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Welcome to Week 12 of NFL and fantasy football action, RotoBallers.
Each week of the NFL season, we will be breaking down all of the NFL matchups and providing you with fantasy football advice and lineup recommendations based on matchups that we love, matchups that we hate, and some high-risk/high-reward players, as well.
Below, you will find our Week 12 NFL matchups & fantasy football start/sit analysis, which should help you prepare your lineups to win this week. It’s essential to analyze the weekly NFL matchups to find lineup sleepers and gems, while also avoiding those players who may turn out to be busts.
To read about the rest of this week’s NFL matchups, check out Start/Sit & Matchups Analysis for Games 1-7 and our Week 12 Standard and PPR Rankings. And of course you can always stop by the RotoBaller chat rooms for any live advice you may need.
Jets @ Bills - Monday 11/24 @ 7 PM EST *
Matchups We Love
Sammy Watkins: The last time these two teams met, Watkins went off for 157 yards and a touchdown - compliments of Kyle Orton. Obviously, the wonky time frame of the game and the week of practice lost could hamper the Bills offense, but Watkins is still a scintillating talent against a suspect Jets secondary. Chris Hogan is another interesting option, getting a decent amount of targets these days.
Chris Ivory: Ivory has put up legitimate RB2 numbers so far this season. The Bills D is solid, but the lost week of practice is still a factor.
Matchups We Hate
Both Quarterbacks: Neither Orton nor Vick have impressed as starters this season, and the weird circumstances surrounding this game don't inspire confidence.
Chris Johnson: Johnson is clearly the number two RB in the rotation now, and even when he gets touches, not even flashes of CJ2K are visible anymore. It's time to move on.
Bills RBs: Whether Fred Jackson returns from injury or Anthony Dixon and Bryce Brown split duty, this is not an inspiring backfield.
Other Matchups
Percy Harvin: The Jets' offense limits anyone playing in it, and though Harvin is a notorious homerun threat, he's yet to score a TD this season. The yardage of a flex play should be there with targets from Michael Vick, but not much more. Eric Decker is in a similar situation, although he's a better red zone threat and is feeling healthier than almost any week so far this season.
*Due to a ridiculous amount of snow in Buffalo, this game will be played in Detroit on Monday night.
Buccaneers @ Bears - Sunday 11/23 @ 1 PM EST
Matchups We Love
Mike Evans: Evans is on an absolute tear over the last three weeks, culminating in his 209-yard, two-TD explosion last week against the Redskins. He's a high-upside WR2 this week against the banged-up Chicago DB corps, and looks to have surpassed Vincent Jackson as the #1 receiving option in town.
Brandon Marshall: The last two weeks suggest Marshall is returning to form, and the Buccaneers are also pretty bad against the pass. Marshall is a safe start this week.
Alshon Jeffery: Jeffery is a better deep threat than Marshall is, and he's actually gotten one more target on the season.
Jay Cutler: Cutler's on his own tear (his just happens to involve turnovers), but he's still got a choice matchup this week. He put up three touchdowns against the Vikings last week, and the Bucs aren't as good.
Matchups We Hate
Josh McCown: He's the starting quarterback in Tampa, right? Because if not...
Mike Glennon: And that's what you call "hedging your bets," kids.
Tampa Bay RBs: Doug Martin is on the outs, Charles Sims is...there? Maybe? And Bobby Rainey was awful in a rout. This backfield is a graveyard.
Other Matchups
Martellus Bennett: Bennett has declined since his torrid start to the season, but if he's going to bounce back, this would be the week.
Matt Forte: You really are never benching Forte, so there's not much more to mention here. He's as elite as it comes for fantasy football.
Cardinals @ Seahawks - Sunday 11/23 @ 4:05 PM EST
Matchups We Love
Marshawn Lynch: The Cardinals defense is admittedly one of the best in the league, but Lynch is also one of the best in the league. Don't get cute.
Andre Ellington: The volume will still be there and the Seahawks defense just got gashed by Charles. Don't be intimidated out of starting him.
Matchups We Hate
Wide Receivers: As has become tradition in Seahawks matchups, I don't like the wide receivers. Both passing defenses are too good to trust any of these guys. Doug Baldwin, Michael Floyd, John Brown and Larry Fitzgerald (if he plays) are all FLEX options at best.
Other Matchups
Russell Wilson: The Cardinals are going to keep him off balance-- they blitz more than anyone in the league. However, Wilson is more productive on the ground than almost any quarterback in the league. He should be able to provide decent enough value, but with low upside.
Rams @ Chargers - Sunday 11/23 @ 4:05 PM EST
Matchups We Love:
...there is no one in this game you should be starting. Philip Rivers is struggling and the Chargers are struggling with him. Keenan Allen, Malcolm Floyd and Antonio gates have been inconsistent week to week, so if you have other viable options roll with them. Ryan Mathews is back, and got 17 touches last week, but the Rams have been defending the run well recently.
The Rams are hardly a fantasy goldmine, with St. Louis's best fantasy offering being Tre Mason (who is about an RB3 or low-end FLEX option). Kenny Britt is not someone I would be chasing, even with Shaun Hill replacing Austin Davis and his big TD last week. If you're looking for a game to end 10-9 with only a defensive TD scored, this would be it. But then why are you here?
Dolphins @ Broncos - Sunday 11/23 @ 4:25 PM EST
Matchups We Love
Peyton Manning: Peyton Manning could be playing against every defender in Canton, and I'd still bet on him.
Demaryius Thomas: With injury uncertainty hovering around Julius Thomas and Emmanuel Sanders, Demaryius should be in for the lion's share of receptions.
C.J. Anderson: Anderson impressed in the game against Oakland, and now that he's literally the only option the Broncos have, expect him to see touches. Montee Ball is out with an injury for a few weeks, and Ronnie Hillman is still out with an injury of his own. Anderson should get plenty of chances, with Juwon Thompson sprinkled in.
Matchups We Hate
Ryan Tannehill: While the young quarterback is making strides, he faces a tough Broncos defense that should be plenty motivated to make Tannehill miserable. Look elsewhere this week, and if you have a better option than Jarvis Landry roll with it instead.
Other Matchups
Mike Wallace: He's put up consistent WR2 numbers, but not much more. Temper expectations and you can be happy with Wallace's spot in your lineup.
Lamar Miller: Miller hasn't produced the numbers he had been putting up before his injury, but he still put up almost 10 points on yardage alone, making him a low-end RB2 or flex this week.
Washington Football Team @ 49ers - Sunday 11/23 @ 4:25 PM EST
Matchups We Love
DeSean Jackson: San Francisco's defense still ranks 19th against fantasy WRs, and D-Jax is the best receiving option the Washington Football Team has with Pierre Garcon being extremely inconsistent week to week. He's managed to tally the 13th-most points among wide receivers, despite scoring only four touchdowns.
Matchups We Hate
Robert Griffin III: Griffin's return has been rough, and it doesn't get easier against a 49ers defense that's still trying to sneak into the playoffs.
Alfred Morris: The 49ers aren't great against wide receivers, but they are murder against running backs, with rookie Chris Borland playing like a man possessed. Morris is not an RB1 this week, that's for sure, while Roy Helu Jr. is a low-end FLEX option at best in PPR leagues.
Other Matchups
Colin Kaepernick: Since his Week 6 game against St. Louis, Kaep has failed to top 15 points in standard scoring. If you're streaming QBs or covering a bye, you could take a flier on the 49ers signal-caller, but be sure to mind your head on the low ceiling. Michael Crabtree and Anquan Boldin are decent WR3 plays for PPR leagues, and Vernon Davis is essentially a non-factor.
Frank Gore: Volume has made him a decent RB2/FLEX, as Carlos Hyde really isnt' getting too much work, and that trend should continue against a less-than-stellar Washington defense.
Cowboys @ Giants - Sunday 11/23 @ 8:30 PM EST
Matchups We Love
Tony Romo: The Giants are reeling, and the Cowboys are rocking (and I'd like to thank all the 10 people who got that reference). Romo's not going to have to air it out too much, but the strong O-line and running game should make it much easier for Romo when he does pass to Dez, Jason Witten and Terrance Williams (at times).
Dez Bryant: I'd say don't get cute, but you were hardly intimidated by the Giants. You don't need me to tell you to start him. Wait, what have I done? Don't leave me!
DeMarco Murray: The only reason to sit him is to manipulate playoff seeding, which is innately shady. If that's a thing you want to do, I can't stop you. But I am a little bit disappointed.
Matchups We Hate
Eli Manning: Every so often, Eli forgets that he's the Manning with the most Super Bowl rings and throws an impossibly high number of interceptions. Don't look to him to bounce back this week, with one of the top pass defenses in the league coming into town.
Rueben Randle: Randle had his best game of the season last week, with 11 points. His ceiling is pretty low. Bilbo Baggins feels claustrophobic considering it, in fact.
Other Matchups
Odell Beckham Jr.: He's the Giants WR to own for the rest of the season, and probably even next season in keeper/dynasty leagues. This week may be rough, however.
Larry Donnell: Dallas actually gives up a lot of fantasy points to opposing tight ends, and Donnell has had at least six targets in each of the past four weeks. He's a decent play, especially in PPR leagues.
Rashad Jennings: He was a top-5 guy before his injury, and Andre Williams was never a threat when he wasbut it'll take more than a 59-yard outing to convince us he's back. Keep expectations low and monitor him carefully going into the playoffs.
Ravens @ Saints - Monday 11/24 @ 8:30 PM EST
Matchups We Love
Drew Brees: Brees has had a down season, but the Ravens secondary is suspect without Jimmy Smith, and Brees does have a long history of success at the Superdome. He's worth riding out for another week.
Jimmy Graham: The potential is too great to risk sitting him. It's not like there's much more at tight end anyway.
Mark Ingram: The former Heisman winner is finally playing up to expectations, and should have cemented a spot in your lineup by now.
Justin Forsett: He had a big game against the Titans going into the bye, and he hasn't had less than 85 total yards since week 3. The Saints defense is a mess, so look for Forsett to continue his strong season.
High Risk, High Reward
Joe Flacco: As is usual with Regular Season Flacco, there's a lot of "meh" games, with some big games sprinkled in to keep you on your toes. The Superdome could make for a big night though...
Ravens WRs Named Smith: Basically the whole Ravens' passing game is susceptible to "Regular Season Flacco" Syndrome, including Steve Smith Sr., Torrey Smith and Owen Daniels. Big games and busts can be found in equal measure, so start Torrey at your own risk.
Kenny Stills and Marques Colston: With the injury to Brandin Cooks, Stills becomes the best deep threat in New Orleans not named Jimmy Graham, with Colston potentially the biggest beneficiary of increased targets. Of course, you run the risk of a vintage "11 different Saints caught passes" game.
