Week 13 marks the unofficial start of the fantasy playoff seeding battle for managers still jockeying for a postseason spot, and the timing couldn’t be better — no teams have a bye this week. With a full slate of games, including the NFL’s annual Thanksgiving triple-header, every roster is active and every matchup matters. For those on the playoff bubble, identifying the best and worst matchups could make the difference between sneaking in and missing out, while those already secure can leverage favorable situations to solidify their position. This week, matchup research is more critical than ever. Here are our Best and Worst Matchups for Week 13:
Quarterback
Best: Bo Nix, QB Denver Broncos
Broncos QB Bo Nix has been volatile this season, and his last two outings didn’t inspire confidence — one clunker against Vegas followed by a strong-but-scoreless 303-yard effort in Kansas City. It was the first time he’d failed to find the end zone all year, which helped tank the fantasy line more than the actual play.
Coming out of the bye, that drought shouldn’t last. The Commanders give up chunk yardage through the air and rank fourth-worst in fantasy points allowed to quarterbacks per game (20.4). Not to mention, they have allowed at least three touchdowns through the air in four of their last five games. With Nix’s steady rushing baseline and a matchup this soft, the second-year signal caller jumps back into the QB1 mix this week.
Worst: Brock Purdy, QB San Francisco 49ers
Brock Purdy has been a steady fantasy option in three of his four starts this year, but last week’s atrocious play against Carolina was cause for concern. Purdy has thrown one touchdown to six interceptions on throws of 15+ yards this season, and now faces a stout Cleveland defense in Week 13.
The Browns’ defense is a problem at every level. They allow the fourth-fewest fantasy points per game to QBs and generate relentless pressure — highlighted by last week’s 10-sack dismantling of Geno Smith. The 49ers’ offense is far more stable than what Cleveland faced a week ago, but that doesn’t erase the reality of this matchup. San Francisco is in for a low-scoring slog, leaving Purdy as a risky play.
Running Back
Best: Kenneth Gainwell, RB Pittsburgh Steelers
Kenneth Gainwell has carved out a real role alongside Jaylen Warren, logging 16 touches in back-to-back games and topping 100 scrimmage yards in both. He’s also been heavily involved as a receiver, turning 13 catches over his last two outings into 111 yards and two scores. Even if Warren remains the lead back, Gainwell’s snap share and usage suggest this isn’t a fluke.Â
This week, Pittsburgh takes on a Buffalo defense that has struggled all year against running backs. The Bills surrender the third-most fantasy points per game to running backs (23.8), and have allowed a league-high 14 rushing touchdowns to the position. In a run-heavy scheme, Gainwell profiles as a viable flex play with upside this week.
Worst: Aaron Jones, RB Minnesota Vikings
Aaron Jones Sr. has firmly reclaimed his role in the Vikings’ backfield, playing at least 65% of snaps in three straight games. But volume alone won’t fix the bigger problem this week: Minnesota’s offense remains a mess, and Jones is unlikely to produce on the road against a strong Seattle defense.
The Seahawks have allowed the fourth-fewest rushing yards per game to running backs this season and rank seventh-best in fantasy points allowed to the position. With J.J. McCarthy—or potentially rookie Max Brosmer—under center, Minnesota is unlikely to generate enough of a passing threat to loosen this defense, leaving Jones stuck pounding the rock into a stout front seven. Expect mostly empty touches and a tough fantasy day for the veteran.
Wide Receiver
Best: Xavier Worthy, WR Kansas City Chiefs
Xavier Worthy is coming off a solid outing against the Colts, hauling in four catches for 59 yards on a 77% snap-share. It was his second-best yardage total of the season and a reminder of his upside when given opportunities in this Kansas City offense. Worthy has been dealing with a lingering ankle issue, but he hasn’t missed any time because of it so far, and is expected to play Thursday on Thanksgiving.
Worthy now draws a Dallas defense that has allowed the most fantasy points per game to wide receivers, and is likely to focus on shutting down Rashee Rice, creating plenty of one-on-one opportunities for the second-year speedster. After a quiet season so far, Worthy profiles as a sneaky WR3/flex play with upside in Week 13.
Worst: Michael Pittman Jr., WR Indianpolis Colts
Michael Pittman Jr. remains a key part of one of the league’s most potent offenses, but Week 13 brings a challenging test. Despite commanding eight targets and finding the end zone last week, Pittman has now posted two consecutive games with fewer than 30 receiving yards.
Houston’s defense has been stingy all season, allowing the third-fewest passing yards per game to opposing offenses and the third-fewest fantasy points per game to wide receivers. In a divisional clash between two top-10 scoring defenses, Pittman will face tighter coverage and fewer exploitable opportunities than usual. While he can still produce, this is a tough spot for the veteran, and fantasy managers should temper expectations when deploying him this week.
Tight End
Best: Mark Andrews, TE Baltimore Ravens
Mark Andrews hasn’t put up the dominant numbers of past seasons, averaging just three catches for 25.9 yards per game, and hasn’t seen more than five targets since Week 6. Still, this week’s matchup against Cincinnati is too good to ignore.
The Bengals have been historically bad against tight ends this year, allowing 13 receiving touchdowns (six more than any other team), and just gave up two scores to Hunter Henry last week. Baltimore’s passing game needs a spark, and Andrews is in the perfect spot to deliver one.
Worst: Colston Loveland, TE Chicago Bears
Colston Loveland showed flashes again last week against the Steelers, posting 14.9 fantasy points. It was his second-best outing of the season, but thanks largely to finding the end zone. The rookie has overtaken Cole Kmet as Chicago’s primary tight end, but they’re still splitting snaps. The Michigan rookie has seen more than five targets only once all year, and that came when Kmet was sidelined.
This week’s matchup only compounds the challenge. Philadelphia allows the second-fewest fantasy points per game to tight ends (6.3), and is a top-10 scoring defense. Not to mention, the Bears will be heading into a hostile road environment against an Eagles team coming off a humiliating loss. Loveland is likely to see limited opportunities and remains a risky TE2 this week.
