With fantasy football so popular, we decided to start our own Outsports team comprised of players who are LGBT supportive.

With no openly gay players in the league, the idea is to form a fantasy team from players who have shown their support for LGBT issues in interviews with us and other media.

Keep in mind that all of the players on our roster have expressed support of LGBT equality. Players benched are not against LGBT equality, but simply the players we do not feel you should start on your fantasy team this week.

Last week we had strong performances from Rob Gronkowski and DeAndre Hopkins but lackluster performances from T.Y. Hilton and Jordan Howard. We finished with 100.82 points, which ranked ahead of five teams in the Outsports fantasy league. We might have to make some adjustments this week.

Week 13 start/sits

Quarterback

Start: Russell Wilson vs. Eagles (SNF)

Wilson is not an adjustment we need to make as he is the top quarterback to own in fantasy right now. Even though he draws a difficult matchup against the 10-1 Philadelphia Eagles this week, he is still a guy worth starting because he does everything for the Seattle offense. He has ran for a touchdown in each of the last two weeks as well and it would not surprise me if he did the same this week.

Sit: Cam Newton vs. Saints

Newton has two rushing touchdowns in the last three weeks, but only completed 11 passes in last week’s win over the Jets. Newton is a decent option, but he is not a slam dunk. Wilson is a slam dunk and that’s why he gets the nod over Newton.

Running back

Start: Jordan Howard vs. 49ers, DeMarco Murray vs. Texans

Despite Howard’s off game against the Eagles last week, I have faith that he can return to Pro Bowl form against the Niners. He is currently fourth in the league in rushing and there aren’t many backs better than Howard at this point in the season. We’re keeping the faith with him.

Murray scored a touchdown last week, and despite a rough matchup against the Texans, he can still produce at a high level. If Marcus Mariota could rush for two touchdowns in their last meeting, Murray will find ways to score for us on Sunday.

Sit: Doug Martin vs. Packers, Frank Gore vs. Jaguars, Giovani Bernard vs. Steelers (Monday), Mike Tolbert vs. Patriots

Of these four, the guy I considered starting the most was Martin, and he has the ability to go off against the Packers in a cold-weather game. However, Martin could be losing goal-line carries to Peyton Barber, who had two touchdowns in last week’s game against the Falcons. Martin still gets the bulk of the carries, but is too risky to start at this point in the season.

Wide receiver

Start: DeAndre Hopkins vs. Titans, Marquise Goodwin vs. Bears

We are changing it up a bit this week. Hopkins stays in the lineup as he still miraculously is fifth in the league in receiving with Tom Savage as his quarterback. However, Hilton moves to the bench this week after underperforming and facing a tricky matchup with the Jaguars. Marquise Goodwin takes his place as he has a better matchup against Chicago and has played well as of late. He’s had at least 60 yards in four of his last five games.

Sit: T.Y. Hilton vs. Jaguars, Kenny Stills vs. Broncos, Eric Decker vs. Texans

The one I would start out of these three is Stills, but he is too inconsistent. Two weeks ago, Stills had 180 yards and a pair of touchdowns, but he could not even crack 50 yards last week. Hilton and Decker have the ability to have good games but it is less likely than the starters.

Tight end/flex

Start: Rob Gronkowski vs. Bills, Travis Kelce vs. Jets

Gronk had two TD’s last week and with Martellus Bennett on injured reserve, Gronk might absorb some of his targets. He always has the ability to be one of the best tight ends of the week, so he is a must-start.

Despite a five game losing streak, the Chiefs still target Kelce plenty. In fact, he is 10th in the league in receiving yards through 11 games. All nine people ahead of him are wide receivers, so Kelce is a no-brainer to start at the flex spot.

Sit: Coby Fleener vs. Panthers, Delanie Walker vs. Texans

Walker is more fantasy-relevant than Fleener and he has had 60 yards receiving or more in each of his last five games. However, he’s no Travis Kelce and I cannot take out the league leader in yards for tight ends out of the starting lineup.

Defense

Start: Los Angeles Rams vs. Cardinals

The Rams had a statement victory against Drew Brees and the Saints this past week, and their defense was a large part of it. Holding New Orleans to only 20 points was an achievement. I can’t imagine what this crew will do this week facing Blaine Gabbert and the Cardinals.

Kicker

Start: Matt Prater vs. Ravens

Prater will be busy on Sunday. Baltimore is an excellent defensive team, especially in the red zone. This means that Detroit will likely be kicking field goals left and right on Sunday courtesy of the UCF Knight.

Sit: Brandon McManus vs. Dolphins

McManus was barely on the field during Sunday’s loss against the Raiders and there are no signs that point that he will be there any time soon.

LGBT focus
Marquise Goodwin, San Francisco 49ers

“Katie [Sowers, an openly gay coach for the 49ers] is a baller, 100 percent,” receiver Marquise Goodwin told Bay Area radio station KNBR. “She understands the game. She’s very familiar with the game. She played in a women’s league and it may be a little different, but she definitely has the attitude it takes to be in that room. She brings a great vibe and she understands so I’m happy that she’s on staff.”

Read more on these players’ LGBT views:

Jeremy Brener is a student at the University of Central Florida who writes for Outsports. He can be reached via email ([email protected]) and followed on Twitter.

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