There is nothing easy about making lineup decisions in fantasy football. It is a necessary part of the game. Getting these decisions correct is key to your success as a fantasy manager. Here to help you make those decisions are our positional start ’em and sit ’em picks.
Fantasy decisions are more important than ever with playoff spots and playoff positioning on the line, so let’s look at our Week 13 start/sit plays for the WR position.
Which WRs Should You Start in Fantasy This Week?
Josh Downs, Indianapolis Colts (at TEN)
After battling a knee injury for a couple of weeks, the bye week worked wonders for the rookie. Josh Downs looked fully healthy in Week 12 and was back to a 68% snap share. Unfortunately, he only managed five catches for 43 yards, scoring 9.3 fantasy points.
MORE: Week 13 Start/Sit Options — TE | RB | QB
Fantasy managers may look at Downs’ last three games and be ready to abandon ship. Do not. Things are going to get better.
For starters, Downs is a talented player. That always helps. He was just inefficient last week. What I care about more are the 13 targets he was able to command, a season-high figure.
While the Tampa Bay Buccaneers were a favorable matchup for wide receivers last week, and Downs couldn’t take advantage, it wasn’t for a lack of effort. I don’t think a second favorable matchup will get away from him.
The Tennessee Titans allow the sixth-most points per game (PPG) to wide receivers. More specifically, they allow the eighth-most PPG to the slo, where Downs primary lines up. A whopping 72.2% of the total receiving yards allowed by the Titans go to wide receivers.
Michael Pittman Jr. is going to get his. But there should be plenty left for Downs as the clear second option in this passing game to post at least WR3, if not WR2, numbers this week.
Adam Thielen, Carolina Panthers (at TB)
The 33-year-old Adam Thielen’s production has come crashing back down to Earth over the past month. After four outings of 20+ points in his first six, Thielen has barely cracked 15 fantasy points just twice since.
Last week, Thielen could not capitalize on the aforementioned soft Titans pass defense. Fortunately, I do think he will be able to take advantage of the Bucs this week.
The Bucs allow the fourth-most PPG to wide receivers. More specifically, they allow the most PPG to the slot. Thielen runs 64% of his routes from the slot and has run the second-most total routes from the slot this season.
But most important of all is the narrative. The Carolina Panthers just fired their head coach and several other coaches due to offensive ineptitude. While this isn’t the most talented roster, we’ve seen far worse offenses come together for an explosion of points the week after they fired their coach.
I am banking on some of that this week. Do not abandon Old Man Thielen just yet.
Which WRs Should You Sit in Fantasy This Week?
Drake London, Atlanta Falcons (at NYJ)
Outside of Drake London’s Week 1 bagel, it really hasn’t been that bad for the mega-talented sophomore WR. Sure, fantasy managers were hoping for more of a breakout, but London has hit double-digit fantasy points in all but two games since that Week 1 disaster.
Last week, with Desmond Ridder back under center and back to his usual turnover shtick, London still managed five catches for 91 yards. He is going to be fine to use over the final five weeks of the season … just not this week.
The New York Jets are the worst matchup for wide receivers, allowing the fewest PPG to the position. Their 8.8 PPG allowed to outside receivers is the third-fewest in the league, and no team has allowed fewer than the 0.3 touchdowns the Jets allow to wide receivers.
The Falcons want to run the ball. The way to move the ball against the Jets is on the ground. With Bijan Robinson really starting to percolate, this is a perfect opportunity for the Falcons to call 40 run plays. When they do throw, they are better off targeting running backs, which is the only area of pass defense where the Jets struggle. Just 58.6% of its total receiving yards allowed go to wide receivers, but 20.9% go to running backs.
London could be looking at something like a 3-30 line this week, which is not going to do fantasy managers chasing playoff spots any favors.
Christian Watson, Green Bay Packers (vs. KC)
Finally, Christian Watson showcased why he was a popular breakout selection in the fourth round of fantasy drafts. The sophomore WR caught five of seven targets for 94 yards and a touchdown against the Detroit Lions on Thanksgiving. All of those numbers were season highs.
Please be reminded that before last week, Watson had just one other game with more than 37 receiving yards. I am going to need to see more from Watson before he is restored to the ranks of the WR3s.
The Packers’ air attack as a whole will have quite the uphill battle against a tough Chiefs pass defense. If Jordan Love is struggling as a result, it stands to reason his wide receivers are as well.
The Chiefs allow the sixth-fewest PPG to outside receivers, which is where Watson primarily lines up. The Packers are likely to funnel targets more to Jayden Reed and the slot when they do opt to pass.
After this week, Watson has a bunch of favorable matchups remaining. He very well may be startable for the rest of the season. But in Week 13, he is best left on benches.
Trending Searches for WR Start/Sit
Did you know that we have a Start/Sit Optimizer here at Pro Football Network?! It’s completely free to use, and it allows you to enter up to six players to find the best option to plug into your starting lineup!
It also allows us to see the most popular trending searches, and we’ve jotted some of them down here to help provide some clarity on!
Should You Start Josh Downs or Diontae Johnson?
It’s been a rough couple of weeks for Diontae Johnson. And there are definitely real concerns about how much the Steelers will have to pass this week.
MORE: Kyle Soppe’s Week 13 Fantasy Football Cheat Sheet
But also, Johnson scored a touchdown last week. He caught a pass in the back of the end zone, got two feet down, and then fell to the ground, losing the ball well after the catch was complete.
Fantasy managers would feel much better about his production if Mike Tomlin actually challenged the awful incomplete call that NFL rules analyst Gene Steratore said would likely be overturned. Instead, Johnson finished with four catches for 50 scoreless yards.
I clearly like Downs this week. He’s in a great spot against a pass-funnel defense. But the Start/Sit Optimizer is on point here, with Johnson projected for 12.5 points against Downs’ 11.5.
Both players are talented. Both are worthwhile fantasy starters. But I have Johnson considerably higher in my rankings. Start him.
Should You Start Drake London or Chris Godwin?
London is really, really good at football. In a different situation, he might be a fantasy WR1. But he’s in Atlanta with Ridder as his quarterback on a run-first offense.
London has still managed to break through for solid performances, but the game-breaking upside just doesn’t really exist. It’s difficult to really ever fathom him having a two-touchdown game.
Chris Godwin is also talented and in a better situation. However, he’s the clear WR2 behind Mike Evans, playing for a quarterback who can’t really support more than one wide receiver.
Godwin was serviceable at the start of the season but has since fallen off a cliff, failing to reach double-digit fantasy points in four straight games.
Even so, I am extremely concerned about the matchup for London. As a result, I agree with the Start/Sit Optimizer, which has this in favor of Godwin 11.6-11.2.
Looking to make a trade in your fantasy league? Having trouble deciding who to start and who to sit? Setting DFS lineups? Check out PFN’s Free Fantasy Football Trade Analyzer, Start/Sit Optimizer, and DFS Lineup Optimizer to help you make the right decision!
