Fantasy Football Week 13: Soft Defenses for Your Stars To Exploit

Fantasy football Week 13 is a crucial one, but you knew that already. You knew that every point counts more than ever, and that a loss would, in many cases, end your season. 

Which is what makes this week's cupcake list so crucial. You need to know who's going up against the league's softest, tastiest defenses, whose week is destined to be that much better because of their matchup and who you can count on for more points than their usual output. These 10 guys (five pass catchers, five running backs) will give you what you need to win this week. 

Let's get to the dessert, shall we?

Passing Cupcake Eater 5: Mario Manningham, WR, New York Giants

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EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - NOVEMBER 28: Mario Manningham #82 of the New York Giants scores a touchdown in the fourth Quarter as Don Carey #22 of the Jacksonville Jaguars misses the tackle during their game on November 28, 2010 at The New Meadowlands Stadium i

Why He’s a Cupcake Eater: Manningham's the only healthy starting fantasy wideout left in New York right now, and he might be the only healthy receiver there period. For proof of his cupcake credentials, one need look no further than Week 10 against Dallas, when Manningham posted 10 catches for 91 yards and a score. 

Who’s The Cupcake: The Redskins have been one of the NFL's worst pass defenses all season long, and they currently rank 26th against opposing wideouts this season, having allowed 13 passing touchdowns in 11 games. 

Cupcake Meter: 6.5/10. Manningham's no Hakeem Nicks, but he's still going to get you plenty of points. After all, there's no one else for Eli to throw to this week. 

Rushing Cupcake Eater 5: Adrian Peterson, RB, Minnesota Vikings

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LANDOVER, MD - NOVEMBER 28: Adrian Peterson #28 runs the ball in the first quarter against the Washington Redskins at FedExField November 28, 2010 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Win McNamee/Getty Images)

Why He’s a Cupcake Eater: If you need more of a reason to start Peterson, just look at what he did to the super-cupcake-like Detroit Lions in Week 3: 23 carries, 163 yards, 2 touchdowns.  

Who’s The Cupcake: Buffalo has been one of the NFL's worst run defenses all season, and currently rank 27th in the league against opposing running backs. And if anything, the Bills are getting worse, as they just allowed 188 yards and a score to Pittsburgh's backs.

Cupcake Meter: 6.5/10. This matchup is choice, but Peterson's injury issues make it less favorable than it could be. Still, if he plays, expect a big day.

Passing Cupcake Eater 4: Steve Johnson, WR, Buffalo Bills

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ORCHARD PARK, NY - NOVEMBER 28: Steve Johnson #13 of the Buffalo Bills runs after a catch against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Ralph Wilson Stadium on November 28, 2010 in Orchard Park, New York. Pittsburgh won 19-16 in overtime. (Photo by Rick Stewart/G

Why He’s a Cupcake Eater: Johnson's season has been spent feasting on the softer defenses in the league; he scored two touchdowns against Jacksonville, and racked up 137 yards and three scores against Cincinnati in Week 11. 

Who’s The Cupcake: The Vikings rank 22nd against opposing wideouts this season, and they've struggled to contain vertical passing games, an area where Johnson excels. 

Cupcake Meter: 7.5/10. Johnson should find plenty of room to work against a Vikings defense that hasn't really found its stride at any point in 2010. 

Rushing Cupcake Eater 4: Michael Turner, RB, Atlanta Falcons

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ATLANTA - NOVEMBER 28: Michael Turner #33 of the Atlanta Falcons rushes rushes upfield away from A.J. Hawk #50 and Nick Collins #36 of the Green Bay Packers at Georgia Dome on November 28, 2010 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

Why He’s a Cupcake Eater: Turner's been fantastic in 2010, and he's done some of his best work against the league's worst defenses. He posted 114 yards and a score against New Orleans in Week 3, 121 yards and two touchdowns against Cincy in Week 7, and 107 yards and a touchdown in Week 9 against Tampa Bay.

Who’s The Cupcake: Turner gets the Bucs again this week, and we've already covered what he did in the first meeting between these teams. 

Cupcake Meter: 7.5/10. Turner punished Tampa Bay in Week 9, and there's nothing to suggest he can't do it again this week.

Passing Cupcake Eater 3: Brandon Lloyd, WR, Denver Broncos

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DENVER - NOVEMBER 28: A pass from Kyle Orton slips through the fingertips of wide receiver Brandon Lloyd #84 of the Denver Broncos during the fourth quarter against the St. Louis Rams at INVESCO Field at Mile High on November 28, 2010 in Denver, Colorado

Why He’s a Cupcake Eater: Lloyd's been the Broncos' best deep threat all season, and when defenses are soft, he goes off. For proof, look at the season opener against Jacksonville, when he posted 117 yards on five catches. 

Who’s The Cupcake: The Chiefs rank 24th in the NFL against wideouts, and Lloyd burned them for 90 yards and two touchdowns on six grabs in Week 10.

Cupcake Meter: 8/10. Lloyd's got the skills to make the most of this matchup once again. If the Chiefs aren't careful, they could get burned even worse this time than the last. 

Rushing Cupcake Eater 3: Matt Forte, RB, Chicago Bears

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CHICAGO - NOVEMBER 14: Matt Forte #22 of the Chicago Bears runs as Husain Abdullah #39 of the Minnesota Vikings closes in at Soldier Field on November 14, 2010 in Chicago, Illinois. The Bears defeated the Vikings 27-13. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Ima

Why He’s a Cupcake Eater: Forte might have finally figured things out, thanks to some of the league's softest defenses. He posted 30 points against Detroit in Week 1, 166 rushing yards and two scores against Carolina in Week 5 and 117 rushing yards in Week 12 against Philadelphia. 

Who’s The Cupcake: The Lions still rank just 30th in the NFL against opposing runners, and while they held Forte to just 50 rushing yards in Week 1, they couldn't stop him from racking up 30 points overall. 

Cupcake Meter: 8/10. Even if Forte doesn't keep his recent hot streak going against the Lions, he's got the skills to slice and dice them in the passing game. 

Passing Cupcake Eater 2: Dwayne Bowe, WR, Kansas City Chiefs

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SEATTLE, WA - NOVEMBER 28: Wide receiver Dwayne Bowe #82 of the Kansas City Chiefs rushes against the Seattle Seahawks at Qwest Field on November 28, 2010 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images)

Why He’s a Cupcake Eater: Bowe's been stellar over the last six weeks, but a big reason for his superb numbers is his soft schedule. When the defenses get easier, Bowe gets that much better.

Who’s The Cupcake: Denver, who Bowe torched for 186 yards and two touchdowns in Week 10. The Broncos currently rank 22nd in the NFL against opposing wideouts, but that's a bit high for a unit that has struggled to stop anything all season. 

Cupcake Meter: 8.5/10. Bowe went off in Week 10 against the Broncos; odds are good he'll do it again this week. 

Rushing Cupcake Eater 2: Steven Jackson, RB, St. Louis Rams

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DENVER - NOVEMBER 28: Running back Steven Jackson #39 of the St. Louis Rams runs against the Denver Broncos during the first quarter at INVESCO Field at Mile High on November 28, 2010 in Denver, Colorado. The Rams defeated the Broncos 36-33. (Photo by Ju

Why He’s a Cupcake Eater: Jackson has been a model of consistency in 2010, but he's raised his game against the league's softest defenses, posting 114 yards against Detroit and 110 yards against Tampa Bay this season. 

Who’s The Cupcake: Arizona's defense is the league's worst against opposing running backs, and Jackson is just the kind of rusher who can give them fits all game. 

Cupcake Meter: 9/10. With his running style, workload and the softest possible matchup, look for Steven Jackson to go off this week, even with last week's somewhat disappointing showing against the Broncos. 

Passing Cupcake Eater 1: Reggie Wayne, WR, Indianapolis Colts

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INDIANAPOLIS - NOVEMBER 28: Reggie Wayne #87 of the Indianapolis Colts runs with the ball during the NFL game against the San Diego Chargers at Lucas Oil Stadium on November 28, 2010 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)

Why He’s a Cupcake Eater: Wayne has shown he's capable of going off against weak defenses (15 catches, 197 yards against the Jaguars, 107 yards and a touchdown against the Patriots), and with so few healthy pass catchers in Indianapolis, he's sure to find plenty of throws coming his way. 

Who’s The Cupcake: The Cowboys rank second-to-last in the NFL against opposing wideouts, and they've struggled against just about every opponent in 2010.

Cupcake Meter: 10/10. Wayne struggled mightily in Week 12, but with such a soft defense this week, look for him to bounce back in a big way. 

Rushing Cupcake Eater 1: Jamaal Charles, RB, Kansas City Chiefs

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SEATTLE, WA - NOVEMBER 28: Running back Jamaal Charles #25 of the Kansas City Chiefs rushes against the Seattle Seahawks at Qwest Field on November 28, 2010 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images)

Why He’s a Cupcake Eater: Charles has been smoking the dregs of the league all season. For proof, just look what he did to Buffalo (173 yards), Seattle (177 yards) and Denver (121 total yards and a touchdown). 

Who’s The Cupcake: Denver ranks second-to last in the NFL against the run, and it won't get up 28-0 like they did in Week 10. 

Cupcake Meter: 10/10. Charles is poised for another monster game; roll him with extreme confidence. He'll have a big day rushing and catching the football.