Week 12 Fantasy Trends: Sizzle or Fizzle?
Glad you are back for another edition of Sizzle/Fizzle, where we tackle trends and news from around the NFL. After this week, fantasy owners are going to be grateful they can say bye to the byes. Minnesota, Arizona, the Los Angeles Chargers, and Kansas City will be off, the last teams to get a break. Some of you reading this already find yourself with a playoff spot in your possession. But for those fighting for a spot or just looking to gain some additional insight, we hope to give you an additional edge. Enjoy the scene!
Sizzle
Josh Allen, QB/John Brown, WR, Buffalo Bills – The reliable duo of Allen and Brown jumps from steady to sensational in a road victory over the Dolphins. Allen rushed for 56 yards and a touchdown while throwing for 256 yards and three touchdowns. Two of his touchdown passes went to Brown, who compiled nine catches and 137 yards. Buffalo’s schedule gets daunting, with Denver, Dallas, Baltimore, Pittsburgh, and New England in the next five weeks. With Allen’s rushing ability and Brown clearly being Buffalo’s number one receiver, the duo will not disappear. Just know this may have been their peak. But what a peak it was.
Jimmy Garoppolo, QB, San Francisco 49ers – Much like Allen and Brown, Jimmy G stares at a scary path. The 49ers play Green Bay, Baltimore, and New Orleans over the next three weeks. While owners should be leery about Garoppolo going forward, they celebrate his big numbers against Arizona. Garoppolo threw for 424 yards and four touchdowns. It was the second time this season Garoppolo tossed four touchdown passes in a contest with the Cardinals. Hopefully, he will have more weapons for his rough patch, with George Kittle potentially returning to action.
Todd Gurley, RB, Los Angeles Rams – Los Angeles turns back the clock to find success against Chicago. Taking a time machine back to last year, the Rams followed their 2018 mantra of “In Todd We Trust.” Gurley had a season-high 25 carries and rushed for 97 yards and a score. Yes, it was not Gurley’s all-time greatest game. And Malcolm Brown stole a touchdown. Nevertheless, if the Rams have decided to take the training wheels off Todd going forward, even better days are ahead.
Bo Scarbrough, RB, Detroit Lions – For at least one week, Bo knows the lead role in Detroit’s backfield. Scarbrough gets promoted from the practice squad last Saturday. A day later, he rushes for 55 yards and a touchdown on 14 carries. With Detroit not seemingly high on Ty Johnson at the moment, Scarbrough looks to be in good position. However, his ceiling looks to be limited. J.D. McKissic remains in the mix in passing situations. And Jeff Driskel will steal rushing stats from all of Detroit’s backs until Matthew Stafford (hopefully) returns. Still, with the wretched Washington Redskins on tap on Sunday, Scarbrough should slide into lineups as a flex.
Joe Mixon, RB, Cincinnati Bengals – Mixon represents a major disappointment over the first eight weeks of the season. But since Cincinnati’s Week 9 bye, Mixon makes every effort to make up for lost time. Last Sunday in Oakland, he accumulated 103 yards and a touchdown. And he had 30 carries in Week 10. As the only functioning organ in Cincinnati’s lifeless offense, volume will be Mixon’s best friend. Benched at times by some, everyone needs to plan on starting Mixon regularly the rest of the way.
D.J. Chark, WR, Jacksonville Jaguars – Jacksonville’s sophomore sensation delivers another gem. Playing again with Nick Foles for the first time since Week 1, Chark hauled in eight passes for 104 yards and two touchdowns. He was pretty much the only bright spot for the Jaguars. Already with 51 receptions, 796 yards, and eight touchdowns, Chark has been one of this season’s greatest steals.
Ryan Griffin, TE, New York Jets – Who would have thought we would be talking about Ryan Griffin at this point in the season? Few noticed or cared when the Jets added the Houston castoff. After all, Chris Herndon was going to be New York’s main man and a potential fantasy sensation. Instead, with Herndon suspended and then lost for the season, Griffin steps into a major role. And the veteran ends up thriving in his new home. He snagged five passes for 109 yards and a touchdown in last Sunday’s win over Washington. Back in Week 8, he found the end zone twice against Jacksonville. The Jets can make anyone nervous, but have Oakland, Cincinnati, and Miami over the next three weeks. It would not be a shock if Griffin keeps producing decent lines.
Atlanta Falcons – After coming out of their Week 9 bye, Atlanta’s defense turns dominant after being awful. First, they prohibited Drew Brees from throwing a touchdown pass. They did the same to Kyle Allen and intercepted Carolina’s young quarterback four times. Things move quickly in fantasy football, but who saw the Falcons going from waiver wire obscurity to being a desirable streamer? A home date with turnover-prone Tampa Bay will have many hoping Atlanta’s hot streak endures for another week.
Fizzle
Philip Rivers, QB, Los Angeles Chargers – Father Time remains undefeated and seems to be on the verge of conquering Rivers. Now turning into the West Coast version of Jameis Winston, Rivers throws interceptions as often as In-and-Out sells hamburgers. He has tossed seven over the last two games. Maybe he turns it around after they come off bye. The Chargers often play their best when things look bleak. But few fantasy owners outside of those in 2QB leagues would be faulted if they waived Rivers.
Carson Wentz, QB, Philadelphia Eagles – The lack of useful weapons outside of Dallas Goedert and Zach Ertz causes Carson to struggle immensely. Philadelphia fans are no doubt tired of seeing Nelson Agholor drop passes at crucial moments. In fairness to Wentz, many have had issues dealing with New England’s lethal defense. But overall, his chance at fantasy stardom in 2019 evaporated when DeSean Jackson was sidelined. At least Alshon Jeffery may be back this weekend. And Carson enters a very favorable part of the schedule. Seattle, Miami, the New York Giants, and Washington are Philadelphia’s next four opponents. He could still make something out of nothing.
Leonard Fournette, RB, Jacksonville Jaguars – Since Sunday’s loss to Indianapolis, Jacksonville head coach Doug Marrone admits Fournette needs the ball more. Limited to eight carries, Leonard produces just 23 yards. In Weeks 4-7, Fournette received at least 20 carries in all four games. As long as game flow works in Jacksonville’s favor, it would not be surprising to see him reach that benchmark. Now, will the touchdowns ever come? Fournette has visited the end zone just once. Tennessee largely held him in check back in Week 3. Nonetheless, keep rolling with him in your lineup.
Brian Hill, RB, Atlanta Falcons – Many hail Hill as an instant starter heading into Week 11. Devonta Freeman sits on the sidelines while Hill becomes an instant RB1. Or was that an RB2? A flex? Instead, Hill flops against Carolina’s weak run defense. Granted, he did have a short touchdown run called back by penalty. But when you finish with 30 yards on 15 carries, no real defense can be offered. Rookie Qadree Ollison stole one score from Hill. So maybe if everything goes better around the goal line, Hill jumps back into everyone’s good graces. Freeman will likely be out again. Hill deserves a second chance, but Tampa Bay’s run defense can be tough to crack. By no means must you start him.
David Johnson, RB, Arizona Cardinals – David follows up last week’s visit to the Fizzle list with a repeat appearance. Sure, we realize he clearly happens to be off physically. But those owners starting him figured they would get more than zero points. Hopefully, the week off helps Johnson get healthy. But with Kenyan Drake now serving as Arizona’s lead back, it may not matter. For many, it may be much too late for goodbyes where Johnson is concerned.
Allen Robinson, WR, Chicago Bears – In two of Chicago’s last three games, Mitchell Trubisky’s ineptness results in Robinson producing his two worst games of the season. Sure, having to face former Jacksonville mate Jalen Ramsey last Sunday night also did not help. But fantasy owners do not want excuses. They want more than four catches for 15 yards. They want more than one catch for six yards. Against the festive Giants secondary on Sunday, hopefully wishes will come true.
Mohamed Sanu, WR, New England Patriots – Sanu struggles in Week 11, catching two passes for four yards. Worse, he suffers an ankle injury and could be out for awhile. It is a very disappointing development for the Patriots. New England dealt a second-round pick to Atlanta for Sanu. The loss of Sanu hurts fantasy owners as well. Julian Edelman remains a rock, but the Patriots really need rookie N’Keal Harry and Phillip Dorsett to step up. Fantasy owners can consider those players if in a bind.
O.J. Howard, TE, Tampa Bay Buccaneers – A week after Howard lands on the Sizzle list, he returns to the bad side of the ledger. Targeted early against New Orleans, Howard bats the ball into the air and the Saints end up with an interception. After that, Cameron Brate took over as Tampa Bay’s main tight end. Brate ended up catching 10 passes for 73 yards. Howard has the talent to get back on track somewhere down the line, but all seems to be lost in 2019.
We will have another round next week!
