Week 12 of the NFL season has already gotten off to a wild start, and we haven’t even played a down of football yet. Adrian Peterson had the rug pulled out from underneath of him by commissioner Roger Goodell, and will now miss the remainder of the 2014 season. Disgruntled RBs LeGarrett Blount and Ben Tate were both cut, but have already been picked up by the Patriots and Vikings respectively. The Buffalo Bills/ NY Jets game appears to may not even be taking place because of a snowmageddon event in western NY. Oh, and some guy named Josh Gordon will be making his season debut. The fantasy football trade deadline passed on Wednesday, and many teams were making that final push for the playoffs. Week 12 will be very important for seeding and securing that coveted playoff spot. Make sure you are putting out your optimal lineup for production and let the fantasy football gods take it from here.
Quarterbacks to Start
Tony Romo, Cowboys: The New York Giants are on a 5-game losing streak, and that locker room appears to be falling apart at the seams. The Giants Defense gives up the 10th most fantasy points to opposing QBs, and Romo ranks as the 11th ranked QB in fantasy points per game. The Cowboys are the only NFL team left with an undefeated record on the road (4-0), and Romo lit up the Giants secondary for 3 TDs in week 7. The last 2 weeks of rest should be sufficient time for Romo’s back to have healed up and you can trust him in your fantasy lineup for week 12
Mark Sanchez, Eagles: Sanchez is coming off of a game that reminded everyone of the guy who played as a NYJ, luckily for him he gets the Tennessee Titans defense coming to Philadelphia on Sunday. Sanchez will be able to take advantage of Chip Kelly’s QB friendly system which has allowed Sanchez to remain fantasy relevance with an average of 17 points per game. Look for Sanchez to get Jeremy Maclin back involved in the passing game, and for Sanchez to cut down on the turnovers.
Josh McCown, Bucs: Since McCown has taken back over the QB job in Tampa he has put up consecutive weeks of 19 fantasy points, and now will get a chance at revenge when he faces his old Chicago Bears teammates on Sunday. The Bears allow the 4th most fantasy points per game to opposing QBs at 19.5, so it might be safe to assume that McCown could at least meet that mark.
Quarterbacks to Sit
Phillip Rivers, Chargers: Reports are that Rivers may have injured his ribs last Sunday, but the Chargers are trying to deny it. Either way, Rivers hasn’t exceeded 20 fantasy points since week 7 against Oakland. Seeing how the Rams just handled Peyton Manning and the Broncos, I would be a little apprehensive about having Rivers in my lineup this week if I needed a win to stay in playoff contention.
Robert Griffin III, Redskins: Is there any way that you can trust Griffin after those comments his head coach made about his play on the field last Sunday?
Andy Dalton, Bengals: Dalton is as up and down as one can be regarding fantasy QB options. Last week he was riding high in New Orleans, this week he should come down a bit facing a good Houston Texans defensive front. The last thing that I want is a QB who hangs on to the ball too long in the pocket facing JJ Watt.
Running Backs to Start
Eddie Lacy, Packers: Eddie Lacy’s rushing numbers haven’t been mind blowing, but he has gone 2 consecutive weeks with receiving TD’s, and he is still the primary goal line back. In a Packers offense that seems to be putting up 50 points every week, having shares of the starting RB will reap major fantasy rewards.
Rashad Jennings, Giants: Jennings was able to shoulder a good portion of the workload last week in a tough matchup against the 49ers, and will probably be able to do a little more this week against the rival Cowboys. The Cowboys allow the 6th most yards per carry, and Jennings is coming of an 18 carry performance in week 11. Giants/Cowboys games are usually competitive and I would expect this contest to be no different, allowing the Giants to stay dedicated to the run and Jennings to produce in your lineup.
Isaiah Crowell, Browns: Isaiah Crowell seems primed and ready to take over as the starting RB in Cleveland after the Browns surprisingly released 2014 FA signing Ben Tate. Crowell has been the best performer in the Browns backfield all season, and with one less mouth to feed in the backfield, Crowell can take advantage of his opportunity. Terrance West is still present in the backfield, but as long as Crowell can keep his fumbles down, the job appears to be his. The Falcons defense has allowed the most rushing TDs all season and Crowell is a good candidate to find the end zone Sunday.
Running Backs to Sit
Alfred Morris, Redskins: Morris continues to be the lone bright spot on the Redskins this season. If you watch Redskins games, he looks like the same guy who ran for over 1,400 yards his first 2 years in the league, but the poor QB play is virtually killing his fantasy value. The 49ers defense allows the 4th fewest fantasy points to opposing RBs, which does not bode well for Morris week 12.
Andre Ellington, Cardinals: The Seahawks defense may not be the juggernaut from 2013, but they still rank as the 6th defense against opposing fantasy RBs. Ellington is averaging 1.96 yards per carry over his last 2 games and teams will continue to load the box, now that Drew Stanton instead of Carson Palmer is starting at QB.
Tre Mason, Rams: Tre Mason has taken over as the running downs back in St. Louis, but his ceiling is capped because of his lack of goal line touches and the fact that he comes off the field on 3rd downs for Benny Cunningham. Mason is a great deep-league or dynast league player, but for 10-12 team leagues, he might not be the best start for teams in the playoff hunt.
Wide Receivers to Start
Odell Beckham, Giants: Odell Beckham has produced at least 9 fantasy points in 5 straight games and the arrow is only pointing up. Beckham faced Dallas in week 7 and scorched them for 2 TDs. In that game Beckham saw just 6 targets, but since then he has seen 11, 9, and 13 targets from Eli Manning.
Julio Jones, Falcons: Julio has not scored a TD since week 3. With the Falcons getting new life having caught up to the Saints in the extremely weak NFC South, expect Matt Ryan to lean on his best weapon to keep their season alive.
Josh Gordon, Browns: The number one fantasy WR from 2013 is back and facing the 26th ranked Falcons pass defense. Start him.
Wide Receivers to Sit
Mohamed Sanu, Bengals: The Bengals offense just doesn’t pass enough to be able to support to fantasy relevant WRs and with AJ Green back fully healthy, he will continue to receive the lions-share of the targets. Sanu is a fantasy afterthought unless Green’s toe starts to act up again.
Emmanuel Sanders, Broncos: Sanders is coming off of a very serious concussion in Sunday’s loss to the Rams and until he passes the NFL’s concussion protocol, fantasy owners should make alternative plan.
Larry Fitzgerald, Cardinals: Insert WR facing Richard Sherman.
Tight Ends to Start
Coby Fleener, Colts: With Dwayne Allen likely out, Fleener has the potential to be a top 10 TE play against the Jaguars defense. The Jags rank 23rd against TEs in fantasy points and Fleener should have plenty of opportunities to shine.
Niles Paul, Redskins: Niles Paul has had a fairly productive season totaling 33 catches for 446 yards and a TD in pretty much spot duty behind Jordan Reed. With Reed re-aggravating his hamstring injury, Paul will have an opportunity to take advantage of the 49ers defense who rank 20th against opposing TEs in terms of fantasy points.
Tight Ends to Sit
Charles Clay, Dolphins: Clay has been underwhelming as a fantasy TE after finishing 2013 as a top 10 play. Clay will have his hands full facing the Broncos defense that ranks 14 against opposing TE’s. The TE position is such a crapshoot, that I cannot be mad at owners who are forced to play him this week, just temper expectations.
Jermaine Gresham, Bengals: Last week Gresham scored 2 TDs on 2 targets. His only 2 TDs of the season. No way is that sustainable, and smart fantasy players don’t chase TDs.
Defense and Special Teams to Start
Indianapolis Colts: Insert Defense facing the Jaguars
Green Bay Packers: The Packers defense should be able to take advantage of rookie QB Teddy Bridgewater and turn him over, and the packers have proven that they know how to convert turnovers to TD’s as their unit has scored 4 TDs in the last 2 games.