Fantasy Football Week 12: Players to Think Twice About
Hey there, football fans! As we all know, fantasy football can sometimes feel like walking through a minefield, especially as we hit Week 12. Decisions we make this week can seriously impact our playoff chances, so letโs dive into some players you might want to give a second thought before starting.
Matthew Stafford: Proceed with Caution
First up on our list is Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford. Sure, he had a smashing performance last week against the Patriots, throwing for 295 yards and 4 touchdowns, which is awesome! But hereโs the thing: this week heโs facing the Philadelphia Eagles, and their secondary has been sneaky good this season. While last yearโs Eagles were a pass-funnel defense, this year itโs a different story. Theyโve allowed the second-fewest passing yards per game, which is a major flag. Unless you absolutely have to play him in a two-QB or Superflex league, sitting Stafford might be the smart move. Just saying, you could avoid a headache this week.
Chuba Hubbard: A Rocky Road Ahead
Next, weโre looking at Chuba Hubbard from the Panthers. This guy has had a standout year, even getting a nice contract extension. But before we count our blessings, heโs up against the Kansas City Chiefs, who boast the best run defense in the league. Theyโve allowed an incredibly low 3.11 yards per carry. On top of that, thereโs another rookie, Jonathon Brooks, making his debut, and even if heโs not a major threat, any touches taken away from Hubbard is a loss. If you need to start him, just donโt expect fireworksโyouโre probably looking at low-end RB3 numbers.
Chicago Bears: A Shift in the Wind
The Chicago Bears recently fired their old offensive coordinator and promoted Thomas Brown to take over the play-calling duties. In his first outing, the Bears showed some flashes, racking up 391 yardsโpretty impressive, right? However, they face the Minnesota Vikings this week, and their defense has been tough against the run. With the Vikings giving up the second-fewest fantasy points to RBs, this week might not be the time to roll out your favorite Bears runner. Plus, rookie Roschon Johnson has seen an uptick in workload, further clouding things for starter Swift.
Swiftโs Situation: A Guessing Game
Speaking of Swift, heโs having a decent season, but injuries and an increase in carries for Johnson mean he isnโt as solid a pick this week. While he should be started in most leagues unless you have fantastic alternatives, itโs worth keeping realistic expectations in check.
Puka Nacua: Tread Lightly
Now, letโs chat about Puka Nacua from the Rams. Everyoneโs been raving about him all season; heโs been awesome, right? But with the Eagles clamping down on receivers, this might not be the week for him to go off. He primarily plays outside and given the way the Eagles have shut down wide receivers, itโs a strong possibility early on that Nacua could struggle to make an impact. Start him if you must, but donโt be too surprised if he doesnโt deliver explosive numbers.
Tucker Kraft: Leaning Towards the Bench
Lastly, we have Tucker Kraft from the Packers, whoโs been on the struggle bus recently. He didnโt even catch a ball last week. And now heโs squaring off against the San Francisco 49ers, who have been brutal against tight ends this year. They have not allowed a single TE more than 10 fantasy points in a game, which is a big deal. If youโve been holding out hope for him, itโs best to look for streaming options instead.
Final Thoughts
So there you have it, folks! Keep these players in mind as you finalize your lineups for Week 12. Sometimes the matchups can tell a different story than the playerโs glittering stats. Always trust your gut but stay informed to help lead your fantasy team to victory!
