NFL WEEK 12 $500+ Friday Best Buys
The NFL $500+ Fridays competition sees three Thanksgiving Day games and a host of players to select for our line-ups, with $500 prize money up for grabs.
Here is a team for the NFL $500+ competition for you to consider:
Quarterback
Ben Roethlisberger ($21,200)
A quiet effort of just 167 passing yards from 36 attempts last week won’t deter Roethlisberger from having a field day against Indianapolis. The Colts have allowed two touchdown passes in seven consecutive games and with cornerback Vontae Davis seen in a moonboot earlier this week, the likelihood of that trend continuing is extremely high. Big Ben could have a Thanksgiving style feast on the defence who are ranked last against the pass across the last four games.
Running Back
Rob Kelley ($10,500)
Since winning the starting job in Washington three weeks ago, Kelly has improved week on week. Over the past three weeks, he has 321 rushing yards – including 157 of them last week against the Packers – and four touchdowns. While the Cowboys have given up the fourth-fewest points among the running backs this season, seven running backs have scored double digits against them this year. In the form he is in, Kelley’s value at just over $10k is too good to ignore.
Frank Gore ($10,300)
At around $12k cheaper than other number one options Le’Veon Bell and Ezekiel Elliott, Gore presents elite value. Given Andrew Luck is in the concussion protocol, meaning depth quarterback Scott Tolzien is likely to start, Gore will see plenty of carries and dump-off passes as the Colts will lean on him to move the chains. Pittsburgh allow the third most amount of fantasy points to the running back position meaning Gore, who has always had a high ceiling in fantasy points, will be a sure thing to score highly once again.
Wide Receiver
Dez Bryant ($12,800)
Bryant is a big game player and with the Cowboys holding a 6-1 lead over the Redskins at Thanksgiving, and as Dak Prescott’s number one target, he’ll be involved again to increase their lead. He already has three 100+ receiving games this season, one of which was against the Redskins in their September matchup. He also has three touchdowns and has attracted 17 targets over the past fortnight.
Jamison Crowder ($12,850)
Crowder is averaging 17.5 points across his last five games and is a favoured option by quarterback Kirk Cousins in the passing game. That same stretch of scoring is a result of elite consistency for the sophomore receiver, who has either 100 yards receiving or a touchdown across that stretch. Against Cowboys, he’ll feature again.
Tight End
Kyle Rudolph ($10,750)
Rudolph has two touchdowns over the past three weeks which would have been three if not for a flag. Despite Minnesota’s passing woes, Rudolph is a trusted option for Sam Bradford, averaging 6.8 targets per game this season. With Stefon Diggs out of form, and listed as questionable, Rudolph will make a considerable contribution once again. Detroit’s defence has allowed eight touchdowns to tight ends this season and leak the second most points to the position.
Flex
Golden Tate ($10,250)
Golden Tate has only two touchdowns for the season, yet has still managed to score in double digits in four of his last five games. While Minnesota’s defence ranks among the best in the league, having contained Arizona to just under 200 passing yards last week, Tate has shown a knack for scoring against the Vikings. In the two team’s latest meeting, he hauled in 11 receptions from his 12 targets, for 71 yards and the walk off touchdown in overtime. After a lean week last week where he only yielded 3.20 points, this week is the perfect opportunity to bounce back.
Vernon Davis ($5,700)
Davis was scoreless last week as the Redskins’ receivers ran rampant over Green Bay’s depleted secondary on their way to posting 42 points in all. Prior to Week 11, Davis had a four-game streak where he totalled 50 receiving yards, while also catching two touchdowns in that span. Dallas’ defence ranks 13th in the league, but they tend to struggle against the short pass – something which Davis will feature more than anything.
Defense
Pittsburgh ($5,500)
Most of Thursday’s games seem likely to be a shootout on offense, meaning it’s slim pickings for defences this week. While Minnesota is arguably the best option here, Pittsburgh offers the greatest value at more than $3k cheaper. After posting 22 points last week against Cleveland, the Steelers defence will turn up again against a Colts offense without Andrew Luck. Playing the NFL’s second worst offensive line and a second string quarterback under centre are all positive indications that Pittsburgh’s defence will dominate in Week 12.
The Lineup
QB: Ben Roethlisberger ($21,200)
RB: Rob Kelley ($10,500)
RB: Frank Gore ($10,300)
WR: Jamison Crowder ($14,550)
WR: Dez Bryant ($10,800)
TE: Kyle Rudolph ($10,750)
FX: Golden Tate ($10,250)
FX: Vernon Davis ($5,700)
DEF: Pittsburgh ($5,500)
Cash Remaining: $100
NFL SCORING SYSTEM:
OFFENSE
Pass TD = 4 pts
1 Pass Yard = 0.04 pts
Interception = -1 pts
1 Rush Yard = 0.1 pts
Rush TD = 6 pts
1 Receiving Yard = 0.1pts
Reception TD = 6 pts
Reception = 1pt
Return TD = 6 pts
2 pt Conversion = 2pts
Lost Fumble = -2pts
DEFENSE
Sack = 1 pt
Interception = 2 pts
Fumble Recovery = 2 pts
Touchdown = 6 pts
Safety = 2 pts
Blocked Kick = 2 pts
Kickoff/PR Touchdown = 6 pts
Points allowed – 0 = 10 pts
Points allowed – 1-6 = 7 pts
Points allowed – 7-13 = 4 pts
Points allowed – 14-20 = 1 pt
Points allowed – 21-27 = 0 pts
Points allowed – 28-34 = -1 pt
Points allowed – 35+ = -4 pts
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