Key Starters and Tough Calls - Lineup Spotlights for Week 13

December 1, 2019

Scott Engel breaks down his Week 13 fantasy football lineup rankings, spotlighting key NFL players to start and tougher lineup start/sit decisions to make.

Welcome to Week 13, RotoBallers! Below you will find some of my spotlight plays and tough lineup decisions for the upcoming week of the fantasy football season.

These player selections are based on my Premium Weekly Lineup Rankings, available as part of the RotoBaller's NFL Premium Pass. Enter promo code KING at checkout for a 10% discount and get access to all of my ranks in all formats, plus a full roster of tools and analysis for the rest of the 2019 season. The Premium Pass is already at a slashed price for your playoff push!

Note that all skill position picks and analyses here are based on my PPR ranks.

Spotlight RB Starters for Week 13

Benny Snell Jr. vs. CLE: He was a surprise lead RB for the Steelers last week and will play that role again. Pittsburgh is making more changes on offense and was not getting enough rushing production out of Jaylen Samuels. Continued increased opportunities will at least lead to respectable production this week.

Darrel Williams vs. OAK: He should be the No. 1 Fantasy producer at RB for the Chiefs this week. Williams is a hard-nosed runner who displays versatility. He is a worthy low-end RB2 and ideal flex play against the Raiders.

Ronald Jones II vs. JAC: He is a nifty flex play for Week 13. Over the past month, the Jaguars have allowed the most fantasy points per game to running backs. Jones has rarely displayed his home run hitting ability so far in the NFL, but he could rip off a long scoring run this week and is a good bet to get into the end zone. Give Jones flex consideration for sure this week.

Spotlight WR Starters for Week 13

Devante Parker vs. PHI: The Eagles pass defense has been performing better recently and they can conceivably double Parker to limit his production. But he has played too well overall to be benched in a very important fantasy week. Parker is a must-start fantasy WR3.

Alshon Jeffery vs. MIA: He will return from yet another injury this week, but should immediately be re-inserted into your lineups. Jeffery will be a top target for Carson Wentz, who desperately needs the veteran WR back to help pump life into a sagging passing game. The matchup is ideal for Wentz and Jeffery to rediscover each other.

Robby Anderson vs. CIN: He is a major risk and a huge upside play. No WR in the fantasy game may have less of a floor and a higher ceiling than Anderson. Heck, he really has no floor at all. He can provide downright ugly numbers that should be buried in the earth at times. But he has significant promise this week in an obviously friendly matchup, and Sam Darnold is playing well and will take some deep shots to Anderson.

Spotlight TE Starters for Week 13

Dallas Goedert vs. MIA: Wentz may have to turn to Goedert even more this week as Zach Ertz deals with a hamstring injury. The Eagles do not want to squander away a gimme matchup after the Cowboys lost on Thursday. Goedert is gonna score.

Tyler Higbee vs. ARI: With Gerald Everett out, this becomes a prime play in seasonal and DFS against the most notoriously generous defense against TEs. Jared Goff has not thrown a TD pass in November but Higbee will help him end the embarrassing drought.

Spotlight QB Starters for Week 13

Sam Darnold vs. CIN: The numbers have been impressive the last two weeks and he is starting to take advantage of friendly matchups. He is a top 10 fantasy QB this week and gets Miami in his next matchup. He will keep up the momentum for two more games.

Carson Wentz vs. MIA: This is the week when he shakes off the doldrums. The Eagles need this win and cannot let it slip away, and Wentz wants to put a very bad Week 12 behind him.

Tough Lineup Decisions

Joe Mixon over Mark Ingram: Both of these guys face teams that can stop the run, and Ingram is the better choice as a fantasy player overall. But Mixon is playing with a lot of pride as he tries to help the Bengals nail their first win. Having Andy Dalton will increase his TD chances, too. I see a bit more upside for him than Ingram, who I still endorse as an RB2 this week.

Carlos Hyde over Miles Sanders: The rookie has an obviously more appealing matchup. By miles. But as much as I have backed Sanders this year, I am not convinced he can fully take advantage of a prime opposing draw. There is more upside for him this week, but Hyde has been the better runner recently and I don’t believe he is going to back down against New England.

Robert Woods over Adam Thielen: Woods does not have a TD reception this year and the Rams offense is looking downright limp. But the Arizona matchup does present a get-right opportunity for the Los Angeles offense, and I do not trust Thielen at all after he suffered another reported “scare” related to his lingering hamstring issue this week.

James Washington over Deebo Samuel: The 49ers rookie has come on strong recently, but with George Kittle and Emmanuel Sanders rounding back into better form health-wise Samuel could become more of a secondary target again. Meanwhile, injuries have pushed Washington into more of a featured role in the Pittsburgh passing game.

Tyler Higbee over Jacob Hollister: I am facing this important decision in one of my own leagues this week. Hollister has already proven he is a worthy starter, but Higbee does have an established rapport with Goff and will take advantage of the matchup.

Kirk Cousins over Nick Foles: I just cannot endorse starting Foles based on a matchup over Cousins, who is simply playing much better. It’s not as tough a call for me as it may be for you. Give me the better fantasy QB who is performing better over the mediocre guy with a more attractive opposing draw. I just do not want to chance it with Foles in such an important fantasy week, not over a proven passer who is playing at a higher level.

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