Start ‘Em, Sit ‘Em Wingers: Week 13 fantasy football

This Thanksgiving, be thankful for the great spread pages wide selection of receivers.

After the first one Week 12’s “Byemaggedon”, Week 13 swings in the opposite direction. For the first time since Week 8, there are no team byes, which means there are plenty of options to start with wide receiver and flex spots in fantasy football.

Not all options are created equal. Some wideouts have extremely favorable matchups this week, giving them the potential to produce big fantasy productions. Others will have a much more difficult time facing defenders who have been stinging opposing wingers in fantasy in recent weeks.

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Here are three receivers to start in Week 13 if possible, as well as three receivers to avoid:

Fantasy football kickoff: Week 13 wingers

Dell TankHouston, Texas (at the Jacksonville Jaguars)

Dell’s role has declined in the weeks since Nico Collins returned from a hamstring injury, but the second-year wide receiver is still the No. 2 option in the Texans’ passing attack. This week, the Texans will face the Jaguars, whose defense not only ranks 32nd in the NFL in EPA (.405) and return success rate (59.0%) over the past four weeks, but also ranks 30th in number of fantasy points allowed to wide receivers in that range.

Collins will continue to eat, but it’s already a weekly must-eat. Dell should also have a big week against Jacksonville.

Ladd McConkeyLos Angeles Chargers (at Atlanta Falcons)

Another week, another start for McConkey as a start ’em receiver.

The rookie wide receiver is the 15th receiver in the entire fantasy football league this year, but he still plays in less than 90% of leagues and starts in even fewer leagues. This week he faces a matchup with Atlanta’s defense, a unit that has averaged the most fantasy points allowed to wide receivers over the last four weeks, including six touchdowns (tied for second).

Quentin Johnston’s fall issues made themselves felt in Week 12, quarterback Justin Herbert may rely on McConkey even more. He’s an easy “starter” for week 13.

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George PickensPittsburgh Steelers (at Cincinnati Bengals)

A positive scenario is a divisional match with a team that has had shaky results in matches against wingers throughout the season. Pickens had a poor showing in Week 12, but that can largely be attributed to the snow factor in Cleveland. It will be cold in Cincinnati on Sunday, but there will be no snow.

Quarterback Russell Wilson and the Steelers’ top receiver have combined to be outstanding in their performances since Week 7. This should continue against the Bengals, a team that is averaging nearly 34 fantasy points per game for receivers this year.

Fantasy Football Sit ’em: Week 13 Wingers

Jordan AddisonMinnesota Vikings (vs. Arizona Cardinals)

Last week against the Bears, Addison was the top wide receiver in all of fantasy football. This week he will face a much more difficult defense.

Arizona ranks second in the NFL in EPA percentage of plays allowed (-0.158) and first in success rate (35.8%) over the last four weeks. The Cardinals also rank ninth in average fantasy points allowed to receivers in that span. Jaxon Smith-Njigba’s touchdown last week was the first since Week 6 that Jonathan Gannon’s team allowed a field goal.

The fact that Justin Jefferson also struggled last week likely means his target share will be higher as well, which doesn’t bode well for Addison.

Jaylen WaddleMiami Dolphins (at Green Bay Packers)

Last week against the Patriots, Waddle was the No. 3 wide receiver in all of fantasy football. Not only will he face a much stingier defense this week, but he will also have to deal with the weather and his quarterback’s poor performance in the cold.

The Packers have, on average, allowed the third-fewest fantasy points to wide receivers over the last four weeks. That rating could improve Thursday night as both teams prepare to start their game in Green Bay in sub-zero temperatures.

In games where the temperature is 45 degrees or lower, Tagovailoa is 0-7 with a completion percentage of less than 60%, eight passing touchdowns, 10 interceptions and a passer rating of 71.13. According to Weather channelat kickoff it will be 27 degrees Fahrenheit with winds reaching 10 miles per hour.

Waddle’s Week 12 bust was an anomaly in a season that has largely been a disappointment for the former Alabama receiver. The trend of 20 points or more is not expected to continue this week.

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Khalil ShakirBuffalo Bills (vs. San Francisco 49ers)

Shakir had a nice run of plays leading up to the Bills’ Week 12 bye, but he hasn’t found the end zone since Week 3. The 49ers have allowed one touchdown to a wide receiver over the last four weeks and allowed the fifth-fewest fantasy points per game to receivers over that span.

In addition to these challenges, Shakir’s target share could also be reduced if receiver Keon Coleman and tight end Dalton Kincaid return from injuries in Week 13. Amari Cooper also got another week to rest and recover from a wrist injury, and each week that passes is another opportunity for the veteran to be more involved.

Start your fantasy football game, sit down, week 13

Looking for more fantasy football tips? USA TODAY Sports covers:

→ Kickers are people too: here are some of them Clutch kickers you can have on your fantasy team in week 13.

→ Need an edge under center? Here’s the best quarterback options to start and sit in week 13.

→ A good reverse gear makes a difference. A bad reverse gear can cost you a lot of points. Here who to start with and who to sit with in week 13.

→ Tight ends can be the perfect X-factor for any fantasy team. That’s who you should start and sit down in week 13.

→ Good defense can stop the attack of your fantastic opponent. Here are a few D/ST options to start and sit down for week 13.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Fantasy football Start, sit down. Week 13: 6 WRs to start or sit