With six teams on bye this week, the main slate is a bit thinner than we've been used to this season. Hopefully, everyone can make it through these tough times and reach Week 13 where all 32 teams will be in action. For the time being, we'll have to make due with what we're given.
In DFS, it all comes down to finding edges over your opponents or the field. There are plenty of ways to attack this slate and find edges over other players, but we are given a finite salary, so we have to get a bit creative. But without further ado, here are the Sporting News' optimal lineups and best picks for Week 8 DFS slates on both DraftKings and FanDuel.
DraftKings DFS Picks Week 12: NFL DFS picks for GPP tournaments
Sunday Main Slate, $50,000 salary
QB: Anthony Richardson, Colts vs. Lions ($5,600)
The return of Anthony Richardson went as smoothly as anyone could have hoped. He completed 67 percent of his passes, threw for 272 yards, and found the endzone twice on the ground on his way to 28.1 DK points. What's most encouraging is that Richardson had 10 designed runs last week, the most of any quarterback in a single game this season. These are the sorts of ceiling outcomes that we're chasing with Richardson. With a price of $5,600 and a matchup with a total set at 50.5 points, this is a good spot to chase that ceiling once again.
WEEK 12 FANTASY FOOTBALL RANKINGS
QBs | RBs | WRs | TEs | D/ST | Kickers
RB: Kareem Hunt, Chiefs at Panthers ($5,700)
If Isiah Pacheco is sidelined for another week, Kareem Hunt will be among the chalkiest running backs of the week at $5,700. But it comes with good reason, he'd be acting as the Chiefs' bell cow back in the best possible matchup for running backs. The Panthers allow the most fantasy points per game to opposing running backs by a wide margin. They also rank in the bottom five in EPA per rush and rushing yards allowed per game. Without Pacheco on the field, this is a recipe for 20-25 touches and 20-plus fantasy points for Hunt.
RB: Bucky Irving, Buccaneers at Giants ($5,300)
Bucky Irving is set up to have one of his better days in recent weeks. Over the last month, the Buccaneers have lost four straight games and have been trailing for significant portions of those games. Trailing game scripts favor Rachaad White, who is the preferred pass catcher of the duo. However, Irving has been the primary rusher, receiving more carries than White in three of the last four games. The Buccaneers are 5.5-point favorites against the Giants, pointing to this game script favoring Irving. Considering this is a defense that ranks last in yards per carry and explosive rush rate allowed, Irving could be in for a big day.
WR: Malik Nabers, Giants vs. Buccaneers ($7,400)
Tommy DeVito being named the QB1 in New York does not significantly alter Malik Nabers' fantasy outlook. His fantasy value has always been driven by his supreme playmaking and target-earning abilities. Neither of those has changed, and we can expect Nabers to still be a target hog who can create an explosive play out of thin air. The Buccaneers have been a top-10 matchup for wide receivers and rank 28th in EPA allowed per dropback. Nabers is certainly capable of overcoming the struggles of DeVito in this matchup.
WR: DK Metcalf, Seahawks vs. Cardinals ($6,600)
In a week filled with unappealing matchups, Seahawks vs. Cardinals is one of the few that offers true shootout potential. Both teams have shown flashes of elite offensive play this season and have the firepower to turn this game into a track meet. If the Seahawks are going to hold up their end of the bargain, DK Metcalf will need to have success downfield. Metcalf leads the team in target rate and air yards share; his explosivity has been the difference in Seahawks games throughout the year. We've seen talented outside receivers like Rome Odunze and Brandon Aiyuk go for 100-plus yards against the Cardinals, and Metcalf could be the next.
WEEK 12 FANTASY ROSTER MANAGEMENT ADVICE
Stock Watch | Trade Advice | Start 'Em, Sit 'Em | Sleepers | Busts | Usage | Weather
WR: Josh Downs, Colts vs. Lions ($6,200)
Anthony Richardson is certainly a quarterback who you can play naked, but this is a matchup where it makes sense to stack him up with Josh Downs. The Lions have allowed slot receivers to torch them all year long. Detroit has surrendered the most targets, receptions, and yards to slot receivers this season. Slot-heavy receivers like Jayden Reed, Chris Godwin, and Cooper Kupp all cracked 19 DK points with the latter two scoring more than 27 DK points. The Colts' struggling defense will also likely have them in a spot where Richardson will be throwing throughout the game. Another game with double-digit targets is certainly possible for Downs in this one.
TE: Ja'Tavion Sanders, Panthers vs. Chiefs ($3,400)
With expensive options filling every receiver slot, this lineup needs a salary-friendly option at tight end. Panthers rookie tight end Ja'Tavion Sanders is one of the more appealing options priced at $4,000 or less. Since assuming a full-time role in Week 5, Sanders has led the team in targets and held a respectable 20 percent target rate. These numbers aren't always the stickiest, but the Chiefs are also a top-5 matchup for tight ends. A solid matchup and the potential for six targets is about all you can ask for out of a $3,400 tight end.
FLEX: Marvin Harrison Jr., Cardinals at Seahawks ($6,100)
The fantasy community has been up in arms about Marvin Harrison Jr.'s usage throughout the season. Thankfully, there are signs that things are changing.
Crossing Routes comprise 31% of Marvin Harrison Jr.'s total fantasy points to date, but make up just 9.3% of his total routes run.
— Scott Barrett (@ScottBarrettDFB) November 19, 2024
Encouragingly, he saw a season-high 6 crossing routes in his last game.
Adding Harrison to this lineup pairs well with DK Metcalf in anticipation that this could be one of the slate's shootouts. As long as Harrison isn't running strictly go routes, he's shown an ability to be a playmaker on the horizontal plane. Ideally, Drew Petzing continues to deploy Harrison in a more creative fashion, and we see him with the ball in space a few times on Sunday.
WEEK 12 DFS EXPERT ANALYSIS
Values and Sleepers | Best Stacks
D/ST: Denver Broncos, at Raiders ($3,200)
The Denver Broncos have one of the most talented defensive units in the NFL and they also have one of the easier matchups in the Raiders. As long as they can contain Brock Bowers to a reasonable degree, this should be a slow day for the Las Vegas offense.
FanDuel DFS Picks Week 12: NFL DFS picks for GPP tournaments
Sunday Main Slate, $60,000 salary cap
QB: Anthony Richardson, Colts vs. Lions ($7,500)
Anthony Richardson doesn't offer as big of a bang for your buck on FanDuel, but we're still targeting this matchup. Richardson should be heaving the ball downfield and scrambling regularly in an effort to keep up with the Lions. It may not be pretty for the Colts in terms of the score, but Richardson can still get there in fantasy.
RB: Bucky Irving, Buccaneers at Giants ($6,800)
Bucky Irving is also carrying over from the DK lineup. The Giants have been susceptible to explosive runs throughout the season and Irving should be able to take advantage of their porous front seven. It also doesn't hurt that head coach Todd Bowles has said that Irving has earned more touches.
RB: Rhamondre Stevenson, Patriots at Dolphins ($6,400)
Rhamondre Stevenson's salary is not reflective of his usage in recent weeks. Over the last month, Stevenson has played 75 percent of snaps and handled 75 percent of the backfield's opportunities. His 18.3 weighted opportunities per game during this stretch would rank 4th across the full season. Stevenson is seeing elite usage but is priced as the RB23 this week. This is a great price to simply chase volume and hope Drake Maye can provide him with a scoring opportunity.
WR: A.J. Brown, Eagles at Rams ($8,500)
FanDuel includes Sunday Night Football on the main slate, and we'll be taking a piece of this game in the form of A.J. Brown. He's looked good in recent weeks, but his fantasy production has not been reflective of his quality of play. A lot of this has to do with the Eagles not being forced to throw the ball at a high rate.
AJ Brown is playing at an incredibly high level.
— Adam Levitan (@adamlevitan) November 19, 2024
But the #Eagles have gone full boomtown. Dead last in PROE over the last month. pic.twitter.com/tIH2PbBMxo
The Rams' offense has really come on in recent weeks and could finally push the Eagles to throw the ball at an average rate. If this is a back-and-forth matchup, Brown could be in for a big day against a defense that has struggled to contain outside receivers. The Rams rank inside the bottom 10 of receiving yards per game and yards per attempt allowed to outside receivers. Brown has the matchup to be a slate-breaker this week.
WR: DK Metcalf, Seahawks vs. Cardinals ($7,900)
We have plenty of conviction in our plays this week, so you'll see a handful of players carry over from the DraftKings lineup; DK Metcalf is one of those options. Metcalf's ability to win downfield and dominate in contested catch situations makes him a weekly threat to go for 20-plus FanDuel points. As mentioned in the DraftKings lineup, we're banking on this matchup becoming a shootout and that sort of game would likely be driven by a couple of big plays from Metcalf.
WR: Josh Downs, Colts vs. Lions ($6,900)
Josh Downs remains our stacking partner for Anthony Richardson. He's emerged as the clear WR1 in Indianapolis and gets a matchup with the biggest slot-funnel in the NFL in the Lions. If Detroit finally pushes Richardson to attempt 35 passes in a game, 10 targets with some downfield looks sprinkled in there is possible for Downs.
TE: Ja'Tavion Sanders, Panthers vs. Chiefs ($4,900)
The final player carrying over from the DK lineup is tight end J'Tavion Sanders. We talked about it in the previous write-up, but at this salary, all you can ask for is a reasonable matchup, the possibility for a handful of targets, and red zone usage. Sanders checks all of those boxes and is really the only tight end that should be in consideration in this price range.
FLEX: Jauan Jennings, 49ers at Packers ($6,700)
Jauan Jennings has been one of the most impressive players of the 2024 season. After three forgetful years with the 49ers, Jennings has been utterly dominant when given the opportunity this season. Saying he's been dominant isn't hyperbole either.
In three games as the 49ers WR2 this season:
- 35.1% target share
- 0.32 targets per route run
- 42.0% air yards share
- 0.86 fantasy points per route run
Jennings has no business being priced at $6,700 as the WR22 and should be in consideration for anyone playing in a GPP on FanDuel this week.
D/ST: Tampa Bay Buccaneers, at Giants ($4,400)
Malik Nabers may be able to have a good day against the Buccaneers, but there doesn't seem to be an outcome where the offense as a whole finds success. It would really be a shock if the Giants eclipse 17 points this week.
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