Its week 13 and in many leagues, this is either the final week of the regular season or the first week of the fantasy football playoffs. If you’re still reading this column that means you are likely still alive in your fantasy football leagues and hopefully I’ve helped you along the way with some valuable flex plays in these Sexy Flexies articles. That being said, let’s get you a couple of solid flex players to use in your lineup this week. That is exactly why I write this column, to help you make these tough decisions and win your weeks!
As you know, every Thursday here on Razzball, I will be posting the weeks “Sexy Flexies” to give you a couple of players to consider starting in your flex spot. The objective isn’t to point out the obvious guys you’re starting in your RB or WR slots, but to take a look at a couple of players who are a bit more under the radar. These will likely be guys that you won’t start every week but will be good rotational pieces in the flex spot of your lineup based on matchup and opportunity.
What I do here is look at the matchups and opportunities and highlight for you a couple of guys who I believe will perform in the situation they are in for the given week. For this column, we will be looking at players who are ranked 60th or later at the flex position for the week, according to Fantasy Pros Consensus Ratings, but will still get you double digit fantasy points in your flex spots. Let’s take a look at the players who will be the “Sexy Flexies” for week 13!
Melvin Gordon – RB – Denver Broncos – at Kansas City
After signing a nice contract to come to Denver, many people were drafting Melvin Gordon as a high end RB2 in draft season. He came out of the gate fast with an extraordinarily strong first 4 weeks but since then he has been mediocre at best. The fact that we are talking about him here in this article means that he is outside the consensus top 60 on FantasyPros, making him a borderline flex option. Last week Gordon rushed 12 times for a measly 31 yards and only gave his fantasy mangers 3 ppr points. I can see how managers may want to bench him this week, but the circumstance is vastly different this week and I believe Melvin bounces back for you.
Melvin Gordon and the Broncos have 2 things in their favor this week as opposed to last week. First, and most importantly, they have a quarterback! Last week, with a practice squad WR running the offense, it was easy for the Saints to load the box and sell out to stop the run. Secondly, they are facing a Chiefs defense who ranks 23rd in rushing yards allowed and averages allowing well over 100 yards per game to running backs. The other positive for Gordon is that his backfield mate Phillip Lindsay is banged up with a knee injury and will either not play or be limited. All these factors considered, Gordon should get plenty of volume in a plus matchup to deliver you double digit fantasy points right when you need him the most.
Nelson Agholor – WR – Oakland Raiders – at New York Jets
Ok, I’ve finally caved in! I have refused to use Agholor because, like most people, I think of Agholor as that guy who had stone hands and couldn’t catch a pass in Philly. This season has been a phenomenal resurgence for Agholor and he seems to have gained the trust of Derek Carr who has used Agholor as his #1 receiver. He has been the go-to guy and not just a long ball receiver. The Raiders go to Agholor all over the field, including in the red zone. Agholor has 6 TDs on the season and, since week 4, has scored double digit fantasy points in a PPR league 6 of the 8 weeks. I see no reason that he shouldn’t do that again this week.
The Raiders offense as a whole really struggled last week in a blowout loss to Atlanta. Even in a game that the offense couldn’t get into the endzone and finished with only 6 points, Agholor still reached 10 fantasy points hauling in 5 catches for 54 yards. This week they get the winless Jets in a game that Jon Gruden and Derek Carr will use as a “get right” game. The Raiders have playoff aspirations and a meeting with the Jets, who have allowed the 3rd most passing yards against them, is just what the doctor ordered to get the offense back on track. Agholor should get you 6 catches for 60 yards and has a good chance to reach the end zone as well, making him a guy you want in your flex spot in an important fantasy football matchup.
As always, lets crush this week and hopefully these Sexy Flexies will help you get some wins. Both players have great double-digit point upside and should have significant roles in their team’s game plan this week. Don’t forget, for some more help with setting your lineups check out Rudy Gamble’s Pigskinator for weekly projections! I always encourage you to follow me on twitter @fantasycoachjb and ask me all your questions there as well. Good luck in all your matchups this week!
