Fantasy: Start, Sit, Stash, Quit - Week 13
SSSQ is a weekly look at the under-the-radar fantasy players you should consider starting, and the 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 weekly rankings.
Start
Colin Kaepernick, QB, 49ers
at Bears
On the heels of a week in which he led all players in fantasy points, Kaepernick gets a juicy matchup against the talent-deprived Bears. Marcus Mariota threw for 226 yards and two touchdowns against Chicago last week, and rushed for another 46 yards. Set those numbers as Kaepernick's floor and hope for much more.
Fearless prediction: 258 yards passing, 2 TDs, 75 yards rushing, TD
Other QBs to start
- Matthew Stafford, Lions
- Ryan Fitzpatrick, Jets
Jordan Howard, RB, Bears
vs. 49ers
The 49ers are brutal against the run, and Howard should see plenty of work in this game with Matt Barkley under center and the Bears' near-total lack of receiving weapons. Howard has at least 99 total yards in his four previous games, and should hit three digits in this one - with a good shot at a touchdown, too.
Fearless prediction: 85 yards rushing, 36 yards receiving, TD
Other RBs to start
- Matt Forte, Jets
- Theo Riddick, Lions
- Darren Sproles, Eagles
Doug Baldwin, WR, Seahawks
vs. Panthers
Forget Baldwin's 34-yard performance against the Buccaneers in Week 12. That was a strange game, and not one the Seahawks will allow themselves to experience again this season. At home against a dejected Panthers team that knows it won't return to the playoffs, let alone the Super Bowl, look for Russell Wilson and Baldwin to rekindle the chemistry they had late last season.
Fearless prediction: 111 yards receiving, TD
Other WRs to start
- Brandin Cooks, Sains
- Marvin Jones, Lions
- Tyreek Hill, Chiefs
Eric Ebron, TE, Lions
at Saints
Ebron's goose egg in Week 12 was a tough pill to swallow, but swallow hard nonetheless and insert him back into your starting lineup for a game that has the look of a shootout.
Fearless prediction: 73 yards receiving, TD
Other TEs to start
- Antonio Gates, Chargers
- Vance McDonald, 49ers
Sit
Eli Manning, QB, Giants
at Steelers
The Giants are on a six-game winning streak, but the level of competition over that span has been low. The Steelers can't claim to have one of the NFL's best defenses, but at home and on long rest they should give Manning a much tougher test than he's faced recently. There's a chance this game becomes a shootout, but there's a better chance Manning is held in check and disappoints his fantasy owners.
Other QBs to sit
- Blake Bortles, Jaguars
- Ryan Tannehill, Dolphins
Terrance West, RB, Ravens
vs. Dolphins
West has just one touchdown since the Ravens' Week 8 bye and isn't producing many yards, either. He's ceding touches to Kenneth Dixon, who's the more impressive of the two, and could soon be the rookie's backup. The Dolphins are a better matchup than they may appear, but West is a very risky play.
Other RBs to sit
- Todd Gurley, Rams
- Jonathan Stewart, Panthers
- Rashad Jennings, Giants
Allen Robinson, WR, Jaguars
vs. Broncos
Blake Bortles has been bad this season, but it might be oversimplifying it to attribute Robinson's failures as a fantasy asset to Bortles' failures as a real-life passer. Robinson isn't taking advantage of the opportunities he seized upon last season, even against soft defenses in garbage time. The Broncos' pass defense he'll see this week is anything but soft, so Robinson should stay on your bench.
Other WRs to sit
- Michael Floyd, Cardinals
- Jarvis Landry, Dolphins
- Sterling Shepard, Giants
Martellus Bennett, TE, Patriots
vs. Rams
Even with Rob Gronkowski undergoing back surgery and expected to miss eight weeks, you don't want Bennett in your lineup this week. He's battling ankle and shoulder injuries that briefly forced him from Week 12's game. He's also no lock for top production even as the Patriots' top tight end - with Gronkowski sidelined in Week 11, Bennett was asked to stay in and block, and finished with one catch for 14 yards. Bennett could prove to be a very valuable fantasy asset over the next month, but hold off on starting him until he proves he's healthy and will be used in the passing game.
Other TEs to sit
- Dennis Pitta, Ravens
- Julius Thomas, Jaguars
Stash
Charles Sims, RB, Buccaneers
Sims is back practicing and could be activated off IR for Week 14. Doug Martin hasn't exactly been lights out since returning from his own injury, so there's a chance Sims will have PPR value in the fantasy playoffs. The Buccaneers have a tantalizing schedule of vs. NO, at DAL, at NO in Weeks 14-16.
Shane Vereen, RB, Giants
Like Sims, Vereen has a chance to be activated off IR and immediately offer value in PPR leagues. He's eligible to return to the lineup next week.
Quit
Rob Gronkowski, TE, Patriots
This one hurts. Gronkowski could miss a reported eight weeks after undergoing surgery to correct a herniated disc. It's possible this injury will damage his fantasy value beyond this season. Back issues tend to linger.