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After an exciting Week 12, which featured three games on Thanksgiving, the season rolls on, beginning on Thursday with a showdown between the Cowboys and Saint in New Orleans. Unquestionably, there are some significant injuries to consider as we head toward kickoff on Sunday, beginning with DeAndre Hopkins and Kyler Murray, two players who have missed a few games.
Fortunately, they are expected to be back in the lineup for the matchup against the Bears. Other players also dealing with injuries include Christian McCaffrey, who is done for the year, and Darrell Henderson, who is battling a thigh issue. There are a few more, though we will get to those.
In this article, I will be providing you with my Week 13 daily fantasy football lineup picks for FanDuel. These lineups can vary from higher-priced players and elite options to lower-priced players and value picks on FanDuel. Be sure to also check out our weekly DraftKings DFS lineup picks and lots of other great NFL DFS articles and NFL DFS tools to help you win big! Also, feel free to give me a follow on Twitter @DennisMClausen.
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FanDuel Quarterbacks - Week 13 DFS Lineup Picks
Patrick Mahomes, QB - vs. DEN ($8,300)
Lamar Jackson projects to be the highest-scoring quarterback in Week 13. Yet, given his history against the Steelers over the years, it may be best to turn to Mahomes instead. While the 26-year-old didn't throw a touchdown during the win over Dallas in Week 11, he managed to toss five of them against the Raiders in the game prior.
Now, fresh off a bye, Mahomes will have the luxury of squaring off against Denver, a team he's grown quite familiar with during his tenure in the NFL. In fact, the former MVP has played better versus the Broncos than he has against the remaining 30 teams, so things are looking promising for him from a DFS perspective in all formats.
Tom Brady, QB - @ ATL ($8,100)
Brady didn't have one of his better performances during the win over the Colts, as the G.O.A.T. would go on to throw 226 yards, one touchdown, and an interception. However, and to be fair, Leonard Fournette virtually took over the game, so the 44-year-old didn't need to do much. Still, he hasn't played like his usual self and has thrown six picks throughout his last three games to bring his total to nine on the year, three fewer than he had during the entire 2021-22 campaign.
Nonetheless, there is good news, as Brady has historically played fantastic against the Falcons, the Buccaneers Week 13 opponent, totaling 2,507 passing yards, 22 touchdowns, and only two picks throughout eight-lifetime meetings. He also has a 67.4 completion percentage to go along with a 118.3 passer rating, so things certainly look good heading into the matchup. His outlook will be even brighter if Mike Evans is 100 percent.
Also Consider: Lamar Jackson ($8,500), Derek Carr ($7,500), Taylor Heinicke ($7,100 - GPP only)
FanDuel Running Backs - Week 13 DFS Lineup Picks
Joe Mixon, RB - vs. LAC ($9,400)
When you think about the best backs in the league, Christian McCaffrey, Dalvin Cook, Travis Henry, and Jonathan Taylor are usually the first to come to mind. Yet, what Mixon has done all year should put him alongside those guys. The former Sooner was a big reason why the Bengals ran over the Steelers on Sunday, thanks to a 165-yard effort, a career-high, off 28 carries.
He also had two touchdowns, bringing his total to 12 throughout his last eight games. Mixon has been a monster, so it's strongly recommended that DFS enthusiasts keep him in mind, especially when you consider how bad the Chargers have been at stopping the run.
Alexander Mattison, RB - @ DET ($8,700)
Dalvin Cook sustained a shoulder injury against the 49ers. As a result, he is unlikely to play in Week 13 versus the Lions and the subsequent Thursday Night Football outing against the Pittsburgh Steelers. While that puts the oft-injured superstar on track to make it back for the December 20th bout against the Bears, fantasy managers shouldn't hold their breath.
Fortunately, Mattison will take his place and has proven to be an adequate replacement when given a chance. He's compiled 225 yards off 51 touches for a solid 4.4 YPC while adding 13 catches for 99 yards and a touchdown throughout two starts this year. Nonetheless, while the third-year man isn't a "value option, he has a fantastic opportunity to pad his resume against a Detroit defense that has struggled to stop the run.
Leonard Fournette, RB - @ ATL ($7,700)
Fournette had one of, if not the best game of his career against the Colts. Not only did he run for a season-high 100 yards on the ground, but he also had three rushing touchdowns to boot. Yet, that wasn't all, as the former Jaguar complimented those numbers by pulling in seven of his eight targets for 31 yards and another touchdown.
Although previous success doesn't guarantee future efficiency, he has a solid chance of keeping things moving against an inept Falcons defense that's struggled throughout the year. Antonio Brown is also out, so Tom Brady will likely continue looking at Fournette's number more often.
Elijah Mitchell, RB - @ SEA ($7,600)
Deebo Samuel strained his groin against the Vikings, which will take him out of the equation for the next game or two, possibly longer. Undoubtedly, this is not ideal, mainly since Samuel has been so dominant throughout most of the year.
The good news is that the Niners have others who can help semi-lessen the blow, with Mitchell being one of the first to come to mind. Despite entering Week 12 with various injuries, the rookie managed to carry the ball 27 times to bring his total to 54 attempts throughout his last two games. He also had 133 yards and a touchdown on Sunday and caught five of his six targets for 35 yards. It's no secret that Kyle Shanahan has mixed it up in the backfield over the years. However, it appears as if he will continue to ride the hot-hand for the showdown with Seattle.
Jamaal Williams, RB - vs. MIN ($6,500)
Alexander Mattison isn't the only one looking at more work, as Williams is also anticipated to take over the duties as the primary ball carrier against the Vikings. After De'Andre Swift exited early because of a shoulder injury on Thanksgiving and didn't return, it was Williams who saw a substantial bump in production, finishing with 65 yards off 15 carries in addition to catching all of his five targets for 18 yards.
He's played well as a starter during his five-year career and has a massive upside considering the rostering cost. It also doesn't hurt that the Minnesota defense hasn't played well against the run this season, and it most recently gave up nearly 200 rushing yards to the duo of Elijah Mitchell and Deebo Samuel in Week 12.
Also Consider: Jonathan Taylor ($10,500), Josh Jacobs ($7,000), Antonio Gibson ($6,200), Sony Michel ($5,300 - if Darrell Henderson is out)
FanDuel Wide Receivers - Week 13 DFS Lineup Picks
Chris Godwin, WR - @ ATL ($7,600)
For Tom Brady to have success against Atlanta, Godwin will have to have a better performance than the one he had in Week 12. Undoubtedly, he hasn't looked good at times during the season and has only one touchdown throughout his previous three games. He also had just 24 yards off four catches--and a fumble--for a season-low 2.7 fantasy points versus Indiana.
Nevertheless, he is too talented for that crap to continue. Godwin also draws a favorable matchup against the Falcons, a team that has allowed the second-most fantasy points from opposing wideouts over the last month. Vegas has some nice projections for him as well, so make some room and get him in your lineup.
Diontae Johnson, WR - vs. BAL ($7,200)
Pittsburgh is a train wreck, plain and simple. The team got rocked by the Bengals in Week 12, lost a close one to the Chargers in Week 11, and tied with the Lions, yes, the Lions, in Week 10. However, some players on the team can't take much, or any, of the blame for the lack of success this season.
Johnson is a guy who's been playing well, despite Pittsburgh's downward spiral since its four-game win streak. He's always involved and has been the league's most targeted wideout since Week 7 while also getting double-digit looks in all but two games on the year. Nevertheless, Johnson should be considered one of the best in the league at the position, although he would be a more coveted fantasy option all around if he found the end zone a bit more.
Brandon Aiyuk, WR - @ SEA ($7,000)
Elijah Mitchell isn't the only player on the roster who may have a better chance of flourishing without Deebo Samuel. Aiyuk is another guy who could be even more involved, albeit he will surely be a popular DFS option for many managers. The former first-round pick didn't have the best start to the year, but he has since turned things around.
In the three games leading up to the Week 12 outing against Minnesota, Aiyuk caught 16 of his 19 targets for 200 yards while finding the end zone in two of them. Nonetheless, Jauan Jennings, who had a touchdown versus Minnesota, will surely get some attention from the DFS community. However, Aiyuk is by far the better option.
Hunter Renfrow, TE - vs. WSH ($6,400)
Renfrow played a season-high 74 percent of the team's offensive snaps on Thanksgiving. He also had his best game of the year, finishing with eight catches (nine targets) for 134 yards.
Unquestionably, he has picked things up since the team released Henry Ruggs III by compiling 26 catches for 259 yards and two scores throughout a four-game span. Darren Waller won't play on Sunday, so the three-year man should benefit immensely. In addition, the Football Team hasn't looked the best at times at keeping opposing wideouts in check, which only adds to Renfrow's already favorable outlook.
Also Consider: Cooper Kupp ($9,000), Tyreek Hill ($8,500), Justin Jefferson ($8,000), Mike Evans ($7,400), Keenan Allen ($7,300), Van Jefferson ($5,800 - GPP only), DeSean Jackson ($5,200 - GPP only)
FanDuel Tight Ends - Week 13 DFS Lineup Picks
George Kittle, TE - @ SEA ($6,300)
What the hell happened to Kittle in Week 12? We know that the 49ers did a lot of running against the Vikings. Yet, you'd think he'd be more involved, right? Well, that didn't happen, and the veteran had just one catch, yep, one catch for 13 yards. That stat-line from the Kittle was rather unfortunate, especially since he caught a touchdown in each of the three games since making it back from a calf injury.
Still, losing Deebo Samuel isn't something that San Francisco can get through if Kittle doesn't get involved. However, there's a good chance he will be in Week 13, so fantasy managers should anticipate plenty of looks from Jimmy Garoppolo as the signal-caller will certainly need to fill some of the void caused by Samuel's absence.
Foster Moreau, TE - vs. WSH ($5,000)
Moreau is a popular occupant on the waiver wire in seasonal formats as most leagues begin to head toward the postseason. Normally, he's always in the running for some grabs as well as the occasional touchdown. Yet, without Darren Waller, who will miss at least one game because of a knee issue, Moreau's value and upside are higher than ever.
Certainly, the 24-year-old has the ability and talent to produce consistently, and he would likely do so if he were on a different team and not buried behind one of the best tight ends in the league. Yet, we can enjoy this opportunity, and considering the former LSU Tiger has 20 catches for 198 yards and six touchdowns throughout 14 career starts, the rostering cost is too good to pass up.
Also Consider: Mark Andrews ($7,300), Travis Kelce ($7,300) Rob Gronkowski ($7,000)
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