Week 12 Start 'Em, Sit 'Em: Advice for Unfavorable Fantasy Football Matchups
Week 12 could be a tough one for fantasy football managers looking to make their playoff push. Injuries remain a factor, several top players will face unfavorable matchups, while six teams will be on bye.
The Atlanta Falcons, Buffalo Bills, Cincinnati Bengals, Jacksonville Jaguars, New Orleans Saints and New York Jets will be out of action.
As Thursday night's game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and Cleveland Browns showed, weather could be a factor in a few games too.
Some lineup calls will be easy, but limited options and less-than-desirable situations will undoubtedly lead to some difficult calls. Here, we'll examine some of the tougher decisions for Sunday and provide a few start-sit recommendations based on point-per-reception (PPR) scoring.
Start: Matthew Stafford, QB, Los Angeles Rams
The Los Angeles Rams are set to host the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday night. Over the past few weeks, the Eagles have quietly developed one of the league's better defenses, due in no small part to the rise of young defensive backs like Quinyon Mitchell.
Against the Washington Commanders in Week 11, Philly's defense held Jayden Daniels to just 191 passing yards with one touchdown and one interception. On the year, the Eagles have surrendered the fourth-fewest fantasy points to opposing quarterbacks.
It's a daunting matchup for Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford, but we're inclined to trust the savvy veteran. He's been mostly reliable since getting receivers Puka Nacua and Cooper Kupp back into the lineup.
His worst game in recent weeks was a 293-yard, one-interception performance against a strong Miami Dolphins pass defense. Better red-zone efficiency should allow him to pull through in this tough matchup.
Sit: Sam Darnold, QB, Minnesota Vikings
Interestingly, Stafford's recent rise has coincided with a slide by Minnesota Vikings quarterback Sam Darnold. The two faced off in Week 8, and in his three games since Darnold has turned the ball over seven times.
While Darnold did top 250 passing yards with two touchdowns in both Week 9 and Week 11, his newfound hobby of giving the ball to the other team is concerning. It's especially concerning in a difficult matchup.
The 27-year-old is at a point where he needs to find the end zone multiple times to deliver a quality fantasy performance. That'll be difficult this week against the Chicago Bears, who have allowed the fewest fantasy points to opposing quarterbacks in 2024.
Against Chicago last week, Jordan Love salvaged an otherwise forgettable fantasy outing (261 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT) with 18 rushing yards and a rushing score. Betting on Darnold to find the end zone with his legs is a dicey proposition.
Start: Tony Pollard, RB, Tennessee Titans
Managers may be inclined to steer away from Tennessee Titans running back Tony Pollard this week. Against Minnesota in Week 11, he tallied just nine carries for 16 yards as the Titans utilized more of a pass-first approach.
This week, Tennessee will visit the Houston Texans, who have allowed the sixth-fewest fantasy points to opposing running backs. However, Pollard should see a much higher volume of work this week.
No. 2 running back Tyjae Spears has been ruled out with a concussion, which should return Pollard to his every-down role. The two backs combined for four receptions in Week 11, and Pollard should now receive all of the backfield receiving work.
While Pollard's ceiling isn't particularly high this week, his PPR floor should deliver double-digit fantasy points. The possibility of a touchdown makes him a solid play on a Sunday short on options.
Sit: Chuba Hubbard, RB, Carolina Panthers
Chuba Hubbard has been the one dependable fantasy option on the Carolina Panthers roster, especially since Diontae Johnson was traded. However, he's a very risky play in Week 12 for two reasons.
For one, the Panthers are set to host the Kansas City Chiefs, who have allowed the fewest fantasy points to opposing running backs.
Secondly, Hubbard could lose his status as a high-volume back beginning this week. Head coach Dave Canales announced on Friday that Jonathon Brooks will "absolutely" make his NFL debut against Kansas City, according to NFL.com's Grant Gordon.
Brooks, the first running back taken in the 2024 draft, probably won't see an extensive workload right away. Even if he steals seven or eight touches from Hubbard, it could be enough to sink the veteran's fantasy floor.
Because of Carolina's backfield situation and a brutal matchup, managers who have other options should leave Hubbard on the bench this week.
*Fantasy scoring information from FantasyPros.