The Bengals look to be upgrading Joes this week, as Burrow replaces
the ageless Flacco. The elder Joe held the offense together after
coming over from the Browns, and with Cinci clinging to the faintest
of playoff hopes, Burrow returns in time for a must-win division
game. The Ravens have won five in a row, but the defense still looks
shaky, and might be without Kyle Hamilton. Rust is a risk, but I’m
giving Burrow the benefit of the doubt as a top 10-option.
Nix has been inconsistent this season, flashing brilliance one
moment, and something boneheaded the next. He’s had issues
connecting on deep balls of late, and the backfield has lost Dobbins
for the season. Look for Nix to exploit the league’s worst
secondary this week in a game Denver should dominate. On a week
with several brutal QB matchups, Nix is an easy plug and play.
Fantasy football is really funny sometimes. Who would have guessed
that career backup Jacoby Brissett would become one of the most
consistent fantasy quarterbacks of the season, and an asset in
the push for the fantasy playoffs. In the last month Brissett
has set the NFL record for completions in a game, thrown for 452
yards and single handedly carried the Cardinal offense. Your team
doesn’t care that all that noise has resulted in a 1-4 record
so fire Brissett up as a high floor option in Week 13.
Purdy and the Niners passing game were quite grim Monday night
against Carolina. They were able to grind out a 20-9 win, but
Purdy didn’t win any style points with three interceptions,
and a dismal eight yards per completion. The Niners are in for
another sloppy dogfight as they hit the road to face the ferocious
Browns front seven. Fresh off a 10-sack game, this Cleveland defense
has allowed the 5th fewest fantasy points to the position, and
with the week’s lowest over/under (36.5) points will be
scarce enough to keep Purdy out of lineups if you have a better
matchup.
Jones and the Colts have been a cute story this season, but this
offense has largely gotten fat off a soft early season schedule.
Jones has turned the ball over five times in the last three weeks,
and the passing game has sputtered against better competition.
The Texans have devoured opposing quarterbacks, especially at
home as they continue to be the only team in the NFL to have more
interceptions than passing touchdowns allowed.
I just don’t know what to make of Williams and the Bears.
On one hand they have dashed out to an 8-3 record, but that has
come against teams with a combined record of 40-69. They’ve
squeaked out four straight one-score victories, but Williams has
struggled to complete half of his passes, and his legs and elusiveness
in the pocket have had to pull off several miracles. Philly is
wounded and at home, and has the defensive talent to crater the
Bears winning streak.
