The bye weeks are finally over! Ben Roethlisberger had his best game of the season for fantasy owners. He passed for 299 yards and four touchdowns. Big Ben has had a very disappointing season for fantasy owners. It is surprising that it took until Week 11 for him to pass for more than two touchdowns. Pittsburgh has so many weapons on offense that it should be easy for him to score 20 or more fantasy points on a consistent basis. Besides the game against New England and maybe the Baltimore matchup, his schedule looks very promising. Let’s hope that he plays more like he did in Week 11 in the upcoming weeks.
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Russell Wilson continues to carry the Seahawks and many fantasy teams. The lack of a Seattle running game has forced him back into a dual-threat role of passing and running. Wilson has scored 23 or more points in six out of 10 games this season. I don’t expect things to change over the final weeks. The offensive line and running backs cannot get a rushing attack started. The team is also fighting for a playoff spot. Every game now holds greater importance as they try to win their way back into a seed.
On the injury front, Jameis Winston has already been declared out for Week 12. Ryan Fitzpatrick will get the start for Tampa Bay. Winston is obviously not going to be rushed back and the team has completely fallen out of contention. Winston may return in Week 13 but we shouldn’t hold our breath on that prospect just yet.
Two quarterbacks are in the concussion protocol. Jacoby Brissett had the bye week to recover from his concussion. He hasn’t been cleared yet but took snaps on Monday. I’m sure he’ll be ready to go against Tennessee. Jay Cutler missed the second half against Tampa Bay with his concussion. Matt Moore came in and looked vastly superior in his half. Neither of them would be worthy of a start this week against New England.
My sleeper pick for Week 12 is Case Keenum. I realize he struggled against Detroit in their first matchup in Week 4. I think this passing offense has found it’s groove and will continue to roll. Keenum is spreading the ball around and including Kyle Rudolph more in the passing game. I believe he’ll pass for 275 yards and two touchdowns against Detroit.
Quarterback rankings, Week 12
(SK: Scott Kaliska; JG: Jeff Goldberg; DG: Derek Gordon; KB: Kyle Bennett; ZS: Zach Senvisky; JM: Jason Marcum)
QB rankings, Week 12
Rk | Consensus | Tm | Opp | SK | JG | DG | KB | JM |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tom Brady | NE | vs. MIA | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| 2 | Russell Wilson | SEA | @ SF | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| 3 | Kirk Cousins | WAS | vs. NYG | 4 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 |
| 4 | Matt Ryan | ATL | vs. TB | 6 | 4 | 5 | 4 | 4 |
| 5 | Carson Wentz | PHI | vs. CHI | 3 | 5 | 8 | 6 | 6 |
| 6 | Ben Roethlisberger | PIT | vs. GB | 7 | 6 | 4 | 5 | 9 |
| 7 | Cam Newton | CAR | @ NYJ | 5 | 8 | 6 | 7 | 7 |
| 8 | Drew Brees | NO | @ LAR | 8 | 7 | 7 | 8 | 5 |
| 9 | Marcus Mariota | TEN | @ IND | 11 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 8 |
| 10 | Philip Rivers | LAC | @ DAL | 14 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 |
| 11 | Jared Goff | LAR | vs. NO | 10 | 11 | 12 | 11 | 12 |
| 12 | Alex Smith | KC | vs. BUF | 9 | 12 | 13 | 12 | 14 |
| 13 | Dak Prescott | DAL | vs. LAC | 13 | 13 | 11 | 13 | 11 |
| 14 | Matthew Stafford | DET | vs. MIN | 12 | 15 | 14 | 14 | 18 |
| 15 | Case Keenum | MIN | @ DET | 16 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 15 |
| 16 | Andy Dalton | CIN | vs. CLE | 15 | 16 | 18 | 15 | 13 |
| 17 | Tyrod Taylor | BUF | @ KC | 17 | 17 | 16 | 17 | 16 |
| 18 | Jacoby Brissett | IND | vs. TEN | 18 | 18 | 17 | 18 | 19 |
| 19 | Derek Carr | OAK | vs. DEN | 19 | 19 | 20 | 19 | 17 |
| 20 | Josh McCown | NYJ | vs. CAR | 21 | 20 | 21 | 20 | 21 |
| 21 | Eli Manning | NYG | @ WAS | 23 | 22 | 22 | 21 | 20 |
| 22 | Ryan Fitzpatrick | TB | @ ATL | 20 | 21 | 23 | 22 | 24 |
| 23 | Blake Bortles | JAC | @ ARI | -- | 24 | 19 | 23 | 22 |
| 24 | Joe Flacco | BAL | vs. HOU | 22 | 23 | 24 | 24 | 23 |
| 25 | Jay Cutler | MIA | @ NE | 25 | 25 | 25 | 25 | 25 |
| -- | C.J. Beathard | SF | vs. SEA | 24 | -- | -- | -- | -- |
