Fantasy Football Insights: Start 'Em, Sit 'Em for Week 13

As we roll into Week 13 of the fantasy football season, many players face difficult decisions regarding their starting lineups. Knowing whether to start or sit key players like Terry McLaurin, Bucky Irving, and Bo Nix could determine your chances of playoff success. Today, we're breaking down these players, analyzing their performance trends, and offering recommendations to help you maximize your fantasy potential.

Terry McLaurin (WR)

Start 'Em

Terry McLaurin is currently ranked as the WR17 in fantasy points per game and has emerged as a significant threat lately. His performance metrics over the last few weeks are impressive:

• Deep Targets: 5th overall
• Red Zone Targets: 3 in his last four games

Against Tennessee, McLaurin is expected to see ample volume due to the Titans deploying a two-high safety look at a rate of 64%, which means he can exploit the secondary. In his games since Week 10, he's maintained a 19.6% target share, a 41.1% air-yard share, and impressively recorded 1.72 yards per route run (YPRR) along with a 25.5% first-read share. Considering Tennessee's defense has allowed the ninth-most receiving yards per game, now is the time to play McLaurin in your lineup.

Bucky Irving (RB)

Start 'Em

Bucky Irving has truly solidified his position as a fantasy asset, ranking as the RB12 in fantasy points per game since Week 7. He’s not only been efficient but has also showcased remarkable stats:

• Touches: 14.4 per game
• Yards: Average of 86.6 total yards
• Explosive Runs: 4th in the league

Irving's ability to force missed tackles (ranking 3rd in the league) and his proficiency in generating yards after contact (also ranking 3rd) make him a standout option against a Carolina defense that ranks second in the league for most rushing yards allowed per game. Expect his performance to continue trending upward as he capitalizes on this favorable matchup.

Bo Nix (QB)

Start 'Em

Bo Nix has been on a tear lately, recently placed as the QB6 in fantasy points per game since Week 5. His metrics are noteworthy:

• Passing Touchdowns: 4th among all QBs
• Passer Rating: 7th in the league
• Completion Percentage Over Expected (CPOE): 6th overall

Nix's accuracy topped with his dynamic ability makes him a key player to keep an eye on this week. Since Week 7, Cleveland’s secondary has significantly declined, allowing the third-most yards per attempt and the second-highest passing touchdowns. This suggests a promising outlook for Nix this week.

Conclusion

Navigating start/sit dilemmas can shape your fantasy football destiny. As our analysis shows, Terry McLaurin, Bucky Irving, and Bo Nix are all set to deliver strong performances based on favorable matchups and solid production metrics. Trust your instincts and these insights as you make your critical lineup decisions for Week 13!

Don't forget to utilize tools such as the Who Should I Start? tool and My Playbook for up-to-date advice tailored to your specific fantasy league. Good luck, and may your fantasy journey lead you to victory!