Let’s dive into some news and notes around the league, my top fantasy plays and favorite picks for Week 13.
Notes:
• It’s crunch time in the fantasy regular season and we have six teams on a bye in this crucial week. The Bears, Bills, Giants, Raiders, Ravens and Vikings are off this week, so set your lineups accordingly.
• Gus Edwards had the momentum going into Sunday’s clash with the Chargers, scoring nine touchdowns in five games, but the bruising back saw the fewest snaps between the trio of Edwards, Keaton Mitchell and Justice Hill. Mitchell led the group with 33 snaps and his speed looks to be a focal point in the offense. Edwards is a touchdown-dependent FLEX play, while Mitchell is back-end RB2. Hill should not be in starting lineups barring an injury to his teammates.
• The performance we saw on Sunday afternoon from Jalen Hurts and Josh Allen was incredible, as they accounted for nine touchdowns. If there was any question, it solidified the duo as the top-two QBs in fantasy football. Patrick Mahomes is still the best in the NFL, but Hurts and Allen’s contributions near the goal line make them the cream of the crop in our game.
• Many invested highly in the Jaguars’ Trevor Lawrence and Calvin Ridley, and those who remained patient have been rewarded the last two weeks. Both players finished atop their position in scoring last week and in the top 10 in Week 12. We saw the Jags get hot down the stretch last season and it looks to be trending that way again.
• Kyren Williams came off injured reserve and didn’t miss a beat, as he accounted for more than 200 yards in his return. Here is how he has finished in his seven games this season: RB7, RB4, RB26, RB3, RB30, RB2, and RB1. He catapults back up the rankings as a top-10 running back and must be started moving forward.
• I feel for fantasy owners who benched Tyler Higbee after it was initially reported that he was inactive on Sunday. That ultimately was not the case and Higbee found the end zone on his first two receptions. With that said, you had to be truly desperate to be starting him anyway.
Thursday Game: Seahawks vs. Cowboys
Sunday Night Game: Chiefs vs. Packers
Monday Night Game: Bengals vs. Jaguars
Top Pickups of the Week: Derek Carr, Jayden Reed, Pat Freiermuth, Juwan Johnson
Buy Low: Travis Etienne, DK Metcalf, Evan Engram
Sell High: David Montgomery, Ja’Marr Chase, Gabe Davis, Dalton Schultz
Send to the Waiver Wire: Michael Thomas, Luke Musgrave, Hunter Henry
Start ‘Em:
Quarterback: Russell Wilson
Running Back: Jaylen Warren
Wide Receiver: Josh Downs
Tight End: Juwan Johnson
Defense: Falcons
Sit ‘Em:
Quarterback: Geno Smith
Running Back: Dameon Pierce
Wide Receiver: Demario Douglas
Tight End: Jonnu Smith
Defense: 49ers
Sleepers:
Quarterback: Will Levis
Running Back: D’Ernest Johnson
Wide Receiver: Greg Dortch
Tight End: Tommy Tremble
Defense: Bengals
NFL Picks for Week 13:
Weekly Pick ‘Em (Season Record: 113-67)
Cowboys (vs. Seahawks)
Chargers (vs. Patriots)
Lions (vs. Saints)
Falcons (vs. Jets)
Steelers (vs. Cardinals)
Colts (vs. Titans)
Dolphins (vs. Commanders)
Broncos (vs. Texans)
Buccaneers (vs. Panthers)
Eagles (vs. 49ers)
Rams (vs. Browns)
Chiefs (vs. Packers)
Jaguars (vs. Bengals)
Five Against the Spread Picks (Season Record: 29-31)
Cowboys -8.5 vs. Seahawks
Falcons -3 vs. Jets
Broncos +3.5 vs. Texans
Eagles +2.5 vs. 49ers
Bengals +7.5 vs. Jaguars
Five Over-Under Totals (Season Record: 29-31)
Chargers-Patriots under 40.5
Lions-Saints over 45.5
Cardinals-Steelers under 39.5
Colts-Titans under 42.5
Chiefs-Packers over 42.5
One Bold Prediction for the Week
Week 1: Sam Howell finishes as a top-five fantasy QB against Cardinals. (miss)
Week 2: Michael Thomas leads all players in receiving yards in the two Monday night games. (miss)
Week 3: Justin Fields leads the league in rushing yards in an effort to keep up with the Chiefs. (miss)
Week 4: Travis Kelce has more receiving yards than Zach Wilson has passing yards in the “Sunday Night Football” game. (miss)
Week 5: The Bills put up 50-plus points against the Jaguars in London. (miss)
Week 6: Josh Jacobs has more total scrimmage yards than Mac Jones has passing yards. (miss)
Week 7: The Eagles hold Tyreek Hill to under 50 receiving yards. (miss)
Week 8: The Jets and Giants score more points than the Patriots and Dolphins. The Jets-Giants total is 36.5, while Patriots-Dolphins total is the highest of the week at 47. (major miss)
Week 9: Tee Higgins leads all receivers in yardage against Bills. (miss — finished fifth)
Week 10: With Travis Kelce on a bye, a tight end leads the league in receiving. (miss)
Week 11: Jordan Love is a top-five QB in fantasy this week. (miss)
Week 12: Jalen Hurts and Josh Allen combine to score four rushing touchdowns in the Bills-Eagles matchup. (finally got one!)
Week 13: Rachaad White leads the league in scrimmage yards.
Photo Credit: Kenya Allen/PressBox