The game of the week for Week 13 will be the Chiefs at Bengals, and I'm excited for this matchup. It will hopefully have plenty of points and Fantasy production from two of the best offenses in the NFL. The projected point total is 53.0, according to Caesars Sportsbook, which is fantastic.
For the Chiefs, you know what to do with Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce, and hopefully JuJu Smith-Schuster is back to 100 percent. He missed Wednesday's practice with an illness, but if he's healthy then consider him a borderline starter in the majority of leagues.
Skyy Moore has sleeper appeal in deeper formats, especially if Kadarius Toney (hamstring) remains out, but I'm nervous about Isiah Pacheco, as you'll read below. Keep an eye on Jerick McKinnon (hamstring) also, as he could have some sleeper appeal if this game becomes the aerial attack most expect.
The Bengals are getting Ja'Marr Chase (hip) back for this matchup, and he should be immediately inserted back into your starting lineups. Tee Higgins and Joe Burrow are also must-start options, and hopefully Tyler Boyd and Hayden Hurst can perform at a high level in this contest. As for Joe Mixon (concussion), you start him if he plays, otherwise you pivot to Samaje Perine, who had 18 PPR points in place of Mixon in Week 12 at Tennessee.
It's going to be an exciting Week 13, highlighted by the Chiefs at Bengals. Now, let's see who you should be starting and sitting in your Fantasy lineups as the regular season ends in the majority of leagues in two weeks.
Start of the Week
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Trevor Lawrence grew up a little bit in Week 12 against Baltimore. He needed to lead the Jaguars to a victory in the fourth quarter, and he took Jacksonville on a 10-play, 75-yard drive that ended with a 10-yard touchdown pass to Marvin Jones. Lawrence then connected with Zay Jones for a two-point conversion with 14 seconds left to give Jacksonville a 28-27 victory.
Lawrence finished the game completing 29-of-37 passes for 321 yards and three touchdowns, his first career game with 300-plus passing yards, three-plus passing touchdowns and zero interceptions. He scored 30 Fantasy points, and this was after he had 24 Fantasy points in his previous game at Kansas City.
Lawrence should stay hot in Week 13 at Detroit, and the Lions allow the most Fantasy points to opposing quarterbacks this season. Three quarterbacks in a row have scored at least 26 Fantasy points against Detroit, including Justin Fields, Daniel Jones and Josh Allen.
This game is expected to be a high-scoring affair with a projected point total of 51.5, according to Caesars Sportsbook, and Lawrence should hold up his end of the deal. I love the matchup for Christian Kirk and Zay Jones, and Lawrence has top-five upside (again) this week.
I didn't expect Lawrence to play well in Week 12 against Baltimore, but he proved me wrong. He should deliver another big game in this matchup with the Lions, and he's worth starting in all Fantasy leagues.
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START 'EM & SIT 'EM
Quarterbacks
QBs to Start
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Smith comes into Week 13 with a streak of four games in a row with at least 22 Fantasy points, and he should be facing a depleted Rams defense in this matchup. Aaron Donald is dealing with a high-ankle sprain, and it would be surprising if he played in this meaningless game for Los Angeles. In the Rams past two games against Andy Dalton and Patrick Mahomes, those quarterbacks have combined for 580 passing yards, four touchdowns and one interception for an average of 23.5 Fantasy points. Smith is a solid top-10 Fantasy quarterback this week.
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Prescott's three-game streak of scoring at least 24 Fantasy points came to an end in Week 12 against the Giants when he scored just 18 points. He did have at least 261 passing yards and two touchdowns for the third game in a row, but unfortunately he added two interceptions. The Colts also ended a streak in Week 12 of allowing a quarterback to score at least 21 Fantasy points, which happened in each of their previous two games against Derek Carr and Jalen Hurts. I expect Prescott to get back on track in this matchup, and he's worth using as a top-10 quarterback in all leagues.
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Watson hasn't played football in a meaningful game since Week 17 of the 2020 campaign, and he struggled in the preseason with the Browns. He's also facing a Texans defense that is No. 4 in fewest Fantasy points allowed to opposing quarterbacks, mostly because teams just run on them. The Browns could easily do that here with Nick Chubb and Kareem Hunt, but I would be surprised if Watson doesn't have some big-play chances in his first game against his former team. He's worth using as a low-end starter in Week 13.
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The Chargers and Raiders game has an implied total of 50.5 according to the Caesars Sportsbook, which should mean plenty of points. I expect Carr to hold up his end of the deal after he's scored at least 21 Fantasy points in four games in a row, including the past two against Denver and Seattle on the road with at least 24 points. He has three games in a row against the Chargers with two passing touchdowns, and the Chargers have allowed 61 Fantasy points in the past two games against Patrick Mahomes and Kyler Murray. Carr has top-10 upside in this potential shootout with Justin Herbert.
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Rodgers is expected to start at the Bears despite dealing with a rib injury, and hopefully he continues his usual domination against Chicago. In his past five meetings with the Bears, Rodgers is averaging 244.2 passing yards per game with 17 total touchdowns and no interceptions. In his past two games at Chicago, Rodgers has scored 33 Fantasy points and 26 points, and hopefully he can be in that range again. The Bears just lost standout safety Eddie Jackson (foot), and three of the past five quarterbacks against Chicago have scored at least 29 Fantasy points. As long as Rodgers is fine on Sunday you should start him with confidence in all formats.
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Sleepers (Start/Sit)
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This won't be an easy matchup for Garoppolo, who is dealing with a minor knee injury he sustained in Week 12 against New Orleans. The Dolphins have only allowed one quarterback to score more than 19 Fantasy points in their past five games, which was Justin Fields in Week 9, but the other four quarterbacks over that span were Kenny Pickett, Jared Goff, Jacoby Brissett and Kyle Allen. I like Garoppolo better than all of those guys except Fields, and the 49ers have a lot of weapons to throw at Miami, which should be a problem. Garoppolo has scored at least 20 Fantasy points in five of his past seven games, and he should be considered a low-end starter in all leagues for this home matchup.
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I hope White's performance in Week 12 against the Bears wasn't a fluke because we saw what happened to him last year. In 2021, White started in Week 8 against Cincinnati and scored 32 Fantasy points. He combined for just 11 Fantasy points in his next two starts, although he left one of those games with an injury. After scoring 30 Fantasy points against Chicago last week, White now gets Minnesota on the road, and the Vikings have allowed three quarterbacks in a row to score at least 21 Fantasy points, including Mac Jones with 27 points last week. White is a must-start option in Superflex and two-quarterback leagues, and I would use him in deeper one-quarterback leagues also given the matchup.
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Goff likes playing at home, and he should do well this week against the Jaguars, who have allowed three quarterbacks in a row to score at least 22 Fantasy points. Goff just had 21 Fantasy points in Week 12 against Buffalo and has now scored at least 18 Fantasy points in five of six home games this season. There's the potential of a shootout in Detroit against the Jaguars and Trevor Lawrence, and I expect Goff to perform like a low-end No. 1 quarterback in all leagues. It also should be fun to see what Goff and the Lions do with rookie Jameson Williams now that he's expected to make his NFL debut in Week 13.
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QBs to Sit
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Brady comes into Week 13 having scored at least 20 Fantasy points in consecutive games for just the second time all year. He also has consecutive games with multiple touchdown passes, and he's only done that in three games all season. Brady is facing the Saints this week, and this matchup has been tough on him. He scored 11 Fantasy points at New Orleans in Week 2, and he is averaging just 237.4 passing yards per game in his past five outings with the Saints, along with eight total touchdowns, six interceptions and three fumbles. New Orleans has not allowed a quarterback to score more than 19 Fantasy points in six games in a row, including matchups with Kyler Murray, Derek Carr, Lamar Jackson and Jimmy Garoppolo. Brady is a low-end starter in most leagues in this prime-time matchup.
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Jones was held to 16 Fantasy points in Week 12 at Dallas, but prior to that he had scored at least 21 points in three of his past four outings. I'm expecting another down performance this week against the Commanders, who allow an average of just 18.2 Fantasy points per game to opposing quarterbacks. The Giants will likely try to run the ball and lean on Saquon Barkley with the expected return of right tackle Evan Neal (knee) and center Jon Feliciano (neck). Jones is only worth starting in Superflex and two-quarterback leagues in Week 13.
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Tannehill should have scored at least 17 Fantasy points last week against Cincinnati, but he lost six points when Derrick Henry fumbled on what should have been a touchdown pass. Instead, Tannehill finished with just 11 Fantasy points, which snapped a two-game streak of him scoring 23 points. I'm not expecting him to bounce back this week against the Eagles, who have yet to allow a quarterback to score more than 18 Fantasy points this season. And Philadelphia has more interceptions (15) than passing touchdowns (12) this year. Tannehill is only worth using in Superflex and two-quarterback leagues.
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Wilson is not worth using in Superflex and two-quarterback leagues, even with Jerry Jeudy (ankle) expected to play in Week 13. That's how bad it is for him this season. He heads into Week 13 with his own teammates upset at him, and Wilson should struggle against the Ravens, who have allowed just one quarterback to score more than 19 Fantasy points since Week 4. Wilson was once again awful against the Panthers in Week 12 with nine Fantasy points and has now scored 15 points or less in six games in a row.
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Bust Alert (Start/Sit)
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Cousins was awesome in Week 12 against New England with 27 Fantasy points, which snapped a two-game streak of him scoring 17 points or less. He did it in a prime-time game against a good New England defense, and hopefully he can have similar success against the Jets this week. But I'm skeptical of Cousins being that productive again. The Jets allow an average of just 14.1 Fantasy points per game to opposing quarterbacks, and only Josh Allen in Week 9, Joe Burrow in Week 3 and Lamar Jackson in Week 1 have scored more than 17 Fantasy points against this defense. Cousins is a low-end No. 1 quarterback at best in Week 13.
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START 'EM & SIT 'EM
Running Backs
RBs to Start
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We'll keep an eye on Leonard Fournette (hip) to see if he can return in Week 13, but even if he plays, I still like White as a starter in the majority of leagues. He should remain the lead running back for the Buccaneers, and he played well in Week 12 at Cleveland with 14 carries for 64 yards, along with nine catches for 45 yards on nine targets. Hopefully he keeps his role in the passing game, and that should help him in PPR, even in a tough matchup against the Saints.
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Tony Pollard will likely remain the better running back in Dallas, but Elliott should produce at a high level as well. I like Elliott as a high-end No. 2 running back in all leagues in Week 13. He looked fantastic in Week 12 against the Giants with 16 carries for 92 yards and a touchdown and one catch for 3 yards on three targets. He's now scored a touchdown in four games in a row, with six touchdowns over that span, and the Colts have allowed three touchdowns to running backs in their past three games.
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Edwards returned in Week 12 at Jacksonville from a two-game absence due to a hamstring injury and took over as the lead running back for the Ravens, finishing with 16 carries for 52 yards and a touchdown, along with a fumble. He didn't have a catch, which is always a problem in PPR, but he could have a big game against the Broncos this week. Three of the past four running backs against Denver have run for at least 109 yards, and the combination of D'Onta Foreman and Chuba Hubbard last week had 41 carries for 178 yards. Edwards is a must-start running back in all leagues, with his value higher in non-PPR formats.
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Pierce has been miserable of late with 15 carries for 16 yards, along with five catches for 17 yards on nine targets, in his past two games against Washington and Miami. But he has the chance to rebound this week against the Browns, who are terrible against stopping the run. Cleveland has allowed a running back to score or gain over 100 total yards in three games in a row, with four total touchdowns over that span, and the Browns are No. 2 overall for the season in most Fantasy points allowed to running backs. Prior to Week 11, Pierce had scored at least 11 PPR points in seven games in a row, so hopefully he's back to that level again this week.
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In two games without Khalil Herbert (hip), Montgomery has been a solid Fantasy running back, including Week 12 at the Jets when Justin Fields (shoulder) was also out. Montgomery scored 20 PPR points at Atlanta in Week 11 and 13 PPR points at New York in Week 12, and he should have similar success against the Packers in Week 13. We'll see if Fields can return against Green Bay, but Montgomery gets to face a Packers defense that has allowed six total touchdowns to running backs in the past three games against Dallas, Tennessee and Philadelphia, with Tony Pollard, Derrick Henry and Miles Sanders each scoring at least 21 PPR points.
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Sleepers (Start/Sit)
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It was always going to be a matter of time before Robinson started to take advantage of his touches and have a big game, and that happened in Week 12 against Atlanta. He had 18 carries for 105 yards against the Falcons, adding two catches for 20 yards and a touchdown on three targets, and he scored a season-high 20 PPR points. It's now two games in his past three outings with at least 14 PPR points, and he should have another productive stat line against the Giants in Week 13. A running back has scored or gained over 100 total yards against the Giants in six games in a row, with eight touchdowns over that span, and Robinson is worth using as No. 2 running back in all leagues for this matchup. As for Antonio Gibson, consider him a flex option for this week, especially since he's been dealing with a foot injury in practice.
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Michael Carter (ankle) is doubtful for Week 13 at Minnesota, which means we should see the Jets lean on Knight for a big workload. That means Knight could have the potential to be a No. 2 Fantasy running back in all leagues. Carter was hurt in Week 12 against Chicago, and Knight stepped up with 14 carries for 69 yards, along with three catches for 34 yards on three targets. He played in tandem with Ty Johnson, who also had a productive game against the Bears with five carries for 62 yards and a touchdown, along with one catch for 16 yards on two targets. But Knight has the potential to be the lead running back and also catch passes from Mike White, and the Vikings have allowed four running backs to score at least 17 PPR points in their past three games. I'm excited to see what Knight can do for an encore with Carter out. And Johnson can even be used as a flex option in deeper leagues.
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It's probably risky going back to Dillon in any capacity for Fantasy managers, but I don't mind him as a flex in deeper leagues against the Bears. The matchup is enticing since Chicago has allowed seven running backs to score or gain at least 100 total yards in the past five games, with eight touchdowns over that span. Aaron Jones should be a star for the Packers, but Dillon just had eight carries for 64 yards and a touchdown, along with three catches for 24 yards on four targets, in Week 12 at Philadelphia. Hopefully he can stack two productive games in a row for the first time this season.
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In PPR, Williams might be worth using as a flex option in deeper leagues. Williams played the most snaps for the Rams in Week 12 at Kansas City and finished with 11 carries for 35 yards, along with three catches for 25 yards on three catches. He now has two games with three catches in his past three outings, and he should continue to be heavily involved in the passing game with the Rams likely chasing points in Week 13 against Seattle. The Seahawks are among the league leaders in receptions (65), receiving yards (535) and receiving touchdowns (three) to running backs this year, so Williams' role in the passing game should help him in this matchup. Meanwhile, you can avoid Cam Akers in most leagues since he's not scoring touchdowns or working in the passing game.
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RBs to Sit
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Patterson has run well when given the ball, but he's not being used as the featured back in Atlanta. And in a tough matchup with the Steelers, that makes Patterson someone to sit in the majority of leagues. Patterson has averaged 5.0 yards per carry in his past two games against the Bears and Commanders, but he only has 21 carries over that span. He hasn't scored a touchdown in three games in a row, and he only has seven catches for 37 yards in his past four outings. The Steelers have only allowed two rushing touchdowns to running backs in their past five games, and Patterson likely won't help your Fantasy roster if he doesn't score this week.
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It's a revenge game for Murray, who spent last season in Baltimore, but he should know the Ravens have a tough run defense. In their past four games against Tampa Bay, New Orleans, Carolina and Jacksonville, no running back has run for more than 30 yards or scored on the ground. Only JaMycal Hasty caught a touchdown against Baltimore over that span. Murray has done a nice job as the lead running back for the Broncos and should get plenty of work -- he has at least 14 total touches in three of his past four games -- but I would only use him as a flex option in most leagues in Week 13.
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The Bengals run defense was fantastic against Derrick Henry in Week 12, holding him to 38 yards and no touchdowns on 17 carries. He was productive in the passing game with three catches for 79 yards on three targets, but this should be a tough matchup for Pacheco. He doesn't work in the passing game with four catches for 30 yards on four targets for the season. Pacheco has done a nice job lately running the ball and scored his second touchdown of the year in Week 12 against the Rams. But this game should be all about the Kansas City aerial attack, and Pacheco isn't likely to be a huge factor. He's best used as a flex, with his value higher in non-PPR leagues.
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The Steelers' running back situation has been all over the place this week. On Monday, Najee Harris left the Week 12 game at Indianapolis with an oblique injury, and Benny Snell took over with Jaylen Warren (hamstring) inactive. Then on Wednesday, Warren returned to a full practice, while Harris sat out, which made it seem like he would be out for Week 13 at Atlanta. That certainly made Warren more attractive in a plus matchup against the Falcons if he would be the starter. By Friday, Harris was back to a full practice, and he's now the lone Steelers running back to trust. Warren, who scored 10 PPR points in each of his two previous healthy games, still has sleeper appeal in deeper leagues, but you can't start him in most formats if Harris is healthy and active. As for Snell, ignore him in all leagues.
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Bust Alert (Start/Sit)
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Wilson is worth starting as a flex option in the majority of leagues, but his value is lower for this week with Raheem Mostert (knee) back and starting offensive tackles Terron Armstead (pectoral) and Austin Jackson (ankle) out. Even though this is a revenge game for Wilson, who started his career in San Francisco before getting traded to Miami, I expect him to struggle. Wilson has scored in three games in a row for the Dolphins, but this is a tough matchup against the 49ers, who allow the fewest Fantasy points to opposing running backs this season. Only one running back has scored a touchdown against San Francisco since Week 7, and only six running backs have scored more than 10 PPR points against the 49ers all year. Wilson should know this defense from having practiced against it earlier this season, but the defense also knows him. I'm worried that Wilson will have a down performance, even in a revenge game.
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START 'EM & SIT 'EM
Wide receivers
WRs to Start
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Wilson is averaging 19.3 Fantasy points per game in the four games not started by Zach Wilson this season. Garrett Wilson just had five catches for 95 yards and two touchdowns on eight targets against the Bears in Week 12 with Mike White, and Wilson should stay hot this week against the Vikings. Since Week 6, eight receivers have scored at least 17 PPR points against Minnesota, with six touchdowns over that span. Wilson has top-15 upside in all leagues for Week 13.
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Watson had another big game in Week 12 at Philadelphia with four catches for 110 yards and a touchdown on six targets, and he's now scored at least 20 PPR points in three games in a row, with six touchdowns over that span. He's become a must-start Fantasy receiver in all leagues while he's this hot, and it's great for him that Aaron Rodgers (ribs) is expected to play against the Bears. In the past five games for Chicago, six receivers have scored at least 14 PPR points with seven touchdowns. And two rookie receivers, Drake London and Garrett Wilson, have scored three touchdowns against the Bears in the past two games.
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