Sit/Start Week 13: Reviewing All the Fantasy Relevant Players In Every Single Game

Patriots@Texans

 

Game Info

Kickoff: Sunday, December 1st at 8:20 pm EST

Location: NRG Stadium, Houston, TX

Betting Odds: NEP -3, 44.5 Total via Oddsshark

Network: NBC

Sleeper Spotlight: N’Keal Harry

 

New England Patriots

Quarterback:

• Tom Brady (Start/Low QB1)

 

Tom Brady is struggling right now. Part of his struggles could be his supporting cast, a part could be his difficult second-half schedule or part of it could be his advancing age. Whatever it is, Brady isn’t a quarterback the same guy who started the season, he’s scored 20+ fantasy points just once in the past five games. This week, however, is a prime bounce-back spot for Brady as he faces a bottom third passing defense. Brady will get a few weeks of positive matchups and owners can expect a low-end QB1 week. 

 

Running Backs:

• Sony Michel (Start/Flex)

• James White (Start/Flex)

 

If the Patriots want to attack the Texans they may do so on the ground. Houston is coming off back-to-back awful performances stopping the run and hasn’t fared any better-defending backs out of the backfield. Both Sony Michel and James White figure to be a large part of the game plan this week. 

 

Michel is coming off of a 20-carry game and while he hasn’t scored since Week 7, his usage should continue to increase as we head into the second half. The Patriots always seem to ramp up the run game opportunities late in the season. Michel is a nice flex play this week as he should see plenty of opportunities. 

 

White is coming off his two worst games of the season but matchups and gameplan were more of a factor than talent and opportunity. White will get back to his double-digit weekly scoring ways in Week 13.

 

Wide Receivers/ Tight Ends:

• Julian Edelman (Start/WR2)

• N’Keal Harry (Start/Flex, if Sanu out)

• Jakobi Myers (Sit)

• Mohamed Sanu (Start/Flex, if healthy)

 

 

Julian Edelman just continues to get it done for the Patriots, even if it looks like a grind each week. This week Edelman faces a Texans secondary that has shut down the Ravens and Colts in back-to-back weeks. Edelman remains Brady’s security blanket and among the lead leaders in targets. On volume alone, Edelman is worthy of a start this week but only expect marginal WR2 production.

 

Rookie N’Keal Harry caught his first touchdown last week against Dallas, in the most unsurprising way, on a contested catch. Harry doesn’t show much separation but it doesn’t seem to matter to Brady who showed he will trust the receiver against tight coverage. Harry may soon become Brady’s preferred red zone target and owners in a bind can start him at the flex and hope for a few big plays. However, keep an eye on the injury report. If Mohamed Sanu plays then he slots in as a flex play instead but only because he should see a heavy volume of targets.

 

Jakobi Myers is a talented young receiver but he hasn’t quite carved out a consistent role. Prior to his 4 catch, 74-yard performance against Dallas he only earned two targets in three games. That level of volume is not enough for owners to trust this week. 

 

Houston Texans

 

Quarterback:

• Deshaun Watson (Start/QB1)

 

Deshaun Watson bounced back from his worst performance of the season against Baltimore to score 22 fantasy points against Indianapolis. Watson continues to make something out of little, he is fourth overall in quarterback fantasy points but just 17th in expected fantasy points. He’s a special player that always seems to play big in big games. In primetime, against the leagues’ top defense, look for Watson to pull off some of his magic. I understand if you want to sit him but I am willing to take a chance and start him.    

 

Running Backs:

• Carlos Hyde (Start/Flex)

• Duke Johnson (Sit)

 

If the Texans want to stay competitive Sunday night the rushing attack will be key. Carlos Hyde has been quite a surprise for fantasy owners in 2019. Granted Hyde faces a tough matchup this week and owners can’t expect Hyde to have one of his big games against the Patriots defense but with 15 carries he can get to the flex range that owners need this late in the season. 

 

The Patriots have allowed just running back group to catch more than 50 yards out of the backfield, and have yet to allow a score. Duke Johnson is the same back that we watched in Cleveland, highly productive, but with the multiple looks that New England present he deserves a spot on your bench this week. 

 

Wide Receivers/ Tight Ends:

 

• DeAndre Hopkins (Start/WR2)

• Will Fuller (Start/Flex)

• Darren Fells (Sit)

 

No fantasy owner should feel great about starting a receiver against the Patriots this season but they haven’t faced Watson to DeAndre Hopkins. Hopkins is having a down year and will be locked up against DPOY candidate Stephon Gilmore, but that may not matter in a premier primetime matchup. Hopkins is virtually matchup proof, even if his ceiling has been lower this season. Last week Amari Cooper was shut down but that really should not be too surprising given his history of up and down performances. Hopkins is a model of consistency, a WR2 or better 80% of the time since 2017. Despite the tough matchup Hopkins belongs in your lineup. 

 

Likewise Will Fuller presents a matchup for New England that they haven’t faced much this season, an explosive player that makes big plays. Fuller looks to be as healthy as he has all season and presents a problem for New England in the slot and on the boundary. I don’t recommend Fuller this week if you are in a close matchup and want to play it safe, but if you are an underdog and need a boost, you can do worse than taking a shot on Fuller. 

 

Darren Fells is a surprise for many fantasy owners. He sits as the TE15 in points per game, mostly on the six touchdowns he’s caught. While New England has surrendered three touchdowns to the position, they could very well shut Fells out completely. This week he belongs on your bench.

 

-Marc Salazar (@dingwog)