Footballguys Fantasy Football Show

Week 13 Matchups Previews with Jeff Bell

Date: November 28, 2025
Hosts: Dave Kluge & Jeff Bell
Special Episode: Week 13 Matchups and Thanksgiving Game Recap

Episode Overview

This episode is a special Black Friday edition, featuring Dave Kluge and Jeff Bell doing their signature deep-dive matchup preview. With Thanksgiving in the rearview, the duo recaps the Turkey Day action and dives into every remaining Week 13 NFL matchup, offering actionable fantasy advice and league-winning insight in their characteristic mix of analysis, sharp industry trends, and the occasional laugh. Jeff Bell brings special dynasty and rookie insight as “dynasty captain” as well as a keen sense for shifting league narratives.

Thanksgiving Game Recap and Major Storylines

Packers vs. Lions (31–24)

• The big headline: Amon-Ra St. Brown declared out, possibly with a high ankle sprain.
  • Quote (06:03, Dave): "A devastating injury for Amon-Ra St. Brown coming at the worst imaginable time."
  • Jameson Williams steps in and takes on the short-area role, boosting his weekly fantasy ceiling.
• Dynasty Implications: Even a 'not long-term' injury is 'long-term' in fantasy with playoffs looming.
• Quote (05:21, Jeff): "We’re at the point now where 'not a long-term injury' is still a long-term injury in fantasy football."

Chiefs vs. Cowboys (31–28)

• Rashi Rice shines against the Chiefs’ weak secondary, cementing himself as a rest-of-season must-start.
• RB situations muddy: Chiefs split between Pacheco and Hunt, no clarity with depth guys.
  • Kareem Hunt still goal-line favorite (07:23, Jeff: “They’ve told you what they think right now of Rashad Smith”).

Bengals vs. Ravens

• Unexpected result puts Bengals’ faint playoff hopes on life support, but not entirely dead.
• Lamar Jackson’s fantasy struggles tied to lack of rushing threat, which shrinks passing windows.
  • Quote (11:20, Jeff): “When Lamar Jackson can’t run... it becomes a lot more difficult.”
• Tight end matchup goldmine: Bengals continue to allow big TE weeks (Henry last week, Likely this week).
  • Quote (14:43, Dave): “If you’re desperate, go for Likely... we were right there on the cusp of another big tight end game.”

Week 13 Matchups: In-Depth Previews & Insights

Bears at Eagles (Starts 17:09)

• Bears luck and legitimacy: Both hosts discuss the “luck factor” and what it means long-term.
• Backfield split: DeAndre Swift loses grip on workhorse status, Kyle Monangai is a real weekly risk to steal the job.
  • Quote (18:50, Jeff): “It just introduces a level of uncertainty where we were warranted in feeling certain...”
• Bears WRs: Roman Odunze’s ranking drops (WR27 for Kluge), Burden and Moore are dart-throw WR4s, due to crowded, spread-out room and tough matchup.
  • Quote (21:04, Jeff): “Roman Odunze has shown the ceiling... but it’s whack-a-mole week to week.”
• Philly starters: No mysteries—start Hurts, A.J. Brown, Smith, Barkley. AJB a trade-buy in dynasty, despite recent struggles.
  • Quote (24:17, Jeff): “If there’s a discount on A.J. Brown, I’m going out and buying him.”

Rams at Panthers (Starts 25:32)

• Panthers RBs: Rico Dowdle’s ceiling lowered; Chuba Hubbard's role possibly returning to near-even split if he gets healthier.
  • Quote (26:15, Jeff): “Rico Dowdle is still plan A... but a 50/50 split is in play.”
• Rams stars: No questions—Stafford (QB1), Kupp, Puka, Kyren; Colby Parkinson has nailed down TE job, offering TD-dependent desperation streamer value.
  • Quote (29:46, Jeff): “It’s the cleanest offense... we know exactly where the touches are going.”

49ers at Browns (Starts 33:00)

• SF Offense analysis: Ricky Pearsall not himself; Purdy’s arm limitation caps all pass-catchers except Kittle and McCaffrey.
  • Quote (34:42, Dave): “This feels like a broken offense... reminiscent of Miami trying to work around Tua last year.”
  • McCaffrey: still elite, but now a glorified slot WR (37:25, Jeff: “He’s basically their slot receiver”).
• CLE situation: QBs TBD (Gabriel vs. Sanders) changes pass-catcher reliability. Fannin and Njoku only safe bets if Gabriel, more WR upside if Sanders.
  • Quote (40:22, Jeff): “He might be five (catches) away going into next week... that’s the way this passing attack is.”

Texans at Colts (Starts 43:37)

• Colts concern: Daniel Jones’ broken fibula: team says 'fine,' but film shows otherwise. Entire offense at risk.
  • Quote (44:49, Dave): “My goodness, I don’t know how you can watch these clips of Daniel Jones and… play it off as not a big deal.”
• Houston offense: Woody Marks is a solid RB2, but his passing-game usage is oddly absent.
  • Quote (49:08, Jeff): “As soon as Marks emerged as RB1... the targets disappeared. One catch a week.”
• Texans WRs: Nico safe; others (Higgins, Kirk, Knoll, Hutchison) are desperate stabs until C.J. Stroud’s pattern with WR2s is clearer.

Saints at Dolphins (Starts 54:03)

• Saints RBs: Kamara out, Devin Neal gets lead but not full workhorse; Taysom Hill and Audric Estime will siphon touches.
  • Quote (55:36, Jeff): “Taysom Hill is going to be more involved than normal...”
• Saints WRs: Olave in question—Devaughn Vele and Mason Tipton have deep-league intrigue if he sits. Juwan Johnson might lead team in targets.
• Dolphins: Waddle, Waller expected back and are plug-and-plays; Devon Achane is presented as a bonafide dynasty trade target ("difference-maker" trade segment at 64:35).

Falcons at Jets (Starts 67:27)

• Falcons outlook: Offense decimated. Draft London’s season may be done. Mooney, Pitts have streaming/desperate-flex value.
• Jets auditioning youth: Mechie and Adonai Mitchell auditioning for 2026 jobs with big-volume opportunity.
  • Quote (69:38, Jeff): “Both just job interviews at this point for a lot of these guys.”

Cardinals at Buccaneers (Starts 75:29)

• Cards WRs: If Harrison Jr. returns, expect Michael Wilson’s ceiling to drop slightly, but both viable. If Harrison limited, Wilson could outproduce him this week.
• RB injuries: Trey Benson’s clock is ticking; Bam Knight becomes desperation start if Benson sits.
• Buccaneers passing attack: Not clicking, especially with Baker hurt. Chris Godwin remains a patience/bench stash; Abuka’s role in flux.

Jaguars at Titans (Starts 89:38)

• Jaguars WRs: Brian Thomas Jr. is back, but this week profiles as a ramp-up game—Myers and Washington safer floors. Long-term, Thomas could benefit from Myers’ presence.
• Brenton Strange at TE: Seeing Ingram-like usage; trending into every-week TE2 territory.
• Backfield: Travis Etienne remains a boom-or-bust RB2.

Vikings at Seahawks (Starts 99:12)

• Vikings QB mess: J.J. McCarthy limited, Max Brosmer could start—Vikings fans want McCarthy’s development, but season is a wash.
  • Quote (102:00, Jeff): “He’s definitely missing the layups... He was in a very insulated situation at Michigan… now it’s a real struggle.”
• Jefferson struggles: Plummeting production with McCarthy; tough to keep him higher than WR3 territory for now.
• Seattle: JSN still on 2k pace; Kenneth Walker and Charbonnet both startable flex/RB3s, but difficult to forecast who goes off.

Raiders at Chargers (Starts 108:26)

• Raiders shakeup: Chip Kelly out, Greg Olson (not the TE) interim OC. Gentry and Bowers should benefit—Olson says he wants to scheme touches for Gentry.
• Chargers: Justin Herbert's value nosedives without Joe Alt at LT; Maxx Crosby creates major concern for this week.
  • Quote (115:13, Dave): “In six games without Joe Alt, he's QB19 on a per game basis.”

Bills at Steelers (Starts 123:40)

• Bills WRs: No one but Khalil Shakir “reliable,” and that barely. Playoff-long dart throws at WR recommended.
• Steelers: Arthur Smith’s chaos—Gainwell and Warren now in a split, Darnell Washington teases with upside but still more curiosity than lineup lock.

Broncos at Commanders (Sunday Night, Starts 128:42)

• Commanders: Injury pile-up. Jaden Daniels possibly returns but don't pencil in this week. McLaurin is a risky, low-end WR3 if you must.
  • Quote (132:00, Jeff): “I’ll happily be wrong and not play Terry McLaurin.”
• Broncos: RJ Harvey RB1 in committee, Franklin and Sutton both flex-worthy with distinct weekly paths to value.

Giants at Patriots (Monday Night, Starts 134:49)

• Giants: Mike Kafka keeps calling plays—Jackson Dart still running, rookie Wandale Robinson’s late breakout is real (target volume same, efficiency doubled).
  • Quote (137:08, Dave): “He’s quietly been a top 7 WR over the last two months—you can just start him every week now.”
• Pats: Diggs and Henderson are must-starts. The rest (Booté, Hollins, Douglas) are indigestion-inducing dart throws.

Notable Quotes & Fun Moments

• “If you wanted a steady player… you could have gotten Romeo Doubs in the same area you were drafting Jameson Williams.” – Dave Kluge, 04:54
• “Devonte Adams is their preferred goal line back… it’s just like what we saw Aaron Rodgers doing in Green Bay.” – Dave Kluge, 31:31
• “Pressure can make diamonds. It can also burst pipes.” – Dave Kluge, paraphrased, 105:47
• “Sometimes you see these teams that—not every team in the NFL, very few do—look dominant week-to-week. If you're finding ways to win, it grows that confidence.” – Jeff Bell, 17:09
• “He’s basically their slot receiver…” – Jeff Bell on Christian McCaffrey’s usage, 37:25
• “You just have to keep grabbing these guys… if you’re young and you have fresh legs late in the season and you’re getting a big workload, that’s a recipe for a league winner.” – Dave Kluge, 58:39

Key Stats & Timestamps

• Jefferson’s production collapse (103:40)
• Rome Odunze WR27 ranking (21:04)
• Ashton Genti: RB11 in PPR, despite 'bust' narrative (112:17)
• Christian McCaffrey: 2nd in the league in receptions (38:50)

Dynasty & Trade Advice

• Buy A.J. Brown in dynasty while his value's down (24:17)
• Devon Achane is a premium dynasty trade target for contenders (64:43)
• Wandale Robinson is undervalued in dynasty ("redraft value much higher than KTC"), making him a sharp acquisition (138:35)

Closing Segment: The Hill Jeff Bell Will Die On (144:44)

• Julian Sayin “should be a Heisman winner even though he makes it look easy”—don’t overthink greatness.
• College football should never lose its historic rivalries—“your rivalry game should be set in stone… fix that.”

Final Notes

• For more of Dave & Jeff together, check out the Footballguys Dynasty Show feed (deep dynasty, rookies, industry trends, analysis, fun).
• For weekly guest episodes, subscribe to the Footballguys Fantasy Football Show feed.

Missed an episode? Key insights, critical injury news, and league-winning advice are all here—no need to keep up with the full three-hour runtime!