Start'EM Sit'EM Week 12
There is another week down and just a few left before we get right into the fantasy playoffs. How are you making out in your fantasy leagues? Did you get the win for Week 11? As far as some of my fantasy leagues go, I need every win until the fantasy playoffs begin. I have a few teams that are 6-5 or 7-4 so I don't want to leave anything up to chance. Even if there are teams that are ahead of me, I'd rather be safe than sorry. Injuries crept into my lineups this week and likely yours too. Packers running back Aaron Jones has not had the best of seasons this year (and I might have to add him to my banned player list) as he went down with a knee injury against the Los Angeles Chargers. Dolphins running back De'Von Achane went down re-aggravating his knee and wouldn't return either. Though the news on Achane's injury was a bit more positive as reports surfaced that he wanted to return to the game, he was ultimately held out.
Injuries are the worst thing that can happen this late into the fantasy season
Week 12 Start'EM
Matthew Stafford vs. ARI (6.4% Start)
Matthew Stafford didn't have the best game in Week 11 against the Seattle Seahawks as he finished as the QB23 throwing for just 190 yards on 31 attempts. Stafford also completed just 54.8% of his passes against the tough divisional opponent and had just 9.7 fantasy points for the week, throwing just one touchdown. On top of all that, Stafford lost Cooper Kupp early in the game with an ankle injury. Fortunately, Stafford squares up against another division opponent in the Arizona Cardinals who are allowing 236 yards per game to opposing quarterbacks and have already given up 17 touchdowns heading into Week 12.
Joshua Dobbs vs. CHI (26.5% Start)
Joshua Dobbs has been a pleasant surprise for fantasy managers this season despite Dobb being bounced all around the NFL. Dobbs was the QB13 with 16.9 fantasy points against the Denver Broncos for Week 11. Dobbs over the last four weeks has been a top 5 fantasy quarterback from Weeks 8-11, averaging 23.2 fantasy points and cracking 20+ fantasy points in three of his last four games. Dobbs gets the Chicago Bears in Week 12, who are allowing the fifth-most fantasy points to opposing quarterbacks heading into Week 12.
James Cook vs. PHI (54% Start)
James Cook finally saw the lionshare of reps in Week 11 under new offensive coordinator Joe Brady. Cook had a 46% snap share against the New York Jets and saw 17 carries for 73 yards, just his second highest carry total since Week 2 against the Las Vegas Raiders. Not only that but Cooks actually scored a touchdown, catching a pass from Josh Allen early in the game in the red zone for the score. Cook saw four targets in the game as well which is a good look in PPR formats. Cook does get the Philadelphia Eagles in Week 12 but they allowed Chiefs running back Isiah Pacheco to have his way with the vaunted Eagles run defense as the ran for 89 yards on 19 carries. It may not be easy but Cook is worth the gamble this week.
Gus Edwards vs. LAC (49% Start)
At this point, how can you not start Gus Edwards? Edwards has been a touchdown machine since Week 7. Heading into Week 12, Edwards leads all running backs in rushing touchdowns with nine and was the RB2 from Weeks 7-11. Edwards looks to continue his scoring ways against the Los Angeles Chargers, who have given up seven scores on the ground (12th-most) to running backs. Edwards has 61 attempts over the last five weeks and is averaging a healthy 4.6 yards per attempt. Lock Edwards in your lineups and don't look back.
Tank Dell vs. JAX (67.8% Start)
Tank Dell has been on a tear lately for the Houston Texans. Dell caught a beautiful 40-yard touchdown from CJ Stroud in Week 11 against the Arizona Cardinals and finished as the WR3. Dell has seen double digit targets over the last three weeks of 10 or more targets and continues to be one of Stroud's favorite targets down field. Dell is averaging 15.6 yards per reception in his rookie season and continues to create big plays for the Texans. The Jacksonville Jaguars are the matchup in Week 12, allowing 157 yards per game to the wide receiver position as well as 23.2 FPPG.
Puka Nacua vs. ARI (59.2% Start)
Puka is back! With Cooper Kupp getting knocked out of the game early, Puka Nacua saw an increase in targets catching 5 of 7 targets for 70 yards and a touchdown against the Seattle Seahawks. That stat-line was good enough to lock Nacua in as the WR12 for Week 11 and now he gets a Cardinals defense that is allowing the 12th-most fantasy points per game to wide receivers. Add in the fact that Cooper Kupp is dealing with what's being called a "low ankle sprain" and not knowing the severity of the injury (as of this writing of the article), Puka Nacua could be seeing more work should Kupp not be ready to roll against the Cardinals.
David Njoku vs. DEN (46% Start)
Njoku was Dorian Thompson-Robinson's favorite target in Week 11 as he saw 15 targets against the Pittsburgh Steelers. That target share alone should make him a potential option to start for Week 12 against the Denver Broncos. Njoku turned in seven receptions for 50 yards so you want to see him do a bit more with those targets but he had 12.6 fantasy points (TE4) and now gets a Broncos defense allowing 16.5 FPPG to tight ends.
Week 12 Sit'EM
Sam Howell vs. DAL (39% Start)
Sam Howell has been doing well for fantasy managers this season, seemingly coming out of nowhere and becoming a top fantasy quarterback heading into Week 12. Howell currently sits as the QB5 heading into his matchup against the Dallas Cowboys but this may not be the game to start him. Howell threw three interceptions against the New York Giants to just one passing touchdown. Howell also continues to be one of the most sacked quarterbacks in the NFL and squares off against a tough defense allowing the sixth-fewest fantasy points to quarterbacks and just 177 yards per game to opposing quarterbacks.
Bijan Robinson vs. NO (36.2% Start)
This one might seem a little crazy (and the way fantasy football goes it might end up that way), but Bijan Robinson might need to take a seat this week against the New Orleans Saints. The Saints are allowing the fifth-fewest fantasy points per game to running backs over 12 weeks of football at 12.8. Not only that but the Saints have also allowed just four total touchdowns to opposing running backs and 80 yards per game. Robinson can also get struck with "Arthuritis" when his head coach decides not to use him corrrectly. That last one aside, Robinson could be in for a long day aginast the Saints defense .
Courtland Sutton vs. CLE (35% Start)
Sutton has been playing well later into the season and has been receiving some touchdown love over the last few weeks. Since Week 6, Sutton has five touchdowns and is currently second among wide receivers in touchdowns heading into Week 12. However, the Cleveland Browns aren't as easy when it comes to wide receivers scoring touchdowns. The Browns have given up just six touchdowns to receivers all season (fourth-fewest). The Brpwns pass rush may also make it diffucult for Russell Wilson to cook tin Week 12.
Cole Kmet vs. MIN (49% Start)
What seemed like a sure spike in production for the Bears tight end has now turned into a downward trend. Kmet was red hot in Weeks 8 and 9 where he saw a combined 18 targets over those two games as well as two touchdowns. Now since Justin Fields has returned from his thumb injury, the targets have seemingly dried up, seeing a combined 11 targets for 65 yards. The Minnesota Vikings have been tough on opposing tight ends this season, allowing just 6.8 FPPG to tight ends and just four touchdowns to the position.
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