Fantasy managers looking at the standings are well aware we're almost out of runway: The time for a push -- to either get into the playoff field or secure seeding -- is now.
Start 'em or sit 'em decisions at quarterback will carry extra weight the next two weeks, so we'll take a look at Kyler Murray, Baker Mayfield, and Geno Smith.
Each has been a viable fantasy starter this year, ranking in the top 15 for quarterbacks. But which ones should be started in Week 13?
Should I Start Kyler Murray for Fantasy Football?
The Cardinals' signal-caller faces one of the most interesting matchups of the weekend, taking on a Minnesota Vikings defense that leads the NFL in pressure percentage (29%), but has allowed the third-most air yards and ranks 25th in yards after the catch allowed.
Perhaps the most interesting wrinkle is that a quarterback has been the leading rusher for both of the Vikings' past two opponents, and Murray will be the best running quarterback they have played this season. Bears quarterback Caleb Williams had 33 rushing yards against Minnesota last week, and Murray could add to his fantasy day by stealing yardage with his legs.
Murray is QB11 in our half-PPR consensus staff rankings, putting him in starting territory with the potential for a sixth top-10 finish this year.
KYLER MURRAY 44-YARD HOUSE CALL 💨#LACvsAZ | Exclusively on ESPN+ ➡️ https://t.co/BnBBSPmfGX pic.twitter.com/u1IKNJjV2A
— ESPN (@espn) October 22, 2024
Should I Start Baker Mayfield for Fantasy Football?
Mayfield has been one of the steals of the past draft cycle, ranking No. 5 among quarterbacks and proving last year was no fluke. He has eight top-10 finishes among quarterbacks this year and has been among the most reliable players at any position, especially considering wide receiver Chris Godwin was lost for the year and fellow receiver Mike Evans missed a month.
Managers who roster Mayfield now have a great matchup at a great time against the Carolina Panthers. The Panthers have been ineffective rushing the passer, ranking dead last in the NFL in pressure rate, and have surrendered a fair bit of points to fantasy quarterbacks, ranking 28th overall.
Run, don't walk, to start the overall QB6 in our half-PPR consensus staff rankings.
How can you not love Baker Mayfield pic.twitter.com/OvmS0R6GkJ
— Sooners Insider (@SoonersInsider) November 24, 2024
Should I Start Geno Smith for Fantasy Football?
Believers in revenge games will surely be paying attention to Smith taking on the New York Jets, with whom he became part of the long, storied history of quarterback disappointments.
The 2024 Jets are as dysfunctional as ever, but there is no denying that they have a solid defense. New York ranks in the top 10 in net yards per passing attempt allowed (fifth), pressure percentage (eighth), sacks (seventh), and air yards allowed (10th), and two of Smith's top three receivers have missed practice time with injuries this week.
As the QB19 in our half-PPR consensus staff rankings, Smith should remain on the bench in one-QB formats.
Sunday’s Seahawks-Jets game will be the first time Geno Smith has faced the team that drafted him at MetLife Stadium (he played them two years ago in Seattle). But Smith shot down the notion that it’s any sort of revenge game. pic.twitter.com/TxpGUtzCTM
— Brady Henderson (@BradyHenderson) November 27, 2024
Popular Week 13 Searches - Start/Sit Comparisons
Below are some popular Week 13 searches and comparisons from our Who To Start tool for Travis Etienne, Jeremy McNichols, Braelon Allen compared to others. You can also use the free Who Should I Start tool to run your own start/sit comparisons, up to four players at once
Joe Burrow or Baker Mayfield
Bo Nix or Baker Mayfield
Justin Herbert or Kyler Murray
Tua Tagovailoa or Kyler Murray
Jayden Daniels or Baker Mayfield
Bo Nix or Kyler Murray
Matthew Stafford or Kyler Murray
Jordan Love or Kyler Murray
Tua Tagovailoa or Geno Smith
Cj Stroud or Kyler Murray
Matthew Stafford or Geno Smith
Jared Goff or Kyler Murray
Josh Allen or Baker Mayfield
Patrick Mahomes or Baker Mayfield
Derek Carr or Geno Smith
Jordan Love or Baker Mayfield
Kyler Murray or Geno Smith
Lamar Jackson or Baker Mayfield
Russell Wilson or Geno Smith
Justin Herbert or Baker Mayfield
Jared Goff or Baker Mayfield
Baker Mayfield or Kyler Murray
Jalen Hurts or Baker Mayfield
Jordan Love or Geno Smith
Anthony Richardson or Geno Smith
Cj Stroud or Geno Smith
Jared Goff or Geno Smith
Russell Wilson or Kyler Murray
Sam Darnold or Kyler Murray
Anthony Richardson or Kyler Murray
Bo Nix or Geno Smith
Caleb Williams or Geno Smith
Cj Stroud or Baker Mayfield
Drake Maye or Geno Smith
Jayden Daniels or Kyler Murray
Joe Burrow or Geno Smith
Bo Nix or Kyler Murray
Brock Purdy or Kyler Murray
Joe Burrow or Kyler Murray
Kirk Cousins or Geno Smith
Kirk Cousins or Kyler Murray
Patrick Mahomes or Kyler Murray
Sam Darnold or Geno Smith
Anthony Richardson or Baker Mayfield
Anthony Richardson or Kyler Murray
Brock Purdy or Baker Mayfield
Cade Otton or Kyler Murray
Derek Carr or Kyler Murray
Geno Smith or Kyler Murray
Jared Goff or Geno Smith
Jordan Love or Baker Mayfield
Josh Allen or Baker Mayfield
Justin Herbert or Baker Mayfield
Justin Herbert or Baker Mayfield
Justin Herbert or Kyler Murray
Matthew Stafford or Geno Smith
Russell Wilson or Geno Smith
Anthony Richardson or Geno Smith
Baker Mayfield or Geno Smith
Baker Mayfield or Geno Smith
Baker Mayfield or Kyler Murray
Bo Nix or Baker Mayfield
Bo Nix or Baker Mayfield
Bo Nix or Kyler Murray
Bo Nix or Kyler Murray
Brock Purdy or Baker Mayfield
Brock Purdy or Geno Smith
Brock Purdy or Kyler Murray
Caleb Williams or Geno Smith
Courtland Sutton or Geno Smith
Derek Carr or Geno Smith
Drake Maye or Geno Smith
Drake Maye or Geno Smith
Drake Maye or Kyler Murray
Geno Smith or Baker Mayfield
Geno Smith or Geno Smith
Jalen Hurts or Geno Smith
Jalen Hurts or Geno Smith
Jared Goff or Geno Smith
Jared Goff or Geno Smith
Jayden Daniels or Geno Smith
Joe Burrow or Baker Mayfield
Joe Burrow or Baker Mayfield
Joe Burrow or Geno Smith
Joe Burrow or Kyler Murray
Joe Burrow or Kyler Murray
Josh Allen or Geno Smith
Justin Herbert or Baker Mayfield
Justin Herbert or Kyler Murray
Justin Herbert or Kyler Murray
Justin Herbert or Kyler Murray
Justin Herbert or Kyler Murray
Kyler Murray or Baker Mayfield
Lamar Jackson or Geno Smith
Matthew Stafford or Geno Smith
Matthew Stafford or Geno Smith
Matthew Stafford or Geno Smith
Matthew Stafford or Geno Smith
Matthew Stafford or Kyler Murray
Patrick Mahomes or Baker Mayfield
Patrick Mahomes or Kyler Murray
Puka Nacua or Geno Smith
Russell Wilson or Geno Smith
Russell Wilson or Geno Smith
Sam Darnold or Baker Mayfield
Sam Darnold or Kyler Murray
Tua Tagovailoa or Baker Mayfield
Tua Tagovailoa or Geno Smith
Tua Tagovailoa or Geno Smith
Tua Tagovailoa or Geno Smith
Tua Tagovailoa or Kyler Murray
Tyrone Tracyjr or Geno Smith
Will Levis or Geno Smith
Zay Flowers or Baker Mayfield
Bo Nix or Kyler Murray
Bryce Young or Geno Smith
Derek Carr or Geno Smith
Jordan Love or Geno Smith
Download Our Free News & Alerts Mobile App
Like what you see? Download our updated fantasy football app for iPhone and Android with 24x7 player news, injury alerts, rankings, starts/sits & more. All free!
More Fantasy Football Analysis