Fantasy Billboard: Giddy Up! and Whoa Down! for Week 13
My parents, Bill and Ruth, were season ticket holders for years after Giants Stadium opened in 1976. They loved watching Giant greats like Brad Van Pelt, Harry Carson and Phil Simms. Since I brought up the “Butt Fumble” last week, I must give the Giants equal time, because my folks witnessed the “Miracle of the Meadowlands” in November 1978. The Giants were running out the clock with a 17-12 lead over Philly when QB Joe Pisarcik and RB Larry Csonka collided on a handoff and fumbled the ball. Herm Edwards scooped it up and scored a TD for an Eagles victory with 1:11 on the clock.
The Giants cleaned house at the end of the season. Simms, drafted the following year, said that devastating play “turned around the fate of the franchise…for the better”. I wrote Pisarcik a letter of condolence soon after that embarrassing loss. A week later, I received a signed photo in the mail. No message or note, just the photo. I still have it. As we look at our Giddy Ups! and Whoa Downs! for Week 13, make sure to check the NFL injury reports before submitting your lineups.
GIDDY UP!
Daniel Jones, QB — Jones is in a battle to keep the Giants’ playoff hopes alive. Last year against Washington he played very well, throwing for 249 yards and a TD, and rushing for another 95 yards and a TD. His dual passing and rushing will make him a top-15 QB this week.
Mike White, QB — Let’s stay on the home team bandwagon. White was stellar last week in a driving rain against a plucky Chicago D. The weather will be much improved under the dome in Minnesota. The Vikings have the 25th-worst passing defense. Start WRs Garrett Wilson and the suddenly relevant Elijah Moore too.
Benny Snell, RB — Benny ran like a raging bull (62 yds, 1 TD) against the Colts after Najee Harris went down with an injury. Snell becomes a high-end RB2 against the Falcons on Sunday, but only if both Harris and Jaylen Warren are inactive.
David Montgomery, RB — The Packers have not overcome the loss of star linebacker Rashan Gary, giving up 150 rushing yards per game since. Miles Sanders racked up 143 yards and two TDs against them Sunday night. I’m not saying Monty will reach 150 yards this week, but then again…he might.
Christian Watson, WR — The speedy Watson has 12 receptions and six TDs the last three games. You can’t keep him on your bench when he’s blowing up every week.
Tee Higgins, WR — Higgins has over 25 points two weeks in a row and gets a shootout at home against the Chiefs. Even with Ja’Marr Chase back, there’s plenty of yards and TDs to go around on the Bengals.
Tyler Higbee, TE — The dinged-up Higbee ghosted us without a reception last week, but the Seattle D (31st vs. TEs) is the perfect cure for ailing tight ends.
WHOA DOWN!
Deshaun Watson, QB — Watson hasn’t played a regulation game in almost two years, looked dicey in preseason and faces his old team in Houston. Eschewing the “revenge game” angle, I don’t see Watson throwing a ton. It’s a Nick Chubb/Kareem Hunt game. Let Watson get his sea legs back before you put him in your lineup.
Tom Brady, QB — Brady’s last two game totals against the Saints: 404 yards, 1 TD. They have his number. Expect the same pedestrian 17-point average he’s put up all year.
Miles Sanders, RB — Sanders exploited a weak Packer D last week. Don’t expect a repeat performance against a Titan D that has allowed one 100-yard rusher and two TDs all year.
Isiah Pacheco, RB — I’m always wary when Andy Reid brings in new players. Melvin Gordon was just signed. Maybe Reid wasn’t happy with Pacheco’s 3.1-yard average last week. I know I wasn’t.
Ja’Marr Chase, WR — Chase is a top-ten WR and I’m starting him. But beware he is one misstep away from going back to the trainer’s table. It’s a race to the playoffs, so if you need big upside the risk is worth the reward.
Gabe Davis, WR — Speaking of a race to the playoffs, can you afford another dud performance out of Davis? He has five games this year with less than eight points. I’d rather start Lil’ Dirty McKenzie.
Gary Dulcich, TE — Pass the Dulcich on the left-hand side.
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