2024 NFL Bye Week Schedule: What Fantasy Football Managers Need to Know About Weeks 12, 14

12 teams will be off in a two-week span.

Most fantasy footballers don’t build a team solely based on bye weeks, but that doesn’t mean that during the pressure of “on the clock,” that pesky off-week number doesn’t cross one’s mind and sway a decision.

The NFL puts every team on a bye—a week off from playing—every season. It could follow an international trip, a short week, a primetime slot, a holiday, etc., but it is different for each team annually.  

When it comes to giving teams off, the first and last months of the season are typically avoided. But whether it’s early in Week 5 or late in Week 14, some weeks have more teams off than others.

This NFL calendar year, weeks 12 and 14 see six teams on bye a piece.

MANY NFL STARS TAKE A SEAT IN WEEK 12

From strictly a player availability standpoint, Week 12 features the most fantasy assets out of a matchup. The NFL has placed the Falcons, Bills, Bengals, Jaguars, Saints, and the New York Jets on a break.

That means high-powered offenses with strong fantasy quarterbacks and multiple receiving options will be unavailable.

Kirk Cousins, had he not been injured, would’ve finished as QB No. 6 last season. He is now on a new offense that features both receiving threats of Kyle Pitts and Drake London, as well as a run game headlined by Bijan Robinson.

Josh Allen finished as fantasy QB No. 1 one season ago, and while he doesn’t have the same weapons as last year, but he will still be touted as one of the best quarterbacks for fantasy.

Joe Burrow should be healthy again to begin the year and will have Ja’Marr Chase, Tee Higgins (hopefully), Zach Moss, and Chase Brown at his disposal.

Meanwhile, in Jacksonville, Trevor Lawrence should also be healthy, and he’ll have his sidekick in Travis Etienne, as well as receivers Christian Kirk, Evan Engram, Gabe Davis, and rookie Brian Thomas Jr. to target on the perimeter.

The Saints are a wildcard at QB, but Alvin Kamara is still a reliable fantasy back, and Chris Olave and Rashid Shaheed emerged to end last season.

Aaron Rodgers is in line to rerun New York’s offense this season, and his veteran leadership paired with Breece Hall, Garrett Wilson – and a potentially healthy Mike Wiliams – could be a powerful front. 

KEY DEPTH PIECES, MOBILE QBs HEADLINE WEEK 14 BYE WEEKS

Week 14 doesn’t have all locks of teams with impactful fantasy players, but there are gems on each team that could be successful – especially in the final week of many league regular seasons. Baltimore, Houston, Indianapolis, Washington, New England, and Denver all take a seat.

First and foremost, fantasy owners won’t have Lamar Jackson, Mark Andrews, or Zay Flowers late in the year with Baltimore on bye Week 14. Owners will also be without second-year phenom C.J. Stroud, and his star-studded offense of Joe Mixon, Nico Collins, Tank Dell, Stefon Diggs, and Dalton Schultz also got a late nod.

If Anthony Richardson can stay healthy, three mobile quarterbacks will be a no-go in Week 14. Currently, Joe Flacco is the backup in Indy, and we all saw him win owners a few playoff games just one year ago. But Richardson and Flacco bring different skill sets that aid offenses; regardless, they will be unavailable that week. 

While I’m not jonesing to draft Jayden Daniels, Drake Maye, or Bo Nix, Washington, New England, and Denver have offensive players who should be weekly starters.

Terry McLaurin and Brian Robinson Jr. should be fantasy roster locks, as well as taking a chance on Austin Ekeler. We may not know how Washington plans to use the two rushers, but both are highly skilled. Zach Ertz, the Commanders’ new tight end, should also be considered.

Rhamondre Stevenson should be the sole rusher in New England, even with the signing of Antonio Gibson. In a league where running back duos are becoming the norm, any sole-back is a must-have. 

Finally, I’m hoping this is the year Tim Patrick stays healthy. I think he is the best receiver on the Broncos, with Courtland Sutton as a close second. Additionally, Javonte Williams is a must-roster for the same reasons as Stevenson.

Week 12 sees star-name players unavailable, while Week 14 excludes impact players.

OTHER 2024 BYE WEEK BLUNDERS AND NOTES

In weeks 5 and 6, multiple high-powered offenses are on bye, including Detroit, Philadelphia, Kansas City, and Miami, respectively.

Four weeks feature four teams on bye a piece: Weeks 5, 6, 10, and 11.

The NFL has not scheduled any bye weeks during weeks 8 and 13.

Weeks 11, 12, and 14 are the only weeks seeing multiple teams in the same division on bye.

Facebook
Twitter
Pinterest
LinkedIn