With Week 12 of the NFL season in full swing, we have multiple high-scoring performances from Thursday night football. With the number of injuries this week, 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.
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Quarterbacks to Start
Bo Nix DEN
Nix is coming off his best performance in his young NFL career with over 300 passing yards and 4 touchdowns in a win over the Falcons. In his last five games, Nix is averaging 257.3 passing yards and 2.5 total touchdowns. He is now one of eight players to reach the 200-point total on the season and is one of seven quarterbacks on that list. The Raiders are allowing the 8th most points to opposing quarterbacks this season and have given up 10 touchdown passes in the last three games providing Nix with another elite matchup to continue his hot streak.
Tua Tagovailoa MIA
Since returning from injury, the Dolphins offense with Tua has scored 27 or more in three of four games. However, it’s resulted in inconsistent production from Tua with two performances above 17.8 points and two performances below 14.7 points. Matthew Stafford threw for 4 touchdowns with an elite supporting cast last week against the Patriots providing Tua with a similar opportunity this week. Outside of Christian Gonzalez, the Patriots pass defense has been below average and will be a favorable matchup for the Dolphins pass game.
Patrick Mahomes KC
Mahomes might be in the midst of the worst season of his career statistically but has started to trend in the right direction since the DeAndre Hopkins trade. Since the trade, he has three of his four highest-scoring performances in fantasy with 9 touchdown passes. Mahomes is a matchup-dependent starter and has an elite matchup against the Panthers. The Panthers are the 7th friendliest matchup for opposing quarterbacks this season making this a great game to start Mahomes.
Quarterbacks to Sit
Sam Darnold MIN
Darnold has been limited with a foot injury all week but was cleared to play this week already. It has been an up-and-down year for Darnold who has two performances below 7 points but has been consistent outside of those outings. This week, I expect him to have limited mobility and struggle against one of the league’s best defenses. The Bears are the toughest matchup for opposing quarterbacks this season, allowing just one quarterback to throw multiple touchdown passes against them.
Anthony Richardson IND
AR had his best game of the season posting 28.2 points in the win over the Jets resulting in a season-high grade from PFF. Richardson’s accuracy was much improved which resulted in a big performance through the air. Although he is trending in the right direction I would temper expectations this week against the Lions. The Lions have been stingy against opposing quarterbacks this season allowing just seven touchdown passes and the 6th fewest points per game.
Geno Smith SEA
Smith has been a mixed bag this season in fantasy football with multiple performances over 20 points making him a matchup-dependent starter. I would not trust him this week against the Cardinals who have allowed the fewest points to quarterbacks over the last four weeks while only allowing one quarterback to go over 14.7 points in their previous six games. Smith might have the volume to produce big numbers in fantasy, but his recent turnover struggles and an ascending Cardinals team make him a risky play in Week 12.
Running backs to Start
Rachaad White and Bucky Irving TB
Since the injuries to Mike Evans and Chris Godwin, the Buccaneers have been utilizing their running backs more often. In their last four games, Rachaad White has averaged 19.1 points per game while Bucky Irving has averaged 14.9 points per game. While the volume may decrease for both backs with the return of Mike Evans, they are must starts this week. The Giants have been allowing 5.4 yards per carry, have the second-highest explosive run rate, and allow the tenth most receiving yards to running backs.
Tyrone Tracy Jr. NYG
Before the bye, Tracy was on a hot streak with three performances over 18 points in five games. In his last six games has averaged over 18 touches per game and that might increase with Tommy DeVito’s career 20% checkdown rate in his career. The Bucs are allowing the 5th most points per game to running backs this season providing an elite matchup. I expect Tracy to cash in on another elite matchup making him a must-start
Rico Dowdle DAL
Dowdle has taken over as the lead back for the Cowboys but has not resulted in any fantasy production since the injury of Dak Prescott is there. He has had at least 15 opportunities in the last two weeks against tough matchups which resulted in 14 total points. The Commanders provide a better matchup for Dowdle to return value on those touches in Week 12. The Commanders’ defense has allowed the most rushing yards, highest explosive play rate, and third most rushing touchdowns this season.
Running backs to Sit
Tony Pollard TEN
Pollard has struggled the last two weeks with only 13 touches and 15.2 fantasy points against two brutal matchups. The injuries have contributed to a reduced role and less production on the field. Despite him being off the injury report this week I am not trusting him against the Texans. This season the Texans have allowed the 5th fewest points to running backs making Pollard a low-end RB2 this week.
Chuba Hubbard CAR
Hubbard has been a breakout star this season and is coming off two straight 20-point performances ahead of the bye week. Although Hubbard has been great this season, he will let fantasy managers down this week against the Chiefs. The Chiefs have been the best at limiting running backs in fantasy football and recently just allowed James Cook to post the best individual performance at running back against the Chiefs with 27 total yards last week. Cook’s two touchdowns saved him, and I don’t see Hubbard getting in the end zone twice this week to salvage his inefficient day.
D’Andre Swift CHI
Swift is currently trending in the wrong direction right now with his season-low usage rate while also dealing with a groin injury ahead of Week 12. Last week we saw Roschon Johnson take valuable snaps on third down, two-minute drill, and the goal line allowing him to finish with 11 touches. On top of the reduced role, Swift faces the Vikings who are second at limiting opposing running backs and have only allowed four guys to score over 10 points this season. Avoid starting Swift in Week 12
Wide Receivers to Start
Josh Downs IND
Since Week 6, Downs has a 24.9% target share, 2.58 YPRR, and 31.4% first read share which is nuts considering he plays the third most snaps among Colts receivers. Downs has been consistent this season with only two performances below 12 points while posting three 20-point performances. Anthony Richardson looked better last week which will only help Downs going forward. With the Lions allowing the most receiving yards to slot receivers expect another good performance from Downs.
Jaxon Smith Njigba SEA
JSN has been on fire as of late with 17 catches for 290 receiving yards and 2 touchdowns helping him average 29.4 fantasy points per game. The return of DK Metcalf has only helped the young receiver who is now averaging 9.3 targets per game in his last seven games. The Seahawks have the 4th highest pass rate in the NFL allowing both JSN and Metcalf to be high-end WR2 options. The Cardinals’ defense has been in the middle of the pack this season against receivers, but JSN is a must-start this week.
DeAndre Hopkins KC
Hopkins might be a risky play this week considering that he only has one 10+ point performance since joining the Chiefs but will be in for a WR2 performance this week. In the last two weeks, we have seen Hopkins go against two secondaries who are one of the toughest matchups for outside receivers. This week the Chiefs have the Panthers who are top five in the NFL in points allowed to perimeter receivers. I expect Hopkins and Mahomes to cash in on this favorable matchup making them good starts this week.
Wide Receivers to Sit
Jakobi Myers LV
Myers has been a reliable receiver since the Davante Adams trade scoring 46.5 points in his last three games. His volume has made him a weekly flex play in starting lineups, but I would be cautious about throwing him in there this week. The Raiders have the Broncos this week who are the 3rd toughest matchup for opposing receivers this season. He will likely draw Patrick Surtain this week who has blanketed receivers all season. Myers will bust this week in fantasy football.
Jordan Addison MIN
Addison has been the true definition of boom or bust this season with three performances over 15 points and four performances under 7 points. Addison is finding his way into lineups due to bye week troubles but there are better options than him this week. The Bears are allowing the fewest points to wide receivers while allowing just 6 touchdowns to the position. In all of Addison’s big performances, he needed a touchdown and that is looking unlikely in Week 12.
Michael Pittman Jr. IND
Unlike Downs, Pittman still is struggling with Anthony Richardson at quarterback. When AR has been the starter this season, Pittman has not scored over 10 points. It is not due to a lack of usage as Pittman leads the team in snaps and routes run while boasting over a 20% target share. Despite the Lions being a favorable matchup for wide receivers, I don’t see him turning around his rough stretch with Anthony Richardson at quarterback.
Tight Ends to Start
Dallas Goedert PHI
Goedert has been heavily involved in the Eagles’ offense this season when healthy helping him average 10.5 fantasy points per game. He is averaging a 21.1% first read share while averaging 55.3 receiving yards per game. The Rams this season are allowing the 5th most receiving yards per game to tight ends resulting in a favorable matchup. The Eagles will also be without DeVonta Smith this week creating more opportunities for the veteran tight end.
Jonnu Smith MIA
Smith is one of two tight ends this season with multiple performances of 90+ receiving yards and a touchdown. His role within the offense has made him the second most valuable pass catcher in the Dolphins offense (sorry Jaylen Waddle owners). Smith now has 10+ points in three of his last six games while going over 6 or more targets in five games during that stretch. Expect Smith to continue to have success as the Patriots focus on limiting Tyreek Hill in the passing game.
Hunter Henry NE
Henry has worked his way up to the TE7 on the season after quickly becoming Drake Maye’s favorite target. In five games with Maye, Henry has a team-leading 22.6% target share while finishing within the top twelve tight ends four times. On top of his high volume, he has also received 8 red zone targets that will result in more touchdowns soon. The Dolphins have allowed the 13th most yards per game to tight ends this season resulting in a favorable matchup for Henry.
Tight Ends to Sit
Tucker Kraft GB
Tucker Kraft’s 2024 campaign has been a mixed bag with multiple performances below 6 points while having three finishes above 16 fantasy points. Last week against the Bears without Jaquan Brisker, he dropped 0 points in the win with one target. Kraft has never had the volume to have a high floor and has a lower floor this week against the 49ers. The 49ers this season have been 8.1 PPR points per game against tight ends this season making Kraft someone you should avoid starting.
Zach Ertz WAS
In four of the last six weeks, Ertz has gone over 10 fantasy points and is coming off of an 18.7-point performance against his old team. Ertz has been heavily reliant on volume this season with only one performance above 10 fantasy points when he has under five targets. The Cowboys have struggled in other areas but have been good against tight ends only allowing 7.5 PPR points per game to the position.
Cole Kmet CHI
Kmet had an increased role in the offense after the firing of Shane Waldron with a 95% snap share and seeing his highest volume in a few weeks. Kmet’s role in this offense will be valuable against matchup-friendly opponents down the stretch but against the Vikings, I would leave him on your bench. The Vikings this season are holding tight ends to 9.1 points per game while only allowing 0.2 touchdowns per game.
DEF to Start
Houston Texans DEF
The Texans’ defense has been opportunistic in their matchups this season ranking as the 4th best defense in fantasy football. This week against the Titans, they will have their third straight 10+ point performance. The Titans are allowing 11.1 points per game to defenses this season providing the perfect matchup.
Kansas City Chiefs DEF
The Chiefs’ defense has been mediocre in fantasy football this season ranking as the 18th best unit. A lack of takeaways and sacks has contributed to only one 10-point performance this season. Against a friendly matchup with the Panthers, the Chiefs will be motivated coming out of an ugly defensive showing against the Bills.
Washington Commanders DEF
The Commanders have not had a 10-plus point performance since Week 7 against the Panthers but should be in for one this week against the Cowboys. The Cowboys have allowed defenses to score a combined 37 points in the last two weeks, making this an elite matchup for the Commanders. Expect the Commanders to be in for a matchup-winning performance this week against the Cowboys
DEF to Sit
Philadelphia Eagles DEF
The Eagles have been one of the best defenses in the NFL as of late with three of their last five performances going over 10 points with no games under 7 during that stretch. They have been doing it against good offenses, but the Rams provide a unique challenge this week. With multiple good streaming options, it is best to avoid the Eagles’ defense in your starting lineup.
Los Angeles Chargers DEF
The Chargers’ defense finally allowed over 20 points for the first time this season resulting in negative points against the Bengals. This week they have their toughest challenge of the season against the Ravens who are the toughest matchup for opposing defenses. Last week proved they are not matchup-proof against good offenses, and it is best to avoid starting them in Week 12.
Kickers to Start
Spencer Shrader KC
It was a quiet debut for Shrader with a few extra points and is filling in for the injured Harrison Butker. One thing Shrader showcased in the loss was his massive leg, kicking every extra point over the net. Schrader should have opportunities to showcase his leg against the Carolina Panthers who are the 4th friendliest matchup for kickers this season.
Wil Lutz DEN
Lutz had a bounce-back week after his 2-point performance against the Chiefs, with 8 points against the Falcons. This year, he has been one of the more accurate kickers in the NFL with his 86.4% success rate, but the opportunities have not been there to make him consistent in fantasy football. He will be in for a 10+ point performance against the Raiders who are allowing an average of 10.9 points per game to opposing kickers.
Kickers to Sit
Justin Tucker BAL
Tucker’s rocky season continued and his success rate on field goals has fallen to a career-low 72.7%. In his last two games, he has combined for 9 fantasy points while missing 3 kicks. On top of Tucker’s slump, he has a tough matchup against the Chargers who are the 2nd toughest matchup for kickers holding them to 5.6 points per game. Avoid putting Tucker in your starting lineups this week.
Brandon Aubrey DAL
After six straight performances over 10 points to start the season, Aubrey has failed to hit that mark in his last five games. The injuries at quarterback have prevented him from the opportunities to produce in fantasy football. This week will be no different when the Cowboys face the Commanders who are only allowing 6 points to kickers per game.
[…] 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. […]