Fantasy Start 'Ems, Sit 'Ems Week 13: Start Trevor Lawrence, sit Aaron Rodgers, and more fantasy tips heading into the weekend
Aaron Rodgers has historically beaten up on the Chicago Bears, but it's tough to back him this week with so many nagging injuries.
John Fisher/Steph Chambers/Diamond Images/Getty Images; Rachel Mendelson/Insider
- The NFL season is in full swing.
- Each week, we're listing players to start or sit in fantasy football.
- Here are our Start 'Em, Sit 'Ems for Week 13 of the NFL season.
AP Photo/Nick Wass
Week 13 opponent: at Detroit Lions
Daily fantasy price: DraftKings — $5,900 / FanDuel — $7,500
Why you should start him: Trevor Lawrence is averaging 290 passing yards over his past two games and has thrown five touchdowns in that same span. The Jaguars offense looks like they've found something the past few weeks, and now face a Lions defense that isn't especially strong at stopping the pass.
AP Photo/Paul Sancya
Week 13 opponent: at Chicago Bears
Daily fantasy price: DraftKings — $5,800 / FanDuel — $7,100
Why you should sit him: Aaron Rodgers loves to have a big game against the Bears, having thrown 63 touchdowns against his divisional foe, more than any other opponent in his career. Still, it's hard to back Rodgers even in this favorable matchup due to his nagging injuries. Rodgers was forced out of action early last week against the Eagles, and while he insists he's ready to play against the Bears this week, if the game's outcome appears in hand, or if Rodgers suffers another set back, there's a chance he has to hand things off to Jordan Love once again.
AP Photo/Ron Schwane
Week 13 opponent: at Houston Texans
Daily fantasy price: DraftKings — $8,000 / FanDuel — $9,600
Why you should start him: Nick Chubb is one of the best running backs in the NFL and this week goes up against a Texans run defense that has allowed more yards on the ground than all but one team in the league. Given the Browns will have a new quarterback under center, don't be surprised if they lean on Chubb to carry the offense in the early going. Chubb is the most expensive player in FanDuel daily fantasy contests this week, but still may be worth the spend.
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Week 13 opponent: at Los Angeles Rams
Daily fantasy price: DraftKings — $7,000 / FanDuel — $8,100
Why you should sit him: Kenneth Walker was a revelation earlier in the year but has cooled off substantially the past two weeks, taking a combined 24 carries for just 43 yards to average 1.8 yards per carry. While he could bounce back against the Rams this week, Walker now feels like a risk to put up a dud, which many fantasy players can't take with the playoffs fast approaching.
AP Photo/Jack Dempsey
Week 13 opponent: vs. Cleveland Browns
Daily fantasy price: DraftKings — $5,900 / FanDuel — $6,500
Why you should start him: Like Walker, Dameon Pierce has struggle the past two weeks, but in the Texans offense he's one of the only options for any sort of production. Further, the Browns defense has given up 16 rushing touchdowns on the year, more than all but two teams in the NFL. Pierce should find the end zone on Sunday, and is available at a cheaper price than Walker.
AP Photo/Lynne Sladky
Week 13 opponent: at San Francisco 49ers
Daily fantasy price: DraftKings — $6,100 / FanDuel — $6,800
Why you should sit him: Jeff Wilson Jr. has been a popular START pick this year, and with good reason, but if you have a better option this week, it might be time to bench him. Up against a San Francisco defense that has allowed fewer rushing yards than any team in the NFL, it could be a long day for Wilson.
AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez
Week 13 opponent: at Detroit Lions
Daily fantasy price: DraftKings — $6,300 / FanDuel — $7,500
Why you should start him: If you're starting Trevor Lawrence in daily fantasy lineups, Christian Kirk is the receiver you want to stack with him. Kirk has averaged 10 targets per game over the past three weeks, and has scored three touchdowns over that same span.
AP Photo/Jed Jacobsohn
Week 13 opponent: vs. Miami Dolphins
Daily fantasy price: DraftKings — $6,600 / FanDuel — $6,800
Why you should sit him: Deebo Samuel is one of the most exciting players in all of football, but he's gotten fewer opportunities in the 49ers offense since the arrival of Christian McCaffrey. Further, Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel knows Samuel as well as any opposing coach could know a player, having designed much of the offense that made Samuel a superstar. It's extremely hard to shut down a player as good as Samuel, but if any coach can do it, it's McDaniel.
AP Photo/Nick Wass
Week 13 opponent: vs. Tennessee Titans
Daily fantasy price: DraftKings — $6,200 / FanDuel — $6,800
Why you should start him: Call it a hunch, but it feels like the Titans are going to do everything they can to stop their former receiver A.J. Brown from having a huge game against them. Thus, DeVonta Smith should find himself more open than usual.
Matt Ludtke/AP Images
Week 13 opponent: at Chicago Bears
Daily fantasy price: DraftKings — $5,400 / FanDuel — $6,400
Why you should sit him: Again, it's tough to fade the Packers offense against the Bears when they've historically been so good against their division rivals, but Green Bay does not inspire all that much confidence right now.
AP Photo/Ron Schwane
Week 13 opponent: at Minnesota Vikings
Daily fantasy price: DraftKings — $5,300 / FanDuel — $6,600
Why you should start him: Garrett Wilson immediately had the tools to become an elite wide receiver, and was only held back by the play of quarterback Zach Wilson through much of the year. With the Jets' decision to switch to Mike White at quarterback, Wilson immediately saw a boost in production, going off for 95 yards and two touchdowns last week against the Bears.
AP Photo/Justin Rex
Week 13 opponent: vs. Cleveland Browns
Daily fantasy price: DraftKings — $5,000 / FanDuel — $6,300
Why you should sit him: It just hasn't been a fun year for Brandin Cooks, who is stuck on a losing team and has scored just one touchdown on the season so far. While he's an elite talent, the Texans offense is stuck in the mud, and he can't be trusted in fantasy lineups until they start moving.
AP Photo/Keith Srakocic
Week 13 opponent: at Atlanta Falcons
Daily fantasy price: DraftKings — $5,100 / FanDuel — $6,700
Why you should start him: The Atlanta Falcons have allowed more passing yards than any team in the NFL, and George Pickens has looked like the Steelers' best receiver through much of the season.
AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill
Week 13 opponent: vs. Seattle Seahawks
Daily fantasy price: DraftKings — $4,800 / FanDuel — $5,900
Why you should sit him: Van Jefferson has re-emerged in the Rams offense with Cooper Kupp sidelined, but given Los Angeles still doesn't have a quarterback you can trust lining up under center, Jefferson is not the fun long-shot fantasy play he once was.
AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez
Week 13 opponent: vs. Miami Dolphins
Daily fantasy price: DraftKings — $5,000 / FanDuel — $6,200
Why you should start him: For all their success, the Dolphins have not defended the tight end well this year and George Kittle is just the type of player that can make them pay. While it's never fun to overpay for tight ends in daily fantasy, if you're going to do it this week, Kittle is the guy.
AP Photo/Terrance Williams
Week 13 opponent: vs. Denver Broncos
Daily fantasy price: DraftKings — $6,600 / FanDuel — $7,100
Why you should sit him: Mark Andrews is another expensive tight end, but it doesn't feel like he's worth the money this week. The Broncos are a mess as a whole, but their defense has been one of the best in the league despite their paltry record. Earlier in the year, the Broncos held George Kittle to just 28 yards on four receptions. Look for them to keep Andrews in check as well.
AP Photo/Jeff Dean
Week 13 opponent: at Atlanta Falcons
Daily fantasy price: DraftKings — $2,600 / FanDuel — $4,200
Why you should start them: Barring a set back, Minkah Fitzpatrick and T.J. Watt should both be back in the lineup for the Steelers. At this price, Pittsburgh's defense feels like a steal.
AP Photo/John Minchillo
Week 13 opponent: at Minnesota Vikings
Daily fantasy price: DraftKings — $2,600 / FanDuel — $4,000
Why you should sit them: Justin Jefferson is on an absolute tear right now, and while the matchup this week against Jets corner Sauce Gardner should be a good one, it doesn't feel like Jefferson is slowing down any time soon.