Its hard to believe fantasy playoffs are only a week away, but crunch time is officially here.

Will McFadden

Happy Thanksgiving, fantasy footballers! It's hard to believe we're only a couple of weeks away from league playoffs, but crunch time is officially upon us.

Throughout the season, I'll help you build the perfect lineup and become a league legend. Each week, I will recommend three starters at each position as well as a waiver pickup I really like. I will also spotlight one Falcons player in each section.

It's not all too difficult to tell someone to start Bijan Robinson or Josh Allen on any given week, and I assume everyone reading this right now would already know to do so. Therefore, I'll try to focus these recommendations on players who might be on the starting or flex bubble.

Running backs to start in Week 13

Kareem Hunt at Dallas Cowboys

Hunt has been the lead back for Kansas City with Isaiah Pacheco out and finished as a top 20 running back in each of his last four games. Fire him up for this Thanksgiving matchup against Dallas.

RJ Harvey at Washington Commanders

Although he's only finished as a top 10 back twice this season, Harvey has an excellent chance to do so again in this primetime matchup. He played more than 60% of Denver's snaps against the Chiefs and should get a lot of work once again.

Kenneth Gainwell vs. Buffalo Bills

Gainwell has back-to-back weeks with more than 15 fantasy points, and his work as a receiver out of the backfield should keep his value high in this matchup against Buffalo.

Waiver start Bhayshul Tuten at Tennessee Titans

Although he's the No. 2 behind Travis Etienne, both backs should get opportunities against a soft Titans defense. Tuten is a talented rookie who makes the most of his chances.

Falcons spotlight Bijan Robinson at New York Jets

Robinson is the RB5 this season, and he should continue that production in a matchup that favors the Falcons on Sunday.

Wide receivers to start in Week 13

Zay Flowers vs. Cincinnati Bengals

Flowers has just one touchdown on the season, but the Bengals' defense should allow ample opportunities for him to change that. Last time Flowers scored a touchdown, he finished as the WR1 in fantasy.

Troy Franklin at Washington Commanders

In Week 8 against Dallas, Franklin finished as the top fantasy receiver and racked up more than 23 points. He's got a similar kind of matchup against the Commanders and should be in your starting lineup.

Keenan Allen vs. Las Vegas Raiders

He's slowed down after a hot start to the season, but the Week 12 bye could work wonders for the Chargers' veteran. When Allen played the Raiders in Week 2, he gained 61 yards and scored a touchdown, finishing as the WR17 in fantasy.

Waiver start Jayden Higgins at Indianapolis Colts

Higgins has come on strong in recent weeks, which is a good sign for those in need of a potential starter at receiver for the fantasy playoffs. Grab him now ahead of a matchup that should require the Texans to spread the ball around.

Falcons spotlight Darnell Mooney at New York Jets

It remains to be seen what Drake London's status will be for Sunday, but Mooney rekindled his connection with Kirk Cousins against the Saints and vaulted back on the fantasy radar with three catches for 74 yards and a touchdown.

Tight ends to start in Week 13

Mark Andrews vs. Cincinnati Bengals

In the games Andrews has scored a touchdown this season, he's finished no lower than TE11 and has three top-five finishes in fantasy. The Bengals have been a sieve against opposing tight ends this season, making Andrews a borderline must-start.

Theo Johnson at New England Patriots

The second-year tight end has been steady for fantasy owners this season, and he really flourished with Jaxson Dart at quarterback. If Dart suits up on Monday night, Johnson should benefit.

Dallas Goedert vs. Chicago Bears

He didn't go off against the Dallas Cowboys like many expected, and it's been a rough few weeks for Goedert, but he's got a very friendly schedule down the stretch, starting with the Bears on Friday.

Waiver start Isaiah Likely vs. Cincinnati Bengals

This is maybe the biggest dart throw I've recommended all season, but that should tell you how bad I think the Bengals' defense is against tight ends. Either Andrews or Likely is going to have a big game, and there's a chance they both do.

Falcons spotlight Kyle Pitts at New York Jets

Pitts has had his opportunities, but he's struggled to catch the football of late. It remains to be seen if that has damaged the confidence of his quarterback and coaching staff. The volume should be there for Pitts, but he needs to do more with it.

Quarterbacks to start in Week 13

Bo Nix at Washington Commanders

Washington has allowed the fifth-most fantasy points to opposing quarterbacks this season, and it's wise to trust a Sean Payton offense coming off a bye week. The extra time to prepare should only elevate your confidence in Nix.

Jacoby Brissett at Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Brissett has become an unlikely starter with the fantasy playoffs quickly approaching, but he's worth firing up after four straight top 10 finishes at the position. Especially against a Tampa Bay defense that gives up the sixth-most points to quarterbacks.

Joe Burrow at Baltimore Ravens

Burrow would usually never get a mention from me here because he's a locked-in starter when healthy. But I wonder if there are those who want to see what he's got after missing most of this season due to injury. I'm here to assuage any concerns and tell you to plug him back in for this Thanksgiving night matchup.

Waiver start Trevor Lawrence at Tennessee Titans

At this point, we've all probably taken a swing at Lawrence as a fantasy starter and been burned. But if you're willing to hop back on the rollercoaster, Lawrence has been trending in the right direction and gets a good matchup.

Falcons spotlight Kirk Cousins at New York Jets

His numbers weren't overly impressive from a fantasy standpoint, but Cousins still finished as the QB14 last weekend. Against a Jets defense that has allowed at least 27 points seven times this season, Cousins is worth a look if you're in a tight spot.

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