Timothy T. Ludwig-USA TODAY Sports
Stupid mountains.
I’m up here for Thanksgiving, and I’m having a great time. However, internet connection is inconsistent, and because of that, I have failed. Without internet, I failed to submit accurate rankings, having Green Bay defense inside the top-10 because I couldn’t change it. I had DeMarco Murray outside the top-20 because I couldn’t get back online to change it.
I repeat. Stupid mountains.
All kidding aside, I hope everyone had a wonderful holiday full of family, friends, football and food. Alliteration is fun. Anyway, after a rough slate of Thursday game’s, I’m looking to rebound with some home run sneaky starts for Week 13.
EJ Manuel vs Atlanta Falcons: Manuel hasn’t provided much from a fantasy perspective this year, but he’s got some momentum. Coming off his best game as a pro (20-of-28, 245 yards, 2 TD), Manuel is beginning to develop a strong rapport with some of the weaker wideouts on Buffalo. Now, he gets both Stevie Johnson and Robert Woods back in the lineup, and it’s a great time. The matchup against the Falcons is incredible, as Atlanta has allowed the fourth-most fantasy points to opposing signal callers (23.35 per game). The Falcons have surrendered the second-most passing touchdowns this year with 23, forcing just six interceptions. They are allowing over two touchdown passes per game, and in Toronto (that’s right) I think Manuel can expose a poor, poor defense.
Brandon Bolden @ Houston Texans: I had a terrible dream that Stevan Ridley continued his fumbling ways last week. Wait, that wasn’t a dream? Terrific. Ridley was playing well, but an untimely fumble may have landed him inside the doghouse. Combined that with the fact that LeGarrette Blount also coughed up the football, and Bolden may quietly lead the Patriots in carries this week. New England is 9th in rushing attempts per game this season (29.5), and when Bolden spelled the fumbling backs last week, he turned 13 carries into 58 yards and a touchdown. New England also ranks fourth in rushing touchdown percentage, finding the end zone about 40 percent of the time. The matchup isn’t the greatest, but he should see opportunity. If you are desperate at running back, give Bolden a look.
Robert Woods vs Atlanta Falcons: I am such a big fan of Woods’ game. Back from injury, with his fellow rookie teammate under center, in a great matchup, Woods may return to fantasy relevancy. Woods and Manuel have tremendous chemistry, as 41 of his 60 targets have come from Manuel. Meanwhile, the lowly Falcons defense comes to town, allowing the fourth-most fantasy points to opposing wideouts. The Falcons have also allowed six opposing number two receivers to score a touchdown, and Woods could very well be number seven.
Brandon LaFell vs Tampa Bay Buccaneers: LaFell continues a certain trend. He will do absolutely nothing for consecutive weeks, and then go off. This could be one of those games where he goes off. He didn’t do much against the Bucs a few weeks back, but he has a good opportunity to produce in Week 13. Tampa Bay is surrendering an average of two passing touchdowns per game this season, which tied for the third-most in football. They have allowed 22 total touchdowns through the air on the year, and opposing number two receivers thrive against Tampa Bay. The Bucs have allowed number two wideouts to eclipse double-digit fantasy points in every game since Week 9, surrendering almost 10 touchdowns to receivers during that span.
Adam Pfeifer is a featured fantasy sports columnist for Rant Sports.
You can follow him on Twitter @aPfeiferRS.
