Fantasy Football Boom Starts & Bust Sits for Week 13

Fantasy Football Week 13 Start/Sit Advice

We have learned a lot in the first 12 weeks of the season, so we can use that to inform our lineup decisions. The best way to do so is to focus on the matchup, consider the game script and compare your thoughts with FantasyPros’ expert consensus rankings (ECR).

You’ll find three fantasy football booms to start and three busts to bench for Week 13. By this point in the season, we have a good sense of player projections. With that in mind, let’s make those lineup decisions easier for you in Week 13.

Fantasy Football Boom Starts

Cam Ward (QB – TEN) vs. JAX

Cam Ward is coming off the best fantasy game of his career, putting up 23.9 points against a tough Seahawks defense. The first overall pick has now racked up 30+ rushing yards in consecutive games.

Up next is an exploitable matchup against a Jaguars defense that was just picked apart by Jacoby Brissett. I wouldn’t be surprised if Ward leads the Titans to an upset in this game.

Ashton Jeanty (RB – LV) at LAC

Ashton Jeanty continues to have zero running room, but he’s been a major asset in the passing game, catching 14 of his 16 targets for 85 yards in his last two games.

With Chip Kelly dismissed as offensive coordinator, I’m betting that we see some improvement in this group. Kelly wasn’t getting it done. Look for Jeanty to be the focal point of the game plan against the Chargers.

Courtland Sutton (WR – DEN) at WSH

Courtland Sutton has been severely underwhelming lately, limited to a combined eight catches for 113 yards in his last three games. However, I love the matchup for Sutton against the Commanders coming off the bye.

The Commanders play man coverage at the ninth-highest rate. Sutton has put up 29% targets per route run and 3.25 yards per route run versus man coverage. Look for Sutton to be a focal point of the Broncos’ passing game.

Fantasy Football Bust Sits

Daniel Jones (QB – IND) vs. HOU

Daniel Jones is trying to play through a fibula injury against the best defense in the NFL. That’s a recipe for disaster. We saw what this Texans unit just did against Josh Allen.

If Jones plays, don’t even consider starting him this week. I wouldn’t feel comfortable playing Jones for the rest of the season with this injury. If Jones is out, my replacement pick for bust of the week is Brock Purdy, who takes on an elite Browns front led by Myles Garrett, who looks on track to set the single-season record for sacks.

Rico Dowdle (RB – CAR) vs. LAR

Rico Dowdle has cooled off considerably for the Panthers, putting up 53 rushing yards or fewer in three consecutive games. Chuba Hubbard is slowly making this a committee again, coming off seven touches against the 49ers.

Up next is a tough matchup against the Rams, who rank fourth in rushing expected points added (EPA). The Panthers are 10-point home underdogs in this matchup, which is concerning for projected rushing volume.

Quentin Johnston (WR – LAC) vs. LV

The hot start to the year feels like a distant memory for Quentin Johnston. We’ve seen him combine for only 165 yards in his last five games.

If you felt tempted to give Johnston a chance against the Raiders, I don’t recommend that move. Vegas plays zone coverage at the highest rate in the NFL. Johnston has a 1.21 yards per route run rate versus zone coverage and a 1.78 yards per route run versus man coverage.