Fantasy Football Week 12 Streamers: QB, TE, Team Defense

Before looking at Week 12’s quarterback, tight end and team defense streamers, let’s see how Week 11’s streamers did (Yahoo! scoring, 0.5-point PPR).

Quarterback: Joshua Dobbs-17.94 points
Tight End: Trey McBride-6.8 points
Team Defense: Washington Commanders-9 points

It’s Thanksgiving week, with four games on the slate between the holiday and the day after. With no teams on a bye, the need for streamers may be diminished for many fantasy football owners.

But we’re still here with the quarterback, tight end and team defense streamers for Week 12.

Quarterback: Gardner Minshew, Indianapolis Colts vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Minshew had a downturn before the Colts’ Week 11 bye, failing to reach double-digit fantasy points in back-to-back games. But he had over 300 passing yards and/or multiple touchdown passes in each of his three starts prior to that, and it’s worth noting wide receiver Josh Downs was banged up before the bye week.

In Week 12 Minshew gets a great matchup against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, who are allowing the third-most fantasy points per game to quarterbacks this season. Seven of the 10 quarterbacks they’ve faced have accounted for multiple touchdowns against them. In four of their last six games, a quarterback has topped 300 yards through the air with multiple touchdown passes against against them.

Deploying Minshew in a fantasy football lineup is a Ryan Fitzpatrick-like, tightrope-walking, experience with a wide range of outcomes. But the matchup is too good to turn away from this week.

ESPN Ownership: 6.6%
Yahoo! Ownership: 13%

Others To Consider: Derek Carr, New Orleans Saints at Atlanta Falcons (confirm health, otherwise Jameis Winston is the pivot); Matthew Stafford, Los Angeles Rams at Arizona Cardinals; Jordan Love, Green Bay Packers at Detroit Lions (Thanksgiving Day); Baker Mayfield, Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Indianapolis Colts; Desmond Ridder, Atlanta Falcons vs. New Orleans Saints

Tight End: Isaiah Likely, Baltimore Ravens at Los Angeles Chargers (Sunday night)

The news is more positive than it was initially, as Mark Andrews might not be done for the season with a leg injury. But he will be out for at least a few games, and Likely is stepping in as the new No. 1 tight end for the Ravens.

Likely did well when he got opportunities as a rookie last year. He had two finishes as a top-five fantasy tight end in three games where had at least a 67 percent snap share, when Andrews was injured, then rested. After Andrews left last week’s game against the Cincinnati Bengals, Likely ran 29 routes (second-most on the team).

In Week 12, Likely gets a nice matchup. The Los Angeles Chargers are allowing the third-most fantasy points per game to tight ends this season (Yahoo!, 0.5-point PPR), including the second-most catches and yards to the position.

It’s rare when the top streaming tight end for a week is so clear, and so widely available to be picked up as waivers get going. Likely is that guy for Week 12.

ESPN Ownership: 1%
Yahoo! Ownership: 4%

Others To Consider: Logan Thomas, Washington Commanders at Dallas Cowboys (Thanksgiving Day, check availability); Pat Freiermuth, Pittsburgh Steelers at Cincinnati Bengals; Cade Otton, Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Indianapolis Colts; Michael Mayer, Las Vegas Raiders vs. Kansas City Chiefs; Donald Parham, Los Angeles Chargers vs. Baltimore Ravens (Sunday night)

Team Defense: Tennessee Titans vs. Carolina Panthers

The Titans’ defense is strong up front, with at least three sacks in six of 10 games this season. But they are a sieve in the secondary, and that was never more highlighted than by the Jacksonville Jaguars in Week 11. But Week 12 brings a soft landing after that dismal showing.

The Carolina Panthers have scored more than 17 points just twice all season. One of those (Week 5 against the Detroit Lions) was driven by fourth quarter garbage time, and the other (Week 3 against the Seattle Seahawks) came with Andy Dalton starting under center. They have the third-worst pass blocking offensive line in the league (according to Pro Football Focus), and 33-year old Adam Thielen is their best wide receiver. Over their last five games, Bryce Young has been sacked 24 times.

The Panthers’ offense has become a top target to stream a defense against. Tennessee’s defense is in that fail-safe spot for Week 12.

ESPN Ownership: 4.8%
Yahoo! Ownership: 6%

Others To Consider: New England Patriots at New York Giants; New York Giants vs. New England Patriots; Denver Broncos vs. Cleveland Browns; Minnesota Vikings vs. Chicago Bears (Monday night); New Orleans Saints at Atlanta Falcons; Miami Dolphins at New York Jets (Black Friday; check availability); Cincinnati Bengals vs. Pittsburgh Steelers

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