Week 13 Start 'Em, Sit 'Em: Rounding Up Latest Expert Advice on the Web
With three NFL games taking place on Thursday and another on Friday, we're already a quarter of the way through Week 13. Some fantasy managers may be heading into the weekend needing to play catch-up.
The good news is that all 32 teams are in action this week, so most fantasy options will be available. The bad news is that some fantasy stars are facing less-than-desirable matchups.
While tough contests won't cause managers to sit the likes of Justin Jefferson or Saquon Barkley, not every remaining Week 13 decision will be as simple.
Here, we'll dive into some of the trickier situations remaining this week and dive into some of the latest expert fantasy advice from around the web. All choices are based on point-per-reception (PPR) scoring.
Start: Bijan Robinson, RB, Atlanta Falcons
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Atlanta Falcons running back Bijan Robinson has been dependable for most of the season, though he's not quite in the same "matchup-proof" territory as Barkley. Against the Denver Broncos in Week 11, for example, he caught four passes but tallied just 63 scrimmage yards.
This week, the Falcons will host the Los Angeles Chargers, who have allowed the fifth-fewest fantasy points to opposing running backs on the season. That's not ideal, though it's worth noting that teams have recently found running room against the Bolts.
"Los Angeles has allowed 140 scrimmage yards to both Chase Brown and Derrick Henry in their last two games. Robinson has proved to be one of the most versatile running backs in the league, so he should be able to find a way to get the best of this matchup," Mick Ciallela of Fantrax wrote (h/t FantasyPros).
Recent trends shouldn't be ignored, and neither should Robinson's PPR floor. The second-year back has averaged just over four receptions per game in 2024, and he could see a half-dozen or more against L.A.
Robinson should be just fine in Week 13. Teammate Tyler Allgeier, who sees little action in the passing game, belongs on the bench.
Sit: Travis Etienne Jr., RB, Jacksonville Jaguars
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Jacksonville Jaguars running back Travis Etienne Jr. also sees a fair bit of work in the passing game. However, his PPR floor doesn't quite make up for an overall lack of production. Teammate Tank Bigsby has cut into his workload significantly and has often been the more efficient ball-carrier.
However, Bigsby (ankle) may not play in Week 13. Even when Etienne has led the backfield, though, he's underwhelmed. In his last outing, against the Detroit Lions, he had 12 carries and three receptions but finished with 33 scrimmage yards.
RotoBaller's John Johnson recently suggested the 25-year-old can be cut in smaller or standard-scoring leagues.
"He's on a team with poor offensive line play, a terrible offense overall, and a defense that can't seem to stop anything," he wrote. "Rushing attempts become hard to come by when the offensive line can't be trusted to block and the team is getting blown out often."
While Johnson still has some value in larger PPR leagues, he's not a strong option for Week 13. The Jaguars will host the rival Houston Texans, who have allowed the sixth-fewest fantasy points to opposing RBs in 2024.
Start: Terry McLaurin, WR, Washington Commanders
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The Washington Commanders have started to slide in recent weeks, and it seems opposing defenses have caught up to coordinator Kliff Kingsbury and rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels.
That's led to some inconsistent production for No. 1 wideout Terry McLaurin. The veteran receiver topped 100 yards in two of his last three games, but he finished Week 11 with just one 10-yard reception.
This week, the Commanders will face the Tennessee Titans, who have allowed the fourth-fewest fantasy points to opposing receivers over the course of the season. As Derek Brown of FantasyPros pointed out, though, their ranking is heavily influenced by early-season success.
"McLaurin should still get plenty of volume against a burnable secondary to pay off in Week 13," he wrote. "Since Week 7, Tennessee has allowed the ninth-most receiving yards per game and the 11th-highest PPR points per target to perimeter wide receivers."
Tennessee may do enough to prevent McLaurin from hitting the century mark, but he should be a trustworthy option for fantasy managers.
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Sit: Diontae Johnson, WR, Baltimore Ravens
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Managers who hung on to Diontae Johnson after he was traded to the Baltimore Ravens haven't been happy. He was a quality flex option as the Carolina Panthers' No. 1 target, but he's been largely invisible as an ancillary target in Baltimore.
In his four games with the Ravens, the 28-year-old has just one six-yard reception on five targets.
"It's just not happening for Johnson," Michael Florio of NFL.com wrote. "He seems to get one or two opportunities per game, and he hasn't been able to take advantage of them. His participation has continued to decline since Baltimore acquired him."
It's probably worth keeping Johnson for insurance. He's a quality handcuff to Zay Flowers or Rashod Bateman, and he may step into a more prominent role if either misses time during the fantasy playoffs. Unless that happens, though, he can sit safely on the bench. He hasn't seen more than two targets in a game since arriving in Baltimore.
Johnson is certainly not worth starting in a pivotal matchup with the Philadelphia Eagles, who have allowed the ninth-fewest fantasy points to opposing wide receivers.
*Fantasy scoring information from FantasyPros.
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