Trashman’s Fantasy Fallout Going Into Week 12 of the NFL Season

Another week, another emotional rollercoaster weekend in the NFL. Whether you survived the chaos or your roster got blindsided by it, we’re here to sift through the debris and figure out who’s trending up, who’s sinking fast, and who might just save your lineup when you least expect it. Here’s the fallout heading into Week 12…

Jets 14 @ Patriots 27 

Despite having a decent fantasy outing on Thursday, Justin Fields is being benched for Tyrod Taylor for the foreseeable future in NYC. Taylor isn’t necessarily an improvement for a fantasy perspective, but he might be able to keep defenses honest in the passing department, opening up the running game. I don’t think much changes for Jets pass-catchers, but I think it might, I said MIGHT, be a slight boost for their runners. 

John Metchie(3-45-1) led the Jets in receiving, though it was Adonai Mitchell(1-10) who had the most targets(6) on the day. Either player has an outside shot of producing against a top 5 WR matchup Ravens secondary this week. 

Rhamondre Stevenson could play this week, but it’s doubtful he regains his starting role from TreVeyon Henderson(19-62-2; 5-31-1) after his recent explosion, if he does. There’s no reason for the Pats to hurry Stevenson back anyway. 

Commanders 13 @ Dolphins 16

Chris Rodriguez(15-79; 1-6) led the backfield for the Commanders, who have seemingly given up on Jacory Croskey-Merritt(9-28; 1-5) as their bellcow. Owned in only 12% of leagues, Rodriguez is worth adding in most formats, though he has a bye this week. 

Ollie Gordon(9-45-1) had a solid showing on Sunday, in a winning effort by the Dolphins. It seems like their winning formula involves a heavy dose of the running game, so maybe Gordon’s participation sticks after the bye. He’s worth adding in deeper formats.  

Bengals 12 @ Steelers 34

Ugh, be prepared for Ja’Maar Chase to face a suspension following his spitting incident on Sunday – It could be one game or perhaps even two. In that case, both Noah Fant(5-36) and Andre Iosivas(3-20) would be worth streaming during Chase’s absence. 

Aaron Rodgers(wrist) could miss this week, leaving Mason Rudolph to helm the Steelers offense against Chicago. The Bears’ defense is soft enough to allow for Rudolph to persist, if not thrive. In any case, DK Metcalf is the only Steeler WR you can start this week. 

Jaylen Warren(10-62; 2-5) injured his ankle in the 3rd quarter, leaving Kenneth Gainwell(9-24; 7-81-2) to do nasty work. Gainwell isn’t much of a between the tackles guy, but he’s a definite asset in the passing game. He’s well worth adding and starting this week, if Warren can’t go. 

Chargers 6 @ Jaguars 35

No, Quentin Johnston(0-0) isn’t hurt, The Chargers just flopped majorly on Sunday, and Johnston is as boom/bust as they come. With a bye this week, and an up and down slate of games ahead, Johnston isn’t a must hold. 

Bhaysul Tuten(15-74-1) was having the best game of his season, before exiting in the fourth quarter with an ankle injury. He’s questionable this week, leaving Lequint Allen(8-36) to back up Travis Etienne(19-73-2) this week against a terrible Titans front. He’s not a bad speculative flex in deep leagues and DFS. 

Jakobi Meyers(5-64) led the Jags in receiving with Brian Thomas Jr. sidelined. Even if BTJ doesn’t return this week, Meyers isn’t a big play guy, so don’t expect too much outside of a PPR perspective. Tim Patrick(3-20-1) could be in the mix too. 

Buccaneers 32 @ Bills 44

Sean Tucker(19-106-2; 2-34-1) staked his claim for the lead back job, whenever Bucky Irving(foot/shoulder) returns by delivering a career high performance against the Bills. The Bills are a run-funnel offense, so take that with a grain of salt, and the Bucs play the league’s best run-defense in the Rams this week, so don’t expect a repeat performance. That being said, Tucker will be a high-floor flex this week, should Irving remain out. 

Keon who? Tyrell Shavers(4-90-1) stepped up in his absence, leading the Bills in receiving. Ty Johnson(2-61-1) had a good line as well, though he had just 2 targets on the day. It’s hard to tell who’s going to pop for the Bills on any given week, as there isn’t a true no.1 WR and it’s rare that any one WR gets more than 5 targets – none in this game – so add either of these guys if you want. Just don’t be surprised if neither one does bupkis this week. 

Bears 19 @ Vikings 17

Kyle Monangai(12-23-1) only had 23 yards on the day, but he managed to find the endzone. Double-digit touches and goal line action makes him a viable flex in plus matchups. 

JJ McCarthy(16-150-1-2) played about as bad(47.7 QBR) as it gets in the NFL, in a matchup that heavily favored QBs. Set to face a much tougher opponent in the Packers, Aaron Jones(16-70; 3-11) is the only lock, though you have to play Justin Jefferson(5-61) and perhaps Jordan Addison(2-20-1), in the case that they break off a big play or two. The outlook is not good though. 

Texans – 16  @ Titans – 13

There doesn’t seem to be any question that Jayden Higgins(4-55) is the no.2 WR in Houston. With at least 7 targets in 3 of his last 4 games, and 2 TDs over that stretch, Higgins is a PPR flex against the Bills this week.

It’s crazy to think that Dalton Schultz(6-51) isn’t owned in half of leagues yet. He’s the no.2 target for Houston every week it seems. He has some tough sledding against the Bills this week, but the targets will be there. 

Van Jefferson(3-22-1) might be the new no.1 WR in Tennessee, for whatever that’s worth. He led the team with 7 targets, and could garner that kind of action again this week, with Calvin Ridley(fibula) out for the season. 

Panthers 30 @ Falcons 27

Bryce Young(31-448-3) may have had a breakthrough on Sunday, playing his best game as a pro against a stout Atlanta defense.  Not sure what got into him, but hopefully it stays lodged this week against San Fran. Xavier Legette(4-83-1) has some juice as a deep league flex, coming off an 8 target game. 

Michael Penix may have played his last game of the fantasy season, injuring his knee and getting put on IR. Penix has a laundry list of knee injuries throughout his career, so this is troubling news. In his stead, Kirk Cousins will be making starts for the foreseeable future, setting the Falcons pass-catchers back. 

To add insult to injury, Drake(knee) London is doubtful this week, suffering a strained PCL. It’s been musical chairs behind London, from a fantasy perspective, as multiple players have “led” the WR corps in production in games that he’s missed. It makes sense to invest in Darnell Mooney, but KhaDarel Hodge, Casey Washington and David Sills are all in play. What this does do is make Tyler Allgeier(3-10-1) a viable play until London returns, as the Falcons are going to lean heavily on the run. 

Packers 27 @ Giants 20

Emanuel Wilson (11-40-1) stands to be a top waiver add this week, as Josh Jacobs is questionable with a knee contusion. With only Chris Brooks behind him, Wilson will be a rock-solid RB2 against Minnesota this week, should Jacobs sit. 

Christian Watson(4-46-2) had the breakout we’ve been waiting for, at least from a fantasy perspective, catching 2 TDs on the day. This is likely to be the last week you can get him in most formats, so he’s high-priority. 

Tyrone Tracy(19-88; 4-51) ended up with more touches, but Devin Singletary(16-44-2; 1-3) got the ones that really mattered, scoring twice against Green Bay. Neither are strong plays against Detroit’s stout run-defense this week, but they both should get plenty of action. 

Isaiah Hodgins(5-57) led the Giants in receiving with Darius Slayton(hamstring) sidelined. Detroit is a pass-funnel defense, so Hodgins offers some upside in your flex, if you’re not squeamish. 

Seahawks 19 @ Rams 21

Sam Darnold imploded in Week 11, throwing 4 interceptions on the day. The Titans have the cure to what ails though, a bad defense, so Darnold is in a prime bounceback situation this week. Rhasheed Shaheed(2-27) got more targets this week, but the Seahawks are decidedly run-heavy outside of JSN(9-105) and AJ Barner(10-70). He’s a dart-throw, deep-league flex until he shows otherwise. 

Blake Corum(8-10; 1- -5) got his 9 touches this week, but they amounted to basically nothing. He’s worth having but not starting in any format. 

49ers 41 @ Cardinals 22

Brian Robinson(8-24) continues to get significant touches, but they didn’t pan out for him this week. He’s TD dependant to a fault, but he could have some use this week if the 49ers create a large enough lead over the Panthers. 

Michael Wilson(15-185) quietly erupted for almost 200 yards, with no Marvin Harrison Jr. around. A Senior Bowl favorite, going into his rookie season, Wilson is a contested catch guy who can really thrive, if given the chance. He’s a must start if Harrison continues to sit and a deep league flex this week, if he returns. Greg Dortch(6-66-1) might be worth a look too. 

Bam Knight(5-24-1; 4-21) took his “job” back on Sunday, outperforming Emari Demercado(5-8; 2-12) at every turn. Demercado injured his ankle in the process, so Knight is easily the preferred play in Week 12. 

Ravens 23 @ Browns 16

Keaton Mitchell(6-31; 2-23) got more involved, as promised, on Sunday averaging 5.2 YPC. It was nice to see, but he’ll only be worth starting if Derrick Henry(18-103-1; 2-19) misses time. 

Welcome to the NFL Shedeur Sanders(4-47-0-1). The notorious rookie QB didn’t do much to instill confidence in what is likely to be his first NFL start this week, so this might be the week to finally start the Raiders defense. 

Chiefs 19 @ Broncos 22

The Chiefs are reeling, but Kareem Hunt(13-59-1; 1-3) is thriving in the backfield, scoring for the 3rd straight game. He’s a solid play. 

RJ Harvey(11-30; 3-20) got the “start”, but Jaleel McLaughlin(6-19-1; 1- -5) got the score. JK Dobbins is done for the season, so McLaughlin deserves a look after the Week 12 bye. He’ll remain involved. The same can be said for Pat Bryant(5-82), who has leapfrogged Marvin Mims. 

 Lions 9 @ Eagles 16

Jameson Williams (4-88-1) is staying hot with the HC calling plays now. Amon-Ra St. Brown(2-42) had a rare dud, but he still led with 12 targets, so no need to sweat it. 

The Eagles managed to pull this one off without doing much offensively. Their fantasy relevant players are all widely owned anyway.