Fantasy Football Week 13: Before You Start
It’s fantasy football make or break time with the playoffs starting next in most fake football leagues. Whether you’re fine tuning a team that has already clinched or you’re on the brink of clinching a playoff spot this is a very important week in the world of fantasy football. Below you’ll find all the relevant news from around the NFL to help you make some crucial line-up decisions. Good luck!
-Notables players already ruled out before today: Patriots TE Rob Gronkowski, Panthers RB Jonathan Stewart, Vikings WR Percy Harvin, Jaguars RBs Maurice Jones-Drew and Jalen Parmele, Steelers QBs Ben Roethlisberger, Eagles QB Michael Vick and RB LeSean McCoy, and Bengals WR Mohamed Sanu.
Oct 21, 2012; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Percy Harvin (12) against the Arizona Cardinals at the Metrodome. The Vikings defeated the Cardinals 21-14. Mandatory Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-US PRESSWIRE
-Raiders RB Darren McFadden is unlikely to play today after initial reports stated otherwise. Continue riding the Marcel Reece train, especially in PPR leagues and in a game where high winds could have an impact on the passing game.
-Seahawks WR Sidney Rice is expected to suit up today against the Bears. Don’t start him as anything more than a WR3 going up against a Bears defense playing in Chicago. UPDATE: Rice is officially active.
-Rams WR Danny Amendola isn’t expected to play today versus the 49ers but we said the same thing about him last week and he ended up playing. Amendola has to be one of the toughest players in the league and it wouldn’t be a surprise to see him out on the field today but if the Rams were smart they would give him the day off to continue healing. UPDATE: Amendola is officially out.
-The Cowboys might get back the services of RB DeMarco Murray today but if you own him you should consider continuing to leave him on your bench until you know he’s fully healthy.
-Redskins WR Pierre Garcon put in a full practice yesterday and should be good to go for Monday night’s showdown versus the Giants. He’s a high upside WR3 play who could put up potential WR1 or WR2 numbers. He might not ever get fully healthy rest of the season but as long as he is on the field you should start him with confidence.
-Jets WR Jeremy Kerley is expected to play against the Cardinals.
-If you’re suffering from the Percy Harvin injury blues and have been struggling to find a decent replacement at the WR position for your team you might want to consider Jarius Wright. It looks like Wright will be the team’s slot receiver and should get an increase in targets. In his past two games since replacing Harvin he has totaled 114 yards on ten catches and caught a touchdown in Week 10 against the Lions.
-Detroit Lions WR Titus Young is once again inactive. He’s officially droppable now in all fantasy football leagues. Ryan Broyles is the other WR on the Lions you want on your team.
-Cardinals WR Andrew Roberts, Packers WR Donald Driver and Bears WR Ashlon Jeffrey are all inactive.
-Patriots WR Julian Edelman is active.
-Jets QB Tim Tebow is inactive.
-Bears RB Matt Forte is active
-Colts TE Coby Fleener is active; Dwayne Allen moves down a bit in the TE rankings, as both players will be splitting time at the TE position for the Colts.