Fantasy Football 2021: Week 13 Hot Meter
It is time that we take a player’s hotness seriously. If he is cold, then it is time to wave bye-bye…at least for this week because we know only the hot ones are getting us to the fantasy playoffs.
Teams on a bye this week: Cleveland Browns, Carolina Panthers, Green Bay Packers, and Tennessee Titans.
HOT QUARTERBACK = DEREK CARR, LAS VEGAS RAIDERS vs. WFT
I don’t care if he is without Darren Waller; there is plenty of space on the Island of Moreau if he needs it.
Besides, he is going against the WFT, who have given up an average of 23.27 fantasy points to the quarterback position and have allowed more than two passing touchdowns per game. Statistically speaking, the WFT has surrendered a league-high 26 passing touchdowns this season.
NOT HOT QUARTERBACK = BEN ROETHLISBERGER, PITTSBURGH STEELERS vs. BALTIMORE RAVENS
First, let me begin by stating that this is a divisional rivalry, and anything can happen. Then let me remind you that Roethlisberger has not eclipsed 17 fantasy points except for one game this season.
The Ravens have not given up more than 16 fantasy points to the quarterback position since Week 9. They have only allowed five passing touchdowns in those games.
HOT WIDE RECEIVER = JOSH REYNOLDS, DETROIT LIONS vs. MINNESOTA VIKINGS
Reynolds has been on the field for an average of 89% of the offensive snaps and is responsible for 28% of the teams’ air yards (and this is just in two weeks)!
The Vikings have given up the third-most receiving yards to the wide receiver position and the second-most fantasy points to the position (28.7).
It will also benefit Reynolds that running back D’Andre Swift is out, and the Vikings are giving up the third-fewest points to the tight end position, limiting T.J. Hockenson’s upside.
NOT HOT WIDE RECEIVER = COURTLAND SUTTON, DENVER BRONCOS @ KANSAS CITY CHIEFS
Sutton’s fantasy value has slowly declined with the return of Jerry Jeudy. In Sutton’s last four games, he has 12 targets, seven receptions, and 95 yards. That is his combined total for the last four games! It isn’t all Jeudy. The Broncos have increased their reliance on Melvin Gordon and Javonte Williams running the ball on an average of 49.20% of their offensive plays in the last three weeks (up from 41.30% beginning of the season).
There is also the possibility that Sutton is shadowed by Pro Football Focus’ highest-rated cornerbacks, Rashad Fenton and L’Jarius Sneed.
HOT RUNNING BACK = JOE MIXON, CINCINNATI BENGALS vs. LOS ANGELES CHARGERS
Mixon’s stats last two games:
Week 12 – 28 carries, 165 yards, 2 touchdowns, 4 targets
Week 13 – 30 carries, 123 yards, 2 touchdowns
The Chargers give up the fourth-most fantasy points to the running back position (22.8) while allowing opposing running backs to collect 1,336 rushing yards and 14 touchdowns against them.
NOT HOT RUNNING BACK = DAVID JOHNSON, HOUSTON TEXANS vs. INDIANAPOLIS COLTS
There was this slight belief that Johnson would regain the promise last week in his match-up against the New York Jets. He finished with 10 carries for 39 yards.
If you are one of the ones still holding onto Johnson, let him go. His 39 yards against the Jets was his best outing all season. Let him go.
HOT TIGHT END = ROB GRONKOWSKI, TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS @ ATLANTA FALCONS
Gronkowski has been back for two games and has a team-high 18 targets over those two games. He also has 13 receptions for 194 yards and is TE3 in fantasy scoring.
Since returning, he has been on the field for 59% of the offensive snaps (Week 11) and 82% of the offensive snaps (Week 12).
And although Atlanta has only given up four touchdowns to the tight end position, two of those touchdowns were courtesy of Gronkowski.
NOT HOT TIGHT END = HUNTER HENRY, NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS @ BUFFALO BILLS
Henry had quite the run, but it appears that it is over. He is now averaging 2.9 receptions and 32.8 yards per game, making his fantasy value completely touchdown-dependent.
The Bills are giving up the fifth-fewest fantasy points to the tight end position (5.3) and have allowed only three touchdowns to the position.
Article Photo: Las Vegas Raiders Quarterback Derek Carr. Photo Credit: Michael Clemens | Las Vegas Raiders