Start ‘Em, Sit ‘Em Week 13: Flex, PPR Advice for Fringe Fantasy Football Stars

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The pressure is on for some fantasy football managers over the next two weeks. For many leagues, the fantasy regular season will end after Week 14, with the playoffs then taking place from Weeks 15-17. But some managers still have work to do.

No matter how big your league is and how many playoff berths there are, there are likely at least a few teams battling it out on the postseason bubble. But not every team in the league can reach the playoffs, and some are going to fall just short.

With matchups meaning more for some managers at this time of year, it’ll be crucial to make the right lineup decisions. It would be tough to miss the playoffs because you made a wrong choice and left a better player on your bench in favor of a bust.

Here’s some start/sit advice for players who may be getting flex consideration for Week 13, particularly in points-per-reception leagues.

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Miles Sanders suffered an ankle/foot injury in the Eagles’ Week 12 loss to the New York Giants, and Jordan Howard didn’t play in that game due to a knee injury. Meanwhile, Boston Scott is healthy and has been playing some of his best football of the season.

With Philadelphia on a bye in Week 14, it’s possible it will let Sanders and/or Howard take it easy in Week 13, especially with a favorable matchup against the New York Jets. Even if they’re both active, Scott could handle the majority of the workload to allow them to get some extra rest for the final stretch.

The 26-year-old had 72 total yards and a touchdown last week, and he should have another solid showing against the Jets, which are allowing the most fantasy points to RB per game, per NFL.com.

So, count on Scott as a reliable flex option in Week 13.

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There are some weeks when both Ezekiel Elliott and Tony Pollard are both worthy of starting in fantasy lineups. But Week 13 won’t be one of those, as the Cowboys may have some difficult moving the ball on the ground during their Thursday night road matchup against the New Orleans Saints.

No team is allowing fewer fantasy points to running backs per game than New Orleans, per NFL.com, and if Dallas finds a way to have any success, it will likely be because of Elliott. Pollard’s production has been inconsistent, which is to be expected with his role as the Cowboys’ No. 2 back.

Although Pollard scored a kickoff return touchdown last week against the Las Vegas Raiders, he hasn’t had a rushing score since Week 2. Don’t expect that to change this week, meaning it’ll be smart to leave him on the bench.

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Although Kenny Golladay is now healthy, he still hasn’t had a breakout performance in his first season with the Giants. Perhaps that will change in Week 13, though, as New York’s passing attack is likely going to have success in a favorable matchup against the Miami Dolphins.

Last week, the 28-year-old had three catches for 50 yards—his most since a 116-yard showing in Week 4—but he still hasn’t scored a touchdown in 2021. However, he was targeted seven times in Week 12 against the Eagles, which is an encouraging sign for his usage moving forward.

Miami is allowing the third most fantasy points to WRs per game, according to NFL.com, so Golladay could be poised for his best showing of the season.

It’s worth taking a chance on him this week, as he’s flashed his high upside in the past.

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Last week, Tee Higgins had his best showing of the season thus far. In a blowout win over the Pittsburgh Steelers, he had six catches for 114 yards (his first 100-yard game of the year) and a touchdown, his first since Week 2.

However, that shouldn’t give fantasy managers the confidence to start the 22-year-old in Week 13. He’s been an inconsistent performer this season, and the Los Angeles Chargers have a strong secondary. In fact, they’re allowing the second fewest fantasy points to WRs per game, according to NFL.com.

The Bengals may still get strong production from their top playmakers (running back Joe Mixon and wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase), but others such as Higgins and Tyler Boyd are too risky to start this week.

There are much better options for the flex spot than the Clemson product, even if you have to go to the waiver wire to find one.