By: Sho
Back again with another edition of Hot Or Not. Hopefully you’re still fighting for a playoff spot at this point in the season. If you’re out of contention and looking towards next year, use these next couple weeks to play spoiler.
It’s the last week of byes and with only two teams not in action there are plenty of fantasy goods to go around.
My rankings will be also be updated for the stretch run towards the playoffs. Without further ado let’s get to it.
Week 12 –
Hot:
Quarterback
- Tony Romo (DAL) – Has a decent matchup with the Giants coming off a bye and, more importantly, time to rest and heal. He threw for over 250 yards and 3 touchdowns in their first meeting and I can see him replicating that type of production here.
- Josh McCown (CHI) – McCown has put up two good games in a row and now gets a Chicago defense that has given up points lately. McCown makes his return to Chicago along with head coach Lovie Smith so there’s got to be a bit of motivation to play well against their former team.
- Colin Kaepernick (WAS) – Kaepernick is not a good NFL quarterback. But he should at least give a good fantasy performance against a terrible Redskins defense that allowed a 2-win Bucs team to blow them out. Kaep should get his fair share of deep shots in this game. It’s up to him to capitalize. Think he will for this game.
Running Back
- Denard Robinson (JAX) – The only good thing going to the Jaguars this season. “Shoelace” is running extremely well and will get a Colts defense that was destroyed by the Patriots and Jonas Gray. He won’t get 4 touchdowns but I can see Robinson getting at least one in this game before the Colts put the Jags away late.
- Jeremy Hill (CIN) – Has had one sub-par game sandwiched between two very good games in the absence of Giovanni Bernard. Hill runs with a lot of power and looks every bit the part of a lead back. Even with Bernard expected back I predict Hill will get a 70-30 split against the Texans.
- Isaiah Crowell (CLE) – Got the start last game but had yet another fumble lost. The Browns kept going to him though which is a good sign going forward. Ben Tate was released earlier this week which gives both Crowell and Terrance West more opportunities to produce. Don’t really know who the starter will be against Atlanta but both should have nice fantasy days against the Falcons’ porous run defense.
Wide Receiver
- T.Y Hilton (IND) – Hilton was kept in check against the Patriots but has been otherwise productive this season fantasy-wise. Think Luck will look to get his emerging WR1 going against the Jags. Keep rolling with T.Y.
- Alshon Jeffery (CHI) – Had a bit of a breakout game last week, going off for 135 yards on 11 catches with a touchdown. Cutler consistently looked his way, targeting Alshon 17 times. He gets another good matchup against Tampa Bay. Despite shutting Washington’s passing game, Tampa Bay is still one of the most generous defenses against wid receivers. I have Jeffery as a WR1.
- AJ Green (CIN) – Looking like his injury is behind him now, which bodes well for fantasy owners. He’s not quite the bona fide WR1 coming into the season but he’s still capable of getting back to that level. He should have no problem with the Texans defense that struggles against top tier wide outs.
Tight End
- Larry Donnell (NYG) – He’s played better the past few weeks after a bit of a quiet stretch. He’ll be going up against the Cowboys that have kept tight ends relatively quiet lately, albeit most of them being no-name TEs. He put up 90 yards in their first go-around but lost two fumbles. Donnell should be targeted heavily again and should be a solid TE1.
- Charles Clay (MIA) – Clay has been pretty mediocre this season to be honest. But with the TE position being as thin as it’s been you’ll take mediocre. He gets the Broncos this week and while I see Denver coming out firing, I think they can get beat down the middle and Clay should take advantage.
- Coby Fleener (IND) – Depending on the status of fellow tight end, Dwayne Allen, Fleener should step in and play and big role in the offense this weekend. Luck looks to him a lot and has great chemistry from their days together at Stanford. Fleener is a borderline TE1.
Not:
Quarterback
- Teddy Bridgewater (MIN) – After a promising start to his career, Bridgewater has really crashed back down to Earth. It won’t help going up against the Green Bay Packers whose defense is on an absolute roll right now. Would elsewhere even in a two-QB league.
- Robert Griffin III (WAS) – Safe to say RGIII is a terrible quarterback. Overthrowing receivers and he still can’t slide to save his life. His struggles will continue against the Niners in San Fran playing a team fighting for their playoff lives. It’ll be a long day for Griffin.
- Philip Rivers (SD) – Reports of Rivers playing through injury have surfaced in the past few days which could explain his consequent struggles. He’ll get no time to recuperate as the Rams come into town having shut down Peyton Manning last week. The Rams can get after the quarterback and I can see Rivers struggling in this one.
Running Back
- Lamar Miller (MIA) – He’s looking a lot healthier and moved well in their last game against Buffalo. He’ll face a tougher test against the Broncos who are coming off an embarrassing loss to the Rams. Denver still boast a top run defense and should give Miller very little room to operate.
- Bishop Sankey (TEN) – I’m not really sure what Ken Whisenhunt is thinking in handing Bishop Sankey. Sankey scored on an impressive 9 yard run in the first quarter against the Steelers and was essentially unheard from the rest of the game. Clearly their best runner, Whisenhunt has no idea how to maximize the potential of the offense and as long as he limits Sankey’s touches, he won’t be more than a low end RB2.
- Andre Ellington (ARI) – He’s sure to get a lot of volume with Stanton under center and Fitzgerald dealing with an injury. That being said I think the Seahawks, despite their defensive struggles, will find a way to keep Ellington under wraps and force the Cardinals to beat the through the air.
Wide Receiver
- Golden Tate (DET) – It’s been reported that the Patriots will look to use Darrelle Revis to shadow Tate in their upcoming matchup. If that’s the case Tate should struggle to get yardage. Revis has done a pretty good job this season shutting down top-tier receivers. Tate will be a WR3/borderline WR2.
- Michael Floyd (ARI) – Of course he goes out and scores twice after throwing up a couple goose-eggs and being dropped in multiple leagues. His two touchdowns though only came on two catches so I don’t see him suddenly going back to being a potential WR2/1. He won’t do much against Seattle.
- Mike Wallace (MIA) – His potential is being capped by Tannehill’s inability to accurately throw the deep ball and it’s hurting his value and his fantasy owners. Again, Denver will play better coming off a loss and I don’t see Wallace doing much damage.
Tight End
- Martellus Bennett (CHI) – Certainly been quiet in November, although has a pretty decent matchup against Tampa Bay. Still, Cutler has locked in with Marshall and Jeffery, Bennett will continue to struggle to put up numbers.
- Jermaine Gresham (CIN) – Scored twice on two catches and two targets. He’s not an integral part of the Bengals offense and not a guy worth starting in fantasy.
- Owen Daniels (BAL) – There’s really no way to predict when he’ll have a good game. He’s a big part of the Ravens’ offense but has been frustrating for fantasy owners. Regardless of the potential of a shootout, Daniels will be only a TE2.
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