Admin November 28, 2024
NFL Week 13 picks: Colts, Broncos, and Seahawks
Lorenzo Reyes is back with his best bets for NFL Week 13 games, including Thursday’s Thanksgiving slate.
Lorenzo’s Locks
After the first “Byemaggedon” last week, all 32 NFL teams are in back in action for Thanksgiving week. Things are a bit jumbled, though, with four games ahead of the Sunday slate instead of the usual one.
It’s getting to crunch time for the fantasy football playoffs. These next couple weeks could decide who’s in or out of the postseason and making the right lineup decisions are incredibly important, running back included.
If you’re stuck trying to decide who to put in your lineup besides your must-start players, we’ve got you covered. Here are five running backs to start and five to sit in Week 13:
Fantasy football start ’em: Week 13 RBs
Tyrone Tracy Jr., New York Giants (at Dallas Cowboys)
Tracy Jr. had a rough go last week against the Buccaneers with nine carries for 42 yards, his lowest rushing yardage total since Week 7. The Giants’ rookie should be in for a much better day this week. Dallas fields one of the worst run defenses in the league and New York will reportedly start Drew Lock in place of an injured Tommy DeVito at quarterback on Thanksgiving.
The Cowboys are 31st in rushing yards allowed per game and last in the NFL in rushing touchdowns allowed per game. This one isn’t tough; New York should feed Tracy Jr. carries to try getting a win on the holiday.
Bucky Irving, Tampa Bay Buccaneers (at Carolina Panthers)
Irving was a start last week and rewarded managers with 87 rushing yards and 64 receiving yards, both season-highs. He also scored his fifth touchdown of the season. This week, he faces one of the worst rush defenses in the league in NFC South foe Carolina.
The Panthers are last in the league in rushing yards allowed per game at 160.5, and things have been even worse recently. Over their last three games, Carolina’s allowed 175 total yards per game to opposing running backs but just one touchdown. Irving should at least pile up yards even if he doesn’t find the end zone. If he does, he should be an even better play this week.
Kyren Williams, Los Angeles Rams (at New Orleans Saints)
Williams broke his scoring drought last week against the Eagles on 16 carries for 72 yards. That was his best stat line since Week 8 against the Vikings. Williams could have another solid game this week in a game against the Saints’ defense.
New Orleans has allowed the fifth-most fantasy points to running backs this season. They are returning from their bye this week but the Saints have given up 13 touchdowns to running backs this season. Los Angeles could be getting tackle Rob Havenstein back this week, bringing welcome stability to the offensive line. Williams should have a good outing again.
Rhamondre Stevenson, New England Patriots (vs. Indianapolis Colts)
Stevenson had a rough day against Miami in Week 12. He had a team-high eight carries but had a season-low 13 yards on those attempts. Luckily, he’s facing the Colts this week. Indianapolis was gashed by the Lions’ running game last week for 178 yards and three touchdowns. Against their prior four opponents, the Colts allowed 131 total yards per game and four total touchdowns, so it isn’t just a Lions thing. Stevenson should have a much better week against the Colts than in Week 12 against the Dolphins.
Tony Pollard, Tennessee Titans (at Washington Commanders)
Pollard was a sit last week and played like he took it personally. The Titans’ lead back finished the day as just the third running back to surpass 100 yards rushing against the Texans this season. He had 27 touches for 129 total yards and a touchdown. It was his best performance of the season.
He could keep that going this week against the Commanders, a familiar foe from his time in Dallas. Washington’s allowed nearly 175 total yards per game and three total touchdowns to opposing running backs over their last three games. The Titans’ running game isn’t one of the best in the league but if they can make hay against Houston, Washington shouldn’t be too tough of an opponent.
Fantasy football sit ’em: Week 13 RBs
Javonte Williams, Denver Broncos (vs. Cleveland Browns)
Well, Williams was a start last week and disappointed. The Broncos managed just 63 rushing yards as a team, no thanks to Williams. He had a team-high eight carries for -2 yards (not a typo) along with two catches for six yards. Against an average Raiders run defense, this was disappointing. Rookie Audric Estime was far more effective (seven carries for 44 yards).
This week, Williams and the Broncos host the Browns. Cleveland has allowed just 109 total yards per game to opposing running back groups this season. They’re technically 24th in rushing yards per game allowed but that’s inflated due to multiple games against dual-threat quarterbacks. Cleveland has yet to allow an 100-yard rusher this season. If Williams can’t get it going against Las Vegas, Cleveland’s far from a bounce-back opponent.
D’Andre Swift, Chicago Bears (vs. Detroit Lions)
Swift was a sit last week and totaled 65 yards on 16 touches. On top of that, Roschon Johnson scored the Bears’ lone rushing touchdown of the game on one of his two carries. The Lions own one of the best run defenses in the NFL and could tee off against the Bears’ offensive line. Even if Swift can manage to generate yards against Detroit, he could miss out on scores thanks to Johnson. It’s best to avoid him this week.
Nick Chubb, Cleveland Browns (at Denver Broncos)
Chubb was a sit last week and, like Pollard, proved us wrong. He had just 59 yards on 20 carries but scored two touchdowns for the first time this season. It’ll likely be tough to replicate that against an improving Broncos defense. Denver is sixth in rushing defense this season and has allowed just two rushing touchdowns in their last six games. Derrick Henry is the only running back to eclipse 60 yards against the Broncos in that span. Chubb proved us wrong against the Steelers on a short week at home but the Broncos on “Monday Night Football” on the road could be a tougher task.
Brian Robinson Jr., Washington Commanders (vs. Tennessee Titans)
Robinson Jr. was injured on the first play from scrimmage against Dallas last week and finished the day with just five carries for 13 yards, his lowest total of the season. Even if he’s good to go despite the ankle injury, Robinson Jr. is facing a tough opponent this week. The Titans have allowed just 75 total yards per game to opposing running back groups over their last four games. They have allowed four touchdowns in that span which helps his case but Robinson Jr. is not looking like a good pick this week.
Breece Hall or Braelon Allen, New York Jets (vs. Seattle Seahawks)
Breece Hall’s on the injury report this week and missed action on Wednesday. If he’s not able to go or limited, it could be tempting to go with Allen as an injury fill-in. But Seattle’s run defense has turned things around over the last three games. The Seahawks have allowed 102 total yards to opposing running backs per game and zero touchdowns over that span. Things seem to be clicking under Mike Macdonald and that could spell trouble for the Jets’ running game.
Fantasy football start ’em, sit ’ems, Week 13
Looking for more fantasy football advice? USA TODAY Sports has you covered:
→ Kickers are people, too: Here are some of the most clutch kickers to have on your fantasy team in Week 13.
→ Need an edge under center? Here are the best quarterback options to start and to sit in Week 13.
→ The wide receiver position has been decimated this season. Protect yourself in Week 13 with start ’em, sit ’em advice for wideouts.
→ Tight ends can be the perfect X-factor for any fantasy team. Here’s who you should start and sit in Week 13.
→ A good defense can shut down your fantasy opponent’s offense. Here are some D/ST options to start and sit for Week 13.