Finally, we’ve come to Week 13 – the final week of the regular season for some leagues. Byes are finally over, so we’re working with a full slate of games to try and find a decent quarterback if you need to stream.
Week 12 was a strange week for quarterbacks around the league as we saw Russell Wilson, Aaron Rodgers, Dak Prescott, Matt Ryan, and Tom Brady all finish outside of the top-12 quarterbacks. Meanwhile, in what was a must-win week for a lot of owners, Ryan Tannehill and Sam Darnold finished as QB2 and QB3. In fact, five of the top 12 quarterbacks were less than fifty percent owned; I only wish I managed to get more than one of my picks correct from last week. Let’s take a look at the leader board:
| Quarterback | Week 12 Opponent | Fantasy Points | Percentage Owned |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lamar Jackson | at Rams | 36.3 | 100% |
| Ryan Tannehill | vs. Jaguars | 32.4 | 26% |
| Sam Darnold | vs. Raiders | 28.2 | 39% |
| Jameis Winston | at Falcons | 24.3 | 89% |
| Baker Mayfield | vs. Dolphins | 23.6 | 82% |
| Kyle Allen | at Saints | 23.1 | 18% |
| Ryan Fitzpatrick | at Browns | 23.1 | 10% |
| Drew Brees | vs. Panthers | 22.4 | 98% |
| Josh Allen | vs. Broncos | 19 | 81% |
| Deshaun Watson | vs. Colts | 18.9 | 100% |
| Mitchell Trubisky | vs. Giants | 18.9 | 18% |
| Jimmy Garoppolo | vs. Packers | 18.2 | 83% |
The Colts lost Marlon Mack with a fractured right hand in Week 11, so of course, their game plan in Week 12 was to run the ball 61% of the time against the defense that has allowed the fourth-most fantasy points to quarterbacks on the year. Thursday night, I was a little depressed about my stream of the week, Jacoby Brissett, putting up just 13.2 fantasy points, but considering that number blew the Dak, Brady, Ryan-group out of the water and finished as QB15, I feel slightly less incompetent. We’ll try to do better with our “Stream of the Week” pick this week.
The dirty pick, Ryan Fitzpatrick, was indeed dirty but managed to finished tied with Kyle Allen for the QB6 position this week. Fitzpatrick did a little of everything, finishing the day 21/39 for 214 yards while throwing two touchdowns and two picks. He added 45 yards on the ground and ran one in from eight yards out for his third rushing on the year. Due to the negative game script that the Dolphins should face every game, it ensures Fitzpatrick will be airing it out moving forward. While we might not stream Fitzpatrick again this year, this should mean good weeks ahead for DeVante Parker.
The hail-mary pick, Jeff Driskel, looked and played like a backup quarterback. Driskel managed to throw three interceptions against the Redskins and despite that, still finished ahead of the Rodgers/Wilson-glob as QB16. Driskel managed to salvage his day by adding 63 yards on the ground, which makes two consecutive weeks of 50-plus yards rushing. That type of rushing production creates a nice floor for Driskel, although, this week, Driskel can be ignored as the Lions face the Bears on Thanksgiving Day.
Let’s take a look at our Week 13 options.
Sam Darnold (39% Owned – Stream of the Week)
I originally wrote about Sam Darnold in Week 9, leading up to his game against the Dolphins. “Here we go guys, the start of the Sam Darnold breakout”, is what I wrote. It would appear I was just a few weeks early. Over the last two weeks, Darnold is averaging 304 yards and has seven total touchdowns, while throwing just one pick. This week, Darnold gets a matchup with the Bengals, who have allowed the third-most fantasy points per game to quarterbacks on the year. Given that high-end matchup, Darnold should have no problem finishing as a top-12 quarterback this week.
Nick Foles (33% Owned)
“BD” Nick Foles now has two games under his belt and hopefully, this is the breakout week. Foles gets a matchup with the Bucs in Week 13 and will look to do what Matt Ryan couldn’t do – put up a top-12 quarterback line against the defense that has allowed the second-most fantasy points to quarterbacks on the year. In order to do it, he’ll need to target top wideout, D.J. Chark more than six times. As long as the Bucs don’t remember how to play defense again this week, Foles should have a good chance of finishing as a QB1 this week.
Mitch Trubisky (18% Owned)
I was debating between Mitch Trubisky and Daniel Jones for the last spot to write about earlier today, so I texted my buddy Mark to ask who he would play. His response, “I’ll take Door #3 – sit both and take the zero.” That’s what level we’re at with this one; especially during a week with no byes. For what it’s worth, Trubisky gets a matchup on Thanksgiving Day with the Lions in Detroit and with the dome closed, we don’t have to worry about the elements. Next up is the Lions’ defense that has allowed the fifth-most fantasy points per game to quarterbacks on the year. The cherry on top is our Week 10 sample, where Trubisky faced the Lions and tossed three touchdowns. If you’re desperate, or just playing DFS on Thursday, I don’t mind Trubisky at all.
(Photo by Rich Graessle/Icon Sportswire)