The historically stingy Steelers defense doesn't exist
in 2025. They have allowed a league worst 39.2 FPts/G to opposing
wideouts and over the last five games that has risen to 45.2 per
game. Odunze started off the year on fire, but has been inconsistent
over the last six games. He's been boom or bust over the
span with two games over 18 points and four games under seven
points. However, he's still seeing a decent workload (6.7
targets the last six contests). Given how the Steelers defense
has played, this feels like a boom game.
The Eagles overcompensated toward A.J. Brown in the Week 11 win
over Detroit because of all the outside "noise" concerning Brown's
media comments. Brown saw 11 targets, while DeVonta Smith got
just five targets. That should be more balanced against the generous
Cowboys, who allow 38.6 FPts/G to opposing wideouts and both should
thrive. The Dallas offense got healthy Monday night and this could
be more of a shootout than most think.
The 49ers pass defense has fallen on hard times of late, allowing
the second-most fantasy points since Week 7 (41.7 FPts/G) to opposing
wideouts. McMillan is a given just based on eight targets per
game and 13.9 FPts/G and he's coming of his (8-130-2) and
quarterback Bryce Young's best game of the year (31-of-45
for 448 yards, three touchdowns, zero interceptions). While he
may not get those numbers, McMillan should be a WR1 in Week 12.
Shakir is the best receiver Josh Allen has in his receiver room
(shame on you Brandon Beane), but that's for another day. This
Texans defense is a tough nut to crack. They have allowed just
25.5 FPts/G to opposing wide receiver rooms with just two receivers
breaking through the 13-point mark (Puka Nacua and Jaxon Smith-Njigba.
The Bills don't have anyone in that same talent neighborhood.
Shakir is coming off a season-low output of 0.7 points (1 reception
for minus three yards). You can't start him, or any other Bills
receiver.
The Vikings are a top-five defense against opposing wideouts,
primarily because they have a very good pass rush and DC Brian
Flores is excellent at disguising his defenses. The Packers have
been searching for a feature receiver for years. They drafted
Christian Watson in the second round, Jayden Reed in the second
and Matthew Golden in the first round this April. In Week 12,
Doubs is the best of the bunch (39-499-4) for 11.3 FPts/G, but
it's hard to recommend anyone here as Jordan Love' last game against
Minnesota didn't go well (19-of-30 for 185 yards and one score),
he hasn't cracked 180 yards in his last two games and won't have
the threat of Josh Jacobs running the ball.
The Chiefs are just 5-5 this season, but don’t go blaming
Steve Spagnuolo’s defense. They have allowed just 181 points
all season. They rank eighth against opposing wideouts and fifth
since Week 7 (23.6 FPts/G). The Chiefs will likely put Trent McDuffie
on Michael Pittman and that’s a tough assignment for the
Colts No.1 wideout. He’s been a borderline No.1 this year,
ranked 13th, at 14.8 FPts/G, but the Chiefs haven’t allowed
a team’s No.1 receiver to produce 15 fantasy points all
season. That’s because of McDuffie. I’d be more likely
to take a flyer on Colts No.2 receiver, Alec Pierce, outscoring
Pittman in Week 12.
