Studs & Duds Week 13
Welcome back to the final Studs and Duds article of the season. For the playoffs, I will go in depth with certain matchups to exploit and some to stay away from. It is important to carefully go one step at a time during the playoffs. I am going to try my best to help bring to light some players to help you move on to the next round.
Now, looking back at last week's Hits, it was an improvement from last week. I hit on 8 of my 12 picks in week 12. Highlighting some of the picks that were hits, was both of my QB choices. Andrew Luck once again threw for 3 touchdowns, finishing as a top 6 play. Tom Brady was my Dud QB pick this week and he finished as the 17th highest scoring QB. On to my RB picks, I would have had a clean sweep if it wasn't for Lamar Miller. I had Chubb as the RB3 in my rankings last week, and that's exactly where he finished. Matt Breida also had a great game with 140 total yards, giving him 17 PPR points. I had LeSean McCoy as a dud and man did he come through. He took his 18 touches and only got 53 total yards. My WR picks were also a near sweep. I called a big game from D.J. Moore, who finished his day with 17.8 PPR points. Edelman also showed up last week, getting 18.4 PPR points. My dud WR that I was correct on was Courtland Sutton. He had one lone catch for just 14 yards. Overall, I felt it was one of my better weeks.
On to my misses. I had 4 total this week which with no surprise, includes both of my TE picks. That position has been my kryptonite all year. I'll start off with Lamar Miller, who exploded last week with 162 yards and a touchdown. That was nowhere near a dud performance. I missed on Demaryius Thomas. He had 4 catches for 38 yards. Oh yea, and 2 touchdowns! Ugh I was going to be right here, but those touchdowns are what killed me. For my TE picks, as I said above, I missed on both. Now Cameron Brate did score a touchdown, but he only had 26 total yards. Kyle Rudolph on the other hand, did not score but he finished as a top 10 TE.
Lets see if I can finish this season of my Studs and Duds picks with a bang. I will be looking to surpass 8 correct picks. This is has been a fun article to write each week and will continue to write this next season. I will continue my articles even after the season has ended, incorporating some Dynasty material for those who are in that type of league. Now, on to my last Studs and Duds article of the season!
STUDS:
QB: Deshaun Watson- This Texans team has been playing lights out. Watson has thrown for multiple touchdowns in 3 of the last 4 games. He is also averaging 38 rushing yards per game over the last 4. This team is playing like a legit contender. They get the Browns this week, who has given up the 8th most touchdown passes. They have allowed multiple passing touchdowns in the last 4 games. Watson should be able to have a solid game against the Browns.
RB: Aaron Jones- He is my RB3 in my updated rankings. I have him over Mixon, Conner, and Barkley this week. This could be his biggest game this year. Since he was given the job in week 8, he is averaging 108 yards per game. He also has 6 touchdowns over that span. The Cardinals have given up the most rushing yards and rushing touchdowns this season. It is a prime spot for Jones to have a monster game.
RB: Phillip Lindsay- He has had a fantastic rookie season. Currently, Lindsay is averaging 88 yards per game this season. The past 5 games, he has 5 total touchdowns. He gets a matchup against the Bengals who have been one of the worst defenses this season. They have given up the 4th most rushing touchdowns and rushing yards this year. The Bengals have also given up the second most fantasy points per game. I have him one spot higher than Barkley this week.
WR: Emmanuel Sanders- Everything that was said about the Bengals against the RB, translates to the WR. They are a tad better against the WR, but still not good. They are bottom 12 in receiving yards, TD, and fantasy points per game this season. In his last 3 games, Sanders has averaged 9 targets a game. He is going to get plenty of opportunity to blow up this Bengals defense.
WR: D.J. Moore- Yes he is on this list for the third straight week. I make the rules so why not. He has been one of my favorite plays the past 2 games and nothing is changing against the Buccaneers. In Moore's last two games he has 15 catches for 248 yards and a touchdown. He has taken over the #1 WR role for the Panthers. The Buccaneers have given up the 6th most FPPG against the WR, along with the second most touchdowns. Moore is in for another great week.
TE: Eric Ebron- He is back to being a top 3 TE with Jack Doyle on IR. He has 12 total touchdowns on the season. When Jack Doyle has been out, Ebron averages 9.5 targets per game. He will get a ton of work in a game where I think Andrew Luck will continue to succeed.
DUDS:
QB: Matt Ryan- He has been great this year, but I'm lowering my expectations for him this week. He plays the Ravens this week who has given up the 4th least FPPG, the 3rd least passing yards, and the second fewest touchdowns to the QB this year. I think the Falcons have a tough time moving the ball in this game.
RB: Marlon Mack- It is a tough matchup for Mack this week, as the Colts face the Jaguars. He should pass the concussion protocol before Sunday's game. In their week 10 matchup, Mack had 12 rushes for 29 yards. The Jaguars have given up the 2nd fewest FPPG and the 3rd fewest touchdowns to the RB position.
RB: Tevin Coleman- He has been a huge disappointment this year. He just can't seem to get anything going. He is averaging 10 carries a game since week 5. He will get the Ravens, who has given up the least FPPG and the 3rd fewest rushing yards. With how well the Ravens play the RB, and how bad Coleman has been, I don't see him having a nice game.
WR: Jarvis Landry- He has completely disappeared recently. The Browns have been playing great offensively and it has nothing to do with Landry. Over the last 4 games, he is averaging just 35 yards per game. He has failed to play over 70% of snaps in the last two games. They play the Texans this week who have given up the fewest TD's to the WR position. I want nothing to do with Landry this week.
WR: A.J. Green- I'm not completely convinced he is healthy. He looks to be able to play in this game against the Broncos. We have yet to see how he will play with Jeff Driskel. The Broncos have been playing great defense as of late. I don't see why they are playing Green with the season lost. I still think the offense will run through Mixon and Boyd for this week.
TE: Gerald Everett- He was a big waiver wire pickup last week but I am staying away. Even in an awful position, I think there are better options. He has yet to catch over 4 passes or 50 yards in any game this season. There are way to many options on this offense for him to continue his recent success.