Before we jump into the starts and sits of the upcoming fantasy football week, let’s take a short recap of last week.
The good: Saquon Barkley. The rookie juggernaut rushed 27 times for 142 yards and two scores against a hapless Tampa Bay Buccaneers run defense. He added two receptions for 10 yards and one more score. He’s been far and away the most consistent weapon for the struggling New York Giants offense.
The bad: Marquez Valdes-Scantling. After receiving plenty of well-deserved hype, Valdes-Scantling fell very short of most fantasy owners, and analysts, expectations. An overreaction would not be recommended against MVS as he has shown a typically reliable floor, good hands, and he’s catching passes from Aaron Rodgers. R-E-L-A-X.
The Ugly: Alex Smith. 33 years to the day from the nearly identical Joe Theismann injury, Smith’s season has come to an end. The leg fracture was both compound and spiral, making it a difficult injury to return from. Good night, sweet prince.
Heading into Week 12 of fantasy, it’s Thanksgiving. We give thanks for family, food, friends, and football. And stretchy pants. Can’t forget those. May your cornucopias be filled with fantasy points!
It’s worth noting that many high-level fantasy studs are on bye this week with both the Kansas City Chiefs and the Los Angeles Rams sitting out this week. Adjust your lineups accordingly.
Fantasy Football Week 12: Starts and Sits Featuring Lamar Jackson
Starts: Quarterbacks
Jameis Winston vs. San Francisco 49ers
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterbacks, if combined, have amassed 3,746 passing yards, 25 touchdowns, and 23 interceptions this season. While the touchdown-to-interception ratio is appalling, the passing yards thus far are incredible. The Bucs defense can’t stop the pass or the run and therefore they are perpetually in catch-up mode. Jameis Winston has been named the starter this week, and assuming he limits (not removes) the turnovers, it’s his job to lose. The 49ers defense is allowing the eighth-most points to quarterbacks this season. With the limited rushing attack available, expect Winston to keep slinging the ball. He could easily land among the top-10 quarterbacks this week.
Lamar Jackson vs. Oakland Raiders
Scoring on the Oakland Raiders must be as easy as it looks. Despite managing to eke out a victory against the Arizona Cardinals last week, they still allowed three passing touchdowns to Josh Rosen. Only one quarterback on the season has failed to throw two or more touchdowns against the Raiders and that was back in week two.
Enter Lamar Jackson, a tidy, rough-around-the-edges rookie package containing a QB2/RB2 hybrid playstyle with an absolute ton of fantasy upside. While Jackson certainly lacks some polish in the passing game, this matchup may prove to be exploitable for both facets of his game. Last week in his starting debut, Jackson rushed for 117 yards on 27 attempts and threw for 150 yards with one interception. He didn’t throw a touchdown or run for one, but both of those things could occur this week. Realistically, it’s hard to imagine him rushing that many times every game he starts, but this performance shows closer to what his floor would be, without nearing his potential ceiling.
If Jackson gets the start again, he’s a great upside-play in superflex or two-quarterback leagues, and a possible bargain in DFS games. Monitor the quarterback status for the Ravens this week closely!
Sits: Quarterbacks
Matthew Stafford vs. Chicago Bears
Matthew Stafford has seen more up-and-down performances this season than in season’s past. This has been made more notable by the recent loss of Golden Tate via trade and Marvin Jones Jr. due to injury. Now running back Kerryon Johnson is looking likely to miss time. The Lions are going to be leaning on Stafford to lead a pass-heavy attack against a scary Bears defense that’s allowing the 10-fewest fantasy points to quarterbacks. Outside of two-quarterback leagues, owners should consider other options than Stafford and the depleted Lions offense.
Starts: Running Backs
Nick Chubb vs. Cinncinati Bengals
Since assuming the lead-back role, rookie running back Nick Chubb has yet to see less than 18 carries. In a position where volume is king, Chubb is sitting pretty in a plus matchup against the Cinncinati Bengals. The Bengals allow the second-most fantasy points to the position. Chubb has shown the ability to break big runs and should see enough work to increase that chance. He could easily land in the top-10 finishers this week at the position and should be started in all formats.
Marlon Mack vs. Miami Dolphins
Marlon Mack ran for 61 yards and one score against a stout Tennesse Titans run defense last week. While the stats don’t jump off the page, it’s worth mentioning that the Titans have yet to allow a running back over 85 yards, and have kept 15 other running backs under 70 yards this season. Mack had a pretty solid outing last week. This week he faces a Dolphins defense that has allowed four running backs to top 100 yards and is allowing the fifth-most points to the position. Mack should end up as a low-end RB1 this week in a great matchup.
Sits: Running Back
Lamar Miller vs. Tennessee Titans
As mentioned above, the Titans defense has been difficult for opposing running backs. They’re allowing the third-fewest points to the position. Lamar Miller continues to see consistent RB1 type of volume, which has somewhat salvaged some of his fantasy value. In a difficult matchup, Miller remains a low-end RB2/3 based on volume but temper production expectations.
Starts: Wide Receivers
Doug Baldwin vs. Carolina Panthers
The fantasy world has been not-so-patiently awaiting Doug Baldwin‘s return to form this season. Between injury and lower than normal passing volume from Russell Wilson, this season has been maddening for those who invested a relatively high draft pick for Baldwin. Last week, Baldwin saw a season-high 10 targets and finally found the end zone. Owners who still had him plugged into their lineups rejoiced, while those who finally benched him threw their hands up in frustration. Either way, Baldwin looked better out there than he has all season.
The Panthers have allowed multiple receivers to eclipse 80 receiving yards over their last five games. Baldwin enters this week as a mid-range WR3 in standard formats and low-end WR2 in PPR formats.
Tre’Quan Smith vs. Atlanta Falcons
Rookie wide-out Tre’Quan Smith emerged in a big way last week. His 13 targets and 157 yards were both career-highs for the young speedster. This week’s matchup could prove to be a shootout against the Atlanta Falcons high-powered offense. The Falcons defensive struggles have been well documented throughout this season and remains an exploitable matchup for a Drew Brees-led attack.
Sits: Wide Receivers
Corey Davis vs. Houston Texans
Corey Davis has frustrated fantasy owners more times than impressed them this season. Not all the fault lands squarely on his shoulders. The Jekyll and Hyde play from quarterback Marcus Mariota has been the fuel to the raging dumpster fire of the Titans offense. Davis has totaled less than 10 PPR points in eight games this season. The Houston Texans are allowing the sixth-fewest fantasy points to receivers. Davis remains in the WR3 mix based on volume, but this doesn’t have the appeal of a good matchup even if Mariota is healthy enough to play.
