Week 13 Start or Sit (12/01 Fantasy Football Podcast)

Summary

Fantasy Football Today: Week 13 Start or Sit (12/01 Fantasy Football Podcast) – Detailed Summary

Release Date: December 1, 2024

In the Week 13 episode of "Fantasy Football Today", hosted by Adam Aizer alongside analyst Heath Cummings, the team dives deep into strategic decisions crucial for fantasy managers aiming to dominate their leagues. The discussion centers around player injuries, start or sit dilemmas, waiver wire pickups, and matchup analyses to optimize lineups for the upcoming games. Below is a comprehensive breakdown of the episode's key points, enriched with notable quotes and organized for clarity.

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1. Injury Updates and Waiver Wire Recommendations

Adam Aizer begins the episode by addressing current injury concerns affecting Week 13 lineups:

• J.K. Dobbins (IR): "J.K. Dobbins is on IR. He's out at least four weeks." (02:32)

• Austin Ekeler (Concussion): "He's on IR. He's out at least four games." (02:32)

These injuries have significant implications, especially with Dobbins facing off against the Falcons and Ekeler against the Titans.

Heath Cummings recommends monitoring and possibly adding key players to navigate these absences:

• Kamani Vidal: "I want to make sure Kamani Vidal is rostered." (03:05)

• Jeremy McNichols: "Jeremy McNichols is rostered because Brian Robinson is dealing with an ankle injury." (03:05)

Adam Aizer concurs with Heath's suggestions: "I pick up Kamani Vidal, if you can." (03:38)

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2. Start or Sit Decisions

The duo transitions into evaluating players for potential starts or sits based on current performance and matchups.

• Brian Robinson vs. Austin Ekeler:

  Adam Aizer questions the viability of starting Brian Robinson without Ekeler: "Do you like Robinson more with Ekeler out?" (04:05)

  Heath Cummings advises against it: "He's a low end RB2. I'd rather not start him. Terrible matchup." (04:05)

• Cedric Tillman Injury Impact:

  Adam Aizer discusses Cedric Tillman's absence: "Cedric Tillman is out for Monday night...makes Jerry Judy a little bit better." (04:12)

• Trevor Lawrence and Evan Ingram:

  Adam Aizer weighs in on Trevor Lawrence's participation despite a left shoulder concern: "I'm going to be bold and I'm going to just trust Trevor Lawrence to stay in the game and deliver for Brian Thomas Jr." (04:24)

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3. Technical Difficulties and Solo Analysis

Mid-episode, technical issues arise as Heath Cummings experiences audio problems:

Adam Aizer addresses the glitch: "I don't hear it, but everyone else does... Hop off." (04:12)

With Heath temporarily off-air, Adam continues solo, offering continued insights and lineup adjustments.

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4. Matchup Considerations and Weather Impact

Adam Aizer emphasizes the importance of matchups and external factors such as weather:

• San Francisco vs. Buffalo Snowstorm:

  Potential heavy snowfall could drastically affect player performances: "There could be a ton of snow for this game." (05:27)

  This uncertainty leads Adam to sit key players like Brock Purdy: "I'm not going to trust Brock Purdy that much... You are not starting Brock Purdy." (05:27)

• Bengals' Defensive Line Changes:

  Heath Cummings highlights defensive adjustments: "With Sheldon Rankins off the field...Logan Wilson is likely out so that makes their run defense a lot worse." (05:27)

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5. Final Lineup Recommendations

Adam and Heath provide their final recommendations for crucial Week 13 starts and sits:

• Bills Players:

  Adam Aizer: "James Cook for sure. Josh Allen for sure. I would say Khalil Shakir." (05:27)

• 49ers Considerations:

  Adam Aizer opts to sit Brock Purdy and discusses alternatives: "He's a low end RB2. I'd rather not start him." (05:27)

• Wide Receivers:

  Adam Aizer evaluates Marvin Harrison Jr. vs. Darnell Mooney: "Marvin Harrison Jr. has one catch this year for zero to two air yards... I don't trust them to throw to him anymore." (09:29)

• Running Backs:

  Nick Chubb vs. Khalil Shakir:

  "I'm going to go with Khalil Shakir. Nick Chubb... never catches the ball and he's got a really tough run defense." (09:29)

• Quarterbacks:

  Anthony Richardson vs. Russell Wilson:

  "I'm going to take a chance here on Anthony Richardson." (09:29)

• Other Key Decisions:

  Jonathan Taylor vs. James Connor in PPR:

  "I'm going with Taylor... hope that he scores." (09:29)

  Joe Burrow vs. Jaden Daniels:

  Chooses Joe Burrow due to Titans' defensive struggles: "They are one of the worst defenses over the last five weeks." (09:29)

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6. Conclusion and Upcoming Live Stream

As the episode nears its end, Adam Aizer apologizes for the technical interruptions and announces an upcoming live stream:

"We'll have better advice for you at 11:30am Eastern when Dave and Heath join me and we will talk to you then on Fantasy Football Today." (13:54)

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Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• Kamani Vidal Recommendation: "I pick up Kamani Vidal, if you can." (03:38)

• Brian Robinson's Viability: "He's a low end RB2. I'd rather not start him. Terrible matchup." (04:05)

• Brock Purdy Sit Decision: "You are not starting Brock Purdy." (05:27)

• Marvin Harrison Jr. Analysis: "Marvin Harrison Jr. has one catch this year for zero to two air yards." (09:29)

• Anthony Richardson Over Russell Wilson: "I'm going to take a chance here on Anthony Richardson." (09:29)

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Final Thoughts

This episode of "Fantasy Football Today" equips fantasy managers with essential insights for Week 13. From navigating injury setbacks to making informed start or sit decisions based on matchups and player performances, Adam Aizer and Heath Cummings provide valuable guidance to enhance lineup effectiveness and elevate league standings. Managers are encouraged to stay tuned for the live stream at 11:30am Eastern for further discussions and real-time advice.

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For those seeking to outmaneuver their competitors and secure fantasy football bragging rights, this episode serves as an indispensable resource. Stay prepared, make informed decisions, and good luck in Week 13!

Transcript

[Adam Azer]

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[Heath Cummings]

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[Adam Azer]

Let's get those lineups set for Fantasy Week 13 right now on FFT Express and four games already in the books. So you might be playing catch up or you might be playing with a comfortable lead. Or maybe neither. But hope Thursday and Friday went well for everybody. I'm Adam Azer with Heathcoming and not a ton of news items today, but let's start let's get going here with a couple of players who are on IR. J.K. dobbins is on IR. He's out at least four weeks. Austin Eckler with a concussion. This one surprised me. He's on ir. He's out at least four games. They have a buy coming up. So four games. But Dobbins with the Falcons today, Eckler with the Titans. Anyone to pick up in these situations.

[Heath Cummings]

So I want to make sure Kamani Vidal is rostered. Of course, obviously, Gus Edwards and I want to make sure that Jeremy McNichols is rostered because Brian Robinson, dealing with an ankle injury, he's going to play today, but we don't know for sure how effective he's going to be. We've seen McNichols have success when Eckler was out in the past. I think he's worth 20 fantasy points without him on week four.

[Adam Azer]

Yeah. And Vidal is only 22 rostered. Gus Edwards has really struggled to run the football, so they might. Maybe they turn to vital, maybe they turn to Haskins, though. But yeah, I pick up Kamani Vidal, if you can. All right, so why don't we start with Brian Robinson? He is going to play as a really bad matchup, but he doesn't have Austin Eckler here. Eckler usually gets, I think, about three, four targets a game. Do you. Do you like Robinson more with Eckler out?

[Heath Cummings]

Not really in this game. He's a low end RB2. I'd rather not start him. Terrible matchup.

[Adam Azer]

Okay, I don't understand. You know what, Heath? I don't know why you have an echo. It's weird because I don't hear it, but everyone else does. So if you want, you can hop off and I'll. I can do it solo.

[Heath Cummings]

I. Whatever you tell me is better.

[Adam Azer]

Yeah, I guess probably. Yeah, I guess, probably. Hop off. All right. Sorry about that, folks. I will give this a shot. Okay. CD Lamb is. He hurt his shoulder, but he should be fine for next week. That's the good news. But if we look ahead to. To. To today's action here and you can all let me know if, if I still have an echo or if it's just. It was just Heath. I think it's just Heath. Okay, so. All right. Cedric Tillman is out for Monday night. So that makes. I think that makes Jerry Judy a little bit better. Although I do think it makes it a little more likely that he's going to see Sir Tan. But I still think it makes him probably a borderline 2, 3. Wide receiver Trevor Lawrence is expected to play. So I think it's a great matchup for Trevor Lawrence. Houston's really been struggling. Jalen Petrie is out now, so they are beat up in the secondary. But I'm not going to start Trevor Lawrence. This is really an Evan Ingram thing and it's a Brian Thomas Jr. Thing. It makes me feel a lot better about Evan Ingram. All right, He's. I think he's going to try again. Heath. Let's see.

[Heath Cummings]

Yeah, I'm trying again.

[Adam Azer]

Got it. No, it was like a fist pump and I didn't know if it was celebratory or not. All right, so anyway, I think I'm starting Evan Ingram now and Brian Thomas Jr. I'm going to start too. I'm a little bit worried about Trevor Lawrence leaving the game because he's not 100%, but it's his left shoulder. But if he takes a big hit, you never know what could happen. I'm not going to play scared, though. I'm going to. I'm going to be bold and I'm going to just trust Trevor Lawrence to stay in the game and deliver for Brian Thomas Jr. Who I basically think is a must start wide receiver. The big one for me is obviously and for everyone is this San Francisco Buffalo game and there could be a ton of snow for this game. So check back with us. We're going to have our live stream at 11:30am Eastern and we'll see what the situation is there. We'll hopefully know a little bit better, but probably not. But it's, it's not looking good. And I don't trust the. I don't trust Brock Purdy that much anyway. So we're obviously sitting Brock Purdy. There's just. You are not sit. You are not starting Brock Purdy. Who are you starting for the Bills? Let's start with that. James Cook for sure. Josh Allen for sure. I would say Khalil Shakir. I would start him. He probably, probably ahead of Jerry Judy, definitely behind Brian Thomas. But you know, it's not going to be a big game. We're not going to start Dawson Knox or anything like that because Dalton Kincaid is not going to play. Not going to trust Amari Cooper or Keon Coleman. I'm not expecting good pass volume in this game. So it's Allen, it's Cook and it's Khalil Shakir I think is kind of safe on San Francisco side. McCaffrey is a start. And then with Purdy playing, you know, this is a real toss up here. I have Juwan Jennings in a few leagues and I'm probably going to leave him in in one league and I think I'm going to flex Brian Robinson June, but I have to think about that. It's a full PPR league. Brian Robinson Jr. Is not someone I want to trust in this in this tough matchup. So Jennings, it's going to be a game time call for me at 1 o'clock between him and Brian Robinson Jr. In a PPR league. But that kind of tells you where I'm at with the 49ers passing game. I'm not super optimistic about it because not only is it going to be Snowy, could be 2 to 3ft of snow, but Trent Williams is out their left tackle. One thing to note, kind of a sneaky injury update is that Najee Harris and Jalen Warren have a much better matchup this week than we thought. Sheldon Rankins is out defensive tackle. With him off the field, the Bengals give up half a yard more per carry to running backs, but also Logan Wilson, their linebacker who plays every single snap. He is likely out so that makes their run defense a lot worse. Trust them. Trust Najee and Warren, you know, at your own risk. I don't think they're great stars, but they have a better matchup. Devontae Smith is questionable. He's probably not going to play. Taj Spears is questionable. He's not really a huge difference maker, but he makes Tony Pollard a little bit worse if he plays. And Breeze hall is expected to play. So you are going to start him. It's a good week for Heath to not be able to be on the show because there aren't a ton of tough calls. In my opinion, just based on the injuries aren't a lot of injury updates for you. So we're going to take a quick break here and I will answer some of your questions when we come back on Fantasy Football Today Express.

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[Adam Azer]

Okay, let's see Purdy or Derek Carr? I will go with Derek Carr. I really just do not want to start Brock purdy, Marvin Harrison Jr. Or Darnell Mooney. So this is going to be Darnell Mooney for me. I was looking up some stats on Marvin Harrison Jr. And look, things, people look. We know what happens, right? Everyone throws on Minnesota. They give up a ton of fantasy points. Second most fantasy points to wide receivers. Marvin Harrison Jr. Has one catch this year for zero to two air yards. So think about like a wide receiver screen or anything at the, at the line of scrimmage. One catch. He has eight catches of zero to five air yards. That is basically, basically the lowest among any wide receiver. That's a must start guy that hasn't missed time with injury. So he gets no layups. He gets about six targets a game and I, I don't trust them to throw to him anymore any more than six to seven times a game. If he gets more than that it'll probably be great. But I'm going to go with Darnell Mooney over Marvin Harrison Jr. JSN or Garrett Wilson in PPR. Pretty tough question. Jets are a lot better against slot receivers than the last opponent. I think it's Cardinals that JSN faced. But I'm still going to go with js. I'm gonna go with Garrett Wilson here. I'm gonna go with Garrett Wilson. One thing I'm pretty sure he'll get his targets. Will they be good targets? I don't know but I'm gonna go with Garrett Wilson. Hope he bounces back. Khalil Shakira, Brian Thomas Jr. I'm gonna go with Brian Thomas Jr. Here, George Pickens or T. Higgins in full PPR. That one is pretty darn close. I will go with George Pickens, James Connor or Marvin Harrison Jr. Oh that's so important. Full PPR. I don't love James Connor. You know Philadelphia's got a really good run defense. Connor does catch a lot of passes though. He has 28 targets in his last seven games, he's coming off an absolutely terrible game. I am going to say let's go with. Let's go with James Connor on this one here. That's. That's tough though. Look, I don't have rankings, so it's hard for me to just refer to them. So I apologize for the delays. Nick Chubb or Khalil Shakir? Nick Chubb or Khalil Shakir? I'm going to go with Khalil Shakir. You got Nick Chubb who basically never catches the ball and he's got a really tough run defense. This is a bad formula and this is a PPR league. It's a bad formula for Nick Chubb, Joe Burrow or Jaden Daniels. So Jaden Daniels scored about 20 fantasy points in the fourth quarter last week against Dallas. He's not quite playing well enough for me. I think it's a pretty easy matchup. Even though on paper the Titans are really good against quarterbacks. They have lost so many pieces in their secondary, important pieces, and they're one of the worst defenses over the last five weeks or so as they've played some really tough teams. So I think both these guys are going to be good. But give me Joe Burrow and I will read just a few here. Just a few more. Khalil Shakira. Devonte Adams. I'm going to go with Devonte Adams. Remember, the thing about Shakir is that most weeks he scores about 12 points. He's. He's always giving you double digits, but it's not an impressive one. And then Jonathan Taylor or James Connor, ppr, another tough one here because Taylor never catches the ball. But I'm going to go with Taylor. I'm just a little worried about Connor. I know he could have a really good game. I'm thinking he's going to be about the 12 point range. He's so involved in the offense. But you know, Minnesota's run defense is no joke. So I'm going to go with, with Jonathan Taylor here in a better matchup and hope that he scores. And then last one here is Anthony Richardson or Russell Wilson. Yeah, I'm going to take a chance here on Anthony Richardson. I think, you know, like I said on the, on the preview show, I think on Tuesday and on Wednesday, I said he had a lot of opportunities. They missed them against the Lions. I think we kind of saw the Lions defense get exposed a little bit against the Bears too after that. And if those opportunities are there again for Anthony Richardson against a bad New England defense, I think, you know, he'll hit on half of them and a lot of those are big plays. So give me Richardson over Russell Wilson. Thank you so much for watching, everybody. I'm sorry this probably was not what you expected, but we'll have better advice for you at 11:30am Eastern when Dave and Heath join me and we will talk to you then on Fantasy Football today. Thanks a lot and good luck in week 13.

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