We’re hitting the home stretch. The fantasy football playoffs and trade deadlines are nearly here. We have six teams on byes, but the Week 12 fantasy football rankings have plenty of need-to-know game notes for your starts, sits and sleepers.
Reminder! I always have some fun ranks! This can be anything from cartoons to players from the 80s to things not to do when you’re over 30 — feel free to suggest yours. And, I try to answer as many comments as humanly possible… however… if it’s a simple WDIS within a position or “Who should I trade for?” type question, those are 99% covered with the ranks and link to the trade charts. Let’s duckin’ go!
#CheckTheLink-age
Week 12 Waiver Wire
Week 12 SOS Ranks
Fantasy 101 (weather, start/sit, trading, more)
🎙️All in Fantasy Podcast🎙️
WEEK 12 FANTASY FOOTBALL PREVIEWS
BYES: ATL, BUF, CIN, JAX, NO, NYJ
Steelers at Browns, Thursday, 8:15 p.m. ET
- The Browns have gone from 59.5 Pass% (fifth) in neutral game scripts to 66.0% (second) since Jameis Winston became the starter. They were already heavy, but now it’s extremely high.
- Unfortunately, the Steelers have the ninth-toughest PassEPA — third-toughest since Week 6 — and rank inside the worst three APA matchups for both QB and WR.
- Week 11 was Nick Chubb’s lowest RBTouch% to date (50.0), and the Browns don’t look to have many remaining games to “unleash” Chubb or grind out a lead.
Vikings at Bears, Sunday, 1 p.m. ET
- Week 11 was just Jordan Addison’s third double-digit fantasy score, all coming with a touchdown, with nothing higher than 8.1 in his five other outings. He’s boom or bust this year, and the Bears matchup points to another bust.
- The Bears have allowed just five WR double-digit scores and just three wideouts have caught over 82 yards against them.
- D’Andre Swift had his lowest percentage of RB rushes in Week 11 (41.2%), despite being close or in the lead, indicating Roschon Johnson is a major timeshare piece. Johnson also had two G2G and two GL rushes, compared to one of each for Swift.
- Not surprisingly, Caleb Williams had his lowest Press% (pressure percentage on dropbacks) since Week 5, and his second-highest Comp% (74.2) this year. His average time to throw was his lowest yet (2.6 seconds — previous low of 2.9 in Week 1). But don’t fret that it was all short stuff. He still had 7.5 AirYD/ATT, the third-highest of his season.
Lions at Colts, Sunday, 1 p.m. ET
- Jameson Williams has three non-double-digit fantasy scores and five of 11.9+, including two over 20. He’s essentially the good version of DeSean Jackson. The risk is a tad higher this week, as Williams dominates man coverage with Top 5 stats (YPRR, etc.) and is in the teens-to-20 against zone (still good, but not dominant) — the Colts also have the third-heaviest Zone% (77.4).
- Jared Goff needed the second-fewest attempts (270) in the Super Bowl era to reach 20 passing touchdowns (John Hadl in 1973 is No. 1 with 244 — don’t worry, I don’t know that guy either).
- As covered in waivers, Anthony Richardson had his best game in Week 11, but it wasn’t without flaws. We know Richardson has a basement-level floor, and even without Aidan Hutchinson, the Lions rate as the toughest QB APA in Week 12. I’m an upside chaser at QB, but understand one game didn’t fix everything.
- There is a positive outlook for Richardson and more so Josh Downs though, as the Lions run the most man coverage (45.4%), and Downs is Top 11 in YPRR (2.69) and FPs per Target (2.17) against man (min 40 targets).
Patriots at Dolphins, Sunday, 1 p.m. ET
- Drake Maye is averaging 18.5 FPPG with eight passing touchdowns in the four games he’s thrown 30+ times.
- Since Week 3, only the Titans (Will Levis and Mason Rudolph) and Anthony Richardson have failed to reach 34 pass attempts against the Dolphins.
- Jaylen Waddle hasn’t topped 7.1 fantasy points since Week 1 (13.7). As mentioned in waivers, he’s not only benchable, he’s droppable.
Buccaneers at Giants, Sunday, 1 p.m. ET
- If Mike Evans returns, he’s a WR1, unless we get word he could be limited. Even then, he’s worth starting everywhere.
- If Jalen McMillan is back with Evans, he’s a worthy flier as a WR4 playing the Chris Godwin role, and he’ll benefit from Evans being on the field.
- If both are out, we’re back to an RB- and Cade Otton-heavy game plan, and I wouldn’t risk the other Bucs wide receivers, or…
- Risk anyone not named Malik Nabers and Tyrone Tracy Jr. on the Giants.
Cowboys at Commanders, Sunday, 1 p.m. ET
Chiefs at Panthers, Sunday, 1 p.m. ET
- Xavier Worthy has 14.3 FPPG in games with a touchdown (five) and just 2.3 in games without one (five). It’s truly boom or bust with him.
- If Isiah Pacheco is back, he’s an RB2 with the risk of sharing some work with Kareem Hunt — the Chiefs don’t need to force him back with Hunt filling in admirably. If Pacheco is out, Hunt is pushing RB1 status.
- With Adam Thielen back, both he and Xavier Legette are risky WR4s with some upside for Legette — the Chiefs aren’t shutdown city, but they’re strong enough to limit them and Bryce Young.
Titans at Texans, Sunday, 1 p.m. ET
- Since Week 6, Calvin Ridley is fourth in TmTGT% (30.2), sixth in First Read% (35.7) but just 61st (out of 63) in Catchable% (64.8) among those with a min. 25 targets.
- The Texans have the lowest Catchable% (66.9) and Adj Comp% (67.2) allowed.
- Nico Collins ran just 55.3% of the routes in his first game back. He looked healthy, and I expect a sizable uptick in Week 12.
Broncos at Raiders, Sunday, 4 p.m. ET
- The only names I trust on the Broncos are Bo Nix and Courtland Sutton. No. That’s it. Nope. No one else.
- Speaking of a lack of trust, if everyone is healthy in the Raiders backfield, you can’t trust any of them. Even if Zamir White and Alexander Mattison are out, I wouldn’t risk Ameer Abdullah or rookie Dylan Laube (J.D. McKissic type) against the Broncos.
49ers at Packers, Sunday, 4 p.m. ET
- Jauan Jennings is a league-winner with a 35.5 TmTGT% in the past two weeks, including a 77.3 REC%, 41.3 FirstRead% and 2.52 YPRR — those would rank first, second 13th and 9th, respectively, on the year.
- Packers top-scoring WR weeks: Jayden Reed 5, Romeo Doubs 3, Christian Watson and Dontayvion Wicks 1. There is a chance Watson starts a run (see waivers) but also know that Tucker Kraft was a leader one week if we included tight ends.
- Jordan Love has the 11th-highest Turnover Worthy Throw% (FantasyPointsData) at 4.3%, up from 3.1% last year. His accuracy rate, at 41.6%, is down from 52.3% last year.
Cardinals at Seahawks, Sunday, 4 p.m. ET
- James Conner’s RBTouch% when the Cardinals are down or up by 7 is 86.2%. Conner’s RBTouch% when the Cardinals are down or up by 8+ is 50.0%.
- After being targeted on 31.0% of his routes with DK Metcalf out, Jaxon Smith-Njigba was targeted on 31.4% of his routes in Week 11 with Metcalf at 25.0% and Tyler Lockett at 8.1%.
Eagles at Rams, Sunday, 8:20 p.m. ET
- I keep saying the Eagles secondary turned a corner after their bye, as their young defensive players — especially Quinyon Mitchell, who is 10th in coverage grade (min. 50% of coverage snaps), fifth in fewest yards against (53 — also because no one risks targeting him), and fifth in Forced Incompletion% (20.0).
- In fact, the highest yardage total allowed since their bye is 54 to Ja’Marr Chase on 11 targets and 9 receptions, and he’s the only wideout to top 4.2 points against them, needing that touchdown for double-digits.
Ravens at Chargers, Monday, 8:15 p.m. ET
- Rashod Bateman is the only Ravens player besides Zay Flowers to have two games with a TmTGT% of 20+, and they came in back-to-back weeks (Weeks 9-10).
- Mark Andrews goes from 74.7 Route% and 15.2 TmTGT% without Isaiah Likely to 56.2% and 10.8%, respectively, with him.
- The Ravens are crushing the field in APA — good for the opponents — with +7.6 FPPG over average for QBs and +13.1 FPPG for WRs.
WEEK 12 SLEEPERS
QUARTERBACK
- Bo Nix, DEN — Can we call him a sleeper anymore? Well, Nix has the Raiders and has been rolling.
RUNNING BACK
- Austin Ekeler, WSH — The Commanders shouldn’t have problems winning, and they can lean on the backfield to take care of business.
- Bucky Irving, TB — Speaking of easy wins, the Buccaneers should come out of the bye and curb-stomp the Giants, which means some extra backfield touches could be in store.
WIDE RECEIVER
- Quentin Johnston, LAC — The reception volume isn’t enticing, but the matchup and touchdown rate are.
- Rome Odunze, CHI — Talked about the Caleb Williams’ improvement thanks to the offensive changes, and while all three wideouts saw 7+ targets in Week 11, Odunze was Williams’ most-trusted third-down target and had the highest AirYD/TGT.
TIGHT END
- Ja’Tavion Sanders, CAR — Deep dig here, but Ian Thomas is on IR, and Sanders has 15+ TmTGT% in four of the past six games, and the Chiefs have been somewhat vulnerable to tight ends.
FUN WITH RANKS
This week’s list is the best (worst?) cartoon villains. The ranks have two caveats. First, no anime, as that’s another list altogether and will get crazy. Second, TV only, as movies are whole other list. My list comes from the late 80s (replays/reruns), 90s and early 2000s — as you likely know, I’m a 90s kid. As always, I stick to one per show.
- The Joker: Batman TAS — None better, even with the Joker’s goofiness, mostly because Mark Hamill voiced him to perfection.
- Skeletor: He-Man — I follow his advice Instagram page and love it. On the show though, he has the insults to match with his villainous ways. He even double-crosses his master.
- Slade: Teen Titans — If Michael Myers and Jason Voorhees combined and got Batman’s combat skills. Relentless, ruthless, never stops… oh, and a voice to match.
- Shredder: TMNT — More so early on than later, Shredder made you worry about the lives of the turtles and Splinter. He’s taken things to new levels in other 2000+ iterations of the show, as well.
- Megatron: Transformers — Forget that he was defeated regularly, or that Soundwave was cooler, Megatron and his voice are iconic 80s.
- Azula: Last Airbender — Ruthless to the point of [spoiler] fighting her brother in one of the all-time best battles.
- Mumm-Ra: Thundercats — Gave kids nightmares everywhere.
- Bill Cipher: Gravity Falls — Honestly, he should be in the anime department given his power — omni… everything? I’d rank Cipher higher, but he also feels like cheating.
- Aku: Samurai Jack — Jack’s entire life is spent with the goal of defeating Aku, who has a menacing (original) voice and intelligence to send Jack to the future, so Aku can prepare for battle again.
- Evil Morty: Rick and Morty — C’mon, his goal is to eliminate every. single. Rick., and that might only be part of his overall plan.
- Hexadecimal: ReBoot — Yep, I watched this, and if you did too, you know how she(?) even got creepier with her feelings.
- Mom: Futurama — Greed. Manipulation. Goal to be planet overlord.
- Mr. Burns: The Simpsons — I mean, trying to skin puppies for a fur tuxedo? Need I say more?
- The Monarch: The Venture Bros. — Originality alone gets him here.
- Plankton: SpongeBob — Sure, he’s not on the level of anyone else here, but similar to Mom, he’s ruthless.
WEEK 12 FANTASY FOOTBALL PROJECTIONS
🚨 HEADS UP 🚨 These can differ from my rankings, and MY RANKS are the order I’d start players outside of added context, such as, “Need highest upside, even if risky.” Also, based on 4-point TDs for QB, 6-point rest, and Half-PPR
Projections Download Link
WEEK 12 FANTASY FOOTBALL RANKINGS
🚨 HEADS UP 🚨
- There is no perfect widget out there, sadly, still. I know many view this on your phone, but 1) use the rankings widget on a PC/laptop/etc. if possible or 2) open in your phone’s browser, especially for Android users, to get the scrolling to work (or Android people can try a two-finger scroll).
- ECR = “Expert” Consensus Ranking (which isn’t updated by everyone consistently, so take with a grain of salt).
- Updated regularly, so check up to lineups locking.
(Top photo of Rome Odunze: Michael Reaves/Getty Images)