Quarterbacks

Start ‘Em

Trevor Lawrence, Jacksonville Jaguars

I was pretty big on Trevor Lawrence in the off-season and he just now seems to be putting it together averaging over 20 fantasy points per game over the last three. He hasn’t been the most consistent quarterback over the course of the season, ranked 23rd in the league with a Consistency Score of 5.58, but this is steadily improving. Furthermore, Lawrence has a favorable matchup this week facing the Lions who are giving up nearly 24 points per game and a second-highest D-PAC score versus quarterbacks at 10.19, and is a solid option off the waiver wire in your fantasy lineups this week if you need a quarterback.

Jared Goff, Detroit Lions

Simply put, you start Jared Goff at home. He’s thrown multiple touchdown passes in each home game except for one, where he threw for 321 yards. Facing the Jaguars in Week 13 makes this pick even juicier as they have allowed an average of 281.2 passing yards and two passing touchdowns in their last six games. Another potential waiver wire starter, don’t be afraid to start Goff this week. 

Sit ‘Em

Deshaun Watson, Cleveland Browns

Well, we have finally made it to this point, and for better or for worse, Deshaun Watson will be back on the field this Sunday for the Browns. With this game being in Watson’s old home in Houston, and not knowing how weird it all might get, I am staying away from Watson for at least this week. All I know is when the Texans aren’t facing the Dolphins’ dynamic duo of wide receivers, they are tough against opposing quarterbacks. They are only allowing 12.59 points per game and a second-lowest D-PAC versus quarterbacks score of 4.27. This one could get weird.

Marcus Mariota, Atlanta Falcons

For the most part, you’re probably not really considering Marcus Mariota as your starting quarterback. With a seemingly positive matchup, you may be looking at him as a streaming candidate. Opposing signal callers have had success against the Steelers for most of 2022 with six quarterbacks throwing for over 250 yards in the first eight weeks. The Steelers’ defense has gotten healthier and more aggressive, holding two of the past three quarterbacks under 200 passing yards, the third being Joe Burrow. Mariota is no Burrow.

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Running Backs

Start ‘Em

David Montgomery, Chicago Bears

The Packers are making this easy for me, as I can just about pick any running back playing against the Packers each week. They are allowing nearly 26 points per game to running backs this season and have the league-highest D-PAC score. David Montgomery hasn’t been the model of consistency this year, ranked 30th with a score of 3.62, but with Khalil Herbert out, he’s been a solid start. He’s averaged over 16 points per game over the last two and had 122 rushing yards against the Packers earlier this season.

A.J. Dillon, Green Bay Packers

If you’ve been holding onto A.J. Dillon all year (like me), your patience may be rewarded this week. Dillon has surpassed 60 rushing yards in two of his last three games and notched a touchdown against the Eagles in Week 12. The Bears, who will attempt to stop him in Week 13, gave up 131 rushing yards and 19 attempts to Ty Johnson and Zonovan Knight last week. With enough touches and a score, Dillon should finish top 20 at the position this Sunday.

Sit ‘Em

Devin Singletary, Buffalo Bills

After two decent performances in Weeks 10 and 11, Devin Singletary was only able to put together 86 total yards and no scores against the Lions on Thanksgiving. This seems to be about his normal scoring totals, which is not starting material. This week he faces the Patriots who are allowing only 15.56  points per game and have been tough against the run. Singletary can be a spot starter, but this is not the week.

Jeff Wilson Jr., Miami Dolphins

Jeff Wilson Jr. has been a solid fantasy play since joining Miami, scoring in each of his last three games. The 49ers have been absolutely tenacious against running backs this year. No opposing running back has reached 60 yards on the ground against them all season, including Austin Ekeler, Alvin Kamara, and Christian McCaffrey. They also have the fifth toughest D-PAC score and second-fewest fantasy points allowed per game to the position.

Wide Receivers

Start ‘Em

Brandon Aiyuk, San Francisco 49ers

I couldn’t believe it when I saw it, but Brandon Aiyuk has been the 10th most consistent wide receiver in the league with a 5.38 score and 17% of his starts finishing in the top -12 of the league. Enter the Dolphins who are giving up over 33 points per game and second-highest D-PAC score versus wide receivers this year at 19.8. This game already has a lot of chatter around it and should have been flexed to Sunday night, but I can’t wait to watch it. Confidently start Aiyuk this week.

George Pickens, Pittsburgh Steelers

I love when a rookie wide receiver finds his stride and makes their name known. This week against Atlanta could be that big breakout for George Pickens. With a banged-up Najee Harris, look to the Steelers to emphasize the passing attack. Pickens has seen at least six targets in six of the previous eight contests. On the other side of the field is a Falcons defense that has the eight-nicest D-PAC rating against wide receivers this year. Any shares of Pickens should be started in Week 13 for a great WR3 or flex play.

Sit ‘Em

Terry McLaurin, Washington Commanders

In a bit of a slump over the past two weeks, Terry McLaurin has only been averaging about seven points per game with just over 50 yards per game and no touchdowns. Seven points is not a solid number for your wide receiver every week. He’s also been highly inconsistent with a 3.76 Consistency Score, netting him a rank of 28 in the league. The Giants on the other hand have been only allowing opposing wide receiver groups to 28 points per game. Not a good matchup for McLaurin this week.

Allen Lazard, Green Bay Packers

It feels like Allen Lazard is losing the role as the WR1 for Green Bay in favor of rookie Christian Watson. In their last three games, Lazard has seen fewer than five targets in two of them and trailed Watson in targets in all three games. The Bears offense was forcing teams to keep scoring with Justin Fields under center, but he may sit out again with their bye week on the horizon. Green Bay will be run heavy in Week 13, leaving fewer passing opportunities to be had by Lazard.

Tight Ends

Start ‘Em

Gerald Everett, Los Angeles Chargers

Man, I really hate the tight end position this season, it’s just so volatile. One week a player will pop, and next week they won’t register a target. For this exact reason, I made tight end optional in my home league. If I’m forced to pick a tight end that is not in the top three, I’ll go with Gerald Everett this week. He’s been getting semi-regular targets and is facing the Raiders this week who are giving up nearly 14 points per game.

Tyler Higbee, Los Angeles Rams

Normally when you’re searching for a tight end, the first place you look is the player against the Cardinals. They’re on bye, so who are the Seahawks playing this week? Tyler Higbee hasn’t scored a touchdown yet this season, so he is due. Seattle’s D-PAC rating of 6.66 is the third-best for opposing tight ends. No matter the quarterback, you’re safe to roll with Higbee in Week 13.

Sit ‘Em

Mike Gesicki, Miami Dolphins

After having a few weeks in a row where he was involved in this offense, Mike Gesicki has once again disappeared. He’s hardly getting targeted and not producing when he is targeted. Miami takes on the 49ers this week, and the 49ers defense is on fire, especially against tight ends. They are currently only allowing 9 points per game to tight ends and I expect more of the same this week.

Foster Moreau, Las Vegas Raiders

With no Darren Waller, Foster Moreau is usually a strong option for fantasy. The Week 13 matchup with the Chargers looks good on paper but is actually deceiving. Aside from Travis Kelce’s six catches for 115 yards and three scores in Week 11, no tight end has had more than four catches or 51 yards against the Chargers. In fact, they’ve only surrendered one other tight end score all season. Just leave Moreau on the waiver wire this week.

Don’t forget to hit us up on Twitter with any of your lineup questions. You can find Benjamin @FFRabbitDad and Brendan @OBryanBren. If you have a question, we will give you some guidance. After all, we want you to win!

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