Week 13 Fantasy Rankings: Gauging the Top 4 Riskiest Starters

Everyone who plays fantasy football has stud players, weak players and those who are risks.

The riskiest of players can be the deciding factor in winning and losing, as well as qualifying for the playoffs, or missing the boat entirely.

Mentioned are four players who are risks in Week 13, so just be aware if you give them the green light.

4. LeGarrette Blount: RB, Tampa Bay

LeGarrette Blount has basically been hit-or-miss this season.  However, the past two weeks he's hit opposing defenses hard with a combined 210 rushing yards and 62 receiving yards.

He's clearly been the most productive and consistent player on an inconsistent offense, so it's obvious that slowing him down is the key to prevent Tampa from moving the rock.

This week against Carolina, the Panthers do have a weak rush defense, but a good enough pass defense to play a lot of man coverage and stack the box.  In addition, Carolina's offense will be moving the ball all game long against the Bucs' weak defense.

So the question is whether Blount can keep pace with Cam Newton, which won't happen.  Nonetheless, for Tampa Bay to win, Blount is their best option, including screens and check downs to keep Carolina off balance.

All this said, Blount should get a start this week solely because of a rather favorable matchup.  But, because of his inconsistency throughout this season, don't be surprised if he ends up a dud after Week 13.

3. Reggie Wayne: WR, Indianapolis

Although Indianapolis if facing the NFL's weakest pass defense in New England this week, that doesn't guarantee any production from wide receiver Reggie Wayne.

According to Albert Breer of The NFL Network, the Colts are starting quarterback Dan Orlovsky in Week 13:

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"Jim Caldwell says Dan Orlovsky will take the starting job from Curtis Painter at QB this week."

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So now the question becomes: How much do you trust Dan Orlovsky?  Remember, this is the quarterback who was under center when Detroit went 0-16; he even ran out of the back of the end zone without realizing it one time.

Orlovsky may be getting another opportunity, but he's barely an upgrade from Curtis Painter.  Therefore, Wayne is a big risk this week despite playing against the NFL's worst pass defense.

2. Jackie Battle: RB, Kansas City

Once again, the Kansas City Chiefs have to play a defense that knows how to defend against the run.  The Chicago Bears rank No. 8 in rush defense, allowing just 98.6 yards per game; however, their pass defense is No. 30 and allows 270.5 per game.

So do the Chiefs take flight with their No. 27 ranked passing offense that averages just over 180 yards per game?  Or should they try to move the ball with running back Jackie Battle on the ground (which is their strength), fighting fire with fire?

Well, Chicago's offense was overly explosive earlier this season and they still won't burn up the scoreboard.  Therefore, running the ball to set up some sort of passing game later on will be helpful.

The Chiefs proved they could be balanced and move the ball against New England and Pittsburgh, but it's the red zone that's killing them.  So, although Battle is expected to have a solid game, also expect the Monsters of the Midway to play a lot of run defense.

Chicago knows that stopping the ground game is the key to the Chiefs offense, so in spite of that being K.C.'s strength, the ground game will be limited. 

Start Battle if you must, but try to find a more favorable matchup if you can.

1. Brandon Lloyd: WR, St. Louis

It's not so much that Brandon Lloyd hasn't been dominant with the Rams as it is this week's matchup against the 49ers.  San Francisco has a good pass rush that will limit Sam Bradford's time in the pocket, and, most likely, double-cover Lloyd as well.

Forcing Bradford to look elsewhere while constantly under duress will hurt Lloyd's production, as will the San Francisco offense.  With running back Frank Gore going up against the NFL's worst rush defense, the 49ers have no reason to throw the ball.

Gore will take over from the start, control the clock, and make the Rams' offensive possessions scarce.  If Lloyd does have any production, it won't happen until late, but even then it won't be enough to match what he's done since joining St. Louis.

And we could say the Rams will use the run game to set up the pass, but the 49ers also have the game's best run defense, so the only real chance for Lloyd to produce is early on.  That said, if he's doubled up, St. Louis will end up punting quite a bit.

So find a more feasible matchup if you can, otherwise Lloyd starting in fantasy could cost you some points.

Follow John Rozum on Twitter @ Sportswriter27