Week 12 has been hit quite hard by news over the last few days, and some of it has a direct impact on what we could do in a fantasy lineup. There are now cheap options that need to be considered, allowing us to roster some of the best studs.
Based on our expected Week 12 DFS game flow analysis and Week 12 Games to Target published earlier, we can carry our thoughts into actual lineup positions. The long list of players that fit the requirements set forth by the projected flow of the game was cut dramatically by the requirements set forth by salaries.
Below are Sporfolio’s DFS Week 12 Plays:
Quarterback
Matt Ryan – When looking at potential targets for our fantasy lineups, we place the largest emphasis on one element of a player’s upcoming expectations: the ability to produce in any game script. Therein lies the value of quarterback Matt Ryan on Sunday. No matter how the game against the Las Vegas Raiders eventually unfolds, Ryan stands to be the one in the center of it. If the Raiders take a lead, then Ryan will be throwing. If Atlanta takes the lead, it was likely because of Ryan’s prior success in the game. This is amplified by Las Vegas’ defense, which ranks 25th in net-yards-per-pass-attempt and 28th in air yards allowed. The matchup is primed for Ryan. He actually gains an additional boost from the absence of running back Todd Gurley, as it is one fewer player who could steal a touchdown from Ryan’s final line.
Justin Herbert – Quarterbacks for daily fantasy sports generally have a lower ceiling because of the value of a passing touchdown versus a rushing or receiving touchdown — obviously, there are exceptions. The goal, often times, is to find a player with a high floor. Justin Herbert has played in nine games, this year, and scored at least 19 points in all of them. Is it a guarantee that this continues? Of course not. But Herbert is leading the league’s third-best offense in yards-per-game and will face a Bills defense that ranks 19th in net-yards-per-pass-attempt.
Ryan Tannehill – The matchup against the Indianapolis Colts’ excellent defense will certainly lower Ryan Tannehill’s price, but it’s that exact matchup that makes him one of the better quarterback options on Sunday. The Tennessee Titans lost to the Colts only two weeks ago, and Tannehill was relatively quiet while the rushing game thrived. Still, the team lost by 17 points. Tennessee can’t expect to split the season series with Indianapolis by remaining one-dimensional, and Tannehill must improve on his season-low 147 passing yards against the Colts. The good news is that Tannehill has thrown at multiple touchdowns in all-but-two games, this year, so the expectations for his price are quite high.