Fantasy football streaming of quarterbacks to goal in week 13

After the nightmare of the bye week in Week 12, many fantasy football managers will get their starting quarterbacks back in Week 13. But unless you have one of the top five or six options of the season, that doesn’t necessarily mean you simply ignore the position and roll with your long-term starter.

The difference in score per game between the QB8 and the QB15 this season is only 1.2 points. Matchup and situation are much more important when figuring out who to start in any given week when looking at those mid-range starters.

With that in mind, these quarterbacks are the best streaming options available on the waiver wire in 50% or more of ESPN’s public leagues.

1. Caleb Williams, Chicago Bears (@ DET) — 64.4% available

Maybe Shane Waldron was the problem with the Chicago Bears offense after all. In his first game after Waldron, Caleb Williams dropped 16.2 fantasy points against a Packers defense that has allowed the NFL’s seventh-fewest fantasy points per game to quarterbacks. Then in his second game, Williams went off for a huge 26.9 against a Vikings D that has allowed the 10th fewest.

Williams draws another tough matchup here, but a deeper dive suggests this one might be a little less concerning than his last two.

The Detroit Lions have allowed the sixth-fewest points per game to QBs, but they have had a relatively easy schedule, including matchups with Mac Jones and Mason Rudolph. Only two of the eleven starting quarterbacks they have faced even rank in the top twelve in per-game fantasy production on the year.

Caleb Williams’ transformation of the past two weeks it looks like it’s real, and even a game against the Lions shouldn’t slow him down too much.

2. Russell Wilson, Pittsburgh Steelers (@CIN) — 50.4% available

A tough Thursday Night Football game in terrible weather brought disappointment to everyone who streamed Russell Wilson in Week 12, but his prospects are a lot brighter in Week 13.

Wilson himself isn’t the star he once was, but he’s also clearly not the washed-up drifter that treated him like he was when the Steelers drafted him into the starting lineup over Justin Fields. His grade of 74.7 ranks in the middle of the pack among starting quarterbacks of the year.

And that’s really all you need in this week’s game against the Cincinnati Bengals, who have allowed the fourth-most fantasy points per game to opposing quarterbacks this season. Cincy is giving up more than 21 points per game, and over the last four weeks that has been 35.1 points to Jalen Hurts, 32.9 points to Lamar Jackson and 24.4 points to Justin Herbert. When they face Jacoby Brissett in Week 1 (8.0) and Desmond Ridder in Week 9 (5.2), their season numbers really look more respectable than they would otherwise.

This is a defense that PFF has rated at No. 26 in coverage and No. 28 in rushing the passer, and that has the potential to translate into a huge fantasy showing for Russ.

3. Matthew Stafford, Los Angeles Rams (@ NO) — 67.5% available

Don’t look now, but Matthew Stafford is the QB5 in fantasy football, with 102.4 points (20.5 per game) over the last five weeks. That’s not just an arbitrary time limit either: that’s when Cooper Kupp returned from his four-game absence.

Even more impressive? Four of the five defenses he faced during that stretch are units that have given up bottom-11 fantasy production to quarterbacks all season. So the New Orleans Saints allowing the twelfth number shouldn’t exactly scare you.

That Saints’ D figure is also largely influenced by their hot start, which has slowed significantly in recent weeks. They have allowed 19.3 points per game over the last six weeks (which would be seventh-most in the NFL for the season).

This matchup becoming more fantasy-friendly also mirrors their play in the real world. PFF has them ranked No. 24 in coverage and No. 26 in pass rush. This is quietly a great spot for Stafford, who may not fly under the radar for much longer.