The Genie Goes Back In The Bottle

Ugh...

Patriots rookie RB TreVeyon Henderson gets to face the league’s worst rushing defense in Week 13.

Unfortunately, Patriots RB Rhamondre Stevenson also gets to face the league’s worst rushing defense in Week 13.

Please don’t shoot the messenger, but Stevenson is set to return this week after a multi-week absence. And if we know anything about Mike Vrabel, this is extremely likely to revert back to a running back by committee situation.

You might think the Henderson toothpaste can’t be put back in the tube, but I promise you, Vrabel will find a way to mash it in there.

As Dwain noted in the Utilization Report, Henderson will still be a top-20 RB play thanks to this juicy matchup with the Bengals (they give up an additional seven PPR points per game to opposing RBs), but Stevenson is a major buzz kill.

You are still starting Hendo in season-long leagues, but it is notable for DFS. He’s currently the RB5 on the Week 12 Underdog slate and the sixth most expensive RB on DraftKings. There’s just no way you can play him at those prices if Stevenson is back.

It’s worth mentioning that the New England backfield isn’t the only shake-up to expect in this game. With Ja’Marr Chase serving a one-game suspension for not keeping his saliva to himself, there are a couple of intriguing value options on the Bengals that you could stream in a pinch:

  • Andrei Iosivas - He’s run 82% of the routes on the year and should see a big target boost without Chase—especially if Christian Gonzalez puts the clamps down on Tee Higgins.

  • Noah Fant - Fant is splitting routes with Tanner Hudson, but has shown a better ability to earn targets.

Being a Commish is Thankless—But No Longer

If you're reading this newsletter, you likely have a Commissioner in your life. Maybe several. MAYBE IT'S YOU!!

Either way, we all know it's a thankless job—constant emails and texts about rules, plus an endless stream of issues: "can we redo that pick, my computer froze" ... "I didn't mean to drop Bucky Irving!" ... "When is the trade deadline?!" ... "How many teams make the playoffs?"—it's nightmare fuel.

As mentioned, thankless—UNTIL NOW

You have one mission today—get your commissioner PAID, and Mike's Hard Lemonade wants to help you do it. For the first time ever, Mike's is offering one lucky Commissioner a Fantasy Endorsement Deal. This contest ends on Dec. 9, so just do it now, PLEASE, before you forget. The winner gets:

  • $25,000 "contract"

  • Lemon(ade) ring 1-of-1

  • Sweet jacket emblazoned with Mike's branding and your Commish's name

  • Glory

NO PURCH. NEC. U.S./D.C. Nominator, 21+; Nominee, 25+. Obtain consent of Nominee. Ends 12/9. Winner (Nominee) not hired as product endorser. Void where prohibited. Rules @ https://www.mikesfantasyendorsementdeal.com. Sponsor: Mark Anthony Brands Inc., Chicago, IL. MIKE’S IS HARD. SO IS PRISON. DON’T DRIVE DRUNK ® PREMIUM MALT BEVERAGE WITH FLAVORS. All registered trademarks used under license by Mike’s Hard Lemonade Co., Chicago, IL

Fantasy

Editors’ Picks

Did you survive the waiver wire? Even if you’re left wanting, we have some great Fantasy Life content to help you prepare. Our Rankings and Xfinity Best Projections are also elite tools for you …

It’s looking like the next 2026 NFL Mock Draft could get plenty defensive. Thor Nystom has released his latest mock draft, with plenty surprises at the top and throughout.

Sure, RJ Harvey’s boxscore results left you hoping for more, but his underlying utilization points to a much higher ceiling moving forward. Dwain breaks it down, along with his other utilization takeaways for the week.

Did you miss out on your top waiver priorities overnight? Don’t sweat. We’ve compiled a list of all of the best waiver targets and streamers for Week 12, many of whom should be available even after last night’s run.

Fantasy

Guess This Freedman’s Favorite RB for Week 12

This running back went over 2,000 scrimmage yards last season, but this season got off to a slow start before picking it up with 398 yards and 3 TDs in his last four games. He’s also got a home matchup against a defense that was ravaged at the trade deadline and is allowing 100.9 rushing yards per game to RBs. He’s one of Freedman’s Favorites for Week 12, including the other positions:

Dynasty

Trade To Make NOW To Win Your Championship

We're past the midway point of November, and the fantasy playoffs are looming. Here are five cost-effective veterans to trade for before your league's trade deadline. These low-cost/high-impact players are the perfect addition to any competing dynasty fantasy football team.

Davante Adams, WR - Rams

If there's someone who knows a thing or two about playing with MVP-level QBs, it's Davante Adams. After spending most of his career with Aaron Rodgers, Adams is enjoying a late-career breakout campaign alongside Matthew Stafford.

Just how good has Stafford been this season? Here's what Peter Overzet had to say heading into Week 11:

The 37-year-old Stafford has thrown four TDs in three straight games. He has 20 TDs and no INTs over the last six games and 25 TDs and two INTs on the season. He is the first quarterback in NFL history to throw for four or more TDs and zero INTs in three consecutive games.

That's pretty, pretty good.

Stafford has 27 TDs to just two INTs and hasn't thrown an INT since Week 3.

Adams' 10 TDs so far this season are already more than he scored in either of the last two seasons. He's also not just a TD-dependent asset. He's averaging 8.6 targets per game on the season, and that's playing alongside Puka Nacua.

He's the ideal trade candidate for a dynasty team looking to make a win-now trade acquisition. He won't/shouldn't cost you elite value given his age (32), but he offers both week- and league-winning upside.

Fantasy

Around the Watercooler

The latest fantasy nuggets, silliness and NFL gossip from our merry band of football nerds.

👀 Is Woody Marks an RB2 or RB3? Other players to upgrade and downgrade for Week 12.

🎤 Come in for the UR advice, stay for the Sabrina Carpenter chat.

🚑️ Aaron Rodgers injury update. No surgery, but Week 12 is up in the air.

🪓 How much to bid on Jonathan Taylor in Guillotine LeaguesTM.

🚧 J.J. McCarthy will get there … he just needs the cement to dry?

🍑 The lineman with a big ass. Bills players were impressed.

😢 An emotional night for the Cowboys. Cool clip.

🧐 It’s all in the perspective, when it comes to RB performance.

🥳 This streaming QB will keep the party rolling.

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