Week 12 of the 2024 fantasy football season featured big surprises. Who were the big winners and losers? Which players received A and F grades?
Matt Bowen and Tristan H. Cockcroft offer their analysis, and Seth Walder provides his grades. We also asked NFL Nation reporters to answer questions about what happened in the Thursday and Sunday games.
Jump to a topic:
Ranking winners | Ranking losers
Who got an A | Who got an F
Biggest injuries and what's next
Top questions from Week 12
Ranking fantasy winners of Week 12
1. Jayden Daniels, QB, Washington Commanders
Considering how up-and-down his game was, it's difficult to fathom how he got fantasy's top score from Sunday's 1 p.m. ET contests (30.4 points). Daniels went into halftime with just 2.78 points and struggled through a trio of three-and-outs early in the second half, but he went on a massive fourth-quarter tear capped by an 86-yard touchdown pass to Terry McLaurin. While the Commanders ultimately fell short of a comeback win, Daniels' exploits again delivered the goods for his fantasy managers. This was his best single-game score, serving as a reminder of his potency as both a rusher and passer. About the only thing not to like about his rest-of-season outlook is that he has a Week 14 bye ahead of him -- though even that should provide him much-needed rest. -- Cockcroft
2. Tua Tagovailoa, QB; Jaylen Waddle, WR, Miami Dolphins
Tagovailoa scored 28.48 points in the win over the Patriots, throwing the timing routes with location and pushing the ball down the field. Tagovailoa finished with 317 yards passing and four touchdowns in this one, and Waddle was his prime target. Waddle posted his best numbers of the season here with eight receptions for 144 yards and a touchdown (28.4 points). In a Miami offense that is starting to roll, both Tagovailoa and Waddle should be in lineups for the Week 12 game versus the Packers on Thanksgiving. -- Bowen
3. Jordan Addison, WR, Minnesota Vikings
With the opposing Chicago Bears clamping down on Justin Jefferson in coverage -- more on that below -- Addison went off for a 30.2 PPR fantasy point day that led all wide receivers from Sunday's 1 p.m. ET games. He also had 63 yards after the catch. If opponents are going to focus similar attention on Jefferson in upcoming weeks, Addison's value might vault into the top 25 at the position. More likely, it's a one-week blip, and Addison will revert to a flex consideration for the season's final six games. -- Cockcroft
4. Josh Jacobs, RB, Green Bay Packers
The offensive star of the Packers' commanding 38-10 victory against the San Francisco 49ers, Jacobs scored a season-high 28.6 PPR fantasy points. He converted three of his four goal-line tries for touchdowns and had three additional explosive (10-plus yard) runs, continuing to look like the fantasy RB1 he was in 2022 and has been all this year. Jacobs did miss a handful of snaps due to cramping during the game's second half, but that shouldn't be an issue looking forward. He'll be a top-10 play again in Week 13. -- Cockcroft
5. Bucky Irving, RB, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
The top-scoring running back from Sunday's 1 p.m. ET games (27.1 PPR fantasy points), Irving turned an identical number of carries to Rachaad White (12) into 50 more yards and put forth his most productive receiving game to date (six catches for 64 yards). It was an encouraging development for him considering the duo's even split of the Buccaneers' rushing chores, especially with a pair of soft matchups ahead (@CAR, LV). Both Irving and White should be regarded as near-fantasy RB2s for those games. -- Cockcroft
6. Caleb Williams, QB, Chicago Bears
Williams posted 26.9 points in the overtime loss to the Vikings, making plays late to bring the Bears back in regulation. Williams tossed two touchdowns (his first since Week 6), and he completed 32 of 47 passes for 340 yards. Williams, who has been much more willing to run over his past two games, also added 33 yards rushing on six carries. With a tough Week 13 road matchup versus the Lions on Thanksgiving, Williams will stay in the QB2 ranks. -- Bowen
7. Jahmyr Gibbs, RB, Detroit Lions
With David Montgomery being held out after leaving the game late in the third quarter with a shoulder injury, Gibbs (24.9 points) totaled a season-high 21 carries in the win over the Colts. Gibbs rushed for 90 yards and two scores, and he added 9 yards receiving on three catches. One of the most consistent players in fantasy this season, Gibbs will remain in the RB1 mix for the Week 13 game versus the Bears on Thanksgiving Day, and he could vault into the top 5 if Montgomery can't go. -- Bowen
8. Courtland Sutton, WR, Denver Broncos
Sutton scored a season-high 29.7 points in the Week 12 win over the Raiders, catching 8 of 10 targets for 97 yards and a touchdown. Sutton has scored 17 or more points in three of his past four games, and we can see how his route deployment is creating numbers. With rookie quarterback Bo Nix also playing at a high level, throwing with both timing and location, Sutton can get loose over the top, separate on in-breakers and win one-on-one in scoring position. Keep him in the WR2 spot for the Week 13 home game versus the Browns. -- Bowen
9. Jonnu Smith, TE, Miami Dolphins
One of my top streaming picks in Week 12, Smith produced over 20 points for the second straight week (23.7), catching 9 of a team-high 11 targets for 87 yards and a touchdown. Smith has now seen a total of 19 targets over his past two games, and he can be schemed up as "move player" in Mike McDaniel's offense. Still available in over 40% of ESPN leagues, Smith should be a priority waiver pickup ahead of the Week 13 game at Green Bay. -- Bowen
Ranking fantasy losers of Week 12
1. Justin Jefferson, WR, Minnesota Vikings
He couldn't get anything done in his matchup against Chicago Bears cornerback Jaylon Johnson, scoring only 3.0 of his 4.7 PPR fantasy points for the day in the 22 (of 38 total) routes in which two aligned on the line of scrimmage. It was Jefferson's fifth-worst point total in 71 career games, and it's worth keeping tucked away for the teams' Week 15 rematch. He remains a fantasy WR1 for Week 13 against the Arizona Cardinals, however. -- Cockcroft
2. Christian McCaffrey, RB, San Francisco 49ers
McCaffrey posted just 7.8 points, his lowest total since returning to the field in Week 10, during Sunday's loss to the Packers at Lambeau Field. McCaffrey never found clean lines in the run game, averaging only 2.8 YPC, and he logged 37 yards receiving on three receptions with backup quarterback Brandon Allen starting in place of the injured Brock Purdy. McCaffrey and the 49ers' offense will look to find more drive consistency next week in another cold weather trip out in Buffalo. -- Bowen
3. Joe Mixon, RB, Houston Texans
Mixon logged just 9.5 points on Sunday, rushing for only 1.6 YPC against a Titans defensive line that controlled the front. Mixon did add five receptions for 23 yards, but after scoring at least 16 points in six straight games, he was simply a nonfactor here. Mixon will look to bounce back in Week 13 with a positive matchup against the Jaguars defense. -- Bowen
4. Jonathan Taylor, RB, Indianapolis Colts
Point out that the Colts played much of their game from behind, if excuses are your thing, but it's a concern that Taylor has now totaled 10.5 PPR fantasy points in two games since Anthony Richardson was restored as the team's starting quarterback, during which time Taylor has been stuffed at or behind the line of scrimmage eight times (on 35 attempts). Questioning Taylor's fantasy RB1 status is valid; though in his defense, a Week 13 matchup against the New England Patriots grants him quite a bounce-back opportunity. -- Cockcroft
5. Kareem Hunt, RB, Kansas City Chiefs
Considering how favorable the matchup -- the Panthers entered the week allowing the most PPR fantasy points per game to running backs -- Hunt's 11.7 points on 16 carries and four targets was rather disappointing. The timing was also poor, as Isiah Pacheco (ankle) appears likely to be activated to play in Week 13, another dream matchup against the Las Vegas Raiders (seventh in points allowed). There's a good chance that Hunt's value is as merely Pacheco insurance at this stage. -- Cockcroft
6. Kyler Murray, QB, and James Conner, RB, Arizona Cardinals
The roller-coaster season of fantasy point totals continued for Murray, who scored 10.3 while displaying shaky accuracy despite throwing mostly checkdowns, screens and short-range passes. Murray's disappointing day was underscored by a third-quarter pick-six on an ugly throw hauled in by Seattle Seahawks cornerback Coby Bryant, after which point the Cardinals attempted only three rushing attempts the remainder of the day. That contributed to stunting Conner's score, his 9.9 PPR fantasy points his worst total since Week 6. Murray and the Cardinals have been wildly inconsistent all year, and they have a tough matchup in Week 13 against the Minnesota Vikings. Temper your expectations. -- Cockcroft
7. Cade Otton, TE, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Otton caught only one pass for 30 yards (on three targets) in the win over the Giants, and his production has cooled off. After posting at least 21 points in Weeks 8-9, Otton has failed to top the 10-point mark in each of his past two games. Otton will get a chance to rebound next week with a very positive matchup against the Panthers' talent deficient defense. -- Bowen
8. Rhamondre Stevenson, RB, New England Patriots
Negative game flow limited the rushing opportunities for Stevenson in the loss to the Dolphins, as he had just eight carries on the day. However, Stevenson couldn't find any daylight either, averaging just 1.6 YPC. And with very little usage in the pass game (zero receptions, two targets), Stevenson scored only 3.3 points. With a Week 13 matchup versus the Colts, Stevenson will look to get back on track in a volume role. -- Bowen
Injury impact
David Montgomery, RB, Detroit Lions
What we know: He left Sunday's game late in the third quarter with a shoulder injury and did not return.
What's next: With the Lions up 21-6 when he departed, there was no need for the team to rush Montgomery back into the contest, though he was seen on the sidelines during the fourth quarter. Montgomery told ESPN Lions reporter Eric Woodyard that he'll be ready for the team's Thanksgiving Day game, but monitor the early-week practice reports to be sure of his status. -- Cockcroft
Brian Robinson Jr. and Austin Ekeler, RBs, Washington Commanders
What we know: Robinson left Sunday's game twice due to an ankle injury, and Ekeler reportedly suffered a concussion during the contest.
What's next: Per the Washington Post's Nicki Jhabvala, Ekeler will undergo further testing. He'll be a long shot to play in Week 13 if a concussion is confirmed, as he will need to pass the league's protocol to be eligible to return. Robinson's status should be known once the practice week begins. The next man up on the depth chart behind the duo is Jeremy McNichols, who might well be worth a speculative, insurance-policy pickup. -- Cockcroft
Romeo Doubs, WR, Green Bay Packers
What we know: Doubs suffered a concussion during the second half of the win over the 49ers. Before exiting, Doubs caught three of a team-high six targets for 54 yards (8.4 points).
What's next: If Doubs is down for the Week 13 game versus the Dolphins on Thanksgiving, both Jayden Reed and Christian Watson would elevate in the rankings, with Bo Melton and Malik Heath available as deeper league streaming options. -- Bowen
Who earned an A this weekend?
Danielle Hunter, Edge, Houston Texans
Yes, it came in a losing effort, but Hunter was incredible on Sunday. The Texans pass rusher delivered 3.0 sacks against Will Levis (part of eight total sacks Houston recorded in the game). But he was also delivering on a down-to-down basis beyond just those three plays: Hunter had a high 32% pass rush win rate, second highest of any player in Week 12 through the early Sunday window.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers' offensive line
The Bucs' offensive line had, on paper, a tough matchup in the trenches: The Giants aren't good at much, but Brian Burns, Dexter Lawrence II and Kayvon Thibodeaux are a formidable trio. But the Buccaneers recorded a very strong 85% pass block win rate as a team in their win over New York, and Baker Mayfield was not sacked a single time.
Who earned an F this weekend?
Deonte Banks, CB, New York Giants
There wasn't one big play or a touchdown, but throughout Sunday's blowout of the Giants by the Buccaneers, Baker Mayfield was able to hit completions against Banks. The Giants cornerback surrendered 99 receiving yards across seven receptions on eight targets, per NFL Next Gen Stats. The 3.0 yards allowed per coverage snap was worst in Week 12 among outside corners with at least 25 coverage snaps through the early Sunday window.
Joe Mixon, RB, Houston Texans
Though Mixon has been good for his fantasy managers, Houston has struggled to move the ball efficiently on the ground all year, and that continued in Sunday's loss to the Titans. Mixon managed just 22 rushing yards on 14 carries, with negative-29 rush yards over expectation -- worst of all players in Week 12 through the early window Sunday. He did add 23 yards through the air, but that rushing inefficiency is notable.
Lingering questions from Week 12's games
Much has been made about Caleb Williams' improvement since the change was made at offensive coordinator, but DJ Moore has also seen his numbers increase. What are you seeing about the changes in the way Moore is being used during the past two games, and do you see it continuing for the rest of the season?
Moore had the fewest targets (7) of the Bears top four receivers (Keenan Allen, Rome Odunze and Cole Kmet all saw double-digits) and turned in a season-high 106 receiving yards and a touchdown against the Vikings. With an emphasis for Williams to get the ball out of his hands quicker, most of Moore's targets have been near the line of scrimmage since Thomas Brown took over playcalling duties in Week 11. "I think they put the ball in my hands at the line of scrimmage because that's probably the best thing to do for a positive play," Moore said. He's right, and it's a trend that seems poised to continue. Six of Moore's seven catches were on short passes, including his touchdown that made it an 8-point game in the fourth quarter and a two-point conversion later on to put Chicago in position to force OT. -- Courtney Cronin