FanDuel NFL DFS Week 12 Picks and Plays for Cash Game and GPP Lineups
Week 12 of NFL DFS is upon us, and everyone is looking to cash in on the big daily fantasy football money at FanDuel. Every week, we’ll bring you our top daily fantasy NFL picks for each position and recommend them as Cash and/or GPP plays. And to keep up with all things PlayPicks, follow us on Twitter and like us on Facebook.
As with any DFS, the advice below is relevant for fantasy purposes. A player or team might be better or worse from a fantasy perspective than in real life due to matchup, price, gameflow, and more factors. This is important when constructing a roster.
By this time in the season, weather will play a key factor in NFL games, so make sure to check the forecast for each Sunday.
Best Week 12 NFL DFS Quarterbacks on FanDuel
Tom Brady vs. MIA ($9.1k FanDuel) – Cash
The king has reclaimed his throne. The Patriots have ascended to the top of just about every NFL power ranking with two smashing performances on the road out of their bye week. They’ve punted just three times during that span while Tom Brady has thrown for 705 yards and six touchdowns. Now, he faces a Dolphins team that ranks 31st in DVOA pass defense at home, where Brady posted a 112.6 passer rating and averaged 316.2 passing YPG last season. He also dissected the Dolphins to the tune of 25-for-33 and three touchdowns in Miami on New Year’s Day last season.
Russell Wilson @ SF ($8.6k FanDuel) – Cash/GPP
Russell Wilson is simply carrying the Seahawks offense right now. He ran for 86 yards and a score in addition to throwing for 258 yards and two scores in a Monday night shootout against the Falcons. Now, he faces a lowly 49ers team that ranks 26th in DVOA pass defense and gives up the most rush attempts (4.7) to opposing QBs this season. That gives him tremendous upside on FanDuel. His prospects as a high-volume passer are enhanced by the deteriorating state of the Seahawks’ defense.
Marcus Mariota @ IND ($7.8k FanDuel) – GPP
The Titans’ passing offense should bounce back in a big way after struggling against the Steelers’ elite secondary last Thursday night. They have extra time to prepare for a cupcake matchup against a Colts team that’s given up the most pass plays of 20-plus yards this season (47) and the third-most passing YPG (274.5) overall. Indy should only become more vulnerable at the back end after cutting top CB Vontae Davis. Mariota’s rushed for three of his four scores this season on the road and continues to get healthier after battling a hamstring issue earlier this season.
Others to consider: Cam Newton, Ben Roethlisberger, Alex Smith
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Best Week 12 NFL DFS Running Backs on FanDuel
Mark Ingram @ LAR ($8.2k FanDuel) – Cash/GPP
It’s simply too tough to fade Mark Ingram right now. He’s been a touchdown machine and is seeing versatile usage as a key cog in the Saints’ elite offense. They should look to feature Ingram on the road against a Rams team that gives up the fifth-most RuYPG (123.3) this season, especially given the talent level of LA’s secondary. He caught three of four targets last week and remains involved in the screen game, giving him a similar floor and higher ceiling in a timeshare with impressive rookie Alvin Kamara.
Kareem Hunt vs. BUF ($7.7k FanDuel) – GPP
Stick with Kareem Hunt in another plus matchup this week. The entire Chiefs’ offense will look to bounce back against the dumpster fire that is the Bills’ defense. Buffalo’s coughed up an absurd 638 rushing yards and nine touchdowns over their last three contests as they struggle to cope with the trading away of elite DT Marcell Dareus. Andy Reid and the Chiefs’ coaching staff should figure out more creative ways to use their stud rookie and get their offense into the end zone after flopping last week.
Christian McCaffrey @ NYJ ($6.7k FanDuel) – Cash/GPP
Even though FanDuel rewards just 0.5 FPs per reception, McCaffrey is still a fantastic play given his increased usage as a runner and receiver. He’s scored a rushing touchdown in consecutive games and is averaging 8.4 targets per game since Week 1. The Jets cough up an above-average 42.3 receiving YPG to opposing RBs this season. The unfortunate injury to Curtis Samuel should lead to even more usage for C-Mac as a receiver.
Joe Mixon vs. CLE ($6.2k FanDuel) – GPP
Joe Mixon is becoming more and more involved as the Bengals look toward the future. He couldn’t ask for a much better situation this week. While the Browns have been stiff against inside rushes, they face the fifth-most rush attempts per game (25.9) mostly due to negative gameflow. With 22 touches last week in a close win at Denver, Mixon clearly established his role as the featured back for a Bengals (-8.5) team that’s fully expected to control this game at home.
Others to consider: Le’Veon Bell, Leonard Fournette, Todd Gurley, LeSean McCoy, Alvin Kamara, Dion Lewis
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Best Week 12 NFL DFS Wide Receivers on FanDuel
Antonio Brown vs. GB ($9.6k FanDuel) – Cash/GPP
Gameflow is a major concern for Antonio Brown’s ceiling this week but not his elite floor. The most complete receiver in the NFL just tortured the Titans on his way to 144 yards and three scores last week and faces a similarly limited Green Bay secondary this week. The Packers rank 23rd in DVOA pass defense against the opposition’s top receiver. With Pittsburgh at home, Ben Roethlisberger is far more likely to blow up. The Steelers should look to throw frequently in a matchup against the Packers’ solid interior run defense.
T.Y. Hilton vs. TEN ($7.5k FanDuel) – GPP
The Colts are frequently playing form behind, which gives T.Y. Hilton serious potential as a high-volume receiver. He’s been much more dangerous at home, where he averages 16.21 yards per catch and 81.9 receiving YPG throughout his career. Hilton has come up with a couple of monstrous lines at Lucas Oil Stadium even with Jacoby Brissett under center. The Titans struggle against Hilton, who burned them 230 yards and two touchdowns over two meetings last year.
Emmanuel Sanders @ OAK ($6.3k FanDuel) – GPP
Emmanuel Sanders definitely has a shot at a big game against the Raiders’ doormat of a secondary. While Demaryius Thomas has been targeted more often in the red zone, Sanders is more of a mismatch for the Raiders’ hulking, slower cornerbacks. The Broncos move on from fired OC Mike McCoy and are benching the slower Brock Osweiler for Paxton Lynch. The second-year man will look to make some things happen against the 32nd-ranked Raiders pass defense. Note: Sanders missed practice on Wednesday, so be sure and monitor his status.
Rishard Matthews @ IND ($6.3k FanDuel) – Cash/GPP
At the same price as Sanders, Rishard Matthews appears to be a much safer option for Cash lineups this week. Marcus Mariota remains locked on to the slot man. He’s targeted Matthews at least six times in four consecutive games, and the duo hooked up for 113 yards and a TD against Pittsburgh’s elite pass defense last week. Now, they’ll work against a depleted Colts secondary that cut top CB Vontae Davis and has no answers for talented WRs at any level.
Others to consider: A.J. Green, Brandin Cooks, Julio Jones, Tyreek Hill, Alshon Jeffery, Jarvis Landry, Danny Amendola, Paul Richardson
Best Week 12 NFL DFS Tight Ends on FanDuel
Jimmy Graham @ SF ($7.0k FanDuel) – GPP
The way the Seahawks’ offense is functioning, Jimmy Graham is becoming their best bet for touchdowns once they enter the red zone. The massive TE caught another score and actually established a solid floor by catching 7-of-11 targets for 58 yards in a loss to Atlanta. He draws a juicy matchup on the road this week. The 49ers have fallen apart in terms of interior pass defense with FS Jimmy Ward injured. Graham shouldn’t be overlooked as a prime tournament play.
Delanie Walker @ IND ($5.9k FanDuel) – Cash/GPP
He’s yet to catch a touchdown pass this season, but that could certainly change for Delanie Walker this Sunday. He’s been a thorn in the Colts’ side for years, totaling 120 receiving yards and a TD on 11 catches against Indy last season. Like his QB, Walker should be healthier after getting 10 days of rest between games. The Colts rank 25th in DVOA pass defense against opposing TEs and have coughed up five receiving TDs to the position this year.
Others to consider: Travis Kelce, Jared Cook, Jack Doyle
Best Week 12 NFL DFS D/ST on FanDuel
Steelers vs. GB ($4.8k FanDuel) – Cash/GPP
After failing to record any points in a home game last week, Brett Hundley and the Packers will head to Pittsburgh and face off against an elite defense with the backing of some of the NFL’s loudest fans. The Steelers rank fourth in DVOA run defense and fifth in DVOA pass defense this year. They’ve amassed the second-most sacks (34) in the NFL, and Hundley’s been a sitting duck. He’s taken 17 sacks over his five appearances since Aaron Rodgers’ injury.
Falcons vs. TB ($4.6k FanDuel) – GPP
After facing the magical Russell Wilson, Atlanta returns home to take on a much more manageable foe in Ryan Fitzpatrick. Tampa’s fill-in QB played well against a doormat Dolphins team last week, but he’ll now take on a Falcons unit that allows the seventh-fewest passing YPG (200.8) this season. Atlanta’s also been much better against the run of late, and Doug Martin isn’t getting much done on the ground. The Falcons’ elite pass rush should be able to go straight upfield at Fitzpatrick.
