Fantasy Football Week 13: Stars That Will Bounce Back from Disappointing Games

Several superstars from the AFC had lackluster performances in their most recent games, but given their matchups and respective circumstances, they are in line to bounce back in Week 13.

The fantasy football playoffs are imminent, so it's critical to figure out which stars to count on in pivotal make-or-break games.

While a couple of these players are no-brainer starts in just about any conceivable scenario, another has struggled all season long and is a bit riskier. Read on to find out which stars to bank on, along with what to expect from them in terms of numbers.

Peyton Manning, QB, Denver Broncos

A depressing duel with New England Patriots counterpart Tom Brady saw Manning get outplayed on Sunday night, as he and Denver let a 24-point halftime lead slip, eventually losing in overtime.

The 37-year-old living legend threw for a season-low 150 yards against the Pats in an unprecedented concession of a game that seemed well in hand:

Manning was not sacked once in his Week 11 showdown with the Kansas City Chiefs for AFC West supremacy, and in this edition, he won't be facing Justin Houston.

The limber linebacker leads the Chiefs with 11 sacks in 2013, but a dislocated elbow suffered in last week's loss in San Diego will keep him out for two to three weeks, per NFL Network's Ian Rapoport:

Between the type of competitor Manning is and the absence of Houston, there is no reason The Sheriff shouldn't sling it all over Arrowhead Stadium and lead the Broncos to a big victory—and put them firmly in the driver's seat for the AFC's No. 1 seed.

Projected Numbers: 30-of-40 passing for 340 yards, 3 TDs

C.J. Spiller, RB, Buffalo Bills

With only six yards on 13 carries against the New York Jets in the Bills' last game, Spiller continues to be among one of the biggest mysteries in fantasy football this season.

Part of it has been injury problems, but much more was expected from the former first-round pick this season after he averaged six yards per carry and 10.7 yards per catch in 2012.

The good news is that Buffalo is coming off its bye week and is hosting a soft defense in the Atlanta Falcons at Toronto's Rogers Centre on Sunday.

Spiller said on Wednesday that he feels better with the extra rest as he continues to fight through a high ankle sprain that has plagued him since the beginning of the year, per BuffaloBills.com's Chris Brown.

“I feel good,” said Spiller. “I definitely feel like I’m getting back to my old self, making the cuts, making that explosion, so just looking forward to seeing how Sunday goes."

Having such a late bye week was a tough break for Spiller's injury situation, but it seems he's finally turning a corner. That should help him literally turn the corner with more effectiveness this week, too.

Even though Spiller will still be splitting carries with Fred Jackson, he is the one with two 100-yard games in 2013 compared to Jackson's zero.

Superior big-play ability, his knack for catching out of the backfield and better health all make Spiller worth plugging in, as he's due for a breakout game against a Falcons defense that gives up 28.1 points per game and is ranked 29th against the run.

Projected Numbers: 15 carries, 120 yards, TD; 3 receptions, 45 yards

A.J. Green, WR, Cincinnati Bengals

Although the Bengals beat the Cleveland Browns before their Week 12 bye, it was Green's worst game as a pro—mostly because it was Cleveland cornerback Joe Haden's best.

Green was totally shut down with two receptions for just seven yards—a drastic departure from the type of historic numbers he'd been putting up before then:

But a far more favorable matchup awaits when Cincinnati takes on the San Diego Chargers on Sunday.

The Chargers have a leaky defense that is 29th in total yards allowed per game and 28th versus the pass. Heck, they let Alex Smith throw for nearly 300 yards and three touchdowns last week.

That bodes well for Green and his young QB Andy Dalton to get back on track together, and should see the star receiver targeted well into the double digits as the Bengals look to put more distance between their division competitors.

Projected Numbers: 11 receptions, 145 yards, 2 TDs