Week 13 of the 2021 NFL season is about to kick off on Thursday with the Dallas Cowboys and New Orleans Saints facing off.
As always, we’re here to help with your weekly decisions with our fantasy lineup advice. Each week, we give you the studs (players with plus matchups due to the defense they’re facing or their team situation), duds (players with tougher matchups or who are in muddled roster situations at the moment) and sleepers (a player you might consider starting who could be in for a big week).
Here are the names we’ve got for Week 13, and as we always say, good luck!!
Studs
(AP Photo/Don Montague)
QB Tom Brady, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
I hear you: “Whoa, what a reach here!” But Brady has at least one INT in each of his past four games and finished outside the top 10 QBs in fantasy points twice in the past three. A matchup against the Falcons — who he tossed five scores against in Week 2 — is just what he needs.
RB Antonio Gibson, Washington Football Team
Is he back to his RB1 ways? He’s had two big weeks since the bye and faces a very vulnerable Raiders run defense. I think he explodes like he did last week.
WR Adam Thielen, Minnesota Vikings
The game script might be run-heavy against the Lions, but this guy has scored in all but three of his games this year. The floor here is awesome.
TE Dawson Knox, Buffalo Bills
A set-it-and-forget-it TE, even against a tough Patriots defense.
Duds
David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports
QB Mac Jones, New England Patriots
I like what he’s done lately, but the Bills’ defense looms. I’d pass this week and look elsewhere.
RB Tevin Coleman, New York Jets
The Eagles’ run defense is decent but I just foresee more passing out of the backfield and that may not involve Coleman as much. Plus, it feels like a committee for the Jets right now.
WR DK Metcalf, Seattle Seahawks
I don’t know what to do here. You probably have to start him, but given the frustrations of Monday night plus the Niners defense, plus Russell Wilson’s struggles … I’m nervous. I’d say you can’t bench him, but don’t expect WR1 numbers.
TE Tyler Higbee, Los Angeles Rams
The targets are just OK, and even in a good matchup against the Jags, I say you should look elsewhere.
Sleepers
(AP Photo/Butch Dill)
QB Taysom Hill, New Orleans Saints
All signs are pointing to him starting for the Saints, and that means we could see a lot of points from running the ball and goal line work. Even if the passing numbers are minimal, he could be good.
RB Alexander Mattison, Minnesota Vikings
Who am I kidding, he should be a stud! He’s facing the awful Lions run defense.
WR Darnell Mooney, Chicago Bears
It doesn’t seem to matter who his QB is. He’s breaking out, and with the Bears probably needing to chase points against the Cardinals, I think he could have another big week.
TE Foster Moreau, Las Vegas Raiders
Assuming Darren Waller doesn’t play, that could mean a breakout for the new top tight end on the roster.
