Look away, rookies! Stick with the NFL’s proven stars for Week 12 to crush it this weekend. Get your Daily Fantasy edge on with some picks below and stay informed for maximum fantasy gain with the Nat Coombs podcast, dropping four times a week. Check it out here.
STACK
Matt Ryan (£7,900, 20.13 FPPG) and Julio Jones (£8,400, 14.13 FPPG) — TB @ ATL
This week’s matchup against Tampa Bay could result in a big game for Jones, who is one of the undisputed best wideouts in the league. Despite averaging 88 receiving yards per game, he knows he can go better. The rejuvenated Falcons head to face a Buccaneers defence ranked 31st against the run, and 32nd in points conceded. Touchdowns are to be expected.
On the other side of the ball, the Falcons defence, whose secondary have struggled for so much of this season, has seen a resurgence in the last two weeks. That will give an already dangerous offence more opportunities to rack up some points.
Expect to see a high-scoring game on Sunday with Jones and Ryan getting in on the action.
GOING BIG: THE TOP PLAYER
Michael Thomas (£9,200, 19.01 FPPG) — CAR @ NO
Thomas was rightfully listed in the stack last week, and the wide receiver duly delivered with 114 yards and a touchdown against Tampa Bay. He has now registered three consecutive 100+ yard games, and has seen over 10 targets in all but two games this season.
Drew Brees knows what it takes to deliver wins down the stretch in the regular season and Thomas will be key to those plans this time out. It would be no surprise to see Thomas continue his good form in the Saints’ Week 12 matchup against the Panthers.
BARGAIN
Kareem Hunt (£5,600, 9.85) — MIA @ CLE
Suspended until Week 10, Hunt is yet to reproduce the big numbers he made a habit of in Kansas City. Hunt is a dynamic back, with the ability to catch out of the backfield and he also has the speed to burn on a long run.
At just £5,600, Hunt presents a huge upside on his value and could even help you squeeze in a big pick or two elsewhere in your team.
AVOID
Saquon Barkley (£7,900, 14.35 FPPG) — NYG @ CHI
Barkley, who has been listed in the Going Big section of this column on previous weeks, just hasn’t looked the same since he was carried off the field with an ankle injury during the Giants’ Week 3 win over the Buccaneers.
Now, with rumours of a shoulder injury lurking, his price seems a little too high to take the gamble. A big performance isn’t out of the question for Barkley, but against a solid Bears run defence, he is far from a surefire pick.
DEFENCE
Steelers (£5,000, 12 FPPG) —PIT @ CIN
Minkah Fitzpatrick is a bad man. Since being traded to the Steelers in Week 3, Fitzpatrick has scored two touchdowns and made 25 solo tackles as he helped transform that defence into one of the most feared in the league.
The Pittsburgh defence is a playmaking one that ranks fourth in sacks, second in interceptions and first in fumbles recovered. This week they face their divisional rivals Cincinnati Bengals, whose rookie quarterback Ryan Finley must surely be dreading Sunday.
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