Week 13 Start/Sit Advice
This is the Fantasy Nerd's look at the best and worst matchups for Week 13 of the 2022 NFL season. Analysis is aggregated from multiple sources including FN. Rankings are based upon PPR (point per reception) scoring. Given the known conditions, these matchups are the ones to watch and/or avoid.
Please Note: This list does not generally include the elite players that you are going to start regardless of matchup. You don't need us to tell you to start Christian McCaffrey, Travis Kelce, or Jalen Hurts. Instead, we take a look at other players on your team that we believe either have great matchups or should be avoided for multiple reasons. Factors like opposing defense, performance trending, and peer comparisons may influence our decisions.
Start 'em Trevor Lawrence (JAC, QB)Trevor Lawrence is coming off second 300+ yard game and back-to-back 21+ point weeks. You can't ask for a better matchup this week as the Lions have given up an average of 31 fantasy points over their last three games. Another 21+ point week is certainly doable for Lawrence.
Start 'em Geno Smith (SEA, QB)It's not a great matchup on paper, but Geno Smith has delivered at least 19 fantasy points over his last four games including some tough games. Keep him in the QB1 discussion as the Rams defense has softened a bit lately.
Start 'em Rhamondre Stevenson (NE, RB)Rhamondre Stevenson delivered his fifth game of at least 20 fantasy points as he was heavily involved in the passing game. We're not expecting Damien Harris this week, so Stevenson should have all the work that the can handle. The Bills have been middle-of-the-road this season against running backs. Stevenson is the hot hand so keep him in your lineups.
Start 'em David Montgomery (CHI, RB)The Bears offense took a hit with Darnell Mooney out and Justin Fields injured. It's likely that they lean on the run game in this one, particularly because the Packers can absolutely be run on. They've given up 56 fantasy points in the last two games against Derrick Henry and Miles Sanders. Montgomery should be a high-end RB2 with potential to flirt with RB1 production.
Start 'em Jamaal Williams (DET, RB)Think back to August, and would you have guessed that we'd be discussing Jamaal Williams as the league leader in rushing touchdowns? Keep riding the Williams train against Jacksonville who is giving up close to 24 fantasy points to RBs each game.
Start 'em Keenan Allen (LAC, WR)It was nice to see Keenan Allen back on the field. Without Mike Williams in the mix, the focus turned to Allen and Josh Palmer. Allen hauled in five catches for 49 yards and a score. He gets another favorable matchup against the Raiders who just surrendered 35.8 points to Tyler Lockett and DK Metcalf last week.
Start 'em Michael Pittman (IND, WR)Let's face it. Matt Ryan can be downright awful, but even when he's bad, there's still enough volume for Michael Pittman to remain fantasy relevant. Last week saw Pittman catch just his second touchdown of the year. It's not a great matchup, but Pittman is the 6th-most targeted player in the NFL right now. There's enough volume here to keep him in low-end WR2 discussions.
Start 'em Foster Moreau (LV, TE)With Darren Waller on IR, Foster Moreau has been more involved in the passing attack. Fresh off his second trip to the endzone, Moreau has the chance to make a third trip against a Chargers defense that has been very generous to tight ends this season. If you're looking for a streaming option this week, the Island of Foster Moreau should be on your watchlist.
Start 'em David Njoku (CLE, TE)The tight end position has been a challenging one this season. The Browns run the ball...a lot, but with a new QB under center, the passing game could open up a bit more. Njoku is seeing almost six targets per game and his presence in the redzone is a challenge for defenses. Given the available options, Njoku remains a good gamble right now.
Start 'em Dallas Cowboys (DAL, DEF)You have to imagine the Dallas Cowboys defense drooling over the possibility of pressuring Matt Ryan. Dallas has 10 sacks over their last two games and you can bet that they are scheming for ways to get the Colts to turn over the ball. Indy is giving up the 3rd-most fantasy points to DSTs making the Cowboys a must start.
Start 'em Cameron Dicker (LAC, K)Cameron Dicker hasn't missed a kick since taking over the starting job for the Chargers. He's in for a nice matchup this week against the Raiders who have surrendered an average of 11 fantasy points over the past two games.
Sit 'em Aaron Rodgers (GB, QB)What's left to say about #12? The reigning MVP has been anything but this season. Not only is he dealing with a thumb injury, but he left last week's game early with a rib injury. HC Matt LaFleur has indicated that as long as he's able to play, he'll be the starter. Fortunately LaFleur doesn't have say over your lineup. While he has owned the Bears in the past, we're controlling our expectations for this one and sitting him.
Sit 'em Russell Wilson (DEN, QB)A report came out today that Russell Wilson's wife Ciara threw him a birthday party, invited the team, and about half showed up. Regardless of the rationale, the perspective is that they've given up on him. Fantasy owners should pay attention. Wilson just doesn't have what it takes right now to lead this team. He threw for only 142 yards last week and has a tough matchup this week. Keep the birthday boy on the bench.
Sit 'em Cam Akers (LAR, RB)With no Darrell Henderson, it should have been Cam Akers time to shine, but feeding him just 8 carries isn't shining. The matchup is fantastic, but we simply do not have the confidence in Akers to deliver. He's averaging just 3.9 points per game. Without the Rams committing to him in the run game, he's no longer worth rostering for most leagues.
Sit 'em JaMycal Hasty (JAC, RB)After putting up 20.5 points in Week 12, how many people rushed out to get JaMycal Hasty on the waiver wire this week? Hold your horses. His volume on the ground and through the air came as a result of Travis Etienne getting sidelined. Etienne has said that he'll use Week 13 to "get straight", so we're expecting him to return to the lineup (he could have apparently returned medically to the game last week) making Hasty a hasty pickup.
Sit 'em Donovan Peoples-Jones (CLE, WR)Playing opposite Amari Cooper, Donovan Peoples-Jones has been pretty productive this season. Last week was a dud, but he has delivered double digits in six of the prior seven games. The challenge here is both the matchup (Houston ranks inside the Top 10 for least points allowed) and a new QB in Deshaun Watson. It's difficult to predict how well Watson and Peoples-Jones will do together. For comparison, we know what kind of rapport Tua has with Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle, and neither WR was able to put up more than 15 points last week.
Sit 'em Mack Hollins (LV, WR)Mack Hollins was a popular waiver wire pickup and we've fielded a number of questions about him this week. Coming off a 16 point fantasy day (4-63-1) and back-to-back double digit games, it might be tempting to lock him into your WR3 spot. We're not sure he'll deliver that this week against a Chargers secondary that gives up the ninth-fewest yards per game and 12th-fewest fantasy points. Adams and Jacobs are the players to own here.
Sit 'em Logan Thomas (WAS, TE)Logan Thomas has always been a guy with such tremendous potential. Injuries and bad game scripts haven't helped him. He's not a visible part of the offense until it gets closer to the redzone and that's problematic. Even in a plus matchup like he has this week, he's become lost in the pecking order making it difficult to start him.
Sit 'em Robert Tonyan (GB, TE)The Bears have largely kept opposing tight ends in check surrendering the fourth-fewest fantasy points to them on the season. When he faced the Bears back in Week 2, he delivered just 3.1 fantasy points. Single digits are likely in his future once again this Sunday.
Sit 'em New Orleans Saints (NO, DEF)Normally the Saints have a fairly imposing defense, but after delivering just one sack last week and no turnovers, New Orleans has largely been silent. They haven't produced more than five fantasy points in over a month. Visiting Tom Brady and company isn't likely to change their fortunes anytime soon.
Sit 'em Robbie Gould (SF, K)Robbie Gould faces an uphill battle this week against the Dolphins. They've given up the 4th-fewest fantasy points to the position this season and haven't allowed a kicker to score double digits since Week 4.
Join the Discussion
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jamisdiablo CommentedDec 2, 2022 9:30 am
hey-O!! Full pt PPR league, starting KWalker and KAllen already... need three from these please... Pollard, Zeke, CPatterson, AKamara, MPittman Jr., JPalmer, CWatson, DKMetcalf.
Leaning Pollard, DK and Pittman at the moment, but wondering if the Cowboys backfield is worth investing all my eggs in this week based on their opponent... I don't know if I can do Kamara anymore, especially when he has a "tough" matchup, which this may be... thoughts? Win and I'm IN so I'm aiming for the higher ceiling on all this of course, thanks!
Also, already dumped Brady for Lawrence... correct move right? lol thx
Nerd CommentedDec 2, 2022 9:50 am
I'd probably take Metcalf, Pollard, and Kamara but totally understand fading Kamara. Pittman is more consistent so roll with him.
Yep - starting Lawrence over Brady
mrock CommentedDec 3, 2022 9:30 am
I just can't put Kamara in. Play Michael Pittman instead.
Nerd CommentedDec 3, 2022 9:13 am
Great problem to have. Close, but I'd probably roll with Geno in this one.
mrock CommentedDec 3, 2022 9:30 am
Fields is off the injury report. Why not start him? The Packers can't stop running quarterbacks. Never have been able to.
GGjeff CommentedDec 3, 2022 9:33 am
Jalen Hurts just ran for like 150 yards against Green Bay last week. Fields could get a 100 against them. Start Fields.
mutsy CommentedDec 3, 2022 10:24 am
i don't comment on here much but i do think fields is the play here
Hinzie22 CommentedDec 3, 2022 11:20 am
Sounds like the coaches are saying he's good to go, and it may not take a full game to have a good output vs the Lions
Nerd CommentedDec 3, 2022 11:40 am
I don't know about the whole game. Tough to predict an injury, but if you have him, you're starting him unless you have better options. I think he'll redeem himself from last week. Or as Etienne himself said this week, he'll "be straight" for this week.
Hinzie22 CommentedDec 3, 2022 11:21 am
Hey guys,
Two questions:
1. Fields, Watson, or Garappolo at QB?
2. Courtland Sutton or Nico Collins at WR (.5 ppr)?
Thanks!
Nerd CommentedDec 3, 2022 11:43 am
He might be a bit rusty, but if you're willing to take the risk - Watson. If not, then Fields.
Good question on Sutton/Collins. Sutton is still feeling sick and Collins steps up with Brandin Cooks out, but I'd start Sutton.
mrock CommentedDec 3, 2022 2:57 pm
I agree with the nerd
Drew Shoemaker CommentedDec 3, 2022 12:40 pm
Full PPR
Murray, R. White or Lenny?
Olave or D. Carter?
Nerd CommentedDec 3, 2022 1:11 pm
Might give White the shot there.
Olave
mrock CommentedDec 3, 2022 2:58 pm
Wilson
Nerd CommentedDec 4, 2022 10:55 am
Wilson for me too
Michael Matejka CommentedDec 3, 2022 5:09 pm
Adam Thielen, Christian Watson, or Darius Slayton?
Michael Matejka CommentedDec 3, 2022 5:10 pm
Forgot to mention, it's full PPR.
mrock CommentedDec 4, 2022 10:45 am
Watson
Nerd CommentedDec 4, 2022 10:55 am
Watson for me too
Michael Matejka CommentedDec 4, 2022 12:28 pm
That was my thought too, just needed reassurance. Thanks!
Jonesynd CommentedDec 3, 2022 5:15 pm
Fields or Lawrence and Peoples-Jones or Gus Edwards in flex (PPR)?
mrock CommentedDec 4, 2022 10:48 am
Lawrence and DPJ
Nerd CommentedDec 4, 2022 10:55 am
Same
mrock CommentedDec 4, 2022 10:46 am
Swift
Nerd CommentedDec 4, 2022 10:56 am
Zonovan Knight for me. Swift has tons of potential, but Williams has been far more effective in that offense.
mrock CommentedDec 4, 2022 10:47 am
Dak Prescott
Nerd CommentedDec 4, 2022 10:57 am
I like Fields just a bit more but it's close
T-Jugg CommentedDec 4, 2022 10:21 am
Non-PPR flex:
Cordarrelle Patterson
D'Andre Swift
Courtland Sutton
mrock CommentedDec 4, 2022 10:47 am
Patterson
Nerd CommentedDec 4, 2022 10:58 am
Patterson for me too
T-Jugg CommentedDec 4, 2022 11:00 am
Thanks!
Nerd CommentedDec 4, 2022 11:00 am
Kmet for me
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