Thanksgiving Thursday Insight Week 12 - 2021 Fantasy Football

By: JayWall

Thanksgiving Thursday Insight Week 12 - 2021 Fantasy Football

Chicago Bears vs. Detroit Lions

November 25th, 2021 at 12:30PM EST

Bears Fantasy Insight

Andy Dalton isn’t a thrilling quarterback to play in any format, but I could see him being a very good emergency start in Superflex formats with the matchup against a favorable Lions defense. If you can, avoid Dalton everywhere.


David Montgomery is a must start running back against the Lions as their run defense is one of the worst in the league. I wouldn’t be surprised if the Bears lean on the run game to keep time of possession in their favor while also moving the ball up the field rather easily. Khalil Herbert is someone you want to remain on your bench. I only see him being fantasy relevant if the Bear blow out the Lions and Herbert gets garbage time carries.


Allen Robinson has been ruled out of the Thanksgiving game. The only wide receiver I have any confidence in is Darnell Mooney after seeing 16 targets last week from Dalton. All other wide receivers and tight ends should be benched for Week 12.


The Bears D/ST is a good spot start this week with the Lions being a bottom tier team. I’m staying away from the kicker, Cairo Santos, though.

Lions Fantasy Insight

Jared Goff has been cleared to play in the Thanksgiving matchup against Chicago. Goff is currently the QB34 in points per game for the quarterback position. He’s just a desperation start in deep Superflex leagues, and even then, I’d probably rather have a positional player in the Superflex spot over Goff.


D’Andre Swift has been the only consistent fantasy piece in this Detroit offense. The RB5 is a must start and matchup proof. Jamaal Williams is a low, low-end flex option for me this week.


I hate to make this so short and sweet because I’d love to give an in depth breakdown of some of the pass catching options for the Lions, but T.J. Hockenson is the only one I’m starting with any confidence. All other wideouts and tight ends shouldn’t see your lineups. Jared Goff is a terrible quarterback, and it kills any hope for value in that wide receiver room.


The Lions D/ST is ranked 30th in the league so leave them on your waivers this week and the rest of the season. We’re not sure who will kick for the Lions Thursday, but whoever it is, leave them on the waiver wire too.

Las Vegas Raiders vs. Dallas Cowboys

November 25th, 2021 at 4:30PM EST

Raiders Fantasy Insight

Derek Carr has had a solid season this year as the QB16 overall. He’s someone I’d love to start in Superflex formats, but I’d want to avoid most likely in 1QB leagues unless you need to stream a quarterback.


Josh Jacobs' value isn’t close to what it once was, but he’s still a flex worthy play. Kenyan Drake is someone I want to steer clear of this week until he can prove to get more volume in this offense.


Hunter Renfrow has been such a consistent PPR option and that doesn’t change in his matchup against the Cowboys. Throw him into your flex and reap the benefits. Bryan Edwards is way too inconsistent for me to play any week in fantasy. Two of the past three weeks he’s put up 0 points. Darren Waller is, as always, a top three tight end this week and should give you a nice game this Thanksgiving.


Sit the Raiders D/ST, while Daniel Carlson is a good streaming kicker this week. Outside of that, sit him as well.

Cowboys Fantasy Insight

Dak Prescott is coming off a brutal game against the Chiefs, but I expect him to bounce back and show out for this big Thanksgiving game. He may be without a couple key pieces in the offense, but Dak has the talent to overcome that. He’s a QB1 in Week 12.


Ezekiel Elliott is the RB7 on the season and continues to be a matchup proof RB1. He’s a set and forget type player. Tony Pollard has been sneaky good this year as he’s the RB28 overall. He’s someone I’d absolutely throw into my flex and feel pretty confident about it.


With CeeDee Lamb expected to play, you’ll want to put him in your lineups this week. Michael Gallup is another strong option who I think will finish as a WR2 even with the Raiders having a great pass defense. Cedrick Wilson is a guy I’d be willing to toss into my flex, but he’s a low-end option for me. The Raiders aren’t great against the tight end position which makes Dalton Schultz an intriguing start. I like him to finish in the tight end six to ten range in Week 12.


Fire up the Cowboys D/ST as they have been turnover creating machines this year which has led them to be the 5th overall defense in fantasy football. Greg Zuerlein hasn’t been great this year for fantasy so I’m refraining from starting him.

Buffalo Bills vs. New Orleans Saints

November 25th, 2021 at 8:20PM EST

Bills Fantasy Insight

Josh Allen has been a little inconsistent over the past four weeks in fantasy, but he’s also the QB4 so far this season. He’s a must start, and someone you can be confident in this week for the Thursday Night Thanksgiving game.


I don’t like how crowded this Bills running back room has gotten this year. On top of that, the Saints run defense is excellent. Devin Singletary and Zach Moss are low-end emergency start flex options while Matt Breida shouldn’t come off your bench.


Stefon Diggs will draw a tough matchup against Mashon Lattimore, so temper your expectations. I believe he’ll finish as a WR2 on the week, but you still want him in your lineup no matter what. Allen will probably look to go elsewhere with the targets which means Cole Beasley and Emmanuel Sanders are solid flex starters in Week 12. Dawson Knox is also a guy I’d feel more than confident plugging into my tight end spot and expect him to finish as a TE1 this week.


The Bills D/ST and kicker, Tyler Bass, are both top tier options at their positions so start both with confidence.

Saints Fantasy Insight

There aren’t many starting options here for the Saints and Trevor Siemian is one of those guys. He’s an emergency start in Superflex leagues at best.


Alvin Kamara has been ruled out of Week 12. Mark Ingram, if healthy, will give you RB2 numbers and is someone you have to find a way to get into your lineups. If he is out along with Kamara, Tony Jones becomes the lead back. He’d be a low-end flex play as I’d expect Ty Montgomery to be the pass catcher in that backfield. He’d be another low-end flex option for your team.


Out of Deonte Harris, Tre’Quan Smith, Marquez Callaway and Juwan Johnson, I’m only considering Harris when looking to fill my flex spots. Callaway would be the next best option, but you’d just be hoping he finds his way into the endzone.


The Saints D/ST is 6th overall, but this Bills offense is a tall task. I’d still probably start them and just have to hope they show the world what they're made of on Thanksgiving day. Sit Brett Maher.

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