Fantasy Football Start 'Em Sit 'Em: Thanksgiving and Week 13

Sportz Nation Staff
13 minutes ago
5 min read

by Zak Drapeau and Matt Hylen 11/26/2025 Sportz Nation

Matt Hylen

(Start 'Em)

Quarterbacks

Joe Burrow at BAL

Burrow managers, rejoice! Your guy is finally back and primed for a big-time matchup against the Ravens this week. Burrow will be thrown right into the Thanksgiving fire, but should have the opportunity to produce big numbers against a Ravens defense that allows over 230 passing yards per game to opponent QBs.

Bo Nix at WAS

After a decent performance against a good Chiefs pass defense before their bye, Bo Nix will have a much better matchup heading into Week 13. Nix should be well-rested and ready to go against the 5th worst defense in football when it comes to fantasy points allowed to QBs.

Kirk Cousins at NYJ

This may not be the most intriguing prospect, but I think Kirk Cousins could have a big day. Even without Drake London, Cousins should have a great opportunity against the Jets, who rank in the bottom half in most points allowed per game to QBs. Cousins should be a very good plug-and-play option this week.

Running Backs

Jaylen Warren vs BUF

Jaylen Warren has very quietly become one of the most reliable options in fantasy football at the running back position. Warren matches up against the Bills, who allow the 3rd most points to RBs, so look for him to have a big day heading into Week 13.

Tre'Veyon Henderson vs NYG

Tre'Veyon Henderson is coming off a lackluster weekend with his counterpart Rhamondre Stevenson returning. However, I do not expect that to continue, as he still handled the bulk of the workload. Look for Henderson to break some big runs against the Giants, who allow the 2nd most fantasy points a game to RBs.

Travis Etienne Jr. at TEN

Travis Etienne Jr. has been on a hot streak lately, racking up 381 total yards and four TDs in his last 4 games. He should take that momentum into his matchup against the Titans, who allow 15 total scores and the 4th most points to RBs.

Wide Receivers

Khalil Shakir at PIT

Khalil Shakir has come alive as a go-to target for the Bills' offense. This target share and involvement in the offense should benefit Shakir, as he plays a Steelers defense that allows the 2nd most fantasy points to WRs.

Xavier Worthy at DAL

Xavier Worthy has been disappointing this year, especially since the return of Rashee Rice, but I think that changes this week. I expect Patrick Mahomes to connect with Worthy on a couple of big plays against a Cowboys defense that ranks last in fantasy points allowed to WRs.

Keenan Allen vs LV

Keenan Allen has also cooled off a bit since his hot start to the year, but with the way LA played last week, Justin Herbert should be looking for easier plays to get the offense going. I expect Allen to be heavily involved in the offense this week against a Raiders defense that allows the 6th most fantasy points per game to WRs.

Tight Ends

T.J. Hockenson at SEA

With the Vikings' offense in shambles, this is a risky start, but one I am willing to take this week. Seattle's biggest hole in their defense has been stopping TEs, which should benefit T.J. Hockenson this week. I expect Hockenson to be the leading receiver in this NFC clash.

Dalton Schultz at IND

Dalton Schultz is coming off a horrific performance last week, but I expect him to bounce back with the likely return of QB C.J. Stroud. The Colts have been known to give up big plays to TEs, as they rank 6th in most fantasy points allowed to TEs. Thus, Schultz should be a safe starting option for your team this week.

Cade Otton vs ARI

With the starting QB being a question mark this week, I do not think Cade Otton will suffer because of it. He will be the safety blanket option regardless of who is at the helm for Tampa, making him an intriguing starting option against a Cardinals defense that allows the 7th most fantasy points to TEs.

Zak Drapeau

(Sit 'Em)

Quarterbacks

Daniel Jones vs HOU

The Colts' QB had a productive day but didn't set the world on fire last week in Kansas City. Now this week, he'll have his first taste of the Texans and the AFC South rivalry, and I can't imagine he'll fare much better.

Caleb Williams at PHI

Caleb might be playing at a high level these past few weeks, but the Eagles defense has been even better. After giving up an embarrassing comeback last week, Philly should be out for blood in this game.

Jordan Love at DET

Jordan Love has been super inconsistent this season, and if he brings any of that in this NFC North rivalry on Thanksgiving, bon appétit.

Running Backs

Josh Jacobs at DET

While Jordan Love has been inconsistent, Josh Jacobs has just been injured. Same thing as Love though, with the lights on bright on a holiday game against the Lions, I just can't trust Jacobs this week, especially if you have any other RBs stashed.

Javonte Williams vs KC

Javonte has had a good season, but the Chiefs' defense is ranked 4th against RBs in Fantasy this year, and without a solid backup to give Williams some snaps off, the Chiefs will be keying in on him all Thanksgiving.

Rico Dowdle vs LAR

Dowdle makes his second appearance in a row on this list, and it's not exactly his fault. Dowdle has had a resurrection this year, but the Panthers have had a particularly tough schedule this month, and Dowdle has fallen victim to it.

Wide Receivers

Justin Jefferson at SEA

I used to believe that Jefferson was the QB-maker, but now I'm not so sure. I never really liked J.J. McCarthy, but he has really been stinking up the field lately, and Jefferson has felt it. A matchup against Seattle's defense should easily make things even worse.

Tetairoa McMillan vs LAR

McMillan is doing his best to get every bit of production out of Bryce Young and has done a solid job so far. That being said, the Rams are RED HOT, and with McMillan being the obvious #1 option in Carolina, he should get all of their attention on defense.

Michael Pittman Jr. vs HOU

Pittman has had a sneaky good season in Fantasy this year, averaging around 10 points per week in PPR leagues, but will be matched up with Derek Stingley this week. With the Colts' offense majorly slowing down over the past few weeks, it's likely Pittman has a very quiet day in this AFC South rivalry.

Tight Ends

Photo by Stephen R. Sylvanie/ Imagn Images

Brock Bowers at LAC

Bowers is on the worst team in the league and is keyed in on every game. With a HUGE AFC West matchup in Los Angeles on the horizon, I can't see this one being any different.

Oronde Gadsden vs LV

Gadsden will soon be off this list as he won't really be having the week-to-week production to be included anymore. He enjoyed a few weeks in the sun around the midseason mark but is now falling back down to earth.

Jake Ferguson vs KC

Again, the Cowboys have a tough road ahead of them against Kansas City this week, and for Ferguson especially, with Lamb and Pickens garnering at least half of Dak's targets over the last 3 weeks.