Week 12 Quarterback Streaming: Can you trust Baker Mayfield?

Fantasy football owners looking for a reliable streaming option can find one here with four of the top-15 quarterbacks on bye in week 12.

Week 12 is an important week for fantasy football owners. There are two weeks left of the regular season, unless your league uses different settings. You don’t have much time to make a push for the playoffs if you’re on the outside looking in. With the injuries piling up and the bye weeks taking away some of your star players, making the right moves is crucial.

This piece will focus on a few quarterbacks that are worth starting in week 12 in place of your missing quarterback. Four of the top-15 quarterbacks are not available this week, Patrick Mahomes, Kyler Murray, Kirk Cousins and Philip Rivers. Plus, Matthew Stafford is out. So, if you own any of those players, you may need help this week.

The three quarterbacks will be available in at least 40 percent of ESPN leagues. This gives owners a pretty good chance to find a fill-in quarterback for this week. The matchups lean towards the quarterbacks but anything could happen.

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Jacoby Brissett, @HOU

Brissett just makes the cut with a 50.2 ownership percentage. He has a great matchup against the Houston Texans. Their defense ranks 26th against opposing quarterbacks, allowing an average of 21.2 fantasy points per game. The number may be skewed a bit after allowing 34 points to Lamar Jackson.

The Colts offense is a little banged up as T.Y. Hilton and Eric Ebron listed as questionable and Marlon Mack out with a broken hand. Brissett had a decent game after missing week 10 with 15.1 points. Against a familiar opponent, Brissett has had success. He scored 27.6 points at home versus Houston in week 7.

Baker Mayfield, vs. MIA

Mayfield has been better these last couple of weeks. Since week 8, he has six passing touchdowns, one interception and a rushing touchdown. While he hasn’t thrown for over 300 yards since week 4, the lack of turnovers is promising.

The Dolphins are 28th against quarterbacks, 19th against wide receivers and 18th against tight ends. The numbers haven’t been there but Mayfield is targeting Odell Beckham often. He has 35 targets over the last four games.

I expect a big game from Mayfield in this game.

Sam Darnold, vs. OAK

I mentioned Darnold in my waiver wire piece but this gives me a chance to elaborate on why I like him so much. Since returning from sickness, Darnold has three games with at least 19.6 fantasy points, including back-to-back 20-plus point games in his last two.

Outside of facing the Ravens in week 15, the Jets have a favorable schedule for the rest of the season. The Raiders are ranked 27th against quarterbacks, allowing 21.2 points per game. They’ve been better over the last two but they faced Philip Rivers and Ryan Finley, so do what you want with that info.

The Jets offense is looking better with Jamison Crowder, Robby Anderson and Ryan Griffin. The running game is improving as Le’Veon Bell is averaging 18.03 points per game over the last three weeks.

Honorable Mention: Jeff Driskel, @WSH; Ryan Tannehill, vs. JAX; Mitchell Trubisky, vs. NYG

Whether if it’s for just one week or a second quarterback in deeper leagues, these three players will put up numbers in week 12. The matchups are good and their weapons are solid. If you are down your starting quarterback this week, there are viable replacements for you.