Fantasy Football Week 12 Recap: 17 Things You Need To Know

It was another Sunday of gridiron absurdity in Week 12. We saw some amazing things like Tennessee stopping a team from scoring in the red zone for the first time all season. Aaron Jones scored the first Minnesota rushing touchdown in the second half in 27 games. We witnessed 41 points scored in the fourth quarter of the Commanders and Cowboys game. It was the most since the teams began playing in 1960. Bucky Irving amassed 154 total yards. Jonnu Smith continued to excel, scoring his third touchdown in the last two games. With the fantasy playoffs approaching and teams jockeying for position, some key players let managers down. Let’s put a spotlight on the week’s action.

Top Players

Tua Tagovailoa has still never lost to the New England Patriots in seven meetings. He had season-highs in both pass attempts and completions. Tagovailoa spread the ball around, targeting 10 different receivers. He completed passes to eight of them. He ended his day with 319 yards and four touchdowns. It was the second time Tagovailoa has topped 300 yards against New England in his career.

Jayden Daniels finished strong following a slow start. He had just 57 yards and an interception at halftime. Then came a fourth quarter for the ages. Daniels ended the game with 275 yards and two touchdowns while leading the team in rushing with 74 yards on seven carries.

Josh Jacobs scored a hat trick at Lambeau Field. He crossed the goal line three times as the Packers beat the 49ers in runaway fashion. Jacobs topped 100 yards for the third time this year, compiling 106 on 26 carries.

Courtland Sutton recorded his first multi-touchdown game of the year. He made eight grabs for 97 yards and a pair of receiving scores. The Broncos’ veteran wide receiver has been absolutely on fire over the past five weeks. He has made 36 receptions for 467 yards and three touchdowns over that span.

Saquon Barkley keeps rolling along. He entered Sunday night’s contest boasting career highs in rushing yards and scrimmage yards per game. He only lifted those totals at SoFi Stadium. Barkley rushed for 255 yards and two touchdowns while also catching four passes for 47 yards. It was his first game this season with 300+ total yards. Both of Barkley’s touchdowns were at least 70 yards.

Someone should have told the Giants about Saquon Barkley

— Colleen Wolfe (@ColleenWolfe) November 25, 2024

Pop Players

Jordan Addison set season highs in Minnesota’s win on Sunday. He made several amazing plays, including a 70-yard reception that had him tip-toeing down the sideline. Addison walked away with 162 receiving yards, his first time topping the century mark this year. He also collected his third touchdown in the last four weeks.

Caleb Williams threw his first touchdown since Week 6. The top overall draft pick surpassed 300 yards passing for the third time, completing 32 passes for 340 yards. He threw two touchdown passes and ran for 33 yards. Williams has 149 passing attempts over his last four games.

Caleb Williams with Shane Waldron:

60.5% comp rate
6.1 yards per attempt

Williams without Waldron:

70.5% comp rate
7.3 yards per attempt

— Jared Smola (@SmolaDS) November 25, 2024

Jaylen Waddle had his best game of the year by a wide margin. It was the first time he caught more than five passes and the second time he had over 100 yards receiving in 2024. Waddle snagged eight balls for 144 yards and a score, his second touchdown of the season.

Noah Gray has a nose for the end zone. The young tight end has made eight catches in the past two weeks and he has taken half of them to the house. Following up his first career multi-touchdown game with his second, Gray pulled down four passes for 66 yards and a pair of scores against Carolina on Sunday.

Flop Players

Rhamondre Stevenson was ineffective in Miami. He gained 13 yards on eight carries. Despite being targeted twice, he did not have a reception. While the entire New England offense was limited, Stevenson was outgunned on the ground by Antonio Gibson, Drake Maye, and JaMycal Hasty.

Jonathan Taylor struggled to gain ground against Detroit. The entire Colts’ offense was shaky. Taylor had 11 carries and converted them into 35 yards. He was not targeted in the passing game.

Cade Otton had his quietest game since Week 2. Having already topped his career-best season by a yard through the first 10 games of the year, Otton added little to that number. He caught a single pass for 30 yards. With Mike Evans back on the field, Otton was less of a focal point for the offense.

Justin Jefferson produced a season-low output for the Vikings on Sunday. While the team posted 452 yards of total offense, Jefferson contributed very little. He hauled in two passes for 27 yards despite being targeted five times.

Drop? Players

Brian Robinson injured his ankle early in the Commanders’ loss to the Cowboys. He suffered the injury on the opening drive and returned to play shortly after. At halftime, he was listed as questionable to return. Robinson did not play in the second half.

Ja'Tavion Sanders remained down after being somersaulted on a second-quarter reception. Sanders landed on the top of his head. He was carted to the locker room after being stabilized on a backboard. Sanders was taken to a local hospital but was later discharged, according to Head Coach Dave Canales.

Ja’Tavion Sanders has been discharged by the hospital, he has movement, per Canales. #Panthers

— Mike Kaye (@mike_e_kaye) November 24, 2024

David Montgomery left the Lions’ win in Indianapolis early. He walked to the locker room with his shoulder pads off in the third quarter. He would not return to the game. Following the game, Montgomery told reporters in the locker room that he would be ready for Thursday’s game.

Austin Ekeler sustained a concussion on a kick return with seconds remaining in the game. The matchup between Washington and Dallas was paused as Ekeler remained down on the field following a hard tackle. He eventually was able to walk to the sideline with assistance. Ekeler was taken to a local hospital