2013 Fantasy Football: 6 Players Who Will Either Win Or Lose You Your League

1 of 7

2013 Fantasy Football: 5 Players Who Will Either Win Or Lose You Your League

2013 Fantasy Football: 5 Players Who Will Either Win Or Lose You Your League
Robert Hanashiro-USA TODAY Sports

Well here we are. It’s crunch time, time to put up or shut up. This is where we either ascend to have the chance for fantasy football greatness or spend the next few months thinking about a season of “almost.” No doubt at this point of the season, everyone who is still in the hunt needs the most out of every player. The difference between winning your league or not could now come down to just one more catch, one missed tackle, or even something as small as a one yard gain.

To get to this point, lots needed to go right for you. There was undoubtedly a combination of good drafting, a relatively friendly schedule, a few good waiver pickups or roster drops and a few monster games from your big guns. You probably also had relatively good luck with injuries this season.

So as you set your lineups, let me remind you all of something I put in this very space back in August. You need to do your research, look at the numbers, but most of all trust your gut. Remember, while the majority of the articles you come across are written by people with an eye for these things, we all are just using the data available to us to make the most logical conclusion. If we knew for sure what was going to happen, I’m sure the majority of us would be either at the track playing the horses, or in a Vegas poker game.

There might be a player or two that you are still debating on, but for the most part fantasy owners across the board most likely have their team ready to go and are simply waiting for the games to start. If you are still debating, tinkering, researching, I don’t blame you. We all put so much of ourselves into the last five months or so, it is only natural to make sure that you do everything you can now that you are this close to the goal. Unless you are really deep at a certain position, you are going to be starting your studs. More than likely, some of the following players are responsible for you getting to this point in the season.

While the following list of players certainly have the capability to put up the kind of game that can win your matchup this weekend, they could just as easily leave you in the hole. You have to start these guys as the ceiling is just too high to sit, but owners take note. These players will either put up the points needed for you to win, or will leave you cursing yourself for drafting them this summer, as they underperform and cost you your season.

2 of 7

Tom Brady

Tom Brady
David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports

Since the return of Rob Gronkowski, the New England Patriots have averaged about 10 more points per game. In turn, Tom Brady has seen his fantasy performance improve by about six fantasy points per game. This week, Brady will be without his favorite target, and multiple other Patriots are dinged up. We have all seen Tom Terrific elevate his game this time of year for about a decade, but with a tough road matchup at the Miami Dolphins (sixth fewest points per game allowed to QB’s) don’t be surprised if Brady puts up less than spectacular numbers.

3 of 7

T.Y. Hilton

T.Y. Hilton
Thomas Campbell-USA TODAY Sports

T.Y. Hilton is one of the fastest players in the league. After Reggie Wayne went down, Hilton responded in the next two games, posting 13 and 33.5 fantasy points. Since then, he has scored only 15 fantasy points in his last four games. He has the speed to get past the majority of defenders, and with the performance of Da'Rick Rogers last week, Hilton might benefit from a little less defensive attention and could end up with over 100 yards and multiple scores, or he could continue his trend of averaging 3.75 fantasy points per game over the last month.

4 of 7

Andre Brown

Andre Brown
Robert Deutsch-USA TODAY Sports

Since Andre Brown returned to the lineup, he has been a beast, averaging about 100 total yards along with three touchdowns in five games. However this week he goes against the Seattle Seahawks, who are allowing the 7th fewest fantasy points per game to running backs this season. While I personally believe slightly in the West coast teams having problems with early games on the East coast, I wouldn’t want to have to go against the Seattle defense this time of year. With the lack of other options the New York Giants have at running back, I wouldn’t be surprised if he puts up a solid fantasy day. With as good as Seattle is, I also wouldn't be surprised if he is held in check.

5 of 7

Vincent Jackson

Vincent Jackson
Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

Vincent Jackson is one of the most consistently inconsistent players in fantasy football. He has the talent to put up over 20 fantasy points every time he steps on the field, but he also has four games being held to under four fantasy points. With a tough matchup against the San Francisco 49ers this week, V-Jax owners have to start him and can only hope that he booms this week.

6 of 7

Reggie Bush

Reggie Bush
Tim Fuller-USA TODAY Sports

Reggie Bush has been dinged up all season it seems. He was held out last week due to injury and looks dicey at best to play Monday against the Baltimore Ravens. Forward thinking owners who have Joique Bell are in good shape, but owners who don’t own Bush and Bell might seriously consider sitting Bush this week. He has the talent to rush/receive for over 100 yards and a score, but he could also either miss the game, or aggravate his injury further after only a few plays.

7 of 7

Jay Cutler

Jay Cutler
Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports

Jay Cutler is back from injury and into the starting lineup this weekend against the Cleveland Browns. Coach Marc Trestman’s offense has cemented Brandon Marshall and Matt Forte as fantasy studs while also making fantasy stars out of Alshon Jeffery and Josh McCown. Cutler wouldn’t surprise many if he comes back to post over 300 yards and multiple scores, but he’s played only one game since November started and could very well need a quarter or more to shake off the rust.

Read more from Dustin here.

1 of 7

2013 Fantasy Football: 5 Players Who Will Either Win Or Lose You Your League

2013 Fantasy Football: 5 Players Who Will Either Win Or Lose You Your League
Robert Hanashiro-USA TODAY Sports

Well here we are. It’s crunch time, time to put up or shut up. This is where we either ascend to have the chance for fantasy football greatness or spend the next few months thinking about a season of “almost.” No doubt at this point of the season, everyone who is still in the hunt needs the most out of every player. The difference between winning your league or not could now come down to just one more catch, one missed tackle, or even something as small as a one yard gain.

To get to this point, lots needed to go right for you. There was undoubtedly a combination of good drafting, a relatively friendly schedule, a few good waiver pickups or roster drops and a few monster games from your big guns. You probably also had relatively good luck with injuries this season.

So as you set your lineups, let me remind you all of something I put in this very space back in August. You need to do your research, look at the numbers, but most of all trust your gut. Remember, while the majority of the articles you come across are written by people with an eye for these things, we all are just using the data available to us to make the most logical conclusion. If we knew for sure what was going to happen, I’m sure the majority of us would be either at the track playing the horses, or in a Vegas poker game.

There might be a player or two that you are still debating on, but for the most part fantasy owners across the board most likely have their team ready to go and are simply waiting for the games to start. If you are still debating, tinkering, researching, I don’t blame you. We all put so much of ourselves into the last five months or so, it is only natural to make sure that you do everything you can now that you are this close to the goal. Unless you are really deep at a certain position, you are going to be starting your studs. More than likely, some of the following players are responsible for you getting to this point in the season.

While the following list of players certainly have the capability to put up the kind of game that can win your matchup this weekend, they could just as easily leave you in the hole. You have to start these guys as the ceiling is just too high to sit, but owners take note. These players will either put up the points needed for you to win, or will leave you cursing yourself for drafting them this summer, as they underperform and cost you your season.

2 of 7

Tom Brady

Tom Brady
David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports

Since the return of Rob Gronkowski, the New England Patriots have averaged about 10 more points per game. In turn, Tom Brady has seen his fantasy performance improve by about six fantasy points per game. This week, Brady will be without his favorite target, and multiple other Patriots are dinged up. We have all seen Tom Terrific elevate his game this time of year for about a decade, but with a tough road matchup at the Miami Dolphins (sixth fewest points per game allowed to QB’s) don’t be surprised if Brady puts up less than spectacular numbers.

3 of 7

T.Y. Hilton

T.Y. Hilton
Thomas Campbell-USA TODAY Sports

T.Y. Hilton is one of the fastest players in the league. After Reggie Wayne went down, Hilton responded in the next two games, posting 13 and 33.5 fantasy points. Since then, he has scored only 15 fantasy points in his last four games. He has the speed to get past the majority of defenders, and with the performance of Da'Rick Rogers last week, Hilton might benefit from a little less defensive attention and could end up with over 100 yards and multiple scores, or he could continue his trend of averaging 3.75 fantasy points per game over the last month.

4 of 7

Andre Brown

Andre Brown
Robert Deutsch-USA TODAY Sports

Since Andre Brown returned to the lineup, he has been a beast, averaging about 100 total yards along with three touchdowns in five games. However this week he goes against the Seattle Seahawks, who are allowing the 7th fewest fantasy points per game to running backs this season. While I personally believe slightly in the West coast teams having problems with early games on the East coast, I wouldn’t want to have to go against the Seattle defense this time of year. With the lack of other options the New York Giants have at running back, I wouldn’t be surprised if he puts up a solid fantasy day. With as good as Seattle is, I also wouldn't be surprised if he is held in check.

5 of 7

Vincent Jackson

Vincent Jackson
Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

Vincent Jackson is one of the most consistently inconsistent players in fantasy football. He has the talent to put up over 20 fantasy points every time he steps on the field, but he also has four games being held to under four fantasy points. With a tough matchup against the San Francisco 49ers this week, V-Jax owners have to start him and can only hope that he booms this week.

6 of 7

Reggie Bush

Reggie Bush
Tim Fuller-USA TODAY Sports

Reggie Bush has been dinged up all season it seems. He was held out last week due to injury and looks dicey at best to play Monday against the Baltimore Ravens. Forward thinking owners who have Joique Bell are in good shape, but owners who don’t own Bush and Bell might seriously consider sitting Bush this week. He has the talent to rush/receive for over 100 yards and a score, but he could also either miss the game, or aggravate his injury further after only a few plays.

7 of 7

Jay Cutler

Jay Cutler
Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports

Jay Cutler is back from injury and into the starting lineup this weekend against the Cleveland Browns. Coach Marc Trestman’s offense has cemented Brandon Marshall and Matt Forte as fantasy studs while also making fantasy stars out of Alshon Jeffery and Josh McCown. Cutler wouldn’t surprise many if he comes back to post over 300 yards and multiple scores, but he’s played only one game since November started and could very well need a quarter or more to shake off the rust.

Read more from Dustin here.


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