Best Fantasy Football Matchups: Week 12

Schedule-adjusted fantasy points allowed, or aFPA, is 4for4’s answer to biased statistics. By removing bias, we can level the playing field and compare matchups in an "apples-to-apples" manner. As the season moves along, the data will change. Regardless, aFPA is arguably the best tool available to gain an edge when using waivers and building lineups.

Another point to make: I could offer players such as Josh Allen and Patrick Mahomes pretty much every week, especially when they face awful units according to aFPA. That does everyone a disservice, so I will do my best to avoid players rostered in the majority of fantasy leagues.

Editor's note: Check out the complete set of Week 12 rankings here.

Here are the best plays for Week 12.

Geno Smith vs. Las Vegas Raiders

Oh baby! One of the frontrunners for Comeback Player of the Year gets an opportunity to build on an already strong case for the award. The Raiders' pass defense is offensive, ranking 31st in aFPA. Blame games against the Chargers and Chiefs (seven pass TDs in two games), sure, but multi-TD games to Andy Dalton and Davis Mills is embarrassing in the year 2022. Not to add salt to the wound, but Matt Ryan has a rush TD against the Raiders (and 38 rushing yards). Smith is arguably the third-best QB Vegas will have faced this season.

Jeff Wilson Jr. vs. Houston Texans

With zero teams on bye, there will be a lot of players at your disposal in season-long leagues. It is also realistic to assume this is the last or second-to-last week of your regular season. Thankfully, Jeff Wilson Jr. has made a statement since being acquired by the Dolphins and gets a juicy matchup at home against the Texans. Only the Browns allow more schedule-adjusted fantasy points to running backs, and the Dolphins' offense should get out to a sizable lead against Houston, leading to Wilson getting close to 20 carries in an attempt to run out the clock. Raheem Mostert is still hanging around, but Wilson has a 26-17 carry advantage the past two games. He also has one more catch on two more targets than the incumbent Mostert. Even if Mostert gets decent run, it is/was because Wilson got his, including red zone work.

Tyler Boyd at Tennessee Titans

Boyd should already be in your starting lineup, but if he ends up being a flex option and you need a tiebreaker, I got you. Boyd will likely see Roger McCreary, Pro Football Focus’s 59th-ranked cornerback. Tee Higgins may get moved around to get better matchups, cool! Boyd may see Kristian Fulton, the 49th-ranked CB on PFF. Slot work? Elijah Molden is playing in his second game after starting the year on the PUP list. He’s barely out of training camp mode. The Titans rank 31st in wide receiver aFPA. On top of that, Tennessee is a pass funnel defense, meaning Boyd and company are in an advantageous spot to get pass-happy.

Foster Moreau at Seattle Seahawks

The Raiders season has been a bunch of “what-could-have-beens” with a lot of strong individual performances on offense. With Darren Waller on IR, Moreau has been the TE1 for the Raiders. He gets the best matchup for tight ends in Week 12 against the Seahawks. Tight ends are averaging 14.90 yards per catch against Seattle, and the Buccaneers sucked out loud at the TE position against the Seahawks. Even with every team playing Week 12, the TE position is a cesspool for fantasy. Lock in Moreau if you have him.

Steelers Defense at Indianapolis Colts

Fantasy players may sour on the Steelers' DST after Week 11’s flop, but the Colts' offense is still #NotGood. The Colts allow 11.4 schedule-adjusted fantasy points to opposing defenses. T.J. Watt is on the field again, and Matt Ryan is a statue. Shut down Jonathan Taylor, and the Colts' offense is in trouble. Get back on the Steelers DST horse for Monday Night Football.