This article is part of our DFS NFL series.
OwnersBox's SuperFlex contests provide participants with a chance to roster up to two quarterbacks per lineup, opening up the opportunity for major scoring boosts and a more entertaining fantasy sweat overall.
Each week of the NFL regular season, we'll break down appealing candidates in the main Sunday slate for OwnersBox's NFL SuperFlex DFS contests.
Quarterbacks
Kirk Cousins, MIN at SF ($6,600)
Cousins enters Week 12 on a roll, scoring 21 to 37 fantasy points in four of his last five games. The veteran has an 11:0 TD:INT and a 66.7 completion percentage over that five-game span. The opposing 49ers have allowed a modest 13 TDs through the air to QBs, but they've also picked off just four passes in 10 games while allowing nearly 6.0 yards per rush and four rushing TDs to signal-callers. Given Cousins' hot hand and reasonable salary, he could make for an excellent value pivot off several more expensive alternatives.
Mac Jones, NE at TEN ($5,700)
Jones' role and level of involvement in the offense has varied by opponent, in true Bill Belichick fashion. The rookie has scored 17 or more fantasy points in five contests and thrown multiple touchdowns four times, but he's also been under 200 yards in three games. Nevertheless, Jones' Week 12 matchup against the Titans doesn't shape up badly on paper, as Tennessee has allowed a robust 253.3 passing yards per game, along with 10.5 yards per completion and the eighth-most passing touchdowns (18) to QBs. Jones has completed just under 70.0 percent of his passes on the road as well, rendering him a potential bargain at his salary.
ALSO CONSIDER: Aaron Rodgers, GB vs. LAR ($7,400)
Running Backs
Christian McCaffrey, CAR at MIA ($8,200)
McCaffrey split backfield work with Cam Newton in Week 11, as the running back's 10 carries being matched by the recently returned signal-caller. But McCaffrey should be primed for a bump on the ground in a matchup against a Dolphins defense allowing 4.3 RB yards per carry and a 12-percent explosive run rate that ranks them 17th in the league. Miami has also allowed a 56-405-2 line through the air to RBs across 11 games. McCaffrey has seen his snap counts rise in each of his first three games back from IR, and he has averaged 24.5 fantasy points in his last two contests. Look for McCaffrey to put together another productive fantasy line this weekend.
Saquon Barkley, NYG vs. PHI ($6,700)
There's a bit of a leap of faith required to suggest/roster Barkley in Week 12, but given his undeniable game-breaking ability and a likely focus on utilizing him more now that Jason Garrett has been jettisoned as offensive coordinator, the Giants RB makes for an intriguing tournament play. Barkley returned in Week 11 from a multi-game absence due to an ankle injury and logged 12 touches (six rushing, six receiving) against the Buccaneers across 32 snaps. It's worth noting that there were several factors working against Barkley in that game besides Garrett's dubious playcalling, including Tampa Bay's nearly impenetrable run defense and the score being lopsided in the second half. Barkley will get a crack at a Philly defense allowing 116.5 rushing yards per game, 4.3 RB yards per carry and the third-most second-level yards per carry (1.4) in Week 12. No NFC team has allowed more receptions to running backs than the 75 the Eagles have given up, furthering Barkley's prospects for a solid fantasy performance.
ALSO CONSIDER: Melvin Gordon, DEN vs. LAC ($5,100)
Wide Receivers
Justin Jefferson, MIN at SF ($7,400)
As mentioned, Cousins has been running hot, and Jefferson has been the primary beneficiary over the last two games. The star second-year wideout has posted a 17-312-2 line on 21 targets over that span, leading to tallies of 23 and 36 fantasy points. Jefferson is notably logging a much higher aDOT on the road (12.8) than at home (9.7), and he has seven or more targets in all but two games this season. The Niners have given up a passer rating of 90 or higher in four of the six passing windows, putting Jefferson in position for another big day in what should be a competitive contest.
Deebo Samuel, SF vs. MIN ($7,200)
Samuel has been a fantasy darling all season and arguably the 49ers best skill-position player. The versatile third-year wideout has complemented a 55-994-5 line through the air with 137 rushing yards and another three scores on 19 carries. Samuel has double-digit fantasy points in every game this season and at least 23 in five contests, giving him one of the safest floors at any position. The Vikings' secondary could facilitate another strong performance, considering Minnesota has given up an elevated 14.2 yards per grab to wideouts, along with the fifth-most yards (1,950) to the position. Minnesota has also allowed the fourth-most rushing yards per road game (139.8), brightening Samuel's outlook further given his occasional role in the ground attack.
Michael Pittman, IND vs. TB ($5,900)
Pittman has exploded for four tallies 20 and 30 fantasy points this season, so the ceiling is there despite the fact he often works in a short/intermediate role. The Buccaneers continue to boast a stout run defense, leading to Tampa Bay facing an NFL-high 66.9 percent pass play rate. The 11.5 yards per reception, 72.1 percent completion rate and 11 touchdown grabs the Bucs have allowed in three short/intermediate passing windows dovetail nicely with Pittman's typical route tree and the 13.2 yards per catch he's posted on the season.
ALSO CONSIDER: Elijah Moore, NYJ at HOU ($5,200)
Tight Ends
Rob Gronkowski, TB at IND ($5,200)
Gronkowski makes for an intriguing play on the other side of the Bucs-Colts clash, as the star tight end jumped right back into the swing of things during his Week 11 return with a 6-71 line on eight targets. Gronk now has three double-digit fantasy-point tallies in four non-injury-shortened games this season, and he's set for a prime matchup in Week 12. The Colts check in having allowed the third-most receptions (66), fourth-most receiving yards (691) and fourth-most receiving touchdowns (six) to tight ends, and the fact Indy has conceded 713 receiving yards and 13 touchdowns in the short and deep middle passing windows bodes well for the prospects of a player that's recorded seven of his 22 catches and 85 of his 255 yards in those areas of the field.
Tyler Higbee, LAR at GB ($4,800)
Higbee hasn't yet had that explosive game this season, but he sports a salary that accounts for that and does have four double-digit fantasy-point totals. Two of those double-digit efforts have come in the last two games, and he's seen between five and 10 targets in four of the last five games. With Odell Beckham still getting up to speed in the offense, a trusted short-area/intermediate target in Robert Woods gone for the season and the Packers allowing a 61-581-4 line to tight ends over the first 11 games while being notoriously difficult on receivers (57.0 percent catch rate allowed), Higbee sets up as a potentially rewarding value play.
ALSO CONSIDER: Kyle Pitts, ATL at JAC ($5,300)
