What Are the Comfort Levels for Fantasy Studs Heading into Week 13?

With Week 13 of the fantasy football season upon us, we've officially hit the regular season finale.

That's right, after Week 13 (for most leagues) the fantasy playoffs start.

For many of you, you might be facing a win-and-you're-in situation.

For others, you could be playing spoiler.

Week 13 has plenty of implications. Even if you're out of playoff contention, everyone loves a good spoiler storyline.

This week, we have seven players we are looking at. They range all over the board in terms of how comfortable you should feel playing them.

Take some risks this week, but stick to the same game plan that's got you to where you are.

Let's take a look at some studs.

Brandin Cooks, WR, New England Patriots

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In Week 12, the New England Patriots, yet again, put up another 30-plus point performance in a dominant 18-point win over the Miami Dolphins.

In that game, wide receiver Brandin Cooks caught six passes for 83 yards and a touchdown.

In Week 13? Cooks will get the Buffalo Bills—a team that ranked 24th in DVOA against No. 1 wide receivers through Week 11.

Also, the Bills are a suspect defense as a whole as of late. Yeah, they only allowed 10 to the Kansas City Chiefs, but they damn near almost gave up 100 in Weeks 10 and 11 combined.

Cooks is my WR1 this week. It's a perfect matchup on the best offensive team in football that is on the hunt for the No. 1 seed in the AFC.

Expect 30 points from the Pats again in this one.

Cooks will play a huge role in that.

Leonard Fournette, RB, Jacksonville Jaguars

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While the Arizona Cardinals were able to limit what Jacksonville Jaguars running back Leonard Fournette was able to do to them, the Jaguars really needed to get the ball in his hands more than just 12 carries.

In Week 13, Fournette should bounce back against the Indianapolis Colts.

Up through Week 11, the Colts ranked 19th in DVOA against the run and 32nd against pass-catching backs.

The Jaguars defense should be able to contain the Colts and quarterback Jacoby Brissett more successfully than their efforts in Week 12.

This game should be firmly in the Jaguars control, resulting in plenty of touches for Fournette.

The DVOA stats don't even account for the Colts surrendering over six yards per carry to Tennessee Titans running back Derrick Henry or the touchdown to DeMarco Murray, either.

Fournette is going over 100 here.

Melvin Gordon, RB, Los Angeles Chargers

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Through Week 11, the Cleveland Browns were ranked first in DVOA against the run, but 29th against pass-catching running backs.

But that was before Cincinnati Bengals running back Joe Mixon torched them for 114 rushing yards and a touchdown.

This week, the Browns will deal with another talented running back in Melvin Gordon of the Los Angeles Chargers.

The Browns only allow just over 3.3 yards per carry, so they've been fairly consistent all season.

With that said, they haven't faced that many big names—Le'Veon Bell in Week 1 after missing virtually the entire preseason and Leonard Fournette who managed to go over 100 yards on 28 carries.

This game has a bit of uncertainty to it, but Gordon is up there in terms of talent when you look at Bell and Fournette.

As long as the Chargers offensive line performs for Gordon, he should have a solid game if he gets enough volume.

If the Chargers lead in this game, expect the volume to assist in Gordon's production. However, if Gordon sees something like 15 touches, it could be a tough afternoon.

Don't bench him, but understand there is some risk. This isn't the automatic "oh he's playing Cleveland, he'll destroy them" mantra anymore.

T.Y. Hilton, WR, Indianapolis Colts

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There many be some contention when it comes to the subject of considering Indianpolis Colts wide receiver T.Y. Hilton a "stud."

Well, he is. It's not his fault the quarterback play (though Jacoby Brissett hasn't been horrible) hasn't been what is has in the past.

However, Week 13 is going to be a tough go for the talented player.

Going up against the Jacksonville Jaguars is a death wish. It's similar to going up against the Seattle Seahawks a few seasons ago.

Plain and simple: If you have other viable options, look there. If Hilton is targeted enough, maybe he pops off a nice yardage gain.

I'm not banking on that.

Hilton is super risky in Week 13.

Jordan Howard, RB, Chicago Bears

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When it comes to Chicago Bears running back Jordan Howard, expect this: He's going to carries. That's it.

He won't catch the ball. Like at all. 

As Heath Cummings of CBS Sports notes, Howard has literally had six targets over his last six games before Week 12.

And what did he do in Week 12? He had two targets. 

You get the picture.

Fortunately, Howard will get a San Francisco 49ers team that is ranked 23rd in DVOA against the run, through Week 11.

Now, it's not yet known if C.J. Beathard or Jimmy Garoppolo will be the starter.

This could change things a little bit, so watch out for that.

However, the Bears defense isn't as bad as you'd think. They could most likely keep the game close, if not be ahead of the 49ers.

Howard should get enough run here to make him an RB1 this week, especially in standard leagues.

Julio Jones, WR, Atlanta Falcons

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First of all, a congratulations is in order for Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Julio Jones.

Double-digit receptions, over 250 receiving yards and two touchdowns in Week 12.

Absolutely bonkers.

Now, though, the competition is a bit more difficult.

Even though they are at home, the Falcons face a Minnesota Vikings defense that has Xavier Rhodes.

Of course, Jones has enough talent to win some of those one-on-one battles, but Jones could be in for a gritty afternoon.

Can totally envision a five-catch for something like 70-yard game, but nothing overly spectacular.

Week 12 was incredible, though, huh?

Adam Thielen, WR, Minnesota Vikings

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We covered an Atlanta Falcons wide receiver in the last slide, so let's move over to the team he's facing and cover their No. 1 guy—Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Adam Thielen.

First off, Thielen has absolutely taken over this receiving corps. Stefon Diggs who?

A lot of it has to do with the way his quarterback, Case Keenum, is playing, too—he's thrown for over 280 yards in four straight games and has multiple touchdown passes in three of those four.

Going up against the Falcons, we could be in for a shootout.

Even if we're not, Thielen's job could potentially be a lot easier.

According to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network, Falcons cornerback Desmond Trufant is in the concussion protocol.

Should he not suit up in Week 13, forget about it.

Right now, Thielen is my WR2.

Without Trufant, he could be in for one of his best games of the season.

Statistics courtesy of Pro Football Reference and Football Outsiders.