Trust or Bust Week 13

Holy Leonard FOURnette! (See what I did there?) Back-to-back weeks of running backs scoring four or more touchdowns is what fantasy football is all about! Never mind that CMC, Dalvin Cook, D’Andre Swift, and a slew of others are either out for the year or out for a few weeks, and would ya lookie there, the fantasy playoffs are right around the corner. (eye roll emoji) For some of you, your season is over and you’re looking to trade aging players for picks and young underachieving players. Those who are playoff-bound may be looking for that late-season waiver wire gem or attempt to pull off that trade that will put you over the top. Regardless of the side, you stand on, there is still meaningful football to be played. We should enjoy the last few weeks we have.

OK, let’s get started, but first! Before we move forward, I’d like to remind the readers what exactly this article is intended for.

Every week I select players inside the FantasyPros Consensus Top 12 that I think will finish outside the top 12 and players outside the top 12 that I like more.

This is NOT a ‘start/sit’ article per se. This is more or less how I feel about a player, why I feel that way, suggesting what I would do, what to expect, and who I like more.

I know when offering advice and analysis, accuracy and accountability are important. Not just to you guys but to me as well. Every week I like to keep track and share my previous week’s picks that I got right and wrong.

Accountability Report

QB Russell Wilson (SEA)

Week 12 Ranking 10th

Prediction- Bust

Week 12 Finish 26th

I tried to tell ya! Washington has turned things around and has now won three games in a row. Seattle’s season is lost. We have to wonder if Russ came back too early. I’m not sure what to make of Seattle players in fantasy moving forward

RB Saquon Barkley (NYG)

Week 12 Ranking 12th

Prediction- Bust

Week 12 Finish 31st

The fantasy gods have taken many good players from us this season and while Saquon isn’t injured, the Giants’ team is a mess on offense. Start Saquon at your own risk moving forward.

WR Terry McLaurin (WAS)

Week 12 Ranking 12th

Prediction- Bust

Week 12 Finish 42nd

What was supposed to be a big year for ‘Scary Terry’ has been more suspenseful than scary “Is this the week he goes off?” “Should I start him this week?” “Is Ryan Fitzpatrick the bad guy?” Tell me you haven’t uttered one of these phrases this season.

TE Mike Gesicki (MIA)

Week 12 Ranking 6th

Prediction- Bust

Week 12 Finish 27th

It’s been a rough few weeks for Gesicki. Thankfully Tua is starting to look like the player we saw at Alabama. Gesicki does have the toughest remaining schedule for tight ends. If you’re making a push for the playoffs, maybe you can trade him away while his value is still high.

Oh my LAWD, buy a lottery ticket. I had a perfect week! Should I retire? Do I gain any credibility? Better yet, did I have any? Do y’all even read these things??? Wow, and they say there’s no such thing as miracles. Look at me now, Mom! For the first time this season, I went four for four.

Week 12 Results- 4 for 4 100%

Correct

26

Wrong

22

Week 13 Inside/ Outside Picks

QB Matthew Stafford (LAR)

v JAX

Current Ranking 6th

AVG Points per Game 21.6

Week 13 ranking 9th

Stafford makes the “BUST” list for the first time this season and I’m just as shocked as you are. After a hot start, the Rams find themselves on a three-game losing streak. Stafford is banged up along with Odell Beckham Jr. Say what you will about the Jaguars, In the last four weeks, quarterbacks average less than eleven points per game against the Jaguars defense.

Who I like More

QB Carson Wentz (IND)

@HOU

Week 13 ranking 15th

With a 5-2 record over the last seven games, Wentz is the QB7, leading the league in touchdown passes with fifteen, while averaging more than seventeen points per game. The Texans defense has been better of late, allowing less than ten points per game to quarterbacks. However, Carson Wentz and Jonathan Taylor will be too much for the Texans to handle.

RB Najee Harris (PIT)

v BAL

Current Ranking 4th

AVG Points per Game 18.2

Week 13 ranking 6th

Najee has been everything fantasy managers wanted and then some. A volume running back like Harris rarely disappoints. Harris has been dependent on touchdowns and that’s where things get tricky. Seeing as how Baltimore hasn’t given up a touchdown to running backs over the last four weeks, things will be tough for Najee and the Steelers. 

Who I like More

RB Damien Harris (NE)

@BUF

Week 13 ranking 24th

From weeks six through twelve Damien Harris is the RB14, fourth in rushing touchdowns with six, fourth in yards, and averaging close to fifteen points per game. With a point total of forty-three, Vegas doesn’t like the matchup between the Patriots and Bills. I, for one, think Monday night football will be a shootout.

WR Stefon Diggs (BUF)

v NE

Current Ranking 6th

AVG Points per Game 18.1

Week 13 ranking 4th

Diggs has been as consistent as they come this season. In the last five weeks, he’s been the WR4. Looking at his numbers it’s surprising that he’s a WR1. With only three games over twenty points this season and a matchup versus a stout Patriots’ defense, Diggs won’t meet expectations this week.

Who I like More

WR Hunter Renfrow (LV)

v WAS

Week 13 ranking 22nd

With Henry Ruggs out of the picture, Hunter Renfrow has become Derek Carr’s favorite receiver. As a result, during the last 4 weeks, Hunter Renfrow is averaging over 16 points per game. Darren Waller is also out this week. After his first hundred-yard receiving game this season, Hunter Renfrow is a wide receiver I am starting confidently every week.

TE T.J. Hockenson (DET)

v MIN

Current Ranking 3rd

AVG Points per Game 11.9

Week 13 ranking 5th

After facing Dalton Schultz, George Kittle, Jared Cook, and Mark Andrews the last five weeks the Vikings have only given up ONE TE1 finish and that was to Josiah Deguara, if not for his touchdown, he would’ve scored 5.7 points. Through weeks 9-12 Hockenson has been the TE26. There’s not much to like about T.J. this week.

Who I like More

TE Tyler Conlin (MIN)

@DET

Week 13 ranking 18th

e’s facing the Lions. Need I say more?

That’s gonna do it for this week’s piece. I hope you found the info useful and actionable. 

Thank you for reading. Just a reminder, my fantasy podcast: The ATB Fantasy Show records a new episode every Thursday. You can find the podcast on most major platforms, including Spotify and Apple Music. Here’s a link to the most recent episode.

If you use the hashtag #AskATB or send us a DM, we’ll be sure to answer any and all of your fantasy questions.

If you’re a fan of the Dallas Cowboys, I host a Dallas Cowboys themed podcast and you can find that on most major streaming platforms as well. Here is a link to the most recent episode

There you have it! Any questions, or want some more specific help for your league on who to drop, just reach out. Reach out on social media, you can find us on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram. Or jump into our Discord server. And checkout out rankings for each Week

Image Credit: Charles LeClaire – USA TODAY Sports