Here are the best and worst fantasy football performances from Week 12:
Fantasy Football First Quarter
With five games to play, Philip Rivers has thrown for more than 3,000 yards, 22 touchdowns with only eight interceptions. He threw a combined 35 interceptions over the last two seasons.
Week 12 Studs
Josh Gordon - 29.7 fantasy points vs. Steelers
For most of this season, I've deemed Cecil Shorts III the king of garbage fantasy points, but Josh Gordon dethroned him in Week 12. The Cleveland Browns had three points on the board and trailed the Steelers by 24 points with less than five minutes left in the game. Gordon racked up 111 receiving yards and a touchdown in the final four minutes of the game. The second-year receiver finished with a franchise-record 237 yards on 14 receptions (17 targets).
Maurice Jones-Drew - 20.4 fantasy points vs. Texans
MJD entered Week 12's contest against the Texans averaging less than three yards per carry. Contrary to many assumptions, Houston's rush defense is horrible this year allowing 118.6 yards per game. Jones-Drew took full advantage as he posted his best fantasy numbers with a season-high 84 yards on the ground, season-high 60 receiving yards and a score. He now has a touchdown in three straight games.
The Browns' rush defense poses a much tougher test in Week 13.
Toby Gerhart - 9.6 fantasy points vs. Packers
Consider this is a friendly "heads up" from your friends at FOX Sports. Gerhart carried the ball seven times in Week 11 against Seattle. Before that game, he had no more than one carry in any game this season. In Week 12 against the Packers, Gerhart saw an uptick in touches to eight and finished with 96 yards. The 91 rushing yards are the most in a game for Gerhart since Christmas Eve 2011.
Adrian Peterson is dealing with a groin issue that didn't hinder him this week as he carried the ball 32 times! However, with the Vikings out of the playoff hunt, Gerhart could be a decent waiver wire claim heading into the fantasy football playoffs.
Keenan Allen - 12.4 fantasy points vs. Chiefs
The road matchup was not fantasy friendly on paper, but Allen managed to bounce back from an awful two-week stretch where he averaged just over four fantasy points per game. Philip Rivers' second-favorite receiver finished with nine receptions on 12 targets for 124 yards. Most owners starting Allen week-to-week participate in points-per-receptions leagues. So, the 21.4 fantasy points came in handy in Week 12.
Pierre Thomas - 13 fantasy points vs. Falcons
I received a tweet on Friday suggesting Pierre Thomas may be one of the most consistent fantasy running backs of 2012. Here are some of his game logs:
Thomas is second in the league in receptions by a running back with 56 (Woodhead 60). His stat lines and four total touchdowns aren't the sexiest in the pass-heavy Saints' offense, but he's overproduced out of the FLEX this season.
Knowshon Moreno - 29.0 fantasy points vs. Patriots
With a bad ankle and less skin on his forearm then when the game started, Moreno carried the ball an insane 37 times for 224 yards with a touchdown. According to his gamelogs, 37 rush attempts in one game is a career-high for Moreno in the NFL and college (Georgia) with a previous high of 32 carries against the Raiders.
Week 12 Duds
Kansas City Chiefs Defense: -3 fantasy points vs. Chargers
It's moments like these I'm reminded of the classic Animal House line:
"Daniel Simpson Day ... has no grade point average."
At least in Mr. Day's case, N/A on the report card was better than the negative three points the Chiefs' fantasy defense posted in Week 12. Kansas City's fantasy DST averaged 19.6 fantasy points per game their first six games of the season. In their last five games, they've averaged 6.6 fantasy points per game.
They play the Denver Broncos in Week 13. You've been warned.
Roddy White - 2.4 fantasy points vs. Saints
Yeah, yeah, yeah. Different week, but same fantasy football result for Mr. White.
However, here's another pro tip from FOX Sports. White's next three opponents all rank in the bottom 11 in fantasy points allowed to opposing wide receivers. The Bills allow 28.6 fantasy points per game (30th), Packers 24.5 FPPG (21st) and Redskins 25.1 FPPG (23rd). Think about it before benching/dropping White.
Case Keenum - 15.8 fantasy points combined in last two games
After entering the Bill Brasky realm, Keenum has looked quite mortal against two of the worst pass defenses in the league. The rookie quarterback averaged 25.2 fantasy points in his first three starts, but only averaged 7.9 against the Jaguars and Raiders.
Miles Austin - he was "active," yet "inactive"
It wasn't until late in the game that Austin was even targeted. He finished with one reception for 17 yards in his first start since Clinton was in office. So, much for making up for lost time.
Are You RBBC'erious?!
Zac Stacy, Benny Cunningham and Tavon Austin*
The trio combined for 26 carries for 261 rushing yards and three touchdowns. The Bears' rush defense should be exploited by fantasy owners each week. Hey, Adrian Peterson faces them next week. That should be fun to watch.
"Oh, consider starting Toby Gerhart, too."
Signed,
Benny "Freaking" Cunningham
This Week in Fantasy Football Kickers
Sebastian Janikowski and Jay Feely - 17 fantasy points, each
Janikowski missed two field goals inside the 50 yard line. Raiders should cut his Seabass. Feely has averaged more than 11 fantasy points per game over his last five.
