Week 13 fantasy football studs, duds and sleepers: Aaron Rodgers could disappoint
Week 13 of the NFL and fantasy football season is here and as always, we have this week's studs, duds and sleepers.
Make sure to use USA TODAY Sports' rankings to help as well, and good luck!
Studs
QB Jameis Winston, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
You have to like what you saw from Winston last week (312 yards passing, two touchdowns). Couple that with the Panthers 22nd-ranked pass defense and you've got a chance for solid QB1 numbers.
RB Gus Edwards, Baltimore Ravens
I had my doubts after a surprising 115-yard game against the Bengals. Then the rookie out of Rutgers ran for 118 yards against the Raiders. No more doubts: As long as Lamar Jackson starts again, he'll have another humongous day against a bad Falcons run defense.
WR Emmanuel Sanders, Denver Broncos
He broke out again in Week 12 after three so-so games. Against the Bengals' awful secondary, he'll explode for another huge performance.
TE Jared Cook, Oakland Raiders
The yardage has been on the low end game-to-game for him. But I like the matchup with the Chiefs from a fantasy perspective and hope for heavy volume.
Duds
QB Aaron Rodgers, Green Bay Packers
Yes, he's thrown all of one interception all season. Yes, he's tossed 20 touchdowns. Yes, he's Aaron Rodgers, one of the all-time great QBs ever to lace 'em up. But have you really looked at his numbers lately? He's gone over 300 yards passing once in his last five games. He's thrown more than two scores twice all season. And although the Cardinals just gave up a three-touchdown day to Philip Rivers, he only threw for 259 yards (partially because the Chargers salted the clock by running the ball), and the Cards just happen to be the No. 4 ranked passing defense in the NFL.
So I'm not expecting a huge day out of Rodgers - this feels more like a "feed Aaron Jones" kind of contest, too.
RBs Carlos Hyde, T.J. Yeldon, Jacksonville Jaguars
Leonard Fournette is suspended this week, which means it could be a running back by committee for the Jags. Plus, Indy's defense could stack the box while facing Cody Kessler, which means they could both disappoint. Stay away from this situation altogether if you can.
WR Doug Baldwin, Seattle Seahawks
After finally scoring against the Packers, we all thought Baldwin was back to his old self. Then, he put up 39 yards against the Panthers. Even in a good matchup against the Niners, he's too risky to start.
TE Austin Hooper, Atlanta Falcons
Since he totaled 71 yards and one touchdown against the Giants in Week 7, he's only had one really good game (56 yards and a score against the Browns). I'd rather take my chances on a tight end with more upside (see below).
Sleepers
QB Colt McCoy, Washington Redskins
The Eagles defense has not lived up to the hype, and McCoy did throw two touchdowns last week despite also tossing three INTs. If you're desperate in a 2QB league, consider starting him.
RB Theo Riddick, Detroit Lions
Four straight games of five receptions or more as Golden Tate's replacement, and Matthew Stafford will have to throw all day to catch up against the Rams.
WR Larry Fitzgerald, Arizona Cardinals
The targets haven't been there in his past two contests, but he's turned them into touchdowns. He could be a WR2 as the Cards try to keep up with Rodgers and the Packers.
TE Jonnu Smith, Tennessee Titans
The good: He's scored in three of his last four contests. The bad: He's seen more than three targets in just one of those games. The ugly: You may have to start him in today's terrible TE environment, but he could find paydirt again.
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Week 13 fantasy football studs, duds and sleepers: Aaron Rodgers could disappoint