Arguably, the most frustrating thing in fantasy football is seeing someone in your starting lineup struggle that week. Therefore, the logic behind this article is simple – identify fantasy football lineup landmines.
These are players you’re leaning towards starting this week but could end up being a landmine that blows up and destroys your starting lineup, potentially costing you your matchup.
- Fantasy Football Waiver Wire Pickups
- Weekly Fantasy Football Expert Rankings
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- Fantasy Football Trade Tools
Fantasy Football Lineup Landmines: Week 13
Brace yourself and take cover. These six players could blow up in your face in Week 13.
Daniel Jones (QB – IND) vs. Houston Texans
Last week, Jones made this list because of the matchup against the Kansas City Chiefs. Despite the game going into overtime, the veteran only had 181 passing yards and 16.8 fantasy points, needing two touchdowns to reach that total. Furthermore, he has cooled off after his hot start. Jones averaged 1.6 passing touchdowns and 20.4 fantasy points per game over the first eight weeks. By comparison, the veteran has averaged 1.3 passing touchdowns and 15.5 fantasy points per game over the past month, totaling 16.8 or fewer in every outing.
After facing weaker competition earlier this season, Jones has an awful matchup this week. Houston has the best defense in the NFL. Last week, the Texans held Josh Allen to 253 passing yards, zero total touchdowns, and 8.1 fantasy points, sacking the superstar eight times and forcing two interceptions in their victory. Furthermore, they have surrendered only 11.2 fantasy points per game to quarterbacks, the fewest in the league. Houston has given up only 201.7 passing yards, 0.7 touchdowns, and 10.3 fantasy points per game during their three-game win streak.
Aaron Jones (RB – MIN) vs. Seattle Seahawks
Unfortunately, there isn’t a Viking that fantasy players should consider a must-start this week. Furthermore, Justin Jefferson is the only one I would consider a potential starter against the Seahawks. Minnesota will likely start Max Brosmer at quarterback with J.J. McCarthy in the concussion protocol, meaning the undrafted free agent will make his first career start on the road against an excellent defense. Therefore, expect Seattle to focus on stopping the run, forcing Brosmer to beat them with his arm. More importantly, Jones has struggled since returning from injury.
The veteran has averaged 12.2 touches for 67 scrimmage yards and 10.5 PPR fantasy points per game since returning from injury, totaling 11.8 or fewer in all but one contest. Furthermore, Jones has had under 42 rushing yards and 8.8 fantasy points in two games during that stretch, including last week. Meanwhile, the Seahawks have held running backs to 19.6 fantasy points per game this year, the 10th-fewest in the NFL. They’ve given up only 17.2 fantasy points per game to running backs since their Week 8 bye.
Tyrone Tracy Jr. (RB – NYG) vs. New England Patriots
Hopefully, Jaxson Dart starts after missing the past two games with a concussion. Unfortunately, his return would be bad news for Tracy. The second-year pro had averaged 9.5 rushing attempts for 44.5 yards, two receptions for 9.5 receiving yards, and 7.4 PPR fantasy points per game in the two contests with Dart following Cam Skattebo’s season-ending injury. By comparison, he has averaged 19.5 rushing attempts for 75 yards, 3.5 receptions for 59.5 receiving yards, and 17 fantasy points per game over the past two weeks with Jameis Winston under center.
Tracy saw a 12.1% target share and 21% target per route run rate with Winston starting. By comparison, the former Purdue star had a 5.9% target share and 14% target per route run rate with Dart. More importantly, the Patriots have shut down opposing rushing attacks. They’ve surrendered 16.6 fantasy points per game to running backs, the second-fewest in the NFL. New England has given up only one game with over 91 rushing yards to running backs over the past nine weeks, allowing zero rushing touchdowns during that stretch.
Jauan Jennings (WR – SF) vs. Cleveland Browns
While Jennings has quietly been one of the better wide receivers in fantasy football over the past month, fantasy players should consider other starting options this week. He is the WR14 over the past four weeks, averaging 4.8 receptions on 6.8 targets for 51.8 receiving yards, 0.8 touchdowns, and 13.9 PPR fantasy points per game, totaling 14.1 or more in all but one contest. However, the veteran wide receiver faced multiple fantasy-friendly matchups during that stretch. Unfortunately, Jennings has arguably his toughest fantasy matchup of the year on Sunday.
Cleveland’s defense has been outstanding this season, as Myles Garrett is running away with the Defensive Player of the Year award, totaling 18 sacks in 11 games, including 13 over the past four contests, recording at least three in all but one outing. More importantly, the Browns have held wide receivers to 27.4 fantasy points per game this season, the seventh-fewest in the NFL. Furthermore, they’ve surrendered only 4.7 receptions for 66.7 receiving yards, zero touchdowns, and 13 fantasy points per game to wide receivers over the past three weeks.
Deebo Samuel (WR – WAS) vs. Denver Broncos
Yesterday, the Commanders had Samuel, Terry McLaurin, and Noah Brown all on the practice field for the first time since Week 2. Washington’s wide receiver corps has been destroyed by injuries this year, as McLaurin and Brown have missed 16 combined games. The injuries have allowed Samuel to shine as the team’s only impact guy at wide receiver. He is the WR22 for the season, averaging 14.1 PPR fantasy points per game. Unfortunately, the former South Carolina star’s production has declined since returning from a heel injury in Week 7.
Samuel has averaged 4.8 receptions for 38.8 receiving yards and 11.8 fantasy points per game over the past five weeks, totaling over 9.4 fantasy points only when finding the end zone despite McLaurin missing all but one contest. More importantly, he faces the top defense in the NFL on Sunday night. The Broncos have held wide receivers to 25.8 fantasy points per game, the second-fewest in the league. Furthermore, Denver has kept wide receivers out of the end zone lately, allowing only one score over their past eight contests.
Oronde Gadsden II (TE – LAC) vs. Las Vegas Raiders
Fantasy players have had little trouble finding startable tight ends off the waiver wire this season. Gadsden is one of those players, ranking as the TE9 since making his NFL debut in Week 3, averaging 10.9 PPR fantasy points per game. While the rookie was a must-start tight end for part of the year, he struggled heading into the Chargers’ Week 11 bye, totaling five receptions on 11 targets for 54 receiving yards, zero touchdowns, and 10.4 fantasy points over the past two games despite facing two fantasy-friendly matchups.
More importantly, Gadsden has an unfriendly fantasy matchup on Sunday against the Raiders. While Las Vegas’ defense has been awful this season, they have held opposing tight ends to 9.4 fantasy points per game, the fourth-fewest in the NFL. Furthermore, they’ve allowed only 6.9 fantasy points per game to tight ends over the past month. While Gadsden was a healthy scratch in the Week 2 matchup against the Raiders, the Chargers’ tight end unit had only one reception for seven receiving yards and 1.7 fantasy points against the division rivals.
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Mike Fanelli is a featured writer at FantasyPros. For more from Mike, check out his archive and follow him @Mike_NFL2.
