Fantasy Football Start 'Em, Sit 'Em Week 13: Defenses - Sleepers, Fades, Matchups, DFS Bargains

Start 'em and sit 'em defenses for Week 13 from senior fantasy football expert Michael Fabiano.

Week 13 Start ‘Em: Defenses

Byes: Buccaneers, Panthers

Start of the Week

Dolphins D/ST vs. Bengals (1 p.m. ET, CBS): The Dolphins D/ST was a popular start last week, and it met expectations with a solid 14-point performance against the winless, hapless Jets. I’d swim with the fish this week too, as a positive home matchup against backup quarterback Brandon Allen and the Bengals awaits. Look for the Miami defense to post top-five numbers at the position.

Week 13 Start 'Em, Sit 'Em

• QUARTERBACKS
• RUNNING BACKS
• WIDE RECEIVERS
• TIGHT ENDS
• KICKERS
• TEAM DEFENSES

Be sure to check out my Week 13 rankings before finalizing any lineup decisions or if your league has special scoring rules, sign up for SI Fantasy+ for customized rankings.

MORE: Week 13 Rankings, Articles, Reports & Tools Hub

Start ‘Em

Chiefs D/ST vs. Broncos (8:20 p.m. ET, NBC): The Chiefs D/ST has scored just seven combined fantasy points over its last three games, but a matchup against the Broncos should be good for what ails it. Defenses have combined to score the second-most fantasy points against Drew Lock and the Broncos, including Kansas City's 24-point performance against them in Week 7. Start the Chiefs defense.

Ravens D/ST vs. Cowboys (Tues. 5:05 p.m. ET, FOX): The Cowboys have been a great matchup for fantasy defenses, and this week will be no different. As long as the Ravens defense isn’t ravaged due to COVID-19 like it was in Week 12, this unit should be considered one of the top D/ST options. The Cowboys are full of injuries on the offensive line, so the Ravens are in a good spot to find success.

More Starts

• Saints D/ST at Falcons (1 p.m. ET, FOX)
• Packers D/ST vs. Eagles (4:25 p.m. ET, CBS)

DFS Bargains

• Raiders D/ST at Jets (DraftKings: $3,400)
• Colts D/ST at Texans (DraftKings: $3,000)

Week 13 Sit ‘Em: Defenses

Sit of the Week

49ers D/ST vs. Bills (Mon. 8:15 p.m. ET, ESPN): The Niners D/ST looked great in a win over the Rams, scoring 17 fantasy points on two sacks, two interceptions, and a touchdown. I'd fade this unit this week though, as Josh Allen and the Bills come to town (Arizona). Defenses have averaged fewer than four fantasy points per game against Buffalo, making the 49ers less attractive this weekend.

Sit ‘Em

Browns D/ST at Titans (1 p.m. ET, CBS): The Browns D/ST disappointed fantasy fans a week ago, failing to score a single point despite a “great” matchup against Mike Glennon and a banged-up Jaguars offense. Next up is a date with the Titans, who have not been generous to opposing defenses. In fact, only the Steelers have been a worse matchup for enemy D/STs this season. Fade Cleveland.

Falcons D/ST vs. Saints (1 p.m. ET, FOX): The Falcons D/ST put up a bananas 28 fantasy points against the Raiders last week, but I wouldn’t chase the points. In fact, this unit had scored a combined 23 fantasy points in its previous five games! That includes a Week 11 tilt against the Saints where Atlanta’s D/ST scored a modest five points. I’d keep them on the waiver wire this weekend.

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More Sits

• Football Team D/ST at Steelers (Mon, 5 p.m. ET, FOX)
• Eagles D/ST at Seahawks (4:05 p.m. ET, FOX)

DFS Fades

• Texans D/ST vs. Colts (DraftKings: $2,800)
• Browns D/ST at Titans (DraftKings: $2,500)

Michael Fabiano is an award-winning fantasy football analyst on Sports Illustrated and a member of the Fantasy Sports Writers Association (FSWA) Hall of Fame. You can follow Michael on Twitter, Facebook, YouTube, and Instagram for all of the latest breaking fantasy football news and the best analysis in the business!

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