Week 12 Fantasy Football Start em & Sit em’s

Writer Joshua Miozza

This Fantasy Football week is tougher than usual, as Covid-19 cases in the NFL go up, leading to key guys being out and games getting canceled. Don’t fret, as Locked IN still has users covered with who to start and sit this week as the playoffs are just around the corner.

Quarterbacks (QB)

Start'Em:

Derek Carr (OAK)

Raiders starting QB Carr got back on track last week against the Kansas City Chiefs, posting up 21.6 fantasy points. Look for him to continue his hot streak on the road against the Atlanta Falcons defense, which has allowed the most fantasy points to their opposing QBs.

Also, Atlanta allows the 9th fewest rushing yards a game on defense at 106.3 yards per game. Fantasy Footballers could expect Running Back Josh Jacobs to have a tougher time getting it going on the ground, which leads to Carr airing it out more.

Ryan Fitzpatrick (MIA)

If users have uncertainty about their QB(s) for this week, then hurry up to waivers and pick up Fitzpatrick, if he is still there. A favorable matchup that is hard to ignore, “Fitzmagic” faces the winless Jets' secondary that got repeatedly torched last week by Chargers Rookie QB Justin Herbert. Also, they are without both DBs Pierre Desir (cut) and Brian Poole (injury) in their secondary.

After having to hand off the keys to another young QB, expect Fitzpatrick to try to build off his early-season success to prove to teams that he can be a long-lasting starting QB.

Taysom Hill (NO)

For those who have QB/TE Hill, then just take the leap and start him this week, unless users have an elite QB option. Hill provides an extremely high floor with a pretty high ceiling in a matchup against the Denver Broncos. Hill scored 24.42 fantasy points last week with only throwing one touchdown and having one fumble. Hill can score high in fantasy because he is such a threat with his feet as he rushed for 51 yards and two touchdowns. Ultimately, the unpredictability of this offense right now with Sean Payton (who is 6-0 the last two years without Drew Brees), will be too much for this Broncos defense, who have allowed 121.5 rushing yards a game.

As long as Hill doesn’t turn the ball over more than once, he will combine for multiple touchdowns, including more rushing touchdowns (six points) than passing touchdowns (four points), which equates to more fantasy points in some leagues. Also, getting points for rushing (five yards) is easier to accumulate than points for passing (25 yards) in most leagues.

Sit'Em:

Carson Wentz (PHI)

If users want to go ahead and gamble on Eagles QB Wentz again this week, then go ahead but Locked IN won’t be the ones to tell them to do it.

Yes, they are playing a Seattle Seahawks secondary that allows the 2nd most fantasy points to their opposing QBs. However, with Wentz leading the league in turnovers and the Eagles’ recent struggles offensively, stay away even in this favorable matchup. He had a favorable matchup a few weeks ago against the Dallas Cowboys at home, and he posted 8.62 points while having four turnovers in the game. He followed that performance up with 8.72 points against the Giants and 14.4 in his most recent game against the Cleveland Browns.

Wentz has the potential to have his first good game in a while, but the risk of his low floor is not worth trusting him to start when users are battling for a playoff position.

Kirk Cousins (MIN)

Vikings QB Cousins has actually been playing good football recently, throwing nine touchdowns to one interception since the team’s bye. With wideout targets in Adam Thielen and Irv Smith Jr. both likely to miss the game, Cousins will be without two of his biggest weapons. NFL fans can expect WR Justin Jefferson to be double-covered throughout this game, leaving Vikings to rely mostly on RB Dalvin Cook.

If the ball is mostly in Cousins’ hands then he will be forced to make tough decisions that could lead to a bad game. Users should wait for all of the Vikings' weapons to come back before they think about starting Cousins again.

Ryan Tannehill (TEN)

Starting QB Tannehill and the Tennessee Titans have a huge matchup this week against the Indianapolis Colts. Fantasy Footballers should expect star RB Derrick Henry to lead the charge to victory, as Tannehill faces a great secondary. The Colts defense allows the 4th fewest passing yards a game at 208.9, while holding opposing fantasy QBs to the 3rd fewest points a game.

Granted, Colts run defense may be just as dominant, but ultimately with what could be a low-scoring inner division game, expect Henry to be the driving force for the Titans this Sunday, not Tannehill.

Sleeper:

Baker Mayfield (CLE)

If there is ever a time to start QB Mayfield this year in the Browns’ run-dominant offense, that’s without star WR Odell Beckham, then it would be this week. The Browns play the Jacksonville Jaguars on the road, whose secondary allows the 3rd most fantasy points to their opposing QBs this year. They also allow the 4th most passing yards a game as a defense at 282.2 a game.

More so than anything, Mayfield is on a three consecutive game streak without throwing a scoring touchdown. So as dominant as their running game has been, the Browns at some point have to get Mayfield back into a rhythm. They can now use this very favorable matchup to get him back on track. As a result, Locked IN predicts him to throw two or more touchdowns without any interceptions.

Running Backs (RB)

Start'Em:

Kenyan Drake (ARI)

The Patriots defense this year struggles against the run game due to the speed and talent gap. Without Pro-Bowl level Linebacker Dont’a Hightower, this linebacker core just hasn't stood out and consistently lets opposing RBs get into a rhythm without any resistance. This is why if users have Cardinals' RB Drake, they should start him this week against this Patriots defense.

Users should expect Drake to find the end zone at least once with all the scoring opportunities. On top of that, by the second half, the Cardinals could be looking to run down the clock with Drake, if ahead.

Kareem Hunt (CLE)

If he isn't already, Browns RB Hunt should be a must-start for users this week against the Jaguars, even as just a flex play. For starters, he's posted nine or more points in every game besides one while also carrying the ball at least ten times in each game so far.

He's also playing a Jaguars defense that allows the 4th most fantasy points to their opposing RBs, while also allowing the 9th most rushing yards at 129.1 a game. Even beyond the rushing, with star WR Beckham out and Mayfield trying to get back into a rhythm, Browns will use Hunt in the passing game more than usual.

Wayne Gallman (NYG)

Believe it or not, Giants RB Gallman would be an excellent flex play or even RB2 this week. He has 13 or more fantasy points in his last four games while scoring five touchdowns over that span. It's clear when they get within ten yards of the goal line, Giants trust Gallman more than putting the ball in starting QB Daniel Jones' hands, and when they do it’s usually an RPO (run play option) where Jones is running instead of passing.

Gallman also plays a Bengals defense that allows the 3rd most rushing yards a game at 136.2. With Bengals being without starting QB Joe Burrow, expect the Giants to lead this game and Gallman to run the clock with a few touchdowns under his belt.

Sit'Em:

Melvin Gordon (DEN)

Unless users have no choice, don’t start Broncos RB Gordon this week. Gordon has an absolute nightmare of a matchup at home against the New Orleans Saints defense. Saints hold opponents to the 2nd fewest rushing yards per game at 74.3 and fantasy points allowed to opposing RBs.

If that’s not enough to bench him, the Broncos will most likely be down early and often, resulting in the Broncos passing more this game than handing it off to Gordon.

Clyde Edwards-Helaire (KC)

Even though he ranks as RB 11 on the season, unless you users have to, don’t start Helaire this week. Helaire only carried the ball 33 times over the last four games, accumulating no more than 69 rushing yards in a single game. This means most of his production comes from his three rushing touchdowns and one receiving touchdown.

Although they have struggled of late defensively, the Buccaneers are allowing the 10th fewest fantasy points to their opposing RBs and the least amount of rushing yards a game at 73. With Helaire’s low volume and Buccaneers' great run defense, there is not much value to start Helaire this week.

Gus Edwards (BAL)

With Ravens RB JK Dobbins and Mark Ingram both missing this game against the Pittsburgh Steelers due to COVID19, RB Edwards is picking up a lot of steam this week. Although, users should look elsewhere based on the matchup.

Many will point to the fact that he had his best game of the year against the Steelers, having 16 carries for 87 yards and a touchdown, which equaled 14.7 fantasy points. He has failed to post another double-digit game this year, never reaching a hundred yards on the ground and only having three catches for 42 yards on the season. So, with a matchup against a defense that allows the least amount of fantasy points to their opposing RBs, and the 7th fewest rushing yards a game at 103.4, don’t bet on Edwards to go off twice.

Sleeper:

Zack Moss (BUF)

Bills RB Moss has been the definition of hit or miss in his past seven games, posting 10.2 or more in four of them while scoring only up to 3.7 in his other three. In this situation, stats can be deceiving as when users watch Buffalo play, they will see that Moss is the best RB the Bills have on their roster. The number of goal-line carries he has had lately would back that up, scoring three touchdowns in his past three games.

Also, the LA Chargers defense has made all good RBs look great on any given Sunday. Just last week, the Chargers gave up 96 yards and two touchdowns to the winless New York Jets RBs Frank Gore and La’Mical Perine. In the past four weeks, they have allowed all opponents starting RBs to have double-digit fantasy points.

Wide Receiver (WR)

Start'Em:

Jarvis Landry (CLE)

For Browns WR Landry, it is time to show his worth with a favorable matchup against the Jaguars after a disappointing fantasy season. With the belief that Cleveland will use this game to get their passing game going with Mayfield, then this will be the week that Landry scores his first touchdown against a defense that allows the 7th most fantasy points to their opposing WRs.

Cooper Kupp (LAR)

Rams WR Kupp and their QB Jared Goff have been heating up as of late, connecting for 27 catches and 305 yards over their last three games. In a matchup at home against the San Francisco 49ers, expect Kupp to continue this stretch. Kupp is just too hot right now to leave on the bench. He offers an incredibly high floor as he scored single digits only twice in ten games (4.1 & 8.0) while scoring 10.0 or more in the other eight. With such a high floor and with his recent success with Goff, Kupp is a must start at least until he cools off.

Cole Beasley (BUF)

In many ways, Bills WR Beasley is a lot like Kupp, as he offers a high floor with an opportunity to really excel due to a matchup. Beasley has scored 11.3 or more fantasy points in seven of his ten games this season, scoring 9.8, 4.4, and 6.9 in the other three.

However, the biggest reason why users must start him is because the Bills will be without their 2nd top WR in John Brown this week. The loss puts Beasley in play for even more targets, as he looks to follow up his 27.9 fantasy point performance in the Bills' last game, where they played without Brown as well.

The Chargers defense is not necessarily one that should scare users either, with their top CB Casey Hayward most likely shadowing Bills top WR, Stefon Diggs.

Sit'Em:

Deebo Samuel (SF)

It’s always exciting getting a player back from injury, especially one as explosive as Samuel that can provide a spark. However, this week is not the week to start Samuel against the incredibly hot defense of the Los Angeles Rams.

For one, he is coming off a hamstring injury, which is always tough to predict since it can flare up immediately again at any time. Secondly, he will most likely be shadowed by Rams' top Defensive Back, Jalen Ramsey. Lastly, the 49ers are without many of their starters, including starting QB Jimmy Garoppolo.

Tee Higgins (CIN)

With no more QB Joe Burrow under center the rest of the season, the days of WR Higgins being a consistent fantasy starter this season is over. Going from Burrow to QB Brandon Allen is a drop off that will affect any WR. Higgins is also more of a downfield threat which, takes time to develop: time in which a struggling Bengals offensive line will have to hold for Allen to get the ball to Higgins.

Lastly, the fact that they face the New York Giants defense and Higgins could be covered by CB James Bradberry (who has been playing excellent) is enough for users to bench Higgins this week.

AJ Brown (TENN)

If users are deep at the WR position and can afford to sit Titans WR AJ Brown this week, then do it. The Titans play an incredibly tough secondary against the Colts that allow the 7th fewest fantasy points to their opposing WRs.

Also, Brown has failed to catch more than four passes in the last four games while only going over one hundred yards once. This type of performance makes him a very touchdown-dependent WR right now. Also, with only a catch for 21 yards in his first matchup against the Colts, users should be very wary of starting him this week.

Sleeper:

Russell Gage (ATL)

If users are looking for a WR to pick up this week, Falcons WR Gage might be their guy. For starters, starting WR Julio Jones and Tight End Hayden Hurst are both questionable with injuries, and starting RB Todd Gurley is out.

The pile-up of injuries pushes Gage into the potential number one option, which gives him a lot of opportunities to do damage against a Las Vegas Raiders secondary that does not scare opponents. For instance, the Raiders allow the 12 most fantasy points to their opposing fantasy WRs.

Also, Gage is coming off a performance last week in which he saw 12 targets and brought in seven of them for 58 yards, which equaled 12.8 fantasy points against a much tougher New Orleans’ defense.

Tight Ends (TE)

Start'Em:

Dallas Goedert (PHI)

At this point In the season, either Fantasy Footballers have an every-week starter at the TE position or trying to figure it out week-to-week. For users that are week-to-week, go ahead and start Goedert this week for upside alone.

Last week, Goedert had five catches for 77 yards and a touchdown with fellow TE Zach Ertz out. With Ertz inline to miss another week, Goedert will be the starter.

We’ve seen Eagles’ QB Carson Wentz and Goedert have good chemistry over the last year, and with injuries taking over the offense, Goedert could become a focal point in their offense going forward. If this becomes true, then Goedert will become an every-week starter for the remainder of the season, no matter the matchup.

Evan Engram (NYG)

As disappointing as Giants TE Engram may be, the disappointment stems from when he was drafted because he offers decent fantasy value. While he is extremely inconsistent, he does find himself as TE 16 on the season, which is average.

However, this week he has an incredibly favorable matchup on the road against the Bengals, who have given up the third-most receiving yards to TEs this season at 583. Engram has the potential to have a huge game, and even if he doesn't, it should be good enough to at least not hurt users’ fantasy team this week.

Robert Tonyan (GB)

Coming off of a strong five-catch 44 yards and one touchdown performance for 15.4 fantasy points, Tonyan is worth another start this week against the Chicago Bears. He has scored double-digit fantasy points in five of his last nine games so far, which because of how bad the position has been fantasy-wise this year, is actually decent.

Also, he is at home against a Bears defense, which allows the 6th most touchdowns a game to opposing TEs.

Sit'Em:

Noah Fant (Den)

Broncos TE Fant should not be in any lineup at all this week. First of all, the Broncos don't have a single NFL QB on their roster this Sunday that’s eligible due to Covid, which is why WR Kendall Hinton (former college QB) is starting for them.

Second, he faces a Saints defense that has been incredibly hot and allows the 12th fewest fantasy points to their opposing TEs. Add all of that to the fact that he has already under-produced this season, then users should leave him on my bench this week and look elsewhere for TE help.

Jared Cook (NO)

As long as Pro Bowl QB Drew Brees is out and QB/TE Taysom Hill remains the starter for the Saints, Cook will not have much fantasy value, if any at all. In his first week with Hill against an incredibly favorable matchup in the Atlanta Falcons, he only caught one pass for six yards. Plus, he only has 4.6 fantasy points over the last three games. As a result, Cook is better off on the users' bench or even let go at this point.

Jimmy Graham (CHI)

Bears TE Graham started this fantasy season off strong, but it has come to a screeching halt. For instance, he was held catch-less in his last game against the Vikings. He also has 35 or fewer receiving yards in six of his seven games.

With fellow TE Cole Kmet gaining more reps and targets, Graham is turning into a bad fantasy option. Therefore, users shouldn't start him this week against the Green Bay Packers, who allow the third-fewest fantasy points to their opposing TEs.

Sleeper:

Kyle Rudolph

With Vikings' top WR Thielen out this week and TE Smith J doubtful, this may finally be the week where TE Rudolph sees double-digit fantasy points. When Smith was out week 10, Rudolph set a season-high in targets (five), catches (four), and receiving yards (63). He faces a Carolina Panthers’ defense that has allowed the 9th most fantasy points to their opposing TEs. If users are desperate, say Fant is their only tight end, then Rudolph would be worth picking up and playing this week.

Defense

Start'Em:

Miami Dolphins

The Miami Dolphins defense has a chance to be a top-five defense this week in fantasy. They come into this matchup incredibly motivated after a bad loss last week against the Broncos. They also face the winless Jets, who will be starting QB Sam Darnold for the first time in three weeks. The Dolphins hope to keep their playoff dreams alive, as they will compete hard even against a weak opponent. Expect them to blitz and confuse Darnold (who has a history of struggling with the blitz), causing more than one turnover.

Los Angeles Rams

Very quietly the Rams are playing some of the best football in the NFL, and a lot of that is led by their impressive defense. Now in an inner conference matchup versus the San Francisco 49ers, expect them to take care of business as they know with the Seahawks in their division, they need every divisional win they can get. With no starting QB in Garoppolo, RB Raheem Mostert, WR Brandon Aiyuk, or TE George Kittle, it’s hard to imagine the 49ers having much success against this Ram defense, who have been impressive lately against better competition.

Cleveland Browns

Cleveland is coming off of a 20-point fantasy performance against the Philadelphia Eagles. They will have another great performance against the Jaguars, who will be starting Mike Glennon at QB.

Besides the fact Cleveland will be playing Glennon, who hasn’t started a game since week four for the Bears in 2017, top WR DJ Chark Jr will also miss the game. With lack of expertise on the Jaguars' offense, expect Cleveland to force multiple turnovers and have a great showing this Sunday.

Sit'Em:

New England Patriots

This Patriots defense is not the same top-ranked defense as last season, and that was evident last week when Texans QB Deshaun Watson torched them for 27 points and the victory.

So this week against another explosive QB in Kyler Murray, users should stay far away from starting New England as they will probably have to play zone defense and will get torched. Also, Arizona scores the 8th most points a game at 28.7, and if New England's offense is stagnant again, then Murray will have the ball in his hands even more to do damage.

Baltimore Ravens

Baltimore's defense this week is too risky. With starting Pass Rusher Calais Campbell out and Defensive Back Jimmy Smith questionable, look elsewhere before starting them against an undefeated Pittsburgh Steelers team that has all of its receivers healthy.

With Baltimore not having RBs Dobbins or Ingram, their offense struggles to move the ball, leading their defense will be on the field more, which will tire them out.

Also, it's important to note that this game will be played on Tuesday. Although, if there are any more delays in the game due to COVID this week, then users will receive zero points, while every other defense will be locked in.

Denver Broncos

Denver is coming off a very strong 13 point fantasy performance against the Dolphins. However, this week against the Saints, it will be completely different. Saints QB Hill still makes their offense unpredictable and hard to guard, while defenses only have one game of the film to study.

More importantly, the Broncos will not have a starting QB this Sunday, and their defense will be on the field constantly with probably not favorable field position either.

Sleeper:

New York Giants

The Giants are a good sleeper defense to use this week in their matchup against the Bengals. Plus, this will be the first full game without Bengals starting QB Burrow, and the team probably has not got a chance to get any type of rhythm with backup QB Allen. Also, with starting RB Joe Mixon injured, the weapons the Bengals have at its disposal are very limited. Now, what they do have (WRs Tyler Boyd and Higgins) is dependent on Allen and the protection he receives from that terrible offensive line.