Fri Nov 21 4:46pm ET
By HOWARD BENDER
Fantasy Writer
It’s NFL Week 12 and we’re ready to get back on that horse after last week’s rough Sunday. We more than made up for it with stellar Monday Night Football picks, but that Sunday was less than ideal for building that bankroll via DFS Pickem contests. We nailed the Pick of the Week thanks to a spectacular effort by Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Michael Wilson, but Oronde Gadsden got dragged through the mud by a poor effort from Justin Herbert, Joe Flacco couldn’t seem to get anything going in what should have been a smash spot, and Woody Marks just couldn’t seem to get anything going. Between the Thursday and Monday picks, we managed to stay in the black for the week. This week, we lock it all back down.
If you are new to the DFS Pickem format, allow me to help you along because it’s really quite easy. All you do is make your picks for players to produce more or less than their designated stat-line and if you are right, you can earn up to 40 times your wager (minimum wager of $1). Pick correctly for two players and you will 3x your money. Three correct picks will get you a 6x return, four is 10x and so on, up to 40x for six correct picks. You should give a look at the full contest rules, but that’s the gist of it for how to play.
Again, since I’m going to be taking down that top prize in the Beat Howard Bender Best Ball Tournament, I thought I’d give back to the community each week with some DFS Pickem picks. I do a substantial amount of the NFL betting content and a lot of DFS content on Fantasy Alarm, so I am always diving into the match-ups and player stat lines. Why not turn that into some cold, hard cash so you can afford to play me in season-long contests again next year?
Before we get to our picks for the week, be sure to note the “Gimme Pick” being offered by RT Sports this week. Lamar Jackson against the Jets? More than 0.5 total yards? Yes, please! We are 100 percent here for that and it should turn a potential four-leg parlay into a tasty little five-legger. Giddy up!
Now, let’s get to it!
Pick of the Week:
Kenneth Walker, RB SEA -- MORE than 58.5 Rushing Yards
While I try to remain level-headed regarding coach-speak, hearing Seahawks head coach Mike Macdonald talking about how Walker has earned a heavier workload is music to my ears. If you’ve followed me before, you know I’m a big fan of Klint Kubiak’s outside zone scheme that he and Rick Dennison run and was very bullish on Walker coming into the season. His calf injury curtailed that as Zach Charbonnet managed to worm his way into more carries and a red-zone role. But over the last few games, Walker’s snap count has surpassed that of Charbonnet and he’s now surpassed this rushing total in three of his last four. The Titans rank 26th in DVOA against the run and are allowing the seventh-most rushing yards per game. Even if Walker gets his regular workload of roughly 15 carries, he should easily surpass this number.
Other Favorite Week 12 Picks:
If you have never signed up or deposited here at Real Time Fantasy Sports, do yourself a favor and head over to rtsports.com/bender and get a 50% match on your first deposit, up to $500.
If you’re looking to tail my picks in a parlay, you can find them in the DFS Pickem Lobby on the right-hand side of the page
Arizona Cardinals running back Bam Knight (knee) was a limited participant in Thursday's practice with a knee injury. The Cardinals' backfield remains banged up as Trey Benson (knee) and Emari Demercado (ankle) did not practice on Thursday, leaving Michael Carter as the team's only healthy back. Knight has now logged back-to-back limited sessions and will need to be a full participant on Friday to avoid an injury designation for Sunday's game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Knight has caught four passes and found the end zone in back-to-back weeks. The 24-year-old will look to score for a third straight game and can be used as a FLEX option if Benson and Demercado are ruled out again in Week 13.
From RotoBaller
Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. (appendix) was limited again in Thursday's practice. He was limited for a second straight day and is trending in the right direction to suit up for Sunday's game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The 23-year-old has missed the last two games after undergoing an appendectomy following Week 10. He has caught 34 of 62 targets for 525 yards and four touchdowns over nine games in 2025. Harrison will have one more chance to log a full practice, but will likely carry an injury designation heading into Week 13. If Harrison is unable to suit up, look for Michael Wilson and Greg Dortch to see another uptick in targets and snaps with Harrison sidelined.
From RotoBaller
Houston Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud (concussion) logged another full practice on Thursday. It was the second straight day Stroud was a full participant. Stroud cleared concussion protocol and is expected to return against the Indianapolis Colts after a three-game absence. He will likely log another full session on Friday, and the final injury report should determine Stoud's official status for Sunday's contest. The 24-year-old has been solid this season, throwing for 1,702 yards, 11 touchdowns, five interceptions, while rushing for 189 yards on 29 attempts. Stroud can be used as a streamer in his first game back since Week 9, but is more of an option in superflex leagues heading into this week.
From RotoBaller
Seattle Seahawks running back Kenneth Walker III (glute) was limited again in Thursday's practice. It was the second straight day Walker logged a limited session. The 25-year-old will have one more day to log a full practice ahead of Sunday's game against the Minnesota Vikings. He played through the glute injury during last week's win over the Tennessee Titans. Walker had 11 rushing attempts for 71 yards and added three receptions on four targets for 30 yards in the Week 12 win over Tennessee. He continues to share Seattle's backfield with Zach Charbonnet, but has out-touched Charbonnet 61 to 42 over the last four games. Walker is a solid RB2 against the Vikings and is ranked 21st among all running backs in the latest RotoBaller rankings for Week 13.
From RotoBaller
Baltimore Ravens defensive back Nate Wiggins (foot) won't return in Thursday night's game against the Cincinnati Bengals. He exited Thursday's game early with a foot injury in the second quarter and has been officially ruled out for the rest of the game. Wiggins had two solo tackles and two passes defended before leaving. The 22-year-old has been terrific for the Ravens this season, leading the team with three interceptions and nine passes defended over 11 games. The severity of Wiggins' foot injury is unknown and is day-to-day for now. He will likely go under additional tests after the game. T.J. Tampa should see an uptick in snaps with Wiggins sidelined.
From RotoBaller
The Baltimore Ravens placed running back Justice Hill (neck) on injured reserve due to a neck injury, according to the team. Hill returned in Week 12 against the New York Jets after missing Week 11 because of a toe injury, but will now miss at least the next four games. Hill played on 25.4% of the offensive snaps against the Jets and didn't record a touch, but returned one kickoff for 27 yards. The 28-year-old has mostly played on pass downs behind Derrick Henry this season, handling 18 carries for 93 yards and two touchdowns along with 21 receptions for 169 yards and another score on 27 targets as a receiver in 10 games. Hill's absence will lead to more opportunities for the dynamic Keaton Mitchell, who is averaging 5.8 yards per carry on 23 attempts this season.
From RotoBaller
Buffalo Bills tight end Dalton Kincaid (hamstring) was a limited participant in Thursday's practice session, according to the team. Kincaid opened the week as a DNP on Wednesday, but was upgraded to limited on Thursday, which potentially puts him in a position to return in Week 13 against the Pittsburgh Steelers. The 26-year-old tight end hasn't played since injuring his hamstring during Buffalo's Week 10 loss at the Miami Dolphins, but has been improving in his recovery. Head coach Sean McDermott said earlier this week that "there's a chance" that Kincaid returns this Sunday, and we'll know more about his status after Friday's practice. Kincaid would provide a major lift to a Bills passing attack that has struggled lately, and he'd slot back in as a borderline TE1 for Week 13 if he can play.
From RotoBaller
New Orleans Saints wide receiver Chris Olave (back) didn't participate in Thursday's practice session, Katherine Terrell of ESPN reports. Head coach Kellen Moore downplayed the injury on Wednesday after Olave practiced in a limited capacity due to back spasms, but there is some concern after he was downgraded to a non-participant on Thursday. Friday will be an important day for fantasy managers to monitor the 25-year-old wideout's status for Week 13 against the Miami Dolphins. If Olave were to miss Sunday's game, tight end Juwan Johnson and wide receiver Devaughn Vele figure to see more opportunities, with Johnson likely to rank as a borderline TE1 for Week 13.
From RotoBaller
New Orleans Saints running back Alvin Kamara (ankle, knee) was listed as a non-participant in Thursday's practice, according to Katherine Terrell of ESPN. Kamara missed practice for the second consecutive day and is trending toward missing his first game of the season in Week 13 against the Miami Dolphins. The 30-year-old suffered a knee sprain during New Orleans' Week 12 loss to the Atlanta Falcons and is expected to miss some time. He'll have one more opportunity to practice on Friday, but in all likelihood, it will be rookie Devin Neal leading the backfield on Sunday in Miami. Neal handled seven carries for 18 yards along with five catches (seven targets) for 43 yards in Kamara's absence last week, and offers RB2 value in Week 13 assuming Kamara is out.
From RotoBaller
New York Giants wide receiver Wan'Dale Robinson (ankle) was listed as limited in practice on Thursday, according to Dan Salomone of Giants.com. It appears to be a new injury for Robinson that he picked up during the Giants' overtime loss to the Lions in Week 12. Robinson erupted with nine catches for a career-high 156 yards and a touchdown on 14 targets in the game with Jameis Winston at quarterback. Rookie quarterback Jaxson Dart (concussion) was cleared from concussion protocol and is expected to return on Monday night against the New England Patriots. Robinson has earned targets and had productive games with both Winston and Dart throwing him passes, and he should be fired up again as a WR2 in Week 13, assuming he is good to go.
From RotoBaller
Detroit Lions head coach Dan Campbell said that wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown suffered an ankle injury that isn't considered significant, but he is likely to miss one to two weeks, according to Ari Meirov of The 33rd Team. St. Brown got rolled up on early in the first quarter against the Green Bay Packers and wasn't able to return. It's relatively positive news that the Lions' star wideout didn't suffer a major injury, but he will need at least a week or two to recover. Jameson Williams went off in St. Brown's absence, catching seven of 10 targets for 144 yards and a touchdown, and should see a big boost in opportunities over the next few weeks.
From RotoBaller
Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver D.K. Metcalf (ankle) was listed as a full participant in Thursday's practice session, according to Tom Pelissero of NFL Network. Metcalf missed Wednesday's practice after suffering an ankle injury during Pittsburgh's Week 12 loss to the Chicago Bears, but the 27-year-old wideout's workload was expected to be managed early in the week. The former Seattle Seahawk looks to have avoided a serious injury that would force him to miss any time and should be expected to suit up on Sunday against the Buffalo Bills. Metcalf has had underwhelming production recently, failing to surpass 50 yards in each of his past four games. He ranks as RotoBaller's WR27 in PPR leagues for Week 13.
From RotoBaller
Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers (left wrist) was a full participant in Thursday's practice, Tom Pelissero of NFL Network reports. Rodgers missed Week 12's game against the Chicago Bears and was a non-participant in practice to open the week on Wednesday, but was back out there Thursday and is expected to play in Week 13 against the Buffalo Bills. Head coach Mike Tomlin said earlier this week that he was "highly optimistic" about Rodgers' chance to return on Sunday. The 42-year-old has been solid so far in his first year in Pittsburgh, but will have a tougher matchup in Week 13 against a Buffalo defense that has allowed the sixth-fewest passing touchdowns this season.
From RotoBaller
Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver DeVonta Smith (shoulder, chest, illness) is off the injury report and is all systems go for Friday's game against the Chicago Bears. Smith was a non-participant in Tuesday and Wednesday's practice, but practiced in full on Thursday. The 27-year-old has been hot recently, topping 80 receiving yards or more in three of his last five games. Overall, he has caught 55 passes for 754 yards and three touchdowns over 11 weeks. The Bears' defense is getting healthier and is expected to get standout defensive back Jaylon Johnson (groin) back on Friday. Despite Johnson's return, Smith is a low-end WR2 in fantasy against the Bears and is ranked 22nd among all wideouts heading into Week 13.
From RotoBaller
New York Giants rookie quarterback Jaxson Dart (concussion) has officially cleared concussion protocol and was a full participant in Thursday's practice. Dart has now fully practiced two days in a row and is expected to lead the Giants' offense on Monday night against the New England Patriots. He will return to action for the first time since Week 10 while Jameis Winston backs him up. The 22-year-old has been fantastic this season, throwing for 1,417 yards, 10 touchdowns, and three interceptions while rushing for 317 yards and seven scores over nine games. Dart can be used as a streamer for Week 13 and is ranked 12th among all quarterbacks in the latest RotoBaller rankings.
From RotoBaller
Dallas Cowboys rookie running back Jaydon Blue (coach's decision) is officially inactive for Thursday's game against the Kansas City Chiefs. Blue is a healthy scratch again for the third straight game and hasn't suited up since Week 8 versus the Broncos. The Cowboys' rookie has rushed for 65 yards on 22 attempts while catching one pass for five yards over four games. With Blue a healthy scratch, look for Javonte Williams to lead the Cowboys' backfield while Malik Davis backs him up. Blue's next chance to suit up will be Week 14 against the Detroit Lions. The 21-year-old is difficult to trust and is mainly an option in dynasty leagues until he's active and has a role in the Cowboys backfield.
From RotoBaller
Detroit Lions wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown (ankle) won't return in the Thanksgiving game against the Green Bay Packers. St. Brown was initially questionable to return after injuring his ankle during the first quarter of Thursday's contest. The 26-year-old was downgraded to out and won't return. The severity of St. Brown's ankle injury is unknown, but he is expected to undergo additional tests after the game. He remains day-to-day for now. St. Brown was targeted once before exiting early. His next chance to return will be in Week 14's matchup against the Dallas Cowboys. Fantasy managers should continue to monitor the situation, but expect Isaac TeSlaa to see an increase in snaps and targets if St. Brown misses any additional time.
From RotoBaller
The Detroit Lions are expected to sign star running back Jahmyr Gibbs to a contract extension this offseason. Gibbs is currently on the four-year rookie deal he signed in 2023 and could be the next Lion to sign a massive extension. The Lions are looking to keep their core together, as they recently extended Amon-Ra St. Brown, Aidan Hutchinson, Jameson Williams, and Jared Goff. Gibbs has been terrific for the Lions and fantasy managers this season. The 23-year-old has rushed for 951 yards on 155 rushing attempts and 10 touchdowns while catching 48 passes for 379 yards and three scores over 11 games. Gibbs has been one of the best running backs in football in an explosive Lions offense and is a surefire first-round pick heading into 2026 fantasy football drafts.
From RotoBaller
Detroit Lions wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown (ankle) is questionable to return in Thursday's game against the Green Bay Packers. St. Brown headed to the locker room after getting his ankle rolled up by his offensive line teammates in the first quarter. He was spotted with a noticeable limp and was targeted once before exiting early. Jameson Williams and Isaac TeSlaa should see an increase in targets with St. Brown sidelined. RotoBaller will continue to provide updates as they come in, and the severity of St.Brown's injury should be known soon.
From RotoBaller
Arizona Cardinals running back Trey Benson (knee) wasn't present at Thursday's practice. Benson was limited on Wednesday and not spotted for Thursday's session. The 23-year-old has not played since suffering a knee injury in Week 4. It's unclear if Benson was given a maintenance day, but fantasy managers should continue to monitor the situation. He will have one more day to practice ahead of Sunday's matchup against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Emari Demercado (ankle) was also not spotted at practice. If Benson and Demercado are unable to go in Week 13, look for Bam Knight and Michael Carter to lead Arizona's backfield once again. If active, Benson is considered a FLEX play in the first game back since Week 4 and is ranked 36th among all running backs heading into this week.
From RotoBaller