RADIO
Week 12 Fantasy Football Busts
Tyrod Taylor (QB, BUF)
After being absolutely gouged by Aaron Rodgers in Week 3 (five touchdowns, 44.92 fantasy points), the Chiefs' defense has been drastically better. In each of the past five games, Bob Sutton's crew has grabbed at least one interception and allowed no more than one passing touchdown. In those five weeks, primary opposing quarterbacks have averaged 9.7 fantasy points-- and that doesn't include Peyton Manning's -6.6 fantasy points before exiting the game. That's like facing Ryan Mallett (9.98 fantasy points per game in five weeks) every week, but in actuality it was Teddy Bridgewater, Landry Jones, Matthew Stafford, Brock Osweiler and Philip Rivers.
Taylor's collarbone was clearly very bothersome in Monday night's game against the Patriots, so there is reason to believe it can affect him in Week 12. I would honestly be uncomfortable using Taylor in a 2QB league this week-- Marcus Mariota, Jameis Winston, Kirk Cousins, Alex Smith and even Jay Cutler are all most enticing options this week. When Mark Sanchez is projected more fantasy points than you, that's a pretty clear warning sign that you do not deserve a spot in a starting lineup, no matter how deep the league.
Lamar Miller (RB, MIA)
I spoke recently about selling Jay Ajayi because Lamar Miller is still the man in Miami, and that hasn't changed. But that's not to say Miller is a trustworthy fantasy play on a weekly basis-- at least not as a high-end RB2, like he is a full potential. With the Dolphins heading into the Meadowlands for a rematch with the reeling Jets, fantasy owners should be wary of what Miller can do. The lifelong Miami native has not surpassed 50 yards on the ground since his 175-yard gashing of the Texans' defense in Week 7, and with Ryan Tannehill a shell of his 2014 self, opposing defenses can stack the box against Miller.
The Jets have not allowed a red zone touchdown in three weeks. THREE WEEKS! Now, this is a bit misleading because the Jets are 1-2 in those three games and have allowed six offensive touchdowns over that span, but holding opposing offenses to a 0% success rate in the red zone over a three-game stretch is damn impressive, nonetheless. If Miller owners expect a touchdown in Week 12, it would likely have to come on a big run-- something he has not been able to manufacture in any of the last four weeks. Of course, given Miller's skills as a pass-catcher, there is always a chance that he can break a checkdown pass for a big gain, but again, it's a stretch.
Something to keep in mind is that this is the New York Jets we are talking about. A team that sat at 4-1 and seemed destined for the postseason just a few short weeks ago is now one loss away from finding themselves in last place in the AFC East. We know that they can be embarrassed in the worst (best) way in any given week, but I still think their defense is strong enough to keep a struggling Lamar Miller out of the end zone.
Mark Ingram (RB, NO)
Ingram has only rushed for more than 80 yards once this season, against the Colts in Week 7. Otherwise, he is only averaging 57.6 yards per game, which would put him 22nd in the NFL. The Texans have only allowed 100 yards to one player-- ironically, the aforementioned Lamar Miller. In fact, only Miller and Frank Gore have surpassed 75 rushing yards against Houston. Ingram only carried the football five times in Week 10 -- 70 of his 77 yards came on one touch -- and while he will remain the number one back in New Orleans, his 22 touches in Week 9 are not likely to be replicated.
The Saints' defense has more holes than a Shia LaBeouf movie, and opposing offenses have taken advantage of that. As a result, Drew Brees and Co. will undoubtedly have to air it out throughout the latter portion of games. So even if Ingram snaps out of his funk and runs decently well against a tough Houston defense, he will likely fade away in the second half, anyway.
Tavon Austin (WR, STL)
Whether it's Nick Foles or a concussed Case Keenum -- unbeknownst to Jeff Fisher, of course -- under center, no one can get the ball to Tavon Austin. Or any of the Rams' wideouts, for that matter. Only three St. Louis receivers have totaled double-digit fantasy points this season. No, not on average. In TOTAL. And unfortunately, one of the three, Stedman Bailey, is currently in the hospital recovering from a horrifying shooting incident Tuesday night. Austin, far and away the Rams' top receiving weapon, has surpassed 40 receiving yards just twice this year, and actually has five games of fewer than 10 yards through the air.
Now, Austin can be dangerous on the ground, as well, having collected 66 rushing yards on eight touches in Week 9. However, he has carried the ball just four times total in the two weeks since. The logical move would be to use him out of the backfield more given the struggles at quarterback, but for now, that doesn't appear to be the gameplan. My guess is they give Todd Gurley the ball about 600 or so times on Sunday, essentially rendering Austin fantasy irrelevant.
