Fantasy Football Insights: Start/Sit Decisions for Week 13

As fantasy football playoffs draw near, Week 13 presents critical start/sit decisions for players, especially with injuries impacting key players like those on the Bills and Bears. According to SB Nation, Monday Night Football features a matchup between the struggling 2-10 New York Giants and the formidable 10-2 New England Patriots, who are favored by 7.5 points at home. The Giants will see the return of rookie quarterback Jaxson Dart from a concussion, but he may be less inclined to run, which could affect his performance and the overall offensive strategy. This situation might lead to more passing attempts, increasing the value of the Giants' pass catchers.

Focusing on the Patriots, Mack Hollins has become a noteworthy player in fantasy considerations. He has led the Patriots' wide receivers in snaps over the last four games, accumulating 30 targets in the past five games, which is comparable to Stefon Diggs' 31 targets. Hollins has produced three startable fantasy games in his last five outings, making him a viable option in PPR leagues. Given that the Giants have allowed the seventh-most fantasy points to wide receivers this season, Hollins is projected to be a beneficial start in Week 13. The consensus advice is to start him in both PPR and standard leagues, as his matchup presents a favorable opportunity for fantasy points.

Additionally, tight end Theo Johnson has also emerged as a potential start for fantasy managers. Currently ranked TE10 in PPR formats, Johnson has been a consistent presence, finishing in the Top 12 in five of his last eight games. While the Giants' offense may not be explosive, the Patriots' defense has struggled against tight ends, making Johnson a reasonable start in Week 13 despite the overall inadequacies of the Giants' offensive unit. His projected ranking as TE14 suggests he is close enough to be considered a start in leagues without bye weeks this week.

Overall, as fantasy managers prepare for the playoffs, the interplay between player performance and strategic starts becomes crucial. Players like Hollins and Johnson from the Patriots and Giants respectively present intriguing options that could influence playoff success. The recommended strategy emphasizes leveraging favorable matchups, particularly for players facing defenses that struggle against their respective positions. With key injuries and matchups at play, Week 13 is shaping up to be pivotal for fantasy football enthusiasts as they navigate through the complexities of their lineups.