Welcome to Week 12 Start/Sit for the 2024 NFL fantasy football season. I will be publishing this article every week throughout the season to help you make your start/sit decisions.
Scroll through my top starts and sits at each position. I do my best to avoid picking elite players for “Start ‘Em” to make it more actionable.
Don’t forget to use this and our terrific fantasy football rankings to help you set your lineups this week.
Week 12 Start ‘Em, Sit ‘Em: Quarterbacks
QB Start ‘Em
Anthony Richardson, Indianapolis Colts (vs DET)
Anthony Richardson put up 28.1 fantasy points in Week 11 (QB4). While it’s a tough matchup vs the Lions (1st in Pass EPA), this has the makings of a shootout (49.5-point total). According to Hayden Winks of Underdog Fantasy, we saw head coach Shane Steichen call 10 designed runs for Anthony Richardson, which was the most of any quarterback all year. You can’t pass up this type of upside. I’d play A-Rich over Baker Mayfield this week.
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Tua Tagovailoa, Miami Dolphins (vs NE)
Tua Tagovailoa had a spike week against the Raiders, putting up 23.5 points (QB10). We’ve got a great matchup on tap vs the Patriots, who just allowed Matthew Stafford to throw for 295 yards and four touchdowns. The Dolphins have a 26.75-point implied total this week, which ranks fourth on the slate. I’d fire up Tua over Patrick Mahomes this week.
QB Sit ‘Em
Jordan Love, Green Bay Packers (at CHI)
Jordan Love performed well (21.2 fantasy points) in a tough spot last week, but that was due to a rare rushing touchdown. The Packers have gone run-heavy lately, with Love attempting 22 passes or less in two of his last three games. While there’s a good chance they’ll pass more against the 49ers, it’s not exactly a great matchup (49ers defense ranks 11th in Pass EPA). I’d sit Love for C.J. Stroud this week.
Brock Purdy, San Francisco 49ers (at GB)
Brock Purdy is banged up with a shoulder injury, set for a tough matchup vs the Packers. Green Bay has held opposing quarterbacks to fewer than 16.5 fantasy points in seven of 10 games this season. There’s a good chance that the 49ers lean on Christian McCaffrey in this one. I’d sit Purdy for Drake Maye this week.
Week 12 Start ‘Em, Sit ‘Em: Running Backs
RB Start ‘Em
Bucky Irving, Tampa Bay Buccaneers (at NYG)
Bucky Irving has put up double-digit fantasy points in four of his last five games. Week 12 sets up as a positive game script with the Buccaneers as six-point favorites. It also helps that the Giants struggle defending the run, ranking 27th in Rush EPA. It wouldn’t surprise me to see Irving have a career game in this one. I’d fire him up over Aaron Jones in this spot.
Austin Ekeler, Washington Commanders (vs DAL)
Austin Ekeler has put up at least 13 fantasy points in three consecutive games. The Commanders are keeping two backs on the field at times, which is good news for Ekeler’s value. The former Charger has a great matchup against the Cowboys this week. Dallas ranks 32nd in Rush EPA this season. I’d start Ekeler over Javonte Williams this week.
RB Sit ‘Em
Chuba Hubbard, Carolina Panthers (vs KC)
Chuba Hubbard has been one of my favorite players this year, but this is a tough spot against the Chiefs, who rank 3rd in Rush EPA. We need Hubbard to rack up points through the passing game in this one. Jonathon Brooks is making his debut this week, so I need to temper expectations on Hubbard. I’d sit Hubbard for Rhamondre Stevenson in this spot.
J.K. Dobbins, Los Angeles Chargers (vs BAL)
J.K. Dobbins is having a terrific comeback season, but this is a difficult matchup against his former team. Baltimore is a pass-funnel defense, which means they’re better to attack through the air than on the ground. This is reflected in the data, where they rank 28th in Pass EPA and 2nd in Rush EPA. I’d bench Dobbins for Rachaad White this week.
Week 12 Start ‘Em, Sit ‘Em: Wide Receivers
WR Start ‘Em
Rome Odunze, Chicago Bears (vs MIN)
Rome Odunze led the Bears with 10 targets in Thomas Brown’s first game as play-caller. We could see the Bears start to involve their first-round rookie more down the stretch. This is an exploitable matchup against the Vikings, who rank 30th in fantasy PPG allowed to wideouts this season. I’d fire up Odunze over Jakobi Meyers this week.
Xavier Worthy, Kansas City Chiefs (at CAR)
Xavier Worthy finally had a big game against the Bills, catching 4-of-5 targets for 61 yards and a touchdown. The Chiefs should be able to have success in the air against the Panthers, as this is a defense that ranks 31st in Pass EPA. Fire up Worthy and hope he gets loose downfield — I’d play him over Jaylen Waddle in this matchup.
WR Sit ‘Em
Jordan Addison, Minnesota Vikings (at CHI)
Jordan Addison was able to score a 47-yard touchdown against the Titans, but this is a much tougher matchup against the Bears, who rank 2nd in Pass EPA. This feels like more of a run-heavy game script for the Vikings because that’s where Chicago is more vulnerable. I’d sit Addison for Rashod Bateman this week.
Christian Watson, Green Bay Packers (vs SF)
Christian Watson came alive for 150 yards against the Bears, but the Packers have too many weapons and are too run-heavy to trust a deep threat like this. I would rather go with a safer option, perhaps someone like DeMario Douglas, who is in a pass-heavy spot against the Dolphins.
Week 12 Start ‘Em, Sit ‘Em: Tight Ends
TE Start ‘Em
Sam LaPorta, Detroit Lions (at IND)
Sam LaPorta is ready to return for the Lions, set for a good matchup against the Colts. Indianapolis has given up big games to Jonnu Smith (7 REC, 96 YDS, 1 TD), Cole Kmet (10 REC, 97 YDS, 1 TD), and Pat Freiermuth (5 REC, 57 YDS, 1 TD) this season. It wouldn’t surprise me to see something similar from LaPorta, who was coming on prior to last week’s absence. I’d fire up LaPorta over T.J. Hockenson this week.
Dallas Goedert, Philadelphia Eagles (at LAR)
Dallas Goedert looks set for more targets, especially with DeVonta Smith banged up and maybe even missing this game. The Rams defense has struggled vs tight ends this season, ranking 24th in fantasy points per game allowed to the position. I’d play Goedert over Mark Andrews in this spot.
TE Sit ‘Em
Tucker Kraft, Green Bay Packers (vs SF)
Tucker Kraft is stuck in a run-heavy offense with too many mouths to feed. The talented tight end has 35 yards or less in three of his last four games, including a goose egg against the Bears. While the Packers are likely to pass a bit more vs the 49ers, I can’t trust Kraft right now. I’d sit Kraft for Dallas Goedert this week.
Zach Ertz, Washington Commanders (vs DAL)
Zach Ertz had a big game against the Eagles, but much of that was on the last drive in garbage time, which ended in a touchdown for the veteran. Look for the Commanders to attack the Cowboys on the ground in this spot, especially in a favorable game script with them as 10-point favorites. I’d sit Ertz for Jonnu Smith.
How to Make Start’Em, Sit’ Em Decisions For NFL Week 12
Use Matchup Stats
Check the team defensive stats of a player’s opponent. For example, if deciding between quarterbacks, check how many passing yards and passing touchdowns each opponent allows per game.
Check Injury Reports
Is one opponent dealing with many injuries, particularly to a position group?
For example, in 2022, the Eagles led the NFL with 70 sacks. If the Eagles faced an offensive line with multiple injuries, that could be a bad recipe for the opposing quarterback.
It’s also possible that an offense is beset with injuries, which can lead to more opportunities presented to another player.
For example, San Francisco RB Elijah Mitchell was injured from Weeks 2 to 8 and again from Weeks 13 to 17. Jeff Wilson Jr. was the primary beneficiary over the first span, while Christian McCaffrey took over after Week 7.
Check the Snap Counts
After every week, the NFL releases how many snaps (or plays) each player participated in. Sometimes, you notice a backup getting more and more playing time over time.
Watch the Games
Build up your eye for the game by simply watching with an attention to detail. Highlights don’t tell the full story.
Good players pop off the screen. They give the extra effort; they turn a 5-yard gain into a 10-yard gain; they make a defender miss; they make that spectacular throw, catch, run, tackle, etc.
Learn More About the Xs and Os
Who is on the field in a 12 personnel? What is Cover 0? What is the 3 technique? What is a route tree? What is outside leverage? If you don’t know the answer to these questions—it’s okay—but there may be some blind spots in your football knowledge.
Embrace these challenges and branch out by learning how the pros play the game.
