FanDuel NFL: Week 13 Lineup

Nov 28, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers (12) throws a pass against the Philadelphia Eagles during a NFL football game at Lincoln Financial Field.The Packers defeated the Eagles 27-13. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports /

FanDuel NFL: Week 13 Lineup is a column highlighting the best player options for your FanDuel NFL lineups focusing on salary and expected points considering opposing matchups each week. The intention of this article is to help you build your FanDuel NFL lineup for the most likely big payday each week.

This article is focused on all 13 NFL games scheduled this Sunday, ONLY. Some of these players may not be available if you’re picking different Week 13 NFL scheduling selections. Keep in mind there are two teams on a bye week, for week 13; Browns and Titans.

Also, along with the recommended lineup option for each position, is a ‘hand-off’ option in case you would prefer to fade the suggested option. The Hand-Off options are listed in order of greatest value.

Now, let’s take a look at the players we’re targeting for quarterback:

Next: Week 13 QB

Nov 20, 2016; Kansas City, MO, USA; Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Alex Smith (11) watches play on the sidelines during the second half against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Arrowhead Stadium. Tampa Bay won 19-17. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports /

FanDuel NFL Week 13 – QB

Alex Smith ($7,000) is often overlooked by FanDuel NFL players, for good reason. Smith is only averaging 14.55 FanDuel NFL points per game, 26th in the NFL among all quarterbacks. But, last week Smith led a comeback win against the Broncos in Denver, scoring 15 FanDuel NFL points. The week before, in Tampa Bay, Smith had 261 passing yards, a passing touchdown and rushing touchdown, totaling 20.4 points. As Kansas City is bearing down for the playoffs, Alex is getting hot.

This week, the Kansas City Chiefs play the Atlanta Falcons leading to a favorable matchup for Smith. The Falcons are only giving up 7.0 passing yards per attempt, 10th in the NFL. Sounds great right? Well, here’s the rub. The Falcons are giving up over 282 passing yards per game, last in the NFL. Atlanta is also giving up 2.27 passing touchdowns per game, 31st in the NFL only bested by the San Francisco 49ers. And quarterbacks have a 98.9 QB Rating against the Falcons, 26th in the NFL.

So while the Falcons are keeping passing plays within short yardage, they’re allowing plenty of total yards, leading to multiple first downs, and more TD’s than most other NFL teams. Alex Smith should have his best game of the season this week, in one of the few games this year you’d ever want to consider him for your FanDuel NFL lineup. Also, Smith’s salary is going to give you ample options in the rest of your lineup. If you’d prefer to go ‘big’ at QB, use Drew Brees, but you’ll limit the rest of your options.

FanDuel NFL Hand-Off QB Options:

Drew Brees ($9,300 / DET)

Matthew Stafford ($8,300 / NO)

Next: Week 13 RB's

Nov 13, 2016; Tampa, FL, USA; Chicago Bears running back Jordan Howard (24) against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium. The Buccaneers won 36-10. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports /

FanDuel NFL Week 13 – RB’s

Averaging 21.01 FanDuel NFL points per game, Le’Veon Bell ($9,100) is 3rd among all running backs in points-per-game through twelve weeks of the season. Last week, Bell has 20.2 FanDuel NFL points against the Indianapolis Colts on Thanksgiving night. This week, the Steelers are heavily favored at home against a New York Giants team who, until now, has played a favorable schedule. Bell has consistently scored around 20 points each week, regardless of the defense, and while the Giants Defensive stats are solid this season, they have yet to be tested by a back like Bell.

The San Francisco 49ers run defense has been atrocious this year. So each week, we should always ask ourselves, which lead running back is playing the 49ers this week? This answer for week 13, Jordan Howard ($7,400). Jordan is averaging just below 13 FanDuel NFL points per game, 19th in the NFL among all running backs. However, Howard wasn’t the Bears lead back during all of those games, and his average will continue to climb each week as he’s now scoring between 14-18 FanDuel NFL points per game. Howard is a must have in your lineup at RB.

FanDuel NFL Hand-Off RB Options:

David Johnson ($9,200 / WAS)

Melvin Gordon ($8,000 / TAM)

Next: Week 13 WR's

Nov 27, 2016; Tampa, FL, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Mike Evans (13) stretches prior to the game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /

FanDuel NFL Week 13 – WR’s

Mike Evans ($8,500) is averaging 18.23 FanDuel NFL points per game, just barely below Antonio Brown who is leading all wide receivers with 18.34. This season, Evans became a premium wide receiver option weekly. Any time you can afford him, he’s a great option. This week, the Buccaneers are playing a San Diego Chargers defense who 26th in passing yards giving up each game (271 yards). So Evans should be able to get over 100 yards. However, the Chargers are containing the passing game, limiting touchdowns and piling up interceptions. This will be a tougher game for the Bucs than it initially appears, but Evans has done well against any defense.

The resurgence of Larry Fitzgerald ($7,000) this season has been awesome to watch. Fitzgerald is apparently the only Arizona Cardinals wide receiver who shows up each game. The Cardinals have struggled with drop passes and are rotating through receivers to play opposite Fitzgerald and in the slot. When NOT throwing to Fitzgerald, Palmer has struggled, but he’ll continue to target his only sure hands on the team this week against the Washington Redskins. The Redskins have a dynamic offense this season, keeping them in games. But their defense is mediocre, at best, against both the run and the passing game. Fitzgerald should have a great game at home agianst the Skins.

Carson Wentz has struggled lately, throwing more interceptions than touchdowns. But, Wentz and Jordan Matthews ($5,700) connect often, making Matthews an intriguing weekly FanDuel NFL WR option. Like most Eagles receivers, Matthews has issues with dropped passes. But, Matthews is still the best WR option on a football team who will continue to pass often. This week, the Eagles are playing a banged-up Cincinnati Bengals defense who’s in the bottom half of the NFL covering wide receivers and defending the passing game. Matthews continues to be a great low salary, high value player each week.

Note: Keep an eye on Matthews status heading into Sunday. He’s questionable to play, didn’t practice on Friday, but isn’t yet ruled out to play on Sunday.

FanDuel NFL Hand-Off WR Options:

Antonio Brown ($9,000 / NYG)

Julio Jones ($8,300 / KAN)

Odell Beckham Jr. ($9,000 / PIT)

Next: Week 13 TE/K/DST

Oct 10, 2016; Charlotte, NC, USA; Carolina Panthers tight end Greg Olsen (88) runs onto the field prior to the game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Bank of America Stadium. The Bucs defeated the Panthers 17-14. Mandatory Credit: Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports /

FanDuel NFL Week 13 – TE/K/DST

Greg Olsen ($6,200) and the Carolina Panthers are playing a tough Seattle Seahawks passing defense on Sunday. But regardless of the opponent, Cam Newton is finding ways to get the ball to Greg Olsen, his favorite target.

FanDuel NFL Hand-Off TE Options:

Travis Kelce ($6,300 / ATL)

Kicker: Chris Boswell ($4,700 / NYG)

Boswell and the Pittsburgh Steelers should have several scoring opportunities against the Giants. But the Steelers may be stifled on the Giants side of the field, leading to a few field goals, and Chris is a good one.

Defense: New Orleans Saints ($4,000 / DET)

While I love our lineup before we get to the Defense position, it leaves us with only $4,200 in salary. That narrows our defensive options down to the Lions, Saints, and Jaguars. The Jags defense has been horrendous for FanDuel this year, so I’m immediately crossing them off the list. The Lions and Saints play each other in New Orleans. The Saints are bad away, and fantastic on offense at home. Also, they have done well against offenses like the Lions, piling up 21 points against the Giants early in the season, and 10 points recently against the Broncos. So I’m going with the Saints.

Next: Week 13 DK Top Plays

This lineup should land us with $200 salary left, and roughly 140 points. As always, keep an eye on the injury reports, with some injury concerns for our lineup options each week. Good Luck FanDulers!