Week 12 Fantasy Football Rankings: Travis Kelce Reigns Supreme

Nov 22, 2022

Gregory Shamus/Getty Images

Thanksgiving week is here and it’s the best time of the year. We have football all day on Thursday as a distraction from family or a bonding experience with them. The best meal of the year (fingers crossed, we’re trying a new mashed potato recipe this year) is just the cherry on top for Thursday. Then we have college football rivalry games for two days before we resume a full NFL Sunday slate thanks to no byes. If you’re still fighting for that playoff spot, make sure to check out <a href="https://www.4for4.com/2022/w12/fantasy-football-waiver-wire-watch-week-1... Daigle’s waiver wire watch</a> to get a leg up on your league. As always the rankings and projections are courtesy of 4for4’s <a href="https://www.4for4.com/full-impact/cheatsheet/WR/60444/ff_nflstats">half-PPR rankings</a>. 
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<table border="1" cellpadding="1" cellspacing="1" class="table-4for4 sticky-enabled" data-order-column="5" data-order-order="desc" data-pageresize="1" style="" width="384">
<caption>Week 12 QB Rankings</caption>
<colgroup>
<col span="6" style="width:48pt" width="64" />
</colgroup>
<thead>
<tr class="odd" height="20" style="">
<th class="xl65" height="" scope="col" style="" width="">#</th>
<th class="xl66" height="" scope="col" style="" width="">Player</th>
<th class="xl67" height="" scope="col" style="" width="">Team</th>
<th class="xl67" height="" scope="col" style="" width="">Opp</th>
<th class="xl67" height="" scope="col" style="" width="">M/U</th>
<th class="xl68" height="" scope="col" style="" width="">FF Pts</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr class="even" height="39" style="">
<td class="xl69" data-order="1" height="" style="" width="">1</td>
<td class="xl70" height="" style="" width=""><a href="https://www.4for4.com/player/josh-allen" style="box-sizing: border-box;
-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased;transition: all 0.4s ease-in-out 0s;
display:inline-block">Josh Allen</a></td>
<td class="xl69" height="" style="" width="">BUF</td>
<td class="xl69" height="" style="" width="">@DET</td>
<td class="xl69" data-order="32" height="" style="" width="">32</td>
<td class="xl69" data-order="27.9" data-sort="27.92078" height="" style="" width="">27.9</td>
</tr>
<tr class="odd" height="39" style="">
<td class="xl71" data-order="2" height="" style="" width="">2</td>
<td class="xl72" height="" style="" width=""><a href="https://www.4for4.com/player/jalen-hurts" style="box-sizing: border-box;
-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased;transition: all 0.4s ease-in-out 0s;
display:inline-block">Jalen Hurts</a></td>
<td class="xl71" height="" style="" width="">PHI</td>
<td class="xl71" height="" style="" width="">GB</td>
<td class="xl71" data-order="8" height="" style="" width="">8</td>
<td class="xl71" data-order="22.8" data-sort="22.81154" height="" style="" width="">22.8</td>
</tr>
<tr class="even" height="58" style="">
<td class="xl69" data-order="3" height="" style="" width="">3</td>
<td class="xl70" height="" style="" width=""><a href="https://www.4for4.com/player/patrick-mahomes" style="box-sizing: border-box;
-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased;transition: all 0.4s ease-in-out 0s;
display:inline-block">Patrick Mahomes</a></td>
<td class="xl69" height="" style="" width="">KC</td>
<td class="xl69" height="" style="" width="">LAR</td>
<td class="xl69" data-order="7" height="" style="" width="">7</td>
<td class="xl69" data-order="21.3" data-sort="21.32864" height="" style="" width="">21.3</td>
</tr>
<tr class="odd" height="39" style="">
<td class="xl71" data-order="4" height="" style="" width="">4</td>
<td class="xl72" height="" style="" width=""><a href="https://www.4for4.com/player/lamar-jackson" style="box-sizing: border-box;
-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased;transition: all 0.4s ease-in-out 0s;
display:inline-block">Lamar Jackson</a></td>
<td class="xl71" height="" style="" width="">BAL</td>
<td class="xl71" height="" style="" width="">@JAX</td>
<td class="xl71" data-order="22" height="" style="" width="">22</td>
<td class="xl71" data-order="21.2" data-sort="21.19616" height="" style="" width="">21.2</td>
</tr>
<tr class="even" height="58" style="">
<td class="xl69" data-order="5" height="" style="" width="">5</td>
<td class="xl70" height="" style="" width=""><a href="https://www.4for4.com/player/tua-tagovailoa" style="box-sizing: border-box;
-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased;transition: all 0.4s ease-in-out 0s;
display:inline-block">Tua Tagovailoa</a></td>
<td class="xl69" height="" style="" width="">MIA</td>
<td class="xl69" height="" style="" width="">HOU</td>
<td class="xl69" data-order="3" height="" style="" width="">3</td>
<td class="xl69" data-order="19.0" data-sort="18.95482" height="" style="" width="">19</td>
</tr>
<tr class="odd" height="39" style="">
<td class="xl71" data-order="6" height="" style="" width="">6</td>
<td class="xl72" height="" style="" width=""><a href="https://www.4for4.com/players/profile/fieldj1" style="box-sizing: border-box;
-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased;transition: all 0.4s ease-in-out 0s;
display:inline-block">Justin Fields</a></td>
<td class="xl71" height="" style="" width="">CHI</td>
<td class="xl71" height="" style="" width="">@NYJ</td>
<td class="xl71" data-order="5" height="" style="" width="">5</td>
<td class="xl71" data-order="18.6" data-sort="18.57456" height="" style="" width="">18.6</td>
</tr>
<tr class="even" height="39" style="">
<td class="xl69" data-order="7" height="" style="" width="">7</td>
<td class="xl70" height="" style="" width=""><a href="https://www.4for4.com/player/joe-burrow" style="box-sizing: border-box;
-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased;transition: all 0.4s ease-in-out 0s;
display:inline-block">Joe Burrow</a></td>
<td class="xl69" height="" style="" width="">CIN</td>
<td class="xl69" height="" style="" width="">@TEN</td>
<td class="xl69" data-order="29" height="" style="" width="">29</td>
<td class="xl69" data-order="18.6" data-sort="18.56994" height="" style="" width="">18.6</td>
</tr>
<tr class="odd" height="39" style="">
<td class="xl71" data-order="8" height="" style="" width="">8</td>
<td class="xl72" height="" style="" width=""><a href="https://www.4for4.com/player/justin-herbert" style="box-sizing: border-box;
-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased;transition: all 0.4s ease-in-out 0s;
display:inline-block">Justin Herbert</a></td>
<td class="xl71" height="" style="" width="">LAC</td>
<td class="xl71" height="" style="" width="">@ARI</td>
<td class="xl71" data-order="26" height="" style="" width="">26</td>
<td class="xl71" data-order="18.5" data-sort="18.47374" height="" style="" width="">18.5</td>
</tr>
<tr class="even" height="39" style="">
<td class="xl69" data-order="9" height="" style="" width="">9</td>
<td class="xl70" height="" style="" width=""><a href="https://www.4for4.com/player/dak-prescott" style="box-sizing: border-box;
-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased;transition: all 0.4s ease-in-out 0s;
display:inline-block">Dak Prescott</a></td>
<td class="xl69" height="" style="" width="">DAL</td>
<td class="xl69" height="" style="" width="">NYG</td>
<td class="xl69" data-order="12" height="" style="" width="">12</td>
<td class="xl69" data-order="18.3" data-sort="18.33156" height="" style="" width="">18.3</td>
</tr>
<tr class="odd" height="39" style="">
<td class="xl73" data-order="10" height="" style="" width="">10</td>
<td class="xl74" height="" style="" width=""><a href="https://www.4for4.com/player/geno-smith" style="box-sizing: border-box;
-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased;transition: all 0.4s ease-in-out 0s;
display:inline-block">Geno Smith</a></td>
<td class="xl73" height="" style="" width="">SEA</td>
<td class="xl73" height="" style="" width="">LV</td>
<td class="xl73" data-order="31" height="" style="" width="">31</td>
<td class="xl73" data-order="18.0" data-sort="18.01954" height="" style="" width="">18</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>

What Stands Out: It isn’t fun to write “look at Josh Allen!” every week, but seriously just look at Josh Allen’s projection.

Analysis: Allen is head and shoulders ahead of everyone this week with a matchup against Detroit. He’s 5.1 points clear of second-place Jalen Hurts who is only 4.8 points clear of 10th-place Geno Smith. The matchup is incredible, and the environment in the dome is incredible. It's just a smash spot. Hurts and the Philadelphia offense have slowed down the last few weeks and a matchup against Green Bay isn’t the best, but even in bad matchups and slow days for the offense, he’s still capable of putting up big fantasy days. Patrick Mahomes continues to be a magician and he always has the ability to make tough matchups disappear. Lamar Jackson and the Ravens offense couldn’t get much going against the Panthers but hopefully can get back on track against the Jaguars.

Justin Fields, if healthy, could obviously vastly outplay this projection even in a tough matchup against the Jets. We’ll see whether or not he’s healthy as the week goes on. The Dolphins are back off a bye week and get the lowly Texans. It’s been so easy to run on them that most teams just choose to do so, but you’re still going to start him. Joe Burrow has beaten up some bad pass defenses and now they may not have Joe Mixon against the Titans. If I were betting on someone jumping into a top-three scoring week from outside the top guys, it would be him. Justin Herbert isn’t a bad shout either as we just saw what Jimmy Garoppolo did against this Cardinals defense. Geno Smith gets an easy matchup against the Raiders defense, hopefully, we’ll see the career resurgence continue after the bye. Outside of the top 10, Garoppolo seems to be hyper-efficient with Christian McCaffrey in town. I wouldn’t hate a spot start from Jimmy G if, say, Fields is out.

*<a href="https://www.4for4.com/full-impact/cheatsheet/QB/60444/ff_nflstats/adp_bl... QB Rankings Here</a>

What Stands Out: Tony Pollard projecting as a top-10 back this week even in a split backfield.

Analysis: Something else that stands out is the matchups that the top seven backs have this week. All pretty favorable! Austin Ekeler gets a Cardinals defense that just let Christian McCaffrey have 7-67-0 through the air, so a great matchup here for him. After being under 70% of snaps in Weeks 8 and 9, <a href="https://www.4for4.com/tools/snap-app/2022/1/11/LV/RB/0/100">Josh Jacobs returned to roughly 80% </a>in the last two weeks. He didn’t give up a ton of touches in Week 9, but with the return to 80% of snaps, he saw massive workloads the last two weeks. If Tennessee is able to establish him early, Derrick Henry is always a threat to put up a massive week-winning score. Christian McCaffrey didn’t cede any work to Elijah Mitchell in the first half, but he came in to salt away the game in the second half as San Francisco pulled away. He didn’t get a touchdown but the passing-game role is just so solid. Jonathan Taylor looks rejuvenated with Matt Ryan under center. Who could have seen that coming?

Ken Walker gets a sublime matchup against Las Vegas and should Pete Carroll want to establish it, Walker should be in for a monster day. Rhamondre Stevenson is the bell cow. <a href="https://www.4for4.com/tools/stat-app/touches/2022/1/11/NE/RB">The last two weeks Damien Harris has been healthy, Stevenson has out-touched him 44-23</a>. Saquon gets a tough matchup against the Dallas defense, but in theory, his passing game role could get him to this projection. As I mentioned earlier, Tony Pollard is in the top 10! Jerry Jones probably hates it. Nick Chubb gets a really difficult matchup against the Bucs' defense. Outside of the top 10, Jeff Wilson gets the Texans. That alone is probably good enough to outperform his projection.

*<a href="https://www.4for4.com/full-impact/cheatsheet/RB/60444/ff_nflstats">Full RB Rankings Here</a>

What Stands Out: Stefon Diggs, in one of the best matchups, is well above everyone else this week.

Analysis: Diggs is just a smash against Detroit. Not a lot left to say. Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle, even in a matchup where they may not have to throw a lot, both rank in the top 10. They’ve both been incredible with Tua Tagovailoa healthy. Primetime Kirk Cousins and Justin Jefferson in a bad matchup? I am worried, but not worried enough to fade in DFS. In season-long, you have no choice but to start him. Davante Adams had a tough matchup last week and blew it out of the water. CeeDee Lamb is seeing a 16.0% target rate and despite the tough matchup, should continue to be fed in the Dallas offense when they actually need to pass. DeAndre Hopkins, like Adams, had a tough matchup last week and still got fed for 9-91-0. If Rondale Moore and Marquise Brown miss the game against the Chargers, it will just be him and Greg Dortch again.

A.J. Brown goes as the Eagles' offense goes. If they struggle again, he could struggle to hit this projection. Teams have been running on the Packers, but the target tree is also smaller with no Dallas Goedert. Terry McLaurin has the best matchup and the best noodle-armed quarterback that only targets him in the league. He’s the only thing really working in this Commanders offense at the moment. Amon-Ra St. Brown doesn’t get a great matchup, but the game environment will be one of the best of the week and he’s seeing a massive target share since T.J. Hockenson left. Outside of the top 10, Christian Kirk gets the Ravens defense that has been beaten all season through the air.

*<a href="https://www.4for4.com/full-impact/cheatsheet/WR/60444/ff_nflstats">Full WR Rankings Here</a>

What Stands Out: The top two are no more. It is Travis Kelce and everyone else at tight end.

Analysis: Kelce is just an unstoppable force right now and there is nothing slowing him down. Mark Andrews is another week healthier and while the matchup isn’t ideal it’s not like Lamar Jackson is not going to throw him the ball. Can he outperform Kelce? It’s definitely in the range of outcomes. George Kittle goes from the best matchup for tight ends to one of the worst against New Orleans. T.J. Hockenson has had a really nice role since arriving in Minnesota and a solid matchup against the Patriots will only help. On the Thanksgiving slate with limited TE options, Hockenson, Dalton Schultz, and Dawson Knox stand alone. They also all have pretty good matchups. Tyler Higbee has a great matchup against Kansas City, but the QB situation for the Rams isn’t ideal, even if Matt Stafford clears concussion protocol (again). Outside of the top 10, if Ja’Marr Chase doesn’t return Hayden Hurst has had a decent role.

*<a href="https://www.4for4.com/full-impact/cheatsheet/TE/60444/ff_nflstats">Full TE Rankings Here</a>

Week 12 Fantasy Football Rankings: Travis Kelce Reigns Supreme

BETSPERTS MEDIA & TECHNOLOGY GROUP