Week 12 Fantasy Football Start 'Em Sit 'Em
- Sportz Nation Staff
- 6 hours ago
- 6 min read
by Zak Drapeau and Matt Hylen 11/20/2025 Sportz Nation
Start 'Em
(Matt Hylen)
Quarterbacks
Jared Goff vs NYG
Jared Goff had a tough time last week against the Eagles, producing 255 yards, a TD, and an INT on poor efficiency. With that said, that was mainly due to his O-line giving him little time to get the ball out without pressure in his face. Though his opponent in week 12, the New York Giants, have a very solid D-line, they still allow the 4th most fantasy points per game on average to QBs. Goff should have a much easier time finding his targets this week.
Caleb Williams vs PIT
Caleb Williams may be the most hot-and-cold QB so far this season. After a good performance in Week 10, he produced a dud in Week 11, throwing for just 193 yards and rushing for 26 yards, with no TDs. If Williams follows the pattern he has been following all season long, where he does not dud twice in a row, Williams should be just fine against a Steelers defense that allows the 11th most fantasy points on average to QBs.
Sam Darnold at TEN
Yes, Sam Darnold was atrocious against the Rams last week, but he has been too good this year to not bounce back. Plus, he plays a much easier defense in the Titans, who are below average in stopping opposing QBs. Darnold could benefit from a potential blowout game in Tennessee.
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Running Backs
Tre'Veyon Henderson at CIN
Tre'Veyon Henderson has been a beast since his teammate Rhamondre Stevenson went down with an injury. Even if Stevenson returns this week, Henderson's explosiveness will still be a major factor against a Bengals defense that allows the most fantasy points to RBs.
Woody Marks vs BUF
Woody Marks has been the workhorse for a banged-up Houston offense since their Week 6 bye. Though the efficiency has not fully been there, his volume (12.6 rush attempts a game on average), including 18 rushes last week, makes him a startable option against a Buffalo defense that allows the 2nd most fantasy points on average to RBs.
Alvin Kamara vs ATL
Alvin Kamara has been inconsistent in terms of fantasy this season, but he has a big opportunity to turn things around in Week 12. Coming off an efficient day on the ground last week, Kamara will face the 4th worst rush defense in the Atlanta Falcons when it comes to points allowed to RBs. So long as he gets the opportunites, Kamara should be extremely effective this week for his team and yours.
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Wide Receivers
Rome Odunze vs PIT
Rome Odunze is coming off a poor week against a very good Minnesota pass defense, but like his QB, I think he bounces back. This Bears offense has been extremely dangerous when they match up against poor pass defenses, which is exactly the case this week. The Steelers not only give up the 3rd most fantasy points to WRs on average, but they also allow the most receiving yards to WRs per game in the league.
Wan'Dale Robinson at DET
Wan'Dale Robinson has quietly become one of the more reliable options when it comes to expected targets. Though it may not translate every week, his target share (24% according to Rotowire) is too much to ignore this week against a battered and below-average Lions pass defense.
DeVonta Smith at DAL
DeVonta Smith has been hot-and-cold, which has been a trend thus far, but I believe he is yet another bounce-back candidate. His deep threat ability and short route running skills should thrive in what could be a high-scoring affair against the Cowboys, who allow the most fantasy points per game to WRs.
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Tight Ends
Juwan Johnson vs ATL
Juwan Johnson has gotten out of his slump and has started to produce TE1 numbers once again. He has become a nice safety blanket for QB Tyler Shough and is coming off his best game of the fantasy season last time out. Johnson may not have a favorable matchup, but be on the lookout, as opposing teams have a 60% success rate in the red zone when playing the Falcons.
Dalton Schultz vs BUF
Dalton Schultz is another tight end that has quietly been on a nice streak as of late. His targets have not diminished since the entry of Davis Mills into the lineup, which should bode well against the Bills. Again, not the most favorable of matchups, but one worth the risk when you consider Schultz's involvement as of late in Houston's offense.
Hunter Henry at CIN
Hunter Henry is due for a big week, and what better time than against one of the worst defenses in football. I think Henry could feast in the Red Zone in what likely will be a high-scoring affair.
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Sit 'Em
(Zak Drapeau)
Quarterbacks
Josh Allen at HOU
From 6 TDs to the Bench??? That’s right Josh Allen should only be started this week if you have no other QB on your roster, (Which is completely understandable) when facing the Houston Texans. Some people might ask, “Isn’t that an exaggeration?” And the answer is- No. The Texans’ D is really that good.
Daniel Jones at KC
The Chiefs at hoe are a completely different team then when on the road and with their playoff hopes legitimately riding on this game, I wouldn’t be too surprised if the blanket one of the hottest offenses in the league… AT LEAST their pass game.
Jacoby Brissett vs JAX
Brissett’s insertion in the Cardinals’ offense has been a feel good story this year but here’s the thing… he isn’t winning. If Brissett keeps performing admirably but losing, I think it’s likely they trot Murray back out there at some point and it could come in a losing effort against a tough jags’ defense.
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Running Backs
Chase Brown vs NE
This isn’t Brown’s fault… the Pats’ run defense has been special this year. Also, if this game goes how I think it might, the Bengals will spend the last 3 quarters throwing the ball to try and catch up anyway.
Breece Hall @ BAL
Breece had a good 2-game stretch but that looks good and done now. With Garrett Wilson out he may be the focal point of the offense moving forward which will help, but in Baltimore I can’t see him doing much of anything.
Rico Dowdle at SF
Boy that month of Rico Dowdle was fun wasn’t it!?!? Not that his season is over or anything he is still putting up 10 a game but now that defenses are locking into him in the Panthers’ gameplan he’s done putting up 20-25+. Especially in San Francisco against Robert Saleh who may be the best coach in the league to take away your #1 option.
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Wide Receivers
George Pickens vs PHI
Here’s a crazy stat… George Pickens ranks #2 in Fantasy points for WRs in non-PPR leagues this season. Well.. after some disciplinary actions from his coach last week and a HUGE matchup with Philly, (who have the hottest defense in the league right now) I see his momentum dropping off in a BIG way. At least for one week.
Tetairoa McMillan at SF
So this is basically my reaffirming that you should bench any and all Panthers players this week. I like Tet McMillan but anytime you have Bryce young throwing you the ball it’s a risk and on top of that in San Francisco… ya, no.
Michael Pittman Jr. at KC
Pittman has quietly enjoyed a lot of success this year with Daniel Jones throwing him the ball but like the Panthers, you should really be wary of starting any Colt NOT named Jonathan Taylor this week. A matchup in Kansas City is a brutal matchup for anyone much less with the NFL desperate to keep them in the… woah what? I didn’t say that.
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Tight Ends
Brock Bowers vs CLE
Brock Bowers had a great comeback game 3 weeks ago but I think that made us all forget for a moment that he’s on the Raiders. Also, the Browns defense is still pretty good.
Jake Ferguson vs PHI
Over the last few weeks, Ferguson has slid back to his familiar #3 option role in Dallas and even though he’s not the incredible Fantasy TE we saw in Weeks 3-to-8, he’s still good for 8+ points most weeks. Versus the Eagles’ defense is NOT one of them though.
T.J. Hockenson at GB
This is your friendly reminder just to not start Hockenson that I give every week from a fellow Hockenson fantasy-owner… Just don’t do it.
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-Z.D.
-Matt Hylen