What You Need to Know From Week12

Photo: Aaron Doster, USA Today Sports

GB @ DET

• Jordan Love's level of play continues to improve, and Detroit continues to be a defense to target when setting lineups. Love has a tougher matchup against the Chiefs in Week 13 but could be valuable depth for the fantasy playoffs.
• Christian Watson had his biggest game of the year and deserves a WR3/Flex spot going forward. When Dontayvion Wicks comes back, it could dilute targets and snaps again, but for now, Watson has momentum.
• Jayden Reed scored and contributed as a runner for the third time in four games. He's at least a what-the-heck flex going forward.
• Jared Goff fumbled three times as Rashad Gary was a terror in the backfield and the difference in the game. Goff was still a strong fantasy play and should be a high-floor QB1 going forward.
• Kalif Raymond had a strong game on limited snaps, and the outside receivers for the Lions combined for a 9-156-1 line. If an injury were to sideline one of Raymond, Jameson Williams, and Josh Reynolds, the other two could become startable because this pass offense is so productive.

WAS @ DAL

• Sam Howell had a solid fantasy game because he scored the Commanders' only touchdown and threw for 300 yards, mostly in garbage time. He's worth an Allen/Jackson/Fields bye-week coverage start against Miami.
• Curtis Samuel and Jahan Dotson outproduced Terry McLaurin. They could be better plays going forward because short-range targets are safer in an offense with poor pass blocking. Samuel is worth a waiver add as Howell's favorite target in Week 12. McLaurin could have a tough Week 13 against the Dolphins strong outside corners.
• Logan Thomas had his first quiet game of the year. It's possible that Samuel could overtake him as a consistent short-range target for Howell. Thomas isn't an essential hold.
• Tony Pollard scored for the second straight week, got good gains on most of his career, and tied his season high with nine catches. He is coming on at the right time. Rico Dowdle also scored and should be rostered in all leagues as a high-injury upside bench stash.
• Brandin Cooks scored and led the team in receiving yardage. He's worth at least a what-the-heck flex play against Seattle on Thursday.
• Jake Ferguson only caught one ball. While it was for 35 yards, he's a touchdown-dependent play and probably worth dropping for a tight end with more momentum right now.

SF @ SEA

• Deebo Samuel led the team in targets, catches, and receiving yards and scored as a runner. He is peaking heading into a matchup with Philadelphia and has returned to every-week start status, putting his early season injuries behind him.
• Elijah Mitchell ran well behind Christian McCaffrey and should be rostered in every league as a high-injury upside backup.
• The entire Seahawks offense struggled against a resurgent 49ers defense. They'll probably have an equally tough time at Dallas on Thursday and in Week 14 in the rematch with the 49ers. No Seahawks receiver is an essential start in Week 13, and Geno Smith and Jaxon Smith-Njigba aren't an essential hold with the offense's arrow pointing down.
• Zach Charbonnet was held in check as a runner and receiver in place of Ken Walker III. If Walker is out again for Week 13, as it appears he will be, Charbonnet is more what-the-heck flex than RB2 in your lineup.

MIA @ NYJ

• Tua Tagovailoa was just so-so for fantasy because Raheem Mostert scored twice on the ground, but he'll face Washington in Week 13, making him a must start.
• Jeff Wilson Jr. ran well behind Mostert and caught three passes as the #2 back. De'Von Achane could return in Week 13 and make Wilson's value marginal, but if Achane's balky knee acts up again, Wilson will be an essential injury upside bench stash.
• Jaylen Waddle had one of his best games of the year and looks to be rounding into form after multiple injuries slowed him earlier this season.
• Tim Boyle did little except in garbage time. The Jets offense isn't going to improve unless Aaron Rodgers defies expectations to come back this season. Garrett Wilson and Breece Hall should still be in lineups, but you are counting on cheap PPR production to keep their values afloat.
• Miami scored on the rare pick-six off a Hail Mary at the end of the first half. They are a top-rated fantasy D/ST for the next three weeks (@WAS TEN NYJ)

TB @ IND

• Rachaad White played despite being a late-week injury report add and ran for 100 yards.
• Baker Mayfield suffered an ankle injury in this game but is expected to play in Week 13 against Carolina.
• Jonathan Taylor suffered a thumb injury in this game and may not be available in Week 13 or longer. Zack Moss is worth everything left in your waiver wallet if he's a free agent.

NE @ NYG

• Mac Jones started but was benched at halftime. Bailey Zappe finished the game but wasn't much better. We're not sure who will start in Week 13, but we know this will be one of the worst offenses in the league.
• Rhamondre Stevenson was finally used like a lead back ahead of Ezekiel Elliott and responded with one of his biggest games of the year. He's a safe upside RB2 play against the Chargers in Week 13.
• Demario Douglas caught six balls before leaving with a head injury. He's a PPR WR3/Flex if he can go this week.
• Tommy Devito and Jalin Hyatt had a strong connection downfield, and Hyatt posted the first 100-yard game of his career. Hyatt is worth an add outside of short bench leagues despite being on bye.
• Saquon Barkley had a quiet game. He will be up and down, and perhaps the Washington defense had more to do with his big Week 11 result than a true resurgence. At least he'll be rested for the stretch run after next week's bye.