Start 'Em, Sit 'Em Week 12: Advice for Fringe Flex Fantasy Football Starters

No pressure, fellow fantasy football managers, but you just might make-or-break your season in Week 12.

Hopefully, the stakes aren't quite that high, but with the playoffs looming, no NFL teams on a bye and a funky holiday schedule (three games on Thursday plus another on Friday), you'll definitely have your work cut out for you with the always tricky start-or-sit decisions.

So, we'll try to lighten your load just a bit by spotlighting two play and two bench recommendations for the upcoming slate.

Start: Joshua Dobbs, QB, Minnesota Vikings (vs. Chicago Bears)

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DENVER, COLORADO - NOVEMBER 19: Quarterback Joshua Dobbs #15 of the Minnesota Vikings warms up before the NFL game against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field At Mile High on November 19, 2023 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)

If Dobbs hasn't already cemented himself as a weekly lock in your starting lineup, this could be the week in which he makes it happen.

He is running ridiculously hot since his deadline deal to Minnesota. Between Weeks 9 and 11, the only players with more fantasy points were Dak Prescott and C.J. Stroud. And remember, Dobbs didn't even start the first game of that stretch and was forced to fill in for an injured Jaren Hall without knowing the playbook.

There's no reason to move away from a hot streak like this, especially when the matchup looks like it could help keep the run going. The Chicago Bears have given up the fifth-most fantasy points to quarterbacks this season, per Yahoo.

Sit: Jared Goff, QB, Detroit Lions (vs. Green Bay Packers)

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DETROIT, MICHIGAN - NOVEMBER 19: Jared Goff #16 of the Detroit Lions warms up prior to a game against the Chicago Bears at Ford Field on November 19, 2023 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)

Goff might be piling up the wins in Detroit, but his fantasy stock is sliding.

He's had just a single top-15 finish at the position over his last four outings. And even that game wasn't super impressive. He was QB8 in Week 10, a week in which Patrick Mahomes, Jalen Hurts and Tua Tagovailoa were all on byes. Goff also had one of the best matchups a quarterback can draw in the Los Angeles Chargers and still only managed a pair of touchdown passes.

During this four-game stretch, he has the same number of interceptions as touchdowns (five). It's hard to see him reversing this trend against a Green Bay Packers defense allowing the sixth-fewest fantasy points to the position.

Start: Tony Pollard, RB, Dallas Cowboys (vs. Washington Commanders)

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ARLINGTON, TX - NOVEMBER 12: Dallas Cowboys running back Tony Pollard (20) breaks through a tackle attempt by New York Giants linebacker Micah McFadden (41) during the game between the Dallas Cowboys and New York Giants on November 12, 2023 at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, TX. (Photo by Andrew Dieb/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

Maybe this is tempting fate, but is it asking too much to get back-to-back strong showings out of Pollard?

The sales pitch is no different than it was last week: He has talent, and the matchup is inviting. Dating back to Week 7, right before the Washington Commanders dismantled their defensive line through trades, this defense has allowed four 17-plus point performances to running backs. Saquon Barkley tussled with them twice over this stretch and tallied a combined 258 scrimmage yards and three touchdowns.

Pollard, who just scored his first touchdown since Week 1 and cleared 70 scrimmage yards for the first time since Week 6, could be the next running back to put up numbers on this defense.

Sit: Jaylen Waddle, WR, Miami Dolphins (at New York Jets)

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MIAMI GARDENS, FL - NOVEMBER 19: Jaylen Waddle #17 of the Miami Dolphins carries the ball during the third quarter of an NFL football game against the Las Vegas Raiders at Hard Rock Stadium on November 19, 2023 in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Photo by Kevin Sabitus/Getty Images)

Normally, it's best to bet on talent, but nothing about this Jets defense is normal. You want to avoid it whenever possible, and it's possible with someone like Waddle, who's a really good option in fantasy but not quite a great one.

The Jets have been comically stingy against wide receivers. They're giving up just 17.8 points per game to the position. For reference, no other defense is allowing fewer than 20 points, and only the Cleveland Browns and Dallas Cowboys give up less than 22.5.

While you'd still start a superstar like Tyreek Hill, Waddle isn't in that category. He has three touchdowns in nine games, cleared 100 yards a single time and has only topped 70 yards once since September.