Week 13: Sit 'Em
Sit'em articles can vary widely across fantasy websites. Some weeks you might see consistency among experts and other weeks you might not find one match between articles. Sit'em picks are focused on selecting usually solid players that are not worth starting in any given week. Circumstances might include match-up, injury watch, RBBC approach, passing vs. rushing focus, past performance, etc.
Sit'ems include some tough calls. We all have doubts each week and have to consider our options. It is a difficult decision to sit your stud or solid player, but occaisonally you must in order to win that match-up.
This week we see some players with tough match-ups and players battling through injury make the list.
QB Russell Wilson, SEA
Wilson is coming off four high weeks and carried his three game fantasy scoring stretch to four after the bye. He has been solid lately, gaining yardage both on the ground and passing. His completion percentages have been decent and the two TD, 224 passing yard game against Miami was welcomed by fantasy owners. It is odd to me that Wilson is only owned in about 57% of MFL leagues and started in only 18%. His average week has been around 14 points. In Week 13 Wilson faces a stout Chicago defense that can stifle the pass and the run. Chicago's defense has been ranked in the top three against opposing QBs for most of this season. I like Wilson, but fear that this week is going to be a low fantasy point outing. He has a propensity to throw interceptions, though not of late, but I think that will change this week. Chicago is at home and only allows opposing QBs an average of around 12 fantasy points. This week Wilson will likely throw for 175 yards, 1 TD and I am going to say he throws 2 INTs.
RB Donald Brown, IND
Brown has been playing through a knee injury and has not been that healthy. Not to mention that he is now in a complete time share with Vick Ballard. As far as the time split figures, it is kind of a crap shoot here. Indy will likely roll with the hot hand as they continue to try to progress their season. One week Ballard might be on and another week Brown might be on. This situation is always troublesome to fantasy owners. This week Brown faces a top ranked rush defense in Detroit. Brown had been a potential flex candidate or bye week fill-in, but at this point in the season (and with his lower fantasy production), he is better left on your bench. This week I project 5-6 carries for about 20 yards with maybe one reception for short yardage.
Injury Status: Injured ReserveWR Danario Alexander, SD
Alexander has been leading the Chargers receiving core with the most yardage over the past four games. His three TDs over the past four games is also solid. This week he will face a Cincinatti team that is ranked in the top ten pass defenses. Alexander is also suffering a thigh injury sustained last week. This week should be interesting. If Alexander is limited, he very well might lose targets to Floyd, Gates and others. If he is healthy, he could perform well. My guess at this point is that he will play. I think he will receive better pass coverage than he did in the Tampa Bay and Denver games and perform similarly to his outing against Baltimore. I suspect we will see about 65 yards receiving without a score.
WR Brandon Gibson, MIA
Danny Amendola was back, but looks to be out again this week with an aggrevated heel injury. Gibson might appear to be a solid start for flex positions or maybe at wide out, but the match-up is my concern. This week Gibson faces a top ranked pass defense in San Francisco. This defense has held all opposing wide outs to an average of about 18 points per game. That is impressive. In his last outing vs. SF Gibson grabbed three passes for 47 yards. Another game like that is not going to help your fantasy roster. This week look for 2-3 receptions for 20-25 yards.
WR Torrey Smith, BAL
Smith was nearly blanked in his last game vs. Pittsburgh two weeks ago. He caught one pass for seven yards. Pittsburgh obviously had Smith's number last contest and my bet is that they will be looking to contain him again. Baltimore did win the game, but it was a low scoring affair. Smith did bounce back well against SD last week. Here is some further rationale for sitting Smith. Pittsburgh is one of the top two pass defenses in the league statistically. This is a big factor in my conisderation to bench Smith this week. The last reason to keep him seated would be that he is trying to recover fully from a thigh injury. Reports state that he was limited at Wednesday's practice session. Personally, I do not think the injury will keep Smith down, but he could be limited and any limitation vs. Pittsburgh can mean little fantasy production. I think we will see Smith snag 3-4 receptions for 50-60 yards, but he will be held out of the end zone.
