Week 13 is an appropriately unlucky week for fantasy football owners with the fantasy playoffs just around the corner. If you're in need of a win to improve your postseason chances, it won't be easy, as there are some extra challenges in making the right start 'em sit 'em decisions this week.
It's another mega bye week late in the season, going from a full slate in Week 12 to just 13 accessible matchups this week. The Bills, Bears, Giants, Vikings, Ravens, and Raiders are not in action, which means no Josh Allen, Stefon Diggs, Dalton Kincaid, Gabe Davis, James Cook, Justin Fields, D.J. Moore, Saquon Barkley, Jordan Addison, T.J. Hockenson, Lamar Jackson, Zay Flowers, Josh Jacobs, Davante Adams and Jakobi Meyers, among others.
Across all positions, that's left thinning options, especially when considering the late injury attrition, too. We're also trying to figure out whether Tee Higgins, Dallas Goedert, De'Von Achane, and Aaron Jones will be in the healthy player pool.
Sporting News' Vinnie Iyer is here to help again with his combination of rankings, recommendations, information, and insight to help you make the right calls with the Week 13 "Decider."
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Fantasy Football Week 13 Start 'Em: Quarterbacks
Must starts
- Jalen Hurts, Eagles (vs. SF)
- Dak Prescott, Cowboys (vs. SEA)
- Brock Purdy, 49ers (at PHI)
- Tua Tagovailoa, Dolphins (at NYJ)
- Patrick Mahomes, Chiefs (at GB)
- C.J. Stroud, Texans (vs. DEN)
Stronger starts
7. Trevor Lawrence, Jaguars (vs. CIN). He is getting it done again with all of his weapons healthy, and there's nothing scary about this home matchup.
8. Russell Wilson, Broncos (at HOU). Wilson should go back to putting up fine digits working opposite C.J. Stroud by using the middle of the field.
9. Justin Herbert, Chargers (at NE). He's been a big disappointment of late in tougher spots, but there's hope here vs. a fading defense.
10. Sam Howell, Commanders (vs. MIA). He's hard to trust with his volatility, but the volume will be massive again opposite Tua Tagovailoa.
11. Kyler Murray, Cardinals (at PIT). Murray should run around to another fine performance on the road.
12. Jordan Love, Packers (vs. KC). The matchup on paper is not good, but he's playing well with his weapons. He'll get good volume at home vs. Patrick Mahomes.
13. Baker Mayfield, Buccaneers (vs. CAR). Mayfield comes up with the reliable 250 yards and two TDs again in an exploitable spot at home.
14. Kenny Pickett, Steelers (vs. ARI). Pickett will get his second two-TD game of the season while spreading the ball around in Pittsburgh's new offense.
DFS picks
Brock Purdy, 49ers (at PHI, $6,100 DraftKings, $7,800 FanDuel). Purdy was underwhelming in Seattle, throwing a pick-six while San Francisco racked up three rushing TDs. He salvaged his day a little with a late TD, but this week, his volume should be high opposite Jalen Hurts and the Eagles, making him great for either cash games or tournaments.
Tim Boyle, Jets (vs. ATL, $4,800 DraftKings, $6,300 FanDuel). Boyle is the cheap contrarian play, as this is a winnable game at home with some promising matchups for his key weapons. You can try to sneak away with 3X return here, and here's hoping he works out better than his counterpart, Desmond Ridder, did in Week 12.
WEEK 13 PPR RANKINGS:
QBs | RBs | WRs | TEs | D/STs | Kickers
Fantasy Football Week 13 Sit 'Em: Quarterbacks
Weaker starts
15. Derek Carr, Saints (vs. DET). Carr is always shaky, so do it at your own risk. Just don't forget about New Orleans' banged-up WRs (Rashid Shaheed).
16. Gardner Minshew, Colts (at TEN). The idea isn't bad, but the execution won't be there in what will be a physical divisional game of attrition.
17. Jared Goff, Lions (at NO). Goff isn't playing well in reality, and he doesn't deliver the same way on the road against average-or-better pass defenses.
18. Will Levis, Titans (vs. IND). The Colts' defense keeps improving, especially against the pass.
19. Bryce Young, Panthers (at TB). The matchup and play-calling change make Young tempting, but you can't go here on the road.
20. Bailey Zappe, Patriots (vs. LAC). The numbers say you could stream him if he starts over Mac Jones, but the execution says "no."
21. Geno Smith, Seahawks (at DAL). You can't really go here vs. Dallas' defense.
22. Matthew Stafford, Rams (vs. CLE). Stafford was great last week, but this matchup stinks.
WEEK 13 FANTASY ADVICE: Sleepers | Busts | Projections
Fantasy Football Week 13 Start 'Em: Running backs
Must starts
- Christian McCaffrey, 49ers (at PHI)
- Travis Etienne, Jaguars (vs. CIN)
- Rachaad White, Buccaneers (vs. CAR)
- Derrick Henry, Titans (vs. IND)
- Tony Pollard, Cowboys (vs. SEA)
- Rhamondre Stevenson, Patriots (vs. LAC)
- Bijan Robinson, Falcons (at NYJ)
- Zack Moss Colts (at TEN)
- Kyren Williams, Rams (vs. CLE)
- Alvin Kamara, Saints (vs. DET)
- Raheem Mostert, Dolphins (at WAS)
- David Montgomery, Lions (at NO)
- Jahmyr Gibbs, Lions (at NO)
- Breece Hall, Jets (vs. ATL)
- Isiah Pacheco, Chiefs (at GB)
- Austin Ekeler, Chargers (at NE)
- D'Andre Swift, Eagles (vs. SF)
Stronger starts
18. Jaylen Warren, Steelers (vs. ARI). Warren rebounds big time here against an awful all-around run defense.
19. Devin Singletary, Texans (vs. DEN). He'll rebound with the key volume in a great spot again at home.
20. James Conner, Cardinals (at PIT). He also bounces back running hard in a revenge game against his former team back near his college stomping grounds.
21. Najee Harris, Steelers (vs. ARI). He gets it done again after his strong game vs. the Bengals.
22 Javonte Williams, Broncos (AT HOU). He'll be most effective as a short-area receiver this week.
23. AJ Dillon, Packers (vs. KC). The Chiefs struggle with bigger, stronger power backs, and Dillon fits the bill.
DFS Picks
Zack Moss, Colts (at TEN, $4,600 DraftKings, $5,600 FanDuel). Moss has a good chance to be featured again with Jonathan Taylor (thumb) hurting. It would be chalky for the cheapness in that case, but you need to take it, especially in cash games.
Bijan Robinson, Falcons (at NJY, $6,700 DraftKings, $8,100 FanDuel). He's finally been unlocked, and Atlanta's best chance to beat the Jets is feeding him often as a runner and receiver to take advantage of his speed, quickness, and finishing burst in the red zone.
WEEK 13 STANDARD RANKINGS:
QBs | RBs | WRs | TEs | D/STs | Kickers
Fantasy Football Week 13 Sit 'Em: Running backs
Weaker starts
24. Joe Mixon, Bengals (at JAX). You probably need to play him, but lower your expectations in a tough matchup in a limited offense.
25. Brian Robinson Jr., Commanders (vs. MIA). This could be more of a sneaky Antonio Gibson game for deeper leaguers.
26. Chuba Hubbard, Panthers (at TB). Despite the production last week, nope.
27. Zach Charbonnet, Seahawks (at DAL). There was evidence he can't get it done in tougher matchups last week.
28-29. Jerome Ford and Kareem Hunt, Browns (at LAR). The Rams' run defense has tightened up, so this shaky split with shakier QB seems like an easy "sit."
Fantasy Football Week 13 Start 'Em: Wide receivers
Must starts
- Tyreek Hill, Dolphins (at WAS)
- A.J. Brown, Eagles (vs. SF)
- CeeDee Lamb, Cowboys (vs. SEA)
- Keenan Allen, Chargers (at NE)
- Amon-Ra St. Brown, Lions (vs. GB)
- Michael Pittman Jr, Colts (at TEN)
- Mike Evans, Buccaneers (vs. CAR) B
- Brandon Aiyuk, 49ers (at PHI)
- DeVonta Smith, Eagles (vs. SF)
- Tank Dell, Texans (vs. DEN)
- Deebo Samuel, 49ers (at PHI)
- Ja'Marr Chase, Bengals (at JAX)
- Jaylen Waddle, Dolphins (at WAS)
- Christian Kirk, Jaguars (vs. CIN)
- Calvin Ridley, Jaguars (vs. CIN)
- Adam Thielen, Panthers (at TB)
- Chris Olave, Saints (if he plays, vs. DET)
- Garrett Wilson, Jets (vs. ATL)
- DK Metcalf, Seahawks (at DAL)
- Tyler Lockett, Seahawks (at DAL)
- Courtland Sutton, Broncos (at HOU)
- Puka Nacua, Rams (vs. CLE)
- Terry McLaurin, Commanders (vs. MIA)
- DeAndre Hopkins, Titans (vs. IND)
- Nico Collins, Texans (vs. DEN)
Stronger starts
26. Rashee Rice, Chiefs (at GB). Rice is locked in as Kansas City's most trusted wideout now, and the Packers can give it up in the slot.
27. Jayden Reed, Packers (vs. KC). The Chiefs struggle with some versatile slots, and the rookie comes through again for Jordan Love.
28. George Pickens, Steelers (at ARI). Here's feeling a long Pickett-to-Pickens TD against a secondary that can't keep up with him.
29. Jerry Jeudy, Broncos (at HOU). The Texans are better outside in coverage than in the slot, so watch him be unlocked for Russell Wilson.
30. Curtis Samuel, Commanders (vs. MIA). He's locked in now as a middle-of-the-field dynamo and will be busy again inside.
31. Marquise Brown, Cardinals (at PIT). The Joey Porter Jr. matchup seems rough, but Arizona needs Brown and can move him around.
32. Jonathan Mingo, Panthers (at TB). Mingo is getting more run at the right time before facing a weak secondary.
DFS picks
Jaylen Waddle, Dolphins (at WAS, $7,600 DraftKings, $7,800 FanDuel). Waddle was faded last week and the reverse jinx worked, as he went off against the Jets. This favorable matchup will keep him red hot.
Brandon Aiyuk, 49ers (at PHI, $7,200 DraftKings, $8,000 FanDuel). Aiyuk is on fire again making big plays, and he can smoke the Eagles' secondary with his speed, quickness, and downfield route running. Around 100 yards and a score seems like the floor.
Michael Pittman Jr. Colts (at TEN, $7,100 DraftKings, $7,900 FanDuel). Pittman is crushing it for Gardner Minshew and should be busy again vs. a team he has great historic numbers against.
Fantasy Football Week 13 Sit 'Em: Wide receivers
Weaker starts
33. Diontae Johnson, Steelers (vs. ARI). Johnson is more of a whiny wheel and can be forgotten with more love for Patty F and Pickens.
34. Christian Watson, Packers (vs. KC). The Chiefs can contain his big-play ability with their pass rush and outside corners.
35. Cooper Kupp, Rams (vs. CLE). He's playing hurt and not inspiring at all in a brutal spot.
36. Amari Cooper, Browns (at LAR). He's nursing a rib injury, and the passing game is going away from him.
37. Chris Godwin, Buccaneers (vs. CAR). He seemed off outside again, and it's hard to trust him in this matchup.
38. Brandin Cooks, Cowboys (vs. SEA). The Seahawks' corners are rough on big-play wideouts, so it's a CeeDee Lamb game.
39. Drake London, Falcons (at NYJ). Not against these corners with Ridder on the road.
40. Josh Downs, Colts (at TEN). He had the targets last week, but he's hard to trust connecting with Gardner Minshew.
41. Romeo Doubs, Packers (vs. KC). He's in the same boat as Christian Watson.
42. Jahan Dotson, Commanders (vs. MIA). Not with Jalen Ramsey waiting for him.
Fantasy Football Week 13 Start 'Em: Tight ends
Must starts
- Travis Kelce, Chiefs (at GB)
- George Kittle, 49ers (at PHI)
- Sam LaPorta, Lions (at NO)
- David Njoku, Browns (at LAR)
- Trey McBride, Cardinals (at PIT)
Stronger starts
6. Jake Ferguson, Cowboys (vs. SEA). They'll need him again with the tough corner matchup outside (see Brandin Cooks).
7. Pat Freiermuth, Steelers (vs. ARI). The 'Muth hurts the Cardinals for a TD to build on his massive Week 12 vs. the Bengals.
8. Juwan Johnson, Saints (vs. DET). The matchup and wide receiver injuries add up to a 6-60-1 line.
9. Taysom Hill, Saints (vs. DET). Just play him even when another tight end does something.
10. Evan Engram, Jaguars (vs. CIN). He gets revved up for his best game (and maybe a TD!)
11. Tyler Conklin, Jets (vs. ATL). The matchup is great for his volume behind Garrett Wilson to pay off for Tim Boyle.
DFS pick
Juwan Johnson, Saints (vs. DET, $3,400 DraftKings, $4,900 FanDuel). The Saints will be throwing a ton and might be shorthanded at wide receiver in at least two spots. Johnson is a hybrid at the position, and the Lions give it up in the red zone to tight ends, too.
Fantasy Football Week 13 Sit 'Em: Tight ends
Weaker starts
12. Logan Thomas, Commanders (at MIA). The idea isn't bad, but the wide receivers are starting to take over again.
13. Kyle Pitts, Falcons (at NYJ). The idea isn't bad, but the usage is.
14. Cade Otton, Buccaneers (vs. CAR). He is mostly zero or hero from week to week.
15. Chigoziem Okonkwo, Titans (vs. IND). It was nice to see him get more work last week, but no.
16. Tanner Hudson, Bengals (vs. JAX). Not with Drew Sample getting red-zone looks.
17. Hunter Henry, Patriots (vs. LAC). You can't play a zero guy from last week even in a decent revenge-game matchup.
Fantasy Football Week 13 Start 'Em: Defenses
Stronger starts
- Cowboys (vs. SEA)
- Dolphins (at WAS)
- Rams (vs. CLE)
- Browns (at LAR)
- Steelers (vs. ARI)
- Buccaneers (vs. CAR)
7. Jaguars (vs. CIN). They get the prime-time emotional bump vs. no Joe Burrow.
8. Jets (vs. ATL). The Jets can rip into Desmond Ridder on the road.
9. Falcons (vs. NYJ). This is the cheat code vs. Tim Boyle's mistakes.
10. Chargers (at NE). They played much better last week and can carry it over this week.
11. Titans (vs. IND). They should be in for some big plays vs. Gardner Minshew.
12. Colts (at TEN). They should be in for some big plays vs. Will Levis.
13. Lions (at NO). Detroit should get some dents vs. Derek Carr.
DFS pick
Rams (vs. CLE, $3,700 DraftKings, $3,700 FanDuel). Aaron Donald got rejuvenated in Arizona last week and should be pumped for whoever the Browns start at QB at home.
Fantasy Football Week 13 Sit 'Em: Defenses
Weaker starts
14. Chiefs (at GB). It's risky on the road in prime time vs. a hot offense.
15. 49ers (at PHI). Not in this high-scoring affair.
16. Broncos (at HOU). Not against C.J. Stroud.
17. Eagles (vs. SF). Not in this high-scoring affair.
18. Saints (vs. DET). Not against this offense.
Get more of Vinnie Iyer's weekly analysis by listening or watching the daily Locked On Fantasy Football podcast.
