Week 13 Start 'Em, Sit 'Em: Who Are the Smart Matchup Plays?

It's Week 13 of the 2011 fantasy football season, and in many fantasy leagues that signals the end of the regular season, so whether you desperately need a win to keep your playoff dreams alive or you're jockeying for a first-round bye, getting the best possible starting lineup in this week is more important than ever.

As a service to those fantasy owners forced to look outside the top 10 players at each position when setting their lineups, here's a look at 10 players that have the sort of favorable matchup this week that should pave the way for big fantasy production.

1. Carson Palmer: QB, Oakland Raiders (at MIA)

The Oakland Raiders defeated the Chicago Bears Sunday despite a so-so statistical outing from quarterback Carson Palmer, who was somewhat erratic in completing 21 of 37 passes for 301 yards and an interception.

The ninth-year veteran should have an easier go of it this week when the Raiders travel east to meet the Miami Dolphins.

The Dolphins are the seventh-friendliest fantasy matchup for opposing quarterbacks to this point in the season.

2. Mark Sanchez: QB, New York Jets (at WAS)

New York Jets quarterback Mark Sanchez failed to complete 50 percent of his passes in Week 12, but the third-year pro made the most of the passes he did complete, tossing a career-high four touchdown passes to lead the Jets to a come-from-behind win over the Buffalo Bills.

Sanchez has been up and down this season and almost certainly isn't going to throw four touchdown passes again this week, but he should be in for a solid statistical outing against a mediocre Washington Redskins secondary.

3. Reggie Bush: RB, Miami Dolphins (vs. OAK)

For the first time in three games, Miami Dolphins running back Reggie Bush failed to find the end zone in their loss to the Dallas Cowboys, but the sixth-year veteran still had a decent afternoon, racking up 96 total yards on 19 touches.

Bush should have a good chance at making it three games out of four with a score this week when the Oakland Raiders come to town, as the Raiders have given up the seventh-most fantasy points per game this season to opposing running backs.

4. Marshawn Lynch: RB, Seattle Seahawks (vs. PHI)

The Seattle Seahawks have leaned heavily on their run game over the past few weeks, and running back Marshawn Lynch has responded, averaging nearly 28 carries, 130 total yards and scoring a touchdown in each of his past three games.

Lynch may well run that scoring streak to four games this Thursday night when the Seahawks host the Philadelphia Eagles, who have struggled against the run, allowing the eighth-most fantasy points per game to opposing running backs.

5. DeAngelo Williams: RB, Carolina Panthers (at TB)

After gaining 105 total yards in a loss to the Detroit Lions two weeks ago, Carolina Panthers running back DeAngelo Williams had one of his best games of the season Sunday against the Indianapolis Colts, scoring two touchdowns and averaging a robust 4.6 yards per carry.

The backfield committee in Carolina is always cause for some fantasy concern, but the table is set for Williams to have another productive outing against a Tampa Bay Buccaneers defense that has surrendered the second-most fantasy points per game to opposing ball-carriers.

6. Victor Cruz: WR, New York Giants (vs. GB)

Wide receiver Victor Cruz of the New York Giants has been one of the biggest fantasy surprises of the 2011 season, hauling in 46 passes for 800 yards and five touchdowns entering Week 12 while placing among the top 10 at his position in fantasy points per game.

The second-year pro's breakout season should continue this week when the Giants face a Green Bay Packers team that allows the third-most fantasy points per game to opposing wideouts in a game that will likely become a shootout.

7. Laurent Robinson: WR, Dallas Cowboys (at ARI)

If it ain't broke, why fix it?

For the fifth consecutive game, Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Laurent Robinson found the end zone on Thanksgiving Day, as the fifth-year veteran made seven catches for 79 yards and two scores in a victory over the Miami Dolphins.

No receiver in fantasy football has been hotter than Robinson over the past month or so, and there's little reason to expect him to cool off this week when the Cowboys face the Arizona Cardinals, who are the eighth-friendliest fantasy matchup for opposing wide receivers.

8. Reggie Wayne: WR, Indianapolis Colts (at NE)

It's been a nightmarish season for wide receiver Reggie Wayne and the Indianapolis Colts, but the 11th-year pro had his best game of the season in last week's loss to the Carolina Panthers, hauling in five passes for 122 yards and a touchdown.

Wayne may just be able to finally put together back-to-back good games when the Colts travel this week to face the New England Patriots, who are dead last in the NFL in pass defense and allow the most fantasy points per game to opposing wide receivers in the league.

9. Jake Ballard: TE, New York Giants (vs. GB)

After heating up earlier this season, the fantasy production of Giants rookie tight end Jake Ballard has cooled considerably of late.

The former Buckeye has made only four catches for 48 yards his two games entering, while making two costly drops in a Week 11 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles.

Ballard should have an opportunity to get rolling again this week when the Giants face the unbeaten Green Bay Packers.

Only one team in the National Football League is a more favorable fantasy matchup for tight ends than the Pack.

10. Philadelphia Eagles Defense/Special Teams

The Philadelphia Eagles 2011 season has descended from promising to putrid, with the low point coming last week, as their defense was absolutely embarrassed by quarterback Tom Brady and the New England Patriots in a 38-20 loss that dropped the Eagles to 4-7.

Philadelphia's playoff aspirations may be all but dashed, but the defense should have a chance to redeem itself when the Eagles travel to the Pacific Northwest to face the Seattle Seahawks, who have given up the third-most fantasy points to opposing defenses this year.