Fantasy Football 2018: Start or sit for Week 13

Start

Lamar Jackson at Atlanta- Admittedly so, it took me awhile to get on the Lamar Jackson hype train, at least in fantasy terms. In his limited time as a passer, Jackson hasn’t impressed all that much. Could his running talent provide fantasy owners points just on itself? The answer for the past two weeks has been: absolutely. In his last two games, Jackson has carried the ball 37 times for 190 yards and a score. His passing numbers aren’t anything to boast about, having yet to top 200 yards through the air while turning the ball over in both contests started.

Yet the Ravens are fully committed to Lamar on the ground, so much to the point where their play-calling has essentially kicked Alex Collins off the face of the earth. Jackson doesn’t have to throw touchdowns to remain fantasy relevant, but simply gain yards on the ground, which spells bad news for a simply distraught Falcons defense allowing nearly 400 yards per game. Jackson has been on a tear since starting only two weeks ago, and expect nothing less from the dual-threat quarterback as the Ravens fly south to Atlanta.

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Jameis Winston vs. Carolina- It’s been a bumpy year for Winston to say the least. Even with his future in Tampa Bay hanging in the balance of the next few weeks, Winston finds himself on the start side of the list due to a renewed offensive approach from the Buccaneers. With the Panthers ranking in the bottom third of the league in respects to pass defense, Winston may very well be able to build off a performance where he threw for over 300 yards, tossing two touchdowns while not turning the ball over.

Per ESPN, Carolina’s defense has allowed the fourth-most QB fantasy points per game since Week 8. With the Panthers in the midst of a three game losing streak, the Bucs just might be hosting their division rivals at the right time. So long as Mike Evans and DeSean Jackson are healthy, Winston always has a chance to explode for a glorious fantasy performance. Should he continue not turning the ball over, I like Winston’s gun-slinging against a slipping Panthers defense.

Sit

Matthew Stafford vs. LA Rams- One of the best things about Stafford heading into the 2018 season was his volume that was surrounded by plentiful weapons. Fast forward twelve weeks into the season, and Stafford’s appeal has all but lost itself. Golden Tate is now in Philly, and Marvin Jones now finds himself on injured reserve. The last four weeks, Stafford has gained over ten fantasy points in only two games.

Week 13 presents one of the toughest defenses in all of football with the Rams paying a visit to Ford Field. LA will also welcome back Pro-Bowl corner Aqib Talib off IR this week. For those playing the start/sit drinking game, fantasy football is about minimizing risks (take a shot). The Lions are either going to rely heavily on their running back stable, or have to simply air it out every drive.

Either option doesn’t bode well for Stafford’s chances of having a QB1 starting day, despite the potential volume that may lay ahead. A depleted Lions receiving corps mixed with one of the best defensive fronts in football doesn’t display much promise heading into Sunday.

Tom Brady vs. Minnesota- The presumed GOAT makes his debut in the sit section of this article with a immensely stout Vikings defense traveling to town after limiting Aaron Rodgers to his worst fantasy day all season. Brady’s last few outings have been average in his regards despite the tough match-up with the Vikings, hitting a three-week stretch where only one touchdown was thrown before their Week 11 bye.

After a 283-yard, two-touchdown performance against the Jets, it appears Brady may have shaken off the “average bug” thanks to help from a healthy Rob Gronkowski. With the Vikings ranking top five in both run and pass defenses, New England is bound to have their hands full no matter who is healthy. The Patriots have been prone to tough defenses thus far, can they finally break the streak? For now, I’ll aide on the fantasy side of no.