The last week of the Fantasy regular season is here and this could be a crucial one for many. Maybe even do or die for some of you. So hopefully I can lend a hand and help you guys make decisions to your lineups this week that can push you towards that victory. Good luck to all and I hope you enjoy the article.!

SMART STARTS

RUSSELL WILSON, SEA

Wilson has been on fire since week 5, throwing 18 touchdown passes and only 2 interceptions. And going up against a San Fran defense that has allowed 2+ passing touchdowns in all but two games this year, I see Wilson’s streak of multiple touchdowns per game continuing. I easily see him as a top 10 play this week.

JAMEIS WINSTON, TB

Yes, I had him as a smart start last week. Yes, I was correct. Yes, he will do it again. He is playing Carolina who has allowed 12 passing touchdowns in the past four weeks. And in the five games Jameis has started this year, he has thrown for over 300 yards three times and the Panthers have allowed that twice in the past three games. Winston should be flirting with top 5 QB numbers this week.

PHILLIP LINDSAY, DEN

Denver’s backfield is no longer a committee. Royce Freeman has been nothing because of the red hot undrafted rookie. Since week 7, Lindsay has at least 15 touches in each game. He also has 5 touchdowns during that span as well. And facing a disastrous Cincinnati rush defense who has allowed opposing backs to rush for 460 yards and five touchdowns in the past 3 weeks, I see Lindsay as a high end RB2 this week.

GUS EDWARDS, BAL

In the two weeks of Lamar Jackson starting, Gus has had at least 17 carries and broke the 115 yard mark in both games. There is a great chance he keeps it going, playing against Atlanta who has allowed 454 rushing yards in the past three weeks. As long as Lamar is out there, Gus should be in your lineups.

LARRY FITZGERALD, ARZ

The veteran and future Hall of Famer has been on the up ever since Byron Leftwich took over as OC. In those four weeks he has 4 touchdown catches versus only 1 in the first 7 games. Rosen has learned to look for Larry in the red zone and that should continue this week against the porous Packers secondary who have allowed 6 receiving touchdowns in the past five weeks. Look for Larry Legend to have a solid Sunday.

DJ MOORE, CAR

In the past three weeks, Moore has exploded as he has caught 19 passes out of 22 targets for 268 yards and one score. And this week he faces no challenge against Tampa who has allowed at least one score to opposing receivers in every game and 17 total this season. Moore has the potential to score WR2 numbers this week.

ERIC EBRON, IND

Now that Doyle is out for the rest of the season, Ebron should go back to his early season performance once again. Ebron leads all tight ends with 12 total TDs, the next best is Kelce with 7. And facing the Jags D who has allowed 6 receiving touchdowns to opposing TEs in the past 4 weeks, I see Ebron having a chance to be this weeks number one tight end.

PINE RIDERS

TOM BRADY, NE

The GOAT has an extremely tough matchup this week against the Vikings who have allowed only 4 passing touchdowns since week 6. And during that span, only two Quarterbacks have broken 200 passing yards. Plus with the Patriots looking more like a run first offense as of late, I see Brady outside of my top 12 QBs this week.

CARSON WENTZ, PHI

Wentz has not been great this year, after tearing his ACL late last season. And I see his woes continuing this week. Since the Eagles week off three weeks ago, Wentz has three touchdown passes and four interceptions thrown. And facing a Redskins D who have allowed only three passing touchdowns in the last three weeks, Wentz should be on the bench this week.

MARLON MACK, IND

Since coming back from an injury in week 6, Mack has been pretty consistent. Touching the ball at least 13 times in each game and finding the end zone 5 times. But facing a Jacksonville Defense who haven’t allowed a rushing touchdown or a 100 yard rusher since week 7, I would look somewhere else if possible this week.

LeGARRETTE BLOUNT, DET

It is looking like Kerryon Johnson will be sidelined once again this week, and you might be thinking another game for Blount to go off. But think again. Playing against the red hot Rams, the Lions should be down big for a great portion of the game. And that means Theo Riddick will be out there to catch passes, unlike last weeks Thanksgiving game where Blount feasted and had 20 touches. Blount is a very risky and TD dependent flex this week.

TY HILTON, IND

TY has been amazing in the past two weeks, catching 16 passes for 280 yards and two scores. But this week he faces Jalen Ramsey and the Jags, who, just three weeks ago, held TY to 3 catches for 77 Yards. I see the same kind of game from TY this week. Rank him as a boom or bust WR3 this week.

JOSH GORDON, NE

Gordon has been decent for the Pats since the trade, catching at least four passes since week 6. But he has managed to only find the end zone once in that time frame. And he faces a tough Vikings secondary this week, who have allowed one or less receiving touchdowns this year in all games but one. I rank Gordon as a low end Flex this week.

JIMMY GRAHAM, GB

Since the week 7 bye, Jimmy graham has surpassed 5 PPR fantasy points only twice and only has two touchdown receptions all year. And with his injured thumb, which you could tell affected him in last weeks game, I place Graham outside of my top 10 TEs this week.
– Tate Kennedy, WTF Sports Fantasy Writer

Edited by Scott Edwards

Twitter: scott_edwards18

What is up everyone? It’s finally that time of the year for football to return, and even more important, it is time for Fantasy Football to return. Last season with our fantasy writer, Tate Kennedy, created one of our more successful series of writing yet, “Smart Starts and Pine Riders’. And while I do believe that will be returning for you all this season, I will be giving it a go for the first week of the season. I will not be naming obvious people like Gurley or Gronk, because duh. And while I may not have the big creative name, I do have the knowledge that will hopefully help you be mindful before setting your lineup before this coming Sunday. Here we go:

STARTS: Quarterbacks

Philip Rivers, Los Angeles Chargers

Rivers and his Chargers will be facing the Chiefs, who looks to be without Eric Berry with a defense who does not have a strong defensive back core anyways. Rivers was the QB7 last year, and with a full offseason to get chemistry with more of his players not named Keenan Allen, the numbers should burst off the box score for the Chargers QB on Sunday. And while I am at it, if you have a Charger… START THEM. This game on Sunday should be a shootout, making the Chargers real exciting. Start Rivers with confidence.

Projection: 23.5 Fantasy Points

Jared Goff, Los Angeles Rams

The goal here was not to have both Los Angeles teams represented, but Jared Goff and the Rams are going to prey on the Raiders defense on Monday Night. While the Raiders defense was among the worst last season, it got a lot worse with the trade of Khalil Mack. The Rams at times last season were unstoppable and being able to replace a guy like Sammy Watkins with a burner like Brandin Cooks at WR can only make this offense better. I am playing Goff in any situation this week, expect big time numbers.

Projection: 25.2 Fantasy Points

STARTS: RBs

Start of the Week: James Conner, Pittsburgh Steelers

I feel like this one should be a layup, but you may even second guess it. The story of the week has been Le’Veon Bell, and it is a given that he will not be playing this Sunday. So next man up, right? James Conner has a phenomenal preseason and is now in the driver’s seat to start for the Steelers, meaning he should start for your fantasy team as well. The weather reports for Cleveland this Sunday? 100% chance of rain. And that thing where Big Ben stinks on the road will just be truer than ever. If you have Conner, he very well could finish the week as a top 10 back. Get him in your lineup.

Projection: 19.7 Fantasy Points

Royce Freeman, Denver Broncos

Time to let Rolls Royce loose people. There has not been a player I have been bigger on this preseason than Denver Broncos RB Royce Freeman. The rookie scored in all three games he played this offseason, leading to him being named starter by Broncos Head Coach Vance Joseph. While you may read a matchup against the Seahawks and tremble with fear, they just simply are not the same as they once were. After a tough offseason on the entire defense, Royce could have a big-time game in the first of his career. I expect the Broncos to have a steady attack, with Royce at the head of it. Start this man with all the confidence in the world.

Projection: 15.4 Fantasy Points

Chris Thompson, Washington Redskins

Yes, I know Adrian Peterson was named the starter for the Washington Redskins. Yes, I know Chris Thompson broke his leg last season. But did you know that Thompson played 10 games last season, scoring 15+ in 6 of them. And now, with Alex Smith at QB, it feels as though a lot of dump offs to the RB are in favor here, especially since it will be unlikely AP is ever out there for passing situations. He may rank more of a flex play than anything, but he will do enough to help you towards a win. He may be the most trustworthy guy on this list, so start Thompson knowing his floor should be at least 8 points because of his PPR prowess.

Projection: 12.9 Fantasy Points

STARTS: WRs

TY Hilton, Indianapolis Colts

While you probably have to start TY due to where you draft him, I consider him a big time start this week. This will be Andrew Luck’s first game back in over a season. And in this game, they will be facing the Cincinnati Bengals. The amount of speed he possesses and chemistry he has with Luck, I expect TY to have a big-time game. While a lot of people may have some trust issues with TY this season because of how inconsistent he was last year, just know that when Luck is under center, TY is a top 10 fantasy wideout. Start him with pride this week as a WR1.

Projection: 20.3 Fantasy Points

Emmanuel Sanders, Denver Broncos

Does anyone remember where Adam Thielen ranked just a season ago in points for a WR? 9^th. He ranked as a WR1 a season ago. His QB? Case Keenum. Keenum is now with the Broncos and has shown a real chemistry already with the 9^th year receiver has proven before that he can be a real good fantasy producer, and if he is the top choice for Case Keenum this season, his numbers could easily be top 20 in the league. With the top corner more than likely expected to be covering Demaryius Thomas, Sanders should thrive all season long, especially on Sunday in his first regular season game with Keenum under center. Roll Sanders on out this weekend.

Projection: 17.5 Fantasy Points

Kenny Stills, Miami Dolphins

Jarvis Landry is gone, DeVante Parker is out, and Ryan Tannehill is back under center. Someone has to become Tannehill’s new favorite receiver. While Danny Amendola does seem to fill into the role of Landry, I beg to differ. Sure, Amendola could have some nice numbers this season, but he is already being challenged by Albert Wilson to lose targets. So, enter Kenny Stills. Stills has been a big play player for years now, making things happen every single year and never really getting the appreciation. Well this season may be Kenny Stills breakout, starting game one of the season when he is the only receiver returning from the last time Tannehill played a regular season game. He faces this new Titans team, and I believe his numbers will be made through volume more than anything else. I expect the Dolphins to be playing from behind, leaving lots of chances for Stills to shine.

Projection: 11.9 Fantasy Points

STARTS: TE

Jordan Reed, Washington Redskins

For at least one moment, Jordan Reed his healthy for the season. Alex Smith is his QB. Alex Smith makes TEs top fantasy performers. Jordan Reed has a lot of talent that seems to never be shown because of injury. Well for now, his health is pretty good, so role him out there with pride while you have the chance. That is why this Is week to week, because Reed can at least make it on this list once this season. I expect a big day from Reed.

Projection: 16.7 Fantasy Points

So, there you have it, the starts of the week for week 1. I will do my best to get out a bust list for the week, but if not, this is truly what you need the most. Good luck this season, and especially this week. I hope it helps you out.

If you have any fantasy thoughts or questions, please feel free to comment or message me!

– Scott Edwards, Creator of WTF Sports

Tag: fantasy

WEEK 13 SMART STARTS & PINE RIDERS