The Ravens-Steelers adventure now behind us, Week 12 is officially in the rear-view mirror. Offering no Thursday night game as part of the schedule-shuffling needed due to Covid-19 outbreaks across the league, Week 13 will feature two Monday night games and a Tuesday night matchup.
Fresh off a tough round of sleeper picks last weekend, (Michael Pittman Jr only caught two passes in the Colts loss to the Titans and Teddy Bridgewater only scored 15 points in the Panthers’ last-second loss to the Vikings), we look to bounce back with seven 1:00 P.M. kickoffs scheduled on Sunday in a loaded early slate of games. Let’s get into this week’s picks.
Jared Goff, Los Angeles Rams
After a two-interception performance in the Rams shocking loss to the 49ers last Sunday, Goff has continued to be up-and-down over the past few weeks. A hot-and-cold performer in 2020, the 26-year-old has four games with over 23 fantasy points, but also five games of under 12.
Looking to maintain a recent solid stretch of play against the Cardinals, stream Goff as a high-end QB2/low-end QB1 on Sunday. Delivering two of his best fantasy performances against Arizona last season, he threw for over 700 yards and five touchdowns. The Cardinals have struggled to slow down opposing pass offenses this season, letting seven of 11 opposing passers to register over 18 fantasy points against them. An intriguing option at his current QB17 rank, the Rams signal-caller has top-15 upside.
Devontae Booker, Las Vegas Raiders
With star running back Josh Jacobs questionable heading into the Raiders week 13 matchup with the Jets, play Booker as a RB2 with upside if the star back is limited or forced to miss the game. Receiving an expanded role in the team’s offense over his past four games, Booker is averaging over nine touches per game.
The Jets have allowed over 29 touches per game to running backs, giving up a 21 percent target share to the position leading nine backs to finish inside the top 24 against them. Booker is in for a high volume day if he is indeed the lead back for Jon Gruden’s team this weekend. The 28-year-old should be in for at least 20 touches.
Sterling Shepard, New York Giants
Receiving more than six targets in all but one of the games he has played in this season, Shepard provides owners a value option this week at his WR35 ranking. Currently dead last in the NFL in passing yards per game, the Seahawks defense is allowing over 328 pass yards per contest. The group also allows a 63.5 percent target share to the position, leading to 22 wideouts to finish in the top 36 against them.
Limited on offense with Daniel Jones expected to miss the game with a nagging hamstring injury, look for Shepard to be in for a big day in the short and intermediate passing games with veteran Colt McCoy under center. In the WR3/WR4 conversation, the 27-year-old should provide a stable floor for owners.
Jordan Reed, San Francisco 49ers
Beginning to receive a higher target share in Kyle Shanahan’s offense, Reed has hit the six target floor in 4 of 5 games this season. With a matchup on deck against the Bills in Week 13, play the former Redskins tight end as a TE1 this week. Struggling against the position all season long, Leslie Frazier‘s defense has allowed six receptions for over 60 yards per game on average. Buffalo has also seen a massive 20.8 percent target share at the position, allowing over 700 yards total. With star tight end George Kittle on the injured reserve list forcing him to miss the rest of the season, look for the opportunities to continue to increase for Reed, starting this week.
Baker Mayfield, Cleveland Browns
Solid in the Browns win over the Jacksonville Jaguars a week ago, Mayfield completed 19 of 29 passes for 258 yards and two touchdowns. Looking ahead to a matchup with the AFC South-leading Tennessee Titans on Sunday, play Mayfield as a solid QB2 in double format leagues. Unable to hold up against the pass all season long, Mike Vrabel‘s group is allowing over 268 pass yards per game.
Tennessee has struggled mightily to get pressure on opposing signal-callers, registering just 14 quarterback takedowns this year. Facing over 35 pass attempts per game through 11 weeks, expect the Browns signal-caller to be in for his highest volume day in what is typically a run-heavy attack in Cleveland.
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