The Chargers-Raiders game should be a shootout in Las Vegas, and all the main weapons for Justin Herbert are worth using as Fantasy options this week with Mike Williams (ankle) still hurt. Keenan Allen and Josh Palmer are must-start receivers, and Gerald Everett remains a low-end starting tight end. And don't forget about DeAndre Carter as well.
Carter is worth using as a No. 3 Fantasy receiver in all leagues. He's done well of late for the Chargers and Fantasy managers with Williams out. He just had seven catches for 73 yards and a touchdown on 10 targets in Week 12 at Arizona, and he now has at least 16 PPR points in two of his past three games.
With Keenan Allen back, Carter has spent more time outside, and that's helped his production in recent weeks. And this is a great matchup against the Raiders, who are No. 10 in most Fantasy points allowed to opposing receivers.
Carter had three catches for 64 yards and a touchdown on four targets against the Raiders in Week 1, and there have been 15 receivers with at least 12 PPR points against Las Vegas this season. As long as Williams is out, look for Carter, Allen, Palmer and potentially Everett to help Herbert -- and Fantasy managers -- have a big game in Week 13.
Every Friday, you can find this column on sleepers and DFS plays on DraftKings and FanDuel. I'm also going to include our Friday show notes from Fantasy Football Today on CBS Sports HQ, which gives a game-by-game breakdown of starts, sits, favorite props and favorite DFS plays. It should help you with some lineup decisions each week.
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Week 13 Sleepers
Week 13 Preview
Sleepers
Sleeper QBs
This won't be an easy matchup for Garoppolo, who is dealing with a minor knee injury he sustained in Week 12 against New Orleans. The Dolphins have only allowed one quarterback to score more than 19 Fantasy points in their past five games, which was Justin Fields in Week 9, but the other four quarterbacks over that span were Kenny Pickett, Jared Goff, Jacoby Brissett and Kyle Allen. I like Garoppolo better than all of those guys but Fields, and the 49ers have a lot of weapons to throw at Miami, which should be a problem. Garoppolo has scored at least 20 Fantasy points in five of his past seven games, and he should be considered a low-end starter in all leagues for this home matchup.
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I hope White's performance in Week 12 against the Bears wasn't a fluke because we saw what happened to him last year. In 2021, White started in Week 8 against Cincinnati and scored 32 Fantasy points. He combined for just 11 Fantasy points in his next two starts, although he left one of those games with an injury. After scoring 30 Fantasy points against Chicago last week, White now gets Minnesota on the road, and the Vikings have allowed three quarterbacks in a row to score at least 21 Fantasy points, including Mac Jones with 27 points last week. White is a must-start option in Superflex and two-quarterback leagues, and I would use him in deeper one-quarterback leagues also given the matchup.
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Goff likes playing at home, and he should do well this week against the Jaguars, who have allowed three quarterbacks in a row to score at least 22 Fantasy points. Goff just had 21 Fantasy points in Week 12 against Buffalo and has now scored at least 18 Fantasy points in five of six home games this season. There's the potential of a shootout in Detroit against the Jaguars and Trevor Lawrence, and I expect Goff to perform like a low-end No. 1 quarterback in all leagues. It also should be fun to see what Goff and the Lions do with rookie Jameson Williams now that he's expected to make his NFL debut in Week 13.
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Sleeper RBs
It was always going to be a matter of time before Robinson started to take advantage of his touches and have a big game, and that happened in Week 12 against Atlanta. He had 18 carries for 105 yards against the Falcons, adding two catches for 20 yards and a touchdown on three targets, and he scored a season-high 20 PPR points. It's now two games in his past three outings with at least 14 PPR points, and he should have another productive stat line against the Giants in Week 13. A running back has scored or gained over 100 total yards against the Giants in six games in a row, with eight touchdowns over that span, and Robinson is worth using as No. 2 running back in all leagues for this matchup. As for Antonio Gibson, consider him a flex option for this week, especially since he's been dealing with a foot injury in practice.
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Michael Carter (ankle) is doubtful for Week 13 at Minnesota, which means we should see the Jets lean on Knight for a big workload. That means Knight could have the potential to be a No. 2 Fantasy running back in all leagues. Carter was hurt in Week 12 against Chicago, and Knight stepped up with 14 carries for 69 yards, along with three catches for 34 yards on three targets. He played in tandem with Ty Johnson, who also had a productive game against the Bears with five carries for 62 yards and a touchdown, along with one catch for 16 yards on two targets. But Knight has the potential to be the lead running back and also catch passes from Mike White, and the Vikings have allowed four running backs to score at least 17 PPR points in their past three games. I'm excited to see what Knight can do for an encore with Carter out. And Johnson can even be used as a flex option in deeper leagues.
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It's probably risky going back to Dillon in any capacity for Fantasy managers, but I don't mind him as a flex in deeper leagues against the Bears. The matchup is enticing since Chicago has allowed seven running backs to score or gain at least 100 total yards in the past five games, with eight touchdowns over that span. Aaron Jones should be a star for the Packers, but Dillon just had eight carries for 64 yards and a touchdown, along with three catches for 24 yards on four targets, in Week 12 at Philadelphia. Hopefully he can stack two productive games in a row for the first time this season.
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In PPR, Williams might be worth using as a flex option in deeper leagues. Williams played the most snaps for the Rams in Week 12 at Kansas City and finished with 11 carries for 35 yards, along with three catches for 25 yards on three catches. He now has two games with three catches in his past three outings, and he should continue to be heavily involved in the passing game with the Rams likely chasing points in Week 13 against Seattle. The Seahawks are among the league leaders in receptions (65), receiving yards (535) and receiving touchdowns (three) to running backs this year, so Williams' role in the passing game should help him in this matchup. Meanwhile, you can avoid Cam Akers in most leagues since he's not scoring touchdowns or working in the passing game.
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Jamaal Williams remains the best Fantasy running back for the Lions because of his touchdown potential, but I don't mind Swift as a flex option against the Jaguars. He wasn't listed on the injury report, and hopefully he starts to get more work. Swift hasn't got more than 10 total touches in his past five games, but now that he's fully healthy we hope to see his role grow. He does have three touchdowns in his past five outings, and he also got eight targets last week against Buffalo. In what should be a high-scoring game, Swift might surprise us with a big performance against Jacksonville at home.
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Sleeper WRs
I love Christian Kirk this week, and he's a must-start Fantasy receiver in all leagues. Jones is a borderline starter in all leagues, and Marvin Jones is a sleeper in deeper formats with a revenge game against his former team. Jones was a star last week with 11 catches for 145 yards on 14 targets against the Ravens. This was after he had eight catches for 68 yards on 10 targets against the Chiefs in Week 10. He's trending up, and he should excel against the Lions, who have allowed eight receivers to score at least 13 PPR points in their past five games, with six touchdowns over that span.
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Pickens, who played at Georgia, will likely enjoy this trip to Atlanta, especially against this Falcons defense. There have been eight receivers with at least 12 PPR points against Atlanta in the past six games, and Pickens has scored at least 14 PPR points in three of his past five outings. He's just missed some big plays with Kenny Pickett, and it wouldn't be a surprise to see them connect in this matchup. Pickett is worth trusting as a No. 3 Fantasy receiver in the majority of leagues, and hopefully the matchup works for Diontae Johnson as well.
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Peoples-Jones had a down game in Week 12 against Tampa Bay with just two catches for 16 yards on four targets, which snapped a streak of five games in a row with at least 11 PPR points. Don't give up on him now with Deshaun Watson starting for the Browns, and Peoples-Jones could be a solid contributor in this matchup with the Texans. If the Browns decide to let Watson throw a lot in this matchup, it could be great news for Amari Cooper and Peoples-Jones, especially with David Njoku (knee) out for this matchup.
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Hollins is worth using as a No. 3 Fantasy receiver in deeper leagues, and he had another productive game with Hunter Renfrow (oblique) and Darren Waller (hamstring) out in Week 12 at Seattle with four catches for 63 yards and a touchdown on five targets. He's now scored at least 11 PPR points in consecutive games and has reached that total in four of his past six outings. There's shootout potential in Week 13 against the Chargers, who will likely focus their attention on Davante Adams (rightfully so), allowing Hollins to make plays if Derek Carr continues to look in his direction.
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I still like Chark as a sleeper in deeper leagues against the Jaguars, even with Jameson Williams (ACL) expected to make his NFL debut this week. Williams will likely be on a snap count, and this is a revenge game for Chark, who started his career in Jacksonville. Chark has the chance to be a No. 3 receiver in deeper formats, and he just scored a touchdown in Week 12 in Week 12 against Buffalo with two catches for 16 yards on five targets.
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Sleeper TEs
Everett didn't take advantage of the dream matchup against the Cardinals in Week 12 with just four catches for 18 yards on four targets, along with a two-point conversion. But he should rebound this week against the Raiders, who are No. 6 in most Fantasy points allowed to opposing tight ends. In Week 1, Everett had three catches for 54 yards and a touchdown on four targets against Las Vegas, and hopefully he can replicate that performance again in the rematch.
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Engram will be tough to trust this week given his recent lack of involvement with seven targets for five catches, 26 yards and no touchdowns in his past three games against the Raiders, Chiefs and Ravens. But this matchup is juicy against the Lions, who are No. 5 in most Fantasy points allowed to opposing tight ends. Detroit has allowed four touchdowns to tight ends in the past six games, and hopefully Engram can prove himself useful to Trevor Lawrence and Fantasy managers in this matchup.
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Week 13 Preview
DFS GAME PREVIEWS & LINEUPS
These are game previews from our Fantasy Football Today show on CBS Sports HQ on Friday from me, Adam Aizer and Dave Richard. The player props are from Caesars Sportsbook.
Steelers at Falcons (Dave Richard)
- Injury of note: Najee Harris (oblique), Benny Snell (knee)
- Start or Sit: Sit Cordarrelle Patterson
- DFS play: Pat Freiermuth (DraftKings $4,300/FanDuel $5,900)
- Prop to play: Olamide Zaccheaus over 2.5 receptions (+129)
Broncos at Ravens (Adam Aizer)
- Injury of note: Jerry Jeudy (ankle), K.J. Hamler (hamstring), Lamar Jackson (quad), J.K. Dobbins (knee)
- Start or Sit: Sit Courtland Sutton
- DFS play: Gus Edwards (DraftKings $5,400/FanDuel $6,700)
- Prop to play: Latavius Murray under 54.5 rushing yards (-117)
Browns at Texans (Jamey Eisenberg)
- Injury of note: David Njoku (knee), Rex Burkhead (concussion)
- Start or Sit: Start Dameon Pierce
- DFS play: Donovan Peoples-Jones (DraftKings $4,900/FanDuel $6,100)
- Prop to play: Deshaun Watson over 0.5 interceptions (+120)
Jets at Vikings (Dave Richard)
- Injury of note: Michael Carter (ankle)
- Start or Sit: Start Zonovan Knight
- DFS play: Garrett Wilson (DraftKings $5,300/FanDuel $6,600)
- Prop to play: Greg Zuerlein over 1.5 field goals (+100)
Titans at Eagles (Adam Aizer)
- Injury of note: Treylon Burks (illness), DeVonta Smith (groin)
- Start or Sit: Sit Treylon Burks
- DFS play: Derrick Henry (DraftKings $8,100/FanDuel $8,800)
- Prop to play: Derrick Henry over 13.5 receiving yards (-113)
Packers at Bears (Jamey Eisenberg)
- Injury of note: Aaron Rodgers (ribs/thumb), Aaron Jones (shin), A.J. Dillon (quad), Romeo Doubs (ankle), Justin Fields (shoulder)
- Start or Sit: Start Aaron Rodgers
- DFS play: Cole Kmet (DraftKings $3,800/FanDuel $5,000)
- Prop to play: No props posted.
Jaguars at Lions (Dave Richard)
- Injury of note: Travis Etienne (foot), Zay Jones (chest)
- Start or Sit: Start Zay Jones
- DFS play: Christian Kirk (DraftKings $6,300/FanDuel $7,500)
- Prop to play: Jamaal Williams under 58.5 rushing yards (-115)
Commanders at Giants (Adam Aizer)
- Injury of note: Darius Slayton (illness), Richie James (knee), Daniel Bellinger (eye), Antonio Gibson (foot)
- Start or Sit: Start Terry McLaurin
- DFS play: Brian Robinson (DraftKings $5,300/FanDuel $6,600)
- Prop to play: Daniel Jones under 0.5 passing TDs (+190)
Dolphins at 49ers (Jamey Eisenberg)
- Injury of note: Raheem Mostert (knee), Christian McCaffrey (knee), Deebo Samuel (quad)
- Start or Sit: Sit Jeff Wilson
- DFS play: Jordan Mason (DraftKings $4,500/FanDuel $5,400)
- Prop to play: George Kittle over 41.4 receiving yards (-119)
Chiefs at Bengals (Dave Richard)
- Injury of note: Kadarius Toney (hamstring), Jerick McKinnon (hamstring), Ja'Marr Chase (hip), Joe Mixon (concussion)
- Start or Sit: Start JuJu Smith-Schuster
- DFS play: Skyy Moore (DraftKings $3,100/FanDuel $5,300)
- Prop to play: Patrick Mahomes under 0.5 interceptions (+106)
Seahawks at Rams (Adam Aizer)
- Injury of note: Matthew Stafford (neck), Cam Akers (illness)
- Start or Sit: Sit Tyler Higbee
- DFS play: Tyler Lockett (DraftKings $6,000/FanDuel $7,400)
- Prop to play: Tyler Lockett longest reception over 22.5 yards (-121)
Chargers at Raiders (Jamey Eisenberg)
- Injury of note: Mike Williams (ankle), Josh Jacobs (calf)
- Start or Sit: Start Josh Palmer
- DFS play: Derek Carr (DraftKings $5,600/FanDuel $7,300)
- Prop to play: Josh Jacobs over 3.5 receptions (-119)
DFS Lineups
DraftKings
QB: Trevor Lawrence (at DET) $5,900
RB: Aaron Jones (at CHI) $6,900
RB: Zonovan Knight (at MIN) $4,600
WR: Amon-Ra St. Brown (vs. JAC) $7,100
WR: Keenan Allen (at LV) $6,500
WR: Christian Kirk (at DET) $6,300
TE: Cole Kmet (vs. GB) $3,800
FLEX: Garrett Wilson (at MIN) $5,300
DST: Seahawks (at LAR) $3,600
I like the Jaguars this week against the Lions, and Lawrence is my Start of the Week. I'll stack him with Kirk here, and I'll play St. Brown on the other side. I'm expecting a lot of points in Detroit for this matchup.
Jones should go off against the Bears, and I like Kmet on the other side with Justin Fields (shoulder) now healthy. And Knight should be solid as the starter for the Jets against the Vikings.
I like Wilson in that game as well, and Allen should be excellent against the Raiders. I love this lineup, especially with the Seahawks DST against the Rams.
FanDuel
QB: Derek Carr (vs. LAC) $7,300
RB: Austin Ekeler (at LV) $9,200
RB: Zonovan Knight (at MIN) $5,800
WR: Davante Adams (vs. LAC) $8,600
WR: A.J. Brown (vs. TEN) $8,100
WR: D.J. Chark (vs. JAC) $5,300
TE: Tyler Conklin (at MIN) $5,000
FLEX: Gus Edwards (vs. DEN) $6,700
DST: Jets (at MIN) $4,000
This lineup has a lot of revenge-game angles, starting with the Raiders stack of Carr and Adams against the Chargers. The Raiders lost to the Chargers in Week 1, and Carr and Adams want to return the favor in the rematch this week. I'll play Ekeler on the other side to balance out that game.
Brown gets to face his former team in the Titans, and Chark gets to face his former team in the Jaguars. Conklin also has a revenge game against the Vikings. I like the matchup for all three, so the intangibles of the revenge game is just a bonus.
I'll play Knight in this lineup again, and I like Edwards against the Broncos. The Gus Bus should have a big game at home against Denver.
