Fantasy Football Week 13: Takeaways from Sunday's Action

Week 13 of the NFL/fantasy football season went just as we expected.

The New Orleans Saints and Detroit Lions combined for 80 points with everyone catching a touchdown, the Miami Dolphins beat the Baltimore Ravens with quarterback Joe Flacco throwing multiple interceptions and Houston Texans quarterback Brock Osweiler was once again the worst fantasy football player of the week.

Oh wait, none of that happened.

No, the Saints and Lions combined for just 41 points with just two passing touchdowns (Saints quarterback Drew Brees had zero). The Dolphins got shellacked 38-6 with Flacco throwing four touchdowns and Osweiler (in terms of fantasy points) outperformed Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan, San Diego Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers and New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady.

But nothing was as bizarre as the beginning of the Sunday night game.

According to Joe Person of the Charlotte Observer, Carolina Panthers head coach Ron Rivera benched quarterback Cam Newton for the first play of the game. It was later discovered that it was due to a "dress code violation," as Ashley Stroehlein of WBTV News points out.

Also, Seahawks safety Earl Thomas was seriously injured during the game and posted a tweet talking about a potential retirement. Wow.

The Seattle Seahawks would go on to dismember the Panthers, 40-7. Yikes.

Ravens QB Joe Flacco Is a Bad Man

Nick Wass/Associated Press

Adopting the phrase Stephen A. Smith of ESPN uses to describe Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers, it was Baltimore Ravens Joe Flacco and not Rodgers who was "a baaaaaad man" on Sunday.

In Week 13, Flacco torched the Miami Dolphins for nearly 400 yards passing along with four touchdown passes, in route to a 38-6 win to snap the Dolphins' six-game winning streak.

This was Flacco's first four touchdown performance in the regular season since he demolished the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Week 6 in 2014, throwing for five scores.

Don't expect another performance like this out of Flacco, though—prior to this game, he had just 11 passing touchdowns all season.

Nonetheless, Flacco was unconscious this week.

Bears RB Jordan Howard Owns the 49ers

Nam Y. Huh/Associated Press

If you were ever concerned with a bust from Chicago Bears running back Jordan Howard in Week 13, here are a few things you should have kept in mind:

1. Playing against a team that is ranked 30th in DVOA against the run—check.
2. Talent—check
3. Snow—check
4. Bears QB is not good—check

I mean, it all added up, people.

Howard had everything going for him heading into Week 13, but no one ever projects 32 carries, 117 rushing yards and three scores for a player, especially in a game where the first completion didn't come until the middle of the second quarter.

If you were looking for a fantasy football playoff berth this week and had Howard, enjoy Round 1.

For the fantasy playoffs, Howard will face the Detroit Lions, Green Bay Packers and Washington Redskins, who, heading into Week 13, were 28th, seventh, and 32nd in DVOA against the run, respectively.

Chiefs TE Travis Kelce Has Third Straight 100-Yard Game

Chuck Burton/Associated Press

While it may have taken overtime for Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce to reach 100 receiving yards, he did that and more during regulation in Week 13 against the Atlanta Falcons.

In fact, Kelce's 140 receiving yards was his highest mark this season.

Unfortunately, Kelce remained out of the end zone—hasn't been there since Week 8—but boy oh boy was he close—like, within inches.

Hopefully this is a trend that continues for fantasy owners heading into the playoffs.

This also marks the first pass-catcher for Chiefs quarterback Alex Smith to have three straight games of 100+ yards in the regular season.

Reminder: Smith has been in the NFL since 2006.

Falcons RB Devonta Freeman Balls out Despite Losing Touches

Scott Cunningham/Getty Images

With Atlanta Falcons running back Tevin Coleman coming back from injury, there was some cause for concern with fellow running back Devonta Freeman losing touches.

Doesn't seem to be a matter of concern, though.

In Week 13, despite Coleman "stealing" 12 touches, Freeman made the most of his 19, scoring twice and accumulating 105 total yards.

Freeman is a borderline top-five fantasy running back in PPR leagues—he's just so good.

Lions RB Dwayne Washington Gets Carted Off; Zach Zenner Sees Work

Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images

According to James Palmer of NFL Network, Detroit Lions running back Dwayne Washington suffered an ankle injury in the teams' win over the New Orleans Saints and did not return.

During his absence, Lions running back Zach Zenner saw more work—nine carries for 40 yards.

The Lions running game has been essentially non-existent all season long, but Zenner looked good in limited work.

Washington's injury status will be something to watch but in the fantasy playoffs, it's going to take some guts to start Zenner in any format.

Saints QB Drew Brees Posts a Dud

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If there was a prop bet of over/under 0.5 touchdown passes by New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees and you took the under, you're likely a very rich person now.

Yup, Brees did not score a single touchdown against the Detroit Lions in Week 13, who are an absolute abomination on defense.

Not only did Brees not throw a touchdown, but he threw three interceptions.

Brees at home this season has been automatic, so this game came as a huge surprise. To be fair, the Lions did keep the Saints off the field, as Matt Harmon of NFL Network notes, with the Saints running 13 fewer plays than their season average in Week 13.

Needless to say, I'm not winning the Millionaire Maker after this performance.

Thanks, Drew.

Patriots WR Malcolm Mitchell Plays 85 Percent of Offensive Snaps

Maddie Meyer/Getty Images

No, it wasn't another two-touchdown game for New England Patriots rookie wide receiver Malcolm Mitchell, but it was still an important game in assuming where he stands on this team.

While a touchdown or two would have been nice, Mitchell did see 10 targets, catching eight of them for 82 yards. 

Probably most notable, though, was Mitchell's snaps—he played in 85 percent (67/79) and just one less than fellow wide receiver Chris Hogan.

With tight end Rob Gronkowski out for the season, the Patriots are going to be forced to run more three wide receiver sets, thus making Mitchell a near constant on offense.

Since his Week 11 breakout, Mitchell is tied for the WR2 spot in PPR formats.

He should continue to produce the rest of the season and into the postseason.

Jaguars RB Denard Robinson Leads Backfield in Touches

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Despite being out-snapped 51-25, Jacksonville Jaguars running back Denard Robinson led the backfield in touches, out-touching fellow running back T.J. Yeldon, 18-16.

With running back Chris Ivory on the shelf, the backfield was a bit up in the air, although Robinson led the way in carries in Week 12 after Ivory left with his hamstring injury.

It's safe to say that when Ivory is out, it seems as though Robinson will be the lead back in terms of carries—maybe Yeldon's ankle injury is still lingering?

If Ivory is not back in Week 14, Yeldon is still the guy to look at. Yeah, he was out-touched, but he did have six targets in the passing game, so he has upside there if you're in a PPR league.

Robinson managed just 3.5 yards per touch in Week 13.

Texans WR DeAndre Hopkins Finally Scores

Stacy Revere/Getty Images

For the first time in 56 days, Houston Texans wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins finally found the end zone, going for 58 yards on three receptions.

It's tough to have any faith in the Texans or quarterback Brock Osweiler down the stretch, making Hopkins an OK option. 

If the season were to end today, Hopkins would be the WR30 in PPR leagues.

Even with solid matchups against the Indianapolis Colts, Jacksonville Jaguars and Cincinnati Bengals in the fantasy playoffs, it just doesn't matter. Hopkins cannot be himself with Osweiler at quarterback.

Packers Backfield Is a Complete Mess

Stacy Revere/Getty Images

Ugh.

That's the best way to describe the Green Bay Packers backfield this season.

In Week 13, the Packers best running back was, once again, Ty Montgomery who isn't really a running back, but kind of is.

Anyway, the other running backs the Packers have—James Starks and Christine Michael—combined for 20 yards on 13 carries, whereas Montgomery had 40 on six carries.

Down the stretch, the Packers should just feature Montgomery as Starks and Michael can't get anything going running the ball.

Ironically, Starks had caught touchdowns in back-to-back games prior to his one.

Maybe put Montgomery at running back and Starks at wide receiver? Seems to make more sense (sarcasm, don't worry).

Eagles TE Zach Ertz Sees Double-Digit Targets

Stephen Brashear/Associated Press

After seeing 13 targets in Week 13, Philadelphia Eagles tight end Zach Ertz has now seen 44 over his last five games, averaging nearly nine per game.

With wide receiver Jordan Matthews out, it was only natural for Ertz to see more targets, but what's important is he is being consistently targeted.

Touchdowns have been a premium this year for Ertz but if he keeps catching passes, he'll still remain productive if you're in a PPR league—touchdowns just add to it.

Ertz will continue to be targeted often by rookie quarterback Carson Wentz down the stretch—let's just hope he can get more touchdowns.

Bengals RB Jeremy Hill Salvages Day with TD

Gary Landers/Associated Press

Any time you can roster a running back who totals 25 touches, there's a good chance he'll provide you with a healthy amount of fantasy points.

Unless that player is Cincinnati Bengals running back Jeremy Hill in Week 13, though.

Yup, Hill had 25 touches (23 carries; two receptions) for a mere 45 yards. If Hill hadn't scored a touchdown, this would have been a major letdown for fantasy owners.

With fellow running back Gio Bernard out for the season, we all knew Hill would get plenty of touches, but the biggest concern with Hill is going to be how efficient he'll be with those touches.

The Bengals get the Cleveland Browns in Week 14. Hopefully Hill can do a little bit more in that spot.

The 49ers Are an Incredibly Bad Team

Charles Rex Arbogast/Associated Press

Week 13 for the San Francisco 49ers might be the most pathetic performance I've ever seen from a professional football team.

That's probably an overreaction, but boy oh boy was this one tough to witness.

The 49ers had just five completions all day long from two quarterbacks—Colin Kaepernick and Blaine Gabbert.

The only bright spot on offense for this team was running back Carlos Hyde who had 92 yards rushing on 20 carries.

No pass-catcher in the game had more than 18 yards receiving.

Don't even think about picking up a 49ers player for the fantasy playoffs.

With that said, if Kaepernick starts again, his rushing ability does give him upside, but he was atrocious on Sunday.

Bills RB LeSean McCoy Vultured Twice

Ben Margot/Associated Press

To give him credit, Buffalo Bills running back Mike Gillislee did run well today, scoring two touchdowns. On that same note, though, he did steal two touchdowns from fellow running back LeSean McCoy.

Even though McCoy missed out on two carries, he did post 26 fantasy points in PPR formats, but it would have been an even crazier day.

With the lack of wide receiver depth the Bills have, this offense is totally centered around McCoy.

He's ready for the fantasy playoffs.

Raiders WRs Amari Cooper and Michael Crabtree Both Score

D. Ross Cameron/Associated Press

For the first time since Week 5, Oakland Raiders wide receivers Amari Cooper and Michael Crabtree both scored a touchdown.

It seems like every week we're trying to determine if the incoming week will be a "Cooper or Crabtree week," but in Week 13 they both found the end zone. However, Crabtree did have the better game overall, though—he caught five more passes.

Quarterback Derek Carr's finger is a bit of a concern. If he suffers another injury to that and is forced from a game, the faith I have in backup quarterback Matt McGloin getting the ball to either of these guys is on par with my faith in the Cleveland Browns winning a football game this season—not happening.

Let's see what these fellas can do on the road against the Kansas City Chiefs in Week 14.

This should be a Cooper game unless Chiefs cornerback Marcus Peters were to follow him—Cooper usually lines up on the right side of the field as opposed to Peters who stays on the left.

Steelers TE Ladarius Green Posts Breakout Game

Jared Wickerham/Associated Press

It appears the reports of Pittsburgh Steelers tight end Ladarius Green playing in more snaps in Week 13 came true.

In Week 13, Green played in 35 snaps—he had played in 34 all season prior to this game.

No, 35 snaps isn't a ton, but Green made the most of them, seeing 11 targets, catching six of them for over 100 yards and finding the end zone.

Green's talent has never been a question mark—just his health.

Green should continue to be involved in this offense considering the wide receiver depth chart is fairly shallow after Antonio Brown.

Cardinals RB David Johnson Is Possessed

Ross D. Franklin/Associated Press

We'll make this one quick.

Arizona Cardinals running back David Johnson is simply amazing—he's the most automatic fantasy asset this season. If he were to score less than 20 points we'd consider it a bad week.

There isn't a single player I'd rather have right now over Johnson in fantasy football. He had 84 rushing yards and a score. And oh yeah, 91 receiving yards on nine catches and another touchdown. Beast.

Who Is Buccaneers WR Freddie Martino?

Steve Nesius/Associated Press

It was just last week.

I was sitting in front of my television watching NFL Red Zone, when all of a sudden I hear Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Freddie Martino had caught a pass.

Upon hearing that sentiment, I promptly said, "who the hell is that?"

Now, like you, I know a ton of football players. I had no clue who this guy was.

Here's a brief background: he's an undrafted, third-year guy out of North Greenville (wherever the heck that is).

What makes Martino interesting now is that fellow wide receiver Adam Humphries left Week 13 early with a concussion.

Although Martino played in just 29 snaps, he caught four passes for 56 yards.

Should Humphries sit out Week 14, Martino should be seen often in three-wide sets—Cecil Shorts III will also be out—he suffered a gruesome leg injury that will likely end his season.

It would take a series of unfortunate events to need to start Martino in the playoffs, but you never know.

Chargers WR Dontrelle Inman Ahead of Travis Benjamin?

Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images

Since his return from a knee injury in Week 12, San Diego Chargers wide receiver Travis Benjamin has seemingly taken a back seat to Dontrelle Inman.

Since Week 12, Inman has out-snapped Benjamin, 102-80, and has five more targets.

No, it's not a huge difference, but a difference nonetheless. While one could say Benjamin's knee injury isn't yet 100 percent, it's hard to ignore Inman's stats—eight catches, 168 yards, two touchdowns.

If Inman keeps performing, Benjamin may be playing third fiddle (I know it's not a thing) to Inman and Tyrell Williams.

Seahawks RB Thomas Rawls Avoids Concussion, Posts Season-Best Numbers

Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images

Seattle Seahawks running back Thomas Rawls went to work in Week 13 on Sunday Night Football.

Rawls went for over 100 yards rushing and scored twice—one of the scores being on a 45-yard run.

There was a minor scare, however. Rawls left the game with what was thought to be a concussion, but came back out after halftime and continued to play.

If you drafted Rawls and stuck with him through everything this season, this is what you've been waiting for—RB1 production.

Hopefully he keeps up this hot streak into the fantasy playoffs.

Statistics courtesy of Pro Football Focus and Football Outsiders.

Follow me on Twitter @RichardJanvrin.