NFL
8 Big-Name Players You May Want to Avoid in Week 13
We're closing in on the fantasy playoffs, and benching some of these big-name guys could help you sneak in.

Ryan Mathews, RB, San Diego Chargers

I know, now it just seems like I'm not trying. But this is a bold Shark Week move for me, repeating two players from last week, when I'm always looking to suss out new information for you all. I think this call is important enough to repeat it: I can promise you that Ryan Mathews' 16 point explosion was the flukiest fluke that ever fluked, and will not happen again in 2014.

He's not gotten a fair shake this season, only playing in four games out of a possible 11, but his yards per carry average has been fairly impressive at just north of 4.8. Still, Mathews has been limited to a fairly flat early-down role and the receiving work he has gotten has been inefficient at best, getting 3 receptions for 13 yards since his injury. The committee approach in San Diego should help him retain his explosiveness, but this isn't a good bet for fantasy owners.

Then we get to schedule concerns. Mathews' and his Chargers' Week 13 opponent, the Baltimore Ravens, currently rank second in the NFL in Adjusted Defensive Rushing NEP, as well as first in limiting fantasy running backs. This is the worst possible matchup for a committee back coming off of an injury, who left his most recent game with an injury, rushing efficiency or not. After this, the only potentially positive matchup Mathews has is Week 14 against the Patriots, who rank 24th in Adjusted Defensive Rushing NEP. The fantasy playoffs see him take on the Denver Broncos and San Francisco 49ers, however.

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