Fantasy Football Week 12: Start' Em Sit' Em

Start Em

Andy Dalton QB – Has anyone been in the league been as impressive in back to back losses as Dalton? In games against the Steelers and Ravens Dalton put up double digit fantasy points including over 20 in Baltimore. The Browns have the number one pass defense in the league but those numbers are skewed. There last two games have been at home vs. the Rams and Jaguars offenses which to say the least are the worst in the NFL. With or without A.J. Green, Dalton should continue his campaign for Rookie of the Year in an easy victory over a division rival. Anything less than 200 yards and two TD’s would be a disappointment.

Beanie Wells RB – Can’t say I am surprised about Wells being inconsistent. He’s been hampered by injuries all season long while playing behind one of the league’s worst offensive lines in the league. While it’s hard to smile about Wells erratic play, you can’t deny the man a matchup that he can take advantage of. The Cardinals are in St Louis on Sunday and while the Rams are solid against the pass, they have been overmatched against the run all season. St Louis is last in the league against the run giving up just fewer than 150 ypg. Beanie should get going in what could be his best fantasy game of the season.

Read more of Evan's Start'em Sit'em after the jump"

Riley Cooper WR – My selection of Cooper all depends on the health of Jeremy Maclin as well as the health of Michael Vick. Let’s assume Maclin and Vick are out, Cooper becomes a sneaky flex play for those in 12-14 team leagues. Cooper had 12 balls thrown his way to lead all Eagles receivers in targets surpassing DeSean Jacksons eight. There was an obvious connection between Vince Young and Cooper and that goes from playing on the practice squad together. The Patriots secondary is banged up so I expect a high scoring affair between these two offensive juggernauts. Monitor Maclins situation all week as Cooper could fill in nicely for teams who are beat up by injuries.

Heath Miller TE – After watching Rob Gronkowski eat the Kansas City defense up for 96 yards and 2TD’s, you have to like Miller’s chances at Aarowhead. Miller isn’t Gronkowski, but it speaks to the idea of tight ends carving up the Chiefs. Mostly know for being a blocking tight end, Miller has enough speed to separate himself from the slower Kansas City linebackers to get open. Four tight end touchdowns have been scored in the last three games against Kansas City so expect a heavy dose of Miller in the red zone.

Atlanta Falcons D/ST – No Adrian Peterson plus a rookie QB with no weapons should equal one hell of a fantasy defense. The Falcons lack playmakers with the exception of Ray Edwards on the defensive side of the ball, but Peterson is the entire Vikings offense so without out him I doubt they establish the run. Expect the Falcons to score with ease forcing Christian Ponder to air it out early. If Atlanta can get Ponder to have 30 plus attempts in the air, the Falcons defense should cause some turnovers. Go with Edwards and crew in one of Sunday’s biggest blowouts.

Sit Em

Philip Rivers QB – Rivers has gone from top tier QB in 2010 to average at best in 2011. He’s put up good numbers over the last three weeks but he is still killing his own value by the number of interceptions he is throwing (17). The Chargers offensive line isn’t what is use to be, so we can expect tons of pressure on Rivers going against Von Miller and Elvis Dumervil. Denver is averaging 12 points a game on defense over the past three weeks so this isn’t the game everyone expected before the year started. The Broncos defense should give Rivers fits in what should be a low scoring ugly game on Sunday.

Chris Johnson RB – This seems like an obvious matchup play, CJ2K against a run defense that has been giving up over 160 ypg over their last four. The problem is, is that Johnson even in a juicy matchup against the Buccaneers has declining skills that is obvious to anyone watching. His 12 carry 13 yard performance against Atlanta was my last straw with Johnson. Johnson and I are officially done for the remainder of the season, ending a marriage that has lasted over three years now.

Wes Welker WR – Like Rivers and Johnson, I doubt you are benching Welker, but I don’t believe he is a top 10 WR for the rest of the season. With just six receptions over the last two weeks and his with his name continuing to pop up on the injury report, Welker isn’t trending in the right direction.  I don’t doubt his value in ppr leagues, but the 100 yard plus games with a TD are likely over. With the development of Gronkowski and the developing love affair with Aaron Hernandez in the red zone, Welkers best days are behind him.

Owen Daniels TE – With Matt Leinart now under center for the Texans, I understand the optimism as a fantasy owner. An unproven QB will rely heavy on his tight end as a safety net. The problem with that theory for the Texans is that they are now getting a healthy Andre Johnson back, and Houston will put the ball on ground 30 plus times to protect Leinart. Daniels hasn’t been a threat in the offense all season so I don’t see why that would change now. Per usual, Arian Foster and Ben Tate will dominate the ball on the ground as Houston will keep the ball in the hands on their playmakers.

Cleveland Browns D/ST - As mentioned earlier I’m a fan of Dalton this week, so this puts the Browns on my sit list. Cleveland has given up just fewer than 900 yards since their bye in week five which is the most in the NFL. Cedric Benson rushed for 123 yards when they met in week one so I don’t see why week 12 would be any different?  Cleveland’s defensive numbers are inflated by the offenses they have played recently so check their schedule before buying into them. Avoid the Browns in a week where they should give up 20 plus points.