Hey there Rotoballers! In this article I will be taking a look at some of my favorite FantasyAces DFS lineups plays for the Week 12 slate.
These picks are based on a multitude of factors including matchup, talent, recent performance, and pricing on Fantasy Aces. Let's get to the picks!
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Quarterback Plays for Fantasy Aces
Russell Wilson (@ TB, $6,800)
Based on his route running prowess last weekend, Wilson appears to be fully healthy following early season knee and ankle injuries which were clearly limiting his performance. Just like during the 2015 season, Wilson is heating up as we head into the stretch run of the season. Over his past three games, he has scored eight total touchdowns (including one rushing and one receiving). Look for Wilson's hot streak to continue this weekend when the Seahawks take on a beatable Tampa Bay secondary. The Bucs are allowing the sixth-most fantasy points per game to opposing signal callers. At just $6,800, Wilson has just as much upside as the most expensive quarterback options on the slate at a significant discount.
Marcus Mariota (@ CHI, $6,250)
Mariota remains such a fantastic deal on Aces. His $6,250 price tag ranks him as just the 13th-most expensive quarterback on the site, even though he's been absolutely on fire over his past six games. In that span, Mariota has racked up 17 total touchdowns to go along with 1,684 yards. The Chicago defense hasn't been as bad as originally expected this season, but they still don't represent an imposing matchup by any stretch. On the year, Chicago's pass defense ranks 14th in DVOA according to Football Outsiders. As a second quarterback on Aces, Mariota offers plenty of upside at a reasonable price this weekend.
Running Back Plays for Fantasy Aces
Jay Ajayi (vs. SF, $5,500)
Ajayi is the latest running back to get a crack at the woeful San Francisco run defense. Ajayi has a perfect set of factors working in his favor in this matchup. The fast-paced 49ers offense ensures that the run-first Dolphins will run way more plays than usual. Football Outsiders has San Francisco's run defense ranked last in the league in DVOA. Add in the almost 29 fantasy points per game that San Francisco is allowing to running backs and Ajayi is the top running back play on the slate. Even better, he's over $1,000 cheaper than David Johnson, the highest priced back on the slate.
Wendell Smallwood (vs. GB, $4,000)
Be sure to check in on Ryan Mathews' status before lineups lock on Sunday morning, but it's looking like Smallwood could be Philadelphia's lead back against the Packers on Monday night. Mathews sprained his MCL last week and has missed Wednesday and Thursday's practices so far. That makes Smallwood, at $4,000, a top value play at running back. While the Packers have solid season-long numbers against running backs, they have been getting gashed on the ground over the past couple of weeks. Last week, Robert Kelley smoked them for 137 yards and three touchdowns. Back in Week 10, the Packers coughed up 123 yards and a score to DeMarco Murray.
Wide Receiver Plays for Fantasy Aces
Amari Cooper (vs. CAR, $5,200)
Cooper shapes up as one of the top receivers on the slate as he draws a plum matchup against a very burnable Carolina secondary. With the Panthers sporting a stout run defense, expect the Raiders to take to the air early and often in Oakland. Cooper has either 100 yards or a score in four of his past six games and should have no trouble getting open against the Panthers. Carolina's pass defense, according to Football Outsiders, is 27th in DVOA against opposing number one wide receivers.
Larry Fitzgerald (@ ATL, $4,900)
Fitzgerald just keeps on producing, catching six passes or more passes in all but one game this season while seeing double-digit targets in 6-of-10 games played. In the latter stages of his career he runs most of his routes from the slot, meaning he will avoid the coverage of Desmond Trufant, Atlanta's shutdown cornerback. Instead of Trufant, Fitzgerald will get to pick on rookie slot corner Brian Poole. You have to like the chances for Fitzgerald in that matchup.
Tight End Play for Fantasy Aces
Cameron Brate (vs. SEA, $4,200)
Cameron Brate could be in for a big afternoon as the Buccaneers could be forced to lean on him in the passing game. Tampa Bay's top receiver and resident target hog, Mike Evans, is expected to draw shadow coverage from lockdown corner Richard Sherman. With that being the case, expect Jameis Winston to funnel extra looks towards Brate. Brate has scored a touchdown in three of the past four games and has a good shot at scoring again against Seattle. As good as the Seahawks' defense is, they have had their struggles against tight ends over the past few years.
Defense/Special Teams Play for Fantasy Aces
Buffalo Bills (vs. JAX, $2,900)
The Bills have a favorable home matchup against the turnover-prone Jaguars. They head into Sunday's game as -7.5 favorites in a game that should be low-scoring, with the over/under set at 44.5 points. Jacksonville quarterback Blake Bortles has taken a huge step back this season and is tied for first in the league with 13 interceptions. Buffalo's defense ranks first in the league with 31 sacks. A fearsome pass rush taking on an interception-prone quarterback is usually a recipe for fantasy success.