Ride or Die: The Fantasy Footballers Predictions for Week 12
New name, same great segment. “Ride or Die” pits The Ballers against each other with three players to meet a certain number each week. Each Baller will pick the player to “Ride” or “Die” with the stat, similar to a “prop” bet.
Each week I will be here to recap where each of the Ballers took the wheel or gave a nice tuck and roll out of the vehicle for each one. Of course I’ll weigh in as well and we’ll keep score throughout the season so you can see how smart I really am.
As always, let me know if you’re jumping in the passenger’s seat with me or think I’m driving the crazy train here or on Twitter: @KurtKnowsBest.
“Ride or Die” Scoreboard
Well, would you look at that? I was the smartest of the bunch last week, getting two of three predictions correct. The other three losers all only managed to get one right. However, Jason still has a commanding lead on the season-long totals by five predictions.
| Week 11 Ride or Die Outcome | |||||
| Player | Prediction | Andy | Jason | Mike | Kurt |
| Chris Olave | Top-16 WR | Ride | |||
| Darnell Mooney | 10+ Fantasy Points | Ride | Ride | ||
| Kirk Cousins | Top-17 QB | Die | Die | Die | |
| 2022 Overall | 45% (15/33) | 67% (22/33) | 52% (17/33) | 45% (15/33) |
Week 12 “Ride or Die”
To hear the entire “Ride or Die” segment for this week, listen to the November 23rd edition of the podcast: Megalodon Episode – Week 12 Matchups, Turkey Day Awards & Tons More!
Amon-Ra St. Brown (DET) vs Buffalo: Top-18 WR
The Sun God has been better for fantasy managers in recent weeks, finishing as a top-24 option in back-to-back games after missing the mark six straight times out. In his last two games, Amon-Ra has seen 19 total targets and has had those strong fantasy finishes without getting into the end zone.
Andy and Mike are going to “Ride” on this prediction that was initially set at top-15. The Lions’ offense has scored 30 points in three of their last four games. More interesting for this line is the fact that the Bills have allowed a WR2 and WR3 finish in the last two weeks. I’ll “Ride” with the guys on this prediction.
Jason is the only “Die” for this one. The Big Shimmy is skeptical because there aren’t any teams on bye this week and doubts that St. Brown will get into the end zone to hit this mark.
Ezekiel Elliott (DAL) vs NY Giants: Score a TD on Thanksgiving
Another Thanksgiving Day prediction here. Though he’s only played in eight games this season, Ezekiel Elliott has scored six TDs. In his last three games played, Zeke has gotten into the end zone five times.
The entire crew is a “Ride” with this prediction. Dallas has the 5th most rushing TDs in the league, while the Giants allow the 8th most rushing yards to opposing offenses. On an interesting note, Zeke has scored a TD in three of the five Thanksgiving Day games he’s played in for Dallas since entering the league.
Juwan Johnson (NO) at San Francisco: Top-10 TE
Don’t look now, but Juwan Johnson is the TE8 on the season. Johnson has emerged as a proper TE option for fantasy managers after finishing in the top 8 TEs in four of the last five weeks. What may be even more impressive is Johnson’s five TDs in the last five games.
Mike is a “Ride” on this prediction with his anti-Taysom Hill option. The Hitman knows that he’s basically betting on Johnson getting into the end zone to be able to finish inside the top-10 TEs on the week. That said, Johnson is averaging three receptions for 35 yards in his last five games, so there may still be room for him to slide into that top 10 range given the awful depth at TE.
Andy and Jason were a quick “Die” on this prediction and I’m going to join them. Jason notes that the 49ers’ defense is extremely tough against opposing TEs. San Francisco hasn’t allowed 10 or more points to opposing team’s TEs in three-straight games.
| Week 12 Ride or Die | |||||
| Player | Prediction | Andy | Jason | Mike | Kurt |
| Amon-Ra St. Brown | Top-18 WR | Ride | Die | Ride | Ride |
| Ezekiel Elliott | Score a TD on Thanksgiving | Ride | Ride | Ride | Ride |
| Juwan Johnson | Top-10 TE | Die | Die | Ride | Die |
Kurt’s Bonus Picks
| Kurt Bonus Picks Week 11 Outcome | ||
| Player | Prediction | Kurt |
| Christian Watson | 12+ Fantasy Points (Half-Point PPR) | Ride |
| Michael Carter | More Opportunities than James Robinson | |
| Justin Herbert | Top-12 QB Finish | Ride |
| 2022 Overall | 48% (16/33) |
Jeff Wilson Jr. & Raheem Mostert (MIA) vs Houston: Both Top-17 RBs
In the two games since Jeff Wilson’s arrival in Miami ahead of the trade deadline, the Dolphins’ offense has produced three top-10 and four top-20 RB finishes. You read that right. While the Dolphins’ passing attack has gotten plenty of attention, the running game has been equally as effective, especially for fantasy purposes.
The Texans are the best matchup for fantasy RBs on the season, which presents a prime opportunity for both Wilson & Mostert to have big fantasy days. Houston’s defense has given up a top-24 RB every game this season including seven top-10 finishes.
I’m a “Ride” with both Mostert and Wilson being top-17 options this week.
Parris Campbell (IND) vs Pittsburgh: 12+ Fantasy Points (Half-Point PPR)
While the Indianapolis offense has been a ball of uncertainty for most of the season, Parris Campbell has emerged as a legitimate option for fantasy managers. Since Week 6, Campbell has finished inside the top-12 WRs three different times. In that same stretch, Campbell has seen seven targets per game, so the opportunity has consistently been there for fantasy production.
Hitting the 12-point mark has been the average for Campbell since his usage has increased. The Steelers are a great opportunity for the Colts’ offense to take to the air since Pittsburgh’s defense is allowing the most passing yards per game in the league.
I’ll “Ride” with Campbell’s chances of being used early and often to hit this mark.
Tee Higgins (CIN) at Tennessee: 88+ Receiving Yards
The Bengals’ offense is coming off a red-hot stretch of weeks where they’ve scored 30+ points in four of five games. Tee Higgins has been the benefactor of a higher passing volume with Joe Burrow posting four-straight top-24 finishes in a row. What’s impressive about that run is that he’s hit that mark while only scoring one TD.
Getting to 88 receiving yards has been the mean during Higgins’ run of top-24 finishes. The Titans’ defense is allowing the third-most passing yards per game in the league and the fourth-most passing TDs. Tennessee has allowed a top-10 WR in two of their last three games so the opportunity will be there for Higgins to hit this line.
My only worry would be Ja’Marr Chase coming back from his injury, but I don’t think that stops Higgins from getting to this prediction.
I’m going to “Ride” on this prediction.
| Kurt Bonus Picks Week 12 | ||
| Player | Prediction | Kurt |
| Raheem Mostert & Jeff Wilson Jr. | Both Top-17 RBs | Ride |
| Parris Campbell | 12+ Fantasy Points (Half-Point PPR) | Ride |
| Tee Higgins | 88+ Receiving Yards | Ride |