Tuesday, November 28, 2023

Week 12 Fantasy Football Winners and Losers: 2023 Edition

Quarterback

MVP: Josh Allen (Bills)

The Bills might not have won the OT thriller against the Eagles on Sunday but Allen did at least win the day in fantasy. Allen put together the type of dual-threat performance that has made him an elite QB1 option in recent years-throwing for 339 YDS, 2 TD's and an INT and rushing for 81 YDS and 2 TD's on only 9 carries. There's been the usual peak and valleys with Allen in 2023, but he's remained a great fantasy option despite the Bills real world struggles thus far. A date with his sworn enemies in Kansas City await him once he returns from bye in Week 14.

Honorable Mentions: Jalen Hurts (Eagles), Dak Prescott (Cowboys), C.J. Stroud (Texans) 

LVP: Tua Tagovailoa (Dolphins)

The Jets clowncar and strong performances from Jaylen Waddle, Tyreek Hill and Raheem Mostert have covered up just how loose Tua was with the football in that game. He coughed the ball up 3 times (1 lost fumble, 2 INT's-1 of which was returned for a TD) and tanked an otherwise serviceable line (243 YDS, 1 TD) in the latest laugher of a "marquee game" to get broadcast on Amazon's airwaves. Tua has a great shot to move over to the category above this in Week 13 when he goes up against the Commanders abysmal secondary.  

Dishonorable Mentions: Justin Fields (Bears), Brock Purdy (49ers), Justin Herbert (Chargers)

Running Back

MVP: Kyren Williams (Rams)

Welcome back from IR, Mr. Williams! Your owners sorely missed your reliable RB1 production! After a slow-ish start where Royce Freeman was handling the bulk of the backfield work, Williams caught fire and didn't look back as he obliterated the Cardinals defense nearly every time he got the ball-finishing the day with 204 scrimmage YDS and 2 TD grabs on 22 touches (16 carries, 6 receptions). Williams should be in for much tougher sledding this week against the Browns stout defense.  

Honorable Mentions: Christian McCaffery (49ers), Bijan Robinson (Falcons), Isiah Pacheco (Chiefs)

LVP: Gus Edwards (Ravens)

A flop was inevitable for the TD-dependent Gus the Bus, I just don't think many people expected it to occur against the Chargers miserably bad defense. Edwards got outshined by both Keaton Mitchell and Justice Hill in the Ravens semi-unpredictable RB committee this week, putting up a pedestrian 37 YDS (26 rushing, 11 receiving) on just 9 touches. Edwards will remain on the RB2/3 borderline when the Ravens play the Rams in Week 14.   

Dishonorable Mentions: Saquon Barkley (Giants), James Conner (Cardinals), Jaylen Warren (Steelers)

Wide Receiver

MVP: Mike Evans (Buccaneers)

Evans did what he does best on Sunday versus the Colts: Find the endzone. The Bucs top wideout made a pair of visits to his favorite place on the football field and despite his best efforts to keep things close with his 6 REC/70 YD/2 TD performance, his team ultimately fell short of victory for the 6th time in the last 7 games. He'll be a risky WR2 play for this week's showdown with a tough Panthers secondary.

Honorable Mentions: Tyreek Hill (Dolphins), Zay Flowers (Ravens), DeVonta Smith (Eagles)

LVP: Cooper Kupp (Rams)

Kupp's return to the field from his latest injury wasn't a triumphant one. The star wideout only logged 3 catches for 18 YDS as Kyren Williams, Tutu Atwell, Royce Freeman and Tyler Higbee served as the top offensive contributors in their easy win over the Cardinals. Kupp faces a really tough draw this week against a Browns D that has allowed the 2nd least fantasy points to WR's in half-PPR leagues and the 3rd least in standard. 

Dishonorable Mentions: Puka Nacua (Rams), DK Metcalf (Seahawks), Tyler Lockett (Seahawks)

Tight End

MVP: Sam LaPorta (Lions)

LaPorta's 5 REC/47 YD/TD/2-PT CNV outing versus the Packers on Thanksgiving led the way in another quiet week for TE's. The reliable rookie pass-catcher has a date with the Saints in Week 13.   

Honorable Mentions: T.J. Hockenson (Vikings), Travis Kelce (Chiefs), Tyler Higbee (Rams)

LVP: Dalton Schultz (Texans)

Schultz's didn't get to partake in any of the fun of C.J. Stroud's latest 300+-YD outing against the Jaguars as he managed just 1 catch for 2 YDS on only 2 targets. His wildly erratic inaugural season in Houston has been infuriating for fantasy purposes but the weekly upside is too strong to take him out of the lineup for any team that doesn't have Kelce, Hockenson, Kittle or LaPorta on their roster. Schultz will face a Broncos defense that has allowed 6 TD's to TE's in 2023 this week. 

Dishonorable Mentions: George Kittle (49ers), Kyle Pitts (Falcons), Logan Thomas (Commanders)

Defense/Special Teams

MVP: Dolphins

Vic Fangio's group beating up on the Tim Boyle-led Jets offense was the layup of the week, but holy hell did they manage to a find a way to REALLY take advantage of this terrific matchup. They picked up 7 sacks, 2 picks (1 of which was returned for a TD by Jevon Holland on a hail mary attempt right before halftime that just might go down as the saddest pick 6 in NFL history) and allowed just 7 points as they cruised to victory in East Rutherford. They've got yet another great matchup lined up for Week 13 when they take on a Commanders group that has struggled with allowing sacks and turning the ball over all season long.

Honorable Mentions: Cowboys, Broncos, Ravens

LVP: Chiefs

After a rough start in which they allowed a pair of TD's to the Raiders, the Chiefs D rallied nicely and only surrendered 3 points for the rest of the game. However, they still failed to take advantage of this great matchup against a limited offense run by rookie Aidan O'Connell-picking up just 1 sack and failing to get any takeaways. They'll hope for a more productive outing when they take on the Packers this Sunday night.

Dishonorable Mentions: Bills, Lions, Browns

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