NFL Fantasy Football: Who to start and sit in Week 13

The dreaded bye weeks are over, and the playoffs are a week away for most leagues.

You may already be in a do-or-die situation, so here are the starts and sits for this week to help make sure you secure your spot in the playoffs, or at least keep that jerk from the office from making it there.

Must starts

Jordan Howard (Bears RB): The Bears had an awful outing against the Eagles defense last week, but with the 49ers coming to town it should be the perfect opportunity to bounce back. The 49ers give up the most points to opposing running backs in the NFL, according to Fantasy Pros. Tarik Cohen is a good play, but it seems like the Bears are still giving Howard the edge in the backfield.

Davante Adams (Packers WR): Has been on a tear with Brett Hundley at the helm. He has been the new quarterback's favorite target, and against the Buccaneers’ defense he should put up another monster output. I mean he had very good games against the Ravens’ and Steelers’ defenses, which are some of the tougher matchups in the NFL.

Favorable matchups

Rex Burkhead (Patriots RB): The Patriots are matched up with the Bills this week, and that means their running backs are going to have a good day. Dion Lewis is also very safe to have in you lineup, but Burkhead has three touchdowns in the last three weeks, and he had one of his best games last week when he scored twice. Still it is hard to project what New England will ever do at the running back position.

Corey Davis (Titans WR): Davis has been forced fed targets it seems since returning to the lineup. He has had some rough matchups that have hurt his stat lines, but if you play in a PPR format he has been a solid flex. This week he has a great matchup with the Texans, and he should finally have that game that makes him worth owning.

Jared Cook (Raiders TE): Cook didn’t produce against the Broncos last week, but he should have a even better matchup with the Giants this week. Plus the Raiders will likely be without Amari Cooper and Michael Crabtree. Last week he also caught a touchdown, but it ended up getting overturned. Cook should be in your lineup no matter what if neither of the Raiders top receivers play.

Good but not great

Adrian Peterson (Cardinals RB): Peterson sat out practice Wednesday, but it seems like it could be more of a veteran day for the running back. He is matched up with the Rams this week who give up 22.5 fantasy points to running backs, and he should be able to put up a pretty good stat line considering all the touches he is being given without Carson Palmer around.

Robby Anderson (Jets WR): Anderson has been catching touchdowns for what seems like forever now. In the last five games he has six touchdown catches. Next on the schedule is the floundering Chiefs, and their pass defense hasn’t slowed down opposing receivers much this season.

Unfavorable matchups

Devonta Freeman and Tevin Coleman (Falcons RB): Maybe if Freeman wasn’t practicing to play this week Coleman would have some value, but the fact they will be sharing the touches against the stingy Vikings defense makes playing either of them a huge gamble that probably will end up with both players failing you.

A.J. Green (Bengals WR): Green is in a bad situation as far as fantasy goes. defenses are doing everything to take him away, and his supporting cast at receiver is doing little to take the pressure off of him. The Steelers held Green to three catches for 41 yards in their last game, and they took Green away in the second half from hell that also didn’t include a single carry from Joe Mixon. It could be tough sledding for Green this week, but he is always one play away from making it worth it to have him in your lineup.

Just sit them

Eddie Lacy and J.D. McKissic (Seahawks RB): I know some of you may be scrambling for running backs, and one of these guys could very well be available to pick up. Outside of a PPR format for McKissic, I’d leave both of these guys on your bench or even waiver wire. The Eagle have absolutely shut down opposing running backs, and it won’t be different this week.

T.Y. Hilton (Colts WR): Last week was the first time Hilton didn’t go off during a good matchup. Unfortunately for his fantasy owners that doesn’t mean this week he will go off against a bad matchup with the Jaguars. The last time Hilton played the Jaguars he got two catches for 27 yards. If that is all you want to get out of him go ahead and play him.