Welcome back to Week 13 of Keeping it Real With Fantasy! This past week gave us an excellent display of football. Both the Jets and Giants won great games against the Texans and Eagles. The Raiders beat the Cowboys in an overtime Thanksgiving classic. The Bengals destroyed their division rival, the Steelers, in a 41-10 affair. The Buccaneers defeated the Colts behind Leonard Fornettes four touchdown performance. The league contenders are slowly starting to emerge as we draw nearer to the playoffs. The highlighted games of this week are the Ravens and Steelers and the Patriots against the Bills. As we come to the close of the regular season, the playoff race is heating up. And as the NFL playoff race begins, the NFL fantasy season’s playoff race does as well. We have a great week of football coming up, and you won’t want to miss it!

News/Injuries:

Daniel Jones (QB) – Daniel Jones is expected to miss the Giants game against the Miami Dolphins due to a neck injury. Jones strained his neck during the Giants win against Philadelphia last week. He is still participating in noncontact practices, but will be held out this week head coach Joe Judge announced earlier this week. The Giants will miss his presence this week as Mike Glennon will get the start against Miami. 

Deandre Hopkins (WR) – One of the league’s most productive fantasy players and receivers will once again be a game time decision in the Cardinals matchup against the Chicago Bears. Hopkins has missed a few weeks due to a hamstring injury. He is arguably the best receiver in football, and he is making his return to the gridiron, so be on the lookout. 

De’Andre Swift (RB) – The Lion’s up and coming running back will miss their game this week after spraining his shoulder on Thanksgiving. Swift didn’t practice as his soreness prolonged, but he is looking to return the following week. The Lions have yet to win a game this season as they’re 0-10-1. Despite Swift’s contributions, it’s pretty clear how their season has gone thus far. It wouldn’t be surprising if they decide to sit Swift for more games this year in order to protect their franchise back.

Starts:

Elijah Mitchell (RB) – Mitchell was a force this past week, getting 27 carries for a total of 133 yards and a touchdown to go along with five catches for 35 yards. With star player Deebo Samuel out with a groin injury, Mitchell’s production should rise and he should be looked at as a top-5 fantasy running back this week. Having a favored matchup, Mitchell and the 49ers are going against the struggling Seahawks who are currently sitting at 3-8. Mitchell should have a field day, as Seattle’s defense is No. 2 in fantasy points allowed to running backs. The 49ers will look to develop the run game from the start and control the game as it goes on. Expect Mitchell to be the one leading them. 

Kirk Cousins (QB) –  Cousins broke his three-game streak of scoring at least 21 fantasy points, scoring 19 in week 12’s matchup against San Francisco. He should be able to bounce back, taking on the dreaded Detroit Lions. Over the past three games against the Lions, Cousins has thrown at least three touchdowns and has been able to pass for a total of 743 passing yards and eight total touchdowns against the organization. Cousins is a lock for top-10 fantasy quarterbacks entering week 13.  

Sits: 

Mike Williams (WR) – Starting off the season strong, Williams was able to post at least 22 PPR points in four of his first five regular season games. Since then, it has been hard to trust him due to the lack of success. Williams has scored seven or less PPR points in five of his past six games. This inconsistency is not what fantasy managers like to see on a week-to-week basis. Another issue that has risen with Williams is his target share. He has seen six targets or less in each of the last five of six games. Williams is no longer a must-start option and should be monitored for the time being. 

Teddy Bridgewater (QB) –  Bridgewater is expected to play through his injury he received in week 12, but this doesn’t mean he should be looked at as a starter in most fantasy leagues. Bridgewater has only scored more than 18 points once in his past five games, relying heavily on Melvin Gordon and Javonte Willaims to lead the run game. To add to all this criticism, Bridgewater will be matched up against the new look Chiefs defense, who have held the last four opposing quarterbacks to 19 points or less. This sets up to be a tough week for Broncos starting QB on Sunday.   

Waiver Wires: 

Alexander Mattison (RB) – Starting running back for the Minnesota Vikings, Dalvin Cook, suffered a shoulder injury last week which will keep him out in week 13. Due to this injury news, Alexander Mattison will start. In games that he has started in the past, Mattison has put up big numbers in a workhorse roll. He is a locked and loaded RB1 without Cook in the lineup. We advise that you pick him up and start him this coming week. 

Hunter Renfrow (WR) –  Raiders receiver Hunter Renfrow has been on a tear as of recently. In a pass-heavy offense with a good quarterback in Derek Carr, Renfrow has thrived since the loss of former Las Vegas receiver Henry Ruggs who had an irresponsible DUI charge a few weeks back. In three out of his last four games, he has seen nine targets. He seems to be the favorite target for Carr to throw to and he is always on the field. We expect this great stretch of production from Renfrow to continue throughout the rest of the fantasy season.