Start 'Em, Sit 'Em Week 13: Final Review Before Thursday Night Football

I don't know about you, but I like my turkey with a side of fantasy points. Sure, I love the stuffing and mashed potatoes and, of course, the pumpkin pie, but with three games on Thursday I'm just as interested in gorging on fantasy points.

With three games on tap, you'll have plenty of pigskin to go along with your feast. And with my look at the players to start and sit this week, you should have plenty of fantasy points for dessert.  

Start 'Em: Tony Romo, QB, Dallas Cowboys

When a defense allows Zach Mettenberger to post 19 fantasy points, they aren't very good against the pass. When that same defense has given up 18 or more fantasy points to opposing quarterbacks eight times this season, that pass defense is pretty darn dreadful. 

Yes, the Philadelphia Eagles secondary is pretty darn dreadful.

That's why I love Tony Romo this week. Sure, it helps that he's posted 46 total fantasy points in his past two games, or that he's scored 16 or more points in six of his last seven contests, but ultimately it's the matchup that makes him a tasty option this week.

The Eagles are pretty solid in the front seven and they'll get after Romo a little bit. But they also won't have an answer for Dez Bryant down the field or Jason Witten across the middle given their depleted linebacker unit. Expect the Cowboys to pass early and often on Thanksgiving.

Sit 'Em: Jay Cutler, QB, Chicago Bears

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Jay Cutler, how you betray me. I loved you last week against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and you posted a measly seven fantasy points. That hurt, man. It really, really hurt.

Given last week's poor performance against a pretty shaky Tampa Bay defense, it's hard to trust Cutler this week against a Detroit Lions team giving up just 12.5 fantasy points per week to opposing quarterbacks, tied for second in the NFL. The Lions have allowed opposing quarterbacks to score 18 or more fantasy points against them just three times this season.

Don't expect Cutler to make it four.

Start 'Em: Tre Mason, RB, St. Louis Rams

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Once a perplexing running back platoon in St. Louis, Tre Mason has clearly seized the reins in that backfield. Fantasy owners can rejoice—Mason's ascension to the starting gig has led to seven or more fantasy points in four of his last six games. Hardly amazing numbers, sure, but for your flex or in deeper leagues, owners will take what they can get from running back.

"I try to get better every week and every game," Mason told Mark Inabinett of AL.com. "Things are starting to slow down for me. Starting to feel a lot more comfortable. Starting to get into the flow of things. Getting back to ballin'."

That's music to the ears of Mason's fantasy owners. This week, he has a very nice matchup against an Oakland Raiders defense that has given up 19 or more fantasy points to opposing backs eight times this season and are giving up 126.7 rushing yards per game, 25th in the NFL.

Start Mason with confidence as a low-end RB2 this week.

Sit 'Em: Ryan Mathews, RB, San Diego Chargers

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Ryan Mathews has been quite good in his return from injury, with 18 rushes for 175 yards and a touchdown total in his last two games. It's clear that he's once again the main man in San Diego's backfield, a welcome addition down the stretch for owners who patiently held onto him during his injuries earlier this season.

He just probably won't be much of a help to your team this week. The Baltimore Ravens have been the stingiest defense in the NFL against opposing running backs, allowing the position to score just 10.4 fantasy points per week, and are fifth in the NFL in rushing yards allowed. 

It seems more likely that Philip Rivers and company will look to air it out against the league's 29th-ranked pass defense. Mathews will be an RB2 more weeks than not down the stretch, but he isn't a player I would recommend starting this week.

Start 'Em: Terrance Williams, WR, Dallas Cowboys

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The main attraction on Thanksgiving when the Cowboys face the Eagles will likely be Dez Bryant, but you already knew that. Terrance Williams has a great chance to put on a show as well, however. 

Sure, he's the second option in the passing game at wide receiver. Sure, he's touchdown reliant when it comes to fantasy value. Sure, he has two fantasy points total in his past three games. Sure, sure, sure.

Here's the thing—the Eagles are really, really friendly to opposing wide receivers, giving up 26.3 fantasy points per week to the position, 31st in the NFL. If Williams is able to play, the odds of him getting into the end zone are pretty high.

He's nothing more than a flex consideration this week, of course, but if you don't mind rolling the dice a bit he could reward you handsomely.

Sit 'Em: DeSean Jackson, WR, Washington

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Well, this offense isn't one worth betting on, is it?

Robert Griffin III hasn't grasped Jay Gruden's system and the results have been disastrous, to the point that Colt McCoy will be starting on Sunday. DeSean Jackson, in turn, has six catches for 74 yards total in his past two games. Not exactly the stuff of legend, right? 

It probably isn't going to get better on Sunday. Jackson faces an Indianapolis secondary that is sixth in the NFL in fantasy points allowed to opposing wideouts and will likely draw a matchup with Vontae Davis. It could be a long afternoon for Jackson. It could be a long conclusion to the season for Washington fans, for that matter.

Hit me up on Twitter—I'll answer your fantasy questions and make some corny jokes, too. It's more fun than a catching drill with Odell Beckham Jr.