Start 'Em, Sit 'Em Week 13: Pivotal Lineup Decisions for Your Playoff Push

Depending how deep your fantasy football league is, there is a good chance that Week 13 represents the final week of the regular season. If that is the case, then this is unquestionably the biggest year when it comes to playoff positioning and whether or not your team even qualifies.

Fortunately, byes are finally over and done with, but there was no shortage of troubling injuries in Week 12, so there are some tough decisions to be made. That might involve doing some outside-the-box thinking, but if that is what it takes to remain in the hunt, then that is what must be done.

Here is a full breakdown of the most pivotal lineup decisions to consider as you make your final push for the fantasy playoffs.

Quarterbacks

Start: Carson Palmer (ARI)

The Cardinals are one of the hottest teams in the NFL right now, and the play of quarterback Carson Palmer has been one of the main contributing factors. Palmer has thrown for over 300 yards in consecutive games, and he has thrown for two touchdowns in four straight. He has been inconsistent as a whole this year, according to Luke Hughes of NESN, but that hasn't been the case recently.

Palmer has thrown an interception in two weeks, which is huge considering the amount of picks he threw over the season's first 10 weeks. On top of that, the Cards face the Philadelphia Eagles and their last-ranked pass defense in Week 13. That should allow Palmer to keep the good times rolling for his fantasy owners.

Week 13 Fantasy Projection: 301 passing yards, three touchdowns and one interception

Sit: Mike Glennon (TB)

Like Arizona, Tampa Bay is playing some great football as of late with quarterback play leading the way. Unlike Palmer, Mike Glennon is an unheralded rookie, but the stage hasn't been too big for him in recent weeks. In fact, Glennon has thrown for at least one touchdown in each of his starts this season, and he has only thrown two interceptions since his Week 4 debut. Despite his hot streak, Glennon isn't an advisable start in Week 13.

It's difficult to trust a rookie quarterback in fantasy at any point, but that is especially true when the matchup is less than ideal. The Bucs will face the Carolina Panthers, and while Glennon performed admirably to the tune of 275 yards and a score against Carolina in Week 8, it wouldn't be wise to roll the dice on the road. Carolina has more interceptions (15) than passing touchdowns allowed (nine) this season, which spells trouble for Glennon.

Week 13 Fantasy Projection: 221 passing yards, one touchdown and two interceptions

Running Backs

Start: Rashad Jennings (OAK)

With Darren McFadden struggling to stay healthy yet again this season, backup running back Rashad Jennings has been a pleasant surprise for the Raiders. Jennings has been particularly strong over the past month, and he has been a diamond in the rough for fantasy owners. Some might believe that Jennings is due for a poor performance, but due to Oakland's struggles when it comes to passing the ball, he should continue to be the focal point of the offense.

Jennings has rushed for 73 or more yards in his past four contests, and he is averaging nearly four catches per game during that run as well, which makes him a real asset in point-per-reception leagues. With the Raiders facing a Dallas Cowboys defense that allows nearly 134 rushing yards per game, Jennings is in line for a Thanksgiving feast as far as the stat sheet is concerned.

Week 13 Fantasy Projection: 118 rushing yards, four receptions for 33 yards and one touchdown

Sit: Lamar Miller (MIA)

Seeing as Lamar Miller was probably a fourth- or fifth-round pick in most fantasy leagues this season, it's fair to say that his owners are absolutely disgusted with him. It isn't entirely Miller's fault since he hasn't been given more than 18 carries in a game all season, but he has had far too many instances of ineffectiveness.

Even so, there may be reason to believe that Miller will be effective down the stretch after backup Daniel Thomas suffered a significant injury on Sunday, according to NFL.com's Ian Rapoport.

Thomas' presence severely limited Miller's fantasy upside, but now he is the only game in town. That means the Dolphins will have to lean on him, but it doesn't mean that he'll play well. Miller has a grand total of 27 rushing yards over the past three weeks, including eight on 10 carries in Week 12. Add in the fact that Miller is facing the New York Jets' league-best run defense in Week 13, and he's a definite no-start player.

Week 13 Fantasy Projection: 38 rushing yards and two receptions for 16 yards

Wide Receivers

Start: Nate Burleson (DET)

The Lions have been without a reliable complementary receiver across from Calvin Johnson for the past several weeks, but they found an answer in Week 12. Nate Burleson returned from injury, and he didn't waste any time making an impact. He caught seven passes for 77 yards and a touchdown, and he has at least six receptions in all four of his games this season. He also played almost every offensive snap for Detroit on Sunday, according to John Paulsen of FantasyPros.

Burleson obviously is nowhere near as dynamic as Johnson, but Megatron's presence ensures that he will perpetually see single coverage. The Lions will host the Green Bay Packers on Thanksgiving, and Green Bay's secondary has been in a giving mood all season long. The Packers have allowed 19 passing touchdowns, and Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford figures to look in Burleson's direction early and often.

Week 13 Fantasy Projection: Six receptions for 109 yards and one touchdown

Sit: Marques Colston (NO)

There are a lot of mouths to feed in the Saints offense, but wide receiver Marques Colston has always been one of the first over the years. That hasn't necessarily been the case this season, however. With tight end Jimmy Graham ascending to the next level and rookie receiver Kenny Stills stepping up as well, Colston's production hasn't been quite as consistent. Because of that, he isn't necessarily a surefire fantasy starter on a weekly basis anymore.

Colston is only on pace for 828 yards this season, and he has just two touchdown catches as well. It probably wouldn't be wise to write someone off when they have Drew Brees throwing them the ball, but there's a very good chance that Colston will be taken out of the game this week. The Saints are facing the Seattle Seahawks, and Richard Sherman will almost certainly be covering Colston. With that in mind, look for a different option if at all possible.

Week 13 Fantasy Projection: Three receptions for 35 yards

Tight Ends

Start: Martellus Bennett (CHI)

Martellus Bennett opened the season with plenty of vim and vigor, but the big tight end has cooled off considerably in recent weeks for the Bears. Bennett reemerged as a go-to option in Week 12 against the St. Louis Rams, though. He finished the game with four receptions for 62 yards and his first touchdown since Week 7. Bennett isn't the most explosive tight end in the league, but he is a great fantasy commodity when he finds the end zone.

The odds of that happening in Week 13 are quite good since the Bears will face the Minnesota Vikings. Minnesota has given up a league-high 24 touchdown passes, and Bennett caught two against the Vikes in Week 2. He also caught seven passes for 76 yards in that game, so he should definitely be in your lineup provided you don't have a stud at the position.

Week 13 Fantasy Projection: Six receptions for 80 yards and one touchdown

Sit: Jared Cook (STL)

Jared Cook has to be one of the NFL's biggest wastes of talent. He has all the tools necessary to be an elite tight end, but he could never put it all together with the Tennessee Titans, and he has yet to do it with the St. Louis Rams, either. Cook seemed poised for a monster season after exploding for 141 yards in Week 1, but he has been quiet ever since until Week 12 against the Chicago Bears.

Cook awoke to the tune of four grabs for 80 yards and a touchdown, which was just his second since Week 1. That might lead some fantasy owners to believe that Cook is back in business, but not so fast. The Rams will have their hands full offensively in Week 13 when they face the San Francisco 49ers' dominant defense. The Niners only surrendered 45 yards to Cook in Week 4, and he won't eclipse that total on Sunday.

Week 13 Fantasy Projection: Two receptions for 27 yards

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