We're down to the wire of this 2015 fantasy football season. Week 13 means you're either in contention, looking to punch that postseason ticket, already clinched a playoff spot and just jostling for position, or long out of it and flat out playing for pride. Whichever category your team falls in, it might be worth your while to follow these tips. Hey ... your season could depend on it.
Need a Running Back? Claim Them Off Waivers Now: Theo Riddick, David Johnson, Brandon Bolden, Shaun Draughn
For whatever it's worth, the Detroit Lions and Green Bay Packers seem to be going in different directions as of late. The Lions have won three straight games, including a Week 10 road win over the Pack, while Green Bay has lost four of its past five games. While you wouldn't be starting Lions running back Theo Riddick with supreme confidence, he's worth a look if you're in a jam this week. His 62 yards receiving and touchdown for 12 fantasy points in non-points-per-reception leagues last week was pretty promising. Now, owners will see if he could help the Lions kick the Packers while they're down ... and produce some more fantasy points in the process.
Add Arizona Cardinals running back David Johnson if you have a chance, too. Expected to only see an increased workload out the backfield — considering Chris Johnson's fractured tibia — your first line of duty should be to check the waiver wire and tab him if he's available. He had a respectable eight fantasy points last week and could see equal or better production this week against the St. Louis Rams.
Brandon Bolden played just 15 snaps to fellow New England Patriots rushers James White's 31 and LeGarrette Blount's 27, yet he made the most of his opportunities, hauling in four catches for 84 yards and a touchdown and adding another 11 yards on the ground for 15 fantasy points in non-PPR leagues. The Patriots hosting the struggling Philadelphia Eagles this week marks a favorable matchup, but Bolden's production can go one of two ways — something similar to what he did in Week 12 or a bust. No risk, no reward, though.
The San Francisco 49ers are terrible, but 20 touches for Shaun Draughn resulted in eight hard-earned fantasy points last week. Who's to say he can't replicate that performance or even improve upon it against the Chicago Bears this week?
Need A Wide Receiver? Claim Them Off Waivers Now: Donte Moncrief, Anquan Boldin, Devin Funchess, Kendall Wright
Do your due diligence and just make sure Donte Moncrief is taken in your league. If you're one of the lucky 26 percent of leagues, where the Indianapolis Colts wide receiver is a free agent, he's an absolute no-brainer to add to your roster. He's coming off eight catches on nine targets for 114 yards for 11 points in non-PPR leagues and the Pittsburgh Steelers handle the run much better than they do the pass.
Again, the 49ers are a bad team, but Anquan Boldin is tried and true and still good enough to produce ... even if it's on a poor squad. If you're in a bind, tab him if you can against the Chicago Bears this week. He's coming off back-to-back 93 receiving-yard efforts and the Bears' secondary doesn't exactly strike fear in anyone. Don't fret, go with the vet.
It's still not too late to get onboard and join the undefeated Carolina Panthers on their blazing hot season. Despite Devin Funchess being the third, sometimes fourth receiving option on the team, the Panthers are visiting the New Orleans Saints' Swiss cheese of a secondary this week. That means plenty of aerial fireworks from MVP candidate Cam Newton and several happy Panthers wideouts — Funchess being one of them.
Kendall Wright just didn't produce last week, but his targets — all eight of them — were there. Another eight opportunities, but against the Jacksonville Jaguars this week, could be just what the Tennessee Titans' 26-year-old wideout needs to bounce back.
Anticipated Letdowns: Dez Bryant, Odell Beckham Jr.
Without Tony Romo at quarterback, the Dallas Cowboys don't have a shot. That means Dez Bryant shouldn't be a factor for the remainder of this season. While he still may be a better option than the slim pickings out there, anticipate a letdown from the Cowboys' star wideout ... even against the Washington Redskins this week.
I expect Odell Beckham Jr. to get the better of Darrelle Revis this week, when the New York Giants face the New York Jets with more than just bragging rights on the line. That being said, even while Revis seems to have lost a step out there, who's to say he can't put together a shutdown-corner Sunday and stop the young, dynamic wide receiver? Either way, don't be surprised. We're talking greatness, here.
Sleeper Picks: Matthew Stafford, Kirk Cousins
If I only followed my own advice. Last week, I tabbed Matthew Stafford as a good sleeper option against the Philadelphia Eagles on Thanksgiving ... but wound up starting Eli Manning at quarterback, instead. So, how did that turn out for me? Well, the Eli I didn't want to show up, showed up, tossing three interceptions in the New York Giants' loss to the Washington Redskins. Meanwhile Stafford lit up the Eagles secondary, throwing for 337 yards and five touchdowns and ending the game with 44 fantasy points. Oof. It hurt to see that kind of number benched.
Well, with the Detroit Lions having won three straight games now and the Green Bay Packers struggling, Stafford is a decent sleeper pick yet again. Weigh your options better than I did.
What's this world coming to, when Kirk Cousins is tabbed as a decent sleeper-pick play? Yes, the New York Giants' secondary is terrible and that might have made Cousins look that much better last week, but the Dallas Cowboys are struggling, having just learned that they'll be without Tony Romo for the rest of the year. Cousins could have a decent outing ... especially considering that DeSean Jackson has been coming alive lately at wideout.
Confusion By Committee: New England Patriots running backs James White, LeGarrette Blount, and Brandon Bolden
As aforementioned, Brandon Bolden played the least snaps last week, but still produced a better output than fellow-New England Patriots rushers LeGarrette Blount and James White. While, Blount remains the featured back and the one I trust the most out of these three running backs, don't be surprised if White racks up more yards against the Philadelphia Eagles this week. The Eagles are struggling so much that the three Pats' rushers could see a split in production, but don't be shocked if it's lopsided production.
