A slew of games have already been played on the Thanksgiving and Black Friday slate. But, if you were waiting for injury reports to try and hedge a decision for Sunday and Monday players, we can still help.
Week 13 is the second-to-last week before most league playoffs and a lot of these games are must-win in order to punch a postseason ticket. This is also the last week of “no byes” for the fantasy and regular seasons. Don’t wait until next week to clinch with navigating six teams off…
In its second season, Roto Street Journal presents the top five sleepers of each week. Maybe it’s guys you haven’t heard of. Maybe they’re new to the NFL or on a new team? Maybe they’re filling in for an injury? Regardless, these picks ended up on the right side of the ball more often than not last season.
Let’s be honest, do you really need to be told to start guys such as Bucky Irving against a bottom-feeding Carolina team? Or to sit someone such as Travis Etienne who has scored single-digits in all leagues, including PPR, in the last three weeks with a likely split backfield with the return of Tank Bigsby (ankle).
But what you may need is that extra oomph to start someone you’re on the fence with. You also may have taken a gamble in the draft and feel depleted at a position and are looking to slide someone in this week slyly. And let’s be honest, this happens most weeks.
Last week, we saw Patriots’ QB Drake Maye, Bucs’ RB Bucky Irving, Chiefs’ WR DeAndre Hopkins, Chargers’ WR Quentin Johnston and Eagles’ TE Dallas Goedert make the list.
Look at all them touchdowns!!
Editor’s Note: These selections rank Tier 4 or lower on The Wolf’s Week 13 Rankings.
Geno Smith, QB, Seattle Seahawks
@ New York Jets
Geno Smith has not played for the Jets since 2016, and while it won’t be his first “revenge game” against a former team, I believe they still exist.
He has now spent more years (five) with Seattle than he did with New York (four), rejuvenating his career.
Smith broke into having multiple touchdowns thrown in a game in Week 7 against Atlanta, but hasn’t had one since Week 9 against the Rams. He’s due for a good game, and he could get it against a dismantled franchise with nothing to play for.
For the last few years all the hype has been around the Jets defense and every season it hasn’t met the hype.
I’m nervous about D.K. Metcalf’s injury, but Seattle shouldn’t need to put up a barnburner to win. I like Jaxon Smith-Njigba and Tyler Lockett to help rough up the Jets. 250 yards and multiple scores for Smith shouldn’t be out of the question, especially with the Seahawks in the heart of the NFC West race.
Smith ranks in Tier 5 (QB 18) on The Wolf’s Week 13 Rankings.
Jerome Ford, RB, Cleveland Browns
@ Denver Broncos
Nothing is wrong with Nick Chubb.
Now that we have that out of the way, this Jerome Ford choice is solely matchup based and for those playing PPR.
Denver has struggled this season with pass-catching backs. Nine backs have scored more than six PPR points with just receiving totals.
This isn’t a slam dunk start, but Chubb rarely operates in the passing game. With injuries to some receivers, Cleveland could need Ford to step up even more against a defense vulnerable to their demands.
Ford has also seen multiple targets in all but two games he has played in this season, as well as four games with at least four.
Ford ranks in Tier 6 (RB 44) on The Wolf’s Week 13 Rankings.
Tony Pollard, RB, Tennessee Titans
@ Washington Commanders
Entering Week 13, Tony Pollard quietly has 800 yards. He also has at least 80 yards in half of his games this season. That’s pretty good for a three-win team.
Even if Tyjae Spears returns, Pollard should reach approximately 20 carries, reaching at least 16 carries in all games this season when having double-digit attempts.
Washington has been gashed against the run as of late, and the more positive play of quarterback Will Levis in recent weeks is helping both the receiving and rushing game for the Titans.
The quiet emergence of Nick Westbrook-Ikhine, too, has opened up the box. Westbrook-Ikhine has more touchdowns than guys such as Justin Jefferson through 12 weeks. He may not get many receptions, but defenses are taking out of the box to cover more than Calvin Ridley.
Pollard’s 5.5 yards per rush is in the wheelhouse of allowances by Washington.
Pollard ranks in Tier 4 (RB 22) on The Wolf’s Week 13 Rankings.
Tee Higgins, WR, Cincinnati Bengals
vs Pittsburgh Steelers
Don’t get me wrong, I’m a Tee Higgins hater. But The Wolf’s rankings nearly have him in Tier 4 (WR 22) so I am going to take advantage of a few stats and group him into a sleeper.
On first glance, you probably think the Steelers defense will shut down the Bengals’ receiving options.
I think differently.
Higgins has seven or more targets in all but one game this season and has four scores in his last four games.
This could be a back and forth game in one of Pittsburgh’s first real tests this year. Higgins is familiar with the Steelers’ defense and if he decides he wants to play to his potential on Sunday, he knows what to exploit and stay away from. Higgins also usually gets the benefit of drawing a team’s No. 2 corner, so Joey Porter Jr. will likely be on Ja’Marr Chase.
Higgins ranks in Tier 3 (WR 22) on The Wolf’s Week 13 Rankings.
Pat Freiermuth, TE, Pittsburgh Steelers
@ Cincinnati Bengals
A lot of matchups exploited this season in this series is the weakness of the AFC North pass defense.
Cincinnati allows the second-most points to tight ends and Pat Freiermuth seems to have peaked the interest more times than not for Russell Wilson in games as of late. He has a touchdown or four catches in two of the last three games.
Freiermuth recorded his most points in a single game this season last week against Cleveland, who is similar in its struggles against the position, ranking fifth-worst.
The Steelers haven’t had a concrete No. 2 receiver, and Freiermuth has seen more opportunities in the last two games than the slated No. 2/3 Van Jefferson and Calvin Austin III.
If this AFC North showdown is a back-and-forth affair, Freiermuth’s experience alone could see him reach 50 yards and a touchdown (or similar line).
Freiermuth ranks in Tier 4 (TE 22) on The Wolf’s Week 11 Rankings.
