Fantasy Football Recap Week 12: 13 Things You Need To Know

Week 12 was highlighted by an epic overtime battle between the Buffalo Bills and the Philadelphia Eagles. There were four other one-score games making for a fine day of football. Of course, we had many memorable fantasy performances and I've highlighted a number of them. Let’s jump in.

Top Players

C.J. Stroud is putting together a legendary rookie season. He passed Justin Herbert for most passing yards by a rookie in his first 11 games. In Houston, on Sunday, Stroud threw for 304 yards and two touchdowns. It was his fourth consecutive 300+ yard passing day and his sixth of the year. He also had his best rushing day of his young career, carrying six times for 47 yards and a touchdown.

Bijan Robinson will produce if he is given sufficient opportunity. Who knew? Maybe Arthur Smith is catching on. In all three games where he has reached 15 or more carries, Robinson has rushed for 90+ yards. On Sunday, he rushed 16 times for 91 yards and a touchdown. He also added 32 yards and another touchdown on three catches.

Josh Jacobs bounced back from a disappointing outing last week. In a loss against the Chiefs, Jacobs compiled 110 rushing yards and a touchdown on 20 carries. The highlight of his day came on a 63-yard burst through the line. No one was able to catch him as he raced to the end zone.

Jalen Hurts came out on top in one of the year’s most entertaining games. He rushed for two touchdowns, including the game-winner, in a back-and-forth battle for the ages. All told, Hurts threw for 200 yards and three touchdowns while rushing for 65 yards and a pair of scores. He has scored more than 10 rushing touchdowns in three consecutive seasons.

Christian McCaffrey who 49ers fans call “the greatest RB ever” has the same amount of rushing TDs as Jalen Hurts this season

— NBA Slime (@TerryFranconia) November 27, 2023

Josh Allen nearly won the battle. In a battle to last the ages, Allen threw for 339 yards and a pair of scores. He did serious damage with his feet, as well. Allen had nine rushes for 81 yards and two scores. Though he was unable to secure the victory, Allen topped all scorers in Week 12.

Flop Players

Adam Thielen had his worst afternoon of this season. He caught just one pass for two yards. Thielen had been quite reliable for much of the season, so this dud hurt plenty of fantasy teams on Sunday. Fortunately for Thielen, he will next face a Tampa Bay defense that has given up plenty of fantasy points to wide receivers. Look for him to bounce back.

Dalton Schultz finally cooled off a bit. Over the previous three weeks, he has a total of 16 receptions for 232 yards and two touchdowns. On Sunday, he was a bit of an afterthought. He was targeted only two times and caught one pass for two yards. Week 13 brings Denver to town with their defense currently allowing the most fantasy points to tight ends in the league. Schultz should be able to re-ignite the fire.

Dameon Pierce returned after missing the prior three games. Yet, his return failed to make waves for the Texans. He carried five times for 14 yards and caught his only target for four yards. Devin Singletary, who had performed well in Pierce’s absence, received the greater share of the work.

Pop Players

Pat Freiermuth had the best day of his season in his second game back from injured reserve. Perhaps, Matt Canada was the problem all along. Freiermuth led the Steelers in receiving as they put together their largest offensive output in 59 games, since Week 16 of the 2018 season. Freiermuth caught nine of 11 targets for 120 yards. He could be available on the waiver wire, as he was dropped in many leagues when he went on IR.

The Steelers finished with 421 yards of total offense today.

That’s their most in a game since Week 16 of 2018.

— Field Yates (@FieldYates) November 26, 2023

Kyren Williams would probably love to play the Arizona Cardinals every week. He totaled 158 yards and a touchdown in the Week 6 matchup though he left late with an injury. Returning from injured reserve to face the Cardinals on Sunday, Williams turned the heat up further. He finished his day with 143 yards rushing and caught six passes for 61 yards and two trips to the end zone.

Kyren Williams has 120 total yards and a touchdown … in his first half back from the IR

— Michael F. Florio (@MichaelFFlorio) November 26, 2023

Drop Players?

Chris Olave left the Saints’ loss in the third quarter with a head injury. He was ruled out for the remainder with a concussion. Prior to his exit, he was tracking to wind up as a top fantasy player. Olave caught seven passes for 114 yards on nine targets. Now, fantasy managers may be without him for critical Week 13 matchups.

Rashid Shaheed also exited the Saints’ loss on Sunday. He injured his thigh in the second quarter. The severity of the injury is unknown, but Shaheed may miss some time.

Amari Cooper left the Browns’ loss in the fourth quarter after taking a hard shot to the midsection. He walked to the locker and x-rays taken on his ribs were negative. He did not return to the game.