Cook has been erratic in 2025, scoring touchdowns in just two
games since Week 4. He posted 2 rushing TDs in a blowout win over
Carolina in Week 8, and made a spectacular 25-yard TD reception
last Sunday against Tampa Bay. In fact, Cook scored 15.6 of his
20.4 fantasy points on 3/3/66/1 receiving in Week 11. He is averaging
20.3 touches/game, and those opportunities lead to fantasy points.
It’s a quick turnaround for a Thursday road game, but he’s certain
to get his chances against an elite Texans defense.
Shakir is a top-36 WR with one of the best QBs in the game, but
he averages only 11 FPts/G. Week 11 against the Buccaneers, brought
3 targets and a single reception for -3 yards. Ouch. That was
with WR Keon Coleman inactive and TE Dalton Kincaid out with a
hamstring. Meanwhile, Josh Allen played long ball, throwing 9
of his completions for 217 yards (24.11 YPC) and a TD each to
Cook, RB Ty Johnson and WR Tyrell Shavers. Houston has allowed
only 6 TDs to WRs all season, I’d check your bench and consider
a more forgiving matchup this week. Also note that Shakir missed
practice all week due to a personal matter.
Shavers had 1 target in 2024, resulting in a 69-yard TD. Last
Sunday against the Bucs, he posted 5/4/90/1. I’m not saying he’s
a priority free-agent add, but WR Keon Coleman is in the doghouse
(again), TEs Kincaid and Knox are taking turns being “limited”
and six of the top-25 WRs have a bye this week (DEN, LAC, MIA,
WAS). Shavers has fresh legs, and there isn’t much tape for defenses
to study. Real performance results in fantasy opportunities, and
fellow WRs Josh Palmer, Elijah Moore and Curtis Samuel have been
nothing more than roster cloggers in 2025.
Veteran Gabe Davis was elevated to the active roster in Week
11, and grabbed his first 3 receptions (40 yards) of 2025. Now
back in Buffalo, he could manage to siphon off 2-3 targets/game
from the receiving options ahead of him on the depth chart. But
I look for him to revert to the practice squad, when WR Keon Coleman
completes his penance and both TEs are 100% healthy.
Coleman hovers around WR50 on the season, with three games over
12 fantasy points and six games under 7.5 points. His two best
games in 2025 were against defensive-duds Baltimore and Miami.
Imagine how bad his numbers would look without Josh Allen as his
QB. The Buffalo Brass know what they (don’t) have in Coleman,
and keep bringing in other wide receivers for game-day tryouts.
Being a healthy scratch (discipline) for a big home game is not
the way to endear yourself to your QB, fellow players, coaches,
or fans in Buffalo.
Kincaid was leading all Buffalo receivers with 411 yards heading
into the Week 10 game at Miami. A hamstring injury against the
Dolphins resulted in the dreaded “week-to-week” designation.
After missing Week 11 against Tampa Bay, Kincaid has been ruled
out for Thursday night. Buffalo (7-3) needs him healthy for their
playoff push, and rushing him back in a limited capacity to face
the 6th-best defense against TEs (3 TDs allowed) will not be in
the cards.
BUF FPts Allowed vs. QBs: No.28
BUF FPts Allowed vs. RBs: No.2
BUF FPts Allowed vs. WRs: No.19
BUF FPts Allowed vs. TEs: No.32
Ironically, rookie Woody Marks (RB32) and backfield-mate RB Nick
Chubb (RB43) each have exactly 99 carries entering Week 12. Generally
speaking, Chubb, now in his 9th year, is losing touches to Marks
at an increasing rate. Woody also adds some pass-catching skills
(25/16/190/2) that Chubb doesn’t bring to the table (18/11/59/0).
The Bills rush defense allows a whopping 27.6 FPts/G to opposing
running backs, second only to the pitiful Bengals. In what could
be a let-down game for the Bills, I see Woody with high-end RB2
numbers, including 3-5 targets in the passing game.
Dalton Schultz ranks among the best fantasy values of 2025. Currently
TE9 in total points (10.6 FPts/G), he was undrafted in most 12-team
leagues, with a disrespectful ADP of 256 (TE29). Remarkably, he’s
achieved this while scoring only 1 touchdown through 10 games.
Averaging 9.3 targets/game over his last 3, he has a 75% catch
rate for the season. Even against the best TE-defense in the business,
I have a hunch Schultz maintains his momentum.
Mills gets another start, as QB1 C.J. Stroud continues to work
through the concussion protocol. Nico Collins will continue to
be targeted early and often--the 2 QBs have thrown his direction
46 times over his last four games. Until the Texans invest in
offensive-line upgrades, their quarterback(s) will continue to
have a completion percentage in the 60-65% range. Mills should
manage nearly 40 attempts, 260 yards and a score. There is no
need to start him in season-long leagues, but he’ll be a cheap
option (with weapons) in daily contests.
Higgins (WR63) and Hutchinson (WR60) are each capable of scoring
on this Bills defense. They have 5.75 and 5.0 targets/game respectively,
over the last four games. Each has a total of 3 TDs on the year,
and they have usurped much of the production intended for Christian
Kirk (WR108). Nagging injuries have limited Kirk’s ability
to gain separation throughout 2025. Warning: 5 targets from Davis
Mills usually generate only 3 completions. Even fantasy-stud Nico
Collins has been limited to 49 receptions on his 82 targets (59.7%).
Chubb is still a capable RB, posting 99/419/2 (4.2 YPC) through
10 games of his 8th NFL season. He’ll remain a threat to
vulture a short-touchdown plunge, but with only 9 total touches
over his last two games, we’re forced to realize Chubb is
currently a mid-level handcuff for Woody Marks owners.
In the three games he’s played with J.J. McCarthy, Addison has
totaled seven catches, 103 yards, and a touchdown. That’s subpar
production, but there may be a glimmer of hope this Sunday after
the Packers had their issues defending the tandem of Wan’Dale
Robinson and Isaiah Hodgins last week. Given McCarthy’s struggles,
and the success of what both Carolina and New York did recently
(run the ball and play keep away from Green Bay’s offense), you
can expect a heavy dose of Jones and Jordan Mason. When done right,
this sets up a lot of third and manageable situations, and Green
Bay’s approach has tended to be snuff out the big plays and wait
for the offense to shoot itself in the foot. There should be chances
for both Jefferson and Addison to get work done in the intermediate
game if McCarthy can connect. Addison as a WR3 has a little juice.
It’s far too early to throw in the towel on McCarthy, who
has made just five starts in his NFL career. In the short term,
however, you can’t rely on him, either. McCarthy has had
struggles with both his accuracy and decision making, and though
we’ve seen pockets of inspired play most weeks, the overall
numbers are ugly: 168 yards passing, 22 yards rushing, 1.6 total
TDs, and 1.6 INTs per game. At this point, it’s better to
wait for a couple of good showings from McCarthy before considering
him for a lineup spot.
MIN FPts Allowed vs. QBs: No.24
MIN FPts Allowed vs. RBs: No.20
MIN FPts Allowed vs. WRs: No.26
MIN FPts Allowed vs. TEs: No.7
With Josh Jacobs (knee) dealing with a knee injury, Wilson is
likely to step into a larger role this Sunday. Even if Jacobs
is active, look for his workload to be managed as the Packers
try to navigate two NFC North matchups in a five-day span. Wilson
doesn’t get a ton of work most weeks, but he’s been effective
in limited burn, averaging 4.2 yards per carry and 6.3 yards per
reception. With Jacobs done in the first half against the Giants,
Wilson managed 49 yards and a score on 13 touches. Minnesota ranks
22nd in run defense this season, and it was clearly the area Chicago
looked to attack in their win last week with 39 carries. Wilson
offers value as a flex regardless of Jacobs’ status, though his
upside obviously climbs if he’s working as the lead back.
There were a ton of drops in New York last weekend, and though
Watson was guilty of one of them, he also hauled in a pair of
difficult touchdown passes, including the game-winner late in
the fourth quarter. It was the kind of performance that could
jump-start Watson, who has been mostly good since returning from
a torn ACL. He’s not the safest of Green Bay’s wideouts,
but he has the most upside as your WR3 or flex.
If you look at Love’s output versus the Giants, you’ll come away
unimpressed. The QB hit on just 13 passes for 174 yards and two
touchdowns in a game he departed briefly with a shoulder injury.
Don’t be fooled. Love played excellent football, and many, if
not most of his 11 incompletions were the result of drops. We’ll
see if his pass catchers are sharper this Sunday against the Vikings,
which rank seventh in the NFL against the pass (190.5 yards/game).
Only the Jets have fewer interceptions than Minnesota this year,
though, and they’ve been victimized at times during their most
recent five games, including giving up three TD passes to both
Justin Herbert and Jalen Hurts. Love has been hit or miss in his
matchups with Brian Flores, leaving him in what seems to be his
perpetual spot as a player capable of hitting QB1 value, but one
that frequently fallen a bit short recently.
The Colts enter Week 12 off a well-timed bye after Daniel Jones’
rough two-game stretch against Pittsburgh and Atlanta, where he
combined for four interceptions and six fumbles. The extra week
to regroup — and to prepare specifically for Andy Reid’s
staff — should help stabilize things. A cleaner performance
is likely, but it’s also clear defenses are beginning to
adjust to what Indianapolis is doing in the passing game. Until
we see how quickly the Colts counter-adjust, Jones profiles as
a high-end QB2. His addition to Thursday’s injury report
with a calf issue adds another layer of risk, so his status needs
close monitoring.
Michael Pittman Jr. ranks 13th among wide receivers in FPts/G
(12.1), so his Week 10 2-19-0 dud isn’t a reason to downgrade
him outright. What is concerning is the matchup: since Week 2,
the Chiefs have allowed only two opposing receivers to reach double-digit
fantasy points and none to exceed 13 FPts. That volume-suppressing
environment makes Pittman more WR3 than WR2 this week.
Alec Pierce has been a pleasant surprise at 9.8 FPts/G (WR38),
but this matchup doesn’t suit him. Kansas City has limited
opposing WRs to just 10.9 yards per reception, mitigating Pierce’s
downfield role. He’s closer to a WR5 against this secondary.
Fade: N/A
IND FPts Allowed vs. QBs: No.20
IND FPts Allowed vs. RBs: No.21
IND FPts Allowed vs. WRs: No.10
IND FPts Allowed vs. TEs: No.5
Patrick Mahomes has cooled off slightly, producing 10.5 FPts
versus Buffalo and 15.3 FPts against Denver. The Colts aren’t
quite as tough on quarterbacks, but they are getting healthier
and should look different than the unit we saw before their bye.
Still, if this matchup pushes toward a back-and-forth game, Mahomes’
volume advantage remains intact — especially with the run
game offering limited help. He’s a QB1 in a critical spot
for Kansas City.
Travis Kelce has benefitted greatly from the Chiefs’ retooled
receiver group and is now 6th among tight ends in FPts/G (11.2).
He has at least 54 receiving yards in six straight games and draws
another strong matchup: the Colts have allowed the 5th-most FPts/G
to opposing TEs. With Kansas City’s outside receivers facing
tougher coverage, this sets up as another high-opportunity spot
for Kelce. He’s a top-five tight end in Week 12.
Chavarius Ward returning to practice means the Colts won’t
be fielding the same defense that has allowed the 11th-most FPts/G
to wide receivers this season. With Ward and new addition Sauce
Gardner forming a legitimate shutdown duo, Rashee Rice faces a
much tougher environment. Rice has scored in three of his last
four and has long been Mahomes’ preferred option —
50 receptions and seven touchdowns in his last eight games dating
back to pre-injury 2024 — but he’s not immune to tough
matchups. Something similar to last week’s 6-38-0 on nine
targets is well within range. He remains a lineup lock, but WR2
expectations are more realistic.
Since DeForest Buckner went down in Week 10, Indianapolis has
allowed rushing touchdowns to backs in back-to-back weeks. Kareem
Hunt, meanwhile, continues to derive nearly all his fantasy value
from scoring (14 TDs in 24 games since rejoining K.C.). With the
Colts tightening up outside and likely forcing red-zone creativity,
Hunt should once again be involved near the stripe. He’s
a touchdown-dependent flex.
Xavier Worthy posted 121 total yards in his Sept. 28 return from
a shoulder injury but hasn’t surpassed 53 yards in six straight
games. The combination of reduced explosiveness, Rice’s return,
and the Chiefs’ overall depth (Marquise Brown, Tyquan Thornton,
Kelce) has pushed him into a secondary role. With the Colts improving
significantly in coverage, this is unlikely to be the week Worthy
rebounds. He’s best viewed as a sit.
Facing one of the NFL’s worst pass defenses, the Patriots passing
game as a whole is sitting in an enviable position. Cincinnati
does have one good coverage player in DJ Turner, but he’ll be
on the outside, which should open up opportunities for Henry.
A week ago, the combo of Darnell Washington and Pat Freiermuth
combined for 86 yards on five receptions, which is good news for
Henry, who has been spotty as a contributor after a fast start.
To that end, he’s had two games with less than 10 yards receiving
in his last four. New England is one of the more difficult teams
to project from week to week, but with Maye currently leading
the NFL in passing yards, you know at least one or two players
will deliver. Henry holds enough upside to be in your lineup.
Stevenson (toe) has missed the last three games due to turf toe,
but he returned to practice on Wednesday and appears to be trending
toward a return. Before the injury, the veteran was the team’s
clear lead back. During his absence, however, Henderson stepped
in and produced 330 yards and 5 touchdowns. That begs the question,
can New England put the genie back in the bottle? Or do they even
want to? That creates a lot of uncertainty over exactly what role
Stevenson will fill in Week 12, assuming he’s healthy enough
to play, and beyond. We won’t get any answers until we see
them back on the field together, so for now you shouldn’t
view Stevenson as more than a flex option.
Hollins has emerged from nowhere over the past four games, compiling
19 receptions and 268 yards. Much of that has come with Kayshon
Boutte (hamstring) sidelined with a hamstring injury, and the
big-play wideout was back at practice on Wednesday, which may
signal he’s ready to return in Week 12. If Boutte is back, it
could push Hollins into a smaller role as Diggs, Demario Douglas,
and Kyle Williams are all involved in the passing attack as well.
The arrow has been pointing up on Hollins, and he's been producing
at low-end WR3 levels of late, but he could slide back into the
flex area or even below if New England’s receiver room is at full
strength.
NE FPts Allowed vs. QBs: No.16
NE FPts Allowed vs. RBs: No.32
NE FPts Allowed vs. WRs: No.14
NE FPts Allowed vs. TEs: No.9
With Ja’Marr Chase set to serve a one-game suspension after
spitting at Jalen Ramsey this past Sunday, Iosivas should move
into the starting lineup opposite Higgins. Iosivas has had his
moments over the years, including 2025 -- he posted a 5-82-0 line
versus the Lions in Week 5, and a 5-66-1 effort earlier this month
against Chicago -- and he’s capable of stepping up to help
fill the void. New England’s strength as a defense is against
the run, where they rank first in the NFL, so the Bengals figure
to lean on their passing game if they hope to keep pace with the
Pats. If you’re in need of a one-week fill-in with WR3 potential,
and one that’s likely available on waivers in a lot of leagues,
Iosivas could be your man.
Flacco endured his first subpar outing since joining the Bengals
in a Week 12 loss to the Steelers, posting just 199 yards, 1 TD,
and 1 INT. Prior to that, the veteran had averaged 314 yards and
2.75 TDs per outing in four games with Cincinnati. While he continues
to deal with a shoulder issue, Flacco will be relied on heavily
to move the ball against the league’s top run defense, a task
that became much tougher when the NFL suspended Chase this Sunday.
Flacco remains capable of putting up QB1 numbers with a mix of
Higgins, Brown, Iosivas, and Noah Fant, but the risk is greater.
Pittsburgh’s injury report makes things a bit tough this
week, and that starts at the running back position. Warren ran
10 times for 62 yards against the Bengals last week before bowing
out with an ankle injury that kept him from practicing on Wednesday.
If this is a precaution, and Warren is healthy enough to play
in Week 12, he should be slotted into your lineup with Gainwell
becoming largely unplayable. Conversely, if Warren is inactive,
Gainwell becomes a strong one-week plugin. Gainwell posted 105
yards and two touchdowns versus Cincinnati last Sunday, and in
his only other game as the lead back he had 134 yards and 2 TDs.
Keep an eye on the injury report/inactive list, and be ready to
plug Gainwell into your lineup if Warren is out.
Once again, there’s injury uncertainty as it relates to Rodgers,
who sustained a small fracture in his non-throwing wrist in Week
11 and was relieved by Mason Rudolph. Who will be under center
this Sunday? That’s still TBD. Rodgers was a DNP on Wednesday
but did indicate that his availability comes down to safety and
functionality, meaning if he can handle snaps and isn’t risking
more serious injury, he could be out there. Rodgers’ history with
the Bears is well documented, as is his dominance at Soldier Field.
Clearly, he’s no longer at the height of his powers at age 41,
but we’ve seen Rodgers turn back the clock a few times this season,
and if any opponent/location is going to draw a throwback performance
from the future Hall of Famer, this might be it. Chicago also
ranks 23rd in pass defense, so there’s matchup-based upside as
well.
Fade: N/A
PIT FPts Allowed vs. QBs: No.7
PIT FPts Allowed vs. RBs: No.24
PIT FPts Allowed vs. WRs: No.2
PIT FPts Allowed vs. TEs: No.4
A resident of the no-brainer list for most of this season, Odunze’s
uneven play of late has cost him that designation. Over his last
six games, the second-year wideout has posted less than 45 yards
four times with just one total touchdown. Chicago’s passing game
in general has been largely unimpressive with the combination
of Swift and Kyle Monangai doing much of the heavy lifting in
recent weeks. Despite the downgrade, there’s a lot to like for
Odunze this week. Pittsburgh ranks dead last in pass defense,
giving up 261.7 yards per game through the air, though they’re
more of a middling group when it comes to touchdowns allowed.
Still, this is a strong enough matchup that Odunze’s upside trumps
his recent lackluster production.
It remains difficult to get a read on Williams and whether he’s
a fit for the timing-based scheme head coach Ben Johnson wants
to run. His numbers continue to be uninspiring most weeks as well,
throwing for one or zero TDs in eight of 10 games this season.
He can run, averaging a robust 5.2 yards per carry on the year,
but it’s not a reliable part of his game. All of which is
why, even in a matchup with the last-ranked pass defense, Williams
remains far from a slam dunk. Not all of that uncertainty relates
to the QB, either, as few defenses show more variance week to
week than the Steelers, which have played some dominant games
defensively and also some complete duds. All of which combines
to make Williams an option with QB1 upside and substantial risk.
Mitchell spent most of this season with the Colts and is best
known for fumbling before crossing the goal line against the Rams.
He has just 10 receptions all year, including one or none in five
straight games. His Jets debut came last Thursday versus New England
where he caught one pass for 10 yards. So far, nothing written
suggests he’ll hold any fantasy value this week or any other.
Consider the following, however: Justin Fields is being replaced
by Tyrod Taylor, a more accurate passer, Mitchell was a second-round
pick last year, and he was targeted a team-high six times in that
loss to the Patriots, including a deep shot that he failed to
corral. With Garrett Wilson (knee) on Injured Reserve, somebody
needs to catch passes for the Jets, and it feels like there’s
more potential with Mitchell than John Metchie. We’re talking
risky flex value here, but there’s some sneaky potential.
It looked like the Jets were ready to make the switch from Fields
to Taylor after Week 7, but the journeyman hurt his knee, and
Fields led the Jets to back-to-back wins -- even though he completed
just six passes in Week 10. Fields’ struggles last Thursday
night provided another opportunity to make a move, and with a
few extra days off the timing was right. When it comes to the
Taylor/Fields decision, two things can be true at once. Taylor
is more capable of running the offense while still offering far
less fantasy appeal than Fields due to the latter’s skills
as a runner. Don’t conflate the two. Taylor holds nominal
value.
NYJ FPts Allowed vs. QBs: No.15
NYJ FPts Allowed vs. RBs: No.14
NYJ FPts Allowed vs. WRs: No.17
NYJ FPts Allowed vs. TEs: No.15
Not a lot looked great from Baltimore’s offense in Cleveland,
particularly Jackson, who took five sacks and tossed two INTs
while only throwing for 193 yards. While Flowers got the biggest
chunk of that, Andrews finished second with a modest 32 yards
on three receptions. He had perhaps the game’s biggest play,
however, taking a snap under center and running for a 35-yard
touchdown as the Browns defense sold out to stop what they figured
would be a tush push. While you clearly can’t count on that
kind of gimmicky production from one week to the next, Andrews
has scored in each of the three games since Jackson’s return.
Add to that New York’s struggles in coverage, and it’s
enough to make Andrews a low-end TE1.
After missing Week 11 due to a concussion, Dart took first-team
reps in practice on Wednesday and is trending towards a return
this Sunday, though as of this writing he remains in the league’s
concussion protocol. Were it not for this uncertainty, and the
fact that he did miss a game, the rookie would likely be a no
brainer. Even as the talent level around him has been depleted
with the losses of Malik Nabers (knee) and Cam Skattebo (ankle),
Dart has continued to produce, particularly as a runner. In his
seven starts, the Ole Miss product has run for at least one touchdown
in six of those games. New York will need to rely on him heavily
against the Lions, which have a tough defense that just held the
Eagles to 16 points on Sunday night. Despite that, given his dual-threat
skills, Dart belongs in your lineup.
In interim head coach Mike Kafka’s first game, he leaned
heavily on the run with Tracy (19-88-0) and Singletary (16-44-2)
both getting a lot of work -- Tracy added another 51 yards on
four receptions while Singletary had one catch for three yards.
Don’t expect the return of Dart to alter that approach.
In fact, incorporating the mobile quarterback might make things
even more effective. It also makes sense to use the same gameplan
offensively that they did against the Packers, which centers on
possessing the ball and limiting Detroit’s opportunities.
Even in a loss, the Giants accomplished that mission last week,
running 69 plays to 51 for Green Bay, and logging nearly 36 minutes
in time of possession. Both backs offer enough upside to be used
as an RB3/flex with the risks being their usage split, and the
possibility the Lions could push out and force New York to alter
their approach on the fly.
Fade: N/A
NYG FPts Allowed vs. QBs: No.6
NYG FPts Allowed vs. RBs: No.3
NYG FPts Allowed vs. WRs: No.6
NYG FPts Allowed vs. TEs: No.22
In terms of passing yards, Goff was actually slightly above his
season average, throwing for 255 yards. Make no mistake, however,
Sunday night was a miserable one for the veteran. He was under
constant duress and completed just 14 of his 37 attempts. Plus,
much of that yardage came courtesy of exceptional individual efforts
from Gibbs and Williams. With a Thanksgiving Day meeting with
the Packers looming, this represents a chance for Goff to reset.
We’ve seen him take advantage of overmatched opponents this
year, most recently versus Washington two weeks ago when he put
up 320 yards and 3 TDs, and you know Dan Campbell would love to
put this game out of reach early ahead of that showdown with Green
Bay. The Giants sit 22nd against the pass, so Goff has a plus
matchup. The concern is that the Lions instead look to shorten
the game and lean on their running attack versus New York’s
30th-ranked run defense.
After a strong start, Montgomery has quietly seen his production
slip, averaging just 37 yards rushing per game over his last seven
with two total TDs. In terms of usage, he had only seven touches
versus the Eagles, one above his season low. With two games in
five days, including a critical divisional matchup, one of two
outcomes seem likely for this Sunday’s meeting with the
Giants: a lot of passing to keep their backs fresh for what figures
to be a physical affair with the Packers, or a lot of running
to keep the ball in an effort to keep the defense off the field.
As noted, New York’s poor run defense invites the latter,
but Goff’s struggles on Sunday night are a wild card element.
There’s enough upside to use Montgomery as a flex, but there’s
some risk, too.
Much like the Titans backfield, the Seahawks continue their RB1a
and RB1b approach. The Walker/Charbonnet breakdown over the last
five games is full of fantasy frustration:
Head Coach Mike Macdonald said after the Week 11 Rams game, that
Walker has earned more touches going forward. Does that mean Charbonnet
is limited to 5-6 carries? We’ve heard such coach speak
in Seattle before, but at least for this week, Walker seems positioned
for more than 54% of the rushing attempts and more than 54% of
the receptions. Could that mean a 2-TD performance, playing with
the lead? As of Wednesday night, oddsmakers say no, at +900. But
with more touches “promised,” I’m comfortable
calling for at least 16 fantasy points against the Titans.
Darnold has successfully transitioned to his fifth team in eight
years. As QB13, he is sandwiched between Mayfield/Goff ahead,
and Lawrence/Love below him in the rankings. The former No.3 overall
pick has partnered with league-leading WR, Jaxon Smith-Njigba
(22 FPts/G), for 97/72/1146/5 over ten games. Darnold is completing
70.2% of his passes, up from 66.2% last year in Minnesota. With
QBs Herbert and Nix on a bye, and the recent acquisition of WR
Rashid Shaheed, Darnold will continue his top-13 QB numbers this
week.
The good news is that Charbonnet is RB34 in total fantasy points.
The bad news is Kenneth Walker is RB23. Since HC Macdonald said
that Walker will see more touches this week, Charbonnet is more
likely to score 6.9, than his current average of 9.6 fantasy points.
In a possible blowout, maybe Walker sits out the final two series?
This will be Shaheed’s third game as a Seahawk, and the generous
Titans offer up 36.3 FPts/G to opposing WRs. He averaged 16.8
YPC in his first three years with the Saints, and gains separation
quickly with 4.43 speed. Seattle’s passing game and Shaheed’s
athleticism will result in some big fantasy outings. He’s a great
complement to JSN and Cooper Kupp, and is a scoring threat on
the first play of a game, an end-around in the red zone and in
the return game. The rich got richer.
Ranked WR55 in total points, Kupp shows 42/29/390/1 through his
nine games. A tender hamstring has limited his effectiveness in
his first season in Seattle (9th overall). Not the elite threat
he was in previous years, Kupp is still averaging 13.4 YPC and
8.2 FPts/G. He’ll have some spike fantasy-scoring weeks,
but the addition of Shaheed hurts his overall value. The Seahawks
are favored by nearly 2 touchdowns, and Kupp could see fewer targets
this week.
SEA FPts Allowed vs. QBs: No.18
SEA FPts Allowed vs. RBs: No.23
SEA FPts Allowed vs. WRs: No.24
SEA FPts Allowed vs. TEs: No.6
Yes, this is a “pity placement.” The rebuilding Titans have won
a single game, by a single point. They are 0-5 in Nashville and
1-9 overall. You aren’t starting any Titans when the 7-3 Seahawks
visit Nissan Stadium, I get it. You certainly wouldn’t reach for
a TE ranked 29th in total fantasy points, unless someone paid
you. Well, some sportsbooks have Chig at +750 for an anytime touchdown.
He has yet to score his TD this season, WR Calvin Ridley is on
IR and Seattle gives up 16.6 FPts/G to the position. #chigoverdue
#chig-ching
Pollard is averaging a career-low 3.9 YPC, has scored only twice
in 10 games and bleeds touches to Tyjae Spears. Opposing defenses
can focus on the run, since the passing game for the Titans doesn’t
pose a sustainable threat. Pollard can be expected to claim 10
carries, and about as many PPR fantasy points. His SOS outlook
does improve a bit during the fantasy playoffs.
Spears missed the first four games of the season because of a
high-ankle sprain sustained in the first preseason game. Since
then, his usage has been remarkably consistent: 5-6 carries and
3-4 receptions per game. Spears garners 8.7 FPts/G to the dismay
of Pollard owners, while Spears owners dislike the plodding 9.9
FPts/G earned by Pollard.
Ridley’s leg fracture forces rookies Ayomanor (Round 4, Pick 34)
and Chimere Dike (Round 4, Pick 1) to the top of the Titans depth
chart. Tennessee is averaging fewer than 60 offensive plays/game,
but Ayomanor (59/28/334/2) will be one of the few friendly faces
available for rookie QB Cam Ward on Sunday… we hope. He’s missed
practice time this week with a hamstring injury so check his status
this weekend. Even with an increase in volume, it’s a tough situation
for the promising Ayomanor. All things considered, a projected
ceiling of 5 receptions for 70 yards seems reasonable if he suits
up.
Ward is the lowest-ranked QB, among those starting 10 games,
and it’s not close. His 58.4% completion rate and 6:6 TD/INT
ratio will probably improve—but not this week. In fact,
I expect Ward (5 fumbles, 5 lost) to add to his turnover totals,
since Seattle’s pass defense has already generated 32 sacks
and 9 INTs. Look for the Titans to target Pollard (81% catch rate),
Spears (95%) and Okonkwo (76%) short, or risk giving the Seahawks
their 3rd defensive touchdown.
It's encouraging that Chimere Dike (chest contusion) practiced
in full Wednesday and Thursday. He appears ready to start in front
of the Titans faithful. Expectations need to be realistic, however,
as the Seahawks defense allows only 11.2 completions, 121.7 yards
and 0.8 touchdowns to wide receivers each game. If Dike manages
a 25% share of those (29) wide-receiver FPts/G Seattle allows,
he’ll claim 7-8 fantasy points on Sunday.
Van Jefferson has the same number of receptions (17) on the year
as Calvin Ridley. That’s data, not praise. Even if your
top-3 WRs are on a bye this week, there is no reason to start
Jefferson with a hurried Cam Ward at QB.
Travis Etienne’s bounce-back season continued last week with
73 rushing yards and two touchdowns against the Chargers. He didn’t
record a catch for the second time this year, but still sits just
nine receptions shy of the team lead. Etienne has been Jacksonville’s
only reliable offensive piece in 2025, and Arizona hasn’t defended
running backs particularly well, allowing the 9th-most points
to the position. Sitting 17th among RBs in FPts/G (13.2), Etienne
is a high-end RB2 in Week 12.
Time remains for Brian Thomas Jr. to salvage what has been a
difficult sophomore season, but it’s unclear whether he’ll
be ready to return from his ankle injury this week. His efficiency
has dipped across the board — 7.0 yds/tgt, one touchdown
every 16 touches, and a 15% drop rate — after posting strong
rookie-year metrics. Some of that may trace back to early shoulder
issues. If healthier, he’s volatile but still talented enough
to warrant flex consideration if active.
Jakobi Meyers, meanwhile, had his best game since Week 2, turning
in 5-64-0 on six targets. His snap share jumped significantly
(27 to 46), and 50+ snaps are likely in Week 12. The Jaguars value
Meyers’ intelligence and adaptability, and his transition
into the offense appears to be moving quickly. Arizona has allowed
the third-fewest WR touchdowns (six), making this a tougher ceiling
game, and Thomas’ possible return complicates target distribution.
Meyers is a WR4 whose trajectory is worth monitoring closely.
Trevor Lawrence has not taken a step forward under new coach
Liam Coen. His 11–8 TD/INT ratio, 79.4 passer rating, and
5.1 ANY/A mark one of his roughest statistical seasons. Injuries
at receiver haven’t helped, but even with healthier units
in the past, Lawrence has rarely offered more than mid-QB2 value.
Against a Cardinals defense allowing the 9th-fewest points to
QBs, he’s a sit.
Parker Washington’s brief spike in relevance faded with
the acquisition of Jakobi Meyers and the nearing return of Brian
Thomas Jr. Washington saw just two targets last week (2-20-0)
and becomes droppable in most formats once Thomas is activated.
Bhayshul Tuten posted a career-high 15 carries for 74 yards and
a score in last week’s 35–6 win. He now has four touchdowns
on 68 touches, aided by six broken tackles. While intriguing,
he logged just a 33% snap share in a blowout script and remains
a stash who likely needs an Etienne injury for 2025 relevance.
Brenton Strange returned to limited practice and may still be
a week or two away from full usage. Still, with 19 catches in
the first four games before his hip injury, he’s a viable
stash for TE-needy managers.
JAC FPts Allowed vs. QBs: No.3
JAC FPts Allowed vs. RBs: No.28
JAC FPts Allowed vs. WRs: No.13
JAC FPts Allowed vs. TEs: No.2
Jacoby Brissett followed up a two-fumble-touchdown game with
a two-interception outing — but also threw for 457 yards
and exactly two touchdowns for the fifth straight week. Brissett’s
aggressive approach in this offense has resulted in a surprising
run of fantasy relevance. Across the last five games, he’s
averaging 23.5 FPts/G, buoyed by heavy volume and solid efficiency
(67% completion rate, 7.4 YPA, 6.5 ANY/A).
Jacksonville has forced 13 interceptions but is still surrendering
the 3rd-most FPts/G to QBs, including 2.1 passing touchdowns per
game. Teams throw frequently against the Jaguars (36.7 attempts
per game), and Arizona has had no hesitation letting Brissett
air it out. He’s a QB1 in Week 12.
With Marvin Harrison Jr. sidelined and Brissett in full gunslinger
mode, Michael Wilson took full advantage last week, producing
a stunning 15-185-0 line on 18 targets — the most receiving
yards by a Cardinals WR since John Brown in 2015.
Wilson, previously used mainly as a field stretcher, was deployed
all over the route tree last week, winning both deep (three 20+
yard receptions) and underneath (six short-area catches). Even
with Jacksonville’s defense performing well against the Chargers
last week, they’re only middling versus WRs overall. If Trey Benson
misses another game, the Cardinals may again lean toward a high-volume
passing script. Wilson is a flex play with major upside.
Bam Knight’s window to seize the backfield could be closing as
Trey Benson’s 21-day activation window has opened. If Benson doesn’t
return this week, Knight may still handle early-down work with
Emari Demercado sidelined (high ankle sprain). However, Michael
Carter is expected to be active and started earlier this year
under similar circumstances, so Knight’s role is far from secure.
His efficiency (3.4 YPC on 53 carries) remains a concern. He offers
volume-based flex appeal but carries a perilous floor against
a Jacksonville defense that held the Chargers’ entire backfield
to 1.9 fantasy points.
If Trey Benson returns (limited so far in practice), he’s
likely eased in. Jacksonville hasn’t allowed a single runner
to exceed 63 rushing yards this season, making this a tough spot
for Benson’s re-entry. His long-term outlook remains strong,
but this matchup likely isn’t the springboard.
Over his last three games, Quinshon Judkins has struggled to
find running room, averaging just 3.5 YPC in each contest and
failing to score. His passing-game usage hasn’t helped either
— only 8 receiving yards on 8 targets in that span. After
opening his career with four straight games of 61+ rushing yards,
he has been held under 60 yards in three of his last five.
The volume is still encouraging (41 touches over the last two
weeks), but a potentially depleted Browns offensive line — with
Jack Conklin and Cam Robinson both nursing knee injuries — raises
real concern. That’s especially true considering Cleveland is
forced to start third-string QB Shedeur Sanders, who looked overwhelmed
last week.
Judkins is a volume-based RB3 at best unless the Browns get healthier
up front and until Dillon Gabriel clears the concussion protocol.
Managers should track Cleveland’s injury report closely
heading into Sunday.
Harold Fannin Jr. enters Week 12 second on the team in targets
(63), and first in both receptions (44) and receiving yards (422).
His reliability and short-area role make him the pass catcher
least affected by potential QB changes. However, after Shedeur
Sanders entered the game last week, he repeatedly missed Fannin
on open looks. If Gabriel returns, Fannin remains a back-end TE1.
Without him, he slides into fringe territory.
Shedeur Sanders’ debut (4-for-16 with -25 adjusted net
yards) could not have gone much worse. He struggled with pressure,
mechanics, reads, and decision-making, repeatedly throwing directly
to Ravens defenders. Even if forced into another start, there’s
no fantasy case to start him in any format.
Jerry Jeudy’s 2025 season continues to disappoint outside
of his Week 11 outlier against a tanking Jets squad. His targets
have generated a 39.5 passer rating — for context, 39.6
is what a QB would get for throwing incomplete on every pass.
With an unstable QB situation, Jeudy remains unstartable.
Cedric Tillman has been more productive than Jeudy (two TDs in
six games), but still inefficient (57% catch rate, 6 yds/tgt).
His 3-52-0 line on four targets last week was fine, but he hasn’t
topped four targets in over a month and remains tied to a volatile
offense. He belongs on benches.
David Njoku has scored three times over the last five weeks,
keeping him near the fringes of TE1 value. But with limited volume
(4.8 targets per game over that stretch), sharing targets with
Fannin, missing midweek practices, and the likely absence of Dillon
Gabriel, Njoku falls out of TE1 consideration this week.
CLE FPts Allowed vs. QBs: No.30
CLE FPts Allowed vs. RBs: No.29
CLE FPts Allowed vs. WRs: No.25
CLE FPts Allowed vs. TEs: No.19
Ashton Jeanty’s challenging rookie season hit another low
Monday night, as he managed just 7 rushing yards and 34 total
yards in a seemingly favorable matchup against Dallas. His six
receptions saved him from a complete dud, but it was still his
fourth game under seven fantasy points this season.
Despite his 21 broken tackles, he owns just a 3.7 YPC average
and 5.6 yds/rec, and the return of Brock Bowers hasn’t opened
rushing lanes as hoped (though Jeanty’s receiving usage
has climbed to 4.7 receptions per game over the last three weeks).
He has topped 13 fantasy points five times, but only once exceeded
20. Against a Browns defense surrendering just 3.9 yards per rush
and only five rushing TDs all season, Jeanty’s ceiling is
limited and his floor remains shaky. He’s a volume-based
flex play only.
Geno Smith became the first QB all season to fail to reach 20
FPts against the Cowboys defense — a concerning sign in
what should have been a beatable matchup. He has surpassed 20
points only twice in 2025 and has posted several near-zero outings.
With 31 sacks taken already and Myles Garrett (15 sacks) looming,
Week 12 brings a brutally difficult matchup. Smith is no more
than a QB3.
Tre Tucker saw 8 targets and scored last week while posting a
4-47-1 line, but the Browns secondary is a much stiffer test.
With low weekly stability and a difficult matchup, he’s
a WR5 this week.
Jalen Hurts’ recent fantasy outings haven’t been
anything to write home about as the Eagles have narrowly earned
wins over the Packers and Lions in back-to-back weeks. The Philadelphia
offense just hasn’t looked like its usual self and that
would normally lead us to seriously consider benching Hurts here
in Week 12, but then we look across the field and see the disaster
that is the Dallas defense.
The Cowboys have conceded nearly three points per game more than
any other team in the league to opposing quarterbacks this season,
including allowing Hurts himself to complete 19 of the 23 passes
he attempted against them in the season opener.
It’s tough to trust the weapons in the Eagles’ passing
game right now given Hurts’ recent struggles, but his rushing
floor remains very high given his goal line touches and there
isn’t a defense in the league that is more of a “get
right” guarantee than Dallas. He may not be performing like
the superstar we drafted him to be, but Hurts is still a mid-level
QB1 when he gets opportunities against terrible defenses like
this.
Tight end Dallas Goedert has been a casualty of the recent offensive
struggles in Philadelphia, but if there’s one pass-catcher
in the offense who fantasy managers should have some optimism
about right now, it’s probably him. Goedert caught all seven
of the passes that came his way when these teams played back in
Week 1 and remains the safety valve for Jalen Hurts.
Dallas has actually mostly been solid against opposing tight
ends this season, but they have been exploited by a few of the
top ones they’ve faced. Aside from what Goedert himself did against
them, the Cowboys also allowed productive days to Tucker Kraft,
Zach Ertz, Trey McBride, and most recently Brock Bowers who hauled
in seven receptions for 72 yards against them this past week.
Goedert isn’t a super-sexy option as his ceiling remains relatively
limited, but he is a proven low-end TE1 who should remain that
against the Cowboys this week.
Once looked at as one of the top fantasy wide receiver duos in
the league, DeVonta Smith and A.J. Brown have left fantasy managers
scratching their heads this season, particularly in recent weeks
where they’ve seemingly become afterthoughts in their own
offense.
There is some hope that an indoor game against a Cowboys team
that themselves is capable of scoring points which would force
the Eagles to play with some pace, but the truth is that the Eagles
seem to be completely content—if not excited—with
winning low-scoring games That mentality really limits the upside
of both Brown and Smith, but it’s particularly affecting
Brown who has now been held under 50 yards receiving in all but
three games so far this season.
Most fantasy managers aren’t going to have too many options
who are better than Brown or Smith to place in their lineups,
but this is a situation where managers in shallow leagues should
strongly consider looking elsewhere at wide receiver at the moment.
It’s noteworthy that Lane Johnson will not be active this
week and the offense—particularly the passing game—
has performed significantly worse without him than they have with
him, so don’t expect fireworks from the passing game.
PHI FPts Allowed vs. QBs: No.22
PHI FPts Allowed vs. RBs: No.11
PHI FPts Allowed vs. WRs: No.22
PHI FPts Allowed vs. TEs: No.31
Javonte Williams hasn’t delivered dazzling fantasy totals
in recent weeks, but sometimes we have to be willing to look beyond
that one column and just one layer deeper to find optimism about
his matchup here in Week 12. Williams has now carried the ball
at least 10 times in every game this season, including a season-high
22 rush attempts this past week against the Raiders. While it
didn’t result in a huge fantasy day, that type of volume
is almost unheard of in today’s game among anyone other
than the elite tier of fantasy backs.
Williams scored twice on 15 carries when these teams matched
up back in Week 1, so we know that he’s capable of doing
damage against the Eagles. It’s true that Jalen Carter didn’t
play in that game and the Philadelphia offense is notably better
when he’s on the field, but there’s still plenty of
opportunity for him in this one. The Eagles have given up a double-digit
fantasy day to the starting running back they’ve faced in
all but one game this season, so the floor is quite high for Williams
and if he can get into the end zone again then we could be talking
about another top-12 day.
The Eagles locked down both Dak Prescott and Jake Ferguson when
these teams played back in Week 1, so it makes sense that some
fantasy managers would be a bit wary about firing up these two
players who are normally starters for most teams.
Prescott is coming off of his second four-touchdown performance
of the season and he’s now thrown three or more in five
of his 10 games. He might not be a completely elite option, especially
given the more difficult-than-usual matchup, but the Cowboys are
a team that isn’t going to win with defense, so Prescott
will continue to pass the ball much more than most other QBs,
even in matchups against the Eagles. He’s a low-end QB1/high-end
QB2 option this week
Jake Ferguson has cooled off quite a bit since his red-hot start
to the season as he’s caught just nine passes over his past
three contests, but the tight end remains the clear-cut third
option in a Dallas offense that will likely have to pass the ball
quite a bit to stay in this game. This is a tough matchup for
him, however, as he was held to just 23 yards when these teams
played back in Week 1, along with being held to 18 and 24 yards
in his two outings against the Eagles back in 2024. The matchup
and recent history alone don’t make Ferguson a must-bench,
but he’s probably not the locked-in high-end TE1 that he
was earlier this year.
I have a lot of respect for Kirk Cousins, and even more for his
agent. But seriously, after losing the starting gig to Michael
Penix Jr., I don’t see this current opportunity as any kind of
fantasy rebirth. Rather, Cousins will quietly play out his 14th
season in what has been a painful year for Atlanta. Without WR
Drake London available, the Falcons have one of the weakest WR
corps in the league. The forced mid-season switch to Cousins won’t
help much. In scattered duty, he’s struggled to a 61.5% completion
percentage, with zero touchdowns on 52 attempts. The play calling
this week will feature Bijan left, Bijan right and Bijan catching
screen passes.
Allgeier has racked up a career-best 7 TDs already this season.
Bijan could see double-digit targets in the passing game since
London is out, so Allgeier could be in line for a few more carries
than usual. It’s an “all-healthy-hands-on-deck”
game for the 3-7 Falcons.
The depleted Falcons are desperate for a solid showing from Pitts.
This game will no doubt be the “Bijan Robinson Extravaganza.”
However, when QB Kirk Cousins started in Week 8 against the Dolphins,
Pitts posted an efficient 9/9/59/0. He could score his 2nd TD
of the season, on what should be double-digit targets.
I was excited about Mooney’s prospects in 2025, following
his 106/64/992/5 inaugural season in Atlanta. Enter Michael Penix
at QB, and several of my Best Ball teams are proof that my enthusiasm
was misplaced. In eight games, Mooney has struggled to a 42/16/224/0
start. That’s a 38% catch-rate, and a mere 4.8 FPts/game.
My own buyer’s remorse could be clouding my judgement, but
even a doubling of his weekly average would result in single-digit
fantasy production.
ATL FPts Allowed vs. QBs: No.17
ATL FPts Allowed vs. RBs: No.4
ATL FPts Allowed vs. WRs: No.15
ATL FPts Allowed vs. TEs: No.30
It’s been a tough slog for Kamara in 2025. He turned 30
in July, has a new coaching staff, is helpless as two young QBs
jockey for playing time and watched WR Rashid Shaheed take his
game to Seattle. His fantasy production/game is down 47% from
last season. In fact, he has a single rushing touchdown (Wk 1),
no receiving touchdowns and averages 10.1 FPts/G. Fortunately,
the Falcons defense is RB-friendly, and his sprained ankle should
be improved coming out of their bye week.
Olave (WR11) is healthy, and shows a strong 15.0 FPts/G through
10 games. That’s more a result of volume than QB efficiency,
since Olave has caught only 63% of his targets. In his last three
games against Atlanta, Olave has earned 16.7, 18.4, and 14.6 PPR
fantasy points. If he gets 10 targets, it will result in 6-7 receptions
for 85 yards and possibly his 5th touchdown of the season.
Second-round rookie Tyler Shough will make his fourth start when
facing the rival Atlanta Falcons. Rostered in just 3% of year-long
fantasy leagues, there’s not much to analyze here. However,
he could pass for 200 yards this week, and with Olave and TE Juwan
Johnson on the field, 2 passing TDs are never out of the question.
Johnson is on track for his best-ever fantasy season. In QB Tyler
Shough’s first three starts, JJ is averaging 4 receptions
for 58 yards, and has scored twice. A 30-yard TD reception against
the Panthers inflates those numbers a bit, but he’s currently
TE5 with 491 receiving yards, and TE7 in total fantasy points.
Historically, Atlanta plays him tough, and the Falcons defense
is currently top-3 against TEs this season. A wide range of outcomes
is possible, but he’s averaging 11 FPts/G in 2025.
Hill is averaging a handful of (meaningless) touches in each
game, since Week 7. But unless Kamara goes down with an injury,
I don’t see him making much of an impact in this game. Of
course, now that I’ve put that in writing, I need to wager
$5 on a passing TD, $5 on a rushing TD and $5 on a receiving TD.
Right?
If you're going to beat the Rams defense in 2025, you do it through
your tight end. Seattle nearly rallied against L.A. behind a career-best
10-70-0 line on 11 targets from AJ Barner, while George Kittle
torched them the week prior (9-84-1 on 9 targets). Even Luke Farrell
got in on the action with a touchdown on two targets.
Cade Otton followed up his season-best 9-82-0 on 12 targets versus
New England with a quiet 2-28-0 line on five targets in Week 11,
but the usage remains there. Otton has seen at least five targets
in six straight games and caught at least four passes in five
of his last six.
The issue, as usual, is scoring. Otton has yet to find the end
zone in 2025 and has only 10 touchdowns in 57 career games. The
Rams have allowed five tight end scores this season, so the matchup
helps, but Otton’s primary value still comes from his high-volume
floor. He’s a mid-TE1 this week.
Baker Mayfield has cooled off after a strong start, throwing
for under 200 yards in two of his last three games and completing
fewer than 60% of his passes in four contests this season. His
2024 value was heavily tied to the dual-pass-catching threat of
Rachaad White and Bucky Irving working simultaneously, and Irving’s
absence has been felt almost as much as losing Mike Evans and
Chris Godwin. Irving’s potential return should stabilize Mayfield’s
floor, but this still profiles as a QB2 spot against a Rams defense
that picked off Sam Darnold four times last week and has handled
nearly every quarterback not named Mac Jones.
Emeka Egbuka has seen 9 or more targets in four straight games
and at least 7 in all but two contests, clearly functioning as
Tampa’s top option. But with Buffalo holding him to 5-40-0,
he’s now been under 60 yards in four of his last five. Mayfield
has connected with him on more than 50% of targets just twice
in the last seven games, adding volatility. Egbuka’s ceiling
— including 6-115-1 two weeks ago — keeps him in lineups,
but at this stage he’s more WR2 than WR1.
In Bucky Irving’s absence, Sean Tucker took over last week
with 106 rushing yards and three touchdowns on 21 touches, becoming
a potential season-swinging waiver pickup. The problem? The Rams
are the league’s toughest matchup for opposing runners,
a far cry from the Bills unit Tucker shredded.
If Irving returns, his pass-catching ability gives him a path
to low-end RB2 value — assuming he’s not eased back
in. The coaching staff muddying the waters by insisting Tucker
will remain involved doesn’t help. If Irving sits, Tucker
is a viable flex despite the matchup. If both play, it risks becoming
a no-win committee, with Rachaad White still mixing in as a receiver.
Regardless of who starts, Rachaad White is expected to play a
reduced, pass-catching-only role. Facing the league’s toughest
run defense, the lack of rushing volume pushes him outside the
flex range.
Chris Godwin may return this week, but with uncertainty over
his health, age (32), and reintegration after the fibula injury,
he’s best left on the bench. Godwin produced 3-26-0 in two
different games earlier this year, and it’s unclear whether
he’ll regain a meaningful role. Even if active, he’s
a sit.
TB FPts Allowed vs. QBs: No.4
TB FPts Allowed vs. RBs: No.8
TB FPts Allowed vs. WRs: No.12
TB FPts Allowed vs. TEs: No.25
Matthew Stafford finally cooled off last week, throwing for just
130 yards, though he still tossed two touchdowns and now has 27
on the season. It was his fourth straight multi-TD game and his
eighth in nine weeks. The Buccaneers have allowed the fourth-most
points to opposing QBs, struggling in both mobility and yardage
allowed (7th-most passing yards). Stafford should rebound and
is a clear QB1.
Davante Adams had the strangest possible fantasy line —
one target caught, for one yard, for one touchdown. His run of
short-range scoring (seven TDs inside the five-yard line in the
last month) remains elite, and while regression will come eventually,
it’s hard to bet against someone who has dominated red-zone
work for a decade. Expect far more than one catch this week. He’s
right on the WR1/WR2 borderline.
Rookie Tetairoa McMillan set new career highs in Week 11 with
12 targets, 8 receptions, and 130 yards — his second multi-touchdown
performance of the season. While quarterback limitations have
concentrated his scoring into just two games, McMillan has essentially
posted three 100-yard outings (including his 99-yard day vs. Buffalo)
and has delivered three 14+ point games since early October.
With Michael Wilson’s Week 11 dominance highlighting how
soft the 49ers have been against opposing receivers over the last
two months, McMillan is positioned well for another strong performance.
Ten different WRs have scored at least 11 FPts against San Francisco
since Week 5. Expect Carolina to be in pass-heavy mode, making
McMillan a borderline WR1 for Week 12.
Rico Dowdle once again found his way to fantasy production, finishing
with 45 rushing yards on 19 carries but adding 5 catches for 55
yards — nearly scoring a 45-yard receiving TD before stepping
out at the 28-yard mark. Chuba Hubbard logged only four carries,
and nothing suggests Dowdle’s role is in jeopardy. Averaging over
18 FPts/G since taking over the backfield and 17.8 over his last
three games, Dowdle belongs firmly in the RB1 conversation against
a 49ers defense that’s struggled with explosive plays on the ground
and through the air.
Bryce Young’s three-touchdown game against Atlanta was
his third such outing of 2025, but he has only five passing touchdowns
across his other seven starts. His rushing production has also
evaporated — no more than 10 rushing yards since Week 1.
With little predictability to his occasional spike weeks and a
disappearing floor, he remains outside the QB1 discussion even
in a neutral matchup with San Francisco.
Xavier Legette bounced back nicely with 4-84-1 on eight targets
last week, but his overall profile remains too volatile. He has
two or fewer receptions in six games this season, and a Week 10
zero-catch performance underscores the risk. Even if healthy,
he’s too boom-or-bust to trust in Week 12.
CAR FPts Allowed vs. QBs: No.25
CAR FPts Allowed vs. RBs: No.13
CAR FPts Allowed vs. WRs: No.29
CAR FPts Allowed vs. TEs: No.11
Brock Purdy looked sharper in his Week 11 return from injury
than he did in his first two starts of the season, completing
73% of his 26 attempts for 200 yards and three touchdowns. San
Francisco again leaned run-heavy (21 rushes to 26 passes), and
that approach naturally caps Purdy’s weekly ceiling. But
his efficiency keeps him in the back-end QB1 mix almost every
week. Against a Panthers defense that’s improved but still
vulnerable, Purdy is a viable low-end QB1 in Week 12.
Ricky Pearsall’s return was quiet (0.5 FPts on three targets),
but the 49ers didn’t need more, and the primary takeaway
was that he returned healthy while playing 41 snaps. With San
Francisco likely to keep passing volume modest, targets may be
inconsistent, but Pearsall’s efficiency (9.3 YDS/TGT for
his career) still gives him flex-level upside. After three 100-yard
games in his last seven starts, his ceiling remains meaningful
— managers simply need to approach his Week 12 usage with
caution.
Jauan Jennings caught 4 passes on 6 targets in Week 11, extending
his streak of 4+ receptions to five games. He rarely pushes for
60+ yards, but his role is stable and useful in deeper formats.
With Pearsall likely to see an increased share moving forward,
Jennings remains a steady but low-ceiling flex option.
