By Andrew Doherty
Whether you’re battling for a higher seed or ready to make the final playoff push, Week 13 is a crucial one for fantasy players. Each start/sit decision becomes more vital but luckily for you, I’ve gone through all the matchups for this weekend to help make some of your less obvious start/sit decisions a little easier. As always, I’ll remind you to start your studs regardless of matchup. Here’s what I have for you this week:
NFL Week 13 Fantasy Start/Sit Advice
Quarterbacks to start
Trevor Lawrence
Lawrence gets a salivating matchup against the lowly Lions defense and honestly, do you need any further analysis than that? Probably not, but I’ll give you a little anyways. This game has the second highest projected total of the week at 51, and the Lions are allowing more fantasy points to quarterbacks on a per game basis than any other team in the league.
Quarterback to sit
Tom Brady
The Saints have simply had Brady’s number since he joined the Buccaneers. In his 5 regular season games against New Orleans since 2020, Brady has actually thrown more interceptions than touchdowns. Brady has averaged only 12.4 fantasy points per game in the regular season and has been held to single digits in 3 of their last 4 meetings.
Running backs to start
Rachaad White
Despite the likely return of Leonard Fournette this week, White has earned himself a bigger role in his absence. Clearly the more explosive option in the Tampa Bay backfield, White projects to see plenty of work in the passing game against a Saints defense that has given Tom Brady and his wide receivers plenty of trouble the last few times they’ve met.
Dameon Pierce
Saying he’s been disappointing the past two weeks might be an understatement but this matchup is simply too good to pass up. The Browns defense ranks dead last in defensive rush EPA, making this a perfect get-right spot for Pierce.
Running backs to sit
Jamaal Williams
Despite putting up a ton of fantasy points this year, a closer look shows Williams has actually been mostly TD-dependent. With D’Andre Swift finally healthy and off the injury report, Williams is likely to be a dud if he doesn’t find the endzone. Considering that the Jaguars have only allowed 1 rushing touchdown over their last 3 games, betting on Williams to score isn’t a bet I’m willing to make this week.
Miles Sanders
Tennessee has been a brutal matchup for every running back they’ve faced this year, allowing only 2 rushing touchdowns on the season. They’ve also held opposing backs to under 3 yards per carry over their last 4 games. Given the capped upside due to Jalen Hurts rushing ability and the matchup, I’m staying far away from Sanders this week.
Wide receivers to start
George Pickens
Pickens has seen his role in the Steelers offense increase since their bye week. The Falcons rank 30th in defensive pass DVOA against number two wide receivers and have allowed the 6th most yards to wide receivers this season.
Christian Kirk
Kirk is one of my favorite plays for this week. The Lions rank 3rd worst in fantasy points allowed per game to opposing receivers at 32.7 and have yet to slow down an opponent’s number one receiver this year. As I mentioned earlier, this game has the second-highest projected point total of the week so Kirk will have plenty of opportunities to rack up fantasy points.
Wide receiver to sit
Treylon Burks
Despite being in the midst of a breakout, Burks will likely disappoint fantasy owners who start him this weekend. I’m a big believer in Burks’ talent going forward but between being in a low-volume passing offense and likely seeing a heavy dose of coverage from Darius Slay, it’s a less-than-favorable matchup for Burks.
Tight end to start
Dalton Schultz
Shultz is averaging 6 targets per game since returning from injury in Week 7 and has averaged 13 fantasy points per game when Dak Prescott is under center. This week he gets an enticing matchup against the Colts defense that ranks 28th in defensive pass DVOA against tight ends.
Tight end to sit
Greg Dulcich
Despite getting off to a hot start after coming off IR, Dulcich has been held to 30 or fewer yards in 3 straight games. As the 3rd option in arguably the leagues worst offense, Dulcich simply can’t be trusted against a Ravens defense that ranks in the top 10 in both yards and receptions allowed to tight ends.
