Fantasy Football Instant Reactions: Week 12

Week 12 will be remembered as “contenders vs. pretenders.” With the exception of the NFC North and NFC South, all other divisions now have clear favorites in the race for their regular-season champions. 

In the AFC East, the Bills blew a fantastic opportunity to re-establish themselves as legitimate Super Bowl contenders, blowing a late-game lead at Philadelphia. The Ravens increased their AFC North lead to two games, after the Browns lost their starting quarterback, and game, at Denver. The Jaguars now own a full two-game lead in the AFC South, and the 49ers created a two-game NFC West cushion with a victory at Seattle. 

Each week, I will provide my five instant fantasy football reactions from the slate of games. What were the key performances, surprises and disappointments from across the NFL? 

Let’s get into Week 12!

Week 12 Fantasy Football Instant Reactions

Reaction No. 1: Can the Buffalo Bills Really Miss the Playoffs? 

It’s certainly possible. 

The Bills have lost three of their last four games after Sunday’s crushing 37-34 overtime loss at Philadelphia. Losing a game where Buffalo quarterback Josh Allen throws for 339 yards, runs for 81 yards and accounts for four total touchdowns is very concerning. Allen’s turnover problems were essentially erased, with only one interception and no fumbles lost. Philadelphia only sacked Allen one time, providing essentially the perfect game environment for a tremendous road victory. The schedule makers did no favors for Buffalo, who will travel to Kansas City and host the Cowboys after a Week 12 bye. 

Currently, the Bills are out of the playoffs, sitting a half-game behind the Colts for the final spot in the AFC. A shocking turn of events for the preseason Super Bowl favorites. 

Reaction No. 2: Kansas City Has Found Its WR1

We waited 12 weeks for the Chiefs to find a WR1, and Rashee Rice has officially embraced that role. Rice set season-highs in targets (10), receptions (8) and receiving yards (107) in Kansas City’s 31-17 win over the Raiders. Rice has now increased his receptions and receiving yards in three straight games and has two touchdown catches in the last three contests. With tight end Travis Kelce only posting two games with 100 or more receiving yards, Rice’s role in this explosive offense is secure as a WR2 or better for the remainder of the season. 

Reaction No. 3: Bijan Unleashed … Finally? 

Fantasy players have been waiting (very patiently) for Atlanta head coach Arthur Smith to trust rookie RB Bijan Robinson with more touches. After Robinson’s two-touchdown performance in the Falcons 24-15 win over New Orleans, it is time to stay cautiously optimistic. 

The dynamic rookie running back saw the most carries (16) and second-most targets (6) for a Falcons offense that is devoid of offensive playmakers. Atlanta is now tied with New Orleans atop the NFC South and are scheduled to visit the Saints in the last game of the season. Per our FTN Fantasy Finishes Tool, this marks the first time Robinson has produced consecutive RB1 finishes since Weeks 1 and 2. 

Reaction No. 4: Carolina and Arizona Reach Rock Bottom

Arizona and Carolina are clearly the two worst teams in the NFL, carrying a combined three wins and 20 losses. The Panthers reacted to their fourth straight loss by firing head coach Frank Reich Monday morning. 

Arizona was mauled 37-14 at home to the Rams, allowing 143 rushing yards at a robust 6.8 yards per carry to Los Angeles running back Kyren Williams. Both teams are a combined 0-6 in their divisional games and have yet to win (0-12) a road game. 

Reaction No. 5: The MVP Race Is Heating Up

The quarterback position dominates the annual winners of the NFL MVP award, and this season will be no exception. Jalen Hurts and Dak Prescott established themselves as the top betting options after masterful Week 12 performances. Hurts accounted for five total touchdowns in the Eagles 37-34 overtime comeback victory over Buffalo, while Prescott scored four touchdowns with no turnovers in Dallas’ 45-10 crushing of Washington. 

Among non-quarterbacks, Miami wide receiver Tyreek Hill continues his campaign with his seventh 100-plus receiving yard game and 10th touchdown in Miami’s easy 34-13 victory over the Jets. Hill is not only trying to make history with a 2000-yard receiving season, but he would be the first wide receiver to ever win the NFL MVP award since its inception back in 1957.