Key Starters and Tough Calls - Week 13 Lineup Spotlights for Fantasy Football Include De'Von Achane, Diontae Johnson, Sam Howell

December 3, 2023

Scott breaks down his fantasy football lineup starts/sits for Week 13 (2023). He spotlights key NFL players to start, and tougher lineup start/sit decisions.

Welcome back, RotoBallers, to my Week 13 Lineup Spotlights - Key Starters and Tough Calls for fantasy football. Every week, I zoom in on some of my favored players to go with when dealing with challenging lineup decisions. These picks are based on my Premium Weekly Lineup Rankings, available as part of the RotoBaller NFL Premium Pass. Enter promo code KING at checkout for a discount and get access to my ranks in all formats, plus a full roster of tools and analysis for the remainder of the 2023 fantasy football season.

We feature players that you should lean to in tough calls and guys who may exceed expectations this week are also highlighted, so you can feel even more confident about starting or adding them. Skill position analysis here is based on my PPR rankings.

When considering each player for your lineup, also consult our fantasy football rankings to see exactly where they are positioned when compared to your other possible lineup choices.

Running Backs – Fantasy Football Week 13

Zack Moss, Indianapolis Colts

A thumb injury has put Jonathan Taylor out of action again, and Moss was a hot pickup on the fantasy football waiver wire in leagues where he was still available in Week 13. The former Bill was a pleasant surprise earlier this season when Taylor was out, and he is a must-start as a fantasy football RB2 upon his return to the Colts’ starting lineup.  In five starts for the Colts this season, Moss has averaged 93.2 rushing yards per game with a high mark of 165, and he notched five total TDs from scrimmage in those starts.

The significant question for those who roster Moss is who to start him over this week. The Titans rank 24^th in Fantasy Points Per Game (FPPG) allowed to RBs over the past four weeks, and the Colts have the fourth-best run blocking advantage grade of any team for Week 13 on Pro Football Focus. Moss is inside my top 10 at RB, which means I am recommending him over options such as Derrick Henry, Jaylen Warren, Isiah Pacheco, Rhamondre Stevenson, and D’Andre Swift. I do like some of those RBs too this week, but I prefer Moss in a pretty good matchup.

De'Von Achane, Miami Dolphins

All indications are that the explosive Miami rookie will be ready to play against Washington this week in a positive matchup. Washington has allowed the third-most FPPG to RBs over the past four weeks. But fantasy players have good reason to be skeptical about what Achane’s workload will be.

Achane has been dealing with knee issues that could cause the Dolphins to limit his reps in his first game back, because they want to possibly be cautious with him, and can also easily lean a lot on Raheem Mostert and rotate Jeff Wilson Jr. into the mix. I would not bench Achane in many cases, because the upside still exists, and if the team is clearing him to play, I will clear him for my fantasy lineup. If he was not capable of delivering impactful plays, Miami might not have brought him back yet.

De’Von Achane

Ready to return?

Can you trust him? pic.twitter.com/tg39HZ4zN4

— Jesse Morse, MD (@DrJesseMorse) November 30, 2023

Even with a somewhat limited role, Achane is still a viable RB2/flex option, as he can rip off a big play at any time from anywhere on the field. He can make the most of his touches in a game where Miami dominates on offense, and if the Dolphins light up the scoreboard or roll out to a big lead, Achane should be part of the success.

Devin Singletary, Houston Texans

Dameon Pierce returned for the Texans last week, but Singletary played well enough when Pierce was out to hold onto at least a preferred role in a timeshare. Last week against the Jaguars, who have been tough on RBs this season, Singletary had 12 touches, and Pierce had six. Singletary played on 82 percent of the snaps, and even if he does not reach that snap percentage this week, I expect him to be the clear lead RB in an exploitable matchup.

Denver has allowed the most FPPG to RBs this season. Singletary has been running hard in recent weeks, and he should be back in lineups as an RB2/flex play in Week 13. Pierce was a disappointment earlier this season when healthy, and Singletary seized an opportunity to play more and bring some stability to a position that has been a longtime problem in Houston.

Miles Sanders, Carolina Panthers

The coaching changes in Carolina spur me to speculate about a return to respectability for Sanders, who may be a free agent in some leagues. Chuba Hubbard may still be in the picture, but Sanders was a premier offseason acquisition for the Panthers and a projected key guy who was supposed to get a lot of work as a runner and passer while also functioning as a player who could ease pressure and support a rookie QB.

Sanders had 15 carries in Week 12, and if you don’t start him, at least monitor the former Eagle to see how he is utilized and if he can take advantage of some notable injuries on the Tampa Bay defense. The Buccaneers will be without injured LBs Lavonte David and Devin White, and the offense might be sparked under a new coaching regime. Sanders has some sleeper potential for Week 13.

Wide Receivers – Fantasy Football Week 13

Adam Thielen, Carolina Panthers

While Sanders is a player to watch and consider for deeper usage, Thielen should be popped back into lineups for sure after a one-catch showing last week. As Carolina seeks to establish some offensive continuity, getting the ball to their most trusted pass-catcher will be a priority in a good matchup.

Thielen has the second-best matchup of any WR overall in WR/CB advantage grades against opposing CB groups for Week 13 on PFF. Tampa Bay has allowed the second-most receiving yards to WRs this season and ranks 22^nd in receptions allowed to the position. Thielen ranked as a top 10 fantasy WR in targets through Week 11 and should return to a very busy role in Week 13, so start him as a fantasy WR3 with good volume potential.

Diontae Johnson, Pittsburgh Steelers

Last week, the Pittsburgh WR drew much criticism for letting his emotions apparently affect his on-field performance. Johnson did take responsibility for his perceived approach, and now to further put the negative talk behind him, a quality outing in a good matchup is needed.

The Steelers’ offense leaped out of the doldrums last week after a coordinator change, registering over 420 yards of total offense. Arizona ranks 25^th in receptions allowed to WRs and 27^th in yardage allowed to the position. Expect a bounce-back week for Johnson, and he should provide a solid statistical floor.

Courtland Sutton, Denver Broncos

Sutton is being overlooked by many as an important performer during Denver’s recent resurgence. Russell Wilson is regaining respect for improved play under Sean Payton, yet it is Sutton who has been functioning as his top pass-catcher. The Broncos WR is tied for third in the NFL with eight receiving TDs, and he has visited the end zone in five of his past six games.

Wilson may have to throw more frequently this week to keep up with C.J. Stroud, and the Texans have allowed the third-most receiving yards to WRs over the past four weeks. Sutton will be a very important contributor as Denver aims for a sixth consecutive win in what should be a hotly contested game, so start him as a WR2/3 this week.

Puka Nacua, Los Angeles Rams

if you can still trade Puka Nacua for Jordan Addison or JSN in dynasty, do it ASAP

— kev mahserejian (@RotoSurgeon) December 1, 2023

The Rams’ breakout rookie has become a hot-button topic among some fantasy analysts recently, as his production has slipped, and I am seeing different takes on whether he can get back on a more productive path. In three of his last four games, Nacua has failed to score seven PPR points.

Puka Nacua doubters remind me of Amon-Ra St. Brown doubters back in 2021.

— Frank Ammirante (@FAmmiranteTFJ) December 1, 2023

But Cooper Kupp has been dealing with ankle issues, and he has not been performing up to expectations, either. Kupp hasn't reached the seven-point PPR mark in his last five games.

The Browns rank second in FPPG allowed to WRs, so the matchup is obviously not a good one for either Rams pass-catcher to stage a significant statistical revival. But Kupp is battling through health issues, and Matthew Stafford has played well enough over the last two games to help one of them post decent fantasy totals. My bet would be on Nacua as the safer play based on Kupp continuing to tough it out at possibly less than full effectiveness, as noted here by Dr. Morse.

Quarterback And Tight End

Sam Howell, Washington Commanders

With Josh Allen and Lamar Jackson among the QBs on byes, Howell becomes a prime streamer for Week 13. The Miami pass defense has been good recently, ranking fifth in FPPG allowed to QBs. But no one stops Howell from trying to gun the ball, and Miami won’t prevent a lot of attempts when the second-year QB has to keep pace with Tua Tagovailoa. Howell leads the NFL in completions and passing yards, and Washington is destined to play catch-up vs. the Dolphins in the game with the highest projected total of Week 13 (49.5 points).

Juwan Johnson, New Orleans Saints

Injuries and bye weeks are robbing us of a few better options at the thinnest position in fantasy football, so in some cases, just getting decent fantasy output has to be a goal. The Saints are dealing with notable injuries at WR, putting Johnson in position for a possible top 10 fantasy TE performance. Johnson was targeted a season-high seven times last week, and he may function as a frequent option for Derek Carr on key passing downs.

Scott Engel's fantasy and betting analysis is also featured at The Game Day.

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