The 2021 NFL season is continuing to fly by. Happy Week 13 to all the football fans everywhere. Four high-profile teams are on a bye this week. This leaves owners scrambling for options. The Green Bay Packers, Cleveland Browns, Carolina Panthers, and the Tennessee Titans all have no matchup. Along with this, most fantasy leagues will begin their playoffs in just two weeks. Finding one week answers for your lineups in order to help win your matchup is as important as ever. Rolling right along with our fantasy sleepers article, our picks enjoyed some success last week.
Struggling in their respective matchups, Evan Engram held in just three passes for 37 yards in the New York Giants’ loss to the Philadelphia Eagles. Furthermore, Austin Hooper was held without a reception in the Cleveland Browns’ disappointing loss to the Baltimore Ravens on Sunday Night Football. However, Mac Jones remained a bright spot as the rookie quarterback tossed for 310 yards and two touchdowns in the New England Patriots blowout victory over the Titans.
Carson Wentz, Indianapolis Colts
Wentz has played some of the best football of his career over the last month and a half. The 28-year-old has finished as QB10 on average in full-point PPR leagues since Week 7. Strong once again a week ago, the former second overall pick completed 27-44 passes for 306 yards and three touchdowns in a narrow loss to the reigning world champion Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Headed for a divisional game on Sunday against the Houston Texans, start him if you are in need of an option at the quarterback position. Playing better on the defensive side of the ball as the season has progressed, David Culley’s team still allows more than 258 pass yards per game to opposing signal-callers. In addition to this, they have given up nearly 23 points per game over their last four contests. A solid streaming option, he offers top 15 upside this week.
Matt Breida, Buffalo Bills
Breida has quickly carved out a more significant role in the Bills offense during their last two games. A week ago, the 26-year-old played behind Devin Singletary on Thursday Night Football, sending second-year man Zack Moss to the bench. Racking up nine rushing attempts, the former undrafted free agent was able to salvage the week on a 23-yard passing score from Josh Allen. With 105 rushing yards and 67 receiving yards over the last three games, he has now found the end zone twice.
In a Monday Night Football matchup against the Patriots, play him as an RB3 in deeper leagues. Rock-solid defensively during their six-game winning streak, New England has held their opponents to just 15.8 points per game to lead the league. However, the team has remained susceptible to the run. Ranked in the middle of the pack, they have allowed over 103 yards per contest to opposing running backs on 22 attempts. Furthermore, with 687 receiving yards surrendered to the position during the 2021 season, look for Breida to have a big game on Monday night.
Kendrick Bourne, New England Patriots
Bourne has emerged as a playmaker in the Patriots offense in his first season with the team after inking a three-year $15 million deal. Putting together one of the best campaigns of his five-year NFL tenure, he has finished as WR4, WR5, and WR8 in full-point PPR leagues this season. This has led the Eastern Washington product to average more than 10.3 fantasy points per game. Becoming a favorite target for Jones as the year has progressed, he has averaged 4.5 targets per game over the last month. Shining once again a week ago, the 26-year-old hauled in five receptions for 61 yards and two touchdowns.
Set to square off against the Bills in a divisional battle, stream him. The best unit against the pass all season long, Buffalo received a brutal blow on Thanksgiving Night as No. 1 cornerback Tre’Davious White was lost for the season after tearing his ACL. Along with this, Sean McDermott‘s group has undergone struggles of late to slow down opposing ground attacks, which should set the stage for down-the-field passing plays for the potent New England rushing attack. Owned in just 38 percent of Yahoo leagues and 24 percent of ESPN leagues, Bourne has a high enough floor to be a reliable flex option in your lineup.
Van Jefferson, Los Angeles Rams
Jefferson bounced back last Sunday after a quiet Week 10 performance before the Rams bye. The 25-year-old wideout hauled in a 79-yard bomb from quarterback Matthew Stafford, making multiple big plays. He ultimately finished the day with three receptions for 93 yards and the score. Still receiving a high amount of volume in Sean McVay’s offense after the acquisition of Odell Beckham, the University of Florida product has seen at least seven targets in four of his last five games.
Largely a boom or bust option with finishes of WR13, WR8, and WR27 in full-point PPR leagues this season, start him in a matchup against the Jacksonville Jaguars. Unable to slow down opposing passing attacks during another miserable season, the Jaguars have allowed over 166 yards per game to opposing wideouts. Along with this, they have given up eight passing scores to the position, leading to nearly 21 fantasy points surrendered per game. Quietly the No. 2 option on Los Angeles behind Cooper Kupp, following the loss of Robert Woods, Jefferson has WR3 upside.
Foster Moreau, Las Vegas Raiders
The Raiders will likely be without star tight end Darren Waller on Sunday. He missed practice on Wednesday and Thursday after suffering injuries to both his knee and back during their victory over the Dallas Cowboys. Las Vegas has a shortage of reliable pass-catching options after they released Henry Ruggs III. As a result, look for Moreau to receive a large chunk of snaps on Sunday.
Productive when presented with opportunities this season, the 24-year-old finished as TE4 in Week 7 after hauling in six passes for 60 yards and a score in the team’s victory over the Eagles. Heading into the week as the 18th ranked unit in the league against tight ends, the Washington Football Team has given up 5.3 receptions per contest to the position, leading to just over 58 yards. With four touchdowns already surrendered to the spot, Moreau is a high-end TE2/low-end TE1 for the week.
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