Isiah Pacheco vs. Sean Tucker: Fantasy Football Week 13 Start 'Em, Sit 'Em

Fade Isiah Pacheco’s risky return and trust Sean Tucker’s matchup in this Week 13 fantasy football comparison.

Kansas City Chiefs running back Isiah Pacheco (10) is expected to return to the field after missing several games, but does that mean fantasy football managers should start 'em or sit 'em? | Denny Medley-Imagn Images

As fantasy football managers inch closer to the playoffs, Week 13 brings a slate filled with high-stakes decisions. The margin for error is razor-thin; a single lineup mistake can be the difference between securing a postseason berth and looking ahead to next year. This week, we are looking at two running backs facing eerily similar narratives: Isiah Pacheco of the Kansas City Chiefs and Sean Tucker of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Both players are navigating crowded backfields defined by returning injuries and established committees. Pacheco is set to return to the Chiefs after a three-game absence, stepping back into an offense that has seemingly moved on without him.

Meanwhile, Sean Tucker is looking to bounce back from a tough outing against the Rams, even as teammate Bucky Irving prepares to return to the lineup. Both backs carry significant risk, but only one offers the floor necessary for a Week 13 start.

Let's break down the chaos in Kansas City and Tampa Bay to find the safest play.

The Fantasy Case Against Isiah Pacheco

The narrative surrounding Isiah Pacheco’s return is filled with optimism from fans, but the fantasy reality is far grimmer. Pacheco has missed three games due to a knee injury, and in his absence, the Kansas City backfield has evolved.

The Chiefs have found a rhythm with Kareem Hunt, who has been undeniably efficient, tallying five touchdowns compared to Pacheco’s lone score on the season. While their rushing yardage totals are comparable, Hunt has established himself as the reliable, big-bodied goal-line back that a contending team relies on in the red zone.

Isiah Pacheco is set to return on Thanksgiving vs. Cowboys pic.twitter.com/TeOKDJy5n1

— BBQ Chiefs (@BBQChiefs) November 25, 2025

Managers expecting Pacheco to reclaim a bell-cow role immediately are likely setting themselves up for disappointment. The Chiefs are winning, and usually, successful NFL coaches do not fix what isn't broken. Pacheco probably faces a ramp-up week, potentially seeing anywhere from 20% to 40% of the snaps while Hunt retains the majority of the workload (60-70%).

Furthermore, Pacheco’s role before injury was already leaning toward a low-upside, early-down grinder in a pass-heavy offense. Earlier this season,  so I'm doubling down on the hateration. With a tough defensive test ahead against the Cowboys (I'm serious, they've played well against running backs recently!), and Hunt playing the hot hand, Pacheco represents a wait-and-see volatility that is too dangerous to trust in a must-win week.

The Fantasy Case for Sean Tucker

Sean Tucker’s Week 13 outlook requires looking past the box score of his last game. Yes, he flopped against the Los Angeles Rams, managing only 5.6 fantasy points in a 34-7 blowout. However, context is key. The Rams stymied the entire Buccaneers offense, yet Tucker still saw 12 carries, five more than Rachaad White, despite a negative game script. He remains a primary ball carrier, and his efficiency on the season (4.4 yards per carry) suggests he is the most explosive runner currently available in Tampa Bay.

The biggest variable is the expected return of rookie Bucky Irving. While Irving’s return muddies the waters, he is coming back from foot and shoulder injuries, along with a mental health reset. It is unrealistic to expect Irving to return to a full workload immediately; he will likely be on a pitch count.

#Buccaneers RB Sean Tucker's 43-yd TD run is an example of when play design and execution come together for the desired outcome. Use of motion manipulates the pre-snap look of the defense's second level for this Counter run. Tucker shows burst and patience to get in the end zone. pic.twitter.com/bdoHJ9LMU4

— Vernon Meighan (@FFB_Vern) November 20, 2025

More importantly, the Buccaneers’ quarterback situation dictates a heavy reliance on the run. With Baker Mayfield battling shoulder and oblique injuries, or the possibility of Teddy Bridgewater under center, Tampa Bay may see a tempered passing game.

Facing an Arizona Cardinals defense that allows the sixth-most fantasy points to running backs and just gave up a 20-point game to Travis Etienne Jr., Tucker has a clear path to production through volume and matchup exploitability.

The Verdict: Why Sean Tucker is the Safer Play

When comparing these two volatile situations, Sean Tucker emerges as the safer Flex option for Week 13, primarily due to matchup and offensive necessity. While both backs face the threat of losing touches to returning teammates, the competitive context favors Tucker.

Pacheco is returning to a Chiefs team that does not need him to be the hero this week; Hunt has proven capable of carrying the load, and Kansas City can afford to ease Pacheco back in slowly. Pacheco has done little this season, or even last season, to merit immediate trust over a veteran like Hunt, who is currently finding the end zone.

Fantasy football managers should lean toward Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Sean Tucker over Kansas City Chiefs running back Isiah Pacheco in Week 13. | Gregory Fisher-Imagn Images

Conversely, the Buccaneers may be forced to lean on Tucker. With uncertainty at quarterback and Irving likely limited to a restricted snap count, Tucker becomes the healthiest and most efficient option to exploit a soft Arizona run defense.

Irving has averaged under 3.4 yards per carry this year and can shine as a pass-catcher, while Tucker has shown significant burst as a ball-carrier. In a game where Tampa Bay must control the clock to protect their injured quarterback room, Tucker’s fit in game script is more secure than Pacheco’s.

The Decision: Sit Isiah Pacheco until we see a defined role. He should be viewed as an RB45+ this week, which I consider outside of flex range in a 12-team league. Start Sean Tucker as a volume-based flex play with a favorable matchup, who ranks somewhere in the RB35 range in Week 13.