ALERT: The Saints have ruled out Alvin Kamara, Chris Olave, and Derek Carr for Monday Night.

Week 12 Sit Start

Wednesday, Nov 21, 2012 at 12:00 pm ET

fantasy football rankings
Where to Put 'em is the Fantasy Football Nerd's look at the best and worst matchups for the week. Decisions are based upon the FFN rankings and matchup analysis. Given the known conditions, these matchups are the ones to watch and/or avoid for Week 12.

This list does not generally include the elite players that you are going to start regardless of matchup. You don't need us to tell you to start Aaron Rodgers, Andre Johnson, or Ray Rice. Where to Put 'em takes a look at other players on your team that we believe either have great matchups or should be avoided for multiple reasons. Factors like opposing defense, performance trending, and peer comparisons may influence our decisions.

Put 'em In The Game: Andy Dalton
Not many would have guessed Andy Dalton to be a Top 10 Fantasy QB but that's where we find him after 11 weeks. He had a solid outing last week against the Chiefs and should produce similar numbers this week against the Raiders who are giving up an average of 261 yards/game through the air and the 6th-most fantasy points.

Put 'em In The Game: Andrew Luck
Like Dalton above, who would have guessed rookie Andrew Luck to be among the Top 10 Fantasy QB's of 2012? Luck has been anything but lucky throwing for 2,965 yards and 17 scores after 11 weeks. He'll be playing at home this week against the Bills who are giving up the 8th-most fantasy points to opposing QB's. Luck should have a nice day.

Put 'em In The Game: Marcel Reece
With Darren McFadden and Mike Goodson still out, Marcel Reece makes for a great play yet again. Reece is a multifaceted player able to run well and also be a factor in the passing game. Even though he has only seen the endzone once, he's had 19 receptions in the last 3 games for 241 yards and 151 yards rushing. The Bengals give up the 7th-most fantasy points which makes this a fantastic matchup.

Put 'em In The Game: BenJarvus Green-Ellis
Looking to the other sideline, we find another RB worthy of a start this week. BenJarvus Green-Ellis hit the century mark last week and should easily see that again this week against Oakland. The Raiders are giving up the 2nd-most fantasy points to opposing running backs and the Law Firm is on a roll.

Put 'em In The Game: C.J. Spiller
If Fred Jackson suits up, C.J. Spiller becomes a solid RB2. If FJax sits it out, Spiller (who has quietly become a Top 10 fantasy RB) becomes a low-end RB1 against the Colts. Indy is giving up the 8th-most fantasy points and every significant back that has faced them has seen double-digit days. Spiller should certainly see the endzone.

Put 'em In The Game: Randall Cobb
Randall Cobb has been called the "poor man's Percy Harvin". That's fine. We'll take it. Cobb has become the #1 receiver on the Green Bay receiving corp ahead of Jordy Nelson, James Jones, and the injury-riddled Greg Jennings. His fantasy production has been fantastic (especially in PPR formats) and that should continue against the Giants who are giving up the 3rd-most fantasy points to opposing WR's.

Put 'em In The Game: Michael Crabtree
It seems like every San Fran receiver gets a boost in value with Alex Smith out. With a matchup against the Saints, Colin Kaepernick should be able to zing the ball wherever he wants. Nobody gives up more fantasy points through the air than New Orleans so we're expecting a solid day out of Crabtree.

Put 'em In The Game: Jason Witten
Next to the Saints, every fantasy owner wants their wide receivers and QB's to play against Washington. This Thanksgiving, Witten owners (and really...Romo, Bryant, & Austin owners as well) should have plenty to give thanks for. The Redskins give up the 2nd-most fantasy points to TE's and the most receptions and receiving yards. For a guy like Witten, that's better than turkey and stuffing.

Put 'em In The Game: Brandon Myers
Brandon who? Brandon Myers is perhaps the best TE that you haven't heard of, but that won't last for long. He's averaging 18 fantasy points (PPR) over the last 3 games and has quietly become one of the Top 10 fantasy TE's of 2012. He faces the Bengals this week who are giving up the 6th-most fantasy points to opposing TE's making this a sweet matchup.

Put 'em In The Game: David Akers
You hate to keep picking on the Saints, but let's face it, they're giving up so many points that it's hard not to like the guys facing them...even at the kicker position. David Akers hasn't lived up to our expectations this season but he'll likely build off last week's 12 point performance against New Orleans who is allowing the 3rd-most fantasy points to opposing kickers this year.

Put 'em In The Game: Denver Broncos
Here's the only number you need to know: 2. 2 is the defensive rank of the Denver Broncos who have become the 2nd-most productive fantasy defense. They've been racking up fantasy points like George Clooney racks up frequent flier miles. 2 is the defensive rank of the Kansas City Chiefs - as in they give up the 2nd-most fantasy points to opposing defenses. The Broncos should knock the Chiefs off their game this week.

Put 'em On The Bench: Philip Rivers
What a terribly disappointing year for fantasy owners who find themselves in the unfortunate position of having to start Philip Rivers. The Ravens give up the 4th-fewest fantasy points to opposing QB's and Rivers hasn't remotely lived up to our expectations. If you're in a must-win situation, we just don't have the confidence in Rivers to recommend a start.

Put 'em On The Bench: Matt Schaub
We can't stress this enough. Do NOT expect a repeat of last week's monster performance from Matt Schaub. He will likely still turn in a decent day, but the Lions D playing at home won't allow him to rack up 500+ yards. They made Aaron Rodgers look like a normal QB and will likely do the same to Schaub.

Put 'em On The Bench: Reggie Bush
We've given up on Reggie Bush. In his last four games (which included cake matchups like Buffalo, Indianapolis, and Tennessee), Bush has failed miserably. Over those last four games, he has averaged a pathetic 35 yards rushing and 13 yards receiving in each game. Nobody wants to see single digits out of their RB, but are we supposed to expect anything more particularly when he's facing the Seahawks who have given up the 8th-fewest fantasy points? I don't think so.

Put 'em On The Bench: Mark Ingram
In the absence of Darren Sproles, Mark Ingram has stepped up and turned in decent performances. Sproles may play this week which could limit Ingram's snaps. Oh yeah...and there's that other thing. He faces the 49ers who just made Matt Forte and Michael Bush look like Junior Varsity bench warmers. It's time to hop off the Ingram bandwagon.

Put 'em On The Bench: Mike Williams
Mike Williams was looking like he might return to fantasy relevance this year. Not so fast. Vincent Jackson still has the big play potential but Williams has fallen to the wayside as of late. That's not likely to change this week facing the Falcons who have given up the fewest scores to wide receivers and the 5th-fewest fantasy points to them. Have a seat.

Put 'em On The Bench: DeSean Jackson
DeSean Jackson can be a dangerous man. In the open field, few can catch him; however he can't be dangerous unless he gets the ball. Jackson is the 30th-most productive fantasy WR in 2012 which means that in a 12-team league, he's barely a WR3. Don't expect much more than that from him this week against the Panthers who are giving up the 11th-fewest fantasy points.

Put 'em On The Bench: Heath Miller
With Ben Roethlisberger sidelined, the fantasy value of Heath Miller went south like a retired couple in winter. Miller lost fantasy relevance with Byron Leftwich under center so imagine our perception of his value with Charlie Batch preparing to take snaps. The only saving grace would be if Batch used Miller as a security blanket throwing short throws, but a tough matchup against the Browns still wouldn't be enough for us to have any confidence.

Put 'em On The Bench: Garrett Hartley
Conventional wisdom would dictate that the kicker from an offensively-explosive team like the the New Orleans Saints should be putting up great points every week. Well, conventional wisdom would be wrong. Garrett Hartley has been absolutely terrible from a fantasy perspective this year and that won't likely change against the 49ers who are giving up the 5th-fewest fantasy points to kickers this year.

Put 'em On The Bench: New York Giants
Who in their right mind would sit the 6th-best fantasy defense? This week...we would. The New York Giants have a roster of talent on the defensive side of the ball and they will get their sacks on Aaron Rodgers Sunday night, but the G-Men won't put up double-digit fantasy points because very few defenses have against Green Bay. This should be a shoot out!

Join the Discussion

bmaclaughlin CommentedNov 22, 2012 11:00 am

Tough decision this week. Gotta bench one of my top shelf receivers for Danario Aleander (who was my FLEX). I also picked up Jalen Parmele off waivers. I anticipate him sliding into the FLEX spot. Which would you bench? PPR league. Keep in mind I am an underdog this week and one game out of the playoff bracket in a 14 team league. I probably need to roll the dice to get a win.

WR

Julio (@TB) - even banged up he is a FF machine

DeSean Jackson (CAR) - Usually tops out around 11 pts, but disappoints frequently. Still nine targets last week.

James Jones (@NYG) - Great receiver with Jennings out. Jordy back, but ad 8TDs already this year.

TE

Olsen (@PHI) is producing, but Dallas Clark (ATL) has scored two weeks in a row. Thinking about experimenting with Clark

DEF

Arizona (StL) - racked up the points last week

Cincinnati (OAK) Palmer throws picks

I welcome any comments!

MAC

Nerd CommentedNov 22, 2012 11:00 am

Hey Mac -

As hard as I might try, I just can't put any faith in DeSean Jackson. He could get a big play which would make his week solid, but I don't want to put all my eggs into that basket.

I wouldn't bet on Dallas Clark making it three weeks in a row. I'm rolling with Olsen.

Right now, I think it will be close between ARI and CIN, but I'd give the edge to the Cardinals this week.

Good luck!