Fantasy Football Week 12: Matt Camp's Fantasy Big Board
The bye weeks are finally over, so you'll have all 32 teams at your disposal for the first time since Week 4. However, with three games on Thanksgiving, more lineup decisions than usual will have to be made early in the week.
The injuries coming out of Week 11 aren't too bad considering how late in the season it is, but some unknown ailments will likely pop up when most teams practice on Wednesday. If you don't have clarity on those injuries when the Thursday games come around, you might have to roll with a player in one of those games to avoid risking a zero on an injured player.
For instance, Devonta Freeman (concussion) was not cleared to play on Monday night, and it can't be assumed he'll be cleared before Friday. If you have a decision between him and someone like Alfred Morris playing on Thursday afternoon, you may have to settle for playing the less-talented Morris.
With all teams back to action this week, you can favor the best squads in the best situations if you need a tiebreaker for lineup decisions. Kareem Hunt and the Kansas City Chiefs have been disappointing lately, but he has a great chance to get back on track against a poor Buffalo Bills run defense.
Here's the first look at points-per-reception (PPR) rankings for Week 12. These will change throughout the week and up to Sunday's action as we get more information about injuries and limitations, so make sure to bookmark this page for my full rankings in both PPR and non-PPR formats.
Top 100
1 of 7
I present my top 100 players (minus quarterbacks) for the week as a way to help determine your flex spots. You may favor a certain position or player over another based on his role and/or your scoring rules.
As an additional tiebreaker, here are the teams I like as a whole this week based on their matchups:
- New England Patriots (vs. Miami Dolphins)
- Washington Redskins (vs. New York Giants)
- Pittsburgh Steelers (at Green Bay Packers)
- Atlanta Falcons (vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers)
Week 12 Top 100 PPR Rankings
Quarterbacks
2 of 7
Better Than Usual
Cam Newton, CAR (at NYJ)
It hasn't always been pretty, but Cam Newton is still the No. 6 fantasy QB for the season and comes off the bye with a good chance to build on one of his year's best performances in Week 10. In that 45-21 win over the Miami Dolphins, Newton completed 21 of 35 passes for 254 yards with four TDs and had a season-high 95 rushing yards on five attempts. It was only the third time he threw for at least 250 yards and just the fourth time he threw for multiple TDs.
The Panthers head to MetLife Stadium on Sunday at 7-3, just one game back of the New Orleans Saints in the NFC South. The New York Jets are also coming off the bye following an ugly loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers that dropped them to 4-6, so their season is starting to slip away. Over the last four weeks (three games), they allowed the 10th-most fantasy points per game to QBs, with 726 yards and five TDs. It's not a matchup to worry about for Newton, so he has a great chance to put up another strong performance.
Concern
Josh McCown, NYJ (vs. CAR)
McCown was a top-10 fantasy QB heading into a favorable matchup with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Week 10. He needed a garbage-time TD to salvage what was mostly disappointing performance with 262 yards, one TD and one INT on 23-of-39 passing in a loss. McCown is still a top-15 fantasy QB for the season, but he might have a tough time against the Carolina Panthers in Week 12. Over the last four weeks, Carolina held QBs to the sixth-fewest fantasy points per game. Even though McCown has been a good streamer this season, this might be a week to look for another option.
Avoid
Derek Carr, OAK (vs. DEN)
In a Week 11 loss to the New England Patriots, Carr needed 49 attempts to reach 237 yards, one TD and one INT. It snapped his streak of three straight games with at least 300 yards and was yet another example of the clear struggles Carr has dealt with all season. He has multiple TDs in just three games, only one of which came in the last eight weeks. Don't expect Carr to get back on track when the Denver Broncos visit on Sunday. When these teams met in Week 4, Carr completed just 10 of 18 passes for 143 yards and one TD. Look elsewhere for your QB.
Sleeper
Joe Flacco, BAL (vs. HOU)
Yes, Flacco has been a non-factor for fantasy this season. Sometimes, though, you can't ignore a good matchup, no matter how ridiculous it may sound. Last week, Blaine Gabbert completed 22 of 34 passes for 257 yards, three TDs and two INTs on the road against the Houston Texans to finish as a top-10 fantasy QB with 19.6 points. Flacco gets the Texans in Baltimore on Monday night, so he could be the latest QB to take advantage of what's become a great matchup. Over the last four weeks, the Texans allowed the most fantasy points per game to QBs by giving up 1,372 yards and 12 TDs. If Gabbert can do it, Flacco can too.
Week 12 Quarterback Rankings
| 1 | Tom Brady (NE) |
| 2 | Russell Wilson (SEA) |
| 3 | Carson Wentz (PHI) |
| 4 | Kirk Cousins (WAS) |
| 5 | Cam Newton (CAR) |
| 6 | Matt Ryan (ATL) |
| 7 | Ben Roethlisberger (PIT) |
| 8 | Drew Brees (NO) |
| 9 | Alex Smith (KC) |
| 10 | Jared Goff (LAR) |
| 11 | Dak Prescott (DAL) |
| 12 | Matthew Stafford (DET) |
| 13 | Marcus Mariota (TEN) |
| 14 | Philip Rivers (LAC) |
| 15 | Andy Dalton (CIN) |
| 16 | Case Keenum (MIN) |
| 17 | Tyrod Taylor (BUF) |
| 18 | Jacoby Brissett (IND) |
| 19 | Joe Flacco (BAL) |
| 20 | Derek Carr (OAK) |
| 21 | Ryan Fitzpatrick (TB) |
| 22 | Josh McCown (NYJ) |
| 23 | Blake Bortles (JAC) |
| 24 | Eli Manning (NYG) |
| 25 | Matt Moore (MIA) |
| 26 | C.J. Beathard (SF) |
| 27 | Mitchell Trubisky (CHI) |
| 28 | Paxton Lynch (DEN) |
| 29 | Blaine Gabbert (ARI) |
| 30 | Tom Savage (HOU) |
| 31 | Brett Hundley (GB) |
| 32 | DeShone Kizer (CLE) |
Running Backs
3 of 7
Better Than Usual
Kareem Hunt, KC (vs. BUF)
Kareem Hunt's lack of production over the last month was covered in this week's B.S. Meter, including the painstaking details of how the Kansas City Chiefs failed to feature him for much of their awful overtime loss to the New York Giants in Week 11. After such a great start, Hunt seemed like a no-brainer for fantasy starting lineups, but his situation deserves a look following the Chiefs losing four of their last five games.
A great way to get back to their winning ways would be to feature Hunt against the visiting Buffalo Bills on Sunday. No team has allowed more fantasy points per game to RBs over the last four weeks, and only the San Francisco 49ers have allowed more fantasy points to RBs for the season. The Bills didn't have any answers for Melvin Gordon, Austin Ekeler, Mark Ingram, Alvin Kamara and Matt Forte over the last three weeks, so if Hunt is the focal point of the Chiefs offense, he should be one of the top fantasy backs in Week 12. Do the right thing, Chiefs.
Concern
Jamaal Williams, GB (at PIT)
It wasn't a surprise to see the Baltimore Ravens limit Williams to just 57 yards on 18 carries last week, but it was somewhat surprising to see him salvage a decent fantasy performance with four receptions for 38 yards on six targets. But with or without Ty Montgomery back in the lineup for Week 12, Williams will be a tough player to be excited about when he faces the Steelers in Pittsburgh. Over the last month, the Steelers have allowed the fewest fantasy points per game to RBs. Williams would likely need another busy day as a receiver to have fantasy value this week.
Avoid
Doug Martin, TB (at ATL)
If you decided to give Doug Martin another chance in a plus matchup with the Miami Dolphins in Week 11, he let you down. While Martin was busy in a game the Tampa Bay Buccaneers controlled throughout, he turned 19 carries into just 38 yards and had only two receptions for six yards on three targets. If Martin can't come through with volume in a good matchup, it's hard to believe he'll be any better against an Atlanta Falcons team in Week 12 that has held opposing RBs to the fourth-fewest fantasy points per game in the last four weeks. You can't trust Martin.
Sleeper
Devontae Booker, DEN (at OAK)
Steering clear of the Denver Broncos isn't a bad idea, but if you're stuck at RB this week, Devontae Booker is worth a look in what might be a changing of the guard. The Broncos made big changes to their offense this week. They fired offensive coordinator Mike McCoy and will name Paxton Lynch their new starting QB, according to Dan Graziano of ESPN.com. Bill Musgrave, who has been a RB-friendly playcaller in the past, takes over for McCoy, which is good news for Booker.
Before the changes, a shift had already begun at RB. Booker's snaps have only risen since Week 9, with a season-high 59.3 percent coming in Week 11. Meanwhile, C.J. Anderson's snaps hadn't dropped below 46.9 percent until Week 9, but in the last three games, he hasn't played more than 38.1 percent of the snaps, including just 35.8 percent in Week 11. Booker had 14 carries for 44 yards to Anderson's 13 carries for 37 yards and a TD, which was the first time Booker led the team in carries all season. Booker caught five of his six targets for 54 yards, giving up 23 targets in the last six games compared to just eight for Anderson in the same span.
Booker was clearly out in front of Anderson in Week 11, but even if they split carries against the Oakland Raiders in Wee 12, Booker's advantages in snaps and targets make him the back to use in Denver. He gets a boost from a Raiders defense giving up the sixth-most fantasy points to RBs in the last four weeks.
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Wide Receivers
4 of 7
Better Than Usual
Jamison Crowder, WAS (vs. NYG)
It was hard to trust any Washington Redskins WR for most of the season, so it's been nice to see Crowder earn trust of fantasy owners. Other than missing Week 9 with a hamstring injury, Crowder has been a strong fantasy option in his last three games with 20 receptions for 271 yards on 32 targets. Kirk Cousins has played well all season, but he really hasn't had a go-to WR, which Crowder might be turning into with a couple favorable matchups coming up in the next two weeks starting with the New York Giants on Thanksgiving night.
The Giants allowed the sixth-most fantasy points per game to WRs in the last four weeks (three games) by giving up 24 receptions for 432 yards and four TDs. With Chris Thompson (broken fibula) out for the season, it leaves his 15.8 target percentage up for grabs, which could be a boost to Crowder's value. Continue to ride Crowder's hot streak with his production on the rise.
Concerns
Michael Crabtree and Amari Cooper, OAK (vs. DEN)
Both Cooper and Crabtree failed to put up strong numbers in a decent matchup with the New England Patriots in Week 11. Crabtree caught six of 11 targets for 51 yards while Cooper had three receptions for 28 yards and a garbage-time TD on seven targets. The two combined for just 16 receptions, 177 yards and a TD on 31 targets in the last two games. They get the Denver Broncos on Sunday afternoon in a rematch of Week 4, a 16-10 win for the Broncos in Denver.
Despite losing their last six games, including blowout losses to the Philadelphia Eagles and New England Patriots, the Broncos are still holding WRs to the seventh-fewest fantasy points per game in the last four weeks. In Week 4, Crabtree sat out with a chest injury while Cooper had just two receptions for nine yards on eight targets. Even at home, this is far from an ideal matchup for Oakland's top WRs, which makes them nothing more than WR3s.
Avoid
Dontrelle Inman, CHI (at PHI)
In his first two games with the Chicago Bears, Inman has been the team's busiest receiver with nine receptions for 131 yards on 13 targets in losses to the Green Bay Packers and Detroit Lions. The only reason Inman is worth having on a fantasy roster is the hope that he gets enough targets on a bad team to cobble together decent fantasy production. That might not come in Week 12 in Philadelphia.
Only the New Orleans Saints and Jacksonville Jaguars have been tougher against fantasy WRs than the Eagles in the last month. Philadelphia's defense is tied for fourth with 29 sacks, which spells trouble for rookie QB Mitchell Trubisky and the chances of getting Inman the ball. This isn't the week to take a shot on Inman.
Sleeper
Cooper Kupp, LAR (vs. NO)
The Los Angeles Rams won't have Robert Woods (shoulder) for a couple of weeks, which was called a "significant loss" by head coach Sean McVay, according to Alden Gonzalez of ESPN.com. That means the Rams have to make up for the loss of a player who represents 22.2 percent of their targets on the season. That could mean a boost for Kupp, who is second on the team with 19.3 percent of the targets.
Even though the Saints have been one of the better defenses following a shaky start, they did give up seven receptions for 72 yards on eight targets to Washington's primary slot WR, Jamison Crowder last week, so Kupp's chances of being a solid fantasy option look good, especially if he gets a bump in targets with the absence of Woods. He has 12 receptions for 111 yards on 14 targets in the last two weeks. He's worth a look as a WR3 in Week 12.
Week 12 Wide Receiver PPR Rankings
Tight Ends
5 of 7
Better Than Usual
Jared Cook, OAK (vs. DEN)
Cook, like most of the Oakland Raiders, had a disappointing performance in Mexico during the team's 33-8 loss to the New England Patriots. He hauled in just two of his five targets for 36 yards. After a quiet start to the season, Cook began to pick it up with six receptions for 107 yards in Week 7 followed by eight receptions for 126 yards just two weeks later against the Dolphins in Miami.
For the season, Cook is the No. 9 TE in PPR formats, so he's been solid and clearly good enough to consider on a weekly basis, although you might need a nudge to put him in your starting lineup. This week's matchup with the Denver Broncos should be more of a shove than a nudge to play Cook with confidence. In the last four weeks, no team has allowed more fantasy points per game to TEs than the Broncos. Even though Cook had just three receptions for 46 yards against the Broncos in Week 4, his eight targets in that game made for his second-highest total of the season. This matchup is more favorable this time around, which makes Cook one of the better TE options this weekend.
Concern
Cameron Brate, TB (at ATL)
Brate's hot streak disappeared when Ryan Fitzpatrick took over for Jameis Winston during the Tampa Bay Buccaneers' loss to the New Orleans Saints in Week 9. Brate had at least 12 fantasy points in six straight games before posting just one reception for nine yards on four targets against the Saints. He followed that up with one reception for 10 yards on three targets in his Week 10 matchup with the New York Jets. The latest disappointment came in Week 12 with just a single catch on three targets for 12 yards in a win over the Miami Dolphins.
Opportunities haven't been prevalent for Brate with Fitzpatrick starting, although that could also be down to the offense's overall struggles coming to the forefront over the last month. Brate has to battle Mike Evans, DeSean Jackson and fellow TE O.J. Howard for touches, which he hasn't been able to overcome. He has an average matchup with the Atlanta Falcons this weekend, but Brate shouldn't be considered anything more than a desperation play.
Avoid
C.J. Fiedorowicz, HOU (at BAL)
Fiedorowicz has been quiet in his first two games since returning from a concussion in Week 10. With just four receptions for 28 yards on seven targets so far, he hasn't regained the trust of fantasy owners who were actually able to use him somewhat regularly in 2016. Obviously, trusting Fiedorowicz is tough to do with Tom Savage as his QB. If you're looking for a breakout game, it won't be coming this week. Fiedorowicz faces a Baltimore Ravens defense limiting TEs to the third-fewest fantasy points in the last four weeks. Find another TE in better conditions.
Sleeper
Tyler Kroft, CIN (vs. CLE)
Kroft had a great matchup with the Denver Broncos in Week 11, and while he did score, it was part of just two receptions for 12 yards on three targets. Andy Dalton only looking his way three times is a bit confusing since using the TE to attack the Broncos has been the way to go, but then again, the Bengals haven't used a lot of logic on offense all season.
Kroft gets another great matchup in Week 12 against the visiting Cleveland Browns. They allowed the seventh-most fantasy points to TEs in the last four weeks, which helped make typically disappointing players like Marcedes Lewis and Eric Ebron useful for fantasy in the previous two games. Kroft should join that group on Sunday.
Week 12 Tight End PPR Rankings
| 1 | Rob Gronkowski (NE) |
| 2 | Travis Kelce (KC) |
| 3 | Zach Ertz (PHI) |
| 4 | Evan Engram (NYG) |
| 5 | Jimmy Graham (SEA) |
| 6 | Vernon Davis (WAS) |
| 7 | Jared Cook (OAK) |
| 8 | Delanie Walker (TEN) |
| 9 | Jack Doyle (IND) |
| 10 | Tyler Kroft (CIN) |
| 11 | Greg Olsen (CAR) |
| 12 | Kyle Rudolph (MIN) |
| 13 | Austin Seferian-Jenkins (NYJ) |
| 14 | Jason Witten (DAL) |
| 15 | Charles Clay (BUF) |
| 16 | Austin Hooper (ATL) |
| 17 | Hunter Henry (LAC) |
| 18 | Benjamin Watson (BAL) |
| 19 | C.J. Fiedorowicz (HOU) |
| 20 | Cameron Brate (TB) |
| 21 | Eric Ebron (DET) |
| 22 | Garrett Celek (SF) |
| 23 | Ed Dickson (CAR) |
| 24 | Julius Thomas (MIA) |
| 25 | Adam Shaheen (CHI) |
| 26 | O.J. Howard (TB) |
| 27 | Marcedes Lewis (JAC) |
| 28 | Jesse James (PIT) |
| 29 | Coby Fleener (NO) |
| 30 | Martellus Bennett (NE) |
| 31 | Gerald Everett (LAR) |
| 32 | George Kittle (SF) |
| 33 | David Njoku (CLE) |
| 34 | Seth DeValve (CLE) |
| 35 | Tyler Higbee (LAR) |
Defenses
6 of 7
Best Streaming Options
Cincinnati Bengals (vs. CLE)
The Bengals came through with a decent performance as a streamer last week in Denver against the Broncos. Three sacks, one INT, one fumble recovery and just 17 points allowed in a victory gave them eight fantasy points. You can stick with them this week when they host the Cleveland Browns. No team has allowed more fantasy points to opposing defenses than the Browns in the last four weeks. They've given up 12 sacks, three INTs, six fumble recoveries and two TDs while scoring just 47 points.
Ownership percentage: ESPN – 62.4; Yahoo – 43.0
Oakland Raiders (vs. DEN)
If you're reaching a little deeper this week, take a look at the Raiders defense. They were trounced by the New England Patriots 33-8 in Week 11 but get a much easier opponent when the Denver Broncos visit. While the Raiders announced the firing of defensive coordinator Ken Norton Jr., with John Pagano taking over, they still face a Broncos team allowing the third-most fantasy points per game to defenses over the last month.
The Broncos will reportedly start Paxton Lynch in the same week they fired offensive coordinator Mike McCoy. It's only the third career start for Lynch, who failed to win the starting job coming out of the last two preseasons despite being a first-round pick in 2016. A trip to Oakland isn't an easy way to return to action, so take a shot on the Raiders if you need a defense with a favorable matchup.
Ownership percentage: ESPN – 5.8; Yahoo – 15.0
Week 12 Defense Rankings
| 1 | Jacksonville Jaguars (JAC) |
| 2 | Baltimore Ravens (BAL) |
| 3 | Pittsburgh Steelers (PIT) |
| 4 | Cincinnati Bengals (CIN) |
| 5 | Philadelphia Eagles (PHI) |
| 6 | Seattle Seahawks (SEA) |
| 7 | New England Patriots (NE) |
| 8 | Carolina Panthers (CAR) |
| 9 | Kansas City Chiefs (KC) |
| 10 | Atlanta Falcons (ATL) |
| 11 | Oakland Raiders (OAK) |
| 12 | Minnesota Vikings (MIN) |
| 13 | Washington Redskins (WAS) |
| 14 | Arizona Cardinals (ARI) |
| 15 | Denver Broncos (DEN) |
| 16 | Houston Texans (HOU) |
| 17 | Tennessee Titans (TEN) |
| 18 | Los Angeles Chargers (LAC) |
| 19 | Detroit Lions (DET) |
| 20 | New Orleans Saints (NO) |
Kickers
7 of 7
Best Streaming Option
Nick Rose, WAS (vs. NYG)
Since becoming the Washington Redskins kicker in Week 7, Rose has made 13 of his 14 extra points and eight of nine field goals. The Redskins host the New York Giants on Thursday night, which should be a favorable matchup. The Giants allowed the sixth-most fantasy points per game to kickers over the last month. Washington's offense should have enough success to give Rose opportunities to be a solid fantasy option in Week 12.
Ownership percentage: ESPN – 20.8; Yahoo – 31.0
| 1 | Stephen Gostkowski (NE) |
| 2 | Harrison Butker (KC) |
| 3 | Matt Bryant (ATL) |
| 4 | Greg Zuerlein (LAR) |
| 5 | Justin Tucker (BAL) |
| 6 | Wil Lutz (NO) |
| 7 | Nick Rose (WAS) |
| 8 | Nick Novak (LAC) |
| 9 | Matt Prater (DET) |
| 10 | Chris Boswell (PIT) |
| 11 | Kai Forbath (MIN) |
| 12 | Blair Walsh (SEA) |
| 13 | Ryan Succop (TEN) |
| 14 | Graham Gano (CAR) |
| 15 | Mike Nugent (DAL) |
| 16 | Giorgio Tavecchio (OAK) |
| 17 | Adam Vinatieri (IND) |
| 18 | Josh Lambo (JAC) |
| 19 | Randy Bullock (CIN) |
| 20 | Brandon McManus (DEN) |
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