Week 12 Start 'Em, Sit 'Em: Final Review of Most Difficult Fantasy Matchups

When in doubt when it comes to tough fantasy football start 'em, sit 'em decisions, always go with the old-fashioned gut feeling. 

Or find a great go-to resource.

Fantasy owners are humans like anyone else and may not have all the time in the world to research each and every matchup. Real life beckons, right? Hence many folks missing out on the Latavius Murray train this past Thursday in which the Oakland Raiders tailback rumbled for 23 points.

That was an early red flag to expect the unexpected in Week 12. To better prepare for the impending storm, below is a bit of a life vest for some of the week's toughest calls.

Quarterback

Start 'Em: Tony Romo, DAL (at NYG)

Matt Dunham/Associated Press

Owners are right to tread lightly when it comes to Dallas Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo.

Romo has been an iffy option over the course of the past few weeks while dealing with a nagging back issue. Sprinkle in a run-first offense this season, and he at times has been one of the most volatile week-to-week plays of all.

After 12 points in Week 8 and missing Week 9, though, Romo scored 21 in Week 10 before a bye. That week of rest figures to mean he is fully healthy and he now gets a matchup with a New York Giants defense he already torched for 21 points back in Week 7.

Romo is a borderline scary option given all of the circumstances, but there should be no hesitation this week.

Sit 'Em: Robert Griffin III, WAS (at SF)

The allure to throw Washington quarterback Robert Griffin III in lineups and move on with life is strong.

The problem is, this is not the rookie RG3—especially not with quotes such as this coming from his head coach, per NFLonCBS:

Had Griffin showed better than 14 and 12 points in his last two outings since his return from injury, owners would be more comfortable with a matchup against a San Francisco 49ers defense that allows the third-fewest points to quarterbacks this season.

RG3 looks lost at the moment in Jay Gruden's offense and is the furthest thing from a matchup-proof option.

Running Back

Start 'Em: Denard Robinson, JAC (at IND)

Gary McCullough/Associated Press

Forget about Denard Robinson already? 

Robinson and the Jacksonville Jaguars may have been on a bye last week, but it does little to change the fact that he has been on fire since taking over the starting gig:

WK	OPP	ATT	YDS	TD	PTS
7	Cle	22	127	1	18
8	Mia	18	108	0	11
9	@Cin	17	94	1	16
10	Dal	15	60	2	17

To be fair, face value suggests anyone to steer clear of any Jaguars players against the Indianapolis Colts.

After all, Robinson gained just 33 yards against the Colts back in Week 3. But dig deeper—that was back when the Jacksonville staff thought it wise to only give backs 18 carries and for the majority of the load to go to Toby Gerhart.

Things are different now, and the Colts actually surrender the fourth-most points to backs this season. Robinson is a must-play option in all formats.

Sit 'Em: Mark Ingram, NO (vs. BAL)

Chris Graythen/Getty Images

Quietly a top-12 scoring back this season, Mark Ingram has made the most headway in that regard since Week 8, totaling 23, 23, 13 and nine points over the course of his last four outings.

That downward trend is quite noticeable.

In theory, Ingram will always have room to run as defenses focus on the aerial threat Drew Brees and the New Orleans Saints present on every down.

This was absolutely shattered last week against Cincinnati, though. In the face of one of the worst teams against backs this season, Ingram scored nine points. Now he gets the Baltimore Ravens on prime time, a team that allows the absolute fewest points to the position this season.

It is a tough pill to swallow, but steer clear at all costs.

Wide Receiver

Start 'Em: Josh Gordon, CLE (at ATL)

He's back.

Last year's No. 1 scorer at wideout has been missing in action this season, but a little rust is no reason to avoid him. Especially when the early word from the organization is that Josh Gordon is ahead of schedule, as captured by Scott Petrak of the Elyria Chronicle-Telegram:

Gordon is immediately a matchup-proof option. There is nobody on the offense who will steal looks from him in the passing game. The emergence of a potent ground game only helps him. If last year was any indication, it matters little who resides under center.

The cherry on top? The Atlanta Falcons surrender the sixth-most points to wideouts this year. Talk about a homecoming party.

Sit 'Em: Andre Johnson, HOU (CIN)

Gregory Shamus/Getty Images

Owners still trust Andre Johnson. Fair enough, as the man has had quite the illustrious career. The Houston Texans star is still owned in 87.7 percent of leagues.

But Johnson has scored in double digits just once this season. Owners may raise an eyebrow over the fact that Ryan Mallett is the new man under center, giving Johnson seven catches last week, but it resulted in just six points.

More targets may be headed Johnson's way due to the change, but this is not running back, where opportunities borderline guarantee production.

This is wide receiver, an important matchup-based position. The Bengals allow the second-fewest points to wideouts this year. Turn elsewhere for help.

Tight End

Start 'Em: Coby Fleener, IND (vs. JAC)

Phelan M. Ebenhack/Associated Press

With Ahmad Bradshaw out for the season and Dwayne Allen missing Week 12 with an injury, Coby Fleener is a must-start commodity as a TE1 in any and all leagues.

Not that Fleener would be worthy of the cold shoulder from owners otherwise.

After all, the Stanford product has exploded as of late, scoring 13 and 14 points in his last two outings. Fleener is slowly taking over as one of Andrew Luck's primary targets each time out, so his upside is only further elevated with unfortunate issues suffered by those around him.

Sit 'Em: Delanie Walker, TEN (at PHI)

Jeff Haynes/Associated Press

Delanie Walker is one of the strangest fantasy players around.

Despite being the eighth-highest scorer at the position, the Tennessee Titans starter is owned in just 60.1 percent of leagues.

That said, owners are right to ignore him in Week 12. Walker posted a goose egg last week as rookie quarterback Zach Mettenberger gets his wits about him and heads into a Sunday matchup with the Philadelphia Eagles, a team that surrenders the second-fewest points to tight ends this year.

Walker deserves to be owned more, but he's certainly not a starter in Week 12.

All scoring info courtesy of ESPN standard leagues, as is points-against info and ownership stats. Statistics courtesy of ESPN.