Week 12 Start ‘Em & Sit ‘Em is here to highlight a few players at each position that we would like to sit or start (where possible).
This series will avoid the “obvious” answers. So, just because I don’t tell you to start the RB1 in the week doesn’t mean you should sit him. It means I just felt it was a no-brainer and didn’t need to be discussed. Also, consider these suggestions in the context of your lineup. When I say to sit a player, there are obviously going to be situations where you have no choice but to play them. Bye weeks and injuries can cause us to start players with whom we are uncomfortable. Examine your squad’s situation before blindly following this column.
Week 12 Quarterback Starts Of The Week:
Sam Darnold, SEA @ TEN
It was a rough outing last week for Sam Darnold as he threw 4 interceptions against the Los Angeles Rams. It was also his 3rd time over the last 4 games that he’s been held to single-digit fantasy points. Thankfully for Darnold, the home stretch from here is much easier, except for one more game against the Rams. This upcoming game is against the worst team in the league, the Tennessee Titans. Darnold and the entire offense should bounce back with big performances.
Jared Goff, DET vs. NYG
From one NFC East opponent to another for the Detroit Lions. Last week, it was the Philadelphia Eagles, and this weekend, it’s the New York Giants. After their offense was shut down against the Eagles, the Giants are on the complete opposite end of the spectrum. The Giants give up the 2nd most fantasy points to quarterbacks, which means a big game is in store for quarterback Jared Goff. The Lions are going to come out of the gates swinging and make last week one to forget.
Week 12 Quarterback Sits Of The Week:
Daniel Jones, IND @ KC
The Indianapolis Colts are rolling to an 8-2 record, 2nd second-best in the NFL. They are coming off a bye, and if they can pull out the victory, this would be huge in cementing their status amongst the league’s best. Most of their schedule has been very favorable, so this will be a true test of how well Daniel Jones is really playing. I give Jones a lot of credit for how much he has turned it around, but I’m not fully buying that they are legit. This weekend will be the true test, but I’m not taking the risk in fantasy.
Kirk Cousins, ATL @ NO
I do not care if the matchup on paper is fantastic; Kirk Cousins disappointed the last time the matchup was appealing. I was open to starting him against Miami, and he couldn’t even put up 10 fantasy points. I’m not making that same mistake again.
Week 12 Running Backs Starts Of The Week
TreVeyon Henderson, NE @ CIN
It took until Rhamondre Stevenson went down with an injury before TreVeyon Henderson finally saw real action. In his absence, he’s absolutely exploded over the last two weeks with 200+ yards and 4 touchdowns, racking up over 60 fantasy points. The Patriots should let Rhamondre Sit one more, but regardless of whether he plays or not, the matchup this week is too good not to play TreVeyon. The Bengals give up the most rushing yards per game. The Patriots are going to feast on this defense, and TreVeyon is going to be the benefactor. He’s a top-5 RB on the week without Rhamondre, top-15 with Rhamondre playing.
Travis Etienne, JAX @ ARI
Coming off his best fantasy performance of the season, Travis Etienne had 19.3 PPR fantasy points. He might not match that this weekend, but he sure will come close. The Jaguars are coming off a big win against the Chargers and now face a Cardinals team that has allowed the 4th most touchdowns to running backs. I like Etienne to score a touchdown and finish with 12+ fantasy points and end as a top-15 back for the week.
Week 12 Running Back Sits Of The Week
Tyrone Tracy Jr, NYG @ DET
Finally, Tyrone Tracy Jr was able to have a top-15 finish in fantasy and against the Green Bay Packers, nonetheless. Tracy had his highest amount of carries on the season with 19. His previous high was 14 against the Bears. Last week, Jameis Winston started while Jaxson Dart remained in concussion protocol. Dart is back and will take away some of those running opportunities from Tracy with his own designed runs.
Chase Brown, CIN vs. NE
It took until Joe Flacco came to town for running back Chase Brown to become fantasy relevant. Brown has had 12 points or more over the last 4 games and two top-5 finishes. In the prior 6 weeks, he had only one game reaching more than 12 points. I’m expecting Brown to revert to below 12 points again. With Ja’Marr Chase suspended, the Bengals’ offense is not going to be able to operate as efficiently. Yes, this might mean more carries for Brown, but fewer opportunities within the red zone. The Bengals also face a top-5 defense in the league and the team with the best record in the NFL – it’s going to be a long day for the Bengals without their star wide receiver.
Week 12 Wide Receiver Starts Of The Week
Jameson Williams, DET vs. NYG
Over the last 3 weeks, the WR6 has quietly been Jameson Williams. Williams might have fewer targets and receptions than his teammate, Amon-Ra St. Brown, but he has more yards and touchdowns. Jameson is averaging 91 yards per game over this stretch and has scored in each of the last 3 games. Even if Jamo doesn’t score, his yardage alone is worth putting in your starting lineup. He’s a strong WR2 in a matchup where the Lions will be steamrolling their opponent.
Michael Wilson, ARI vs. JAX
It was a career-best day for Michael Wilson as he shattered his previous career highs. Wilson led the entire league in week 11 with 15 receptions on 18 targets for a whopping 185 yards. Going into last week, Wilson only had 231 yards on the year. With the timetable for Marvin Harrison Jr unclear, Wilson should continue to see an expanded role. I don’t expect him to repeat that legacy performance, but I’m confident without Marv that he can put together another 100-yard game this week.
Week 12 Wide Receiver Sits Of The Week
Michael Pittman Jr, IND @ KC
Despite having 26 fewer receptions than Michael Pittman Jr and 2 games fewer played, teammate Alec Pierce has 5 more receiving yards on the season. Over the last two weeks, Pierce has been the favorite target of quarterback Daniel Jones. In a battle against the Chiefs, that’ll likely see the Colts use the deep ball, I prefer Pierce over Pittman Jr.
Jordan Addison, MIN @ GB
Jordan Addison and Justin Jefferson wish Carson Wentz had not gotten hurt. In weeks 4-8, when Addison was playing with Wentz, he averaged 16 fantasy points per game. Since then, with JJ McCarthy under center, he’s averaged half of that. McCarthy has only thrown one game with 20 or more completed passes and over 200 yards. These are terrible numbers for a quarterback to have. McCarthy is struggling and holding the entire offense back. Jefferson is still getting the bulk of the receptions, and Addison needed a touchdown last week to hit 10 fantasy points. Facing their division rival, the Green Bay Packers, this is going to be another ugly performance for McCarthy, and Addison will once again be hurt from his poor play.
Week 12 Tight End Starts Of The Week:
Hunter Henry, NE @ CIN
It’s been a bit of a down year for tight end Hunter Henry. To his credit, the Patriots haven’t had to rely on him as Drake Maye has turned a corner and is spreading the ball more, and the addition of Stefon Diggs has helped. Drake Maye and Stefon Diggs are in must-start every week territory, but this week, I’m also starting Hunter Henry. The Bengals’ defense is so bad, and they give up nearly 19 points per game to the tight end position. Hunter Henry has to make good use of that. Henry has only had two top-10 finishes this year, and this will be his third as the Patriots torch the Bengals.
Kyle Pitts, ATL @ NO
It hasn’t been a great season for Kyle Pitts as he’s only had 4 games over 10+ fantasy points in PPR leagues. This week, I have him slated to have his 5th of the season. With Kirk Cousins playing again, the Falcons will lean a bit more pass-heavy. In the last game that Cousins started, Pitts had 9 receptions on 9 targets. With Cousins, he’s already elevated. Add on top of that, star wide receiver Drake London will miss this weekend, Pitts’ role in the offense increased even more.
Week 12 Tight End Sits Of The Week
Dalton Schultz, HOU @ BUF
In the weekly fade, whatever tight end is playing Buffalo column, this week’s unfortunate soul is Dalton Schultz. Schultz has had 3 good PPR games in a row. In those 3 games, Davis Mills started two and played the majority of the 3rd one. With CJ Stroud likely back, the targets that would’ve gone to Schultz will already be going elsewhere. Add in the fact that the Texans are playing Buffalo, and Schultz needs to be faded.
Jake Ferguson, DAL @ PHI
Sitting the TE2 in PPR formats?!! Yes, you read that right. Up until week 7, Ferguson was the TE1; over the last 3 games that he’s played, he’s TE29 in points per game. The last time the Cowboys faced the Eagles, he was held to only 23 yards total. I’m not touching Ferguson against this Eagles defense, especially after his performance the last 3 games and the last time he faced Philly.
For your final lineup decisions, check out the FSAN Rankings Page or check out our Sit & Start live show every Sunday before kickoff on Spilled Coffee.