NFL Fantasy Football 2025: Start ‘em, Sit ‘em – Week 12

Welcome back to Fantasy Football Start ‘em, Sit ‘em – where each week we explore some of my best picks for who should be starting in fantasy managers’ lineups, and who should be sitting the week out.

Packers star RB Josh Jacobs was unable to return against the Giants with a knee injury and is considered day-to-day, Falcons QB Michael Penix Jr. may be done for the year with a knee injury, Falcons star WR Drake London suffered a PCL sprain and could miss this week plus more, and Giants QB Jaxson Dart remains in concussion protocol but could clear before Sunday.

Fantasy managers will also be without players like De’Von Achane, Jaylen Waddle, Courtland Sutton, Justin Herbert and his WRs, and Deebo Samuel due to byes.

Per usual, let’s take a look at what we’ve got left to work with this week.

Ian’s Record: 46-38

Start ’em

Jared Goff (QB, Lions) vs Giants

Detroit is definitely fuming after only putting up 9 points against Philly, so I like Dan Campbell’s aggressive play calling to work well against a bottom five defense – both through the air and on the ground.

Caleb Williams (QB, Bears) vs Steelers

Somehow, some way, the Bears sit atop the NFC North at 7-3 amid a three-game win streak. Pittsburgh’s secondary is much more forgiving than its front seven, so I like Williams to continue to air it out back at home.

TreVeyon Henderson (RB, Patriots) at Bengals

Even if Rhamondre Stevenson is able to suit up this week, Henderson has been balling out and should still receive the majority of the snaps in a delicious matchup. He’s got five total touchdowns in his last two games  and Cincinnati is awful (most fantasy points allowed to RBs) at containing the run.

Eagles WRs at Cowboys

It’s been a shaky play for both AJ Brown and Devonta Smith just about all season, but Dallas’ horrible secondary presents multiple big-play opportunities for both guys.

Chris Olave (WR, Saints) vs Falcons

Atlanta has been struggling against WRs recently (fifth most fantasy points in the past five weeks) and Olave’s going to continue eating up targets with Rashid Shaheed gone. As long as he’s healthy, he’s a top 10 fantasy WR in my book.

Hunter Henry (TE, Patriots) at Bengals

Same situation as Henderson – Cincinnati has been historically bad against TEs as well this season (most fantasy points allowed). 

Sit ’em

Baker Mayfield (QB, Bucs) at Rams

Baker played alright against Buffalo, and we could see another shootout here, but the Rams just picked Sam Darnold off FOUR times. With depleted options still, things could get messy for Mayfield quick.

Giants RBs at Lions

The Lions have been locking down the run recently (least fantasy points allowed in the past seven weeks), and this is a strange split between backup running backs. No thanks.

Rachaad White (RB, Bucs) at Rams

There’s questions around Bucky Irving’s availability, and Sean Tucker’s eruption against Buffalo leads me to believe we’ll see more of him over White regardless.

Khalil Shakir (WR, Bills) at Texans

Josh Allen’s going to be forced to spread the ball out too much for any Buffalo WR’s benefit against Houston’s nasty secondary. 

Browns TEs at Raiders

Regardless of the matchup, it’s tough to trust either David Njoku or Harold Fannin Jr. because you don’t know what you’re getting from either Shedeur or Dillon Gabriel, if he plays. Plus, the Raiders are stingy at the TE position.

BYES: MIAMI DOLPHINS, DENVER BRONCOS, LOS ANGELES CHARGERS, WASHINGTON COMMANDERS