What You Need to Know From Week 12

BUF @ DET

• Josh Allen depended on Isaiah McKenzie a lot on this overtime win, and he could have value down the stretch.
• Devin Singletary continued to run well and is still ahead of James Cook, but Cook is worth an injury-upside backup roster spot if benches are long enough.
• Dawson Knox was quiet after back-to-back good games, but tight end is so barren that he’s still startable against the Patriots on Thursday.
• DAndre Swift had multiple shots at scores and is still a flex option. Hopefully, with a long rest, he’ll be ready to get more work against Jacksonville this week and justify a spot in lineups.
• This offense will keep Jared Goff a viable streamer down the stretch.

NYG @ DAL

• Saquon Barkley scored but was otherwise a non-factor for fantasy. He’s slowing down.
• Richie James was a frequent short-range target and could have some value in deep PPR leagues.
• Ezekiel Elliott looked sharper than Tony Pollard, and both are RB2 plays going forward.
• Michael Gallup is trending up coming off of a good game with Odell Beckham still unsigned and weeks away from playing.

NE @ MIN

• Mac Jones is coming on as a fantasy quarterback, and he has a good schedule vs. the pass after this week’s game against Buffalo. He has streamer potential in 1QB leagues.
• Damien Harris left with an injury, making Rhamondre Stevenson the clear #1 again for at least Week 13.
• Jakobi Meyers left with a shoulder injury but returned and should play in Week 13. Nelson Agholor had a good game partly because of extra snaps from Meyers sitting, but he could have some staying power in deep leagues because of the Patriots' schedule and Harris’s injury.
• Hunter Henry was the better tight end play, and he’s the preferred Patriots streamer if you need help from the waiver wire.
• Justin Jefferson is the man, and Adam Thielen can still produce while Jefferson is having a ceiling game.

HOU @ MIA

• Kyle Allen was actually worse than Davis Mills. Start your D/STs against Houston.
• Dameon Pierce is unstartable unless the Texans can get their offense jumpstarted.
• Jordan Akins has some appeal as a waiver desperation play, with Allen targeting him frequently during garbage time.
• The Dolphins got a defensive score, were up 30-0 at the half, and Tua Tagovailoa had an injury scare right after starting left tackle Terron Armstead left the game, so it was a quiet game for this offense.
• Myles Gaskin was the next man up at running back, with Raheem Mostert out and Jeff Wilson struggling with cramps. Gaskin should be added where bench size allows.

CIN @ TEN

• Joe Burrow took the Titans defense's best shot and still bested them. With JaMarr Chase back next week, he’s clearly in the top five fantasy quarterbacks going forward.
• Samaje Perine also matched the Titans defensive intensity and was able to score and post a solid game despite a tough matchup. He’s a strong RB2 against the Chiefs if Joe Mixon misses Week 13.
• Tyler Boyd is behind Hayden Hurst in the pecking order and will be droppable in short-bench leagues when Chase returns. Hurst remains a solid high-floor tight end play.
• Ryan Tannehill wasn’t able to generate touchdowns and the Titans lost in part because of it. The offense will rest on his shoulders, and better days could be coming. But maybe not against the Eagles this week.
• Derrick Henry had a long catch and run but fumbled inside the five, and Treylon Burks recovered it for his first NFL score. Henry has been ineffective as a runner for three straight weeks and is taking a lot of hits. Make sure Dontrell Hilliard is rostered in your league.
• Burks had a decent line (better if you get credit for the fumble recovery score), and he could have staying power if the Titans have to rely on Tannehill more than Henry to move the ball.

DEN @ CAR

• Latavius Murray is running well, but in this offense, he’s still only a desperation play. His lead-back role does make him useful emergency depth.
• Courtland Sutton’s ceiling hasn’t gone up with Jerry Jeudy’s injury, but his floor has. He’s a WR3/Flex option if Jeudy is out against Baltimore.
• Sam Darnold at least can get the ball to D.J. Moore. Moore is back in WR3/Flex consideration after the bye.
• D’Onta Foreman will get as much work as he can handle as long as the Panthers are competitive. With games against Seattle, Pittsburgh, Detroit, and Tampa Bay left, it’s not clear how much value he’ll have.

CHI @ NYJ

• The Bears pass offense was revived early on the back of good efforts after the catch by their running backs and at the catch point by wide receivers, but the Jets put the clamps on in the second half. This is going to be a poor pass offense no matter who is starting.
• David Montgomery was strong on his touches and posted over 100 total yards, so his value can survive this quarterback change.
• Darrynton Evans got 10 touches and has supplanted rookie Trestan Ebner as the backup to Montgomery now that he’s healthy.
• Darnell Mooney went out with a season-ending ankle injury that will require surgery. Chase Claypool should get more snaps in his stead, but there’s nothing to see here for fantasy.
• Mike White was a huge boost for the Jets pass offense, especially Garrett Wilson. The whole offense was better, but it was the Bears defense that lost their best defensive back (Eddie Jackson) during the game. We’ll see if White can keep it up against the Vikings. He’s a streamer in QB1 leagues and a solid QB2/Superflex option.
• Michael Carter was the starter but went down with a low ankle sprain. If he can’t go in Week 13, it’s not clear if Zonovan Knight, a rookie UDFA who looked good and was the backup at the beginning of the game, Ty Johnson, who was the third-string back but looked terrific in the game, or James Robinson, who always outperforms expectations, would start. But this offense can support two viable running back plays when it is on.
• Elijah Moore scored and had over 60 yards on his two targets. He’s not a safe play yet in a bit part, but if his role grows, he could matter down the stretch and should be added if he’s on the waiver wire.

ATL @ WAS

• Cordarrelle Patterson wasn’t a big fantasy asset, but he was more involved as a receiver and was open for a score on the game-deciding play. But DaRon Payne batted the ball in the air, and it was intercepted in the end zone. He’s still a flex option against the Steelers this week.
• Terry McLaurin was covered well by A.J. Terrell, and no one was a big factor in the Washington passing game, with the team being conservative in how much they are asking Taylor Heinicke to throw. Curtis Samuel has big play upside, but he’s droppable in short bench leagues with this spotty usage.
• Brian Robinson Jr got a lot more touches than Antonio Gibson, but this is still an RBBC. We’ll like Robinson more in games the Commanders should win. The Giants' games in two of the next three weeks (the other is a bye) could qualify. Gibson is still a viable flex play and emergency RB2.

TB @ CLE

• Tom Brady honed in on Chris Godwin, who is rounding into pre-injury form, in the poor conditions. Godwin is a better start than Mike Evans going forward.
• Rachaad White was more effective as a runner than Leonard Fournette has been, and he was a key outlet for Brady. He could have more value than Fournette even after Fournette returns to the lineup, which isn’t a sure thing against the Saints this week.
• Amari Cooper is peaking and atoned for a key drop with the play that set up the game-winning score. He and the rest of this offense should get a boost with Deshaun Watson coming back this week, but not because Brissett has been bad - he has exceeded expectations and should start somewhere next year.

BAL @ JAX

• Gus Edwards was back and the clear lead back, but J.K. Dobbins could return in the next week or two, so this backfield remains in motion.
• Josh Oliver got more targets as the second receiving tight end and actually outproduced Mark Andrews. Oliver could be a viable desperation play against Denver this week.
• Trevor Lawrence led a huge fourth-quarter comeback and converted a two-point pass to get the win. He is surging and could be a viable streamer for the stretch run, including this week at Detroit.
• Zay Jones caught that two-point conversion and may end up being more valuable than Christian Kirk down the stretch.
• Travis Etienne left with a foot injury, but the team said he could have returned. JaMycal Hasty was strong as a receiver with Etienne out, but if Etienne were to re-injure the foot and miss time, Hasty would presumably share with Darrell Henderson, who the team claimed last week.

LV @ SEA

• Josh Jacobs had a career game with over 300 yards from scrimmage (the 11th player to do it) and an 86-yard walk-off score. He is also nursing a calf injury and is questionable at best for Week 13. Zamir White and Ameer Abdullah could both be solid RB2/Flex plays against the Chargers this week.
• Mack Hollins and Foster Moreau both scored as Derek Carr’s multi-touchdown streak was extended to four games. Carr is a viable streamer going forward.
• Kenneth Walker didn’t get much in the way of blocking but still scored twice to put up a strong result. He’s still a strong RB1, with the Rams up next.

LAC @ ARI

• Justin Herbert is regaining form for fantasy with Keenan Allen back. He’s a solid QB1 going forward and could be even better if Mike Williams can get back on the field.
• DeAndre Carter and Josh Palmer are going to be viable WR3/Flex plays as long as Williams out. We’ll see if Williams can get back on the field against the Raiders this week.
• Marquise Brown was back and led the team in targets. He’s back in our upside WR3/Flex ranks with room for his value to grow.
• Kyler Murray scored and got free as a runner a few times. He’s projecting as a high-ceiling QB1 for the stretch run.
• James Conner shredded the Chargers run defense and made a nifty play on his touchdown reception. He’s a strong RB1 after his bye this week.

NO @ SF

• The Saints offense was miserable, and it’s fair to wonder if Andy Dalton will get replaced one of these weeks, although the 49ers defense also appears to be getting back to the elite level they were at earlier in the year.
• Alvin Kamara fumbled at the goal line, and outside of a big game against the Raiders, he hasn’t been moving the needle in fantasy this year. He’s not a sure start against the Bucs with Mark Ingram back.
• Juwan Johnson didn’t score, but he did have a touchdown go off of his hands. He’s still a viable streamer this week but has to do something to remain in that category going forward.
• Christian McCaffrey sat some with knee irritation, and Elijah Mitchell left with a knee injury that will keep him out for 6-8 weeks. Jordan Mason was the RB3 and ran well, but it’s not clear whether he, Tyrion Davis-Price, or Tevin Coleman will be the #2 with Mitchell out. All are worth bench spots if roster size allows.
• Jauan Jennings is one of Jimmy Garoppolo’s favorite targets lately. He’ll have value if Deebo Samuel’s hamstring acts up.

LAR @ KC

• Bryce Perkins looked like a third-string quarterback, and the Rams offense looks like it will be one of the worst in the league down the stretch.
• Isiah Pacheco got a lead back workload and scored. He’s a solid RB2 going forward. Ronald Jones II was his backup in the running game and will have value if Pacheco goes down.
• Skyy Moore had another strong showing, and his value could be trending up just in time for the fantasy playoffs.

GB @ PHI

• Aaron Rodgers left with a rib injury but expects to play against the Bears. He’s not a fantasy QB1 but could do in a pinch this week because of the matchup.
• A.J. Dillon looked good for the first time in a long time and scored for the first time since Week 1. Keep him on your roster as an Aaron Jones injury-upside backup.
• Christian Watson scored on a slant he took to the house with Jordan Love in. He should stay in lineups against the Bears, but Allen Lazard is fading in value with Watson’s emergence.
• Miles Sanders is running hot and will give fantasy players a tough call with the Titans up next.

PIT @ IND

• Najee Harris went down with an abdominal injury he tried to play through but could not. Benny Snell was strong in relief, but Jaylen Warren could return from a hamstring injury to muddle the picture.
• Rookie Jelani Woods was the top short-range target for Matt Ryan, and Parris Campbell faded into the background. Michael Pittman is the only reliable target for fantasy, but we should be open to Woods having some value down the stretch.