Fantasy Football Week 13 Start 'Em & Sit 'Em: Chris Carson steps into the spotlight

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One more week. One more week to either get into the Fantasy playoffs or solidify your postseason position.

Or more week to wallow in pain because your Fantasy season might be over.

For most Fantasy leagues, the playoffs start in Week 14, so this is an important scoring period. Your Fantasy season might be on the line.

We got a lot of bad news earlier this week with Melvin Gordon's knee injury, Leonard Fournette's suspension and important role players like Marvin Jones (knee), Jack Doyle (kidney) and Andy Dalton (thumb) being placed on injured reserve. But all is not lost.

A.J. Green (toe) and Tre'Quan Smith (foot) appear poised to play in Week 13 after being out in recent weeks. And even though guys like Gordon and Fournette are out, that opens the door for potential standout replacements in Austin Ekeler and T.J. Yeldon, especially in PPR leagues.

There also are plenty of great matchups to exploit, which you'll read about below. And we get the added bonus of the Rams and Chiefs coming off their bye weeks. It's nice to have all those stars back in action.

So good luck to everyone in Week 13. We hope it's a lucky scoring period for you, and that your playoff standing improves as you make a final push for a Fantasy championship.

Editor's Note: Projections are provided by SportsLine.com. Projected points are for PPR leagues.

Start of the Week

This is the second time I've used Chris Carson as the Start of the Week in his two-year career. I'm hoping for better luck this time around.

The last time was Week 4 in 2017 against the Colts, and it was a disaster. Carson suffered a broken leg, and he was lost for the season.

Thankfully, Carson has come back strong in 2018, and he's been Seattle's best running back despite the team spending a first-round pick on rookie Rashaad Penny. Carson comes into Week 13 against the 49ers with at least 12 PPR points in three of his past four games, and this is a good matchup for him at home.

For starters, Seattle is a heavy favorite in this game against San Francisco. And the 49ers defense is in disarray after letting go of linebacker Reuben Foster following a domestic violence incident.

In Week 12 at Tampa Bay, Peyton Barber had 13 PPR points against San Francisco, and the Buccaneers don't run the ball nearly as well as the Seahawks.

Carson will lose some touches to Penny and Mike Davis, but he's their best running back in a positive situation. And I expect Carson to have a standout performance in this matchup at home.

I'm starting Carson over: Mark Ingram (at DAL), Dalvin Cook (at NE), Sony Michel (vs. MIN), Adrian Peterson (at PHI) and Doug Martin (vs. KC)

Quarterbacks

Sleepers

• Josh Allen (at MIA): Allen had an excellent game in Week 12 against Jacksonville with 27 Fantasy points, and he did the majority of his work on the ground with 99 rushing yards and a touchdown. He has the chance for a solid encore at Miami in Week 13, and the Dolphins have allowed five of the past six opposing quarterbacks to score at least 20 Fantasy points. Allen is a great sleeper to consider in two-quarterback and super-flex leagues. Allen has at least seven Fantasy points with just his rushing totals alone in three of his past five games.
• Case Keenum (at CIN): Keenum just scored 19 Fantasy points at home against Pittsburgh, and this week he gets a great matchup at Cincinnati. The Bengals have allowed three touchdowns to opposing quarterbacks in four of the past five games, and the lone quarterback who failed to do that was Lamar Jackson in Week 11 in his first NFL start. Keenum likely won't get to three touchdowns, but the matchup is worth trusting him as a starter in two-quarterback and super-flex leagues.
• Chase Daniel (at NYG): Daniel is expected to start again in Week 13 with Mitchell Trubisky (shoulder) still hurt, and he's someone to consider in two-quarterback leagues. Daniel played well in Week 12 on Thanksgiving against Detroit with 22 Fantasy points, but this is a tougher matchup since the Giants have held three of the past four opposing quarterbacks to 15 points or less. Still, if Daniel does start again, I'm counting on Matt Nagy to help him find his way to about 18 Fantasy points on the road.

Bust Alert

I'll like Brady more if Xavier Rhodes (hamstring) is out for the Vikings, but this will still be a tough matchup for him, even at home. As we said last week with Aaron Rodgers playing at Minnesota, when defensive end Everson Griffen is active for the Vikings, they are tough on opposing quarterbacks. In six games with Griffen, Minnesota has held Jimmy Garoppolo, Rodgers twice, Drew Brees, Stafford and Trubisky to an average of just 11.8 Fantasy points per game. Brady also has scored more than 17 Fantasy points just once in his past four games. Granted, that came in Week 12 at the Jets when his entire receiving corps was healthy. But I wouldn't count on a dominant game from Brady this week, especially if Rhodes is able to play.

Running backs

Sleepers

• Dion Lewis and Derrick Henry (vs. NYJ): The Titans would love to get their ground game going, and this is the perfect matchup against the Jets. In their past five games, they have allowed seven touchdowns to running backs and six to gain at least 75 total yards. Lewis is the safer of the two Tennessee running backs in all leagues, but don't be surprised if Henry scores this week at home.
• Royce Freeman (at CIN): Freeman is going to need to score to help your Fantasy roster because Phillip Lindsay has taken over this backfield and is a must-start option in all leagues. But the Bengals are tied with Tampa Bay for the most touchdowns allowed to running backs with 17. And Freeman has scored in two of his past three games.
• T.J. Yeldon (vs. IND): With Leonard Fournette (suspension) out, Yeldon will get a boost in touches, and I like him better than Carlos Hyde this week, mostly because of his role in the passing game. He has five games this season with at least five catches, including Week 10 at Indianapolis when Fournette was active. He also has seven games this season with at least 10 PPR points just with his receiving totals alone. And the Colts are No. 2 in the NFL in receptions allowed to running backs with 79, trailing only the Falcons (88).
• Doug Martin (vs. KC): In the past five games with Marshawn Lynch (groin) out, Martin is averaging 4.8 yards per carry, and he's scored at least 12 PPR points in two of his past three outings, even with the Raiders falling apart. This week, he's facing a Chiefs defense that allows the third-most Fantasy points to opposing running backs. While Jalen Richard has been a quality option in PPR leagues all season, you can use both Oakland running backs as flex options in Week 13.
• Nyheim Hines (at JAC): We'll see if Marlon Mack (concussion) is out in Week 13 against Jacksonville, but Hines and Jordan Wilkins would share touches in his place. We've seen this show before when Mack missed four of the first five games with foot and ankle problems, and Hines was the better option with his work in the passing game. Hines had at least 11 PPR points in three of the four games without Mack. I would use Hines as a flex option in all PPR leagues if Mack is out against the Jaguars, and Wilkins is an option in deeper formats.

Bust Alert

You got lucky if you started Coleman in Week 12 at New Orleans because he scored on a late receiving touchdown to save a miserable stat line. Without the touchdown, Coleman finished with just 23 total yards on eight carries for 6 yards, as well as three catches for 17 yards on four targets. While he does have five receiving touchdowns on the season, he's only scored once on the ground since Week 1, and he continues to share touches with Ito Smith. The Ravens have allowed just seven total touchdowns to running backs on the season (five rushing and two receiving), and I'm concerned about Coleman posting another disappointing stat line. He's also scored 10 PPR points or less in three games in a row. That puts him play as a flex option, but he's not a must-start running back, even at home, against the Ravens.

Wide receivers

Sleepers

• Adam Humphries (vs. CAR): Humphries is playing well of late, and Tampa Bay is quickly losing options in the passing game. O.J. Howard (ankle) is out for the season, and DeSean Jackson (thumb) could be out in Week 13 against Carolina. That could make Humphries even more valuable, and he comes into this game with at least 14 PPR points in four of his past five outings, including a monster game against the Panthers in Week 9. He had eight catches for 82 yards and two touchdowns on eight targets in that game, and Carolina has struggled with slot receivers this season. Humphries is a strong No. 3 receiver option in PPR in Week 13.
• Chris Conley (at OAK): Conley's usage is contingent on Sammy Watkins (foot) and if he's healthy. If Watkins is expected to play in Week 13 at Oakland, then ignore Conley in most formats. But if Watkins is out, then Conley is a high-end No. 3 Fantasy receiver this week. In Kansas City's last game at the Rams in Week 11, Watkins couldn't play past the first quarter because of his foot injury, and Conley went off for seven catches, 74 yards and two touchdowns on eight targets. He's unlikely to replicate that performance, but Oakland is among the league leaders with 16 touchdowns allowed to receivers. Keep an eye on Watkins, but Conley has plenty of upside if Watkins is out.
• Taylor Gabriel (at NYG): Gabriel has picked things up in the past two games, and he's worth buying back into after a recent cold stretch. Gabriel has 17 targets in the past two games against Minnesota and Detroit, and he has 14 catches for 101 yards over that span. He hasn't scored since Week 4, but his PPR points are solid as a No. 3 Fantasy receiver. And he was the target leader for Chicago in Week 12 against the Lions with eight with Chase Daniel under center, and Daniel is likely starting again in place of Mitchell Trubisky (shoulder).
• Bruce Ellington (vs. LAR): With Marvin Jones (knee) now out for the season, Ellington is locked into the No. 2 receiver role for the Lions behind Kenny Golladay, and he's worth using as a No. 3 receiver in PPR leagues in Week 13 against the Rams. In two games with Detroit, Ellington has 12 catches for 80 yards on 16 targets, with six catches in each game. He's proven to be a reliable, short-area target for Matthew Stafford, and Ellington should once again be around six catches in this matchup at home.
• Josh Doctson (at PHI): In Colt McCoy's first start in place of Alex Smith (ankle) in Week 12 at Dallas, he leaned on Doctson, who had six catches for 66 yards on 10 targets, and he's now scored at least 12 PPR points in three of his past four games. This is a great matchup to trust Doctson as a low-end No. 3 receiver since the Eagles allow the second-most Fantasy points to the position, and you can also consider Trey Quinn a sleeper this week as well.

Bust Alert

Boyd will benefit with A.J. Green (toe) expected to return this week, but he also has the downgrade of quarterbacks with Jeff Driskel starting. Now, Green is still worth using as a No. 2 Fantasy receiver, but Boyd is more of a No. 3 option. Driskel did connect with Boyd for a 28-yard touchdown in Week 12 against Cleveland after Andy Dalton (thumb) got hurt, but Boyd could see plenty of coverage from Denver cornerback Chris Harris in Week 13 in the slot. Let's hope Driskel will keep Green and Boyd playing at a high level, but I'm downgrading Boyd this week given the quarterback change and likely matchup with Harris.

Tight ends

Sleepers

• Chris Herndon (at TEN): Herndon had another solid outing in Week 12 against the Patriots with seven catches for 57 yards on eight targets, and he's now scored at least 10 PPR points in four of his past six games, with three touchdowns over that span. He doesn't have an easy matchup in Week 13 at Tennessee, but Herndon is still worth using in deeper leagues as a streaming option.
• Gerald Everett (at DET): The last time we saw Everett was in Week 11 against Kansas City in the first game without Cooper Kupp (ACL) since he was lost for the season. Everett and Tyler Higbee both played well, but Everett had the bigger game with three catches for 49 yards and two touchdowns on four targets (Higbee added six catches for 63 yards on seven targets). Both are potential sleepers this week, but I like Everett better given his big-play ability. In Week 13 at Detroit, both Rams tight ends are worth using as streaming options.
• Jonnu Smith (vs. NYJ): Smith has been on a roll for the past four games, and he's emerged as the No. 2 option in Tennessee's receiving corps behind Corey Davis. Smith has at least 10 PPR points in four games in a row, and he's scored a touchdown in three of his past four outings. He's facing a Jets defense that has only allowed four touchdowns to tight ends this season, but Smith is playing at a high level of late and is worth using as a low-end starter in Week 13.

Bust Alert

Cook is only listed here with the chance that Chiefs safety Eric Berry (heel) is able to play this week. If Berry remains out then consider Cook a safe start, but Berry has been a tight-end eraser during his career. Cook has played well of late with five catches for 63 yards and two touchdowns on 11 targets in his past two games against Arizona and Baltimore, but I would be hesitant to start him in a matchup against Berry.

Defense/Special teams

Start 'Em

Seahawks (vs. SF) – 9.3 projected points

The 49ers are playing a second consecutive road game this week at Seattle, and Nick Mullens looked like a third-string quarterback in Week 12 at Tampa Bay. The Buccaneers had four sacks and two interceptions, and Mullens has now thrown four interceptions in his past two games.

Sleepers

• Chiefs (at OAK): The Raiders have scored 17 points or less in three of the past four games, and Oakland has allowed 19 sacks in the past four outings. With Berry potentially back for Kansas City, the Chiefs DST is a must play in Week 13.
• Broncos (at CIN): A.J. Green's return hurts the Broncos DST a little bit, but facing Jeff Driskel is still a bonus. Cincinnati has allowed multiple sacks in all but three games this season, and Von Miller and Bradley Chubb should make Driskel uncomfortable in the pocket.
• Titans (vs. NYJ): The Jets have allowed nine sacks in their past three games, and they have seven interceptions over that span. We'll see if Sam Darnold (foot) or Josh McCown start this week, but either way, the Titans DST is a solid option in all formats.

Sit 'Em

Chargers (at PIT) – 7.0 projected points

The Chargers DST had a good stretch run recently with at least 10 Fantasy points in three of the past four games. But this isn't a time to trust the Chargers DST at Pittsburgh. The Steelers are averaging 35.4 points at home this year, and Ben Roethlisberger has just four sacks and three interceptions in those games.

Kicker

Start 'Em

McManus has combined for just 12 Fantasy points in his past two games, but he's due for a big outing, which should happen this week. The Bengals are No. 4 in Fantasy points allowed to opposing kickers, and five of the past six kickers against Cincinnati have scored at least eight Fantasy points.

Sleepers

• Sebastian Janikowski (vs. SF): The 49ers have allowed two field goals and three extra points to opposing kickers in the past two games, and six kickers have made multiple field goals against San Francisco this season.
• Ryan Succop (vs. NYJ): Succop scored 10 Fantasy points in his past home game in Week 10 against New England, and the Jets have allowed six field goals in the past three games against Miami, Buffalo and the Patriots.
• Cody Parkey (at NYG): The Giants allow the most Fantasy points to opposing kickers, and three of the past five kickers against the Giants have made at least three field goals. Parkey has two games in his past four outings with at least 11 Fantasy points.

Sit 'Em

Bailey has been a disappointing kicker of late with six Fantasy points or less in four games in a row. He just missed two field goals at home against Green Bay in Week 12, and the Patriots have allowed just one kicker to score more than seven Fantasy points against them in the past five games.

So who should you sit and start? And what shocking running back could win you Week 13? Visit SportsLine now to get Fantasy football rankings for every single position, and see which shocking RB finishes in the top 10 this week, all from the model that out-performed experts big time last season.