by Eric Stashin (aka The Rotoprofessor)
The biggest question hanging over the quarterback position, as we head into Week 12, is the status of Andrew Luck. All talk is that he won’t be cleared in time to play, so we are leaving him off the rankings for now, but we’ll have to keep a close eye on his status in the coming days. What are the other big stories? How do things shake out for the coming week? Let’s take a look at our Week 12 Quarterback Rankings:
- Tom Brady – New England Patriots – at New York Jets
- Aaron Rodgers – Green Bay Packers – at Philadelphia
- Russell Wilson – Seattle Seahawks – at Tampa Bay
- Ben Roethlisberger – Pittsburgh Steelers – at Indianapolis
- Marcus Mariota – Tennessee Titans – at Chicago
- Matt Ryan – Atlanta Falcons – vs. Arizona
- Drew Brees – New Orleans Saints – vs. Los Angeles
- Dak Prescott – Dallas Cowboys – vs. Washington
- Derek Carr – Oakland Raiders – vs. Carolina
- Kirk Cousins – Washington Redskins – at Dallas
- Eli Manning – New York Giants – at Cleveland
- Cam Newton – Carolina Panthers – at Oakland
- Philip Rivers – San Diego Chargers – at Houston
- Carson Palmer – Arizona Cardinals – at Atlanta
- Colin Kaepernick – San Francisco 49ers – at Miami
- Joe Flacco – Baltimore Ravens – vs. Cincinnati
- Ryan Tannehill – Miami Dolphins – vs. San Francisco
- Tyrod Taylor – Buffalo Bills – vs. Jacksonville
- Blake Bortles – Jacksonville Jaguars – at Buffalo
- Carson Wentz – Philadelphia Eagles – vs. Green Bay
- Matthew Stafford – Detroit Lions – vs. Minnesota
- Jay Cutler – Chicago Bears – vs. Tennessee
- Jameis Winston – Tampa Bay Buccaneers – vs. Seattle
- Andy Dalton – Cincinnati Bengals – at Baltimore
- Sam Bradford – Minnesota Vikings – at Detroit
Thoughts:
- Over the past four weeks the Arizona Cardinals have allowed just 1 passing TD, though we have to keep in mind that the past two games have come against the 49ers and Vikings (hardly passing powerhouses). While it is a tough matchup and you’d be justified in dropping Ryan down a few spots, don’t make the mistake of ignoring him all together. He’s been far too good.
- Russell Wilson has been showing that he’s finally back to full health over the past few weeks, just in time for a favorable matchup against Tampa Bay (who has allowed the 1,182 passing yards over the past four weeks). Wilson, meanwhile, has thrown for at least 270 yards in three straight games to go along with 6 TD vs. 0 INT (he had 5 TD throws over his first seven games). He’s also showing that he’s more comfortable running the football, with a season high 8 carries in Week 11.
- Marcus Mariota has now thrown for at least 2 TD in seven straight games and at least 270 yards in four straight. It’s simply hard to argue with his recent performance and taking on the Bears only adds to the potential appeal. Continue utilizing him as a top option until further notice.
- The Dallas Cowboys have just 4 INT all season long and their 2,729 passing yards allowed puts them in the bottom half of the league. Kirk Cousins has three 300+ yard days in his past four games, and 375+ in two of his past three (as well as 7 TD vs. 1 INT over this three game stretch). The first time he faced Dallas he threw for 364 yards and is a good bet to continue producing at a high level.
- Blake Bortles hasn’t been good this season, but with Jacksonville consistently falling behind he’s a virtual lock to throw the football 35+ times. That type of usage should come in handy against the Bills, but is this really an ideal matchup for them to fall behind big? Don’t get too excited.
- Just when we thought Carson Palmer was turning things around he puts up a dud against the Vikings (198 yards, 2 TD, 2 INT). Still, we can’t ignore his three previous games (340+ yards) and he draws an extremely favorable matchup. There’s risk, but there’s also tremendous reward potential.
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Make sure to check out all of our Week 12 rankings:
| Quarterbacks |
| Running Backs |
| Wide Receivers |
| Tight Ends |
| Kickers |
| Defense |
Surprise, surprise…Blake or Tyrod? I am in a must win situation in the last place for a playoff spot 🙁
16 team PPR league #1 in my division and #2 over all in the league at the moment.
I’m Starting Ryan at QB and Gurley and West at RB since Sproles is a little stove up and Derrick Henry doesn’t get enough carries.
I’m thinking I should start Jordy Nelson, Brandon Cooks, and Doug Baldwin.
My question is I have Tyler Eifert on my bench> would you think I need to play him instead of one of the above receivers?
At Kicker would you start Gano of Novak?
Thanks
Having a hard time to pick between wilson or cousins?
Mariota or Cousins?
Krysta – Tyrod I guess, but I’d hit the wire if it’s must win.
David – Nah, I’d leave Eifert on the bench. As for the K, Gano
Jason – I’m going Wilson for sure
Mike – Tough to sit Mariota with the way he’s been going
Can’t decide on Brady or Big Ben at qb, Ebron or Eifert at te, tajae sharpe or Cole Beasley at wr…I’m listening! 🙂
QB = Brady (though you can’t go wrong with either one)
TE = I’m going Ebron
WR = I guess Beasley, but I really don’t like either
Beasely has not been below 10 pts, ppr, yahoo, all year … why no love? No other options besides maybe Malcom Mitchell, Taylor Boyd will be gone before I get waiver claim, Qiuncy Enuwa?
It’s a must win. ….
My concern with Beasley is going to be the opportunities. Most weeks he’s at 6 targets or fewer and while he’s made the most of the opportunities is it really hard to buy into a 2-3 reception day?
Last six weeks for Beaseley (note most come after Dez’ return):
Targets/Receptions: 6/5, 9/5, 6/6, 7/4, 6,6, 4,4….He hasn’t had under 4 receptions in that entire span…so I’m trying to figure out where you get 2-3….his yardage/tds same span…
59/1, 33/0, 56/1, 53/0, 58/2, 54/1.
It appears to me, at least, that he’s been in fact remarkably consistent….rethink?
And one more item, in Yahoo PPR avg. per game, Beaseley ranks 25th in wrs this season…ahead of Snead, Jarvis Landry, K Benjamin, ESanders, among others….I know what you mean, but every week I don’t play him I get burnt….and since my only other options are Tajae Sharpe (on my team) and/or Thielen, Enuwa, LaFell, MGoodwin or Inman in this must win do you see any better play? 🙂
Tx, Greg
All I can say is go with your gut
With Cousins hot recently would you start him over Matty ice this week? Thanks
Must win , carr or prescott ? Also cobb or adams? Normal league. Thanks
Pablo E – I’d still go Ryan, but you can make the argument
Matt – Prescott (but it’s a coinflip). Cobb for me
Opponent has cooper and crabtree starting, should I go carr so if it helps him it helps me or go with dak. Luke out on Carolina ?
I’d go with your best option, and that’s Prescott
hey roto! prescott, palmer, ryan…. im leaning toward ryan… but prescott has been phenomenal!
I’d also lean Ryan, but it’s closer than you’d think
Q1
Rank these QB’s for Week 12
Dak, R wilson, Cousins?
Q2
PPR 1 pt.
Need 4 (one must be a RB & one must be a RB)
RB’s: Blount, Hyde, Ajayi, Latavis Murray
WR’s: Evans, Micael Thomas, Beasley
Q3
NON PPR
WR John brown, Tavon austin, or (an Iffy & No Luck at QB Moncreif?
Q4
NON PPR
Need 4 (one must be aRB & one must be a WR)
RB’s: Booker, Rawls, Gordon, Smallwood
WR’s: Rishard Matthews, Cobb, Moncreif?
Q1 – Wilson / Dak / Cousins
Q2 – Ajayi / Evans / Hyde / Blount
Q3 – Austin by default
Q4 – Raws / Gordon / Booker / Matthews
Is Brady going to play? Do I start Mariota just in case?
I would be shocked if he sat
Have Andy Luck, and he obviously didn’t play on Thursday, but I’m struggling on who to stream at QB this week. Tannehill or Caepernick?
I’d roll Kaep, but it’s hardly a ringing endorsement
Yeah I agree, I’m just desperate bc Andy Luck let me down this week. 49ers are just so bad so I figured I go Tannehill but Kaep always gets those late game garbage points when they’re down by 25 in the 4th so it’s a toss up but I think I’ll go Kaep. Thanks Professor
Should I start Wilson vs. Green Bay or dalton vs. Cleveland ?
Lots of snow in Green Bay.
Dalton is viable depending on weather report, but I still like Wilson’s upside a little more