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Dave's fantasy football start 'em, sit 'em picks for Week 13 of 2025. His fantasy football outlooks for TreVeyon Henderson, RJ Harvey, Tyrone Tracey, Chris Rodriguez, Marvin Harrison, Ricky Pearsall, Oronde Gadsden, Juwan Johnson, Zach Ertz, Cam Ward, Rico Dowdle, more.
Who Should I Start? Who Should I Sit? Some common Week 13 fantasy football lineup decisions are regarding players like Brock Purdy, Jacoby Brissett, TreVeyon Henderson, Rico Dowdle, Khalil Shakir, Ricky Pearsall, Oronde Gadsden, and Juwan Johnson. But not to worry, we are here to help make these decisions and build winning lineups in Week 13. Set your optimal fantasy football lineups for Week 13 of the 2025 NFL season. Our free Who Should I Start? tool will help make your fantasy football lineup decisions. Compare up to four NFL players, and we tell you who to start ... all free! Get your winning lineups set, and make the right decisions.
Compare up to four players and we'll tell you who to start...
Sunday Fantasy Football Lineup Decisions
Thanksgiving has come and gone. Hopefully, you enjoyed the week, spending time with friends/family, and also enjoyed some great food along the way.
Now that the holiday season has officially started, we enter the tail end of the fantasy football season. The fantasy playoffs begin in two weeks, and managers are running out of time to secure a playoff berth. Nobody wants to be left out of the dance. After all, you just need to get into the playoffs to have a chance to win your league's title. So let's not waste any more time and let's start discussing which players to start as well as which ones to fade.
Make sure you’re following RotoBaller on X and download the RotoBaller app for all your fantasy football needs. Let's dive into our start ‘em and sit ‘em picks for Week 13.
QB Starts - Week 13 Fantasy Football
Jacoby Brissett - QB, Arizona Cardinals at Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Brissett has posted six straight QB1 finishes while filling in for an injured Kyler Murray. He'll have a great chance to extend that streak to seven games this weekend.
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers' pass defense was just lit up by Matthew Stafford and the Los Angeles Rams last Sunday night. Defensive back Jamel Dean could return this week, and that would be a boost to the Buccaneers' secondary. However, Brissett is playing very well right now. It will be hard for managers to pull him out of lineups, considering how hot he's been.
Wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. is also expected to return to the Cardinals' starting lineup, and his presence will only help Brissett's outlook. Gamers should fire up Brissett again this weekend and can expect another strong fantasy performance.
Sam Darnold - QB, Seattle Seahawks vs. Minnesota Vikings
Darnold bounced back with a QB11 finish last week after a disastrous outing in Week 11. Now, Darnold gets a revenge game against his former team, which ultimately preferred J.J. McCarthy as its starting quarterback over him.
While we let that sink in, we'll also point out that the Vikings rank 20th in FTN Fantasy's defensive passing DVOA and 30th in PFF's pass coverage grade. Minnesota has been one of the better teams in the league against opposing quarterbacks and has allowed the seventh-fewest fantasy points per game to the position this year, per Fantasy Football Today.
However, the revenge narrative here is too good to ignore. Gamers should view Darnold as a backend QB1 for this week and should start him as such.
Cameron Ward - QB, Tennessee Titans vs. Jacksonville Jaguars
Ward played well against the Seattle Seahawks in Week 12. He completed 28 of 42 passes for 256 yards and a touchdown. It was an impressive performance against one of the better defenses in the league.
Jacksonville has been vulnerable through the air at times throughout the season, so this could be a spot where Ward builds upon last week's game. While he is still not a recommended streamer in single quarterback leagues, managers in superflex leagues should feel comfortable starting him as a QB2.
QB Sits - Week 13 Fantasy Football
Kirk Cousins - QB, Atlanta Falcons at New York Jets
Cousins threw two touchdown passes against the New Orleans Saints last week and showed that he might not be entirely washed.
KIRK COUSINS DEEP BALL TD 🎯
ATLvsNO on FOX/FOX Onehttps://t.co/HkKw7uXVnt pic.twitter.com/ikHfUDSmXN
— NFL (@NFL) November 23, 2025
This weekend, he'll face a Jets defense that's played surprisingly well since trading away some of its top defensive players a few weeks ago. The Falcons will also be without WR1 Drake London in this game, so that will hurt Cousins' outlook.
While Cousins' Week 12 stat line looks decent, the reality is that it was largely aided by a 49-yard touchdown pass to Darnell Mooney. Take away that play, and it gives you a different view of Cousins' performance.
We'll need to see at least one more solid outing from Cousins before giving him serious consideration as a streamer. Leave him on the bench this week.
Bryce Young - QB, Carolina Panthers vs. Los Angeles Rams
Woof. There might not be a better way to describe Young's disastrous game against the San Francisco 49ers last Monday night.
Ji'Ayir Brown takes it right back for San Francisco!
CARvsSF on ESPN/ABC
Stream on @NFLPlus and ESPN App pic.twitter.com/980nPRdSdm— NFL (@NFL) November 25, 2025
It looked as though Carolina was content to let Young throw the ball against a beatable 49ers secondary, but the third-year quarterback let the team down in a big way. It was a supremely disappointing effort from both a real-life and fantasy perspective.
Now Young will square off against a Rams defense that's been one of the best in the league. Los Angeles ranks second in defensive passing DVOA and has allowed the ninth-most fantasy points to quarterbacks this year.
Young is not a recommended streamer in single quarterback leagues and should also be left on the bench in superflex and two quarterback formats.
Brock Purdy - QB, San Francisco 49ers at Cleveland Browns
While Bryce Young's game last Monday left viewers bleeding from the eyes, Purdy's was not much better.
BROCK PURDY THROWS HIS THIRD INT OF THE FIRST HALF 😱
Panthers-49ers on ESPN and the ESPN App pic.twitter.com/d0dTFFD4q4
— ESPN (@espn) November 25, 2025
Purdy will need to shake things off fast because he'll have an even tougher matchup this weekend. The Browns' defense has allowed the second-fewest passing yards per game as well as the fifth-fewest fantasy points per game to quarterbacks this year.
With Myles Garrett on pace to shatter the single-season sack record, we could see the 49ers' offensive line struggle to keep Purdy upright. San Francisco could also have problems running the football against a Browns defense that ranks first in PFF's run defense grade. That would put extra pressure on Purdy and could be a recipe for disaster.
Purdy is not a recommended streamer this weekend, and gamers should give strong consideration to leaving him on the bench.
RB Starts - Week 13 Fantasy Football
R.J. Harvey - RB, Denver Broncos at Washington Commanders
The Broncos are coming off their bye, and this weekend presents a fantastic opportunity for their rookie running back to get going. The Commanders allow the sixth-most rushing yards per game and have also allowed the eighth-most explosive rushing in the league per Fantasy Points Data Suite.
Look for Harvey to have one of his better games of the season here. If he doesn't, then it will be fair to start asking more questions about Denver's second-round pick. For now, gamers should start Harvey as an RB2.
TreVeyon Henderson - RB, New England Patriots vs. New York Giants
Even after Rhamondre Stevenson returned to the Patriots lineup last week, Henderson still received 21 touches and appears locked in as the team's RB1. He draws a great matchup this week against a Giants defense that just allowed the Detroit Lions to run for 237 yards against them in Week 12.
Jahmyr Gibbs broke off multiple long runs in that game. That has been a major issue for the Giants' defense, and the Giants have allowed the most explosive rushing yards in the league this season. Henderson is more than capable of ripping off a few long runs, so this looks like a fantastic spot to start the Patriots' rookie.
Gamers should confidently start Henderson as a backend RB1 play in Week 13.
Breece Hall - RB, New York Jets vs. Atlanta Falcons
Hall is coming off a solid RB15 finish last week. He now squares off against a Falcons defense that's allowed the fourth-most PPR points per game to opposing backs.
New York should be competitive in this game, and that will mean plenty of opportunities for Hall in a plus matchup. Treat him as a high-end RB2 with RB1 upside.
RB Sits - Week 13 Fantasy Football
Rico Dowdle - RB, Carolina Panthers vs. Los Angeles Rams
Dowdle has really cooled off in the last few weeks and has been held to 54 or fewer rushing yards in four of his last five games. This doesn't look like a spot where Dowdle pops for a big game, as the Rams' run defense has been exceptional.
Los Angeles Ranks fourth in defensive rushing DVOA and second in PFF's run defense grade. The Rams have also allowed the third-fewest PPR points per game to running backs, so Dowdle's receiving upside may be limited here, too.
We'll see if Dowdle can recapture his form to close the season, but this is not a great time for managers to trust him. Leave him on the bench in favor of other options.
Chris Rodriguez Jr. - RB, Washington Commanders vs. Denver Broncos
Rodriguez has taken firm control of the Washington RB1 job. He has some good matchups coming up during the fantasy playoffs, but gamers may want to pump the brakes on his outlook this week.
The Broncos have allowed the third-fewest rushing yards per game as well as the fifth-fewest PPR points per game to opposing running backs. Rodriguez could find little room on the ground here. Since he doesn't offer much upside as a receiver, that could really lower his ceiling for fantasy purposes.
Rodriguez is more of a touchdown-dependent flex play this week, and it would behoove managers to consider other options.
Tyrone Tracy Jr. - RB, New York Giants at New England Patriots
Tracy has eclipsed 20 touches in each of the last two games. It has led to PPR finishes of RB12 and RB13. He's been heavily involved in the Giants' offense, but that has largely hinged on New York's ability to remain competitive in its last two games. That could change this weekend as the Giants are going up against the 10-2 New England Patriots.
This is a spot where New York could fall behind early in the game and negate any rushing upside for Tracy. He has been involved as a receiver lately, so that usage could save his fantasy day.
However, this might be a good time for managers to hop off the Tracy train and consider other backs with better matchups.
WR Starts - Week 13 Fantasy Football
Chimere Dike - WR, Tennessee Titans vs. Jacksonville Jaguars
Dike is coming off a nice outing against the Seattle Seahawks, where he posted a 5-44-1 line on seven targets.
Cam Ward finds Chimere Dike for a touchdown
SEAvsTEN on FOX/FOX Onehttps://t.co/HkKw7uXVnt pic.twitter.com/CiQTyMIFT0
— NFL (@NFL) November 23, 2025
Quarterback Ward is showing signs of improvement, and Jacksonville's pass defense has had some issues throughout the year. This looks like a good spot for Dike to further build upon his Week 12 performance and possibly establish himself as the Titans' WR1 for the remainder of the year.
Consider him a WR3 play in deep leagues who warrants flex consideration in shallower formats.
Marvin Harrison Jr. - WR, Arizona Cardinals at Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Harrison is set to return after missing the last two games due to an emergency appendectomy. He should find success in this game as the Buccaneers' secondary is coming off a disastrous performance against the Los Angeles Rams last Sunday night. Tampa Bay has also allowed the eighth-most PPR points per game to receivers this year.
Look for Harrison to have a strong performance here, and he is live to crack triple digits. Start him as a backend WR2 or flex.
Khalil Shakir - WR, Buffalo Bills at Pittsburgh Steelers
The Steelers' defense has not been the same elite unit that we have grown accustomed to watching over the years. They've particularly struggled against opposing wide receivers, as Pittsburgh has allowed the most PPR points to the position this year.
With Josh Allen coming off a poor outing in Week 13, we should expect a huge bounce-back performance from the Bills' offense here. That would be good news for Shakir, who is coming off an eight-catch, 110-yard performance in Week 12.
Look for Shakir to make another run at triple digits in this game. Start him as a WR3 with a boost in PPR formats.
WR Sits - Week 13 Fantasy Football
Jordan Addison - WR, Minnesota Vikings at Seattle Seahawks
With Max Brosmer set to start at quarterback, the Vikings may be pivoting away from J.J. McCarthy as their QB1. While that sounds like a good thing for Addison, the reality is that we don't know if Brosmer is that much better than McCarthy.
Combine that with a tough matchup against the Seahawks' defense, which ranks fourth in defensive passing DVOA, and it makes Addison a sit for this weekend. However, if Brosmer shows he can keep this offense on schedule and move the ball efficiently, then Addison will be back in play for Week 14.
Michael Pittman Jr. - WR, Indianapolis Colts vs. Houston Texans
Houston ranks first in defensive passing DVOA and allows the third-fewest passing yards per game in the league. The Texans have also allowed the fewest PPR points to wide receivers this season.
We'll see how Daniel Jones fares against this defense after playing so poorly at the end of the Kansas City Chiefs' game last week. Houston will likely sell out to stop Jonathan Taylor and force Jones to beat them with their arm, which was something he could not do to close out the Chiefs in Week 12.
This could be a rough outing for Jones, and Pittman would be a major casualty of a bad Daniel Jones game. Leave Pittman on the bench in favor of other receivers in better matchups.
Ricky Pearsall - WR, San Francisco 49ers at Cleveland Browns
Pearsall has been dreadful in two games since returning from a knee injury. He's caught a combined three receptions for six yards in the last two games. Perhaps he hasn't been a focal point of the offense, and these numbers are because of that. Or maybe Pearsall rushed back and is not fully recovered from said knee injury.
Regardless, this is not lining up as the game where he busts out of his funk. Cleveland has allowed the sixth-fewest PPR points per game to opposing wide receivers and ranks ninth in PFF's pass coverage grade.
San Francisco has one of the better schedules for wide receivers during the fantasy playoffs, so there are likely better days ahead for Pearsall. This week is not one of them, and gamers should pivot off the sophomore wide receiver in Week 12.
TE Starts - Week 13 Fantasy Football
Colby Parkinson - TE, Los Angeles Rams at Carolina Panthers
Parkinson is in the middle of a hot stretch where he's caught a touchdown in three straight games and has posted three straight TE1 finishes.
He now draws a date against a Panthers defense that's been one of the worst in the league at guarding opposing tight ends. Carolina ranks dead last in DVOA against the position and has allowed the eighth-most PPR points to tight ends.
Look for Parkinson to extend his touchdown streak to four games and to post another TE1 finish. He is one of the better tight end streaming options for this weekend.
Juwan Johnson - TE, New Orleans Saints at Miami Dolphins
The Dolphins allow 64.9 receiving yards per game to tight ends, which is the seventh-most in the league. Miami also ranks 21st in DVOA against tight ends and has allowed the third-most PPR points per game to the position this year.
Johnson has been targeted 11 times the last two weeks and has two straight TE1 finishes in PPR leagues. Look for him to post another TE1 finish here, and gamers should consider him a solid streaming option.
Kyle Pitts Sr. - TE, Atlanta Falcons at New York Jets
Drake London is expected to miss his second consecutive game this weekend. Pitts tied a season high in Week 12 by playing 95% of the team's offensive snaps. It didn't translate to much fantasy production, though, as he only caught two passes for 25 receiving yards.
Still, Pitts is lined up to be one of Atlanta's top pass catchers again in Week 13. New York is a middle-of-the-road matchup, but it has allowed seven receiving touchdowns to tight ends this year.
Consider Pitts a touchdown-dependent streamer this week.
TE Sits - Week 13 Fantasy Football
Oronde Gadsden II - TE, Los Angeles Chargers vs. Las Vegas Raiders
Gadsden has enjoyed a fine rookie season, but this projects as a game where he may struggle. The Raiders have been one of the worst teams in the league this year. However, they have been very effective at defending tight ends and have allowed the fourth-fewest PPR points per game to the position.
Gadsden has been a pleasant surprise for gamers in redraft and dynasty leagues, but it would be best if he's left on the bench this weekend.
Pat Freiermuth - TE, Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Buffalo Bills
Freiermuth scored his fourth touchdown of the season in Week 12. However, he was only targeted three times and played just 47% of offensive snaps.
Buffalo has allowed the fewest PPR points per game to tight ends, so this is a tough matchup for the Steelers veteran. Combine that with the fact he's stuck in a rotation with Jonnu Smith and Darnell Washington, and it becomes clear that Freiermuth offers zero appeal as a streamer.
Zach Ertz - TE, Washington Commanders vs. Denver Broncos
Denver ranks 10th in DVOA against tight ends and is also third in defensive passing DVOA. They also allow the sixth-fewest passing yards per game.
This looks like a game where Marcus Mariota and the Washington pass attack could struggle, and that would negatively affect Ertz. There are better streaming options out there, so leave Ertz on your bench.
Who Should I Start Tool
Not sure who to start? Check out the Who Should I Start tool:
Week 13 Player Decisions. Today's focus is on specific players -- Brock Purdy, Jacoby Brissett, TreVeyon Henderson, Rico Dowdle, Khalil Shakir, Ricky Pearsall, Oronde Gadsden II, and Juwan Johnson. These are some of the most common searches for fantasy football lineups in Week 13.
Using The Tool. This is a simple tool but very powerful. The first step is to enter the player names that you want to compare. In the first box, search for the first player's name. In the second box, search for the second player's name. Compare up to four NFL players at once, and then click the Who To Start? button to see who the recommended starts are based on weekly fantasy football matchups.
Improvements For Who Should I Start? You may have noticed our Who Should I Start? tool has gotten an overhaul. We've added lots of great features for you to give you as much information as possible to win your fantasy football matchups each week. You'll see NFL player tiles with headshots and bye weeks, enhanced search results with data to compare, and a slick new interface. We hope you enjoy!
How It Works. Each week, our RotoBaller staff puts together their weekly fantasy football rankings and projections based on their research. That information is the core data that is powering the decision-making in this tool. When you search for player names, you will only see those players who are ranked. If someone is out for the week, they will not appear in the search results.
Scoring Formats. Fantasy football managers play in various types of leagues, and this tool allows you to choose whether it's PPR scoring, Half-PPR scoring, or Standard (Non-PPR) scoring. The second thing you want to do is to select the scoring format. There are three small radio buttons (small circles), so click on the scoring format you prefer. The results may vary based on the scoring format you select.
Popular Week 13 Searches. Curious to see some tough lineup decisions for Week 13 (2025)? Below you will find a list of some popular Who Should I Start? searches that RotoBaller readers are looking at this week. Click any of the links to see the result and recommendation.
Popular Week 13 Searches - Start/Sit Player Comparisons
Below are some popular Week 13 searches and comparisons from our 'Who To Start' tool for Brock Purdy, Jacoby Brissett, TreVeyon Henderson, Rico Dowdle, Khalil Shakir, Ricky Pearsall, Oronde Gadsden, and Juwan Johnson compared to others:
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