Start ‘Em Sit ‘Em Week 12

Start ‘Em Sit ‘Em Week 12

It’s crunch time for those of you on the outside of the playoffs looking in. There’s a really good chance your league’s fantasy trade deadline has passed, and you’re banking heavily on making the right decisions for week 12. The weather played a small role in games last week, and is something to consider moving forward. Those Dome game matchups look extra appealing right about now as the temperature is starting to drop. Also, with the NFL season in peak form, injuries are piling up, so pay close attention to things like starting offensive linemen out when deciding on your QB and RB starts, and target bad defenses that have been playing hurt or have backups in this week. 

As always, when in doubt, trust your gut over my picks. I’m good at fantasy, but it’s your team.

Fantasy Football Week 12 Start Recommendations

Jacoby Brissett

Matchup: Cardinals vs. Jaguars

Brissett just set an NFL record with 47 completions in Week 11, throwing for 452 yards against the 49ers. He’s finished as a top-12 fantasy QB in all five starts since taking over for Kyler Murray, and the volume is off the charts. This week, he faces a Jaguars defense that allows the 13th-most fantasy points to quarterbacks. With Michael Wilson thriving as his WR1 and Arizona likely playing from behind again, expect another 50+ pass attempts. Brissett is a rock-solid QB1 streamer for Week 12.

David Montgomery

Matchup: Lions vs. Giants

Montgomery remains a touchdown machine despite sharing carries with Jahmyr Gibbs, but in a blowout, he could get more garbage time than usual. Montgomery scored in 75% of games with Detroit and has five rushing TDs through 11 weeks. The Giants rank among the league’s worst run defenses, and Detroit’s high-powered offense leads the NFL in scoring. Montgomery dominates near the goal line with elite efficiency. The Lions should control this game from start to finish, creating multiple red-zone opportunities. Fire up Montgomery as a confident RB2 with touchdown upside in what projects as a blowout victory.

Kareem Hunt

Matchup: Chiefs vs. Colts (Bye Week Replacement)

With the Chiefs at 5-5 and desperate to avoid falling below .500, expect Andy Reid to lean heavily on the ground game against Indianapolis. Hunt has proven reliable when given opportunities, and the Colts just came off a bye week, which could lead to early rust. Kansas City needs to control the clock and keep its defense fresh. Hunt offers safe volume as the primary back in this crucial AFC matchup. He’s an ideal bye-week fill-in with a solid floor of 12-15 touches and touchdown potential in a game the Chiefs must win.

Michael Wilson

Matchup: Cardinals vs. Jaguars

Wilson exploded for 15 catches and 185 yards last week with Marvin Harrison Jr. sidelined. If Harrison remains out with his concussion/appendectomy, Wilson is a must-start WR2. He’s developed excellent chemistry with Jacoby Brissett, who’s attempting 50+ passes weekly. The Jaguars have allowed the most fantasy points to perimeter receivers since Week 6, making this a dream matchup. Arizona will play from behind, forcing Brissett to air it out constantly. Wilson’s volume is guaranteed—ride this hot hand while the opportunity lasts in a pass-heavy game script.

Alec Pierce

Matchup: Colts vs. Chiefs

Pierce has been scorching hot, catching 17-of-35 targets for 366 yards over his last four games before Indianapolis’ bye week. The rest should have him fresh and ready for this primetime matchup. Kansas City’s secondary has been vulnerable all season, ranking middle-of-the-pack against deep threats = Pierce’s specialty. As (arguably) the Colts’ primary vertical weapon, Pierce will get chances downfield in what should be a high-scoring AFC showdown. With the Colts at 8-2 and rolling, Pierce offers tremendous WR3/flex upside with big-play ability.

Mack Hollins

Matchup: Patriots vs. Bengals (Bye Week Replacement)

Hollins is coming off a massive 6-catch, 106-yard performance in Week 10 and has emerged as Drake Maye’s most reliable target. With Ja’Marr Chase suspended, Cincinnati’s defense will focus heavily on shutting down Tee Higgins, potentially opening opportunities underneath for New England. The Patriots desperately need weapons, and Hollins’ 6’4″ frame makes him a red-zone threat. He’s seeing consistent volume as the X-receiver and provides a safe floor for managers dealing with bye weeks. Consider him a low-end WR3/flex play with touchdown upside.

Van Jefferson

Matchup: Titans vs. Seahawks (Deep Leagues Only)

Jefferson sits fourth on Tennessee’s depth chart, but with injuries, he could shoot up to the top. The Titans face a Seahawks team that just gave up big plays to the Rams in Week 11. Tennessee desperately needs any offensive production after going 1-9, and Jefferson brings veteran experience with three Super Bowl rings. He’s shown flashes in preseason with 102 yards and a touchdown.

In deep leagues starved for options, Jefferson offers dart-throw upside if the Titans surprisingly keep it competitive. Only start him if you’re completely desperate—he’s a true high-risk, high-reward flier.

Noah Fant

Matchup: Bengals vs. Patriots

With Mike Gesicki on injured reserve and Ja’Marr Chase suspended, Fant has become Joe Burrow’s safety valve. He’s caught 14-of-16 targets for 149 yards and two touchdowns over the past four weeks, providing precisely what you want from a streaming tight end—volume and red-zone looks. The Patriots rank middle-of-the-pack against tight ends, and Cincinnati will lean on Tee Higgins getting double-teamed. Fant offers a rock-solid TE1 floor this week with Burrow spreading the ball around to overcome Chase’s absence.

Fantasy Football Week 12 Sit Recommendations

Jordan Love

Matchup: Packers vs. Vikings (if you have better options)

Love and the Packers face a tough divisional matchup against the Vikings in Week 12, which has been stingy at home. Green Bay’s receiving corps is decimated, with Tucker Kraft out for the season with an ACL injury, limiting Love’s weapons significantly. The Vikings will likely control tempo and clock, reducing Love’s passing volume. The WRs haven’t been consistent, making Love too touchdown-dependent. If you have a safer QB option with a better matchup or more reliable weapons, bench Love this week. He’s a risky QB2 at best.

Ashton Jeanty

Matchup: Raiders vs. Browns

Jeanty had his worst game as a pro in Week 11, managing just six carries for 7 yards as Las Vegas abandoned the run in a blowout loss. Now he faces Cleveland’s dominant defensive front that ranks among the league’s best against the run. The Raiders’ offensive line is porous, and the game script could quickly turn negative again. At just 6 rushes and 12 total touches in Week 11, the volume isn’t there when Vegas falls behind early. Jeanty is a volume-dependent back trapped in a dysfunctional offense—sit him this week.

Romeo Doubs

Matchup: Packers vs. Vikings

Doubs has been inconsistent all season, and the loss of Tucker Kraft hurts the entire passing attack’s efficiency. Minnesota’s defense will challenge Green Bay’s depleted receiving corps, and Doubs hasn’t shown the consistency needed for fantasy managers during playoff pushes. His touchdown-dependent approach makes him volatile week to week. Without a reliable secondary option emerging alongside him, defenses can focus attention on Green Bay’s limited weapons. Christian Watson has been stealing red-zone looks recently. Doubs is a risky WR3/flex at best—if you have safer options, use them instead.