Malik Davis in Week 13: Should You Start or Sit Him in Fantasy Football?

Updated: November 28, 2023

Malik Davis Week 13 Fantasy Football Start or Sit Decision

*Is Malik Davis your Week 13 secret weapon—or a trap?*

The Dilemma: Why Malik Davis Is the Most Intriguing Flex Play of Week 13

Picture this: It’s 11:58 PM on Sunday night. Your fantasy matchup hinges on one flex spot. You’ve got Malik Davis staring back at you from the bench, his 4.8 yards per carry last week whispering sweet nothings about "upside." Meanwhile, your usual starter—let’s call him Mr. Consistent-But-Never-Explosive—is projected for a measly 8.2 points. The Jets are facing Atlanta’s Swiss-cheese run defense, and suddenly, your mouse hovers over the "Start" button like it’s a detonator.

Sound familiar? That’s the Malik Davis dilemma in Week 13—a high-risk, high-reward gamble that could either win you your playoff push or leave you cursing your screen. With Breece Hall’s workload still a question mark and the Falcons allowing the 3rd-most fantasy points to running backs this season, Davis isn’t just a sleeper; he’s a full-blown fantasy Rorschach test. Do you see a league-winning flex play… or a trap?

Let’s break down why this decision is torturing managers—and how to make the right call.

The Case for Starting Malik Davis in Week 13

1. The Matchup: Atlanta’s Run Defense Is a Fantasy Goldmine

The Falcons aren’t just bad against the run—they’re historically bad. Through Week 12, they’ve allowed:

5.1 yards per carry (2nd-worst in the NFL).
12 rushing touchdowns (tied for most).
Four 100-yard rushers in their last six games (including Christian McCaffrey and Raheem Mostert).

Even average backs are feasting. Last week, the Cardinals’ James Conner (who’s been a shell of himself) gashed them for 73 yards and a TD on just 14 carries. Davis doesn’t need to be elite here—he just needs volume.

2. Breece Hall’s Lingering Question Marks

Hall’s ankle injury has turned the Jets’ backfield into a fantasy roulette wheel. In Week 12, Davis out-snapped Hall 35-28 and turned 12 carries into 59 yards (4.9 YPC). Meanwhile, Hall managed just 3.2 YPC on his touches. The coaching staff has hinted at a "hot hand" approach, and right now, Davis’ hand is scorching.

Key stat: When Davis gets 10+ carries this season, he’s averaged 12.8 PPR points. That’s RB2 territory—for free on your waiver wire.

3. The Game Script Favors a Run-Heavy Approach

The Jets are 5.5-point underdogs, which usually spells pass-heavy panic mode. But here’s the twist: Atlanta’s offense is so anemic (28th in points per game) that New York’s best path to victory is controlling the clock. That means more carries for Davis, especially if the Jets jump ahead early.

Bonus: The Falcons have allowed the most receptions to running backs (68) this season. Davis isn’t a pass-catching dynamo, but even 2-3 targets could push him into double-digit PPR points.

The Case for Sitting Malik Davis (Yes, Really)

1. The Jets’ Offense Is a Dumpster Fire

Let’s not sugarcoat it: New York’s offense ranks 31st in total yards and 30th in points. Their offensive line is a turnstile (47 sacks allowed, 2nd-worst in the NFL), and Zach Wilson’s erratic play makes every drive feel like a coin flip. Even against a terrible run defense, Davis could get five carries for 15 yards if the game script turns ugly.

2. Breece Hall’s "Workhorse" Upside

Hall is still the Jets’ most talented back, and the coaching staff has repeatedly said they want to "get him going." If he breaks off a 20-yard run early, Davis could vanish into a change-of-pace role. In Week 10 (pre-injury), Hall had 22 touches to Davis’ 3. That’s the nightmare scenario.

3. The TD-Dependency Trap

Davis’ fantasy value is entirely tied to scoring. In his three games with double-digit PPR points this season, he’s scored two touchdowns. Without a TD, he’s averaged just 6.2 PPR points. The Falcons have allowed a league-high 12 rushing TDs… but they’ve also shut out opposing backs in three of their last five games.

Start or Sit? The Verdict (With 3 Scenarios)

There’s no one-size-fits-all answer here. Your decision depends on your roster, league settings, and risk tolerance. Let’s break it down:

🔥 START MALIK DAVIS IF…

You’re in a PPR league and desperate for upside. His floor is shaky, but his ceiling is 15+ points.
Your other options are duds like D’Onta Foreman, Ty Chandler, or Chuba Hubbard.
You’re trailing in your matchup and need a boom-or-bust play to catch up.
Breece Hall is ruled out or limited (watch Friday/Saturday practice reports!).

❄️ SIT MALIK DAVIS IF…

You have a safe RB2/flex like Rhamondre Stevenson, Jaylen Warren, or Tank Bigsby.
You’re in a standard league (his value drops without receptions).
You’re leading your matchup and can’t afford a 1.8-point dud.
The Jets fall behind early (game script kills his touches).

🎲 The Middle Ground: 3 Smarter Alternatives

Not sold on Davis but lack better options? Consider these higher-floor plays with similar upside:

Tyjae Spears (TEN) – Facing a soft Indy defense and getting 15+ touches with Derrick Henry banged up.
Roschon Johnson (CHI) – If D’Onta Foreman is out, he’s the clear RB1 in a plus matchup vs. Minnesota.
Ezekiel Elliott (NE) – Boring? Yes. But he’s getting goal-line work and faces the Chargers’ 29th-ranked run D.

Expert Takes: What the Fantasy Community Is Saying

We scoured Twitter, Reddit, and analyst rankings to bring you the consensus:

"Davis is a top-20 RB this week if Hall sits. Even if Hall plays, he’s a flex with league-winning upside. The Falcons can’t stop anyone."
— Matthew Berry (ESPN)

"I’m fading Davis in cash games but all-in on him in tournaments. His ownership will be low, and the ceiling is massive if he gets 15+ touches."
— JJ Zachariason (LaterRoundPod)

"The Jets’ offense is so bad that even against ATL, I’d rather start a mid-tier WR than trust Davis. He’s a TD-or-bust play."
— Evan Silva (@EvanSilva)

How to Monitor the Situation Before Kickoff

Don’t set your lineup on Wednesday and forget it. Here’s your Week 13 Malik Davis checklist:

📅 Friday/Saturday: Watch Practice Reports

Is Breece Hall limited or a full participant? If he’s limited, Davis’ stock rises.
Is Zach Wilson (ankle) practicing? If not, the Jets may lean even harder on the run.

🏈 Sunday Morning: Check Inactives & Pre-Game News

Follow Adam Schefter and Ian Rapoport for last-minute updates.
If Hall is active but "questionable", Davis is a must-start.

📊 30 Minutes Before Kickoff: Final Gut Check

Ask yourself: "Can I stomach a 3-point game from Davis?" If no, pivot to a safer floor.
Check the Jets-Falcons over/under. If it’s under 40, expect more runs.

The Bottom Line: What’s the Smart Play?

After weighing the data, the matchup, and the expert takes, here’s our final verdict:

Malik Davis is a high-end flex in Week 13—if:

Breece Hall is limited or out.
You’re in a PPR league and need upside.
Your alternative is a low-ceiling dud (e.g., Latavius Murray, Samaje Perine).

But sit him if:

Hall is full-go in practice.
You have a safe RB2 (e.g., James Cook, Joe Mixon).
You’re in a standard league and can’t afford a bust.

Think of Davis like a lottery ticket: You’re not buying it for the $2 payout—you’re chasing the $10,000 jackpot. If your season is on the line and you need a miracle, he’s your guy. If you’re playing it safe, there are better options.

What’s Next? 3 Players to Watch for Week 14

Already looking ahead? Here are three potential waiver-wire gems for next week:

Ty Chandler (MIN) – If Alexander Mattison is still out, he’s an RB2 against the Raiders.
Chase Brown (CIN) – Joe Mixon’s ankle is a ticking time bomb.
Khalil Herbert (CHI) – If D’Onta Foreman’s injury lingers, Herbert could reclaim the lead role.

Your Turn: What’s Your Move?

So, are you starting Malik Davis in Week 13, or is he riding the pine? Drop your lineup dilemma in the comments—let’s crowdsource the best decision!

And if you’re still on the fence, here’s the tiebreaker: Close your eyes and click. Sometimes, fantasy football is about trusting your gut (and then blaming the football gods when it backfires).

🔥 Need more fantasy advice? Join our free Discord community for real-time start/sit help, trade tips, and waiver-wire alerts. We’ve got your back—even when your running backs don’t.

Kebun Firdaus

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