There's something fitting about the end of Thanksgiving being the end of giving thanks, especially in fantasy football. There's no bigger kick to the stomach than returning to school or work on that following Monday, and looking at your fantasy records. "Man what a good - hollllll-y sh*t I need to get a big game out of Michael Thomas this week!"
I've whittled my number of leagues down to three (from eight, then down to five, now finally down to three) this year. My "big money" league, my fraternity alum league, and my family league, with two of the three of my playoff appearances locked up. I'm sitting pretty for the next two weeks. If you're reading my advice this week and really, really need it to work, God bless you. I hope that my loyal readers who look for my column find the win you need. Good luck in a very important Week 13.
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Running Back
Matt Asiata will either be on my bench or will ruin my week.
Asiata likely isn't your RB1, but he's at least in flex consideration after three straight weeks of scoring (despite registering less than ten carries in any of those games.) Asiata has been better at home, but Dallas is a sneaky good RB defense, and has been very decent on the road.
Dear Latavius Murray, do you like like me? I like like you this week.
"Trusted workhorse," "reliable fantasy football asset," and "pretty good at running now." If you invested in Latavius Murray to start the year and are still alive in the playoff race, it's hard not to be excited about Murray's potential at home. Buffalo has surrendered very decent fantasy days to the RBs in its last two matchups (Jacksonville and Cincinnati.) Murray should be started as a RB2 with great confidence. Bonus "Like Me": Carlos Hyde facing a Bears defense that has allowed three straight weeks of RB touchdowns and 100+ yards.
Am I going to really start Kenneth Dixon in Week 13?
I am just pleading with Kenneth Dixon to finally have his "big week." Gradually increasing his share of carries, starting to break off significant chunks of yardage.... but he has yet to score. The Dolphins vs Ravens matchup isn't likely to be a high scoring affair, so Dixon is a tempting flex play for the particularly desperate.
Wide Receiver
Don't hand me my money back, I'm going double-or-nothing on Julian Edelman.
Edelman has been a different player since the bye, even in limiting matchups vs the Seahawks and the Jets. The formerly scary Rams defense have looked comatose against the Saints and the Dolphins, so why couldn't the New England Patriots see similar success? Rob Gronkowski may not be at full strength, and the Rams lack a truly dominant CB against Edelman, so he's in the potential WR1 zone this week.
I will be discarding my Stefon Diggs and replacing him with two cards from the deck
Diggs is a strange case; a dominant receiver, with a ton of talent, in a pretty dismal offense, and now recovering from injury. Diggs isn't completely healthy, potentially limited by his knee injury, and the Vikings offense is not expected to find any offensive daylight vs the Cowboys.
I am out of options, and will be swiping right on Dorial Green-Beckham (owned in less than 6% of leagues)
It's a rare double down! Two straight weeks of DGB! He also has two straight weeks of double digit points, at least one target.... he might be surpassing Ertz in "Eagles fantasy offensive potential." The Cincinnati Bengals defense has also lost its air of match-up fear, so start DGB as a very decent flex option.
Tight End
Parachute? I don't need no parachute, I have Travis Kelce
I'm not a rocket scientist for picking Kelce here. Kansas City's passing game is once again going through his very large tight end hands. Kelce's schedule going forward is incredibly favorable, so if you can buy low on Kelce for the playoffs (in exchange for, I dunno, Jay Ajayi? I'm just spitballing...), do it.
Don't cry kids! We will bury Cameron Brate in the yard
Brate has been unlucky in his match-ups the last few weeks, and could find success against San Diego. But his targets have decreased, and for some reason isn't a red zone target when the team is on the road. Stay away if possible.