Week 12 Start 'Em, Sit 'Em: Advice on Fantasy Football Stars to Play or Bench
The NFL's 12th week will begin on Thursday night when the Cleveland Browns host the rival Pittsburgh Steelers. While that game will only carry playoff implications for one team, it could be an important one for fantasy managers.
Most season-long leagues are entering the final playoff push, and many managers will need to rely on some unfavorable matchups this week. Thursday's game will be the first of only 13, as six teams will be on bye.
Here, you'll find a look at a few less-than-desirable fantasy situations, along with start-sit recommendations based on point-per-reception (PPR) scoring.
Start: Najee Harris, RB, Pittsburgh Steelers
Despite having a pretty bad overall defense this season, the Browns have allowed just the seventh-fewest fantasy points to opposing running backs. However, that metric deserves some context.
Opposing teams haven't always leaned on their backfields because Cleveland has been easily gashed with big plays in the passing game. It'll likely happen again on Thursday, though the Steelers can be expected to stick with their run-first approach.
Harris popped up on the injury report this week but was listed as having a veteran rest day. He should be good to go on Thursday night and should see the volume of work in the running and passing games to justify a start.
Against a strong Baltimore Ravens run defense last week, Harris tallied 93 scrimmage yards and four receptions. Jaylen Warren will be a threat to steal touches again this week, but Harris should see a very heavy workload against Cleveland.
Sit: Jonathan Taylor, RB, Indianapolis Colts
Indianapolis Colts running back Jonathan Taylor is typically the sort of high-volume back managers don't want to sit. He missed three games earlier in the season with an ankle injury, but he played a season-high 63 snaps against the New York Jets in Week 11.
However, yards have been difficult to come by for Taylor in tough matchups. He had just 60 scrimmage yards against New York and only 59 yards against the Minnesota Vikings in Week 9.
The Detroit Lions represent a tough matchup. Their defensive strength is in the front seven, which has usually forced opponents to try winning through the air. Only the Vikings, Kansas City Chiefs and Los Angeles Chargers have allowed fewer fantasy points to opposing RBs.
Taylor has also been much less of a receiving threat with Anthony Richardson behind center. In games Richardson has started and finished this season, Taylor has averaged one reception.
Start: Justin Jefferson, WR, Minnesota Vikings
Vikings receiver Justin Jefferson is the sort of high-volume player who shouldn't see the bench in any matchup. He's seen no fewer than eight targets in a game since Week 2, and he hasn't been held below four receptions in a game this season.
Against a vastly underrated Tennessee Titans defense last week, Jefferson came through with six receptions for 81 yards on eight targets. The Titans have allowed the fifth-fewest fantasy points to opposing receivers this season.
The Chicago Bears have been even better, allowing the second-fewest fantasy points to opposing receivers. However, Chicago hasn't completely shut down opposing pass-catchers.
Last week, Green Bay Packers receiver Jayden Reed found the end zone, while teammate Christian Watson caught four passes for 150 yards. Quarterback Sam Darnold should force-feed Jefferson the football enough to deliver double-digit fantasy points to Jefferson managers.
Sit: Jakobi Meyers, WR, Las Vegas Raiders
Since Davante Adams was traded, Jakobi Meyers has emerged as the Las Vegas Raiders' top perimeter threat. However, rookie tight end Brock Bowers has become the team's No. 1 receiver and is likely to be the only fantasy-relevant Raider this week.
Meyers was up against a very good Miami Dolphins defense last week and caught four passes for just 28 yards. A 20-yard carry helped salvage his fantasy week to a degree, but his production was far from ideal.
Las Vegas and Meyers will have an even tougher matchup this week against the rival Denver Broncos. No team has allowed fewer fantasy points to opposing receivers this season, and Denver has done a good job of shutting down opposing No. 1 wideouts.
Last week, Atlanta Falcons receiver Drake London had 61 receiving yards but caught just three of seven targets. Expect the football to flow toward Bowers (13 catches, 126 yards, 1 TD in Week 11) and away from Meyers on Sunday).
*Fantasy scoring information from FantasyPros.