Good grief. The running backs corps is becoming very weak in Fantasy, and once again we continue to be blindsided by sleepers having outstanding performances.
Luckily, this is the last week for bye weeks, so we’ll be able to play our starters down the Fantasy stretch. But I just hope you survived this long stretch of bye weeks, which I hate. It’s also almost Thanksgiving, so that is good news. Who could hate watching football and eating food all day? I can’t wait, but let’s get through Week 12 first.
The teams on byes this week are the Steelers and the Panthers. If you’re owners of players on those teams, or if you’re not, I’ll try to make your lineup decisions easier this weekend.
Remember: If you win, thank me. But if you lose: It’s your team. Let’s go.
Week 12 Start ‘Em Sit ‘Em
Start Of The Week: Denard Robinson at Indianapolis
Projected Fantasy Points: 16
Robinson comes off his bye red-hot, as he has been outstanding since taking over the starting role in the Jaguars’ backfield. Robinson has had double-digits in every game since becoming the starter, including a two TD performance last game. He gets a juicy matchup in this week against the Colts, a team that allowed Jonas Gray to rush for 199 yards and 4 TDs last week. The Colts have given up an average of 21 fantasy PPG to opposing running backs this season, which ranks 26th in the NFL. Robinson should have a monster game this week, maybe not 43 points like Gray, but he still should be started in all leagues.
Bust Alert Of The Week: Peyton Manning vs. Miami
Projected Fantasy Points: 23
This is an alert, not saying to sit Manning, but I’m just alerting you he could struggle. Last week, Peyton had a rare dud against the Rams, putting up just 16 fantasy points in standard leagues. To add, he lost two of his top weapons, Julius Thomas and Emmanuel Sanders to injuries. They both could be out this week, which certainly isn’t good news. He faces the Dolphins, which are red-hot, and have allowed the 2nd least fantasy points to opposing quarterbacks this season. I am in no way saying to sit Manning, but don’t be shocked if he doesn’t produce as much as you expect this week.
Quarterbacks Start ‘Em: Jay Cutler vs. Tampa Bay
Projected Fantasy Points: 27
Cutler re-joined fantasy relevance last week, as he threw for 330 yards and 3 TDs against the Vikings. The Bears’ offense looked a lot better in that game, and so did Cutler. The matchup is beautiful in Week 12, as the Bucs come to the windy city allowed the 28th most fantasy points to opposing quarterback this season. And although Cutler’s had a on and off year, he’s still thrown a TD pass in every game this season, and only had one game in single-digit points. Cutler is a must-start on Sunday.
Other QBs To Start: Ryan Tannehill (at DEN), Tony Romo (at NYG)
Quarterbacks Sit ‘Em: Robert Griffin III at San Francisco
Projected Fantasy Points: 13
Man, how I was wrong about RG3. He has just been so bad this season; both fantasy wise and real life. Griffin finally had his amazing matchup last week, at home against the Bucs, and he had just 14 fantasy points. He has yet to reach over 16 fantasy points in the games he’s played in this season, and he has also thrown an INT in each of his last two games. This week he’ll travel to San Francisco, where the 49ers allow just 16.4 fantasy PPG to opposing quarterbacks this season, ranking 8th in the league. Don’t jeopardize your playoff chances by starting Griffin this week.
Other QBs To Sit: Eli Manning (vs. DAL), Joe Flacco (at NO)
Running Backs Start ‘Em: Frank Gore vs. Washington
Projected Fantasy Points: 14
Gore has played well the last two weeks, rushing for 95 yards last week, and 81 yards and a TD the week before. Gore has seen at least 19 carries in each of his last two games. The 49ers’ offense has seemed to go back to the ground and pound, which means plenty of work for Gore. The matchup with Washington looks bad on paper, but we all know that the Redskins’ defense is very vulnerable. Gore should be very productive on Sunday, and I would start him.
Running Backs Start ‘Em: Trent Richardson vs. Jacksonville
Projected Fantasy Points: 12
Ahmad Bradshaw is out for the season after breaking his ankle, and Richardson will be the only primary back for the Colts going forward. That being said, he should see a lot of work, especially this week against the Jaguars. The Jags come in allowing the 26th most fantasy points to opposing running backs this season. With his expanded role, Richardson should do very well this week against the Jaguars, and for the immediate future.
Other RBs To Start: Isaiah Crowell (at ATL), Chris Ivory (at BUF), Tre Mason (at SD)
Running Backs Sit ‘Em: Jonas Gray vs. Detroit
Projected Fantasy Points: 7
Gray enters this week coming off of his 37 carry, 201 yard, 4 TD performance last week, which makes him really hard to sit. However, his matchup this week is very tough against the Lions, which have allowed an average of just 14.2 fantasy PPG to opposing running backs this season, ranking in the top 10 of the NFL. Running backs have not come at a luxury this year; however, don’t expect much from Gray this week, and if you could, sit him.
Other RBs To Sit: Joique Bell (at NE), Ryan Mathews (vs. STL), Darren McFadden (vs. KC)
Wide Receivers Start ‘Em: Roddy White vs. Cleveland
Projected Fantasy Points: 13
White has scored a TD in 2 out of his last three games, and has had over 70 yards in two straight games. This week he faces off against the Browns, which have allowed 2nd receivers to do very well against them. Usually, the teams top receiver will be blanketed by Joe Haden, which I expect to be Julio Jones, which opens things up for the 2nd receiver on the team (White). For example, Cleveland allowed DeAndre Hopkins had 80 yards last week. I expect White to have good yardage like Hopkins, but White should also score. And you should also start him.
Wide Receivers Start ‘Em: Odell Beckham Jr. vs. Dallas
Projected Fantasy Points: 14
Beckham is another receiver that continues to be productive, no matter what the matchup is. Beckham saw his lowest point total in three weeks last week, yet he still had 9 fantasy points. He has had at least 93 yards in three straight weeks, two of those games being over 100 yard games. This week, he faces the Cowboys, a team he had a two TD performance against a couple weeks back. Given his production, he is the number one target for the Giants, and a must-start in all leagues.
Other WRs To Start: Brandon LaFell (vs. DET), Wes Welker (vs. MIA), Vincent Jackson (at CHI)
Wide Receivers Sit ‘Em: Michael Floyd at Seattle
Projected Fantasy Points: 5
Don’t be fooled by Floyd’s two TD performance last week, he’s still struggling in fantasy. Last week, he caught two TDs, but those were his only catches in the game. That is troubling, plus his only production game in the 1st quarter, which were his two TDs. This week he faces Seattle, which has allowed the least fantasy points in the NFL to opposing receivers this season. I’m not trusting Floyd this week, and nor should you.
Other WRs To Sit: Allen Hurns (at IND), Doug Baldwin (vs. ARI), Mohammed Sanu (at HOU)
Tight Ends Start ‘Em: Charles Clay at Denver
Projected Fantasy Points: 9
Clay has been very inconsistent this season, but over the last couple of weeks, his targets have been there. Clay saw 9 targets against San Diego, 8 targets against Detroit, and 6 targets last week. One problem of his, though, is that he has been TD dependent. However, that TD could very well come this week, facing the Broncos, which have allowed the 30th most fantasy points to opposing tight ends this season. If you’re streaming tight ends, Clay is a start this week.
Other TEs To Start: Travis Kelce (at OAK), Austin Seferian-Jenkins (at CHI), Coby Fleener (vs. JAX)
Tight Ends Sit ‘Em: Owen Daniels at New Orleans
Projected Fantasy Points: 4
Daniels has not lived up to the expectations this season, only scoring once since Week 2. Daniel faces a tough foe on Monday Night, as the Saints have allowed the 2nd least fantasy points to opposing tight ends this season. I don’t expect Daniels to do much on MNF, so I wouldn’t start him.
Other TEs To Sit: Jermaine Gresham (at HOU), Antonio Gates (vs. STL)
Defense/Special Teams Start ‘Em: Kansas City Chiefs at Oakland
Projected Fantasy Points: 15
The Chiefs’ defense has been very productive, and has generated a lot of sacks, turnovers and special teams points this season. They get the Raiders this week, which allow plenty of sacks, and Derek Carr could get flustered by the pressure and throw a pick. They also generate special teams returns, with Knile Davis returning kicks. Kansas City’s defense is a very good fantasy option Thursday Night.
Other DSTs To Start: Packers (at MIN), Bills (vs. NYJ), Eagles (vs. TEN)
Defense/Special Teams Sit ‘Em: Miami Dolphins at Denver
Projected Fantasy Points: 6
Although the Dolphins’ defense has been on fire, they travel to Denver this week to take on Peyton Manning and the Broncos. The Broncos are banged up, but they are still one of the most prolific offenses in the NFL. Especially at home, Denver could put up points at will. Don’t jeopardize your playoff push by starting Miami on Sunday. There are certainly better options.
I hope everybody enjoyed this Week 12 Start ‘Em Sit ‘Em, and I’ll be back next week! Follow me on Twitter: @Nadelman99 for Fantasy talk, advice, or any questions you may have. Feedback on my articles is always appreciated.
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