Fantasy football managers know that every lineup decision can make or break a week, and choosing the right players to start or sit is where championships are won. With the 2025 NFL season underway, matchups, stats, and trends are more important than ever. From favorable matchups and scoring trends to players you should avoid in tough spots, my weekly positional start and sit guide is built to give you an edge.
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Quarterbacks to Start
Jaxson Dart NYG
Jaxson Dart returns this week after recovering from a concussion that kept him sidelined for two games, and his production earlier in the season makes him one of the most intriguing fantasy football starters of Week 13. When healthy, he’s been electric, averaging 22.9 fantasy points per game, a mark surpassed only by Josh Allen among quarterbacks with multiple starts. His dual-threat ability has been a major asset, highlighted by seven rushing touchdowns in seven starts and over 50 rushing yards in five of those outings. Even though the Giants want to reduce his designed runs after taking too many hits, his natural scrambling instincts still create valuable upside. With the Patriots struggling defensively against the pass, Dart walks into a matchup that should allow his explosiveness to shine.
This matchup sets up perfectly for managers looking for a high-ceiling start at quarterback, as the Patriots sit in the top 10 in passing yards and touchdowns allowed while giving up the third-most passing scores since Week 8. Dart had scored at least 21.4 fantasy points in five straight games before his injury, making him one of the most consistent options at the position. With New England’s defense allowing three of the last four opposing quarterbacks to top 21 fantasy points, the opportunity is clearly there for him to produce. The combination of rushing upside, proven floor, and matchup advantage makes him a must-start in all formats. In a game where New York may be forced into catch-up mode, Dart projects as one of Week 13’s safest fantasy football quarterbacks.
Bo Nix DEN
Bo Nix enters Week 13 looking to bounce back after a three-game stretch without reaching 20 fantasy points, and the matchup against Washington gives him the perfect environment to do it. While his play has fluctuated throughout the season, his underlying efficiency metrics and usage suggest that positive regression is coming. Washington ranks 28th in pass defense DVOA and has consistently allowed big games to opposing quarterbacks, making them one of the softest matchups in fantasy football. The Commanders also surrender the fifth-most fantasy points to the position, setting up Nix for a strong rebound performance. Dan Quinn’s unit has also been one of the least effective in generating pressure in recent weeks, giving Nix cleaner pockets to operate from. All indicators point to Nix being one of the most undervalued start candidates of the week.
This matchup gives Nix a clear pathway to 25-plus fantasy points, and he should be deployed confidently in one-quarterback formats. His high percentage of passing yards generated after the catch pairs well with Washington’s defensive weaknesses, giving him multiple avenues to accumulate production. The Commanders have also allowed numerous explosive plays through the air, and their inability to force turnovers or collapse the pocket further raises Nix’s floor. While his recent performances have been inconsistent, the statistical profile of this matchup aligns perfectly with what he does best. Managers looking for a fantasy football quarterback with both a stable baseline and breakout potential will find Nix firmly in the start category. This is the exact kind of spot where Nix has historically capitalized, making him one of Week 13’s clearest buy-back candidates.
Jacoby Brissett ARI
Jacoby Brissett continues to be one of the most underrated quarterbacks in fantasy football, and his production since taking over for the Cardinals has been nothing short of impressive. He has topped 18.7 fantasy points in six straight games, the longest active streak among all quarterbacks. His command of the offense has been exceptional, averaging 314.5 passing yards per game along with 11 touchdowns in his six starts. Brissett’s accuracy and composure in the short and intermediate areas of the field have elevated the passing game substantially. The Buccaneers have allowed 243.5 passing yards per game, and their recent defensive play trends heavily in Brissett’s favor.
The Buccaneers have also surrendered 18-plus fantasy points to three straight opposing quarterbacks, including massive outings from Josh Allen and Matthew Stafford. Brissett has been even hotter, scoring at least 20.7 points in six consecutive games, showing both volume and efficiency. Tampa Bay’s defense has been vulnerable both over the middle and deep, and Arizona has allowed Brissett to operate aggressively with little restriction. With a competitive, high-scoring environment expected, his path to another top-10 finish is clear. His rapport with Trey McBride, along with improved wide receiver play, gives him one of the safest floors of the week. For fantasy football managers looking for a reliable start, Brissett offers both stability and upside. All signs point to him continuing his strong stretch in a very favorable matchup.
Quarterbacks to Sit
Brock Purdy SF
Brock Purdy is coming off a rough outing against Carolina, throwing three interceptions and scoring just 9.3 fantasy points, and this week’s matchup against Cleveland only makes things more difficult. The Browns rank among the toughest defensive units in football, allowing the third-fewest fantasy points to opposing quarterbacks. Their pass rush has been dominant, leading the league in sack rate and ranking near the top in total pressures generated. Purdy has struggled historically when forced into high-pressure situations, and this matchup presents exactly that scenario. Their combination of tight coverage, heavy pressure, and ball-hawking tendencies leaves little margin for error. With no teams on bye, fantasy football managers have better options than forcing Purdy into their starting lineup.
This game projects as a low-scoring defensive battle, reducing Purdy’s touchdown equity and limiting his overall ceiling. Cleveland has allowed only three quarterbacks all season to hit 20 fantasy points, illustrating how few reliable paths to production exist in this matchup. With Myles Garrett and the Browns’ defensive front consistently generating havoc, Purdy is likely to spend much of the day avoiding pressure rather than attacking downfield. His fantasy value relies heavily on efficiency, but this is not the environment where efficiency tends to hold. While he remains serviceable in Superflex formats, he should be firmly benched in traditional leagues. The risk far outweighs the reward, given the defensive strength he’s up against. This is an easy sit call for Week 13.
Daniel Jones IND
Daniel Jones has revitalized his career in Indianapolis, but this is a week when fantasy football managers need to strongly consider sitting him. Despite showing flashes of efficiency and adding value on the ground, he now faces a Texans defense that allows the fewest fantasy points per game to quarterbacks. Houston just held Josh Allen to 8.1 fantasy points and has consistently shut down both pocket passers and mobile quarterbacks. Their pass rush is firing at a top-four rate, generating pressure without blitzing, which is particularly problematic for a quarterback dealing with a fractured fibula. While Jones played through the injury and handled 31 pass attempts last week, the matchup is significantly more punishing this time around. Houston’s combination of tight coverage, elite EPA allowed per dropback, and strong sack production makes this an extremely difficult spot. Jones enters the week with a lower floor than usual.
The Colts are likely to lean heavily on Jonathan Taylor to mitigate the defensive pressure they expect to face, which further limits Jones’ upside. Over his last three games, he has averaged just 15.5 fantasy points with four touchdowns and four interceptions, and this matchup only amplifies the inconsistency. Even if he manages to run in a touchdown, the probabilities lean toward a low-volume, low-efficiency passing day. Houston’s secondary has allowed the fewest passing touchdowns in the NFL and ranks in the top three in limiting passing yards. That leaves Jones projecting closer to a mid-tier QB2 than the QB7 numbers he has produced across the season. In one-quarterback formats, benching him is the safest possible decision. Fantasy football managers should only consider him in deeper Superflex setups.
Baker Mayfield TB
Baker Mayfield enters Week 13 battling a left shoulder AC joint sprain, and even if he suits up, he is not a recommended start. Playing through an injury on his non-throwing shoulder, which directly impacts his rushing upside and potential deep ball usage, as he aggravated it even more last week with the Hail Mary before halftime. His recent inconsistency only emphasizes the risk, as he has scored under 12 fantasy points in three of his last five games. While he has regressed to QB15 in PPG this year, his expected PPG sits at QB19 and suggests his QB2 performances this year are more of what is to come from Mayfield this year.
The matchup complicates things further, as Arizona ranks top 10 in fewest fantasy points allowed to quarterbacks. They rank among the best in the NFL at limiting passing touchdowns this season and have surrendered 20-plus points to only four passers all season, and Mayfield’s current form doesn’t suggest he’ll join that short list. Tampa Bay also figures to lean more heavily on the run game with Bucky Irving returning. It is always risky starting players with shoulder injuries because you never know what hit could knock them out of the game. It all adds up to a situation where Mayfield has a very limited fantasy ceiling and should not be started this week.
