5 Start, 5 Sit for Week 13 of the 2024 NFL Season
The NFL Season is now in full swing and every week brings with it new, dramatic story lines and roster-building challenges. Bye-weeks and injuries are likely plaguing your lineups by now and if not, you might be deciding between two startable players to get the most points possible. I’m going to go over ten players and let you know whether I think they are worth starting or whether they should stay on your bench…or worse.
Start:
Matthew Stafford vs NO – Start
Since getting Cooper Kupp and Puka Nacua back, Stafford has been a consistently above average quarterback. Even in a 17-point loss to the Eagles, he was able to throw for 243 and two touchdowns without giving up the ball. When he has his weapons, he has a really high floor (Probably QB2 value). the Saints are a tough defense, but the Rams’ offense is strong enough in both run and pass to provide plenty of opportunities to score points. If you’re making a final push for the playoffs, I think Stafford is a great guy to have in your lineup every week.
Isiah Pacheco vs LV – Start
The Chiefs are expected to activate Pacheco off of injured reserve this week against the division rival Raiders. It’ll be Pacheco’s first game since week 2, but it’s a fantastic matchup. The Raiders defense is not great, and with Pacheco toting the rock, the Chiefs’ run game is top 5. They may decide to limit his reps in his first game back, giving Kareem Hunt his fair share of touches, but I think even if he only gets 15 carries, Pacheco could put up a 15+ point game. He’s been on your IR all season, so definitely start him now that he’s back.
George Pickens vs CIN – Start
Pickens gets the “Playing the Bengals” buff this week, so expect him to go crazy. Cincinnati’s defense has been so bad that Joe Burrow has been breaking historic records while still losing games. Pittsburgh on the other hand, has the most potent offense they’ve had in years now, and Pickens has a lot to do with it. Even though he’s had several touchdowns called back due to penalties, he’s still having his best year to date. I’m not sure that the Steelers will win this game, but Pickens should get to season high catches with how juicy the matchup is.
David Njoku vs DEN – Start
Njoku had his first down week since Winston took over at quarterback. Notably, the Browns played the Steelers is a winter vortex that broke out halfway through the game, so you can’t really hold that performance against him. Prior to that game, Njoku was averaging 9 targets per game turning those into 7 catches per game. There are a select few tight ends getting that sort of volume and even fewer that can convert it into good production. Njoku is more or less the primary target for Winston so as long as it’s not snowing, he’ll be a must start.
Tony Pollard vs WAS – Start
Tony Pollard‘s season has been rather quiet because of how uninspired the Titans have been overall. but he’s actually been doing pretty well. He’s the clear bell cow on the team and, unless they’re getting blown out, regularly gets 20+ carries. Hi usage in the pass game has been minimal, but his efficiency on the ground makes him worth starting. With the Titan’s going to Washington in week 13, Pollard has a decent matchup ahead of him. The Commanders are reeling from two straight losses and the Titans just came off of a huge division win in Houston. I think Tennessee will be playing with a lot of fire and Pollard is a great play because of that.
Sit:
Jameis Winston vs DEN – Sit
This matchup is one where the pass catchers should thrive but the quarterback will struggle overall. Winston’s track record when playing against good defenses this year is pretty poor and I don’t see that changing. The Browns’ offense just isn’t quite powerful enough to overcome what Denver brings. The defensive backs in particular should prove deadly to Winston with how he likes to throw deep. I’m foreseeing another sub 15-point performance this week, with potential to go sub 10.
James Conner vs MIN – Sit
Conner has been amazing this season, but after watching the Cardinals struggle last week, I think this week could be rough. Conner only saw 12 touches in a game with a total score of 22. I would hope that the star running back would be getting the ball a lot more than that in such a close game, but Arizona really struggled to get anything going at all against Seattle. With Minnesota on the Horizon, an even tougher defense, I’m hesitant to have Conner in my lineup. If the Cardinals are going to abandon him entirely the moment they go down by 10, I’d prefer to have someone else starting for me.
Deebo Samuel vs BUF – Sit
I’m really not sure what is going on with the Forty Niners this year. On paper they’re one of the best teams in the league, but they have been playing like they had a top ten draft pick. Deebo has only had 3 good games this year and his last one was in week 6. His offensive struggles come at a terrible time, because San Fran heads to Buffalo this week: one of the toughest places to play in the cold. Deebo always has the ability to go off for 30 points but I just don’t see that happening based on how the Niners are playing right now. No one is on bye this week, so I hope you have someone else to play instead.
Tucker Kraft vs MIA – Sit
Kraft looked like an above average tight end before the Packer’s bye, but since then has been pretty underwhelming. Even before the bye, his best games were only such because he scored a touchdown. In other weeks when he didn’t score, he was barely registering as having played at all. As the season goes on, teams tend to rely more on their run game, and with how Josh Jacobs has been running, the Packers won’t have a hard time doing that. I think that it’ll mean less work for Kraft and thus, fewer fantasy points.
Zay Flowers vs PHI – Sit
Flowers has been surprisingly boom or bust this year. I say surprising because I expected him to be more or less wide open with defenses having to put 6 in the box to stop Derrick Henry. Against the Eagles this week, he has a tough challenge. The Eagles have both a great outside corner back in Quinyon Mitchell and a good slot corner in Cooper DeJean. Both are guys with the ability to take Flowers out of the game completely. For the Ravens to win this game, I think it’s going to be through tough running, and taking shots on deep balls. If I were a betting man (and I am), I’d actually say that Bateman will have a better game than Flowers. Keep him on the bench where you can.
If you want more offensive start/sit advice, follow me on X @TFFGRobbie. If you need IDP start/sit advice, give @ThePPRShow a follow as well.