Welcome to Week 13 of the 2023 season, and our Start ‘Em Sit ‘Em series. This is where all the hard work is done as we prepare for another week of hard-hitting action and paper championships.
As always, if you are struggling with a decision you can checkout our rankings for each Week. Or, if you want a more personal touch, reach out on social media. You can find us on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram. Or jump into our Discord server. All stats refer to 1/2 PPR, 6 point per passing touchdown leagues. The number in brackets next to an opponent is that teams rank against the position. Rank 1 is the best possible matchup, Rank 32 is the worst. Follow me on Twitter @FFMadScientist
Start’Em
Tua Tagovailoa, Dolphins v WSH (1)
Tagovialoa has been on fire this season and has found himself in the must-start conversation. This week he goes up against a Commanders defense that is the best matchup for opposing quarterbacks. They are allowing 22.2 fantasy points per game to the position and will make for an easy boom game this week for the Dolphins.
Brock Purdy, 49ers v PHI (2)
Purdy has been far more consistent than anyone could have anticipated from Mr. Irrelevant. In Week 13 he faces the Eagles who are the 2nd best matchup for opposing quarterbacks. They are allowing 22.0 fantasy points per game to the position and should allow Purdy to throw with ease.
Derek Carr, Saints v DET (3)
Carr has been a mixed bag of production this season as the Saints have struggled at times. This week he faces the Detroit Lions who are the 5th best matchup for opposing quarterbacks. The Lions are allowing 19.5 fantasy points per game to the position. Look for Carr to get back on track this week, even with a mashup for backup receivers.
Sit ‘Em
Matthew Stafford, Rams v CLE (32)
Stafford has been far better for actual football than fantasy football this season and has struggled mightily with injuries. In Week 13 they face off with the Cleveland Browns who are easily the worst matchup for quarterbacks. They are allowing only 12.6 fantasy points per game to the position. Factor in the potential injury limitations of Cooper Kupp and it’s a great week to sit Stafford.
Baker Mayfield, Buccaneers v CAR (29)
Mayfield has been average this season, but that in itself is a win for the former fantasy irrelevant quarterback. This week however, he matches up with the Carolina Panthers who are allowing the 3rd least points to opposing quarterbacks, 14.9 fantasy points per game.
Jordan Love, Packers v KC (28)
Love has taken huge strides over the past month and is bordering on being a high-end QB2. This week Love faces off with the Kansas City Chiefs who are the 4th worst matchup for opposing quarterbacks. They are allowing only 14.5 fantasy points per game to the position. Even with his recent improvements, avoid Love in this tough matchup.
Start ‘Em
Devin Singletary, Texans v DEN (1)
Singletary has been a pleasant surprise to everyone except Dameon Pierce owners. Last week, even with pierce returning, Singletary maintained his role as the lead back in Houston. This week he will look to keep his momentum rolling with a matchup against the Denver Broncos who are the easiest matchup for running backs. The Broncos are giving up 27.3 fantasy points per game to the position. If Singletary keeps his role, this will be another boom game for him.
Najee Harris, Steelers v ARI (2)
Harris has been reported to have lost his job to Jaylen Warren all season long. Yet again, in Week 12, that didn’t happen. In Week 13 he will go up against the Arizona Cardinals who are the 2nd best matchup for running backs. The Cardinals are allowing 26.2 fantasy points per game to the position and are a prime spot for Harris to prove he is still worthy of starting heading into the fantasy playoffs.
Rachaad White, Buccaneers v CAR (3)
White’s season has been surprisingly productive. He is the most underrated RB1 in the league. This week he faces the Carolina Panthers who are the 3rd best matchup for running backs. They are allowing 25.5 fantasy points per game to the position and are yet another spot for White to be a surprise smash hit.
Sit ‘Em
Breece Hall, Jets v ATL (31)
Hall has been better than anyone expected this year in his return from injury. This week he faces the Atlanta Falcons. The Falcons have been a pass-funnel and the 2nd worst matchup for running backs. Atlanta is so good against the run, teams simply don’t waste their time. The Falcons are allowing 14.3 fantasy points per game to the position. Avoid Hall in a tough matchup with Tim Boyle at quarterback.
D’Andre Swift, Eagles v SF (28)
Swift has cooled off significantly since his hot start to the season. It doesn’t get any better for him this week as he goes up against the 49ers who are the 4th worst matchup for running backs. San Francisco is currently allowing opposing running backs only 14.9 fantasy points per game and are a nightmare matchup to be avoided at all costs.
Ken Walker, Seahawks, v DAL (27)
Whether Walker or Zach Charbonnet get the start for the Seahawks in Week 13, it’s a matchup to be avoided. They get the Cowboys in Week 13, the 5th worst matchup for opposing running backs. Dallas is limiting the position to 15.1 fantasy points per game and are a considerable risk for anyone starting a Seahawks running back.
Start ’em
Brandon Aiyuk, 49ers v PHI (1)
Aiyuk has silently been the best receiver for the 49ers. To make his case even better, he gets to go up against the Eagles in Week 13 who are easily the best matchup for wide receivers. Philadelphia is allowing 37.7 fantasy points per game and Aiyuk should once again be a formidable duo with Brock Purdy.
Demario Douglas, Patriots v LAC (3)
Douglas has been a breakout star for the Patriots and looks to continue that production in Week 13 against the Chargers whoa re the 3rd best matchup for receivers. Los Angeles is giving up 34.4 fantasy points per game to the position and should allow the rookie to post a career game.
Adam Thielen, Panthers v TB (4)
Thielen’s fantasy production has fallen off a cliff since the Panthers bye week. This week they get a matchup with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers who are terrible against the pass and are the 4th best matchup for wide receivers. Carolina is allowing 32.8 fantasy points per game to the position. This is a prime spot for the Panthers offence to get back on track under the guidance of interim head coach Chris Tabor.
Sit ’em
Drake London, Falcons v NYJ (32)
London and the Falcons offence seem to have only enough room for two relevant fantasy options. This scenario typically leaves either London or Kyle Pitts on the disappointing end. This week the Falcons face a Jets defense that is the worst matchup for opposing wide receivers. New York is holding the position to 19.5 fantasy points per game and make for a situation to avoid with the uncertain Falcons receiver.
Cooper Kupp, Rams v CLE (31)
Kupp has been terrible for fantasy over the past five weeks and has seemingly lost his WR1 role to rookie Puka Nacua. This week they face off with the Cleveland Browns that are the 2nd worst matchup for receivers and are a total avoid. Cleveland is allowing only 20.1 fantasy points per game to receivers and this is yet another spot where Kupp is likely to struggle as he continues to be hampered by injuries.
DK Metcalf, Seahawks v DAL (28)
Metcalf has been hit and miss all season and has massively disappointed on his high draft cost. This week they square off with the Cowboys who are the 4th worst matchup for receivers. They are allowing only 22.8 fantasy points per game to the position. This is a good time to avoid Metcalf, especially as quarterback Geno Smith continues to battle an elbow injury.
Start ‘Em
Dalton Schultz, Texans v DEN (1)
Schultz has been a consistent producer in the suddenly high-flying Texans pass game. This week he will go up against the Broncos who are the best matchup for opposing tight ends. Denver is allowing 13.4 fantasy points per game to the position and should allow CJ Stroud to shred yet another team.
Evan Engram, Jaguars v CIN (2)
Engram has also been a surprisingly reliable low-end TE1 this season and much like Schultz he gets a prime matchup this week. In Week 13 he faces the Bengals who are the 2nd best matchup for opposing tight ends. Cincinnati is allowing 12.3 fantasy points per game to tight ends. expect Engram to be a mid-range TE1 in this juicy matchup.
David Njoku, Browns v LAR (5)
Njoku has been the only Browns offensive player to benefit from Dorian Thompson-Robinson starting at quarterback, so this one is contingent on DTR being the quarterback again in Week 13. If PJ Walker gets the start, Njoku is closer to a low-end TE1 than a mid-range TE1. He faces the Rams this week who are the 5th best matchup for tight ends. Los Angeles is allowing 11.1 fantasy points per game to the position. Start Njoku in all circumstances, but have more confidence with the rookie as his quarterback.
Sit ’em
Tyler Higbee, Rams v CLE (32)
Higbee was a surprise fantasy stud in Week 12. It was rumored before the game that he would be inactive with an injury before he played and posted a 2 touchdown game. In Week 13 he faces the Browns who are the worst matchup for opposing tight ends. Cleveland is allowing only 4.8 fantasy points per game tot the position and are a must-avoid for the touchdown dependent Higbee.
Gerald Everett, Chargers v NE (30)
Everett has seemingly lost endzone targets to Donald Parham and has seen his value tank as a result. This week he faces the Patriots who are the 3rd worst matchup for opposing tight ends. New England is allowing only 6.5 fantasy points per game to the position and Everett cannot be trusted to produce.
Dallas Goedert, Eagles v SF (28)
Goedert looks to return from injury in Week 13. The problem is, he returns to a matchup with the San Francisco 49ers who rank as the 5th worst matchup for tight ends. San Francisco is allowing only 6.6 fantasy points per game to opposing tight ends, making Goedert impossible to trust this week.
Well, that’s it for our Start ‘Em Sit ‘Em for Week 13 of the 2023 season. Remember, you can check out rankings for each Week. Reach out on social media, you can find us on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram. Or jump into our Discord server. Follow me on Twitter @FFMadScientist
Image Credit: Ed Mulholland – USA TODAY Sports
Start ‘Em Sit ‘Em 2022 Week 14
Start ‘Em Sit ‘Em 2022 Week 14
