In Week 13 of Daily Fantasy Sports (DFS), players are in for a unique challenge. The main slate features 10 games, yet not a single matchup on DraftKings exceeds a projected total of 45.5 points. This is just shy of the ideal 46-point benchmark. Adding to the complexity, several key players such as quarterbacks Patrick Mahomes, Jalen Hurts, Lamar Jackson, Dak Prescott, and a returning Joe Burrow have already taken the field over Thanksgiving. Additionally, star players like Jahmyr Gibbs, Ja’Marr Chase, CeeDee Lamb, and Travis Kelce will also be absent from this slate.

With the absence of these marquee names, DFS participants will need to maximize the potential of the remaining player pool. This week’s setup could add an intriguing twist, potentially leveling the playing field and offering more opportunities for non-expert players to shine.

For those venturing into GPP (Guaranteed Prize Pool) tournaments, it’s wise to enter tournaments where you can maximize the number of entries to balance your odds. Meanwhile, in single-entry contests, focus on identifying players with high potential versus considering unconventional team stacks, which tend to work well in GPP formats.

Let’s dive into the analysis.

Jacoby Brissett, $5,800 @ Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Bucs -3.5, 44.5 o/u

Week 13 DFS Quarterback Solid And Interesting Stack

Week 13 Solid QB Play

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have been one of the more generous teams in terms of fantasy points allowed to quarterbacks, ranking sixth with an average of 22.2 points per game. This statistic is somewhat influenced by the formidable quarterbacks they’ve faced recently, including Matthew Stafford, Josh Allen, and Drake Maye, each of whom has thrown for at least 270 yards and multiple touchdowns in their matchups.

The Buccaneers are allowing the sixth-most fantasy points to the quarterback position per game (22.2). Granted, that number is skewed by the gauntlet of quarterbacks they have faced in their last three games: Matthew Stafford, Josh Allen, and Drake Maye. All of whom had amassed at least 270 passing yards, and all had multiple touchdowns.

Brissett hasn’t been a slouch in his last three games either:

• Week 12 v Jacksonville Jaguars, 33/49, 317 passing yards, one touchdown
• Week 11 v San Francisco Niners, 47/57, 452 passing yards, two touchdowns, two interceptions
• Week 10 @ Seattle Seahawks, 22/44, 258 passing yards, two touchdowns

And rumor has it that he may be getting Marvin Harrison Jr. back this week.

Week 13 Most Interesting QB Stack

Cam Ward, $4,600 + Chimere Dike, $4,400 v Jacksonville Jaguars, Jaguars -6.0, 41.5 o/u

Ward’s stats are trending up since the removal of his head coach. In the last three weeks:

• Week 9 v Los Angeles Chargers: Ward 12/21, 146, 0, 0 + Dike three targets, one reception, five yards
• Week 11 v Houston Texans: Ward 24/37, 194, 1, 0 + Dike three targets, two receptions, 14 yards
• Week 12 v Seattle Seahawks: Ward 28/42, 256, 1, 0 (rushed for 37 yards) + Dike seven targets, five receptions, 44 yards, one touchdown

Bring it back with Travis Etienne, $6,500.

This mini stack will only cost you 31% of your total roster, leaving you $5,750 for the remaining positions.

Week 13 DFS RB Solid and Most Interesting Stack

Week 13 Solid RB Play

Jaylen Warren, $6,300 v Buffalo Bills, Bills -3.0, 45.5 o/u

Both teams are playoff adjacent and desperate. The Pittsburgh Steelers can take sole possession of the AFC North with a win, and the Bills can help their wild-card chances with a win.

The Bills are allowing an average of 20.6 fantasy points per game to the running back position. They gave up 90 combined yards to the Houston Texans duo in Week 12, 106 rushing yards to Sean Tucker in Week 11, and 174 rushing yards to De’Von Achane in Week 10.

The Steelers average the seventh most rushing attempts per game (24.1), and that has increased in the last their last three games to 26.7. Warren is on the field for a 54.5% snap share, averages 14.1 carries per game, and 4.3 yards per carry.

Week 13 Most Interesting RB Stack

Quinshon Judkins, $6,200 + Cleveland Defense $3,000 v Niners -4.5, 35.5 o/u

While everyone is focusing on Shedur Sanders’ first home game as a starter, consider this: Judkins is averaging 17.3 carries per game, and the Browns’ defense at home is a different animal. While they are 12th in opponents’ points allowed per game, with 22.2, at home, they are only allowing an average of 14.0 points per game.

This stack will only cost you 18.4% of your total roster, leaving you $5,829 for the remaining positions.

Week 13 DFS Tight End Solid and Interesting Stack

Week 13 Solid TE Play

Dalton Kincaid, $4,500 @ Pittsburgh Steelers, Bills -3.5, 45.5 o/u

There is a caveat here: Kincaid is coming back from a hamstring injury. That being said, the Bills desperately need him, his 15.3% target share and 26.1% target rate against a Steelers’ defense that is giving up the fourth most fantasy points per game to the tight end position.

Monitor Kincaid’s status.

Week 13 Most Interesting TE Stack

For the Thursday DFS plays, 55% of rosters had a double tight end stack. Why stop there?

Trey McBride, $7,800 @ Tampa Bay Buccaneers + Dalton Schultz, $3,800 @ Indianapolis

McBride is expensive but worth it. Among tight ends, he is first in targets (9.9/g), first in target share at 26.8% which jumps to 30% in the red zone, and is on the field for 90.5% of the offensive snaps. You are basically getting a wide receiver in the tight end position.

Whether it is Davis Mills or C.J. Stroud, the Colts are allowing the fifth most fantasy points per game to the tight end position (9.4).

This stack takes up 23.3% of your roster, leaving you $5,486 for the remaining positions.

Week 13 DFS Players You Can Play Solo

• RB, De’Von Achane, $8,300 v New Orleans Saints: Achane is coming off a bye. His last three fantasy points were 24.5, 43.5, and 16.6. The last time we saw the Saints, they were allowing Bijan Robinson to average 5.0 yards per carry.
• Jaxon Smith-Njigba, $9,500 v Minnesota Vikings: There is always the slight trepidation when playing a Brian Flores defense, but so far, Smith-Njigba has proven to be matchup proof. His last three DraftKings fantasy scores were 40.1, 23.6, and 20.3.
• Josh Allen, $7,500 @ Pittsburgh Steelers: Always a threat to throw on the Superman cape and carry his team on his back, Allen’s Man of Steele routine has witnessed a few flaws. The Houston Texans (who admittedly own Allen) held Allen out of the end zone, while he threw up two interceptions and zero touchdowns.

It’s The Most Wonderful Time Of The Year

You are either in or out of your fantasy playoffs, so matchups for your season-long team are redundant. Now you can concentrate on making the DFS your place.

Keep in mind that weather counts, and the most interesting games this week will be played outdoors, where the weather could impact. Keep an eye out.

Also, good luck and play nice.