Welcome in Nerds! The Dynasty Nerds have helped you throughout the NFL offseason, preparing for the 2023 fantasy football season. Now that your teams are set, it is time to get to work and win some dynasty championships. Every week, our writers will help you with the tough decisions and give you insight that you can’t get anywhere else. I will share my quarterback start/sits weekly to help you set your starting lineups.
Below is a list of all of our weekly positional articles. Please follow us, tweet us, and DM us. We can’t wait to talk football with all of you Nerds!
- Changing the Call (QB): Mike Hicks
- The Cutback (RB): Jake Oliver
- Slant Pattern (WR): Tristan Cook
- 12 Formation (TE): Steven Pintado
- Flex on ‘Em (FLEX): Evan Brown
- IDP Start/Sit (IDP): Jon Glosser
NOTE: Rankings are based on a 12-team PPR league. So, saying WR2 means top 24, or TE1 means top 12, etc., and are pulled from Fantasy Pros consensus expert rankings.
LAST WEEK
In Week 12, my starts of the week were as good as my Thanksgiving dinner; they were outstanding. Gardner Minshew came through as QB13 after having an ECR of QB19. He had 251 yards, an INT, and a rushing TD. Dak Prescott outperformed his ECR of QB4, finishing as QB3 with 331 yards and four touchdowns.
Again, my sits of the week were right down the middle, going 1-1. As I predicted, Tua Tagovailoa struggled against the New York Jets, finishing as QB26. He finished with 243 yards, a TD, and two INTs. Matthew Stafford outperformed my expectations, as well as his ECR of QB8. He finished as QB7 with 229 yards, four TDs, and an interception.
WEEK 13 STARTS
Brock Purdy, 49ers, QB7
Purdy has proved himself this year as QB11 through week 12. In his 12 games in 2023, Purdy has six top-12 performances. Purdy is tied for seventh in the NFL with 19 passing TDs. All of his top-12 performances so far this season have either been in double-digit wins or the 49ers’ only double-digit loss of the season.
The Philadelphia Eagles’ defense will try to pressure Purdy and the 49ers’ offense early and often in their matchup. The Eagles are a pass funnel defense, only allowing 690 rushing yards on the season. They are 31st in the NFL, giving up 21.7 FPPG to QBs. The Eagles have allowed 21 passing TDs, the third most in the NFL. The Eagles have given up five QB weekly performances of 25 points or more.
The 49ers will look to beat the Eagles, who knocked them out of the Playoffs last season. This week is a game where Purdy will need to be more than a game manager. He must have a big game if the 49ers want to win in Week 13. Purdy is a must-start in all formats and has the upside to be a top-five quarterback of the week.
Russell Wilson, Broncos, QB11
Wilson has had an excellent comeback season so far in 2023. Through Week 12, Wilson is QB14 and is averaging 17.1 FPPG. Wilson tied for the lead in the NFL with 20 passing TDs and has had seven in his past four games. Wilson is showing he still has it with a completion rate of 68.3%, which is fifth best in the NFL.
The Houston Texans are having a good season, but everything could be better on defense. The Texans are 24th in points allowed to the QB position, giving up 18.2 FPPG. The Texans have given up an average of 22.7 FPPG to QBs in the last three games. They have played in close games with higher scoring as of late, leading to higher-scoring performances on both sides of the ball. Will this trend continue? More than likely.
In week 13, Wilson has an ECR of QB11. With the game having an over/under of 47.5, that bodes well for Wilson to perform well against the Texans. The Texans are giving up 21% P.O.A to QBs this season. Wilson should be a must-start in all formats in week 13.
WEEK 13 SITS
Kyler Murray, Cardinals, QB10
Since Murray’s return in Week 10, he has had two top-12 performances. Through three games, Murray has three passing TDs and two passing TDs. Murray has averaged 239.7 passing yards and 28.7 rushing yards a game.
The Pittsburgh Steelers defense is giving up 253.9 passing YPG. The Steelers have a blitz rate of 36.7%, the fifth most in the NFL. They are also tied for fourth in the NFL with 11 INTs. In 2023, the Steelers have allowed 14.2 FPPG to quarterbacks, the fifth-best in the NFL. Can the Steelers slow down the surging Murray?
Murray, in week 13, has an ECR of QB10. One of his most significant attributes is his ability to move the pocket and scramble when needed. For him to succeed this week, that will be necessary. Unfortunately, I don’t think he can do enough to be a QB1. Feel free to start Murray in Superflex leagues, but sit him if you can in 1QB leagues.
Baker Mayfield, Buccaneers, QB15
Mayfield has shown in 2023 that he can still be a starting quarterback in the NFL. Through week 12, Mayfield is QB16. He has had five top-12 performances this season, three of which have been since Week 8. Mayfield is not great at one thing, but he is decent at many things, including being 12th in the NFL with an ADOT of 8.5.
The Carolina Panthers are 1-10 and fired coach Frank Reich after week 12. Their passing defense is a significant strength of the defense, and they are a run-funnel team overall. In the rushing game, the Panthers give up the third most points to running backs, giving up 25.5 FPPG. But against QBs, the Panthers are fourth in the NFL, giving up 13.1 FPPG. They are second in the NFL, only allowing 191.1 YPG.
Going against a formidable pass defense doesn’t bode well for Mayfield in week 13. The Buccaneers will likely look to run the ball often, which also doesn’t help Mayfield. He has an ECR of QB15. I understand if you must play Mayfield in SF leagues, but he is a sit in 1QB leagues.
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