NFL Fantasy Football, Week 12: 5 under-the-radar fantasy gems

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Week 11 In Review

If you aren't familiar with my methods yet, I'll put myself on a "PASS" or "FAIL" scale which is based on flex options scoring above or below double digit fantasy points. Above 10 points would be a PASS, and obviously below 10 would be a FAIL. I do my best to find the not-so obvious options from week to week to help you dominate your league. With that said here we go once again, let's see how I did for you, folks.

Dontrelle Inman 8.1 - FAIL
Frank Gore, 11.0 Points -- PASS
Jimmy Graham, 6.9 Points -- FAIL
Ameer Abdullah, 7.1 Points -- FAIL
Danny Amendola, 21.6 Points -- PASS

One of the uglier weeks I have attempted to predict. I went with a combo of athletes and high upside options, and sadly I failed most of you miserably... yet somehow I think this is still all Shane Vereen's fault.

Dontrelle Inman had the situation we all knew he did, yet the volume he got wasn't nearly enough to propel him into the double digit scoring range. Now, while he got a passing grade, I don't feel good about Frank Gore scoring double digits here because I expected a far bigger workload -- yet again the fantasy gods disagreed with my estimations.

Jimmy Graham, aka the Northwest Afterthought, did not produce next to anything and his weekly production is at best a serious gamble anymore. As a Seahawks fan this next one personally pains me.

My dart throw this week was for the SPARQ god Ameer Abdullah, but unfortunately I missed the board by about three feet and ended up nailing my grandfather's urn. One of the bigger disappointments this season -- his one big preseason run propelled him to stardom and he hasn't even come close to matching it.

Lastly I felt absolutely compelled to advocate the likes of Daniel Amendola, and justifiably so, as he was a target hog (12) for Tom Brady on Monday night. Finishing with 9 catches for 117 yards and probably saved most of his fantasy owners weeks -- as expected.

Week 12: '5 Must-Start Fantasy Sleepers'

I pride myself on making tough calls, and this week will be no exception once again. Brock Osweiler is the next Aaron Rodgers.... I swear so hard, bro.

5. Devin Funchess, WR CAR

It's about time somebody started showing Devin a little respect around here. A physically gifted 21 year old rookie whose snap count is steadily on the rise as Carolina continues to search for a playmaker.

For starters, Devin has now scored touchdowns in two of his last three weeks. In Week 11, Funchess finished the game with 8 targets, the most he's seen in any one game this season. Of his last three games, per PFF, he has finished each with positive grades: +1.7, +1.2, +1.6 (Weeks 9-11). Devin is a player with a ton of upside and on field talent, but like most under-performers, the volume really hasn't manifested itself for whatever reason.

So it's now Week 12, and the undefeated Carolina Panthers will face the Dallas Cowboys. Surprisingly the Dallas secondary has this defense ranked 10th overall against the pass in 2015. This could have as much to do with the actual defense as it does opposing teams not being forced to pass much due to low scoring affairs. Even in Week 11's blow out, Devin saw an incredible jump in snaps -- his previous season high before last week was 38, Sunday was 68. His role is beginning to solidify and the Panthers difficult run game should allow Devin room to work around the field as Dallas attempts to stack the box.

Funchess is available in 65% of Yahoo leagues and in 89.2% of leagues at ESPN. Cam Newton needs options and Devin Funchess was drafted with the mindset that he would be one. He's a big bodied wideout who's earning Cams trust more and more every week.

4. Javorius Allen, RB BAL

Allen is one of the few rookies I've ever advocated usage of, however his situation cannot be ignored: He's the new starter in Baltimore and facing an awful run defense, and the table is set for a big day from "Buck" Allen in Week 12.

This week the Ravens get the juiciest of match-ups as they take on one of the worst rush defenses in the league in Cleveland. Currently the Browns are being gashed for an NFL worst 138.8 yards per game on the ground, and have allowed 9 touchdowns. Through 10 NFL games Allen has seen 64 total carries, with a YPC of 3.9. After Justin Forsett went down, Allen saw a career high in NFL snaps (58) and carries (22). This is a Cleveland Browns team that over the past 6 weeks has give up total rush yards of: 181, 152, 158, 119, 152, 60. This is an insanely destroyable defense and even with a Justin Forsett/Joe Flaccoless Ravens offense, Buck Allen should still eat.

Currently Allen is available in 85% of Yahoo leagues and in 93.8% of leagues at ESPN. Clearly this will change after most leagues waiver periods end, but until then we can dream. Buck is a must-own where you can get him.

3. Donte Moncrief, WR IND

I wouldn't blame you for abstaining from a Colts wide receiver while Andrew Luck was sidelined, but perhaps this week it's time to consider Donte Moncrief.

The Colts face off against a Buccaneers secondary that is ranked 13th in the NFL against the pass, allowing just 234.6 yards per game. This number is slightly skewed though as the Buc's have squared off with the likes of the: Eagles, Cowboys (Romo-less), Texans, Titans, Jaguars.... you get the point. What isn't surprising is that the Bucs have also allowed the second most TDs to opposing offenses with 21. If the idea of 21 TDs wasn't enough, let's also factor in that the Buc's DST has just 6 takeaways in 2015 -- tied for 8th fewest in the league. With Matt Hasselbeck under center, Moncrief is averaging 6.7 (20 total) targets per game, more than enough for to sustain viable WR2 numbers with that TD upside. Donte continues to play ahead of Andre Johnson and neck and neck with TY Hilton -- his value at this point is as high as TY, if not even higher.

Currently Donte Moncrief is available 38% of Yahoo leagues and 33.7% of leagues at of ESPN. Moncrief is way too good to be this readily available, and this may be the week that people get back on board with him.... even if Matt the noodle arm is chucking bombs to him.

2. Spencer Ware, RB KC

Down goes Jamaal. Down goes Charcandrick. Enter the next man up who went off last week in limited work -- Spencer Ware. Even though the Bills are a tough defense, Ware could see a nice chunk of volume that most fantasy teams would kill for at the RB position right now.

There is little to no tape on Ware anywhere available, but none of this really matters. Time has proven that regardless of the starting running back Andy Reid gets in KC, they produce, from Jamaal, to Knile, to Charcandrick, to now Spencer. Some will note it as garbage time in a blowout, but in a small sample sized effort, Spencer turned 11 carries into 96 yards (8.6 YPC) and 2 touchdowns. Rumor has it Knile Davis may be activated, which could cut into Spencer's workload a smidge, but its hard to pass on an RB opportunity like this for a team that's desperate.

This season the vaunted Buffalo Bills defense has hardly lived up to the hype, yielding 96.4 yards/G, which is good for 10th best overall in the NFL. The Bills are also allowing a very middle-of-the-road 4.1 YPC to opposing offenses, which bodes well to Spencer Ware and his chances of a big game. If you need another reason to feel confident about starting Ware -- over the past 5 weeks the Buffalo Bills have allowed over 100+ yards rushing 4 times: 106, 148, 120, 112. Aside from the chances of a Charcandrick West return or a Kniles Davis takeover, Spencer Ware is a great option if you're in need.

Currently Spencer Ware is available in 76.7% of ESPN leagues and 66% of Yahoo leagues. This means he is readily available and he SHOULD be in your line up this coming week if the stars align with the Charcandrick West injury.

1. Kirk Cousins, QB WAS

There aren't nearly enough Kirk Cousins believers out there anymore. I'm not sure if it's the resume or team he plays for but the hate just isn't justified -- especially in Week 12 against the New York Giants DST.

Kirk Cousins, truth be told, hasn't been a complete turd since taking the job outright from Robert Griffin. In 2015 in fact he has posted two 36+ point outings -- plus another handful of double digit performances. As always if you have better options available to you then those should take priority here, but this matchup cannot be ignored. In 2015 there is no defense that is worse against the pass then the New York Giants. They are allowing an astounding 309.9 yards/G to opposing quarterbacks, and have given up a league tying NFL 4th worst 17 touchdowns too.

This is the same New York Giants DST that gave up 262 passing yards and two touchdowns to Colin Kaepernick -- a currently jobless QB. Kirk is averaging 36.3 passing attempts per game -- meaning his passing volume per game is plenty high to post those much needed QB1 numbers. Over the last 4 weeks Cousins has 9 passing touchdowns, on this pace he'd have 36 on the year which is literally mind blowing. If you're looking for a QB streamer with definite QB1 upside, look no further than Kirk Cousins against an absolutely atrocious NYG secondary.

Good luck this week everyone.

As always you can find me on twitter @AnOutragedJew if you have sit/start questions or want steamy dating advice.