The NFL in 2014 is all about good-but-not-great teams. Here are two more!
Both the San Diego Chargers and Baltimore Ravens sit at 7-4. Both teams have won two in a row to end losing streaks that threatened to derail their seasons. Both are tied for second place in their divisions, and both need every win possible to stay in contention for a playoff spot. And finally, both play one another Sunday.
The Chargers have running back Ryan Mathews on the week's injury report with a shoulder injury, though he's expected to be fine for the game. The Ravens, meanwhile, come into the game basically healthy from a fantasy perspective -- in fact, Baltimore is probably the league's single-healthiest team all -around right now.
Baltimore will host Sunday's game at 1 p.m. ET. With both teams needing a win to stay near the top of the playoff race, let's look at the fantasy considerations:
CHARGERS
Start 'em: Even off a strong of disappointing games, there just aren't enough productive tight ends to render Antonio Gates a non-starter.
Start 'em?: It's been a rough stretch of production for Philip Rivers , who hasn't had more than 13 fantasy points in any of his last three games and hasn't reached 20-plus since Week 6. He's a mid-range QB2 now. ... In a neutral matchup, Ryan Mathews would be a surefire starter, but the Ravens have the league's best run defense, so Mathews is more of a flex play at best this week. ... Keenan Allen and Malcom Floyd keep yo-yoing as the team's best fantasy receiver. Neither is a strong start, but both could be flex plays if things are desperate. ... Nick Novak is a relevant kicker, right on the fringes of every-week startability. ... The Chargers' defense doesn't look as good as it did early in the season, but it's still worth a start if you're outside the top units.
Sit 'em: The return of Mathews renders Branden Oliver a fantasy afterthought. ... Eddie Royal has had his patented hot-start-quick-decline again this year, and he's off the radar.
RAVENS
Start 'em: We've seen more than enough out of Justin Forsett to believe him as a top-flight running back the rest of the way. ... Justin Tucker remains one of the better kicking options.
Start 'em?: The Smiths -- Torrey Smith and Steve Smith Sr. -- are reasonable flex plays, though neither is very strong, since they battle one another for touches. ... The only thing keeping Owen Daniels in fantasy consideration is the fact that tight end is such a barren position. You might be stuck using him. ... The recent struggles of the San Diego offense mean that the Ravens' defense is a totally defensible fantasy start.
Sit 'em: Out of 11 games this season, there have been exactly two where Joe Flacco was a strong and helpful fantasy option, and the last one was Week 6. Stay away. ... Neither Bernard Pierce nor Lorenzo Taliaferro is getting enough play to be anywhere near a fantasy lineup.
SUMMARY
Start in every league: Antonio Gates, Justin Forsett, Justin Tucker
Start if you're desperate: Philip Rivers, Ryan Mathews, Keenan Allen, Malcom Floyd, Nick Novak, San Diego defense, Torrey Smith, Steve Smith Sr., Owen Daniels, Baltimore defense
Bench: Branden Oliver, Eddie Royal, Joe Flacco, Bernard Pierce, Lorenzo Taliaferro
from SBNation.com - All Posts http://www.sbnation.com/2014/11/30/7302035/fantasy-football-sit-start-advice-week-13-chargers-vs-ravens-ryan-mathews-torrey-smith
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