Nate Hamilton is taking some time off for the holiday, so I will once again be spelling him for his Fantasy Football Busts column ahead of NFL Week 12.
While Nate is off, the spirit of this article remains the same. The players named here may have unfavorable matchups, situational changes that negatively impact their value, injury concerns, and other various reasons to avoid having them in your lineups this week.
The adage “stick with your studs” only applies to a few elite fantasy options, so you should not be married to all of your starters every week. Instead, you should pick and choose which players have the best matchups and highest potential for fantasy points.
Now, let’s discuss the top players to avoid for Week 12.
2021 Fantasy Football Busts for Week 12 - Quarterback
Ryan Tannehill, Tennessee Titans @ New England Patriots
Ryan Tannehill just threw four picks against the Houston Texans, which doesn’t bode well for this week’s matchup against the New England Patriots in Foxborough. The Pats are allowing just 16.1 points per game — the fewest in the NFL — while racking up 18 interceptions through 11 games.
What’s worse, stud WR A.J. Brown sustained hand and chest injuries in last week’s loss to Houston, putting his playing status in jeopardy.
Even if Brown plays, Tannehill will likely struggle. New England is allowing the second-fewest fantasy points per game (18.1) to opposing quarterbacks, including 14.1 or less in four of its last five games.
While Tannehill has been solid this year despite his lack of weapons, fantasy gamers should stay away from him here.
Trevor Siemian, New Orleans Saints vs Buffalo Bills
Folks, we live in a world where Trevor Siemian is in the QB1 conversation for fantasy football. I am not lying, nor have I started my Thanksgiving festivities early. Siemian is the QB4 since Week 9, just as we all expected.
While Siemian has been terrific, his run could come to an abrupt end in Week 12 against the Buffalo Bills. While the New Orleans Saints already employ an underwhelming corps of pass-catchers, they will also be without Adam Trautman (knee) for the next few games.
Siemian has managed to throw for multiple scores in three straight games but will have a difficult time maintaining his streak against a Bills defense yielding the fewest FPPG (15.5) to enemy passers. Buffalo has also allowed the fewest passing yards and touchdowns through the air, making them a nightmare matchup for opposing signal-callers.
More Week 12 Busts To Avoid:
- Tua Tagovailoa, Miami Dolphins vs Carolina Panthers
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2021 Fantasy Football Busts for Week 12 - Running Back
Buffalo Bills Running Backs @ New Orleans Saints
The Bills’ backfield is a mess. We knew this entering 2021, but it somehow managed to get worse. While we knew Devin Singletary and Zack Moss would be splitting carries, we now have to worry about Matt Breida as well, who has drawn 12 touches over the past two games combined.
Since Breida’s recent uptick in usage, Moss has received 10 touches in the past two games while Singletary has garnered 14. It’s safe to say that all of them should be faded, especially against one of the best run defenses in the NFL.
Myles Gaskin, Miami Dolphins vs Carolina Panthers
Myles Gaskin has been one of the most erratic players in fantasy football, popping for double-digit PPR points in every other game since Week 1. I hate to rely on a trend like this, but it seems likely to continue against a stout Carolina Panthers run defense surrendering the second-fewest FPPG (17.1) to opposing backs.
While Gaskin has logged 15-plus touches in five straight games, he still needs touchdowns and/or receptions to reach double-digit points. That won’t come easy against a defense against a unit allowing the fewest receptions, yards, and receiving touchdowns to running backs.
In what has been an up-and-down season for Gaskin, I’m expecting another down in Week 12.
More Week 12 Busts To Avoid:
- D’Onta Foreman, Tennesse Titans @ New England Patriots
Find better Week 12 fantasy football players to start with our 2021 Fantasy Football Sleepers Predictions.
2021 Fantasy Football Busts for Week 12 - Wide Receiver
Adam Thielen, Minnesota Vikings @ San Francisco 49ers
Adam Thielen is one of the best wide receivers in the NFL. He is also extremely reliable, even with Justin Jefferson commanding a hefty portion of Kirk Cousins‘ attention.
In Thielen’s past six games, however, he has drawn fewer than seven targets three times. In all three of those games, Thielen has finished with his worst fantasy outputs of the year.
Now, Thielen will get a San Francisco 49ers defense that has been playing better lately, especially against the pass. In their past five games, the 49ers have surrendered double-digit PPR points to just five different wideouts.
San Francisco has also not allowed a wide receiver to score a receiving touchdown since Week 7. As great as Thielen is, I’m fading him in Week 12.
Kenny Golladay, New York Giants vs Philadelphia Eagles
Due to injuries and underperformance, Kenny Golladay has been a major bust this year. Golladay has appeared in seven of 10 games this year and has returned single-digit PPR points in four of them, including each of his past three. He’s also yet to score a touchdown this year while recording fewer than 64 yards in six of seven outings.
After drawing three targets or less in three consecutive games, Golladay is an easy fade in Week 12 against the Philadelphia Eagles. Philly’s secondary is allowing the third-fewest FPPG (29.5) to opposing wideouts, including the sixth-fewest touchdowns (9).
More Week 12 Busts To Avoid:
- Jaylen Waddle, Miami Dolphins vs Carolina Panthers
Find better Week 12 fantasy football players on the waiver wire with our 2021 Fantasy Football Waiver Wire Top Pickups.
2021 Fantasy Football Busts for Week 12 - Tight End
Jared Cook, Los Angeles Chargers @ Denver Broncos
Jared Cook has not finished with double-digit PPR points since Week 6, a four-game drought since the Los Angeles Chargers’ Week 7 bye. The targets haven’t been there, either, as he’s drawn five targets or less in each of those four games.
Cook also hasn’t been much of a factor in the red zone with just two touchdowns in 10 games this year, including none over his last four. Don’t expect him to find the end zone this week, either, as the Denver Broncos have not allowed an opposing tight end to find paydirt this year.
More Week 12 Busts To Avoid:
- Tyler Conklin, Minnesota Vikings @ San Francisco 49ers
2021 Fantasy Football Busts for Week 12 - Defensive Team
New Orleans Saints D/ST vs Buffalo Bills
Through 10 games, the Saints D/ST is the 11th-ranked unit on the year, averaging 6.3 FPPG. They were just lit up by the Philadelphia Eagles for 40 points, however, and now face a much tougher opponent in the Buffalo Bills.
New Orleans defends the run well, but that won’t help them much against a team that prefers to air it out with Josh Allen. Look for Buffalo’s explosive offense to exploit their secondary and put points on the board, making the Saints a risky play.
More Week 12 Busts To Avoid:
- Green Bay Packers D/ST vs Los Angeles Rams
