Fantasy Football Week 12: Start ’em, Sit ’em

We are three weeks away from fantasy football playoffs, starting in many ESPN leagues. Now more than ever it’s important to choose your starting lineups carefully based on matchups, favorability, injury reports, especially if you’re on the fringe of making your league’s playoffs or not.

Luckily, I am once again here to help! There are plenty of favorable matchups and waiver wire streams that could help you get a much needed win this week and propel you into the playoffs. There are no teams on bye this week, which definitely helps.

Ian’s Record: 57-31

Start ’em

Tua Tagovailoa (QB, Dolphins) vs. Texans

Tua Tagovailoa has continued to silence the haters this season, as he’s been brought up heavily in MVP talks. In his last three games, Tua has put up 969 yards, nine touchdowns, and zero interceptions with each game posting an above 135 passer rating.

Hosting the Texans this week, who still stink, Tua and his wide receivers should have a field day after stomping on the Browns in week 10. Even though the Texans have done surprisingly well against QBs this season, their offense won’t be able to keep up with the Dolphins’ offense.

David Montgomery (RB, Bears) vs. Jets

While Montgomery’s volume to this point has been on the lower end, he saw a season-high tying 17 attempts last week against the Falcons for 67 yards and his third score of the year.

Expect Montgomery to see heavier usage this week against the Jets, even though they’ve allowed the tenth fewest fantasy points to running backs. Justin Fields will either play with an injured shoulder or will be replaced, leaving potential for a positive game script for Montgomery.

Tee Higgins (WR, Bengals) vs. Titans

Even if Ja’Marr Chase is able to suit up against the Titans, this matchup is still too delicious to pass up for Tee Higgins. Chase has been limited at practice and will likely see limited time if he plays, and Higgins posted a season high 148 yards last week against the Steelers.

The Titans have allowed the fifth most fantasy points to wide receivers in the past eight weeks. Whether Chase plays or not, Higgins is set to go off.

Gerald Everett (TE, Chargers) vs. Cardinals (if he returns)

While I was inconsiderate to Gerald Everett a couple weeks ago because of his habit of dropping passes, he also has a very favorable matchup this week against the Cardinals.

Arizona is dead last in tight end PPR rankings this season, so I’m expecting (and hoping) Everett to see a fair share of targets and a touchdown; that is if he plays.

Sit ’em

Jared Goff (QB, Lions) vs. Bills

While the Lions have caught some heat after their third straight win in New York, Goff didn’t contribute much in those games, at least fantasy-wise. He threw for 165 yards against the Giants, and faces a much tougher opponent Thanksgiving Day in Buffalo.

His unreliability to put up points of his own makes him a shaky start against this tough Bills defense. Even with all the injuries suffered in the Bills’ secondary, they’ve allowed the eighth fewest points to QBs this year.

Cordarrelle Patterson (RB, Falcons) vs. Commanders

Ever since he went down in week four against the Browns, Patterson hasn’t seen the same volume he saw in weeks prior. Especially with Tyler Allgeier sharing snaps, it’s tough for Patterson to remain fantasy relevant after he was bailed out against the Bears for returning a kickoff.

With Taylor Heinicke taking the reins in Washington, the Commanders are gaining confidence and hoping to squeeze their way into the postseason. This game may go back and forth, but I don’t see it happening from the likes of Falcon running backs against a stout run defense.

Diontae Johnson (WR, Steelers) vs. Colts

Johnson has seen disappointing outings all season, and my fear for him is that’s not likely to change.

While Kenny Pickett has been throwing the ball a fair amount, the production given to Johnson just hasn’t been enough to name him a true fantasy receiver.

Heading to Indy this week, I don’t see anything different happening for him. The Colts have surrendered the least amount of fantasy points to wide receivers this season, and in general Pickett seems to prefer George Pickens.

Tyler Conklin (TE, Jets) vs. Bears

The Jets are in a bit of a hole.

After posting three points and losing to the Patriots on a last-second punt return, QB Zach Wilson lost his starting job following a very controversial press conference.

Yikes.

In his place will be Mike White, who hasn’t started a game this season. I would be wary of starting any Jets player this week, but if I’m to tell you to sit a tight end, it’s Tyler Conklin. The Bears offense is rolling and their defense has been stellar against tight ends. This might be another ugly one for Jets fans.

BYES: NONE

Happy Thanksgiving!