🏈 Chasing Titles

RB pickups D/ST stashes, WR plays and everything else you need for a long playoff run...

Good morning. How about Mike F***ing White, who threw for 315 passing yards and three TDs. 

Since 1995, the Jets have had 11 games where the quarterback threw for 300 yards with three touchdowns. Only one player has done it twice: White.

And if you thought you had a bad weekend, imagine how the Broncos feel. They can't get out of Russell Wilson's $245+ million deal until 2025 (at the earliest). After spending hours reviewing the contract, it's clear that Denver's best option is to just fold the franchise.

Today's newsletter has all the pickups, injury updates and D/ST plays you need to win your league. 

WAIVERS

First, if Rachaad White, Donovan Peoples-Jones or Treylon Burks are available, they are priorities.

RB: ONE OF THE 49ERS GUYS?

Elijah Mitchell (knee) is expected to miss the rest of the regular season (6-8 weeks), while CMC has knee irritation (more on that below). Jordan Mason, a UDFA rookie from Georgia Tech, appears to be the next man up in San Francisco. Last week, Mason had 5 carries for 25 yards (5.0 YPC).

Or it could be Tyrion Davis-Price, who has been a healthy scratch but many consider as the grinder of the group. My bet is Tevin Coleman, a Kyle Shanahan favorite from his time in Atlanta. 

  • JaMycal Hasty: The next guy up in the Jacksonville backfield if Etienne misses time, Hasty delivered 20+ points in W12. If Etienne sits, grab Hasty. If not, you can pass.

  • Zonovan Knight came out of nowhere to rush 14 times for 69 yards, while James Robinson was a healthy scratch. Knight has a game that works well within the Shanahan wide zone scheme and Knight averaged 2.86 yards after contact per rush attempt. Must add in deeper leagues.

Kyren Williams saw a strong 70% snap share after the Rams cut Darrell Henderson. Yes the Rams are bad, but volume is king in fantasy football. And Williams sees volume. Think Latavius Murray-after-everyone-else-is-cut-or-injured type production. 

Don't buy the hype: NFL Network's Tom Pelissero reports the Chiefs are expected to sign Melvin Gordon to their practice squad. He was bad enough to be cut by Denver and will be an insurance policy behind McKinnon. Pass. 

WR: ELIJAH MOORE

With Mike White, everybody eats. While Garrett Wilson is the WR1, Moore still posted a solid outing. While Moore's target share was a low 7%, he had the most yards of his season. Next weekend, the Jets play in the dome against Minnesota's beatable secondary. Per Jake Tribbey:

  • Elijah Moore (w/ Zach Wilson): 5.1 FPG, 4.4 targets/G, 22.5 YPG

  • Elijah (no Wilson): 14.9 FPG, 7.3 targets/G, 61.0 YPG

The Athletic's Week 12 fantasy risers, fallers: Mike White among elite company, Mike Evans on the decline and more gives some perspective on the historic company Mike White finds himself in.

  • Van Jefferson is the last man standing in the Rams WR room and saw a career best 29% target share in W12, and a 48% air yardage share (WR10).

  • Trent Sherfield should see massive opportunity if Tyreek Hill misses time as the 3rd WR in an explosive Miami offense.

  • Zay Jones quietly saw 14 targets in W12 and has over 42 fantasy points in two games.

  • Richie James now has 13+ fantasy points in back to back games, with minimal WR competition.

But seriously, Michael Gallup might be the best WR pickup. Per Edwin Porras, Michael Gallup Weeks 4-11: 17.9% target share and a weak 1.29 yards per route run.

Michael Gallup in Week 12: an elite 27.5% target share and 2.17 yards per route run.

As for everyone else's stock: 

INJURY REPORT

Keep an eye on these RBs

A helpful review of major injuries suffered by RBs this weekend:

Christian McCaffrey is day to day with "knee irritation." McCaffrey appears on track to play in Week 13, but his workload could be kept in check.

  • Back from the dead, J.K. Dobbins (knee) was designated to return from IR. He's a stash but risky play until he proves he can handle double digit carries.

  • Damien Harris (thigh) did not practice on Monday and is considered week to week. It's unlikely he plays Thursday. Fire up Rhamondre.

  • Michael Carter is questionable for Week 13 with a low ankle sprain. Thankfully, he avoided the dreaded high ankle sprain. This means more Zonovan Knight.

Travis Etienne (foot) was cleared to return in Week 12 against the Ravens and should be good for Week 13 against the weak Lions defense.

Joe Mixon is still in concussion protocol, but "trending in the right direction" to play Week 13 against the Chiefs. If Mixon sits, Perine is a borderline must-start again.

As for the WRs, Darnell Mooney (ankle) is out for the season, Kadarius Toney is considered day to day (hamstring) and Ja'Marr Chase (hip) is finally expected to play in Week 13 against the Chiefs.

D/ST

Defense Wins Championships

Every lineup decision at this point can make or break the season, so making the right call at D/ST takes on more importance each week. This week shapes up to have no shortage of viable options. Per Sporting News's Sloan Piva: 

Studs: Buccaneers (vs. Saints in Week 13), Bills (@ Patriots), Cowboys (vs. Colts), Seahawks (@ Rams), Browns (@ Texans), and Vikings (vs. Jets) 

Ravens (vs. Broncos) have become an auto-start since acquiring Roquan Smith, and a home tilt against Russell Wilson...

Giants (vs. Commanders) will bounce back after having some problems with the Cowboys on Thanksgiving. Washington entered Week 12 in the top 10 in most fantasy points per game allowed to D/STs.

Packers (@ Bears) could go against a depleted Bears' offense without Justin Fields (shoulder). Even with Fields, Chicago was among the most heavily sacked team in the league and prone to turnovers.

Steelers (@ Falcons) are one of the best rushing defenses in football, and all Atlanta can do at this point is run the ball. 

Sits: Matchups for the usually stout Patriots (vs. Bills), Broncos (@ Ravens), and 49ers (vs. Dolphins) make me worried. Play it safe. Full rankings here.

QUICK SLANTS

  • James Conner's 88% route involvement rate is the highest rate of any RB in 2022. Second in Week 12? Rachaad White at 76%, higher than Aaron Jones, Dalvin Cook.

  • Dolphins HC Mike McDaniel saying what so many fans (and analysts) need to hear about Tua, scheme, and the Dolphins. Beautiful (video). Mike McDaniel cut up SEVEN HUNDRED PLAYS to help Tua regain his confidence. Legend.

  • In one of the funniest moments of the season, Darrell Taylor thought the Seahawks player was down after his INT, so he started celebrating while the play was live. On the field (video).

  • Tom Brady hasn't thrown a single interception in the 4th quarter/OT of a tie game in over a decade, Yet Todd Bowles didn't use a timeout because he was worried Brady would throw an INT. Wow (video).

  • 2023 FA RB class is absolutely stacked. A few names include Josh Jacobs, Saquon Barkley, Miles Sanders, Tony Pollard...

Jaguars HC Doug Pederson sat down with @JadeMcCarthy to talk about the decision to go for the win instead of the tie, full video here. If you're looking for other great content, this article by The Athletic summarizes all the most important takeaways from Week 12. 

Be like Doug Pederson today, go for the W. 

Jake, Eddie, Matt 

Tweet of the Day

Deshaun Watson has been officially reinstated from his 11-game suspension and will start for the Browns against the Texans. 

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