We’re headed into the last week of the regular season for many fantasy football leagues. Hopefully your team is in the playoffs or at least has a chance to get in with a win. For anyone without a solid quarterback at this point, the pickings are getting slim so it is time to rely on the matchups. Tight end offers a couple of streamers as always. If you are desperate for a win to take the last playoff spot, look at my recommendations to shore up your quarterback and tight end.
Week 12 Recap (Standard League Points)
Quarterback
• Matt Hasselbeck IND - 23 pts
• Brock Osweiler DEN - 15 pts
• Jameis Winston TB - 16 pts
Tight End
• Vernon Davis DEN - 1 pt
• Jordan Cameron MIA - 1 pt
• Recommend Against: Kyle Rudolph MIN - 5 pts
Matt Hasselbeck did not disappoint and has another soft matchup next week versus the Steelers. Osweiler did not light it up against the Patriots, but he did help to put an end to their bid for an undefeated season. Winston was surprisingly average day and turned the ball over for the second week in a row. Vernon Davis and Jordan Cameron forgot that they had games on Sunday. Kyle Rudolph had a mediocre yardage total, but it was AP’s show for the Vikes on Sunday.
Week 13 Waiver Wire Picks: Running Back / Wide Receiver
Week 13 Picks - Quarterback
Marcus Mariota TEN
Mariota had a down game after his four touchdown performance. He was playing against Carolina that week, of course. Since then, he has scored at least 20 fantasy points twice in a row. One of those games was against the Jaguars, who he will face on Sunday in Tennessee. I think that Mariota will score at least another twenty points, probably more.
Jay Cutler CHI
A matchup against the 49ers is usually a guaranteed solid game for a decent quarterback. Cutler has had a couple of down weeks, but he should have a solid showing in this one. It would help if he could have all of his weapons healthy and available, but if you are looking for a streaming option, you could do worse.
Double-Down: Matt Hasselbeck IND
Hasselbeck topped 20 points, exceeding my prediction for the week. The Steelers should provide another opportunity for him to put up some points. It is likely that Pittsburgh will score enough points to require Indy to catch up and against that Steelers secondary that should not be a problem. Roll Hasselbeck out there again and enjoy the production from father time.
Week 13 Picks - Tight End
Vance McDonald SF
Don’t look now, but Blaine Gabbert loves him some Vance McDonald. The last two games have been against two of the best defenses in the league in Seattle and at home for Arizona. McDonald has put up 65 and 71 yards, scoring a touchdown in each game. Now that the Niners head to Chicago to take on a suspect Bears defense, I’ll take some shares of Vance McDonald stock. Keep in mind that in the fantasy playoffs he faces Cleveland, Cincinnati and Detroit. Not exactly a Murderer’s Row of pass defenses.
Scott Chandler NE
This pickup is based largely on the health of Rob Gronkowski. Chandler had 58 yards and a touchdown against a very good Denver defense in week 12. Now the Pats will face the Eagles, the team that has given up 45 points two weeks in a row. If Gronk does not suit up, the Patriots receiving corps is so damaged that Chandler could rack up a ton of targets. Having a top target of Tom Brady versus a bad defense is a pretty solid recipe for success.
