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Kev Mahserejian answers fantasy football start/sit questions for Week 13, giving lineups advice and help from the reader mailbag with his weekly Q&A session.
This article's content may vary week-to-week, but generally, it will be answering questions fielded from either the @RotoBallerNFL twitter account or my personal one (@RotoSurgeon). This week, the focus is on start/sit questions, and there were plenty. Every week, many of us struggle with which quarterback to start, or who to flex, and I am here to help.
The questions selected will combat difficult decisions that might be specific to Week 13 starters. We have seen plenty of early risers and fallers who may not make the cut in our lineup as we stumble through the season. The hype and shine wear off some places and beginning to glisten elsewhere. However, sometimes, it is just best to not rock the boat (particularly if things are going well).
If you need any questions answered in the coming weeks, feel free to follow and ask either account and we will make sure to respond promptly.
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Week 13 Mailbag
Verdict: Melvin Gordon
After back-to-back great performances by Jonathan Williams, it is hard to bench him but when your other option is Melvin Gordon, specifically in PPR, he is the choice. While Williams faces a defense that just gave up over 30 PPR points to Leonard Fournette, Gordon faces the tougher Broncos' defense in Denver. The logic is basically entrenched in their roles. While Williams has performed of late, Jordan Wilkins is getting healthier and could but into his work as the early-down back. Williams is not much of a pass-catcher, although he ha proven capable these past two weeks, yet we know how handy Gordon is with his...hands (boooooo). Gordon is the brand-name, Williams is the shiny new/old toy.
Verdict: Deshaun Watson
Facing the Pats' defense is obviously tough given how well they've performed but Watson is playing at home and is as tough a QB as they've faced all year. Athletic quarterbacks like Watson who also happen to be prolific throwers of the football can overcome even historically great schemes. Although the gameplan will not mirror how Baltimore attacked them a few weeks ago, there will be some similarities to allow Watson the best chance to succeed. With a healthy wide receiver corps at his disposal, Watson should be able to put up a solid fantasy day.
Foles has the best matchup of the three but is playing against heavy winds this Sunday and has yet to really do much this season. Cousins is typically a fade in primetime matchups, particularly those outside of a dome. The narrative of his poor performance in the spotlight was presumably put to rest after his Sunday night showdown against the Cowboys last month, however, in a harsher, colder, Seattle environment, I expect a frustrating outing, especially if Adam Thielen is ruled out beforehand.
Verdict: Eagles D/ST
One defense plays the Dolphins, the other plays the Ravens.
Verdict: Benny Snell Jr.
Scoring format matters a bit here. In general, I prefer Snell because of his assumed workload but do not like him as much in full-PPR given his lack of usage/utility in the pass-game. Hunt would be the best option in PPR but only by a slight margin. He remains on the short-end of a timeshare in Cleveland and has a tough matchup against Pittsburgh's defense.
With Myles Garrett and Larry Ogunjobi still suspended, Pittsburgh has the advantage in the trenches and can wear out the Browns' defense on the ground. Devlin "Duck" Hodges will be under center, and if the game-plan mimics his last start, the Steelers will not be throwing early, or often. Only if the game-script dictates for it will they shift from a run-heavy focus and it was evident after last week that they were not comfortable with using Jaylen Samuels as a lead back on early downs.
Michel is a big fade every week even in a good matchup. His usage is extremely game-script dependent and his lack of passing work is disappointing. Starting him is basically banking on him finding the endzone which, at this point, is as sporadic as anything. Tom Brady is as likely, if not more to rush for a touchdown.
More Start/Sit Advice
