Happy Thanksgiving! It’s time to feast on food and football this Thursday with a nice three-game slate. If you’re playing on DRAFT, you can take part in some tournaments and enjoy all the Turkey Day action on the three-game slate, or even the two-game mini-slate starting at 4:30pm EST if you wish. Last, and certainly not least, is of course, the 13-game Sunday slate. That’s where I’ll focus this week. With the bye weeks behind us we can look at some players to avoid that could end up being lineup landmines in Week 12. Put on your stretchy-pants and let’s go!
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Quarterback
Derek Carr (OAK) vs. DEN
Remember when Carr threw for 462 yards against Denver? That’s because it took their last three meetings combined to get there? He’s averaging 154 yards against them in those past three encounters and they’re still an imposing unit. The Broncos offensive struggles have led to a negative opinion of their defense lately, when in reality, their passing D is still top-5 in many metrics, allowing less than 200 yards per game to opposing QBs.
Jared Goff (LAR) @ NO
Since Week 3, when New Orleans was 0-2 and just coming off beatings from Case Keenum and Tom Brady (who have ridiculously similar stats since Week 5) they’ve been lights out against opposing QBs. They’re surrendering an average of 172 passing yards per game against opposing QBs in that eight-week span. Goff has struggled against good defenses and has produced hefty numbers against soft competition. The Saints are a top-10 passing defense, they’re not soft.
Running Back
Jordan Howard (CHI) @ PHI
Even though Chicago pounds the rock, the matchup is awful for Howard in Philly. The Eagles only allow 71 yards per game on the ground, and Chicago is likely to face negative game script leading to more snaps and work in the passing game for Tarik Cohen. Chicago has the second-lowest team total (15.25) in Week 12.
Joe Mixon (CIN) @ CLE
The Bengals are the slowest-pace offense of all time, or at least since people have kept track. If you consider the incredibly low amount of plays Cincy runs, and Cleveland’s top-five rushing defense, I can’t see how that equates to success for Mixon on the road with no holes to run through behind their absolutely dreadful O-line.
All Eagles RBs vs. CHI
This is the most befuddling running back committee in the league. I wrote last week about how unpredictable the Patroits RB situation was and that same mentality holds true here, perhaps more so than in New England. Once the Thursday games are played and the stud RBs are gone, you may find yourself staring at an Eagles back. My advice is to move to a back that has a more secure workload or a chance at more touches. Perhaps pivot to a Denver RB or something similar. It’s going to be better than crossing your fingers in hopes Corey Clement scores, or Jay Ajayi gets a sizeable enough workload to be fantasy relevant.
Wide Receiver/Tight End
Larry Fitzgerald (ARI) vs. JAX
The “Old Man” has been excellent this year but has history of waning after Thanksgiving. The matchup is the absolute worst. The Jags boast the top-ranked pass defense in the league. Even though Fitz works from the slot, I can’t invest in him when better options exist on teams projected to score over 17 points.
Robby Anderson (NYJ) vs. CAR
The Jets also opened this week with an implied team total of 17 points. Not only are they projected to struggle on offense, they’re tasked with facing the Panthers top-five passing defense, allowing under 200 yards per game. Expect the underrated James Bradberry to shadow Anderson and hold him down in Week 12.
Davante Adams (GB) @ PIT
Adams has seen 18 targets in the last two weeks, but he has an extremely tough matchup this week in Pittsburgh. I don’t trust Brett Hundley to be able to beat a Steelers’ top-five zone pass defense allowing just 190 yards per game through the air and get Adams, or any pass catcher, involved enough to matter.
Michael Crabtree/Amari Cooper (OAK) vs. DEN
Crabtree didn’t play the last time these two teams met. That’s probably a good thing as he has never had more than five grabs or surpassed 54 yards against Denver’s “No-Fly Zone” since joining the Raiders. I expect more of the same this week simply based on the Broncos defensive rankings above.
In said previous matchup, I told you to avoid Cooper, and that’s a safe play this week as well. If you really want to big bold and attempt to attack Denver, look to TE Jared Cook for your exposure.
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Josh Dalley is a correspondent at FantasyPros. His username on DRAFT is DFSDad. For more from Josh, follow him @JoshDalley72.
