Seahawks Fantasy Football Outlook for Week 13: Should You Start Geno Smith, Zach Charbonnet, DK Metcalf, Tyler Lockett, Jaxon Smith-Njigba and More?
Discussing the Seattle Seahawks week 13 matchup with the Dallas Cowboys and determining which Seahawks you can start.
Week 13 of the NFL season kicks off with an NFC battle between the Seattle Seahawks and Dallas Cowboys. It’s a big game for both teams, as the Cowboys are trying to keep pace with the Philadelphia Eagles in the NFC East, while the Seahawks try to hold on to their playoff spot.
As of this publication, the over/under for the game is 47.5 and the Cowboys are favored by 8.5 points. I like Dallas to prevail late and win by more than a score, but think it’s a lower-scoring game. Something like 27-13 sounds right to me.
As we have most weeks, let’s take a look at each team’s top fantasy players and determine if this is a matchup you’d want to possibly start them in. We’ll start with the Seahawks.
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Geno Smith Fantasy Outlook
Smith has taken a step back this season. While he’s reached at least 200 passing yards in all but four games, he’s only thrown multiple touchdowns in just four contests, while also throwing eight interceptions already.
He’s coming off a week 12 game against the San Francisco 49ers in which he was sacked six times. Things don’t get any easier for Smith in week 13, as the Cowboys have one of the best defenses in the league.
Dallas is allowing just 14 fantasy points to opposing quarterbacks per game. QBs are averaging more than an interception per game and barely more touchdowns. Smith is ranked 14th among quarterbacks in the week 13 projections - remember that six teams are on byes.
Running Back Fantasy Outlook
Kenneth Walker has been the team’s starter this year, but it looks like Zach Charbonnet will again lead the backfield with Walker banged up.
Last week, Charbonnet played 49 offensive snaps and got 18 touches. He rushed 14 times for 47 yards and caught all four of his targets for 11 yards.
DeeJay Dallas served as the backup, but got just three touches across seven snaps.
If Walker were to play, I’d still expect Charbonnet to get a majority of the snaps and touches, while Walker taking over the backup role, and probably playing a touch more than Dallas did last week.
It’s a tough matchup for the Seattle backs, as the Dallas defense allows just 16 fantasy points to the position per week. In the weekly projections, Charbonnet ranks 23rd. Walker is currently 40th. I don’t think Dallas would crack the top 50 if Walker were to be ruled out.
Wide Receiver Fantasy Outlook
It’s also a tough matchup for the Seattle wide receivers. Dallas allows just 27 fantasy points to opposing WRs, which is the third-best mark in the league.
DK Metcalf leads the way for Seattle, but Tyler Lockett is hot on his heels. Jaxon Smith-Njigba is a pretty solid third option.
Jake Bobo carved out a role a few weeks back, but only played 12 snaps in week 12. He’s gotten five targets over the past three weeks.
Tight End Fantasy Outlook
Seattle plays three tight ends a decent amount. Noah Fant leads the way, while Colby Parkinson and Will Dissly also have roles.
In week 12, Fant played 33 snaps. Parkinson was at 20 snaps, while Dissly played 15. The trio combined for four catches and 55 yards.
Of course, this is the easiest matchup on paper for the Seahawks. Dallas allows 12 fantasy points to TE per week, which is average. As you might expect, none of the Seattle tight ends crack the top 20 in the projections.
Kicker and Defense Outlook
Jason Myers does the kicking for the Seahawks. He’s 25-of-31 on field goals and has made all 20 of his extra points. While six missed kicks seems like a lot, four of those misses are over 50 yards.
Myers is currently the 21st-ranked kicker in the weekly projections.
The Seattle defense will have their hands full with the Cowboys and their hot offense. Dallas leads the league in points per game (31.5), while Seattle is in the bottom half of the league in points allowed (22.6).
Dallas is a better passing team than running one, but a lot of their offensive fireworks are set up by short fields. Seattle’s defense is in the bottom half of the league in passing and rushing yards allowed, so they have a tough test ahead.
Seattle’s defense is ranked 25th in the projections, ahead of only the dreadful Washington Commanders’ defense.
Who to Start in Week 13
This is a brutal matchup pretty much across the board for Seattle players. As my score prediction in the opening of this story suggests, I don’t see the Seahawks’ offense faring well, scoring just one touchdown and then getting a couple field goals.
I know there’s six teams on byes, so options are limited, but I’d try to avoid every Seattle player.
Smith hasn’t been good this season, and I think this could be his worst showing of the season. Only start him if you absolutely have to.
If Walker doesn’t play, Charbonnet would get a heavy workload in the backfield, but unless he’s the one that scores, I don’t see him accumulating enough scrimmage yards to start. I’d only feel OK about starting him in deeper formats, and even then, I’m only OK with it because he’ll be the workhorse. If Walker suits up, I’d avoid all the Seattle backs in all formats.
I think Seattle will need to pass quite a bit to keep up with Dallas, but it’s hard to predict which receiver might benefit the most because nobody has dominated this season. Metcalf has gotten the most targets over the past three weeks, so he’d be my guess to be the top option. I’d still try to avoid him if possible in standard leagues.
Lockett and JSN are also guys I’d avoid in standard leagues. You can start them in deeper leagues if you need to, but unless they rack up several points on catches, I’m not sure their yardages will be enough to even be average receivers this week. Bobo isn’t a starter in any format for me (I’m sure he’ll be the one to score the touchdown).
The tight end situation is a mess, and even with an average matchup, I’d avoid them in standard leagues. Fant is the guy I’d want to start in deeper leagues, but that’s only if you have no other options.
I do see Seattle getting a couple field goals, but I wouldn’t go out of my way to add Myers, especially seeing all his misses this season.
The Seattle defense is one I’d stay away from at all costs. If you have no other options, you might be better off not starting a defense depending on how complicated your league's defensive scoring settings are.
It’s been a solid season so far for Seattle, but not many players are good/great fantasy options, especially against a top-end defense like Dallas. This is the first time I’ve not wanted to start any players from a Thursday game, but I think it’s a justified point.
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