Week 13 Sits

Here are 5 players you should really consider sitting in fantasy this week … in two minutes or less.

QB: Daniel Jones (IND) vs. HOU

Daniel Jones has been great as this season’s QB8, but last week’s finish was a warning sign. The Colts managed just 13 yards in the fourth quarter and overtime, going four straight three-and-outs as the Chiefs dared him to win on late downs. That kind of sputtering production would be concerning in any spot, but now he runs into a Texans defense that has allowed the fewest fantasy points to quarterbacks and just frustrated Josh Allen in a 23-19 win. Houston has surrendered only ten passing touchdowns all season and consistently smothers passing games, even limiting wideouts at a high level. So if their feared rushing defense slows down JT enough to force Jones into tough third downs, this is a week to leave him on the bench.

RB: Rico Dowdle (CAR) vs. LAR

Rico Suave has been awesome this season, piling up workhorse-level usage and even leading Carolina in rushing and receiving last week, but that came in a game where the Panthers mustered just 72 yards of offense in the first half and stalled once the script went negative, leaving him with only 10 total opportunities. The problem is that this week brings the Rams, who look like the class of the league right now and have allowed the fewest fantasy points to running backs, giving up just two rushing touchdowns all season to the position. So even though Dowdle has earned every touch, this matchup sets up for Carolina to struggle again, making him a risky play you should avoid in Week 13.

RB: Tony Pollard (TEN) vs. JAX

Pollard’s job is totally secure, but the Titans’ offense is so stuck in the mud that his volume isn’t translating into anything meaningful. He just turned 15 opportunities into 41 total yards last week in yet another loss, and this team keeps getting pushed into pass-heavy, catch-up mode where his rushing work disappears. The Jaguars, meanwhile, have allowed the 7th-fewest fantasy points to the position thanks to their positive game scripts. So with Tennessee likely chasing points again and Pollard stuck in a low-scoring, messy offense, he profiles as a low-ceiling play you should keep on the bench this week.

WR: Alec Pierce (IND) vs. HOU

Alec Pierce has made his money on long shots down the sideline, but last week showed how fragile that role can be when Daniel Jones doesn’t have time to set up. He only saw two deep attempts all game and was basically wiped out as the Chiefs pressured Jones into short throws. The Texans are the worst possible follow-up for that style, as they’ve allowed the fewest fantasy points to quarterbacks and sit among the toughest defenses against wideouts, giving up just three passing scores all season. The Colts may still move the ball, but with Houston forcing everything underneath, Pierce’s downfield role becomes almost unusable for fantasy, so he’s a clear sit in this one.

TE: Mason Taylor (NYJ) vs. ATL 

Taylor had that fun Week 8 spike against the Bengals where he drew a 24% target share and found the end zone, but since then he hasn’t cleared 34 yards in a game and his last three outings (1-4, 4-30, 3-21) scream low-ceiling volume more than difference-maker. The Jets as a whole have slid right back into the mud, putting up 10, 14, and 23 points in their last three and reminding us how fragile this passing game is when the offense stalls out. The real problem this week is the opponent: Atlanta has been one of the toughest pass defenses in football, allowing among the very fewest fantasy points to quarterbacks and the fewest to tight ends all season, so Taylor’s short-area safety-valve role is running straight into a brick wall. If you’re chasing upside in Week 13, this ain’t it. 

So that’s the list. The players you shouldn’t rely on for the rest of Week 13… as promised, in 2 minutes or less.

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See you tomorrow,

-Joe

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