Fantasy Football Recap Week 13: 16 Things You Need To Know

Week 13 of the NFL season had two major themes, pain and rain. Several games were impacted by significant rain, particularly Arizona at Pittsburgh, which was delayed twice and finished midway through the late slate despite being an early start. In a season that has been significantly impacted by injuries, Week 13 brought us several more to star players. On the bright side, there was a compelling overtime finish, an exciting upset from Lambeau, and numerous heroic fantasy performances. Time to get to it.

Top Players

Derrick Henry excelled despite efforts by Indianapolis to load the box to stop him. He had his third 100+ rushing performance of the season gaining 102 on 21 carries. Henry scored a pair of touchdowns and added an 18-yard catch as the Titans lost a divisional game to the Colts. He took a hit to the head late in the game and was evaluated for a concussion. His status for Week 14 will need to be monitored.

Tyreek Hill had another huge day as the Miami Dolphins flexed their offensive muscles and throttled the Washington Commanders. Hill hauled in five passes for 157 yards. He scored two big-play touchdowns on receptions of 78 and 60 yards. Hill has scored double-digit fantasy points in PPR scoring every week this year.

Sam LaPorta had the biggest day of his sensational rookie season thus far. He caught all nine of his targets for 140 yards and a touchdown. LaPorta is chasing the rookie tight end records in receptions held by Keith Jackson and both yards and touchdowns held by Mike Ditka.

With his 9 catches for 140 receiving yards today, Sam LaPorta already has the 4th-most receptions (64) and 9th-most receiving yards (679) for a rookie tight end in NFL history.

The Lions still have five more games left to play.

— Sam Hoppen (@SamHoppen) December 4, 2023

Nico Collins had an outstanding game for the Houston Texans on Sunday. In a victory over the Broncos, Collins saw 12 targets and caught nine passes for 191, each a season-high. He has been targeted 32 times over his last three games. Sunday was the fifth time this year that he has made at least seven catches. He will be relied on even more with Tank Dell done for the year.

Deebo Samuel only touched the ball seven times but he scored three touchdowns. He carried the ball three times for 22 yards and one touchdown. Samuel also caught four passes for 116 yards and two more scores. The 49ers made a statement by mopping the floor with the Philadelphia Eagles in Philly.

Flop Players

Austin Ekeler is disappearing down the stretch for fantasy purposes. With just 18 yards on 14 carries, Ekeler turned in his third consecutive single-digit fantasy scoring day. He caught two passes but was only able to add nine yards on the receptions.

35 RBs with 100+ carries this season.

Austin Ekeler now ranks:

28th in YPC (3.8)
30th in success rate (29.5%)
33rd in explosive run rate (5.4%)
30th in 1D/TD rate (16.1%)

To compound matters, his 3.6 rec/game is his fewest since 2018.

— Rich Hribar (@LordReebs) November 27, 2023

Terry McLaurin scored no fantasy points against the Dolphins. Despite being targeted three times, McLaurin was unable to record any catches. The goose egg was a disaster for fantasy managers jockeying for playoff positions.

Pop Players

Alec Pierce had a nice afternoon on Sunday helping the Colts chase a playoff berth. The second-year wide receiver pulled down three balls for 100 yards and a touchdown in the Colts’ defeat of Tennessee. Pierce is widely available and likely to be a sought-after waiver wire target for receiver-needy fantasy squads.

Xavier Gipson had a breakout performance. The rookie caught five of six targets and tallied 77 yards on a day that was unspectacular for the Jets. While it remains very difficult to trust anyone in the Jets’ passing game, Gipson could be an option for desperate teams or those in deep leagues as he is barely rostered. He also makes an interesting dynasty stash.

Tyjae Spears played the best game of his young career in an overtime loss to the Colts. He saw 16 carries for 75 yards. Spears also added four catches on six targets for an additional 13 yards. Most significantly, Spears may be in line for a big increase in workload if Henry misses any time. He will undoubtedly be a priority waiver wire pickup this week.

Drop Players?

Rhamondre Stevenson exited the Patriots’ loss in the first quarter with an ankle injury. He was taken to the locker room for X-rays, which came back negative. He was ruled out for the remainder of the game. Stevenson will undergo an MRI on Monday.

Tank Dell left the Houston Texans’ game in the first quarter. His leg was rolled up on while he was blocking on a Dameon Pierce touchdown run. He was ruled out with what was originally called an ankle injury. It was later revealed that he fractured his fibula and will miss the remainder of the season.

Kenny Pickett sustained a right ankle injury in the second quarter of the Steelers’ game. His ankle had been heavily taped coming into the game. He was taken to the locker room for further evaluation and was ruled out for the game at halftime. He returned to the sideline for the second half wearing a walking boot. Pickett is expected to miss extended time.

Brian Robinson suffered a hamstring injury in the second quarter of Washington’s resounding defeat against Miami. He was quickly ruled out for the remainder of the game. Robinson is expected to miss time as a result.

Derek Carr was on the receiving end of a big hit in the fourth quarter of Sunday’s matchup against the Lions. He was carted to the locker room before being ruled out with a concussion. He was replaced by Jameis Winston who figures to be sought after on the waiver wire with Carr’s status in doubt for Week 14.

Amari Cooper left the Browns’ loss in Los Angeles and was ruled out after being evaluated for a concussion. This marks the second consecutive game that Cooper has been forced out of due to injury. His status is up in the air for Week 14.

NFL injuries Wk13:

🔴 Tank Dell season ending fibula fracture
🔴Rhamondre Stevenson multi-week high ankle
🔴Brian Robinson hamstring, likely multi-week
🟡 Kenny Pickett ankle, could miss time
🟡Amari Cooper concussion
🟡Derrick Henry concussion
🟡Derek Carr concussion

— Jeff Mueller, PT, DPT (@jmthrivept) December 4, 2023