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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.

Editor's Note: The FFPC Baby Gorilla Tournament is now open, featuring a $100,000 grand prize and a $675,450 total prize pool! This 12-team, Tight End Premium contest uses a 20-round draft format, with the overall winners determined by total points scored during Weeks 15–17. Get $25 to use toward your first entry by signing up through our link. Grab your team now! Sign Up Now!

 

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




REAL-TIME FANTASY NEWS

Taysom Hill

Saints Haven't Offered a Contract to Taysom Hill
Kayshon Boutte

Working Out Away From the Team
Lamar Jackson

Expected to Return to OTAs Soon
Dalton Kincaid

Taking Part in OTAs This Week
Josh Allen

"Good to Go" for Offseason Workouts
Yandy Díaz

Yandy Diaz Exits Early on Tuesday After Being Hit By Pitch
Rashee Rice

to Miss Two Months After Clean-Up Surgery on his Knee
Dean Wade

Returns to Starting Unit Tuesday
OG Anunoby

Starting on Tuesday
Tobias Harris

May Remain in Motown
Jalen Duren

Pistons Eager to Keep Jalen Duren
Chris Kirk

Continues Search For Putting Form at TPC Craig Ranch
Dallas Mavericks

Jason Kidd Fired as Mavericks Head Coach
De'Aaron Fox

Officially Listed as Questionable for Game 2 Against Thunder
Rasmus Hojgaard

Looking to Shake Off Poor Major Showing at TPC Craig Ranch
Joel Dahmen

is of No DFS Consideration This Week in Dallas
Pierceson Coody

is Not The Fun DFS Play He Used to Be
Tank Bigsby

Is Tank Bigsby a Worthy Dynasty Stash Entering 2026?
Hunter Henry

Profiles as a Dynasty Sell-High Candidate Entering 2026
Gerrit Cole

to Make Season Debut on Friday Against Rays
Matthew Golden

Can Matthew Golden Re-Establish His Dynasty Value in 2026?
Jalen Coker

a Prime Buy-Low Dynasty Target
Dak Prescott

Remains a High-Floor Dynasty Quarterback
CeeDee Lamb

Is CeeDee Lamb's Dynasty Value Poised to Rise in 2026?
Keon Coleman

Joe Brady Likes What he's Seen From Keon Coleman
Deshaun Watson

Hitting it Off With Todd Monken?
Jacoby Brissett

Not Present for First OTA Practice
Tua Tagovailoa

Michael Penix Jr. Splitting First-Team Reps at OTAs
Rashee Rice

Tests Positive for Marijuana, Violating his Probation
Cam Skattebo

Says he'll be Ready for Week 1
De'Von Achane

Present for Start of OTAs This Week
Malik Washington

an Affordable Trade Target in Dynasty Leagues
Patrick Mahomes

Is Patrick Mahomes Still a Top-Five Dynasty Quarterback?
Drake Baldwin

Braves Place Drake Baldwin on Injured List With Oblique Strain
CFB

Ezavier Crowell has Immediate Opportunity at Alabama
CFB

Mark Bowman a Day 1 Impact Player for USC?
CFB

Bill Belichick Says Relationship with First North Carolina Team "Wasn't Great"
Alex Caruso

Erupts for 31 Points in Game 1 Loss to Spurs
CFB

Kemario Taylor a Breakout Candidate at Quarterback
Jalen Williams

Productive in Comeback Game
CFB

Trinidad Chambliss the Undisputed Top SEC Quarterback Entering 2026?
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander

Records First Double-Double of Postseason
CFB

Rocco Becht The "Unifier" of Penn State's Roster
Stephon Castle

Opens Conference Finals With Double-Double
Dylan Harper

Makes Outstanding Two-Way Impact in Game 1 Win
Victor Wembanyama

Dominates Game 1 Against Thunder
Mattias Samuelsson

Picks Up an Assist in Season-Ending Loss
Rasmus Dahlin

Nets Fourth Postseason Goal
Jakub Dobes

Records 37 Saves in Game 7 Win
Lane Hutson

Contributes Power-Play Assist in Game 7 Victory
Nick Suzuki

Extends Road Point Streak
Alex Newhook

Scores Series-Clincher in Overtime
Jackson Holliday

Orioles Reinstate Jackson Holliday From Injured List on Monday
Ronald Acuña Jr.

Braves Reinstate Ronald Acuna Jr. From Injured List on Monday
Jose Altuve

Astros Put Jose Altuve on Injured List With Oblique Strain
Larry Nance Jr.

is Questionable for Game 1 on Tuesday
OG Anunoby

is Probable for Tuesday's Game 1
Luke Kornet

is Cleared for Game 1
New Orleans Pelicans

Jamahl Mosley Agrees to Become Pelicans Next Head Coach
De'Aaron Fox

is Ruled Out for Game 1 on Monday
Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen

Set to Start Game 7
Corey Seager

Going on Injured List With Back Injury
Tage Thompson

Can Match Franchise Record With Another Multi-Point Game
Nick Suzuki

Seeks More Road Success Monday
Lane Hutson

Riding a Five-Game Assist Streak Into Game 7
Filip Gustavsson

Needs Offseason Surgery
Jeremy Peña

Jeremy Pena Reinstated and Starting on Monday Against Twins
Melquizael Costa

Drops Decision At UFC Vegas 117
Arnold Allen

Bounces Back
Daniel Santos

Suffers Second-Round TKO Loss
MMA

Dohoo Choi Wins His Third Consecutive Fight
Malcolm Wellmaker

Suffers His Second Loss In A Row
Juan Diaz

Scores Second-Round Submission
Christian Edwards

Defeated At UFC Vegas 117
CFB

Transfer Running Back Arnold Barnes Visiting Iowa State on Monday
Modestas Bukauskas

Gets Split-Decision Win
Jhostynxon Garcia

Expected to Join the Pirates on Tuesday
Tobias Harris

Goes Cold in Game 7 Loss
Quinn Hughes

Open to Signing Extension This Offseason
Jalen Duren

Finishes Game 7 with Quiet Line
Cade Cunningham

Endures Cold Shooting Night Sunday
Joel Eriksson Ek

Misses Second Round Due to Heel Injury
Sam Merrill

Catches Fire in Game 7 Win
Jonas Brodin

Sits Out Round 2 Due to Toe Injury
Sam Malinski

Practices Fully Sunday
Josh Manson

Rejoins Practice
Colt Emerson

Mariners Promoting Top Prospect Colt Emerson to Major Leagues
Munetaka Murakami

Fantastic First Season Continues With Two More Homers
Cristopher Sánchez

Cristopher Sanchez Dazzles With 13-Strikeout Complete Game on Saturday
Blake Snell

to Undergo Elbow Surgery on Tuesday
Clay Holmes

Could Miss Around Three Months
Jose Altuve

Exits After Swing
Corey Seager

Absent With Back Spasms on Saturday
Jeremy Lauzon

Misses Saturday's Practice
Mark Stone

Doesn't Practice Saturday
Josh Manson

Misses Practice, Considered Day-to-Day
Brent Burns

Day-to-Day Ahead of Conference Finals
Cale Makar

Considered Day-to-Day
Trevor Story

Hits the Injured List With Groin Injury
Blake Snell

Likely to Need Elbow Surgery
Kyle Schwarber

on a Heater, Hits Two More Homers to Take Major-League Lead
Clay Holmes

Suffers Fractured Fibula on Friday Night
Blake Snell

Heads to 15-Day Injured List
CFB

Julian Sayin Looking To Build Off Of Strong Debut Season
CFB

College GameDay Set for First Three Weeks
CFB

Jeremiah Smith Aiming For Ohio State Receiving Records
CFB

Keshaun Singleton Projects as Auburn's WR1
CFB

Jeremiah Cobb Impresses New Auburn Staff
CFB

Alberto Mendoza Very Likely to Start for Georgia Tech
CFB

Charles Woodson Jr. Commits to Michigan
Melquizael Costa

Set For UFC Vegas 117 Main Event
Arnold Allen

A Favorite At UFC Vegas 117
Daniel Santos

Set For UFC Vegas 117 Co-Main Event
MMA

Dohoo Choi Returns At UFC Vegas 117
Juan Diaz

Set To Make His UFC Debut
Malcolm Wellmaker

Looks To Bounce Back
Christian Edwards

Set For His UFC Debut
Modestas Bukauskas

Looks To Get Back In The Win Column
CFB

Virginia Tech Lands Commitment from Four-Star QB Peter Bourque
RANKINGS
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1B
2B
3B
SS
OF
SP
RP

RANKINGS

QB
RB
WR
TE
K
DEF