Tyler Eifert Bengals 2015
Injuries to fantasy studs like Bengals tight end Tyler Eifert mean weekly players can be a little more risky in Week 13. Getty Images

Injuries decimated NFL teams in Week 12, but the wave of hurt players late in the season could be a boon for FanDuel and DraftKings players as we turn to Week 13. The list of banged up fantasy mainstays includes Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger (concussion), Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo (collarbone), Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski (knee), Seahawks tight end Jimmy Graham (knee), Cardinals running back Chris Johnson (knee) Bengals tight end Tyler Eifert (neck), and to some extent Colts running back Ahmad Bradshaw (wrist).

Romo, Graham, and Bradshaw are reportedly done for the year, but Eifert’s knock shouldn’t effect his status long-term, Johnson's could go either way, Gronkowski might not miss a single game, and Roethlisberger could very well pass the NFL’s head injury protocol in time to play in Week 13.

But weekly fantasy players could use the injury outbreak to take some risks in Week 13. Winning from week to week rests largely on picking outliers rather than sticking with the best projected player at each position, and owners can be successful when going against the grain this week by studying and employing our latest rankings.

Here’s our full breakdown of Week 13 and the players weekly fantasy league players should target at each position.

QBs

1.Tom Brady, Patriots

2.Cam Newton, Panthers

3.Andy Dalton, Bengals

4.Jay Cutler, Bears

5.Carson Palmer, Cardinals

Bonus: Alex Smith, Chiefs

Ok, Brady might not be an outlier pick per say, especially against an Eagles D that’s No. 15 in fantasy against opposing quarterbacks and No. 22 overall against the pass. But the Patriots’ arsenal is severely depleted and they are more likely to limit Gronk’s usage as they prepare for the playoffs. Newton’s unstoppable and will rip up the Saints' downtrodden unit, while Dalton stands to strengthen his MVP candidacy versus a Browns D that’s the third-worst unit in fantasy against opposing QBs. Palmer and Cutler each have intriguing matchups with St. Louis and San Francisco, but Cutler’s is stronger with the 49ers allowing 18.1 points to quarterbacks this season.

RBs

1.Matt Forte, Bears

2.Adrian Peterson, Vikings

3.Ronnie Hillman, Broncos

4.Eddie Lacy, Packers

5.Jonathan Stewart, Panthers

Bonus: Chris Ivory, Jets

Forte surges past the ageless Peterson due to the 49ers’s second-worst D against opposing running backs and AD’s matchup with a Seahawks D that’s letting up the fewest fantasy points to RBs. Hillman’s slotted over Denver teammate C.J. Anderson because he’s typically received the most attempts and should tear up a Chargers D allowing 22.8 points per game to RBs, by far the worst in fantasy. Meanwhile, after fighting off injuries, Lacy’s miraculously become the only well-oiled cog in Green Bay’s offense over the last two weeks.

WRs

1.A.J. Green, Bengals

2.Odell Beckham Jr., Giants

3.Brandon Marshall, Jets

4.DeAndre Hopkins, Texans

5.Julio Jones, Falcons

Bonus: Sammy Watkins, Bills

Green snapped his three-game scoreless streak with two touchdown grabs and should dominate the Browns fourth-worst defense versus opposing receivers, while Beckham’s the safe pick even against the Jets secondary. The Jets are No. 16 overall against receivers and have allowed the 11th most points to pass catchers this season. Marshall’s streak of four straight with at least one touchdown grab should continue against the Giants beleaguered secondary, and Hopkins should get back on track when he meets a Bills D that’s No. 24 overall against the pass. Jones slips back until Matt Ryan can take better care of the ball.

TEs

1.Greg Olsen, Panthers

2.Delanie Walker, Titans

3.Travis Kelce, Chiefs

4.Kyle Rudolph, Vikings

5.Eric Ebron, Lions

Bonus: Julius Thomas, Jaguars

Gronk’s unquestionably the best tight end in the league, but his injury could limit his targets even as injuries have also withered New England’s receiving corps. Thus Olsen holds down No. 1 against New Orleans’ awful defense. Kelce picked up his second touchdown of the last four games and his average of 6.9 targets per game makes him a must own versus Oakland’s third-worst defense against tight ends. Rudolph’s been targeted 18 times in the last two weeks and that will continue as Seattle focuses on stopping Peterson. Ebron’s drops may scare off owners, but he’s a great start against a Packers D that’s allowed 59 receptions for 709 yards and five scores to TEs.

FLEX

1.Doug Martin, RB, Buccaneers

2.Alshon Jeffery, WR, Bears

3.Mike Evans, WR, Buccaneers

4.C.J. Anderson, RB, Broncos

5.Antonio Brown, WR, Steelers

Martin rediscovered the endzone for the first time in five games and should dominate a Falcons D letting up the sixth-most points to RBs. Jeffery moves back to the FLEX, but in PPR leagues he’s an excellent choice versus San Francisco’s No. 28 pass defense. Because of Martin, Evans will flourish despite the Falcons third-best fantasy D against receivers, and Anderson will break off long runs from whatever carries he siphons off of Hillman. And based off his poor production the last time Big Ben went down, Brown’s held back until Roethlisberger’s status is upgraded.

Defenses

1.Arizona

2.Cincinnati

3.Carolina

4.New England

5.Washington

The Cardinals may have some difficulty containing Todd Gurley, but otherwise they’ll face a Rams offense that’s very limited outside of their rookie rusher. Josh McCown has played well, but the Bengals will cut off the rest of Cleveland’s offense and Carolina would be No. 1 if not for Saints quarterback Drew Brees ability to blow games wide open with a single throw. And while the Patriots offense might be hurting, their defense should outlast Philadelphia’s inconsistent offense. Washington’s a sleeper pick against a Cowboys offense that will once again miss Romo.