It’s Week 13, the final week before the playoffs. Week 12 was a mixed bag. My top quarterback streamer Derek Carr had his worst performance of the season against the easiest defense versus quarterbacks. My alternative streamer, Philip Rivers was solid, however. For my tight ends, Robert Tonyan had a great week, whereas my alternate Jordan Reed barely got any action. Week 12 also saw one of its games pushed twice, finally landing on Wednesday night. I am writing this a full day before the Baltimore/Pittsburgh game begins – that is if it even happens. And remember changes happen literally in seconds and always keep posted for them.

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Quarterback Streamer of the Week

Kirk Cousins (MIN) vs Jacksonville Jaguars
The Jaguars have been a team to target all season. Kirk Cousins has been warming up lately. Hard to believe but he is currently a low-end QB1 in fantasy. In his past four games, he has scored at least 20 fantasy points. He got 32 last week. This week he plays the second-worst defense against quarterbacks. If Jacksonville can be offensively productive against another bad defense in Minnesota, all the better. We want a high scoring, back-and-forth game. Many were worried about the Viking’s offense without Adam Thielen but it allowed Cousins to really spread out the ball more. Names like Chad Bebe and Olabisi Johnson were in the conversation. Justin Jefferson has been one of the best rookies period and even Kyle Rudolph became fantasy relevant. As long as Jake Luton isn’t behind center and the Jags can somehow control the rushing efforts of Dalvin Cook, look for Cousins to get you at least 20 points again.

Note: If Gardner Minshew is back under center pick him up. He would be one of those I would play in case Kirk Cousins wasn’t available. If he is not ready, then I’d choose one of the other guys below rather than putting my faith in Mike Glennon. I don’t think he has it in him to put up two consecutive weeks of fantasy production. Minshew is a true competitor and has a few games to make his case for the Jag’s future.

Alternate Streamers of the Week

Ryan Fitzmagic (MIA) vs Cincinnati Bengals
Last week I had Tua Tagovailoa as my dark horse who ended up getting replaced by Ryan Fitzpatrick because of a thumb injury. Fitzmagic was solid but not spectacular. I am not sure if Tua is back or not but either Miami quarterback is fine, though I do prefer the fantasy upside of Fitzmagic. Again, Cincinnati is one of the worst defenses out there which helps. The only concern I have with this game is if it gets ugly quickly. Joe Burrow’s backup fill in, Brandon Allen kept his team in the game last week against the New York Giants – in fact, they had a chance for the upset. Allen needs to have a better game against the Dolphins if either Fitz or Tua can maximize their potential. The game is in Miami and the forecast looks decent.

Philip Rivers (IND) vs Houston Texans
Old Man Rivers is starting to become the fantasy quarterback we’ve wanted all year lately even if in real life his performances have been erratic. Two weeks ago he beats the red hot Green Bay Packers. And what’s the most surprising is he beat Aaron Rodgers while experiencing a noticeable deficit. Then last week, Derek Henry and company blew the doors off the stout Indianapolis defense. Rivers was not anything special but managed to get you 20 fantasy points. The Texans are starting to come alive offensively but still have a very beatable defense. Even without the recently suspended Will Fuller, look for Deshaun Watson to try to exploit the Colt’s defense two weeks in a row. It is another division game for Indy, which means it is pretty much a must-win if they really hope to have any sort of playoff hope. This could be a fun, high-scoring game in which Rivers can get you some fantasy goodness. The game is in Houston with the weather looking fantasy-friendly.

Baker Mayfield (CLE) vs Tennessee Titans
To be honest, all three of my alternatives are pretty much even in my opinion. All three have the potential for a great day but all three of them have been known to implode. The matchup is perfect for Mayfield. Again, the Titans are a porous defense. The only other concern with Mayfield’s ability to blow a plum opportunity is the fact that the Browns have Nick Chubb who has been nothing less than spectacular. He was great before the injury. In his first game back after injury last week, he was superb. Kareem Hunt also ran the ball well. If the Browns somehow start off hot and get out to a lead watch them resort to the running game exclusively. However, we are talking about the Browns. I feel good that they keep this game close, thus forcing Baker to throw more often than not. The game is in Tennessee with the weather cooperating at the moment.

Tight End Streamer of the Week

Kyle Rudolph (MIN) vs Jacksonville Jaguars (if Irv Smith Jr. is out)
Every week is a tough week for tight end streaming and this week is no different. There’s a bunch of names; a bunch of potential breakouts; but mostly a bunch of busts. We need to follow targets no matter what. If Irv Smith does not play this week, I like Kyle Rudolph. He is coming off of his best week of the season. It was a week in which he was featured because he was basically the only viable tight end for Minnesota with Smith out. He had seven receptions for 68 yards. His matchup is good as well. He faces the Jaguars. Let’s just hope that whoever is the quarterback for Jacksonville this week keeps the game close for Rudolph to be fantasy gold. If Smith does make it back in the lineup, I would refrain from starting Rudolph since it then becomes another tight end committee clump.

Alternate Tight End Streamer of the Week

Jordan Reed (SF) vs Buffalo Bills
Jordan Reed broke my heart last week as Nick Mullens hardly looked his way. Jordan ran 25 pass routes last week compared to Ross Dwelley who only ran 10. He had six targets but only had two receptions. Supposedly, one of his targets had him wide open with tons of space ahead. Unfortunately, Mullens missed the easy pass. These things happen but it is really tough to quit on a healthy Jordan Reed, even if Brandon Aiyuk could be back from his bout with COVID. Two more reasons why I like Reed this week are the Bills should win this game handily, which means San Francisco should be throwing a lot. Secondly, the Bills are also the third-worst against tight ends. Let’s hope this is a Jordan Reed revenge game – revenge on last week’s disappointing performance.