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Welcome to the Tuesday Night Showdown Slate for NFL Week 13!
At last, Week 13 is coming to a close and we get to finish it off with the Ravens hosting the Cowboys. Interesting match-up, to say the least. We’ve got Lamar Jackson returning to the lineup after a battle with COVID-19, as well as several teammates who were also down and out for all of that Week 12 postponement nonsense we had to endure. Are they healthy? Are they strong enough to compete? We’ve seen some players struggle in their return while others, the effects were minimal. This team is fighting for a playoff spot in the AFC now, so they need a win in a major way right now.
Standing between the Ravens and the playoffs is a Cowboys team that is struggling itself. You’ve got an offensive line decimated by injuries, an enigmatic running back who isn’t even coming close to expectations this season, a back-up quarterback who hasn’t exactly dazzled and receiving weapons who are being wasted by a lackluster offense. And don’t even get us started with this Cowboys defense. Yeesh!
There is more riding on the line for Baltimore, but Dallas is still technically in the hunt for that highly-coveted NFC East title. So the question is – who wants it more and how can we, the DFS players profit from it?
Before we start, please allow me to reiterate that while we all love having a little skin in the game, these showdown slates are basically lottery tickets. Sure, there are times when the chalk hits and everyone shares in the prizes, but more often than not, you need that random, differentiate yourself from the herd dart-throw to hit in order to claim that top prize. As a result, we encourage to play responsibly. Stick to the GPP contests (single-entry preferred), don’t blow your whole bankroll and understand that, unless you are a max-entry player, you should prioritize having fun.
OK, lecture over. Let’s get to tonight’s action.
Dallas Cowboys at Baltimore Ravens
Spread: Ravens -8.5
O/U: 45
Money Line: Ravens -385, Cowboys +320
Betting Trends:
The total has hit the over in four of Dallas' last five road games against Baltimore.
The total has hit the under in four of Dallas' last six road games.
Baltimore is 5-1 straight up in its last six games against Dallas.
Baltimore is 4-1 straight up in its last five home games against Dallas.
Weather: High 30’s with clear skies; winds WNW 6-8mph
Last 5 Match-Ups:
Ravens lead series 4-1
Average Margin of Victory – 13.6
Last Match-Up – Cowboys beat the Ravens 27-17 in Dallas on 11/20/2016
Notable Injuries:
Ravens:
- Willie Snead , WR (COVID – out)
- Mark Andrews , TE (COVID – out)
- D.J. Fluker , RT (ankle – questionable but expected to play)
- Brandon Williams , DT (ankle – questionable)
- Calais Campbell , DE (calf – questionable)
- Jimmy Smith , DB (groin – questionable)
- Chuck Clark , S (knee – questionable)
Cowboys:
- Cameron Irving, LT (knee – out)
- Donovan Wilson, S (groin – out)
- Anthony Brown , DB (ribs – out)
Defensive Rankings (Using DVOA):
Ravens:
vs Pass: 9th
vs Run: 4th
Cowboys:
vs Pass: 21st
vs Run: 29th
Please note that if a player is not listed that does not mean they are a full fade
MVP/Captain
Lamar Jackson , QB BAL – There’s no question that Jackson has looked bad this season and he hasn’t come close to repeating numbers anywhere close to his MVP season. But while we aren’t 100-percent sure how he will come away from his battle with COVID-19, how does he not get a preferred look against a highly-suspect Dallas defense? The pass coverage isn’t great and Jackson rushing ability still leaves him front and center for top-spot consideration. I mean…it’s Dallas, right? Even a Lamar at 75-percent is worth starting against them.
Andy Dalton , QB DAL – Assuming both Brandon Williams and Calais Campbell are active for the Ravens, I don’t think the Cowboys are going to have much success running the football. That will put the ball in Dalton’s hands more and he’s going to have to sling the rock early and often if they are going to stay in this game. If he can avoid the interceptions, his yardage totals should make him a worthy play, especially if he can find the end zone at least twice.
J.K. Dobbins, RB BAL – Before getting bit by the COVID bug, Dobbins looked like he was ready to finally take that giant step forward and start leading this backfield. He saw at least a dozen carries in three of four games before missing the Steelers game and posted two 100-yard efforts with one touchdown. Dallas is allowing an average of 156.4 rushing yards per game with 15 rushing touchdowns. If Dobbins can grab the majority of work, he’ll be worth using in your lineups.
Mid-Tier
Ravens D/ST – This is a pretty obvious call, given the struggles on offense for the Cowboys. In fact, the Cowboys have 23 giveaways this season, second-most in the league. The Ravens defense is opportunistic, so if things get sloppy for Dallas, using the Ravens D/ST will yield benefits.
Amari Cooper , WR DAL – With Marlon Humphrey locked onto CeeDee Lamb, Dalton is going to have to look elsewhere for his go-to receiver. Marcus Peters is hardly the feared cover-corner he used to be and with the Ravens hurting at safety as well, he might not get the help he needs over the top. If Lamb is blanketed, Cooper could be in for a big night.
Devin Duvernay, WR BAL – With Anthony Brown out, Duvernay is likely to see Rashard Robinson in coverage. Robinson, who spent most of his time on the practice squad, was thrust into action last week and struggled at times with the speedy Cam Sims . Duvernay should be able to gain position and beat coverage here, especially inside the red zone.
Dart Throws
Marquise Brown , WR BAL – He popped back into our lives last week when he finally scored a touchdown and now faces Jourdan Lewis in coverage. Brown’s speed should play nicely here, so if Jackson is back to at least most of his old self, then we may see another big game from Brown.
Dez Bryant , WR BAL – It’s the ultimate revenge-game narrative, right? I’m sure his ownership will be too high because of it, but if you’re setting multiple lineups for tonight’s showdown, you should probably have at least a share or two of him. The match-up against Chidobe Awuzie isn’t great, but would it surprise anyone to see him get red zone looks against his former team? UPDATE: Sorry folks, No Dez tonight
Tell me why they pull me from warming up so I can go get tested... my shit come back positive... I tested positive for Covid WTF
— Dez Bryant (@DezBryant) December 9, 2020
Michael Gallup , WR DAL – Again, with Lamb likely fighting with Humphrey all night and Tramon Williams doubtful, Gallup will be facing either a very hobbled Jimmy Smith or a banged-up Davontae Harris . That should put him on target for a few extra targets.
Luke Willson , TE BAL – How’s this for a nice dart-throw? We know how many plays, particularly in the red and green zones, are directed towards the tight end, so with Mark Andrews out, why not Willson? Dallas ranks dead-last in DVOA against the position and they allow the 11th-most fantasy points per game to them.
Player News
Seahawks exercised the fifth-year option on OT Charles Cross.
Cross now remains tied to the organization through the 2026 season. PFF gave the towering 24-year-old tackle exemplary marks in 2024, ranking him 10th of 140 qualified tackles, including 15th in pass protection and 16th in run blocking. The Seahawks extend the negotiating window on one of the key pieces of their offensive front.
Browns signed WR Diontae Johnson to a one-year contract.
The former Steeler wasn’t able to carve out a significant role with the Panthers, Ravens, or Texans in 2024 after seemingly breaking out in Pittsburgh. The Browns apparently saw enough during his visit with the team Monday to sign him to a one-year contract, the details of which have yet to be released. Expect Johnson to start opposite Cedric Tillman on the perimeter while Jerry Jeudy works the slot.
ESPN’s Field Yates reports Browns placed the unrestricted free agent tender on WR Elijah Moore.
Moore visited the Bills on Monday and then saw the Browns place the unrestricted free agent tender on him. Per Field Yates, this means that Moore will count against the compensatory free agent formula should he sign with another team. He’ll play on the tender if he returns to the Browns, which carries a value of $3.428 million for wide receivers in 2025.
Fox Sports’ Jordan Szhultz reports Packers signed LB/S Isaiah Simmons, formerly of the Giants.
The former first-round hybrid linebacker and safety has yet to live up to his No. 8 overall selection in the 2020 draft, but brings the unique ability to fill multiple positions over the middle of the field to a Packers defense that prefers to play a more inside-out style. There is upside in his athletic profile and versatility - perhaps another change of scenery will serve to unlock some of that potential.
Steelers signed WR Robert Woods, formerly of the Texans, to a one-year, $2 million contract.
The 33-year-old wide receiver has long since seen his days of 100-target seasons fall by the wayside, but he still adds a veteran presence to a relatively young wide receiver room in Pittsburgh. Woods played over 60% of the offensive snaps for the Texans just twice in 2024 after doing so 13 times in 2023, indicating a high likelihood he was brought in for his locker room presence and veteran savvy rather than as a consistent contributor to the offense. The low risk signing makes sense for both parties considering Woods’ age and the state of the Pittsburgh pass-catching corps.
KPRC2’s Aaron Wilson reports the Browns met with free agent WR Diontae Johnson.
Johnson had a forgettable 2024, to put it mildly. The former Steelers receiver saw himself traded to the Panthers last offseason only to later be traded to the Ravens, where his lack of playing time eventually led to his release. He then found his way to the wide receiver-needy Texans, who rostered him for just over three weeks. He was then claimed off waivers by the Ravens but was not eligible to play during the postseason. Now a free agent, Johnson, 28, has not enjoyed the market many expected him to see this time last year. He’s a productive receiver who has amassed 424 catches for 4,738 yards and 28 touchdowns in his six-year career, but it goes without saying that he’s likely in brand rebuilding mode as far as this offseason is concerned. It’s hard to imagine any team giving him a lucrative contract after last year’s disastrous campaign. That said, Johnson could still still provide help to plenty of needy teams and could prove to be a valuable contributor at a cost-efficient price. This is the first visit we’ve heard of for Johnson, who may meet with other teams before signing.