Start ’Em, Sit ’Em Quarterbacks Fantasy Football Week 13: Tua Tagovailoa to Bounce Back From Black Friday

The Dolphins quarterback should thrive against a generous Commanders pass defense.

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 Quarterbacks

1. Jalen Hurts vs. 49ers
2. Dak Prescott vs. Seahawks (Thur.)
3. Tua Tagovailoa at Commanders
4. Patrick Mahomes at Packers
5. C.J. Stroud vs. Broncos
6. Brock Purdy at Eagles
7. Trevor Lawrence vs. Bengals (Mon.)
8. Justin Herbert at Patriots
9. Sam Howell vs. Dolphins
10. Jared Goff at Saints

• 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: Quarterbacks

Start of the Week

Bill Streicher/USA TODAY Sports

Tua Tagovailoa at Commanders (1 p.m. ET, Fox): Tagovailoa hasn’t been great in the last three weeks, scoring fewer than 13 points twice, including last week’s 7.8-point stinker on Black Friday. He’ll rebound in a big way this week, though, as the veteran faces an awful Commanders defense that’s allowed 20-plus points to quarterbacks eight times, including to both Tyrod Taylor and Tommy DeVito.

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Start ’Em

C.J. Stroud vs. Broncos (1 p.m. ET, CBS): Stroud has become an absolute star in the stat sheets, and he showed it last week with 30.9 points in a loss to the Jags. He should remain in starting lineups this week against the Broncos, who have given up 17-plus points to three quarterbacks on the road this season. With six teams on a bye, Stroud is pretty close to being a must-start signal-caller.

Brock Purdy at Eagles (4:25 p.m. ET, Fox): Purdy was a disappointment last week, scoring just 10.5 points in a win over Seattle, but I like him to rebound in what is the game of the year against the Eagles. Their defense has struggled to contain quarterbacks, allowing 19-plus points six times including four who have put up more than 28 points against them. Purdy will be a top-10 option this week.

Russell Wilson at Texans (1 p.m. ET, CBS): Wilson’s numbers have not been great in recent weeks, but he’s still giving fantasy fans a decent floor. I like his ceiling this week too, as the veteran faces a Texans defense that’s allowed an averaged of 297.5 passing yards and 21.3 fantasy points per game to opposing quarterbacks in the last four weeks. Wilson is a nice bye-week replacement for managers.

Sam Howell vs. Dolphins (1 p.m. ET, Fox): Howell is the Rodney Dangerfield of fantasy quarterbacks ... no matter his success, he gets no respect. But with six teams on a bye and a matchup against the Dolphins next, he'll be in a lot of starting lineups this week. The Commanders will likely be playiing from behind in this game, meaning Howell is in line to throw a ton and score plenty of points.

More Starts

Jared Goff at Saints (1 p.m. ET, Fox)
Gardner Minshew at Titans (1 p.m. ET, Fox)
Trevor Lawrence vs. Bengals (Mon. 8:15 p.m. ET, ESPN)

DFS Bargains (DraftKings)

Brock Purdy at Eagles ($6,100)
Russell Wilson at Texans ($5,700)
Gardner Minshew at Titans ($5,300)

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Week 13 Sit ’Em: Quarterbacks

Sit of the Week

(AP Photo/Julio Cortez)

Matthew Stafford vs. Browns (4:25 p.m. ET, Fox): Stafford had his best game of the season last week, tossing four touchdown passes in a win over the Cardinals. He’ll have a much tougher task this week, however, as he faces a Browns defense that’s been tough on quarterbacks. In fact, only two have beaten them for more than 16.8 points, and they both rushed for two touchdowns in those contests.

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Sit ’Em

Kyler Murray at Steelers (1 p.m. ET, CBS): Murray will be tough to sit with six teams on a bye, so be sure to temper your expectations against the Steelers. Thier defense has been tough on quarterbacks, allowing fewer than 17 fantasy points to the position in seven straight weeks. That includes six field generals who have been held under 15 points. As a result, Murray's totals could be less than stellar.

Jordan Love vs. Chiefs (8:20 p.m. ET, NBC): Love is on a hot streak, scoring 20-plus points in two straight games. That will be hard to repeat again, however, as he has a bad matchup against the Chiefs next. Their defense has been tough all year, allowing an average of just 12.3 fantasy points per game to quarterbacks. Unless you’re in a super flex league or in desperate need, Love should be faded.

Baker Mayfield vs. Panthers (4:05 p.m. ET, CBS): Mayfield has seen his totals drop in recent weeks, scoring a combined 23.7 points in his last two games. I would fade him this week, too, as the veteran faces a Panthers defense that can be tough on quarterbacks. In fact, just two (Jared Goff, Tua Tagovailoa) have beaten them for more than 16.2 points. At best, Mayfield is a super flex option.

Derek Carr vs. Lions (1 p.m. ET, Fox): Carr actually has a great matchup this week against the Lions, but who is he throwing to this week? Michael Thomas is on the injured list, and both Chris Olave (concussion) and Rashid Shaheed (thigh) were hurt last week. With what could be a paper-thin set of options in the passing game, not to mention his lack of production, Carr should be parked this week.

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More Sits

Kenny Pickett vs. Cardinals (1 p.m. ET, CBS)
Bryce Young at Buccaneers (4:05 p.m. ET, CBS)
Desmond Ridder at Jets (1 p.m. ET, Fox)

DFS Fades (DraftKings)

Justin Herbert at Patriots ($8,000)
Kyler Murray at Steelers ($7,000)
Matthew Stafford at Browns ($5,900)