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Fantasy football lineup advice: Week 13 boom or bust

By Jake VanZuiden

SANTA CLARA, CALIFORNIA - NOVEMBER 17: Kyler Murray #1 of the Arizona Cardinals looks on against the San Francisco 49ers during the second half of an NFL football game at Levi's Stadium on November 17, 2019 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
SANTA CLARA, CALIFORNIA - NOVEMBER 17: Kyler Murray #1 of the Arizona Cardinals looks on against the San Francisco 49ers during the second half of an NFL football game at Levi's Stadium on November 17, 2019 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) /
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Fantasy Football - Rams RB Todd Gurley
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – NOVEMBER 25: Todd Gurley #30 of the Los Angeles Rams walks off the field after a game against the Baltimore Ravens at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on November 25, 2019 in Los Angeles, California. The Baltimore Ravens defeated the Los Angeles Rams 45-6. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images) /

Fantasy Football – Running Back

Boom: Todd Gurley, LAR @ ARI

The 2017 Offensive Player of the Year fell flat in a blowout loss to the Ravens last week (just 4.9 fantasy points), but he didn’t receive much opportunity to make his mark with his team playing from behind the entire game. Prior to Week 12, the Rams started to emphasize getting Gurley going, awarding him a season-high 28 touches against the Bears. Expect them to get back to a similar formula this week.

The Cardinals’ defense is pathetic, giving this the looks of a high-scoring affair. Arizona ranks middle-of-the-pack against the enemy ball-carriers (allowing 23.9 FPPG), but this is because opposing teams have been able to pass the ball with ease. With Jared Goff struggling, Sean McVay will look toward Gurley to shoulder the load.

Boom: Ronald Jones II, TB @ JAX

After playing second-fiddle to Peyton Barber to begin the year, Jones has taken over as the unquestioned Alpha Dog in Tampa’s run-game. While the two are still splitting carries, Jones has been far more effective and is seeing more meaningful snaps. He’s scored 15.7 or more PPR points in three of his last four games, seeing plenty of looks as a receiver as well (15 combined catches since Week 9).

The Jaguars’ rush defense has been absolutely pulverized as of late, allowing opposing starting running backs an insane 145 rushing yards per game over their last three.  The Bucs’ rushing attack may not be as potent as the Titans’ or Colts’, but it doesn’t need to be against Jacksonville (third-most FPPG to RBs in 2019). Jones should be able to pound the rock with ease, placing him in high-end RB2 territory this week.

Honorable Mention: Jonathan Williams (IND vs. TEN), Josh Jacobs (OAK @ KC)

Bust: Melvin Gordon, LAC @ DEN

A sluggish start is now in the rearview mirror for Gordon, who’s now scored double-digit fantasy points in each of his last four starts, averaging 17.4 FPPG in that span. However, Austin Ekeler isn’t going away, as he’s remained the Chargers’ top passing-game option and continues to be favored over Gordon during the two-minute drill. The two make for a formidable one-two punch, but this’ll make Gordon’s production volatile on a weekly basis.

The Broncos are a problem up-front. Even without Bradley Chubb, Vic Fangio‘s defense has remained one of the best in the league against enemy backs (ninth-fewest FPPG). Gordon’s last game against Denver was one to forget, rushing for just 31 yards on 2.6 YPC. Coming off their bye, Gordon’s legs should be fresh, but this has the looks of a down-week all things considered.

Bust: Rashaad Penny, SEA vs. MIN

Penny came out of nowhere in Week 12, leading the Seahawks’ backfield with 129 yards and a touchdown. His 18.9 fantasy points were a season-high, stealing work from starting RB Chris Carson as Carson lost yet another fumble. However, I’m not buying that Penny has taken over as the go-to back just yet, as head coach Pete Carroll has stuck by Carson’s side all season, reiterating that he’s still the team’s workhorse.

Penny out-carried Carson against the Eagles, handling 14 opportunities compared to Carson’s eight. No matter which back gets the most burn this week, they’ll still have to go through the Vikings’ fortified run D. On the season, Minnesota is allowing the position only 17.7 FPPG to the RB spot, fourth-fewest in the NFL.

Dishonorable Mention: Carlos Hyde (HOU vs. NE), Mark Ingram II (BAL vs. SF)

Sleeper: Benny Snell, PIT vs. CLE

Last week, it wasn’t Jaylen Samuels, but a healthy Benny Snell that led the charge for Pittsburgh’s ground-game. While he didn’t score, he still handled a whopping 21 carries, turning those into 98 yards. James Conner is likely going to miss more time, making way for another start for Snell. Cleveland’s front-seven has yielded the league’s 10th-most rushing yards takes a hit without Myles Garrett.