NFL Week 13 newest buzz, questions, information and fantasy suggestions

Week 13 of the 2025 NFL season begins somewhat early, with three video games on Thanksgiving and one other one on Friday. Insiders Jeremy Fowler and Dan Graziano have been making calls to sources across the league for the most recent information and buzz on key conditions — together with some nuggets which may matter for fantasy soccer.

This week, they’ve the latest intel on the slumping Buccaneers. Tampa Bay has misplaced three straight video games, and quarterback Baker Mayfield is coping with a shoulder harm. Is the priority degree rising? We even have the most recent on Cowboys receiver George Pickens, who’s having an enormous season. May he get a giant payday in free company? Will Dallas preserve him within the offseason … and would the Cowboys lengthen him or franchise tag him?

Moreover, we picked out a very powerful gamers within the NFL for the stretch run and poked round on fantasy football-related buzz for the ultimate weeks of the season. It is all right here, as our nationwide reporters reply large questions and empty their notebooks heading into Week 13.

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Bucs concern | Pickens’ market
Key gamers | Fantasy intel

What is the newest out of Tampa Bay? Are the Bucs nervous about their slide?

Graziano: I feel an harm absence for Baker Mayfield can be a major downside. It has been a depressing season by way of well being for the Bucs, who have not had their complete offensive line or extensive receiver group in any respect and have been with out beginning working again Bucky Irving longer than anticipated. They’re nonetheless in first place in a division that does not have a very sturdy challenger, and the schedule eases up a bit in December.

But when Mayfield sits out due to that left shoulder harm (we do not know for positive if he’ll), that is going to make it robust to win video games within the brief time period. The Bucs anticipate Irving and receivers Mike Evans and Jalen McMillan to return in some unspecified time in the future, which might assist, however Mayfield makes that offense go. His late-game toughness has been a giant a part of why they’re 6-5 regardless of the accidents.

Fowler: Regardless of dropping three straight video games, the Bucs are in an all-too-familiar place — poised to make a December playoff push towards a weaker schedule. The Bucs have been one of many league’s most depleted groups, and their dropping streak got here towards groups with a mixed 25-8 report. There is no disgrace in dropping to the Patriots, Payments and Rams. What’s actually regarding is their lack of move rush.

Tampa shouldn’t be producing sufficient edge stress, and although defensive deal with Vita Vea faces frequent double-teams, the protection does not have a wholesome complement to take benefit. Defensive deal with Calijah Kancey was in all probability the workforce’s finest move rusher getting into 2025, however he has been out for a lot of the season. Regardless of all of that, I am nonetheless bullish on the Buccaneers. They’ve a top-10 roster when wholesome, and so they’re getting nearer to that each week. And Todd Bowles’ late-season observe report is powerful because the Bucs have completed the previous two seasons with 5-1 and 6-1 data, respectively.

Graziano: I frolicked with the Bucs in coaching camp this summer season and one factor stood out to me: They know they will win the division after having completed it 4 seasons in a row. However they believed they’d the kind of roster to do much more than that. They wish to make a Tremendous Bowl run and entered this season with their eyes on the No. 1 seed. That feels out of attain at this level, however they could possibly be a really harmful workforce in January if they will maintain off Carolina for the NFC South crown.

Fowler: The Bucs haven’t got a workforce with a profitable report remaining on the schedule, whereas the closest NFC South contender, the 6-6 Panthers, should play the Rams (9-2) and Seahawks (8-3), in addition to the Bucs twice. So, until Tampa falls aside in December, it might lock into the No. 4 seed. If the season ended at the moment, that fourth seed would play Seattle, a workforce no one needs to face. However it additionally could possibly be the NFC North runner-up (Chicago, Inexperienced Bay or Detroit). Tampa can beat these groups if issues fall proper — the Bucs already defeated the Seahawks on the street in Week 5.

Will the Cowboys lengthen George Pickens, and the way a lot might he make on his subsequent deal — with them or elsewhere?

Fowler: The Cowboys have a real curiosity in extending Pickens, and Pickens may be very pleased in Dallas, the place he has caught 67 passes for 1,054 yards and eight touchdowns in 11 video games. However there have been no formal discussions a few long-term deal but (it is early). Dallas shouldn’t be afraid of the franchise tag quantity — which ought to fall someplace round $28 million in 2026 — however hasn’t decided whether or not to make use of it or not (once more, it is early). The shortage of concern about that quantity illustrates how sturdy the curiosity in Pickens ought to be within the offseason.

Sure, some groups might attempt to tax Pickens for the maturity issues which have adopted him since he entered the league in 2022. However his expertise is so plain that it won’t matter. My sense is Pickens might be searching for a large payday. Current high-end free company offers for prime receivers equivalent to Calvin Ridley and Chris Godwin Jr. got here in at round $23 million per yr, which Pickens ought to simply exceed barring a shock.

Graziano: I agree together with your level that it is too early to be speaking about this, as a result of the Cowboys had been at all times going to get by means of this season, then assess whether or not signing Pickens long run would make sense. There isn’t a purpose for them to do something now, and possibly extra importantly, there is no purpose for Pickens to both. He got here from Pittsburgh with greater than his share of warning labels, however he has been a gentle performer for Dallas, and the Cowboys have not needed to take care of among the consideration lapses and different points that made his time with the Steelers somewhat unsteady at occasions.

The Cowboys believed Pickens can be on his finest habits catching passes from Dak Prescott, by far one of the best QB he has had within the NFL, and taking part in in a contract yr. However with CeeDee Lamb signed to one of many league’s richest WR offers, I do not assume it is so simple as the Cowboys handing Pickens a long-term deal commensurate together with his 2025 efficiency. I feel the franchise tag makes a ton of sense on this case. The query, in fact, is how Pickens would react to that.

Fowler: A tag can be fascinating, as a result of whereas some gamers embrace it, my sense is Pickens’ camp would strongly favor a long-term contract. However it might give Dallas the pliability to barter with Pickens by means of the offseason or probably execute a sign-and-trade. The Cowboys dangled utilizing the tag on defensive deal with Osa Odighizuwa earlier than reaching a take care of him earlier than free company. Although Pickens’ agent, David Mulugheta, represents Micah Parsons, the workforce does not anticipate any lingering results from the Parsons negotiations and the next commerce to the Packers. Either side have seemingly moved on.

Graziano: I do not assume the Parsons scenario could have any impact on Pickens negotiations. However the Cowboys at all times cite long-term wage cap issues when confronted with one other big-money negotiation. With Lamb, Prescott, Odighizuwa and defensive deal with Quinnen Williams all signed for giant numbers, I am positive you are going to hear that stuff from Jerry Jones once more. I consider Dallas would do a long-term take care of Pickens if he would do it for a team-favorable quantity — if he wished to be the DeVonta Smith to Lamb’s A.J. Brown, for instance. However to your level, Jeremy, I think about Pickens has his sights set larger. The best way he has performed, he must.

Who’s the league’s most vital participant the subsequent six weeks?

Graziano: I will say Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts. Philadelphia’s offense is a large number proper now, having the best share of three-and-out drives within the NFL. The Eagles don’t get the explosive Saquon Barkley performs within the run sport the way in which they did final season, and so they have not proven an eagerness to lean on the passing sport. Some experiences are effervescent up about discontent within the locker room and issues about whether or not Hurts’ limitations have one thing to do with the workforce’s seeming unwillingness to alter or evolve the offense.

There’s at all times noise across the Eagles, however proper now there are professional questions on whether or not this season goes to be a repeat of 2023, once they began 10-1 and fell off down the stretch, or whether or not there’s nonetheless an opportunity for a repeat of final season’s Tremendous Bowl run. Hurts has the power and expertise he must quell these issues with a giant December.

Fowler: That is essential stretch for Hurts, little question. I will go together with Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson. The 2-time MVP has loads to beat in December and January, having performed by means of knee, ankle, hamstring and toe points this season. He insists accidents aren’t affecting his play, however some across the league ponder whether he can actually minimize it free within the working sport due to the illnesses. Baltimore ranks twenty first in complete offense, a surprising drop of 20 spots from final season regardless of taking part in with a lot of the identical personnel.

Moreover, the Ravens struggled mightily on protection earlier than current enhancements, and the offensive line hasn’t matched final season’s depth. And but, the Ravens have survived this to win 5 video games in a row and sit at 6-5, tied for first within the AFC North. Jackson remains to be in place to dictate phrases within the AFC. He has a greater supporting solid than a few of his quarterback counterparts, and whereas Jackson’s groups have not made deep playoff runs when favored, possibly the adversity helps spur a backdoor run by means of the postseason.

Graziano: Sticking with the star QB theme, what about Patrick Mahomes? This Chiefs workforce does not appear to be any worse than final season’s was, but the Chiefs’ report is way worse as a result of they’re 1-5 in one-score video games this yr (with the one win coming Sunday) after profitable all of them final season. Mahomes hasn’t been constantly correct, and he hasn’t actually delivered these magical, clutch moments which have at all times elevated Kansas Metropolis up to now. Clearly, he nonetheless has the power to try this. If Mahomes helps the Chiefs regain their edge within the one-score video games, they’re nonetheless a workforce to concern within the postseason, even when their nine-year AFC West title streak involves an finish.

Fowler: Different quarterbacks have been pushing Mahomes for the highest spot for a number of years now. However Mahomes nonetheless has the concern issue. Opposing coaches completely hate to face him. And he appears to be rallying on the proper time.

Different candidates to think about:

• Broncos QB Bo Nix: Denver is constructed to win now however wants consistency from its second-year QB. His efficiency towards Kansas Metropolis in Week 11 suggests he is able to ship.

• Browns edge rusher Myles Garrett: He is solely 4.5 sacks shy of the trendy single-season sack report (22.5), preserving an underwhelming Browns season entertaining.

• Colts QB Daniel Jones: He has resurrected his profession. Now, can he maintain it?

• Seahawks WR Jaxon Smith-Njigba: He is pacing for the NFL’s first 2,000-yard season, however this is not empty-calorie manufacturing — Seattle is for actual.

What’s one factor you are listening to that might assist fantasy managers win their leagues?

Fowler: The chief of the Chiefs’ backfield might show a viable RB2/Flex possibility, relying how Kansas Metropolis performs the rotation Thursday. The Chiefs’ willingness to run the ball 41 occasions in Sunday’s win over the Colts exhibits adaptability. Kareem Hunt bought 30 of these touches for 104 yards and a landing, however Isiah Pacheco is focusing on a return to the lineup on Thanksgiving, giving him 10 days relaxation on the again finish for his knee harm.

Although it is arduous to ascertain him duplicating Hunt’s Week 12 output this week, two issues assist Pacheco’s trigger: He thrives off quantity, and he was the nitrous oxide for the Chiefs’ offense throughout their Tremendous Bowl run two years in the past, with a playoff dashing line of 81-313-3 over 4 video games. He is in a contract yr, so the motivation is there. If Pacheco is previous the harm bug, an uptick in workload and manufacturing is not out of the query based mostly on recent legs and the Chiefs’ apparent want for a secure dashing assault.

Graziano: I understand how this sounds after he posted one other bagel this previous week, however Lions extensive receiver Jameson Williams is a man to get in the event you want a Hail Mary to succeed in the playoffs or a high-upside play to ship when you get there. The Lions need him to be concerned, and their matchups the remainder of the way in which ought to provide them an opportunity to try this. They do not play one other outside sport till Week 18, which is after most fantasy seasons finish. Williams comes with draw back danger, clearly, however you are not taking part in for second or third place, proper? The upside is huge, and he is a participant Detroit counts on when issues are going effectively. And issues ought to go effectively the remainder of the way in which.

Fowler: It is also value hopping on the Chimere Dike practice. Positive, Tennessee’s offense is not constant for any move catcher, however the Titans are excessive on Dike’s star potential. He’s a Professional Bowl contender as a returner, having returned two punts for touchdowns. And he is maximizing his offensive alternatives. Since Week 7, Dike has had three video games with a minimum of 4 targets. In these video games, he has produced 16 catches for 207 yards and two touchdowns. Dike is amongst a number of Titans rookies who present a glimmer of hope in a making an attempt season.

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Graziano: I like shopping for low on Titans choices, particularly after rookie quarterback Cam Ward appeared stable Sunday towards a tricky Seattle protection. He is not a foul streaming QB possibility this week both, although you won’t want one with no groups on bye. My remaining tip, although, is geared round certainly one of my most dearly held fantasy soccer beliefs: at all times use the tight finish who’s taking part in the Bengals.

The Ravens play the Bengals twice the subsequent three weeks. Cincinnati has given up 13 touchdowns to tight ends this season in 11 video games. No different workforce has given up greater than seven. Get Mark Andrews, and if you cannot get him, get Isaiah Possible, who’s getting more healthy and doubtless will play a bigger function the remainder of the way in which than he has to date this season.