Week 13 Start 'Em, Sit 'Em: Superstars to Remove from Lineups Before Sunday

It's difficult to make changes to a lineup that is on the brink of a playoff berth, but fantasy football is not for the timid.

Whether you're in desperation mode or trying to stay on top of the standings, all that matters is getting the most possible points every single week. While this often means using your studs regardless of matchup, this is not always the smartest move.

We know enough about each player and team to find the best plays across the board. Don't be afraid to make some dramatic moves to your lineup—and do it with confidence—finally beating that annoying friend who won't shut up about his team.

Here are some superstars who should be taken out for Week 13 with some possible replacements at each position.

Quarterback

Bench: Philip Rivers, San Diego Chargers

There was a point this season when Philip Rivers was a top-five option at the position. However, he has not had the same type of success lately with an average of just seven points over his last three games.

	Week 9	Other Week Avg
Pass Yds	340	257.1
Pass TDs	6	1.1
QB Fantasy Pts	35	15.6

Rivers went from almost flawless play to making multiple mistakes per game, and he has struggled to even get the ball near the end zone.

While the Baltimore Ravens appear to be a quality matchup on paper, allowing the eighth-most fantasy points to opposing quarterbacks, the defensive stats are skewed by one awful performance against Ben Roethlisberger and the Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 9.

Outside of the one bad showing in a rivalry game, the Ravens have been much better defensively and difficult to score upon.

This does not make it likely for Rivers to bounce back with a strong performance in Week 13.

Start: Ryan Tannehill, Miami Dolphins

Although Ryan Tannehill was not considered a top quarterback to start the season, he has flourished lately and is quickly becoming one of the best young players at his position.

ESPN's Ben Fennell has been impressed with what he's seen lately:

The question is how good he is as a fantasy option. He scored 26 points in standard leagues in Week 12, but this came after totaling just 26 in the two weeks prior.

Still, this isn't an issue of inconsistency but just facing top defenses. The Buffalo Bills and Detroit Lions are among the five best units against opposing quarterbacks. That's not the case with the struggling New York Jets.

Tannehill has the opportunity to put up huge numbers through the air and help carry your team to victory.

Running Back

Bench: Giovani Bernard, Cincinnati Bengals

Michael Conroy/Associated Press

This is a depressing thought for all the people who drafted Giovani Bernard early and then waited a month for him to finally be healthy. Unfortunately, he is no longer the best option in his own backfield.

Jeremy Hill has been excellent in Bernard's absence, averaging 112 rushing yards over the last four games with three touchdowns. He runs hard up the middle and knows how to finish plays strong, something that especially helps him near the end zone.

Bernard did receive 19 touches last game and only managed 67 yards from scrimmage. He still has big-play potential, but fewer carries will result in less production—especially without goal-line carries.

After last season featured everyone complaining about lack of carries for the obviously better Bernard, the second-year running back is going to see the harsh realities of a meritocracy.

Start: Isaiah Crowell, Cleveland Browns

It might be hard to trust a running back who still has not gotten 15 carries in a game this year, but last week's two-score performance against the Atlanta Falcons showed that he can be a star going forward.

Isaiah Crowell seemed to be third on the depth chart just a few weeks ago, but Ben Tate is now out of the picture and Terrance West seems to be at best a secondary option.

According to Nate Ulrich of the Akron Beacon Journal, Browns head coach Mike Pettine explained the improvement for the young running back:

His 88 rushing yards in Week 12 were a career high and he now has a chance to improve upon that—even against a tough defense like the Bills.

Wide Receiver

Bench: Vincent Jackson, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Jeff Haynes/Associated Press

Vincent Jackson did break out of a slump with 117 receiving yards in Week 12, marking the second time he topped 100 yards in a game this year. The veteran was targeted nine times against the Chicago Bears, bringing his season total to 103 to rank 11th in the NFL.

Unfortunately, a fumble kept him to just nine fantasy points, keeping him in single digits in all but one game this season. He also hasn't gotten into the end zone since Week 4.

Mike Evans has clearly passed him in the eyes of the Buccaneers, and they will try to get the ball to the rookie as often as possible.

With a difficult upcoming game against the Bengals, do not believe his recent success and keep the disappointing receiver on your bench.

Start: John Brown, Arizona Cardinals

Although John Brown has been the third option for Arizona for much of the year, an injury to Larry Fitzgerald could hold him out Sunday. Meanwhile, Brown's own issue seems to be solved, according to Darren Urban of AZCardinals.com:

Add this to the relative disappearance of Michael Floyd, and the Cardinals will need Brown to step up as a top option going forward.

While he hasn't always been the most consistent option, he has topped 60 yards in three straight games. This could lead to even more success against a Falcons secondary that sometimes loses receivers down the field.

Only four teams have allowed more fantasy points to opposing receivers this year than Atlanta, which means Brown could be set for a breakout performance.

Fantasy information courtesy of ESPN.com.

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