Let’s dive into some news and notes around the league, my top fantasy plays and favorite picks for Week 12.
Notes:
• There are no byes in Week 12, but be prepared for the six teams on a bye in Week 13. The Bills, Bears, Giants, Raiders, Ravens and Vikings are all off next week, and I would plan ahead if you’re a Lamar Jackson or Josh Allen owner.
• We have a full slate of action this week, but it’s a unique schedule this week with the three Thanksgiving games and the first-ever Black Friday game. Your fantasy lineups will need to set by Thursday morning, so make sure to set your roster accordingly.
• A week after laying a dud against the 49ers, Trevor Lawrence accounted for four touchdowns, including two scores for Calvin Ridley. The duo topped their positions in scoring in Week 11. It was both players’ best outing since Week 1, and it was the outcome fantasy owners have been expecting all season long. It was an encouraging result, but I need more consistency to bump either in the rankings. With that said, the Jaguars got red-hot at this point last season, so there is reason for optimism moving forward.
• Up next for Jacksonville is the Houston Texans, who have been the NFL’s best story this year. C.J. Stroud continues to amaze, and despite throwing three interceptions this week, he’s not only the Offensive Rookie of the Year thus far, but he’s in the MVP discussion as well. Stroud has the Texans in the playoffs and a game back from the Jags for first place in the AFC South. He is second in the NFL in passing yards (2,962) and has a 17-5 touchdown-to-interception ratio, so he can be started with confidence the rest of the way.
• Week 11 was a brutal week for injuries at quarterback, and we already were at a desperation point at the position. Deshaun Watson was the first to get shut down, followed by Joe Burrow on Thursday night. Geno Smith exited the game Sunday but did return. My concern with Smith is the quick turnaround, as the Seahawks are one of the team’s playing on Thanksgiving. Give yourself a backup option if Smith cannot go on Thursday.
• A few more injuries to monitor are to Kenneth Walker, Aaron Jones, De’Von Achane and Cooper Kupp. Walker’s injury seems to be the most serious, making Zach Charbonnet a high-priority waiver addition this week. Charbonnet, AJ Dillon and Puka Nacua all get a bump in rankings while their teammates are out.
• Mark Andrews is done for the remainder of the regular season, thrusting Isaiah Likely into the starting role. Likely was effective in Andrews’ absence last season and I like his potential moving forward more than the likes of Luke Musgrave, Tyler Higbee and Cade Otton, all of whom are fringe roster options.
Thanksgiving Games: Packers vs. Lions, Commanders vs. Cowboys, 49ers vs. Seahawks
Black Friday Game: Dolphins vs. Jets
Sunday Night Game: Ravens vs. Chargers
Monday Night Game: Bears vs. Vikings
Top Pickups of the Week: Zach Charbonnet, Elijah Moore, Isaiah Likely, Rams D/ST
Buy Low: Kyler Murray, Garrett Wilson, Rashod Bateman, Evan Engram
Sell High: Joe Mixon, Saquon Barkley, Ja’Marr Chase, Sam LaPorta
Send to the Waiver Wire: Joe Burrow, Deshaun Watson, Justice Hill, Jeff Wilson, Noah Brown, Mark Andrews
Start ‘Em:
Quarterback: Joshua Dobbs
Running Back: Khalil Herbert
Wide Receiver: Odell Beckham Jr.
Tight End: David Njoku
Defense: Dolphins
Sit ‘Em:
Quarterback: Russell Wilson
Running Back: Najee Harris
Wide Receiver: Tyler Boyd
Tight End: Luke Musgrave
Defense: Bills
Sleepers:
Quarterback: Gardner Minshew
Running Back: Ezekiel Elliott
Wide Receiver: Tutu Atwell
Tight End: Isaiah Likely
Defense: Rams
NFL Picks for Week 12:
Weekly Pick ‘Em (Season Record: 102-62)
Lions (vs. Packers)
Cowboys (vs. Commanders)
49ers (vs. Seahawks)
Dolphins (vs. Jets)
Texans (vs. Jaguars)
Colts (vs. Buccaneers)
Giants (vs. Patriots)
Titans (vs. Panthers)
Bengals (vs. Steelers)
Saints (vs. Falcons)
Rams (vs. Cardinals)
Broncos (vs. Browns)
Eagles (vs. Bills)
Chiefs (vs. Raiders)
Ravens (vs. Chargers)
Vikings (vs. Bears)
Five Against the Spread Picks (Season Record: 27-28)
Texans +1.5 vs. Jaguars
Colts -1.5 vs. Buccaneers
Bengals +1.5 vs. Steelers
Chargers +4 vs. Ravens
Bears +3.5 vs. Vikings
Five Over-Under Totals (Season Record: 29-26)
Packers-Lions Under 46.5
Patriots-Giants Over 33.5
Saints-Falcons Over 42.5
Rams-Cardinals Under 44.5
Browns-Broncos Under 36.5
One Bold Prediction for the Week
Week 1: Sam Howell finishes as a top-five fantasy QB against Cardinals. (miss)
Week 2: Michael Thomas leads all players in receiving yards in the two Monday night games. (miss)
Week 3: Justin Fields leads the league in rushing yards in an effort to keep up with the Chiefs. (miss)
Week 4: Travis Kelce has more receiving yards than Zach Wilson has passing yards in the “Sunday Night Football” game. (miss)
Week 5: The Bills put up 50-plus points against the Jaguars in London. (miss)
Week 6: Josh Jacobs has more total scrimmage yards than Mac Jones has passing yards. (miss)
Week 7: The Eagles hold Tyreek Hill to under 50 receiving yards. (miss)
Week 8: The Jets and Giants score more points than the Patriots and Dolphins. The Jets-Giants total is 36.5, while Patriots-Dolphins total is the highest of the week at 47. (major miss)
Week 9: Tee Higgins leads all receivers in yardage against Bills. (miss — finished fifth)
Week 10: With Travis Kelce on a bye, a tight end leads the league in receiving. (miss)
Week 11: Jordan Love is a top-five QB in fantasy this week. (miss)
Week 12: Jalen Hurts and Josh Allen combine to score four rushing touchdowns in the Bills-Eagles matchup.
Photo Credit: Kenya Allen/PressBox