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We got some big shakeups after a wild Week 11! The Chiefs finally lost for the first time in nearly a year, the 49ers are somehow in last place in the NFC West, and we have a new top team in the Power Rankings.
Week 12 Power Rankings
Teams to Note
Detroit Lions (Rose 2 spots)
The Lions are your new top team in the NFL! Their offense is clicking, the defense is balling despite missing Aidan Hutchinson, and no team has really been able to stop them all year long. They were my favorites to win the Super Bowl coming into this season, and they look to be heading there without much resistance.
Denver Broncos (Rose 4 spots)
Denver is quietly having a great season. The defense has been one of the best in the league, and Bo Nix has been doing everything this offense has asked of him. I don't think he's been better than the top three selections of the 2024 Draft (despite really strong box scores), but he's definitely been better than expected.
Week 11 Awards
Awards | AFC | NFC |
Offensive MVP | Joe Mixon | Taysom Hill |
Defensive MVP | Nik Bonitto | Demario Davis |
Special Teams MVP | Chris Boswell | Karl Brooks |
Trench Tyrant | Joe Alt | Landon Dickerson |
Relentless Rookie | Brock Bowers | Mike Sainristil |
Winners to Note
Mike Sainristil
Mikey has rebounded immensely after a rough start to his career. After getting cooked in coverage in the first half of the season, he's honed in on his footwork and hip fluidity to stick to some of the best receivers in the league. Against AJ Brown and DeVonta Smith, he allowed just 2 receptions on 4 targets for 31 yards. He broke up 2 passes and shut them both down on endzone targets. He added 5 tackles and 2 stops + TFLs in the run game as well.
Nik Bonitto
Nik has found his rhythm this season, and he's now tied second for the league lead in sacks. He posted 3 pressures and 2 sacks on Sunday, and he recorded 5 stops + TFLs in the run game. He was great across the board, which led him to an elite 90.0 overall defensive grade.
Taysom Hill
Taysom had one of his classic performances, where he did everything the Saints needed him to at a high level. He carried the ball 7 times for 138 yards and three TDs, and he forced 4 missed tackles in the process. He also recorded 8 receptions for 50 yards, and produced an 80.5 overall offensive grade.
Photo: Butch Dill/Associated Press
Fantasy Football
Week 11 Recap
Points | QB | RB | WR | TE | Flex |
Player | Caleb Williams | Alexander Mattison | Quentin Johnston | Jonnu Smith | Kayshon Boutte |
Projected | 13.8 | 10.0 | 9.3 | 8.9 | 8.3 |
Actual | 16.24 | 9.9 | 12.8 | 28.1 | 7.3 |
Difference | 2.44 | -0.1 | 3.5 | 19.8 | -1.0 |
Result | Push | Push | Push | Boom | Push |
Season Totals: 15 Booms / 23 Pushes / 17 Busts
Week 12 Prediction
QB: Russell Wilson vs Cleveland Browns (proj. 15.1 points)
Russ has looked like his former self over his past few starts. He's getting the ball out quick, making some layered passes, and the Steel Curtain is starting to gain some significant momentum. I like him putting up a 20+ performance against a lowly Browns team.
RB: Dylan Laube vs Denver Broncos (proj. 1.5 points)
Antonio Pierce and other members of the Raiders staff and media have made it clear that Dylan will get to redeem himself against Denver, and there's a chance he'll lead the backfield in touches. With both Zamir White and Alexander Mattison trending towards not playing or being limited this Sunday, Dylan is a sneaky good play this week.
WR: Wan'Dale Robinson vs Tampa Bay Buccaneers (proj. 10.0 points)
Wan'Dale has tallied 26 targets over his last four games, and is currently 10th in the entire NFL with 84 targets on the season. Tommy Cutlets is gonna look to hit some quick throws, and Wan'Dale may be his go-to guy with Malik Nabers garnering plenty of attention.
TE: Ja'Tavion Sanders vs Kansas City Chiefs (proj. 6.5 points)
I was harshly low on JT coming out of college, but he's done a good job creating plays after the catch and being a beast to bring down in open space. From Week 5 to Week 10, JT commanded 26 targets, and turned four of them into 20+ yard gains. The Panthers should lean on him more against a Chiefs defense that struggles against TEs.
Flex: Alec Pierce vs Detroit Lions (proj. 7.3 points)
All vibes here, this just feels like a 2-TD day for Pierce as he takes the top off the Lions defense.
Week 12 Game Predictions
AFC Games
Steelers vs Browns (TNF)
Titans vs Texans
Dolphins vs Patriots
Broncos vs Raiders
Ravens vs Chargers (MNF)
NFC Games
Vikings vs Bears
Cowboys vs Commanders
Buccaneers vs Giants
Cardinals vs Seahawks
49ers vs Packers
Eagles vs Rams (SNF)
Cross Over Games
Chiefs vs Panthers
Lions vs Colts
**Bye Week: Bengals, Bills, Falcons, Jaguars, Jets, Saints
Record from Week 11: 9-5
Season Record: 98-68
Photo: Elsa Garrison/GettyImages
Final Notes
Cheers to football, cheers to friends and family, and cheers to Dylan Laube and his breakout game this weekend! We'll see you all back here for my Thanksgiving preview next week.
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