B/R's Week 12 PPR Fantasy Football Player Rankings

It's Week 12 of the 2024 NFL season, which means the push for the fantasy football playoffs is on in earnest.

Teams sitting at 8-3 or 7-4 should have their eyes on a first-round playoff bye. Teams at 6-5 or 5-6 are looking to keep their postseason aspirations intact. Teams at 4-7 are praying they can win out and get some help.

The pressure is higher than ever for fantasy managers to earn a win this week. Make a mistake that costs you the week, and it could cost you the season as well.

It's enough to give you a migraine. This column is the Excedrin that will chase away that headache.

Here, you'll find position-by-position PPR rankings, matchups to exploit and avoid, and a look at the top 100 overall players for Week 12.

Over the summer, fantasy managers had high expectations for Indianapolis Colts quarterback Anthony Richardson. His dual-threat ability had the potential to make him a fantasy star.

To say those expectations weren't met is an understatement. Richardson struggled mightily over the first few weeks of the season and temporarily got benched in favor of Joe Flacco.

Richardson was back out there Sunday against the New York Jets, and fantasy managers finally got a glimpse of that star they dreamed of over the summer.

Richardson was efficient as a passer, completing 20 of 30 passes for 272 yards and a touchdown. He also did damage on the ground, racking up 32 yards and two touchdowns on 10 carries. All told, the second-year pro finished fifth among quarterbacks in fantasy points for the week.

Now it's time to see whether Richardson can back those numbers up Sunday at home against the Detroit Lions.

GOOD MATCHUPS

Patrick Mahomes II, Kansas City Chiefs (at CAR) [DraftKings DFS Value: $6,800]

Mahomes started the season slow, but he has warmed up as of late. He posted top-10 numbers over the past three weeks, including three touchdown passes last week in Buffalo. Coming off their first loss of the season, the Chiefs are going to come out swinging this week against the lowly Panthers.

Russell Wilson, Pittsburgh Steelers (at CLE) [DraftKings DFS Value: $6,000]

Fantasy managers may be a bit leery of trusting Wilson after he laid an egg against the NFL's worst pass defense last week. But while Wilson was underperforming against the Baltimore Ravens, the Cleveland Browns looked like they flat-out quit in New Orleans.

BAD MATCHUPS

Sam Darnold, Minnesota Vikings (at CHI) [DraftKings DFS Value: $5,900]

Darnold started the season red-hot, but over the past several weeks, he has started looking a lot more like, well, Sam Darnold. This week, he travels to face a Chicago Bears defense that ranks dead last in fantasy points per game allowed to quarterbacks this year.

Brock Purdy, San Francisco 49ers (at GB) [DraftKings DFS Value: $6,400]

Without the services of Brandon Aiyuk and Geroge Kittle last week, Purdy threw for only 159 yards and one touchdown against the Seattle Seahawks. Now he takes on a Green Bay Packers team giving up the eighth-fewest fantasy points per game to signal-callers in 2024.

SLEEPER

Tommy DeVito, New York Giants (vs. TB) [DraftKings DFS Value: $4,000]

Tommy Cutlets is back, baby! Coming out of the bye week, the Giants not only benched Daniel Jones, but they skipped over backup quarterback Drew Lock and named DeVito the starter this week against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. No team has allowed more fantasy points per game this year to quarterbacks than the Bucs.

WEEK 12 QUARTERBACK RANKINGS

1. Jalen Hurts, PHI (at LAR)

2. Lamar Jackson, BAL (at LAC)

3. Kyler Murray, ARI (at SEA)

4. Jayden Daniels, WAS (vs. DAL)

5. Jared Goff, DET (at IND)

6. Patrick Mahomes, KC (at CAR)

7. Justin Herbert, LAC (vs. BAL)

8. Brock Purdy, SF (at GB)

9. C.J. Stroud, HOU (vs. TEN)

10. Baker Mayfield, TB (at NYG)

11. Bo Nix, DEN (at LV)

12. Jordan Love, GB (vs. SF)

13. Tua Tagovailoa, MIA (vs. NE)

14. Anthony Richardson, IND (vs. DET)

15. Matthew Stafford, LAR (vs. PHI)

16. Russell Wilson, PIT (at CLE)

17. Geno Smith, SEA (vs. ARI)

18. Drake Maye, NE (at MIA)

19. Jameis Winston, CLE (vs. PIT)

20. Caleb Williams, CHI (vs. MIN)

21. Sam Darnold, MIN (at CHI)

22. Will Levis, TEN (at HOU)

23. Tommy DeVito, NYG (vs. TB)

24. Bryce Young, CAR (vs KC)

25. Cooper Rush, DAL (at WAS)

26. Gardner Minshew, LV (vs. DEN)

27. Justin Fields, PIT (at CLE)

28. Andy Dalton, CAR (vs. KC)

29. Desmond Ridder, LV (vs. DEN)

30. Jacoby Brissett, NE (at MIA)

At first glance, the numbers that Christian McCaffrey has posted since returning to the San Francisco 49ers have been…fine. The reigning Offensive Player of the Year has received 21 touches per game. He has been a top-10 PPR running back over the past two weeks.

But McCaffrey hasn't looked like himself. He's averaging only 3.7 yards per carry and looks a bit rusty.

After Sunday's loss to the Seattle Seahawks, McCaffrey acknowledged that he isn't quite himself—at least not yet.

"I can be a lot better," McCaffrey told reporters. "I feel like I can be a lot better. You know, to miss time with an injury is always tough. It's not an excuse. I know I can be a lot better. I feel it. It's coming. I just gotta get rolling. Physically, I feel good. You know, it's just getting everything back to normal."

Frankly, the whole San Francisco offense was out of sorts against the Seahawks. Provided he truly is healthy, McCaffrey is going to break out at some point soon.

So, if you've been holding onto CMC all season long, just keep rolling him out there. It shouldn't be long now.

GOOD MATCHUPS

Kareem Hunt, Kansas City Chiefs (at CAR) [DraftKings DFS Value: $5,700]

Isiah Pacheco might return in Week 12, but even if he does, he's likely to be eased in after missing two months with a broken leg. Besides, both backs could be fantasy starters against the Panthers. Carolina sports the worst run defense in the NFL, allowing over 160 yards per game.

Tyrone Tracy Jr., New York Giants (vs. TB) [DraftKings DFS Value: $6,000]

With DeVito under center for the Giants, Big Blue will likely lean heavily on Tracy and the ground game against a Tampa Bay defense allowing over 125 rushing yards per game and the fifth-most PPR points per game to running backs.

BAD MATCHUPS

Chuba Hubbard, RB, Carolina Panthers (vs. KC) [DraftKings DFS Value: $6,600]

Hubbard has been the best offensive weapon the Panthers have this season, averaging a career-best 5.1 yards per carry. He racked up a career-high 153 rushing yards against the Giants in his last outing, but a repeat is unlikely against a Chiefs team that's surrendering the fewest PPR points per game to running backs this season.

Jonathan Taylor, RB, Indianapolis Colts (vs. DET) [DraftKings DFS Value: $7,100]

Taylor hasn't exactly met expectations this season. He barely ranks inside the top 20 running backs in fantasy points per game. The sledding will be tough this week, as the Lions' fifth-ranked run defense is allowing less than 95 yards per game on the ground.

SLEEPER

Amer Abdullah, Las Vegas Raiders (vs. DEN) [DraftKings DFS Value: $4,300]

The Broncos aren't an especially great matchup for running backs. They're one of seven teams allowing less than 100 yards per game on the ground. But with Alexander Mattison (ankle) and Zamir White (quad) both injured, Abdullah could see a boatload of garbage-time dump-offs in what should be a lopsided game.

WEEK 12 RUNNING BACK RANKINGS

1. Saquon Barkley, PHI (at LAR)

2. De'Von Achane, MIA (vs. NE)

3. Christian McCaffrey, SF (at GB)

4. Derrick Henry, BAL (at LAC)

5. Joe Mixon, HOU (vs. TEN)

6. Jahmyr Gibbs, DET (at IND)

7. Kenneth Walker III, SEA (vs. ARI)

8. Brian Robinson Jr., WAS (vs. DAL)

9. Jonathan Taylor, IND (vs. DET)

10. Josh Jacobs, GB (vs. SF)

11. Kyren Williams, LAR (vs. PHI)

12. James Conner, ARI (at SEA)

13. Rhamondre Stevenson, NE (at MIA)

14. Aaron Jones, MIN (at CHI)

15. Tyrone Tracy Jr., NYG (vs. TB)

16. David Montgomery, DET (at IND)

17. Tony Pollard, TEN (at HOU)

18. D'Andre Swift, CHI (vs. MIN)

19. Najee Harris, PIT (at CLE)

20. J.K. Dobbins, LAC (vs. BAL)

21. Kareem Hunt, KC (at CAR)

22. Rico Dowdle, DAL (at WAS)

23. Chuba Hubbard, CAR (vs. KC)

24. Javonte Williams, DEN (at LV)

25. Bucky Irving, TB (at NYG)

26. Nick Chubb, CLE (vs. PIT)

27. Isiah Pacheco, KC (at CAR)

28. Raheem Mostert, MIA (vs. NE)

29. Austin Ekeler, WAS (vs. DAL)

30. Rachaad White, TB (at NYG)

31. Roschon Johnson, CHI (vs. MIN)

32. Jaylen Warren, PIT (at CLE)

33. Gus Edwards, LAC (vs. BAL)

34. Ameer Abdullah, LV (vs. DEN)

35. Audric Estime, DEN (at LV)

36. Devin Singletary, NYG (vs. TB)

37. Justice Hill, BAL (at LAC)

38. Jerome Ford, CLE (vs. PIT)

39. Trey Benson, ARI (at SEA)

40. Jonathon Brooks, CAR (vs. KC)

41. Antonio Gibson, NE (at MIA)

42. Jordan Mason, SF (at GB)

43. Zach Charbonnet, SEA (vs. ARI)

44. Cam Akers, MIN (at CHI)

45. Sean Tucker, TB (at NYG)

46. Kenneth Gainwell, PHI (at LAR)

47. Blake Corum, LAR (vs. PHI)

48. Emanuel Wilson, GB (vs. SF)

49. Samaje Perine, KC (at CAR)

50. Jaylen Wright, MIA (vs. NE)

Barring something unforeseen, the status of fantasy's No. 1 wide receiver for 2024 has been settled. Ja'Marr Chase of the Cincinnati Bengals is one of only three wideouts averaging 20 PPR points per game, and he has a nearly 60-point lead over the next-closest receiver (Amon-Ra St. Brown of the Detroit Lions).

The receivers chasing Chase will get a chance to narrow the gap somewhat since the Bengals are on bye in Week 12. But even if St. Brown has a game like he did in Week 11, he'll still be 20-plus points off Chase's pace.

This isn't to say that St. Brown isn't having a great season of his own. After catching all 11 of his targets last week for a career-high 161 yards and two scores in Detroit's immolation of the Jacksonville Jaguars, St. Brown is fifth in the league in receptions (65), 12th in receiving yards (685), and he leads the NFC in touchdown catches with nine.

Lions quarterback Jared Goff summed it up well when asked by reporters about St. Brown after Sunday's win.

"He's just that guy, man," Goff said.

GOOD MATCHUPS

Tyreek Hill, Miami Dolphins (vs. NE) [DraftKings DFS Value: $7,200]

Hill's 2024 season has been a disappointment for multiple reasons, from Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa missing time to Hill fighting through a nagging wrist injury. But this week's matchup with the Patriots is favorable, and the Dolphins have to win to keep their flickering playoff hopes intact.

Malik Nabers, New York Giants (vs. TB) [DraftKings DFS Value: $7,400]

The insertion of DeVito at quarterback adds a measure of uncertainty to the Giants' passing game. But the Buccaneers have surrendered the sixth-most PPR points per game to wide receivers this season.

BAD MATCHUPS

Jordan Addison, Minnesota Vikings (at CHI) [DraftKings DFS Value: $5,100]

Addison is coming off one of his better games of the season. He hauled in three catches for 61 yards and a touchdown against the Tennessee Titans. But he left last week's win with cramping issues and didn't return, and this week, he faces a Bears defense giving up the fewest PPR points per game to wide receivers this season.

Tank Dell, Houston Texans (vs. TEN) [DraftKings DFS Value $6,400]

Not a lot has gone right for the Tennessee Titans this season, but their defense has been solid. They're surrendering a league-low 164.6 passing yards per game. Add in the return of Nico Collins, and Dell could be a dicey fantasy play in Week 12.

SLEEPER

Rome Odunze, Chicago Bears (vs. MIN) [DraftKings DFS Value: $4,800]

Chicago's offense appeared to receive a boost last week with interim offensive coordinator Thomas Brown calling the plays, and Odunze led the Bears in both targets (10) and receiving yards (65). The Vikings are stout against the run but soft against the pass, as they're allowing the fifth-most yards per game through the air in the NFL.

WEEK 12 WIDE RECEIVER RANKINGS

1. Justin Jefferson, MIN (at CHI)

2. Amon-Ra St. Brown, DET (at IND)

3. A.J. Brown, PHI (at LAR)

4. Nico Collins, HOU (vs. TEN)

5. Puka Nacua, LAR (vs. PHI)

6. Tyreek Hill, MIA (vs. NE)

7. Mike Evans, TB (at NYG)

8. CeeDee Lamb, DAL (at WAS)

9. Deebo Samuel Sr., SF (at GB)

10. Malik Nabers, NYG (vs. TB)

11. Zay Flowers, BAL (at LAC)

12. DK Metcalf, SEA (vs. ARI)

13. Cooper Kupp, LAR (vs. PHI)

14. Terry McLaurin, WAS (vs. DAL)

15. Marvin Harrison Jr., ARI (at SEA)

16. George Pickens, PIT (at CLE)

17. Calvin Ridley, TEN (at HOU)

18. Courtland Sutton, DEN (at LV)

19. DeVonta Smith, PHI (at LAR)

20. DeAndre Hopkins, KC (at CAR)

21. Jaxon Smith-Njigba, SEA (vs. ARI)

22. Jaylen Waddle, MIA (vs. NE)

23. Jauan Jennings, SF (at GB)

24. Jayden Reed, GB (vs. SF)

25. Ladd McConkey, LAC (vs. BAL)

26. DJ Moore, CHI (vs. MIN)

27. Cedric Tillman, CLE (vs. PIT)

28. Tank Dell, HOU (vs. TEN)

29. Michael Pittman Jr., IND (vs. DET)

30. Jameson Williams, DET (at IND)

31. Josh Downs, IND (vs. DET)

32. Jerry Jeudy, CLE (vs. PIT)

33. Jordan Addison, MIN (at CHI)

34. Romeo Doubs, GB (vs. SF)

35. Jakobi Meyers, LV (vs. DEN)

36. Quentin Johnston, LAC (vs. BAL)

37. Xavier Legette, CAR (vs. KC)

38. Jalen McMillan, TB (at NYG)

39. Keenan Allen, CHI (vs. MIN)

40. Christian Watson, GB (vs. SF)

41. Darius Slayton, NYG (vs. TB)

42. DeMario Douglas, NE (at MIA)

43. Rashod Bateman, BAL (at LAC)

44. Michael Wilson, ARI (at SEA)

45. Rome Odunze, CHI (vs. MIN)

46. Xavier Worthy, KC (at CAR)

47. Devaughn Vele, DEN (at LV)

48. Jalen Coker, CAR (vs. KC)

49. Tyler Lockett, SEA (vs. ARI)

50. Mike Williams, PIT (at CLE)

51. Nick Westbrook-Ikhine, TEN (at HOU)

52. Wan'Dale Robinson, NYG (vs. TB)

53. Jalen Tolbert, DAL (at WAS)

54. Juju Smith-Schuster, KC (at CAR)

55. Elijah Moore, CLE (vs. PIT)

56. Troy Franklin, DEN (at LV)

57. Sterling Shepard, TB (at NYG)

58. Dontayvion Wicks, GB (vs. SF)

59. Noah Brown, WAS (vs. DAL)

60. Alec Pierce, IND (vs. DET)

Were this not a byepocalypse week (more on that later), we would be talking about the ridiculous performance that New Orleans Saints tight end Taysom Hill just had against the Cleveland Browns.

Hill isn't really a tight end, but that's how he's classified with most fantasy providers. And fantasy managers who had him in lineups Sunday likely had a nice Week 11.

But Hill is off this week, so we'll discuss another tight end who also had himself a week in Week 11—and who has been far more consistent as a whole for the season.

Not a lot has gone right for the Las Vegas Raiders, but first-round rookie Brock Bowers has been as advertised. Last week against the Miami Dolphins, Bowers caught a career-high 13 passes for 126 yards and a touchdown. For the season, Bowers has the most PPR points of any tight end in the league.

If that holds, it will mark the second straight season that a first-year tight end led the league in fantasy points.

GOOD MATCHUPS

T.J. Hockenson, Minnesota Vikings (at CHI) [DraftKings DFS Value: $4,200]

The Bears haven't been an easy team to throw on this season, but for whatever reason, tight ends have had more success from a fantasy perspective than wide receivers. This could be the week that we finally see the Hockenson who was so productive before getting hurt last season.

Travis Kelce, Kansas City Chiefs (at CAR) [DraftKings DFS Value: $5,800]

Kelce has had some clunkers this season, including his two catches for eight yards last week against the Buffalo Bills. But the veteran should rebound this week in Charlotte, as the Panthers are sixth in fantasy points per game surrendered to tight ends in 2024.

BAD MATCHUPS

Tucker Kraft, Green Bay Packers (vs. SF) [DraftKings DFS Value: $3,900]

Krafty has had his moments this season, but he had only one target last week in a game where the Packers attempted just 17 passes. This week, the Packers face a San Francisco 49ers defense that has allowed the sixth-fewest PPR points to tight ends this year.

Cade Otton, Tampa Bay Buccaneers (at NYG) [DraftKings DFS Value: $4,400]

Otton has been a big part of the Tampa offense since Mike Evans and Chris Godwin went down with injuries. But there's a good chance that Evans will be back in the lineup this week, and no team has allowed fewer PPR points per game to tight ends than the Giants.

SLEEPER

Luke Schoonmaker, Dallas Cowboys (at WAS) [DraftKings DFS Value: $2,500]

This is digging pretty deeply into "sleeper" territory, but the Commanders are an OK fantasy matchup for tight ends. With Jake Ferguson in the concussion protocol with one less day to recover after playing on Monday night, Schoonmaker should be Dallas' TE1 in Week 12.

WEEK 12 TIGHT END RANKINGS

1. Travis Kelce, KC (at CAR)

2. Brock Bowers, LV (vs. DEN)

3. Trey McBride, ARI (at SEA)

4. T.J. Hockenson, MIN (at CHI)

5. Mark Andrews, BAL (at LAC)

6. Cade Otton, TB (at NYG)

7. Dallas Goedert, PHI (at LAR)

8. Hunter Henry, NE (at MIA)

9. David Njoku, CLE (vs. PIT)

10. Jonnu Smith, MIA (vs. NE)

11. Will Dissly, LAC (vs. BAL)

12. Tucker Kraft, GB (vs. SF)

13. Dalton Schultz, HOU (vs. TEN)

14. Pat Freiermuth, PIT (at CLE)

15. Cole Kmet, CHI (vs. MIN)

16. Zach Ertz, WAS (vs. DAL)

17. Isaiah Likely, BAL (at LAC)

18. Ja'Tavion Sanders, CAR (vs. KC)

19. Adam Trautman, DEN (at LV)

20. Noah Fant, SEA (vs. ARI)

21. Theo Johnson, NYG (vs. TB)

22. Noah Gray, KC (at CAR)

23. Luke Schoonmaker, DAL (at WAS)

24. Darnell Washington, PIT (at CLE)

25. Davis Allen, LAR (vs. PHI)

26. Austin Hooper, NE (at MIA)

27. Chigoziem Okonkwo, TEN (at HOU)

28. Hayden Hurst, LAC (vs. BAL)

29. Brock Wright, DET (at IND)

30. Josh Oliver, MIN (at CHI)

The Minnesota Vikings are quietly having an excellent season on defense.

The Vikings are 10th in the league in yards allowed per game and allow the fewest rushing yards per game at 74.4. They're fourth in scoring defense, surrendering just 17 points per game. They're third in the league in sacks with 35. And they're tied with the Buffalo Bills for the most takeaways in the NFL with 21.

Given those last three categories, it shouldn't come as a big surprise that the Vikings have also been productive for fantasy managers. As a matter of fact, the Vikes have spent most of the season leading the league in fantasy points.

The Vikings amassed five sacks last week against the Tennessee Titans and intercepted a pass. It marked the eighth time in 10 games that they've tallied at least 10 fantasy points.

This Vikings defense may not be the Purple People Eaters of the 1960s and 1970s, but they've propelled fantasy managers to success this season. And with a matchup on deck against a Chicago Bears team allowing the 12th-most fantasy points per game to defenses this year, that should continue in Week 12.

GOOD MATCHUPS

Wil Lutz, Denver Broncos (at LV)

Lutz was mostly busy kicking extra points last week against Atlanta, but he also nailed a 45-yard field goal. This week, the Denver Broncos head to Sin City to take on a Raiders team allowing the most fantasy points per game in the AFC to kickers this season.

Houston Texans Defense (vs. TEN) [DraftKings DFS Ranking: $3,600]

The Texans had themselves a night against the Cooper Rush-led Dallas Cowboys in Week 11, racking up five sacks, adding two takeaways and taking a fumble to the house for a score. No team has surrendered more fantasy points per game to defenses this year than their Week 12 opponent, the Titans.

BAD MATCHUPS

Cairo Santos, Chicago Bears (vs. MIN)

Santos had a game-winning field goal last week against the Green Bay Packers blocked, and now he has to face the aforementioned Vikings. No team has given up fewer fantasy points per game to kickers this season than Minnesota.

Los Angeles Chargers Defense (vs. BAL) [DraftKings DFS Value: $2,700]

The Chargers are 7-3 on the season, in no small part because of a defense that leads the league in points per game allowed. But this week, the Bolts take on the NFL's only team amassing more than 400 yards and 30 points per game on the season.

SLEEPER

Arizona Cardinals Defense (at SEA) [DraftKings DFS Value: $2,600]

The Cardinals are in first place in the NFC West, and while the defense hasn't been great, it has made some plays in big spots. For the season, the Seahawks have quietly surrendered the seventh-most fantasy points per game to defenses.

WEEK 12 KICKER RANKINGS

1. Chris Boswell, PIT (at CLE)

2. Jake Bates, DET (at IND)

3. Ka'imi Fairbairn, HOU (vs. TEN)

4. Jake Moody, SF (at GB)

5. Cameron Dicker, LAC (vs BAL)

6. Brandon McManus, GB (vs. SF)

7. Justin Tucker, BAL (at LAC)

8. Brandon Aubrey, DAL (at WAS)

9. Chase McLaughlin, TB (at NYG)

10. Jason Sanders, MIA (vs. NE)

11. Jason Myers, SEA (vs. ARI)

12. Wil Lutz, DEN (at LV)

13. Spencer Shrader, KC (at CAR)

14. Chad Ryland, ARI (at SEA)

15. Jake Elliott, PHI (at LAR)

16. Joshua Karty, LAR (vs. PHI)

17. Cairo Santos, CHI (vs. MIN)

18. Matt Gay, IND (vs. DET)

19. Zane Gonzalez, WAS (vs. DAL)

20. John Parker Romo, MIN (at CHI)

21. Daniel Carlson, LV (vs. DEN)

22. Graham Gano, NYG (vs. TB)

23. Dustin Hopkins, CLE (vs. PIT)

24. Nick Folk, TEN (at HOU)

25. Joey Slye, NE (at MIA)

WEEK 12 TEAM DEFENSE RANKINGS

1. Pittsburgh Steelers (at CLE)

2. Kansas City Chiefs (at CAR)

3. Minnesota Vikings (at CHI)

4. Denver Broncos (at LV)

5. Houston Texans (vs. TEN)

6. Detroit Lions (at IND)

7. Philadelphia Eagles (at LAR)

8. Washington Commanders (vs. DAL)

9. Miami Dolphins (vs. NE)

10. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (at NYG)

11. Chicago Bears (vs. MIN)

12. San Francisco 49ers (at GB)

13. Arizona Cardinals (at SEA)

14. Cleveland Browns (vs. PIT)

15. Green Bay Packers (vs. SF)

16. Los Angeles Chargers (vs. BAL)

17. New England Patriots (at MIA)

18. Baltimore Ravens (at LAC)

19. Tennessee Titans (at HOU)

20. New York Giants (vs. TB)

21. Las Vegas Raiders (vs. DEN)

22. Los Angeles Rams (vs. PHI)

23. Seattle Seahawks (vs. ARI)

24. Dallas Cowboys (at WAS)

25. Carolina Panthers (vs. KC)

Before we get to the top 100 players overall for PPR leagues in Week 12 (a list that can assist with "flex" lineup decisions), it's weekly notes time!

As always, there are no quarterbacks listed here. If your fantasy league has a superflex spot and you have a decent backup under center, he's not a backup—he's a starter.

The second is that, as mentioned before, it's the first Byepocalypse. The Atlanta Falcons, Buffalo Bills, Cincinnati Bengals, Jacksonville Jaguars, New Orleans Saints and New York Jets are all off. There are a bunch of fantasy stars not playing this week, from Bills QB Josh Allen and Bengals WR Ja'Marr Chase to Falcons RB Bijan Robinson, Jets RB Breece Hall and Saints RB Alvin Kamara.

Finally, it's frustrating to hit Week 12 at say 4-7 or worse. I know, believe me.

In the King's Classic Butkus Division that drafts live at the Pro Football Hall of Fame every year, I'm fourth in points. My all-play record is 20-plus games over .500. Yet I'm 4-7 and am toast, barring a miracle.

Don't quit. Make waiver claims. Set your lineup. Do right by your fellow managers. There are borderline playoff teams who could either earn a spot playing ghosts or get bounced because other teams do. That's not cool.

Be cool—even if the season hasn't been.

WEEK 12 TOP 100 PLAYERS OVERALL/"FLEX" RANKINGS

1. Justin Jefferson, WR, MIN (at CHI)

2. Amon-Ra St. Brown, WR, DET (at IND)

3. A.J. Brown, WR, PHI (at LAR)

4. Nico Collins, WR, HOU (vs. TEN)

5. Saquon Barkley, RB, PHI (at LAR)

6. De'Von Achane, RB, MIA (vs. NE)

7. Christian McCaffrey, RB, SF (at GB)

8. Puka Nacua, WR, LAR (vs. PHI)

9. Derrick Henry, RB, BAL (at LAC)

10. Tyreek Hill, WR, MIA (vs. NE)

11. Joe Mixon, RB, HOU (vs. TEN)

12. Mike Evans, WR, TB (at NYG)

13. CeeDee Lamb, WR, DAL (at WAS)

14. Jahmyr Gibbs, RB, DET (at IND)

15. Deebo Samuel Sr., WR, SF (at GB)

16. Malik Nabers, WR, NYG (vs. TB)

17. Kenneth Walker III, RB, SEA (vs. ARI)

18. Zay Flowers, WR, BAL (at LAC)

19. Brian Robinson Jr., RB, WAS (vs. DAL)

20. DK Metcalf, WR, SEA (vs. ARI)

21. Cooper Kupp, WR, LAR (vs. PHI)

22. Jonathan Taylor, RB, IND (vs. DET)

23. Terry McLaurin, WR, WAS (vs. DAL)

24. Marvin Harrison Jr., WR, ARI (at SEA)

25. Josh Jacobs, RB, GB (vs. SF)

26. George Pickens, WR, PIT (at CLE)

27. Calvin Ridley, WR, TEN (at HOU)

28. Kyren Williams, RB, LAR (vs. PHI)

29. Courtland Sutton, WR, DEN (at LV)

30. James Conner, RB, ARI (at SEA)

31. DeVonta Smith, WR, PHI (at LAR)

32. Travis Kelce, TE, KC (at CAR)

33. DeAndre Hopkins, WR, KC (at CAR)

34. Rhamondre Stevenson, RB, NE (at MIA)

35. Jaxon Smith-Njigba, WR, SEA (vs. ARI)

36. Brock Bowers, TE, LV (vs. DEN)

37. Jaylen Waddle, WR, MIA (vs. NE)

38. Aaron Jones, RB, MIN (at CHI)

39. Jauan Jennings, WR, SF (at GB)

40. Tyrone Tracy Jr., RB, NYG (vs. TB)

41. David Montgomery, RB, DET (at IND)

42. Tony Pollard, RB, TEN (at HOU)

43. Trey McBride, TE, ARI (at SEA)

44. Jayden Reed, WR, GB (vs. SF)

45. Ladd McConkey, WR, LAC (vs. BAL)

46. DJ Moore, WR, CHI (vs. MIN)

47. D'Andre Swift, RB, CHI (vs. MIN)

48. Cedric Tillman, WR, CLE (vs. PIT)

49. Tank Dell, WR, HOU (vs. TEN)

50. Najee Harris, RB, PIT (at CLE)

51. Michael Pittman Jr., WR, IND (vs. DET)

52. J.K. Dobbins, RB, LAC (vs. BAL)

53. Jameson Williams, WR, DET (at IND)

54. Josh Downs, WR, IND (vs. DET)

55. Kareem Hunt, RB, KC (at CAR)

56. Jerry Jeudy, WR, CLE (vs. PIT)

57. Rico Dowdle, RB, DAL (at WAS)

58. Jordan Addison, WR, MIN (at CHI)

59. Romeo Doubs, WR, GB (vs. SF)

60. Chuba Hubbard, RB, CAR (vs. KC)

61. T.J. Hockenson, TE, MIN (at CHI)

62. Jakobi Meyers, WR, LV (vs. DEN)

63. Quentin Johnston, WR, LAC (vs. BAL)

64. Javonte Williams, RB, DEN (at LV)

65. Mark Andrews, TE, BAL (at LAC)

66. Cade Otton, TE, TB (at NYG)

67. Xavier Legette, WR, CAR (vs. KC)

68. Jalen McMillan, WR, TB (at NYG)

69. Keenan Allen, WR, CHI (vs. MIN)

70. Bucky Irving, RB, TB (at NYG)

71. Christian Watson, WR, GB (vs. SF)

72. Nick Chubb, RB, CLE (vs. PIT)

73. Dallas Goedert, TE, PHI (at LAR)

74. Darius Slayton, WR, NYG (vs. TB)

75. DeMario Douglas, WR, NE (at MIA)

76. Isiah Pacheco, RB, KC (at CAR)

77. Rashod Bateman, WR, BAL (at LAC)

78. Hunter Henry, TE, NE (at MIA)

79. Michael Wilson, WR, ARI (at SEA)

80. Raheem Mostert, RB, MIA (vs. NE)

81. Rome Odunze, WR, CHI (vs. MIN)

82. Austin Ekeler, RB, WAS (vs. DAL)

83. Xavier Worthy, WR, KC (at CAR)

84. Rachaad White, RB, TB (at NYG)

85. Devaughn Vele, WR, DEN (at LV)

86. Roschon Johnson, RB, CHI (vs. MIN)

87. David Njoku, TE, CLE (vs. PIT)

88. Jalen Coker, WR, CAR (vs. KC)

89. Jaylen Warren, RB, PIT (at CLE)

90. Tyler Lockett, WR, SEA (vs. ARI)

91. Gus Edwards, RB, LAC (vs. BAL)

92. Nick Westbrook-Ikhine, WR, TEN (at HOU)

93. Wan'Dale Robinson, WR, NYG (vs. TB)

94. Jonnu Smith, TE, MIA (vs. NE)

95. Ameer Abdullah, RB, LV (vs. DEN)

96. Mike Williams, WR, PIT (at CLE)

97. Audric Estime, RB, DEN (at LV)

98. Jalen Tolbert, WR, DAL (at WAS)

99. Devin Singletary, RB, NYG (vs. TB)

100. Juju Smith-Schuster, WR, KC (at CAR)

Looking for more insight to help make some tough roster or lineup decisions? Check out all the latest B/R Fantasy Football essentials here.

Gary Davenport is a two-time Fantasy Sports Writers Association Football Writer of the Year. Follow him on X at @IDPSharks.