Fantasy Football Starts & Sits for Week 13 (2023)

December 3, 2023 Chris Battistel
2023 Starts and Sits Week 13 | Fantasy In Frames

Welcome to Fantasy In Frames’ Fantasy Football Starts & Sits for Week 13 (2023)!

Week 13 is here, snow has touched the ground and we get ready to enter the season of high stress as fantasy football players. Fear not, we got you. There are six teams on bye this week and your chance to steal a win as a team still clawing away has never been better. I’m here to help you get there with these week 13 starts and sits. No time to waste, let’s get at it.

Start

  1. Derek Carr, New Orleans Saints vs Detroit Lions
  • Due to some earlier disappointing losses in the season, the New Orleans Saints find themselves in a must-win situation for the remainder of their games. Initially facing the possibility of Derek Carr throwing to Lynn Bowden, AT Perry, and Keith Kirkwood, it now appears that The Maybelline Mamba will have Chris Olave as a target for Sunday’s game. Despite being in concussion protocol, Olave’s condition seems promising—he has participated in practice throughout the week. Head coach Dennis Allen has expressed optimism, stating that “there’s a good chance that he could clear it.
  • This couldn’t have happened at a more opportune moment, given that the Saints are matched against the Detroit Lions. Over the last three weeks, quarterbacks have been averaging 253 yards, 2.6 touchdowns, and an impressive 29.3 Fantasy Points against the struggling Lions. Detroit currently ranks 12th in allowing passing yards per game this season and has conceded 2 or more passing touchdowns in over 50% of their games.
  1. Will Levis, Tennessee Titans vs Indianapolis Colts
  • With six teams on a bye this week, managers striving to remain competitive will be seeking reliable replacements. Levis could potentially fit the bill, despite his decline in performance following his impressive debut. Willy Bananas faces the Colts this week, who have recently shown strength against his position. However, given the Titans’ eagerness to assess Levis’ capabilities by putting him in a position to create plays, he might be a viable option.
  • The Titans boast a healthy wide receiver group with Treylon Burks returning. While I anticipate a predominant utilization of Derrick Henry, I wouldn’t be surprised to see Levis make significant contributions. I’m optimistic, projecting a day of 200 yards and 2 touchdowns for Levis.
  1. Kenny Pickett, Pittsburgh Steelers vs Arizona Cardinals
  • Kenny Pickett is set for a ‘get-right’ game against the Arizona Cardinals following one of his stronger passing performances since breaking away from the constraints of former OC Canada. The Cardinals have been conceding an average of 20.67 fantasy points to the quarterback position this season and 23 points over the last three weeks. Among quarterbacks outside the top 12, Pickett faces one of the more favorable matchups.
  • In his recent outing, Pickett recorded his second-highest yards per attempt, indicating an upward trend in his performance. With emerging reports suggesting the team’s intent to involve George Pickens more, the prospects look promising for Pickett in the upcoming game against the Cardinals.

Sit

  1. Jared Goff, Detroit Lions @ New Orleans Saints
  • Quarterbacks vs the Saints this year are averaging 14.6 fantasy points on the season 10th best in the league. They Saints currently rank 7th in the NFL in passing yards against per week (196.3) and 15th in total passing touchdowns against (14).
  • A lot of Goff’s production as of late has come when they have been chasing opposing teams, the Saints offence isn’t going to put them in that spot. The game will be close and the Lions will lean a bit more on their running game this week.
  1. Justin Herbert, Los Angeles Chargers @ New England Patriots
  • Quarterbacks vs the Saints are doing bad, but quarterbacks against the Patriots are doing worse. Weather is going to play a factor in this game, it’s going to be 43 degrees tomorrow and rainy. The team coming from the far West coast to Foxboro on a cold rainy day against a defence that is only allowing 14.2 fantasy points per game to the position.
  • Herbert has played the Patriots twice, both times at home and is averaging 216 yards, 1 touchdown and 2 interceptions. He’s completed just over 50% of his passes and has his lowest QBR vs a single opponent against the Patriots.
  1. Coleridge Bernard Stroud IV, Houston Texans vs Denver Broncos
  • A model of ball protection early in his young career, CJ Stroud has thrown 4 interceptions over his last 3 games. This week he draws the Denver Broncos who are one of the better teams in takeaway differential (4th) and are the number 1 overall team in total turnovers (22). With 10 interceptions on the season and 6 of those over the last 5 games, it’s looking like the Denver Broncos are going to keep rolling.
  • With Dalton Schultz ruled out and Tank Dell trending towards not playing, Stroud is going to be without two of his primary targets going against a defence that is only allowing 13 fantasy points per game to opposing QBs over the last 4 games. Two of those QBs include Patrick Mahomes who accumalted 5

Start

  1. Jerome Ford, Cleveland Browns @ Los Angeles Rams
  • Kareem Hunt has been dealing with a bit of an injury issue all week, Joe Flacco being named starter, matchup against the Rams who have allowed running backs to score thirteen fantasy point over the last three games, Jerome Ford has become the volume of volume plays.
  • Having 77% of the Browns route share last week Ford is heading into a workhorse role in the best part of the season. Most likely not going to give you a top 5 finish, but his floor this week is the reason why Ford is a start for me.
  1. AJ Dillon, Green Bay Packers vs Kansas City Chiefs
  • Another running back who is going to benefit from injuries in their room. Aaron Jones is out this week and in games were he doesn’t play Dillon hasn’t necessarily been a world beater. But the volume should be there against the Chiefs who are one of the better pass defences.
  • The Chiefs though, against the running backs over the last four weeks have allowed the position to average nineteen points per game. They have also allowed a touchdown to the running back in every game over the last 5. The key to the Packers success this week is going to have to rely on the run game and AJ Dillon who is averaging 17.5 touches over the last 2 games.
  1. Chuba Hubbard, Carolina Panthers @ Tampa Bay Buccaneers
  • Hubbard has emerged as a viable fantasy option. Last week against one of the better run defence’s in the league Hubbard finished as a backend RB1. Averaging 14 touches over the last 3 games he gets the Tampa Bay Buccaneers this week who despite being pretty stout against the position, they have struggled over the last three. They allowed opposing running backs to average to score just over 17 points per game over that time.
  • Miles Sanders is still involved so proceed with caution, but Hubbard has been the better player this season and if the new coaching staff wants to try to make a name for themselves they should ride the hot hand here and that has been Hubbard.

Sit

  1. D’Andre Swift, Philadelphia Eagles vs San Francisco 49ers
  • You’re going to start your studs, it’s a heavy bye week and you are going to rely on the guys that you spent high draft capital on. D’Andre Swift may have been that guy for you and the way he has been playing it’s going to be hard to sit him in this game.
  • But, the 49ers have yet to have a running back rush for over a 100 yards and haven’t allowed a receiving touchdown to the running back since week two. It’s not a prime matchup for Swift and that’s why he isn’t a must start for me this week.
  1. Joe Mixon, Cincinnati Bengals @ Jacksonville Jaguars
  • Mixon with all the opportunity in the world, ranking 1st in opportunity share, 6th in carries, 4th in redzone touches and 14th in targets, he has been a disappointment. With only 621 rushing yards and 5 total touchdowns Mixon is going to continue to struggle with Browning under center.
  • The Jaguars are only allowing running backs to score an average of 12.3 fantasy points per game which is good for third best in the league. Only one running back has rushed for a hundred or more yards on the season and with how bad Mixon has been efficiently it should be another bad game for Joe.
  1. Javonte Williams, Denver Broncos @ Houston Texans
  • Javonte has been one of my favorite running backs since he entered the league. He has seen some positive increase in his usage over the last few weeks and with Denver rolling he should continue to see that role expand even further. But, unfortunately he is facing a Houston Texans defence who over the last few games have been surprisingly good against opposing teams running backs.
  • Through that time the RB’s are averaging 13.3 fantasy points through that span and over the course of the season are only averaging 3.9 yards per carry. Texans have only allowed 6 rushing touchdowns on the year and Javonte Williams with 26 attempts inside the 20 has yet to score a rushing touchdown.

Start

  1. Curtis Samuel, Washington Commanders vs Miami Dolphins
  • Curtis Samuel has been notably involved in recent weeks, and this week presents an advantageous matchup against the Miami Dolphins. The Dolphins have allowed an average of 13.1 fantasy points to slot wide receivers throughout the year, a role that aligns with Curtis Samuel’s primary position in the Commanders’ offense.
  • In his last game, Samuel saw twelve targets and a season-high of 100 receiving yards. It’s anticipated that he will continue to play a significant role in Washington’s passing game, especially in a matchup that appears to be one of the higher-scoring games of the week. Additionally, the Dolphins have suffered a setback with the absence of star pass rusher Jaelan Phillips. Given that Miami’s defensive strength primarily lies in defending against outside threats, I project Samuel to get 5 receptions, 75 yards and one touchdown.
  1. Christian Watson, Green Bay Packers vs Kansas City Chiefs
  • While the Chiefs’ defense has shown strength against the pass, they have demonstrated vulnerability when defending against outside wide receivers. For instance, Jakobi Meyers gained 6 receptions for 79 yards and scored a touchdown, DeVonta Smith recorded 6 receptions for 99 yards, and Jerry Jeudy, who scored his only touchdown of the season, did so in a game against the Chiefs where he lined up for the highest percentage of snaps out wide. Additionally, Josh Palmer had his only impactful fantasy game against the Chiefs, amassing 133 yards on 5 receptions.
  • Watson’s potential success lies in his ability to become an outside target for Jordan Love, who leads the league as the QB1 in deep ball attempts this season. Watson has consistently been the preferred receiver when on the field, and there’s no reason to expect that to change against the Chiefs.
  1. Greg Dortch, Arizona Cardinals @ Pittsburgh Steelers
  • SInce Kyler Murray’s return, Greg Dortch has been a main target for the quarterback. Through two games he’s seen 17 targets and has finished in double digit half ppr fantasy points. With Hollywood Brown trending towards possibly not playing, it’s looking like an even better spot for Greg Dortch.
  • The Pittsburgh Steelers are 23rd in the league against the pass which bodes well for Dortch who has been the preferred target over Rondale Moore.

Sit

  1. Cooper Kupp, Los Angeles Rams vs Cleveland Browns
  • It’s been rough for Cooper Kupp as a fantasy football WR who is averaging 4.14 fantasy points over his last 5 games. This week it isn’t going to get any easier as he faces one of the best pass defences in the NFL. Only 2 wide receivers have gone for 100 yards on the season against the Browns and they have only allowed six receiving touchdowns to the wide receiver.
  • Cleveland plays a lot of man coverage and let’s face it, Kupp doesn’t look like the receiver he used to be. The Browns pass rush is going to be a problem all day and with Cooper’s lack of separation he still may see the targets but will end up being touchdown depandant.
  1. Garrett Wilson, New York Jets vs Atlanta Falcons
  • Tim Boyle. End of discussion. No but really, Garrett Wilson has shown he is QB proof and we were robbed of his season with Aaron Rodgers. He’s a sit for me against the Falcons who are surprisingly the 11th best defence against the wide receivers. This game isn’t lined up to be a barn burner with Ridder playing oppo QB. I’m expecting this game to be running back friendly for fantasy managers.
  • Wilson managers will be hoping for a touchdown if you do have to play him, his longest play from Boyle last week was 11 yards and his production came from a late touchdown.
  1. DeVonta Smith, Philadelphia Eagles vs San Francisco 49ers
  • This one sucks, you want to start DeVonta because of the big play potential in what should be the game of the week against the 49ers, but the matchup sucks. San Francisco has been hit and miss for fantasy wide receivers, they had a stretch where they allowed a hundred yard wide receiver every game, but recently they have as shut down as they come.
  • This one is not a full sit, but just a cautionary, manager beware this player is most likely not going to hit his rankings on he week.

Start

  1. Cade Otton, Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs Carolina Panthers
  • Tight ends over the last weeks have been averaging nearly ten points per game. Otton still being the third option in the Bucs passing attack has seen a healthy amount of targets over his last six games. It’s a tight end friendly offence with Baker Mayfield at the helm who has targeted Otton in the endzone 7 times over the last 4 games.
  1. Juwan Johnson, New Orleans Saints vs Detroit Lions
  • Another player who has seen an increasing amount of target volume over the last little bit, Johnson is a top streaming tight end for week 13. He draws the Lions this week who allow the 4th most points per game to the tight end position.
  • The Saints WR room has been hit by the injury bug with Thomas heading to the injured reserve, Shahid missing practices and Olave still being uncertain with a concussion.
  1. Gerald Everett, Los Angeles Chargers @ New England Patriots
  • The Chargers have to throw it to someone other than Keenan Allen right? Right? Quentin Johnston is a defensive back’s wide receiver. Josh Palmer shows up only against the Chiefs and Austin Ekeler has been near non existent over the past couple weeks. The Patriots have been pretty good against opposing team tight ends, but if Gerald Everett could see a touchdown come his way there may be an opportunity for a decent day.

Sit

  1. Dalton Schultz, Houston Texans vs Denver Broncos
  • Reported as OUT for Sundays game.
  1. Trey McBride, Arizona Cardinals @ Pittsburgh Steelers
  • The Steelers are allowing five fantasy points on the season to opposing tight ends and have only been scored on twice by the position. McBride could still end up being a top 10 play you can’t sit everyone because of the matchups strictly but there is a good opportunity that the Steelers defence gives Murray and the passing attack fits.
  • There is also a situation for a James Conner homecoming/revenge game here in Pittsburgh even more so with isolated thunderstorms expected during the game.
  1. Kyle Pitts, Atlanta Falcons @ New York Jets
  • Quite simple Kyle Pitts can’t really be trusted. Arthur Smith came out and stated that Kyle Pitts is an important part to the offence. Well, my rear is an important part to my body and all it does it produce the same thing Kyle Pitts does…caca. The Jets have allowed six passing touchdowns to the tight ends on the season but we still can’t trust Kyle. We need white sunglasses, white tank top, blonde goatee, pounding a monster and punching holes through drywall Kyle for him to be an asset for us ever again.

Start

  1. Cleveland Browns @ Los Angeles Rams
  • The pass rush is one of the best in the league and they have trouble finding the quarterback in this one, but keep it simple. Start one of the best defences in the league and don’t go chasing last weeks touchdown production. We just the need the Browns to not give away points here and we are happy. The Rams are averaging only 177 passing yards over their last three games so it’s a nice spot for the Browns.
  1. Indianapolis Colts @ Tennessee Titans
  • Rookie quarterback and although I did have Will Levis as my start, these rookie quarterbacks are prone to mistakes. There is the tractorcito factor in this one as we enter Derrick Henry season and he could very well put up three touchdowns himself. The Colts have twelve interceptions on the season and will be looking to secure a couple more.
  1. Los Angeles Chargers @ New England Patriots
  • Bailey Zappe has been named starter in what is set up to be a rainy run filled game from the Patriots. Projected to be low scoring with the high possibility of turnover affair the Chargers are in a perfect spot to be a streamed defence.

Sit

  1. Tennessee Titans vs Indianapolis Colts
  • I had this lined up before the devastating Jonathan Taylor News but I’m still going to roll with it. The Titans are prone to letting the WRs have some great days and the Colts have two good ones in Josh Downs and alpha Michael Pittman. I’m expecting the Colts to score at least twenty points in this game.
  1. Denver Broncos @ Houston Texans
  • CJ Stroud has been lighting it up this rookie season and as much as I don’t want to play him, there is high possibility that the Texans come out swinging. They are a on the brink playoff team with high hopes. The Broncos defense are a takeaway defense but if Stroud doesn’t throw an interception they could end up having a bad day.
  1. New Orleans Saints vs Detroit Lions
  • WIth the way the Lions run the ball the Saints have bled points to opposing running backs. RB’s are averaging over twenty fantasy points per game over the last five and the Lions have two good ones in Jahmyr Gibbs and David Montgomery. I’m projecting big days for the two runners against the Saints defense.