The Fantasy Footballers Starts of the Week for Week 12

Footclan, it was time for the Megalodon show in the 12th week of the season, and the guys thankfully delivered a magnificent one. In this Wednesday’s episode, they started by focusing on their “Taking It Up to 100” players of the week. Jason chose Jalen Reagor, Andy decided on Darius Slayton, and Mike listed Cole Beasley.

Later on in the episode, the Ballers went over their Starts of the Week. If you missed the episode, you can listen to the podcast here or watch it on Youtube. Subscribe and hit the bell so you stay in the know. Also, give JoinTheFoot.com a look as it provides lots of additional resources exclusively for #FootClan members.

MEGALODON SHOW! with ALL Week 12 Matchups & tons more! #FantasyFootball #Thanksgiving

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Andy’s Starts

QB: Derek Carr @ Atlanta Falcons

Carr is playing Atlanta, not Las Vegas if you were confused (listen to the episode if you missed this gem). This game seems to be a good one as there is a high over-under (55.5 points). Atlanta is currently dead last against opposing quarterbacks, which bodes well for Carr. Carr is coming off a narrow loss, and we all saw his face at the end of that game. His face either said, “I’m going to score a lot of fantasy points for Andy as the Start of the Week” or “pick up the new release from my emo band.” Okay, maybe it even said both. Then there was a long discussion about how Carr looks like he is wearing eyeliner. But whatever helps, I am all for it. Last week’s loss saw him complete 23 of 31 passes while additionally tossing for 275 yards and three touchdowns. Against a Falcons defense that cannot stop the quarterback, Carr is a smash play this week.

RB: Kareem Hunt @ Jacksonville Jaguars

Last week, Hunt took the rock in for a score at the end of the game, helping out a lackluster fantasy day when he needed it the most. Facing a Jacksonville defense permitting the fourth-most receptions per game to the running back position, Hunt should shine in week 12. This “back up/second-string” running back is on pace for 235 carries, 1,000 yards, and six touchdowns on the ground. He is also on pace for an additional 35 receptions and six touchdowns through the air. One thing brought up that could have been missed by some is that Hunt was the goal line back. Hunt’s ceiling should rise even higher if he remains the goal line guy. When it comes to Hunt, you are either getting high volume plus low efficiency for a good fantasy game or low volume with high efficiency for a good fantasy game. You know what you are getting with Hunt, so confidently start him in this matchup.

WR: Robby Anderson @ Minnesota Vikings

Andy is focusing on the process over the recent results. In this contest, Anderson takes on a Minnesota defense that is 29th against wide receivers. Anderson has seen an abundance of targets over the season, averaging 8.8 targets a game across the last five games. He was on a 100 reception pace in that time, but he has been doing the “D.J. Moore Magic Trick” of not scoring touchdowns. The Panthers’ wideout has only scored once this season, and that was in Week 1. Teddy Bridgewater is expected to be back on the field in this contest. This should help Anderson as Bridgewater turns to him on the first read during most plays. This is the time for Anderson to start producing off his targets. He was targeted nine times in his last game, hauling in seven passes, but he only went for 46 yards. Facing the Vikings, Anderson looks to get back on track.

TE: Austin Hooper @ Jacksonville Jaguars

Adding another Browns player to his starts of the week portion of the show, Andy decided to nominate Hooper. Hooper is an attractive addition to your starting lineup as Baker Mayfield targets his tight ends with the third-highest rate in the NFL (29-percent of the time). The Browns finally get a game where the weather won’t be an issue (“Eeyore Mayfield” should rejoice). If you witnessed the game last week, you know Mayfield just missed Hooper for an easy touchdown. This week, the Browns face a Jacksonville team allowing the second-most points to the tight end weekly. This should be a good week for Mayfield. It may not be a week to start him in fantasy, but he should not be as bad as he has been. The tight end position is as fickle as always, so starting a player who sees as much work as Hooper does is beneficial to your fantasy team.

Jason’s Starts

QB: Matt Ryan vs. Las Vegas Raiders

Jason’s choice for quarterback is a player who is actually playing against the Las Vegas Raiders. Ryan is coming off a disgusting game, but you should not be concerned this week as he takes on a defense giving up plenty of points. The Ballers have a motto, more so a “Rulio-11”, which states you start Ryan when Julio Jones is healthy, and you don’t start him when Jones is hurt. Last week’s contest saw Jones finish the game with a hamstring injury, but he is expected to play this week considering how well he takes care of his body. Of course, you should listen to Matthew Betz’s Injury Blitz Podcast available as a #FootClan exclusive, but also check the injury report. Ryan ranks third in passing yards this year with 2,978 yards. He is matched up with a team allowing the fifth-most passing yards, so he should be on track to air it out. Last week, Ryan looked pitiful against the Saints, but the Saints’ defense played stellar as of late. They destroyed Tom Brady for three interceptions when they played him, but then Brady came out and was QB1 the following week. Ryan should put up a significant number of fantasy points in this contest.

RB: Antonio Gibson @ Dallas Cowboys

Mike’s Preseason MVP is Jason’s start of the week at running back. Gibson has done an incredible job this season, and over the last five weeks, he clocks in as RB6. The Washington Football Team had a bye week during that time frame as well, meaning he held onto the RB6 spot with only four weeks of play. Gibson’s usage is now up over 50-percent of the snaps, giving fantasy owners much glee as they know he will be on the field for a lot of Washington’s possessions. In Week 7, Gibson lit up Dallas, going for 128 yards and a touchdown. He looks to continue his success against the Cowboys yet again as they face each other on Thanksgiving Day.

WR: DeVante Parker @ New York Jets

Since the change from Ryan Fitzpatrick to Tua Tagovailoa, it has been a struggle deciding whether or not Parker should be started in fantasy. Jason is going with the process metrics here, noting the wide receiver target percentage since Preston Williams went down has been 37-percent, 47-percent, and 39-percent. Parker is the clear number one in this offense. If Tagovailoa plays well, Parker is good. If Tagovailoa gets benched and Fitzpatrick comes in, Parker is still good. This week is a juicy matchup for Parker as he takes on a Jets team that is not good on offense or defense. Question of the day – if you don’t start Parker now, when will you? This is the game to place him in your starting roster.

TE: Jordan Reed @ Los Angeles Rams

Jason was very adamant that you can start Reed this week against the Los Angeles Rams. It is a dicey play, and it could go in many directions – including Reed going down on the first play. Even though it seems risky, take into consideration that the tight end position is so volatile this year; you could start a player who sees every snap but puts up a goose egg. The last week before the 49ers’ bye, Reed was still trying to get healthy. San Francisco barely used him in that game, only allowing him to see 44-percent of the time on the field. He did end up with 15-percent of the team’s targets in that contest and ended the day with six targets, five receptions, and 62 yards, good enough for TE6 on the week. This week, Reed comes face-to-face with a lockdown Rams defense that is top five against quarterbacks, running backs, and wide receivers. Against the tight end, they are middle of the pack, setting up an outstanding game for Reed. The 49ers do not have viable wide receiving options at the moment, so Reed will look to step up in their place.

Mike’s Starts

QB: Cam Newton vs. Arizona Cardinals

Booty Scootin’ Cam Newton makes an appearance on the Starts of the Week as Mike’s quarterback selection. The matchup this week against the Cardinals is the seventh-best for fantasy quarterbacks. Using The Fantasy Footballers Streamfinder Tool, Mike was able to see who the Cardinals have played and what kind of stats have been allowed. The only actual good quarterback that Arizona has been able to shut down was Matthew Stafford. Newton was able to throw for 365-yards in Week 11, eventually losing to the Texans. The Patriots’ quarterback has nine rushing touchdowns this season, and he could see one or more this week when battling the Cardinals. On the season, the Cardinals are allowing the third-most rushing yards to the quarterback position, something Newton can exploit in this contest.

RB: Jonathan Taylor vs. Tennessee Titans

The running back situation in Indianapolis has been a tough one to pinpoint this season. Still, Taylor has been making a case for himself as the lead back. In Week 11, Taylor was provided 26 opportunities, the highest share of opportunities he has seen this season. Nyheim Hines is still a part of the Colts’ offense. Yet, we witnessed Jordan Wilkins dropping down to an 11-percent snap share and a 13-percent share of carries, so more opportunities should open up for Taylor. This week’s matchup against the Titans is a nice one for the Colts’ running backs, throwing Taylor into the Start of the Week contention. It may be hard to put a finger on what running back the Colts will feature on a week to week basis, but Taylor seems to be the guy (at least for now). Andy is worried this is a trap game for Taylor as he scored four points against the Titans two weeks ago when they faced off. Mike is still confident that Taylor will get it done.

WR: D.J. Moore @ Minnesota Vikings

Another wide receiver facing the Vikings lands on the week’s starts, with Moore being selected by Mike. Andy chose Anderson, but Mike is going with a player who has been over 90-yards in five of his last seven games. Minnesota is currently giving up 36 points per game to the wide receiver position. Moore is sitting with the fourth-most receiving yards in the NFL, and Anderson is right there behind him with ninth. They have an “extra game” because they have not had their bye week yet, but these stats are pretty impressive. This is the perfect time for Moore to do your fantasy team some good as he is heating up. He has not been getting the touchdowns you need your starting wideout to grab, but the touchdowns should come against the Vikings. Moore frequently makes big plays, and he should see loads of volume in this contest. Last week, Moore was impressive with seven catches on 11 targets and 21-yards on the ground. Watch for the targets and yardage to keep coming in this one.

TE: Evan Engram @ Cincinnati Bengals

Why not go for Engram again? Of course, Mike decided on Engram for this week because “I don’t like myself.” But honestly, the Philadelphia game was a disappointment, and he pointed that out on the show. As stated before, the tight end position is a mess right now, so why not swing for the fences with Engram. In the three games right before his dismal performance against the Eagles, Reed had nine or more targets. This matchup with the Bengals is a premium one, and Engram should impress. Cincinnati has conceded six touchdowns to the fantasy position this year. Engram will try to add to the touchdown total allowed when he faces the Bengals this weekend.

And, as always, Jason Moore presented the listeners with his Iron-Clad Locked and Loaded 100% Guaranteed Boom Boom Kicker of the Week:

“For the Megalodon Show, I need to kick some butt. So I’m going with the Bills’ kicker Tyler Bass.”

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