, do not trust any Rams pass catcher. 

SIT: Greg Dulcich, Broncos @ Ravens

Another Denver pass catcher on the sit ‘em list. Greg Dulcich’s explosion on to the scene his first few games has been short lived. He still has just under a 15% target share but hasn’t had over 40 yards since week 8. The Broncos offense with Russ at the helm, we was all so excited about, has been a car crash to say the least. The Ravens are middle of the road for points allowed to Tight Ends but you’re banking on a touchdown for Dulcich to be a solid start this week.

If you have any personal start ’em sit ’em dilemmas, don’t hesitate to hit me up on Twitter(@LVenes1) and I’ll be happy to help.