I for one am not a fan of feeling sorry for myself. It is just in my Italian nature. You make a mistake once, shame on you, make the same mistake twice, shame on me. That is kind of how I feel after being burned by Christian McCaffrey two years in a row. In the words of Ari Gold, “never again”.
While it is time for self-reflection and how I could be as silly to select McCaffrey after he cratered me once before, it is a tiny statement on how life is sometimes. You know that person in your life that you know just isn’t healthy for you, yet you keep wanting to go back or actually keep going back to that person despite your better judgment? We all have that person, and I know for a fact you reading this are thinking of that one person right now. I know I am.
This week, I want to open up a discussion that I feel is very important to have. A conversation that truly is not had enough, and a conversation that should be had more. A conversation on mental health and the importance of being mentally healthy, especially as men.
I want to talk about me for a second, something I absolutely loathe but will do anyway. I am not the person that is going to sit and preach about mental health from the position of a Monday Morning Quarterback. I struggle with my mental health every single day of my life. There are days where I wake up, and all is well, and then there are days where things aren’t as great. For years I avoided this reality and just put it all to the side until I finally could not do it anymore and needed to tackle this issue head-on.
Many people don’t realize they are struggling mentally until they are forced to realize it. My reality check came about five years ago, and to this very day I have had to work on getting my stuff together. The one thing that I have had to realize over these last five years is you have one true friend in this life, and that is yourself. Go out there, take care of yourself, and most of all show yourself the love and respect that you deserve. Because at the end of the day you are all you have.
It is so, so important for anyone out there struggling to get the help that they need. There is always a way out of the darkest of times, there is always someone that will listen, and there is only one place to go when you have hit rock bottom. Trust me, I know. All that is needed is to find that one person that will drag you back up, whether it be a friend, partner, counselor, teacher, co-worker, anybody.
I see a therapist every week, and even if it is to go in and just chat about the little things, it makes a sizable difference. I can confidently say that ever since I adopted this me first mentality, it has changed my life for the better. Getting rid of things, habits, people, that aren’t good for you and your life is the key.
Before we get into the starts and sits for the week, I want to leave you with this. There is no shame in reaching out for help, no matter what. I did, and it changed my life. To the people in my life that helped me along the way, and you know who you are, thank you. For those that are struggling, I want to make one thing very clear: you are not alone, you will never be alone.
Here are the starts and sits for week 13.
Quarterback Starts for Week 13
Thank you so much, Derek Carr for absolutely ruining my Thanksgiving pal, appreciate it. Despite that, I cannot ignore the matchup Carr has this week going up against the Washington Football Team. This Washington team gives up the most points to the quarterback position by a wide, wide margin. Despite having a decent showing against Russell Wilson on Monday Night Football this past week, I can’t trust this Washington defense to do it again this time on the road. Carr comes in as my QB11 for the week, and even without Darren Waller, I still believe Carr is a solid play this week.
Give me absolutely all of Kirk Cousins as he takes on the Detroit Lions this week. Cousins has been quietly excellent this season, throwing just 3 picks all year long with 23 touchdowns. He goes against a Lions team this week that quite frankly are absolutely reeling. Cousins has a 60% completion percentage in every game this year except for one against Cleveland back in week 4. The excellent match-up here should present an opportunity for Cousins to meet his very safe week-to-week floor, while presenting significant upside as well. Cousins comes in as my QB7 this week.
Please refer to last week’s article for my philosophy regarding the Falcons. This week, they now get the G.O.A.T. Tom Brady. Brady has quietly been very poor for fantasy the last couple of weeks, failing to register more than 20 fantasy points in three straight weeks. Luckily for Brady and his fantasy managers he now gets to take on an Atlanta team that, as previously mentioned, cannot stop a nosebleed. In his last 4 meetings with Atlanta, Brady is averaging 3.7 touchdowns per contest. In a week that features other really strong starts for Lamar Jackson, Patrick Mahomes, and Josh Allen, Brady comes in as my QB1 this week. Roll Brady.
Other QB Starts this Week: Jalen Hurts going up against the New York Jets feels like a smash play to me. Hurts was dreadful last week versus the Giants, but at least the Giants are somewhat competent defensively. The Jets are a team in full rebuild, and Hurts should have no issue putting up 15-20 fantasy points this week. Hurts ranks as my QB9 this week. Fire up any and all Matthew Stafford shares as he takes on Jacksonville this week. Expect bounceback games across the board for the Rams, who have looked discombobulated at best over recent weeks. Stafford ranks as my QB8 this week. Carson Wentz against Houston is another play I want to be all over, especially if you are down a QB this week because of bye or injury. Wentz comes in at QB12 this week.
Start of the Week: Matthew Stafford
Quarterback Sits for Week 13
After making him my start of the week last week, I am totally out on Russell Wilson. The Seahawks flat out stink in every facet right now. Their offensive line is a mess. Their defense is a mess. Hell, they let their best offensive player in D.K. Metcalf go catch-less through nearly 58 minutes of game time Monday night. Not to mention, Wilson has totally abandoned what has made him successful in the past. Wilson is not nearly scrambling as much as he has, which has hurt him. Wilson has adopted a new found desire to be a pure pocket passer, and it isn’t working. The Seahawks are totally lost, and I want no part of this team moving forward. While Wilson sits at QB12 according to Expert Consensus Rankings (ECR), I have Wilson at QB16 for this week.
He is one of my absolute favorite quarterbacks around, and I think the young man has such a bright future ahead of him. However, Mac Jones is a big time fade for me this week as he takes on Buffalo in Orchard Park. Jones has been super consistent as a passer this year, completing roughly 70% of his passes with 16 touchdowns to boot. Despite this efficiency, Jones is only a streamer in the lightest of matchups and there is absolutely nothing light about Buffalo. This Monday Night Football contest will be great, but I want no part of Jones. He comes in as my QB22 this week.
Other QB Sits this Week: Matt Ryan is a massive sit this week and most weeks, but you didn’t need me to tell you that right? Ryan has nobody of note to throw to, and Atlanta are another team that are treading serious water. Even in a plus matchup against Tampa, stay away from Matty Ice. I am gonna say his name again, sit Tua Tagovailoa against the Giants. Tua made me look good last week after I labeled him a sit, and here I am doubling down. A controversial pick, Taysom Hill (pending he starts) sits against Dallas for me this week. While I like the rushing floor and upside Hill presents, I want to see it first before thrusting him in my lineup. Hill is a must-add in all formats, but a hold until he shows what he’s got.
Sit of the Week: Mac Jones
Running Back Starts for Week 13
For the first time this year, and I pray to God not the last, I finally have Javonte Williams ranked ahead of his backfield compatriot Melvin Gordon III this week. Williams has league winner written all over him, period. Williams figures to see a ton of work against Kansas City on Sunday Night Football, coming off of an impressive 17 touch for 111 total yard and a touchdown showing against the Chargers in week 12. All that is needed from Denver is for the team to realize Gordon is not coming back next year, and it is time to see if they in fact have a bell-cow running back for the future. Williams ranks as my RB17 this week.
I will probably get burned for this given whenever I back him up he comes back to haunt me, and when I want to launch him from a trebuchet he performs. This week, fire up Myles Gaskin as he takes on the Giants. Gaskin is in the midst of a very strong second half to the season, thanks in large part to the Dolphins not having Malcolm Brown available to steal work from Gaskin and a larger commitment from Miami to get him involved more consistently. Gaskin has four touchdowns in his last three games, and takes on a Giants team conceding the 4th most points to opposing running backs. Gaskin ranks as my RB20 this week, and that could be low.
With the injury to Dalvin Cook, this is now Alexander Mattison’s time to shine. Fantasy managers have been here before with Mattison, with the results being a very mixed bag. However for this week, Mattison is a smash play as he takes on the Lions. Against Detroit in week 5, Mattison torched them, piling up 113 yards on 25 carries. Mattison also caught 7 balls for 40 yards and a score. I have Mattison as a top 10 play this week.
Other RB Starts this Week: After a much needed rebound week against Minnesota in week 12, Elijah Mitchell is a very strong play this week versus the Seattle Seahawks. The Seahawks just allowed the combination of Antonio Gibson and J.D. McKessic to absolutely demolish them on the ground, with the duo totaling 141 rushing yards against the Seahawks. Expect a huge game from Mitchell, as he projects as my RB6 this week. Pending his health, Darrell Henderson is another fine start this week against Jacksonville and a top 10 option. I will even be bold here, Henderson will score in this matchup. As a top 24 option, I also like Jamaal Williams this week taking on Minnesota.
Start of the Week: Myles Gaskin
Running Back Sits for Week 13
This one will rattle some feathers in my own backyard for sure, but hear me out. I am benching Saquon Barkley across the board if I can. While he has been hurt and the Giants seem to be slowly bringing him back, I personally do not have the patience to wait around. At this stage in the season, fantasy managers should be looking for surefire assets to build a possible championship team around, and Barkley is not one of them. I have Barkley at RB18 this week, and I feel like that is generous.
For this week and this week only, I am out on both Cowboys running backs Ezekiel Elliott and Tony Pollard. Now the caveat to this is if Zeke does sit Thursday against New Orleans and it is Tony Pollard’s backfield, I would put Pollard in the start section with ease. However, all signs are pointing towards a Zeke/Pollard split, and that just doesn’t sit well with me. It will be a guessing game as to who gets what work and how much of it they get, and that is something I would love to avoid.
Another split I am lower on this week is up in New England with Damien Harris and Rhamondre Stevenson. While this situation is much easier to project, with Harris out-touching Stevenson in week 12 by 12 to 9. It has been an every other-other-drive mainly with New England, with Harris leading the way. However, the matchup Monday night versus Buffalo is a daunting task, and I would fade this backfield all together.
Other RB Sits this Week: Until he is able to prove otherwise, please sit David Montgomery. Chicago is a mess, and Montgomery just isn’t getting the work at this moment in time. He also faces a Cardinals defense that is middle of the road in points allowed to the running back position. Montgomery is my RB20 this week. I also wouldn’t touch a Baltimore Ravens running back with a twenty foot pole. Devonta Freeman and Latavius Murray are easy fades moving forward until we see more clarity about who the real top dog is here, and I doubt we even get that.
Sit of the Week: Damien Harris/Rhamondre Stevenson
Wide Receiver Starts for Week 13
Michael Pittman Jr. simply has the word “boom” written all over him this week. Pittman faces a Texans defense that has conceded seven touchdowns to wide receivers in the last six games, including two contests where they have allowed two touchdowns in the same game to wideouts. Pittman comes in as my WR10 this week, with the Colts needing this game if they are to stay in the hunt for the AFC South with the Titans wounded.
I am slamming the desk as we speak, begging and pleading with you to start Mike Evans with the utmost confidence this week versus Atlanta. In 14 career contests versus the Falcons, Evans has simply killed them. Evans has 10 touchdowns, with 1,137 yards on 74 catches. That not enough? How about the fact that Atlanta has allowed at least 100 yards and at least one touchdown to receivers in their last four games and five of their last six? It is really hard for me to not rank Evans higher than he is at WR8. That is how much I love Evans this week.
In what should be a return game for him, I am starting DeAndre Hopkins this week versus Chicago. The Bears nearly lost to the Lions last week, with the Lions receiver’s having themselves a day against the Bears corners. Now the Bears get to face both Hopkins and Kyler Murray on their returns. I’m hesitant to say it could get ugly given it is at Soldier Field, but I am nearly there. Start Hopkins as a top 12 option this week.
Other WR Starts this Week: Despite his worst game of the season last week by A LOT, I have received several questions about Ja’Marr Chase. The answer to questions about the star Bengals rookie is very simply, START HIM. He is too good to bench in any circumstance. I like Devonta Smith a fair bit against the Jets as well. While he is outside my top 20 due to the fear that the Eagles could favor a run-heavy approach, I still believe Smith will get his. As for possible starts outside my top 30, give me Odell Beckham Jr. and Van Jefferson this week against Jacksonville. A get right game is coming for all of the Rams, with Beckham and Jefferson standing to benefit. I have Jefferson as my WR31, and Beckham as my WR33, making them solid WR3’s this week.
Start of the Week: Mike Evans
Wide Receiver Sits for Week 13
I am still very much down on Chargers receiver Mike Williams, making him an easy sit for me this week. While Los Angeles looked to get him more involved against Denver, it still wasn’t enough for Williams who posted a measly 4 catch for 39 yard performance. The 8 targets he garnered were his most targets in a contest since week 5, more signs that the must-start days for Williams are long gone. Williams charts in as my WR26 this week.
We cannot continue to treat the season Chase Claypool is having as nothing. The Pittsburgh wide receiver has just ONE (1) touchdown all year long, and only two games where he has accumulated more than 15 fantasy points in full point ppr. That is dreadful. These are numbers of a receiver that belongs on waiver wires in every fantasy league, not just benches. Claypool comes in as my WR30 this week.
Another big name on the list this week, I am not putting Courtland Sutton anywhere near a lineup of mine this week. Sutton has been awful lately, putting up single digit point totals in four straight weeks. He isn’t helped by a truly awful quarterback situation with the Denver Broncos, but this is a lesson learned for fantasy managers moving forward in regards to Sutton. Sutton tops out as my WR35 this week.
Other WR Sits this Week: I am fully out on any Buffalo receiver not named Stefon Diggs. Which means for Emmanuel Sanders and Cole Beasley, they are on the outside looking in. Neither one cracks my top 36 this week. Antonio Brown is supposed to return from injury for the Buccaneers, but this is more of a wait and see approach from me until Brown returns to full speed.
Sit of the Week: Chase Claypool
Tight End Starts for Week 13
Rob Gronkowski returned last week with a vengeance for the Buccaneers. Gronk was tied for Tom Brady’s top targeted pass catcher last week, and led the Bucs in receiving with 123 yards. Yet another Buccaneer on my start list, I have Gronk as my TE4 this week and I would bet he finds a way to score.
I also am a big fan of Logan Thomas this week as Washington travels to take on the Raiders. The Raiders have allowed a tight end score in 3 of their last 4, and Thomas projects to benefit. Thomas is penciled in as my TE11 this week.
Other TE Starts this Week: Pending he clears concussion protocol, fire up Pat Friermuth this week when the Steelers face the Ravens. The Ravens allow the 4th most points to the position, and Friermuth has 5 scores in his last 5 weeks. An outside the box selection, I like Zach Ertz against the Bears with Kyler Murray set to return. Ertz slots in as my TE15.
Start of the Week: Logan Thomas
Tight End Sits for Week 13
I simply cannot trust a single thing about Mike Gesicki until he shows me otherwise. Gesicki hasn’t had more than 10 full point PPR points in 5 games, and only has 2 touchdowns on the year. In a position that is touchdown or bust, Gesicki simply hasn’t lived up to the billing yet again. He shouldn’t be started unless you are desperate, which most managers at TE are.
I am also doubling down again with a sit that was mentioned last week, and that is Dawson Knox. Knox goes up against a Patriots unit that concedes the fewest points to the tight end position. The Patriots have only allowed three touchdowns by tight ends this season, and that is a risky game to play with Knox who is so touchdown dependent.
Other TE Sits this Week: Another option that is so touchdown dependent is Hunter Henry, who takes on Buffalo Monday Night. The Bills allow the 5th fewest points to the position, and Henry hasn’t topped 40 yards receiving in 8 straight games. While the Chiefs are bottom 10 against tight ends, I simply cannot trust Noah Fant with Teddy Bridgewater under center for the Broncos. Sit Fant if you can this week, even though he does play Sunday Night.
Sit of the Week: Mike Gesicki
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