Notes:
• Justin Fields has been awesome in recent weeks, which makes the timing of his shoulder injury unfortunate. If he plays, keep him in your lineup. If you need a replacement in case Fields doesn’t suit up, Taylor Heinicke is an option.
• Kirk Cousins is coming off his worst game and the season and now plays a prime-time game on Thanksgiving. Start him at your own risk.
• Jamaal Williams is giving D’Andre Swift owners fits. Swift can’t be trusted unless there is a change in the Lions’ philosophy.
• Unlike the Lions’ situation, both Cowboys running backs are worthy of starting. Tony Pollard has been the better player overall, but Ezekiel Elliott has found the end zone five times in his last three games. Sell high if possible on Elliott.
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• Get Bears running back David Montgomery on your team. He was splitting work with Khalil Herbert, but with Herbert on IR, Montgomery moves into my top 10 running backs the rest of the way.
• Melvin Gordon being released by the Broncos is shocking, especially with Chase Edmonds expected to miss time with an injury. Latavius Murray is the lead back moving forward and catapults up the rankings.
• Amari Cooper has been criminally underrated all season long. He’s been posting terrific numbers with Jacoby Brissett at quarterback. Deshaun Watson returns in two weeks, which makes Cooper an even better option down the stretch.
• Mike Williams returned to the lineup for the Chargers this past week, but if you started him, he burned you. He left the game early with the same ankle injury that held him out the lineup for weeks. Let’s hope he’s healthy come the fantasy playoffs.
• Two rookie wide receivers need to be rostered immediately. Christian Watson has been featured in back-to-back weeks in my waiver wire pickups, and Treylon Burks was added to the list as well. I’d trust Watson as a FLEX play, and Burks is someone I’ll be playing in DFS this week.
• Kyle Pitts’ disappointing season continues, as he’s been placed on IR. He might be the biggest draft bust this season, as many took him very early.
• There are no teams on a bye this week, but remember that there are three games on Thanksgiving Day. Set your lineups accordingly.
Sunday Night Game: Packers vs. Eagles
Monday Night Game: Steelers vs. Colts
Top Pickups of the Week: Rachaad White, Samaje Perine, Christian Watson, Treylon Burks, Darius Slayton, Juwan Johnson
Buy Low: Tom Brady, Brian Robinson, D’Onta Foreman, Courtland Sutton, Allen Robinson, T.J. Hockenson
Sell High: Josh Allen, Ezekiel Elliott, Tee Higgins, George Kittle
Send to the Waiver Wire: Russell Wilson, Melvin Gordon, Darrell Henderson, Chase Claypool, Kyle Pitts
Start ‘Em:
Quarterback: Tom Brady
Running Back: Jeff Wilson
Wide Receiver: Tyler Lockett
Tight End: Dawson Knox
Defense: Broncos
Sit ‘Em:
Quarterback: Matthew Stafford
Running Back: Michael Carter
Wide Receiver: Allen Lazard
Tight End: Evan Engram
Defense: Rams
Sleepers:
Quarterback: Taylor Heinicke
Running Back: Rachaad White
Wide Receiver: Nico Collins
Tight End: Logan Thomas
Defense: Dolphins
NFL Picks for Week 12:
Weekly Pick ‘Em (Season Record: 94-68-1)
Bills (vs. Lions)
Cowboys (vs. Giants)
Vikings (vs. Patriots)
Dolphins (vs. Texans)
Ravens (vs. Jaguars)
Buccaneers (vs. Browns)
Jets (vs. Bears)
Titans (vs. Bengals)
Broncos (vs. Panthers)
Commanders (vs. Falcons)
Seahawks (vs. Raiders)
Chargers (vs. Cardinals)
49ers (vs. Saints)
Chiefs (vs. Rams)
Eagles (vs. Packers)
Colts (vs. Steelers)
Five Picks Against the Spread (Season Record: 31-22-2)
Vikings -2.5 vs. Patriots
Ravens -4 vs. Jaguars
Buccaneers -3 vs. Browns
Titans +1.5 vs. Bengals
Packers +6.5 vs. Eagles
Five Over-Under Totals (Season Record: 34-21)
Bills-Lions under 53.5
Bears-Jets under 41.5
Bengals-Titans over 42
Packers-Eagles under 46.5
Steelers-Colts under 39.5
One Bold Prediction for the Week
Week 1: Baker Mayfield and Russell Wilson each throw for 300 yards and two touchdowns against their former team. (miss)
Week 2: Four different wide outs finish with over 100 receiving yards in the two Monday night games. (miss)
Week 3: Jalen Hurts has five total touchdowns against the Commanders. (miss)
Week 4: Lamar Jackson has more than 500 yards of offense against the Bills. (miss)
Week 5: Josh Allen finishes with more rushing yards than the entire Steelers offense. (miss)
Week 6: Josh Allen and Patrick Mahomes combine for 800 yards of total offense in a potential preview of the AFC championship game. (miss)
Week 7: Derrick Henry has three rushing touchdowns against the Colts. (miss)
Week 8: The Colts rush for more than 200 yards against the Commanders. (miss)
Week 9: Davante Adams goes over 150 receiving yards after being held to one catch in Week 8. (missed by 4 yards on 17 targets)
Week 10: Justin Fields has his first 300-yard passing game on the season against Lions. (miss)
Week 11: The Patriots’ defense forces four turnovers against the Jets. (miss)
Week 12: Tua Tagovailoa throws five touchdown passes against the Texans.
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