Start ‘Em Sit ‘Em Week 12

The fantasy football playoffs are near, and fantasy team owners have a better view of whether they have a chance to make the playoffs and are actively preparing for it. Unfortunately, part of preparing for the playoffs is making sure you have enough healthy players on your roster to give you the best chance of winning. Fantasy football-relevant injuries that occurred in week 11 include Joe Burrow (torn ligament in right wrist), Geno Smith (elbow), De’Von Achane (knee), Kenneth Walker III (oblique), Aaron Jones (knee), D’Onta Foreman (ankle), and Cooper Kupp (ankle). As I always state, starting the players with favorable matchups give you the best chance of winning your respective matchups and earn a spot in the playoffs to potentially win a championship.

Here are my recommendations for Start ‘Em Sit ‘Em Week 12.

Joshua Dobbs

Bears @ Vikings | 8:15 pm EST Monday

ESPN Starting Percentage: 26.0%

Unfortunately, Dobbs was unable to lead his team to victory versus the Denver Broncos this past Sunday night losing 21-20. In Sunday’s game, Dobbs scored a mediocre 16.94 fantasy points for team owners. However, Dobbs seems to have control of the offense now that he has been in Minnesota for a few weeks and that is why I like his matchup against division rival the Chicago Bears defense. The Bears defense on average allows 21.4 fantasy points to opposing quarterbacks. I believe Dobbs has a good chance of having a better fantasy performance this week and should be considered a high-end QB2 to low-end QB1 in fantasy football in week 12.

Gardner Minshew

Buccaneers @ Colts | 1:00 pm EST Sunday

ESPN Starting Percentage: 0.4%

Minshew Mania continues this week as the Indianapolis Colts fight to keep their playoff hopes alive. The Colts are fresh off a bye and have a chance to continue their winning streak by defeating the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The Buccaneers secondary is extremely “soft” and notoriously gives up an average of 21.2 fantasy points to opposing quarterbacks. In week 11, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers allowed San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy to score 26.72 fantasy points for team owners which was the second-highest in the quarterback position. Get ready for a high-scoring game similar to the Texans/Bucs game that occurred a few weeks ago. In particular, look for the Minshew-Pittman Jr. connection as I believe it will be prominent in this matchup. Minshew should be considered a high-end QB2 to low-end QB1 in fantasy football in week 12.

Rachaad White

Buccaneers @ Colts | 1:00 pm EST Sunday

ESPN Starting Percentage: 77.0%

On the other hand, White is looking to help his team secure a victory after last week’s defeat to the San Francisco 49ers 27-14. In this past Sunday’s game, White scored 17.8 fantasy points in PPR leagues, which tied for twelfth in the running back position. White has had his ups and downs this season but should put on another good fantasy performance for team owners against the Indianapolis Colts defense. The Colts defense on average allows 18.9 fantasy points to opposing running backs, which indicates White should be considered a mid-end to high-end RB1 in fantasy football in week 12.

Rhamondre Stevenson

Patriots @ Giants | 1:00 pm EST Sunday

ESPN Starting Percentage: 18.4%

Stevenson’s fantasy stock has taken a hit since the arrival of former Cowboys running back Ezekiel Elliott. However, Stevenson has proved that he can still be trusted as a viable fantasy football running back. In his last game which was played in week 10 against the Indianapolis Colts, he scored 13.2 fantasy points in PPR leagues. Fresh off a bye, Stevenson stated in his media conference on Monday that “he felt good and was looking forward” to the matchup against the New York Giants. If the New England Patriots want to defeat the New York Giants, they will need to get the running game going. The New York Giants defense on average allows 18.9 fantasy points to opposing running backs which ranks the fifth highest, signaling a favorable matchup for Stevenson. Stevenson should be considered a mid-end to high-end RB1 in fantasy football in week 12.

D.J. Moore

Bears @ Vikings | 8:15 pm EST Monday

ESPN Starting Percentage: 72.2%

Justin Fields is back and ready for action and he showed it by targeting his favorite receiver often. Unfortunately, the Chicago Bears couldn’t defeat the “hot” Detroit Lions, losing 26-31. However, D.J. Moore had an outstanding performance, scoring 22.6 fantasy points in PPR leagues which ranked sixth highest in the wide receiver position group. I expect Moore to have another good week against division rival the Minnesota Vikings defense that on average allows 21.8 fantasy points to wide receivers. Moore should be considered a low-end to mid-end WR1 in fantasy football in week 12.

Adam Thielen

Panthers @ Titans | 1:00 pm EST Sunday

ESPN Starting Percentage: 66.3%

Even against one of the best defenses in football, Thielen was able to score 15.4 fantasy points in PPR leagues in the Carolina Partners loss to the Dallas Cowboys 33-10 on Sunday afternoon. Thielen has proven time and time again to be Bryce Young’s favorite target and that will not change anytime soon. Thielen has a good matchup against the Tennessee Titans defense that just allowed Calvin Ridley to score 31.1 fantasy points which he was ranked as the top fantasy wide receiver in week 11. He should be considered a mid-end to high-end WR1 in fantasy football in week 12.

Kyle Pitts

Saints @ Falcons | 1:00 pm EST Sunday

ESPN Starting Percentage: 20.2%

Coming off a bye after the Atlanta Falcons fell to the Arizona Cardinals on November 12, the Falcons offense looks to get rolling. Head coach Arthur Smith announced on Monday that Desmond Ridder would reclaim his starting quarterback role. This impacts Pitts as Ridder likes to target Pitts often. Pitts is second in team targets with 57, behind wide receiver Drake London (60). I expect Pitts to have a good game against division rival the New Orleans Saints defense that on average allows 7.8 fantasy points to opposing tight ends which ranks the fourth highest in the league. Pitts should be considered a mid-end to high-end TE1 in fantasy football in week 12.

Will Levis

Panthers @ Titans | 1:00 pm EST Sunday

ESPN Starting Percentage: 4.1%

Ever since his debut game versus the Atlanta Falcons four weeks ago, Levis hasn’t played up to the hype. Levis has only scored an average of 9.0 fantasy points over the past three weeks, which is a major disappointment considering the talent he possesses. Unfortunately, I don’t expect any improvement against the Carolina Panthers defense despite their record as one of the better passing defenses in the league. They allow on average 15.9 fantasy points to opposing quarterbacks which ranks in the top 10 defense against quarterbacks. My recommendation is to sit Levis in week 12.

Javonte Williams

Browns @ Broncos | 4:05 pm EST Sunday

ESPN Starting Percentage: 56.4%

Williams was a dud for fantasy team owners in week 11 only scoring 7.3 fantasy points in PPR leagues in the Denver Broncos win over the Minnesota Vikings 21-20 on Sunday night. Unfortunately, it doesn’t get any better for Williams owners as he faces the Cleveland Browns defense that only allows 11.7 fantasy points to opposing running backs. My recommendation is to sit Williams in week 12.

Marquise Brown

Rams @ Cardinals | 4:05 pm EST Sunday

ESPN Starting Percentage: 46.5%

Even with Kyler Murray back as the starting quarterback, Brown hasn’t put up relevant fantasy numbers over the past two weeks. Unfortunately, Brown faces the Los Angeles Rams defense that on average only allows 17.6 fantasy points to opposing wide receivers. My recommendation is to sit Brown in week 12.

Michael Mayer

Chiefs @ Raiders | 4:25 pm EST Sunday

ESPN Starting Percentage: 3.7%

Mayer has been one of the key factors for the Las Vegas Raiders offense the past few weeks, but that will not be the case against the Chiefs. The Kansas City Chiefs defense on average only allows 4.3 fantasy points to opposing tight ends. My recommendation is to sit Mayer in week 12.