Biggest Fantasy Football Busts of the Week - Fantasy Outlooks for Week 12

Several NFL players underwhelmed in Week 12 of the 2023 fantasy football season. Andersen Pickard identifies busts at each position and whether they'll bounce back.

The 12th Sunday of the 2023 NFL season has come and gone. Hopefully, you woke up on Monday morning feeling very good about how your matchup went. However, this week's slate of games was certainly stress-inducing for many fantasy football managers.

Part of that stress was caused by a group of players who drastically underachieved in Week 12. These players simply did not meet fantasy expectations, and it cost their managers in a big way.

Let's take a look at the biggest busts from Week 12, as well as whether or not we can still have some trust in these players moving forward. All point totals are based on the PPR scoring system.

Editor's Note: Identify fantasy football draft busts, overvalued ADPs, and key players to avoid so you can draft with confidence this season.

Fantasy Football Quarterback Busts

Tua Tagovailoa, 7.82 FPTS

The Dolphins beat the Jets on Friday, but Tagovailoa still struggled, tossing just one touchdown while adding two interceptions and one lost fumble. Even as the New York offense stalls, its defense proves to be no joke.

Fortunately, Tagovailoa will get a more favorable matchup in the form of the Commanders next week.

Fantasy Football Running Back Busts

Saquon Barkley, 6.2 FPTS

Barkley was not heavily involved against the Patriots, posting season-lows in carries (12) and rushing yards (46). His role in the passing game was reduced, too, as he caught just one of three targets for a gain of six yards through the air. He'll look to bounce back against the Packers in Week 14.

Joe Mixon, 8.0 FPTS

Some thought that Mixon might benefit if the Bengals went run-heavy with Jake Browning at quarterback. However, the 27-year-old rushed for just 16 yards on eight carries. He salvaged his fantasy performance with two receptions for an additional 44 yards through the air, but it was a frustrating showing nonetheless. Cincinnati faces the Jaguars in Week 13.

James Conner, 7.2 FPTS

The Cardinals played from behind for most of Sunday's game against the Rams, which led to a reduction in touches for Conner. In fact, despite averaging an efficient 4.5 YPC, he earned just six carries in the contest. Increased volume is surely on tap for the 28-year-old versus Pittsburgh next week.

Gus Edwards, 4.7 FPTS

Edwards took a backseat to Justice Hill and Keaton Mitchell on Sunday, totaling just eight rushes for 26 yards on the ground. He also added an 11-yard reception. Baltimore's efficiency king should have feasted against a suspect Chargers defense but ended up delivering a very disappointing performance. He'll face the Rams on the other side of Baltimore's Week 13 bye.

Fantasy Football Wide Receiver Busts

DK Metcalf, 6.2 FPTS

Metcalf was targeted nine times against the 49ers on Thanksgiving, but he finished with just three catches for 32 yards. The 25-year-old hasn't been as dominant as in years past, and he could continue to struggle against a strong Cowboys defense in Week 13.

Adam Thielen, 1.2 FPTS

A negative game script versus a strong run defense? That should be the perfect equation for success in the passing attack. Yet, Thielen was essentially an afterthought, catching just one of three targets for a gain of two yards through the air. He entered this week as the overall fantasy WR10 but has started to lose the trust of some managers. Perhaps he can bounce back against the Buccaneers next week.

Tyler Lockett, 6.0 FPTS

Metcalf wasn't alone on Thursday. Lockett also struggled against the Niners, catching just three passes for 30 yards. He'll drop to the fantasy WR3 tier ahead of next week's tough clash with Dallas.

Cooper Kupp, 4.8 FPTS

You would think that when the Rams score 37 points, Kupp might be able to get in on the action. He ultimately caught just two passes for 48 yards despite seeing seven targets. That's five consecutive games of single-digit fantasy showings for the 30-year-old, less than two years removed from finishing as the overall WR1.

Puka Nacua, 6.7 FPTS

Kupp's partner in crime didn't fare much better. Nacua hauled in just four of eight targets for 27 yards as he was held to single-digit fantasy points for the fourth time in his last six games. He'll look to bounce back against Cleveland in Week 13.

Fantasy Football Tight End Busts

George Kittle, 4.9 FPTS

The 49ers rode Deebo Samuel and Christian McCaffrey to a victory on Thursday, leaving Kittle with a smaller-than-usual role. The athletic tight end caught three of five targets for just 19 yards, delivering his worst outing since Week 6. Fantasy managers should feel optimistic about his chances of bouncing back against the Eagles in Week 13.

Dalton Schultz, 1.2 FPTS

The Texans relied on the passing attack in their near-comeback against the Jaguars but didn't incorporate Schultz as much as they usually do. Although the ex-Cowboys tight end finished Week 12 with just one catch for two yards, he should return to the TE1 tier in fantasy football next Sunday.

Logan Thomas, 3.5 FPTS

Thomas has been a steady contributor for most of this season, but that wasn't the case on Thanksgiving as he finished with just two catches for 15 yards against Dallas. He's a fringe top-12 option at his position heading into Week 13 of the fantasy football season.

Jake Ferguson, 4.5 FPTS

This season's TE8 had one of his quietest outings, catching just one of three targets for 35 yards through the air. He has been a boom-or-bust option this season but is worth inserting into lineups against the Seahawks in Week 13.

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