Start 'Em, Sit 'Em Week 12: Debating Difficult Fantasy Football Lineup Decisions

No matter how monumental or inconsequential the dilemma, nobody likes making decisions.

What's next to binge-watch on Netflix? What looks good for lunch? What do I do with the rest of my life? These are all tough questions to solve considering the wide scope of available choices.

Some readers—and authors—are probably busy contemplating the last three quandaries, so solving those respectively: Better off Ted, a turkey sandwich and, I don't know, plastics? No scientific research led to those decisions, but sometimes it's best to close your eyes and take the plunge on something.

There are no perfect answers to everyone's fantasy football lineup conundrums. Well there are, but nobody can possibly know them until Tuesday morning. The best anyone can do is scour the numbers and give it some intelligent thought. If that doesn't work, close your eyes, fill a lineup and see how that feels.

Start: Colin Kaepernick, QB, SF (vs. WAS)

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Colin Kaepernick has delivered just one touchdown in each of his last four games. He's also scrambling far less, generating 322 rushing yards and no scores with his legs this season. Barring a scintillating surge, he won't get drafted as a top-10 fantasy quarterback next season.

No, that "Start" next to his name isn't a typo. Despite all that negativity, the San Francisco 49ers quarterback is a fine play in Week 12, when his squad hosts Washington.

Washington ranks 10th with 228.7 passing yards allowed per game, but that number doesn't tell the entire story. Opponents also wield a 64.4 completion percentage and 7.6 yards per attempt. Throw in the defense's NFC-low three interceptions, and the unit is tied with the New York Jets for the most fantasy points allowed per game to quarterbacks in ESPN.com leagues.

Given the unpredictability of touchdowns, last month's low tallies don't forebode more lacking outputs in the category. If Josh McCown can deliver a strong day against Washington, so can Kaepernick.

Sit: Robert Griffin III, QB, WAS (at SF)

Sticking with the same game, Robert Griffin III doesn't get the benefit of the doubt despite his struggles.

While Kaepernick produced bland numbers, he at least protected the ball, throwing only two interceptions after Week 2. In just four games, Griffin has coughed up three picks and a fumble.

He had an accurate day at the office last Sunday, completing 23 of 32 passes against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Against the NFL's third-worst defense, however, finishing with 207 yards and a touchdown still proved a massive disappointment.

After that humdrum performance, Jay Gruden called Griffin out, courtesy of Yahoo Sports' Jay Busbee.

If his own coach doesn't trust Griffin, how can fantasy gamers? Especially not against the 49ers, who are fresh off robbing Eli Manning with five interceptions last weekend. Rookie linebacker Chris Borland has filled in masterfully for Patrick Willis, maintaining San Francisco's elite status as the No. 4 passing defense.

Griffin barely warrants consideration in the perfect matchup after failing to exploit Tampa Bay. Against Jim Harbaugh's stout unit, he's a complete no-go.

Start: Trent Richardson, RB, IND (vs. JAC)

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Is it too late to recommend LaTavius Murray? Rats. The running back position has never looked uglier, slashing the number of dashing options to an all-time low. Because of that, a disappointment averaging 3.4 yards per carry becomes a must-start.

Trent Richardson isn't good. Ahmad Bradshaw is way better, and he should have received considerably more carries for the Indianapolis Colts. That's moot now, as the oft-injured 28-year-old once again got hurt, this time ending his season with a broken ankle.

That leaves the primary workload to Richardson, who swore to honor his sidelined teammate, per the team's official Twitter page.

He needs a high volume of touches to succeed, and a lopsided matchup against the Jacksonville Jaguars will give the Colts ample rushing opportunities with a lead in hand. In their early meeting, Bradshaw and Richardson combined for 163 total yards on 28 touches.

Without a notable No. 2 at bay, Richardson is a solid bet for 20 touches—including goal-line rushes—against a defense that allows 4.3 yards per carry.

Sit: Chris Ivory, RB, NYJ (vs. BUF)

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Beggars can't be choosers when it comes to running backs, so Chris Ivory's 548 rushing yards and five scores make him a solid contributor. Yet given a tough matchup—moved to Monday night—against the Buffalo Bills, he's not the prettiest play.

Yes, he scored two touchdowns when the AFC East foes met Week 8, and anybody would happily sign up for that again. He also, however, managed a mere 43 yards on 13 carries. In his past three games, the tough runner has compiled 116 yards on 35 rushes while not catching a single pass.

Date	OPP	Rushes	Rush YDs	YPC	TDs
Oct. 26	BUF	13	43	3.3	2
Nov. 2	at KC	8	22	2.8	0
Nov. 9	PIT	14	51	3.6	0

Buffalo has surrendered 3.9 yards per carry, yielding four rushing touchdowns to running backs this season. That makes Ivory's pair of end-zone appearances an aberration rather than the norm, one he is doubtful to repeat in their rematch.

Maybe managers likely find themselves bereft of alternatives at running back, in which case Ivory will have to do as a touchdown candidate. For anyone who has two other viable rushers, roll with them and turn to the much deeper receiving pool for a flex play.

Start: Kenny Stills, WR, NO (vs. BAL)

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Looking for a deep-league start to replace Antonio Brown or Kelvin Benjamin this week? Kenny Stills has a chance to become Drew Brees' go-to target in an explosive offense against a favorable opponent.

After Brandin Cooks sustained a wrist injury that figured to shelve him for at least a month, the New Orleans Saints officially placed him on the injured reserve.

Before going down, the rookie led all New Orleans wide receivers with 53 catches and 550 receiving yards. Brees targeted the first-round pick at least six times in all but two games, so someone will have to fill the void on the NFL's No. 2 offense.

Marques Colston continues to fade, so Stills is the best bet. The sophomore has showed up sporadically, ending a three-game scoring drought with a touchdown last weekend against the Cincinnati Bengals. Even then, he finished with just four catches for 32 yards.

If the expanded role isn't enough to intrigue owners, Rotoworld's Nick Mensio provides another reason to try him out on Monday night.

Stills isn't the safest ploy, as wideout is bountiful enough to string together three more trustworthy options, but he's worth a look in daily formats as for those who embrace the challenge of deep leagues.

Sit: Larry Fitzgerald, WR, ARI (at SEA)

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Larry Fitzgerald hasn't missed a game since 2007, but that could change this weekend. According to AZCardinals.com's Darren Urban, the 31-year-old is in jeopardy of snapping that incredible streak due to a knee ailment.

Let's make this easier for owners who must wait until a late-afternoon game for his prognosis. Just go ahead and sit Fitzgerald, even if he does play.

Under ESPN.com standard scoring, no team has allowed fewer fantasy points than the Seattle Seahawks. To make matters worse, they get to play in front of the 12th Man against fill-in Drew Stanton, who has not implemented the veteran to full capacity.

In the four games Stanton started, Fitzgerald netted 175 yards on 14 grabs. He has only scored two touchdowns this season, and neither came off a Stanton pass. Add it all together, and he's not worth the gamble when plenty of younger, healthier wideouts with better matchups (look slightly above for one of them) are available.

Start: Austin Seferian-Jenkins, TE, TB (at CHI)

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Dumpster diving for a starting tight end this weekend? Give Austin Seferian-Jenkins a whirl against a Chicago Bears defense prone to big gains up the middle.

Per ESPN.com, opposing tight ends have registered 56 catches, 679 receiving yards, 10 touchdowns and an NFL-high 11.9 fantasy points per game. Mike Evans and Vincent Jackson will certainly joust for looks, but Lovie Smith can't forget Seferian-Jenkins when he returns to the Windy City. 

A boom-or-bust play, the rookie has scored twice in Tampa Bay's last four games, but he combined for two catches and 10 yards in the other pair of tilts. The touchdown dependency is also far from ideal, making him a low-level lottery ticket for someone replacing Greg Olsen or Heath Miller.

Sit: Jared Cook, TE, STL (at SD)

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Why do people keep turning to Jared Cook? What's so special about the tight end doused in hype but always short on actual production?

After drafters finally shied away from him during the summer, he reeled those same players back after getting targeted 42 times during the opening five games. After that, it gets ugly. He has received 19 targets in as many games since, collecting 11 receptions for 154 yards and one touchdown.

The San Diego Chargers also have allowed 4.9 fantasy points per game and two touchdowns to tight ends, so he doesn't have a matchup to save him like Seferian-Jenkins. Sit Cook for now, and consider dropping him if Shaun Hill doesn't get him involved.