5 Start, 5 Sit for Week 13 of the 2023 NFL Season
We’re more than halfway through the season now and nothing is what we expected it to be. First round picks are being outperformed by undrafted rookies and Sam Howell is a top 10 fantasy quarterback. What I have for you is some insight that might make it easier for you to make that final push toward a playoff spot. Just like always: 5 good, 5 bad.
Start:
Trevor Lawrence vs CIN – Start
After several weeks of trash talking him, Trevor Lawrence is starting to string together some good games. His fantasy production has been high, but most of that is because of his rushing touchdowns. Without that, he would’ve been just about the same as he has been all season: mediocre passing yards and at most two touchdowns through the air. However, his recent performances lead me to believe that he will continue to be a great player. I say use him while he’s hot.
De’Von Achane vs WAS – Start
Eight weeks after injuring his knee (and reinjuring in week 11), De’Von Achane will return to the field for Miami. In really his only three games this year, Achane was maybe the most explosive running back we’ve seen this year. He had 455 yards and 5 touchdowns in only three games! With Raheem Mostert a little banged up and a fairly weak Commanders team in front of him, I expect Achane to be a monster this week. He might not get back to his earlier production, but he should still be great.
Calvin Ridley vs CIN – Start
Similar to his quarterback, Calvin Ridley has gotten onto a bit of a streak. Back to back weeks over 20 points and with touchdowns is what we’ve expected of him all season. I’ve got my fingers crossed that they’ve figured out how to use him and that we’ll continue to see him perform well. For the moment, ride the wave.
Pat Freiermuth vs ARI – Start
Freiermuth is coming off of the best fantasy performance of his career with 9 catches for 120 yards. This volume is courtesy of not having Matt Canada as his offensive coordinator. If this is the production we can expect going forward, Freiermuth should be an every week lock. Arizona doesn’t have the best defense, so he should be a solid start for you. Kenny Pickett loves a tight end checkdown and so will you.
Zack Moss vs TEN – Start
Do you all remember weeks 2-5 when Zack Moss was the RB1 with Jonathan Taylor sidelined? I do. Taylor is once again going to miss time and that means that Moss will be stepping into a huge volume role. He had 445 yards and 4 touchdowns over his previous four game stretch as the starter, although he was doing that with Anthony Richardson at QB. Still I expect Moss to be a great play for anyone filling an injury or bye this week. Depending on how long Taylor is out, he might even be a league winner.
Sit:
Jared Goff vs NO – Sit
Goff finds himself on my sit list again not because he’s playing poorly, but because he’s not playing as well as everyone else. His numbers are good, but not great, averaging about 18 points per week. Especially since his team has two top 10 performing running backs, Goff just doesn’t have to do all that much to win. I think against New Orleans, who has a pretty good defense, you probably can find a better option at quarterback.
Joe Mixon vs JAC – Sit
Joe Mixon, like every other Bengal, has had a massive drop in value following Joe Burrow’s injury. Jake Browning doesn’t really strike fear into the hearts of defensive coordinators or defensive players. The lack of passing game means that the box is likely always stacked against Mixon. Last week he only had 8 carries for 16 yards, though he did have 44 yards on two catches. Mixon is a risky and low end play for as long as the Bengals’ offense is this low-powered. I’d steer clear.
Terry McLaurin vs MIA – Sit
McLaurin has definitely been a letdown this year. He’s only had 1 game with more than 6 catches, no games with over 100 yards, and only 2 touchdowns this year. While his numbers on average aren’t terrible, against two high end cornerbacks in Jalen Ramsey and Xavien Howard, I don’t think he’ll have a great day. You might not have been starting him anyway, but I think you should keep it that way.
Gerald Everett vs NE – Sit
This one might be kind of obvious if you look at his season stats. Everett has hardly done anything all year outside of two games, one being last week. Don’t get caught on a hype train just yet because we know that tight ends in the Chargers’ system are pretty boom or bust (see Everett’s last 3 seasons). He might have had a great week on your bench this week, but don’t try to get cute and not make the playoffs because you roll the dice here. You probably can find a better option to play this week.
Cooper Kupp vs CLE – Sit
This one is just sad. Kupp went from triple crown winner and Super Bowl MVP to not startable in two years. He was great his first two weeks back from injury but in the 5 games since, he only has 12 catches for 127 yards total! It’s possible that this is a result of quarterback play, but whatever the reason, those numbers are not worth having in your lineup. Don’t be shaken by what his name is, if he’s being outscored by tight ends on a weekly basis, he needs to be on your bench.
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.