With the Thanksgiving and Black Friday matchups getting Week 13 started early, it is a bit of a mild Sunday slate. Regardless, we should cherish every bit of football we have as the season is winging down, and the NFL has a funny way of making madness happen when we least expect it.
All 32 teams are set to play this week with the last six teams off in Week 14 before the final push for the playoffs occurs. There are seven games on the 1 p.m. ET slate and three games kicking off in the later window. In addition, the San Francisco 49ers will play the Buffalo Bills on Sunday Night Football, and the Cleveland Browns and Denver Broncos are playing on Monday Night.
There are far more ways to get involved in the action than just traditional betting. One of the more unique features on DraftKings this year is Pick6 Fantasy Football! This article will look at my top picks for the Week 13 slate in which you simply chose more than or less than the assigned statistic.
Russell Wilson More Than 225.5 Passing Yards
It was a bold decision from Mike Tomlin to change quarterbacks midseason and hand the offensive reigns over to veteran Russell Wilson. The former Super Bowl champion has proven why this was the right decision, and Pittsburgh is shaping up into a tough playoff matchup. Currently, the Steelers hold a record of 8-3. They’re a half-game ahead of the Ravens in the AFC North which is one of the tightest divisional races in the sport.
Across the five games that Wilson has played, he is averaging 242.4 passing yards per game. He has thrown for more than 225.5 passing yards in three of the five games. He will now face off with a Bengals defense that ranks 28th in points allowed and 23rd in yards given up. Cincinnati also ranks 23rd in passing yards allowed and 24th in passing touchdowns given up.
Joe Burrow has played some of the best football of his career from an individual level, but the Bengals’ defense has been unable to back him up. Don’t be surprised if this game turns into a shootout. Count on Wilson to tally more than 225.5 passing yards for the fourth time in six games.
Joe Mixon More Than 82.5 Rushing Yards
While the Texans have not lived up to expectations as a team, Joe Mixon has quietly played like one of the best running backs in the NFL this season. The former Bengals’ standout ranks ninth in the NFL in rushing yards despite missing three games due to injury. Overall he has rushed for 786 yards across nine games, averaging 87.3 yards per game.
The Texans have a great chance to get back on track against a struggling Jacksonville team. The Jaguars rank 31st in points allowed and dead last in yards given up. They also rank 26th in rushing yards allowed and have given up 169 or more rushing yards in each of the past four games.
Look for the Texans to get Mixon going and lean on him throughout this matchup. He has recorded more than 100 yards rushing in six of the nine games he has played this season. The Jaguars are not capable of shutting down the Mixon, so look for him to record more than 82.5 rushing yards.
Kyler Murray More Than 24.5 Rushing Yards
The Cardinals enter this matchup with a 6-5 record and firmly in the hunt in the NFC West race. This will be a tough matchup as they take on the 9-2 Minnesota Vikings, but one that will give us a clearer idea of how they stack up. Kyler Murray has quietly played some really solid football. He’s thrown for 2,343 passing yards, 12 touchdowns and just four interceptions this season. He also has added 380 rushing yards and four rushing touchdowns. Overall, Murray is averaging 34.5 rushing yards per game.
Minnesota has a tough defense that it has leaned on for success this year. It ranks fifth in points allowed and 10th in yards given up. However, the numbers are very split across the pass and rush defense. Minnesota is holding opponents to the fewest rushing yards, the fewest rushing touchdowns and the second least net yards per carry. Minnesota’s pass defense, however, ranks 28th in yards allowed and 20th in passing touchdowns allowed.
These numbers are somewhat inflated due to the Vikings often playing with a lead. Rather than completely abandoning the running game, look for the Cardinals to supplement it with Murray’s legs. His dual-threat ability is part of what makes him so special, and Murray has rushed the ball at least once in every game this season. He’s also recorded more than 24.5 rushing yards in five games already this year. Expect him to ad lib on a few scramble opportunities and break free for more than 24.5 yards against the Vikings.
Brian Robinson More Than 0.5 Rushing & Receiving Touchdowns
The Commanders will be without Austin Ekeler after the veteran back suffered a concussion and is on the injured reserve. He will miss at least the next four games. While this is a hit to the backfield’s production, this will put more responsibility on Brian Robinson Jr. The third-year running back has been the more productive option this season and will now have his path clear for more opportunity.
Robinson has 537 rushing yards and seven touchdowns on 122 carries. He also has 11 receptions for 99 yards. In contrast, Ekeler has 355 rushing yards and four touchdowns on 74 carries. He also has 33 receptions for 346 receiving yards. It should be noted that Jeremy McNichols and Jayden Daniels have done plenty of damage with their legs as well.
While McNichols will still be in the mix, expect Robinson to be the clear-cut top running back and be given red zone opportunities. He has found the end zone in six of the nine games he has played this season including recording two touchdowns against the Browns. The Titans tank 19th in the NFL in rushing touchdowns allowed on the season. Expect Robinson to see plenty of opportunity around the goal line and for him to find paydirt.
C.J. Stroud More Than 1.5 Passing Touchdowns
The sophomore slump has hit C.J. Stroud this season. After winning Rookie of the Year and leading the NFL in passing yards per game and interceptions rate, Stroud has taken a slight step back this year. Wide receiver injuries have played a notable role in this, but the Texans also have not played their best football yet this season. Even still, he has thrown for 2,875 passing yards, 14 touchdowns and nine interceptions.
Despite some ups and downs, the Texans sit at 7-5 on the season with their postseason goals in sight. This is an excellent get-right spot for the second-year quarterback, and he should be expected to take full advantage. Jacksonville ranks 31st in points allowed and dead last in yards given up. The Jaguars also rank dead last in passing yards allowed, passing touchdowns given up and net yards per pass attempt.
Don’t be surprised if this game gets ugly as Stroud should tear up the Jaguars’ defense. Even after taking a slight step back, he still deserves to be mentioned among the top quarterbacks in the league. Stroud has thrown for more than 1.5 passing touchdowns in four games this season and this will be the weakest defense he has faced. Count on the former Rookie of the Year to get fully back on track and tally more than 1.5 passing touchdowns against the Jaguars.
Ladd McConkey More Than 68.5 Receiving Yards
Don’t look now but the Chargers are playing their best football at the right time. They enter this matchup with the Atlanta Falcons with a 7-4 record and firmly in the playoff mix. While their NFL-best scoring defense has been a driving force for their success, the Chargers have been impressive offensively over the past few weeks. The emergence of Ladd McConkey has been a significant reason for this.
McConkey has 698 yards and four touchdowns on 49 receptions this year. He has 295 more receiving yards than any other pass catcher on the roster and has become the clear-cut top option for quarterback Justin Herbert. After being held to less than 68.5 receiving yards in each of the first six weeks, McConkey has recorded more than this number in three of the last five games. He has recorded as many as 123 receiving yards in a game this season.
Atlanta has struggled to stop opposing pass attacks this season. They rank 26th in passing yards given up and 29th in passing touchdowns allowed. Jim Harbaugh has opened up the offensive attack in recent weeks and allowed Herbert to throw the ball more. Expect this trend to continue and for McConkey to be the biggest beneficiary. Count on McConkey to record more than 68.5 receiving yards for the third consecutive week.
What is DraftKings Pick6?
Pick6 is a peer-to-peer fantasy variant where you build a lineup (“Pick Set”) of at least two players and select whether you believe each will outperform their listed stat projection. Enter your Pick Set in Pick6 contests to compete against other users. Get enough picks correct and win a share of cash prizes.
How to Play DraftKings Pick6
Create a Pick Set
Create a Pick Set by choosing 2+ players from the same sport and Pick Group (a set of picks available from a group of set competitions). For each player, simply select if you think they’ll have more or less than their listed stat projection. In each Pick Set, you cannot pick the same player twice and you must select players from at least two different teams.
Enter an Amount
Once you finalize your Pick Set, choose your entry fee amount. Your entries will be automatically distributed into available contests, subject to your confirmation.
Sweat Your Picks
When the games go live, use the My Picks tab to follow your picks in real time to track how your players are performing against their projections and how they stack up against other users.
Compete for Prizes
Make enough correct picks and win a share of the contests’ guaranteed prizes. Any prizes won will be credited to your DraftKings account after contests are finalized.
Play at DraftKings Pick6 or by downloading the DraftKings Pick6 app on Apple or Google!
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I am a promoter at DraftKings and am also an avid fan and user (my username is seanbarnard) and may sometimes play on my personal account in the games that I offer advice on. Although I have expressed my personal view on the games and strategies above, they do not necessarily reflect the view(s) of DraftKings and do not constitute a representation that any particular strategy will guarantee success. All customers should use their own skill and judgment in building lineups. I may also deploy different players and strategies than what I recommend above. I am not an employee of DraftKings and do not have access to any non-public information.
Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER.Must be at least 18 years or older. Higher age limits may apply in some states. Eligibility restrictions apply. Valid only in states where DraftKings Pick6 operates. Void where prohibited. For entertainment purposes only. Winning a contest on DraftKings depends on knowledge and exercise of skill. See terms at pick6.draftkings.com.
