Eagles Fantasy Football Appeal: Week 13

QB Sam Bradford Q

Week 12 performance: DNP

ESPN Week 13 projection: 15 fantasy points

Since it was such a short turnaround, Sam Bradford sat out a second straight game, but all signs point toward him starting Sunday against the Patriots. Bradford is still dealing with that shoulder sprain in his non-throwing harm, but he did not seem limited in today’s practice. The Patriots secondary, which has been inconsistent for most of the year, seems to have clamped down on things in the past five games allowing an average of 12.8 fantasy points to quarterbacks. With this stat in mind and how poorly the Eagles have played lately, it would be wise to stay away from Sam Bradford this week.

RB DeMarco Murray

Week 12 performance: 30 rushing yards, 0 TD, 0 receiving yards(3 fantasy points)

ESPN Week 13 projection: 11.7 fantasy points

I could have listed  Murray as DNP because he put up a pathetic performance rushing only for 30 yards on 14 carries which is barely two yards per carry. Not to mention Murray has only found the end zone on the ground once in his last five games so basically you are relying on all-purpose yards with a below-average offensive line leading the way. The Patriots have been excellent against the run aside from their past game against the Broncos which can categorized as an anomaly. Also their run defense has allowed seven rushing touchdowns all year and three of them came these past Sunday. DeMarco Murray can be considered as a low-end flex, but with his points heavily relying on all-purpose yards, you should find someone else to start.

RB Ryan Mathews Q

Week 12 performance: DNP

ESPN Week 13 projection: 0 fantasy points

Ryan Mathews still hasn’t past the league’s concussion protocol yet so his status is still up in the air until we see him do something in practice. It honestly doesn’t matter if he’s healthy or not because you should not touch Eagles running backs this week.

RB Darren Sproles

Week 12 performance: 4 rushing yards, 21 receiving yards, 0 TD(2.5 fantasy points)

ESPN Week 13 projection: 7.3 fantasy points

Darren Sproles went back to being n0nexistent on Thanksgiving against the Lions and things will not get any better this week vs the Patriots. Leave Sproles on your bench.

WR Jordan Matthews

Week 12 performance: 3 receptions for 60 yards(12 fantasy points)

ESPN Week 13 projection: 8.1 fantasy points

Jordan Matthews was able to salvage his performance with a garbage time touchdown, but take that away and he did absolutely nothing. Sure quarterbacks throwing to him aren’t very good and he doesn’t have much help, but we still need to see more from him. The Patriots have struggled against wide receivers and I’m going to probably regret saying this, but Matthews can be a low-end WR2 or maybe even a flex option. Proceed with caution though.

WR Nelson Agholor

Week 12 performance: 2 catches for 15 yards(1.5 fantasy points)

ESPN Week 13 projection: 3.8 fantasy points

Still waiting for Nelson Agholor to have a breakout game and maybe it will happen this week against the Patriots who haven’t been great against wide receivers. Still with no prior evidence of production, Agholor will remain on your bench.

TE Zach Ertz Q

Week 12 performance: DNP

ESPN Week 13 projection: 6.2  fantasy points

Zach Ertz practiced yesterday and seems like he will play this week, but nothing is certain yet. We will keep you updated on his status for Sunday. Patriots do not get beat by tight ends so regardless of Zach Ertz playing or  not, he should ride your fantasy bench this week.

TE Brent Celek

Week 12 performance: 2 receptions, 10 yards(7 fantasy points)

ESPN Week 13 projection: 1.9

Zach Ertz aims to play this week which ends Brent Celek’s fantasy relevance. On the off chance Ertz misses another game, Celek could be back in the mix, but it won’t matter vs the Patriots.

Eagles Defense/Special Teams

Week 12 performance:45 points allowed, 0 Forced Fumbles, 0 interceptions (-4 fantasy points)

ESPN Week 13 projection: 2.3 fantasy points

Since the Eagles defense lost Jordan Hicks for the year, they have experienced a complete break down the past two games allowing 90 points and forcing only one turnover. I am not feeling confident starting them at all this week against the Patriots and a pissed off Tom Brady. For the sake of your team, stay away from the Eagles defense.

K Caleb Sturgis

Week 12 performance: 0/1 FG, 1/1 XPM(1 fantasy points)

ESPN Week 13 projection: 7.5  fantasy points

LOL