Players to start or sit for fantasy football for the rest of Week 13
Week 13 kicked off on Thanksgiving with a trio of games, starting with a wild finish between the Bears and Lions before the Cowboys beat the Giants and Green Bay beat Miami. Black Friday, a new tradition for the NFL, saw the Kansas City Chiefs hold on against Las Vegas and clinch a playoff berth.
There’s still a full slate of games on Sunday. If you’re stuck on fantasy football lineup choices heading into the day, we’ve got you covered. Here are our start and sit recommendations for every position in your lineup:
Fantasy football start ’em, sit ’em Week 13: QBs
START: C.J. Stroud, Houston Texans (at Jacksonville Jaguars)
Stroud has been inconsistent during the 2024 NFL season, but he gets a great matchup in Week 13 against a Jaguars defense that has allowed the most fantasy points per game to quarterbacks this year. Jacksonville has surrendered 23 passing touchdowns to the position, second-most in the NFL behind only Houston itself, and Stroud threw for 345 yards and two scores in the first matchup against the Jaguars this season.
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Stroud has also generally been better when Nico Collins has been healthy, so as long as his No. 1 target remains available, the Texans starter should be a threat to log multiple touchdowns.
START: Anthony Richardson, Indianapolis Colts (at New England Patriots)
Richardson has been much sharper as a passer in his two starts since he returned to the Colts’ lineup. He has a great-looking matchup in Week 13 against a Patriots defense that has surrendered four passing touchdowns to opposing quarterbacks in back-to-back weeks.
Richardson may not have the same level of consistency as Matthew Stafford and Tua Tagovailoa, but his explosive playmaking ability could allow him to get a couple of long scores against the Patriots. His rushing ability only raises his floor, so that makes him a safe play with a high ceiling in Week 13.
START: Baker Mayfield, Tampa Bay Buccaneers (at Carolina Panthers)
The Panthers are one of five NFL teams to have allowed at least 21 passing touchdowns to opposing quarterbacks during the 2024 season. Mayfield hasn’t yet had a chance to play Carolina this year, but he has logged multiple touchdown passes in seven of his 11 starts in Liam Coen’s offense.
Mayfield is also averaging 20.1 rushing yards per game and has three touchdowns on the ground this season. The Panthers have allowed the 11th-most rushing attempts to quarterbacks this season (55), so this seems like an all-around strong matchup for Mayfield, who could post numbers similar to the ones Patrick Mahomes generated in Week 12 (269 passing yards, 60 rushing yards, three total touchdowns).
START: Matthew Stafford, Los Angeles Rams (at New Orleans Saints)
Since Cooper Kupp and Puka Nacua both returned to the Rams’ lineup in Week 8 against the Minnesota Vikings, Stafford has averaged 281.6 passing yards and 2.4 touchdowns per game. He has accounted for multiple touchdowns in four of those five games and figures to challenge a New Orleans secondary that allowed 377 yards and two touchdowns to Jameis Winston in its last game.
SIT: Brock Purdy, San Francisco 49ers (at Buffalo Bills)
This does not seem like a good spot in which to back Purdy. Sure, the Bills have allowed seven passing touchdowns to quarterbacks over their last three games, but if Purdy plays, he’ll be coming off a shoulder injury that sidelined him last week and potentially playing behind a banged-up 49ers offensive line that badly missed Trent Williams last week.
The Bills have allowed the eighth-fewest fantasy points per game to quarterbacks this season and will be well-rested coming off their Week 12 bye. As such, it’s probably best to pivot off Purdy in this spot if you have another quality quarterback option.
SIT: Geno Smith, Seattle Seahawks (at New York Jets)
Smith has generally played well and passed the eye test during the 2024 NFL season, but it hasn’t translated to tangible fantasy production. He leads the NFL in passing yards with 3,035 but also has thrown a league-leading 12 interceptions compared to just 12 touchdowns.
In Week 13, Smith is facing a Jets team that has allowed just eight passing touchdowns to quarterbacks this season. Given that Smith has thrown more than one touchdown in just two of his starts this year, it’s probably best to leave him on the bench this week.
Fantasy football start ’em, sit ’em Week 13: RBs
START: Bucky Irving, Tampa Bay Buccaneers (at Carolina Panthers)
Irving was a start last week and rewarded managers with 87 rushing yards and 64 receiving yards, both season-highs. He also scored his fifth touchdown of the season. This week, he faces one of the worst rush defenses in the league in NFC South foe Carolina.
The Panthers are last in the league in rushing yards allowed per game at 160.5, and things have been even worse recently. Over their last three games, Carolina’s allowed 175 total yards per game to opposing running backs but just one touchdown. Irving should at least pile up yards even if he doesn’t find the end zone. If he does, he should be an even better play this week.
START: Kyren Williams, Los Angeles Rams (at New Orleans Saints)
Williams broke his scoring drought last week against the Eagles on 16 carries for 72 yards. That was his best stat line since Week 8 against the Vikings. Williams could have another solid game this week in a game against the Saints’ defense.
New Orleans has allowed the fifth-most fantasy points to running backs this season. They are returning from their bye this week but the Saints have given up 13 touchdowns to running backs this season. Los Angeles could be getting tackle Rob Havenstein back this week, bringing welcome stability to the offensive line. Williams should have a good outing again.
START: Rhamondre Stevenson, New England Patriots (vs. Indianapolis Colts)
Stevenson had a rough day against Miami in Week 12. He had a team-high eight carries but had a season-low 13 yards on those attempts. Luckily, he’s facing the Colts this week. Indianapolis was gashed by the Lions’ running game last week for 178 yards and three touchdowns. Against their previous four opponents, the Colts allowed 131 total yards per game and four total touchdowns, so it isn’t just a Lions thing. Stevenson should have a much better week against the Colts than in Week 12 against the Dolphins.
START: Tony Pollard, Tennessee Titans (at Washington Commanders)
Pollard was a sit last week and played like he took it personally. The Titans’ lead back finished the day as just the third running back to surpass 100 yards rushing against the Texans this season. He had 27 touches for 129 total yards and a touchdown. It was his best performance of the season.
He could keep that going this week against the Commanders, a familiar foe from his time in Dallas. Washington’s allowed nearly 175 total yards per game and three total touchdowns to opposing running backs over their last three games. The Titans’ running game isn’t one of the best in the league but if they can make hay against Houston, Washington shouldn’t be too tough of an opponent.
SIT: Javonte Williams, Denver Broncos (vs. Cleveland Browns)
Well, Williams was a start last week and disappointed. The Broncos managed just 63 rushing yards as a team, no thanks to Williams. He had a team-high eight carries for -2 yards (not a typo) along with two catches for six yards. Against an average Raiders run defense, this was disappointing. Rookie Audric Estime was far more effective (seven carries for 44 yards).
This week, Williams and the Broncos host the Browns. Cleveland has allowed just 109 total yards per game to opposing running back groups this season. They’re technically 24th in rushing yards per game allowed but that’s inflated due to multiple games against dual-threat quarterbacks. Cleveland has yet to allow an 100-yard rusher this season. If Williams can’t get it going against Las Vegas, Cleveland’s far from a bounce-back opponent.
SIT: Nick Chubb, Cleveland Browns (at Denver Broncos)
Chubb was a sit last week and, like Pollard, proved us wrong. He had just 59 yards on 20 carries but scored two touchdowns for the first time this season. It’ll likely be tough to replicate that against an improving Broncos defense. Denver is sixth in rushing defense this season and has allowed just two rushing touchdowns in their last six games. Derrick Henry is the only running back to eclipse 60 yards against the Broncos in that span. Chubb proved us wrong against the Steelers on a short week at home but the Broncos on ‘Monday Night Football’ on the road could be a tougher task.
SIT: Brian Robinson Jr., Washington Commanders (vs. Tennessee Titans)
Robinson Jr. was injured on the first play from scrimmage against Dallas last week and finished the day with just five carries for 13 yards, his lowest total of the season. Even if he’s good to go despite the ankle injury, Robinson Jr. is facing a tough opponent this week. The Titans have allowed just 75 total yards per game to opposing running back groups over their last four games. They have allowed four touchdowns in that span which helps his case but Robinson Jr. is not looking like a good pick this week.
SIT: Breece Hall or Braelon Allen, New York Jets (vs. Seattle Seahawks)
Breece Hall’s on the injury report this week and missed action on Wednesday. If he’s not able to go or limited, it could be tempting to go with Allen as an injury fill-in. But Seattle’s run defense has turned things around over the last three games. The Seahawks have allowed 102 total yards to opposing running backs per game and zero touchdowns over that span. Things seem to be clicking under Mike Macdonald and that could spell trouble for the Jets’ running game.
Fantasy football start ’em, sit ’em Week 13: WRs
START: Tank Dell, Houston Texans (at Jacksonville Jaguars)
Dell’s role has gone back down in the weeks since Nico Collins’ return from his hamstring injury, but the second-year wideout is still the No. 2 option in the Texans’ passing offense. This week, the Texans take on the Jaguars, featuring a defense that not only ranks 32nd in the NFL in dropback EPA (0.405) and dropback success rate (59.0%) over the last four weeks, but also is 30th in fantasy points allowed to wide receivers in that span.
Collins will continue to eat, but he’s already a weekly must-start. Dell should be slated for a big week as well against Jacksonville.
START: Ladd McConkey, Los Angeles Chargers (at Atlanta Falcons)
Another week, another McConkey appearance as a ‘start ’em’ receiver.
The rookie wide receiver is the No. 15 receiver in all of fantasy football this year, but he’s still rostered in under 90% of leagues and starting in even fewer leagues. This week, he gets a matchup with Atlanta’s defense, the unit that has averaged the most fantasy points allowed to wide receivers over the last four weeks, including six touchdowns (tied for second-most).
With Quentin Johnston’s drop issues rearing their ugly head in Week 12, quarterback Justin Herbert may be relying even more heavily on McConkey. He’s an easy ‘start’ for Week 13.
START: George Pickens, Pittsburgh Steelers (at Cincinnati Bengals)
A divisional matchup against a team that has had a shaky track record against wide receivers all season is a favorable scenario. Pickens had a subpar outing in Week 12, but that can largely be attributed to the snow factor in Cleveland. It will be cold, but not snowy, in Cincinnati on Sunday.
Quarterback Russell Wilson and the top Steelers receiver have excelled together in their outings since Week 7. That should continue against the Bengals, a team averaging nearly 34 fantasy points per game to receivers this year.
SIT: Jordan Addison, Minnesota Vikings (vs. Arizona Cardinals)
Addison was the No. 1 wide receiver in all of fantasy football last week against the Bears. This week, he faces a much more difficult defense.
Arizona ranks second in the NFL in EPA allowed (-0.158) and first in success rate (35.8%) over the last four weeks. The Cardinals also rank ninth in average fantasy points allowed to receivers in that span. Jaxon Smith-Njigba’s touchdown last week was the first Jonathan Gannon’s squad had allowed to a wide receiver since Week 6.
The fact that Justin Jefferson also struggled to get going last week probably means he’ll see a heftier target share as well, which does not bode well for Addison.
SIT: Khalil Shakir, Buffalo Bills (vs. San Francisco 49ers)
Shakir had a nice stretch of games ahead of the Bills’ Week 12 bye, but he hasn’t found the end zone since Week 3. The 49ers have allowed one touchdown to a wideout in the last four weeks and the fifth-fewest fantasy points per game to receivers in that span.
On top of those challenges, Shakir’s target share may also be diminished if receiver Keon Coleman and tight end Dalton Kincaid both return from their respective injuries in Week 13. Amari Cooper also got another week to rest up and recover from his wrist injury, and each week that passes is another set of chances for the veteran to get more involved.
Fantasy football start ’em, sit ’em Week 13: TEs
START: Hunter Henry, New England Patriots (vs. Indianapolis Colts)
For the third consecutive week, Hunter Henry is a start candidate. The New England Patriots will meet the Colts at home in Week 13. The veteran tight end has been a solid streaming option this season and a yo-yo start/sit each week. Patriots No. 3 overall pick Drake Maye continues to improve each week, and as a result, fantasy managers have been able to trust Henry to produce.
Henry is New England’s leading receiver and has run the most routes for the team this season. Gus Bradley’s defense is always vulnerable in the middle, shallow areas of the field. Indy has allowed the eighth-most fantasy points per game to tight ends. They have allowed the fourth-most receptions per game to tight ends.
START: Pat Freiermuth, Pittsburgh Steelers (vs. Cincinnati Bengals)
The Steelers travel to Cincinnati to play the Bengals in Week 13 on Sunday. Pittsburgh is eager to bounce back after their tough ‘Thursday Night Football’ loss in Week 12 in the snow against the Browns. Since Russell Wilson took over under center, Freiermuth has posted two top 15 weeks and two outside the top 30. This week, he’s in a good spot to finish inside the top 10 against the Bengals, who have allowed the second-most fantasy points per game to opposing tight ends.
Last season in Cincy, the Steelers tight end finished as the top tight end after a career-best nine receptions and a 120-yard performance. The Bengals have allowed a touchdown to tight end in three consecutive games. ‘Muth’ chants will echo throughout Paycor Stadium on Sunday.
SIT: Dalton Kincaid, Buffalo Bills (vs. San Francisco 49ers)
The Bills’ second-year tight end hasn’t delivered the elite production fantasy owners who drafted him were hoping for in 2024. He has finished as a top-ten tight end twice in the first 10 games of the season. Buffalo hosts San Francisco in Week 13, and the matchup isn’t appealing. The Niners have allowed the fifth-fewest fantasy points to tight ends. Kincaid is coming off a knee injury and missed the Bills’ Week 10 matchup before the bye, so don’t expect a full workload in his first game back.
Keon Coleman could also return, Khalil Shakir is a steady target option, and the acquisition of Amari Cooper has pushed Kincaid down the totem pole as a receiving option for Josh Allen. He is approaching touchdown dependency. The Niners’ defense has held opposing tight ends in check. With linebacker Fred Warner patrolling the the field, tight ends typically struggle against San Francisco. Last week, Kraft was held to just two receptions for 26 yards, although he did find the end zone. With so many mouths to feed in Buffalo, you can’t count on Kincaid.
Fantasy football start ’em, sit ’em Week 13: Ks
START: Wil Lutz, Denver Broncos (vs. Cleveland Browns)
Sean Payton has the Broncos playing at a high level and seemingly improving each week after their 29-19 win over the Las Vegas Raiders. Denver has scored at least 28 points in each of its last five wins and is capable of putting together offensive outbursts when it isn’t facing top-tier teams like the Baltimore Ravens or Kansas City Chiefs.
The Browns have a good enough defense that they should be able to slow down Bo Nix and Co., so that could create extra opportunities for Lutz, who kicked five field goals against the Raiders. Add in that Denver is playing at home in the high altitude and this looks like a favorable spot to trust Lutz.
START: Zane Gonzalez, Washington Commanders (at Tennessee Titans)
The Commanders placed their top kicker Austin Seibert on IR because of an undisclosed injury after he missed three total kicks (one field goal, two extra points) against the Cowboys. Gonzalez will now take over for Seibert and should be positioned for success in a high-volume offense.
Washington still ranks second in the NFL in field goal attempts per game (2.9) this season, so Gonzalez will have plenty of opportunities. He has made all seven of his kicks this season (three field goals, four extra points) so he can be expected to post solid marks against the Titans in Week 13.
START: Nick Folk, Tennessee Titans (at Washington Commanders)
Folk is fresh off an outing during which he made three field goals from 50-plus yards and has attempted at least two field goals in each of his last four games. His combination of volume and accuracy (94.4% on field goals this season) make him a solid streaming option, especially since Washington is allowing an average of 2.7 field goal attempts over its last three games (tied for fifth-most in the NFL).
SIT: Chad Ryland, Arizona Cardinals (at Minnesota Vikings)
Ryland has been a surprisingly consistent kicking option for the Cardinals, but this spot simply doesn’t suit him well. He missed just his second field goal attempt of the season at the end of Arizona’s 16-6 loss to the Seattle Seahawks last week and is now facing a Vikings defense that allows a league-low 1.5 field goal attempts per game.
SIT: Jake Moody, San Francisco 49ers (at Buffalo Bills)
The 49ers are tied for third in the NFL in field goal attempts per game this season (2.7) but Moody has only been asked to kick once in each of his last two games. He may be similarly limited against a Buffalo squad that is allowing just 1.5 field goal attempts per game this season.
And if Brock Purdy isn’t 100% for the Sunday night game or doesn’t play, that could further limit Moody’s opportunities to kick in what could be cold, windy conditions.
Fantasy football start ’em, sit ’em Week 13: D/STs
START: Minnesota Vikings (vs. Arizona Cardinals)
At this point in the weekend, it’s officially the holiday shopping season. That means that the masses are out for the hot gift of 2024. The Vikings are that trendy team this year, defying expectations and becoming a hot commodity. It wasn’t that long ago that people projected Minnesota to be in the running for a top draft pick. Now they own the top fantasy defense and get a matchup against the streaky Cardinals.
We’ve seen the best of Kyler Murray this season, but Week 12 brought us some of the worst as well. Murray notoriously struggles in November and December, winning just .344 of games in those months. With a blitz heavy defense, we’d expect the Arizona quarterback to use his legs more often, but he hasn’t been looking to do that lately either. Murray’s turnover potential makes starting the Vikings’ defense a no-brainer.
START: Houston Texans (at Jacksonville Jaguars)
The Jaguars are an offense worth targeting, as they march toward the No. 1 pick in the draft once again. It doesn’t matter if it’s Trevor Lawrence or Mac Jones, Jacksonville is a disaster. They’ve scored a combined 13 points over the last two games and that won’t inspire much confidence in their ability to turn it around. Doug Pederson is essentially in a lame duck role as head coach, with a team that appears to have quit.
The Texans are coming off a disappointing loss to the Titans, so expect Houston to try and make a statement on Sunday. With three consecutive double digit fantasy performances, the Texans are primed for another great day at the office.
SIT: Pittsburgh Steelers (at Cincinnati Bengals)
Another week, another division matchup for the Steelers. This time it comes against the Bengals, who are on fire offensively. Cincinnati sits at just 4-7, with a ton of work to do if they want to reach the postseason. Entering Week 12, they became the only team to put up more than 20 points against the Chargers. They put up at least 34 points in the two games before their Sunday night contest in L.A. Now fresh off a bye week, the Bengals will need some magic. While the Steelers remain a solid fantasy defense, don’t tempt the fates against this Cincinnati unit.
SIT: Philadelphia Eagles (at Baltimore Ravens)
Much like their Pennsylvania neighbors, the Eagles also possess a very good fantasy defense. Since their Week 5 bye, Philly has completely turned its season around. However, it’s not like they’ve played the best offenses the league has to offer in that span. The Ravens are hoping to keep pace in the AFC North, eager to pounce if the Steelers slip up. Baltimore is averaging the second-most points per game, behind only the Lions. This will be the Eagles’ biggest test yet. They should be on your bench as we wait to see whether they pass or fail.
SIT: San Francisco 49ers (at Buffalo Bills)
The 49ers are getting by this season on name recognition. At 5-6, they have an uphill battle to make the playoffs and are going to do without some of their big stars on defense. Injuries to players like Nick Bosa are starting to take a toll, with no help coming through that door. A cross-country trip to Buffalo won’t make life any easier. At full strength, the 49ers probably would have been taking a seat this week from a fantasy perspective. Now there’s no argument to even take them off the bench.