Week 12 is a tougher week than most as it’s harder to play matchups when the bottom third of the league plays each other in the same week. Where those matchups are harder to predict, I prefer to stay with teams with playoff aspirations that have a good chance at being ceiling plays.
As always, this will not cover teams from previous weeks so if you were able to grab one and they still have a favorable matchup, such as the Eagles, go ahead and start them, no need to waste FAAB or waiver priority. If you have a defense like the Bucs, you should be starting them every week. Good luck this week!
Carolina Panthers
Opponent: @ Miami Dolphins
DraftKings: $3100
FanDuel: $4700
Despite Carolina being D/ST7 on the year, they are still rostered as a fringe D/ST1 in a 12 team league. If the opportunity is still there, you have two more weeks to use them. They get the Dolphins this week and the Falcons after that. I would not suggest them any further but any time you get two consecutive weeks from a D/ST, it’s a win.
Last week against WFT, they recorded at least three sacks for the sixth time in 11 games and the third time in four weeks. They also added in a fumble recovery they forced in the red zone. This defense should get a boost with Cam under center. They could not sustain drives with Darnold under center and that greatly impacts a defense. Over their last four weeks, they are averaging just under 10 points a game, over in some scoring formats.
No shocker, it’s Haason…
📺: FOX pic.twitter.com/zsFWwjH83e
— Carolina Panthers (@Panthers) November 21, 2021
Cincinnati Bengals
Opponent: vs Pittsburgh Steelers
DraftKings: $2700
FanDuel: $3300
Whenever I see Ben Roethlisberger, I picture this tweet in my head. It is modern art. It’s also the sad state in which the Steelers fans now live. Though he did look good in spots during the loss to the Chargers, he still needed a bizarre set of circumstances to hit just right for the Steelers to be in it and to give him some short fields.
Guys like this could never play in today’s league pic.twitter.com/kuFu2PU520
— Steven Ruiz (@theStevenRuiz) September 27, 2021
The Bengals’ defense has been erratic and their home splits have been pitiful, but they are still generating turnovers and that is a major weapon against a team with little to no explosiveness. The Bengals are looking forward to a rare streak of home games coming up and get one of the more generous offenses in the league with a porous line which bodes well for them keeping alive their four-game streak of at least two sacks. They also have five turnovers in that span.
Houston Texans
Opponent: vs New York Jets
DraftKings: $2300
FanDuel: $4900
This is not a typo, and neither will be the next team (nice little tease for ya). This is just where we are this week. Don’t look now, but the Texans are not even in the top three picks in next year’s draft after beating the number one ranked Tennessee Titans last week. No context will be given as this should be surprising enough on its own. In their last two games, the Texans’ D/ST is averaging 14.5 points and now they get the Jets. Should Zach Wilson start, there is not only potential for interceptions, but also for sacks as Wilson ranks in the top 10 for the most allowed pressure for a QB at 16.4% per PFF. The Jets give up the 5th most points to D/ST’s this season and a rejuvenated Texans squad with Tyrod Taylor leading the team on offense may be the perfect storm for D/ST scoring again this week.
Whole lotta @blaqbadger14 🤘 2 INTs for King!
📺 » @NFLonCBS pic.twitter.com/rrEAnKKJ7P
— Houston Texans (@HoustonTexans) November 21, 2021
Detroit Lions
Opponent: vs Chicago Bears
DraftKings: $2400
FanDuel: $3700
Reports are surfacing that Thursday maybe Matt Nagy’s last game leading the Bears. I think it’s fair to say that the only fitting way to go is by giving the Lions their first win of the season. This Lions team is maybe the toughest, scrappiest, most passionate team in the league. It’s unfortunate that they just don’t have the talent in the building to get it done. Regardless of who is starting at QB for either team, the offenses are just not impressive, but the Lions showed a dedication to the run that slowed down the game to earn them a tie and then followed up by only a 3 point loss with their backup QB under center. Chicago needed Andy Dalton to finish out the game and so the choices will be a banged-up Fields with injured ribs, or Andy Dalton that just so happens to definitely be Andy Dalton so there are obvious drawbacks there too.
The 4th takeaway for @AmaniO this year!#DETvsCLE | 📺 FOX pic.twitter.com/fnRSQXkqfC
— Detroit Lions (@Lions) November 21, 2021
Previous Week: Chargers, Dolphins, Jaguars, and Eagles
Photos by Zach Bolinger & Stephen Lew/Icon Sportswire | Design by Michael Packard (@designsbypack on Twitter @ IG)