Fantasy: Start, Sit, Stash, Quit - Week 13
SSSQ is a weekly look at under-the-radar fantasy players you should consider starting and potential busts you should leave on your bench. We also identify breakout candidates to stash on your roster and players you can safely cut.
For the rest of your lineup decisions, consult our Week 13 rankings. You can also listen to the Week 13 preview episode of theScore Fantasy Football Podcast.
Start
Jameis Winston, QB, Buccaneers
vs. Panthers
Winston is coming off a very nice 312-yard, two-touchdown day that featured no turnovers in an easy win over the 49ers. The Panthers have been just as awful as San Francisco when it comes to defending against quarterbacks, allowing multiple passing touchdowns in nine of their last 10 outings. In a game featuring one of the highest projected point totals of the week, Winston should flirt with top-five numbers. There's a chance of implosion whenever you put a Bucs starting quarterback in your lineup but the upside forces you to do it in most cases.
Boone's projection: 324 passing yards, 3 TDs, 21 rushing yards
Other QBs to start
- Russell Wilson vs. 49ers
- Kirk Cousins at Patriots
- Lamar Jackson at Falcons
Josh Adams, RB, Eagles
vs. Redskins
Some full-season stats can be deceiving at this point in the year. On paper, the Redskins' run defense has limited opposing backs to the 10th-fewest fantasy points in 2018. But they've given up 100 yards from scrimmage to a running back in each of their last five games. That bodes well for Adams, who has emerged as the lead back in Philly and will be looking to build on last week's 22-carry, 84-yard, one-touchdown performance against the Giants. You should be playing him with confidence as an RB2.
Boone's projection: 91 rushing yards, 6 receiving yards, TD
Other RBs to start
- Chris Carson vs 49ers
- Jordan Howard at Giants
- Austin Ekeler at Steelers
DJ Moore, WR, Panthers
at Buccaneers
It's always fun to watch a rookie bring it all together for a late-season breakout. That's exactly what we're seeing from Moore, who's topped 90 yards in three of his previous five games. Teammate Devin Funchess missed last week's contest but was on the field for two of those three quality games and didn't prevent Moore from loading up the box score. Even if Funchess returns, Moore's outlook remains highly positive. The first-round pick is a low-end WR2 heading into a potentially high-scoring matchup against a weak Tampa pass defense.
Boone's projection: 87 receiving yards, TD
Other WRs to start
- Courtland Sutton at Bengals
- Chris Godwin/Adam Humphries vs. Panthers
- Josh Reynolds at Lions
Cameron Brate, TE, Buccaneers
vs. Panthers
Brate failed to do damage in the yardage department during O.J. Howard's first game on injured reserve, though he did come through for fantasy owners with a touchdown. Brate hasn't seen more than four targets in a game this season but that stat might change versus a Panthers defense allowing the most fantasy points to tight ends. Howard caught four passes for 53 yards and two scores against this same Carolina squad in Week 10. DeSean Jackson's absence could also result in more volume for Brate.
Boone's projection: 57 receiving yards, TD
Other TEs to start
- Gerald Everett at Lions
- Kyle Rudolph at Patriots
- Matt LaCosse at Bengals
Sit
Tom Brady, QB, Patriots
vs. Vikings
The 41-year-old Brady enters the week with the 14th-most fantasy points among quarterbacks. That's well off the pace we're used to seeing from the future Hall of Famer and his Week 13 matchup won't provide much relief. When healthy in 2018, the Vikings' defense has been dominant against the pass. Minnesota has kept the last four opposing quarterbacks under 200 yards and has given up one or fewer passing touchdowns in six straight games. With so many quality options at quarterback, fantasy owners should steer away from Brady this week.
Boone's projection: 251 passing yards, TD, INT
Other QBs to sit
- Matt Ryan vs. Ravens
- Matthew Stafford vs. Rams
- Carson Wentz vs. Redskins
Adrian Peterson, RB, Redskins
at Eagles
The Eagles' run defense has been uncharacteristically porous over the last three games. Fortunately for them, the Redskins' rushing attack has also suffered during that time as injuries have taken their toll. Washington's offensive line has lost several starters, Alex Smith was placed on IR, and Peterson himself has been playing through shoulder and ankle ailments. Over the last month, Peterson is averaging just 3.1 yards per carry. The return of pass-catching specialist Chris Thompson could also threaten his snaps, especially in a game where the Redskins are six-point underdogs.
Boone's projection: 48 rushing yards, 6 receiving yards
Other RBs to sit
- Tevin Coleman vs. Ravens
- Peyton Barber vs. Panthers
- Isaiah Crowell at Titans
Jarvis Landry, WR, Browns
at Texans
Despite being paid like a No. 1 receiver, Landry isn't performing like one. The Browns' offense has flourished under new offensive coordinator Freddie Kitchens, who has given Baker Mayfield the freedom to spread the ball around. That's resulted in fewer targets and less playing time for Landry; he's now seeing the field on less than 70 percent of snaps after being a nearly full-time player the rest of the season. Landry's gone over 50 yards just once since Week 5. With the Texans defending well in the slot, he isn't likely to hit the mark this week either.
Boone's projection: 43 receiving yards
Other WRs to sit
- Calvin Ridley vs. Ravens
- Golden Tate vs. Redskins
- Sterling Shepard vs. Bears
Jonnu Smith, TE, Titans
vs. Jets
With all the injuries at this position, there aren't many tight ends you can currently justify sitting. Fantasy owners are understandably excited about Smith after his recent stat lines of 3-45-1, 6-44, and 2-63-1. But those numbers came against teams vulnerable to tight ends. The same can't be said for the Jets, a unit that's only allowed two tight ends to eclipse 40 yards against them in 2018.
Boone's projection: 29 receiving yards
Other TEs to sit
- Ricky Seals-Jones at Packers
- Chris Herndon at Titans
- C.J. Uzomah vs. Broncos
Stash
Rex Burkhead, RB, Patriots
We don't know if Burkhead will be active in Week 13 but he's off IR and eligible to return to the lineup. The list of injuries Sony Michel has been able to overcome is mounting, so it's worth stashing Burkhead in the event his rookie teammate is forced to miss time down the stretch. If that were to happen, Burkhead would have league-winning upside.
Robert Foster, WR, Bills
It's rare to see a Bills player as a recommended pickup, but Foster followed up his three-catch, 105-yard game before the bye with a two-catch, 94-yard, one-touchdown effort against the Jaguars. While it's unlikely Foster turns into a fantasy starter, stranger things have happened this season. His schedule is favorable the rest of the way, making him a bench stash in deep leagues.
Quit
Matthew Stafford, QB, Lions
There are very few positives to list under Stafford. He's lost Golden Tate to a trade and Marvin Jones to injured reserve. His star rookie running back is on the shelf. His yards per attempt have plummeted over the last four games and, not surprisingly, he's averaging just 10.3 fantasy points per contest during that time. The Rams have been a good matchup in the past but the anticipated return of Aqib Talib will allow them to tighten up their coverage issues. Stafford also faces three difficult pass defenses in the fantasy playoffs. It's time to let him go.
Jimmy Graham, TE, Packers
Graham is admirably trying to play through a broken thumb. He even caught two of his four targets for 34 yards last week and remains a touchdown threat at any moment while playing with Aaron Rodgers. But he only played 42 percent of the Packers' Week 12 snaps and has a challenging schedule over the final four weeks of the fantasy season. Desperation might tempt you to start Graham but you should look past the name to find an option with more upside.