This is a HUGE week in fantasy as there are only a couple of regular season games left. In order to make the playoffs, you need to analyze each matchup carefully. Take a look at the “must starts” and “must avoids” for week 12 below. As always, GOOD LUCK AND HAPPY FANTASYING.
Quarterbacks
Must Starts:
- Josh Allen (vs LAC) Allen has been on fire as of late. Posting 36 and 29.36 PPR points in his last two games, he is easily a “Must Start” this week. The Chargers do not defend the pass well, and they allow the eighth most fantasy points to quarterbacks this season. Easy call, easy start.
- Justin Herbert (at BUF) Another easy call is the rookie sensation out of Oregon. He is simply automatic when it comes to scoring more than 20 fantasy points each week. With or without his long hair, he continues to prove why he should be considered the offensive rookie of the year. Expect big numbers from both quarterbacks in this game.
Other Notables: Cam Newton (vs ARI), Derek Carr (at ATL)
Must Avoids:
- Ryan Tannehill (at IND) Tannehill is a good quarterback in the NFL, but he isn’t the flashiest fantasy quarterback option. He hardly ever posts more than 20 fantasy points (just four times this season), and he will have a hard time this week against one of the best defenses in the league. Last time Tannehill battled against the Colts’ secondary, he produced just 10.78 fantasy points. Bench him this week.
- Jared Goff (vs SF) When Goff has time, he shows why he could be one of the best quarterbacks in the league (when he has TIME). With his best offensive lineman (Andrew Whitworth) out with a knee injury, he might face a tough task this week. San Francisco is getting Richard Sherman back, and as a team, they are decent against the pass. Sit Goff this week as there are plenty of other options with better matchups.
Other Notables: Tom Brady (vs KC), Robert Griffin III (at PIT)
Running Backs
Must Starts:
- Miles Sanders (vs SEA) Carson Wentz and the Philadelphia Eagles desperately need a big game out of Sanders. Seattle has allowed the 10th most fantasy points to running backs this season, and Wentz has been absolutely terrible lately. The game plan should be to run the ball and keep the ball out of Wentz’ hands as much as possible. Sanders is averaging 14.7 PPR points per game. Expect more than that out of him on Monday night.
- David Montgomery (at GB) You know who else needs a big game from their running back? The Chicago Bears. Riding a four-game losing streak because of the poor play from their quarterbacks and their lack of rushing attack, the Bears will attack Green Bays’ weakness. As a team, the Packers have given up the MOST fantasy points to running backs this season. Luckily, Montgomery has been cleared from a concussion and looks primed to have a huge game.
Other Notables: Nick Chubb (at JAX), Brian Hill (vs LV), Gus Edwards (at PIT)
Must Avoids:
- Melvin Gordon III (vs NO) The Broncos are in deep trouble. They don’t even know who to start at quarterback for Sunday’s matchup against the Saints. New Orleans has quietly been one of the best defenses in the league, and they are easily the best run defense in the NFL. They haven’t allowed a 100-yard rusher in 53 straight games. That’s not a good sign for Gordon and the Broncos. Also, expect the Saints to beat the Broncos for the first time since 1994 (only a five-game losing streak).
- Malcolm Brown (vs SF) The Rams tend to lean on a different running back every week. Avoid Brown this week as he is coming off a three-carry, 20-yard performance from a week ago. San Francisco also shuts down the run game for the most part. They have allowed the ninth fewest fantasy points to running backs this season.
Other Notables: Carlos Hyde (at PHI), Jerick McKinnon (at LAR), Latavius Murray (at DEN)
Wide Receivers
Must Starts:
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- Curtis Samuel (at MIN) It’s time to finally start trusting Samuel. He has been an absolute machine lately. In week 12, he posted 21.4 PPR points, which is the third time in his last four games he has produced at least 20 fantasy points. In the last four weeks, he has produced 73.8 PPR points, which is good enough to place him as the WR11 during that span. It helps that Minnesota has given up the fourth most fantasy points to his position this year.
- Justin Jefferson (vs CAR) Jefferson is usually a “Must Start” each and every week, but now he should be a lock to start. Have more trust in him than ever before as his teammate, Adam Thielen, will likely miss tomorrow’s matchup due to being placed on the COVID-19 list. The rookie sensation is coming off of back-to-back weeks of more than 16 PPR fantasy points. Expect nothing less from him in his matchup against Carolina tomorrow.
Other Notables: Michael Pittman Jr. (vs TEN), D.J. Moore (at MIN), Nelson Agholor (at ATL)
Must Avoids:
- Marquez Valdes-Scantling (vs CHI) The speedy receiver who saved and lost the game last week comes in with an achilles injury. He is deemed questionable to play, and even if he does play, Chicago is not a great matchup for him on paper. The Bears have given up the third fewest fantasy points to wide receivers this season, and MVS has never played well against his NFC North rival. In four career games against Chicago, Valdes-Scantling has caught just five passes for 64 yards. Easy call here.
- Juju Smith-Schuster (vs BAL) Each week, Smith-Schuster watches both Diontae Johnson and Chase Claypool out produce him. He is coming off one of his worst games of the season last week as he caught four passes for just 19 yards. Expect both Johnson and Claypool to outproduce the former USC standout once again this week.
Other Notables: Christian Kirk (at NE), A.J. Green (vs NYG), Tim Patrick (vs NO)
Tight Ends
Must Starts:
- Darren Waller (at ATL) Waller was a machine last week as he caught all seven of his targets for 88 yards and a touchdown against the Kansas City Chiefs. He should have another solid game this week as he lines up across a terrible Falcons defense. Atlanta has given up the MOST fantasy points to tight ends this year. Expect at least 15 fantasy points from Waller tomorrow.
- Hunter Henry (at BUF) Henry has quietly been one of the most reliable tight ends in fantasy the last couple of weeks. In his last two performances, he has caught eight of his 13 targets for 78 yards, two touchdowns for a combined 27.8 fantasy points. Like Herbert, Henry should have a solid performance as he tries to extend his touchdown streak to three games.
Other Notables: Robert Tonyan (vs CHI), Mike Gesicki (at NYJ), Jordan Reed (at LAR)
Must Avoids:
- Mark Andrews (at PIT) Andrews is coming off his best performance of the season where he caught five of his seven targets for 96 yards and a touchdown. Here’s the deal, he won’t have his starting quarterback (Lamar Jackson) this week, and his team may not even play due to COVID-19 complications. On top of that, he is dealing with a thigh injury that may limit his production. For safety measures, bench Andrews this week against a tough Pittsburgh Steelers defense.
- Dallas Goedert (vs SEA) Wentz seems to only target his tight ends lately. Goedert is coming off an 18.7 PPR-point game from a week ago. This week, he should be avoided as he takes on a Seattle Seahawks defense that has allowed the sixth fewest fantasy points to his position this year. It doesn’t help that this game looks to be a rainy one.
Other Notables: Jimmy Graham (at GB), Noah Fant (vs NO), Tyler Higbee (vs SF)
Defenses
Must Starts:
- Miami Dolphins (at NYJ) Each and every week, the defense taking on the Jets makes this list. Last time the Dolphins took on New York, they scored 15 fantasy points. Start them if you have them.
- New Orleans Saints (at DEN) New Orleans have proved that they own one of the best defenses in the league this year. Denver doesn’t even know who their quarterback will be. Expect a sloppy game out of the Broncos’ offense this week.
Other Notables: Los Angeles Rams (vs SF), Cleveland Browns (at JAX)
Must Avoids:
- Baltimore Ravens (at PIT) Baltimore has a lot of players on the COVID-19 list this week. Pittsburgh is one of the better offensive teams in the league this year, and the Ravens defense only scored four points in their last matchup against their AFC North Rival.
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers (vs KC) Tampa’s defense looks bad as of late. They will have a tough task at stopping Mahomes and the electrifying Chiefs’ offense. Rule of thumb: Always start the defense playing the Jets, and always bench the defense taking on the Chiefs.
Other Notables: Chicago Bears (at GB), New England Patriots (vs ARI)
