Brett Hundley will look to continue his recent success against the Buccaneers on Sunday.
Credit:@ESPNStatsInfo
Week 13 is crucial in fantasy football for any owners who are trying to make the playoffs. We have a full slate of games this weekend, and there should be plenty of great performances. For those owners who need some last minute adds before game time here are some sleepers to put into your lineup.
Brett Hundley, QB Green Bay Packers:
After his best game of the season last weekend against the Steelers, Brett Hundley will face off against the Buccaneers on Sunday. The third-year quarterback has been filling in for Aaron Rodgers who has been out with a broken clavicle since Week 6 and before last game, has not looked very good. Even after a three-touchdown performance against Pittsburgh, Hundley still has just five touchdowns compared to seven interceptions. The Packers offense has had a tough time moving the ball, but last week showed promise of making a step in the right direction. Tampa Bay has the worst pass defense this season giving up 285 yards per game and 19 touchdowns, giving Hundley a chance to have another good game. It won’t be easy to start him this weekend, but the former fifth-round draft pick looked very sharp against a Top-3 Steeler pass defense and gets a much easier opponent on Sunday. Start Hundley if you need a quarterback with some upside, but he should still only be valued as a low-end QB2.
Isaiah Crowell, RB Cleveland Browns:
It has been just another terrible year for the Cleveland Browns, something that fans have grown quite accustomed to. The offense figured to be somewhat improved, especially in the run game where Isaiah Crowell and Duke Johnson figured to be better coming off of a good performance last season, but that hasn’t happened. Crowell especially was looked upon to take an even bigger leap into becoming one of the league’s better running backs, but so far that hasn’t worked out. The fourth-year running back was drafted inside the Top-40 in leagues on ESPN.com, but is only the 26th highest scoring runner coming into Week 13. Though he’s been a bust so far this season, Crowell has looked much better over the last month. He has averaged at least 5.6 yards per carry in three of the Browns’ last four games and scored his only two rushing touchdowns of the season. Cleveland remains winless, but their run game has looked much improved going into a matchup against the Chargers who have the worst run defense in the league. Los Angeles has allowed 4.9 yards per carry to opposing running backs and nine touchdowns on the ground this season. If you held on to Crowell through his rough beginning to the season, start him this week as a low-end RB2.
Marqise Lee, WR Jacksonville Jaguars:
With fellow wide receiver Allen Hurns out for the third straight game, Marqise Lee will be the top option in the passing game this weekend against the Colts. Last week, Lee was covered by Patrick Peterson and received only two targets, a disappointing number for owners who started him. This week provides a much better opportunity for a big game from the fourth year wide receiver when the Jaguars host the Colts who have one of the worst pass defense in the league. Indianapolis has allowed 13.5 yards per catch to opposing wide receivers and 278 yards through the air per game. Jacksonville hasn’t needed to rely on the passing game as much this season and instead has given the work to rookie running back Leonard Fournette, but have still thrown at least 30 times a game over the last four weeks. Lee will look to get double-digit targets for the fifth time this season and should have no problem getting open against the weak Colts secondary. Start Lee as a solid flex option this week with some upside as the best option in the Jaguars passing attack.
Rex Burkhead, RB New England Patriots:
The Patriots backfield has seen a lot of changes during the season, but has now developed their game plan to feature Dion Lewis and Rex Burkhead as the main playmakers. James White hasn’t touched the ball nearly as much lately, and Mike Gillislee who started the season hot doesn’t seem to be part of the backfield at all, going without a carry since the end of October. Since the Patriots Week 9 bye, Burkhead and Lewis have both been very productive and have seen an increased workload. Burkhead is still emerging as a reliable fantasy asset, so that is why he made this list. With 37 touches over the last three games, the former Cincinnati Bengal is getting a solid floor to work with going into each matchup. Last week, Burkhead scored a touchdown on the ground and through the air, showing his versatility in an offense where Tom Brady likes to throw to running backs. This week, the Patriots will travel to Buffalo and face a defense that has given up a league-leading 16 rushing touchdowns so far this season. Start Burkhead as a solid flex option with RB2 upside if he can find the end-zone again.
Seth Roberts, WR Oakland Raiders:
Oakland is trying to stay in position to earn a playoff spot in the close AFC West but are going without a couple of big offensive playmakers on Sunday. Wide receivers Amari Cooper and Michael Crabtree will both be inactive for this game, with the former being injured and the latter getting suspended for an altercation last weekend, so third-year receiver Seth Roberts will be looked upon to try and fill the void. Roberts doesn’t usually get too much attention being the third string pass catcher on the team, but this week he may very well be quarterback Derek Carr’s favorite target. The Raiders will host the New York Giants who have one of the worst pass defenses in the league this year. The Giants secondary have allowed 258 passing yards per game and 22 passing touchdowns to opposing offenses this season. There isn’t much to say about Roberts who has flashed some skill over the past few years but has never really gotten a chance to shine. Start Seth Roberts as a flex option this week based on the workload he should see.
