Like it, Love it, Gotta Have it: Week 12

The holiday season is here, and to be honest I used to always be a Grinch. I never was one for enjoying the whole family getting together and celebrating Thanksgiving, not that I didn't enjoy the food (mostly the pie) but I wasn't much of a fan.

Two amazing ladies in my life changed my perspective on the holidays.

First, is my amazing daughter: Our relationship has grown over the last year and half, in which a time it would've been easy to lose my focus. I've been blessed with an amazing little girl who just is a daily reminder of how amazing it is to be a parent.

Second, is my beautiful girlfriend: I wouldn't be the man I am today without her in my life. She's helped me grow as a man, grow as a father, and has shown me that I can be myself with no hesitations. My love for her grows fonder as each day passes.

Them, and the boys, have shown me the meaning of the holidays. In reality I just need to be thankful for this time that I get to share with them.

Speaking of Thanksgiving, I am going to share my favorite Thanksgiving pies with my Week 12 picks.

**Side Note: I would be thankful if the injuries stop happening to every running back I roster***

Like it – Pecan Pie – (Look I wasn't always a fan of Pecan pie, but as I've gotten older, I've gotten much wiser. There is just something about the mixture of pecans with the gooey mixture attached to the pie crust.)

Javorius Allen vs. Cleveland Browns - $4,600 (DraftKings) - $6,300 (FanDuel)

It might be a smart thing to stay away from the dumpster fire that is called the Ravens offense, but Allen's upside is too rich to pass up.

In 13 games at USC last year, Allen touched the ball 20 more times in 12 of those games. In those 12 games he also had over 100 yards. It's not out of the equation for them to use him as the workhouse for the rest of the season.

Allen will be the workhorse in the backfield, given he is a three-down back.

In the first matchup between these two teams, the Ravens ran for 181 yards, including eight carries for 58 yards by Allen.

The Browns are simply just not good at stopping the run. The pricing is right (especially on DK) and I am running with Allen for week 12.

Odell Beckham Jr. vs. Washington Redskins - $8,700 (DraftKings) - $9,100 (FanDuel)

In two games against the Redskins, Beckham has 19 catches, 222 yards and 4 touchdowns. OBJ always comes with a hefty price tag, but has been worth it more times than not in 2015.

Week-to-week you will always find one top flight wide receiver in my lineup, and OBJ is my guy for this week. He comes into the game with four touchdowns, and 100+ yard games in his last 3 games.

He's fresh off a bye week, and should be ready to benefit from a weak Redskins' secondary.

Love it – Pumpkin Pie – (I am one to have pumpkin pie year around, but nothing tops having pumpkin pie on Thanksgiving. A fat slice of pie with a HUGE chunk of Cool Whip on top makes for the perfect Thanksgiving treat)

Marcus Mariota vs. Oakland Raiders – $5,500 (DraftKings) - $7,000 (FanDuel)
Delanie Walker vs. Oakland Raiders - $5,400 (DraftKings) - $6,100 (FanDuel)

This is my slam dunk stack of the week.

Twice this year a tight end was touted by the entire industry, and twice we have been burned. Last time we put our money on Eric Ebron, and Owen Daniels, which wasn't a terrible choice considering the Raiders are atrocious against tight ends. It just didn't pan out.

Walker is a big notch above those two, and has a quarterback that has eyes only for him. He leads the Titans in targets, receptions, yards, and touchdowns. You will not find a better matchup this week at the tight end position.

Speaking of the 'Flyin Hawaiian', this matchup bodes well for him.

In five games against teams ranked in the bottom 12 of the league against the pass, he has averaged 287 yards, and two touchdowns. Mariota gets a Raiders' defense that ranks 30^th against the pass this season.

Pricing of the pair lines up well. Mariota ranks 15^th, which is really low considering six quarterbacks are playing on Thursday. Walker is the third highest priced tight end this week, but a full $2,500 cheaper than Gronk, who he has outscored the last 3 weeks 60.6 to 39.7.

The Mariota and Walker combination is one of the best/cheapest stacks heading into week 12.

Gotta Have it – Apple Streusel Pie – (This isn't any apple pie, it's my Mum's recipe, and it's magical. The greatness of apple pie topped with brown sugar, cinnamon, and a few secret ingredients (Family recipe). This is the Todd Gurley of Thanksgiving pies)

Todd Gurley vs. Cincinnati Bengals - $7,500 (DraftKings) - $8,800 (FanDuel)

I can't talk about Gurley as the equivalent of an amazing pie, and not have him in the lineup for the week. While it's been hard for him to find running room over the last few weeks, Gurley has found the end zone in 5 straight games.

The Rams have to find ways outside of the handoff to get Gurley involved, teams are stacking the box due to the lack of passing game of the Rams. This game could get out of hand, but Gurley is the surest bet in fantasy at the running back position, and I want him in all my lineups this week.

Vincent Jackson vs. Indianapolis Colts - $4,700 (DraftKings) – $6,400 (FanDuel)

Welcome back Vincent Jackson, who was reported to be out Sunday, but was effective in his return. Jackson saw six targets, catching four of them, for 56 yards, and a touchdown.

Winston has thrown the ball 29 times or more in five straight games, and this week they face a questionable Colts secondary. With Evans matching up with stud corner Vontae Davis, Jackson draws the better matchup against Greg Toler, and I am all over it.

He has a price-point ranked in the mid-twenties on both sites, and will find his way into each of my lineups this weekend.