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10 Lineup Busts and Avoids for Week 13

Week 13 is here, which means some people are starting the playoffs (if you're playing two-week playoff match-ups in leagues with four playoff teams and aren't doing Week 17, or if you have some weird system of playoff byes) and many more people are preparing for their final game before the playoffs begin. It's at these times that our decision making becomes very important.

Or, it's at these times when our luck becomes important. I have a league starting playoffs now, and even though I've been the second highest scoring team this season, I needed a lot of luck to sneak in at 6-6. The Russell Wilson/ Doug Baldwin touchdown on Monday night back in Week 11 gave me a nail-biting sixth win, and then in Week 12--against the lowest scoring team in my league--I put up my first sub-70 point game of the season. Thanks, point differential! And thanks Russell Wilson!

At this point, the thing that will make or break you in a must win game is going to be, primarily, luck, but making some wise decisions about players to avoid can help you out as well. That's why I'm here, again!

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Recap of Last Week

Quarterback: It was a bad week for me. Jared Goff had another strong fantasy game against the Saints, tossing for 354 yards and a pair of touchdowns. Josh McCown did even better, throwing for three touchdowns in a shootout loss to Carolina. I didn't factor in the Robby Anderson Experience when thinking about McCown.

Running Back: Of course Joe Mixon had the best game of his career against Cleveland. I think it's time to stop buying into the idea that was floating around the fantasy football universe that you should avoid running backs who play the Browns. Alex Collins had a solid day as well, finding the end zone and rushing for 60 yards. Kenyan Drake didn't have the yardage one would have liked, but he also found the end zone. If you're keeping track at home, I'm 0-for-5 at this point. Yikes!

Wide Receiver: Amari Cooper was well on his way to not being a bust--his first catch was a nine yard touchdown grab--before he left the game with a concussion. Jordy Nelson was completely unable to get going against the Steelers, even though the rest of the Packers offense came to life. That's...odd. Larry Fitzgerald was equally ineffective, though he added a two-point conversion along the way.

Tight End: I think we're done with Cameron Brate, y'all. He's been a non-entity the past few games. Jimmy Graham didn't have many yards, but he found the end zone again.

Below are ten lineup busts and avoids for Week 13 of NFL action.

 

Top 10 Busts - NFL Week 13

Matthew Stafford (Quarterback, Detroit Lions)

Stafford plays against a Ravens team that is second-best against quarterbacks, just a small bit behind the Jacksonville defense. He's only scored 20+ fantasy points three times this season, and seems more likely to finish with less than 15 this week than he does to explode for a huge game.

Andy Dalton (Quarterback, Cincinnati Bengals)

Speaking of touch match-ups, Andy Dalton gets the Steelers, who have been good against quarterbacks all season. Yes, Brett Hundley had a good game against them last week and yes, Dalton is on a bit of a hot streak dating back to Week 8--he's thrown for multiple touchdowns in all but one game over that span (he didn't throw any against Jacksonville) and hasn't tossed an interception. Why am I concerned? Dalton has played two teams whose average points allowed against quarterbacks are comparable to Pittsburgh. There's the aforementioned Jaguars game, when he finished with just 136 yards, and there's the season-opener against the Ravens, when he finished with 170 yards and four interceptions. I don't trust Dalton against top defenses.

Tevin Coleman (Running Back, Atlanta Falcon)

Coleman is coming off three consecutive good games, but Devonta Freeman is back and Atlanta plays the Vikings. Coleman will still get touches, but don't expect anything close to the production we've been seeing from him.

Lamar Miller (Running Back, Houston Texans)

See DeMarco Murray blurb below.

DeMarco Murray (Running Back, Tennessee Titans)

I'm using the same space for both Murray and Miller because the Texans and Titans are playing each other and both running backs present similar concerns for me. Both defenses are among the best against the running back position, which suggests this could end up being a game in which the teams don't find much space on the ground. Murray has Derrick Henry pushing him for playing time, whereas Miller has a much more solid grip on the starting role in theory, though he was a little banged-up last week and ceded carries to Alfred Blue even after returning to the game. It wouldn't be a shock to see more 0f a timeshare this week, especially if the newly acquired Andre Ellington is active and sees work on third downs. This has the makings of one of those very, very low scoring games.

T.Y. Hilton (Wide Receiver, Indianapolis Colts)

Hilton has been a huge disappointment in the majority of his games this season, and I see no reason to expect that to change against the league's best defense. Hilton had two catches for 27 yards the last time the teams played.

Corey Coleman (Wide Receiver, Cleveland Browns)

Josh Gordon is back. The way I see it, that could mean one of two things for Coleman. The first is that the Chargers defense continues to treat Coleman as the number one receiver, which would lead to more open field for Gordon. The other thing is the opposite. Either way, the Chargers defense has been on fire lately and the Browns passing attack will likely struggle to get going.

Doug Baldwin (Wide Receiver, Seattle Seahawks)

You can't sit Baldwin because he's Russell Wilson's top target on a team that has no running game, but he hasn't had the best games the past couple of weeks (a late touchdown in Week 11 salvaged a rough game), and the Eagles have a really strong defense. It might be smart to play someone with a really, really solid floor at your other WR spot to mitigate some of the potential failings of Baldwin this week, though it wouldn't be too much of a shock to see him find the end zone.

Ricky Seals-Jones (Tight End, Los Angeles Rams)

I just wrote an article for RotoBaller about how Seals-Jones is a good player and worth consideration in Dynasty formats, but I don't love his match-up this week against a Rams defense allowing just 40 yards-per-game to opposing tight ends. Seals-Jones is a talented receiver, but Los Angeles will likely shut him out of the end zone this week.

Cameron Brate (Tight End, Tampa Bay Buccaneers)

Maybe--MAYBE--you're thinking that a healthy Jameis Winston will get Brate going again, but you are likely wrong. The Buccaneers play the Packers, who have been the top team this season against opposing tight ends. O.J. Howard is going to keep increasing his target share. Brate is droppable in shallow formats and unplayable in most others.

 

More Week 13 Lineup Prep




REAL-TIME FANTASY NEWS

T.J. Watt

Alex Highsmith Expected to Remain With Steelers
Maxx Crosby

Close to Returning to Practice?
A.J. Brown

Patriots Don't Expect A.J. Brown to be Limited Physically
Shohei Ohtani

has "Small" Blister, a "Non-Issue" for his Pitching Starts
Brent Rooker

Out on Thursday Due to Knee Soreness
Myles Garrett

Rams Rework Myles Garrett's Contract
Frederik Andersen

Hurricanes Retain Confidence in Frederik Andersen
Tank Dell

Back on the Field at OTAs This Week
Vincent Trocheck

Maple Leafs Interested in Vincent Trocheck
Sam LaPorta

Looks Good During OTA Practice on Thursday
Mike Evans

Making a Strong Impression at OTAs With his New Team
Trevor Etienne

Currently the RB3 in Carolina?
Dylan Larkin

Requests Trade From Red Wings
Jaylen Wright

Impressing Bobby Slowik During OTAs
Greg Dulcich

Developing Chemistry with New Quarterback During OTAs?
Caleb Douglas

Suffers Minor Injury During OTAs on Wednesday
James Conner

Doing Side Work with Trainers During OTAs
George Kittle

"On Track" for Week 1 Return
Corey Seager

Expected to Return This Weekend
Bo Nix

Expected to Have More of a Role in Minicamp
Jaylen Waddle

Sean Payton has "Crystal Clear" Vision for Versatile Jaylen Waddle
Alvin Kamara

Hasn't Talked Pay Cut, "No Beef" With Saints
George Pickens

Brian Schottenheimer Expects George Pickens to Return for Mandatory Minicamp
Kendrick Law

Rookie Receiver Kendrick Law Suffers Torn ACL
Jahmyr Gibbs

Dan Campbell Expects Jahmyr Gibbs to be "Bellcow" in 2026
Ben Sinnott

Can Dynasty Managers Comfortably Drop Ben Sinnott?
Sam Darnold

Superstar Receiver Boosts Sam Darnold's Dynasty Value
Lucas Erceg

Royals to Mix and Match in Ninth With Lucas Erceg Struggling
Jonathan Toews

Expected to Retire
Anders Lee

Set to Hit Open Market
TB

Jon Cooper Wins First Jack Adams Trophy
De'Aaron Fox

Struggles Again Wednesday Night
Dylan Harper

Turns Heads in Finals Opener
Stephon Castle

Close to Double-Double in Game 1 Loss to Knicks
Victor Wembanyama

Notches 26 Points in Finals Debut
Josh Hart

Grabs 15 Rebounds in Game 1 Win Over Spurs
Karl-Anthony Towns

Opens Finals With Double-Double
Jalen Brunson

Scores Game-High 30 Points in Finals Opener
Aaron Judge

to Undergo Additional Imaging
Ketel Marte

Out on Wednesday With Back, Hamstring Injuries
Mitchell Robinson

is Available for Game 1 on Wednesday
Kawhi Leonard

Unlikely to be Traded
Chicago Bulls

Bulls Host Potential Lottery Picks for Workout
Washington Wizards

Wizards Considering Trading Down in Draft
Corbin Burnes

has Teres Major Strain, Unlikely to Return Until September
Rickie Fowler

Looks To Continue Resurgent Season At Memorial
CFB

Can Eric Singleton Jr. Fully Break Out at Third School?
CFB

Katin Houser Steps into QB1 Role for Illinois
CFB

Savion Hiter an Immediate Impact Freshman for Michigan
CFB

Isaiah Horton Set to Take Over KC Concepcion's Role
CFB

UCLA Transfer Karson Gordon Signs with Austin Peay
CFB

Will Muschamp Bringing New Intensity to Texas Practices
Gary Woodland

Brings Boom-or-Bust Potential to Memorial
Jordan Spieth

Still Searching for a Breakthrough
Alex Smalley

Brings Elite Form to Memorial Tournament
Justin Rose

Looks to Recapture Memorial Tournament Success
Cameron Young

Looks to Get Back to His Contending Ways at Murifield Village
Chris Gotterup

Needs to Find Fairways at Muirfield Village
Si Woo Kim

Looks to Stay Hot at Memorial Tournament
Matt Fitzpatrick

Positioned for Success at Muirfield Village
Jalen Chatfield

Records Two Assists in Tuesday's Loss
Keegan Bradley

Looking for Another Strong Finish at Muirfield
Nikolaj Ehlers

Nets Two Goals in Game 1 Loss to Golden Knights
Shea Theodore

Notches Three Points in Game 1 Win
Brayden McNabb

Sets Up Three Goals in Game 1 Win Over Hurricanes
Justin Thomas

is an Exciting Play This Week in Ohio
Brett Howden

Starts Finals With Multi-Point Effort
Scottie Scheffler

Looks to Win Memorial Tournament for Third Consecutive Year
Tomas Hertl

Scores Game-Winner in Finals Opener
Rory McIlroy

Looking for Better Performance at Muirfield Village
Drake Baldwin

Could Return During Braves Next Homestand
Garrett Crochet

Diagnosed With Low-Grade Lat Strain
Russell Henley

Coming to Ohio on the Heels of Latest Victory
Tommy Fleetwood

Looking for Better Iron Play at Memorial Tournament
Patrick Cantlay

Looks to Continue Dominance at Muirfield Village
Ludvig Aberg

a Great Fit for Muirfield Village
Isaiah Hartenstein

Hopeful to Stay with Oklahoma City
Luguentz Dort

Wants to Remain with Thunder
Mitchell Robinson

is Questionable for Game 1
Moussa Diabaté

Moussa Diabate Has Contract Guaranteed for 2026-2027 Season
Oso Ighodaro

Gets Guaranteed Contract for Next Season
NAS

Chris MacFarland Joins Predators as President and General Manager
VAN

Canucks Name Manny Malhotra as New Head Coach
Brendan Gallagher

to Leave Canadiens This Offseason
Patrik Laine

Looking Forward to Free Agency
Jeremy Lauzon

Returns to Action Tuesday
Zach Werenski

Wins 2025-26 Norris Trophy
Aaron Judge

Out on Tuesday With Rib/Shoulder Injury
Josh Hader

Set to Return from Injured List on Tuesday
CFB

SEC Coach Calls Buster Faulkner a "Home-Run Hire"
CFB

Auburn a Sleeper in the SEC Under Alex Golesh?
CFB

Noah Fifita Primed for Strong 2026 Campaign
CFB

Oregon Assistant Coach Charged with DUII, Reckless Driving
CFB

Tight End Nick Pollack Commits to Clemson
Akshay Bhatia

Needs the Driver to be True in Ohio
Aaron Rai

Primed to take on the Memorial Tournament
J.J. Spaun

Rebounded at Charles Schwab Challenge
Xander Schauffele

One to Watch This Week in Ohio
Elly De La Cruz

to Miss 2-4 Weeks of Action
Chase Burns

is Scratched Due to Illness
Deiveson Figueiredo

Suffers Second-Round Submission Loss
Song Yadong

Gets Second-Round Submission Win
Zhang Mingyang

Suffers Back-To-Back Losses
Alonzo Menifield

Gets Back In The Win Column
Tallison Teixeira

Suffers First-Round Knockout Loss
Sergei Pavlovich

Scores First-Round Knockout Win
Cameron Smotherman

Suffers Third Loss In A Row
Edwin Arroyo

Reds Promote Top Infield Prospect Edwin Arroyo, Viewed as Priority Pick Up Ahead of MLB Debut
Kai Asakura

Earns His First UFC Win
Elly De La Cruz

Placed on IL with Right Hamstring Tightness
Denny Hamlin

Earns the first Nashville Cup Series Victory of his Career on Sunday
Christopher Bell

Finishes as the Runner-Up at Nashville
Chase Briscoe

Earns First Career Podium Finish at Nashville
Ryan Blaney

Scores A Solid Top-10 Finish at Nashville
Kyle Larson

Top-10 Streak at Nashville Ends after Late Flat Tire Spin
Elly De La Cruz

Exits with Hamstring Tightness
Tyler Reddick

Is One of the Top Favorites to Win at Nashville
Kyle Larson

May Continue his Top-10 Consistency at Nashville this week
Christopher Bell

Is One of the Top Competitors for the Win at Nashville
Chase Briscoe

Is A Must Start for Nashville DFS Lineups
Chase Elliott

has Plenty of Upside for Nashville DFS Lineups
William Byron

Is William Byron A Playable DFS Option for Nashville Lineups?
Carson Hocevar

Is Likely to have Another Solid Result at Nashville
NASCAR

Should Fantasy Players Roster Bubba Wallace at Nashville?
Chris Buescher

Is A Decent All-Around DFS Option for Nashville Lineups
Daniel Suarez

is Likely to Drop Positions during the Cracker Barrel 400
Garrett Crochet

Suffers Setback, Likely to Undergo MRI for Lat Tightness
Denny Hamlin

Could Denny Hamlin Dominate at Nashville?
Ryan Blaney

Is a DFS Tournament Option at Nashville
Ty Gibbs

Don't Overlook Ty Gibbs at Nashville
Joey Logano

Could Show Life at Nashville
Ross Chastain

Needs a Good Run at Nashville
Chet Holmgren

Fails to Step Up in the Season Finale
Cason Wallace

Ends Postseason with Strong Showing
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander

Caps MVP Season with Game 7 Exit
Stephon Castle

Continues Postseason Run with 16 Points
Julian Champagnie

Shines in Series-Clinching Win
Lane Hutson

Posts a Power-Play Assist in Game 5 Loss
Cole Caufield

Nets a Power-Play Goal in Season-Ending Loss
Seth Jarvis

Closes Out East Finals With Multi-Point Game
Jacob Gonzalez

is Heading to the Big Leagues
Munetaka Murakami

Exits with Hamstring Tightness
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