Top Week 12 fantasy football matchups: Roll with Hoyer vs. Saints
Through 11 weeks, our Position vs. Fantasy Defensive Points Allowed tool is solidifying as a tool to help you find good matchups. It'll keep getting stronger as the weeks go by, and we'll have less reason to say things like, "But they played against DeAndre Hopkins last week. He even destroys Darrelle Revis!"
As always, please remember that the players listed are mostly meant to be borderline guys, who need reasons for you to play or bench them. You won't see recommendations to start Julio Jones and Greg Olsen, because you should always start Julio and Olsen. If a player is close to the start/sit fence, we'll push him one way or the other.
Note: The fantasy points per game (FPPG) referenced below are from FOXSports.com standard leagues.
Thursday games: Eagles-Lions, Panthers-Cowboys, Bears-Packers
Quarterbacks
Stay away: Tony Romo, Cowboys (vs. Panthers)
This is a tough call, as the Cowboys have a decent shot at beating the Panthers on Thursday. However, with such a tough opponent (13.9 FPPG to opposing QBs) and the Cowboys still seemingly committed to the run â Romo threw only 28 passes last week at Miami â he's outside of QB1 range.
Also:
Tyrod Taylor hasn't been running much over the last couple of weeks, and he's just an OK passer. With a matchup against a Chiefs' defense that ranks fifth with 14.5 FPPG allowed to opposing quarterbacks and a shoulder injury suffered Monday night, he should sit this one out for fantasy purposes. The Chiefs have been improving lately, too.
Play, play, play: Brian Hoyer, Texans (vs. Saints)
There's a new defensive coordinator for the Saints, but the same players that rank last BY A LOT with 23.5 FPPG allowed to opposing quarterbacks. Hoyer is a top-10 option at QB this week, over guys like Rivers, Roethlisberger, Dalton and Ryan. Yes, I'm serious.
Also:
Johnny Manziel's benching opens the door for Josh McCown as a streaming option against the Ravens' 31st-ranked fantasy defense (19.7 FPPG allowed to opposing QBs). Keep in mind that in six full games this season, McCown averaged 308 passing yards and threw 11 touchdowns.
Running backs
Stay away: LeGarrette Blount, Patriots (at Broncos)
The Broncos' defense might be a mediocre 17th in FPPG allowed, but they're also second in the league with 3.5 yards per carry permitted to opposing runners. This doesn't look like a great spot for Blount to impose his will, so he's in flex territory. Startable, but only if you must.
Also:
The guess here is that Jeremy Langford will get 8-10 touches with Matt Forte back from his injury-related absence. That puts Langford on the proverbial fantasy fence, and with a Thursday night matchup at Green Bay (ninth with 16.4 FPPG allowed to opposing RBs) coming, the rookie should probably be sent to your bench.
Play, play, play: Alfred Blue, Texans (vs. Saints)
Hey, have we mentioned how bad the Saints' defense is? They actually defend the run better than the pass, but that's not saying much. The Saints are 29th with 22.9 FPPG allowed to opposing backs, and give up a disgusting 4.9 yards per carry. If Blue is on your roster, this is the best possible week to start him.
Also:
The Chargers have been getting carved up by opposing backs (see: Ware, Spencer), ranking dead last with 24.9 FPPG allowed. You were probably going to start T.J. Yeldon anyway, but we wanted to remind you that he's a top-10 RB this week.
Wide receivers
Stay away: Brandon LaFell, Patriots (at Broncos)
The Broncos have positively suffocated opposing wideouts, allowing 12.4 FPPG to them. LaFell has been decent but TD-free since returning from injury, catching 17 passes for 306 yards in five games. The floor seems low here.
Play, play, play: Golden Tate, Lions (vs. Eagles)
You hated Tate over the first half of the season, right? In two games since the bye, he's caught a respectable 12 passes for 125 yards. Against a 30th-ranked Eagles' fantasy defense (28.5 FPPG to opposing WRs) that has been disintegrating lately, Tate is a solid WR3/flex candidate.
Also:
In McCown's six full games, Travis Benjamin had 32 receptions for 397 yards and a touchdown. Not bad, and he'll face a Ravens' defense that ranks 31st with 28.6 FPPG allowed to opposing wide receivers. If Manziel was playing, Benjamin wouldn't be here. But since he's not, Benjamin is in the WR2 conversation.
Tight ends
Stay away: Eric Ebron, Lions (vs. Eagles)
"Gee, John, you're telling us to sit a tight end who had zero catches last week? Thanks!"
Yes, fictitious reader - I've gotta pick someone, right? The Eagles have been stingy with opposing tight ends, ranking second with 4.8 FPPG allowed against them. If you're streaming, Ebron shouldn't be a consideration.
Play, play, play: Kyle Rudolph, Vikings (at Falcons)
Remember August, when everyone had Rudolph tabbed as a breakout player? He's been disappointing, but finally had a good game in Week 11, catching six passes for 106 yards and a touchdown against the Packers. Was it a fluke, or a sign of things to come? That's hard to say, but with a matchup against the 25th-ranked Falcons' fantasy defense (10.1 FPPG allowed to opposing TEs), streamers might want to double-down on Rudolph.
