Team of the Week

 

QB: Aaron Rodgers

Rodgers entered Week 13 with two touchdowns and 166.0 yards per game over the previous three weeks, but the wintry conditions in New York played to his advantage as he tossed four scores in a 31-13 victory on Sunday. Green Bay did most of their damage through the air, and Rodgers’ connection with Davante Adams (two touchdowns) now clicking for trips to the end zone is great news heading into the fantasy playoffs.

 

RB: James White

For the most part, White has been a disappointment this year because of a limited ceiling, but that changed last night when New England was forced to play from behind. The 27-year-old saw season-highs across the board in targets (11), receptions (eight), receiving yards (98), carries (14), rushing yards (79), and touchdowns (two) as the engine for a comeback attempt, so perhaps the increased usage will be something that continues—especially with the Chiefs coming to town next week.

 

RB: Derrius Guice

Guice is still not seeing a heavy workload (12 or fewer touches in all three game since returning from injury), but that didn’t matter on Sunday with a 60-yard rush and two goal-line touchdowns in Washington’s 29-21 win over Carolina. Overall, Guice handled 12 touches for 137 yards and the scores, so his role may increase down the stretch if the coaching staff feels he can handle it.

 

WR: DeVante Parker

We have been hyping Parker as a top add on the waiver wire for a while now because of his talent/schedule, and he came through with a monster performance when it mattered most—catching seven-of-ten targets for 159 yards and two touchdowns in Miami’s 37-31 win over Philadelphia. The former first-round pick has looked like an elite player with Ryan Fitzpatrick giving him chances to make contested catches.

 

WR: Alshon Jeffery

Eagles-Dolphins featured two big-bodied wideouts doing damage for their respective team, and Jeffery traded blows with the aforementioned Parker by catching nine passes for 137 yards and a touchdown in his return to the lineup. Alshon could have had an even bigger day if he wasn’t held on a would-be long touchdown, but fantasy owners will take the 24.2 points.

 

TE: Tyler Higbee

Sean McVay’s offense hadn’t been utilizing the tight ends as much recently, but that changed on Sunday against Arizona (the worst team in the league at defending the position). With Gerald Everett (knee) out of the lineup, Higbee turned eight targets into career-highs of seven receptions and 107 yards, including a two-yard touchdown.

 

FLEX: Kenny Golladay

Undrafted rookie David Blough drawing the start for Detroit on Thanksgiving likely led to more than a few fantasy owners benching Golladay, but those who stuck with him were rewarded with 158 yards and a score on just five targets. The 75-yard touchdown on a double move opened things up in the first quarter, and Golladay is now averaging 20.2 yards per reception on the season.

 

D/ST: Buccaneers

Fueled by a takeover performance by No. 5 overall pick Devin White (seven tackles, 2.0 sacks, one interception, one fumble recovery, one touchdown), the Bucs created big play after big play on Sunday against an overmatched Jacksonville offensive line, and their 24 fantasy points led all D/ST options for Week 13. The upside will make Tampa Bay a streaming consideration over the next two weeks (v IND, @ DET).

 

K: Wil Lutz

Anyone with Lutz had to be feeling pretty good after desert on Thanksgiving, as he nailed six-of-six kicks for the Saints, including four field goals (and three from 40+ yards). Despite not catching a touchdown like Jason Sanders in Miami, Lutz’s 17.0 fantasy points leads all kickers heading into Monday night.

 

Surprise of the Week: Raheem Mostert

Mostert had seen single-digit touches in every game since Week 3, but without warning, he was thrust into a featured role ahead of Tevin Coleman on Sunday, turning 21 touches into 154 yards—with the highlight being a 40-yard score. The most impressive aspect was that it came on the road in Baltimore, and Mostert’s speed was too much for the Ravens when he got to the second level. On 133 career rushing attempts, the veteran is averaging 6.3 yards per carry.

 

Disappointment of the Week: Jonathan Williams

Coleman, Aaron Jones (for the second week in a row), Sammy Watkins, and several others were considered here, but Williams—coming off back-to-back 100-yard games—rushed just eight times for 14 yards against Tennessee. The power runner worked behind both Jordan Wilkins and Nyheim Hines, so he’s suddenly gone from a potential RB2 for the fantasy playoffs (depending on Marlon Mack’s status) to droppable.

 

Rookie of the Week: Miles Sanders

Sanders played around 85% of the team’s offensive snaps for the third week in a row since Jordan Howard (shoulder) has been inactive, and he finally came through with an RB1/RB2 performance by totaling 105 yards and a score on 22 touches. Philly’s second-round pick should be featured again next week if Howard remains sidelined, and the role may be expanded the rest of the way based on the mystery around the starter’s status.

 

Week 13 MVP: DeVante Parker

Years of summer hype has finally carried over for an extended stretch, as Parker is on pace for a 71/1,139/8 line and has at least 55 yards and/or a touchdown in all but one game in 2019. Single coverage was no match for Parker on Sunday as he scored 31.4 fantasy points and extended the season of fantasy owners across the globe.