B/R's Start 'Em, Sit 'Em Picks for Every NFL Week 12 Fantasy Matchup

The NFL's Week 12 slate is an important one, replete with games that will have a major impact on how the playoff races shake out.

That importance carries over to fantasy football, because playoff races are heating up there as well with just a few weeks left in the regular season.

Sure, if fantasy managers are 9-2 or 8-3, they will move on to the postseason. But there's still time for things to go sideways for 7-4 squads, while 6-5 or 5-6 teams now have little margin for error.

It's more essential than ever that fantasy managers set the best lineup possible and maximize points. And to do that, they need to know which players to start, who is best left on the bench and which sleeper plays have the potential to explode and carry the day.

The point of this column is to aid in doing just that: A game-by-game breakdown of who to start, who to sit and who could emerge as Week 12's biggest "sleeper" plays.

We even threw in some stats that could help define the week. We're cool like that.

Key Injuries

The Pittsburgh Steelers are one of the hottest teams in the AFC after downing the rival Ravens last week, and they head into Week 12 relatively healthy and no offensive players of note on the injury report.

The Cleveland Browns, on the other hand, are not hot. They are in decent shape injury-wise, though. Tight end David Njoku is on the injury report with a knee injury, but he's practicing in a limited fashion and on track to play.

Start of the Week

George Pickens, WR, Pittsburgh Steelers [DraftKings DFS Value: $6,900]: Since Week 7, Pickens has been a top-10 fantasy receiver in terms of PPR points per game. The Browns have struggled defending wide receivers this season, giving up the ninth-most fantasy points per game to the position.

Sit of the Week

Jerry Jeudy, WR, Cleveland Browns [DraftKings DFS Value: $5,900]: Jeudy is coming off a big game in last week's loss to New Orleans, catching six passes for 142 yards and a touchdown. A repeat of those big numbers Thursday night isn't likely, as the Steelers have surrendered the eighth-fewest PPR points per game to wide receivers this season.

Sleeper

Pittsburgh Steelers Defense [DraftKings DFS Value: $3,500]: The Browns have been a goldmine for opposing fantasy defenses this season. They lead the league in sacks allowed, and just two teams have given up more fantasy points per game to defenses through 11 weeks.

Stat to Know

3.1. The number of yards per carry Cleveland running back Nick Chubb has averaged this season, over two full yards below his career average. An injury-ravaged Browns offensive line hasn't helped matters, but he clearly isn't the back he was before last year's devastating knee injury and likely won't be again until 2025.

Key Injuries

When the Carolina Panthers host the Chiefs Sunday, it could be with a couple of players back in the lineup: one young and one old.

Rookie running back Jonathon Brooks (knee) could make his professional debut, while veteran wideout Adam Thielen (hamstring) is confident he'll be able to return from injured reserve. Both are expected to play.

The Chiefs were expected to get back a player of their own in Week 12. Running back Isiah Pacheco is in his 21-day injured reserve practice window, but head coach Andy Reid has said Pacheco will not play in Week 12.

Start of the Week

Patrick Mahomes, QB, Kansas City Chiefs [DraftKings DFS Value: $6,800]: Mahomes threw for less than 200 yards last week, but he threw three touchdown passes for the second time in three weeks. The Panthers have given up the seventh-most fantasy points per game to defenses this season.

Sit of the Week

Chuba Hubbard, RB, Carolina Panthers [DraftKings DFS Value: $6,600]: Hubbard has been Carolina's most reliable offensive weapon this season, earning himself a nice new contract in the process. But no team in the league has surrendered fewer PPR points per game this year to running backs than the Chiefs.

Sleeper

Kansas City Chiefs Defense [DraftKings DFS Value: $3,900]: The Chiefs haven't exactly lit it up defensively this season and rank 18th in fantasy points at the position. But the Panthers have struggled in a big way offensively in 2024 and are dead-last in the NFL in total offense and 29th in the league in scoring offense.

Stat to Know

240.4. That's how many passing yards per game Mahomes has averaged this season, the lowest per-game average of his eight-year NFL career. However, while he hasn't been as prolific this year as in the past, his production has picked up of late—he ranks eighth in fantasy points among QBs over the past four weeks.

Key Injuries

The 8-2 Vikings head to Chicago to battle their NFC North rivals in good shape injury wise.

Wide receiver Jordan Addison missed the end of last week's win over the Tennessee Titans with cramping, but that shouldn't impact his Week 12 status. Quarterback Sam Darnold was limited in practice Wednesday with a back injury, but he's expected to be fine. The only player set to miss the game is recerve tight end Josh Oliver--which could mean more targets for T.J. Hockenson.

The Bears are similarly healthy for what shapes up as a must-win game for them, with two notable exceptions: Running back D'Andre Swift (groin) is questionable but expected to play after a full practice Friday, while veteran wideout Keenan Allen rolled his ankle Friday and is a late-week add to the injury report.

Start of the Week

Minnesota Vikings Defense [DraftKings DFS Value: $3,400]: The Vikings have been fantasy football's highest-scoring defense this season thanks to their penchant for sacking opposing quarterbacks and taking the ball away. That should continue Sunday against a Bears team that leads the NFC in sacks allowed in 2024.

Sit of the Week

Jordan Addison, WR, Minnesota Vikings [DraftKings DFS Value: $5,100]: Before leaving last week's game, Addison was having one of his better displays of the season. The yardage could be hard to come by in Week 12, though, as the Bears are dead-last in PPR points per game given up to wide receivers this year.

Sleeper

Rome Odunze, WR, Chicago Bears [DraftKings DFS Value: $4,800]: The Bears' passing attack looked better last week with a new play-caller, and Odunze and Caleb Williams are developing a rapport. The Vikings are soft against the pass this year, giving up the most PPR points per game in the NFC to wide receivers.

Stat to Know

74.4. That's how many rushing yards per game the Vikings are surrendering in 2024, fewest in the NFL. Swift has been a solid fantasy RB2 this season, but given how stout the Vikings have been against the run this season, the Bears' best chance to move the ball Sunday will be through the air.

Key Injuries

Fresh off a Monday night beatdown of the Dallas Cowboys, the Texans are in good shape as they prepare to face the Titans. There are no fantasy-relevant offensive players on Houston's injury report.

The Titans are in a similar situation, with a couple of exceptions. Wide receiver Calvin Ridley missed Wednesday's practice through illness, but that shouldn't affect his playing status for Week 12. Running back Tyjae Spears, however, is out after suffering a concussion last week.

Start of the Week

Tony Pollard, RB, Tennessee Titans [DraftKings DFS Value: $5,800]: The Texans aren't an especially easy team to run on, but Pollard received a heavy workload when Spears was out earlier in the season. That could include a lot of fourth-quarter dump-offs as the Titans play catchup.

Sit of the Week

Tank Dell, WR, Houston Texans [DraftKings DFS Value: $6,400]: With Nico Collins back in the lineup, Dell's target share dropped considerably last week. The Titans are also stout against the pass, allowing the fewest passing yards per game and the fewest PPR points per game in the AFC to wide receivers.

Sleeper

Houston Texans Defense [DraftKings DFS Value: $3,600]: The Texans are coming off arguably their best defensive performance of the season last week against the Dallas Cowboys, and no team in the league has surrendered more fantasy points per game to defenses this season than the Titans.

Stat to Know

21.4. That's how many rushing attempts Texans running back Joe Mixon has averaged this season, which leads the NFL. He is also third in the league in rushing yards per game, tied for third in the NFL with 10 rushing touchdowns and leads all running backs in PPR fantasy points per game. The 28-year-old is having quite the first season in Houston.

Key Injuries

The Lions hardly needed him last week against the Jacksonville Jaguars, but Detroit was without tight end Sam LaPorta (shoulder). However, he's off the injury report and will return to action Sunday.

The Colts have had lengthy injury reports more weeks than not in 2024. That isn't the case this week, though. Their injury report was clean on offense as practice opened this week.

Start of the Week

Josh Downs, WR, Indianapolis Colts [DraftKings DFS Value: $6,200]: Concerns about the impact of the return of Colts quarterback Anthony Richardson to the lineup last week were overblown. Downs posted a 5/84/1 stat line against the New York Jets and draws a top-five fantasy matchup for his position this week versus the Lions.

Sit of the Week

Jonathan Taylor, RB, Indianapolis Colts [DraftKings DFS Value: $7,100]: Taylor hasn't exactly met fantasy expectations this season, and that trend isn't likely to reverse itself this week. For the season, the Lions are giving up just 94.8 yards per game on the ground, the fifth-fewest in the league.

Sleeper

Sam LaPorta, TE, Detroit Lions [DraftKings DFS Value: $4,300]: LaPorta has been a major disappointment this season after leading all tight ends in PPR points last year. But the Colts should offer the second-year pro an opportunity to get after it in Week 12, as Indy has given up the fifth-most PPR points per game to the position in 2024.

Stat to Know

645. That's how many yards of offense the Lions piled up in destroying the Jaguars 52-6 last week. Detroit scored touchdowns on seven consecutive possessions and moved the ball at will. Whether it's David Montgomery and Jahmyr Gibbs on the ground or Amon-Ra St. Brown, Jameson Williams and LaPorta through the air, there isn't an offense in the NFL playing better than the Lions' right now.

Key Injuries

The Miami Dolphins have established some positive momentum, largely because the team is getting healthier. Tyreek Hill has been a regular on the injury report with a wrist injury, but he's fully expected to play through it again in Week 12 and was removed Friday.

The Patriots aren't winning much, but the insertion of rookie Drake Maye as the team's starting quarterback has at least given the offense a jolt. He will have his full complement of weapons Sunday, with no skill-position starters on the injury report.

Start of the Week

Tyreek Hill, WR, Miami Dolphins [DraftKings DFS Value: $7,200]: Hill is battling a torn ligament in his wrist, and the star receiver hasn't had a 100-yard receiving game since Week 1. He'll get his second of the season Sunday against a Patriots team giving up the 10th-most PPR points per game to wideouts in 2024.

Sit of the Week

Tua Tagovailoa, QB, Miami Dolphins [DraftKings DFS Value: $5,800]: So, after recommending Hill as a "start," his quarterback is a "sit." Life is an enigma sometimes. It's simply a matter of the matchup: The Patriots rank outside the top 20 in fantasy points per game allowed to QBs this year. Tagovailoa is a low-end QB1 at best in Week 12.

Sleeper

Miami Dolphins Defense [DraftKings DFS Value: $3,100]: The Dolphins have been an up-and-down defense this season, and the Patriots have improved offensively under Maye. But New England is still a very favorable matchup for defenses, as the team has surrendered the fifth-most PPR points per game to defenses in 2024.

Stat to Know

169.90. That's how many PPR points Dolphins running back De'Von Achane has tallied this season, good for eighth in the league among running backs. The second-year pro has seen a major spike in usage this season relative to a year ago, and he has held up well under the increased workload. He's a locked-in fantasy RB1 for the stretch run.

Key Injuries

When the Giants host the Buccaneers Sunday, it will be with a new quarterback. Tommy DeVito has been pegged to start over Daniel Jones, who has been first benched then released outright..

DeVito could be short his No. 1 receiver Sunday--rookie Malik Nabers popped up on the injury report this week with a groin issue and is questionable.

The Buccaneers are hoping to be healthier at wideout themselves—it's not certain that Mike Evans (hamstring) will play in Week 12, but there's optimism that he'll be able to go after missing several weeks.

Start of the Week

Tyrone Tracy Jr., RB, New York Giants [DraftKings DFS Value: $6,000]: Tracy has been a rare bright spot in another dark season for the Giants offensively. New York should lean heavily on the ground game in Week 12, and the Buccaneers have allowed the sixth-most PPR points per game to running backs this season.

Sit of the Week

Cade Otton, TE, Tampa Bay Buccaneers [DraftKings DFS Value: $5,500]: All the injuries at wide receiver in Tampa have led to Otton being a much larger part of the Buccaneers offense. But Mike Evans could be back in Week 12, and no team has given up fewer PPR points per game to TEs in 2024 than the Giants.

Sleeper

Tommy DeVito, QB, New York Giants [DraftKings DFS Value: $4,000]: This isn't a play for the faint of heart. But with six teams on a bye, some fantasy managers likely need a spot-starter under center, and the Bucs have allowed over 23 fantasy points per game to quarterbacks, the most in the league.

Stat to Know

7. That's how many touchdown passes DeVito threw in six starts for the Giants a year ago. He never topped 250 passing yards in a game, but he did post 246 passing yards and three scores in a November win over the Washington Commanders. New York has better offensive talent this year than last, and the G-Men will likely be playing from behind in the second half.

Key Injuries

The good news for the Dallas Cowboys is that the team is relatively healthy outside tight end Jake Ferguson, who is in the concussion protocol and will miss Week 12. The bad news is that the way the team has played the past couple of weeks, that may not really matter.

Wide receiver CeeDee Lamb was limited in practice Wednesday with back and foot injuries, but there has been nothing to indicate his playing status is in jeopardy.

Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels isn't on the injury report and is fully expected to play in Week 12. But the rib injury he suffered several weeks ago is clearly affecting him. His rushing numbers have plummeted since he got hurt.

Start of the Week

Terry McLaurin, WR, Washington Commanders [DraftKings DFS Value: $6,800]: McLaurin was a major letdown last week, catching just one of two targets for 10 yards. That should change this week against a Cowboys secondary that has been chewed to pieces by injuries, and the Commanders badly need this win.

Sit of the Week

Rico Dowdle, RB, Dallas Cowboys [DraftKings DFS Value: $5,500]: The Commanders aren't especially stout against the run, but the Cowboys have spent most of this season at the bottom of the NFC in rushing, and the odds of a positive game script this week are as good as the odds of winning the Powerball jackpot.

Sleeper

Washington Commanders Defense [DraftKings DFS Value: $3,500]: The Commanders haven't been a great fantasy defense in 2024, ranked 19th in fantasy points for the season. But Dallas has given up the sixth-most fantasy points per game to defenses in 2024, and it has only gotten worse since Dak Prescott got hurt.

Stat to Know

93. That's how many receiving yards Dallas wideout CeeDee Lamb had a week ago on eight catches. It was a big improvement over Cooper Rush's first start of the season, and Lamb's target volume has remained high—22 over the last two games. The three-time Pro Bowler's fantasy value has taken a hit. but he's still an every-week must-start capable of making his way into the top 10.

Key Injuries

The Denver Broncos roll into Sin City in red-hot form after blasting the Atlanta Falcons last week. They also enter Week 12 in good shape where injuries are concerned—no big names on offense are on the injury report.

The Raiders aren't so fortunate. Running backs Alexander Mattison (ankle) and Zamir White (quad) both left last week's loss to the Miami Dolphins, and both backs are doubtful for Week 12.

Start of the Week

Bo Nix, QB, Denver Broncos [DraftKings DFS Value: $6,300]: Nix has steadily improved as his rookie season has progressed, and he's now seventh among all quarterbacks in fantasy points. The Raiders have been a plus matchup for QBs this year, giving up the ninth-most fantasy points per game to the position.

Sit of the Week

Jakobi Meyers, WR, Las Vegas Raiders [DraftKings DFS Value: $5,100]: The Raiders have sputtered offensively most of the season, and Sunday likely won't be any different—cornerback Patrick Surtain II and the Denver defense ranks seventh against the pass and 29th in PPR points per game allowed to wide receivers.

Sleeper

Devaughn Vele, WR, Denver Broncos [DraftKings DFS Value: $3,900]: Vele has quietly put together back-to-back double-digit PPR point outings, and the rookie appears to be emerging as Denver's No. 2 wide receiver. Over that two-week span, he is 23rd among all wide receivers in PPR points.

Stat to Know

75.2. The number of rushing yards the Raiders have averaged per game this season, which ranks dead-last in the NFL. Meanwhile, the Broncos are one of seven teams averaging less than 100 rushing yards allowed per game this year. With both Mattison and White iffy for Week 12, the entire Raiders offense beyond Brock Bowers should be avoided.

Key Injuries

The San Francisco 49ers are a .500 team in part because of injuries that have dogged the team all season.

Week 12 is no different. Tight end George Kittle (hamstring) is questionable, although the tight end has said he fully intends to play Sunday. However, quarterback Brock Purdy (shoulder) has been ruled out.

The home team in this important NFC showdown has no such issues. The Green Bay Packers don't have any offensive players of note on the injury report except running back Josh Jacobs, who has been playing through minor injuries for weeks.

Start of the Week

Josh Jacobs, RB, Green Bay Packers [DraftKings DFS Value: $6,800]: Jacobs is coming off a big game, totaling 134 yards and a score against the Chicago Bears. The 49ers aren't a great fantasy matchup for running backs, but Jacobs should be a focal point of the Green Bay offense in Week 12.

Sit of the Week

Jauan Jennings, WR, San Francisco 49ers [DraftKings DFS Value: $5,600]: It wasn't bad enough that the Packers aren't an especially favorable matchup for wide receivers. Now, Jennings will be catching passes from a backup quarterback. It's far from an ideal situation.

Sleeper

Romeo Doubs, WR, Green Bay Packers [DraftKings DFS Value: $4,600]: Doubs only has 45 receiving yards over the past two games, and the Niners aren't a great matchup for wide receivers. But the target share is so spread out in Green Bay that he could easily be this week's Christian Watson and blow up. It's a lottery ticket—but one that could pay off big.

Stat to Know

3.7. Christian McCaffrey's average yards per carry in the two games since his return to action. However, thanks to his role in San Francisco's passing game, he has surpassed 100 total yards in both contests. The three-time Pro Bowler has yet to find the end zone, but a touchdown is coming and so is his first monster game of the season—quite possibly in Week 12.

Key Injuries

The Arizona Cardinals are in first place in the NFC West, and they head to Seattle for a big division game with an offense at full strength. No one of interest to fantasy managers is on the injury report.

It's a similar situation with the Seahawks. As they try to move into a first-place tie with Arizona, they do so with an offense that is at full strength.

Start of the Week

James Conner, RB, Arizona Cardinals [DraftKings DFS Value: $6,500]: Conner has played a big role in Arizona's fifth-ranked ground game, averaging just over 15 PPR points per game. The Seahawks have had issues against the run, surrendering the 11th-most PPR points per game to running backs.

Sit of the Week

Geno Smith, QB, Seattle Seahawks [DraftKings DFS Value: $5,700]: Smith has had his moments this season, but he has also had his share of struggles and turnovers. The Arizona defense is better than many realize as well, relegating him to middling QB2 territory this week.

Sleeper

Trey Benson, RB, Arizona Cardinals [DraftKings DFS Value: $4,500]: Benson has seen his role in the Arizona offense grow in recent weeks, turning 12 touches into 87 total yards. Given Seattle's 27th-ranked run defense, it's not outside the realm of reason that both Conner and Benson could post solid stat lines this week.

Stat to Know

290. That's how many receiving yards Jaxon Smith-Njigba has amassed in his last two games after following up his monster 7/180/2 stat line in Week 9 against the Los Angeles Rams with 10 catches for 110 yards in last week's win over the 49ers. Smith-Njigba is now a top-10 fantasy receiver for the season in PPR points.

Key Injuries

The Philadelphia Eagles are one of the NFL's hottest teams, but they have a couple potentially significant injuries. Wide receiver DeVonta Smith (hamstring) missed practice Wednesday, while quarterback Jalen Hurts was limited with a sore ankle. Hurts will play in Week 12. Smith will not.

The Rams are healthier and will try to maintain pace in the NFC West with a healthy offense, which is a rarity for L.A. this season.

Start of the Week

Dallas Goedert, TE, Philadelphia Eagles [DraftKings DFS Value: $4,500]: Goedert had a solid outing against the Commanders last week, catching five passes for 61 yards. This week, he faces a Rams defense that has surrendered the eighth-most PPR points per game to tight ends this season.

Sit of the Week

Kyren Williams, RB, Los Angeles Rams [DraftKings DFS Value: $7,400]: For the season, Williams has been a top-10 fantasy back. But he hasn't had 12 PPR points in a game since Week 8 and draws a tough Week 12 matchup with an Eagles defense surrendering less than 100 yards per game on the ground.

Sleeper

Demarcus Robinson, WR, Los Angeles Rams [DraftKings DFS Value: $4,100]: Admittedly, this is a long-shot play as the Eagles are exponentially better against the pass this year than last. But with Philly paying so much attention to Puka Nacua and Cooper Kupp, Robinson may just get behind the defense for a long one.

Stat to Know

113.7. That's how many rushing yards per game Saquon Barkley has averaged in his first season with the Eagles. In addition to leading the NFC in rushing yards with 1,137, he has also caught 23 passes for 210 yards and found the end zone 10 times. Only Derrick Henry of the Baltimore Ravens has more PPR points among running backs than Barkley.

Key Injuries

Monday night's "Harbaugh Bowl" could be one of the more exciting games of Week 12: The NFL's No. 1 offense in yardage against its stingiest defense in terms of points allowed.

The game will also be played by two full-strength offenses. Neither the Ravens nor Chargers have any big offensive names in real jeopardy of missing this game, although Chargers wideout Ladd McConkey (shoulder) is questionable after some missed practice time.

Start of the Week

Ladd McConkey, WR, Los Angeles Chargers [DraftKings DFS Value: $6,000]: McConkey has quickly emerged as the Chargers' top wideout, and the rookie should have plenty of chances to rack up YAC Monday night. The Ravens have spent much of the season atop the NFL in PPR points per game allowed to wide receivers.

Sit of the Week

J.K. Dobbins, RB, Los Angeles Chargers [DraftKings DFS Value: $7,000]: Dobbins had the game-sealing touchdown run for the Chargers in last week's win over the Cincinnati Bengals. But yardage on the ground could be hard to come by against the Ravens, which have given up an AFC-low 77.5 yards per game on the ground.

Sleeper

Quentin Johnston, WR, Los Angeles Rams [DraftKings DFS Value: $4,900]: Johnston may still not look the part of a first-round pick, but the second-year pro has made major strides as a player in 2024. That should continue against Baltimore's tissue-paper defense in a game with more than a little shootout potential.

Stat to Know

117.3. Lamar Jackson's league-leading passer rating. He also leads the league in touchdown percentage and air yards per attempt and has thrown 25 touchdown passes against just three interceptions through 11 games. He's the reigning NFL MVP, but he's playing better this year than in 2023. Who's up to go back-to-back?

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Gary Davenport is a two-time Fantasy Sports Writers Association Football Writer of the Year. Follow him on X at @IDPSharks.