7 Fantasy Football Splits That Matter for Week 12

The Cowboys Offense With and Without Tyron Smith

Dallas Cowboys left tackle Tyron Smith is currently ranked as PFF's 16th-overall tackle (among 81 qualifiers) in pass blocking. It should come as no shock than that Dallas has allowed the highest sack rate (34%) of any team without him the last two weeks (via Graham Barfield).

Through their first eight games with Smith, however, the Cowboys allowed a mere 11% sack rate (third-lowest in that span). Dak Prescott also averaged 21.52 fantasy points in those eight games, whereas he's averaged an abysmal 6.12 in his last two.

How you approach this game in fantasy depends entirely on Smith's status at kickoff. If he's ruled out, loading up on a Los Angeles Chargers unit that boasts the fifth-best pass defense according to Adjusted Defensive Passing NEP is mandatory. Not only have the Chargers accumulated the third-most sacks (30) this season, but linebackers Joey Bosa and Melvin Ingram rank first and second overall in pressures (via PFF).

If Smith starts, though, note that Dallas would likely revert back to running behind the left side of the offensive line, an approach the team has failed (been afraid?) to attempt without him. The Cowboys averaged 4.2 yards per carry running behind the left tackle and guard through Week 9 and only 2.2 yards per carry since (via Sharp Football Stats).