This week is all about giving thanks, so before we dive into anything football–related, I just want to take a second and thank you. Seriously. Every week, you show up, read these breakdowns, share them, ask questions, debate starts and sits with me, and I never take that for granted. I pour everything I’ve got into these articles because I want to help you find that edge, whether you’re grinding through lineup decisions or sweating DFS builds. Your support means the world.
Now… Week 13. Two weeks until the fantasy playoffs. The pressure is real. For some of us, it’s do-or-die. For others riding high at the top of the standings, the mission is simple: lock down that first-round bye. Either way, now is not the time to get comfortable. And look, I get it. This week is chaos. Family everywhere. Houses packed. People traveling, cooking, laughing, and arguing about who burnt the rolls. You might not have the time (or the brainpower) to stay as tapped-in as usual. That’s okay. I’ve got you, FootClan.
I’m diving headfirst into the top Start/Sit questions using the Fantasy Footballers’ Start/Sit tool, breaking it all down so you can stay ahead while still enjoying your holiday week. Let’s stack some wins and keep that championship dream alive.
Jacoby Brissett or Joe Burrow?
Jacoby Brissett just keeps delivering, and the setup for Week 13 might be his best yet. We’re walking into a 44.5-point total with the Cardinals projected for 20.75. Perfect, because that’s exactly where Brissett thrives. Last week, he fired off 49 pass attempts, piling up 317 yards and a TD, and even chipped in 20 rushing yards. Since Week 7, no QB in football has had the ball in his hands more. He leads the entire NFL in dropbacks per game (50.2!). The result? Six starts of pure volume and production: 314.5 yards, 1.8 TDs, and 20.9 fppg with at least 19.4 points in five of those six outings. Brisset gets the Buccaneers this week, who have spent the better part of the season getting carved up through the air. They sit 28th against QBs, allowing 21.2 fppg.
Since Week 6 Jacoby Brissett is the QB3 in fantasy points per game AND TOTAL FPTS
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— Fantasy Footballers (@TheFFBallers) November 26, 2025
The return of Joe Burrow… and honestly? It feels like something to be thankful for. After missing 10 games following turf toe surgery, Burrow opened the week with back-to-back full practices, a huge signal that he’s ready to go for this AFC North Thanksgiving showdown with the Ravens. He will get one more session on Wednesday to shake off the rust, but all signs point to Burrow being back under center. Now, a few things to keep in mind. Burrow is expected to play with an insert in his cleat for extra protection, which means we shouldn’t expect much scrambling. Mathew Betz even highlighted Burrow’s under 5.5 rushing yards as a favorite Prop for Week 13, and the logic makes sense: shotgun snaps, quick throws, and minimal movement as Cincinnati tries to ease him back into rhythm. But when it comes to passing, this matchup is phenomenal. Not because the Ravens give up a ton of points to QBs, they sit middle of the pack at 16th, in fact, but because of how historically great Burrow has been against them. Burrow has always had the Ravens’ number. In nine career meetings, he’s totaled 2,699 yards, 21 TDs, and just five INTs. His last two matchups were straight video-game numbers: 410 passing yards and 4.5 TDs per game… yeah, that’s 35 fantasy points per outing. Of course, things look a little different this time. Tee Higgins is out, but Ja’Marr Chase is back, and Burrow is dealing with the rust from missing 10 games.
Verdict: Brissett is the play this week. Joe Burrow returning in a 51.5-point AFC North showdown is fun, but Week 13 is about trust, and Brissett is the safer, more reliable play. He leads the NFL in dropbacks since Week 7, has topped 19 fantasy points in five of his last six games, and now gets a Tampa Bay defense that’s been shredded for nearly 300 yards and multiple scores every week since their bye. Burrow has the history and the ceiling, but he’s coming off a 10-game absence, playing with a protected cleat, missing Tee Higgins, and facing a Ravens defense that hasn’t truly been tested by elite QBs lately. (The last four matchups were against Tyrod Taylor, Dillon Gabriel, JJ McCarthy, and Tua.) I’m starting Jacoby Brissett over Joe Burrow.
Devin Neal or Tyrone Tracy Jr.?
With Alvin Kamara suffering an MCL sprain and expected to miss Week 13, Neal suddenly finds himself in the RB1 seat. After Kamara exited last week, Neal played 74% of the snaps, handled 14 touches, and turned in 61 total yards, including a strong receiving line (five receptions on seven targets for 43 yards). That receiving role matters, especially with the Saints often playing from behind. The matchup sets up well, too, even with Miami coming off a bye. The Dolphins have allowed the 4th most rushing yards to RBs and sit 24th against the position in fantasy points allowed. Opposing RBs are averaging 22.7 fppg, and volume backs have consistently found success. Neal projects for lead-back work, goal-line chances, and passing-game involvement, all in one of the more favorable RB matchups on the slate.
Priority waiver add Devin Neal
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— Fantasy Footballers (@TheFFBallers) November 25, 2025
Tyrone Tracy has been balling out these last two weeks: 269 total yards, 39 carries, seven receptions, and back-to-back PPR scores of 17.9 and 16.0 without even finding the end zone. Last week, he out-touched Devin Singletary and contributed in the receiving game. Singletary saw no targets, while Tracy was targeted four times. His receptions were good for 68 yards. With Jameis Winston under center, Tracy has rushed 39 times for 150 yards and caught seven passes for 119 yards. He’s scored 17.9 and 16.0 PPR points in his last two starts despite failing to score a TD. But this matchup is rough. Really rough. New England has been an absolute wall against RBs. They rank 1st in the NFL vs RBs, allowing just 14.2 fantasy points per game to entire backfields. They’ve surrendered the fewest rushing yards and the fewest rushing TDs (only three all season). Tracy’s role is great, and his recent production is legit, but volume alone might not be enough to overcome a matchup this brutal.
Verdict: Devin Neal gets the start for me this week. Tracy’s been awesome, but this matchup is going to be a nightmare. The Patriots shut down RBs better than anyone in the league. Neal, meanwhile, steps into true RB1 usage with Kamara out and gets a Miami defense that’s far more forgiving.
Chimere Dike or Jayden Higgins?
Ah, the battle of the rookie wideouts. This is that time of year when the young guys start flashing, and Chimere Dike definitely showed out last week. He popped off for five catches, 44 yards, and a TD, then housed a 90-yard punt return and added almost 100 more kick-return yards. The kid is literally on pace to break the all-time rookie all-purpose yards record. With Calvin Ridley and Elic Ayomanor out, he stepped right into a featured role. But let’s be real, Dike is still very boom-or-bust. Before last week, he finished outside the top 50 in back-to-back games. His value comes from big plays, return work, and game script. And with the Titans sitting at a 17.5 implied total, we can’t assume this offense is going to hand him many scoring chances. The matchup with Jacksonville (20th vs WRs) is basically neutral. If you’re chasing upside, Dike has the juice. But with Ayomanor returning this week, those targets are getting tighter, and he’s definitely going to eat into Dike’s role, resulting in a high ceiling/ low floor for the rookie this week.
Jayden Higgins just keeps checking boxes. The rookie has emerged as a legit piece of this Texans offense, scoring 9.5+ fantasy points in four of his last five games while averaging nearly eight targets per game over the last three. He’s fresh off a 4/38/1 performance on nine targets against Buffalo. Per AJ Passman’s Targets Per Route Run: Week 13 article:
“Jayden Higgins leads the way with a monster 42.9% TPRR, and the Texans’ offense has been on a roll with Davis Mills. C.J. Stroud’s likely return throws some uncertainty into the mix, but Houston has attempted 30+ passes every week since their Week 5 bye.”
But the real storyline this week is C.J. Stroud’s return. And with that comes some volatility. We don’t know exactly how the targets will shake out with the Stroud back, but we do know the matchup is friendly (Colts rank 24th vs WRs) and Houston should remain pass-heavy. If Higgins holds anything close to his recent usage with Stroud under center, he is absolutely in the flex mix.
Verdict: Both rookies have neutral matchups, so this comes down to role, and that’s where Jayden Higgins wins. Dike is electric but volatile, and with Ayomanor back, his targets get tighter. Higgins has been steady, scoring 9.5+ in four of his last five with nearly eight targets per game and a ridiculous 42.9% TPRR. Even with Stroud returning, Houston’s passing volume isn’t going anywhere. Higgins over Dike this week.
Brenton Strange or Oronde Gadsden?
Brenton Strange came back firing after a five-week absence, dropping five catches for 93 yards. Jacksonville badly needs reliable pass-catchers with Travis Hunter done for the year and Brian Thomas Jr. banged up, and Strange fits that need perfectly. BTJ was limited in practice on Wednesday, so it’s still up in the air if he will be able to play. This matchup for Strange is a little tricky. Tennessee is quietly top-10 against TEs (8th), giving up just 8.7 fantasy points per game to the position. The Jaguars have been putting up points offensively, however, even against tough defenses recently: 29 against the Texans in Week 10 and 35 against the Chargers in Week 11.
Oronde Gadsden, or as Jason would say, Ariana Grande, has been one of the best waiver-wire adds of the season. He currently ranks as the TE9 since his Week 3 debut, averaging 10.9 FPPG. But this week? It’s a little more “Thank You, Next.” Las Vegas has quietly become a TE stopper. They’ve allowed just 9.4 fantasy points per game to the position (4th-fewest) and have been even stingier lately, giving up only 6.9 per game over the past month. Yeah, we don’t love that.
Verdict: It’s close, but the edge goes to Brenton Strange. Both guys are walking into rough matchups: Tennessee is stingy, and Vegas is even stingier, but Strange has the cleaner path to volume. Jacksonville’s TE target share (18%) matches the Chargers’, but the Jags actually need Strange right now. Travis Hunter is done for the year, Brian Thomas Jr. might not go, and Strange already showed he’s back in a real role with that 5-for-93 performance last week. Gadsden has been awesome, no doubt, but the Raiders are playing lockdown football against TEs. Add in the fact that McConkey, Johnston, and Allen are all healthy, and with Omarion Hampton possibly returning, the Chargers don’t need Gadsden to move the ball. They can legit steamroll Vegas without forcing targets his way. Meanwhile, the Jaguars are depleted at pass catcher, which only boosts Strange’s odds of seeing 5–7 targets in a game where TLaw should actually have to throw. The Ballers have Gadsden ranked higher, and I get it, he’s already put up two top-5 weeks… but this matchup screams “fade,” and Strange’s role feels a lot more secure. Strange is the play.
That’s a wrap on this week’s Start/Sit breakdown! As we roll into this Thanksgiving week, I hope this helped you feel a little more grounded heading into a massive Week 13. Thank you for taking a moment out of your week to read, support, and grind through these tough calls with me. I’m genuinely grateful for all of you who show up every week. If you’ve got more lineup questions, drop a comment below or hit me up on X. Make sure you’re leaning on the Ballers’ Start/Sit tool and weekly rankings to squeeze out every edge, and of course, don’t miss Mike’s Sunday Start/Sit Show before kickoff. Hope the FootClan enjoys food, family, and football! Now go secure a plate and a W.
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