Fantasy Football Week 13 stat projections

Fantasy Football Week 13 stat projections: Sleepers, key matchups, players to watch

Author:
Michael Beller
Publish date:
Nov 25, 2014

Only in the football world is Thanksgiving Day an appetizer for later in the week. The Week 13 action kicks off with three big NFC divisional games on Thursday, then reaches a crescendo on Sunday with a matchup between, quite possibly, the two best teams in the NFL.

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Week 13 also doubles as the final week of the regular season in most fantasy leagues. While many of you have already clinched a spot in the playoffs, some are still fighting for a berth, and others are one win away from locking down a regular season championship. Who can lead you to the second season? Which players will help you get your hands on the regular-season hardware? Find out in the SI.com stat projections for Week 13.

Chicago Bears at Detroit Lions

Jay Cutler – 272 pass yards, 1 TD, 2 INT
Matt Forte – 64 rush yards, 1 TD, 4 receptions, 31 rec yards
Brandon Marshall – 6 receptions, 88 rec yards
Alshon Jeffery – 5 receptions, 90 rec yards, 1 TD
Martellus Bennett – 4 receptions, 51 rec yards
Robbie Gould – 2 PAT, 2 FG
Bears D – 2 sacks, 2 INT, 23 points allowed

Matthew Stafford – 288 pass yards, 2 TD, 2 INT
Joique Bell – 79 rush yards, 2 receptions, 13 rec yards
Theo Riddick – 12 rush yards, 3 receptions, 21 rec yards
Calvin Johnson – 7 receptions, 101 rec yards, 1 TD
Golden Tate – 5 receptions, 89 rec yards, 1 TD
Eric Ebron – 3 receptions, 36 rec yards
Matt Prater – 2 PAT, 3 FG
Lions D – 4 sacks, 2 INT, 1 FR, 20 points allowed

The Bears need to keep winning to keep alive their slim playoff chances, while the Lions are desperate for a win of their own to stay within striking distance of the Packers in the NFC North. Cutler and Stafford have played like mirror images of each other this year.

Philadelphia Eagles at Dallas Cowboys

Mark Sanchez – 275 pass yards, 2 TD, 2 INT
LeSean McCoy – 92 rush yards, 1 TD, 2 receptions, 17 rec yards
Darren Sproles – 14 rush yards, 3 receptions, 22 rec yards
Jeremy Maclin – 6 receptions, 92 rec yards, 1 TD
Jordan Matthews – 5 receptions, 73 rec yards
Riley Cooper – 3 receptions, 20 rec yards
Zach Ertz – 4 receptions, 50 rec yards, 1 TD
Cody Parkey – 3 PAT, 2 FG
Eagles D – 1 sack, 1 FR, 30 points allowed

Tony Romo – 305 pass yards, 2 TD
DeMarco Murray – 125 rush yards, 1 TD, 2 receptions, 11 rec yards
Dez Bryant – 8 receptions, 116 rec yards, 1 TD
Terrance Williams – 4 receptions, 62 rec yards
Cole Beasley – 3 receptions, 33 rec yards
Jason Witten – 5 receptions, 56 rec yards
Dan Bailey – 3 PAT, 3 FG
Cowboys D – 3 sacks, 2 INT, 27 points allowed

The Eagles and Cowboys battle for supremacy in the NFC East right as much of the country will be sitting down to a Thanksgiving meal. Owners of Jeremy Maclin, DeMarco Murray, Dez Bryant and Tony Romo will have plenty to be thankful for on Thursday night.

Seattle Seahawks at San Francisco 49ers

Russell Wilson – 236 pass yards, 1 TD, 55 rush yards
Marshawn Lynch – 84 rush yards, 1 TD, 3 receptions, 17 rec yards
Doug Baldwin – 5 receptions, 62 rec yards
Jermaine Kearse – 3 receptions, 25 rec yards
Paul Richardson – 4 receptions, 55 rec yards
Luke Willson – 3 receptions, 24 rec yards
Cooper Helfet – 3 receptions, 30 rec yards, 1 TD
Steven Hauschka – 2 PAT, 3 FG
Seahawks D – 4 sacks, 2 INT, 1 FR, 16 points allowed

Colin Kaepernick – 225 pass yards, 1 TD, 2 INT, 32 rush yards
Frank Gore – 38 rush yards
Carlos Hyde – 57 rush yards, 2 receptions, 13 rec yards, 1 TD
Anquan Boldin – 5 receptions, 80 rec yards
Michael Crabtree – 4 receptions, 57 rec yards
Steve Johnson – 2 receptions, 30 rec yards
Vernon Davis – 3 receptions, 27 rec yards
Phil Dawson – 1 PAT, 3 FG
49ers D – 3 sacks, 1 FR, 23 points allowed

The loser of this game will be in some trouble sitting at 7-5 in a crowded NFC playoff race. Wilson has been deadly with his legs of late, while Boldin has been among the best fantasy receivers in the league over the last six weeks.

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Washington Redskins at Indianapolis Colts

Robert Griffin – 235 pass yards, 1 INT, 12 rush yards
Alfred Morris – 108 rush yards, 1 TD, 2 receptions, 14 rec yards
Roy Helu – 30 rush yards, 4 receptions, 32 rec yards
DeSean Jackson – 4 receptions, 95 rec yards
Pierre Garcon – 3 receptions, 34 rec yards
Niles Paul – 4 receptions, 53 rec yards
Kai Forbath – 1 PAT, 2 FG
Redskins D – 2 sacks, 1 INT, 31 points allowed

Andrew Luck – 328 pass yards, 3 TD, 1 INT, 44 rush yards
Trent Richardson – 48 rush yards, 1 TD, 3 receptions, 15 rec yards
Dan Herron – 55 rush yards, 4 receptions, 28 rec yards
T.Y. Hilton – 7 receptions, 120 rec yards, 1 TD
Reggie Wayne – 5 receptions, 72 rec yards, 1 TD
Hakeem Nicks – 3 receptions, 31 rec yards
Coby Fleener – 5 receptions, 60 rec yards, 1 TD
Adam Vinatieri – 4 PAT, 1 FG
Colts D – 3 sacks, 1 INT, 2 FR, 13 points allowed

All the tumult in Washington has obscured another great Alfred Morris season. Expect the Colts to run away with this one, with Andrew Luck lighting up the overmatched Washington defense.

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Tennessee Titans at Houston Texans

Zach Mettenberger – 269 pass yards, 2 TD, 1 INT, 12 rush yards
Bishop Sankey – 53 rush yards, 2 receptions, 11 rec yards
Shonn Greene – 25 rush yards
Justin Hunter – 3 receptions, 65 rec yards
Kendall Wright – 6 receptions, 70 rec yards, 1 TD
Nate Washington – 2 receptions, 14 rec yards
Delanie Walker – 6 receptions, 92 rec yards, 1 TD
Ryan Succop – 2 PAT, 1 FG
Titans D – 2 sacks, 2 INT, 20 points allowed

Ryan Fitzpatrick – 258 pass yards, 1 TD, 2 INT
Arian Foster – 104 rush yards, 1 TD, 3 receptions, 22 rec yards
Alfred Blue – 28 rush yards
DeAndre Hopkins – 5 receptions, 91 rec yards, 1 TD
Andre Johnson – 6 receptions, 78 rec yards
Garrett Graham – 3 receptions, 29 rec yards
Randy Bullock – 2 PAT, 2 FG
Texans D – 4 sacks, 1 INT, 1 FR, 17 points allowed

Mettenberger had his best game as a pro last week, and has developed into a decent option in two-quarterback leagues. The Texans should have Arian Foster back this week, which should help buttress their playoff hopes.

Cleveland Browns at Buffalo Bills

Brian Hoyer – 277 pass yards, 2 TD, 2 INT
Isaiah Crowell – 52 rush yards, 2 receptions, 14 rec yards
Terrance West – 37 rush yards, 2 receptions, 16 rec yards
Josh Gordon – 8 receptions, 115 rec yards, 1 TD
Andrew Hawkins – 5 receptions, 70 rec yards
Miles Austin – 3 receptions, 41 rec yards, 1 TD
Gary Barnidge – 2 receptions, 15 rec yards
Billy Cundiff – 2 PAT, 2 FG
Browns D – 3 sacks, 1 INT, 1 FR, 19 points allowed

Kyle Orton – 243 pass yards, 1 TD, 1 INT
Fred Jackson – 67 rush yards, 4 receptions, 32 rec yards
Bryce Brown – 24 rush yards
Sammy Watkins – 6 receptions, 94 rec yards, 1 TD
Robert Woods – 5 receptions, 67 rec yards
Scott Chandler – 4 receptions, 41 rec yards
Dan Carpenter – 1 PAT, 4 FG
Bills D – 4 sacks, 2 INT, 20 points allowed

The Browns are 7-4 and can’t really afford to slip in a very losable game in Buffalo on Sunday. The effects of Gordon and Crowell should be felt throughout the offense, though, and the Bills are beginning to recede from the playoff picture.

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San Diego Chargers at Baltimore Ravens

Philip Rivers – 256 pass yards, 1 TD, 1 INT
Ryan Mathews – 97 rush yards, 1 TD, 3 receptions, 16 rec yards
Branden Oliver – 33 rush yards, 2 receptions, 12 rec yards
Keenan Allen – 6 receptions, 84 rec yards
Malcom Floyd – 3 receptions, 55 rec yards
Eddie Royal – 3 receptions, 22 rec yards
Antonio Gates – 5 receptions, 53 rec yards, 1 TD
Nick Novak – 2 PAT, 1 FG
Chargers D – 2 sacks, 1 INT, 27 points allowed

Joe Flacco – 283 pass yards, 2 TD, 1 INT
Justin Forsett – 84 rush yards, 1 TD, 4 receptions, 33 rec yards
Lorenzo Taliaferro – 16 rush yards
Steve Smith – 8 receptions, 99 rec yards, 1 TD
Torrey Smith – 4 receptions, 78 rec yards, 1 TD
Owen Daniels – 5 receptions, 60 rec yards
Justin Tucker – 3 PAT, 2 FG
Ravens D – 4 sacks, 1 INT, 1 FR, 17 points allowed

The Chargers may have gotten a win last week, but they did so by the skin of their teeth against the Rams at home. In other words, don’t trust this team on Sunday. The bet here is that the Ravens are able to control the game with Forsett throughout.

New York Giants at Jacksonville Jaguars

Eli Manning – 264 pass yards, 2 TD, 2 INT
Rashad Jennings – 75 rush yards, 1 TD, 3 receptions, 34 rec yards
Andre Williams – 44 rush yards
Odell Beckham – 6 receptions, 87 rec yards, 1 TD
Rueben Randle – 5 receptions, 59 rec yards
Preston Parker – 3 receptions, 25 rec yards
Larry Donnell – 5 receptions, 57 rec yards, 1 TD
Josh Brown – 3 PAT, 1 FG
Giants D – 3 sacks, 2 INT, 1 FR, 14 points allowed

Blake Bortles – 239 pass yards, 1 TD, 2 INT
Denard Robinson – 88 rush yards, 1 TD, 4 receptions, 26 rec yards
Toby Gerhart – 35 rush yards
Cecil Shorts – 6 receptions, 68 rec yards, 1 TD
Allen Hurns – 6 receptions, 77 rec yards
Marqise Lee – 3 receptions, 32 rec yards
Clay Harbor – 3 receptions, 24 rec yards
Josh Scobee – 2 PAT
Jaguars D – 4 sacks, 2 INT, 24 points allowed

Those watching this game will mostly be tuning in to see what Beckham Jr. has in store for this week. It has become impossible to watch this putrid Jacksonville offense.

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Cincinnati Bengals at Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Andy Dalton – 282 pass yards, 2 TD, 1 INT
Jeremy Hill – 85 rush yards, 1 TD, 2 receptions, 10 rec yards
Giovani Bernard – 80 rush yards, 4 receptions, 44 rec yards, 1 TD
A.J. Green – 6 receptions, 118 rec yards, 1 TD
Mohamed Sanu – 5 receptions, 63 rec yards
Jermaine Gresham – 3 receptions, 26 rec yards
Mike Nugent – 3 PAT, 2 FG
Bengals D – 3 sacks, 2 INT, 10 points allowed

Josh McCown – 288 pass yards, 1 TD, 2 INT
Charles Sims – 37 rush yards, 2 receptions, 13 rec yards
Doug Martin – 40 rush yards
Mike Evans – 7 receptions, 113 rec yards, 1 TD
Vincent Jackson – 6 receptions, 90 rec yards
Louis Murphy – 3 receptions, 35 rec yards
Austin Seferian-Jenkins – 3 receptions, 31 rec yards
Patrick Murray – 1 PAT, 1 FG
Buccaneers D – 2 sacks, 27 points allowed

The Buccaneers have the lone win for the NFC South against the AFC North this season. Will they be able to pull off another? I’m saying no emphatically. The Hill-Bernard duo will be too much for them to handle.

Oakland Raiders at St. Louis Rams

Derek Carr – 217 pass yards, 1 TD, 2 INT
Latavius Murray – 73 rush yards, 2 receptions, 13 rec yards
Darren McFadden – 25 rush yards
James Jones – 6 receptions, 78 rec yards
Andre Holmes – 4 receptions, 59 rec yards, 1 TD
Mychal Rivera – 5 receptions, 47 rec yards
Sebastian Janikowski – 1 PAT, 2 FG
Raiders D – 2 sacks, 1 INT, 17 points allowed

Shaun Hill – 257 pass yards, 1 TD, 1 INT
Tre Mason – 92 rush yards, 1 TD
Benny Cunningham – 23 rush yards, 4 receptions, 29 rec yards
Kenny Britt – 6 receptions, 83 rec yards
Stedman Bailey – 5 receptions, 64 rec yards
Tavon Austin – 2 receptions, 24 rec yards, 17 rush yards
Jared Cook – 4 receptions, 50 rec yards, 1 TD
Greg Zuerlein – 2 PAT, 1 FG
Rams D – 4 sacks, 2 INT, 1 FR, 13 points allowed

Despite a pedestrian offense, the Rams have wins over the Broncos, Seahawks and 49ers this year, and nearly knocked off the Chargers in San Diego last week. This remains a barren wasteland for fantasy purposes however, as there may not be a starter in the bunch in your league.

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New Orleans Saints at Pittsburgh Steelers

Drew Brees – 305 pass yards, 2 TD, 1 INT
Mark Ingram – 87 rush yards, 1 TD, 2 receptions, 7 rec yards
Pierre Thomas – 24 rush yards, 4 receptions, 45 rec yards
Marques Colston – 5 receptions, 88 rec yards
Kenny Stills – 3 receptions, 60 rec yards, 1 TD
Jimmy Graham – 8 receptions, 100 rec yards, 1 TD
Shayne Graham – 3 PAT, 1 FG
Saints D – 2 sacks, 1 INT, 27 points allowed

Ben Roethlisberger – 278 pass yards, 1 TD, 1 INT
Le’Veon Bell – 107 rush yards, 2 TD, 4 receptions, 37 rec yards
Antonio Brown – 7 receptions, 102 rec yards, 1 TD
Martavis Bryant – 4 receptions, 54 rec yards
Markus Wheaton – 3 receptions, 42 rec yards
Heath Miller – 2 receptions, 27 rec yards
Shaun Suisham – 3 PAT, 2 FG
Steelers D – 3 sacks, 1 INT, 1 FR, 24 points allowed

This should be the polar opposite of the Raiders-Rams game, with fantasy starts on both sides of the field. It doubles as a game with huge playoff implications, as both the Saints and Steelers could win division titles this year. This sets up as a showcase for Bell.

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Carolina Panthers at Minnesota Vikings

Cam Newton – 248 pass yards, 1 TD, 1 INT, 32 rush yards, 1 TD
Jonathan Stewart – 32 rush yards
DeAngelo Williams – 41 rush yards, 3 receptions, 23 rec yards
Kelvin Benjamin – 6 receptions, 90 rec yards, 1 TD
Jerricho Cotchery – 4 receptions, 50 rec yards
Greg Olsen – 6 receptions, 82 rec yards
Graham Gano – 2 PAT, 2 FG
Panthers D – 2 sacks, 1 INT, 24 points allowed

Teddy Bridgewater – 267 pass yards, 2 TD, 1 INT
Jerick McKinnon – 73 rush yards, 4 receptions, 24 rec yards
Ben Tate – 36 rush yards, 1 TD
Greg Jennings – 5 receptions, 66 rec yards
Charles Johnson – 5 receptions, 72 rec yards, 1 TD
Cordarrelle Patterson – 2 receptions, 20 rec yards
Kyle Rudolph – 5 receptions, 63 rec yards, 1 TD
Blair Walsh – 3 PAT, 1 FG
Vikings D – 3 sacks, 1 INT, 2 FR, 20 points allowed

Tate didn’t get a touch in his first game with the Vikings, but that’s not going to last long. It will be very interesting to see the division of labor between him and McKinnon in the backfield.

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Arizona Cardinals at Atlanta Falcons

Drew Stanton – 233 pass yards, 1 TD, 1 INT
Andre Ellington – 104 rush yards, 2 TD, 4 receptions, 36 rec yards
Michael Floyd – 5 receptions, 85 rec yards, 1 TD
John Brown – 6 receptions, 71 rec yards
John Carlson – 3 receptions, 31 rec yards
Chandler Catanzaro – 3 PAT, 1 FG
Cardinals D – 4 sacks, 1 INT, 1 FR, 23 points allowed

Matt Ryan – 289 pass yards, 2 TD, 1 INT
Steven Jackson – 47 rush yards
Jacquizz Rodgers – 12 rush yards, 2 receptions, 12 rec yards
Devonta Freeman – 14 rush yards, 3 receptions, 20 rec yards
Julio Jones – 7 receptions, 121 rec yards, 1 TD
Roddy White – 6 receptions, 89 rec yards, 1 TD
Harry Douglas – 3 receptions, 24 rec yards
Levine Toilolo – 2 receptions, 16 rec yards
Matt Bryant – 2 PAT, 3 FG
Falcons D – 1 sack, 1 INT, 24 points allowed

The Cardinals have to be on upset watch after the way their offense played last week. The Falcons have been a major disappointment this season, but they still have enough firepower on offense to spring the upset here.

New England Patriots at Green Bay Packers

Tom Brady – 325 pass yards, 3 TD
Shane Vereen – 24 rush yards, 5 receptions, 62 rec yards, 1 TD
LeGarrette Blount – 30 rush yards
Jonas Gray – 12 rush yards
Brandon LaFell – 5 receptions, 74 rec yards
Julian Edelman – 8 receptions, 88 rec yards, 1 TD
Rob Gronkowski – 7 receptions, 95 rec yards, 1 TD
Tim Wright – 1 reception, 6 rec yards
Stephen Gostkowski – 3 PAT, 3 FG
Patriots D – 2 sacks, 34 points allowed

Aaron Rodgers – 330 pass yards, 3 TD
Eddie Lacy – 107 rush yards, 1 TD, 3 receptions, 23 rec yards
Jordy Nelson – 7 receptions, 120 rec yards, 1 TD
Randall Cobb – 6 receptions, 101 rec yards, 2 TD
Davante Adams – 3 receptions, 34 rec yards
Andrew Quarless – 4 receptions, 46 rec yards
Mason Crosby – 4 PAT, 2 FG
Packers D – 2 sacks, 2 FR, 30 points allowed

This is a potential Super Bowl preview, with the Patriots and Packers the two hottest teams in the league. You always have to give the edge to the offense when these two quarterbacks are at the helm, but these games have a way of slowing down when we least expect it.

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Denver Broncos at Kansas City Chiefs

Peyton Manning – 311 pass yards, 3 TD
C.J. Anderson – 93 rush yards, 1 TD, 3 receptions, 20 rec yards
Demaryius Thomas – 7 receptions, 119 rec yards, 2 TD
Emmanuel Sanders – 5 receptions, 81 rec yards, 1 TD
Wes Welker – 3 receptions, 34 rec yards
Julius Thomas – 5 receptions, 48 rec yards
Brandon McManus – 4 PAT, 1 FG
Broncos D – 3 sacks, 1 INT, 1 FR, 21 points allowed

Alex Smith – 234 pass yards, 1 TD, 1 INT, 23 rush yards
Jamaal Charles – 90 rush yards, 2 TD, 3 receptions, 21 rec yards
Knile Davis – 12 rush yards
Dwayne Bowe – 6 receptions, 77 rec yards, 1 TD
Junior Hemingway – 3 receptions, 32 rec yards
Travis Kelce – 5 receptions, 68 rec yards
Anthony Fasano – 2 receptions, 20 rec yards
Cairo Santos – 3 PAT
Chiefs D – 2 sacks, 31 points allowed

The Broncos could grab a stranglehold of the AFC West with a win in Arrowhead on Sunday night. The Chiefs looked like a bit of a threat to wrest the division away just a few weeks ago, but Peyton Manning got everything back on track last week. Expect it to remain that way on Sunday.

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Miami Dolphins at New York Jets

Ryan Tannehill – 265 pass yards, 2 TD, 42 rush yards
Lamar Miller – 67 rush yards, 1 TD, 3 receptions, 19 rec yards
Daniel Thomas – 30 rush yards
Mike Wallace – 4 receptions, 82 rec yards, 1 TD
Jarvis Landry – 6 receptions, 61 rec yards, 1 TD
Brian Hartline – 3 receptions, 40 rec yards
Charles Clay – 4 receptions, 49 rec yards
Caleb Sturgis – 3 PAT, 2 FG
Dolphins D – 4 sacks, 2 INT, 1 FR, 9 points allowed

Michael Vick – 244 pass yards, 2 INT, 37 rush yards
Chris Ivory – 47 rush yards
Chris Johnson – 23 rush yards, 4 receptions, 35 rec yards
Eric Decker – 6 receptions, 70 rec yards
Percy Harvin – 4 receptions, 59 rec yards
Jeremy Kerley – 2 receptions, 17 rec yards
Jace Amaro – 3 receptions, 25 rec yards
Nick Folk – 3 FG
Jets D – 2 sacks, 27 points allowed

If the Dolphins have any hope of securing a wild-card berth into the playoffs, they have to beat a team like the Jets, no matter where the game is played. That means they’ll need another big-time performance out of Tannehill. It’s time for him to prove he can be a playoff quarterback