X
Lost password?

Don't have an account?
Gain Access Now

X

Receive free daily analysis

NFL
NBA
NHL
NASCAR
CFB
MLB
MMA
PGA
ESPORTS
BETTING

Already have an account? Log In

X

Forgot Password


POPULAR FANTASY TOOLS

Expert Advice
Articles & Tools
Import Your Leagues
Draft Rankings
Draft Simulator
Enter League Settings
Value Picks
Compare Any Players
News and Alerts

Week 13 Fantasy Football Busts? Players Who May Disappoint Include James Conner, Zay Flowers, Jared Goff, Gus Edwards, Ameer Abdullah, Jayden Reed

James Conner - Fantasy Football Rankings, NFL Injury News, DFS Lineup Picks

Who should I start or sit for fantasy football in Week 13 of the 2024 season? Andrew's potential fantasy football busts and duds to avoid for Week 13 lineups.

Happy Thanksgiving, and welcome back to our Week 13 fantasy football busts -- or fantasy players who may disappoint for fantasy lineups this week.

All 32 teams are in action this holiday week, sandwiched between the two biggest bye weeks of the season. With six teams scheduled to play on Thanksgiving, and another two on Black Friday, many lineup decisions are needed earlier in the week.

Below are my 10 fantasy football busts, or players who may disappoint, for Week 13 of the 2024 NFL season. Hopefully this will help you set winning fantasy lineups this week. Good luck, RotoBallers!

Be sure to check all of our fantasy football rankings for 2025:

 

Gus Edwards (RB, LAC) at Atlanta

J.K. Dobbins injured his knee in the first half against Baltimore and was not seen again on Monday night. Gus Edwards then moved atop the depth chart, but his only impact was a one-yard touchdown plunge with under a minute remaining.

That's because the Chargers trailed the entire second half and running backs ran three times (not counting the play below that was ruled a rush but was designed as a pass play). Hassan Haskins played 73% of the snaps without Dobbins and was on the field for every third down. Edwards is and will not be involved in the passing game. Although, he clearly has some talent for catching a football.

The Falcons are middle-of-the-pack for fantasy points surrendered to running backs. A deeper dive into the stats shows that it's mostly through the air. Atlanta is under 1,000 yards to running backs through 11 games and no back has topped triple digits against them. They've allowed 68 receptions out of the backfield. That's one fewer than Buffalo and Tampa Bay. Those teams lead in that category.

And what happens if Los Angeles falls behind? The Falcons are fresh off their bye week. The Chargers have to travel east on a short week, after getting run over by Derrick Henry. There's a chance the Falcons jump out to a quick lead, which would take Edwards off the field.

 

Ameer Abdullah (RB, LV) at Kansas City

This selection assumes that both Alexander Mattison (ankle) and Zamir White (quad) remain sidelined again during this short week for Las Vegas.

What a blast from the past. In his first start since 2021 (a game in which he played eight snaps and got one touch), Ameer Abdullah delivered 17.5 PPR points for an RB9 finish. The rushing production wasn't impressive (eight carries for 28 yards) but Abdullah won with what he does best: catching the football out of the backfield. The 31-year-old caught five passes for 37 yards and a touchdown.

It was a near-perfect matchup given Abdullah's strengths. While the Broncos are fairly stout against the run, the unit has allowed the third-most receptions and fifth-most receiving yards to running backs. That's not the case for the matchup against Kansas City on Black Friday.

The Chiefs give up the third-fewest receiving yards to the position and have yet to allow a running back to score through the air. That's on top of them being the best rush defense in the league. Plus, the already mediocre Raiders offense gets a downgrade with Aidan O'Connell taking over for the injured Gardner Minshew II at quarterback.

Abdullah was a fun, one-week play when six teams were on bye. Don't chase the points, and keep the veteran on the bench (but do stash him in case Mattison and White have extended absences).

 

D'Andre Swift (RB, CHI) at Detroit

Thursday's first game features a rare double-revenge game narrative. David Montgomery and D'Andre Swift will run against the teams that brought them into the league.

Any concerns about Detroit's elite rush defense slipping with linebacker and captain Alex Anzalone (broken arm) were quickly squashed. Jack Campbell relayed the signals to the rest of the defense and they held Jonathan Taylor to 35 yards. The Lions give up the second-fewest fantasy points to running backs.

The Chicago offense has vastly improved since former offensive coordinator Shane Waldron was let go. With that, however, came an emphasis on utilizing second-string running back Roschon Johnson near the endzone. He's scored from one yard away in each of the last two games.

Without touchdowns and against a run defense this good, Swift may not get the revenge he seeks against his former team.

 

James Conner (RB, ARI) at Minnesota

Teams have figured out they need to pass to beat the Minnesota defense. In their last four games, no running back has topped 50 rushing yards. Meanwhile, quarterbacks not named Mac Jones averaged 271 passing yards.

Player Carries Rush
Yards
Jonathan Taylor 13 48
Travis Etienne Jr. 11 44
Tony Pollard 9 15
D’Andre Swift 13 30

The Vikings let up under 17 fantasy points per game to the position. That's good for the third-fewest in the league. Conner has shown signs of decline in the last few weeks as well, topping three yards per carry once in four games.

Unlike some running backs listed above, Conner does damage through the air. He has five catches in each of his last two games. In PPR leagues, that could save his day. The outlook looks grim in non-PPR formats.

 

Zay Flowers (WR, BAL) vs. Philadelphia

The last time Zay Flowers appeared in this column, he exploded for 127 yards and two touchdowns. Since then, he's been fairly quiet (even in the favorable matchup against Cincinnati).

An extension of his quiet streak won't be a surprise. The Eagles have been the hottest defense over the last month and now surrender the third-fewest passing yards and fewest total yards. The Birds allowed the fourth-fewest fantasy points to receivers in the last four weeks.

The Ravens' playbook moves Flowers across the offense. Unfortunately, the Eagles roster three excellent cornerbacks. Darius Slay (concussion) may be inactive but Cooper DeJean and Quinyon Mitchell are blankets.

 

Jayden Reed (WR, GB) vs. Miami

Jayden Reed's been more cold than hot since his blistering start to the campaign. His slumber coincides with a downturn in pass attempts for Jordan Love. He's averaged 25.25 pass attempts in their last four games. In their lone loss of that stretch, he threw 39 times. The coaching staff is relying on Josh Jacobs to win football games.

We know it just takes one long catch for Reed to turn a bad affair into a strong one. Plus, Romeo Doubs (concussion) is likely sidelined which could open more opportunities for Reed. However, the Dolphins are one of the best defenses against fantasy receivers. Their secondary has given up just two catches of more than 40 yards. The only team with fewer is Reed's team, the Green Bay Packers.

Miami allows fewer than 10 points per game to slot receivers. Reed rarely lines up outside. Overall, Miami allows the second-fewest points to the position.

 

Jerry Jeudy (WR, CLE) at Denver

Last week, I was worried Pat Surtain II would shut down Jakobi Meyers. Instead, the Denver coaching staff stuck their star cornerback on tight end Brock Bowers. Despite seeing 10 targets, Bowers logged the second-fewest yards of his professional career.

It's been a theme this season. Surtain puts opposing receivers in prison.

Jerry Jeudy has averaged a shade under 95 yards per game since Jameis Winston took over as the starting quarterback. Now, he gets to face his former team. Unfortunately for him, that also means Surtain defended him in practice for three years. He's very familiar with his game.

 

Sam Darnold (QB, MIN) vs. Arizona

Here's a surprising fact: The Arizona Cardinals are the stingiest defense against quarterbacks since Week 9. Arizona and Detroit are the two defenses holding opposing quarterbacks to under 10 points per game. The Cardinals were predicted to be one of the worst defenses in football this season.

The best of the best signal callers haven't been on the schedule but they shut down Caleb Williams and Aaron Rodgers while limiting Geno Smith and Tua Tagovailoa. Even with his recent high-scoring affairs (23 and 21 points), Sam Darnold averages less than a point more per game than Smith and Tagovailoa.

With all 32 teams in action, fantasy managers shouldn't look to stream Darnold in this tough matchup.

 

Jared Goff (QB, DET) vs. Chicago

The Bears are great against fantasy football quarterbacks. They're terrible against running backs. The Lions can win through the air or on the ground and will take what the defense gives them. You can see where this is going.

Chicago defensive tackle Andrew Billings was placed on injured reserve before Week 10. In the three-and-a-half games he's missed, opposing offenses are running right through the Bears. They are the fifth-worst fantasy defense against the position in that time frame. In the same span, the Bears allow the eighth-fewest fantasy points to quarterbacks.

Jared Goff has attempted 25 or fewer passes in six games this season. Some have turned out in his favor (315 yards and three touchdowns versus Dallas). Others have not (145 yards and one score at Green Bay). Then, there's the very strange 85-yard, three-touchdown performance against Tennessee.

As long as David Montgomery (shoulder) is active, the Lions should lean on the ground game. Detroit is, after all, the fourth-best rushing offense in the NFL.

 

Tua Tagovailoa (QB, MIA) at Green Bay

Tua Tagovailoa and the Miami offense run red-hot, but will play in freezing conditions on Thanksgiving night.

Tagovailoa hasn't won a football game (0-7) when the temperature is 40 degrees or colder. He calls it a narrative that needs changing.

But the stats say that it's more than just a narrative. His completion percentage (68% to 55%) and touchdown-to-interception ratio (2.4 to 0.8) plummet like the thermometer in Green Bay.

There's more than just the weather to worry about. The Packers are the sixth-best defense against fantasy football quarterbacks and have been even better recently (third-best over the last four weeks).



Download Our Free News & Alerts Mobile App

Like what you see? Download our updated fantasy football app for iPhone and Android with 24x7 player news, injury alerts, rankings, starts/sits & more. All free!

More Start/Sit Advice




POPULAR FANTASY TOOLS

Expert Advice
Articles & Tools
Import Your Leagues
Draft Rankings
Draft Simulator
Enter League Settings
Value Picks
Compare Any Players
News and Alerts

REAL-TIME FANTASY NEWS

Kyle Tucker

Played Through Hairline Fracture in Hand, Now Healthy
Landen Roupp

Carted Off With Apparent Knee Injury
Devaughn Vele

Traded to Saints
Demarcus Robinson

Issued Three-Game Suspension
Lamar Jackson

Dealing With Minor Foot Injury
Lamar Jackson

Suffers Apparent Hand Injury
Félix Bautista

Felix Bautista has Surgery on Torn Rotator Cuff
Hideki Matsuyama

Looks to Bounce Back at Tour Championship
Corey Conners

Looking to Reverse Struggles at East Lake
Joe Mixon

Could Begin Season on PUP List
Cameron Young

Stays Hot Ahead of Tour Championship
Harris English

Aims for Complete Game at East Lake
Sepp Straka

Back in Action at East Lake
Ben Griffin

a Strong Value Play at East Lake
Bubba Chandler

to Join Pirates on Friday
Rory McIlroy

Chasing Another Win at East Lake
Patrick Cantlay

Finishes Tied for 30th at BMW Championship
Ludvig Aberg

Finishes Tied For Seventh at BMW Championship
Collin Morikawa

Finishes Tied for 33rd at BMW Championship
Keegan Bradley

Finishes Tied for 17th at BMW Championship
Robert MacIntyre

Finishes Second at BMW Championship
J.J. Spaun

Finishes Tied for 23rd at BMW Championship
Scottie Scheffler

Wins BMW Championship
Brian Robinson Jr.

Not Expected to Play for Commanders This Year
Kenley Jansen

Considered Day-to-Day With a "Physical" Injury
Rashee Rice

Could be Facing 4-6 Game Suspension?
Harry Hall

Hot at the Right Time for Tour Championship
PGA

Sungjae Im Wants to Rebound at Tour Championship
Jacob Bridgeman

has One Weakness Heading to Atlanta
Nikola Vučević

Nikola Vucevic Not Expecting to Be Moved Before the Season
Nick Taylor

a Long Shot to Win Tour Championship
Josh Giddey

Bulls Not Interested in Sign-and-Trade Deal Involving Josh Giddey
Brian Harman

Trying to Crack Top 20 at Tour Championship
Andrew Novak

Attempts to Bounce Back in Atlanta
Oscar Tshiebwe

Signs New Two-Way Deal With Jazz
Justin Rose

Seeks Even More Success at Tour Championship
Washington Wizards

Alondes Williams Joins Wizards for Training Camp
Washington Wizards

Wizards Add Skal Labissiere for Training Camp
Francisco Alvarez

Needs Thumb Surgery, May Play Through Injury
Willy Adames

Out With Side Soreness on Tuesday
A.J. Brown

on Track to Play in Week 1
Jacob deGrom

Being Skipped in Rotation Due to Shoulder Fatigue
Adley Rutschman

Scratched on Tuesday With Abdominal Discomfort
CBJ

Brendan Smith Joins Blue Jackets on Tryout Deal
STL

Milan Lucic Joins Blues for Tryout
DET

Red Wings Pick Up Travis Hamonic
Austin Riley

Doesn't Appear Ready to Return Any Time Soon
Aaron Judge

Unikely to Throw Normally Again This Year
Jalen McMillan

Could be Out Through Week 9 Bye
Indiana Pacers

Pacers Coach Rick Carlisle Agrees to a Multiyear Contract Extension on Tuesday
Washington Wizards

John Wall Retires After 11 NBA Seasons
Daniel Jones

Named as Colts Starting Quarterback
Jalen McMillan

Will Not Be Ready for Season Opener
Collin Sexton

Hornets Have High Hopes for Collin Sexton
Rui Hachimura

Likely to Start Season Without Contract Extension
Jaime Jaquez Jr.

Hopes to Bounce Back in 2025-26
Stephen Curry

Ready to Go for New Season
Orlando Magic

Lester Quinones Agrees to Deal With Magic
Luka Dončić

Luka Doncic Cleared to Play on Tuesday Night
Vladimir Guerrero Jr.

Pulled With Hamstring Tightness
MLB

Game 2 of Brewers-Cubs on Monday Postponed
Bryce Miller

to be Activated on Tuesday
Kyle Tucker

to Get Multiple Days Off
Shane Bieber

to Make Season Debut on Friday
Joe Mixon

Could Start Season on NFI List
Zack Wheeler

has Surgery to Remove Blood Clot
De'Von Achane

Unlikely to Practice This Week
Justin Jefferson

Returning to Practice
Chris Godwin

Bucs Chris Godwin Likely to Start Season on PUP List
Joe Flacco

Browns Name Joe Flacco as Their Week 1 Starter
Jalen McDaniels

Inks Deal With New Orleans
N'Faly Dante

Signs Deal With Hawks
Matthew Stafford

Practicing on Monday
Dru Smith

Agrees to Deal With Heat
Austin Dillon

Scores an Upset Victory at Richmond
William Byron

Clinches the Regular Season Championship Title at Richmond
Denny Hamlin

Pit-Road Struggles Impede Denny Hamlin's Chances of a Top Finish at Richmond
Joey Logano

Earns A Fourth-Place Finish at Richmond
Kyle Larson

Rallies to A Top-10 Finish at Richmond
Malik Nabers

Dealing With Back Injury
Khamzat Chimaev

Is The New UFC Middleweight Champion
Dricus Du Plessis

Gets Dominated At UFC 319
Aaron Pico

Suffers Knockout Loss In His UFC Debut
Lerone Murphy

Scores Stunning First-Round Knockout
Leodalis De Vries

Earns Promotion to Double-A
Nathaniel Lowe

Finalizing Deal with Boston
Geoff Neal

Suffers First-Round Knockout Loss
Ketel Marte

Arizona Could Trade Ketel Marte in the Offseason
Carlos Prates

Gets Back In The Win Column
Michael Page

Dominates At UFC 319
Jared Cannonier

Gets Outclassed
Tim Elliott

Gets Submission Win
Kai Asakura

Still Winless In The UFC
Austin Cindric

has Arguably his Best Run of the Season at Richmond
Ryan Blaney

Contends for First Richmond Win but Comes Up Short
Alex Bowman

Finishes Second but Loses Ground in Playoffs
NASCAR

Bubba Wallace Sets Personal Laps-Led Record at Richmond
Chris Buescher

Falls Out of Playoffs After Miserable Richmond Run
Coby White

Bulls Not Interested in Trading Coby White
Dereck Lively II

Expected to be Ready for Camp
Brian Robinson Jr.

Commanders "Shopping" Brian Robinson Jr.
John Metchie III

Texans Trade John Metchie III to Eagles
Victor Scott II

Placed on 10-Day Injured List
Trey Hendrickson

Bengals Listening to Trade Offers for Trey Hendrickson
Luka Dončić

Luka Doncic Likely Avoids Serious Injury
Denny Hamlin

the Heavy Favorite to Win at Richmond
Christopher Bell

Has Been Great at Richmond
Tyrese Haliburton

No Longer Using a Scooter, Crutches
Ryan Blaney

Can Ryan Blaney Finally Break Through at Richmond?
Joey Logano

Will Start Last at Richmond After Practice Trouble
Chase Elliott

Lack of Top-Line Speed Hurts his DFS Potential
Kyle Larson

Recent String of Crashes Make Him a Big Risk at Richmond
William Byron

Probably Slightly Too Inconsistent at Richmond to Start for DFS
Ryan Preece

on Pole at Richmond as Playoff Deadline Looms Closer
Brad Keselowski

Probably the Best RFK Racing DFS Option at Richmond
Chase Briscoe

Still Figuring Out Richmond
Chris Buescher

a Solid Choice for DFS Play, but Teammates Look Faster
Haywood Highsmith

Dealt to Brooklyn on Friday
Khamzat Chimaev

A Favorite At UFC 319
Dricus Du Plessis

Set For His Third Title Defense
Aaron Pico

Set For UFC Debut
Lerone Murphy

Looks To Remain Undefeated
Geoff Neal

Looks For His Second Win In A Row
Michael Page

Set For His Second Middleweight Bout
Jared Cannonier

Looks To Win Back-To-Back Fights
Kai Asakura

Looks For His First UFC Win
Tim Elliott

Set To Open Up UFC 309 Main Card
CBJ

Mikael Pyyhtia Re-Signs With Blue Jackets for One Year
UTA

Caleb Desnoyers Expected to Miss 12 Weeks After Wrist Procedure
Tyson Foerster

on Track to Be Healthy for Season Opener
NHL

Olivier Rodrigue Signs KHL Deal
NHL

Emil Bemstrom to Join Swiss Team

RANKINGS

QB
RB
WR
TE
K
DEF
RANKINGS
C
1B
2B
3B
SS
OF
SP
RP