Sunday Six Pack: Week 13

John DiBari

Every week brings us great storylines in dynasty leagues. There isn’t a Sunday that passes without a significant injury, an unexpected performance, or something else that puts the dynasty community on its ear. As always, we bring you the Sunday Six Pack, an article that previews six of the biggest storylines of the day.

With the end of the fantasy regular season upon us, let’s get to week 13.

1. Will the Browns offense finally be what we hoped to close out the season?

Heading into the season, the Browns were the darling of many NFL pundits, and everyone was expected to be a fantasy stud. Whelp, then they opened the year 2-6, and their fantasy players fell flat. Between weeks one and nine, Baker Mayfield was the QB23, Jarvis Landry the WR31, Odell Beckham the WR24, and Nick Chubb the lone bright spot as the RB6.

Since then, over the last three weeks, the Browns’ offense has come to life. Mayfield has been the QB7, Landry the WR2, Beckham the WR19 while averaging ten targets per game, Chubb has been the RB4, and Kareem Hunt the RB16. After a disappointing start to the year, it looks like Browns’ players are going to be the key to some championships this year – and we still haven’t seen David Njoku yet!

2. Which recent waiver wire add will be the most help in the fantasy playoffs?

Over the last few weeks, we’ve seen a few waiver wire additions burst onto the scene of fantasy relevancy, especially at running back. Almost every year, we see some unsuspecting fantasy playoff heroes emerge from the depths of the waiver wire. Who will it be this year? Bo Scarbrough, Jonathan Williams, Rashaad Penny, and Benny Snell have all been recent pickups who have seen a significant role on the field.

During the fantasy playoffs, weeks 14-16, Penny has the best schedule, facing opponents who have allowed an average of 22.7 points to running backs. After Penny, Snell (21.7), Williams (17.9), and Scarbrough (17.1) all have at least one game facing an opponent that allows over 20 points to running backs.

3. Which handcuffs should be your top stash targets before we get into the playoffs?

There are few things worse than riding a top player – especially a running back – to a fantasy playoff birth, only to lose them to injury when its “win or go home” time. If you can still trade, it’s time to get your hands on Ryquell Armstead, Wayne Gallman, Alexander Mattison, Tony Pollard, and Darrel Williams. Each of them can be volume-heavy RB2s with RB1 upside to close out the season if the players ahead of them sustain an injury and can’t finish out the year.

4. Which first-round “bust” this season has a chance at redemption in the fantasy playoffs?

Looking back at August’s ADP, three names jump off the page as first-round busts. JuJu Smith-Schuster (seventh overall), David Johnson (tenth), and Joe Mixon (12th) have let their owners down through 12 weeks, but one of them might still lead you to a championship.

By default, Joe Mixon is the last man standing, literally. Smith-Schuster and Johnson have been struggling with injuries, and Mixon has remained relatively healthy. In the fantasy playoffs, his opponents have allowed an average of 20.4 points to running backs. Mixon does get an awful Patriots matchup in week 15, but that is bookended by plus matchups against Cleveland and Miami.

5. Which breakout wide receiver is the most likely to kill your championship dreams?

Chris Godwin, DJ Chark, and DJ Moore are all surprisingly top-12 receivers this year. While their incredible years may continue, who among them may lead you to an early playoff exit?

This is a trick question, as all three of them have outstanding matchups to close the year facing soft fantasy defenses. Of the group, Chark has the worst matchup of the group, facing the Chargers in week 14 – and it’s not even that bad. You’ve been riding these guys all year. No need to stop now.

6. In the wasteland of tight ends, who can emerge as a streaming option?

Greg Olsen has the best playoff schedule for tight ends, followed by OJ Howard (or Cameron Brate), then Jason Witten. The aging Olsen and Witten can likely be acquired on the cheap and can get you through the playoffs.

If you want to target the horrific tight end defenses trotted out by the Cardinals and Buccaneers, that’s an option too. Arizona faces the affordable Vance McDonald, Tyler Eifert, and Jacob Hollister, while Tampa Bay plays Jack Doyle, TJ Hockenson, and Darren Fells/Jordan Akins. Get them this week while you can and enjoy the points over the next few weeks.

john dibari