Deshaun Watson or Tom Brady? Fantasy outlooks explored for Week 13 of the 2022 NFL season

Houston Texans v Jacksonville Jaguars
Deshaun Watson - Houston Texans v Jacksonville Jaguars

Deshaun Watson and Tom Brady are two of the past decade's best quarterbacks, although Watson hasn't seen a regular-season game in nearly two years. As a result, this fantasy decision is pretty interesting.

Watson is a talented but highly controversial double-threat QB who means different things to different folks. Watson's last NFL regular-season match was in the 2020 season, and he was in incredible form for the Houston Texans. It's been a while, so it remains to be seen whether we'll get the old Watson back.

Then there's Tom Brady. He is something of a polar opposite to Deshaun Watson in off-field activities. Brady has maintained a squeaky-clean off-the-field image, although there was the occasional scandal at the Patriots. Tom Brady has been in the league for over two decades, and the GOAT keeps putting in stellar numbers year in and year out.

Even though Deshaun Watson is finally back from suspension, we recommend that you start Tom Brady in Week 13.

Why Tom Brady is a better fantasy pick than Deshaun Watson in Week 13

The crux of the matter is that there are just too many variables and uncertainties surrounding Watson at this stage. Granted, Brady has not had the best season with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, but he's a known quantity. He's up against Deshaun Watson, who hasn't played a snap of football since 2020 and takes over a Cleveland Browns side under increasing pressure.

Watson has it all to do if he's to salvage the Cleveland Browns' precarious 2022 season, and one loss likely halts their playoff ambitions. Brady, on the other hand, needs to up his game, but is nowhere near as desperate. He's match fit and match ready. You know what to expect when he hits the field every week.

Watson could be a huge point haul or he could be a massive disappointment. With zero games in nearly two years, he is going to be rusty and maybe even unaccustomed to the physicality of the game. It's a new playbook in a new team with whom he's barely practiced in a must-win situation. It's just too great a risk at this stage of the fantasy football season.

Deshaun Watson and Tom Brady - Key Stats

Since being taken by the Houston Texans in the first round of the 2017 NFL season, Watson has been one of the best-shot callers in the league. He's a strong, quick, mobile, intelligent shot caller who can turn a game on its head. As an elite QB, Watson has no glaring flaws in his game.

Watson has ranked in the top seven of quarterback stats when fit. That is shown in his 2020 season stat line, which reads 4,823 passing yards, 33 touchdowns, seven interceptions, and a 70.2 completion percentage. Can he hit the ground running in Cleveland?

Brady has done it all and his name strikes fear in the hearts of defensive coordinators. Brady might not be the fastest, most skilled, or most efficient. Brady isn't having the best statistical season of his career this year, but he's still putting up solid stats.

He has thrown for 3,051 passing yards, 14 touchdowns, and two interceptions in 11 games. Tom Brady ranks as the 18th best QB in fantasy rankings and points this season.

The choice really comes down to the solid and dependable (although unremarkable) Tom Brady or the wild card/mystery box that is Deshaun Watson. If you want a higher floor, Brady seems logical, but if you want a higher ceiling, Watson is your man.

Quick Links

Edited by John Maxwell