TAP FOR 6 MONTHS OF PREMIUM FREE 💰
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.

Featured Promo: Looking for some more fantasy football action? Adopt a dynasty orphan team over at FFPC. Sign up today and get $25 off any FFPC league. 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




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

Deandre Ayton

Enters Day-To-Day Status with Knee Soreness
Luka Dončić

Luka Doncic Deemed Day-To-Day with Hamstring Injury
Kristaps Porzingis

Targeting Post-All-Star Break Debut
Stephen Curry

May Remain Out Until After All-Star Break
Grayson Allen

to Be Re-Evaluated After All-Star Break
Keyonte George

Night Cut Short by Ankle Injury
Jamal Murray

Forced Out Late Saturday vs. Chicago
Xavier Edwards

Due for Another Big Season on the Basepaths?
Andy Pages

Still an Everyday Contributor Despite Dodgers' Big Signing
Noelvi Marte

Projected for Larger Role in 2026
Addison Barger

Coming Off a Busy Season in the Majors
Isaac Paredes

Trade Talks for Isaac Paredes Reportedly Intensifying
Christian Braun

is Upgraded to Available
Nikola Jokić

Nikola Jokic is Ready to Play on Saturday
Cameron Johnson

is Available to Play on Saturday
Buddy Hield

to Make Team Debut on Saturday
Keyonte George

is Cleared to Play on Saturday
Onyeka Okongwu

is Available to Play on Saturday
Malik Monk

Won't Suit up on Saturday
Jalen Smith

is Ruled Out for Saturday's Game
Quinn Hughes

Enters Olympics in Red-Hot Form
NHL

Juho Lammikko Returns to Switzerland
Pavel Zacha

Misses Olympics
Domantas Sabonis

Out Again on Saturday Night
Zach LaVine

Won't Play on Saturday
De'Andre Hunter

Sidelined on Saturday
Amen Thompson

Available Versus OKC, Will Come Off the Bench
Jakob Poeltl

Questionable for Sunday Afternoon
Drew Rasmussen

: High-Upside Starting Pitcher Option with Health Concerns
Gavin Williams

Looking to Build on 2025 Emergence in 2026
Jo Adell

Can Jo Adell Repeat 2025 Power Breakout?
Brandon Woodruff

Looking to Put Injury Woes Behind Him in 2026
Lawrence Butler

Can Lawrence Butler Bounce Back from Underwhelming 2025 Campaign?
Yasiel Puig

Found Guilty of Obstruction of Justice, Lying to Officials
Travis Kelce

Undecided on Playing Future, Leaning Towards Returning in 2026?
Kristaps Porzingis

Ruled Out Saturday Against Lakers
Brandon Nimmo

Carries High-Floor Profile into 2026
Trevor Story

Can Trevor Story Remain a Consistent Fantasy Option?
Spencer Strider

Carries High Risk Entering 2026
Drake Baldwin

Poised for More Productive Year 2?
Ben Rice

Could See More Time as Catcher Following Free-Agent Addition
Clarke Schmidt

Still Targeting Second-Half Return
Anthony Volpe

Unlikely to Return Until May?
Brett Wisely

Designated for Assignment by Rays
Mike Vasil

to Compete for Starting Rotation Spot
San Diego Padres

Padres Seeking Another Hitter, Starting Pitcher
CFB

Rutgers Hiring South Dakota Head Coach Travis Johansen as Defensive Coordinator
Vinicius Oliveira

Looks For His Seventh Consecutive Win
Mario Bautista

A Favorite At UFC Vegas 113
Kyoji Horiguchi

Set For UFC Vegas 113 Co-Main Event
Amir Albazi

Looks To Bounce Back
Rizvan Kuniev

Looks For His First UFC Win
Jailton Almeida

Looks To Get Back In The Win Column
Marc-Andre Barriault

In Dire Need Of Victory
Michal Oleksiejczuk

Looks For His Third Win In A Row
Michael Penix Jr.

Says he's Ahead of Schedule After Knee Surgery
Cleveland Browns

Jim Schwartz Resigns as Browns Defensive Coordinator
Malik Nabers

Says his Rehab has Been "Phenomenal"
CFB

Oklahoma Hiring Former NFL Defensive Lineman DeShawn Williams to Analyst Role
CFB

Jahmal Edrine Charged with Sexual Assault, No Longer Enrolled at Virginia
Jakob Chychrun

Makes Big Impact in Thursday's Win
Brandon Bussi

Shuts Out Rangers With 16 Saves
Anze Kopitar

Reaches 1,300 Career Points
Mark Stone

Becomes First Vegas Player With 100 Multi-Point Games
Daniil Tarasov

Injured in Battle of Florida
Andrei Kuzmenko

Hurt Versus Vegas
John Carlson

Suffers Lower-Body Injury
Matthew Stafford

Named 2025 NFL MVP, Will Return in 2026
Jaxon Smith-Njigba

Takes Home Offensive Player of the Year Honors
Christian McCaffrey

Named Comeback Player of the Year
Tetairoa McMillan

Named Offensive Rookie of the Year
Myles Garrett

Unanimously Wins Defensive Player of the Year Award
Brad Marchand

Evan Rodrigues Among Panthers Absentees Thursday
Calum Ritchie

Rejoins Islanders Lineup as Second-Line Center
Zach Benson

Sits Out Second Straight Game
Pierre-Luc Dubois

Available Against Predators
Rickard Rakell

Out Thursday
Brayden Point

Won't Play in Olympics
Jonathan Huberdeau

to Have Season-Ending Hip Surgery
CFB

Houston, Vanderbilt, Tennessee Land Top-Three QBs in 2026 Class
Joe Mixon

Committed to Playing in 2026
CFB

Michigan Signs Top-15 Recruiting Class Despite Coaching Change
CFB

USC Finishes with No. 1 Signing Class in 2026
Valeri Nichushkin

Sets Up Three Goals Wednesday
CFB

Trinidad Chambliss Denied Medical Redshirt Waiver By NCAA
Ryan O'Reilly

Delivers Three Assists in Overtime Loss
Matt Boldy

Records Historically Fast Hat Trick Wednesday
Jet Greaves

Gives Blue Jackets Second Straight Shutout
CFB

Sam Leavitt to be Limited In Spring Practice
Jordan Love

Avoids Offseason Surgery
Matt Fitzpatrick

Back in Action at WM Phoenix Open
Sahith Theegala

Riding Hot Start Into WM Phoenix Open
J.J. Spaun

Looks to Regain Form at WM Phoenix Open
Viktor Hovland

a Volatile Option at WM Phoenix Open
Rasmus Hojgaard

Aims to Build on Solid Start to 2026
Brian Harman

Looks to Find Form at WM Phoenix Open
Daniel Berger

Has the Tools to Go One Step Higher at Scottsdale
Max Greyserman

Searching for Consistency at WM Phoenix Open
Jake Knapp

Wants Revenge at WM Phoenix Open
CFB

Joey Aguilar Granted Temporary Restraining Order Against NCAA
Joel Dahmen

Carrying Momentum Into WM Phoenix Open
Corey Conners

Unlikely to Contend at Scottsdale
Sepp Straka

Seeks a Rebound After The American Express
Jordan Spieth

Healthy Heading to WM Phoenix Open
Keith Mitchell

Building Momentum for Event in Scottsdale
Tom Hoge

The Tom Hoge Roller Coaster Heads to Scottsdale for WM Phoenix Open
Rickie Fowler

Worth a Look at WM Phoenix Open
Xander Schauffele

Making Second Appearance at Phoenix Open
Collin Morikawa

Needs a Bounce-Back at Waste Management Phoenix Open
Hideki Matsuyama

Has a Shot to Challenge at the Waste Management Phoenix Open
Max Homa

Playing Well Heading to Waste Management Phoenix Open
Ben Griffin

Will Need to Find Approach Game to Compete in Phoenix
Michael Penix Jr.

Matt Ryan Not Committing to Michael Penix Jr. as the Starting QB
NASCAR

Billy Horschel Unlikely to Right the Ship in Phoenix
Matthew Stafford

Doesn't Need Offseason Back Surgery
CFB

Joey Aguilar Files New Lawsuit Against NCAA Seeking Sixth Year of Eligibility
Davante Adams

Expected to Return to Rams in 2026
Los Angeles Rams

Rams Sign Sean McVay, Les Snead to Contract Extensions
Diego Lopes

Outclassed At UFC 325
Alexander Volkanovski

Dominates Diego Lopes
Dan Hooker

Stopped In The Second Round
Benoît Saint Denis

Benoit Saint Denis Extends His Win Streak
Rafael Fiziev

Suffers Second-Round TKO Loss
MMA

Maurício Ruffy Gets Back In The Win Column
RANKINGS
C
1B
2B
3B
SS
OF
SP
RP

RANKINGS

QB
RB
WR
TE
K
DEF