The Fantasy Footballers’ Starts of the Week for Week 12
It is the time of year when football gets down to the nitty-gritty. Even better, the fact that we are free of byes this week. The schedule is funky, thanks to the three juicy games on Thursday. That could make your lineup look a little different, but the good news is the Fantasy Footballers can help you navigate this jam-packed week. This week also brought us the legendary, iconic, and revolutionary Megalodon episode. Three days’ worth of episodes jammed into one super episode. To check it out, strap in, and see below.
Suppose you were looking for the section that leads to this article. That starts around the 54-minute mark of the episode. Of course, with all the information thrown at you in the Megalodon Episode, you can keep reading for a simple reminder of Andy, Mike, and Jason’s Starts of the Week.
Andy’s Starts of the Week
QB- Geno Smith vs. LV
He was a stream-of-the-week player as well. He is taking on the Raiders. The Raiders are the 31st in schedule-adjusted fantasy points allowed to QBs. They also rank dead last in expected points allowed per pass attempt. Geno has been a pleasant surprise this year. He currently ranks as the QB7 on the year, and he should easily keep the season rolling against this defense.
RB- Jeff Wilson + Raheem Mostert vs. HOU
Sometimes you need to jam some sides on top of each other to get all the good-looking food on your plate during Thanksgiving. That is what Andy is doing with this pick, stacking the excellent stuff. We know the Dolphins have a potent passing attack, but the numbers are the numbers. The Texans give up the fourth-fewest fantasy points to both the wide receiver and the quarterback because anyone can run on Houston. Jeff Wilson has played two games as a Dolphin and has two games as a top-ten running back. Raheem Mostert has been a top-24 running back in three of his last four games. Both are startable against the worst run defense in Football.
WR- Michael Pittman Jr. vs PIT
It is time to rebuild this city! Pittman hasn’t been a top-24 wide receiver since week six. It has been bad. However, the target share of 25 percent gives you some hope. It is a good matchup! The Steelers are allowing the third most passing yards per game. After the Week 11 game against Cincinnati, Pittsburgh gives up the most fantasy points to the wide receiver. TJ Watt is one of the best players in the NFL, but the other ten guys on the field are not holding up their end of the bargain. They are getting torched by teams right now, and Andy thinks Pittman will get into the end zone this week.
TE- Dalton Schultz vs. NYG
Andy and Jason made a last-second trade on their tight end start of the week. If you need some help on Thanksgiving, you can call Doctor Schultz. The Giants allow the eighth-most receiving yards and the tenth-most tight end receptions. Over the last month, Schultz is averaging 6.3 targets per game. Jason just traded for him in a league because he is dependable. Use that dependability and give yourself a solid start to the week on Thursday afternoon.
Jason’s Starts of the Week
QB- Tom Brady vs. CLE
Things seem to be getting back on track with the Buccaneers. Brady is on pace to tie the record for the most pass attempts in a single season. Since Week 5, the Browns have allowed the most points per game and the most expected fantasy points per play. In particular, the browns have been picked apart by pure pocket passers. Players like Joe Flacco went for 307 yards and four touchdowns, Bailey Zappe for 309 yards and two touchdowns, Joe Burrow with 232 yards and two touchdowns, and Tua with 285 yards and three touchdowns. It should be a good week for Tom.
RB- Latavius Murray vs. CAR
The old man left standing. Denver hated Melvin Gordon, so they got rid of him. Murray is the last man standing at this point. Since Week 5, the Panthers rank 29th in schedule-adjusted fantasy points allowed to the running back. They allow the fifth most rushing yards and the fourth highest rate of ten-plus yard runs. Russell Wilson stinks, and the Broncos’ defense is excellent. So the Broncos should look to establish the run in this game. Murray should see a majority of that work equating to success.
WR- Garrett Wilson vs. CHI
Jason could be trying to manipulate Andy into starting Wilson, so be careful, and make your own decisions here. He is incredibly talented. You watch him play, and it just looks different. He has had some massive games this season, and they know they need to do better in the passing game. Wilson said that the passing game has to be better. They have benched Zach Wilson and will give Mike White a chance to help this team improve. Wilson has a 23 percent target rate on his routes, which is elite for a rookie wide receiver. He also sees almost 30 percent of the Jets team’s red zone targets. That ranks in the top ten among all wide receivers. Since Week 5, the Bears have been allowed the most expected points per pass attempt in the NFL. It is a great matchup, and with the new quarterback, there could be hope for Wilson.
TE- Dawson Knox vs. DET
He is back in Detroit, where he had seven career receptions last week. He has had 13 targets in the previous two games and is just getting started. The Lions are 30th against fantasy tight ends. They only come behind Seattle and Arizona in the game of “find out who is playing these teams this week.” Still a great matchup, and he is one of the best bets to get a touchdown this week.
Mike’s Starts of the Week
QB- Lamar Jackson vs. JAX
Lamar has not been his usual high-flying self. This matchup, however, is too good to pass up. Over the last five games, Jacksonville has been the second-best quarterback matchup. The Jaguars allowed the third most passing yards in that span, including top-ten weeks to Matt Ryan, Daniel Jones, Derek Carr, and Patrick Mahomes. The only QB that wasn’t top-ten in that span was Russell Wilson, so not a reason to be worried. The time is coming! Lamar only has seven total touchdowns since Week 4, and he is due for an explosive game.
RB- Rachaad White vs. CLE
Before the bye, White took over the lead-back role. He had 22 carries for 105 yards versus Seattle. Yes, Fournette got hurt that week, but White started that game even before the injury. We see this often; rookie players take over after the bye week from older veterans. Fournette has been very inefficient running, and White seems much more explosive. Since Week 2, the Browns have allowed the most fantasy points to opposing running backs. According to PFF, this run funnel defense has been the worst-ranking rush defense since 2009. They allow, on average, 29.9 points as a team. It could be the actual breakout week for Rachaad White.
WR- Terry McLaurin vs. ATL
Taylor Heinicke loves him some Terry McLaurin. Since Heinicke took over at quarterback, McLaurin has averaged 8.6 targets and 85 receiving yards per game. He has had monster target shares of 25, 27, 35, 44, and 30 percent. Heinicke has eyes only for McLaurin. Now they walk into a dream matchup against Atlanta. The Falcons allow the most passing yards per game and the most schedule-adjusted fantasy points to opposing wide receivers. Last year against Atlanta, McLaurin, on thirteen targets, had six catches for 123 yards and two touchdowns. You have to find a way to cram McLaurin into your lineup this week.
TE- Foster Moreau vs. SEA
Back to the island we go. It took five quarters to get on the board last week, but he did have 30 yards. He had a chance at a touchdown last week, but it gets even better this week. The Seahawks are a golden matchup for tight ends. They rank 31st against the tight end. Over the last decade, the only four teams allowing 16 plus fantasy points per game to the tight ends are the 2013 Cardinals, 2019 Cardinals, 2022 Cardinals, and the 2022 Seahawks. Trust the matchup and get Moreau into your lineups.