The 11th Sunday of the NFL season began with the final international game of the season, as the Miami Dolphins topped the Washington Commanders in Madrid, Spain, and ended with the Philadelphia Eagles outlasting the Detroit Lions in windy South Philly.
Much happened in between, including Buffalo Bills QB Josh Allen accounting for six touchdowns, Arizona Cardinals QB Jacoby Brissett breaking the NFL record with 47 completed passes and the debut of controversial Cleveland Browns rookie QB Shedeur Sanders. That last one did not go well.
Sanders was one of several backup quarterbacks called into duty due to injuries to the usual starters. Among those hurt on Sunday was Pittsburgh Steelers veteran Aaron Rodgers (wrist). We await further clarity on which quarterbacks will be available for Week 12. Green Bay Packers RB Josh Jacobs (knee) left his game prematurely as well, and Tennessee Titans WR Calvin Ridley (leg) will not play again this season.
Each Monday, before the current NFL weekend ends, we will identify players available in at least 50% of ESPN standard leagues worthy of your attention, from standard formats to deeper options. The NFL is a weekly league, and player valuation and roles seldom remain stagnant. It does not matter how you acquire players for your fantasy rosters, just that you acquire them!
Quarterback
Joe Burrow, Cincinnati Bengals (73.6% rostered in ESPN leagues): OK, so Burrow might be rostered in your awesome league, stashed away in the IR slot, but he is hardly rostered in every ESPN league. As a result, we must highlight Burrow, even though he is rostered in more than 50% of leagues. Burrow (toe), who many believed would not return to active duty until the fantasy playoffs, might return on Thanksgiving Day (Week 13) to face the Baltimore Ravens. Check your league's waiver wire to see if Burrow (who passed for 4,918 yards and 43 touchdowns a year ago) is available, because he is that good.
Field Yates, Daniel Dopp and Stephania Bell discuss Jacoby Brissett's productive fantasy performances since taking over for Kyler Murray.
Jacoby Brissett, Cardinals (23.7%): Few have ever compared Brissett to Burrow, but something's going on here. Brissett scored 21.88 points in Sunday's blowout loss while breaking the league mark for completions in a game, throwing for 452 yards and two touchdowns. The Cardinals trailed the entire game, necessitating him to throw a lot. We could assume the completions, attempts and passing yards are aberrant, but Brissett -- a 32-year-old journeyman with his sixth franchise in as many seasons -- has started the past five games and finished among the top 12 quarterbacks in fantasy each time. He aims to make it six in a row in Week 12 against the Jacksonville Jaguars. This might be legitimate.
Deep-league options/streamers/random thoughts
Injuries forced early exits for several passers who were not active in many leagues on Sunday, warranting appearances for backups Atlanta Falcons veteran Kirk Cousins, Steelers veteran Mason Rudolph and, as noted above, Browns rookie Shedeur Sanders. As of Monday morning, we don't expect to see starter Michael Penix Jr. (knee) again this season, but the jury is still out on Rodgers (non-throwing wrist) and Dillon Gabriel (head) for Week 12. None of these backups come recommended when fantasy managers, at least in ESPN leagues, can still add Trevor Lawrence (24.5%), J.J. McCarthy (49.1%), Sam Darnold (48%), C.J. Stroud (44.6%) and numerous others.
Carolina Panthers starter Bryce Young (7.5%) threw for a career-best 448 yards and three touchdowns in the win over the Falcons. How awesome! The problem is that Young, even with this productive Week 11 outing, has reached 200 passing yards in only two games this season. It is hard to rely on him in Week 12 against the San Francisco 49ers. Again, there are simply better options.
Running back
Sean Tucker, Tampa Bay Buccaneers (28.6%): Fantasy managers have wished to see more of Tucker's skills since Week 6 of last season, when he tore up the New Orleans Saints for 192 scrimmage yards. On Sunday, with Bucky Irving (foot/shoulder) still sidelined and Rachaad White again looking ordinary, Tucker hammered the Bills for 140 total yards and three touchdowns -- a cool 34 fantasy points. He was active in only 16.2% of ESPN standard leagues. What happens in Week 12? Irving might return to face the tough Los Angeles Rams, perhaps relegating Tucker to lower volume, but that seems unlikely after this performance.
Matt Bowen breaks down Emanuel Wilson's fantasy prospects after his performance in Week 11.
Emanuel Wilson, Packers (5.9%): Wilson relieved an injured Josh Jacobs in the close win over the New York Giants and scored 13.9 points, turning 12 touches into 49 yards and a touchdown. If Jacobs (knee) is unable to perform in Week 12 against the Minnesota Vikings, then Wilson -- an undrafted free agent in his third season -- would earn his first career start. Remember, he scored rushing touchdowns in each of the final three games last season, averaging 5.0 yards per carry. Even if Jacobs is fine, Wilson might carve out a bigger role down the stretch.
Kenneth Gainwell, Steelers (42.2%): Gainwell scored 29.5 points in Sunday's blowout win over the rival Bengals, much of it because of seven receptions and a pair of TD catches produced after starter Jaylen Warren (knee) left the game. However, it seems as if Warren will be available for Week 12 against the Chicago Bears. Gainwell has scored double-digit points in only two games this season, but we should expect more if Warren's health is compromised.
Deep-league options/streamers/random thoughts
The Giants have made it clear how they want to split the touches with rookie Cam Skattebo (knee) done for the season. Devin Singletary (32.6%) is the touchdown fellow, and he found the end zone twice in Sunday's loss to the Packers. Tyrone Tracy Jr. still outscored him with 17.9 points. Adding Singletary is fine, but he'd better score a touchdown because he otherwise might not help much.
Jaguars RB Bhayshul Tuten (18.4%) earned a season-best 15 carries in the easy win over the Los Angeles Chargers and many of them came early, not with the score in doubt. Tuten, who left early due to an ankle injury, scored his second touchdown in three weeks. Travis Etienne Jr. remains the starter, and he had the better performance, but the Jaguars certainly looked as if they wanted to share the touches on Sunday.
Wide receiver
Tristan H. Cockcroft breaks down Michael Wilson's fantasy production in Week 11 for the Cardinals.
Michael Wilson, Cardinals (15.2%): Wilson figured to be the primary beneficiary of the Marvin Harrison Jr. (appendicitis) unfortune and, wow, that really was the case in Sunday's loss to the 49ers. Wilson hauled in 15 of 18 targets for 185 yards, scoring a WR-best 33.5 points. It was the first time this season Wilson reached double-digit fantasy points. Harrison seems unlikely to return in Week 12 to face the Jaguars and he might miss even more weeks.
Wilson has had some intriguing fantasy moments during his first few NFL seasons, but this might be his breakout, thanks to Harrison's absence and Arizona's propensity to fall behind in games and force Brissett to throw, throw, and throw some more. Diminutive colleague Greg Dortch (3.5%) scored 18.6 points and, depending on Harrison's status, might be worth adding as well. Take Wilson first.
Christian Watson, Packers (26.2%): Watson turned half of his four receptions on Sunday into highlight-worthy TD catches, scoring 20.6 points. As mentioned in this space before, it's tough to rely on any Packers wideout, because this offense aims to run first. Plus, it rosters several young options and spreads targets around. No Packer entered Sunday with 500 receiving yards. Perhaps you believe things will change with TE Tucker Kraft (knee) out for the season and Jacobs compromised, but Watson has never been a high-volume option. If you think he will keep scoring touchdowns, go get him, but be prepared for ordinary numbers for receptions and yards. Teammate Romeo Doubs is the safer choice.
Alec Pierce, Indianapolis Colts (40.6%): Pierce and his pals served a Week 11 bye, but let's not forget that Pierce scored 35.9 points in his previous two contests. The deep threat might not continue his success the next two games against the tough Kansas City Chiefs and Houston Texans, but there are two games against the Jaguars remaining, too.
Deep-league options/streamers/random thoughts
Someone must catch the football for the Titans. Van Jefferson (0.2%), a 29-year-old journeyman with his fourth franchise in three seasons, might be the leader for targets in Week 12 against the Seattle Seahawks. It's not a favorable matchup and no, rookie QB Cam Ward is hardly showing signs of becoming reliable, but three Titans pass catchers left Sunday's loss to the Texans early. Calvin Ridley (leg) is out for the season, and we lack clarity on Elic Ayomanor (hamstring) and Chimere Dike (chest). Really, it is best to not rely on Titans -- any of them, regardless of position.
Bills deep reserve Tyrell Shavers (0.1%) was thrust into action on Sunday as the franchise benched top WR Keon Coleman (58.3%), who remained active in 8.5% of ESPN leagues. Shavers scored 19 fantasy points. One would presume a motivated Coleman returns for active duty in Week 12 against the tough Texans, but Shavers might have forced his way into the team's rotation, too.
Tight end
Dalton Schultz, Texans (53%): Check your league's waiver wire to see if Schultz remains available. Schultz caught six of nine targets for 51 yards on Sunday, and he has scored double-digit fantasy points in five of six games. The targets should remain there for Week 12 against the Bills.
Juwan Johnson, Saints (35%): The Saints come off their bye and feature an attractive schedule the rest of the season, starting with the Falcons in Week 12. Johnson scored 19.2 points in Week 10, and he has reached double digits in four consecutive games. He looks like a top-10 TE.
Deep-league options/streamers/random thoughts
Seahawks starter AJ Barner (9.5%) caught nary a pass in Week 10 and, because he hadn't scored a touchdown since Week 5, fantasy managers had mostly moved on. They might move back in after Barner caught 10 of 11 targets for 70 yards on Sunday. The lowly Titans are up next.
Bye weeks: To drop or not to drop?
Four more teams serve their bye in Week 12 (nope, we are not done with byes yet), led by the Dolphins and Commanders coming back from Madrid, and including the Denver Broncos and Chargers.
Only two Dolphins are rostered in more than 27% of leagues. Keep RB De'Von Achane and WR Jaylen Waddle rostered.
Five Commanders are rostered in most leagues, but QB Jayden Daniels and WR Terry McLaurin are probably not playing soon. Still, keep them if you can, along with WR Deebo Samuel. RB Jacory Croskey-Merritt and TE Zach Ertz are not aiding many fantasy managers these days, so you can move on there. RB Chris Rodriguez Jr. (6.7%) would be listed in our pick-up section if the Commanders played this week. They have to face the Broncos in Week 13.
Seven Broncos are rostered in more than 30% of leagues, but RB J.K. Dobbins (foot) is done for the season, while TE Evan Engram can be parted with. Keep QB Bo Nix, WR Courtland Sutton, WR Troy Franklin and RB RJ Harvey around. Try to keep the Broncos D/ST rostered, for it is among the highest-scoring units in the league and the team faces the Commanders and Las Vegas Raiders after the bye.
An impressive nine Chargers are rostered in more than 70% of leagues, including the D/ST unit, which fared quite poorly in Week 11. Feel free to move on. Keep QB Justin Herbert, WRs Ladd McConkey and Keenan Allen, and RB Kimani Vidal rostered. TE Oronde Gadsden II also deserves to stay rostered. WR Quentin Johnston, shut out on Sunday, doesn't deserve it. RB Omarion Hampton is on IR. Move on from all kickers on bye, including the exalted Cameron Dicker.
Defense
This is a short week for the Bills D/ST (45.4%), visiting the Texans on Thursday. Houston has struggled offensively, regardless of who the quarterback has been. The Bills D/ST averages only 5.6 points, but it has a positive schedule in December.
Similarly, the 49ers D/ST (16.5%) is one of the lower-scoring units for the season, but the team hosts the Panthers on "Monday Night Football."
The Falcons D/ST (42.8%) play the Saints, which is also an attractive streaming situation.
Also feel free to utilize either side of the epic Browns (40.8%)-Raiders (5.8%) matchup. If forced to choose, we would go with dominating Myles Garrett and the Browns first.