Start ‘Em Sit ‘Em Week 13

We’re in the home stretch with the final four games of the fantasy football season remaining. The playoff picture is clear of who made the playoffs and who did not with at least one or two teams still in the hunt. Week 12 did not shy away from injuries unfortunately for fantasy team owners. Injuries that occurred this past weekend include Baker Mayfield (ankle, MRI negative), Dorian Thompson-Robinson (concussion), Travis Etienne Jr. (chest), Jonathan Taylor (thumb), Jamaal Williams (arm), Cooper Kupp (ankle), Chris Olave (concussion), and Amari Cooper (ribs). On top of that, two coaches were fired including former Carolina Panthers head coach Frank Reich and former Washington Commanders defensive coordinator Jack Del Rio. Now on a good note, Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker T.J. Watt joins the list of players to record 90+ sacks in his first 100 career games. Second, Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce became the fastest tight end to reach 11,000 yards. Lastly, Dallas Cowboys cornerback DaRon Bland set an NFL record of recording five pick-sixes in a single season on Thanksgiving Day. Finally, good luck to everyone who is in contention or possibly in contention for a playoff spot in the fantasy football playoffs.

Tua Tagovailoa

Dolphins @ Commanders | 1:00 pm EST Sunday

ESPN Starting Percentage: 44.7%

Tagovailoa led the Miami Dolphins to a must win game to secure an AFC East lead against the New York Jets, defeating them 34-13 last Friday afternoon. Unfortunately, due to two interceptions, he only scored 7.82 fantasy points for team owners. During the game, Tagovailoa suffered a bad cut on his forearm, but was able to finish the contest and is cleared to play in week 13. More good news for Tagovailoa is that he has a great matchup as he faces the Washington Commanders defense that on average allows 24.5 fantasy points to opposing quarterbacks which ranks the highest in the league. Tagovailoa should be considered a high-end QB1 in an easy matchup in fantasy football in week 13.

Brock Purdy

49ers @ Eagles | 4:25 pm EST Sunday

ESPN Starting Percentage: 50.1%

It is officially revenge week for Purdy and the San Francisco 49ers as they face the Philadelphia Eagles in a rematch from the 2023 NFC Championship game. In that game Purdy suffered a UCL tear in his elbow that required surgery but was able to make the start of the 2023 NFL regular season. Purdy and the 49ers are coming off a Thanksgiving Day victory over the Seattle Seahawks winning 31-13, with Purdy scoring 10.46 fantasy points in the outing. This week, Purdy faces the Eagles defense that on average allows 23.1 fantasy points to opposing quarterbacks which ranks the second highest in the league. He should be considered a high-end QB1 in fantasy football in week 13.

Najee Harris

Cardinals @ Steelers | 1:00 pm EST Sunday

ESPN Starting Percentage: 47.7%

Harris helped the Pittsburgh Steelers defeat the Cincinnati Bengals 16-10, scoring 15.9 fantasy points in PPR leagues. This week, Harris and the Steelers offense go up against the Arizona Cardinals defense that on average allows 20.2 fantasy points to opposing running backs which ranks the third highest in the league. I expect Harris to score double-digit fantasy points even when splitting the backfield with Jaylen Warren and should be considered a high-end RB1 in fantasy football in week 13.

Isiah Pacheco

Chiefs @ Packers | 8:20 pm EST Sunday

ESPN Starting Percentage: 63.2%

Pacheco has helped the Chiefs offense win their games recently and they will need him again if they want to win in week 13. This past Sunday, Pacheco scored 25.9 fantasy points in PPR leagues in the Kansas City Chiefs win over the Las Vegas Raiders 31-17. Pacheco will most likely be the centerpiece of the offense against the Green Bay Packers defense that is “soft” against the run. The Packers defense on average allows 16.8 fantasy points to opposing running backs, signaling a good matchup for the second-year player. Pacheco should be considered a low-end RB1 in fantasy football in week 13.

Calvin Ridley

Bengals @ Jaguars | 8:15 pm EST Monday

ESPN Starting Percentage: 58.0%

Ridley put on another good performance, scoring 21.9 fantasy points in PPR leagues as the Jacksonville Jaguars defeated division rival the Houston Texans 24-21. He is now in the conversation as a must-start wide receiver for fantasy team owners for the remainder of the regular season. This week, Ridley faces the Cincinnati Bengals defense that on average allows 21.8 fantasy points to opposing wide receivers. He should be considered a low-end to mid-end WR1 in fantasy football in week 13.

Deebo Samuel

49ers @ Eagles | 4:25 pm EST Sunday

ESPN Starting Percentage: 76.3%

As I stated earlier, the San Francisco 49ers have been looking forward to this rematch since last postseason. In fact, Samuel has been outspoken about this upcoming game stating “he doesn’t have any feeling right now” and “just wants to be ready for Sunday and see how it goes.” Fortunately for Samuel, the Philadelphia Eagles defense on average allows 28.0 fantasy points to opposing wide receivers which ranks the highest in the league. Samuel should be considered a high-end WR1 in fantasy football in week 13.

Dalton Schultz

Broncos @ Texans | 1:00 pm EST Sunday

ESPN Starting Percentage: 57.2%

Unfortunately, Schultz was basically non-existent in the Texans loss to the Jaguars this past Sunday afternoon, only scoring 1.2 fantasy points in PPR leagues. However, he faces the Denver Broncos defense that on average allows 9.4 fantasy points to tight ends which ranks the highest in the league. I expect Schultz to put on a better performance for fantasy team owners in week 13 and should be considered a high-end TE1.

Justin Herbert

Chargers @ Patriots | 1:00 pm EST Sunday

ESPN Starting Percentage: 75.4%

Herbert and the Los Angeles Chargers offense have not been able to get the ball rolling as of late and it showed in their loss to the Baltimore Ravens 20-10 Monday night. In that game, Herbert only scored 13.38 fantasy points. I think it comes down to having lost wide receiver Mike Williams to a torn ACL earlier in the season. The offense just has not been the same since. Herbert faces the New England Patriots defense that on average only allows 16.2 fantasy points to opposing quarterbacks. My recommendation is to sit Herbert in fantasy football in week 13.

D’Andre Swift

49ers @ Eagles | 4:25 pm EST Sunday

ESPN Starting Percentage: 50.1%

On Sunday night, we saw Swift have a few explosive runs in the Philadelphia Eagles win over the Buffalo Bills 37-34 in overtime, scoring 9.4 fantasy points in outing. Unfortunately, Swift faces the San Francisco 49ers defense that on average only allows 11.2 fantasy points to opposing running backs. Also, Swift is extremely touchdown-dependent due to Jalen Hurts’ rushing ability as we saw during the Buffalo-Philly game. My recommendation is to sit Swift in fantasy football in week 13.

Drake London

Falcons @ Jets | 1:00 pm EST Sunday

ESPN Starting Percentage: 13.0%

London played a part in the Atlanta Falcons victory over the New Orleans Saints 24-15 this past Sunday afternoon, scoring 14.0 fantasy points in PPR leagues. However, London faces the New York Jets defense that on average only allows 10.7 fantasy points to opposing wide receivers. My recommendation is to sit London in fantasy football in week 13.

Cade Otton

Panthers @ Buccaneers | 4:05 pm EST Sunday

ESPN Starting Percentage: 16.0%

Otton scored 8.5 fantasy points for team owners during the Tampa Bay Buccaneers loss to the Indianapolis Colts 27-20. Unfortunately, Otton has a tough matchup against the Carolina Panthers defense that on average only allows 4.8 fantasy points to opposing tight ends. I believe quarterback Baker Mayfield will target wide receivers Mike Evans and Chris Godwin early and often in this matchup. My recommendation is to sit Otton in fantasy football in week 13.