🖥 CYBER WEEK - TAP TO SAVE 50% WITH CODE CYBER
X
Lost password?

Don't have an account?
Gain Access Now

X

Receive free daily analysis

NFL
NBA
NHL
NASCAR
CFB
MLB
MMA
PGA
ESPORTS
BETTING

Already have an account? Log In

X

Forgot Password


POPULAR FANTASY TOOLS

Expert Advice
Import Your Leagues
Weekly Rankings
Compare Any Players
Projections
Articles & Tools
Weekly Planner
24x7 News and Alerts

Fantasy Football Pop Quiz - Week 13, NFL 2017

When it comes to personal questions, there are really two types that dictate an answer; questions you should always know the answer to, and questions you should be able to answer dependent on the date. If, for example, you have children, you should always be able to answer the question "Do you have any children?," especially if it's being asked by a cop. I can't stress enough that shrugging, thinking about it for too long, or replying with sarcasm are really poor indicators of your readiness to be a parent. Other questions that would fall under this category; "Do you have any allergies?," "On a scale of 1-10, how bad is your pain?," and "Have you been drinking tonight sir?" (lot of cops in this scenario, I know).

For questions dependent upon date, these are generally less serious but could be problematic in a whole different kind of way. If you can't remember your significant other's birthday while filling out some paperwork, it might cause a small fight. If you can't remember your significant other's birthday the day after said birthday already happened, you might be sent to live in the backyard forever. Other fun questions in this category; "When is your car bill due?," or "What did you get your kids for Christmas?"

As fantasy football enthusiasts (and if you're reading this in Week 13, you're either still in the running or have truly earned the role of at LEAST "enthusiast") it's also now time to be able to answer a question, as a point of pride, that falls squarely in the latter category-- in how many leagues did you make the playoffs? Let's see if we can boost that number this week with some winning plays. As a note, similar to last week, I'll be highlighting more "boom and bust" options for the people on the fringes of playoffs. This means guys who are third options or flexes in most leagues. Keep starting your studs if you're just cruising to the postseason.

Be sure to check all of our fantasy football rankings for 2025:

 

Running Back Questions

______ will either be on my bench or will RUIN my week.

A: Alex Collins
B: Kenyan Drake
C: Devontae Booker
D: Jamaal Williams

I've heard a lot of analysts mention Kenyan Drake as an interesting flex play this week, and he's ranked similarly to these other guys but there are a lot of factors that make me bullish on that move this week. I don't buy the Broncos defense is suddenly bad against the run, especially due to the fact that the majority of touchdowns it gave up to running plays was against the Eagles in an especially bad week, and the three touchdowns from that one performance are more than either Drake or Damien Williams (now injured) have gotten, combined, all season.

Drake's increased workload is nice if you're really hurting, but the Dolphins don't run it in the red zone, he hasn't shown that he can move mountains with more touches, and I'm worried it's just a "too cute" move in a time where you can't risk that sort of play. In the words of Matt Hardy, "Delete. Delete. Delete."

Against all odds, should you take a look at ___________ now?

A: Javorius Allen
B: Theo Riddick
C: Jonathan Stewart
D: Jamaal Williams

On the other side of the coin, let's talk about Jamaal Williams. The Green Bay Packers back is only averaging about three yards a carry, and his workload may be cut into if Aaron Jones is healthy, but for non-fantasy purposes, I don't see the Packers overworking Jones in his first week back, let alone rushing him back fully. Williams is currently seeing the most week to week work through the last three games compared to the guys on this list that rank higher than him, and may also see a boost from facing a week Tampa Bay defense in a shootout. The real question mark here is not Williams, but Jones and how much he plays.

 

Wide Receiver Questions

Am I really going to roll with ____________ this week? (Yes. Yes I Am)

A: Sterling Shepard
B: Randall Cobb
C: Will Fuller V
D: Travis Benjamin

Man, this is when the league starts getting deep. In my effort to highlight guys really far below the normal "lex line, I'm reminded how grim receiver can be in certain spots, and if you're a league with 16 teams or two flex positions, this is likely a choice you are considering. And despite the upside of Shepard, Geno Smith's ability aside, I think you have to play Randall Cobb from this group. Cobb's not seeing anything exciting in terms of numbers, but he hasn't exactly been affected by Aaron Rodgers's absence much either (shoutout to those poor, poor Jordy Nelson owners.) I think if you're starting a guy like Cobb, you will take your standard output of 3-5 catches for about fifty yards, add in some upside facing a Tampa Bay pass defense made of jelly, and simply hope he falls in for a touchdown.

POP QUIZ: What do I do about Josh Gordon?

This has been the question for us fantasy nerds this week. Matt Terrelle already gave this a nice succinct answer that I largely agree with, but as it always is with fantasy football, the question is less "Is Josh Gordon a decent start?" and more of "Is it a good idea for me, specifically, to start Josh Gordon?"

Let's rule out the people this doesn't apply for. If you're 11-1 or 1-11 and you don't need to win any more games to change your outcome, do whatever you want to. If you're within playoff reach but need to keep winning, I imagine a player like Robby Anderson, JuJu Smith-Schuster, or DeSean Jackson is already your flex guy and it wouldn't make sense to play Gordon.

Really this move makes sense for one very specific group--the player who is on the fringe of making the playoffs, and is down a receiver (Crabtree, Landry, or Woods are good examples). If you're left choosing between Gordon and some of the guys I named above who are in the range of low-end WR3 and WR4, I don't hate the Gordon play. Coach Hue Jackson has been almost overly sharing how much work Gordon is going to get, and he's apparently in great shape. If you're really looking for a dart throw due to injury or bad luck, I'm totally OK going with Josh Gordon in that last spot.

 

Tight End Question

In Week 13, I will stop blowing my horn for ASJ and start blowing my horn for _________

A: Jack Doyle
B: Jared Cook
C: Hunter Henry
D: Austin Hooper

There's really two different strategies to go with here; do you hope Jack Doyle's targets continue to be consistent, or do you think "Play Your TE vs the Browns" is still the golden rule and lean Henry? Well, friends, 2017 has taught us to simply worship the targets that you've been given, and so I've got to lean Jack Doyle here. I don't know if Cleveland has gotten better against tight ends, but since their bye they have certainly been giving up less receptions to the position. Doyle was only ok the last time he faced the Jaguars, but Jacoby Brissett is leaning on him more. Compared to other positions, I can't exactly advocate for a "boom" play that doesn't exist, so start Doyle if you've got him. And if you don't, maybe consider Julius Thomas as a fill-in against a Denver defense that is very leaky against tight ends.

 

More Week 13 Lineup Prep




POPULAR FANTASY TOOLS

Expert Advice
Import Your Leagues
Weekly Rankings
Compare Any Players
Projections
Articles & Tools
Weekly Planner
24x7 News and Alerts

REAL-TIME FANTASY NEWS

Kevin Huerter

Sidelined One Week
Daniel Gafford

Aggravates Right-Ankle Injury on Wednesday
Collin Sexton

Injured in Loss to Knicks
Giannis Antetokounmpo

Suffers Calf Injury on Wednesday Night
Kyren Williams

Expected to Play in Week 14
Davante Adams

Expected to Play Despite Missing Wednesday's Practice
Kyle Tucker

Visits With Blue Jays
Woody Marks

Texans Say Woody Marks Will be Fine
Rasmus Ristolainen

to Miss at Least One More Week
Drew Doughty

Logs Full Practice Wednesday
Emilio Pagán

Reds Bring Back Closer Emilio Pagan on Two-Year Deal
Jeff Skinner

Remains Sidelined Wednesday
Petr Mrazek

Out 2-3 Weeks
Pelle Larsson

Set to Suit Up Versus Dallas
Tyler Seguin

Likely Done for the Season
P.J. Washington

Ruled Out Against Miami
Neal Pionk

Returns to Jets Lineup
Jalen Smith

to Miss Third Straight Game
Duncan Robinson

Sidelined Again Wednesday
J.J. McCarthy

Practices in Full, on Track to Return in Week 14
Daniel Gafford

Set To Play Against Heat
Tre Jones

Ruled Out for Wednesday's Game
LaMelo Ball

Good to Go on Wednesday
Cedric Mullins

Rays Agree on One-Year Deal
Steven Adams

Cleared To Play Against Kings
Deni Avdija

is Available to Play on Wednesday
Kevin Porter Jr.

Available on Wednesday
Bobby Portis

Available to Play on Wednesday
Lonzo Ball

Upgraded To Available Against Portland
Giannis Antetokounmpo

Cleared for Wednesday's Game
Jamal Murray

Cleared To Play Against Indiana
Nikola Jokić

Nikola Jokic Available on Wednesday Night
Luka Dončić

Luka Doncic Ruled Out on Thursday Due to a Personal Matter
Norman Powell

Sidelined Versus Mavericks
Mark Andrews

Agrees to Three-Year Extension With Ravens
Freddy Peralta

Brewers Considering Trading Freddy Peralta
Kyle Schwarber

Reds Serious About Adding Kyle Schwarber in Free Agency?
Amon-Ra St. Brown

Officially Questionable for Thursday Night
Omarion Hampton

"on Track and Looking Good" for Week 14
CFB

Brent Key Signing Five-Year Deal to Remain at Georgia Tech
Joey Bosa

Week-to-Week With Hamstring Injury
Bryce Young

Panthers Expected to Pick Up Bryce Young's Fifth-Year Option
Deshaun Watson

Browns Opening Practice Window for Deshaun Watson
CFB

Brian Hartline Expected to Land USF Head-Coaching Job
CFB

Collin Klein Expected to be Top Target for Kansas State if Head-Coach Job Opens
CFB

Chris Klieman Considering Stepping Down at Kansas State
Aaron Rodgers

Appears to be Healthier Heading into Week 14
Jalen McMillan

Expected to Have his 21-day Practice Window Opened
Mike Evans

' Practice Window Opened, Returning to Practice on Wednesday
Alexander Wennberg

a Game-Time Call Wednesday
Michael Callahan

Sustains Lower-Body Injury Tuesday
Michael Rasmussen

Makes Early Exit Tuesday
Scott Wedgewood

Exits Early With Back Problem
Evander Kane

Expected to Be Fine After Skate Cut
Tyler Seguin

Injured Versus Rangers
Sean Monahan

Expected to Play Thursday
Nathan Walker

Out for Eight Weeks
Lian Bichsel

to Sit Out 6-8 Weeks
Viktor Arvidsson

Activated From Injured Reserve
Warren Foegele

Remains Out Tuesday
Valeri Nichushkin

Available After Eight-Game Absence
Gabriel Landeskog

Nathan MacKinnon, Gabriel Landeskog Cleared for Tuesday
Tyson Foerster

to Miss 2-3 Months
CFB

D.J. Durkin Staying at Auburn Under Alex Golesh
CFB

Charlie Weis Jr. Permitted to Coach Ole Miss Offense in College Football Playoff
Tyrone Tracy Jr.

Says he's Fine After Suffering Hip Contusion
Omarion Hampton

Likely to Return in Week 14
CFB

Five-Star Quarterback Jared Curtis Flips Commitment From Georgia to Vanderbilt
CFB

Florida Hiring Brad White as Defensive Coordinator
Kyle Schwarber

Giants Have Checked in on Kyle Schwarber
Willson Contreras

Willing to Waive his Full No-Trade Clause?
Brandon Aiyuk

49ers "Hopeful" Brandon Aiyuk Will Play in 2025
Brayden Point

Without Timetable for Return
Tyrone Tracy Jr.

Carted Off With Hip Injury on Monday Night
Edwin Díaz

Mets Still Interested in Re-Signing Edwin Diaz
Devin Williams

Agrees to Three-Year Deal With Mets
Cole Ragans

Red Sox Targeting Cole Ragans in a Trade?
CFB

Kentucky Hires Oregon Offensive Coordinator Will Stein As Head Coach
Davante Adams

Not Dealing With a Serious Injury
Kyler Murray

Surgery Not on the Table for Kyler Murray
Marvin Harrison Jr.

in Danger of Missing Week 14?
CFB

Kalani Sitake the Top Target for Penn State Coaching Job
Justin Herbert

Having Hand Surgery on Monday
CFB

Josh Heupel Says He's Not a Candidate for Penn State Head Coach Job
CFB

Will Stein, Brian Hartline the Top Candidates for Kentucky Job?
CFB

Nebraska Fires Defensive Coordinator John Butler After One Season
CFB

UCLA Expected to Hire Bob Chesney as Next Head Coach
CFB

Lane Kiffin to Make $13 Million Salary, Ties Kirby Smart
CFB

Buster Faulkner, Joey Halzle Candidates for Florida Offensive Coordinator Job?
CFB

Kentucky Officially Fires Mark Stoops
CFB

Lane Kiffin to be Introduced as LSU's Next Head Coach on Monday
CFB

Florida Poised to Land Jon Sumrall as Next Head Coach
CFB

Alex Golesh Taking Over Auburn Head-Coaching Job
CFB

Arkansas Expected to Hire Ryan Silverfield as Next Head Coach
Zack Wheeler

Likely to Return in May
Ryan Helsley

Agrees to Two-Year Deal With Orioles

RANKINGS

QB
RB
WR
TE
K
DEF
RANKINGS
C
1B
2B
3B
SS
OF
SP
RP