Fun, Failure, Frustration, & Fame: Week 12

FUN

This is my reminder that fantasy football should be fun.  It is also fair warning that I only play (and write about) fantasy football for fun.  I have never done a paid league, and I would not suggest you use my thoughts in a betting situation.  I am NOT an expert, and I play for fun.

FAILURE

Part One:  My Failures

WR Jerry Jeudy

I suggested WR Jerry Jeudy as a waiver wire add since he had a productive Week 10 with a new play caller, but he did not deliver against the Ravens in Week 11, with only three receptions on seven targets for 21 yards.

TE Cade Otton

I suggested TE Cade Otton as a waiver wire add, but had only two receptions on five targets for 28 yards.

Part Two:  This Week’s Player “Failures”

QB Justin Herbert

What an abysmal performance by Justin Herbert and the Los Angeles Chargers!  Herbert was 10 of 18 for 81 yards and 0 TD and three rushes for 21 yards.  He was pulled in the 4^th quarter as the Chargers were getting blown out.  It was an absolute horrible game, but I think Herbert will rebound.  He has the bye Week 12 before playing the Raiders.

Verdict:  FLUKE

QB Lamar Jackson

Lamar Jackson and the Ravens offense struggled against a great Cleveland Browns defense.  Lamar’s line was 14 of 25 for 193 yards, 0 TD, 2 interceptions (one of them was Keaton Mitchell’s fault) and only four rushes for 10 yards.  Lamar clearly is not 100% and the offensive line struggles have been well-documented, but Lamar will put up numbers in the coming weeks.

Verdict:  FLUKE

QB Joe Flacco

Joe Flacco came back to earth against a tough Steelers defense that is building momentum.  Flacco was just 23 of 40 for 199 yards with 1 TD and 1 INT.  We should have all seen this coming and know that the 40-year old could not keep up the heroics.  I think this is the beginning of the end for Flacco and the slim Bengals’ playoff hopes.

Verdict:  TREND

WR Khalil Shakir

Khalil Shakir was completely shut down, managing only a single reception for -3 yards on three targets.  The Bills offense is a little unpredictable, but I think Shakir will bounce back.

Verdict:  FLUKE

WR Tez Johnson

Tez Johnson had just one reception on three targets for 6 yards and no yards on three carries.  With Chris Godwin potentially coming back, that will cut into Johnson’s chances.  I don’t expect him to be fantasy-relevant consistently.

Verdict:  TREND

WR DeVonta Smith

Devonta Smith managed only a single reception on five targets for eight yards.  It appeared Jalen Hurts made a concerted effort to target disgruntled WR A.J. Brown, who had 11 targets.  The Eagles offense has been inconsistent, but I think Smith will rebound.

Verdict:  FLUKE

WR Ja’Marr Chase

It was a tough day for Chase, with only three receptions for 30 yards on 10 targets. He also found himself in a dispute with Steelers DB Jalen Ramsey, resulting in Ramsey throwing a punch and getting ejected. Ramsey claimed that Chase spit on him, and the video seemed to back him up, resulting in a one-game suspension for Chase, which he is appealing.  Chase is a superstar and will put up big numbers more often than not.

Verdict:  FLUKE

WR Amon-Ra St. Brown

It was a frustrating day for St. Brown and the Detroit offense. The star wideout caught just two of 12 targets for 42 yards.  St. Brown will rebound.

Verdict:  FLUKE

RB R.J. Harvey

R.J. Harvey had a golden opportunity stepping in as the unquestioned RB1 with the injury to J.K. Dobbins, but the Chiefs held him in check, allowing just 30 yards on 11 rushes and three receptions for 20 yards.  The Chiefs have a very good defense, so I think there are better days ahead for Harvey.  I expect him to put up bigger numbers soon.  The Broncos have a Week 12 bye before taking on the Commanders in Week 13.

Verdict:  FLUKE

RB Rachaad White

This is tough to call Rachaad White a “failure” but I put him in this column for fantasy context.  While he had solid numbers – 10 rushes for 51 yards and four catches for six yards – the disappointment for White and fantasy owners is that he has been surpassed by fellow RB Sean Tucker.  Tucker had 19 carries for 106 yards and two rushing TDs + two receptions for 34 yards and a receiving TD.  White cannot be trusted in fantasy from this point on because he has clearly been surpassed by Tucker.

Verdict:  TREND

FRUSTRATION

It was a rough week for injuries for several key players.  We’ll have to wait and see the severity of most of these injuries.

QB injuries

Aaron Rodgers left the game with a wrist injury.

Michael Penix, Jr. left the game with a knee injury.

Dillon Gabriel was knocked out of the game with a concussion.

RB injuries

Josh Jacobs left the game with a knee injury.

Kimani Vidal left the game with a thigh injury.

Jaylen Warren left the game with an ankle injury.

WR injuries

Drake London left the game with a knee injury.

Calvin Ridley suffered a broken fibula.

Chimere Dike left the game with a concussion.

FAME

Part One:  What I Got Right Last Week

QB Bo Nix

I predicted Bo Nix would struggle again, especially against the Chiefs defense.  Well, he didn’t ACTUALLY struggle, putting up 295 passing yards and leading the Broncos to a big win, BUT he did not have a good fantasy day because he did not score a TD.

TE Dalton Schultz

I suggested TE Dalton Schultz as a potential waiver wire add.  He had another solid game with six catches on nine targets for 51 yards.

Part Two:  Who I Like on the Waiver Wire

RB Emmanuel Wilson

Emmanuel Wilson filled in for Josh Jacobs.  If Jacobs misses time or has a reduced snap-count, Wilson will likely be the beneficiary.

RB Kenneth Gainwell

Kenneth Gainwell filled in for Jaylen Warren. Like with Wilson, if Warren misses time Gainwell could be useful.

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Source: https://russellstreetreport.com/2025/11/18/fantasy/fun-failure-frustration-fame-week-12/