Week 13 of the 2024 Fantasy Football season provided a slew of surprising outcomes. Players were performing at unexpected levels, and the shifting dynamics of team play became evident as the fantasy playoffs loom. In this week’s analysis, Matt Bowen and Tristan H. Cockcroft break down the key winners and losers, while Seth Walder provides his grades. Additionally, we turned to NFL Nation reporters to delve deeper into the notable developments from Thursday and Sunday’s games.
Ranking Fantasy Winners of Week 13
1. Russell Wilson, QB, Pittsburgh Steelers
Russell Wilson delivered an unforgettable performance in Week 13, cementing it as a career-defining moment. He threw for over 400 yards and three touchdowns, marking only the second time in his career that he’s reached this milestone (the first being in Week 8 of 2017). Wilson’s 26.86 fantasy points were his highest since Week 4 of 2022. His ability to connect on deep passes was particularly impressive, completing 8 of 9 throws for 205 yards and two touchdowns on passes that traveled at least 10 yards. With six teams on a bye in Week 14, Wilson should be a top-10 fantasy quarterback in his upcoming matchup against the Cleveland Browns.
2. Brock Bowers, TE, Las Vegas Raiders
Although the Raiders lost to the Kansas City Chiefs on Friday, Brock Bowers’ performance was a major highlight. He posted 30.2 PPR fantasy points, marking his second 30-point game of the season. This performance helped him accumulate 197.5 points on the year, the second-most ever by a rookie tight end through 12 team games, only trailing the legendary Mike Ditka. Bowers continues to make a strong case for being one of the top rookie tight ends in history.
3. Terry McLaurin, WR, Washington Commanders
Terry McLaurin had a standout performance in the Commanders’ decisive victory over the Tennessee Titans. With a season-high 27.3 fantasy points, McLaurin caught all eight of his targets for 73 yards, two touchdowns, and his fantasy value skyrocketed in the process. McLaurin has been on fire recently, scoring 21 or more points in back-to-back games, with at least one touchdown in each. Looking ahead, McLaurin is poised to continue his strong play against the New Orleans Saints in Week 15 after the Commanders’ bye week.
4. Bucky Irving, RB, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
In the Buccaneers’ dominant performance over the Carolina Panthers, rookie Bucky Irving stood out as the team’s top fantasy performer. Irving rushed for 100 yards on 25 attempts, contributing 27.5 PPR fantasy points, marking his third consecutive game averaging over five yards per carry. The running back carousel in Tampa Bay now seems to be tilting in Irving’s favor, and he could be in for a significant role in Week 14 against the Las Vegas Raiders.
5. Mike Evans, WR, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Mike Evans delivered his most impressive performance of the season in Week 13, following a brief absence due to a hamstring injury. He recorded 25.8 fantasy points, catching eight of 12 targets for 118 yards, including a touchdown. Evans’ recovery has been impressive, and he looks set to continue his success as a WR1 for the remainder of the season, especially with a favorable matchup against the Raiders in Week 14.
6. Najee Harris, RB, Pittsburgh Steelers
Najee Harris put together a strong performance in Pittsburgh’s victory over the Bengals, scoring 24.9 fantasy points. Harris rushed for 75 yards and a touchdown on 16 carries, and he added 54 yards on six receptions. While his upcoming schedule includes tough defenses such as Cleveland, Philadelphia, and Baltimore, Harris’ recent performance solidifies him as a reliable Flex option for fantasy managers in need of running back depth.
7. Caleb Williams, QB, Chicago Bears
Caleb Williams has shown signs of growth under the leadership of interim head coach Thomas Brown. In Week 13, Williams threw for 256 yards, three touchdowns, and added 39 rushing yards. His 26.14 fantasy points helped him continue a strong stretch of performances, and with six teams on bye next week, he’s a solid option for deeper leagues facing the 49ers.
8. Ladd McConkey, WR, Los Angeles Chargers
Ladd McConkey’s stock continues to rise as he posted a season-high 20.7 fantasy points in Week 13, catching 12 targets for 100 yards. Although he exited the game with a knee injury, McConkey has been a key target for Justin Herbert and remains a strong WR4/flex play, especially with upcoming favorable matchups against Tampa Bay in Week 15 and New England in Week 17.
9. Nick Westbrook-Ikhine, WR, Tennessee Titans
Nick Westbrook-Ikhine had a breakout game in Week 13, racking up 21.1 PPR fantasy points and leading the Titans’ receiving corps with eight targets. With Will Levis continuing to improve at quarterback, Westbrook-Ikhine could become an increasingly important fantasy asset. His solid production in recent weeks, combined with a favorable rest-of-season schedule, makes him a potential sleeper in fantasy playoffs.
10. Mark Andrews, TE, Baltimore Ravens
After a quiet start to the season, Mark Andrews has re-established himself as one of the top tight ends in fantasy football. In Week 13, he posted 18.9 PPR fantasy points, marking the fifth time in the past eight weeks he’s exceeded 15 points. Andrews continues to be a key target for Lamar Jackson, and fantasy managers can trust him as a TE1 in upcoming matchups, even with a bye week ahead.
Ranking Fantasy Losers of Week 13
1. Kirk Cousins, QB, Atlanta Falcons
Kirk Cousins had a performance to forget in Week 13, tossing four interceptions and scoring a dismal 2.1 fantasy points. This was one of the worst games of his 13-year career, and it also led to tight end Kyle Pitts failing to register any fantasy points. With the Falcons now in danger of losing their grip on the NFC South, the team might need to consider turning to rookie backup Michael Penix Jr. for a change of pace.
2. Breece Hall, RB, New York Jets
Breece Hall’s fantasy outlook took a hit in Week 13 as the Jets’ offensive struggles continued. Despite a knee injury hampering his workload, Hall was a non-factor in the passing game, scoring only 6.0 PPR fantasy points. Although Hall’s talent remains undeniable, his inconsistent performances in an underwhelming offense make him one of the more unpredictable RB1 options in fantasy.
3. Gus Edwards, RB, Los Angeles Chargers
Gus Edwards had a disappointing outing in Week 13, managing only 4.3 fantasy points in a loss to the Falcons. He rushed for just 32 yards on six carries and caught a single pass for one yard. With the emergence of rookie Kimani Vidal, Edwards’ fantasy value has taken a hit, and his role remains uncertain moving forward.
4. Justin Herbert, QB, Los Angeles Chargers
Justin Herbert failed to capitalize on a favorable matchup against the Falcons, scoring a season-low 7.98 fantasy points. He posted only 147 yards passing and struggled to move the ball effectively. The Chargers’ offense, without its running back J.K. Dobbins, was unable to provide Herbert with the necessary support. His upcoming Week 14 matchup against the Chiefs could be a challenging test for the struggling quarterback.
5. Aaron Jones, RB, Minnesota Vikings
Aaron Jones had a lackluster performance in Week 13, finishing with just 9.8 fantasy points. He fumbled twice early in the game, with one lost fumble leading to a reduction in his playing time. While Jones returned to catch the game-winning touchdown, his fumbling issues and competition from Cam Akers could hurt his fantasy value moving forward.
6. Kenneth Walker III, RB, Seattle Seahawks
Kenneth Walker III was held in check by the Jets’ defense, finishing with only 3.1 yards per carry on 16 attempts. His two receptions resulted in minus-3 yards, and the presence of Zach Charbonnet in the red zone further diminished Walker’s opportunities. With a tough schedule ahead, Walker will need to bounce back in a divisional matchup against Arizona.
7. Chuba Hubbard, RB, Carolina Panthers
After a string of strong performances, Chuba Hubbard faltered in Week 13, finishing with only 3.9 fantasy points. He rushed for just 12 attempts, averaging 3.6 yards per carry, and failed to register any targets in the passing game. With the Eagles’ defense up next in Week 14, Hubbard’s fantasy outlook remains shaky.
8. Cooper Kupp, WR, Los Angeles Rams
Cooper Kupp had his worst game of the season in Week 13, catching just three passes for 17 yards and finishing with a season-low 4.7 fantasy points. After two consecutive games with 20+ points, Kupp’s performance left fantasy managers disappointed. The Rams’ passing game will need to improve for Kupp to remain a reliable WR1.
Injury Impact
Trevor Lawrence, QB, Jacksonville Jaguars
Trevor Lawrence’s injury situation is concerning. He was ruled out early in the game after taking a hit to his non-throwing shoulder and entering the concussion protocol. If Lawrence is unable to clear protocol in time for Week 14, Mac Jones will likely continue under center.
Taysom Hill, TE, New Orleans Saints
Taysom Hill suffered a serious knee injury late in the game against the Panthers. He was carted off the field, and while further evaluation is needed, this injury could severely impact the Saints’ offensive strategy. If Hill is unavailable, Juwan Johnson could see increased involvement in the offense.
Notable Performances
Who Earned an A?
Tarheeb Still, CB, Los Angeles Chargers
Tarheeb Still had a remarkable game, intercepting Kirk Cousins twice and returning one for a 61-yard touchdown. His exceptional performance helped the Chargers secure a win and solidified his spot as one of the top cornerbacks in the league this season.
Leonard Williams, DL, Seattle Seahawks
Leonard Williams had a dominant game, recording a 91-yard pick-six and 2.0 sacks. His remarkable speed on the interception return made it the fastest recorded by a defensive lineman since 2022.
Who Earned an F?
Kirk Cousins, QB, Atlanta Falcons
Cousins’ disastrous performance, which included four interceptions, contributed heavily to the Falcons’ loss and cost him an “F” grade. His inability to make accurate throws under pressure led to a rough day for him and his team.
Jonathan Gannon, Head Coach, Arizona Cardinals
Jonathan Gannon made a critical error in judgment during the Cardinals’ close game against the Vikings. Opting to attempt a field goal on 4th-and-goal with a 3-point lead was a poor decision that reduced the team’s chances of winning, resulting in a significant loss in win probability.
Lingering Questions
Russell Wilson’s 414 Yards: Was it a Matchup Fluke or Sustainable?
While Wilson’s impressive passing yards in Week 13 were partly a result of the Bengals’ defensive strategy, the Steelers’ offensive approach — utilizing screens and quick passes — could be a strategy to adopt more frequently. This performance suggests that Wilson could remain a top-tier fantasy quarterback in the final stretch of the season.
