RADIO
Brandon Murchison's under-the-radar starts and sits for your Week 13 fantasy football lineups - sneaky players to start, and typical starters that may disappoint.
With the fantasy regular season drawing to a close, it is now crunch time for teams as preparations for the playoffs begin. Much of the season we have seen inconsistent play plague some of the upper echelon players around the league. Early round players like David Johnson and Odell Beckham have been large disappointments for owners and made the going tough for much of the 2019 season. But as we have progressed throughout the season, we have seen the cream finally rise to the top. This has given us a better indication of matchups to exploit and which to avoid as we set our lineups each week. Players like Lamar Jackson, Christian McCaffrey, and Michael Thomas have been studs and seemingly matchup-proof throughout most of the season.
But the key to winning in fantasy football is identifying how to construct your best possible lineup each week. Noticing the trends in player usage and which under the radar player could give you the advantage in your game due to a positive matchup. You could buy into the "always start your studs" mentality but most often than not you will find yourself leaving points on the bench. We are 12 weeks into the season, and at this point, there is enough data at our disposal to utilize as we make key start/sit decisions in Week 13. Starting Player A over Player B could be the reason you are eliminated from playoff contention or perhaps miss out on the bye. Whatever your circumstances may be, you must be mindful of all the variables and not just go with the player's projections for the week.
So let's jump into the numbers as I present to you my Woo's and Boo's for Week 13 to help you with those tough lineup decisions you may be facing.
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Woo! - Week 13 Starts
Sam Darnold @ Cincinnati Bengals
Darnold has been on quite the roll over the last three games posting over 20 FP in each. That should again be the case in Week 13 as he gets the good fortune of another plus matchup against the Bengals. A defense that has been bottom five in points allowed to the position (22.1 FPPG) on the year. I expect to see things continue for Darnold and this passing attack as he finishes as a Top 10 option at the position this week. Worthy of being placed into your starting lineup if you have a starter with a more difficult matchup.
Benny Snell Jr. vs. Cleveland Browns
With James Conner again expected to miss the action in Week 13, Benny Snell could be a player that helps propel fantasy owners into the playoffs. A week ago we saw Snell out-snap and out-touch Jaylen Samuels by a wide margin. With that likely to be the case yet again, Snell could take advantage of a matchup against a Browns Defense in this divisional tilt. Although they have been fairly tough against opposing backs all season long (17.6 FPPG), the usage will be hard to ignore for Snell. Plug him as a potential fill-in at your Flex spot on the week as he should see 20 touches in this game.
Mecole Hardman vs. Oakland Raiders
Hardman has been the definition of a boom or bust play during the 2019 season. With most of his scores (5 TDs on the season) coming on big plays, it's hard to pick the week in which he should be in your lineup. That could be the case this week as the Chiefs, coming off a bye, will be facing a soft Raiders secondary. The defense is near in the bottom in points allowed to the position (25.9 FPPG) and after the week off, I could see the Chiefs working Hardman into the passing attack. If you are in dire straights at your WR3 spot on the week, Hardman is worth the gamble as the playoffs loom.
Tyler Higbee @ Arizona Cardinals
With the news that Gerald Everett will be out for this week's game, Higbee becomes a very interesting pickup off the waiver wire. With the upcoming matchup, Higbee could be a player that solves the woes of many that are hurting at the TE spot this week. We all know the woes that the Cardinals Defense has had all season against the tight end position (14.5 FPPG). If Jared Goff and the Rams can find some consistency on offense, Higbee should be a strong start in Week 13. Look for him to find the end-zone in this game and post a solid stat line by the end of the day.
Boo! - Week 13 Sits
Kirk Cousins @ Seattle Seahawks
Cousins has had a very solid year after the sluggish start and has even won some games recently for his fantasy owners. But I look for him to struggle as the Vikings go on the road to face a Seahawks Defense that has been one of the toughest in fantasy over the last four weeks (13.05 FPPG). Not to mention that Cousins tends to struggle in primetime games. If you have another QB with a better matchup on the week, I would pull the trigger there.
Nick Chubb @ Pittsburgh Steelers
Chubb will be undoubtedly in your starting lineup for Week 13. But, temper your expectations in this matchup as the Steelers have yet to allow an RB1 finish in any game this season. Add in the fact that with the return of Kareem Hunt, the snaps for Chubb have started to decline. Hopefully, he will not be the albatross that knocks you out of playoff contention.
DeAndre Hopkins vs. New England Patriots
Another scenario with an upper-echelon player facing a very difficult matchup. Hopkins is a Top 5 WR on the season but will be matched up against Stephon Gilmore and the tough Patriots Defense. They are the toughest in terms of points allowed to the position on the year (12.3 FPPG) and could very well take Hopkins out of the game-plan here. He's locked in as your WR1, but don't expect a big day in what will be his toughest matchup on the season.
Mark Andrews vs. San Francisco 49ers
Andrews is coming off of a subpar game in which the Ravens blew out the Rams in Week 12. But now faces off against a 49ers Defense that has been one of the toughest in the league over the last four games (7.48 FPPG). This game has all the makings of being a low-scoring, ground game oriented type of affair and one that will limit the opportunities for Andrews. He is another player that is locked into a starting role on your team, but if you happen upon a player such as Jack Doyle off the waiver wire this week, I would play him over Andrews.
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