Sports
Week 12 Start ‘Em, Sit ‘Em: Advice on Fantasy Football Stars to Play or Bench
David Richard/Associated PressWe’ve reached Week 12 of the 2019 NFL season, which means that fantasy playoffs are on the immediate horizon in most season-long leagues. If you’ve been fortunate enough to still be in the postseason chase, it’s time to finish strong.Of course, making a strong final push will likely require some crafty roster management.…
David Richard/Associated Press
We've reached Week 12 of the 2019 NFL season, which means that fantasy playoffs are on the immediate horizon in most season-long leagues. If you've been fortunate enough to still be in the postseason chase, it's time to finish strong.
Of course, making a strong final push will likely require some crafty roster management. There's one round of byes left—the Arizona Cardinals, Kansas City Chiefs, Los Angeles Chargers and Minnesota Vikings are off—and injuries will once again be a factor.
Indianapolis Colts running back Marlon Mack, for example, has already been ruled out for Thursday night's game against the Houston Texans.
Most fantasy managers will need to rely on a middle-tier star or two in Week 12. Here, you'll find a look at which are worth the start and which should be avoided. Weekly must-stars like Christian McCaffrey, Michael Thomas and Patrick Mahomes won't be examined here. If you have them, you start them.
Start ‘Em: Quarterbacks
Matt Ryan, Atlanta Falcons
Derek Carr, Oakland Raiders
Baker Mayfield, Cleveland Browns
Drew Brees, New Orleans Saints
Spotlight: Baker Mayfield, QB, Cleveland Browns
Cleveland Browns quarterback Baker Mayfield has not been a reliable fantasy option for much of 2019. However, he's shown some improvement over the past few weeks, specifically with his ball security. Over the past three weeks, he has five passing touchdowns, one rushing touchdown and zero turnovers.
This week, Mayfield and the Browns have a favorable matchup with the Miami Dolphins.
Miami is not the worst team in the NFL and has won two of its last three games. However, the Dolphins pass defense does not represent a daunting challenge. Miami ranks 20th in pass defense but has produced a mere 13 sacks while allowing 23 passing touchdowns this season.
Miami also recently placed starting safeties Bobby McCain and Reshad Jones on injured reserve.
Mayfield has a prime opportunity to play his cleanest game of 2019 in Week 12.
Sit ‘Em: Quarterbacks
Jared Goff, Los Angeles Rams
Jameis Winston, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Jimmy Garoppolo, San Francisco 49ers
Mitchell Trubisky, Chicago Bears
Start ‘Em: Running Backs
Phillip Lindsay, Denver Broncos
Jaylen Samuels, Pittsburgh Steelers
Kareem Hunt, Cleveland Browns
Nyheim Hines, Indianapolis Colts
Spotlight: Jaylen Samuels, RB, Pittsburgh Steelers
Keith Srakocic/Associated Press
The Pittsburgh Steelers still don't know if they'll have starting back James Conner this week against the Cincinnati Bengals. Even if they do, backup Jaylen Samuels should be viewed as a starting option in PPR leagues because of his receiving ability.
Over the past three weeks, Samuels has caught 21 passes for 103 yards and a touchdown.
If Conner cannot go, Samuels should be a solid start in standard leagues as well. No team has allowed more rushing yards than the 167 per game Cincinnati has allowed this season.
Samuels should be in store for a strong outing as a runner if he gets the start in place of Conner.
Sit ‘Em: Running Backs
Brian Hill, Atlanta Falcons
Sony Michel, New England Patriots
David Montgomery, Chicago Bears
Jordan Howard, Philadelphia Eagles
Start ‘Em: Wide Receivers
Calvin Ridley, Atlanta Falcons
Odell Beckham Jr., Cleveland Browns
Tyrell Williams, Oakland Raiders
DK Metcalf, Seattle Seahawks
Spotlight: Calvin Ridley, WR, Atlanta Falcons
Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Julio Jones falls into the must-start category of fantasy options. While he was held out of practice Wednesday, he didn't appear on the injury report and was likely receiving a day off.
Second-year receiver Calvin Ridley, meanwhile, isn't a weekly must-start, but he should be started this week. Ridley is coming off a tremendous game against the Carolina Panthers—eight receptions, 143 yards and a touchdown—and has another favorable matchup against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Tampa ranks 31st in pass defense, allowing an average of 290.9 passing yards per game. With Jones commanding much of the defensive attention, Ridley should be free to again burn an NFC South rival.
Sit ‘Em: Wide Receivers
Tyler Boyd, Cincinnati Bengals
Marquise Brown, Baltimore Ravens
Mohamed Sanu, New England Patriots
Emmanuel Sanders, San Francisco 49ers
Start ‘Em: Tight Ends
Jared Cook, New Orleans Saints
Jacob Hollister, Seattle Seahawks
Vance McDonald, Pittsburgh Steelers
Noah Fant, Denver Broncos
Spotlight: Jacob Hollister, TE, Seattle Seahawks
Scott Eklund/Associated Press
If you're looking for a sleeper play at tight end or a streamer off the waiver wire, Jacob Hollister of the Seattle Seahawks is a premium choice.
Since being added to the active roster ahead of Week 6, Hollister has climbed his way into a significant role in the Seattle offense. Over the last two weeks, he's caught 12 passes for 99 yards and three touchdowns.
“Hollister has been great,” quarterback Russell Wilson said, per ESPN's Brady Henderson. “The plays he's been making have been so much fun to watch and be a part.”
Wilson has begun to trust Hollister, and the tight end should have a strong day against a Philadelphia Eagles defense that has surrendered 17 passing touchdowns in 10 games.
Sit ‘Em: Tight Ends
Jimmy Graham, Green Bay Packers
Tyler Eifert, Cincinnati Bengals
O.J. Howard, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Jason Witten, Dallas Cowboys
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