Each week there are some obvious starts and sits in fantasy football. Other decisions are not quite so simple. Here are some of my picks for Week 13 in the latest edition of Studs, Duds & Sleepers.
STUDS
QB: Tua Tagovailoa (MIA at WAS): The Commanders’ defense is toast and that should help Tagovailoa break out of his mini-slump. The Miami signal caller is just QB15 over the last five weeks, but should fare well vs. Washington, who has allowed more fantasy points per game (26.0) than any other team in the league this year.
RB: Travis Etienne (JCK vs. CIN): The volume has been there for the Jacksonville running back as he’s had at least 17 touches in 9 of 11 games, but he’s only eclipsed 56 rushing yards once in his last six contests. Look for that to change on Monday vs. a Bengals’ D that is allowing the sixth most PPR points (26.2 ppg) to running backs over the last three weeks.
WR: Tank Dell (HOU vs. DEN): The rookie wideout has now scored a TD in four straight games and pulled in 25 of 43 targets for 369 yards in that span. The matchup isn’t great vs. a Denver in Week 13, but the Texans are at home and with a total currently sitting at 47.5 points I’ll continue to ride the hot hand here.
TE: George Kittle (SF at PHI): There are so many mouths to feed in the San Francisco offense it’s hard for all of them to produce each and every week. However, the 47.5 total here suggests game flow could support multiple top-level producers. Kittle is a good bet to produce either way against an Eagles’ secondary that has allowed the sixth most PPR points and tied for the most TD’s (6) allowed to tight ends this season.
+++
Get ready for this week’s NFL action with Dan Clasgens & James Adams…
LISTEN NOW: The Fantistics Insider Football Podcast
+++
DUDS
QB: Matthew Stafford (LAR vs. CLE): After throwing four touchdowns a week ago things will be a bit tougher for the veteran quarterback in Week 13 as Cleveland is paying a visit. The Browns are only yielding 16.1 fantasy points per contest to opposing signalers, the third fewest mark in the league.
RB: Jerome Ford (CLE at LAR): With quarterback questions looming, the Browns’ entire offense offers a very limited upside. That makes Jerome Ford a flex play at best until further notice regardless of matchup. He’s ranked as RB26 over the last five weeks.
WR: Chris Godwin (TB vs. CAR): Despite having six or more targets in all but one game, the fantasy numbers just haven’t been there for Godwin. He has scored just once all season and has now failed to reach double digit PPR points in four straight games. That makes him hard to trust in a matchup where the Bucs are expected to play from ahead.
TE: Kyle Pitts (ATL at NYJ) : Pitts is hard to bench given the high investment fantasy managers made in acquiring him. However, this is not a week to trust the talent. The Jets have allowed the fifth fewest fantasy points to tight ends this year and only one TD to the position all season.
SLEEPERS
QB: Jordan Love (GB vs. KC): Don’t look now, but over the last three weeks Love has been a top six fantasy quarterback. He has thrown for 879 yards and seven touchdowns during that span and this week’s matchup against Patrick Mahomes should keep Love passing the ball.
RB: Zach Charbonnet (SEA at DAL): It appears as if Kenneth Walker (oblique) is going to miss another week of action and that makes Charbonnet an automatic top 20 RB based on volume alone despite a tough matchup on tap with Dallas.
WR: Josh Downs (IND at TEN): The targets continue to be there for the Colts’ rookie wideout, including a season-high 13 a week ago. With six teams on bye this week I like him as a flex play vs. a Titans’ D he caught six balls for 97 yards against in Week 5. Expect similar results this time around.
TE: Juwan Johnson (NO vs. DET): Given the amount of injuries the Saints are dealing with at wide receiver, Johnson should see an uptick in targets. Look for the Lions to lead in this game which should lead to a positive game script for the Saints’ passing game.
Follow me on X @DanClasgens for more NFL and fantasy football takes and analysis.
