There are just a few weeks left of the regular season now, and teams are scrambling to make the postseason and keep their hopes of a Super Bowl title alive. This will be an important factor as you create your daily fantasy football rosters this week. As you get ready for Week #13 of the NFL season, here is our analysis on a few of the players that you might be considering for your team. Our goal is to look at some of the top matchups you might be considering and make them a lot easier so that your salary money can go a lot further.
Quarterbacks that are Ripe
Ben Roethlisberger: Big Ben is having a strong season and he has several great tools on his team that have helped boost his fantasy performance a lot this season. He is averaging more than 270 yards per game right now and has the best wide receiver in the NFL at his disposal. However, he has shown that even against weaker defenses, like what the Steelers saw in the Indianapolis Colts, he doesn’t throw as many passes as he could, and this limits his efficacy in a fantasy setting. This week, when the Steelers take on the New York Giants, it is going to be even harder for him to make throws thanks to their superior defense. We are passing on him this week.
Drew Brees: Brees is probably going to be the most expensive QB in your league this week, but he’s worth spending a little extra on. He is now averaging more fantasy points than any other QB per game in most settings, and he is going against one of the weakest passing defenses in the NFL on Sunday when the Saints go up against the Detroit Lions. There is some question about whether or not his amazing performance from last weekend was a fluke or not, but Brees has enough experience and know-how of the game that although it was an exceptional game, a repeat performance is not out of the question. If it’s going to happen again this year, this is the game where we will see it occur.
Wide Receiver that will Make the Catch
Julio Jones: Jones has one of the best matchups we could expect for a WR this week. Even if he’s expensive in your league, he is worth it this week. The Falcons are going up against the Kansas City Chiefs, who have the weakest passing defense in all of football right now. Jones is only a step behind Antonio Brown when it comes to fantasy point production per game this season, and we should expect him to perform at an above average level this week. His 103.6 yards per game should be on the low side of what we see, and a touchdown or two is not an unreasonable expectation. He also has the home field this week, and he has performed far better at home than away this season.
Mike Evans: Evans has an edge over Jones because he is slight cheaper and has a higher fantasy average per game than Jones, but in this instance, he is not the best choice. His average is higher because of more touchdowns, and this is something that shouldn’t be a huge factor in this game. He has about 10 fewer yards per game than Jones. Plus, the Buccaneers are going against a stronger defense, and Evans will not be as much of a threat to score as he usually is. Pass on him this week.
Running Backs are Ready
LeSean McCoy: McCoy has been getting a lot of play lately from Buffalo QB Tyrod Taylor, and this is likely to continue on Sunday as the Bills play the Oakland Raiders. The Raiders are ranked #21 in the NFL in terms of rushing defense, and McCoy should thrive in this game. He has averaged 81.9 yards per game and has 10 TDs this season. 80 yards and a TD this game is a reasonable expectation.
Jordan Howard: Howard has averaged 76.6 yards per game this season and has 3 TDs. However, the SF rush defense is ranked last in the NFL, and Howard is in a spot where he could exceed expectations. 80 yards is on the low end of what he is capable of this game, and a TD is likely. If you are torn between Howard and McCoy, Howard has far more upside than McCoy. Price should be your determining factor.
