Bold Predictions for Week 12
Jameis Winston
Winston is back! Again! It must be tough to be a Bucs fan. Â This is one of the most high-powered passing offenses in the league and they are led by two mediocre QB’s. Â Winston has more potential to be great than Fitzpatrick so Tampa Bay is making the right call this week against a middle of the pack SF defense. Â This game though is do or die for Jameis, possibly for his career. Â As long as he limits the turnovers, he’ll be a fantasy gem this week with weapons like Mike Evans, Adam Humphries, Cameron Brate and Chris Godwin. Â I’m starting him this week if that reassures your decision on him.
Lamar Jackson
Let’s start with this: Â 27 rushes 117 yards. Â My first question to Lamar in postgame would’ve been “Do you think you’re a RB?” Â In all seriousness, this is the direction the NFL is heading…mobile QBs. Â Lamar may not be the most accurate but he does bring a spark to his fantasy value with how much he runs the football. Â I think this week he could even be the leading rusher! Â He’ll take on the Raiders who give up the second-most rush yards and it helps that they are one of the leagues worst defenses as a whole.
Start or Sit
- Sony Michel –Â Start…the Jets have one of the worst run defenses in the league (22) and they gave up 212 yards to the Bills last week! Michel is a must-start RB2 this week and will look to bounce back in this great matchup.
- Marlon Mack –Â Start…another RB with a great matchup. Â This time Miami who’s even worse against the run at (30) in the league. Mack struggled to produce fantasy-wise two weeks ago against the Jags and that’s been his worst week since coming back from injury. Â To add, that week he could’ve been a TD monster if two of his 20+ yard runs wouldn’t have been stopped inside the 5 yard line.
- Evan Engram –Â Sit…even though the Eagles gave up more than 200+ through the air last week, they still give up the second fewest fantasy points to TE this year. Â Plus, that 200+ was also to one of the best QB’s and offenses in the NFL this year (Saints) where the Giants are 23rd in the NFL in total offense. Â Engram will be non-existent in this game.
- Every Miami RB –Â Sit…who knows who to play right now…4 of the last 6 games it’s been all Kenyan Drake. Â Now, in the last 2 games, it’s been all Frank Gore. Â Avoid this backfield!
- Blake Bortles –Â Start…I can’t believe I’m saying this but I like Bortles this week. Â Scold me all you want, I completely understand Buffalo has a top-ranked pass defense but they still suck. Â If you have a QB on a bye, like Mahomes or Goff, sneak Bortles into your lineup and you won’t be disappointed.
- Demaryius Thomas –Â Start…Man has Thomas been a bust since being traded to the Texans. Â He had 1 target last game and no catches but he’s in a great matchup this week against a Titans defense that was completely exploited by the Colts pass game.
- Eric Ebron –Â Sit…after being shut down by the Titans last week that inclines me to sit Ebron this week. Â Jack Doyle has been targeted 14 more times than Ebron who’s more of a TD or bust TE as well.
- Alex Collins –Â Sit…after being benched to Gus Edwards avoid Collins this week. Â I honestly don’t understand what the Ravens saw in him all year. Â He’s really not that good of a runner. Â He had one good carry last game which resulted in a TD and it was more good blocking than run skill. Â Edwards ran with some heart after replacing the starter and he’ll get the start this week as well.
Watching the Waiver
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- Jonnu Smith – TEN TE – he’s a must add in deep leagues especially because he has hauled in 2 TDs in the past 3 games. Â Last week was his only game without a TD but he made 6 catches on 8 targets which triples his production from previous weeks. Â It seems like he’s filling the role of Delanie Walker very well after the bye week.
- Cameron Brate – TB TE – he’s probably the most added TE this week with the naming of Winston as the starting QB. Â Brate is a TD machine when Jameis is under center, where on the contrary it’s been all O.J. Howard with Fitzpatrick as QB. Â Now with Howard out for the season, Brate will be able to regain his role as a TE1 the rest of the year.
- Gus Edwards – BAL RB – who is Gus Edwards? Let me tell you. Â He’s the guy that broke out for 115 yards and a TD last week. Â It looks like Harbaugh likes his “hungry” attitude and that’s exactly what the Ravens need right now battling for a playoff spot. Â Edwards reminds me of a better Buck Allen. Â The undrafted FA out of Rutgers could be the future of this backfield.
Week 12 Picks
Turkey Day was good to me! 3-0 and my Chicago Bears won with a back-up QB who made his first NFL start since 2014. Â Here is the lookahead for this weekend…
More next week…Good Luck!
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Twitter: @AndrewLilRogers