The fantasy football week gets started with three games on Thursday for the Week 13 schedule and as it gets closer to the playoffs for owners, some of the best free agent waiver pickups and sleepers for games includes Benny Cunningham, Bilal Powell, Michael Crabtree, Dennis Johnson and Julian Edelman and Josh Gordon is the best pickup after his amazing game in Week 13.
Benny Cunningham is a solid pick up the way the Rams have been running the ball, as Zac Stacy is likely going to be out or will be limited on Sunday after suffering a concussion. Cunningham came in and had a very nice game with over 100 yards against the Bears after Stacy left the game and injuries will play a part Week 13, as Chris Ivory was banged up for the Jets and that makes Bilal Powell a nice option for the back stretch in deeper leagues. Michael Crabtree should be snagged quickly if he is available, as he is finally set to return from his injury suffered back in the spring and it comes at a perfect time for the 49ers, as they have had the worst passing offense this season in yards per game. Dennis Johnson and Julian Edelman are solid pick ups as well.
Cunningham finished Sunday with 13 carries for 109 yards and a touchdown and it is likely he will get the majority of the carries heading into the crucial game against the San Francisco 49ers. Cunningham had by far his best game of the season and while the 49ers have a solid defense this season against the run, the Rams have been very effective on the ground the past month since Sam Bradford went down. Stacy had over 120 yards in two of the past four games and during that span he also scored four touchdowns and if he misses any time, that will be a big hit for the Rams after he took over the starting job from Daryl Richardson, who has been banged up and ineffective this season.
Having Crabtree return is a big deal for fantasy owners and the 49ers overall, as the team has ranked in the bottom of the league in nearly every category involving wide receivers and the passing offense was ranked last in the NFL in passing yards per game. Crabtree may take a few games to get back to his original game speed and talent, but he is still a solid pickup for the back stretch of the season, as the 49ers are locked in a tight playoff race and they need to win as many games as possible on the rest of the schedule. Crabtree comes back after having over 100 yards in three of his last four games played, which of course included the Super Bowl against the Ravens when he had five catches for 109 yards and a touchdown.
Powell has been solid this season while splitting carries with Chris Ivory, but after Ivory was injured, he could get some more touches on Sunday against the Miami Dolphins, who have not been strong against the run this season. Powell has nearly 500 yards and has been averaging nearly four yards per carry and last week he had 41 yards on 11 carries and he could be in line for a nice game on Sunday for fantasy owners, especially after the way Geno Smith played last season. Dennis Johnson had 74 yards last week and with Ben Tate dealing with a rib injury he could get some carries and Edelman is a nice option for any owners that need a receiver, as Tom Brady looked to him often on Sunday night.