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Welcome to Week 13 RotoBallers! The season has been flying by, and it is now crucial to make the optimal lineup decisions on a weekly basis. As the playoff push intensifies, it is essential to start racking up some wins to secure a spot in the postseason.
Heading into the thirteenth week of action, we are well into the most crucial point of the regular season, as fantasy managers who have gotten off to a slow start need to string some wins together from here on out.
Here are some players I think will be in for a challenging game in Week 13 and could disappoint their fantasy managers. However, there could be some managers out there who aren't in any position to bench these players given that we must deal with bye weeks and injuries to notable players. Here are some players that fantasy managers need to temper their expectations for.
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Should I Bench Russell Wilson In Week 13?
Wilson somehow finished as the QB33 in Week 12 despite there only being 32 teams in the league. His name coming up on the bust list against the Ravens should come as no surprise as we head into Week 13.
Russell Wilson was QB33 in Week 12.
There are 32 teams in the NFL.
— Jeff Bell (@4WhomJBellTolls) November 30, 2022
The Ravens have allowed the seventh-most passing yards this season, so the matchup doesn't look overly concerning when you check the numbers. However, their defense has started to turn it up a notch as we head closer to playoff football.
In the last three games, they have recorded 12 sacks and three interceptions, as they are likely licking their chops at their upcoming matchup with the struggling Denver offense.
When you consider Wilson has thrown for more than one touchdown on just one occasion this season, he may be someone to bench in all formats, including two-QB/Superflex leagues. He has surpassed 15 fantasy points on just two occasions, making him a borderline must-bench option on the road this week.
Wilson should not be in starting lineups this week or in the foreseeable future. Some better options for this week include Trevor Lawrence, Jared Goff, and Mike White.
Should I Bench Miles Sanders In Week 13?
After a 31.0 PPR-point performance, Sanders may come as a surprise name to see on this list. However, there may be some reason to believe the Eagles starter could be in for a challenging game on Sunday.
Sanders will take on a Titans run defense that has been a brick wall as of late, as they have allowed the third-fewest rushing yards and just 3.9 yards per carry this season. His talent and No. 1 offensive line could offset the stout run defense of the Titans, but Sanders still remains a player to downgrade in Week 13.
Despite Sanders having a career year, we have seen games where he completely busts as he has posted stat lines like 15 carries for 58 yards, 13 carries for 47 yards, and 15 carries for 46 yards. With little to no work as a pass-catcher, Sanders offers a shallow floor if he doesn't find the end zone,
Given his price in drafts this season, there is a chance fantasy managers can consider sitting him in this matchup, especially in PPR leagues. However, he is by no means a player that is a must-sit option, this week or any week.
Should I Bench Leonard Fournette In Week 13?
Fournette looks to be ready to return from a hip ailment that sidelined him in Week 12, as the Buccaneers will take on the Saints on Monday night. Fournette’s absence paved the way for Rachaad White to showcase his abilities, making me think he could be taking over this backfield regardless of Fournette being healthy.
The Saints run defense has been one of the league’s best in the past, but they have allowed 4.5 yards per carry and the eighth-most rushing yards this season. So, the matchup doesn't seem like the one it was to worry about last season.
However, Fournette’s lack of efficiency this season (3.4 YPC) and the emerging rookie in his backfield makes him an option to consider benching in Week 13. When given a significant role in the offense the past two games, White has surpassed 100+ scrimmage yards in both games, which is something Fournette hasn't been able to do since all the way back in Week 6.
Given his workload could be managed as it is his first game back, the former LSU star is someone to fade in fantasy lineups this week.
Should I Bench Courtland Sutton in Week 13?
Sutton has been able to string together two solid games in a row despite the struggles of Denver’s offense, as he has posted five catches for 80 yards and six catches for 75 yards during this span.
Despite being a massive threat in the red zone, Sutton has scored just one touchdown this season, which was all the way back in Week 4. He will likely be seeing a lot of Marlon Humphrey this week, which doesn't bode well for any hopes of him finding the end zone.
The Broncos figure to be playing from behind in this one, which could open up the possibility that Sutton sees a lot of volume to offset the matchup. However, fantasy managers shouldn't get too excited.
The way his quarterback has been playing, coupled with the fact that this is the league’s lowest-scoring offense, Sutton offers almost no appeal in fantasy lineups this week. He isn't a must-sit given his talent and status as the alpha in the passing attack, but fantasy managers should beware.
Should I Bench Michael Pittman Jr. In Week 13?
After finding the end zone in Week 12 against the Steelers, Pittman draws a rough matchup in Week 13 on the road in Dallas.
Michael Pittman Jr.'s first touchdown since Week 1 pic.twitter.com/braYSenbAp
— Cody Manning (@CodyTalksNFL) November 30, 2022
He has seen 27 targets in three games since the Colts' head coaching change, so his high volume makes him a borderline weekly starter, but this matchup is one to worry about. The Cowboys have allowed the fewest passing yards and second-fewest yards per attempt this season, much of which is due to the fact of their elite pass rush.
Matt Ryan likely won’t have much time to throw, as we saw this pass rush's effect on Kirk Cousins, Justin Jefferson, and company’s fantasy output two weeks ago. Not to mention, the matchup with Trevon Diggs isn't one that has been friendly to opposing WRs this year, even if the Colts' offensive line can protect their QB.
Given the Colts' struggles in the passing game at times, the situation that Pittman is in this week seems like one to avoid entirely for fantasy managers. His status as the WR1 for Ryan puts him in play as a low-end WR2/FLEX, but Pittman can be benched this week and fantasy managers shouldn't think twice about it.
Should I Bench Mike Gesicki In Week 13?
Gesicki draws a tough matchup with the 49ers' defense that has been playing at an elite level this season, making his fantasy outlook murky at best in Week 13.
The 49ers have allowed the fourth-fewest fantasy points to tight ends this season, which basically puts Gesicki in must-sit territory. The matchup and his usage as of late seem like a recipe for disaster in this one, as Gesicki has seen just six total targets in his past three games.
Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle are dominating the targets in the passing game, which has oftentimes made the big tight end an afterthought in the Miami offense. He’s seen just two games with over four targets, one of which turned into 69 receiving yards and two touchdowns.
It is hard to count on him getting significant looks in this one given his recent usage, which makes him someone to avoid altogether against one of the best defenses in the league. Gesicki is a TE2 at best in Week 13.
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