A big Happy Thanksgiving to you all. It’s time to have that annual argument with your significant other about how you want/need to wear something with an elastic waistband and how they want you to get dressed up. For those who find themselves on the losing end of that, allow me to direct you here for your Thanksgiving Day outfit. It makes for a nice compromise

For me, the day is all about two things – food and football. Yes, in that order. Anyone who has the nickname Gravy Boat, has to put the food first on the biggest eating holiday of them all. But now with three football games, the sport is certainly a close second. Melt some mini-marshmallows on my TV remote and the game comes close, but not close enough.

But enough about my gluttony. We’re here to talk targets and targets we will talk. Since the night before Thanksgiving is traditionally the biggest party night, I’ll just get right to last week’s leaders and then we’ll see what’s in store for Week 12.

Week 11 Target Leaders

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Danny Amendola, WR NE – To no one’s surprise, Tom Brady utilized Amendola just as he would have Julian Edelman and the results were strong. He failed to get into the end zone but nine catches for 117 yards is still a 20-point day and that’s not even counting any potential bonus you might get for triple-digit yards. Unfortunately, a sprained knee could put him on the shelf for Week 12. He’ll spend most of his time in the trainer’s room this week with an occasional attempt at some individual drills to see how the knee is responding, but you’re going to likely have to wait until Friday or Saturday to see if he’s going to play.

James Jones, WR GB – Well this one came out of left field, didn’t it? After averaging 3.6 targets per game over his last five, Jones suddenly saw a season-high 11 targets this past week and posted his second 100-yard game of the season. Hard to say that this will last, though, as a matchup with a super-soft Chicago defense this week should afford Randall Cobb and Davante Adams increased opportunities. The game for Jones was nice, but the only thing he’s done consistently over the last four weeks is underperform.

Shaun Draughn, SF – With Carlos Hyde still out, Draughn has performed reasonably well considering how bad the overall 49ers offense has been. He hasn’t been lighting it up with heavy yard totals, but in a PPR format, he’s serving a purpose with an average of six catches and eight targets over the last two games. He’s got a tough matchup against the Cardinals this week, but if you want a silver lining, it’s that Arizona ranks 19th in the league against running back pass plays.

Brent Celek, TE PHI – Feels like 2009 all of a sudden, doesn’t it? Celek looked strong as Eagles backup Mark Sanchez leaned on his tight end in a solid matchup against Tampa Bay, despite coming out on the losing end of the game. With Sanchez under center again, Zach Ertz concussed  and a softer matchup for Celek in Detroit (they rank 25th against the TE), Celek could be another strong play this week.

Overall Targets Leaderboard

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Target Percentage Leaders

Mike Evans, WR TB – With the return of Vincent Jackson, Evans’ target rate, as well as his red zone target rate, took a slight hit. You have to expect that, but also keep in mind that he will probably also see an increase in one-on-one coverage which makes him an even more dangerous option. The Bucs were up big which is why Evans wasn’t leaned on as heavily, but moving forward, he and Jameis Winston should connect often.

Jason Witten, TE DAL – Look for his target rate to start falling here at the tail-end of the season as the return of Tony Romo will undoubtedly bring an increase in targets to both Dez Bryant and Terrance Williams. You may even see a little Cole Beasley in there as well. Witten and Romo had a fantastic rapport over the years, but he [Witten] is not leaned on nearly as much as once before and his target numbers have taken a very steep drop over the last two seasons.

Red Zone Target Leaders

Randall Cobb, WR GB – Say what you want about his reduced workload this season, but Cobb is still one of the most-targeted receivers inside the red zone. His red zone target rate actually jumped nearly five percent over the past week and with it looking like inclement weather on Thanksgiving, the short passing game, Cobb’s specialty, could be featured often.

Gary Barnidge, TE CLE – While Travis Benjamin leads the team in overall targets, it’s Barnidge leading the way in red zone looks. And not by a little. By a lot. Barnidge owns 25.5 percent of the red zone targets to just 15.7 percent for Benjamin. With Josh McCown under center and the Browns at home against a Ravens defense that ranks 24th in the league against the tight end, Barnidge should do some serious damage this week.

 

 

Potential Risers

Stevie Johnson
Terrance Williams
Davante Adams
Devin Funchess
Richard Rodgers

Potential Fallers

Pierre Garcon
Kamar Aiken
Willie Snead
John Brown
Zach Ertz

Week 12 Matchup to Watch

San Diego Chargers at Jacksonville Jaguars – The Chargers’ pass defense ranks 28th in the league, the Jaguars’ ranks 30th and the over/under is 46.5, the second highest of the week. It’s true that Philip Rivers has lost his whole receiving corps, but between Stevie Johnson, Antonio Gates, Dontrelle Inman and even Danny Woodhead, Rivers should fare well against a porous Jags secondary. On the other side, how do you not love the Allens in this one? Allen Hurns wants to start up another TD streak while Allen Robinson has been one of the most reliable fantasy receivers out there. Add in Julius Thomas and Blake Bortles could have a field day throwing the ball downfield.