Stars of Week 12

QB: Kirk Cousins, WAS: 41-53, 449 yards, 3 TDs, 0 INTs

RB: Mark Ingram, NO: 14 carries, 146 yards, 1 TD (1 catch, 21 yards, 1 TD)

WR: Antonio Brown, PIT: 5 catches, 91 yards, 3 TDs

TE: Jordan Reed, WAS: 10 catches, 95 yards, 2 TDs

Kirk Cousins goes back-to-back weeks as our lead QB performer. I wrote about Cousins last week – what you need to know is that he’s legit. Speaking of legit, Mark Ingram finally barreled his way out of Sean Payton’s doghouse - hopefully for good. He ran all over the Rams, finding the end zone twice in the process. The carries were split between Ingram and Hightower, so he’s not out of the woods yet. But the carry distribution should tilt back towards his ledger. The pass catchers on this list require no introduction. Antonio Brown did Antonio Brown things against the Colts, catching three TDs in the process. Jordan Reed has already reinforced that he’s right behind Gronk as the top TE in the league. Enjoy these studs if you have them. 

Week 12 Takeaways – A Closer Look

Each week we take a closer look at a handful of performances and sort out what such performances mean going forward.

- Jared Goff, QB - LA: 20-32, 214 yards, 3 TDs, 1 INT        

Analysis: In what has been a banner year for rookie QBs in the NFL, the first overall pick in the 2016 draft finally has a chance to show what we can do. With the reins loosened a bit from his debut last week, Goff made some elite level throws against the Saints – look no further than his TD pass to Tavon Austin in the opening drive. Goff ended up tossing three TD passes, although he needed many more for the Rams to keep up with Drew Brees and the high octane Saints offense. Obviously the Rams D failed to step up. As for Goff, this outing was certainly a step in the right direction. While he should not be a factor in fantasy leagues this year, keep an eye on him for scouting purposes for 2017. While NFL folks were mixed on Goff’s ceiling, he went first overall for a reason. So keep tabs on his performance for the rest of the season.

- Kenneth Dixon, RB – BAL: 13 carries, 49 yards, 0 TDs

- Terrance West, RB – BAL: 13 carries, 48 yards, 0 TDs                                                          

Analysis: I wrote about the Baltimore RB stable earlier this year, and included Kenneth Dixon as a rapid fire pickup multiple weeks. For those of you who picked Dixon up, get ready to reap the rewards. As predicted, Dixon has begun to assert himself as the Ravens’ ball carrier to own as we approach the stretch run. West has been solid for the Ravens, but Dixon has more talent – and the Ravens are looking for more than just a solid option. Upon Dixon’s season debut, West had the lion share of the carries. Then Dixon started chipping away – securing a third of the carries, and now an even split. You see where this is going. Look for Dixon to wrestle away the lead role from West just in time for the fantasy playoffs. We’re looking at RB2 status for Dixon as the transition happens.

- Doug Martin, RB – TB: 23 carries, 87 yards 0 TDs

Analysis: Those who drafted Doug Martin have dealt with the frustration of losing a key player for the bulk of the fantasy season. The good news though is that a light shines at the end of the tunnel. Against a tough run defense in the Seattle Seahawks, Martin kept the chains moving and approached the triple digit marker. Martin looked healthy and moved well, which should give you confidence in him for the remaining weeks and into the playoffs. Now for the even better news – Martin has an uber friendly schedule coming up over the next month. He faces the Chargers and Saints run Ds over the next two weeks, followed by the Cowboys (a tougher matchup, but not close to insurmountable) and then followed by the Saints again. Martin owners, good times lie ahead.

- Marquess Wilson, WR – CHI: 8 catches, 125 yards, 1 TD                                      

Analysis: The Chicago Bears have lost most of their key guys on offense, with both QBs Jay Cutler and Brian Hoyer hurt, along with tight end Zach Miller being out for the season and lead receiver Alshon Jeffery with a self inflicted four game PED suspension. So what does that leave the team? Not much – RBs Jordan Howard and his backup Jeremy Langford now lead the way. Starting at QB is former college star Matt Barkley, who has done nothing in the NFL in his four seasons. In fact, his first TD pass came this past week against the Titans. Circling back to Wilson, he remains one of the last guys standing for the Bears receiving corps. Wilson has been around for four years as well, and he showed flashes last season. His return from injury came at a time where he was desperately needed. Now for Wilson’s fantasy prospects, he’s an interesting player in the interim. We know that the Bears are terrible, so they’ll be throwing quite a bit. They also have very little talent in terms of pass catchers. So adding these two things up, someone needs to be the recipient of Barkley’s targets, and Wilson can pad his stats through volume and circumstance. I like him as a short-term pickup for teams who need another WR. In deep leagues, give a look to Wilson. 

- Davante Adams, WR – GB: 5 catches, 113 yards, 2 TDs

Analysis: Davante Adams has been a bright spot in what has otherwise been a down year for the Packers. Adams was touted as a breakout candidate for 2015 drafts, only to disappoint. It’s funny how often sleepers bust out a year after initially forecasted. Now in his third year, Adams has a much better connection with Aaron Rodgers, which is aided in large part by Adams improving his catch rate. The game has slowed down for him, and he’s learned how to better lose defenders and get open. Adams has averaged just under 7 targets per game this year, but more importantly, just under 10 targets per game over the last six contests. Rodgers looks Adams’ way more often than ever before, and the growth you’re seeing with Adams is real. He profiles as a WR3/flex option most weeks, with room to continue to ascend. 

Rapid Fire Pickups

Each week we’ll throw out potential free agent pickups from each position, in each case 1) someone who has NOT been referenced above, and 2) a player available in most leagues.

QB: Colin Kaepernick, SF

RB: Adrian Peterson, MIN (could return soon – worth a flyer)

RB: Derrick Henry, TEN (if you’re playing the handcuff game)

WR: Will Fuller, HOU

WR: Tyreek Hill, KC (leaving him here again this week)

TE: C.J. Fiedorowicz, HOU

Week 13 Rankings 

Quarterbacks:

  1. Drew Brees, NO (vs DET)
  2. Aaron Rodgers, GB (vs HOU)
  3. Tom Brady, NE (vs LA)
  4. Matthew Stafford, DET (at NO)
  5. Ben Roethlisberger, PIT (vs NYG)
  6. Matt Ryan, ATL (vs KC)
  7. Andrew Luck, IND (at NYJ)
  8. Russell Wilson, SEA (vs CAR)
  9. Philip Rivers, SD (vs TB)
  10. Derek Carr, OAK (vs BUF)
  11. Colin Kaepernick, SF (at CHI)
  12. Kirk Cousins, WAS (at ARZ)
  13. Tyrod Taylor, BUF (at OAK)
  14. Cam Newton, CAR (at SEA)
  15. Eli Manning, NYG (at PIT)
  16. Jameis Winston, TB (at SD)
  17. Carson Palmer, ARZ (vs WAS)
  18. Ryan Fitzpatrick, NYJ (vs IND)
  19. Carson Wentz, PHI (at CIN)
  20. Alex Smith, KC (at ATL)

Running Backs:

  1. David Johnson, ARZ (vs WAS)
  2. Le'Veon Bell, PIT (vs NYG)
  3. LeSean McCoy, BUF (at OAK)
  4. Melvin Gordon, SD (vs TB)
  5. Spencer Ware, KC (at ATL)
  6. Devonta Freeman, ATL (vs KC)
  7. Jordan Howard, CHI (vs SF)
  8. Carlos Hyde, SF (at CHI)
  9. Lamar Miller, HOU (at GB)
  10. Doug Martin, TB (at SD)
  11. Matt Forte, NYJ (vs IND)
  12. LeGarrette Blount, NE (vs LA)
  13. Mark Ingram, NO (vs DET)
  14. Latavius Murray, OAK (vs BUF)
  15. Devontae Booker, DEN (at JAX)
  16. Theo Riddick, DET (at NO)
  17. Jay Ajayi, MIA (at BAL)
  18. Todd Gurley, LA (at NE)
  19. Thomas Rawls, SEA (vs CAR)
  20. Jeremy Hill, CIN (vs PHI)
  21. Frank Gore, IND (at NYJ)
  22. Robert Kelley, WAS (at ARZ)
  23. Jonathan Stewart, CAR (at SEA)
  24. Rashad Jennings, NYG (at PIT)
  25. Tim Hightower, NO (vs DET)
  26. Kenneth Dixon, BAL (vs MIA)
  27. Tevin Coleman, ATL (vs KC)
  28. Wendell Smallwood, PHI (at CIN)
  29. James White, NE (vs LA)
  30. James Starks, GB (vs HOU)
  31. Dion Lewis, NE (vs LA)
  32. Terrance West, BAL (vs MIA)
  33. Darren Sproles, PHI (at CIN)
  34. TJ Yeldon, JAX (vs DEN)
  35. Paul Perkins, NYG (at PIT)
  36. Bilal Powell, NYJ (vs IND)
  37. Rex Burkhead, CIN (vs PHI)
  38. Charcandrick West, KC (at ATL)
  39. Kapri Bibbs, DEN (at JAX)
  40. Chris Thompson, WAS (at ARZ)

Wide Receivers:

  1. Antonio Brown, PIT (vs.NYG)
  2. Julio Jones, ATL (vs KC)
  3. Odell Beckham Jr., NYG (at PIT)
  4. Mike Evans, TB (at SD)
  5. Jordy Nelson, GB (vs HOU)
  6. T.Y. Hilton, IND (at NYJ)
  7. Amari Cooper, OAK (vs BUF)
  8. Larry Fitzgerald, ARZ (vs WAS)
  9. Brandon Marshall, NYJ (vs IND)
  10. Brandin Cooks, NO (vs DET)
  11. Doug Baldwin, SEA (vs CAR)
  12. Michael Crabtree, OAK (vs BUF)
  13. Julian Edelman, NE (vs LA)
  14. Tyrell Williams, SD (vs TB)
  15. Donte Moncrief, IND (at NYJ)
  16. Michael Thomas, NO (vs DET)
  17. Demaryius Thomas, DEN (at JAX)
  18. Davante Adams, GB (vs HOU)
  19. DeAndre Hopkins, HOU (at GB)
  20. Golden Tate, DET (at NO)
  21. Tyreek Hill, KC (at ATL)
  22. Sammy Watkins, BUF (at OAK)
  23. Jamison Crowder, WAS (at ARZ)
  24. Emmanuel Sanders, DEN (at JAX)
  25. Kelvin Benjamin, CAR (at SEA)
  26. Allen Robinson, JAX (vs DEN)
  27. Steve Smith, BAL (vs MIA)
  28. Jarvis Landry, MIA (at BAL)
  29. Willie Snead, NO (vs DET)
  30. Randall Cobb, GB (vs HOU)
  31. Mike Wallace, BAL (vs MIA)
  32. Kenny Britt, LA (at NE)
  33. DeSean Jackson, WAS (at ARZ)
  34. Marquess Wilson, CHI (vs SF)
  35. Sterling Shepard, NYG (vs PIT)
  36. Tyler Boyd, CIN (vs PHI)
  37. DeVante Parker, MIA (at BAL)
  38. Malcolm Mitchell, NE (vs LA)
  39. Taylor Gabriel, ATL (vs KC)
  40. Pierre Garcon, WAS (at ARZ)

Tight End:

  1. Greg Olsen, CAR (at SEA)
  2. Jimmy Graham, SEA (vs CAR)
  3. Travis Kelce, KC (at ATL)
  4. Tyler Eifert, CIN (vs PHI)
  5. Eric Ebron, DET (at NO)
  6. Antonio Gates, SD (vs TB)
  7. Martellus Bennett, NE (vs LA)
  8. Cameron Brate, TB (at SD)
  9. Zach Ertz, PHI (at CIN)
  10. C.J. Fiedorowicz, HOU (at GB)
  11. Vance McDonald, SF (at CHI)
  12. Coby Fleener, NO (vs DET)
  13. Lance Kendricks, LA (at NE)
  14. Vernon Davis, WAS (at ARZ)
  15. Dennis Pitta, BAL (vs MIA)
  16. Hunter Henry, SD (vs TB)
  17. Ladarius Green, PIT (vs NYG)
  18. Jared Cook, GB (vs HOU)
  19. Charles Clay, BUF (at OAK)
  20. Jack Doyle, IND (at NYJ)

Defense/Special Teams: 

  1. Denver Broncos (at JAX)
  2. New England Patriots (vs LA)
  3. Seattle Seahawks (vs CAR)
  4. Philadelphia Eagles (at CIN)
  5. Baltimore Ravens (vs MIA)
  6. Miami Dolphins (at BAL)
  7. Green Bay Packers (vs HOU)
  8. Arizona Cardinals (vs WAS)
  9. San Diego Chargers (vs TB)
  10. Pittsburgh Steelers (vs NYG)
  11. Kansas City Chiefs (at ATL)
  12. San Francisco 49ers (at CHI)
  13. Buffalo Bills (at OAK)
  14. Jacksonville Jaguars (vs DEN)
  15. Chicago Bears (vs SF)