Travis Etienne Shines Again; Week 13 Fantasy Football Picks

Travis Etienne Back on Top, and Fantasy Faith Is (Mostly) Restored

For weeks, the fantasy community tried to move past Travis Etienne. Maybe it was the Jaguars’ up-and-down offense. Maybe it was just boredom. But here we are, heading into a juicy matchup against the Titans, and Etienne is still that dude. He’s dominating snaps, touches, and targets in the Jacksonville backfield — over 65% of each — and now faces a Tennessee defense coughing up the second-most rushing touchdowns and sixth-most rushing yards in the league.

Etienne’s explosiveness is back from the shop, and his offensive line is creating daylight. So yes, fire him up with confidence. He's not just a start. He’s a “why-did-I-ever-doubt-you” kind of start.

Running Back Committees: The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly Runs

Fantasy backfields are always messy, but a few duos are making noise — for better or worse. In Pittsburgh, Najee Harris and Jalen Warren continue to split work, but it’s Warren who looks like the better bet to stumble into the end zone this week. He’s bouncing off defenders and still getting red zone looks. If you need a flex, Warren’s your guy.

Meanwhile, Kenny Gainwell might be the sneaky flex play of the week. The Eagles’ offense is potent, and Gainwell’s usage in the passing game gives him that PPR sparkle. He’s shown RB1 upside in the past, and even with a healthy backfield, he’s producing RB2 numbers. If you’re looking for juice, he’s got it.

Then there’s Trey Benson, and... yeah, we’re not there yet. He’s trending in the right direction health-wise, but he hasn’t topped 10 fantasy points all year. With the Cardinals’ offense quietly climbing into the top 10 in total yardage, there’s hope — but this week? That’s a hard pass.

Quarterback Carnage and DST Gold

The Vikings are in quarterback chaos with JJ McCarthy still in concussion protocol and Max Brosmer taking first-team reps. That might be good news for one unit: the Seahawks defense. They’re pressuring QBs like it’s their job — which, to be fair, it is — and are top three in sacks, QB hits, and pressures. If they’re on your waiver wire, grab them now. This matchup is ripe for turnovers and maybe even a pick-six.

On the flip side, Daniel Jones is a certified fade this week. The Texans may be gettable on QB scrambles, but the Colts defense will be feasting on Jones and the Giants’ offense. Just... don’t do it.

Saints, Dolphins, and the Taysom Hill Experience (Avoid It)

Devin Neal might be in line for goal-line work with the Saints, but tread carefully. The offense is sputtering, and Taysom Hill’s usage is — let’s be honest — maddening. There’s nothing predictable about it, and it’s tanking the value of players like Juwan Johnson. Fantasy managers are practically begging the coaching staff to stop the chaos. The message? Keep Hill as far away from your lineups as you would your kitchen appliances. Or your thermostat. Or your... well, you get the idea.

Vegas Shuffle: Raiders Hit Reset (Again)

The Raiders fired Chip Kelly (no, not that one), and brought back Greg Olson for his third stint as OC. Will it matter? Probably not. The offensive line is still a mess, and the quarterback play is more scramble-and-chuck than anything stable. Even with talent like Ashton Jeanty and Brock Bowers, the offense is sputtering. Unless you're desperate, it's best to avoid Las Vegas skill players until further notice.

Steelers vs. Titans: A Fantasy Defense of Defense

This game might not be a fantasy bonanza, but it could be a sneaky DST goldmine. Both teams are physical, and the Steelers defense especially has the edge in fantasy with their ability to get ugly points — sacks, fumbles, the occasional defensive touchdown. Consider them if you're streaming defenses this week.

Quick Hits and Sleeper Picks

- James Cook has the best odds to score the first TD in his game, making him a great DFS dart.

- Stefon Diggs and Kayshon Boutte have strong projections, but Marvin Mims and Dalton Schultz could be sneaky starts if your roster is thin.

- Terry McLaurin remains a weekly mystery. One week he’s WR1 material, the next he’s ghosting like it’s Halloween. Proceed with caution.

Takeaways

• Travis Etienne is back in RB1 territory and should dominate against Tennessee.
• Jalen Warren and Kenny Gainwell are strong flex plays in committee backfields.
• Seahawks DST is a must-start with Minnesota’s QB issues.
• Taysom Hill remains fantasy poison — keep him out of every lineup format possible.
• The Raiders’ coaching shuffle is unlikely to fix their offensive woes this week.

Week 13 is here, and the playoff push is real. Make smart plays, dodge the landmines, and remember — fantasy football is chaos, but it’s our kind of chaos.