Game Info
Kickoff: Sunday, November 27th, at 1:00 PM EST
Location: Bank of America Stadium, Charlotte, North Carolina
Betting Odds: DEN -2.5, 35 total via Oddsshark
Network: FOX
Writer: Matthew Cava (@cavaM_ Twitter & Reddit)
Denver Broncos
Quarterback
Russell Wilson (Start, QB2)
Another week, another dud performance from Russell Wilson. Against the Raiders, a defense that had given up the second most fantasy points heading into the game, he completed 24 of 31 attempts for 247 scoreless yards. Yes, Wilson did not find the end zone in any capacity against the Raiders; and this game went into overtime, the third instance this season where the Broncos lost in OT. Entering Week 11, the Broncos did make a change on the play-calling side, with the passing game coordinator/QB coach Klint Kubiak taking over for head coach Nathaniel Hackett — but did it really do much? Consider Wilson a QB2 again this week as he’s set to face a Panthers defense that seemingly held Lamar Jackson in check last week; 24 of 33 for 209 yards, an interception, and one rushing touchdown.
Running Backs
Latavius Murray (Sit), Marlon Mack (Sit)
This league, is a famous quote used mostly in NBA circles. It’s rather fitting to apply to the Denver backfield, because on Monday, Melvin Gordon III was waived, and recently acquired Chase Edmonds was ruled out indefinitely with a high right ankle sprain. The release of Gordon is a bit shocking, to say the least, but not all that surprising given his production this season. He ended up turning 90 carries into 318 yards and just two rushing scores in 10 games. You can’t help but laugh, but in the year 2022, the Broncos’ RB room (at the time of writing) now consists of Latavius Murray and Marlon Mack. Simply put, avoid starting, and rostering, both backs at all costs.
Wide Receivers/Tight End
Courtland Sutton (Start, WR3), Kendall Hinton (Sit), Greg Dulcich (Start, TE2)
With Jerry Jeudy out last week with an ankle injury, Courtland Sutton led the way next to Kendall Hinton with seven targets, catching five of those looks for 80 yards. Hinton caught all three of his targets for 57 yards. Even with Jeudy and KJ Hamler out, Hinton doesn’t possess fantasy value, making Sutton a continued WR3 in a struggling offense. Sutton has only found the end zone once this season, back in Week 4, so you’ll continue to start him only on the basis of his volume share.
Tight end Greg Dulcich had another mediocre week, catching four of five targets for 30 scoreless yards. The Panthers’ defense just allowed a returning Mark Andrews to catch six of eight targets for 63 yards last week, so consider Dulcich a TE2 in a forever-thin fantasy position.
Carolina Panthers
Quarterback
Baker Mayfield (Sit), P.J. Walker (Sit), Sam Darnold (Sit)
Baker Mayfield got the start against the Ravens last week and was inefficient as ever. He completed 21 of 33 attempts for just 196 yards, no touchdowns, and two interceptions. The Carolina pass-catchers are products of bad QB play, and Mayfield, P.J. Walker, and Sam Darnold – remember him? – are simply not the answer. Surely you’re avoiding these options by now, but you’ll need to monitor the decision of who will be under center as the week moves along for the sake of DJ Moore. As of Monday, head coach Steve Wilks declined to anoint his starting QB for Week 12.
Update: Sam Darnold was named the starter for the Panthers this week. Don’t play him.
Running Backs
D’Onta Foreman (Start, RB2), Chuba Hubbard (Sit)
After a big Week 10, D’Onta Foreman turned 11 carries into just 24 yards against the Ravens last week, good for 2.4 fantasy points in full-PPR leagues. Chuba Hubbard is behind him, but this is Foreman’s backfield; not that that’s any bit exciting. Denver allowed Josh Jacobs to run for 109 yards on 22 carries last week, and so consider Foreman an RB2 off volume alone.
Wide Receivers/Tight End
D.J. Moore (Sit), Terrace Marshall Jr. (Sit), Ian Thomas (Sit)
With no teams on a BYE this week, the likes of D.J. Moore (unfortunately) and Terrace Marshall Jr. can be left on your bench, especially if Mayfield is their quarterback. Last week, Moore was targeted only five times, catching three passes for 24 yards. Marshall outperformed him, catching three of six targets for 76 scoreless yards. Both receivers are hindered by the play of Mayfield, and simply can’t be trusted on the weekly breakout. Ian Thomas hasn’t been a viable fantasy tight end this season, and that trend will certainly continue this week.