We seemed to escape through most of the season without much quarterback controversy as most stayed healthy. Which made it a real bummer to try to make trades. That has all changed now.
But a quick tip, if you have some excess at quarterback, you should really look to move one prior to the trade deadline on Friday. For instance, I dumped Cam Newton to the guy who lost Ben Roethlisberger last week. If you have Matthew Stafford and Matt Ryan, for instance, I would try to deal one of those guys.
Now, if you're on the other side of the coin, you might need a sleeper quarterback this week. I'm not sure if Andy Dalton counts as a sleeper still, but he warrants a mention.
Red Dalton has scored at least 15 fantasy points in three consecutive games, and his points have increased in all three of those games. The Raiders allow the third-most fantasy points to quarterbacks this season and have allowed eight touchdown passes in their last three. Dalton also has seven total touchdowns and no interceptions in his last two games.
Let's take a look at the rest of Rank's 11 for Week 12.
Colin Kaepernick, QB, San Francisco 49ers: Well, coach Jim Harbaugh is going to ride the hot hand. Just the words fantasy enthusiasts don't want to hear. But I like Kaepernick if he's going to be the full-time starter. The matchup is too good. The Saints have allowed the most fantasy points to quarterbacks this season, and have allowed an NFL-high 21 touchdown passes.
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Chad Henne, QB, Jacksonville Jaguars: One takeaway from Henne's play is Blaine Gabbert must really not be good. Like at all. Henne torched the Texans last week. But if you're truly desperate for a quarterback, Henne has a great matchup against the Titans, who have allowed the sixth-most points to fantasy quarterbacks this year.
Ronnie Hillman, RB, Denver Broncos: Hillman is a great option with Willis McGahee out. The Chiefs have allowed the seventh-most points to running backs this season. Hillman looked good in stints before he got the full-time gig. This is a chance for him to prove himself.
Vick Ballard, RB, Indianapolis Colts: Ballard has the opportunity, he has at least 13 touches in five consecutive games. And he's got a great matchup as the Bills have allowed a league-high 14 rushing touchdowns this year and the most points to fantasy running backs. He and Donald Brown are both worth consideration in the flex spot.
Bryce Brown, RB, Philadelphia Eagles: This is going to be a tough play if LeSean McCoy isn't ruled out early. But if you're desperate for a running back, the Panthers have allowed the 10th-most fantasy points to running backs this year.
Jalen Parmele, RB, Jacksonville Jaguars: I would be wary to put too much faith into Parmele. We've been burned by Maurice Jones-Drew's replacements before. But Parmele had a nice little game against the Texans last week, so you hope it would translate against the Titans, who have allowed the third-most points to running backs this year.
Justin Blackmon, WR, Jacksonville Jaguars: Yes, I have a growing concern about all this faith we want to place in the Jaguars. But these are desperate times. I mean, the Steelers signed Plaxico Burress for crying out loud. Now I don't expect Blackmon to have 200 receiving yards again. But what impressed me was the 13 targets. Clearly, Henne looked for him last week. That's key. No. 1 receivers for one quarterback are not No. 1 receivers for his backup.
Julian Edelman, WR, New England Patriots: The Pats will be without tight end Rob Gronkowski while Aaron Hernandez could be limited. That could mean big days for Wes Welker and Edleman, who had a season-high 58 receiving yards against the Colts. He was on the field for 52 of the Patriots' 62 snaps and he is going to be featured a lot more. If you want to start good players from good teams, this is a good option.
Dwayne Allen, TE, Indianapolis Colts: I refused to add Brandon Myers because you should already have him in your lineup (unless you have Jimmy Graham). Allen had a season-high 11 targets against the Patriots last week and the Bills have allowed the ninth-most fantasy points to tight ends this season.
Arizona Cardinals defense: The Birds defense played great in Atlanta as it forced six turnovers. The defense was good enough to win, but the offense continued to let them down. But I like them to rebound this week at home. Plus, you have Patrick Peterson out there as a return guy and he's due to break one.
