It’s crunch time in the fantasy football world. In a majority of leagues, this is the last week before playoffs determining who will have their shot at the championship and who won’t. The Lance is here to help you with your final playoff push and to make sure you get a playoff berth.

News/Injuries-

Melvin Gordon(Chargers) suffered a right knee injury on a strange play call that resulted in a ten yard loss. He was diagnosed with a grade 2 MCL sprain and will miss a few weeks. The first week we expected him to possibly return is Week 15 against the Chiefs because right now that game would be for first place in the division.

Andy Dalton(Bengals) has been placed on the injured reserve with a thumb injury. Initial tests said that Dalton suffered a sprained thumb but further tests on Monday indicated something more serious. Jeff Driskel will get his first career start Sunday against Denver.

Jack Doyle(Colts) will miss the rest of the season with a kidney injury.

Leonard Fournette(Jaguars) has been suspended for week 13 after being ejected for throwing a punch during a brawl last Sunday versus the Bills. Fournette is appealing the suspension but the likely outcome is that he misses Sunday’s game versus Indianapolis.

Deep Waiver Targets Week 13-

Josh Allen: The Bills had an impressive win against Jacksonville with the help of their defense and…the legs of Josh Allen? Yes, Allen rushed for 99 yards on 13 carries and a rushing touchdown and lead the team in rushing in his first game back from injury. The surprisingly fast rookie also had 160 yards and a touchdown through the air giving himself a solid day against a team known for their defense in Jacksonville. Allen also has a favorable matchup against the Dolphins next week so make sure if you need a quarterback you pick him up.

Austin Ekeler: He is a must-have guy, especially for Melvin Gordon owners as Gordon will miss time in the playoff season of fantasy football. Gordon’s MCL injury this past Sunday led to another solid game for backup Austin Ekeler. Ekeler had 35 yards on the ground and a touchdown as well as a  whopping 10 receptions for 68 yards. Ekeler is now going to be the starting running back for the next 2-4 weeks while Gordon recovers on a team that averages 27.9 points a game. Like we said, he is a must-have on waivers.

Antonio Callaway: The Browns won their first road game from 2015 this past Sunday against the Bengals as rookie Antonio Callaway is becoming a deep threat for the team. Callaway had 4 reception for 64 yards and a touchdown and the deep threat has had a longest gain of over 20 in his last 3 games. Also, Bake Mayfield has had at least 2 passing touchdowns in his past 5 games giving more hope for Callaway to produce in the endzone. We believe Callaway is definitely worth a roster spot if you are in need of a win or looking ahead to the postseason.

David Njoku: We are naming a second Browns player and for good reason. David Njoku has quietly been the most consistent player on the Browns offense besides Nick Chubb. Njoku has had at least 4 catches and over 50 yards in 6 out of his last 7 games and has been on of Baker Mayfield’s favorite targets. His performance this past Sunday against the Bengals has made him a high waiver target as he is now owned in almost 50% of leagues according to NFL.com. Make sure to get Njoku before the playoffs as his role in the Browns’ improving offense should keep growing.

Start/Sit-

QB

Start- Jeff Driskel(Bengals) and Derek Carr(Raiders)

Driskel has never started an NFL game before and faces a solid Broncos defense. We still have confidence in Driskel for fantasy though because of his rushing ability. Driskel is great at rushing the football and that will definitely be in Cincinnati’s game plan this week. Driskel may not have the ceiling of other quarterbacks, but his rushing ability gives him a great floor. Carr faces Kansas City who opens up as a 15-point favorite against the Raiders. Oakland will have to throw the football and the poor Chiefs secondary Carr should have some success.

Sit- Baker Mayfield(Browns) and Matthew Stafford(Lions)

Mayfield has played well since the Browns fired Hue Jackson and Todd Haley, but the Browns had a fairly easy schedule from this point. Cleveland’s good luck is up as they head to Houston to face the great Houston defense. Stafford has struggled since the Lions traded Golden Tate III. He played poorly against the great Bears defense, and he has another difficult matchup against the Los Angeles Rams this week.

RB

Start- Gus Edwards(Ravens) and Philip Lindsay(Broncos)

Edwards and Lindsay are both coming off 100+ yard performances and have absolutely mouth-watering matchups this week. Edwards will take on the 2nd worst defense against running backs against Atlanta so look for him put up another big game again for Baltimore. As for Lindsay, he goes against the only team worse than the Bengals and he should have a huge day as well.

Sit- Tevin Coleman(Falcons) and James White(Patriots)

Coleman has an extremely tough matchup and has not been putting up the largest of numbers the past couple of weeks averaging 8.4 points non-P.P.R. Look to sit Coleman as he faces the best defense against running backs with the Ravens. Sony Michel and Rex Burkhead are coming back from injury. Michel’s value will be fine, but White may be affected by this and sitting may be a good option this week.

WR

Start- Robert Woods(Rams) and Tyler Lockett(Seahawks

Woods is going to have a tough time when he is covered by cornerback Darius Slay against Detroit, but Slay should be the number one receiver Brandin Cooks more than Woods. Woods and Josh Reynolds won’t be covered by Slay and should have huge days, since Detroit has a struggling defense in general. Lockett on the other hand has been a fantastic deep threat for Seattle as he is coming off a 100 yard performance against the Panthers. He should do very well against a much worse pass defense playing the 49ers.

Sit- Jarvis Landry(Browns) and Josh Gordon(Patriots)

Landry has struggled to produce this season. He also has a tough matchup with the Texans who are the sixth best defense against receivers, so we suggest you keep Landry on your bench. As for Gordon, we think his matchup with Vikings cornerback Xavier Rhodes and the rest of the Vikings defense will not be in his favor. We advise you sit Gordon this week as he faces the 3rd best defense against receivers.

TE

Start- Jordan Reed(Redskins) and Trey Burton(Bears)

Reed has played well since Alex Smith went down with his injury. Colt McCoy has relied on Reed since he has came in and there are not signs that this will stop. The Eagles have had wide receivers practicing at cornerback because of how depleted their secondary is. Washington will have success throwing on this defense of backups. Burton has not lived up to expectations this year as Travis Kelce 2.0. He still has had some solid weeks. It has been years since the Giants have been able to cover a tight end and that should not change this week.

Sit- Jonnu Smith(Titans) and Austin Hooper(Falcons)

These two both had similar last weeks but different results. Low utilizations in offenses that struggled to put up points. The only difference is that Hooper let down fantasy owners and Smith made you happy. Why? Smith caught a 61-yard touchdown as one of his two catches. Smith is a sit this week because he could have easily ended up like Hooper did. Both players have such a small chance to actually give owners a week they will be happy with.