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Fantasy Football Panic Meter After Week 12: Joe Mixon, Kyler Murray, Justin Jefferson, Brock Bowers and More

Discussing fantasy football players who struggled in week 12 and how worried fantasy owners should be.

Morgan Rode Nov 26th 11:24 AM EST.

Nov 24, 2024; Houston, Texas, USA; Houston Texans running back Joe Mixon (28) runs with the ball as Tennessee Titans cornerback Daryl Worley (35) attempts to make a tackle during the fourth quarter at NRG Stadium. Credit: Troy Taormina-Imagn Images
Nov 24, 2024; Houston, Texas, USA; Houston Texans running back Joe Mixon (28) runs with the ball as Tennessee Titans cornerback Daryl Worley (35) attempts to make a tackle during the fourth quarter at NRG Stadium. Credit: Troy Taormina-Imagn Images

Week 12 of the NFL season is in the books, and it’s time for another story recapping what happened.

Here, we’ll continue our panic meter series, where we identify players who struggled this past week and then determine how panicked fantasy owners should be. Here’s last week’s story. Also be sure to check out the one-week outlier or here to stay series.

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Running Backs

Joe Mixon and Kyren Williams are two running backs we should discuss this week.

Mixon was held to 22 rushing yards on 14 carries, while adding 23 receiving yards on five catches and six targets.

It was Mixon’s worst total yard output of the season, and without a score, it led to a really weak fantasy showing - at least he scored a few more points in PPR leagues.

Mixon was facing a tough Titans’ defense, so fantasy owners are going to hope that was the reason behind the poor fantasy outing. Mixon also has tougher matchups ahead still, so I’d be a little concerned about Mixon moving forward.

I’d still only have his panic meter at a 2. I think he’ll get back on track this week, and I’d still confidently start him every week.

Williams went for 72 rushing yards and a score on 16 carries, but without a catch or target in the passing game, Williams left with a so-so fantasy showing.

It was good to see Williams get back in the end zone again, but he’s now finished with under 100 rushing yards in six straight games. Williams has had under 100 total yards in five of those contests.

Having Puka Nacua and Cooper Kupp back helps the Rams’ offense overall, but it seems to be capping Williams’ fantasy ceiling. He’s got a fairly average schedule ahead.

I’d put Williams’ panic meter at a 4 - a tougher schedule probably would have bumped that to a 5 or 6. I think you need to keep starting Williams every week, but with the Rams’ offense at full strength, fantasy expectations need to be tempered a bit with Williams.

Quarterbacks

Kyler Murray and Jared Goff are the two quarterbacks I want to discuss after week 12.

Murray was 24-of-37 passing for 285 yards, but with no touchdowns and a pick, he left with a weak fantasy score. He only added nine rushing yards on two carries.

It was the second time in three weeks that Murray didn’t throw a touchdown. The passing yards were a good sign, but with only two multi-TD passing games this season, it’s hard for Murray to deliver big fantasy results unless he’s rushing for a bunch of yards and a score - Murray has under 30 rushing yards in four straight contests.

There’s more favorable matchups ahead for Murray, so his panic meter is only at a 4. He’s not an every-week starter, and fantasy owners will likely need to keep playing matchups with him the remainder of the season.

Goff was 26-of-36 passing for 269 yards, but he finished without a touchdown and left with a subpar fantasy score as a result. He didn’t add anything as a runner, but also avoided a fumble.

The passing yards were a healthy amount, but without a passing score, his fantasy score was lacking. Unlike Murray, Goff has plenty of multi-TD efforts this season, so this looks more like a one-week blip than anything. 

With a tough remaining schedule though, I’d still put Goff’s panic meter at a 3. He’s still going to be a good starting option most weeks, but might have more fantasy outings like this past week in the tougher matchups.

Wide Receivers

Justin Jefferson and Jayden Reed are the two wideouts we’ll discuss this week.

Jefferson tallied 27 yards on two catches and five targets in week 12. It was just the second time he finished below 50 yards in a game this season, but two of those games have come in November.

Having T.J. Hockenson back improves the Vikings’ offense, but also takes away some targets from Jefferson. Jordan Addison is also a threat to Jefferson’s targets and had a good game in week 12. 

I’d put Jefferson’s panic meter at just a 2. With a tough schedule ahead, some more down showings could be in the cards. I’d still start Jefferson every week, but there might be more weeks where he’s just an average fantasy performer, instead of an elite one.

Reed tallied 26 yards on three catches and targets this past week. It was his second straight game with 30 or less yards, although he scored in week 11 to deliver an OK fantasy showing.

Reed has only topped 60 yards once over the past six weeks. He’s had four or less targets in four of the past five weeks.

Romeo Doubs and Christian Watson are there to steal targets away from Reed, although Doubs is now dealing with a concussion and Watson struggled last week with drops. Tight end Tucker Kraft also can steal targets and fantasy production away in the passing game.

I’d be more worried about Reed in most cases, but on a team with no true No. 1 wideout and with a very favorable schedule ahead, I have optimism that Reed can get back on track down the stretch of the season. I’d put Reed’s panic meter at a 4 still because of his past couple showings.

Nov 24, 2024; Paradise, Nevada, USA; Las Vegas Raiders tight end Brock Bowers (89) looks to evade the tackle of Denver Broncos safety Brandon Jones (22) during the fourth quarter at Allegiant Stadium. Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-Imagn Images
Nov 24, 2024; Paradise, Nevada, USA; Las Vegas Raiders tight end Brock Bowers (89) looks to evade the tackle of Denver Broncos safety Brandon Jones (22) during the fourth quarter at Allegiant Stadium. Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-Imagn Images

Tight Ends

Brock Bowers and Cade Otton are two tight ends I want to discuss after week 12.

Bowers was targeted 10 times in week 12, but turned those into just four catches for 38 yards. It was his third straight game with over eight targets, but also the second time he failed to reach 50 yards.

Bowers is going to remain heavily involved offensively because the Raiders have a lack of pass catchers, but with inconsistent quarterback play, Bowers is likely headed to more up-and-down showings the rest of the season. 

Not having consistent quarterback play is also going to hurt Bowers. Gardner Minshew is now done for the season, so it looks like Aidan O'Connell will return as the team’s starting QB again. He likely won’t move the needle either way when it comes to affecting Bowers’ fantasy outlook. 

It will come down to matchups, which makes Bowers a tough player to trust every week. He’s got a mix of favorable and tougher matchups the remainder of the season. I’d put Bowers’ panic meter at a 5, but again, that’s more to do with the team’s offense and quarterback than the actual tight end in question.

Otton had a 30-yard catch across three targets in week 12. Mike Evans returned for the Bucs this week and went back to being the top option in the passing game.

Otton enjoyed a nice run when Evans and Chris Godwin were out, but now his fantasy outings might be a bit more inconsistent. I still think Otton will factor in fairly often, and matchups might help predict how Otton does in a particular week.

Like Bowers, Otton has a mix of tough and favorable matchups ahead. At a weak fantasy TE position, I think you also have to keep playing Otton, but I view him more as an average-at-best fantasy option now, not a top-end option like he was for a couple weeks.

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