We only have a couple of weeks left before the fantasy football playoffs start in some leagues. If you’re on the cusp of making it in your league, making the correct start ‘em sit ‘em picks could be the difference. Let’s discuss what to expect from a couple of players at each position based on their respective matchups in Week 12.
Fantasy Football Advice: Week 12 Start ‘Em Sit ‘Em Picks
Quarterback: Start ‘Em
Derek Carr, LV (at ATL)
Carr is on pace for one of the best seasons of his career. After throwing 22 or fewer touchdown passes in each of the last three seasons, he already has 19 through 10 games. His completion rate has also remained high at 69.7%, which would be the second-highest mark of his career. Things couldn’t set up much better for him in this matchup against the Falcons, who have allowed the second-most passing yards per game and are tied for the second-most passing touchdowns allowed in the league.
Quarterback: Sit ‘Em
Baker Mayfield, CLE (at JAC)
This might seem like a favorable matchup to take a chance on starting Mayfield if you are thin at quarterback. The Jaguars have not only allowed an average of 29.8 points per game, but they have also allowed the fourth-most passing yards per contest. However, this game also has blowout potential with Mike Glennon set to start for the Jaguars. The Browns already run the ball a lot, so Mayfield might not be needed to throw much to help the Browns earn a victory. It’s also concerning that Mayfield has thrown one or no touchdown passes in four of his last five games. He’s a no-go pick in Week 12.
Running Back: Start ‘Em
Wayne Gallman, NYG (at CIN)
The Giants will remain without Devonta Freeman (ankle) for this game, meaning Gallman should once again receive the majority of their carries out of the backfield. Across the last three games with Freeman out, Gallman has rushed for 165 yards and four touchdowns. He even found his way into the end zone in Week 7 against the Eagles, which is the game that Freeman suffered the injury. The Bengals have allowed the fourth-most rushing yards per game, which also works in Gallman’s favor.
Running Back: Sit ‘Em
Darrell Henderson, LAR (vs. SF)
The Rams’ backfield is becoming a mess. When given the opportunity, Henderson has played well, registering at least 63 rushing yards or a touchdown in all five games in which he has received at least 12 carries. The problem is that he hasn’t received more than eight carries in any of the last three games, leaving him with a total of 80 yards and a touchdown. With Malcolm Brown and Cam Akers both healthy, Henderson could continue to receive limited work.
Wide Receiver: Start ‘Em
Travis Fulgham, PHI (vs. SEA)
It’s been a disastrous couple of weeks for Fulgham, who has two catches for 16 yards across the last two games. Carson Wentz has looked awful, which hasn’t helped his cause. On the bright side, Fulgham did receive 12 targets across those contests. This is a great matchup against a Seahawks team that has allowed the most passing yards per game, so it wouldn’t be a surprise to see Fulgham break out of his slump given that he is still receiving a significant number of targets.
Wide Receiver: Sit ‘Em
A.J. Green, CIN (vs. NYG)
The Bengals received tough news this week when star rookie quarterback Joe Burrow was diagnosed with a torn ACL and MCL. Not only will he be out for the rest of this season, but he could miss the start of 2021, as well. They will now turn to Brandon Allen, who had been on the practice squad, to start against the Giants. Across three appearances with the Broncos last season, Allen completed only 46.4% of his pass attempts for 515 yards, three touchdowns and two interceptions. Green has already been an inconsistent fantasy option, so the downgrade at quarterback isn’t likely to make things any better.
Tight End: Start ‘Em
Hayden Hurst, ATL (vs. LV)
A key injury situation to monitor is whether or not Julio Jones (hamstring) will be able to take the field for the Falcons. As of Friday morning, he appears to be trending towards being a game-time decision. If he were to be sidelined, then Hurst could see additional targets. Even if Jones does play, Hurst is still a viable starting option considering the Raiders have allowed the fifth-most passing yards per game. He’s a solid pick for Week 12.
Tight End: Sit ‘Em
Jared Cook, NO (at DEN)
Taysom Hill taking over at quarterback for the Saints was not good news for Cook last week, who caught his only target for six yards. Over the last three games, Cook has a total of three catches for 36 yards on six targets. What’s really concerning is that he played no more than 37.9% of their offensive snaps in any of those three contests. By comparison, he was on the field for at least 48.6% of their offensive snaps in five of their first six games. He’s very much reliant on touchdowns to provide value, which could be a problem against a Broncos team that has allowed only two touchdowns to tight ends all season.
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