Fantasy Football: Week 13 Streamers To Consider
It’s Thanksgiving football time! Hope you all enjoy some quality time with your loved ones, sharing great food and watching great football. The holiday season kicks off with a nice bonus: no NFL teams on bye. This means you should be able to start all your regular fantasy players, unless injuries have thrown a wrench into your plans.
Even if your lineup is fully healthy, it’s always a good idea to check the streaming pool for players with better matchups. Those few extra points could be the difference between a win and a loss. That’s what this weekly article is all about: offering viable streaming options at QB, K, DST, and TE. And if you still need help deciding between players, don’t forget to check out Andy, Mike, and Jason’s weekly rankings and the Fantasy Footballers’ Ultimate Dashboard, where you will find tailor-made waiver suggestions and spot-start options for your specific roster.
Let’s dive in!
Quarterbacks
Jacoby Brissett – Arizona Cardinals (51% rostered)
Here we are again. Maybe Jacoby Brissett didn’t have as wild a game as two weeks ago when he broke the record for most completions in a game, but he still proved to be a high-volume pocket passer who can be streamed in the right matchup. This week, the Cardinals face the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, who have allowed 20 fantasy points per game on average to QBs. Brissett may not be elite, but his passing volume makes him a viable streamer.
Kirk Cousins – Atlanta Falcons (19% rostered)
Even with no teams on bye, this is a tough week for streaming QBs. The most favorable matchups will be played by QBs who are already heavily rostered. Still, there are a few “nasty boys” you can play with in case of emergency. Kirk Cousins didn’t look great against New Orleans last week, but he should be more comfortable in his second start now that Michael Penix Jr. is out for the remainder of the season. He will face the Jets, who let go of their top CB and are allowing over 18.5 fantasy points per game to QBs.
Tyler Shough – New Orleans Saints (15% rostered)
Following the “nasty boys” theme, this one’s definitely scraping the bottom of the streaming barrel, but desperate times call for desperate measures. Tyler Shough has shown some grit, moving the chains and even scoring a rushing TD. He still has a lot to learn, but he has a juicy matchup against the Dolphins, who have been permissive to most QBs this season. Of course, you never know when Taysom Hill might steal a goal-line TD, but if you are desperate, Shough is worth considering.
Kickers
Cairo Santos – Chicago Bears (55% rostered)
The Bears’ offense has been hot lately, and kicker Cairo Santos has been right there with them. He was perfect against the Steelers last week, going 4-for-4 on extra points and hitting his lone field-goal attempt. This week, the Bears visit the Eagles in what should be a high-scoring affair. Santos is one of the more interesting streaming kickers available.
Evan McPherson – Cincinnati Bengals (25% rostered)
Last week, McPherson nailed the longest field goal of his career against the Patriots. His fantasy value has climbed with Joe Flacco reviving the Bengals’ offense. Joe Burrow is expected to return this week for a matchup against the Ravens, which Vegas projects to be the highest-scoring game of the week. Two strong offenses, two bad defenses. The perfect recipe for kicker success.
Brandon McManus – Green Bay Packers (11% rostered)
McManus hasn’t been perfect this year, but he returned last week as the Packers’ kicker and delivered, hitting all three of his field goals and both extra points against the Vikings. This week, he will face the Lions on Thanksgiving in what Vegas ranks among the highest-scoring games. He should get plenty of chances to produce again.
Defense & Special Teams
Jacksonville Jaguars (38% rostered)
By now, it’s a simple rule: if a defense is facing the Titans, stream them. Cam Ward’s sack tour continues. He was brought down four more times by the Seahawks last week, bringing his season total to 45. The Jaguars had solid moments against Arizona last week on both defense and special teams. This may not be a thrilling game, but Jacksonville’s D/ST is a fine streaming option.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers (22% rostered)
Want to stop worrying about your DST for the rest of the season? Pick up the Bucs. They’ve been dependable in favorable matchups, and they have got the best remaining schedule: Cardinals, Saints, Falcons (with Cousins), Panthers, Dolphins, and Panthers again in Week 18 (if your league plays it). This schedule is almost too good to be true. It may even be worth spending some FAAB to lock them in.
Los Angeles Chargers (17% rostered)
The Chargers’ defense has had some very good games this season. They are widely available after their bye and now face a divisional opponent with a barely functioning offensive line: the Raiders. Geno Smith was sacked nine times by the Browns last week and looked like he just wanted the season to be over. A rested Chargers front seven should have a field day.
BONUS: Tight Ends
Mark Andrews – Baltimore Ravens (86% rostered)
Yes, I know he is quite heavily rostered, but I also know he is not as widely started this season. Many people, myself included, need to hear this: you must start Mark Andrews this week against the Bengals. With Joe Burrow likely returning, this could be a divisional shootout. The Bengals are atrocious against TEs. Just look at what Hunter Henry did last week. Lamar Jackson should feed Andrews all day long.
Dalton Schultz – Houston Texans (52% rostered)
For a more widely available option, Dalton Schultz has quietly been solid. Forget last week’s odd game against the Bills. Before that, he had at least six catches in three straight games. No matter who is at QB, Schultz is a key piece of this offense. This week, he faces the Colts, who have allowed the fourth-most fantasy points to TE this season.