Fantasy Football Week 13 Sleeper: Matt Forte

Eric StashinDec 5, 2009

Is it really possible that a player good enough for a first-round draft pick has regressed so far that he’s a sleeper for Week 13? If your name is Matt Forte, that amazingly is exactly what has happened.

While he has contributed in the passing game this season (433 yards on 46 receptions), he has yet to find the end zone through the air.

On the ground, he’s been a fraction of the player he was during his rookie season, when he rushed for 1,238 yards and eight touchdowns.

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So far, this season he’s amassed just 543 yards, averaging just under 50 per game, while scoring just three touchdowns. He’s only had over 50 yards in a game four times all season and over the past four weeks has posted the following statistics:

Week 9 - 33 yards vs. Arizona
Week 10 - 41 yards vs. San Francisco
Week 11 - 34 yards vs. Philadelphia
Week 12 - 27 yards vs. Minnesota

Granted, the worst of those three defenses is Arizona, who ranks 13th in the league giving up 108.6 yards on the ground per game. The Vikings and 49ers are allowing fewer than 100 yards per game.

Still, from a player who so much was expected from, you would think he’d be able to post significantly better numbers, even against the toughest of defenses.

This week, things look to be a lot more favorable as Forte gets the Rams, ranked 28th in the league allowing 148.5 yards per game. They are tied for the second most rushing TDs allowed with 16 (the Raiders have allowed 17).

Last week they saw Justin Forsett thrash them for 130 yards. Two weeks ago, Tim Hightower and Beanie Wells combined for 184 yards.

The key will be the Bears staying with the run. The Rams haven’t been burned consistently by the big run, having allowed nine runs of 20+ yards (the league worst is Buffalo with 16).

They just have consistently given up a good chunk of yards, tied for the second-worst average yardage allowed per carry at 4.8.

As long as the Bears stay patient and continue to feed Forte the ball, this should be the week that fantasy owners finally get repaid for the months of frustration. Make sure he’s in your lineup in all formats.

What do you think? Is Forte a player you would use? How good do you think he may be in Week 13?

Previous Week 13 Sleepers:

Make sure to check out our Week 13 Rankings:

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