As we enter the final weeks of the regular season for the Fantasy NFL, it’s more important than ever to make the right decisions to start or bench players in the highest scoring position. Fortunately, this week we have a much larger pool of players thanks to zero byes, but the extra picks can sometimes make roster decisions even more difficult. However, there is nothing to fear: The Week 12 QB rankings are here to help you find the right players and avoid potential mistakes.
While some talk of starting or replacing is hastened with six teams playing inside Eucharistwe’ll definitely repeat Tua Tagovailoa (vs. Texans in Week 12), Geno Smith (vs. Raiders), Tom Brady (@Browns) and Trevor Lawrence (vs. Ravens) in our QB rankings. All four QBs are shaping up to be starting options, with Tagovailoa and Smith the mandatory starters in juicy games.
Injuries are the only thing that could cause problems this week, as Matthew Stafford (concussion), Justin Fields (left shoulder) and Kyler Murray (hamstring) will all need to be monitored. Considering that Stafford has entered the concussion protocol twice in the past three weeks, we don’t have much hope that he’ll show up against the Chiefs.
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Even if there are no bye teams, you could be looking for a streamer, and if that’s the case, Matt Ryan (vs. Steelers), Marcus Mariota (@Commanders), Taylor Heinicke (vs. Falcons), Mac Jones (@Vikings) , and Davis Mills (@ Dolphins) were the QBs we highlighted as terrible picks last week.
Since Ryan’s return, he’s put together two decent weeks under new offensive coordinator Parks Frazier. Mariota can always put up a handful of points through his legs and Heinicke just finds a way to get a decent floor. Jones and Mills address defenses that have had trouble containing QBs, but it’s only for the deep league folks, as most owners of a QB shouldn’t resort to these interior options. .
The aforementioned Stafford ( @Chiefs ) will likely be involved in a lot of starting/seating decisions this week if he’s on track to play. He would have a great matchup against a Chiefs defense that entered Week 11 allowing the fifth-most Fantasy points per game to QBs, but without Cooper Kupp (ankle), his ceiling would be lower than usual. Still, we’d like more from Kirk Cousins (vs. Patriots), Jimmy Garoppolo (vs. Saints) and Brady (@Browns), who are in tough spots.
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Cousins has a tough matchup against the Patriots defense, but he is always able to deliver a QB1 performance thanks to his weapons. Garoppolo is in a similar situation as a stout Saints defense can withstand, but he always has a chance to throw multiple TDs to his talented supporting cast. Brady and the Buccaneers offense started Week 10 in Germany and hopefully they can continue their success against a mediocre Browns defense. None of these QBs are truly “off limits” (not like Aaron Rodgers against the Eagles), but we think Mariota, Lawrence, Heinicke and Stafford, if active, have slightly higher ceilings.
Overall, there are plenty of solid picks this week, so finding a capable starter shouldn’t be a problem. Problems could arise if you have two strong options, and if that’s the case, just decide if you need a QB with a higher floor or a higher ceiling and go from there.
Week 12 QB Rankings
These rankings are based on passing TDs on four points.
Pos Player
1 Josh Allen, Bills @ Lions
2 Patrick Mahomes, Chiefs vs. rams
3 Jalen Hurts, Eagles vs. packers
4 Joe Burrow, Bengals @ Titans
5 Justin Fields, Bears @ Jets
6 Tua Tagovailoa, Dolphins vs. Texans
7 Lamar Jackson, Ravens @ Jaguars
8 Geno Smith, Seahawks vs. raiders
9 Justin Herbert, Chargers @ Cardinals
10 Dak Prescott, Cowboys vs. Giants
11 Kyler Murray, Cardinals vs. explosives
12 Trevor Lawrence, Jaguars vs. crows
13 Marcus Mariota, Falcons @ Commanders
14 Taylor Heinicke, Commanders vs. hawks
15 Kirk Cousins, Vikings vs. patriots
16 Tom Brady, Buccaneers @ Browns
17 Matt Ryan, Colts vs. steel
18 Jimmy Garoppolo, 49ers vs. Saints
19 Derek Carr, Raiders @ Seahawks
20 Mac Jones, Patriots @ Vikings
21 Davis Mills, Texans @ Dolphins
22 Russell Wilson, Broncos @ Panthers
23 Kenny Pickett, Steelers @ Colts
24 Aaron Rodgers, Packers @ Eagles
25 Daniel Jones, Giants @ Cowboys
26 Andy Dalton, Saints @ 49ers
27 Jared Goff, Lions vs. Accounts
28 Jacoby Brissett, Browns vs. buccaneers
29 Bryce Perkins, Rams @ Chiefs
30 Zach Wilson, Jets vs. bears
31 Ryan Tannehill, Titans vs. Bengal
32 Baker Mayfield, Panthers vs. grogs
