LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – FEBRUARY 11: Travis Kelce #87 and Head coach Andy Reid of the Kansas City Chiefs look on in the second quarter against the San Francisco 49ers during Super Bowl LVIII at Allegiant Stadium on February 11, 2024 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images)
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It is getting to look a lot like fantasy football playoffs. You are either firmly in the playoffs, or fighting for that last spot, or looking to ruin someone else’s chances for the playoffs. Whatever your plight, it’s Week 12 and you are still in the game.
Is it still about matchups? You know who to play…you have made it this far, right? So let’s talk, matchups for Week 12. There are four teams on a bye this week: the Denver Broncos, the Los Angeles Chargers, the Miami Dolphins, and the Washington Commanders. So, you might be in need of a replacement here and there.
Quarterback Matchups Week 12
Defensive Passing statistics:
TEAM PITTSBURGH STEELERS
PASS ATTEMPTS ALLOWED 397
PASSING YARDS /ATTEMPT ALLOWED 7.09
PASSING YARDS PER GAME ALLOWED 261.7
WEEK 12 OPPONENT @ CALEB WILLIAMS
The Dallas Cowboys and the San Francisco 49ers in action during a game at Candlestick Park in San Francisco, California, January 10th 1982. (Photo by UPI/Bettmann Archive/Getty Images)
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TEAM SAN FRANCISCO NINERS
PASS ATTEMPTS ALLOWED 396
PASS YARDS /ATTEMPT ALLOWED 7.11
PASSING YARDS PER GAME ALLOWED 249.0
WEEK 12 OPPONENT v BRYCE YOUNG
TEAM NEW YORK GIANTS
PASSING ATTEMPTS ALLOWED 381
PASSING YARDS / ATTEMPT 6.93
PASSING YARDS ALLOWED 225.2
WEEK 12 OPPONENTS @ JARED GOFF
DALLAS COWBOYS
PASSING ATTEMPTS/ GAME 7.89
PASSING YARDS ALLOWED 249.9
WEEK 12 OPPONENT v JALEN HURTS
CINCINNATI BENGALS
PASSING ATTEMPTS/GAME 7.84
PASSING YARDS ALLOWED 257.3
ORCHARD PARK, NEW YORK – OCTOBER 05: Shaq Thompson #45 of the Buffalo Bills grabs Drake Maye #10 of the New England Patriots in the fourth quarter of the game at Highmark Stadium on October 05, 2025 in Orchard Park, New York. (Photo by Bryan M. Bennett/Getty Images)
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WEEK 12 OPPONENT v DRAKE MAYE
CHICAGO BEARS
PASSING ATTEMPTS/ GAME 7.84
PASSING YARDS ALLOWED 231.1
CLEVELAND BROWNS
PASSING ATTEMPTS PER GAME 260
PASSING YARDS PER ATTEMPTS 7.21
PASSING YARDS ALLOWED PER GAME 167.0
WEEK 12 OPPONENT @ GENO SMITH
Stats courtesy of Footballdatabase.com
Quarterback Matchup Week 12
First, a few words about the quarterback matchups. Stats tell some of the story, but not the whole story. For instance, Young’s stats are lifted by the absolute powerhouse game he had last week. Can he replicate it? Who knows. It was an overtime game versus the Atlanta Falcons, who, until last week, were giving up the sixth fewest (188) passing yards per game.
Maye has been “aided” by what is perceived as a “soft” schedule (you can only play who you are scheduled). It doesn’t end here against a Bengals defense that has been historically bad.
The weather (strong winds, torrential rains, etc.) will also play a hand in the ability of the quarterback to dominate. This week, Goff, Smith, and Hurts will all be playing indoors. The weather report for both Cincinnati and Chicago appears mild.
And last but not least, the quarterback has a symbiotic relationship with his pass catchers. The Jacksonville Jaguars lead the league with 32 dropped passes.
And of course, the ability of the defense to get after the quarterback matters. The Bears have the fewest quarterback pressures for the season, while their opponents, the Steelers, are tied for the third most sacks (33). Cleveland Browns’ Myles Garrett only has 16 sacks and 43 quarterback pressures, not looking good for Smith.
And finally (somewhat), the three best offensive lines versus defense lines matchups for the week are: the Patriots versus the Bengals, the Eagles versus the Cowboys, and the Lions versus the Giants.
The Steelers will either play Aaron Rodgers or Mason Rudolph under center.
This makes Maye and Goff excellent matchups for the week, while you want to stay away from Smith.
Running Back Matchups Week 12
Bad Running Back Matchup Week 12
Chase Brown v New England Patriots, Patriots -6, 51.5 o/u
The Bengals are last in run plays per game. Brown is on the field for a 68.8% snap share and is averaging 51.9 rushing yards per game. The Patriots’ defense is allowing an average of 58.8 rushing yards per game and has given up the fewest fantasy points to the running back position per game (9.5). They have only allowed two rushing touchdowns all season.
Now, for a reason for optimism, with no Ja’Marr Chase, Brown could see an uptick in his receiving stats. While he only averages 12.6 carries per game, he has a 14.9% target share (that was with Chase in the lineup) and is fourth among running backs in targets, averaging 5.3 per game.
The Patriots have given up one receiving touchdown to the running back position and 32.18 receiving yards.
Better Running Back Matchups Week 12
- TreVeyon Henderson @ Cincinnati Bengals, Patriots -6, 51.5 o/u
Running backs against the Bengals are averaging 27.3 fantasy points per game and 137.1 rushing yards.
The Patriots are eighth in rush attempts per game. Henderson averages 9.1 carries per game and is on the field for a 46.6% snap share.
- Jahmyr Gibbs v New York Giants, Lions -10.0, 49.5 o/u
Running backs are averaging 116.8 rushing yards and 20.2 fantasy points against the Lions. The Giants have allowed at least one rushing touchdown (on average) per game.
Gibbs has a 62.4% snap share and is averaging 14 carries per game. The Lions are ninth in run plays per game.
*Don’t forget Dan Campbell’s fondness for David Montgomery.
- Kenneth Walker v Tennessee Titans, Seahawks -13.5, 40.5 o/u
The Titans have given up 12 rushing touchdowns, 121.2 rushing yards, and 20.4 fantasy points per game to the running back position.
The Seahawks are first in run plays per game. Walker is averaging 13.6 carries per game with a 46.3% snap share.
The issue is Zach Charbonnet, who is on the field for a 49.1% snap share and averages 11.7 carries per game.
Best Tight End Matchup Week 12
Travis Kelce v Indianapolis Colts, Chiefs -3.5, 49.5 o/u
There is nothing quite like desperation to boost production. Last week, in a losing effort against the Denver Broncos, Kelce led the team in targets (13), receptions (9), receiving yards (91), and touchdowns (1).
This week, in a must-win game for the Chiefs to stay playoff relevant, Kelce gets a prime matchup against the Colts, who are allowing 72.6 yards and the third most fantasy points to the tight end position (9.7).
Best Wide Receiver Matchup Week 12
WanDale Robinson @ Detroit Lions, Lions -10.0, 49.5 o/u
The quarterback could be Jaxson Dart or Jameis Winston, going with Robinson for either. Last week, Robinson had a 31% target share. He led the team in targets (9) but was woefully inept in making those targets productive (4-36).
Counting on a better outing against the Lions in a game that could be a fun shoot-out.
In Week 12 Fantasy Football Conclusion
Remember, some teams will be playing for their play-off lives. And some coaches are coaching for their future. It all matters.
Play nice and Good Luck.
Source: https://www.forbes.com/sites/gladyslouisetyler/2025/11/21/fantasy-football-week-12-best-positional-plays-redraft-leaguesdfs/
