FanDuel Fantasy Football: Run Defenses - Week 13

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Updated on November 26, 2014 4:37PM EST

This week, I will look at team run defenses (through the first 12 weeks of the season) and provide some picks for Week 13, including a Thanksgiving Day specialty pick.

Run Defenses to Target

We are 12 weeks into the NFL season, so that means we have plenty of data to make some assumptions and find some defenses to target. Below, I have ranked all of the run defenses from 1 (best run defense to target) to 32 (worst). In the chart, I have included rush attempts per game, average per attempt, rushing yards a game, rushing touchdowns, 20+ yard runs, 40+ yard runs, fumbles recovered, my pace rank and the amount of points per game the defenses are conceding.

As expected, the Lions are the hardest defense to run against. Also, Detroit is my 32nd ranked team to target based on their pace and possession. Do not target running backs when they are playing the Lions. The Giants are my No. 1 rush defense to target. New York is giving up the second most rushing yards per game (143), the second highest average per attempt (4.9), and they are tied for the second must rushing touchdowns conceded. All of the top 10 teams are great teams to target when selecting your running backs. The bottom eight teams, starting with the 49ers, should all be avoided.

Thanksgiving Turkey Stack

Darren Sproles, RB ($5,900) and Philadelphia Eagles, D ($5,400) – Stack Sproles with the Phily D in GPP's on Thursday. There are only three games on the slate. If Sproles returns a punt for a touchdown, you get double points (six from Sproles and the Eagles special teams). This is the kind of play you need to win money in a GPP with only three games.

Week 13 Value Play of the Week

Jerick McKinnon ($5,500) – McKinnon has been very steady, but also very pedestrian. Over the last four weeks, he has put up 7.8, 7.8, 8.3 and 8.7 fantasy points. He shouldn't be that highly owned, and he gets a great match up against my No. 8 rush defense to target, the Panthers.

Week 13 Stud of the Week

T.Y. Hilton, WR ($8,700) – Hilton will feast on Washington's secondary this week. Besides the great matchup, he gets to play at home, in a dome. Load up on Hilton this week.

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