Fantasy Football Week 12 Start 'Em, Sit 'Em

It is fantasy crunch time, so you have to ride your studs, even if they face a tough matchup or some freezing and windy weather as the days get shorter here down the stretch. The good news is the Week 12 schedule has given us some favorable matchups for those players on the fantasy fringe.

Do you sit a stud in the cold and wind for one of these fringe guys we list as a "start" this week? It depends on the situation. Our weekly Saturday Start 'Em, Sit 'Em staple at Bleacher Report analyzes the matchups, starts and sits, and also gives you the rankings by position to compare all of your options.

You have made it this far in your fantasy season; you owe it to yourself to keep grinding. This six-position slideshow will help you.

Quarterbacks: Monday Night Matchup a Perfect Time for Colin Kaepernick to Erupt

Start 'Em

Colin Kaepernick, San Francisco 49ers

This is a Jobu game—gratuitous Major League reference (link not safe for work, or children or people who don't like four-letter words)—for Kaepernick's fantasy owners. "If you no help me now, I say (blank) you Jobu, I do it myself." The Redskins are fourth-worst in fantasy against quarterbacks and seventh-worst against the pass. This Monday Night Football matchup lines up perfectly for patient fantasy owners to finally get a hallmark game out of Kaepernick.

Tony Romo, Dallas Cowboys vs. Eli Manning, New York Giants

While we are wary of the wind and cold in New Jersey and Foxborough, Mass., this Sunday, you should not let the weather scare you off the quarterbacks in these two huge rivalry games. No one is truly considering sitting Peyton Manning or Tom Brady, but he or she might be leaning against Romo or Eli Manning. Those latter two tend to engage in late-game shootouts. Manning is a less certain option here, but he faces the worst pass defense in the NFL and a team that is dead last in fantasy against quarterbacks.

Carson Palmer, Arizona Cardinals

He is coming off one of his best games as a Cardinal, and he draws the Colts at home in a potential shootout against Andrew Luck. This game is in far more favorable conditions in Arizona too. Palmer has developed a rapport with Michael Floyd downfield, and Larry Fitzgerald is still a star. Expect 350 yards and two-plus touchdowns, especially if Luck and the Colts offense come to play on the road.

Case Keenum, Houston Texans

You can be a bit worried about Keenum's third-quarter benching last week, but the Texans' playoff hopes went down when Arian Foster (back) did, and they have to give Keenum a full evaluation before the offseason. The matchup against the Jags—third-worst against fantasy quarterbacks—is a favorable enough one to consider Keenum even in standard formats.

Sit 'Em

Philip Rivers, San Diego Chargers

Rivers has cooled off after his scorching first half of the season, and now he has to head to one of the toughest places to play this season: Kansas City. The Chiefs are in the top 10 of fantasy against quarterbacks and in the NFL against the pass—not to mention coming off a loss. This does not bode well for Rivers or his fantasy owners.

Ben Roethlisberger, Pittsburgh Steelers

Big Ben has posted some huge weeks of late, but this doesn't appear to be a great one to expect big numbers. The Browns defense, particularly their secondary, is a lot better than anyone will give it credit for being. The Browns have Joe Haden to neutralize if not shut down Antonio Brown, and they are No. 4 against the pass. We just don't trust Jerricho Cotchery or Emmanuel Sanders enough to rank Big Ben as a start in either 12- or 14-team leagues below.

Ryan Tannehill, Miami Dolphins

No one should be considering Tannehill in standard leagues at this point—not with the frustrations of his supporting cast and absences along the offensive line—but this is a matchup you should consider sitting Tannehill even in two-quarterback formats. The Panthers are No. 1 in fantasy against the position and No. 5 against the pass.

Matt McGloin, Oakland Raiders

You can like McGloin's story—Penn State walk-on and undrafted rookie free agent—or his future as much as the Raiders do, but you cannot like him in a matchup against the Titans defense, even at home. The Raiders' No. 1 receiver, Denarius Moore (shoulder), has been ruled out, and the Titans are No. 4 in fantasy against quarterbacks and No. 7 in the NFL against the pass. This will be a real test for the upstart McGloin.

Week 12 Quarterbacks Rankings - Eric Mack

Rank	Quarterbacks	Team	Opponent	ECR	vs. ECR
1	Drew Brees	NO	at Atl	2	+1
2	Peyton Manning	Den	at NE	1	-1
3	Matthew Stafford	Det	vs. TB	3	0
4	Tom Brady	NE	vs. Den	4	0
5	Cam Newton	Car	at Mia	5	0
6	Tony Romo	Dal	at NYG	6	0
7	Colin Kaepernick	SF	at Was	8	+1
8	Andrew Luck	Ind	at Ari	7	-1
9	Robert Griffin	Was	vs. SF	10	+1
10	Eli Manning	NYG	vs. Dal	12	+2
11	Matt Ryan	Atl	vs. NO	14	+3
12	Carson Palmer	Ari	vs. Ind	19	+7
13	Case Keenum	Hou	vs. Jac	9	-4
14	Alex Smith	KC	vs. SD	15	+1
15	Ben Roethlisberger	Pit	at Cle	11	-4
16	Josh McCown	Chi	at StL	16	0
17	Philip Rivers	SD	at KC	18	+1
18	Ryan Fitzpatrick	Ten	at Oak	21	+3
19	Scott Tolzien	GB	vs. Min	17	-2
20	Joe Flacco	Bal	vs. NYJ	20	0
21	Mike Glennon	TB	at Det	13	-8
22	Matt McGloin	Oak	vs. Ten	24	+2
23	Kellen Clemens	StL	vs. Chi	27	+4
24	Ryan Tannehill	Mia	vs. Car	25	+1
25	Geno Smith	NYJ	at Bal	28	+3
26	Chad Henne	Jac	at Hou	26	0
27	Christian Ponder	Min	at GB	23	-4
28	Jason Campbell	Cle	vs. Pit	22	-6

Expert Consensus Rankings (ECR) from over 100 experts provided by FantasyPros

Running Backs: A Number of Favorable Matchups Line Up Our Options Nicely

Start 'Em

Andre Brown, New York Giants

Not only are freezing and windy conditions forecast for East Rutherford, N.J., on Sunday afternoon, but the Dallas defense is dead last in fantasy against running backs. The Cowboys have given up the fourth-most rushing yards too. Brown should have a busy and productive day in a must-win game for the Giants, even if Brandon Jacobs might steal some carries in short yardage.

Zac Stacy, St. Louis Rams

You can question the Rams offense because of Kellen Clemens, but you cannot question the viability of Stacy any longer. He has put together a strong six-game stretch since being officially let loose by the Rams, and now he draws the Bears run defense, which is 31st in the NFL. Stacy is a must-start in all leagues, particularly at home in this great matchup.

Ben Tate, Houston Texans

Tate is coming off 100-plus combined yards and has taken over as the Texans' feature back with Arian Foster (back) now out for the season. Tate is a bit banged up, but the matchup against the Jaguars is just too good to ignore, especially at home. The Jags are dead last against the run and eighth-worst against running backs in fantasy. Expect 100-plus yards and at least one touchdown here.

Rashad Jennings, Oakland Raiders

Jennings is on a roll that is potentially earning him playing time over Darren McFadden (hamstring), even when the contract-year veteran returns from injury. Jennings has topped 100 combined yards in three consecutive games and topped out with 150 yards and a touchdown last week. He shouldn't get much resistance from a Titans defense that is fifth-worst against fantasy running backs this season.

DeAngelo Williams, Carolina Panthers

We should probably add Jonathan Stewart and Mike Tolbert to the starts too. Yes, the Panthers running game is a three-headed monster—Williams starts and gets the majority of touches, while Tolbert gets the goal-line touchdowns—but the matchup against the Dolphins is favorable enough to consider all three. The Dolphins are fourth-worst against fantasy running backs and eighth-worst against the run.

Sit 'Em

Trent Richardson, Indianapolis Colts

There are just too many reasons to be wary of Richardson in any lineups now. First, he has a calf injury that limited him in practice. Second, Donald Brown has stolen his thunder in the passing game and is making plays in the open field. Brown is the better play of the two, but neither is overly favorable in a matchup at Arizona. The Cardinals are No. 1 against fantasy running backs and No. 2 against the run.

Lamar Miller and Daniel Thomas, Miami Dolphins

Ignore the struggles and timeshare of these backs; the Dolphins offensive line is a mess right now. Walkoffs, suspensions and injury have decimated it. Also, Thomas has been getting more carries than Miller of late. Topping all the issues off is a matchup against the Panthers defense, which is No. 3 in the NFL against the run and No. 7 against fantasy backs. Yuck!

Rashard Mendenhall, Arizona Cardinals

Andre Ellington justifiably gets all the love among the Cards backs, but Mendenhall has been getting enough fantasy points because of touchdowns to be a fringe starter in leagues too. The matchup against the Colts seems favorable because they are fifth-worst against the run, allowing 126.1 yards per game, but Indy is still hovering around the top 10 of fantasy against running backs. This is not quite a matchup good enough to like Mendenhall to reach the end zone.

Bernard Pierce, Baltimore Ravens

Not only was Pierce ineffective against the Bears last week, but Ray Rice took off—finally—and a matchup against the No. 1 run defense in the NFL looms this week versus the Jets. You can push the dirt over Pierce's fantasy value right now and don't bother owning him, much less consider starting him against the No. 2 team in fantasy against backs.

Ryan Mathews, San Diego Chargers

This is a fringe sit because you might not be able to afford sitting a back who has been solid for over a month, rushing for 100-plus yards in three of five games and scoring a touchdown in another. Mathews is just outside of our top 25 fantasy options this week against a Chiefs defense that has been fifth-best against fantasy backs. Only the Bucs (two), Bengals (two) and Ravens (one) have allowed fewer rushing touchdowns than the Chiefs (three) to running backs.

Week 12 Running Backs Rankings - Eric Mack

Rank	Running Backs	Team	Opponent	ECR	vs. ECR
1	Matt Forte	Chi	at StL	1	0
2	Jamaal Charles	KC	vs. SD	2	0
3	Adrian Peterson	Min	at GB	3	0
4	Zac Stacy	StL	vs. Chi	4	0
5	Knowshon Moreno	Den	at NE	9	+4
6	Eddie Lacy	GB	vs. Min	6	0
7	Andre Brown	NYG	vs. Dal	7	0
8	Frank Gore	SF	at Was	5	-3
9	Reggie Bush	Det	vs. TB	10	+1
10	Chris Johnson	Ten	at Oak	13	+3
11	DeMarco Murray	Dal	at NYG	16	+5
12	Le'Veon Bell	Pit	at Cle	14	+2
13	Alfred Morris	Was	vs. SF	11	-2
14	Ray Rice	Bal	vs. NYJ	21	+7
15	Ben Tate	Hou	vs. Jac	8	-7
16	Rashad Jennings	Oak	vs. Ten	12	-4
17	Maurice Jones-Drew	Jac	at Hou	18	+1
18	Steven Jackson	Atl	vs. NO	26	+8
19	Stevan Ridley	NE	vs. Den	17	-2
20	Shane Vereen	NE	vs. Den	20	0
21	Bobby Rainey	TB	at Det	19	-2
22	Pierre Thomas	NO	at Atl	15	-7
23	Andre Ellington	Ari	vs. Ind	25	+2
24	Chris Ivory	NYJ	at Bal	23	-1
25	Danny Woodhead	SD	at KC	24	-1
26	Ryan Mathews	SD	at KC	22	-4
27	Darren Sproles	NO	at Atl	38	+11
28	Donald Brown	Ind	at Ari	28	0
29	DeAngelo Williams	Car	at Mia	29	0
30	Montee Ball	Den	at NE	36	+6
31	Lamar Miller	Mia	vs. Car	33	+2
32	Rashard Mendenhall	Ari	vs. Ind	30	-2
33	Chris Ogbonnaya	Cle	vs. Pit	27	-6
34	Jonathan Stewart	Car	at Mia	35	+1
35	Mike Tolbert	Car	at Mia	39	+4
36	Jacquizz Rodgers	Atl	vs. NO	40	+4
37	Mark Ingram	NO	at Atl	31	-6
38	Trent Richardson	Ind	at Ari	34	-4
39	Joique Bell	Det	vs. TB	32	-7
40	Kendall Hunter	SF	at Was	49	+9
41	Daniel Thomas	Mia	vs. Car	41	0
42	James Starks	GB	vs. Min	51	+9
43	Michael Bush	Chi	at StL	63	+20
44	Dennis Johnson	Hou	vs. Jac	55	+11
45	Brian Leonard	TB	at Det	37	-8
46	Fozzy Whittaker	Cle	vs. Pit	52	+6
47	Bilal Powell	NYJ	at Bal	43	-4
48	Willis McGahee	Cle	vs. Pit	45	-3
49	Shonn Greene	Ten	at Oak	42	-7
50	Roy Helu	Was	vs. SF	47	-3
51	Bernard Pierce	Bal	vs. NYJ	48	-3
52	Daryl Richardson	StL	vs. Chi	59	+7
53	Peyton Hillis	NYG	vs. Dal	56	+3
54	Brandon Jacobs	NYG	vs. Dal	44	-10
55	Denard Robinson	Jac	at Hou	85	+30
56	Anthony Dixon	SF	at Was	88	+32
57	Jason Snelling	Atl	vs. NO	73	+16
58	Ronnie Brown	SD	at KC	77	+19
59	Jonathan Dwyer	Pit	at Cle	64	+5
60	LeGarrette Blount	NE	vs. Den	54	-6
61	Toby Gerhart	Min	at GB	53	-8
62	Knile Davis	KC	vs. SD	65	+3
63	Joseph Randle	Dal	at NYG	72	+9
64	LaMichael James	SF	at Was	68	+4
65	Benny Cunningham	StL	vs. Chi	62	-3
66	Felix Jones	Pit	at Cle	70	+4

Expert Consensus Rankings (ECR) from over 100 experts provided by FantasyPros

Wide Receivers: No Shortage of Solid Fantasy Options Due to Matchups Here Either

Start 'Em

Jordy Nelson, James Jones and Jarrett Boykin, Green Bay Packers

You can stress about the prospect of Scott Tolzien getting another start for the Packers in place of Aaron Rodgers (shoulder), but you can relieve some of that with the quality of matchup these receivers are facing this week. The Vikings are fourth-worst against the pass and sixth-worst in fantasy against wide receivers. With a Thanksgiving Day game looming, expect the Packers to save the running game at least a little and work on lower-impact touches in the passing game against the woeful Vikings defense.

Vincent Jackson, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

After a couple of lean weeks against good secondaries, Jackson went off for season highs 10 catches and 165 yards against the Falcons in Week 11. His matchup this week is even more favorable against the Lions, who have been second-worst in fantasy against wide receivers and third-worst against the pass. Jackson is a must-start here.

Victor Cruz, Hakeem Nicks and Rueben Randle, New York Giants

We cannot seem to get away from advising you to use this trio in fantasy despite Eli Manning's lack of consistent pass protection or production. The Cowboys are dead last in the NFL against the pass and eighth-worst in fantasy against wide receivers. You should be a bit worried about the windy forecast, but each of these receivers can reach the end zone in a must-win home game for the Giants.

Kendall Wright, Tennessee Titans

There is no longer any question as to who the Titans view as their No. 1 wide receiver, regardless who is taking snaps from under center. Wright has just one touchdown reception and no 100-yard games, but he has been a high-volume receiver in terms of targets every week of the season. He has averaged six catches for 66 yards a game this season, and the Raiders are fifth-worst in fantasy against wide receivers. We say Wright cracks 10 catches for 100 yards and a touchdown finally.

Anquan Boldin, San Francisco 49ers

The 33-year-old vet has been consistent this season, and Colin Kaepernick has struggled, but Boldin is coming off a solid week against a good Saints secondary. His matchup this week against the Redskins on Monday night is arguably his most favorable one of the season now too. Washington is seventh-worst against the pass and against fantasy wide receivers.

Sit 'Em

Rishard Matthews, Mike Wallace and Brian Hartline, Miami Dolphins

Not only has Wallace failed to distinguish himself with Ryan Tannehill in a struggling Dolphins offense getting no help from its patchwork offensive line, but these three have proven to be interchangeable parts week to week. They are bad options in fantasy against the Panthers defense that is No. 5 against the pass and No. 2 against fantasy wideouts.

Cecil Shorts, Jacksonville Jaguars

He was supposed to take off when Justin Blackmon was suspended indefinitely by the NFL (at least for the rest of the season). Instead, Shorts is making headlines only because he is complaining about his lack of involvement in the offense. Don't expect him to get healthy against the Texans this week, no matter how much they have struggled this season. The Texans are still No. 1 in the NFL against the pass, believe it or not, and fifth-best against fantasy wideouts.

Rod Streater, Jacoby Ford and Brice Butler, Oakland Raiders

Don't fall in love with Matt McGloin just yet. Even though McGloin is coming off an eye-opening debut, his second game will come with Denarius Moore (shoulder) ruled out. This would seemingly make Streater, a fantasy gem a week ago, a potential start this week, right? Nope. The Titans are No. 1 in fantasy against wide receivers and No. 7 against the pass. All of the Raiders receivers are too difficult to trust this week, even with Moore out.

Antonio Brown, Pittsburgh Steelers

Although we list Brown as the No. 16 wide receiver this week, there is some justification to sit this every-week fantasy play. The Browns' shutdown cornerback, Joe Haden, is on the schedule this week. Cleveland is fourth-best against the pass and sixth-best against fantasy wideouts—mostly because of Haden's one-on-one skills.

Haden held A.J. Green to two catches for seven yards last week and previously shut down Calvin Johnson (three catches for 25 yards) and Stevie Johnson (two catches for 19). Sit Brown if you have a viable alternative in a more favorable matchup.

Keenan Allen, San Diego Chargers

Not only has Allen's production waned in the past two games—seven catches for 86 yards combined—but the Chiefs are next up on the schedule. They boast a top-10 pass defense, and Philip Rivers has other options to go to if Allen draws the attention of the Chiefs defense like we would expect. You likely have a better alternative to start in a crucial week such as this one.

Week 12 Wide Receivers Rankings - Eric Mack

Rank	Wide Receivers	Team	Opponent	ECR	vs. ECR
1	Calvin Johnson	Det	vs. TB	1	0
2	Andre Johnson	Hou	vs. Jac	2	0
3	Dez Bryant	Dal	at NYG	5	+2
4	Brandon Marshall	Chi	at StL	6	+2
5	Demaryius Thomas	Den	at NE	4	-1
6	Wes Welker	Den	at NE	9	+3
7	Vincent Jackson	TB	at Det	3	-4
8	Victor Cruz	NYG	vs. Dal	7	-1
9	Jordy Nelson	GB	vs. Min	8	-1
10	Larry Fitzgerald	Ari	vs. Ind	17	+7
11	Eric Decker	Den	at NE	15	+4
12	Alshon Jeffery	Chi	at StL	11	-1
13	Josh Gordon	Cle	vs. Pit	10	-3
14	T.Y. Hilton	Ind	at Ari	16	+2
15	Pierre Garcon	Was	vs. SF	12	-3
16	Antonio Brown	Pit	at Cle	14	-2
17	Roddy White	Atl	vs. NO	31	+14
18	Marques Colston	NO	at Atl	18	0
19	Torrey Smith	Bal	vs. NYJ	13	-6
20	James Jones	GB	vs. Min	33	+13
21	Hakeem Nicks	NYG	vs. Dal	23	+2
22	Steve Smith	Car	at Mia	28	+6
23	Kendall Wright	Ten	at Oak	20	-3
24	Danny Amendola	NE	vs. Den	19	-5
25	Anquan Boldin	SF	at Was	26	+1
26	Jarrett Boykin	GB	vs. Min	22	-4
27	Michael Floyd	Ari	vs. Ind	24	-3
28	Keenan Allen	SD	at KC	21	-7
29	Rueben Randle	NYG	vs. Dal	32	+3
30	Aaron Dobson	NE	vs. Den	27	-3
31	Dwayne Bowe	KC	vs. SD	30	-1
32	DeAndre Hopkins	Hou	vs. Jac	37	+5
33	Emmanuel Sanders	Pit	at Cle	35	+2
34	Cecil Shorts	Jac	at Hou	29	-5
35	Harry Douglas	Atl	vs. NO	25	-10
36	Tavon Austin	StL	vs. Chi	51	+15
37	Rishard Matthews	Mia	vs. Car	42	+5
38	Mike Wallace	Mia	vs. Car	34	-4
39	Rod Streater	Oak	vs. Ten	44	+5
40	Greg Jennings	Min	at GB	50	+10
41	Jerricho Cotchery	Pit	at Cle	43	+2
42	Miles Austin	Dal	at NYG	49	+7
43	Dexter McCluster	KC	vs. SD	57	+14
44	Kenny Stills	NO	at Atl	41	-3
45	Brandon LaFell	Car	at Mia	39	-6
46	Santonio Holmes	NYJ	at Bal	40	-6
47	Brian Hartline	Mia	vs. Car	38	-9
48	Marlon Brown	Bal	vs. NYJ	46	-2
49	Ted Ginn	Car	at Mia	64	+15
50	Mario Manningham	SF	at Was	62	+12
51	Donnie Avery	KC	vs. SD	58	+7
52	Kris Durham	Det	vs. TB	45	-7
53	Terrance Williams	Dal	at NYG	36	-17
54	Nate Washington	Ten	at Oak	54	0
55	Chris Givens	StL	vs. Chi	53	-2
56	Eddie Royal	SD	at KC	60	+4
57	Jacoby Jones	Bal	vs. NYJ	72	+15
58	Lance Moore	NO	at Atl	52	-6
59	Darrius Heyward-Bey	Ind	at Ari	77	+18
60	Greg Little	Cle	vs. Pit	68	+8
61	Julian Edelman	NE	vs. Den	61	0
62	Andre Roberts	Ari	vs. Ind	76	+14
63	David Nelson	NYJ	at Bal	74	+11
64	Cordarrelle Patterson	Min	at GB	55	-9
65	Davone Bess	Cle	vs. Pit	75	+10
66	Tiquan Underwood	TB	at Det	56	-10
67	Mike Brown	Jac	at Hou	67	0
68	Vincent Brown	SD	at KC	70	+2
69	Stephen Hill	NYJ	at Bal	80	+11
70	Justin Hunter	Ten	at Oak	59	-11
71	Markus Wheaton	Pit	at Cle	91	+20
72	Austin Pettis	StL	vs. Chi	71	-1
73	Jerome Simpson	Min	at GB	83	+10
74	Jarius Wright	Min	at GB	63	-11
75	Ace Sanders	Jac	at Hou	65	-10
76	Lavon Brazill	Ind	at Ari	85	+9
77	Santana Moss	Was	vs. SF	79	+2
78	Robert Meachem	NO	at Atl	69	-9
79	Earl Bennett	Chi	at StL	101	+22
80	Cole Beasley	Dal	at NYG	92	+12
81	Brian Quick	StL	vs. Chi	96	+15
82	Jacoby Ford	Oak	vs. Ten	105	+23

Expert Consensus Rankings (ECR) from over 100 experts provided by FantasyPros

Tight Ends: If You Don't Have Rob Gronkowski, We Have Some Sleepers for You

Start 'Em

Coby Fleener, Indianapolis Colts

Fleener is coming off his best game yet (eight catches for 107 yards), and he has emerged as Andrew Luck's go-to receiver in Pep Hamilton's offense. Perhaps the best reason to consider Fleener among the must-start fantasy options this week is the Cardinals are dead last in fantasy against tight ends, allowing nine touchdowns this season. If Luck gets the ball into the end zone against the Cardinals, expect it to be with Fleener on the other end of it.

Garrett Graham, Houston Texans

Graham led the position in Week 11 with 136 yards and has finally looked like a sure-fire fantasy option we thought he would be with Owen Daniels (leg) out. The best news for his fantasy owners is a tasty matchup looming with the Jaguars, who have allowed the second-most points in fantasy to tight ends. Graham is a viable start in all leagues this week.

Rob Housler, Arizona Cardinals

Housler is also coming off a season-high in receiving yards, and he has given a rising Carson Palmer a third option down the seam with Larry Fitzgerald and Michael Floyd working the outside. The Colts are a top-10 team in fantasy against tight ends, allowing just two touchdowns to them all season, but they are coming off a game against the Titans that made Delanie Walker look like Vernon Davis. Housler is a nice sleeper play.

Sit 'Em

Jordan Reed, Washington Redskins

He has not passed his concussion test, according to ESPN's John Keim, which will put his Monday night status in severe doubt—if he is not ruled out before Sunday's lineup deadlines. You should find a replacement for him now. Don't make it Fred Davis, though. The 49ers are fourth-best in fantasy against tight ends.

Martellus Bennett, Chicago Bears

He has been far less of a sure thing with Josh McCown under center for the Bears, so we leave him out of the starters in standard 10- and 12-team leagues. It also does not help that the Bears are facing a Rams defense that has been third-best in fantasy against tight ends.

Tim Wright, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Not only has his upstart rookie season dwindled in the past two games—two catches for 32 yards combined—but the Bucs also face a Lions defense that has allowed just one touchdown reception to a tight end this season (Tyler Eifert in Week 7). There might be some catches and yards for Wright, but he is out of the group we rank as viable starts in standard leagues below.

Week 12 Tight Ends Rankings - Eric Mack

Rank	Tight Ends	Team	Opponent	ECR	vs. ECR
1	Jimmy Graham	NO	at Atl	2	+1
2	Rob Gronkowski	NE	vs. Den	1	-1
3	Jason Witten	Dal	at NYG	5	+2
4	Vernon Davis	SF	at Was	3	-1
5	Coby Fleener	Ind	at Ari	6	+1
6	Julius Thomas	Den	at NE	4	-2
7	Greg Olsen	Car	at Mia	9	+2
8	Antonio Gates	SD	at KC	7	-1
9	Tony Gonzalez	Atl	vs. NO	8	-1
10	Jordan Cameron	Cle	vs. Pit	12	+2
11	Garrett Graham	Hou	vs. Jac	11	0
12	Delanie Walker	Ten	at Oak	10	-2
13	Rob Housler	Ari	vs. Ind	18	+5
14	Jordan Reed	Was	vs. SF	13	-1
15	Martellus Bennett	Chi	at StL	15	0
16	Heath Miller	Pit	at Cle	14	-2
17	Charles Clay	Mia	vs. Car	16	-1
18	John Carlson	Min	at GB	17	-1
19	Tim Wright	TB	at Det	19	0
20	Jared Cook	StL	vs. Chi	20	0
21	Brandon Myers	NYG	vs. Dal	29	+8
22	Anthony Fasano	KC	vs. SD	32	+10
23	Kellen Winslow	NYJ	at Bal	34	+11
24	Brandon Pettigrew	Det	vs. TB	26	+2
25	Marcedes Lewis	Jac	at Hou	31	+6
26	Joseph Fauria	Det	vs. TB	36	+10
27	Jeff Cumberland	NYJ	at Bal	24	-3
28	Dallas Clark	Bal	vs. NYJ	21	-7
29	Lance Kendricks	StL	vs. Chi	35	+6
30	Andrew Quarless	GB	vs. Min	28	-2

Expert Consensus Rankings (ECR) from over 100 experts provided by FantasyPros

Defense/Special Teams: Push the Carolina Panthers Up to the Top of the Heap

Start 'Em

Carolina Panthers

This is a pretty obvious one with the way the Panthers have been playing and how much the Dolphins offensive line is in disarray. We feel obligated to list the Panthers as the No. 1 unit on the board this week.

Baltimore Ravens

The Jets looked like trash last week in Buffalo, and they go on the road to a much tougher place to play, Baltimore. The Ravens play good enough defense to exploit the third-worst team in fantasy against defense/special teams.

Houston Texans

A miserable season sent the Texans kicker to the waiver wire in most leagues, but a home matchup against the Jags gives them one final shot at fantasy viability. Expect J.J. Watt and Co. to finally put a full game together against the fourth-worst team in fantasy against opposing defenses.

Green Bay Packers

The Packers defense shouldn't excite anyone as much as the prospect of facing the error-prone Christian Ponder in the great outdoors. The Packers are going to play a lot closer to the vest this week, which should put their defense in less compromising positions. The Vikings are sixth-worst in fantasy against defenses too.

Sit 'Em

New England Patriots

Coming off a short week after Monday night's road loss in Carolina, the Pats have the daunting task of facing Peyton Manning. Even if the Pats are at home and potentially playing in freezing and windy conditions, the Pats defense is too far down the fantasy pecking order to consider keeping active here.

New York Giants

They have played much better in their four-game winning streak, if only because Eli Manning hasn't been throwing out pick-sixes like Halloween candy. The Cowboys are also the No. 1 team in fantasy against defenses, so avoid the Giants unit in all leagues this week.

San Diego Chargers

They were a sleeper unit because of defensive and special teams touchdowns last season, but those haven't come as easily this year. Also, a matchup in Kansas City might be the worst in fantasy. The Chiefs are third-best against fantasy units to date. Don't bother owning the Chargers, much less starting them.

Week 12 Defenses and Special Teams Rankings - Eric Mack

Rank	Defenses and Special Teams	Team	Opponent	ECR	vs. ECR
1	Carolina Panthers	Car	at Mia	1	0
2	Kansas City Chiefs	KC	vs. SD	3	+1
3	Baltimore Ravens	Bal	vs. NYJ	2	-1
4	San Francisco 49ers	SF	at Was	5	+1
5	Houston Texans	Hou	vs. Jac	4	-1
6	St. Louis Rams	StL	vs. Chi	15	+9
7	Detroit Lions	Det	vs. TB	16	+9
8	Dallas Cowboys	Dal	at NYG	13	+5
9	Green Bay Packers	GB	vs. Min	12	+3
10	Tennessee Titans	Ten	at Oak	6	-4
11	New Orleans Saints	NO	at Atl	7	-4
12	Pittsburgh Steelers	Pit	at Cle	18	+6
13	Chicago Bears	Chi	at StL	10	-3
14	Denver Broncos	Den	at NE	17	+3
15	Indianapolis Colts	Ind	at Ari	11	-4
16	Cleveland Browns	Cle	vs. Pit	8	-8
17	Miami Dolphins	Mia	vs. Car	19	+2
18	New York Jets	NYJ	at Bal	14	-4
19	Arizona Cardinals	Ari	vs. Ind	9	-10
20	Washington Redskins	Was	vs. SF	21	+1

Expert Consensus Rankings (ECR) from over 100 experts provided by FantasyPros

Kickers: Nick Folk, Dan Bailey and Ryan Succop Should Be Regular Fantasy Starts

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The Jets' Nick Folk is coming off a bad week, but we expect him to rebound in Baltimore on Sunday.

Start 'Em

Nick Folk, New York Jets

He came off his bye and didn't muster much in Buffalo, but the Ravens have allowed the most field-goal attempts and the third-most points in fantasy against kickers. Folk is back among the top-12 options here.

Dan Bailey, Dallas Cowboys

He has been a bit inconsistent, but he is off his bye and facing a Giants team that has given up 25.6 points per game. Regardless of the weather conditions in New Jersey on Sunday, you have to expect a lot of points on the board between the Cowboys and Giants. Consider Bailey a set-it-and-forget-it option among fantasy kickers the rest of the way.

Ryan Succop, Kansas City Chiefs

You have to like the Chiefs returning home, coming off a loss and facing the Chargers in a division game. This should be enough to keep Succop among the must-start kickers in fantasy.

Sit 'Em

Kai Forbath, Washington Redskins

We understand the allure of having a Monday night kicker to root for some late fantasy points, but the prospect of Forbath facing the 49ers is not favorable. San Francisco has given up the fewest points to fantasy kickers this season.

Nick Novak, San Diego Chargers

He had his moments early in the season, but Philip Rivers and the Chargers offense have cooled off. Don't dare trust the Chargers at Kansas City, especially with the Chiefs coming off a loss. Kansas City has been the second-toughest matchup for fantasy kickers this season too.

Caleb Sturgis, Miami Dolphins

We have to change our tune on this rookie kicker. Despite a strong leg, he has had some struggles, and the Dolphins are a mess right now. A home matchup facing a team on a short week usually sets up nicely, but not when that opponent is the steamrolling Carolina Panthers. Sturgis is no longer among the must-have fantasy kickers, much less a viable starting option.

Week 12 Kickers Rankings - Eric Mack

Rank	Kickers	Team	Opponent	ECR	vs. ECR
1	Stephen Gostkowski	NE	vs. Den	2	+1
2	Matt Prater	Den	at NE	3	+1
3	Garrett Hartley	NO	at Atl	1	-2
4	Mason Crosby	GB	vs. Min	7	+3
5	Justin Tucker	Bal	vs. NYJ	5	0
6	Ryan Succop	KC	vs. SD	9	+3
7	Dan Bailey	Dal	at NYG	4	-3
8	Phil Dawson	SF	at Was	11	+3
9	Nick Folk	NYJ	at Bal	16	+7
10	David Akers	Det	vs. TB	6	-4
11	Blair Walsh	Min	at GB	23	+12
12	Matt Bryant	Atl	vs. NO	10	-2
13	Nick Novak	SD	at KC	19	+6
14	Greg Zuerlein	StL	vs. Chi	21	+7
15	Adam Vinatieri	Ind	at Ari	8	-7
16	Shaun Suisham	Pit	at Cle	17	+1
17	Jay Feely	Ari	vs. Ind	20	+3
18	Josh Brown	NYG	vs. Dal	14	-4
19	Caleb Sturgis	Mia	vs. Car	28	+9
20	Kai Forbath	Was	vs. SF	15	-5

Expert Consensus Rankings (ECR) from over 100 experts provided by FantasyPros

Follow @EricMackFantasy

Eric Mack, one of the giants among fantasy writers, is the Fantasy Football Lead Writer for Bleacher Report this season. Follow him on Twitter, where you can ask him endless questions about your team, rip him for his content and even challenge him to a head-to-head fantasy game. You can also listen to him on his podcast that he deprecatingly dubbed the Fantasy FatCast.