HAPPY THANKSGIVING! And with that, we have reached Week 12. Your matchups and roster selections are becoming crucial now and with no teams on their bye, we have plenty of options. So let celebrate the holiday season with a victory! This week @MattFFDynasty gives you his starts and @FFShaneB gives you sits and the players you should at least tempering expectations on this week.
Quarterback
Starts
Start Of The Week
Derek Carr (LV) @ ATL
Carr is coming off a fantastic game against the Chiefs in Week 11, where he went blow for blow with MVP favorite Patrick Mahomes. He now gets a matchup against the Flacons which is also likely to be a shootout with both teams for defenses. The Falcons trail only the Seahawks in the number of points they allow on average to opposing QBs (26.8). Carr should be in line for another strong showing.
Carson Wentz (PHI) Vs SEA
Carson Wentz has really struggled for the majority of the 2020 season, however, he won't get a better chance to bounce back than he has this week. The worst pass defense in the league awaits and even with his struggles, he has to be a 'start' this week. The Seahawks are allowing an average of 27.9 fantasy points per game, Which would give Wentz one of his best fantasy performances of the season should he hit that figure.
Daniel Jones (NYG) @ CIN
It's well documented the struggle that Jones had to start the season, but he now gets a great run of games to finish the season, starting with the Bengals. Jones put in his best performance in Week 10 before his bye against the Eagles, so I expect him to be full of confidence and fully prepared this week. The Bengals are allowing 391 yards per game against the pass, so with that, plus Jones' rushing ability, I expect this to be a great start to Daniel Jones' favourable schedule.
Sits
Sit Of The Week
Lamar Jackson (BAL) @ PIT
I have been saying one thing all season and that is Pittsburgh’s defense is NASTY. It has not mattered who they are playing, their defensive line has been crushing people. Lamar has struggled relative to last year. If I have other options this week I am taking them. Including all 3 of starts above.
Nick Mullens (SF) @ LAR
Nick Mullens is better than Jimmy G. I will stand by that. But the Rams have been very good on defense this year also. I would not start Mullens unless I had to in Superflex. He will struggle to succeed even though he has been decent when starting in place of Jimmy G.
Mitch Trubisky (CHI) @ GB
Trubisky is most likely starting this week because Foles has still not practiced. I think Trubisky is the better option for the offense, but this week is going to be difficult for him to get going. Especially considering he is still getting over an injury himself.
Running Back
Starts
Start Of The Week
Antonio Gibson (WAS) @ DAL
Antonio Gibson is having a great rookie season and currently sits as the RB11. He now faces the Dallas Cowboys who he ran all over in Week 7 for 128 yards and a TD. His usage at the goaline has really helped in the TD department as he now has 5 in his last 4 games. I can't see him slowing down this week before a tough couple of games after against the Steelers and 49ers.
Todd Gurley (ATL) Vs LV
Gurley is coming off his worst performance of the season against the Saints, where he had only 8 rushing attempts for 26 yards. He has a great chance of bouncing back this week against a Raiders defense that just gave up 3 rushing TDs in Week 11 against the Chiefs. Its never pretty with Gurley this season, but he can get the job done this week.
(Edit: Gurley missed practice Wednesday so monitor his availability)
Duke Johnson (HOU) @ DET
When David Johnson was sent to IR, we were all thrilled at the prospect of Duke Johnson finally getting a heavy workload, however he has failed to make the most of this opportunity. Last week he only had 15 yards on 10 rush attempts and 20 yards on 3 receptions. However, Detriot are the worst run defense in the league, allowing an average of 32.7 fantasy points per game to opposing RBs. This has to be the week that Duke blows up, otherwise he never will!
Sits
Sit Of The Week
Gus Edwards (BAL) @ PIT
Okay Gus is going to get a TON of volume this week, but Lamar probably will too. I don’t think Gus is is as proficient in the passing game as Dobbins and the game script will likely force the Ravens to pass. I think they are going to crush the Ravens.
Melvin Gordon (DEN) Vs NO
New Orleans is good against the run. They are fighting for Taysom Hill to have success. They are also fighting for the broken soul that is Drew Brees. I do not love Gordon anyway and think this will be a touch matchup.
Cam Akers (LAR) Vs SF
Cam Akers had a good game on Monday night. He was the only running back that was able to get going in that game. However, McVay has not been predictable on which running back he wants to use. The 49ers have also been very good against the run. So do not start Akers.
Wide Receiver
Starts
Start Of The Week
Jalen Reagor (PHI) Vs SEA
Reagor has yet to have that breakout game we all know he can have, but what better opportunity than against the porous Seahawks defense. Allowing a whopping 47.7 FPPG on average to opposing WRs, Reagor won't get a better chance all season. He's led the Eagles WRs in targets each week since their bye, so with that increased usage, and being Wentz' top option, I'm very hopeful this week.
Nelson Agholor (LV) @ ATL
This just sums 2020 up... Nelson Agholor is a great starting option this week. That just doesn't seem right. However, Agholor has had a great season and now gets the poor Falcons defense that I mentioned earlier when naming his QB, Derek Carr, as my start of the week. They just allowed Taysom Hill to look like the future Saints franchise QB and pepper his star WR Michael Thomas with targets, so Carr should have a great day targeting his top option lately in Agholor.
Brandin Cooks (HOU) @ DET
Since Bill O'Brien left Houston, Brandin Cooks has been on a great run of form, averaging around 9 targets a game and 91 receiving yards. This game could turn into a shootout with both Detriot and the Texans struggling on defense, and as Watson top option, Cooks could be rack up the fantasy points once again against the Lions who just allowed the Panthers 3 WRs to put up 243 yards between them.
Sits
Sit Of The Week
Chase Claypool (PIT) Vs BAL
Claypool got treated like the WR1 overall in fantasy last time they played. He did not have a good game. I expect him to get the Marlon Humphrey treatment again #GoBucs. I think JuJu and Diontae may have easier matchups because they want to lock Claypool down.
Tee Higgins (CIN) Vs NYG
This one may be a little confusing when you look at the defensive matchup. But with Joe Burrow’s injury, I do not think Higgins will be able to continue to perform has well. Not because he isn’t talented enough, but because his QB play is going to significantly drop. The only Cincinnati receiver I want is Tyler Boyd and even that is iffy now.
Deebo Samuel (SF) @ LAR
Deebo if he plays is going to get the Jalen Ramsey treatment. Especially with the way that Ramsey has been moving into the nickel on third down. You need to avoid the 49ers offense in this game.
Tight End
Starts
Start Of The Week
Hunter Henry (LAC) @ BUF
While Henry may not be putting up huge yardage each week, he is still the TE7 and coming off back-to-back TD games. We all know how much of a mess the position is, so with his 7 targets a game average, Henry is probably one of the safer options at the position. The Bills have a fairly strong secondary, but yet they still struggle against opposing TEs so this is a great opportunity for Henry to but up another solid week as Herbert will likely have to turn to him often to move the chains.
Evan Engram (NYG) @ CIN
Engram was on a nice run of form before his shocker against the Eagles in Week 10 before the Giants bye week. However, this is an ideal matchup to get back on track against the 2nd worst defense against opposing TEs, who allow an average of 14.7 FPPG. With his athletic ability, Engram should feast against the Bengals.
Noah Fant (DEN) Vs NO
Fant is seeing a consistent amount of targets each week, averaging around 7 per game. As mentioned, that is like gold dust considering the mess the TE position is, and similarly to Engrams matchup, the Saints are a great defense that struggle more against the TE position than any other. He has to be a start this week in a matchup where he can turn that usage into a healthy yardage total.
Sits
Sit Of The Week
Jonnu Smith (TEN) @ IND
Jonnu has been disappointing this year. AJ Brown continuing to perform and the emergence of Corey Davis has hindered his production. Combine that with the fact that Indy is a tough out. Their defense is one of the best against all positions in fantasy.
Hayden Hurst (ATL) Vs LV
Hurst has done well….when Julio or Calvin has been out. Julio has missed some time this week, but the Raiders have also been good against the Tight End. Do not start him this week whether or not Julio starts.
Austin Hooper (CLE) @ JAX
Hooper has another great matchup. I still dont trust him. If you still have him just cut him. Dont just bench him, cut him. He has not earned his contract.
Defense
Starts
Start Of The Week
New York Giants @ CIN
An under the radar choice here with a defense that quite likely could be on your waiver wire right now. The Giants have actually been a solid fantasy defense this season as they currently rank 13th, and this week they play the Bengals who have sadly lost Joe Burrow for the rest of the season. I expect the Giants to take full advantage of playing either Ryan Finley or Brandon Allen this week and put up good numbers in fantasy.
Washington Football Team @ DAL
Miami Dolphins @ NYJ
Cleveland Browns @ JAX
Indianapolis Colts Vs TEN
Sits
Sit Of The Week
San Francisco 49ers @ LAR
My only concern with this sit is it feels like a trap game. Goff has been playing well, and I think he may just have a random bad game. However, their offense can always go off. They are talented across the board and can blow up at any minute.
New York Jets Vs MIA
Atlanta Falcons Vs LV
Las Vegas Raiders @ ATL
Thanks for reading. Be sure to keep an eye out every Thursdsay for our weekly start/sit article with the @FF_Astronauts. Follow @FFShaneB and @MattFFDynasty on twitter for more Fantasy Football content throughout the season and hit us up with your Start/Sit questions.
