Start ’Em, Sit ’Em Kickers and Team Defenses Fantasy Football Week 13: Double Down on Dolphins

Miami’s defense and kicker are both starts of the week for second week in a row.

Start ‘Em, Sit ‘Em is the ultimate look at the best and worst matchups based on a PPR scoring system in fantasy football. This column will not cover the elite players in the NFL like Patrick Mahomes, Christian McCaffrey or Justin Jefferson. Instead, I'll look at the players you have questions about who could exceed or fail to meet expectations at each position. For all of your final fantasy lineup decisions, be sure to check out my weekly player rankings which will be updated daily throughout the 2023 NFL season.

Fabs’ Top 10 Defenses

1. Cowboys defense vs. Seahawks (Thur.)
2. Dolphins defense at Commanders
3. Jets defense vs. Falcons
4. Chargers defense at Patriots
5. Steelers defense vs. Cardinals
6. Jaguars defense vs. Bengals (Mon.)
7. Falcons defense at Jets
8. Lions defense at Saints
9. Rams defense vs. Browns
10. Chiefs defense at Packers

• Complete Week 13 player rankings

Week 13 Start ’Em, Sit ’Em: QUARTERBACKS | RUNNING BACKS | WIDE RECEIVERS | TIGHT ENDS | KICKERS & TEAM DEFENSES

Byes: Bears, Bills, Giants, Raiders, Ravens, Vikings

Week 13 Start ’Em: Defenses

Start of the Week

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Dolphins defense at Commanders (1 p.m. ET, Fox): The Dolphins defense was the start of the week for Week 12, and it produced 16 fantasy points. I’d ride with it again for another plus matchup, this time against the Commanders. Washington has allowed 55 sacks, the second most in the NFL, and committed 22 giveaways.

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Start ’Em

Chargers defense at Patriots (1 p.m. ET, CBS): Fantasy managers looking for a streamer this week should consider the Chargers, who face a plus matchup versus New England. Their quarterback and offensive situation is a total mess, averaging just 13.5 points and 293.5 yards per game, and it’s also committed 19 giveaways.

More Starts

Jets defense vs. Falcons (1 p.m. ET, Fox)
Steelers defense vs. Cardinals (1 p.m. ET, CBS)
Rams defense vs. Browns (4:25 p.m. ET, Fox)

DFS Bargains (DraftKings)

Falcons defense at Jets ($3,400)
Lions defense at Saints ($3,000)
Titans defense vs. Colts ($2,800)

Week 13 Sit ’Em: Defenses

Sit of the Week

Eagles defense vs. 49ers (4:25 p.m. ET, Fox): The Eagles defense has not been very fantasy friendly, and it won’t start this week against the 49ers. Their offense has allowed just 21 sacks, which is tied for the fourth-fewest, and Brock Purdy and crew have committed 10 giveaways. That’s tied for the third fewest in the NFL.

Sit ’Em

Saints defense vs. Lions (1 p.m. ET, Fox): The Saints defense can be useful when the matchup is right, but that’s not the case this week. The Lions offense is one of the league’s most explosive, averaging more than 400 yards per game, and it’s allowed just 21 sacks. That’s tied for the fourth-fewest in the league in 2023.

More Sits

Broncos defense at Texans (1 p.m. ET, CBS)
Patriots defense vs. Chargers (1 p.m. ET, CBS)
Packers defense vs. Chiefs (8:20 p.m. ET, NBC)

DFS Fades (DraftKings)

Texans defense vs. Broncos ($3,300)
49ers defense at Eagles ($3,000)
Cardinals defense at Steelers ($2,900)

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Fabs’ Top 10 Kickers

1. Jason Sanders at Commanders
2. Brandon Aubrey vs. Seahawks (Thur.)
3. Brandon McManus vs. Bengals (Mon.)
4. Harrison Butker at Packers
5. Matt Gay at Titans
6. Dustin Hopkins at Rams
7. Wil Lutz at Texans
8. Jake Elliott vs. 49ers
9. Younghoe Koo at Jets
10. Nick Folk vs. Colts

• Complete Week 13 player rankings

Week 13 Start ’Em: Kickers

Start of the Week

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Jason Sanders at Commanders (1 p.m. ET, Fox): Sanders has been the start of the week the last couple of weeks, and he’s scored a combined 22 points in those games. So, why not go for a third week? He has a great matchup in Washington, as their defense has allowed the most fantasy points to kickers this season.

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Start ’Em

Younghoe Koo at Jets (1 p.m. ET, Fox): Koo has posted a couple of stinkers in recent weeks, scoring a combined 11 points in his last two games. Still, this week’s matchup against the Jets makes him a streamer. Their defense has allowed nine or more points to kickers eight times, including two with more than 16 points.

More Starts

Matt Gay at Titans (1 p.m. ET, CBS)
Nick Folk at Colts (1 p.m. ET, CBS)
Dustin Hopkins at Rams (4:25 p.m. ET, Fox)

Week 12 Sit ’Em: Kickers

Sit of the Week

Evan McPherson vs. Jaguars (Mon. 8:15 p.m. ET, ESPN): McPherson’s first game without Joe Burrow was forgettable, as he scored just four points in a loss to the Steelers. Next up is a game with the Jaguars, who have allowed just 12 field goals and the fourth-fewest fantasy points to opposing kickers this season.

Sit ’Em

Jake Moody at Eagles (4:25 p.m. ET, Fox): Moody has failed to score double digits in all but one of his last eight games, and an upcoming matchup against the Eagles makes him a fade. While this could be a high-scoring affair, their defense has allowed just three kickers to beat them for more than eight points this year.

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More Sits

Matt Prater at Steelers (1 p.m. ET, CBS)
Blake Grupe vs. Lions (1 p.m. ET, Fox)
Anders Carlson vs. Chiefs (8:20 p.m. ET, NBC)