Fantasy Football Article: 2025 – 2026 Season Week 13
The fantasy football playoffs are only a few weeks away. Now is the time to look at your roster and the playoff schedule to determine if you have any issues. You’ll play your must-start players but what about support players? Do they have good or bad matchups in the playoffs? Make roster changes now to give you the best chance of winning.
The Cincinnati Bengals will have a new look this week as QB Joe Burrow has returned and is slated to start Thursday against the Baltimore Ravens. He is definitely worth starting even though he will be without WR Tee Higgins out with a concussion. However, WR Ja’Marr Chase will be back after his one game suspension. As I mentioned last week, WR Andrei Iosivas is a sneaky sleeper although he is somewhat TD dependent. With Chase out last week, he led the Bengals in targets and yards. He is an option if you’re desperate for WR or need flex position help.
Minnesota QB JJ McCarthy suffered a concussion in a week 12 loss to the Green Bay Packers. If he doesn’t clear concussion protocol, little used Max Brosmer will get the start. Expectations for Brosmer are unknown as he is inexperienced. Regardless, the Vikings offense has been a disaster this season. Don’t the Vikings wish they had kept Sam Darnold? I can assure you that WR Justin Jefferson does. Bench all your Vikings players including Jefferson. This is especially true as the Vikings travel to Seattle to face the ferocious Seahawks defense. This game could be ugly.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers QB Baker Mayfield suffered an AC joint sprain in his non-throwing shoulder. If he can’t play this week, Teddy Bridgewater will start. Bridgewater is an experienced veteran QB so the drop off shouldn’t be too great. In week 12, WR Chris Godwin made his appearance in a limited fashion, the Buccaneers will increase his number of snaps, which will only help the offense. Additionally, RB Bucky Irving may return this week, which will also benefit the offense and make life easier for whomever is at QB.
QB: Brock Purdy (San Francisco 49ers): 209 total yards, 1 TD, 3 Int
Caleb Williams (Chicago Bears): 260 total yards, 3 TDs, 0 Int
RB: Travis Etienne (Jacksonville Jaguars): 3 receptions, 116 total yards, 1 TD
Kenneth Walker (Seattle Seahawks): 3 receptions, 101 total yards, 0 TDs
WR: Jameson Williams (Detroit Lions): 0 receptions, 0 total yards, 0 TDs
Sleeper – Christian Watson (Green Bay Packers): 5 receptions, 49 total yards, 0 TDs
TE: Hunter Henry (New England Patriots): 7 receptions, 115 total yards, 1 TD
Kyle Pitts (Atlanta Falcons): 2 receptions, 25 total yards, 0 TDs
PK: Tyler Loop (Baltimore Ravens): 11 points, 2 PATs, 3 FGs
Jason Myers (Seattle Seahawks): 12 points, 3 PATs, 3 FGs
DF: Cleveland Browns: 10 points against, 268 total yards allowed, 10 sacks, 1 takeaway
Detroit Lions: 27 points against, 517 total yards allowed, 1 sack, 1 takeaway
QB: Joe Burrow (Cincinnati Bengals at Baltimore Ravens)
Sleeper – Tua Tagovailoa (Miami Dolphins vs. New Orleans Saints)
RB: RJ Harvey (Denver Broncos at Washington Commanders)
Jaylen Warren (Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Buffalo Bills)
WR: Michael Wilson (Arizona Cardinals at Tampa Bay Buccaneers)
Jaylen Waddle (Miami Dolphins vs. New Orleans Saints)
TE: Mark Andrews (Baltimore Ravens vs. Cincinnati Bengals)
Brenton Strange (Jacksonville Jaguars at Tennessee Titans)
PK: Cam Little (Jacksonville Jaguars at Tennessee Titans)
Sleeper – Harrison Mevis (Los Angeles Rams at Carolina Panthers)
DF: Philadelphia Eagles (vs. Chicago Bears)
Los Angeles Chargers (vs. Las Vegas Raiders)
Week 12 Selections vs. the Point Spread
Houston Texans (+5.5) vs. Buffalo Bills Final Score: Hou. 23 Buf. 19
Tampa Bay Buccaneers (+6.5) at Los Angeles Rams Final Score: LAR 34 TB 7
San Francisco 49ers (-6.5) vs. Carolina Panthers Final Score: SF 20 Car. 9
Week 12 Record: 2 – 1 Season Record: 22 – 14
Week 13 Selections vs. the Point Spread
Detroit Lions (-2.5) vs. Green Bay Packers
The first meeting between these division rivals was won at home by the Packers 27 – 14. This game was a defensive struggle as neither team reached 300 yards of offense. The Packers were able to contain Lions’ RB Jahmyr Gibbs. Both teams will miss their star TEs. The Packers seem to play down to their competition. Where was the Lions’ defense against the Giants last week? This game is a tossup, so I’ll go with the home team to win by at least a FG.
Denver Broncos (-6.5) at Washington Commanders
The Broncos offense has struggled with efficiency, but the Commanders’ defense might just be what the Broncos offense needs to fix their issues. The Broncos’ defense is one of the best in football and the Commanders will struggle moving the ball. Take the visitors and give the points.
New York Giants (+7.5) at New England Patriots
With Jameis Winston at QB the Giants were able to go toe-to-toe with the high scoring Lions offense in week 12. Will QB Jaxson Dart be back this week? The key is whether the Giants can limit big plays in the running game. The Patriots will be without standout rookie left tackle Will Campbell. That hurts. I’ll once again take the visitors but with the points.
