Week 12 is a pivotal one for fantasy football lineup decisions, as the postseason is just around the corner. Fortunately, no teams are on bye, allowing fantasy owners access to every healthy player. However, injury attrition has run more rampant, making it more difficult to decide who to start or sit, even with more overall players available.
Joe Burrow, Mark Andrews, Aaron Jones, Kenneth Walker, and Cooper Kupp are among the players who went down with injuries in Week 11. That adds to a pileup of players already missing in action, which still includes Justin Jefferson, Tee Higgins, and Dameon Pierce.
Sporting News' Vinnie Iyer is here to help again with his combination of rankings, recommendations, information, and insight to help you make the right calls with the Week 12 "Decider."
MORE: Get NFL RedZone with Sling (50% off first month)
If you have specific lineup questions, check out RotoBaller's industry-leading "Who To Start?" tool below and compare up to four players across all positions.
MORE: Click here to upgrade to RotoBaller's NFL Premium Pass. Gain VIP access to expert tools and advice from proven winners including the NFL DFS Lineup Optimizer, the Team Sync Platform with customized tools, Premium fantasy football rankings, and DFS cheat sheets! Get hooked up and use discount code SPORTING!
Fantasy Football Week 12 Start 'Em: Quarterbacks
Must starts
- Jalen Hurts, Eagles (vs. BUF)
- Josh Allen, Bills (at PHI)
- Dak Prescott, Cowboys (vs. WAS)
- Lamar Jackson, Ravens (at LAC)
- Patrick Mahomes, Chiefs (at LV)
- C.J. Stroud, Texans (vs. JAX)
- Brock Purdy, 49ers (at SEA)
Stronger starts
8. Justin Fields, Bears (at MIN). Fields proved he's back with his dual-threat production at a high level, and he should remain in lineups in another manageable road division matchup out of the elements.
9. Josh Dobbs, Vikings (vs. CHI). Dobbs has gotten it done with multiple scores running and passing for Minnesota, and he should be active opposite Fields even if Justin Jefferson (hamstring) remains out.
19. Kyler Murray, Cardinals (vs. LAR). Murray is the other running QB picking up where he left off. There's nothing too scary about the Rams' defense this week in Arizona.
11. Justin Herbert, Chargers (vs. BAL). Fade him in DFS in relation to the QBs above, but if he's your season-long starter, you should hope he defies the matchup with his top talent through high volume.
12. Trevor Lawrence, Jaguars (at HOU). Lawrence has had a tough time in the past with the Texans, so he'll drop to the end of the QB1s this week. Still, he's worth starting coming in a sneaky shootout coming off his best game of the year.
13. Baker Mayfield, Buccaneers (at IND). The Colts' secondary is playing better, but their defense overall is fickle. Mayfield has too many weapons to not deliver in a good matchup with no elements.
14. Jordan Love, Packers (at DET). Love will go into Ford Field coming off two strong fantasy performances, and the Lions' pass defense is leaking more of late.
15. Derek Carr, Saints (at ATL). Carr has yet to clear concussion protocol, so watch that, but either he or Jameis Winston can put up 250-plus yards and two TDs vs. the rival Falcons.
DFS picks
Kenny Pickett, Steelers (at CIN $4,800 DraftKings, $8,500 FanDuel). There's no more Matt Canada, so look for the coaching staff to find creative ways to make the mobile Pickett more effective as a passer and runner. Getting multiple TDs from him seems near impossible, but that's why it's a sneaky contrarian GPP.
Desmond Ridder, Falcons (vs. NO, $4,800 DraftKings, $6,600 FanDuel). Ridder should get a little love in DFS lineups because of his cheapness in his return start. He's averaging nearly 3X return on his current price on the season, so he's a "safe" cheap pivot.
WEEK 12 STANDARD RANKINGS:
QBs | RBs | WRs | TEs | D/STs | Kickers
Fantasy Football Week 12 Sit 'Em: Quarterbacks
Weaker starts
16. Jared Goff, Lions (vs. GB). Goff didn't throw much with effectiveness in the first meeting, and he's coming off a sloppy turnover game at home, so expect them to shorten the game with a heavy dose of dominant running.
17. Tua Tagovailoa, Dolphins (at NYJ). He doesn't tend to come through in tougher spots, and the Jets will be eager to make some amends on Black Friday at home.
18. Russell Wilson, Broncos (vs. CLE). The Browns' defense is not as good on the road, but it's still nasty enough on quarterbacks.
19. Sam Howell, Commanders (at DAL). He's a volatile player with some shaken confidence, so use him at your own big risk.
20. Matthew Stafford, Rams (at ARI). The matchup says "yes," for a second time, but it's been impossible to count on him coming through with pleasing yardage and touchdowns.
21. Geno Smith, Seahawks (vs. SF). Smith (elbow) might not go vs. the 49ers, but whether it's him or Drew Lock, this is a brutal matchup against a red-hot rival defense.
22. Gardner Minshew, Colts (vs. TB). The numbers and secondary injuries say Minshew might work out as a streamer, but keep in mind he's a volatile gunslinger and Jonathan Taylor's running is becoming a much bigger factor.
23. Will Levis, Titans (vs. CAR). Levis might seem like he's worth a stream, but the Panthers are much worse vs. the run than the pass with all their injuries.
WEEK 12 FANTASY ADVICE: Sleepers | Busts | Projections
Fantasy Football Week 12 Start 'Em: Running backs
Must starts
- Christian McCaffrey, 49ers (at SEA)
- Derrick Henry, Titans (vs. CAR)
- Rachaad White, Buccaneers (at IND)
- David Montgomery, Lions (vs. GB)
- Jahmyr Gibbs, Lions (vs. GB)
- Saquon Barkley, Giants (vs. NE)
- Raheem Mostert, Dolphins (at NYJ)
- Travis Etienne, Jaguars (at HOU)
- Jonathan Taylor, Colts (vs. TB)
- Alvin Kamara, Saints (at ATL)
- Joe Mixon, Bengals (vs. PIT)
- Rhamondre Stevenson, Patriots (at NYG)
- Bijan Robinson, Falcons (vs. NO)
- Breece Hall, Jets (vs. MIA)
- Josh Jacobs, Raiders (vs. KC)
- Isiah Pacheco, Chiefs (at LV)
- Tony Pollard, Cowboys (vs. WAS)
- Austin Ekeler, Chargers (vs. BAL)
- D'Andre Swift, Eagles (vs. BUF)
- Gus Edwards, Ravens (at. LAC)
- Javonte Williams, Broncos (vs. CLE)
Stronger starts
22. Jaylen Warren, Steelers (at CIN). There's no more Matt Canada, so the running game should be the focal point. Warren can rip through a reeling Bengals run defense.
23. Devin Singletary, Texans (at JAX). He's getting the volume and should have nailed down the job over injured Dameon Pierce (ankle), so play him even in a tricky spot.
24. Kyren Williams, Rams (at ARI). He should return to clean up the backfield mess, and the Cardinals have been giving up plenty on the ground.
25. Jerome Ford, Browns (at DEN). The Broncos are hemorrhaging points to all kinds of running back combinations, and Ford will be a smooth ride again.
26. Keaton Mitchell, Ravens (at LAC). The Chargers give up a ton of big runs to speedy young backs, so Mitchell should deliver playing off Gus Edwards.
27. Najee Harris, Steelers (at CIN). He can provide a strong 1-2 power punch with Warren.
28. Ty Chandler, Vikings (vs. CHI). Chandler is the more dynamic of Minnesota's two backs, and that can serve him well running and receiving in this prime-time home matchup.
29. Kareem Hunt, Browns (at DEN). He can provide a strong 1-2 power punch with Ford.
DFS Picks
Rhamondre Stevenson, Patriots (at NYG, $5,800 DraftKings, $6,800 FanDuel). Stevenson looked great before the bye, and he should be featured running and receiving against the wilting Giants' defense. Stevenson should score at least once again, too.
Rachaad White, Buccaneers (at IND, $6,100 DraftKings, $7,000 FanDuel). The Colts will have trouble covering him out of the backfield, and they also have proved to be more giving vs. speedy running games. White should also find the end zone again for Baker Mayfield.
WEEK 12 PPR RANKINGS:
QBs | RBs | WRs | TEs | D/STs | Kickers
Fantasy Football Week 12 Sit 'Em: Running backs
Weaker starts
30. James Cook, Bills (at PHI). Cook has been running much better of late with more consistent usage, but it's hard to put up pleasing numbers on the Eagles.
31. James Conner, Cardinals (vs. LAR). Conner is totally reliant on his rushing and TDs with no love in the receiving game, so he doesn't inspire again.
32. Brian Robinson Jr., Commanders (at DAL). Robinson was OK in a smash spot last week but won't get much done here.
33. Zach Charbonnet, Seahawks (vs. SF). The idea of him getting volume is nice with Kenneth Walker III (oblique) out, but this matchup will curb his initial value.
34. AJ Dillon, Packers (at DET). He gets the volume here on Thursday with no Aaron Jones (knee), but it's a terrible matchup for a power runner.
35. Chuba Hubbard, Panthers (at TEN). Hubbard is seeing more of Miles Sanders behind him, and this matchup stinks for Carolina's offensive line.
36. Khalil Herbert, Bears (at MIN). Herbert is the man guy again with D'Onta Foreman (ankle) hurting, so let's hope he can burst for some nice yardage with a fair shot at a TD.
37. Alexander Mattison, Vikings (at CHI). He fumbled last week and didn't look great beyond a little tough power running complementing Ty Chandler.
WEEK 12 DFS:
DK lineup | FD lineup | Best values | Best stacks
Fantasy Football Week 12 Start 'Em: Wide receivers
Must starts
- CeeDee Lamb, Cowboys (vs. WAS)
- Stefon Diggs, Bills (at PHI)
- Ja'Marr Chase, Bengals (vs. PIT)
- Amon-Ra St. Brown, Lions (vs. GB)
- Tyreek Hill, Dolphins (at NYJ)
- A.J. Brown, Eagles (vs. BUF)
- Brandon Aiyuk, 49ers (at SEA)
- Puka Nacua, Rams (at ARI)
- DJ Moore, Bears (at MIN)
- Tank Dell, Texans (vs. JAX)
- Mike Evans, Buccaneers (at IND)
- DeAndre Hopkins, Titans (vs. CAR)
- Michael Pittman Jr, Colts (vs. TB)
- Adam Thielen, Panthers (at TEN)
- Keenan Allen, Chargers (vs. BAL)
- DeVonta Smith, Eagles (vs. BUF)
- Davante Adams, Raiders (vs. KC)
- Chris Olave, Saints (at ATL)
- Courtland Sutton, Broncos (vs. CLE)
- Deebo Samuel, 49ers (at SEA)
- DK Metcalf, Seahawks (vs. SF)
- Christian Kirk, Jaguars (at HOU)
- Calvin Ridley, Jaguars (at HOU)
- Tyler Lockett, Seahawks (vs. SF)
- Nico Collins, Texans (vs. JAX)
- Zay Flowers, Ravens (at LAC)
- Jayden Reed, Packers (at DET)
- Garrett Wilson, Jets (vs. MIA)
- Jaylen Waddle, Dolphins (at NYJ)
- Terry McLaurin, Commanders (at DAL)
Stronger starts
31. Jordan Addison, Vikings (vs. CHI). He will be relieved to get a great spot at home vs. the Bears after seeing Pat Surtain II last week.
32. Drake London, Falcons (vs. NO). London gets a huge break after the bye with no Marshon Lattimore (ankle), and he should get revved up more at home with Desmond Ridder.
33. Josh Downs, Colts (vs. TB). The Bucs can't cover him or Michael Pittman well with their injuries.
34. Odell Beckham Jr., Ravens (at LAC). He's a prime-time player and it's another prime-time game in the stadium where he starred for the other Los Angeles team in the Super Bowl.
35. Brandin Cooks, Cowboys (vs. WAS). Cooks can absolutely torch his secondary playing off CeeDee Lamb.
36. Demario Douglas, Patriots (at NYG). He's their best receiver overall this season and will make for a fine floor PPR play.
37. Romeo Doubs, Packers (at DET). Doubs is still involved well ahead of Christian Watson.
38. Diontae Johnson, Steelers (vs. CIN). They will look to grease him well in a tough spot with no Matt Canada.
39. Rashee Rice, Chiefs (at LV). Let's try again with him making an impact play or two, hopefully with a TD.
40. Tutu Atwell, Rams (at ARI). He could become relevant again quickly with Cooper Kupp (ankle) hurting.
41. Khalil Shakir, Bills (at PHI). He can kill it in the slot again vs. the biggest weakness in Philadelphia's coverage.
DFS picks
Tank Dell, Texans (vs. JAX, $6,900 DraftKings, $7,800 FanDuel). Dell is going off again here with his speed and quickness downfield, as multiple receiver injuries have locked him into being C.J. Stroud's go-to guy.
Chris Olave, Saints (at ATL, $6,800 DraftKings, $7,300 FanDuel). Olave can ramp up well after the bye with no Michael Thomas (knee), and New Orleans will move him around well away from A.J. Terrell.
Adam Thielen, Panthers (at TEN, $7,300 DraftKings, $7,500 FanDuel). Thielen got back going last week after some quiet work, and the Titans can be had inside or outside with his versatile, sure-handed presence.
Fantasy Football Week 12 Sit 'Em: Wide receivers
Weaker starts
42. Amari Cooper, Browns (at DEN). He should get Pat Surtain II this week, and things aren't looking good with Dorian Thompson-Robinson.
43. Gabe Davis, Bills (at PHI). He's been faded in favor of Khalil Shakir and Dalton Kincaid more of late, so it comes down to him making a big-play TD.
44. Chris Godwin, Buccaneers (at IND). Godwin has a rough spot outside here.
45. Jakobi Meyers, Raiders (vs, KC). You can't trust him in a tough matchup with Aidan O'Connell throwing to him.
46. Christian Watson, Packers (at DET). He's a TD-or-bust guy now playing behind Jayden Reed and Romeo Doubs.
47. George Pickens, Steelers (at CIN). Pickens is hard to trust as a deep threat in the offense.
48. Marquise Brown, Cardinals (vs. LAR). He is just not getting it done with Kyler Murray.
49. Jerry Jeudy, Broncos (vs. CLE). The Browns are strong in the slot with Greg Newsome.
50. Tyler Boyd, Bengals (vs. PIT). The Steelers got a little tougher inside after changing up their corners.
51. Jahan Dotson, Commanders (at DAL). You can't trust him with his inconsistent-to-nothing role.
52. Elijah Moore, Browns (at DEN). Don't chase his random reappearance in the box score.
53. Rashid Shaheed, Saints (at ATL). It's not bad for him without Thomas, but A.T. Perry has the next-best matchup after Chris Olave.
Fantasy Football Week 12 Start 'Em: Tight ends
Must starts
- Travis Kelce, Chiefs (at LV)
- T.J. Hockenson, Vikings (vs. CHI)
- Dalton Kincaid, Bills (at PHI)
- George Kittle, 49ers (at SEA)
- Sam LaPorta, Lions (vs. GB)
- David Njoku, Browns (at DEN)
- Kyle Pitts, Falcons (vs. NO)
Stronger starts
8. Dalton Schultz, Texans (vs. JAX). Schultz keeps getting it done with either catches, yards, or TDs (or all of the above).
9. Trey McBride, Cardinals (vs. LAR). He should rebound nicely in another favorable matchup with this game back in Arizona.
10. Jake Ferguson, Cowboys (vs. WAS). He won't be needed much here, but he can still come through for a red-hot Dak Prescott in a good-enough spot.
11. Taysom Hill, Saints (at ATL). Hill is more of a running back, and he can deliver playing off Alvin Kamara.
12. Juwan Johnson, Saints (at ATL). Johnson is more of a traditional tight end and can get some love this week, especially if Jameis Winston goes.
13. Logan Thomas, Commanders (at DAL). He might be the only thing that works well in the passing game on Thursday.
14. Pat Freiermuth, Steelers (at CIN). The Steelers' new offense should get Freiermuth more involved in his second game back given how bad the Bengals are vs. the position.
DFS pick
David Njoku, Browns (at DEN, $4,100 DraftKings, $5,700 FanDuel). The Broncos still give it up well to tight ends, as even Josh Oliver did something last week. Njoku is locked in well with DTR, and this is the best possible matchup for a high ROI.
Fantasy Football Week 12 Sit 'Em: Tight ends
Weaker starts
15. Cade Otton, Buccaneers (at IND). Otton doesn't have it as easy here vs. Indy's linebackers and safeties.
16. Cole Kmet, Bears (at MIN). He can do something big at any time, but it's mostly not there with Justin Fields.
17. Evan Engram, Jaguars (at HOU). He's been a low-floor player lately with no TDs all season, so why keep playing him, even in a good spot? (Reverse jinx alert).
18. Jonnu Smith, Falcons (vs. NO). Let's hope the "Jonnu Era" is over after the bye with Desmond Ridder playing again.
19. Michael Mayer, Raiders (vs. KC). The idea of Mayer remains better than the usage and execution
20. Tyler Conklin, Jets (vs. MIA). He's not going to suddenly be worth using with Tim Boyle.
Fantasy Football Week 12 Start 'Em: Defenses
Stronger starts
- Cowboys (vs. WAS)
- Chiefs (at LV)
- Steelers (at CIN)
- Browns (at DEN)
- 49ers (at SEA)
- Broncos (vs. CLE)
- Dolphins (at NYJ)
8. Patriots (at NYG). They will make some plays vs. Tommy DeVito coming off a bye.
9. Giants (at NE). The other side also gets to exploit a shaky QB.
10. Saints (at ATL). They will play well after the bye and can force mistakes from Desmond Ridder.
11. Vikings (vs. CHI). They are playing much better of late, and we're giving them the home prime-time bump.
12. Eagles (vs. BUF). They played well vs. the Chiefs and can force some sacks and turnovers from Josh Allen here.
DFS pick
Titans (vs. CAR $3,400 DraftKings, $4,300 FanDuel). They are at a nice price point this week after the Jaguars beat them up last week. Tennessee can deliver what's needed with sacks and turnovers on Bryce Young.
Fantasy Football Week 12 Sit 'Em: Defenses
Weaker starts
13. Ravens (at LAC). It's hard to get many sacks and takeaways vs. Justin Herbert.
14. Lions (vs. GB). They're suddenly regressing, and the Packers' offense is heating up.
15. Jets (vs. MIA). They're risky because of their run defense issues
16. Bengals (vs. PIT). You might think about it with Kenny Pickett on the other side, but don't.
17. Colts (vs. TB). Not against this version of Baker Mayfield.
18. Jaguars (at HOU). The Texans' offense is too hot to play a D/ST against.
Get more of Vinnie Iyer's weekly analysis by listening or watching the daily Locked On Fantasy Football podcast.
