Fantasy Roundup: Week 13
Graphic by el richards
As we approach the end of the season, every remaining game carries more weight for playoff hopes. Preseason favorites like the Kansas City Chiefs and Baltimore Ravens are now barely in the race after unexpectedly poor performances. Meanwhile, early standouts like the Indianapolis Colts and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers have slowed down after hot starts. And teams like my Tennessee Titans, unfortunately, continue to disappoint. For full team rosters, see Week 0’s issue.
First and Lowell (6-6) vs Bring it Dome (8-4): 109.18-100.82
Top performers: De’Von Achane (19.4) | James Cook III (18.7)
Underperformers: Saquon Barkley (5.6) | Jaxon Smith-Njigba (4.3)
Kirkland Cousins (4-8) vs Pfirst Down (9-3): 73.64-148.8
Top performers: Travis Kelce (15.5) | Rashee Rice (29.4)
Underperformers: Lamar Jackson (6.54) | Broncos D/ST (1.0)
The Ball Currier (4-8) vs The Inn-Zone (5-7): 121.94-106.26
Top performers: CeeDee Lamb (24.2) | Bijan Robinson (30.3)
Underperformers: Zay Flowers (0.6) | Rome Odunze (2.8)
Standout Games:
In a rematch from the first gameweek, the 7-3-1 Packers traveled to Detroit to face the 7-3 Lions for a divisional battle with huge implications for the playoffs. The winner of this Thanksgiving game would probably push the loser out of the playoffs or at least into the Wild Card. With the Packers having beaten the Lions earlier in the season, this game would determine whether Green Bay would have the season sweep; a Packers win would give them the lead in any potential tiebreaker within the division.
Immediately, the Packers started with a strong drive that resulted in a field goal. The teams would exchange punts before the Packers put up a touchdown behind Josh Jacobs’ 29-yard run and a beautiful connection between quarterback Jordan Love and receiver Dontayvion Wicks. However, Detroit responded with a touchdown of its own, utilizing its two strong backs in Jahmyr Gibbs and David Montgomery.
Before the half, the Packers and Lions traded touchdowns to put the Packers up 17-14. On their first drive in the third quarter, the Lions were forced to punt. Meanwhile, Love and Green Bay needed only two plays to put up a third passing touchdown with a 51-yard bomb to Christian Watson. Jared Goff scored in response, but the Packers continued to dominate as Jordan Love picked up his fourth passing touchdown of the game.
After that, the game slowed. The Lions turned the ball over on downs, and the Packers answered with a punt. Another six-minute drive only resulted in a field goal for the Lions to put them within one score at 24-31, but Detroit would never have the ball again.
With the win, the Packers have proven they are a formidable team; all they need is to find consistency. Offensively, Love was phenomenal with four touchdowns and 234 yards on just 18 completions in 30 attempts. Josh Jacobs and the run game were also quite successful. Defensively, Micah Parsons was a monster with two and a half sacks this game.
Despite last year’s dominance, Detroit has struggled to find any strength. None of their wins have been against any true contenders. Offensively, the pieces are there with Amon-Ra St. Brown and a dangerous running back duo, but the loss of their offensive coordinator from last year has put the brakes on their production. Truly, if the Lions want to make the postseason, they must go on a run.
Going into the game, the 9-2 Rams were favored to beat the 6-6 Panthers; however, the Panthers’ defense truly stepped up. Immediately, Matthew Stafford connected with Davante Adams for a touchdown on the first drive. The Panther, however, responded with a 35-yard touchdown by Chuba Hubbard on a short pass from Bryce Young.
The Rams would march down the field again, but in the red zone, Stafford’s pass was deflected for an interception in the end zone. This broke Stafford’s ten-week zero-interception streak. The Panthers would go three and out, putting the ball back into the Rams’ hands. In a standard dig route by Puka Nacua, Stafford’s pass lagged behind the receiver right into the hands of a Panthers cornerback who returned the ball for a pick six to put the Panthers up 14-7.
The Rams’ next drive was successful, as Stafford found Adams for another touchdown. Carolina answered with a field goal after a seven-minute drive. Right before the half, the Rams’ Blake Corum scored a rushing touchdown after a 51-yard Stafford pass to lead 21-17.
To start the second half, Carolina had a deep 33-yard passing touchdown to cap off a six-minute drive. The teams then exchanged punts until the Rams scored their fourth touchdown with a seven-yard rush by Kyren Williams. However, the Panthers and Bryce Young would not rest as the quarterback threw a huge 43-yard touchdown pass to take back the lead at 31-28.
Los Angeles then had the ball with six minutes in the game to score or at least kick a field goal. Slowly marching down the field, Stafford was sacked at the Carolina 30-yard line, where his fumble was recovered by the Panthers. With only two minutes left in the game, Young only needed to convert one more first down to seal the game.
After this game, the Panthers tie the Buccaneers’ win total as they threaten to take the lead in the NFC South. Bryce Young has begun to show more consistency and confidence with the team, a huge improvement for the former Heisman winner. More importantly, the Panthers’ defense came up huge in this game. Despite giving up 28 points, they still forced three turnovers.
As for the Rams, they are still true Super Bowl contenders, and Stafford still has a great argument for MVP; however, their division is stacked with the Seahawks and 49ers also sitting at nine wins. This game was a weird anomaly for the LA defense, as this is the first time all season they have allowed more than 26 points. Depending on how their divisional opponents perform in upcoming weeks, this loss may make the Rams’ postseason route much more difficult.
Looking Ahead:
Next week, the Patriots, Giants, 49ers, and Panthers all take their bye weeks as they get some much-needed rest. While they take a break, keep a lookout for the Bengals-Bills game (BUF -6) and Colts-Jaguars matchup (IND -1.5). With Joe Burrow back in play, the Bengals are a dangerous team after dominating the Ravens on Thursday. Meanwhile, the Bills have had a tumultuous season with multiple turnovers to counter Allen’s many touchdowns.
For games to watch this week, the Colts will travel down to Jacksonville on Sunday for a divisional matchup. Both teams sit at 8-4, so this game will likely determine the AFC South winner. The Colts started this season strong, but have significantly slowed with back-to-back losses. As for the Jaguars, Trevor Lawrence continues to be volatile, matching great performances with poor ones.
As for games that may be worth missing, the Saints visit the Buccaneers (TB -8.5), and the Rams face the Cardinals (LAR -8.5). The 2-10 Saints have struggled all season, including a midseason quarterback change, while the Buccaneers have mostly only stumbled against top-tier opponents. Similarly, the Rams have had a dominant season and should easily bypass the 3-9 Cardinals, especially since quarterback Jacobi Brissett will start instead of the injured Kyler Murray.
Tyler Dang ’28 (tylerdang@college.harvard.edu) just wants the losing to end.