Start Em / Sit Em - Week 13 - Sunday Games

By Brad Kruse

In this Start Em / Sit Em column each week, I'm looking to find some fringe players that you might consider starting each week and comment based on their matchups. Early on, I'll base my selection of candidates on where they were with respect to ADP. I'm not going to try to pad my stats by suggestin your start Drew Brees each week, but instead trying to dig deep and find some nuggets for players to avoid or to go after. These are coin flip guys and if I can finish the year at better than 60% I'll consider it a success. My metrics to get the start decision are: QB 20 pts or more, RB, WR or TE need to score 12 pts or more for a successful endorsement. Defense/Special Teams should put in 8 points or more to get those picks right. I'll look at ~4-6 players on each Thursday night's game and ~ 6 players for the rest of the week to get you going. Good Luck this year!

Player	Pos	Team	Opp	Start / Sit	Comment
Ryan Tannehill	QB	MIA	NYJ	Start	6 of 11 weeks have been startable for Tannehill including the last two. This week they get the Jets as their opponent. The Jets can be exposed in the passing game. Look for Tannehill to have a strong probability of being startable in week 13.
Ben Roethlisberger	QB	PIT	NO	Start	Roethlisberger has been startable in 5 of his 11 games including two huge efforts. The last two weeks, however, were sub 20 outputs. I like his matchup this week coming off a bye. Expect Roethlisberger to be playable in week 13.
Matt Ryan	QB	ATL	ARI	SIT	Ryan has strugggled this year. He's only had 4 of 11 weeks being start worthy. Arizona has been very tough vs the pass but have given up points to the QB in several games. With Roddy again being limited in practice by an ankle injury and Julio not being the dominant player he was at the beginning of the season, look for Ryan to struggle to break 20 points in week 13.
Rashad Jennings	RB	NYG	JAC	Start	Jennings has had a 10 point and 20 point outing in his two weeks back from knee injury. Unfortunately, it looks like he's in a time share now with Andre Williams. Williams also could play the goal line back role. Fortunately, Jennings is the much better pass receiver and pass protector. That should keep his value in ppr leagues high and should prove to be a safe start vs one of the best matchups in week 13 (JAC).
Isiah Crowell	RB	CLE	BUF	SIT	Crowell seems to have taken control of the Cleveland backfield. The return of Josh Gordon has given that team a boost. Buffalo, however, is fourth against the run. Crowell will need a TD to be startable this week. He's done a good job scoring, but if you have better options start them this week.
Ryan Mathews	RB	SDG	BAL	SIT	Mathews has been startable in two out of four weeks this year. Baltimore is brutal vs the run, however. You need to attack that defense with the passes to the RB not running between the tackles. Mathews is a decent in the passing game, however Brandon Oliver and even Donald Brown tend to be used more in those roles. Mathews is a risky start in week 13.
Jarvis Landry	WR	MIA	NYJ	Start	Landry has been on fire scoring over 20 points in each of the last two weeks. His matchup is great in week 13. Look for him to continue to be Tannehill's top target this week.
Keenan Allen	WR	SDG	BAL	Start	Allen has had four of eleven startable weeks this year. Baltimore is tough vs the run and also strong vs the TE. That leaves the WR as the place to attack this defense. Allen should benefit and receive 10 or more targets this week giving him a very good chance to be startable.
Antonio Gates	TE	SDG	BAL	SIT	Baltimore is a top five defense vs the TE this year. Look for Gates to struggle this week and will likely need a TD to be startable.
Delanie Walker	TE	TEN	HOU	Start	Walker looks to be back and is a trusted target for Mettenberger who's been given the green light to throw to his targets during his development. Walker should benefit by serving as a quick outlet that Mettenberger will need vs the fierce pass rush of Houston.
New York Giants	D/ST	NYG	JAC	Start	The Giants get Jacksonville this week who yields points to the opposing defense almost each and every week. Look for the Giants to pressure Bortles much more frequently this week after being controlled by Dallas' offensive line in week 12. The pressure will yield many scoring opportunites for the Giants D/ST.