Need help with filling out your fantasy football seasonal lineups for Week 12 of the 2024 NFL season? You probably do, especially with six teams on bye this week — the Falcons, Bills, Bengals, Saints, Jets, and Jaguars. But don’t worry! Vinnie Iyer is here to guide you through another edition of the Decider, blending positional rankings with start ‘em, sit ‘em advice. Let’s dive into the best and worst plays for this week, focusing on matchups, usage, and some enticing DFS values.
Fantasy Football Week 12 Start ‘Em: Quarterbacks
Regular starts
- Jalen Hurts, Philadelphia Eagles (at LAR)
- Lamar Jackson, Baltimore Ravens (at LAC)
- Jayden Daniels, Washington Commanders (vs. DAL)
- Justin Herbert, Los Angeles Chargers (vs. BAL)
- Kyler Murray, Arizona Cardinals (at SEA)
- Bo Nix, Denver Broncos (at LV)
- Jared Goff, Detroit Lions (at IND)
- Brock Purdy, San Francisco 49ers (at GB)
Stronger starts
9. Patrick Mahomes, Kansas City Chiefs (at CAR): After throwing three TDs last week against the Bills, Mahomes is poised for a big scoring output in a road rout against the Panthers.
10. Tua Tagovailoa, Miami Dolphins (vs. NE): Tua is trending up with his key receivers, and he can keep it going against a struggling Patriots pass defense.
11. Baker Mayfield, Tampa Bay Buccaneers (at NYG): The Giants give up a ton of big pass plays, and he should have Mike Evans back to help him capitalize.
12. C.J. Stroud, Houston Texans (vs. TEN): Despite recent struggles, the Titans were burned by the Vikings last week, making this a favorable matchup.
13. Russell Wilson, Pittsburgh Steelers (at CLE): After a lackluster performance against the Ravens, Wilson faces a team he can exploit with deep passes.
14. Anthony Richardson, Colts (vs. DET): Look for him to compile some favorable rushing and passing stats at home.
15. Drake Maye, New England Patriots (at MIA): He continues to find ways to make fantasy-friendly plays despite some turnovers.
DFS pick
Tommy DeVito, New York Giants (vs. TB, $4,000 on DraftKings, $6,000 on FanDuel): While trusting DeVito as a QB1 in seasonal leagues may be tough, he has potential in two-QB and Superflex formats. The Buccaneers are a generous pass defense, and with the right volume, he could deliver a great return on investment.
Fantasy Football Week 12 Sit ‘Em: Quarterbacks
Weaker starts
16. Jordan Love, Green Bay Packers (vs. SF): Love has struggled with fantasy production lately, and the Niners’ defense won’t help him break out.
17. Matthew Stafford, Los Angeles Rams (vs. PHI): He might get some volume, but expect limited yardage and touchdowns against a tough Eagles defense.
18. Geno Smith, Seattle Seahawks (vs. ARI): Don’t chase his previous performance against the 49ers; the Cardinals’ defense is playing well.
19. Sam Darnold, Minnesota Vikings (at CHI): Avoid Darnold against a Bears’ defense that can create problems on the road.
20. Jameis Winston, Cleveland Browns (at PIT): The Steelers’ defense is formidable, making Winston a risky start.
21. Caleb Williams, Chicago Bears (vs. MIN): After a decent outing against the Packers, Williams faces a blitz-heavy Vikings defense that could cause havoc.
Fantasy Football Week 12 Start ‘Em: Running Backs
Regular starts
- Christian McCaffrey, San Francisco 49ers (at GB)
- Saquon Barkley, Philadelphia Eagles (at LAR)
- Kenneth Walker III, Seattle Seahawks (vs. ARI)
- Joe Mixon, Houston Texans (at TEN)
- Derrick Henry, Baltimore Ravens (at LAC)
- De’Von Achane, Miami Dolphins (vs. NE)
- Jahmyr Gibbs, Detroit Lions (at IND)
- David Montgomery, Detroit Lions (at IND)
- James Conner, Arizona Cardinals (at SEA)
- Josh Jacobs, Green Bay Packers (vs. SF)
- Kyren Williams, Los Angeles Rams (vs. PHI)
- Tyrone Tracy Jr., New York Giants (vs. TB)
- Jonathan Taylor, Indianapolis Colts (vs. DET)
- Rhamondre Stevenson, New England Patriots (at MIA)
- Brian Robinson Jr., Washington Commanders (vs. DAL)
- Aaron Jones, Minnesota Vikings (at CHI)
- Austin Ekeler, Washington Commanders (vs. DAL)
- D’Andre Swift, Chicago Bears (vs. MIN)
- Kareem Hunt, Kansas City Chiefs (at CAR)
- J.K. Dobbins, Los Angeles Chargers (vs. BAL)
Stronger starts
21. Javonte Williams, Denver Broncos (at LV): Despite Sean Payton’s uncertainty about his lead back, the matchup favors Williams over Audric Estime.
22. Rachaad White, Tampa Bay Buccaneers (at NYG): The Giants have struggled to stop the run all season, making White a solid play.
23. Isiah Pacheco, Kansas City Chiefs (at CAR): He should return this week and team up with Hunt for significant rushing yardage.
24. Cam Akers, Minnesota Vikings (at CHI): Akers is getting more touches and can exploit a defense that struggles against running backs.
25. Bucky Irving, Tampa Bay Buccaneers (at NYG): Another solid option for RB2 or FLEX given the bye weeks.
DFS Picks
Jahmyr Gibbs, Detroit Lions (at IND, $7,300 on DraftKings, $8,600 on FanDuel): Look for Gibbs to have a breakout game against the Colts, taking advantage of the fast track.
Kenneth Walker III, Seattle Seahawks (vs. ARI, $6,900 on DraftKings, $8,100 on FanDuel): Walker consistently scores, even with limited touches, making him a must-start against a weak Cardinals run defense.
Fantasy Football Week 12 Sit ‘Em: Running Backs
Weaker starts
26. Tony Pollard, Tennessee Titans (vs. HOU): The Texans are tough against the run, even without Tyjae Spears.
27. Chuba Hubbard, Carolina Panthers (vs. KC): Hubbard faces a tough matchup and will share touches with Jonathan Brooks.
28. Najee Harris and 29. Jaylen Warren, Pittsburgh Steelers (at CLE): The Steelers may need to air it out more against a Browns defense that excels against the run.
30. Nick Chubb, Cleveland Browns (vs. PIT): Chubb isn’t getting the high-leverage touches he needs to be effective.
Fantasy Football Week 12 Start ‘Em: Wide Receivers
Regular starts
- Amon-Ra St. Brown, Detroit Lions (at IND)
- Tyreek Hill, Miami Dolphins (vs. NE)
- Justin Jefferson, Minnesota Vikings (at CHI)
- George Pickens, Pittsburgh Steelers (vs. BAL)
- Terry McLaurin, Washington Commanders (vs. DAL)
- A.J. Brown, Philadelphia Eagles (at LAR)
- Puka Nacua, Los Angeles Rams (at NE)
- Cooper Kupp, Los Angeles Rams (at NE)
- Nico Collins, Houston Texans (vs. TEN)
- Malik Nabers, New York Giants (vs. TB)
- CeeDee Lamb, Dallas Cowboys (at WAS)
- Mike Evans, Tampa Bay Buccaneers (if he returns, at NYG)
- Zay Flowers, Baltimore Ravens (at LAC)
- Jayden Reed, Green Bay Packers (at CHI)
- DeVonta Smith, Philadelphia Eagles (at LAR)
- DK Metcalf, Seattle Seahawks (vs. ARI)
- Jauan Jennings, San Francisco 49ers (at GB)
- Jaxson Smith-Njigba, Seattle Seahawks (vs. ARI)
- Courtland Sutton, Denver Broncos (at LV)
- Josh Downs, Indianapolis Colts (at DET)
- Marvin Harrison Jr, Arizona Cardinals (at SEA)
- Jameson Williams, Detroit Lions (at IND)
Stronger starts
23. Quentin Johnston and 24. Ladd McConkey, Los Angeles Chargers (vs. BAL): Johnston has scoring potential, while McConkey can provide great volume.
25. DeAndre Hopkins and 26. Xavier Worthy, Kansas City Chiefs (at CAR): Expect Mahomes to unleash a big performance with all his weapons.
27. Calvin Ridley and 28. Nick Westbrook-Ikhine, Tennessee Titans (at HOU): Both can rack up garbage-time production against a weak secondary.
29. DJ Moore and 30. Rome Odunze, Chicago Bears (vs. GB): With Thomas Brown calling plays, they can exploit the Vikings’ secondary.
31. Jerry Jeudy and 32. Cedric Tillman, Cleveland Browns (vs. PIT): Expect a high-volume game from Winston, making them viable options.
33. DeMario Douglas, New England Patriots (at MIA): He can do damage in the slot for Maye.
DFS Picks
Tyreek Hill, Miami Dolphins (vs. NE, $7,200 on DraftKings, $8,300 on FanDuel): Hill is heating up and could explode in this matchup.
Mike Evans, Tampa Bay Buccaneers (vs. NYG, $7,000 on DraftKings, $8,000 on FanDuel): If he plays, Evans is a prime red zone target against a vulnerable defense.
Jayden Reed, Green Bay Packers (vs. SF, $5,900 on DraftKings, $7,300 on FanDuel): Reed can exploit the 49ers’ defense with solid target volume.
Fantasy Football Week 12 Sit ‘Em: Wide Receivers
Weaker starts
34. Deebo Samuel, San Francisco 49ers (at GB): Samuel is a risky play, currently ranked WR40 this season.
35. Tank Dell, Houston Texans (vs. TEN): Dell may not be needed much with Collins leading the charge.
36. Keenan Allen, Chicago Bears (vs. MIN): This matchup favors outside receivers.
37. Jaylen Waddle, Miami Dolphins (vs. NE): He’s not the focal point of this offense right now.
38. Christian Watson, Green Bay Packers (vs. SF): Don’t chase last week’s performance; this is a tough matchup.
39. Jordan Addison, Minnesota Vikings (at CHI): Avoid Addison as well; it’s not a favorable spot.
Fantasy Football Week 12 Start ‘Em: Tight Ends
Must starts
- Travis Kelce, Kansas City Chiefs (at CAR)
- George Kittle, San Francisco 49ers (if he returns, at GB)
- Brock Bowers, Las Vegas Raiders (at DEN)
- Sam LaPorta, Detroit Lions (if he plays, at IND)
- Trey McBride, Arizona Cardinals (at SEA)
- Will Dissly, Los Angeles Chargers (vs. BAL)
Stronger starts
7. Pat Freiermuth, Pittsburgh Steelers (vs. CLE): He should find the end zone in this favorable matchup.
8. Hunter Henry, New England Patriots (at MIA): He should see plenty of targets against a vulnerable Dolphins defense.
9. Cade Otton, Tampa Bay Buccaneers (at NYG): Otton is crucial to their passing game, making him a solid option.
10. T.J. Hockenson, Minnesota Vikings (at CHI): Expect Hockenson to bounce back with a touchdown in this matchup.
11. Ja’Tavion Sanders, Carolina Panthers (vs. KC): A rookie to watch, Sanders has a great matchup this week.
12. Theo Johnson, New York Giants (vs. TB): Another rookie to consider, especially with DeVito at the helm.
DFS pick
Travis Kelce, Kansas City Chiefs (at CAR, $5,800 on DraftKings, $7,200 on FanDuel): After a quiet game against the Bills, expect Kelce to bounce back in a big way.
Fantasy Football Week 12 Sit ‘Em: Tight Ends
Weaker starts
13. Jonnu Smith, Miami Dolphins (vs. NE): He’s a borderline start and may not be reliable this week.
14. Mark Andrews, Baltimore Ravens (at LAC): The Chargers defend the position well, making Andrews a risky play.
15. David Njoku, Cleveland Browns (vs. PIT): Njoku isn’t as reliable as Andrews and faces a tough matchup.
16. Zach Ertz, Washington Commanders (vs. DAL): With big plays expected, Ertz may not be needed much.
17. Tucker Kraft, Green Bay Packers (vs. SF): With more healthy wideouts, Kraft’s role may diminish.
18. Dallas Goedert, Philadelphia Eagles (at LAR): The numbers may suggest a start, but the reality is different.
19. Cole Kmet, Chicago Bears (vs. MIN): Avoid Kmet against a strong Vikings defense.
20. Dalton Schultz, Houston Texans (vs. TEN): The Titans just shut down Hockenson; Schultz could struggle.
Fantasy Football Week 12 Start ‘Em: Defense/Special Teams
Stronger starts
- Houston Texans (vs. TEN)
- Minnesota Vikings (at CHI)
- Denver Broncos (at LV)
- Kansas City Chiefs (at CAR)
- Pittsburgh Steelers (at CLE)
- Detroit Lions (at IND)
7. Miami Dolphins (vs. NE): They performed well last week and have another solid matchup at home.
8. Washington Commanders (vs. DAL): They can be played at home against a struggling rival.
9. Philadelphia Eagles (at LAR): Expect some big plays from Fangio’s defense against Stafford.
10. Arizona Cardinals (at SEA): They were on fire before the bye and should continue that trend.
11. Green Bay Packers (vs. SF): The Packers can force turnovers and get sacks at home.
12. Los Angeles Rams (vs. PHI): With their young energy, they can create key plays on Sunday night.
DFS pick
Houston Texans (vs. TEN, $3,600 on DraftKings, $4,700 on FanDuel): After a strong performance on Monday Night Football, expect the Texans to keep it rolling with big plays against the Titans.
Fantasy Football Week 12 Sit ‘Em: Defenses
Weaker starts
13. Chicago Bears (vs. MIN): They can make some plays against Darnold, but trust is an issue.
14. San Francisco 49ers (at GB): They haven’t been getting the job done lately.
15. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (at NYG): This matchup could be a trap on the road.
16. Baltimore Ravens (at LAC): Not against a strong Jim Harbaugh team.
17. Los Angeles Chargers (vs. BAL): Avoid them against John Harbaugh’s squad.
Get ready for an exciting Week 12 in the NFL! With so many players to consider, make sure to strategize wisely and enjoy the thrill of fantasy football!
