Week 13 of the 2023 fantasy football season featured big surprises. Who were the big winners and losers? Which players received "A" and "F" grades?
Matt Bowen and Tristan H. Cockcroft offer their analysis and Seth Walder provides his grades. We also asked NFL Nation reporters to answer questions about what happened in the Thursday and Sunday games.
Jump to a topic:
Ranking winners | Ranking losers
Who got an A | Who got an F
Biggest injuries and what's next
Top questions from Week 13
Ranking fantasy winners of Week 13
1. Tyreek Hill, WR, Miami Dolphins
For the second time in his past three games, Hill posted over 30 fantasy points, as he dropped 32.3 on the Washington defense in Miami's Week 13 blowout win. And it was the deep ball here, as Hill caught touchdowns of 78 and 60 yards. Electric speed, with the sudden and explosive movement ability to gain separation. Plus, we saw Hill's ball-tracking skills at the third level. Hill has now caught a touchdown in 10 of 12 games played this season, and he remains the league's most dangerous threat at the third level of the field. You can lock in Hill (again) as the overall WR1 for his Week 14 game against the Titans. -- Bowen
2. Deebo Samuel, WR, San Francisco 49ers
Samuel logged a season-high 35.8 points in the Niners' win over the Eagles, showcasing his dual-threat ability while producing explosive plays. Samuel scored three touchdowns (two receiving, one rushing) and finished with 138 total yards -- on just seven touches. He was playing at a different speed than that Philly defense on Sunday. Samuel gets the Seahawks up next, a team he just scored 22.4 points on in Week 12. Keep him in the WR1 mix there. -- Bowen
3. Nico Collins, WR, Houston Texans
His 34.1 PPR fantasy points were the second-best totals of his young career, and while a boost in targets with Tank Dell (fractured fibula) sidelined had something to do with it, that this came in a tough matchup was notable. Collins was lined up against the Denver Broncos' top cover corner, Pat Surtain II, on half of his 28 routes, and even managed three catches on 81 yards with Surtain as the nearest defender, per NFL Next Gen Stats. With Dell out, Collins might again be C.J. Stroud's No. 1 target for the fantasy playoffs, which could vault him into weekly top 15 at his position. -- Cockcroft
4. Mike Evans, WR, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Evans scored a season-high 29.2 points on the Panthers defense in Week 13, catching seven of 12 targets for a 162 yards, while adding a touchdown. Evans has now caught at least one touchdown in six of his last seven games, with 25 or more points in three of his last four. Playing really good football, as a three-level target for quarterback Baker Mayfield, Evans should stay in the WR1 range for the Week 14 matchup versus the Falcons. -- Bowen
5. De'Von Achane, RB, Miami Dolphins
Before you leap to "but most of it came in garbage time" belittling -- and yes, the rookie did total 22.3 of his 25.3 PPR fantasy points during the game's second half, with his team up by 24-plus points on the scoreboard -- recognize how promising a sign that manner of usage is to a player who missed almost the entirety of the past seven weeks due to injury. Achane wound up playing 59% of the offensive snaps while handling 20 touches, and eight of his carries went for at least 5 yards. He looks healthy and ready to play a critical role during the fantasy playoffs. -- Cockcroft
6. Sam LaPorta, TE, Detroit Lions
Featured in the Lions' game plan in the Week 13 win over the Saints, LaPorta posted season highs in fantasy points (29), receptions (nine) and receiving yards (140). Plus, LaPorta caught a touchdown for the second straight game, and that was on a scripted red zone target. Clear out for the tight end in the red zone and give quarterback Jared Goff a clean Hi-Lo read. With 17 or more points in three of his past five games, and a Week 14 matchup versus the Bears' defense, LaPorta will remain a top-5 play at the position due to his route-running traits and a Detroit passing offense that creates schemed opportunities. -- Bowen
7. CeeDee Lamb, WR, Dallas Cowboys
For the third time in his past six games, Lamb scored 30-plus PPR fantasy points, his 32.6 on Thursday critical to the Cowboys' hard-fought, 41-35 victory. Lamb has four games of 11-plus catches in his past six, five games of 116-plus receiving yards in his past seven and has six touchdowns in his past six contests. With the Cowboys' passing game firing on all cylinders, he's a locked-in WR1 for Week 14 against the Eagles. -- Cockcroft
8. Geno Smith, QB; DK Metcalf, WR, Seattle Seahawks
Let's go back to the Thursday night game in Dallas, because I didn't anticipate this, with Geno and DK lighting up the Cowboys' defense. Smith finished with a season-high 29.96 points, as he tossed three touchdowns, rushed for another score and threw for 333 yards. We saw the arm talent from Smith and an aggressive throwing mentality, which created opportunities for Metcalf to win in one-on-one situations. DK, who also posted a season high with 37.4 points, caught all three of those touchdown throws from Smith, while logging 6 of 8 receptions for 134 yards. Both Smith and Metcalf will look to keep this going in another tough road matchup next week versus the 49ers. -- Bowen
9. Puka Nacua, WR, Los Angeles Rams
Nacua's 23.9 PPR fantasy point total Sunday was merely his third-best score of his rookie season, but that it came against the stingy Cleveland Browns defense was notable. Browns cornerback Denzel Ward's absence did improve the matchup, and Nacua's 70-yard touchdown reception on a pass up the seam reflected it, with linebacker Sione Takitaki -- a total mismatch -- the closest defender in coverage. Nacua should have a tougher time of it against the Ravens in Week 14, but he remains a WR2 for that game. -- Cockcroft
10. Brock Purdy, QB, San Francisco 49ers
A surprisingly modest 55.6% of managers in ESPN leagues started him despite his oh-so-tantalizing matchup, and Purdy came to play for those teams, scoring a career-high 29.46 fantasy points. It's exactly what we want to see with a pair of similarly excellent matchups ahead against the Arizona Cardinals (Week 15) and Washington Commanders (Week 17), each of those games where you can again expect him to score big. His Week 14 is a middling matchup against the Seattle Seahawks, while his Week 16 against the Baltimore Ravens should be avoided. -- Cockcroft
Ranking fantasy losers of Week 13
1. Bijan Robinson, RB, Atlanta Falcons
A week after recording his best fantasy totals of the season, Robinson couldn't find much daylight as a runner in Sunday's win over the Jets, posting just 10.9 fantasy points. Sure, the volume was there, as Robinson saw 21 touches, but he averaged just 2.9 yards per carry (on 18 rushes) and he finished with only 26 yards receiving on three catches (five targets). Now, I understand that's a tough matchup versus the Jets, and the quarterback play in Atlanta is subpar. But Robinson needs more usage on schemed concepts as a receiver to consistently produce RB1 numbers. -- Bowen
2. Los Angeles Chargers offense
Mike Witt and the Angels spun a 6-0 shutout against the Boston Red Sox and ... OK, OK, but if you want a real laugh, check out the Chargers' offensive output in New England. Of the game's 22 total drives, 15 resulted in a punt and another two ended on downs, and not a single Chargers player exceeded 10.8 PPR fantasy points (Keenan Allen's team-leading total). Austin Ekeler's swoon continued to the tune of 4.7 points, his worst in any game in which he played more than 18 offensive snaps, and Justin Herbert scored 7.98 points. The injuries in L.A. are hindering the Chargers' offense in a seemingly inescapable way, and that probably won't fully rebound in a Week 14 meeting with the Broncos. -- Cockcroft
3. Dallas Cowboys defense
They've been the season's most successful unit in fantasy terms, their 143 points leading the position, but the Cowboys' defense has been effectively absent at times this season, such as on Thursday night. Dallas' minus-3 fantasy points against the Seahawks matched the team's season low, and it was the third time that the defense scored negative points, a shocking fact for a team that places atop the position. Worse yet, this defense gets the high-scoring Eagles in Week 14, a matchup to avoid in all formats. -- Cockcroft
4. Zack Moss, RB, Indianapolis Colts
With Jonathan Taylor down (thumb), Moss was in a position to handle heavy volume in that lead role versus the Titans on Sunday. However, despite getting those touches, logging 19 carries and two receptions, Moss finished with just 7.7 fantasy points. Moss failed to cash in on low red zone carries, and the Titans' defense held him to 2.7 yards per rushing attempt. Even with those low scoring totals, the volume is a positive here, and Moss will look to bounce back for the Week 14 matchup versus the Bengals, where he'll be ranked in the RB2 range. -- Bowen
5. D'Andre Swift, RB, Philadelphia Eagles
The game script was not his friend, in what was a disappointing 42-19 loss to the 49ers, but Swift wasn't getting the job done even at a stage of this game when the score was within reach. He totaled 20 yards for 4.0 PPR fantasy points on 10 touches, each of those his fewest since Week 1. Swift faces a similar challenge in Week 14 against the Cowboys, and his fantasy managers will need to hope the Eagles can stay competitive deep into that game and afford Swift the opportunity for more touches. -- Cockcroft
6. Terry McLaurin, WR, Washington Commanders
McLaurin put up a zero in the Week 13 loss to Miami. Three targets. No receptions. And McLaurin has now scored fewer than 10 fantasy points in four straight games. The explosive plays are lacking here, too, and McLaurin hasn't found the end zone since Week 8. Until quarterback Sam Howell can get the ball to McLaurin with more efficiency, he'll remain down in the WR3 ranks. -- Bowen
Injury impact
Tank Dell, WR, Houston Texans
What we know: Dell left the game on a cart after suffering a lower leg injury in the first half versus the Broncos. Reports indicate that Dell broke his left fibula, which would leave him sidelined indefinitely.
What's next: With Dell now down for an extended period of time, Noah Brown and Robert Woods, who are both available in over 65% of ESPN leagues, would move up as viable targets in the pass game for quarterback C.J. Stroud. -- Bowen
Derrick Henry, RB, Tennessee Titans
What we know: Though he enjoyed a productive day with 25.0 PPR fantasy points on 22 touches, Henry suffered a hit to the helmet early in the fourth quarter and was unable to return. He was evaluated for a concussion.
What's next: Tyjae Spears, who managed 48 yards on 13 touches following Henry's departure, would take over as the Titans' starting running back if Henry needs to miss additional time. With that possibility, Spears, available in 68% of ESPN leagues, should be universally added for Week 14. -- Cockcroft
Derek Carr, QB, New Orleans Saints
What we know: Carr left with a right shoulder injury in the fourth quarter versus the Lions, and he didn't return. Carr, who threw for 226 yards and a touchdown before the injury, was replaced by Jameis Winston.
What's next: If Carr can't go in next week's matchup versus the Panthers, Winston would get the nod as the starter, where he can be played as a QB2 in superflex formats. -- Bowen
Rhamondre Stevenson, RB, New England Patriots
What we know: Stevenson left the game against the Chargers with an ankle injury in the first quarter, and he did not return. Stevenson logged 39 yards rushing on nine carries before exiting the game.
What's next: If Stevenson is down for the Week 14 game at Pittsburgh, Ezekiel Elliott would elevate into the lead running back role for the stagnant Patriots offense. -- Bowen
Brian Robinson Jr., RB, Washington Commanders
What we know: Robinson injured his hamstring in the third quarter versus the Dolphins, and he did not return to the field. Before leaving the game, Robinson rushed for 53 yards on seven carries.
What's next: The Commanders head into the bye next week, so Robinson's status will need to be monitored ahead of the Week 15 game against the Rams. If Robinson is still down, Antonio Gibson would move into the RB2/Flex range, with rookie Chris Rodriguez Jr. carrying potential streaming value in deeper formats. -- Bowen
Who earned an 'A' this weekend?
Garrett Wilson, WR, New York Jets
The box score looks pedestrian, yes (three receptions for 50 yards). But Wilson's numbers were seriously hindered by the Jets' quarterback play. In the first half alone he had at least four opportunities where he was open downfield. Even if the fantasy numbers don't show it, it's clear Wilson is an incredible talent. -- Walder
Samson Ebukam, Edge, Indianapolis Colts
Ebukam, who has been a nice signing for the Colts, had another big day Sunday against the Titans. The edge rusher recorded 2.0 sacks, a forced fumble and a 33% pass rush win rate -- indicating he was impactful on a down-to-down basis and via several big plays. -- Walder
Who earned an 'F' this weekend?
Austin Ekeler, RB, Los Angeles Chargers
Ekeler's numbers were almost as ugly as the Chargers-Patriots 6-0 barnburner. Ekeler managed just 18 yards on 14 carries in the win. It's no surprise, but the advanced numbers weren't pretty, either: Ekeler recorded negative-26 rush yards over expectation, per NFL Next Gen Stats. And his receiving day didn't bail him out either: He caught just two passes for 9 yards. -- Walder
Lingering questions from Sunday's games
Two weeks in a row with monster games for Deebo Samuel, and the Seahawks are up next. Can we expect this upward trend to continue for the multi-purpose receiver?
With the 49ers, it can be hard to determine from week to week who is going to get the opportunities outside of running back Christian McCaffrey. But the Niners have been adamant that they've wanted to see what it could look like when Samuel and McCaffrey are healthy and working in tandem. Sunday might have been the best glimpse of that yet with Samuel saying that he was "in that zone" all week before his big day against the Eagles. Samuel has traditionally had big games against Seattle, so it wouldn't surprise if another was coming next week but the Niners will still be sure to find ways to get the ball to Brandon Aiyuk and George Kittle, too. -- Nick Wagoner
D'Andre Swift has failed to reach double-digit fantasy points in three of the past four games. How concerned should fantasy managers be able about the way things have gone for Swift during the past month, and are better days likely ahead?
The Eagles have a tendency to move away from the run if it doesn't hit early in games. That's part of what makes Swift a bit of a boom or bust player. There's reason to think he's in store for an upswing. The coaching staff will likely want to make some tweaks and get one of their top playmakers more involved following a poor offensive performance against the Niners. And after this week's game against Dallas, the Eagles close with two games against the Giants and one against the Cardinals. In theory, they should be able to build leads early and lean on the ground game late in those contests. -- Tim McManus