Start 'Em Sit 'Em Week 13: Emerging Stars Creating Difficult Decisions

For many NFL fantasy football leagues, the playoffs are about to commence, and some owners need some last-minute help to notch one more victory.

The problem is, some rising stars have made their mark with surprising, stellar performances this season, thus creating lineup conundrums for owners everywhere due to their lack of substantial consistency.

Some of these offensive players should be among the hot waiver-wire commodities or available as trade bait. Read on to find out if they're worth plugging into the lineup in Week 13.

Carson Palmer, QB, Arizona Cardinals

Before scoffing at Palmer being labeled an "emerging star," it is rather true. Or he's at least experiencing a career renaissance under head coach Bruce Arians.

Even without first-round rookie Jonathan Cooper to protect him at offensive guard, Palmer has hung tough after a rough start to the season and is now flourishing in Arians' offense.

In his past four starts, the veteran signal-caller has piled up eight touchdown passes to just two interceptions. The Cardinals have won all those games.

No one gives up more passing yards per game in the NFL than the Philadelphia Eagles—Arizona's Week 13 opponent.

Palmer is facing a team that has had a bye week to prepare, but between the weapons he has in receivers Larry Fitzgerald, Michael Floyd and Andre Roberts along with tight end Rob Housler, it's hard to discourage starting him.

With the way Philadelphia's uptempo offense is playing, too, this could turn into a shootout.

One reason to be wary, though: Per TeamRankings.com, the Eagles are sixth in the league in allowing touchdowns in the red zone at just 47.2 percent of the time. The site also notes the Cardinals are 21st in scoring TDs in the red zone, at a 51.4 percent rate.

That shouldn't be enough to dissuade owners who are in a pinch to start Palmer, especially if his recent play portends what's to come in Week 13.

Start/Sit Verdict: Start

Rashad Jennings, RB, Oakland Raiders

A big reason Jennings is causing fantasy owners' heads to ache is because the Raiders have a short week, playing on the road against the Dallas Cowboys on Thanksgiving.

While Dallas has the 30th-ranked rush defense and is even worse against the pass, it did hold the New York Giants' offense to 15 points last week.

Jennings has performed well in recent weeks, and even with typical Oakland starter Darren McFadden returning, offensive coordinator Greg Olson has said Jennings will stick as the No. 1 back, per the Contra Costa Times' Steve Corkran:

What makes Jennings a viable start is the vulnerability of the opposing defense and the fact that he's a capable contributor to the Raiders' passing game, proving so by catching four passes for 48 yards last week.

Undrafted rookie QB Matt McGloin should look to lean on Jennings against a favorable opponent and to check down to Jennings to get him in space. All of these factors point to a big Thanksgiving feast for Jennings and fantasy owners—regardless of McFadden's status.

Start/Sit Verdict: Start

Tavon Austin, WR, St. Louis Rams

You know, the Rams traded up in the 2013 draft to select Austin at No. 8 overall, yet he remained mysteriously absent from the offensive game plan for the first half of the season.

Now offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer has given him some opportunities, and the dynamic playmaker has run with them.

Two explosive touchdown catches and a punt return to paydirt in Week 10 were followed up in short order in Week 12, when Austin reversed field on a pitch and ran it 65 yards to the house.

Even after being a non-factor for the majority of his maiden pro campaign to date, Austin has already made NFL history, per NFL Network's Adam Caplan:

The only problem is that he's facing the NFC West rival San Francisco 49ers on Sunday, whose defense is capable of taking even the most dominant player out of his groove. Austin hasn't gotten enough touches to prove trustworthy enough from a fantasy standpoint.

Kellen Clemens is also the Rams quarterback, so he is more than susceptible to shaky play against the Niners, especially on the road at Candlestick Park.

Austin is very much a boom-or-bust proposition this week, but owners would be wise to err on the side of caution instead of taking the risk.

Start/Sit Verdict: Sit

Jordan Cameron, TE, Cleveland Browns

The perception of Cameron as an emerging star is more of a long-term view and has less to do with what he's done lately.

Cameron caught three passes for 32 yards on 10 targets in the 27-11 loss in Week 12 to the Pittsburgh Steelers and has not been the same dominant player he was in the beginning of 2013.

As his ESPN.com profile highlights, though, the Jacksonville Jaguars have given up the second-most fantasy points per game to tight ends this season.

With the defense giving Josh Gordon a lot of attention after Gordon's 237-yard explosion last week, there is a chance for Cameron to get back on track.

Unfortunately, his quarterback will likely be Brandon Weeden after Jason Campbell suffered a concussion in Week 12:

Weeden holds the ball far too long in the pocket, doesn't go through his reads quickly enough and doesn't put the proper velocity or ball placement on any pass under 10 yards.

Unless the 2012 first-round pick shows unforeseen improvement, continue to be wary of Cameron as a fantasy option. Even if Campbell can go, Cameron has seen fewer targets since Campbell has been under center.

The Jags are as favorable a matchup as there is, and Cameron may be the best option for many owners at tight end, but he's in line to disappoint from a fantasy standpoint yet again. At the worst possible time, too.

Start/Sit Verdict: Sit