Hello again, and Happy Thanksgiving! Did you think we were really going to skip the DFS column for NFL Week 12? I can’t leave you all hanging, even on a holiday weekend. We are currently 34 of 34 in publishing this piece every week since the start of the 2022 season when I started this article, and that includes playoff football.
This means I am especially grateful for our editor, Ryan Weisse, whose labor of love seemingly never ends with the amount of content I throw at him. Even on holidays, he does the work of getting this article to the people, something I could not do without him.
And, of course, I am thankful for everyone who reads this column, whether this is your first or 34th visit.
We’re keeping it quick this week, so you can set your lineups while still getting that rest time or time with friends and family.
Let’s dig into our NFL DFS Week 12 Cash plays.
Cash is in session.
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NFL DFS Week 12
Teacher’s Pet
Dalton Kincaid (DraftKings: $5,300 / FanDuel: $6,000)
This may be the first time a tight end other than Travis Kelce has been named Teacher’s Pet in this column. But Dalton Kincaid is in a smash spot against the Philadelphia Eagles. Since Week 8, they have given up the second most points to tight ends. But more importantly, I am intrigued by the opportunities that can arise for Kincaid, given the Eagles’ defensive strategy. Last week against Travis Kelce, they double-covered him all day, forcing Kansas City to beat them elsewhere. This week, they should do the same against Stefon Diggs, which will provide numerous opportunities for cheap targets to Dalton Kincaid. Plus, Kincaid has finally come on as the target hog many were hoping for, so he is poised to easily 3x his salary.
Honor Roll
Josh Allen (DraftKings: $8,100 / FanDuel: $9,200)
While the media narratives have been down on Josh Allen, he is still having a solid season from a fantasy perspective, ranking QB1 in DraftKings and FanDuel scoring. The Eagles have surprisingly become one of the best matchups for opposing quarterbacks. Plus, this game has the highest over/under line on the slate. What more can I say? Oh, one thing. I prefer to play Josh Allen on FanDuel, where the rushing upside is more crucial, and to pay down on DraftKings, where there are other great options.
D’Andre Swift (DraftKings: $6,800 / FanDuel: $7,200)
On the other side of the Bills vs. Eagles matchup, we have D’Andre Swift matching up against a beat-up Bills defense. It has been well documented the number of injuries the Bills are dealing with, and now they have to face the best offensive line in the league. Swift has continued to be the lead back and a constant threat for explosive plays. Plus, the Eagles are playing at home, which often favors running backs.
Kyren Williams (DraftKings: $6,600 / FanDuel: $8,200)
We have the return of Kyren Williams! We are locking him right back into our lineup. Why? Because the Rams immediately cut their backup running back when bringing Williams back, indicating they are ready to use him as their dominant runner as they did the first six weeks of the season. Plus, you guessed it, they play the Arizona Cardinals, who continue to struggle against opposing running backs. Easy money.
A.J. Brown (DraftKings: $9,000 / FanDuel: $8,800)
Last week, A.J. Brown flopped as he faced one of the best cornerbacks in the league. But again, the Buffalo Bills defense is dealing with a raft of injuries, including in their secondary. Simply put, Brown is still the number-one receiver in Philadelphia and should bounce back in a favorable matchup.
Check the Chalkboard
Joe Mixon (DraftKings: $6,300 / FanDuel: $7,600)
With no Joe Burrow, the Cincinnati Bengals are going to need to rely on their best players and on dump-off throws to the running backs. Insert Joe Mixon, whose price has barely moved since the Burrow injury. Mixon has already been on a hot streak, and that should only improve as the Bengals move forward in a Burrow-less world.
Participation Grade
Rondale Moore (DraftKings: $3,600 / FanDuel: $5,200)
Kyler Murray is simply obsessed with Rondale Moore, giving him opportunities downfield to make big plays. While he didn’t repeat the eight targets received in Week 10, Moore made it into the endzone last week, continuing to build the trust with Murray. And yet, he is still below $4,000 on DraftKings, which is good because we need a punt option if we’re going to pay up for A.J. Brown and those mid-tier running backs. Moore is about as good a bet as anyone to finish with 10 points to pay off his salary.
Back of the Classroom Studs
Gardner Minshew (DraftKings: $5,100 / FanDuel: $6,700)
Why the heck are Tommy DeVito and Jake Browning more expensive than Gardner Minshew on DraftKings? Who forgot to do their job this week? The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have been a friendly pass-funnel defense, and now we get the mustache man for basically free. Plus, coming off a bye week, I love Minshew to bounce back from his Week 10 performance. Don’t overthink this one, and enjoy the salary savings.
Rachaad White (DraftKings: $6,100 / FanDuel: $7,000)
On the other side of that same matchup, we have Rachaad White going against one of the best matchups for opposing running backs in the Indianapolis Colts. It is basically guaranteed that White will touch the ball at least 15 to 20 times, including at least three to six catches. You can’t do much better than that for a running back at this price.
Josh Downs (DraftKings: $4,800 / FanDuel: $5,900)
Need to save even more money? Look no further than Josh Downs, who has been one of Gardner Minshew’s favorite targets despite a couple of “down” weeks (see what I did there?). Again, Tampa Bay is a smash matchup for opposing pass games, and coming out of the bye week, I expect Downs to get back on track.
Christian Kirk (DraftKings: $5,700 / FanDuel: $6,800)
After a sub-par week against the Tennessee Titans, Christian Kirk has been priced down to below $6,000 for the first time since Week 8. Last week, we watched the Houston Texans get eaten up by Rondale Moore and Greg Dortch, who both did plenty of damage from the slot. Plus, when Houston and Jacksonville played in Week 3, Christian Kirk went for four catches, 54 yards, and a touchdown. Nothing special, but enough to pay off this salary. And that’s when the Texans were one of the toughest matchups for opposing receivers.
Cade Otton (DraftKings: $3,200 / FanDuel: $5,000)
Let’s be clear, I’m playing Dalton Kincaid this week. But if you need more salary savings, Cade Otton is once again a reliable choice. The Indianapolis Colts have allowed the third most points to tight ends since Week 8. This game should be a back-and-forth affair, with a spread of just 2.5 points. If Otton can simply fall in the endzone, we’ll be good to go.
Kansas City Chiefs (DraftKings: $3,100 / FanDuel: $5,000)
Kansas City is the most expensive defense on FanDuel, so I will not be playing them there. But on DraftKings, they are a measly $3,100. What disrespect?! They have been a top-five defense this year and are playing against one of the worst offenses in the NFL. I mean, how could you not play Kansas City?
Denver Broncos (DraftKings: $3,200 / FanDuel: $4,100)
Elsewhere in the AFC West, the Denver Broncos matchup against another of the worst offenses in the league, in the form of the Cleveland Browns. Yes, Dorian Thompson-Robinson had a better week than expected against the Steelers, and yet, the Steelers still scored seven fantasy points. Especially on FanDuel, where I want a cheaper defense than the Chiefs, this is an easy lineup lock.
Report Card
DraftKings
Scoring System
- A: Scored over three times their price
- B: Scored over two times their price
- C: Matched their price
- F: Scored lower than their price
| Player | Price | Points | Grade |
| Kyler Murray | $6,100 | 22.66 | A |
| Brock Purdy | $5,800 | 29.72 | A |
| Breece Hall | $6,400 | 18.3 | B |
| Tony Pollard | $6,600 | 18 | B |
| Terry McLaurin | $5,800 | 9.3 | C |
| Tyreek Hill | $9,300 | 33.6 | A |
| Jaxon Smith-Njigba | $4,300 | 7 | C |
| Aaron Jones | $6,200 | 2.7 | F |
| Devin Singletary | $5,300 | 22.8 | A |
| Diontae Johnson | $5,000 | 3.6 | F |
| Trey McBride | $4,400 | 9.3 | B |
| Luke Musgrave | $3,600 | 6.8 | C |
| New York Jets | $2,600 | 2 | F |
| Green Bay Packers | $2,300 | 5 | B |
| Overall | $61,800 | 138.4 | B |
| Season Long | $739,200 | 1977.52 | B |
FanDuel
Scoring System
- A: Scored over two times their price
- B: Scored over one and a half times their price
- C: Matched their price
- F: Scored lower than their price
| Player | Price | Points | Grade |
| Kyler Murray | $7,600 | 22.66 | A |
| Brock Purdy | $7,500 | 26.72 | A |
| Breece Hall | $7,100 | 15.8 | A |
| Tony Pollard | $6,900 | 16 | A |
| Terry McLaurin | $6,800 | 6.8 | C |
| Tyreek Hill | $9,500 | 25.6 | A |
| Jaxon Smith-Njigba | $5,500 | 5.5 | C |
| Aaron Jones | $7,000 | 2.2 | F |
| Devin Singletary | $6,500 | 18.8 | A |
| Diontae Johnson | $6,600 | 2.6 | F |
| Trey McBride | $5,900 | 6.8 | C |
| Luke Musgrave | $5,200 | 4.8 | F |
| New York Jets | $3,700 | 2 | F |
| Green Bay Packers | $3,700 | 5 | C |
| Overall | $74,400 | 111.9 | B |
| Season Long | $895,900 | 1700.52 | B |