Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette

News and notes from around the league, including fantasy watch.

- By Brandon C. Williams

Week 13. Plain and simple, it’s the week where some leagues will write the final chapters of their regular seasons, leaving only a handful of teams eligible to pursue championsh­ip dreams. Other leagues consider Week 13 as their next-to-last week of the regular season, lending hope to those seeking to slide into the playoffs.

Unlike last week, Week 13 offers better potential for offensive production. Keep in mind that Thanksgivi­ng Day has three games on the slate, so make sure lineups are firmed up before the first whiff of turkey and glazed ham.

START: Sam Darnold, QB, Jets: In his past two games, Darnold has completed 39 passes for 608 yards with six touchdowns. He’s thrown 11 of his 13 touchdowns in his past five games and continues his run of favorable matchups against a Bengals defense that has allowed the seventh-most fantasy points to opposing quarterbac­ks.

SIT: Deshaun Watson, QB,

Texans: Most weeks, Watson is a titanium-plated must-start. However, facing the Patriots defense constitute­s a huge exception. New England has allowed the second-fewest passing yards in the league while allowing a league-low four touchdown passes. On average, the Patriots allow just under six fantasy points per game to opposing quarterbac­ks, making a Watson start a potential disaster.

START: Josh Jacobs, RB, Raiders: Don’t be discourage­d by Jacobs’ season-low 34 rushing yards in last week’s loss at the Jets. Jacobs, who had rushed for at least 66 yards in each game before last Sunday, starts a new streak at the expense of a Chiefs defense that has allowed the most fantasy points to opposing running backs. Kansas City allows 5.1 yards per carry, second-worst in the league, which makes Jacobs’ potential to break a long gainer very strong.

SIT: David Johnson, RB, Cardinals: Johnson has rushed for 6 yards on four carries in his past two games. The Cards have all but given Kenyan Drake the starting role, meaning that Johnson will be left with the table scraps of the Arizona running game. Drake’s pass-catching skills also nullifies the prospect of Johnson being used on passing downs, and it’s not a stretch to consider releasing him at this point.

START: Miles Sanders, RB, Eagles: There’s a chance Jordan Howard returns, but Sanders is set for a potentiall­y big afternoon against a Dolphins defense that allows 6.4 yards per play, second worst in the league. Sanders would be a solid PPR play considerin­g that QB Carson Wentz will have to continue relying on him as the Philly receiving group remains banged up. Miami allows the sixth-most fantasy points to opposing backs, all the more reason to run with Sanders.

SIT: James Washington, WR,

Steelers: Although he continues to show big-play potential, Washington’s upside will be hampered by the erratic play of rookie quarterbac­k Devlin Hodges and a Browns defense that has allowed the seventh-fewest passing yards in the league. He is a high-risk, high-reward play, but with bye weeks no longer in play, there will be better options available than Washington.

START: Greg Olsen, TE, Panthers: There’s been a revival of sorts from Olsen, who has caught 18 of his 22 targets over the past three weeks. Olsen hasn’t scored a touchdown since Week 3, but that run could come to an end against the Redskins, who have allowed the 10th-most fantasy points to opposing tight ends. Washington is 25th in touchdown passes allowed, making a combo of Olsen and quarterbac­k Kyle Allen a good pass-catch combo this week.

SIT: Jimmy Graham, TE, Packers: Graham has become a forgotten part of the Green Bay passing game, getting only five targets in the past two games. He’s no longer a big-play threat, having managed just two games of better than 60 receiving yards, That’s not going to change against a Giants defense that is third in the league in fewest fantasy points allowed to opposing tight ends.

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