In Week 11, all three of my waiver wire streamers from last week's column reached double digits, but none of them really went off. I felt like Ryan Fitzpatrick really didn’t play well at all but he saved his day with a rushing score. On the opposite end, Alex Smith had a great game with a season high 10 yards per attempt, but didn’t score. That kept his point total to just 13 points. Meanwhile my deep league pick of Mark Sanchez delivered a very Sanchez-like performances with two touchdowns and three picks.
For this article I will look at two QBs owned in 50% or less of Fleaflicker leagues and another QB owned in 25% or less to account for the position's scarcity in 2QB leagues. There are definitely some good quarterbacks readily available if you need a stream in this week.
Standard League QB Waiver Wire Pickups for Week 12
Jameis Winston (TB) @ Colts
OWNED IN: 36% of Fleaflicker leagues
Winston just put up the best game of his young career with an incredible five touchdowns and no interceptions. He now gets a Colts team that has given up multiple touchdowns in five of its last six games. Perhaps the most impressive part of Winston's season is that he has no turnovers in five of his last six games. That is an incredibly rare trait for a rookie QB, especially one with Winston's past body of work.
Winston’s weapons are also improving as well. Vincent Jackson is back and I think next week is our best bet to see Austin Seferian-Jenkins back as well. I have no doubt V-Jax was a big help in Winston’s stellar performance against the Eagles. It’s a good thing too - with Vontae Davis covering one of the WRs, it will be a big plus to have a second talented guy to throw to next week. I expect at least 15 points from Winston this week.
Brock Osweiler (DEN) @ Patriots
OWNED IN: 21% of Fleaflicker Leagues
Osweiler may now be 4 years into his career but he finally recorded his first start and looked very impressive in the process. He had 250 yards and two touchdowns with no turnovers and a 74% completion rate. All of this happened without Emmanuel Sanders. If Osweiler gets Sanders back next week I think he can handle this tough matchup without too much trouble.
Heading into their Monday night matchup, the Patriots have given up at least 295 passing yards in four of their last five matchups. This is largely the result of teams having to throw a ton to keep up with undefeated New England (39+ attempts in each of the last six games). I think the Broncos will likely have to keep the trend going despite their defense. If Brock Osweiler has to throw 40 times, I have no doubt he will put up good numbers with the talent around him.
Deeper League QB Waiver Wire Pickups for Week 12
Johnny Manziel (CLE) vs Ravens
OWNED IN: 16% of Fleaflicker Leagues
In keeping with the theme of this week’s streamers, Johnny Manziel is yet another QB coming off a career best game in his last start. Although the Browns did lose 30-9, Manziel threw for 372 yards and a touchdown and completed over 70% of his passes. He did have two turnovers, but hey - we’re digging deep here!
Heading into Week 11, the Ravens had given up the 2nd most points to opposing QBs. That will surely change after Case Keenum’s poor performance but I am much more optimistic about Manziel. The Ravens will be a morally defeated team after losing Joe Flacco and Justin Forsett in one game. Additionally, Manziel’s weapons in the passing game - Gary Barnidge, Travis Benjamin and Duke Johnson are far better than the Rams (Tavon Austin, Kenny Britt and Todd Gurley...Well maybe not Gurley). The Ravens are a secondary that is short on talent this season. Even though Manziel lacks some skill as a passer, he should have a solid game here.
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