We are now 12 weeks into the 2022 fantasy football season and have a full picture of who these teams are. Yet, fantasy decisions remain as difficult as ever. Let’s take a look at our RB start/sit Week 13 plays. Before setting your lineups, check out our complete Week 13 fantasy football PPR rankings.
Week 13 Fantasy Football RB Start ’ems
Pittsburgh Steelers Starting RB (at ATL)
I’m writing on this on a Tuesday, so we don’t yet know the status of Najee Harris. He left Monday Night Football with an abdominal issue shortly before the half and did not return. After Harris’ exit, Anthony McFarland Jr. and Benny Snell split the role.
Right now, the Steelers’ lead running back could be any number of players. If Harris can go, it will be him. Jaylen Warren was inactive last week due to a hamstring strain, which is considered minor. If he’s back and Harris doesn’t play, it will likely be Warren as the lead back.
In the event neither Harris nor Warren can go, both McFarland and Snell will be in play against a Falcons defense allowing the 10th-most fantasy points to running backs. The Falcons allow 0.8 rushing touchdowns per game, the seventh-highest rate in the league.
This is a game that could be surprisingly high scoring with neither defense particularly adept at stopping the opposing offense.
It also doesn’t hurt that the Falcons have one of the worst pass defenses in the league. The Steelers being able to move the ball into scoring position only increases the running backs’ chances of scoring. Once we get some clarity on the health of the Steelers’ RBs, look to start their starter.
Dameon Pierce, Houston Texans (vs. CLE)
It’s been a very, very rough two weeks for Dameon Pierce. I imagine any fantasy managers out there who were starting him have grown quite frustrated. Over his past two games, Pierce has rushed for exactly eight yards in each. Yes, eight.
Fortunately, if a get-right spot is coming, it’s this week against the Browns. Pierce’s own team allows the most fantasy points to running backs. However, Cleveland is second at 29.1 per game. Last week, rookie Rachaad White ripped off 64 yards on 14 carries against them.
MORE: Should You Trade Dameon Pierce Ahead of Week 13?
Once upon a time, Pierce averaged nearly five yards per carry. His best games came against the likes of the Giants and Chargers, both of whom also struggle against the run.
The Browns also allow 1.2 rushing touchdowns per game. Pierce hasn’t run one in since Week 5. I think that changes this week, and he rewards fantasy managers for sticking by him despite two truly awful performances. Start Pierce.
Week 13 Fantasy Football RB Sit ’ems
Miles Sanders, Philadelphia Eagles (vs. TEN)
Miles Sanders ran for 143 yards and two touchdowns on 21 carries last week. This seems like a terrible idea to sit him. Maybe it is. But in his two previous games, Sanders had about 12-13 carries for 50 scoreless yards. This one is about the matchup.
The Titans are a pass-funnel defense, and Sanders doesn’t catch passes. He has a sub-6% target share on the season.
You certainly don’t run on Tennessee. They allow the ninth-fewest fantasy points to the position. Samaje Perine’s rushing touchdown last week was just the third rushing touchdown they’ve allowed on the season. I look forward to recommending Sanders’ rushing yards lower on Underdog Fantasy.
Sanders’ volume gives him a reliable floor. And the Eagles are a potent enough offense to the point where they should create plenty of scoring opportunities. There’s always the chance Sanders punches one in, and that’s all it would take to make recommending him a sit look bad.
With that said, Sanders is likely to be inefficient and ineffective on the ground. He’s touchdown or bust this week. I would sit him if I could.
AJ Dillon, Green Bay Packers (vs. CHI)
This week, the Packers’ running game has a great matchup against a Bears defense allowing the sixth-most fantasy points to RBs. So, why am I fading AJ Dillon? I just don’t want people to fall for what we saw in prime time last week.
Dillon’s passing-game usage was better with three targets. However, there’s no reason to expect that to continue. Otherwise, his playing time was largely the same.
Dillon saw a 43% snap share and carried the ball just six times. The only reason we view his game favorably is because he scored on a very nice 20-yard touchdown run.
MORE: Fantasy Football Cut List Week 13
Perhaps Dillon starts scoring more and becomes a viable touchdown-or-bust RB2. I’m just not there yet.
Additionally, there’s a very realistic chance Jordan Love starts in place of Aaron Rodgers, who left last week’s game with a rib issue on top of already dealing with a broken thumb. While a move to Love could result in more running, it will decrease the offense’s efficiency overall, likely resulting in fewer scoring chances.
Dillon needs to score to be fantasy relevant. Don’t chase last week’s points.