Fantasy Football Week 12 Predictions

Week 12 is make-or-break time for fantasy football owners. Thanksgiving is coming up, and notoriously, it is a time of year to be thankful to still be in the hunt for a championship.

Bleacher Report presents its Week 12 Predictions, which are not kind to Washington Redskins quarterback Robert Griffin III, who should be thankful he even has a starting job still after laying an egg against the once-easily torched Tampa Bay Buccaneers this past Sunday. That was at home.

Now he goes to San Francisco to face a 49ers defense coming off five picks. Ouch. Good luck with that.

We predict a first-quarter assignment to the bench for RG3 among other bold statements in this slideshow, including MVPs, breakouts, busts, bounce-back players, top matchup plays by position and waiver-wire options. Here's to making it to the holidays.

MVP

Darron Cummings/Associated Press

QB Andrew Luck, Indianapolis Colts (vs. Jacksonville Jaguars) and RB DeMarco Murray, Dallas Cowboys (at New York Giants)

Projected stat line: Luck (365 passing yards, three touchdowns and 20 yards rushing and a TD) and Murray (125 rushing yards, four catches for 30 yards and two TDs)

We go with the two first-half MVPs who have slowed down in recent weeks. Luck is just the 10th-ranked quarterback the past three weeks in fantasy scoring while Murray is a mere 20th among running backs in the same timespan (albeit one was a bye week). These are the highest-scoring players for the season who have performed like low-end fantasy starters.

They won't this week—not against their opponents.

Luck is back home in a division game against the 26th-ranked pass defense and having lost his most effective running back weapon, Ahmad Bradshaw (broken leg) for the season. Murray is facing a Giants defense that has dropped to the NFL's worst ranking against the run and in fantasy against running backs...in prime time no less.

No one would sit these guys in fantasy crunch time, but the good news to report here is both will be like their first-half MVP selves once again.

Honorable Mention

QB Jay Cutler, Chicago Bears vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers

RB Isaiah Crowell/WR Josh Gordon, Cleveland Browns at Atlanta Falcons

WR Dez Bryant, Dallas Cowboys at New York Giants

TE Jimmy Graham, New Orleans Saints vs. Baltimore Ravens

D/ST San Francisco 49ers vs. Washington Redskins

Biggest Breakout Star

Charlie Riedel/Associated Press

Tre Mason, St. Louis Rams at San Diego Chargers 

Projected stat line: 95 yards rushing, three catches for 30 yards and two touchdowns

Mason has held it together against a buzz saw of elite run defenses all season, but he finally gets an opponent in the middle of the pack against the run and running backs. Look at the teams Mason has had to face since he has been on the active roster in Week 6 (no wonder Zac Stacy has gone fantasy riches to rags):

1. Week 6: San Francisco 49ers (third against fantasy backs, sixth against the run)
2. Week 7: Seattle Seahawks (seventh against the run)
3. Week 8: at Kansas City Chiefs (fourth against fantasy backs)
4. Week 9: at San Francisco 49ers (see No. 1)
5. Week 10: at Arizona Cardinals (second against fantasy backs, third against the run)
6. Week 11: Denver Broncos (top eight against fantasy backs, No. 2 against the run)

It would be impressive just to survive that; instead, the rookie is trending up more than ever, rushing for a career-high 113 yards against a team that came into the game No. 1 against the run. Mason took care of the Broncos' standing there.

Now, he will take care of his patient fantasy owners. We are talking an MVP-like fantasy performance as he finally gets something less than an elite opponent. 

Honorable Mention

QB Ryan Tannehill, Miami Dolphins at Denver Broncos

RB Isaiah Crowell/WR Josh Gordon (a seasonal breakout), Cleveland Browns at Atlanta Falcons

RB Trent Richardson, Indianapolis Colts vs. Jacksonville Jaguars

TE Travis Kelce, Kansas City Chiefs at Oakland Raiders

Biggest Bust

Larry Fitzgerald, Arizona Cardinals at Seattle Seahawks

Projected stat line: Two catches for 15 yards

This one is almost too obvious. The road to the division title still goes through Seattle, and the upstart Cardinals will try to take down the defending champions and their 12th Man there. Oh, and they also have to rely on their backup quarterback, a running back (Andre Ellington) fighting through a chronic foot issue and now their veteran star wideout hoping to play without much practice time amid a Grade 2 MCL sprain, according to Mike Jurecki of Fox Sports 910 AM in Arizona.

This won't go well. Load up on the Seahawks.

We should expect Michael Floyd and rookie John Brown to have the better days Sunday regardless of Fitzgerald's iffy game-time decision. If you need a replacement, Brown may be a viable one if Fitzgerald plays. Quarterback Drew Stanton has liked Brown, and the Seahawks don't tend to bother to match up elite cover men on slot guys.

Honorable Mention

RB Lamar Miller, Miami Dolphins at Denver Broncos

RB Giovani Bernard, Cincinnati Bengals at Houston Texans

QB Robert Griffin III, Washington Redskins at San Francisco 49ers

WR Julian Edelman/Brandon LaFell, New England Patriots vs. Detroit Lions

RB Fred Jackson/Bryce Brown, Buffalo Bills vs. New York Jets

RB Chris Ivory/Chris Johnson, New York Jets at Buffalo Bills

Biggest Bounce-Back Player

WR Josh Gordon, Cleveland Browns at Atlanta Falcons 

Projected stat line: Six catches for 120 yards and two touchdowns

You would be hard-pressed to set up a more favorable matchup for the long-awaited return of 2013's No. 1 fantasy wide receiver. Not only are the Falcons in the bottom eight against fantasy wideouts, they are dead last against the pass and susceptible on the ground.

The Browns, despite relying on a pair of overlooked rookie running backs—Isaiah Crowell and Terrance West—after waiving veteran Ben Tate, should be able to pound the ball at the Falcons' 24th-ranked run defense that is second-worst in fantasy against backs. That should open up the play-action game for quarterback Brian Hoyer.

The Falcons can double-team the returning Gordon on the obvious passing downs, but he should be a killer over the top on the run downs. Pity the Falcons to have to deal with Gordon and the unknown coming off his 10-game suspension.

Honorable Mention

QB Andrew Luck, Indianapolis Colts vs. Jacksonville Jaguars

RB DeMarco Murray, Dallas Cowboys at New York Giants

RB Arian Foster, Houston Texans vs. Cincinnati Bengals

RB Shane Vereen, New England Patriots vs. Detroit Lions

QB Eli Manning, New York Giants vs. Dallas Cowboys

TE Kyle Rudolph, Minnesota Vikings vs. Green Bay Packers

Top QB Matchup Plays

Nick Wass/Associated Press

Here are the bottom eight teams versus fantasy QBs, per FFToday.com:

1. Chicago Bears vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
2. Philadelphia Eagles vs. Tennessee Titans
3. New York Jets at Buffalo Bills
4. Washington Redskins at San Francisco 49ers
5. Carolina Panthers bye
6. New York Giants vs. Dallas Cowboys
7. New Orleans Saints vs. Baltimore Ravens
8. Denver Broncos vs. Miami Dolphins

Joe Flacco, Baltimore Ravens at New Orleans Saints

Projected stat line: 260 yards and three touchdowns

This lines up to be a week where a number of fantasy owners will be saying, "Why didn't I start Flacco? I would have won!"

Flacco is out of the top 20 in quarterback fantasy points per game, but he has had a number of those aforementioned performances. Flacco has had 327-3 and 346-5 stat lines in a pair of games this season.

This one might not be easy for everyone to see, but both teams are in dogfights in their muddled division races. They have to let it all hang out in this one.

We like Drew Brees to put up big points at home, as he tends to do, while Flacco should be capable of playing catch-up. You should like Torrey Smith, Steve Smith and Owen Daniels as productive fantasy options along with Flacco here.

Honorable Mention

Jay Cutler, Chicago Bears vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Tony Romo, Dallas Cowboys at New York Giants

Matt Ryan, Atlanta Falcons vs. Cleveland Browns

Colin Kaepernick, San Francisco 49ers vs. Washington Redskins

Mark Sanchez, Philadelphia Eagles at Tennessee Titans

Eli Manning, New York Giants vs. Dallas Cowboys

Andy Dalton, Cincinnati Bengals at Houston Texans

Top RB Matchup Plays

Here are the bottom eight teams versus fantasy RBs, per FFToday.com:

1. New York Giants vs. Dallas Cowboys
2. Atlanta Falcons vs. Cleveland Browns
3. Tennessee Titans at Philadelphia Eagles
4. Oakland Raiders vs. Kansas City Chiefs
5. Cincinnati Bengals at Houston Texans
6. Indianapolis Colts vs. Jacksonville Jaguars
7. Carolina Panthers bye
8. Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Chicago Bears

Isaiah Crowell, Cleveland Browns at Atlanta Falcons

Projected stat line: 100 yards rushing, three catches for 25 yards and a touchdown

There is a lot to love about Crowell here and down the fantasy stretch. If you have a pie cut into thirds and remove one piece (Ben Tate), you have two halves left. That makes Crowell a bigger piece of the puzzle ahead of fellow rookie Terrance West.

The Browns are still a run-oriented team, and the return of Josh Gordon should only reduce the number of safeties the Browns offense will face in the box to stop the run. Gordon's threat makes everyone on the Browns offense better no matter what shape he is in.

The Falcons, as stated in the Breakout slide on Gordon, are a great matchup for a fantasy back not only because they are victimized on the ground, but their games tend to be high-scoring opposite an elite passing offense. What's more, the Browns are even accepting Crowell's inexperience and ball-security issues.

Head coach Mike Pettine told Tom Reed of the Northeast Ohio Media Group:

"

I don't see him as having a fumbling problem. The issue that he had...I think he was trying to switch (hands with) the ball and got caught. I thought (Texans LB Brian) Cushing made a heck of a play. He hit right on top of it...I think if we get his fundamentals cleaned up...I think how he holds the ball is not an issue. It's 'don't try to change the ball in traffic.'

"

That's good news. The better news is that Crowell is a budding fantasy superstar and West is his long-term backup.

Honorable Mention

Terrance West, Cleveland Browns at Atlanta Falcons

Rashad Jennings, New York Giants vs. Dallas Cowboys

Justin Forsett, Baltimore Ravens at New Orleans Saints

Tre Mason, St. Louis Rams at San Diego Chargers

Jeremy Hill, Cincinnati Bengals at Houston Texans

Denard Robinson, Jacksonville Jaguars at Indianapolis Colts

Trent Richardson, Indianapolis Colts vs. Jacksonville Jaguars

Joique Bell/Reggie Bush, Detroit Lions at New England Patriots

Steven Jackson, Atlanta Falcons vs. Cleveland Browns

Top WR Matchup Plays

Here are the bottom eight teams versus fantasy WRs, per FFToday.com:

1. Philadelphia Eagles vs. Tennessee Titans
2. Houston Texans vs. Cincinnati Bengals
3. Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Chicago Bears
4. St. Louis Rams at San Diego Chargers
5. Baltimore Ravens at New Orleans Saints
6. Carolina Panthers bye
7. Atlanta Falcons vs. Cleveland Browns
8. New Orleans Saints vs. Baltimore Ravens

Kenny Stills, New Orleans Saints vs. Baltimore Ravens

Projected stat line: Five catches for 80 yards and a touchdown

There are a number of factors that make Stills a must-have and must-start fantasy option right now.

First, the Ravens are the best team in fantasy against running backs. Believe it or not, that makes a wideout a pretty good play against them.

The Ravens are going to minimize the impact of breakout running back Mark Ingram, forcing Drew Brees to put the ball downfield. Brees is more than capable of doing that against anyone. The Ravens are in the bottom five of fantasy against wideouts for that very reason.

Second, Stills might emerge as the best option for Brees with the Ravens putting their extra coverage on Jimmy Graham. Rookie Brandin Cooks (thumb) is now out for the season, and Marques Colston has shown his advanced age of late.

Stills, owned in just 12.5 percent of ESPN.com leagues, should be a go-to fantasy option off the waiver wire not only out of necessity but in all leagues down the stretch. He is a sleeping giant ready to awaken.

Honorable Mention

T.Y. Hilton/Reggie Wayne/Hakeem Nicks, Indianapolis Colts vs. Jacksonville Jaguars

Sammy Watkins, Buffalo Bills vs. New York Jets

Mike Wallace, Miami Dolphins at Denver Broncos

Odell Beckham/Rueben Randle, New York Giants vs. Dallas Cowboys

Michael Crabtree, San Francisco 49ers vs. Washington Redskins

Torrey Smith/Steve Smith, Baltimore Ravens at New Orleans Saints

Terrance Williams, Dallas Cowboys at New York Giants

Kendall Wright, Tennessee Titans at Philadelphia Eagles

Top TE Matchup Plays

Here are the bottom eight teams versus fantasy TEs, per FFToday.com:

1. Chicago Bears vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
2. New York Jets at Buffalo Bills
3. Dallas Cowboys at New York Giants
4. Indianapolis Colts vs. Jacksonville Jaguars
5. Seattle Seahawks vs. Arizona Cardinals
6. Denver Broncos vs. Miami Dolphins
7. New York Giants vs. Dallas Cowboys
8. New England Patriots vs. Detroit Lions

Larry Donnell, New York Giants vs. Dallas Cowboys

Projected stat line: Five catches for 65 yards and a touchdown

The Giants are playing out the string in a lost season, but Donnell has proved to be one of their premium finds for the future. He is a solid play in the fantasy present, too.

The Cowboys have given up the most receptions and the fourth-most touchdowns to tight ends. Donnell tied a career high with seven catches and a career-high 90 yards in the past meeting against the Cowboys, too.

The woeful Giants are going to surprise some people Sunday night by keeping up with the Cowboys and their productive offense in a shootout...even if it is mere garbage time. Donnell looks like a must-start option in all leagues here—if he isn't that down the stretch in all matchups. 

Honorable Mention

Jason Witten, Dallas Cowboys at New York Giants

Austin Seferian-Jenkins, Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Chicago Bears

Charles Clay, Miami Dolphins at Denver Broncos

Eric Ebron, Detroit Lions at New England Patriots

Travis Kelce, Kansas City Chiefs at Oakland Raiders

Coby Fleener, Indianapolis Colts vs. Jacksonville Jaguars

Owen Daniels, Baltimore Ravens at New Orleans Saints

Top D/ST Matchup Plays

Here are the bottom eight teams versus fantasy D/STs, per FFToday.com:

1. Jacksonville Jaguars at Indianapolis Colts
2. St. Louis Rams at San Diego Chargers
3. Washington Redskins at San Francisco 49ers
4. Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Chicago Bears
5. Carolina Panthers bye
6. Philadelphia Eagles vs. Tennessee Titans
7. Chicago Bears vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
8. New York Jets at Buffalo Bills

San Francisco 49ers vs. Washington Redskins

Projected stat line: Five sacks, two turnovers, a touchdown and just 10 points allowed

The 49ers might have suffered heavy losses this season, especially Patrick Willis (toe, out for the season) and the still-healing NaVorro Bowman (knee), but they proved last week they can still take advantage of a shaky quarterback. They picked off Eli Manning five times on the road.

Now, they get the shakiest starting quarterback in the NFL, Robert Griffin III, at home. If RG3 is going to have job-costing performances at home against a struggling Bucs defense, imagine how much he will be pressured and turned over against the 49ers on the road.

This could get ugly. Over-under on the Redskins getting Colt McCoy warmed up on the sidelines? Let's go with five minutes into the game. We might take the under.

Honorable Mention

Kansas City Chiefs at Oakland Raiders

Seattle Seahawks vs. Arizona Cardinals

Denver Broncos vs. Miami Dolphins

Buffalo Bills vs. New York Jets

Dallas Cowboys at New York Giants

Indianapolis Colts vs. Jacksonville Jaguars

Green Bay Packers vs. Minnesota Vikings

Top Waiver-Wire Options

We have already gone in-depth on some of the waiver-wire favorites in Bleacher Report's Insider Notebook for Week 12. Here is how CBSSports.com's top five most-added players turned out Wednesday morning:

1. RB Jonas Gray, New England Patriots—He is far less intriguing against the Detroit Lions run defense this week.
2. RB Isaiah Crowell, Cleveland Browns—He should be owned in 100 percent of leagues. One-quarter of fantasy is missing out on a burgeoning star in CBS Sports leagues.
3. TE Jacob Tamme, Denver Broncos—Overrated this week. We have a hunch Julius Thomas (ankle) will play.
4. TE Coby Fleener, Indianapolis Colts—We like him regardless, but we love him if Dwayne Allen (ankle) is inactive Sunday.
5. WR Kenny Stills, New Orleans Saints—He is going to emerge as a star this week and down the stretch. Buy before it is too late.

In case this list doesn't go deep enough or you already missed out on the best of the above, here are three options at each position—owned in less than 60 percent of CBS Sports leagues—we like this week based on their matchups or other circumstances.

Quarterbacks

1. Brian Hoyer, Cleveland Browns at Atlanta Falcons
2. Josh McCown, Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Chicago Bears
3. Ryan Mallett, Houston Texans vs. Cincinnati Bengals

Running Backs

1. Charles Sims, Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Chicago Bears
2. Lorenzo Taliaferro, Baltimore Ravens at New Orleans Saints
3. Latavius Murray, Oakland Raiders vs. Kansas City Chiefs

Wide Receivers

1. Kenny Stills, New Orleans Saints vs. Baltimore Ravens
2. Cecil Shorts, Jacksonville Jaguars at Indianapolis Colts
3. Kenny Britt, St. Louis Rams at San Diego Chargers

Tight Ends

1. Owen Daniels, Baltimore Ravens at New Orleans Saints
2. Zach Ertz, Philadelphia Eagles vs. Tennessee Titans
3. Kyle Rudolph, Minnesota Vikings vs. Green Bay Packers

Defense/Special Teams

1. Dallas Cowboys at New York Giants
2. Cincinnati Bengals at Houston Texans
3. Chicago Bears vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers 

Kickers

1. Matt Prater, Detroit Lions at New England Patriots
2. Caleb Sturgis, Miami Dolphins at Denver Broncos
3. Brandon McManus, Denver Broncos vs. Miami Dolphins

Follow @EricMackFantasy

Eric Mack, one of the giants among fantasy writers, is the Fantasy Football Lead Writer for Bleacher Report. Follow him on Twitter, where you can ask him endless questions about your team, rip him for his content and even challenge him to a head-to-head fantasy game.