Dear fantasy football enthusiasts, with just two weeks remaining before the onset of fantasy football playoffs in most leagues, it's crucial for managers to identify trustworthy players for their Week 13 starting lineups.
When delving into the Fantasy Football Week 13 rankings, it's important to note that six teams are on bye this week. While the absence of players like Tommy DeVito and Aidan O'Connell might not be significant, the rest of the roster holds considerable importance for most fantasy football teams.
Notably, top-performing quarterbacks like Lamar Jackson and Josh Allen won't play this week. That's along with the unavailable Justin Fields and Joshua Dobbs, both of whom have consistently ranked among the top 12 QBs in recent weeks. This scarcity will inevitably result in some unexpected names securing relatively high positions in the rankings. Week 12 witnessed stellar fantasy performances from the usual suspects such as Josh Allen, Dak Prescott, and CJ Stroud. Meanwhile, Trevor Lawrence, Jordan Love, Jalen Hurts, and Matthew Stafford also demonstrated commendable performances.
On Bye
In Week 13, the absence of six teams results in the exclusion of several top-tier quarterbacks from our rankings. Notable omissions include Allen, Jackson, and Fields, alongside high-quality streamer Dobbs. While the exclusion of O'Connell and DeVito is manageable, the loss of four starting-caliber QBs is particularly impactful in this pivotal week of the regular season.
Top Fantasy Football Picks
After an impressive 331-yard, four-touchdown performance in the Cowboys' commanding 45-10 victory over the Commanders, Dak Prescott maintains the top spot for Week 13. Prescott has been in top form. He has guided the Cowboys to a 4-1 record since their Week 7 bye. Over this period, the two-time Pro Bowler has boasted a 70.6 percent completion rate, averaging 320 yards per game, with an outstanding 17-to-2 TD/INT ratio. Prescott's Thanksgiving Day showcase, featuring four touchdown passes, solidifies his status as one of the most proficient passers at present.
Next, sure, he had a disappointing showing on Black Friday against a formidable Jets coverage unit. Still, Tua Tagovailoa is poised for a strong Week 13 matchup against the vulnerable Commanders pass defense. In the Dolphins' 34-13 victory over the Jets, Tagovailoa completed 21-of-30 passes for 243 yards, contributing one touchdown and two interceptions. Despite a shaky first half, Tagovailoa connected with Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle for 100-yard games each. Facing the Commanders, he anticipates a favorable opportunity to deliver top-tier QB1 numbers.
How About Hurts & Mahomes?
Jalen Hurts faces a challenging encounter against the 49ers in a rematch of last year's NFC Championship Game. However, his dual-threat capabilities make him a dependable, top-tier QB1. In fact, he remains on top of our list. Despite a slow start against the Bills, Hurts and the Eagles' offense rallied to score four touchdowns in the final two quarters and overtime. Hurts, a prolific fantasy football contributor, remains an elite quarterback option despite upcoming tough matchups.
Meanwhile, Patrick Mahomes, despite a slow start, showcased his usual brilliance in the final three quarters of Kansas City's 31-17 triumph in Las Vegas. He should do well against the Packers in Week 13. As for CJ Stroud, he will face the Broncos at home. He enjoys a favorable matchup, and despite being unable to secure a comeback win in Week 12, he continues to produce QB1-type fantasy numbers. Brock Purdy, Trevor Lawrence, and Justin Herbert also find themselves in must-start territory, benefiting from favorable matchups this week.
Fantasy Football Sleepers
This week's selection of sleepers, streamers, and waiver wire pickups features Gardner Minshew facing the Colts, Baker Mayfield against the Panthers, Kenny Pickett versus the Cardinals, and Will Levis versus the Colts.
Gardner Minshew continues to operate efficiently in Shane Steichen's offensive scheme. In the Colts' 27-20 victory over Tampa Bay, Minshew completed 24-of-41 passes for 251 yards with one interception. Additionally, he contributed six rushing yards and a touchdown on three carries. Despite not recording a passing touchdown, Minshew effectively moved the ball down the field, positioning the Colts for scoring opportunities. The 27-year-old quarterback aims to maintain his solid season as he faces the Titans in Week 13.
Despite the Panthers allowing the third-fewest fantasy points per game (FPPG) to quarterbacks in Week 12, their low dropback success rate of 46 percent suggests vulnerability in their coverage unit. This scenario creates an opportunity for Baker Mayfield to potentially achieve low-end QB1 numbers. In the Buccaneers' 27-20 loss to the Colts, Mayfield completed 20-of-30 passes for 199 yards, throwing two touchdowns and one interception. He also contributed 14 rushing yards on three carries. Both of Mayfield's touchdown passes targeted Mike Evans, who now boasts nine touchdowns with Mayfield at the helm this season. Despite the loss, Mayfield delivered a commendable performance and aims to return to the win column against the Panthers in Week 13. The 28-year-old did briefly exit the game with an ankle injury but returned; further information on the nature of the injury is likely to be revealed through an upcoming MRI.
Fantasy Football Busts
Matthew Stafford facing the Browns, Geno Smith against the Cowboys, and Kyler Murray versus the Steelers all confront potentially challenging matchups. These indicate potential underperformance relative to their fantasy football projections.
Sure, we recognize the temptation to keep Stafford in the lineup after a stellar Week 12. That said, Cleveland's defensive prowess, surrendering the fewest FPPG to the position, poses a threat to Stafford's fantasy football value in what could be a low-scoring, defensive contest.
Injuries
Dorian Thompson-Robinson exited Week 12 with a concussion, marking the sole QB injury for that week. Additionally, Baker Mayfield, despite an early exit in Tampa's loss to Indianapolis due to a lower-body injury, managed to return to the game.
Though the possibility of QB injuries lingering through the week always exists, there may not be a need for last-minute substitutions in Week 13. This offers a welcome relief in a season plagued by QB injuries.
Fantasy Football Strategy
Navigating the waiver wire might become imperative, especially for those, like myself, who prioritized Josh Allen in many leagues. As the bye weeks accumulate, the need for savvy strategy arises. With numerous quarterbacks grappling with injuries or inconsistency, many teams in your league might be relying on multiple QBs. This may result in limited options on the waiver wire. Currently, 15 quarterbacks are rostered in at least 90 percent of fantasy football leagues.
Again, consider Stafford and perhaps even Jordan Love as top priorities if available in your league. While both face tough matchups in Week 13, they could be valuable additions. If unavailable, options like Minshew or Pickett become viable choices. While not without reservations, Minshew's matchup against the Titans appears favorable. Meanwhile, Pickett, in the post-Matt Canada era, demonstrated comfort and faces a Cardinals defense allowing the sixth-most points to opposing quarterbacks this season. While trusting Pickett may require caution, especially for the long term, his favorable schedule in the coming weeks could make him a useful option, particularly for Week 13.
Now, let's dive into our NFL Fantasy Football Quarterback rankings for Week 13 of the 2023 regular season. Standard rankings are indicated in parentheses.
NFL Fantasy Football Week 13 Quarterback Rankings
1. Jalen Hurts, PHI vs. SF (3)
2. Patrick Mahomes II, KC @ GB (4)
3. Dak Prescott, DAL vs. SEA (1)
4. CJ Stroud, HOU vs. DEN (6)
5. Kyler Murray, ARI @ PIT (14)
6. Tua Tagovailoa, MIA @ WAS (2)
7. Brock Purdy, SF @ PHI (8)
8. Trevor Lawrence, JAC vs. CIN (5)
9. Justin Herbert, LAC @ NE (9)
10. Jared Goff, DET @ NO (7)
11. Sam Howell, WAS vs. MIA (10)
12. Russell Wilson, DEN @ HOU (12)
13. Gardner Minshew II, IND @ TEN (15)
14. Jordan Love, GB vs. KC (11)
15. Baker Mayfield, TB vs. CAR (16)
16. Derek Carr, NO vs. DET (20)
17. Matthew Stafford, LAR vs. CLE (13)
18. Will Levis, TEN vs. IND (18)
19. Geno Smith, SEA @ DAL (19)
20. Kenny Pickett, PIT vs. ARI (17)
21. Desmond Ridder, ATL @ NYJ (24)
22. Bryce Young, CAR @ TB (21)
23. Jake Browning, CIN @ JAC (23)
24. Bailey Zappe, NE vs. LAC (22)
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