Week 12 NFL Advanced Analytics Superstars

Tight End: Julius Thomas

Julius Thomas, TE, Jacksonville Jaguars
9 Receptions, 116 Yards, 10 Targets, 1 Touchdown
NEP: +11.29

Week 12's most efficient tight end was Jacksonville's Julius Thomas, who caught 9 of 10 passes for 116 receiving yards and a touchdown. Thomas set a season-high in both receptions and receiving yards, but his team fell just short of winning, losing 31-25 to the San Diego Chargers.

Thomas had 5 of his 9 receptions either go for a first down or a touchdown, as Blake Bortles heavily targeted him in mismatches with the San Diego linebackers. His biggest play may have been the biggest play of the game. Down by 12 in the fourth quarter, Bortles delivered a dart up the seam to Thomas on 4th-and-7 for a 21-yard touchdown.

Thomas finished the day with a +11.29 NEP, helping raise his season long Reception NEP from 38th among all tight ends up to 22nd. Thomas led all tight ends in PPR fantasy points, picking up 26.6 on the day and his most of the season.

Among the rest of this week's tight end group, Gary Barnidge continues to be a NEP superstar with the second-highest Reception NEP among all tight ends on the season. New England's Rob Gronkowski and Scott Chandler stepped up big for the Patriots after injuries have plagued their starting wide receiver corps, but it looks like even more responsibility will fall on Chandler in the upcoming weeks after Gronkowski was carted off the field. Jimmy Graham will also be watching from the sidelines going forward for an even longer duration, after suffering a torn patellar tendon. Prior to his injury he had caught 4 of 8 targets for 75 yards. Ryan Griffin makes his debut on this metrics list after connecting with Brian Hoyer for a score, as the Texans coasted to an easy victory.

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