Welcome back to another Tuesday of racing around the league in “Fantasy Whiplash!” I’ll take the wheel and set us on a collision course for Week 12 as we rubberneck through all the pertinent NFL and fantasy football news and notes. Keep one eye open, and let the soundtrack be your guide.
Let’s hug the turns and take it all in as we travel over 100mph towards the fantasy football playoffs! There are no pit stops on this ride and no airbags, either. Hopefully, you had a sensible lunch, as I’d hate for you to lose it all over my interior. That’s covered by your deposit, though, so toss your cookies if need be. We’re not pulling over.
Week 11 was certainly an odd one; normally reliable players put up goose eggs, and little-known also-rans hit the jackpot. When we came out on the other side, fantasy leagues everywhere saw some of the highest and lowest scores of the season. We’ll relive the twists and turns of the week that was, with our eyes laser-focused on Week 12 ahead. It’s crunch time for fantasy football as we barrel towards the playoffs, and knowledge is power. So fasten your seatbelt, leave your attention span in the back seat, and grab the “Oh shit!” handle above your window.
Crank up the tunes! Let’s get it.
Fantasy Football News & Notes for Week 12
Fantasy Football News
Go On, Taysom Money & Run
This is not a story about Billy Joe and Bobby Sue. Instead, I’ll regale you with tales of one of the most all-around virtuoso performances in recent fantasy lore. A week after Ja’Marr Chase laid waste to fantasy football matchups with a 55.4 Point Per Reception (PPR) total at the beginning of the week, Taysom Hill got into the act.
All Hill did was rush for 138 yards and three touchdowns on an absurd, double-take-worthy seven carries. He also had eight catches for 50 yards and went 1/2 for 18 yards and a pick throwing the ball. All told, Hill accounted for 46.5 points in the Saints’ 35-14 drubbing of the hapless Browns. It also moved him up to the PPR TE12 on the season.
A lot fewer fantasy managers would have had Hill in the lineup but took advantage of byes to play him at their TE or Flex position. Taysom money and run! Hoo-hoo-hoo!
Going Goff the Rails
Amon-Ra St. Brown has caught 51 of the last 54 targets from Jared Goff 🔥#OnePride pic.twitter.com/KY5hqcUysP
— 𝔗𝔥𝔢 𝔇𝔢𝔱𝔯𝔬𝔦𝔱 𝔗𝔦𝔪𝔢𝔰 📰 (@the_det_times) November 19, 2024
Jared Goff had one for the ages on Sunday. He turned it around a week after putting up a five-interception performance in narrowly escaping Houston with a victory. He went from a 50% completion rate and five interceptions to Sunday, where he tossed for over 400 yards with four touchdowns and a perfect 158.3 passer rating. It’s crazy, but that’s how it goes.
Of course, it helps when you’ve got a supporting cast like this one. The Lions’ David Montgomery and Jahmyr Gibbs both registered RB1 performances in Week 11. Amon-Ra St. Brown and Jameson Williams each had WR1 performances in the same game. Those two things have not happened since 2017, per Addison Hayes of Dynasty League Football (DLF).
Behind their gunslinger, the Lions are living the good life as a team, as they moved to 9-1 and are the NFC’s top team at this point in the season. Fantasy managers everywhere are reaping the benefits of this “Crazy Train” that shows no signs of slowing.
“You Got It (The Right Stuff)”
As we progress toward the playoffs, it’s time to calculate the trajectory of some New Kids On The Block. Everyone can’t break out, but there are situations where old legs tire, bye-weeks crunch, and everybody’s searching for the “New Kid in Town.”
Managers who do their due diligence once they are done holding an extra quarterback, kicker or defense in case of bye week blues will find young players on the rise. They will be there more and more often as the big bye weeks cause people to drop players they’ve been stashing all season.
Roschon Johnson of the Bears had 10 carries again last week and scored his fifth touchdown. The Chicago schedule is brutal coming up, and it’s a safe bet he’ll earn his way into a timeshare with D’Andre Swift during your fantasy football playoffs. Cardinals’ running back James Conner has never played an entire season in the NFL. The 29-year-old is looking over his shoulder for Trey Benson, who logged 21 touches in the last two weeks and took entire drives. He’s a far more explosive player and could also play a role down the stretch.
In Miami, Raheem Mostert‘s fantasy relevance has waned significantly. Since a fumble in the Dolphins’ loss to the Bills on Nov. 3, the 32-year-old has touched the ball a total of five times in two games. He’s not exactly “Hangin’ Tough” after that complete Amber Heard job in Week 9. Consequently, rookie Jaylen Wright looks to be spelling De’Von Achane and is an unbelievably valuable handcuff. As the games get more physical, Wright will play a key role for Miami in the coming weeks. One injury to Achane would likely make him a league-winner.
The story’s moral is, as you speed towards the finish line, stop chasing anomaly points from last week and start chasing points for the next several matchups. Keep an eye on those stretch schedules, too. “Step by Step.”
“Let’s Give ‘Em Something To Talk About”
Whether you’re talking shit to leaguemates who are already on a “Permanent Vacation” for the season, or impressing the fantasy masses at your local Buffalo Wild Wings, you need to know what’s going on in football so you don’t sound like an imbecile wherever this week takes you. I’ve assembled some tidbits to get you through. The rest? You are on your own.
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- It’s “Tommy Cutlets” time again… at least for now. The New York Giants of New Jersey (Central Park adjacent) have benched Daniel Jones and will turn to Tommy DeVito to start Week 12 against the Buccaneers. DeVito’s Mommy better wake him up (before he go-goes) in time for kickoff. Breakfast will be on the table.
- Buffalo quarterback Josh Allen firmly inserted himself into the MVP discussion after the Bills took down the previously unbeaten Kansas City Swifts. No one is talking about how unimpressive the Chiefs have looked at times this season or that Allen has played this song on repeat. He’s 4-1 against them in the regular season before Patrick Mahomes plays “No More Mr. Nice Guy” in the playoffs, where Allen will Return to Dust by going “Belly Up” in the postseason.
- The Cincinnati Bengals are “Livin’ On The Edge” and maybe can’t help themselves from falling. Each week, they seem to defy the odds (scoring 34 at Baltimore and scoring 21 unanswered points against the Chargers) only to come up short in the end. A timely fumble, suspect defense, missed field goals by the previous unwavering Evan McPherson or buried by the officials’ lack of calls, the team finds a way to lose every week. They still maintain that a turn of fortune is in the cards.
- Russell Wilson had an abysmal game for fantasy managers on Sunday. The fact remains that he is the leader the organization needs and now suddenly seems for real. His connections with George Pickens alone is highlight-reel worthy, and the team just bested division rival Baltimore 18-16 for first place in the AFC North. There ain’t no easy way out, but they “Won’t Back Down.”
What to Watch for Around the NFL in Week 12
Just when you thought you were rolling through the byes, we’re “Headed for a Heartbreak.” If your home league is anything like mine, then missing Cincinnati, Atlanta, Jacksonville, Buffalo, New Orleans and the Jets hurts baaaad. You’re bound to be in the locker room giving your team a pre-week speech, asking, “Can You Take Me High Enough?” of your remaining players.
Let’s have a look at some that will still be in action.
Suttonly, Life Has New Meaning to Me
Courtland Sutton is STREAKING!
Since Week 6 he ranks:
▫️8th in Tgts.
▫️3rd in AY.
▫️8th in Yds.
▫️14th in 1st Read%4 of his next 5 matchups are vs. bottom 13 Def. in FP/G to WRs lined up Wide.
~90% of Sutton’s routes are run out wide. #FantasyFootball
📊 @FantasyPtsData pic.twitter.com/95Qnr40QQg— Trav🍁🚫 (@TSeel14) November 15, 2024
The stats above say it all. Courtland Sutton has been instrumental to rookie signal-caller Bo Nix‘s development. His work in the clutch has a lot to do with Denver’s 21.8 points per game on offense and the 38-6 shellacking they put on the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday. The above research from Trav of The Undroppables was pre-Week 11, and all the wideout did was tack on another seven receptions for 78 yards. Sutton now has amassed 28 catches and 374 yards receiving in his last four games. In the Mile High City, there’s beauty up above and things you never take notice of. Nix woke up, and Suttonly, he was in love.
Next on the docket for the Broncos is a trio of teams that a Nix-Sutton connection could feast on. They will be on the road this week in Las Vegas before back-to-back home games with powerhouses Cleveland and Indianapolis. Currently 6-5, Denver is in real control of their playoff fate, and that only means good things for fantasy managers who have shares of the team. Check waivers for the defense, as Denver has smashed double-digit fantasy scores in six of 11 contests.
B-B-B-Brian & the Jets
I pontificated last week about how much trouble the “New York” teams were in. As expected, the Giants made a change at quarterback. They’ll have to put something together to save Brian Daboll’s job at this point. You can infer that a lack of offensive growth falls on the shoulders of Daniel Jones, but it’s really about Daboll and general manager Joe Schoen’s inability to put a decent product on the field.
Speaking of general managers, Jet’s GM Joe Douglas took the “Long Way Home” and was fired, following head coach Robert Saleh, who was dismissed earlier in the season. The Jets are a disaster, and there is no telling how many closed-door meetings there have been to discuss getting out from under their “Favorite Mistake,” Aaron Rodgers. He has the organization by the balls and presumably insists they do things his way. How else can you explain the frustration of Breece Hall fantasy football managers?
Something has got to give in New Jersey for both teams. The organizations need to “Burn It Down’ and “Ramble On” to the next steps in the process.
Black Steel in the Bowers of Chaos
Brock Bowers’ 17 Game Pace:
➖119 Receptions
➖1,200 Yards
➖5 TD’sThe most receptions by a rookie TE?
Sam LaPorta: 86
The most receptions by a TE?
Zach Ertz: 116
You are witnessing the GREATEST season from a Rookie TE in NFL History. pic.twitter.com/4zgBt04UlV
— Austin Abbott (@AustinAbbottFF) November 19, 2024
I said it all offseason, and I’ll say it until I’m blue in the face: Brock Bowers is a goddamn unicorn. In addition, you can’t dislike him because he’s just so fun to watch. On Sunday, Bowers blew up again with a rookie tight end-record 13 receptions for 124 yards and a touchdown. It almost seems wrong to call him a tight end at this point. He is more of an enormous WR1 on one of the NFL’s worst teams. Watching him shatter records after bringing his dominant presence from college is must-see TV.
He’s doing this all with big question marks at the quarterback position, which will proceed as his march towards the offseason continues, hosting a divisional game fight with the Broncos, where Bowers will welcome them “To the Black Parade.”
RELATED: Between Bets: 2024 College Football Week 13 ATS & Total Picks
Fantasy Quick Hits
- Blake Corum finally got a little play for the Rams Sunday and looked strong, carrying five times for 21 yards and reeling in a reception. Kyren Williams is unlikely to carry as much of a load as he had been.
- On the opposite end of the spectrum, veteran Khalil Herbert has not handled the ball on offense since his trade to Cincinnati. He is no more than a Chase Brown handcuff now, not a replacement for Zack Moss.
- You’ve got to feel for CeeDee Lamb (above). He held out for a lucrative contract, then found out the rest of the team blows, and he lost his quarterback. Still, he had eight catches for 93 yards with Cooper Rush, of all people. It can only get worse when they finally make a “U-Turn” to Trey Lance, aka “Sir Losealot.”
- Shake-Shake-Shake, Shake Your Boutte. Kayshon Boutte is making a name for himself in New England. He’s had four catches in each of their last two games. More importantly, playing alongside Demario Douglas (and to an extent, Kendrick Bourne) Boutte has made himself more valuable than ballyhooed rookies Javon Baker and Ja’Lynn Polk.
- Jaylen Warren has continued his fantasy relevancy in Week 11, rushing nine times and catching four passes. He’ll “Stand by You.”
- The biggest bummer about last week’s byes? You-you-you Otton know it was missing the continued Cade Otton rise. But I’m here to remind you.
- Take the “Last Train to Clarksville” to get away from the Bears’ aerial attack. The upcoming schedule is rough, highlighted by the Vikings twice, San Francisco and Green Bay. That is not a schedule you want for the fantasy football playoffs. If you only roster Caleb Williams at the quarterback position, you’d better find another to add from waivers to replace him or offer a different option each week.
- This six-team “Byemageddon” could not have come at a worse time for many squads as they try to distance themselves from the .500 line. Look for matchups, not projections, that lead you to believe a player will repeat a performance from last week. It will be “Sunday Bloody Sunday’ this weekend, but next week, we’ll give thanks that we survived.
“Rainy Days & Mondays”
They always get me down, but the descending dopamine level from a jam-packed Sunday slate made it all worth it.
That’ll do it for the fantasy football news this week, Suicide Kings and “Killer Queen”s! Don’t be cut by the guillotine. On the waiver wire, be dynamite with a laser beam and back up your contender! Remember, sometimes the best move is no move at all. However, don’t stop at starters; the team that wins the chip always has a stacked bench. It’s time for the stretch run. All you have to do is make the playoffs, and then anybody can get hot and march through the “Tin Soldiers.”
As always, trust your gut! I’ll be back for another “Whiplash!” ride delivering all the fantasy football news next week. If you need last-minute help, I’ll see you on Twitter/X from 10 a.m. ET until the games start on Sunday to answer your start/sit questions. You can also find me here at In-Between Media (IBT) again on Friday with player prop bets for Sunday’s games!
Check out all of our Week 12 fantasy football content:
- Fantasy Football Whiplash! | Week 12 News & Notes (2024)
- Week 12 Fantasy Football Advice Mailbag (2024)
- Week 12 NFL DFS Picks & Lineup Advice (2024)
- Week 12 Fantasy Football Trade Targets (2024)
- Week 12 Shore Thing Sleepers (2024)
- Week 12 In the Scope Targets (2024)
- PropKings: NFL Week 12 (2024)
Thanks for checking out my Week 12 fantasy football news and notes! Track me down on Twitter/X @BuyAndSellYou for more redraft and dynasty fantasy football content.
*Photo Credit: Stephen Lew – USA TODAY Sports*
