Week 13 Fantasy Football Projections: Top 100 Players and PPR Predictions

Week 13 represents do-or-die time for most fantasy football leagues, so make sure you put together the best lineup possible.

You won't be able to utilize the red-hot Tennessee Titans or pick on the ice-cold Cleveland Browns, but otherwise it will be a busy week with 30 teams in action. With relatively few injuries to deal with, you should have as many options as you have in a long time.

This leaves a lot of room for error, but you don't want to be left with any regret after leaving a top scorer on the bench. Hopefully, these rankings will be enough to lead your team to victory.

Quarterbacks

Rank	Player	Team	Opponent	Proj. Points
1	Tom Brady	Patriots	LA	24
2	Drew Brees	Saints	DET	24
3	Aaron Rodgers	Packers	HOU	23
4	Ben Roethlisberger	Steelers	NYG	20
5	Kirk Cousins	Redskins	at ARI	20
6	Colin Kaepernick	49ers	at CHI	20
7	Cam Newton	Panthers	at SEA	19
8	Andrew Luck	Colts	at NYJ	19
9	Matthew Stafford	Lions	at NO	19
10	Matt Ryan	Falcons	KC	19

Tom Brady has slowed a bit since his hot start, but he is still the most consistent quarterback in the league, even with question marks about his tight ends.

Drew Brees isn't too far behind, though, especially after throwing four touchdown passes and 310 yards against the Los Angeles Rams.

This was the seventh time in 11 games Brees has thrown at least three touchdowns. Even with the Detroit Lions improving defensively, the New Orleans Saints star should light up the stat sheet.

Meanwhile, Colin Kaepernick also continues to move up the rankings after his best performance of the season. The dual-threat star totaled 296 passing yards and three touchdowns to go with 113 rushing yards.

Bleacher Report's Doug Farrar believed it was a throwback to Kaepernick's breakout season:

Regardless of what you think about him personally, the talented quarterback continues to be productive with his arm and legs, averaging 23.8 fantasy points per game in standard leagues in the last four weeks. If he is available, you need to pick him up now and start him.

Matt Ryan and Matthew Stafford have been quiet from a fantasy perspective over the past few weeks, but favorable matchups (against the Kansas City Chief and New Orleans Saints, respectively) could allow them to once again put up big points in Week 13.

Running Backs

Rank	Player	Team	Opponent	Proj. Points
1	David Johnson	Cardinals	WAS	18
2	Ezekiel Elliott	Cowboys	at MIN	17
3	Le'Veon Bell	Steelers	NYG	17
4	Melvin Gordon	Chargers	TB	15
5	LeSean McCoy	Bills	at OAK	14
6	Jordan Howard	Bears	SF	13
7	Jay Ajayi	Dolphins	at BAL	13
8	Mark Ingram	Saints	DET	12
9	Devonta Freeman	Falcons	KC	12
10	Spencer Ware	Chiefs	at ATL	12
11	Devontae Booker	Broncos	at JAX	12
12	Doug Martin	Buccaneers	at SD	12
13	Lamar Miller	Texans	at GB	12
14	Theo Riddick	Lions	at NO	11
15	Latavius Murray	Raiders	BUF	11
16	Carlos Hyde	49ers	at CHI	11
17	Thomas Rawls	Seahawks	CAR	11
18	Matt Forte	Jets	IND	10
19	LeGarrette Blount	Patriots	LA	10
20	Jonathan Stewart	Panthers	at SEA	10
21	Rashad Jennings	Giants	at PIT	10
22	Frank Gore	Colts	at NYJ	9
23	Rob Kelley	Redskins	at ARI	9
24	Todd Gurley	Rams	at NE	9
25	Tim Hightower	Saints	DET	9
26	Jeremy Hill	Bengals	PHI	9
27	James Starks	Packers	HOU	8
28	Terrance West	Ravens	MIA	8
29	Dion Lewis	Patriots	LA	8
30	Darren Sproles	Eagles	at CIN	8

Ezekiel Elliott has had an outstanding rookie season, but David Johnson has been the best offensive player in football.

The running back actually had a quiet day on the ground in Week 12, finishing with 58 rushing yards on 13 carries. However, he added eight catches for 103 yards and a receiving touchdown.

Matt Berry of ESPN noted how good Johnson has been through the air in recent weeks:

Per Jared Dubin of CBSSports.com, Johnson is still on pace to become the first player in NFL history to reach 100 yards from scrimmage in all 16 games. When you add in his ability to get into the end zone, there is no one better in the sport.

Meanwhile, some other backs are on the rise after big performances this past week, including LeSean McCoy and Mark Ingram. Both players had more than 140 yards from scrimmage and two total touchdowns; each was a surprise based on his situation coming into the week.

McCoy was questionable with a thumb injury, while Ingram had lost snaps to Tim Hightower in recent weeks, but both have shown they can be top options going forward.

Devontae Booker is another player who can be a big producer after posting back-to-back games with 24 rushing attempts. He hasn't broken out with a big showing since becoming a starter, but that could come against the Jacksonville Jaguars.

Ezra Shaw/Getty Images

Wide Receivers

Rank	Player	Team	Opponent	Proj. Points
1	Antonio Brown	Steelers	NYG	15
2	Mike Evans	Buccaneers	at SD	14
3	Odell Beckham Jr.	Giants	at PIT	14
4	Julio Jones	Falcons	KC	13
5	Larry Fitzgerald	Cardinals	WAS	13
6	Jordy Nelson	Packers	HOU	13
7	Dez Bryant	Cowboys	at MIN	12
8	Amari Cooper	Raiders	BUF	12
9	T.Y. Hilton	Colts	at NYJ	12
10	Michael Thomas	Saints	DET	12
11	Davante Adams	Packers	HOU	11
12	Michael Crabtree	Raiders	BUF	11
13	Julian Edelman	Patriots	LA	11
14	Emmanuel Sanders	Broncos	at JAX	11
15	Stefon Diggs	Vikings	DAL	11
16	Brandon Marshall	Jets	IND	11
17	Brandin Cooks	Saints	DET	10
18	Tyrell Williams	Chargers	TB	10
19	Demaryius Thomas	Broncos	at JAX	10
20	Jamison Crowder	Redskins	at ARI	10
21	Sammy Watkins	Bills	at OAK	10
22	Golden Tate	Lions	at NO	9
23	Allen Robinson	Jaguars	DEN	9
24	Doug Baldwin	Seahawks	CAR	9
25	Kelvin Benjamin	Panthers	at SEA	9
26	Tyreek Hill	Chiefs	at ATL	9
27	Donte Moncrief	Colts	at NYJ	8
28	DeAndre Hopkins	Texans	at GB	8
29	Kenny Britt	Rams	at NE	8
30	DeSean Jackson	Redskins	at ARI	8

Outside of Antonio Brown, it is difficult to find much consistency at the receiver position.

Odell Beckham Jr. had 96 yards and two touchdowns this week, but only after scoring just four fantasy points in standard leagues the game before. Julio Jones has been one of the top overall scorers in fantasy football, although this week was the fourth time this year he ended with three or fewer fantasy points.

Seven different receivers finished with two or more touchdown receptions in Week 12, but you can't count on any of them to replicate their performances from week to week (with the exception of Brown).

This means you have to look toward upside, which puts Beckham, Jones and Mike Evans near the top of the list thanks to their ability to dominate on any given night.

In addition, Sammy Watkins should be back in lineups after totaling 80 receiving yards in limiting playing time Sunday. 

"[Watkins] is such a difference-maker as a player, and hopefully he can play a little more and more because we certainly need him," Buffalo Bills coach Rex Ryan said, per Mike Rodak of ESPN.com. "We're a different team with him." 

Although he might be difficult to trust in such an important fantasy week, his upside is unmistakable, and he has a favorable matchup against the Oakland Raiders. If you are willing to take the risk, you could end up with a big game.

Additionally, Tyreek Hill has become a start-worthy player thanks to his explosiveness and ability to score from anywhere on the field. He scored two touchdowns (one rushing, one receiving) last week against the Broncos.

Tight Ends

Rank	Player	Team	Opponent	Proj. Points
1	Jordan Reed	Redskins	at ARI	12
2	Rob Gronkowski	Patriots	LA	10
3	Jimmy Graham	Seahawks	CAR	9
4	Travis Kelce	Chiefs	at ATL	9
5	Tyler Eifert	Bengals	PHI	9
6	Greg Olsen	Panthers	at SEA	8
7	Kyle Rudolph	Vikings	DAL	8
8	Eric Ebron	Lions	at NO	7
9	Martellus Bennett	Patriots	LA	6
10	C.J. Fiedorowicz	Texans	at GB	6

Even in a loss, Jordan Reed showed how dangerous he can be. The tight end finished with 10 catches for 95 yards and two touchdowns against the Dallas Cowboys on Thanksgiving, doing everything he could to help the Washington Redskins stay competitive.

Although he has had some quiet weeks this year, no one else at the position is a bigger part of his team's offense.

With that said, a few injuries to key receivers have forced some quality tight ends into a brighter spotlight. Tyler Eifert has stepped up with A.J. Green sidelined, while Travis Kelce has earned some of Jeremy Maclin's targets.

Both players remain top fantasy options going forward in both standard competitions and points-per-reception leagues.

Those who are looking for a sleeper could turn to Vance McDonald, who has at least 46 receiving yards in the last four weeks with two touchdowns. While he won't turn heads, he might do enough at a shallow position to help you out in deeper leagues.

Defense/Special Teams

Rank	Team	Opponent	Proj. Points
1	Denver Broncos	at JAX	12
2	Seattle Seahawks	CAR	9
3	New England Patriots	LA	9
4	Philadelphia Eagles	at CIN	8
5	Baltimore Ravens	MIA	8
6	Dallas Cowboys	at MIN	7
7	Miami Dolphins	at BAL	7
8	San Diego Chargers	TB	7
9	Kansas City Chiefs	at ATL	6
10	Tampa Bay Buccaneers	at SD	6

The Denver Broncos have an elite offense, boasting pass-rushers who rack up sacks and playmakers in the secondary who can create turnovers. Pitting this unit against Blake Bortles and the Jacksonville Jaguars almost seems unfair.

While it's almost impossible to predict defensive touchdowns, Bortles has seen 10 of his throws go the other way for six in his short career. This seems like a good opportunity for the Broncos to capitalize and add to this list.

The Baltimore Ravens are another team that could come through with a big day despite solid recent play from the Miami Dolphins.

Baltimore earned three sacks and recovered two fumbles Sunday, a trend that could continue against a Dolphins offensive line that has dealt with injuries all year. Ryan Tannehill has avoided turnovers, but the Ravens should get to him next week.

On the other hand, the Minnesota Vikings might not even be worth a start against the Dallas Cowboys and the best offensive line in the NFL.

Kickers

Rank	Player	Team	Opponent	Proj. Points
1	Justin Tucker	Ravens	MIA	10
2	Dan Bailey	Cowboys	at MIN	10
3	Matt Bryant	Falcons	KC	9
4	Stephen Gostkowski	Patriots	LA	9
5	Matt Prater	Lions	at NO	9
6	Sebastian Janikowski	Raiders	BUF	8
7	Mason Crosby	Packers	HOU	8
8	Caleb Sturgis	Eagles	at CIN	8
9	Cairo Santos	Chiefs	at ATL	7
10	Wil Lutz	Saints	DET	7

Justin Tucker has ended the argument about the best kicker in the NFL.

The Ravens star knocked in three field goals from more than 50 yards out Sunday, adding another chip shot to lead all scorers. He is now 27-of-27 this season plus 15-of-15 on extra points. 

Although Baltimore doesn't have the best offense and you can't always trust the squad to get into field-goal range, the chances of scoring are a lot greater with Tucker on your team.

Follow Rob Goldberg on Twitter.