Fantasy Football Week 12: Starts, Sits Include Buck Allen, Jeremy Hill
Did you get your fill on Thanksgiving? Hopefully you left room for dessert.
Thursday featured plenty of tasty fantasy matchups, but there’s still 13 games remaining on the Week 12 menu. While NFL teams’ bye weeks officially are over, injuries to key contributors such as Justin Forsett and Marshawn Lynch leave fantasy owners with a heaping portion of dilemmas heading into a crucial week of the fantasy season.
But don’t worry: We’re here to help. Here’s start/sit advice for each position heading into Sunday’s slate.
Quarterback: Brian Hoyer, Houston Texans
Hoyer is nothing special and posted just five fantasy points in standard-scoring leagues in his last outing. That said, the New Orleans Saints have been absolutely torched by the likes of Eli Manning, Marcus Mariota and Kirk Cousins in their last three games. New Orleans’ defense is a mess, so if you need a spot start, Hoyer is your guy.
Quarterbacks to start: Carson Palmer (ARI), Blake Bortles (JAX), Drew Brees (NO), Josh McCown (CLE)
Quarterbacks to sit: Ryan Tannehill (MIA), Tyrod Taylor (BUF), Teddy Bridgewater (MIN), Brock Osweiler (DEN)
Running Back: Javorius “Buck” Allen, Baltimore Ravens
Allen is the new sheriff in town with Justin Forsett out for the season and got 22 carries Sunday after Forsett left the game with a broken arm. He should see plenty more touches against a porous Cleveland Browns defense that’s last in the NFL in rushing yards allowed, so if you were lucky enough to snag Allen on the waiver wire, start him.
Running backs to start: Chris Johnson (ARI), Doug Martin (TB), T.J. Yeldon (JAX), Chris Ivory (NYJ)
Running backs to sit: Ronnie Hillman (DEN), Jeremy Hill (CIN), Tevin Coleman (ATL), Latavius Murray (OAK)
Wide Receiver: Mike Evans, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Evans has been on fire since a disappointing start to the season, posting double-digit fantasy efforts (standard-scoring leagues) in his last three contests. The second-year wideout has a great matchup against a mediocre Indianapolis Colts defense in Week 12, so there’s no reason not to keep riding the hot hand this week.
Wide receivers to start: Brandin Cooks (NO), Michael Crabtree (OAK), Stevie Johnson (SD), Eric Decker (NYJ)
Wide receivers to sit: T.Y. Hilton (IND), Tavon Austin (STL), Stefon Diggs (MIN), Kendall Wright (TEN)
Tight End: Gary Barnidge, Cleveland Browns
Barnidge likes playing with Josh McCown, averaging 85.3 receiving yards and a touchdown when the veteran QB gets the start. That will be the case Sunday against a vulnerable Baltimore Ravens defense, making Barnidge a solid TE1 option.
Tight ends to start: Tyler Eifert (CIN), Jordan Reed (WAS)
Tight ends to sit: Benjamin Watson (NO), Jordan Cameron (MIA)
Thumbnail photo via Mark J. Rebilas/USA TODAY Sports Images
