Did any of y’all develop up having to study sq. dancing in fitness center class? I do not keep in mind why buying a correct do-si-do approach was important for elementary and center faculty college students, however do I recall being flooded with nervousness each time the curriculum was introduced. As an ungainly tween, there was hardly something extra nerve-wracking than having to pair up in girl-boy style. Nicely, aside from having to study all of the steps when the course of research expanded to nation line dancing in center faculty. I might nail the Elvira fundamental grape vine. That was simple sufficient. Once we have been requested to sort out the Watermelon Crawl, although? Whew. I needed to dip down, spin round and teleport to actually anyplace else.
I used to be tremendous fearful about stomping my heel, as an alternative of my toe. Or turning left when everybody else was pivoting to the appropriate. The concept of constructing a mistake and messing up in entrance of my friends made my pulse thump and my palms sweat. It additionally stole all the enjoyment from the expertise. I might need loved a Boot Scootin’ Boogie, if I weren’t so in my head and decided to mix in.
Such are the perils of youth, proper? We’re consumed by what different individuals assume, forgetting that everybody else is equally drowning in their very own insecurities. It is not till we collect sufficient life expertise that we notice most individuals aren’t actually monitoring us. They’re, as an alternative, preoccupied with their very own triple steps and promenades.
I attempted to carry on to this extra mature mindset once I hit up a rustic western bar in Hollywood final Friday night time. Seems, I like nation line dancing, even when I am not significantly good at it. Give me a pair of leather-based boots and a dwell band (ideally one with a banjo) and I am going to improvise my approach to an A+ (for effort). Sure, I used to be nonetheless sweaty this go round, however my shoulders have been free, and my cheeks harm from smiling a lot. In actual fact, my enthusiastic stumbling made another people chortle and even impressed just a few conversations with potential new mates. I assume being excellent would not at all times equate to having probably the most enjoyable.
It is more durable to take care of the identical perspective in fantasy, particularly after we’re being blasted with messages urging us to shave margins of error and handle our rosters with exacting precision. Besides that does not actually exist. It is, in fact, vital to remain conscious about bye weeks and maximize depth. But, the exhilaration of our recreation exists within the unknown.
For instance, I do not know a single human who predicted a three-TD outing from Sean Tucker. I do, nevertheless, have a colleague who began him out of desperation merely due to his allegiance to Syracuse. Even fewer anticipated a three-catch effort from Ja’Marr Chase, significantly given the 16-161-1 stat line he posted versus Pittsburgh 4 weeks prior. I guess some people going through Chase received their matchups due to the dip, although. And I, fairly publicly, didn’t anticipate Tetairoa McMillan to submit a monster 33 fantasy factors (WR2) towards a Falcons’ protection that had allowed the second-fewest WR completions per recreation forward of Week 11. If my mentions are to be believed, nevertheless, avid gamers who have been resolute in his burgeoning alpha standing and flexed the rookie’s upside whatever the matchup have been handsomely rewarded. Good on ’em.
We will and may craft our most compelling rosters. However the choices that we weigh and the coin flips that we take into account will differ from crew to crew and supervisor to supervisor. That is a part of the frustration… and the enjoyable. Generally we neglect that we now have the liberty to veer from rankings and group assume. Whereas the information stay important, our emotions are key as effectively. So, make the most of whichever steps take advantage of sense to you.
Whom to belief in your lineup for Week 12
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Why fantasy managers ought to begin Brock Purdy in Week 12
Daniel Dopp breaks down Brock Purdy’s return in Week 12 and explains why he’s a beginning fantasy quarterback towards the Panthers.
Brock Purdy, QB, San Francisco 49ers: He is ba-ack … and so are digital traders’ hope for a wholesome playoff run! Joined by Ricky Pearsall, Jauan Jennings, George Kittle and Christian McCaffrey for the primary time since Week 1, Purdy lastly returned to motion in Week 11 and promptly accomplished 73 % of his passes for 200 yards and three scores. The 25-year-old has topped 16 fantasy factors whereas throwing for a number of TDs in every of his begins this season. The great occasions ought to proceed to roll versus Carolina on Monday night time.
The Panthers protection seems to be stable versus sign callers on paper (permitting the ninth-fewest fantasy factors per recreation to the place) however hasn’t precisely confronted a murderers’ row of expertise. The numbers tackle a distinct complexion when noting Carolina’s opposition has included Michael Penix Jr., Tyler Shough, Kirk Cousins, Justin Fields and Trevor Lawrence. In the meantime, Drake Maye, Tua Tagovailoa, Dak Prescott and Josh Allen have all put up a minimum of 22 fantasy factors when going through Ejiro Evero’s unit. With an able-bodied offense and a banged-up protection, Purdy figures to submit top-10 fantasy QB numbers in Week 12.
Quinshon Judkins, RB, Cleveland Browns: Whispers about Judkins hitting the dreaded “rookie wall” have begun to crop up. Whereas I am not occupied with debating that particular level, there is not any denying Judkins’ current dip in manufacturing. In spite of everything, the newcomer has averaged beneath 3.5 yards in 5 straight video games (4.8 YPC with Joe Flacco beneath heart and three.6 YPC with Dillon Gabriel on the helm). Nonetheless, Judkins’ quantity continues to buoy his inventory. The previous Buckeye has managed a minimum of 19 touches in 5 of his previous three video games. Moreover, his 17.4 carries per contest rank fifth on the place, which is fairly spectacular given the Browns’ 2-8 report.
It is a components that does not determine to alter in Week 12. With Shedeur Sanders anticipated to start out, the bottom recreation ought to stay a focus. Moreover, the matchup at Las Vegas lends itself to a run-heavy method. The Raiders protection has invited the ninth-most dashing makes an attempt on the season. As well as, Patrick Graham’s unit has given up 12 dashing scores (tied for fifth-most with Tampa Bay and Cincinnati). Anticipate Judkins to rebound this weekend. And maybe take into account shopping for low on the first-year again. Per Mike Clay’s cheat sheet, Cleveland’s backfield possesses the seventh-best/best rest-of-season power of schedule.
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Is Chase Brown a very good fantasy choice vs. Patriots?
Area Yates explains why Chase Brown is a top-15 fantasy operating again choice in Week 12.
Chase Brown, RB, Cincinnati Bengals: From his ambling manufacturing to his one-game suspension, Ja’Marr Chase has understandably dominated the headlines in Queen Metropolis. What’s gone beneath the radar, nevertheless, has been Brown’s rebound. The Illinois product has gathered a minimum of 100 scrimmage yards (and recorded double-digit fantasy factors) in 4 consecutive outings. The RB6 in fantasy factors per recreation, Brown has averaged 17.8 digital factors since Joe Flacco discovered his footing in Week 7. That is a stark distinction from the 9.3 fantasy factors per recreation Brown had managed with Jake Browning beneath heart in Weeks 2 by means of 5.
Coming off a season-high 24 touches and with the aforementioned Chase sidelined, Brown figures to thrive versus New England in Week 12. The Patriots have been glorious versus the run (3.9 YPC allowed) however struggled to defend the move, permitting the ninth-highest completion proportion (68%). Particularly, New England has confirmed to be most susceptible in short-yardage conditions, recording a completion proportion of 78 (twenty seventh) on throws of 5 or fewer yards downfield. It is not a shock, then, to study that the Pats have ceded probably the most catches (63) to operating backs this season. That units up properly for Brown, who ranks fourth amongst RBs in targets (53) and receptions (39). He tasks as a top-15 fantasy choice on the place heading into Sunday’s motion.
Justin Jefferson, WR, Minnesota Vikings: I do know a lot of people are crashing out about Jefferson, so let’s speak about it. Jefferson has averaged an underwhelming 12.3 fantasy factors with J.J. McCarthy beneath heart. In contrast, the Vikings’ No. 1 WR managed 16.3 fantasy factors per contest with Carson Wentz because the starter. Regardless of flashing chemistry with “JJettas,” McCarthy has remained largely inaccurate, flailing beneath stress and struggling to make good on throws of 10 or extra yards downfield. In actual fact, McCarthy has accomplished simply 10 of 37 deep makes an attempt in his previous two outings (versus the Ravens and the Bears), with 14 of these 37 throws (38%) being geared toward Jefferson. Merely put, the All-Professional expertise might have elite palms, however he is not getting a lot assist from his QB.
Sadly, it is a scenario that is unlikely to resolve in Week 12 (or 13). Not solely has Inexperienced Bay registered the seventh-highest stress price (34.8%), however the Packers have moreover allowed the Twelfth-fewest completions of 10 or extra air yards this season. Minnesota’s matchup at Seattle the next week would not determine to supply a lot reduction, because the Seahawks have recorded a stress price of 37% (second-highest behind the Payments) and have given up simply 45 completions of 10 or extra air yards (eighth-fewest) this yr. The schedule does, nevertheless, ease up from Weeks 14 by means of 16 with matchups towards the Commanders, Cowboys and Giants.
That does not imply it’s best to bench Jefferson. This recreation, in any case, does ship miracles, and we have seen alpha skills (corresponding to Tetairoa McMillan) out of the blue click on with their middling QBs. Managers ought to as an alternative mood expectations and, in an try to make up for any potential deficiencies, flex upside elsewhere of their lineups.
Jakobi Meyers, WR, Jacksonville Jaguars: Generally all it takes is a change of surroundings. Meyers led Jacksonville’s pass-catchers in seems to be final Sunday, changing 5 of six balls for 64 yards. The trouble resulted in 11.4 fantasy factors (WR22), his highest complete since Week 2. With Travis Hunter on IR and Brian Thomas Jr. inactive because of a lingering ankle challenge, Meyers seems to have emerged as Trevor Lawrence’s most trusted goal. For good cause, too. Meyers has registered a catch price of over 80% in each of his outings as a Jaguar. Apparently, Thomas Jr. has logged zero efforts with a catch price above 80% this season. Moreover, Meyers has demonstrated unbelievable development as a usable fantasy asset, as his fantasy factors per recreation have elevated each single yr of his profession earlier than being dragged down together with the remainder of the Raiders offense within the first half.
The seven-year vet figures to up his 2025 totals in a plus matchup at Arizona. The Cardinals have ceded the third-most receptions to fit receivers. Whereas Meyers and Parker Washington break up slot snaps in Week 11, Meyers drew triple the variety of alternatives. Moreover, Arizona has allowed 11 receivers to high 12 fantasy factors in 2025. Even when BTJR returns to the lineup, the slot position gives Meyers a stable (and flex-able) flooring in PPR codecs getting into Week 12.
Alec Pierce, WR, Indianapolis Colts: Recognized for his velocity (4.41) and vertical capacity, Pierce turned heads in 2024 by clearing 100 receiving yards in three efforts and averaging 22.3 yards per reception (WR1). In a decidedly restricted offense, nevertheless, alternatives have been missing for the deep menace. With Daniel Jones on the helm, nevertheless, the make-up of the Colts offense has shifted, offering Pierce with a greater diversity of possibilities to shine. His snap share, routes run and targets drawn have all elevated since 2024. There is no denying he stays Indy’s greatest guess downfield (17 deep targets, WR5).
For his half, Pierce has risen to the problem. In actual fact, the 25-year-old has averaged 8.8 seems to be and 91.5 receiving yards per contest over his previous 4 outings. For context, he has logged the fifth-most receiving yards (behind solely Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Ja’Marr Chase, Drake London and George Pickens) throughout that span. I anticipate him to flirt with top-25 positional numbers versus the Chiefs in Week 12. Kansas Metropolis’s bend-but-don’t-break protection has given up the fifth-most passing yards on deep throws in 2025. With the Colts doubtless chasing factors as 3.5-points street canine and given an over/beneath of 49.5 (second-highest for the week), Pierce figures to stay very a lot within the combine.
Cade Otton, TE, Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Otton has posted double-digit fantasy factors in 4 of six outings with Mike Evans and/or Chris Godwin Jr. sidelined. Constantly incomes alternatives, the 26-year-old has drawn a minimum of 5 seems to be in six consecutive efforts. These targets have not at all times translated into strong manufacturing, however the odds for stable numbers exist at SoFi Stadium in Week 12.
The Rams protection has allowed the second-most fantasy factors to tight ends on the season. Struggling to comprise the center of the sphere, Los Angeles has given up a complete of 19 grabs to tight ends in its previous two contests (9 to George Kittle in Week 9, 10 to AJ Barner in Week 11). Moreover, Chris Shula’s unit has ceded three scores to the place over the previous three outings. With Evans out and Godwin persevering with to nurse a fibula challenge, Otton’s projected quantity in tandem with a plus matchup gives traders low-end TE1 enchantment heading into the weekend. Otton is on the market in simply over half of ESPN fantasy leagues.
