Playing the right player in the right matchup can make or break your fantasy football success. At the same time, knowing which wide receivers to start or bench based on their matchup is just as important. Let’s take a look at some players who fit into this narrative for Week 12.
Week 12 Wide Receivers to Start or Bench
Start: PHI WR DeVonta Smith vs. DAL Kaiir Elam
Smith had just one catch for eight yards last week against the Lions, but the opportunity for a big bounce-back game looms large this week. Obviously, the Eagles pass attack has been a talking point for a better part of the season, but Dallas has one of the worst pass defenses in the league. They are giving up a shade under 250 passing yards a game. Geno Smith even threw for 238 yards against the defense. Dallas DTs Kenny Clark and Quinnen Williams pose a wall in the middle to stuff Saquon Barkley, so I would imagine Jalen Hurts will throw more often.
For more help with this week’s fantasy football matchups, check out our Week 12 Start/Sit!
Bench: KC WR Rashee Rice vs. IND CB Charvarious Ward
Rice was held to just six catches for 38 yards last week against Denver without Pat Surtain II. This week, Rice will see the likes of Charvarius Ward and Sauce Gardner in what is perhaps the most lockdown duo in the NFL. Ward returned to practice this week with the assumption that he will play this week. Ward and Gardner are tough to catch the ball against, especially with slot corner Kenny Moore II and safeties Cam Bynum and Nick Cross over the top for support. It will be hard to bench Rice, but it should be considered this week.
