Week 12 Start Em, Sit Em

Armando Marsal

Fantasy Writer

Teams on bye: Pittsburgh and Carolina

Quarterbacks

Start Em

Jay Cutler, CHI vs. TB - After a terrible performance in Week 10 against the Packers, Cutler bounced back in Week 11 against the Vikings. He threw for 330 yards, three touchdowns, and two interceptions. It was only the third time this season that he's thrown for over two touchdowns. The good news is that there's a big chance he does it again this week. He's playing the Bucs who have allowed 20 passing touchdowns this year. They are giving up 17.5 fantasy points per game to opposing quarterbacks. In four of five road games, the Bucs have allowed the opposing quarterback to throw for two or more touchdowns. As inconsistent as Cutler can be, this is a matchup that you want him in your lineup.

Other Starts

Colin Kaepernick, SF vs. WAS

Tony Romo, DAL at NYG

Matt Ryan, ATL vs. CLE

Andy Dalton, CIN at HOU

Sleeper Alert: Zach Mettenberger, TEN at PHI

Sit Em

Robert Griffin III, WAS at SF - Griffin came out of the bye and played terrible at home against a bad pass defensive unit. He threw for 207 yards, one touchdown, and two interceptions. This week's game is on the West Coast and against a stout defense. Since giving up four passing touchdowns in Week 4 at home, the Niners have only allowed two passing touchdowns in the last three home games. They have also held all quarterbacks under 200 passing yards in all home games this year. They've held quarterbacks below 10 fantasy points in 50 percent of their games. Griffin hasn't put together a good game this season, and it's unlikely that changes this week. Avoid Griffin at all costs.

Other Sits

Drew Stanton, ARI at SEA

Michael Vick, NYJ at BUF

Eli Manning, NYG vs. DAL

Joe Flacco, BAL at NO

Bust Alert: Matthew Stafford, DET at NE

Running Backs

Start Em

Denard Robinson, JAC at IND - Since becoming the starter in Week 7, Robinson has rushed for 389 yards and scored four touchdowns. This week he has a favorable matchup against the Colts who just got crushed by Jonas Gray of the Patriots. In the last two games, the Colts have given up five touchdowns. They are allowing 21.1 fantasy points per game to opposing backs and have allowed 15 or more fantasy points in seven games this year.  The Colts have allowed at least one rushing touchdown in all but one home game. You have a back that is on fire, taking on a defense that struggles against the run. To me, that's a great situation to be in if you have Robinson on your team. Make sure you get him in that starting lineup.

Other Starts

Eddie Lacy, GB at MIN

Justin Forsett, BAL at NO

Rashad Jennings, NYG vs. DAL

Andre Ellington, ARI vs. SEA

Sleeper alert: Isaiah Crowell, CLE at ATL

Sit Em

Chris Ivory, NYJ at BUF - I know, I know, a couple of weeks ago Ivory scored two touchdowns against the Bills defense. Something to keep in mind though, is that the Bills have only allowed four rushing touchdowns this season. They are also giving up the third fewest fantasy points per game to opposing running backs (12.1). They have only surrendered one rushing touchdown at home. In the last six games, Ivory has scored less than six fantasy points in four of those games. The Bills are unlikely going to let Ivory have a game like he did in their last meeting. This is a tough run defense, especially at home, and they'll likely clog up the running lanes and make it difficult for Ivory to get much going.

Other Sits

Fred Jackson, BUF vs. NYJ

Darren McFadden, OAK vs. KC

Ryan Mathews, SD vs. STL

Alfred Morris, WAS at SF

Bust Alert: Marshawn Lynch, SEA vs. ARI

Wide Receivers

Start Em

Brandon Marshall, CHI vs. TB - Marshall has been battling an ankle injury, but he still manages to play through it. In the last four games he's been targeted 40 times. He has 24 catches for 285 yards and three touchdowns in that span. He has scored in each of his last two games and has a favorable matchup this week. The Bucs are the second worst in the NFL when it comes to defending receivers. They allow 26.4 fantasy points per game to wideouts and have given up the second most receiving touchdowns (14). Look for Marshall to continue his touchdown streak this week. There's no reason why fantasy owners should be concerned. This matchup is as good as it gets.

Other Starts

Randall Cobb, GB at MIN

Josh Gordon, CLE at ATL

Mike Evans, TB at CHI

Sammy Watkins, BUF vs. NYJ

Sleeper Alert: Torrey Smith, BAL at NO

Sit Em

Larry Fitzgerald, ARI at SEA- The Cardinals head to Seattle to take on the Seahawks. Fitzgerald has struggled against the Seahawks in the last two seasons. He has a total of 10 catches for 103 yards and no touchdowns in the last his last for meetings against them. The Seahawks are giving up the fewest fantasy points per game to receivers (15.6). They have only allowed four touchdowns to receivers, and only two of those were at home. Not to mention, Fitzgerald is coming off a two catch for 33 yards performance and is a bit banged up. It's a tough matchup for a receiver who is not catching passes from Drew Stanton. I'd weigh out my other options and skip on Fitzgerald this week.

Other Sits

Julian Edelman, NE vs. DET

Pierre Garcon, WAS at SF

Kenny Britt, STL at SD

Andre Johnson, HOU vs. CIN

Bust Alert: Golden Tate, DET at NE

Tight Ends

Start Em

Coby Fleener, IND vs. JAC

Antonio Gates, SD vs. STL

Charles Clay, MIA at DEN

Sit Em

Jared Cook, STL at SD

Jace Amaro, NYJ at BUF

Kyle Rudolph, MIN vs. GB

Defense

Start Em

Kansas City Chiefs at Oakland Raiders

San Francisco 49ers vs. Washington Redskins

Sit Em

Miami Dolphins at Denver Broncos

Detroit Lions at New England Patriots