Lamar Jackson (QB - BAL) vs New York Jets
Since returning from injury in Week 9, Jackson has finished as a QB1 just once. Jackson will have a terrific opportunity to finish as the top-overall quarterback this week against a Jets defense that gives up the ninth-most fantasy points to quarterbacks this season.
Jared Goff (QB - DET) vs New York Giants
Goff struggled mightily against Philadelphia last week, but that is likely to change in Week 12 against the Giants. New York's defense is allowing 23.8 fantasy points per game to quarterbacks this season (sixth-most in the NFL).
Drake Maye (QB - NE) vs Cincinnati Bengals
Maye has scored 20+ fantasy points in four of his last six games. That trend could extend to five games, as the second-year quarterback faces a Bengals defense allowing 257.3 passing yards and 25.1 fantasy points per game to quarterbacks.
Caleb Williams (QB - CHI) vs Pittsburgh Steelers
Inconsistencies in accuracy have lowered Williams' floor, but he has an opportunity to produce modest numbers against the Steelers. Pittsburgh's secondary concedes a league-high 261.7 passing yards per game this season. The second-year quarterback's escapability and mobility should supply a safe floor in Week 12.
Matthew Stafford (QB - LAR) vs Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Stafford has thrown for 22 touchdowns and zero interceptions in his last seven starts, and that will continue this week against the Buccaneers. Tampa Bay's defense allowed six touchdowns to Josh Allen in Week 11, so the 37-year-old quarterback remains a must-start this week.
Sit 'Em
Dak Prescott (QB - DAL) vs Philadelphia Eagles
Benching Prescott after a four-touchdown performance is going to be difficult for fantasy managers, but it has to be done. Philadelphia's defense held the Packers and Lions to a combined 16 points the last two weeks. Prescott is more likely to finish as a QB2 this week.
Joe Flacco (QB - CIN) vs New England Patriots
The 40-year-old quarterback has been an elite streaming option over the last month or so, but that magic carpet ride hit a speed bump last week against Pittsburgh. Those struggles will continue against the Patriots, especially without Ja'Marr Chase, who is suspended for Week 12.
Daniel Jones (QB - IND) vs Kansas City Chiefs
Jones has committed seven turnovers during the Colts' last two games after coughing the ball up three times in the previous eight games. In Week 12, Jones faces a daunting road matchup against the Chiefs' defense, which has allowed only nine passing touchdowns this season.
J.J. McCarthy (QB - MIN) vs Green Bay Packers
If McCarthy is a legitimate option for you at quarterback this week, your fantasy team could be in serious trouble. The second-year quarterback has completed 52.9% of his passes in five starts, and that is not going to improve against the Packers. Green Bay's defense allows a season-low 6.0 yards per attempt.
Jaxson Dart (QB - NYG) vs Detroit Lions
Even if Dart passes concussion protocol, he should remain on fantasy managers' benches this week. Detroit's pass rush, led by Aidan Hutchinson, could wreak havoc on the Giants' offensive line, limiting Dart's upside and passing production.
By Dominic Orrico
Start 'Em
Emanuel Wilson (RB - GB) vs Minnesota Vikings
If you were lucky enough to pick up Wilson off of waivers this week, you have a reliable RB2 start. His matchup isn’t favorable against a 10th-ranked rush defense, but his volume should hold him high to have a good day.
Travis Etienne (RB - JAC) vs Arizona Cardinals
Etienne had a great day against the Chargers with two touchdowns and 73 rushing yards. He goes up against Arizona, which is allowing 112 yards per game to running backs, and with running mate Bayshul Tuten injuring himself late in the contest, that could mean more work for Etienne.
Woody Marks (RB - HOU) vs Buffalo Bills
Marks had the volume of an RB1 with 18 touches in Week 11, and against a defense that let Sean Tucker score 40+ points, he should have a productive week.
David Montgomery (RB - DET) vs New York Giants
The Giants are allowing running backs 5.7 yards per carry and an average of 21 points per game. Montgomery has been productive against bad run defenses, averaging more than 10 touches in two of his last three games.
Kenneth Walker (RB - SEA) vs Tennessee Titans
Trust me, I know Kenneth Walker is a sell-high option and will NOT keep up 20-point performances for long. With that said, this matchup against Tennessee is one of the few I would start him in. The Seahawks will be up early and will want to run the ball. Both backs should have very good days. The Titans are giving up 22 points per running back, and Walker has gotten more involved in the pass game with 44 receiving yards this past week.
Sit 'Em
Trey Benson/Bam Knight (RB - ARI) vs Jacksonville Jaguars
Whoever starts for this Cardinals team won’t do well. The Jaguars are allowing only 12.60 fantasy points to running backs, and neither is good enough to be matchup-proof. I would avoid this backfield if you could.
Bucky Irving (RB - TB) vs Los Angeles Rams
Irving is projected to come back from injury on the worst possible week. Despite the lousy showing last week against the Seahawks' running backs, the Rams have been dominant. Against the run, they are allowing only 11.15 fantasy points to running backs on average per game.
Tyrone Tracy Jr. (RB - NYG) vs Detroit Lions
This is an absolute must-bench in all formats. Not only is Tracy Jr. going against the Lions, who rank 1st in run defense, but he’s also losing touchdowns to Devin Singletary.
Tony Pollard (RB - TEN) vs Seattle Seahawks
Regardless of the matchup, there’s little upside for Pollard in any format. Tyjae Spears is taking snaps, and this Seahawks team is stingy against the run.
Ashton Jeanty (RB - LV) vs Cleveland Browns
Now, before we get hate messages for this, I think that Jeanty is still good and startable. However, with a tough matchup and less than ideal volume in the passing game, I see him as a flex/RB3 play this week against one of the most formidable run defenses.
By Dominic Orrico
Start 'Em
Rome Odunze (WR - CHI) vs Pittsburgh Steelers
Despite having some rough weeks, Odunze still leads the team in targets. Along with that, the Steelers surrender an average of 23 points to wide receivers.
Christian Watson (WR - GB) vs Minnesota Vikings
Not an ideal matchup with the Vikings, but Watson is scoring touchdowns and being targeted in the end zone. In a must-win game for Green Bay, he’ll be utilized as a top option, especially in the red zone, giving him a Devante Adams-type role.
Michael Wilson (WR - ARI) vs Jacksonville Jaguars
Even if Marvin Harrison Jr. is playing, Wilson is still a strong flex play. Being targeted 15 times last game, he gets the luxury of playing with Jacoby Brissett, which gives him ample volume as a flex play, and if Harrison Jr. is out, he’s a WR2 with fantastic upside.
Devonta Smith (WR - PHI) vs Dallas Cowboys
Though playing for the worst passing team, if a receiver is playing the Cowboys, I want them in my lineup. After a lackluster Week 11, Smith will bounce back against the Cowboys, who surrender the second-most fantasy points to wide receivers. He’s been targeted 12 times in the past two weeks, putting him in a good place to perform this week.
Jameson Williams (WR - DET) vs New York Giants
If there’s any week where he performs, it will be this week. I’m not usually high on deep threat receivers, but against a terrible Giants secondary, I love Williams this week.
Sit 'Em
Ricky Pearsall (WR - SF) vs Carolina Panthers
The 49ers get a tough test with the Panthers, who only allow 15.46 points to wide receivers on average. With Pearsall still working back to form and Jauan Jennings with top receiver work, it’s best to look elsewhere.
Michael Pittman Jr. (WR - IND) vs Kansas City Chiefs
The two targets last week concern me as well as Alec Pierce beginning to take over the WR1 role in Indianapolis. Also, the Chiefs are only allowing receivers to score 15 fantasy points per contest on average.
Wan’dale Robinson (WR - NYG) vs Detroit Lions
Robinson has the unfortunate task of playing Detroit, who are stingy against WRs, and playing James Winston doesn’t help his case with missed balls.
Khalil Shakir (WR - BUF) vs Houston Texans
Buffalo’s receiving core is in complete disarray with Terrel Shavers in a WR1 role last week; tell me if you have ever heard of him. Most likely, Derek Stingley will be on Shakir, which will shut him down for most of the game.
Xavier Worthy (WR - KC) vs Indianapolis Colts
Despite an easy matchup for Worthy, he’s been downgraded to the third option in the receiving room behind Rice and Kelce. He won’t get much volume or opportunity in this game.
By Alex Percey
Start 'Em
Hunter Henry (TE - NE) vs Cincinnati Bengals
Henry hasn’t been the most productive tight end in fantasy recently, but this matchup is too good to pass up. The Bengals are still giving up nearly 19 points per game to tight ends, and I expect Henry to get some good red zone work this week.
Dallas Goedert (TE - PHI) vs Dallas Cowboys
Goedert had his worst performance of the year last week, only having two receptions for 24 yards. However, outside of that performance, he’s been an underrated gem this season. He’s been the TE1 twice, and I think he has a good chance to do that again against a weak Dallas secondary.
Juwan Johnson (TE - NO) vs Atlanta Falcons
The Falcons’ defense has regressed significantly from its first eight weeks, so they don’t scare me as much against tight ends. In addition, Johnson has been killing it with four straight double-digit performances heading into the bye. I always love to start tight ends who have rookie Quarterbacks, and Johnson is a prime example.
Mark Andrews (TE - BAL) vs New York Jets
In my opinion, Andrews is a must-start every week for the rest of the year. Since Lamar has returned, Andrews has racked up red-zone catches and four touchdowns in four games. For him, touchdowns aren’t a fluke: They’re a guarantee.
Noah Fant (TE - SEA) vs New England Patriots
If you’re in a deeper league and need a guy from waivers for a week, look no further than Noah Fant. He put up a season-high targets mark last week, plays a bottom-10 defense against tight ends, and is maybe the #2 option behind just Tee Higgins this week. He’s a good option in week 12.
Sit 'Em
David Njoku (TE - CLE) vs Las Vegas Raiders
I’m perpetually confused by the Browns’ tight end situation. It seems like when one does well, the other does as well, but then there are weeks when both are awful. Against the Raiders, though, I wouldn’t trust either N’Joku or Harold Fannin to put up stats, as Las Vegas is only giving up 8 points a week to the position.
Harold Fannin Jr. (TE - CLE) vs Las Vegas Raiders
I’m perpetually confused by the Browns’ tight end situation. It seems like when one does well, the other does as well, but then there are weeks when both are awful. Against the Raiders, though, I wouldn’t trust either N’Joku or Harold Fannin to put up stats, as Las Vegas is only giving up 8 points a week to the position.
Kyle Pitts (TE - ATL) vs New Orleans Saints
It’s happened again. Pitts’ performance has dropped off significantly since his pretty good start to the season. He’s had only two receptions each of the last two weeks and looks like the Pitts of years past. Pitts is not startable right now.
Jake Ferguson (TE - DAL) vs Philadelphia Eagles
This one is conditional on whether or not you have another good option. Ferguson will still likely put up a few points, but I wouldn’t count on yet another top-5 or even top-10 performance this week. The Eagles' defense is excellent against tight ends, and with Lamb back, Ferguson’s targets have declined, but he will still see some work.
Cade Otton (TE - TB) vs Los Angeles Rams
Otton only has one week as a top-10 tight end this season, and it came when Godwin and Evans were both out. Now, with Godwin likely back, he’ll have much less of a role in the Bucs offense. Plus, his inconsistency is a turn-off.
