We have entered the final turn of the 2018 fantasy football season. For many fantasy football leagues, this marks the final week of the regular season. Maybe you are firmly in the playoffs and just playing for seeding (like me in two of my leagues). Maybe you are just playing for pride at this point (like me in one of my leagues). Or maybe this is a monumental week for you, a week that could determine whether you get in the playoffs or play in the consolation games. Whatever your situation, I'm here to give you some fantasy advice for this big week in fantasy football.
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| Guess who's back, back again... |
Week 12 Picks to Click
Quarterback
Top 3
Patrick Mahomes, Chiefs (@ OAK) - After a bye week that spent many fantasy owners scrambling, Patty is back and playing one of the worst teams in the league.
Cam Newton, Panthers (@ TB) - Cam extended his streak of games with multiple touchdowns to 10 last week, and this week he faces Tampa's porous pass defense.
Jared Goff, Rams (@ DET) - I thought about putting Drew Brees (who's having an amazing season) here, but I'll go with Goff, who's thrown for at least 300 yards each of his last three games.
Sleepers
Dak Prescott, Cowboys (vs. NO) - The Saints have been stingy against the run, but rank 30th against the pass. Dak, who's been playing better recently, will probably be throwing the ball a lot.
Lamar Jackson, Ravens (@ ATL) - A third straight week in the sleeper column for the former Heisman Trophy winner, who faces a weak Atlanta defense this week.
Baker Mayfield, Browns (@ HOU) - Another former Heisman Trophy winner makes a repeat performance on the sleeper list. Houston is tough, but Baker's feeling it right now.
Running Back
Top 3
Todd Gurley, Rams (@ DET) - Gurley returns from the bye with a favorable matchup against the Lions, who have been below average at defending the run this season.
Kareem Hunt (@ OAK) - Kareem the Dream gets a dream matchup against a defense that is giving up 151.4 rushing yards per game (most in the NFL).
Christian McCaffrey, Panthers (@ TB) - CMC, who exploded for 237 total yards and two touchdowns in a loss to Tampa last week, should run rampant on Tampa.
Sleepers
Austin Ekeler, Chargers (@ PIT) - With Melvin Gordon out, Ekeler takes over as L.A.'s feature back. He's worth a look (and start) just based on volume alone.
Josh Adams, Eagles (vs. WAS) - The rookie out of Notre Dame has taken control of the backfield in Philly. He had a season-high 22 carries last week (which he turned into 84 yards and a touchdown).
T.J. Yeldon, Jaguars (vs. IND) - With Leonard Fournette suspended, Yeldon is probably the best option in the lowly Jacksonville offense this week.
Wide Reciever
Top 3
Tyreek Hill, Chiefs (@ OAK) - You may be sensing a pattern here. The dangerous Kansas City offense has a good matchup this week, including Hill, who has 352 total yards his last two games.
DeAndre Hopkins, Texans (vs. CLE) - The dangerous Hopkins will be hard for Cleveland's somewhat leaky defense to handle.
Adam Thielen, Vikings (@ NE) - After two straight weeks under 100 yards receiving, Thielen got back into the triple digits last week, and he'll probably get there again this week.
Sleepers
D.J. Moore, Panthers (@ TB) - Moore has become Carolina's top receiver, totaling 15 catches for 148 yards the last two weeks. He should find openings against Tampa Bay's defense.
Adam Humphries, Buccaneers (vs. CAR) - On the other side of the matchup, Humphries has emerged for Tampa. He's found the end zone in each of his last two games.
Josh Doctson, Redskins (@ PHI) - Doctson has been heavily targeted, and this week he squares off against a depleted Philly secondary.
Tight End
Top 3
Travis Kelce, Chiefs (@ OAK) - Shocking, I know. Kelce ranks 11th in the NFL in receiving yards (914) and 10th in receiving touchdowns (7).
Zach Ertz, Eagles (vs. WAS) - While we're on the topic, Ertz ranks 13th in the NFL in receiving yards (895) and tied for 13th in touchdowns (6).
George Kittle, 49ers, (@ SEA) - The people's tight end takes this spot over Eric Ebron. Kittle should bounce back from a disappointing showing last week.
Sleepers
Cameron Brate, Buccaneers (vs. CAR) - Tampa Bay's new number one tight end scored a touchdown last week, and he could find the end zone again this week.
David Njoku, Browns (@ HOU) - Njoku also found the end zone last week (with a little help from his friends), and he may be counted on more this week.
Kyle Rudolph, Vikings (@ NE) - Rudolph has had a disappointing season thus far, but he had seven catches last week, and he could finally break out against New England.
Defense/Special Teams
Top 3
Chicago Bears (@ NYG) - The best defense in the NFL gets the dysfunctional Giants this week.
Los Angeles Rams (@ DET) - Yes, I know the Rams gave up 51 point last time out. But the struggling Lions are not the Chiefs.
Seattle Seahawks (vs. SF) - The soaring Seahawks get Nick Mullens and the lowly Niners this week in Seattle.
Sleepers
Kansas City Chiefs (@ OAK) - Yes, I know the Chiefs gave up 54 points last time out. But the Raiders are not the Rams.
Indianapolis Colts (@ JAX) - With Cody Kessler starting at quarterback and Leonard Fournette out due to suspension, scoring may be hard to come by for Jacksonville.
New Orleans Saints (@ DAL) - This may be a bit of a shot in the dark, but the Saints' defense has given up just 38 total points the last three games.
Kicker
Top 3
Will Lutz, Saints (@ DAL) - Being a kicker on a team with the best offense in the league has it's benefits.
Harrison Butker, Chiefs (@ OAK) - Start all of your Chiefs offensive players, including the kicker.
Greg Zuerlein, Rams (@ DET) - All three of the top three kickers happen to play for the top three teams in the NFL. Weird.
Week 13 Game Picks
Record
Last Week: 11-4 vs. Spread: 8-7 Over/Under: 6-8-1
Season: 109-68 vs. Spread: 86-75-5 Over/Under: 79-93-3
Thursday
Saints @ Cowboys (8:20 PM, FOX/NFL Network)
The Cowboys have played better of late, but the Saints look unbeatable right now.
Spread: NO -7 Over/Under: 52
Prediction: Saints 34, Cowboys 21
Sunday
Browns @ Texans (1:00 PM, CBS)
The Browns are rolling right now, and the Texans, who have won eight straight, are due for a loss.
Spread: HOU -6 Over/Under: 47
Prediction: Browns 24, Texans 21
Ravens @ Falcons (1:00 PM, CBS)
The Falcons have lost three in a row, whereas the Ravens have won two straight.
Spread: ATL -1.5 Over/Under: 48
Prediction: Ravens 27, Falcons 24
Broncos @ Bengals (1:00 PM, CBS)
The Broncos have won their last two, the Bengals (now led by Jeff Driskel) have lost three straight.
Spread: DEN -5 Over/Under: 45
Prediction: Broncos 32, Bengals 17
Rams @ Lions (1:00 PM, FOX)
In another game between teams going in opposite directions, it's hard to envision a Lions upset.
Spread: LAR -10 Over/Under: 55
Prediction: Rams 30, Lions 17
Cardinals @ Packers (1:00 PM, FOX)
The Packers need to run the table to make the playoffs, which means A-Rodge is in his comfort zone.
Spread: GB -14 Over/Under: 44.5
Prediction: Packers 31, Cardinals 14
Bills @ Dolphins (1:00 PM, CBS)
Josh Allen is back, and the Bills are riding high after a win over Jacksonville.
Spread: MIA -4 Over/Under: 40
Prediction: Bills 21, Dolphins 20
Bears @ Giants (1:00 PM, FOX)
The Giants, who couldn't figure out the struggling Eagles last week, will struggle against the Bears.
Spread: CHI -4 Over/Under: 44.5
Prediction: Bears 28, Giants 17
Panthers @ Buccaneers (1:00 PM, FOX)
The resurgent Bucs could keep with the Panthers, but I think Cam an co. will bounce back.
Spread: CAR -3.5 Over/Under: 54.5
Prediction: Panthers 35, Buccaneers 28
Colts @ Jaguars (1:00 PM, CBS)
The Jaguars are a mess right now, while Andrew Luck and the Colts cannot be stopped.
Spread: IND -4 Over/Under: 47
Prediction: Colts 24, Jaguars 17
Jets @ Titans (4:05 PM, CBS)
This is a must-win for the Titans, and it's at home against the 3-8 Jets.
Spread: TEN -8 Over/Under: 40.5
Prediction: Titans 30, Jets 13
Chiefs @ Raiders (4:05 PM, CBS)
The high-powered Chiefs, freshly-rested after a bye, should demolish the Raiders.
Spread: KC -14.5 Over/Under: 55.5
Prediction: Chiefs 38, Raiders 20
Vikings @ Patriots (4:25 PM, FOX)
Nothing like a trip to New England to bring the Vikings down from their high.
Spread: NE -5.5 Over/Under: 49.5
Prediction: Patriots 30, Vikings 24
Chargers @ Steelers (8:20 PM, NBC)
The better quarterback will win this game, and it's clear who the better quarterback is.
Spread: PIT -3.5 Over/Under: 51.5
Prediction: Chargers 32, Steelers 30
Monday
Redskins @ Eagles (8:15 PM, ESPN)
It will be hard for Colt McCoy and the Washington football team to win one in Philly.
Spread: PHI -6.5 Over/Under: 45
Prediction: Eagles 27, Redskins 17
Stats and info via ESPN.com, FantasyPros.com, YahooSports.com and CBSSports.com
Lines via OddsShark.com
Lines as of Thursday afternoon
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