Another week, another edition of starts and sits for quarterbacks and running backs. Last week, we saw Justin Herbert and Bo Nix as starts. That turned out well as Herbert finished as the QB8, and Nix finished as the overall QB3. For quarterback sits, Jayden Daniels finished as the QB24, and Jordan Love was the QB11, so there was a 75% hit rate for quarterbacks in Week 11.
As for running backs, Nick Chubb finished as the RB38 and never got the chance to produce. The Browns got blown out. Najee Harris was a solid RB2 but not an RB1 finish as I predicted. The running back sits were horrendous. The Washington Commanders running backs both finished inside the top 15. James Cook finished as an RB1. On to Week 12.
Week 12 Quarterback Starts
Tommy Devito vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
The Sopranos cast member, Tommy Devito, gets to do his magic just like last season. He could not get a better match-up. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are allowing the most fantasy ppg to quarterbacks with 23.08 ppg. They also have allowed the fourth most yards and fifth most touchdowns to quarterbacks. This is the best spot for an inexperienced quarterback. Devito finished as the QB7 last season vs a Commanders team that was just as bad as this Buccaneers pass defense. Need the confidence to start Devito? This is it. Fire up Tommy Devito in your lineups in the bye week of death.
Jared Goff @ Indianapolis Colts
Jared Goff LOVES to play great vs average teams or bad teams. This week, he gets an average team in the Indianapolis Colts. The Colts are allowing the tenth most fantasy ppg to quarterbacks. Goff last week exploded for 50 fantasy points against the Jacksonville Jaguars. The trend of Goff playing well vs. what I said earlier will stand true in Week 12. Start Goff with confidence, as the Lions will be all over the Colts.
Quarterback Sits
Brock Purdy @ Green Bay Packers
Brock Purdy is dealing with a shoulder injury on his throwing arm. Something like that should already have you questioning starting him in Week 12. In addition, the Green Bay Packers are allowing the eighth-lowest fantasy ppg to opposing quarterbacks, with 13 touchdowns and ten interceptions.
Sam Darnold @ Chicago Bears
Just like Brock Purdy, Sam Darnold is dealing with an injury, too. Darnold is set to play, but an injury to go along with facing the defense that is allowing the fewest fantasy ppg to quarterbacks. The Chicago Bears have also intercepted the ball more than touchdowns allowed, with a nine-to-seven ratio. Darnold is another one of my favorite players in starts and sits and can comfortably remain on your bench despite how good the Vikings offense is.
Week 12 Running Back Starts
Bucky Irving @ New York Giants
Bucky Irving should be the Buccaneers RB1, in my opinion. He and Rachaad White each have two RB1 finishes. I’d start Irving over White. The New York Giants currently allow the 15th most fantasy ppg to running backs, as well as 46 receptions on the season. Irving was able to muster up an RB7 finish against the San Francisco 49ers, and I believe in him in Week 12 against the Giants.
Tyrone Tracy vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Tyrone Tracy has emerged and has done it rather quickly. The rookie running back has quickly taken over as the Giants lead running back over Devin Singletary. He gets the Buccaneers in Week 12, who are allowing the fifth most fantasy ppg to running backs. The Buccaneers defense as a whole has been bad this season. That is why in Week 12, Tyrone Tracy Jr is a must-start, and he will be needed to help the young Tommy Devito.
Running Back Sits
Chuba Hubbard vs. Kansas City Chiefs
Chuba Hubbard has been a hero for the ZeroRB fantasy managers out there. Hubbard is the RB12 and was either drafted very late in rounds or not drafted at all. He gets the worst match-up for running backs in Week 12, though. The Kansas City Chiefs allow the fewest fantasy ppg to the running back position as well as being the best team in the NFL. The game has not even started, and the Panthers are already down. Bryce Young and the Panthers offense will have it rough in Week 12 and be down the entire game. A ton of teams are on a bye this week, but I’d pivot toward a safer option, as Hubbard will not be a top-20 running back this week.
Kyren Williams vs. Philadelphia Eagles
I always have a questionable sit or start every single week. There have been weeks I have Patrick Mahomes as a bench, and it has worked. This week, Kyren Williams is a sit in starts and sits. Williams was averaging over five ypc (yards per carry) last season and is now averaging just 3.93. He also has not finished as a RB1 since Week 8. The Rams also are passing it around a 63% rate in the red zone since Cooper Kupp and Puka Nacua returned from injury. Williams gets a good portion of his points from his touchdowns, and if he is not getting any red zone touches, it is best to stay away.
The Eagles are also allowing the sixth-fewest fantasy ppg to running backs and although he was drafted as an RB1, it does not mean you have to start him every week. Sit Kyren Williams, and do not feel bad about benching your “stud.”
Make sure to check out all of our Week 12 Fantasy Football Rankings and Analysis!