Welcome to our Fantasy Football Starts & Sits for Week 13 of the 2022 fantasy football season!
The stakes continue to build across fantasy leagues as we edge ever closer to the start of the playoffs. With Thanksgiving behind us, we’re only a couple of weeks away, and that means start/sit decisions are becoming even more critical. Here are my Fantasy Football Starts & Sits for Week 13.
Quarterback
START: Trevor Lawrence versus Detroit Lions
Last year’s no.1 pick has shown plenty of flashes this year, and last week’s performance was another step forward. Lawrence hit a season-high yardage total with 321 passing yards, throwing three touchdowns in the process in the Jaguars’ win against the Ravens. This week’s matchup presents another great opportunity for Lawrence as he faces the Detroit Lions. The Lions have allowed almost 25 points per game to quarterbacks this season, the most in the league, per FantasyData. If you’re looking for a streaming option this week, there aren’t many better options on paper than Lawrence.
Additional start candidates: Derek Carr vs. LAC, Jimmy Garoppolo vs. MIA
SIT: Kirk Cousins versus New York Jets
Cousins has been a solid streaming candidate most of this season, hitting at least 18 points in five games on FanDuel scoring, per FantasyData. His opponents this week, however, have been one of the tougher matchups for quarterbacks this year. Cousins now faces the Jets, a team that has allowed the eighth fewest fantasy points on average to quarterbacks so far this season. I’d prefer to look elsewhere for a steaming option that presents a more obvious ceiling.
Additional sit candidates: Marcus Mariota vs. PIT, Ryan Tannehill vs PHI
Running Backs
START: Dameon Pierce vs Cleveland Browns
If anyone needs a ‘get right’ game, it’s Dameon Pierce. The rookie had a red-hot start to his career, scoring double-digit points in half-PPR scoring in seven successive games from week three onwards. The last two performances, however, have been disastrous for fantasy managers. The rookie has failed to hit ten rushing yards in either of the last two games. The Browns present the perfect opportunity for Pierce to find his form again. Cleveland has allowed the second-most points to running backs this year and ranks 31st in defensive rush DVOA according to Football Outsiders. The matchup doesn’t get much better. I’m willing to give Pierce another week.
Additional start candidates: AJ Dillon vs CHI, Kyren Williams vs SEA
SIT: Miles Sanders versus Tennessee Titans
Miles Sanders had a career-high performance against the Green Bay Packers (imagine my shock), rushing for 143 yards and two touchdowns on 21 touches, with an additional 17 yards from three receptions. The fourth-year back has shown a noticeable improvement this year and ranks as the RB13 in half-PPR scoring. This week, however, may be an opportune week to sit Sanders. On Sunday, the Eagles welcome the Titans, one of the toughest rush defenses in the league. Tennessee rank first in defensive rush DVOA according to Football Outsiders and are allowing the fifth-fewest points to running backs. He will likely still see a far share of touches, but the upside looks to be lacking. Don’t expect a repeat of last week.
Additional sit candidates: Latavius Murray vs. BAL, Gus Edwards vs. DEN
Wide receivers
START: Garrett Wilson versus Minnesota Vikings
Free of Zach Wilson and back into the upper echelon of fantasy wide receivers. After vanishing in the loss to the Patriots, Garrett Wilson returned to fantasy relevance with a two-touchdown performance against the Chicago Bears – producing his best fantasy performance of the season. The rookie has hit 90 receiving yards in three of his last four games. This week’s matchup is another enticing one. The Jets travel up to Minnesota to face a Vikings team who have allowed the fifth most fantasy points to the wide receiver position and are sixth last in defensive pass DVOA.
Additional start candidates: George Pickens vs. ATL, Christian Watson vs. CHI
SIT: Adam Thielen versus New York Jets
Despite seeing consistent targets, Thielen had been somewhat disappointing for fantasy managers this year. The veteran had his best performance last week, reeling in nine of his ten targets for 61 yards and a touchdown. He had, however, failed to reach double-digit points in half-PPR scoring in his five previous games before last week. He now faces a Jets team who has become one of the toughest matchups for wide receivers. The rejuvenated Jets have allowed the third-fewest points to the position so far this season. I fear last week was an outlier, and the matchup means I am considering other options this week.
Additional sit candidates: Curtis Samuel vs. NYG, Van Jefferson vs SEA
Tight Ends
START: Tyler Higbee versus Seattle Seahawks
He may have burned a few people last week after posting no catches and no targets against the Chiefs and seeing a reduction in the number of snaps, but Higbee may be in a position to bounce back this week. The matchup doesn’t get any better. The Seahawks are now the best matchup for tight ends, allowing an average of almost 16 half-PPR points per week to the position. I’m happy to stream Higbee this week as long as he’s healthy.
Additional start candidates: Evan Engram vs. DET, Foster Moreau vs. LAC
SIT: Greg Dulcich versus Baltimore Ravens
The rookie showed promise in his first handful of starts, but Greg Dulcich has failed to deliver since the team’s bye. Over the last three weeks, Dulcich has continued to see his fair share of targets, with 12 over that period. It has not, however, resulted in any fantasy production – failing to surpass 30 receiving yards in any of the last three games. This week’s opponents, Baltimore, remain in the middle of the pack against tight ends. Tight end remains a grim wasteland, but Dulcich hasn’t shown enough to keep the faith.
Additional sit candidates: Cade Otton vs. NO, Mike Gesicki vs. SF
