Start 'Em
Quarterbacks
Drake Maye vs. MIA
Drake Maye had yet another solid fantasy performance, throwing for 282 yards and 2 TDs. Since becoming the starter for New England, Maye has exceeded all expectations, averaging 202 passing yards a game and throwing 9 TD passes. Maye has been a breath of fresh air in what is a horrendous Patriots offense. This week, Maye and the Patriots go up against Miami. Though Miami's defense has done well against QBs when it comes to limiting fantasy production, Maye has been pretty matchup-proof since becoming the starter. Producing solid results against defenses like Houston, NYJ, Tennessee, and Chicago proves he is battle-tested and able to overcome his matchup. Start Maye this week against the Dolphins.
Baker Mayfield vs. NYG
Coming off a bye in Week 11, Baker Mayfield is primed for another stellar fantasy performance against the Giants. Even being without his top two wideouts for multiple weeks, Mayfield has been fantastic. He is top ten in passing yards (9th with 2,505) and passing TDs (3rd with 24), all of which bodes well for his fantasy production. It is also likely that Mayfield will get his top wide receiver, Mike Evans, back from injury this week, boosting his potential production even more. Mayfield goes up against the Giants this week, who rank 9th in fantasy points allowed per game to QBs. With Evans back, Mayfield becomes a must-start every week going forward.
Running Backs
Brian Robinson Jr. vs. DAL
Coming back from a two-week absence due to a hamstring injury, Brian Robinson Jr. capitalized on his opportunities in Week 11. Robinson Jr. carried the ball 16 times for 63 yards and a TD. Though his counterpart Austin Ekeler handles the receiving duties, Robinson Jr. is the clear RB1 in Washington when healthy. Averaging 65.5 rushing yards a game (4.5 per carry), Robinson Jr.'s volume in the running game is abundantly clear. The Commanders' lead back has an extremely favorable matchup against the Cowboys in Week 12. Dallas ranks 4th in fantasy points allowed to RBs, as well as 2nd in rushing yards allowed per game (151). Robinson Jr. is primed for a big day, which should warrant him a start in Week 12.
James Conner vs. SEA
Coming off a bye in Week 11, Week 12 is looking like another James Conner-type week. Conner has been an absolute workhorse this year, averaging 15.9 carries (4.4 yards per carry) and 69.7 rushing yards a game so far this season. He also ranks in the top 20 in rushing TDs with 5. Conner has also been more involved in the passing game this year too, his most recent example being the 5 reception, 80-yard performance in Week 10. Conner has a good matchup this week against Seattle. Seattle ranks 6th in rushing yards allowed per game (138.6) and 11th in fantasy points per game to RBs. Though some may see Conner as an every-week start, managers should feel confident in a James Conner masterclass this week.
Wide Receivers
Josh Downs vs. DET
Josh Downs has been exceptional so far this season, with last week being the most recent example. Downs caught all five of his targets for 84 yards and a TD. Downs' volume this year has increased significantly, emerging as QB Anthony Richardson's favorite target and the WR1 in Indy. Ranking in the top-15 in receptions this year (50) puts Downs in the conversation among the elite pass catchers in the NFL so far this season. Downs' next opponent is the Lions, who are elite in their own right, but not when it comes to fantasy. Detroit ranks 4th in fantasy points allowed to WRs, as well as being the 6th worst passing defense in the league (232.7 passing yards allowed per game). With a slot receiver whose volume is among the elite, it is safe to say that Josh Downs is primed for a big week.
Jauann Jennings vs. GB
Jauan Jennings had an elite pass-catching day against the Seahawks in Week 11. He caught 10 of his 11 targets for 91 yards and a TD. With Aiyuk out for the year and Deebo Samuel struggling, Jennings has taken advantage of his opportunities, producing multiple elite fantasy weeks so far this season. Since coming off their bye a couple of weeks ago, QB Brock Purdy has targeted Jennings a lot (11 times in both weeks). Jennings has improved greatly this season, and the trust with Purdy seems to be getting stronger as the year has gone on. Jennings may not have the most favorable matchup this week against Green Bay; however, his volume and ability to get open in the middle of the field warrant him a start until proven otherwise.
Tight Ends
Luke Schoonmaker vs. WAS
Luke Schoonmaker was clutch in relief of TE Jake Ferguson last week, catching 6 of his 10 targets for 56 yards. Yes, starting a backup TE may be a risk, but it is also one worth taking if Schoonmaker gets the volume he got last week. His opponent this week, the Commanders, is among the middle of the pack when it comes to fantasy points allowed by TEs, but with the Cowboys' offense in shambles, QB Cooper Rush may look to a safety blanket like Schoonmaker a lot with Ferguson injured.
Dallas Goedert vs. LAR
Goedert has been productive since coming back from injury in Week 10. Last week, the Eagles' TE1 caught all five of his targets for 61 yards. Though the stats do not jump off the page, any sort of production like Goedert has had the past two weeks is enough to be satisfied with for the TE position. Goedert also has a favorable matchup against the Rams, who rank 7th in points allowed to TEs and 11th in passing yards allowed (222.8). In a high-powered offense like Philly's, Goedert is almost a sure thing to be involved in some way when he's on the field. Fantasy managers should slot Goedert in as their TE1 against a poor Rams defense.
Sit 'Em
Quarterbacks
Kyler Murray vs SEA
Murray has been up and down for most of the season but travels to Seattle for a divisional matchup and I don't like it for him. Seattle only ranks 15th against Quarterbacks in Fantasy this season, but they've excelled in divisional games for years now and have forced a turnover from opposing QBs in 5 straight games.
Murray has done very well this year to limit his turnovers and is coming off a 3-TD performance in his last performance two weeks ago against the Jets so he may appeal to a lot of people this week but the difficulty of a divisional game in Seattle can't be understated.
Jordan Love vs SF
Last week, Love had the best performance he's had in the last 4 weeks. He also threw another interception, meaning he's thrown at least one every game this season. The problem is that he's facing a San Francisco defense that is showing signs of returning to their 2023 form as of late. The 49ers defense ranks 10th against Fantasy QBs this season. Tied for 6th in the league in interceptions, the 49ers' defense will look to make Love as uncomfortable as possible and likely will make him throw 1 or more this weekend.
Love is averaging 250 yards, 2 TDs, and 1.5 INTs per game this season in a great example of a roller coaster season. Unfortunately for him, he hasn't put up a great fantasy week since Week 6 against the Cardinals. With another tough matchup ahead of him, he's unlikely to break his slump this week and should be avoided at all costs.
Running Backs
Chuba Hubbard vs KC
The lone bright spot on the Panthers, Hubbard has exceeded all expectations this season but runs into a brick wall in Kansas City this weekend. After an 8-week stretch where he scored less than 10 points only once, he now faces off against the Chiefs who are #1 against Fantasy RBs this season. Specifically, the Chiefs excel in preventing rushing TDs and preventing RBs from receptions and receiving yards. Hubbard has feasted on TDs this season and 20+ rush games.
The Chiefs SHOULD be up by two scores early in this one which will limit the carries Hubbard may see, at least on paper. This game is an absolute nightmare for Chuba's Fantasy owners and should only be used as an emergency FLEX option if you have no one else.
J.K. Dobbins vs BAL
Speaking as a Dobbins-owner in two Fantasy leagues, this one hurts. The soon-to-be Comeback Player of the Year has been excellent in the last 6 weeks but will almost certainly fall off against Baltimore. Having one of the best interior defenders in the game, Baltimore is ranked 7th in Fantasy against RBs and has let up 1 10-point game to an RB in their last 4 matchups. With the Chargers seemingly changing to a more pass-heavy offense as of late, Dobbins' production in this game should take a hit.
The bigger reason for Dobbins' inclusion on this list is the emergence of Hassan Haskins in goal-line scenarios. While it's nothing to be worried about just yet, the Chargers gave Haskins 4 carries within the 10-yard line last week. With Dobbins' workload being the most of his career to this point, it isn't crazy to believe the Chargers will mix up the carries a little more moving forward.
Wide Receivers
Justin Jefferson vs CHI
ANOTHER player on two of my Fantasy leagues, this one really pains me. As consistent of a player in the league this season, Jefferson's divisional matchup in Chicago will be his most difficult of the season. Jefferson hasn't struggled per se against Fantasy-top-ranked defenses this season, but he has had his worst performances against them. In his three matchups against Top-10-WR defenses, Jefferson is averaging 6 catches for 86 yards and has scored 1 touchdown total.
Still decent numbers even if not up to the superstar's par, none of those defenses were divisional opponents and none were as good as the Bears' has been this year. While claiming "you should SIT Jefferson" may be going too far, I strongly suggest considering other options and benching him if you have good receivers with better matchups.
Ceedee Lamb vs WAS
Another Top-3 WR this year you should bench this week, Ceedee is truly as talented as any playmaker, but his benching can be summed up in two words:
Cooper Rush.
Lamb has seen his production go down since Prescott went down and hasn't scored a TD in those three weeks. While Lamb remains the #1 option in Dallas, safety nets like Dowdle and Ferguson will be targeted more and more leaving Lamb with less opportunities to break a big play. Seeing as Cooper Rush has led the team to only 16 points in his 3 games, Lamb should be on your bench of a possible FLEX option and may not return to a WR1 status for the rest of the season.
Tight Ends
David Njoku vs PIT
Another week of TE meets Pittsburgh's defense and lands on your Fantasy bench. Giving up 75 yards last week to Mark Andrews was the most they've surrendered this season but remain the #1 defense against TE touchdowns, having only give up 1 in their last 6 contests. The Browns have been a terrible offense all year besides the one game against Baltimore and have almost no chance of turning that around in a short week against arguably the best defense in the NFL.
Njoku has also been dealing with a knee injury over the last couple days meaning he won't see as many snaps as he has been as of late. Garnering at least 7 targets in his last 5 games, Njoku is a reliable option most weeks but deserves a seat this week.
Tucker Kraft vs SF
On the latest edition of stud TE takes a slide, middle-ish season standout Tucker Kraft has been less than impressive in his last two contests. Firmly solidifying his spot on the bench until he does something to change his fantasy owners' minds, Kraft dropped a goose egg in his last game with only 5.4 points in the game before.
Strongly TD-dependent, Kraft will struggle again this week in San Francisco, who ranks 5th against TEs this year anyway.
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-Z.D.
-Matt Hylen
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