Arguably, the most frustrating thing in fantasy football is seeing someone in your starting lineup struggle that week. Therefore, the logic behind this article is simple – identify fantasy football lineup landmines.
These are players you’re leaning towards starting this week but could end up being a landmine that blows up and destroys your starting lineup, potentially costing you your matchup.
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Fantasy Football Lineup Landmines: Week 12
Brace yourself and take cover. These six players could blow up in your face in Week 12.
Daniel Jones (QB – IND) vs. Kansas City Chiefs
Jones is the QB9 for the year, averaging 19.3 fantasy points per game, the highest average of his career. The former Duke star had at least two passing touchdowns or 22.8 fantasy points in six of his first eight games this season. However, he has turned back into the old Jones, totaling two passing touchdowns, four interceptions, three lost fumbles, and 29.6 fantasy points over the past two games, scoring 15.5 or fewer in both outings. Unfortunately, fantasy players can’t trust him in their lineups against the Chiefs on Sunday.
Kansas City might be facing a must-win game in Week 12 as they sit at 5-5. Thankfully, the Chiefs’ defense has been outstanding lately. They’ve held quarterbacks to 214 passing yards, 0.5 touchdowns, and 13.5 fantasy points per game over the past five weeks, allowing 12.6 or fewer fantasy points in all but the matchup against Josh Allen. Furthermore, the superstar scored nearly half of his 28.8 fantasy points on the ground. Jones won’t finish as a top-15 quarterback this week despite four teams being on a bye.
D’Andre Swift (RB – CHI) vs. Pittsburgh Steelers
The Bears have had one of the better offenses in the NFL this season, thanks to their ground game. Swift is the RB16 for the year, averaging 15 PPR fantasy points per game, scoring double-digits in all but one contest since Week 1. However, that lone exception came last week against the Minnesota Vikings despite having 21 rushing attempts, scoring nine fantasy points. The veteran has played well since returning from a groin injury. Unfortunately, he hasn’t found the end zone, averaging 0.5 fantasy points per rushing attempt.
Fantasy players shouldn’t expect Swift to have a massive performance on Sunday against the Steelers. After struggling earlier this season, Pittsburgh’s defense has been outstanding lately. They have held running backs to 83.3 rushing yards, 0.3 touchdowns, and 16.1 fantasy points per game over the past three weeks, allowing four yards per attempt. Furthermore, the Steelers are the only team to hold Jonathan Taylor to under 65 rushing yards and single-digit fantasy points, surrendering a season-low 3.2 yards per attempt to the likely Offensive Player of the Year award winner.
Tyrone Tracy Jr. (RB – NYG) vs. Detroit Lions
Last week, New York nearly got the upset victory over the Green Bay Packers. While many expected the Giants to get blown out, they were able to lean on the ground game, as Jameis Winston had only 29 pass attempts last week. Therefore, it’s not surprising that Tracy and Devin Singletary had impressive fantasy performances. Tracy finished with 19 rushing attempts for 88 yards, four receptions for 51 receiving yards, and 17.9 PPR fantasy points, setting season-highs in every category. Yet, fantasy players shouldn’t anticipate similar production in Week 12.
Unfortunately, fantasy players shouldn’t envision New York keeping pace with the Lions in Detroit, so expect the Giants to throw significantly more than last week. More importantly, the Lions have shut down opposing running backs, surrendering only 16.2 fantasy points per game this year, the fewest in the NFL. Furthermore, running backs have averaged 78.7 rushing yards and 14.5 fantasy points per game against Detroit over the past seven weeks, scoring only one rushing touchdown during the stretch. Last week, they held Saquon Barkley to only 10 fantasy points.
Romeo Doubs (WR – GB) vs. Minnesota Vikings
While many had high hopes for Matthew Golden this season, Doubs has been the Packers’ top wide receiver. The former Nevada star is the WR30 for the year, averaging 11.5 PPR fantasy points per game. Furthermore, he averaged six targets and 13.1 fantasy points per game over the first seven weeks, totaling double-digit fantasy points in 66.7% of the contests. Unfortunately, Doubs’ production has declined since Christian Watson made his season debut, averaging 3.8 receptions on seven targets for 48.3 receiving yards, zero touchdowns, and 9.1 fantasy points per game.
Furthermore, the veteran has scored 9.4 or fewer fantasy points in three of the four games he has played with Watson this year. Meanwhile, the Vikings have held wide receivers to 26.3 fantasy points per game this season, the fourth-fewest in the NFL. However, their defense has been lights out over their past two outings, despite facing the Baltimore Ravens and Chicago Bears, surrendering only 13 receptions for 187 yards, zero touchdowns, and 34.6 fantasy points to wide receivers, allowing 6.1 or less to every pass catcher last week.
Tre Tucker (WR – LV) vs. Cleveland Browns
It has been a frustrating season for anyone with Raiders on their roster. Brock Bowers and Ashton Jeanty are the only two fantasy players can trust in their lineups. Meanwhile, Tucker has had some productive games when facing struggling defenses, including last week against the Dallas Cowboys. The former Cincinnati star had four receptions on eight targets for 47 receiving yards, a touchdown, and 14.7 PPR fantasy points on Monday night, finishing first or second on the team in every category. Unfortunately, he has a far tougher matchup this weekend.
Every media outlet will spend this week talking about Shedeur Sanders making his first career start. However, they should be talking about Myles Garrett’s recent run. The future superstar has 10 sacks over the past three weeks, totaling four or more against Lamar Jackson and Drake Maye. More importantly, the Browns have shut down opposing wide receivers, surrendering only six receptions for 96 receiving yards, zero touchdowns, and 20.7 fantasy points to wide receivers since their bye, holding everyone but Zay Flowers (11.3) under 3.1 fantasy points during the stretch.
Jake Ferguson (TE – DAL) vs. Philadelphia Eagles
Ferguson is the TE2 for the year, averaging 14 PPR fantasy points per game, ranking only behind Trey McBride (18.5) in total fantasy points. Unfortunately, the veteran has cooled off after an outstanding start. He averaged 8.3 targets and 17.2 fantasy points per game over the first seven weeks, totaling 16.8 or more in all but two contests. However, Ferguson has averaged 4.3 targets and 6.5 fantasy points per game over the past month, totaling eight or fewer in all but last week’s matchup against the Las Vegas Raiders.
Yet, he needed a receiving touchdown to score double-digit fantasy points, finishing with four receptions on five targets for only 16 receiving yards. Meanwhile, Ferguson struggled in the Week 1 matchup against the Eagles, totaling five receptions on six targets for 23 receiving yards and 7.3 fantasy points. More importantly, Philadelphia has shut down tight ends this season, surrendering the second-fewest fantasy points per game in the NFL to the position (7.2). Furthermore, they’ve given up only one receiving touchdown to tight ends this year, the fewest in the league.
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Mike Fanelli is a featured writer at FantasyPros. For more from Mike, check out his archive and follow him @Mike_NFL2.
