It’s a stacked NFL DFS main slate at DraftKings and FanDuel in Week 13, which includes 12 games. There are also a few potential shootouts, as three games have an over/under of above 50 points. There were a few tough cuts among the suggested players. However, the touted options were whittled to a manageable number.
Check out all of our weekly fantasy football content 
Beyond our daily fantasy football content, be sure to check out our Daily Fantasy Football Tools. From our Lineup Optimizer – which allows you to build winning DFS lineups in seconds for Cash and GPP contests – to our DFS Cheat Sheets – which helps you get a quick read on the day’s players – we’ve got you covered this fantasy football season.
Week 13 Matchups
Game: Pittsburgh Steelers at Atlanta Falcons
Spread: PIT -1.0 Points
Over/Under: 42.0 Points
Steelers Analysis: Pittsburgh's defense has been a different animal when stud edge-rusher T.J. Watt has played. They've allowed 20, 10, 37 and 17 points in the four games in which Watt suited up. In addition, the Steelers have forced 11 turnovers and recorded 14 sacks in the four-game sample. The Steelers are an excellent value selection on DK, having the third-highest value score (DST3V).
Falcons Analysis: The Falcons have scored fewer than 20 points in four of their last six games, have a below-average starting quarterback who doesn't elevate the talent around him and divvy touches and playing time up too much to invest in them in DFS.
Game: Denver Broncos at Baltimore Ravens
Spread: BAL -8.0 Points
Over/Under: 38.5 Points
Broncos Analysis: Denver's offense is a dumpster fire. They're a non-option in DFS.
Ravens Analysis: Denver's defense might be checked out at this point. Does it matter, though? Lamar Jackson's rushing ability always makes him somewhat intriguing. However, he lacks weapons to throw the ball to, and he's thrown multiple touchdowns only once in his past eight games, clearing 250 passing yards just once during that stretch, too. There's not much to get excited about in what should be an ugly but convincing win for the Ravens.
Game: Green Bay Packers at Chicago Bears
Spread: GB -4.5 Points
Over/Under: 43.5 Points
Packers Analysis: Aaron Jones has been a do-it-all back for the Packers. According to Pro-Football-Reference, he's averaged 93.7 scrimmage yards and 3.6 receptions per game and scored six touchdowns. His underlying stats are eye-catching, too.
According to Sports Info Solutions (SIS), he has the fifth-highest Target Share (13.6%) among running backs. And, per Pro Football Focus (PFF), he's fifth out of 43 running backs with at least 75 rush attempts this year in Yards After Contact per Attempt (3.23 YCO/A) and fifth in Missed Tackles Forced (45 MTF).
The context is also sweet for Jones. According to Football Outsiders, the Packers are second in Adjusted Line Yards, and the Bears are 28th in rush defense Defense-Adjusted Value Over Average (DVOA). And, of course, the Packers are favored, enhancing the odds of a good game script for Green Bay's rushing attack.
Christian Watson is another attractive option for the Packers. The athletically-gifted rookie has burst onto the scene in the past three weeks. Watson has hauled in 12 receptions for 265 receiving yards and six touchdowns during his heater. Further, per PFF, he's tied for eighth in Yards per Route Run (2.45 Y/RR) out of 146 players targeted at least 30 times this year. The speedster has been used as a vertical weapon, ranking 16th in Average Depth of Target (13.5-yard aDOT) out of the same sample of players.
The matchup is quite nice for Watson to maintain momentum. The Bears are 31st in pass defense DVOA and have been barbecued by wide receivers and ripped on deep passes. According to Pro-Football-Reference, wideouts have averaged 14.1 yards per reception against the Bears in 2022. And, according to numberFire, the last four quarterbacks Chicago has faced have completed 14 of 19 passes that traveled at least 15 Air Yards for 363 yards and three touchdowns. So, Watson looks good in the player projections, projecting as the WR20 with the WR4V at DK and the WR19 with the WR9V at FD.
Bears Analysis: Justin Fields doesn't have weapons to work with in Chicago's passing attack, and his shoulder injury is a concern for his rushing outlook. Therefore, it's best to fade the Bears in DFS.
Game: Jacksonville Jaguars at Detroit Lions
Spread: JAC -1.0 Points
Over/Under: 51.5 Points
Jaguars Analysis: This is one of three games with a total above 50 points this week. The game's pace is alluring for DFS. According to Football Outsiders, the Lions are eighth in situation-neutral pace, and the Jaguars are 11th. So, the pace might be breakneck.
The matchup is excellent for Jacksonville's offense. The Lions are 26th in rush defense DVOA, 19th in pass defense DVOA, have allowed the fourth-most passing yards per game (259.9) and are tied for the seventh-most passing touchdowns (18) allowed.
Still, Trevor Lawrence's emergence is most important for their DFS outlook. Since Week 9, he's been PFF's second-highest-graded passer. The second-year quarterback has completed 76.9% of his passes for 815 yards, six touchdowns and zero interceptions in his past three games. Thus, Lawrence is the most exciting and only featured value option at quarterback.
Travis Etienne was reportedly cleared to return to last week's game after aggravating his foot, but the club was cautious with their explosive running back. Gamers should monitor his status. Yet, Etienne doesn't appear to be in danger of missing this game.
The home-run hitting back is 14th in Yards After Contact per Attempt (3.11 YCO/A) and sixth in Missed Tackles Forced (MTF) en route to 66.2 rushing yards per game. However, if you tossed out Etienne's injury-shortened contest last week, his rushing yardage zooms to 72.5 per game. The 2021 draftee has also chipped in 2.0 receptions and 18.4 receiving yards per game and scored four touchdowns. Etienne is projected as the RB10 in DFS, tied for the RB3V at DK and has the RB9V at FD.
Christian Kirk is the most compelling pass-catcher for the Jags. He's tied for 17th in Target Share (24.6%), 20th in receiving yards per game (65.9) and tied for fourth in receiving touchdowns (seven). Kirk's nose for the endzone should be boosted by facing the Lions. Detroit is tied for the seventh-most receiving touchdowns allowed (11) to wideouts this season. They've also been dreadful when defending slot.
Kirk is projected as the WR11 at DK and the WR12 at FD, with the WR6V at the former.
Evan Engram hasn't made waves lately. Yet, he's on the field and running routes. Plus, Engram has a stellar matchup this week. Tight ends have averaged the eighth-most receiving yards per game (57.1) and are tied for the third-most receiving touchdowns (seven) against the Lions this season. As a result, Engram is a nifty stacking option with Lawrence or a one-off punt. He has the TE4V at DK.
Lions Analysis: Amon-Ra St. Brown has eradicated any unwisely harbored concerns about his late-season explosion as a rookie being entirely the product of injuries to his teammates. The second-year wideout is fifth in Yards per Route Run (2.62). However, ARSB's numbers when eliminating a contest in which he played through an ankle injury and another he was ruled out of because of ataxia paint a clearer picture of his dominance.
In eight games where ARSB played his standard allotment of snaps, he was targeted on 31.6% of his routes and had 60 receptions, 694 receiving yards, four receiving touchdowns and 81 rushing yards. St. Brown is a stud and is projected as the WR4 at DK and WR5 at FD, with the WR3V at the former and the WR4V at the latter. Finally, ARSB might be able to help the touchdown regression process this week since the Jags are tied for the fourth-most receiving touchdowns permitted (13) to wide receivers.
Game: Cleveland Browns at Houston Texans
Spread: CLE -7.0 Points
Over/Under: 47.0 Points
Browns Analysis: Deshaun Watson is returning this week and hasn't played in a meaningful game since January 3, 2021. Additionally, according to PFF, he completed only one of five pass attempts and took forever to throw (3.10 seconds). Fortunately for the Browns, they can lean on all-world running back Nick Chubb this week in a cupcake matchup.
The Texans are 30th in rush defense DVOA and have allowed the most rushing yards per game (144.6), most rushing touchdowns (14) and 5.13 yards per carry to running backs this year. Meanwhile, Chubb is third in rushing yards per game (94.5), tied for fifth in Yards After Contact per Attempt (3.61 YCO/A), second in Missed Tackles Forced (62), first in 10-plus-yard rushes (33) and first in touchdown rushes (12) this season. Since the Browns are 7.0-point favorites, they should be able to force-feed Chubb from the start of the game to the final whistle. As a result, Chubb is the RB3 in DFS and has the RB6V at DK.
Texans Analysis: In a surprise to no one, Kyle Allen didn't bring Houston's roadkill offense back to life in his first start of the year in Week 12. There's nothing to see here.
Game: New York Jets at Minnesota Vikings
Spread: 44.5 Points
Over/Under: MIN -3.0 Points
Jets Analysis: Frankly, Garrett Wilson was the toughest cut from this piece. Ultimately, it came down to Wilson or Watson at their respective salaries, and it's easier to trust Aaron Rodgers against Chicago's hot-garbage pass defense than Mike White against Minnesota's defense. Wilson is an optimizer-darling. So, there's nothing wrong with him, but he missed the cut for this piece.
Instead, Elijah Moore is a fun tournament dart. Moore's playing time is admittedly still a concern. The second-year wideout had a 54% snap share in Week 11 and 35% in Week 12. Moreover, Moore's 13 routes in Week 12 were markedly fewer than Wilson's 28 and Corey Davis's 23. However, Moore caught both passes directed his way for 64 yards and a score, and he has a plum draw from the slot.
According to PFF, Minnesota's slot cornerback, Chandon Sullivan, has allowed the most receptions (43), the most receiving yards (546), the most Yards After the Catch (361 YAC) and the sixth-highest Quarterback Rating (115.9) in slot coverage out of 25 cornerbacks and safeties with at least 150 coverage snaps in the slot. The underdog Jets might also be forced to air it out more frequently against the favored Vikings this week after they steamrolled the Bears last week. Moore is a risky pick, but there are enough reasons for optimism to pull the trigger on him in tournaments.
Vikings Analysis: Kirk Cousins has played better indoors than outdoors this year and in recent seasons. Therefore, he can overcome a challenging matchup. Justin Jefferson is a stud and matchup-proof. And Dalvin Cook is fine. Still, there are better spots to make DFS investments this week than in the Vikings against Gang Green's stingy defense.
Game: Washington Commanders at New York Giants
Spread: WAS -2.5 Points
Over/Under: 40.5 Points
Commanders Analysis: Brian Robinson has handled 26, 15 and 18 carries in his last three games and produced 86 rushing yards and a touchdown, 57 scoreless yards and 105 rushing yards on his rock-solid workloads. In addition, he had two receptions for 20 yards and a touchdown last week.
This week, Robinson has a golden opportunity to build on his best game as a pro against the Giants. Big Blue is 27th in rush defense DVOA and has allowed the fourth-most rushing yards per game (116.9) at 5.21 yards per carry to running backs in 2022. B-Rob might also see a slight uptick in his workload if Antonio Gibson's foot injury prevents him from playing.
However, if he's out, other running backs might absorb some of Gibson's vacated work.
No matter Gibson's playing status, Robinson has a compelling case for usage as a seemingly ascending rookie in a plus matchup and at a value salary.
Giants Analysis: Saquon Barkley is Big Blue's only top-shelf talent, but Washington's stout run defense is a deterrent for using him. In addition, the Giants will find the sledding tough against Washington's top-10 scoring defense (19.7 points per game).
Game: Tennessee Titans at Philadelphia Eagles
Spread: PHI -5.5 Points
Over/Under: 44.5 Points
Titans Analysis: Philadephia is favored, and their run defense has stiffened up in two games since adding Linval Joseph and Ndamukong Suh to their defensive line, dampening any enthusiasm for using Derrick Henry in DFS this week. And Tennessee's passing game is unexciting, and they are facing a tough assignment, making them unappealing in DFS, too.
Eagles Analysis: Quez Watkins is cheap exposure to the Eagles in a plus matchup. According to Football Outsiders, other wide receivers (wideouts they don't deem the No. 1 or No. 2 receiver) average the most receiving yards per game (65.0) against the Eagles this season. Wide receivers have also scored the third-most receiving touchdowns (14) against Tennessee, and the Titans have been torched deep. According to numberFire, Tennessee's opponents have completed 42 of 83 passes that traveled at least 15 Air Yards for 1,271 yards and six touchdowns.
Fortunately, Philadelphia's third-year speedster is built to exploit Tennessee's deep-ball struggles. According to PFF, Watkins has been targeted seven times at 20-plus yards downfield and converted his targets into four receptions for 155 yards and three touchdowns this season. Watkins has seen some additional opportunities since Dallas Goedert was injured in Week 10 and has contingency upside if DeVonta Smith's groin injury limits him this weekend. Nevertheless, Watkins' field-stretching role is a good enough reason to take a chance on him in a favorable matchup at his puny salary.
Game: Seattle Seahawks at Los Angeles Rams
Spread: SEA -7.5 Points
Over/Under: 41.0 Points
Seahawks Analysis: The Rams won't have Aaron Donald wreaking havoc on their defensive line, and Ken Walker should be the primary beneficiary. The rookie running back has done an outstanding job of evading tacklers, ranking tied for 10th in Missed Tackles Forced (33), despite missing the first game of the year and handling only 23 rush attempts through the first five games while operating as Rashaad Penny's backup. Since Week 5, he's averaged 93.9 scrimmage yards per game and scored nine touchdowns.
The Seahawks are more than a touchdown favorite. Therefore, Walker should be busy toting the rock. He's projected as the RB8 and has the RB7V at DK. Further, Walker is slightly more attractive at FD, where he's projected as the RB6 and has the RB5V.
Rams Analysis: The Rams are a disaster, and Matthew Stafford isn't expected to play this week.
Game: Miami Dolphins at San Francisco 49ers
Spread: SF -4.0 Points
Over/Under: 46.5 Points
Dolphins Analysis: This game might shoot out. However, both defenses are talented. Hence, the game's total is a modest 46.5 points. Miami's defense has forced four turnovers and tallied eight sacks in their last two games, albeit against the Browns and Texans. Additionally, Jimmy Garoppolo isn't infallible and has had three games with multiple turnovers and three in which he's taken at least three sacks this year. Gamers hunting for every dollar of cap space at DK can consider the Dolphins, where they have the DST5V.
49ers Analysis: San Francisco's defense is elite, and Miami's offensive line will miss stud left tackle Terron Armstead. According to Pro-Football-Reference, the 49ers are first in yards allowed per play (4.7), tied for 14th in turnovers (14), tied for eighth in sacks (33), tied for seventh in pressure rate (24.2%) and first in scoring defense (15.7 points per game).
The matchup against Tua Tagovailoa could be fruitful. First, he took a season-high four sacks against the lowly Texans last week. Second, per PFF, Tua is tied for the sixth-highest Turnover-Worthy-Play rate (3.8%) out of 31 quarterbacks who've dropped back at least 200 times this season. Thus, the 49ers are an intriguing tournament option and have the DST6V at DK.
Game: Kansas City Chiefs at Cincinnati Bengals
Spread: KC -2.5 Points
Over/Under: 52.5 Points
Chiefs Analysis: Like the Jaguars at the Lions contest, this one might be played at a sizzling pace. The Chiefs are third in situation-neutral pace, and the Bengals are 12th.
It's also likely that Patrick Mahomes will sling the ball around the gridiron. According to numberFire, he's attempted 294 passes, and the Chiefs have attempted only 132 rushes by non-quarterbacks in neutral game scripts this year. The former MVP and current MVP frontrunner has made the most of his chances and leads the NFL in passing yards per game (325.9) and passing touchdowns (29). Unsurprisingly, the projection for him is superb this week. Mahomes is projected as the QB1 in DFS with the matching value score.
Travis Kelce is easily the top option in Kansas City's pass-catching corps. He's aging like a fine wine and piling up impressive statistics. Kelce is tied for 17th in Target Share (24.6%), 14th in Yards per Route Run (2.25 Y/RR), 11th in receptions per game (6.6), ninth in receiving yards per game (82.9) and first in touchdown receptions (12).
Kelce also has a good matchup. Tight ends have averaged the eighth-most receptions per game (5.1) and 11th-most receiving yards per game (52.4) against the Bengals this year. Finally, the game's best tight end is the TE1 in DFS this week, with the TE4V at DK and the TE1V at FD.
Justin Watson and Skyy Moore are contrarian bargain choices. In their past two games, Watson has run the most routes (73) for the Chiefs. Moore was sixth in routes (31) during that two-game stretch, despite JuJu Smith-Schuster missing one game and easing back into action from a concussion in Week 12. However, Moore was targeted on an eyebrow-raising 38.7% of his routes and tied Kelce for a team-high 10 receptions since Week 11. Perhaps, Moore can build on his recent showing. Yet, he might also disappear if Smith-Schuster is back in his customary full-time role. Neither Watson nor Moore is safe, but the game's probable shootout environment and their attachment to Mahomes are reasons to fire some GPP bullets on either or both of them.
Bengals Analysis: The Bengals shifted to running their offense primarily out of the shotgun starting in Week 6. Per numberFire, Joe Burrow has attempted 177 of 218 passes out of the shotgun since then. The third-year signal-caller has taken to the change like a fish to the water. In his last six games, he's completed 71.1% of his passes, thrown 14 touchdowns, tossed just three interceptions and averaged 307.3 passing yards per game.
Burrow should stay hot in a tasty matchup. The Chiefs are 18th in pass defense DVOA, have allowed the 12th-most passing yards per game (235.5) and have allowed the third-most passing touchdowns (22). Burrow is projected as the QB3 in DFS in Week 13.
It appears Ja'Marr Chase will return from a multi-week absence for this pivotal AFC matchup. However, he might be eased into action. Thus, Tee Higgins is the better selection. Higgins is 13th in receiving yards per game (75.1) and 13th in Yards per Route Run (2.28 Y/RR).
Additionally, the matchup is tantalizing for Higgins. No. 1 Wideouts have averaged the second-most receiving yards per game (87.0), and No. 2 wideouts have averaged the 14th most receiving yards per game (52.0) against the Chiefs. Wideouts are also tied for the most touchdown receptions (15) against the Chiefs. As a result, Higgins is projected as the WR7 in DFS this week.
Hayden Hurst is a more affordable option from the Bengals. The former first-round pick has averaged 4.2 receptions and 35.3 receiving yards per game and reached paydirt twice this year. Hurst's numbers are fine, relatively speaking. Still, the appeal of using him in DFS lineups is essentially the product of getting cheap exposure to a potential shootout.
Game: Los Angeles Chargers at Las Vegas Raiders
Spread: LAC -1.5 Points
Over/Under: 50.5 Points
Chargers Analysis: This is the third game with an over/under above 50 points. However, the 43 points they combined for in Week 1 is a reminder of the potential for this game to dud. A one-game sample doesn't mean gamers should avoid this contest, though.
The matchup is excellent for the Chargers offense. The Raiders are 23rd in rush defense DVOA and 32nd in pass defense DVOA. Las Vegas has also allowed the seventh-most passing yards per game (253.), and they're tied for the fourth-most passing touchdowns (19) ceded this season.
Austin Ekeler is the highest-salaried player on the Chargers and deserving of his pricey salary. Ekeler has done a ton of his damage through the air. He has the highest Target Share (21.7%) among running backs and is sixth among all players in receptions per game (7.3). Ekeler has also averaged 50.4 rushing yards per game and 45.2 receiving yards per game while punching in 12 touchdowns.
Ekeler has a soft matchup on the ground, as was already noted. However, his matchup in the passing attack is the most exciting. Running backs have averaged the third-most receptions (6.5) and most receiving yards per game (55.1) against the Raiders. Thus, Ekeler is the RB1 and has the RB1V in DFS this week.
Justin Herbert is another fun pick from the Chargers this week. He's sixth in passing yards per game (273.1) and fifth in passing touchdowns (19). However, those numbers don't do Herbert justice. The third-year quarterback has had to navigate injuries in his pass-catching corps. In the nine games he's had at least one of his top-two wideouts at his disposal for a full complement of snaps, Herbert has averaged 284.8 passing yards per game and tossed 17 touchdowns. And, of course, he roasted the Raiders for 279 passing yards and three touchdowns in Week 1. Herbert is the QB4 in DFS in Week 13.
Keenan Allen was on his way to a massive game in Week 1 before he had a hamstring injury. The veteran wideout had four receptions for 66 yards on just 13 routes in the season opener. After prematurely returning and struggling in Week 7, Allen has had more success in his second return to the Chargers. In his last two games, Allen had 10 receptions for 143 receiving yards and a touchdown. So, Allen is the WR10 at DK and the WR11 at FD, tying for the WR8V at the former.
Joshua Palmer is another viable option, barring an unlikely return from Mike Williams this week. The second-year receiver has 17 targets, 13 receptions, 162 receiving yards and two touchdowns in the last two weeks. He also scored a touchdown in Week 2, had a 99-yard effort in Week 3, had nine receptions for 57 yards in Week 6 and had eight receptions for 106 yards in Week 9. So, Palmer has a few DFS-friendly showing on his resume this year. He's more interesting at DK than FD, owning the WR13V at DK.
Raiders Analysis: Josh Jacobs had a season in a single week in Week 12, rushing for 229 yards and two touchdowns and securing six receptions for 74 yards. He's nursing a calf injury he dealt with last week but should smash again this week.
First, his offensive line is first in Adjusted Line Yards (5.18). Second, the Chargers are 29th in rush defense DVOA and have allowed the second-most rushing yards per game (133.2) at a juicy 5.63 yards per carry. Third, running backs have also scored 14 touchdowns and averaged 4.5 receptions and 27.8 receiving yards per game against the Chargers.
The Chargers would make even a mediocre running back a fun DFS selection. Yet, Jacobs has been a monster. He's eighth among running backs in Target Share (12.8%), fourth in Yards After Contact per Attempt (3.83 YCO/A), first in Missed Tackles Forced (64), second in 10-plus-yard rushes (31), first in rushing yards per game (105.4) and tied for fourth in rushing touchdowns (nine). Las Vegas's bell-cow running back is the RB3 in DFS and is tied for the RB3V at DK.
Foster Moreau is also a useful option. Tight ends have averaged the fifth-most receiving yards per game (58.7) against the Chargers this year, albeit with the caveat of opposing Kelce twice. So, the matchup isn't as good as meets the eye without adding context. Nonetheless, Moreau has had more than 30 receiving yards in five consecutive games and had multiple receptions four times in the five-game streak. Moreau has also scored touchdowns in two of his past three games and has been a mainstay on the field and running routes for the Raiders, ranking third on the team in routes (95) since Week 10. Gamers shouldn't go overboard jamming him into their lineups, but he's tied for the TE6V at DK, making him a stellar option to mix into lineups there.
If you want to dive deeper into fantasy football, be sure to check out our award-winning slate of Fantasy Football Tools as you navigate your season. From our Start/Sit Assistant - which provides your optimal lineup, based on accurate consensus projections - to our Waiver Wire Assistant - that allows you to quickly see which available players will improve your team and by how much - we've got you covered this fantasy football season.
Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Google Podcasts | Stitcher | SoundCloud | iHeartRadio
Josh Shepardson is a featured writer at FantasyPros. For more from Josh, check out his archive and follow him @BChad50.
