Week 13 fantasy football playbook
Fantasy matchups to exploit, sneaky DFS picks and the latest rankings to help make your Week 12 Sunday less miserable.
Thanks again for being a loyal reader and subscriber! Keep reading for the latest fantasy football rankings, injury news, players trending up and down, and more. Best of luck in Week 13!
Quick links: Latest Week 13 rankings | DraftKings and FanDuel projections
Pain Index: Week 13
The above are my own estimates, sometimes based on unofficial media reports. Always double-check before benching a player and consult the latest NFL injury report.
↕️ Week 13 QBs: Matchup breakdown
💪 Stud vibes
The Commanders’ defense is second in YAC and YAC over expectation, while 56 percent of Bo Nix’s pass yards have come after the catch, the sixth-highest in the NFL. Eight of 11 guys this season have scored at least 21.9 FPPG against the Commanders. … Jacoby Brissett topped 20.7 Fantasy points in six consecutive games, while the last three starting QBs against the Buccaneers have scored at least 22.1 fantasy points. … Matthew Stafford has been a top-8 fantasy performer in 6 of his last 8 games, and is QB4 overall. It should be another good one against a weak Panthers pass rush (30th in sacks).
🥶 Bust vibes
Coming off a three-interception downer, Brock Purdy now faces a Browns team that is sacking quarterbacks at the highest rate in the NFL and allowing the fewest fantasy points per game to the position over the last six weeks. … Daniel Jones enters an always tough match-up with Houston, averaging just 15.5 fantasy PPG in his last three contests with four TDs and four INTs.
🍟 DraftKings value menu - QBs
↕️ Week 13 RBs: Matchup breakdown
💪 Stud vibes
RJ Harvey’s second attempt to impress as Denver’s lead back should go better against Washington. Eight players have topped 13 PPR points against them this season, including in seven of the last eight games. … Coming off a season-high 18 carries in Week 13 at Chicago, Jaylen Warren is in a great spot against the Bills, who have consistently been generous to the position all season. … Travis Etienne’s 64 percent snap share last week was his highest since Week 2. He might get a chance to pile up points in a game that Jacksonville is favored in by 6.5 points.
🥶 Bust vibes
The Rams have allowed just three total touchdowns to running backs this season, so it’s not the best week to put all your hopes on Rico Dowdle. … Despite Rhamondre Stevenson’s return last week, he was outcarried by TreVeyon Henderson 18-6, leaving him less likely to benefit from fantasy’s most delicious matchup for backs. … With just one touchdown over his last four and Jordan Mason continuing to siphon carries, Aaron Jones is tough to trust against a Seattle defense yielding the 6th fewest FPPG and just two rushing TDs in their last four.
🍟 DraftKings value menu - RBs
↕️ Week 13 WRs: Matchup breakdown
💪 Stud vibes
Stefon Diggs topped double-digit fantasy points in five straight games before hitting a speed bump last week. The Giants should get him back on the right track. … Troy Franklin has been targeted more than Courtland Sutton in six straight games on his way to taking over as Nix’s top target. … Coming off eight catches for 110 yards on 10 targets in one of the toughest matchups for receivers (HOU), Khalil Shakir now gets one of the easiest. Six players have scored at least 15.3 PPR points over the past four games against the Steelers.
🥶 Bust vibes
You never sit Nico Collins, but know he’s being shadowed by Sauce Gardner, who has continued to shut down opposing receivers since joining the Colts. This includes holding Drake London to 26 yards on two receptions. … Colts receivers Michael Pittman and Alec Pierce may have a tough time, too, in this game, with Houston allowing the third-fewest FPPG to receivers over the last three weeks and Jones struggling behind center.
🍟 DraftKings value menu - WRs
↕️ Week 13 TEs: Matchup breakdown
💪 Stud vibes
Juwon Johnson has at least 10.3 PPR points in 8 of his 11 games and has finished as TE13 or higher in five straight weeks, heading into one of the best matchups for TEs in the Dolphins … While the Colts are the 6th best matchup for fantasy tight ends on the season, its even better when looking at the last six weeks, as they’ve allowed 16.1 FPPG (3rd most). All signs point to a bounce-back performance from Dalton Shultz after his downer last week against the Bills.
🥶 Bust vibes
Brock Bowers may have a tough go against the Chargers, who not only have done a decent job holding opposing tight ends in check, but are one of the best secondaries against the slot, where Bowers runs nearly 50% of his routes. … Despite a favorable matchup, Cade Otton has yet to hit paydirt this season and has seen less love from Baker since Chris Godwin returned.
