With Week 13 of the NFL season in full swing, we have multiple high-scoring performances from the Thanksgiving Games. With the playoffs only two weeks away, fantasy managers might be tasked with digging deep to find the right starters in fantasy football. The Start and Sit list contains borderline players for each roster to help you make the right decisions ahead of your matchup. Below are my favorite start/sits for Week 12.
For live Start / Sit questions tune into our post on Sunday at 10:00 AM EST on X where we will answer questions up until kickoff
Jump to a Section
Quarterbacks to Start
Justin Herbert LAC
Herbert did not cash in on his good matchup last week but still is the QB9 over his last five games. Herbert has seen his volume increase in the last month and might get more attempts with the injury to J.K. Dobbins. The Chargers face the Falcons this season who have allowed the 7th most fantasy points to opposing quarterbacks and have allowed multiple touchdown passes in 7 straight games. I expect Herbert to bounce back in a big way this week making him a Top 6 option at quarterback this week.
Anthony Richardson IND
Richardson had a rough outing last week, completing only 39.3% of his passes and scoring just 12.9 points against the Lions. If you watched the game, the Colts had multiple big drops and big passes called back due to penalties. However, he has a much better matchup this week against the Patriots, whose defense recently allowed 27.8 points to Matthew Stafford and 28.5 points to Tua Tagovailoa, with both quarterbacks throwing four touchdown passes. Richardson has increased his volume on the ground, and it resulted in a 30-point performance against the Jets. Given the Patriots’ struggles against quarterbacks, Richardson is positioned to be a top 10 fantasy QB this week.
Quarterbacks to Sit
Kyler Murray ARI
Kyler Murray continues to be inconsistent, ranking as the QB12 in fantasy points per game. He’s had four top five finishes this season but also has four finishes in the bottom 10 quarterbacks. The matchup against the Vikings bodes poorly for Murray to bounce back this week. Minnesota’s defense, frequently blitzes and uses two-high coverage, ranking first in blitz rate and second in two-high coverage usage. This plays into Murray’s struggles, as he ranks poorly against both blitzing defenses and two-high coverage, making this matchup a challenging one for him. Additionally, his rushing production has waned, with just one game over 21 rushing yards since Week 5, limiting his upside and floor.
Brock Purdy SF
Brock Purdy was a full participant in Friday’s practice and is set to start this week. He ranks as the QB7 in fantasy points per game and has a 71% completion percentage since the return of Christian McCaffrey. He faces a tough matchup against a Buffalo pass defense that is allowing the 8th fewest points to quarterbacks this season. After missing last week due to a shoulder injury, there’s concern his injury might affect his play or usage, so it may be wise to avoid the risk and consider other quarterback options this week.
Running backs to Start
Bucky Irving TB
Irving was tagged as a must-start last week due to his favorable matchup and cashed in with his 140+ yards and 27.1 fantasy points. He managed to produce despite only playing 55% of the snaps showcasing how efficient the young running back has been this season. Irving notably played more third down snaps after the bye week resulting in 6 targets. Although he may be in line for a bit over 50% of the snaps, the matchup against the Panthers is elite. The Panthers have allowed the second-most rushing yards, most rushing touchdowns, and most fantasy points per game to RBs. Bucky could be in line for his second straight 20+ point performance.
Tony Pollard TEN
Pollard had a big week without Tyjae Spears in the lineup and despite the tough matchup, he finished with 21.9 points. He has a solid matchup this week, with the Commanders giving up the most rushing yards to running backs and allowing explosive runs at the second-highest rate in the league. Spears is questionable to play this week but should not stop you from playing Pollard in a great matchup. Make sure you find a way to get Pollard into your lineup.
Running backs to Sit
Nick Chubb CLE
Although Chubb performed well last week with two touchdowns, his production remains largely touchdown-dependent, averaging just 4.9 fantasy points per game without a score. He’s averaging a career-low 3.0 yards per touch and has only three receptions in five games. The Broncos have allowed only five rushing touchdowns to running backs this season, making Chubb a risky start, especially with no teams on bye.
Brian Robinson Jr. WAS
Robinson has been banged up all season and suffered an ankle injury last week against the Cowboys. Although he is trending towards playing, I would lower your expectations for him this week. Tennessee has faced a gauntlet of running backs in the past three games with J.K. Dobbins, Aaron Jones, and Joe Mixon, and all three were held to 9.5 PPR points or less. If Robinson is less than 100%, we have seen his usage dip, and he may not be efficient enough to have a good day in fantasy against a tough matchup.
Wide Receivers to Start
Jauan Jennings SF
Despite a disappointing performance last week with backup quarterback Brandon Allen, Jennings still managed five catches for 40 yards and had a significant target share. He tied for the team lead with a 21% target share and led the team with a 30% first-read target share. With the likely return of Brocky Purdy, his usage jumps up even more toa 29% target share, a 33% air yards share, and a 38% first-read target share. He also leads the team in yards against zone coverage, which the Bills use at the sixth-highest rate. Jennings is a must start this week against the Bills despite bad weather.
Courtland Sutton DEN
Sutton has been a standout wide receiver in fantasy, scoring 17 or more points in four of his last five games. With 36 receptions for 467 yards and three touchdowns during this stretch, he’s not only creating explosive plays but also seeing consistent volume. His success is expected to continue against the Browns, who have allowed the ninth-most fantasy points to perimeter receivers. Cleveland’s defense has given up 13-plus points to 16 wideouts, including eight who scored over 16 points. Sutton’s actual fantasy points per game are higher than expected, placing him as a top 10 receiver, and he should be considered a reliable, matchup-proof starter moving forward.
Wide Receivers to Sit
Marvin Harrison Jr. ARI
Harrison Jr. has not topped seven targets in a game since Week 3, and despite favorable matchups, he has posted fewer than eight fantasy points in five of his last seven games. He currently has fewer catches on the season than Jalen Tolbert and Zach Ertz. Harrison Jr. has struggled against zone coverage, with a steep drop-in target rate (from 30.3% against man to 18% against zone) and fantasy points per route run (0.65 to 0.34). The Vikings this season play zone at one of the higher rates in the NFL lowering his floor. With a lack of volume and a tough matchup for this Cardinals offense ahead I am all out on Harrison this week.
Deebo Samuel SF
Samuel has been underwhelming recently, posting just 9.2 points in his last two games and failing to reach 12.6 points in four straight. He is only averaging an 18% target share and an 18% air yards share, plus 2.7 rushing attempts per game while his touchdown numbers have taken a dip. His matchup against the Bills is tough, as Buffalo has allowed the fifth-fewest fantasy points to perimeter receivers. Samuel’s efficiency has dropped and a lack of volume I am avoiding him at all costs against a tough matchup in the Bills.
Tight Ends to Start
Cade Otton TB
Otton had a quiet game last week against the Giants but remains a reliable option in a favorable matchup. In his last two games, he has combined for 12.5 fantasy points and still is the TE6 on the season. He is the Buccaneers second option in the passing game and will be in for a bounce-back game against the Panthers. The Panthers have allowed the most fantasy points per game to tight ends, along with the most receiving touchdowns and the third-most receiving yards.
Hunter Henry NE
Henry leads the Patriots in targets, receptions, and receiving yards. With the lack of other standout pass catchers, he remains a key option for rookie quarterback Drake Maye. Henry has struggled to get in the end zone this year and has led to a -2.74 difference in expected fantasy points per game. He is due for some positive regression in points and has a good matchup this week against the Colts. Indianapolis has allowed the 7th-most yards per pass attempt and the 6th-most fantasy points per game to tight ends, making Henry a solid play.
Tight Ends to Sit
Kyle Pitts ATL
Kyle Pitts has had an up-and-down fantasy season, currently ranked as TE12, but he has struggled with consistency, recording three or fewer receptions in seven of 11 games and scoring touchdowns in only two. Over the past three weeks, his numbers have dropped significantly, averaging just 4.5 points per game with only 10 targets. Facing a tough matchup against the Chargers, who have allowed only one touchdown and an average of 11.3 fantasy points per game to tight ends, Pitts is trending in the wrong direction and is a risky start.
Mark Andrews BAL
Andrews has been a touchdown-dependent fantasy asset, as he averages just three catches and 35 yards per game. With the Eagles’ defense allowing the fewest yards per pass attempt and the third-fewest fantasy points per game to tight ends, Andrews faces a tough matchup. Given his touchdown-dependent nature, Andrews has a low floor in Week 13 and could be in for another dud.
DEF to Start
Washington Commanders
The Commanders’ defense has had a tough week against the Cowboys but has a great opportunity to bounce back against the Titans, who allow the most fantasy points to opposing defenses. The Titans have been sacked 20 times in their last three games and Will Levis has taken the third-most sacks in the league. Washington remains a viable streaming option despite not cashing in on a strong matchup last week.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
The Buccaneers allowed seven points while notching four sacks and forcing one turnover in a strong showing out of the bye week. The Carolina Panthers have been better on offense as of late and improved their season rank to the 19th toughest defensive matchup. The Bucs are getting healthier on defense and their strong matchup will lead to a good performance on Sunday.
DEF to Sit
Philadelphia Eagles
The Eagles’ defense is arguably the best unit in football right now. It has not had a game under 7 points since Week 4. Against the Ravens, every defense should be avoided in starting lineups due to their low turnover and sack rate. Baltimore is only allowing defenses to average 1.3 points per game against them.
San Francisco 49ers
The 49ers’ defense is banged up and faces a tough task against Josh Allen and the Bills. With Nick Bosa out and Buffalo’s offense limiting turnovers and sacks, San Francisco’s defense is not a good play this week. Expect the 49ers to record negative points and struggle to stop the run.
Kickers to Start
Chase McLaughlin TB
McLaughlin has failed to score over 10 points since Week 6 but has some streaming value in a plus matchup against the Panthers. The Panthers have allowed an average of 10.6 points per game to kickers this season, the 6th highest in the NFL. McLaughlin will end his drought of 10-point performances and is a good streamer this week at kicker.
Kickers to Sit
Chad Ryland ARI
Ryland has seen his stats drop in the last two weeks, as he’s scored a combined 12 points after putting up 21 in his previous two. He has a bad matchup this week too, as Ryland faces a Vikings defense that’s allowed the fewest fantasy points per game to opposing kickers at 5.6 points per game. It would be best to avoid Ryland in your starting lineups this week.
For a breakdown of each Start / Sit player this week, check out this YouTube video
