Week 13 WR Start, Sit Fantasy Strategy: T.Y. Hilton’s Injury A Concern

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If you are in doubt about some players in a tough spot this week, or players that haven’t produced yet this season, you have come to the perfect spot. We dive into a few names to start in borderline matchups, and also talk about players to fade. You can also check out our rankings area to see where players on your team rank and their projections heading into Week 13. Be sure to check out the rest of our weekly fantasy football content.

Start Em

Dede Westbrook Vs. Tampa Bay

Dede Westbrook hasn’t posted stellar numbers since returning, and hasn’t scored since Week 1. He has 15 targets over the last two weeks, and has caught 12 of them. The eye popping matchup is what is really appealing here. Tampa Bay has allowed the most fantasy points per game this season, and that hasn’t changed. Over the last five games they have allowed 81 receptions, 1,044 yards, and 11 touchdowns to wide receivers. DJ Chark, Chris Conley, and Dede Westbrook can certainly capitalize on this matchup.

Jamison Crowder @ Cincinnati

The Jets passing attack went off, but one name was missing from the production, and that was Jamison Crowder. He saw just four targets, which was his lowest since Week 4. He is in a bounce back spot after three straight games prior with at least 75 receiving yards and one touchdown. After getting dominated mostly by the run, fantasy points are starting to creep up through the air. Cincinnati ranks bottom three in DVOA against the pass, and are allowing the 10th most fantasy points per game to opposing wide receivers in the last five weeks.

Christian Kirk Vs. Los Angeles Rams

Los Angeles looks completely lost on defense of late, and this team is not playing well. They will head on the road with their season on the line, and face an Arizona offense capable of putting up points. The Rams rank 20th in DVOA against the pass, and 3rd against the run. While a lot of fantasy production came against them last week, we have seen some of the better passing offenses do damage against them. Kirk has seen 11, 5, 10, and 9 target games since returning from injury.

DeVante Parker Vs. Philadelphia

Matchups haven’t mattered too much for DeVante Parker, beating some good defenses of late. He has seen three straight weeks with double-digit targets, and will continue to see high volume. The Eagles have gotten healthy in the secondary, and have allowed the 5th fewest fantasy points per game to opposing wideouts, and rank 10th in DVOA against the pass. This might not look like a good matchup anymore for Parker, but the volume is going to continue to carry him.

Sterling Shepard Vs. Green Bay

Golden Tate is in concussion protocol and he is questionable for this week. Sterling Shepard barely got back from a concussion of his own, and saw nine targets once again. However he had just five catches for 15 yards. When healthy, Shepard has seen nine targets in four of five games, where the other one he saw seven. Green Bay’s defense has struggled at times this season, and while I believe they can produce on their end for fantasy, doesn’t mean Sterling Shepard can’t here due to the volume.

Sit Em

Mike Williams @ Denver

The volume was always in Mike Williams favor early on in the season, and then he ran into three strong matchups, yet flopped in production and volume. He has seen just 11 targets over the last three weeks, with most of the fantasy production coming on just one or two big plays. While he has the home run threat, it is hard to trust him this week. Denver has allowed the 6th fewest fantasy points per game to opposing wide receivers this season. Philip Rivers has also given me doubt being a quarterback who can provide in tough matchups.

T.Y. Hilton Vs. Tennessee

This has more to do with the calf injury, which T.Y. Hilton pointed to as a reason for his struggles. Early on this week he has been limited and while he isn’t expected to miss this week, there are concerns with his ability to get open and produce. Now if Hilton comes out later in the week and says he is a full go and ready, he is obviously a start. If we continue to get this news with a lingering injury, I’m afraid we could see another shortened game. He played under 40% of the snaps, and we can’t take that in a crucial fantasy week.

Marvin Jones Vs. Chicago

This Thanksgiving Day game is expected to be ugly. Jeff Driskel is in doubt for Detroit this week, and that means David Blough could be starting. There are already talks of tight end Logan Thomas being an emergency backup if needed. Of course he did play some quarterback. Marvin Jones has had a successful season given the circumstances over the last few weeks. He saw just five targets in the prior meeting, but did catch all five for 77 yards. The Bears continue to be a tough pass defense, allowing the third fewest fantasy points per game to wide receivers in the last five weeks. They have allowed the second fewest all season.

Terry McLaurin @ Carolina

The Panthers pass defense has fallen off a bit, but still rank 8th in DVOA, and facing some premier passing offenses of course is also going to hurt those numbers. We are likely looking at James Bradberry seeing Terry McLaurin this week, which doesn’t bode well for the rookie. We finally saw a big target game for McLaurin with Haskins under center, but he only caught five of 12 targets. Haskins continues to be a downgrade, and toss in another tough matchup, and it is hard to see him thrive in this spot.