Fantasy ballers: Best bets to bounce back in Week 12

In the course of a long NFL season, even good players have bad games. These three look to rebound after subpar performances in Week 11.

Javonte Williams (RB) Denver Broncos

After a frustrating 10.5 carries per game in his first six contests, Williams appeared to turn the corner with 27 carries and 18.80 fantasy points against the Chiefs and 21 carries for 21 fantasy points against the Bills. 

He mixed in four catches for 31 yards and a score in Buffalo, which made last week’s 11-carry, 37-yard performance against the Vikings all the more surprising. With just 7.30 fantasy points against Minnesota, fantasy managers could be tempted to bench Williams against the Browns this week.

That would be a mistake. While the Browns boast the league’s top pass defense, they haven’t been as good against the run. Steelers running back Jaylen Warren ran for 129 yards on nine carries against the Browns last week.

Beating Cleveland won’t be easy, but a steady diet of Williams could do it. If he gets the carries, he’ll beat his 13.26 projection.

Stefon Diggs (WR) Buffalo Bills

After a week of passive-aggressive smack talk from his brother on social media, Diggs really needs a big game against Philadelphia. He’s been held without a touchdown and has just 61 yards in his last two games.

That’s completely out of character for a wide receiver averaging 81.3 yards and 18.95 fantasy points per game in 2023. Luckily for him, the Eagles’ pass defense is quite bad. Only four teams give up more yards through the air than Philadelphia, and no team gives up more fantasy points to wide receivers.

Buffalo’s new offensive coordinator Joe Brady didn’t get Diggs the ball against the Jets, but he’ll be the primary target against a shaky Eagles secondary. Look for Diggs to flirt with 100 yards and beat his 17.60 projection.

Pat Freiermuth (TE) Pittsburgh Steelers

Freiermuth’s comeback was uneventful, but the encore should be better. After missing five games with a hamstring injury, the third-year tight end had one catch for seven yards in his return against the Browns in Week 11.

With stats like that, it’s no wonder he’s only projected to score 6.43 fantasy points against the Bengals. But Cincinnati gives up 247.8 passing yards per game, sixth-most in the NFL and it gives up the fourth-most fantasy points to tight ends.