Welcome back to my trust or bust series, brought back for 2022, here we look at the Week 13 matchups.
After an epic Week 12 performance, Josh Jacobs and Raider nation had the hashtag #PaytheMan trending. If Josh Jacobs was a Thanksgiving side, which one would he be? I hope you guys had a good holiday with your family and friends.
For those who are wondering why I didn’t have an article last week, I did. Unfortunately, time escaped me and by the time I remembered to send it to my editor, it was too late. If you were looking for fantasy advice, my article wouldn’t have helped you. In the spirit of the holidays, I decided to share some personal experiences and hopefully some encouragement for anyone going through a tough time.
Now, for my first-time readers. This is NOT a ‘start/sit’ article per se. This is more or less how I feel about a player, why I think that way, suggesting what I would do, what to expect, and who I like more. *All rankings are used with total PPR scoring in mind.*
I know when offering advice and analysis, accuracy and accountability are essential. Not just to you guys but to me as well. Every week I like to keep track and share my previous week’s picks that I got right and wrong. Here is where I would normally share my picks from the week prior or what is better known as the ‘Accountability Report’. Because I didn’t make any picks last week, I have no report this week.
Week 13 Inside/ Outside Picks
QB Deshaun Watson (CLE)
@HOU
Current Ranking 99th
AVG Points per Game n/a
Week 13 ranking 11th
If this isn’t the most-watched game of the week, then the NFL needs a new marketing team. Ok, I know the Texans aren’t exactly the greatest show on turf but for a defense that’s allowed only ten passing touchdowns this season, their pass defense deserves some respect. Insert Deshaun Watson who hasn’t played in close to two years. The Texans’ defense will be rolling out the red carpet for Deshaun Watson’s return to Houston.
Who I like More
QB Jimmy Garoppolo (SF)
v MIA
Week 13 ranking 15nd
Week 13 is filled with fantasy gold mine matchups and the one between the 49ers and the Miami Dolphins or better yet the Mike McDaniels vs Kyle Shanahan matchup might be my personal favorite. With four top-12 finishes in his last 7 games, Jimmy G has been a top-10 quarterback from Weeks 5 to 12. Facing the league’s third-worst defense versus quarterbacks; Jimmy G’s fantasy outlook is almost as good-looking as he thinks he is.
RB Saquon Barkley (NYG)
v WAS
Current Ranking 6th
AVG Points per Game 18.2
Week 13 ranking 8th
Saquon Barkley and the Giants have been one of the bigger surprises of the 2022 season and right behind them are the Washington Commanders. Winning 6 of their last 7 games, Washington is making the NFC East playoff race quite interesting. Holding opposing teams to an average of 15 points per game, Saquon, and the Giants will have their work cut out for them against a stout run defense that ranks #1 overall the last 4 weeks.
Who I like More
RB Isiah Pacheco (KC)
@CIN
Week 13 ranking 22nd
A rematch of the AFC championship game, this matchup is every fantasy player’s dream. One player who will be a difference-maker is Pacheco. In Week 11 Pacheco had his first game of 100 yards rushing. Last week he scored his first touchdown, and over the last 3 weeks, he’s averaging 18 touches per game. The Bengals have a generous run defense that’s allowed a rushing touchdown in 4 of its last 5 games. Pacheco’s breakout game is next off his list of ‘firsts’ we can cross off.
WR Jaylen Waddle (MIA)
@SF
Current Ranking 6th
AVG Points per Game 17.1
Week 13 ranking 8th
In what is sure to be a shoot-out, I expect the 49ers and Dolphins to score a lot of points this week. As good as Waddle and the Dolphins have been this season, the San Fransisco defense has been equally good over the last four weeks, not a single team has scored in the second half versus the 49ers’ defense. It just so happens Waddle has yet to have a WR1 finish when he doesn’t score a touchdown.
Who I like More
WR Garrett Wilson (NYJ)
@MIN
Week 13 Ranking 16th
We all thought the Jets’ offense would get a boost with Mike White, but I don’t think we saw Garrett Wilson having his third WR1 performance of the season. I know the Bears’ defense is bad but guess what, Minnesota’s isn’t any better allowing the most receiving yards and fourth most receptions. Wilson’s bid for rookie of the year will get stronger in Week 13.
TE T.J. Hockenson (MIN)
v NYJ
Current Ranking 3rd
AVG Points per Game 12.4
Week 13 ranking 3rd
One of the bigger trades this season was Minnesota acquiring Hockensen from the Detroit Lions. Fantasy managers have likely benefited the most when you consider that Hockensen has finished as a TE1 every week since he arrived in Minnesota. I don’t expect that streak to continue against a Jets’ defense that’s yet to allow a touchdown all season to tight ends. To make matters worse, the Jets’ opponents have scored twenty points just once since Week 5.
Who I like More
TE Logan Thomas (WAS)
@NYG
Week 13 ranking 22nd
The Commanders’ offense hasn’t been anything to write home about, but the pieces for a dynamic offense are there and we’ve seen glimpses of what could be an above-average offensive unit. It wasn’t that long ago that Logan Thomas took the fantasy world by storm and had his breakout season as the TE4 in 2020. With a matchup against a banged-up Giants’ defense that gave up three touchdowns to the Cowboys’ tight ends on Thanksgiving. Look for Thomas to be the next tight end to carve up a defense that’s allowing over thirteen points per game to tight ends this season.
That’s gonna do it for this week’s piece. I hope you found the info useful and actionable.
Thank you for reading. Just a reminder, my fantasy podcast: The ATB Fantasy Show records a new episode every Thursday. You can find the podcast on most major platforms, including Spotify and Apple Music. Here’s a link to the most recent episode.
If you use the hashtag #AskATB or send us a DM, we’ll be sure to answer any and all of your fantasy questions.
There you have it! Any questions, or want some more specific help for your league on who to drop, just reach out. Reach out on social media, you can find us on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram. Or jump into our Discord server. And checkout out rankings for each Week.
Image Credit: Vincent Carchietta – USA TODAY Sports
