Week 13 Start 'Em, Sit 'Em: Tony Romo and Players That Will Surprise You

Tony Romo of the Dallas Cowboys and Matt Ryan of the Atlanta Falcons top the list of players that will provide fantasy surprises this week. Some of the surprises will be good and some will be bad.

In most leagues, this is the last week before the playoffs. The remaining playoff slots will be determined this week. The last thing you want to do is get blindsided by an under-performing star or a bench player putting up big numbers.

Reading this list might help you avoid such surprises. Good luck in making your fantasy playoffs.

Ahmad Bradshaw: Good Surprise

Ahmad Bradshaw of the New York Giants has missed the last several games with a foot injury. So if he is on your team you might have forgotten about him.

The Green Bay Packers could be missing two of their starting linebackers this week. This should give Bradshaw some good room to maneuver. One rushing and one passing touchdown would not be out of the question for him this week against the Packers.

Matt Ryan: Bad Surprise

Matt Ryan and the Atlanta Falcons take on the Houston Texans this week.

The Texans have been a rugged defense this season. They lead the league in fewest yards given up per game and are second in fewest points give up. Their 35 sacks are second only to the Baltimore Ravens.  Since they are down to their third quarterback, you can expect the Texans to use their two running backs, Adrian Foster and Ben Tate, to maintain ball control.

This all leads up to a minimal week of fantasy production for Ryan.

Victor Cruz: Good Surprise

Victor  Cruz and the New York Giants take on the Green Bay Packers this week. A shootout between Aaron Rodgers and Eli Manning is likely to take place.

With Mario Manningham likely to be sidelined, Cruz should be targeted more often. It is reasonable to expect 125 yards and one touchdown for him this week.

Tony Romo: Bad Surprise

It is December, and time for Tony Romo of the Dallas Cowboys to fall apart. He went through Weeks 9 through 11 with no interceptions. But then on Thanksgiving Day he got a head start on December with two interceptions.

This week against the Arizona Cardinals he will have three turnovers, which will neutralize a large part of his fantasy production. If you have another viable option for quarterback, you should take it this week.

Larry Fitzgerald: Good Surprise

Larry Fitzgerald and the Arizona Cardinals have several things going for them this week.

First, they will be beneficiaries of the Tony Romo December effect. Second, they will have Kevin Kolb back at quarterback this week. I think this adds up to a great game by Larry Fitzgerald. Two touchdowns and 125 yards is a reasonable outcome.

Andy Dalton: Bad Surprise

We have already seen what Andy Dalton of the Cincinnati Bengals does against good defenses. In recent games against the Baltimore Ravens and Pittsburgh Steelers, he threw five interceptions in total.

Unfortunately for Dalton owners, he will be facing the Steelers again this weekend. If you start Dalton this week, you will be sorry. Use your other choice at quarterback instead.

Aaron Hernandez: Good Surprise

How many touchdowns will Tom Brady throw against the Indianapolis Colts this week? Four or five would not be an unreasonable answer.

Brady usually does a good job of spreading the ball around. This week I think the "second" tight end, Aaron Hernandez, will get more than his typical share of targets. On most teams Hernandez would be the first tight end. But the Patriots also have Rob Gronkowski.

Eight receptions and a touchdown is a reasonable expectation for Hernandez this week.