Fantasy Football Week 13 Sit 'em Start 'em: Chris Johnson Tips and More Advice
The fantasy football season is hitting the home stretch, and many owners are getting ready for the playoffs, while others are fighting for a spot.
These are some of the most important weeks for fantasy owners, and with most NFL teams still playing their starters as they vie for playoff spots, it could mean big points for your fantasy team.
So who should you sit and who should you start?
I'll go over some of my locks for Week 13, and give you all the advice I can.
Start: Josh Freeman
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In a breakout sophomore season, Josh Freeman has been gold at home. After a week in which he struggled with a 46 percent completion rate, 162 yards and a touchdown, look for Freeman to bounce back against a Falcons pass defense that's been soft, allowing 253 yards per game through the air and 19 total touchdowns to opposing quarterbacks.
Sit: David Garrard
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Garrard had a nice outing against the New York Giants last week despite a losing effort for the Jaguars. He accounted for 162 passing yards, 41 rushing yards and a rushing touchdown, while throwing an interception.
He probably won't enjoy much success against a Titans defense that held the Jaguars to just three points in their first meeting, which was at Jacksonville. Now playing in Nashville, the Titans could get their feet back under them after a few unfavorable performances.
Start: Matt Cassel
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Cassel had a career day against the Seattle Seahawks last week, with 233 yards and four touchdowns. He now has the pleasure of facing division rival Denver, which has allowed an average of 239 yards per game through the air and has forfeited 23 passing touchdowns.
It should be another field day for Cassel, who has been finding Dwayne Bowe for touchdowns with ease over the past few weeks.
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Sit: Ben Roethlisberger
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After a lackluster performance against the Buffalo Bills of all teams, Big Ben has the displeasure of facing the vicious Ravens defense which ranks in the top 10 against the pass.
Also, with a limited week of practice and a sore foot, Roethlisberger could be in for a long day at M&T Bank Stadium.
Start: Mike Tolbert
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One of the keys to San Diego's impressive turnaround has been the performance of the running game. With Ryan Mathews injured, the majority of the carries have gone to Mike Tolbert over the past couple of weeks, and he's pleased owners with 100-plus rushing yards and a touchdown in each of his past two games.
Look for a similar, or even better performance this week against a Raiders run defense that ranks 28th overall and allows an average of 4.4 yards per carry.
Sit: Ray Rice
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If there's one thing I'm sure of, it's that the Steelers are still one of the best defenses in the league right now. They are first in the league in every defensive rushing category, and forfeit just three yards per carry, 64 yards per game and just four rushing touchdowns all year.
Even if Rice has a decent game as a receiver out of the backfield, I wouldn't expect it to be enough to make up for his lack of rushing production. Proceed with caution, Rice owners.
Start: Chris Johnson
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Yes, it should have been a no-brainer to start Johnson every week. With a few less-than-favorable performances, including a seven-carry, five-yard egg against the Texans, Johnson has a chance to get back on track at home against the 20th-ranked Jaguars run defense which lets up an average of 4.3 yards per carry.
Sit: LeSean McCoy
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LeSean McCoy looks like a go for Sunday's game against the Texans. Still, facing the ninth-ranked run defense which only allows 3.9 yards per carry doesn't bode well for McCoy.
Even in the passing game, most of the looks should go to the receivers (more on that later) and McCoy figures to be a non-factor in what could be a big aerial attack for the Eagles against a weak pass defense.
Start: Marques Colston
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Colston has had six or more receptions in each of his past five games, and has gone over 100 yards in three of those. Furthermore, all of his four touchdown receptions have come in that stretch.
Fantasy owners who were patient with Colston during a quiet start are handsomely rewarded with a match-up against a pass defense that ranks 27th overall and 16th against the pass. In what has been a pass-happy season for the Saints even by their standards, it should be a very happy day for Colston owners.
Sit: Brandon Marshall
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It's been a very slow season for the Dolphins' one big playmaker at receiver. Brandon Marshall came into the season with all kinds of high hopes, but has only put up one touchdown this season and has only crossed 100 yards twice all year.
Even against a Browns defense that ranks 19th against the pass, there are many more secure options than Marshall.
Start: DeSean Jackson
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Don't get down on DeSean simply because he's had a bad couple of games. In fact, look for him to get right back to form against the second-worst pass defense in the league.
Kareem Jackson has been burned time and time again by opposing No. 1 receivers, to the tune of 7.4 receptions and 55.6 yards per game on average. In what should be a huge statement game for the Eagles on Thursday night, expect Jackson's numbers to far exceed that.
Sit: Randy Moss
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The Moss Man's days of fantasy prominence, at least this season, are long gone. With either Rusty Smith or Kerry Collins throwing the rock, Moss' big play ability will be on disability for the remainder of the year.
In the past five games, Moss has a total of five receptions for 57 yards and no touchdowns. Moss' career may not be over, but his season may as well be. I'd consider Moss an implied benchwarmer on your fantasy team for the stretch run.
Start: Kevin Boss
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Kevin Boss has collected each of his three touchdowns in the past four games. He hasn't exactly been a fantasy owner's dream over the course of the season, but should fare well against a Washington Redskins defense that's been lackluster and inconsistent all season long.
Boss is getting hot at just the right time for his fantasy owners. Start with confidence.
Sit: Chris Cooley
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The Redskins' offense has been very Jekyll-and-Hyde this season, depending on whether Donovan McNabb feels like turning the ball over or not.
Regardless, the Giants defense ranks first against tight ends according to Football Outsiders, and that's enough for me to sit Cooley. They only give up six passes per game for 47.5 yards.
Start: New York Giants Defense
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With the currently-ranked second overall defense, the Giants are gifted with an inept Redskins offense that ranks 25th in scoring and 21st in yards. Not to mention, Donovan McNabb has been turning the ball over at will over the course of the season.
The Giants' fierce pass rush should get right back on track this week, abusing McNabb and forcing him into mistakes all day.
Sit: New York Jets Defense
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The Jets defense was considered a lock as one of the top two defenses in fantasy football in the preseason, but has underperformed, at least by their gaudy standards. Up against Tom Brady and his active streak of 25 straight home wins, it could be a long day for the Jets secondary. Especially since Brady has probably been ticking off the days to this game since Week 2.
Any Questions?
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Feel free to post any of your questions to the comments section below. I'll get to them when I have time and I'll do my best to help get you in position to win your league.
Thanks for reading!
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