Week 12 Start 'Em, Sit 'Em Lineup Advice and Smart Sleepers to Exploit

Week 11 continued this year's trend of wild finishes, unexpected results and general NFL drama. Week 12 will begin on Thursday when the Houston Texans host the Buffalo Bills.

The Texans' defense will present a tough challenge for Bills quarterback Josh Allen, who just had a historic six-touchdown day. Fantasy managers probably won't abandon Allen on a short week, but they should be looking for more favorable matchups with their second-tier starters.

Here, you'll find a look at the best and worst matchups of Week 12, along with a few sleepers to consider targeting on the waiver wire. As a reminder, the Denver Broncos, Los Angeles Chargers, Miami Dolphins and Washington Commanders are on bye.

All picks and analysis are based on point-per-reception (PPR) scoring.

Start: TreVeyon Henderson, RB, New England Patriots

AP Photo/Gary McCullough

New England Patriots rookie running back TreVeyon Henderson had a slow start to the season, largely because the Patriots gave him a minor offensive role. In recent weeks, however, New England has ramped up Henderson's workload—in part, due to injuries—and he has thrived.

Henderson has recorded double-digit carries in four straight games and has reached 75 scrimmage yards in each of them. He's topped 12 fantasy points in three straight games and is coming off a huge three-touchdown performance.

This week, the Patriots will visit the Cincinnati Bengals, who have been absolutely atrocious defensively this season. No team has surrendered more fantasy points to opposing running backs.

Henderson had a career-high 32.3 fantasy points in Week 11 and could conceivably equal that output on Sunday.

Sit: Rachaad White, RB, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

AP Photo/Ryan Sun

It's time for fantasy managers to consider ditching Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Rachaad White. While his receiving ability gives him a decent PPR floor, White has been overtaken by Sean Tucker as Tampa's top runner.

Tucker racked up 19 carries for 106 yards and two touchdowns in Week 11, while White had just 10 carries, two catches and 62 scrimmage yards. He has now failed to reach double-digit fantasy points in three of his last four outings.

Things aren't likely to get much better for White this week, as the Buccaneers will visit the Los Angeles Rams on Sunday night. The Rams have surrendered the third-fewest fantasy points to opposing RBs in 2025.

At this point, White has become a matchup-based flex play, at best, and his Week 12 matchup should have him on the bench.

Start: Chris Olave, WR, New Orleans Saints

AP Photo/Jacob Kupferman

The New Orleans Saints are coming out of their bye and have a date with the slumping Atlanta Falcons. That will likely mean a big day for Saints receiver Chris Olave.

New Orleans traded Rashid Shaheed at the deadline, leaving Olave and tight end Juwan Johnson as Tyler Shough's top two targets. The Saints have also struggled to field an effective running game this season—they rank 30th in yards per carry—which could leave them pass-heavy against the Falcons.

Atlanta, meanwhile, has a respectable defense but has been middle-of-the-road against opposing receivers, allowing an average of 26.5 fantasy points to the position weekly.

Olave caught five of eight targets for 104 yards and a touchdown in his last outing, and he could have similar numbers against Atlanta. He had eight catches for 87 yards in his one game against the Falcons last season.

Sit: Michael Pittman Jr., WR, Indianapolis Colts

AP Photo/Gregory Bull

The Kansas City Chiefs fell to 5-5 on Sunday and enter Week 12 as a desperate team. That's not great news for the Indianapolis Colts.

The Colts, who are coming off their bye, may outlast Kansas City and notch their ninth win of the season. However, they're unlikely to have a huge day through the air against the Chiefs.

Kansas City ranks 11th in passing yards allowed and second in passing touchdowns allowed. It has also surrendered the sixth-fewest fantasy points to opposing wide receivers this season.

The Colts will likely lean on their running game and tight end Tyler Warren far more than wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr., who had just two catches for 19 yards the last time he was on the field. Managers with other options at receiver should use them this week.

Week 12 Sleepers

AP Photo/Gary McCullough

Patriots WR Mack Hollins

Emanuel Wilson, RB, Green Bay Packers

Green Bay Packers running back Josh Jacobs suffered a knee injury on Sunday that could open the door for Emanuel Wilson. Jacobs won't need surgery but is considered "day-to-day," according to NFL Network's Tom Pelissero and Ian Rapoport.

Wilson replaced Jacobs in Week 11 and finished with 13.9 fantasy points. The Minnesota Vikings won't provide the easiest matchup, but Wilson could be a Week 12 starter and is available in over 90 percent of ESPN and Yahoo leagues.

Christian Watson, WR, Green Bay Packers

For some reason, Christian Watson wasn't a popular waiver pickup this past week. Though he had returned to the No. 1 receiver role in Green Bay—largely due to Tucker Kraft's season-ending injury—Watson was rostered in only 34 percent of Yahoo leagues and 26 percent of ESPN leagues through Sunday.

Coming out of a 46-yard, two-touchdown game, Watson will probably be targeted heavily this week. The Vikings have surrendered the seventh-fewest fantasy points to opposing WRs, but Watson's role makes him a viable flex option.

Mack Hollins, WR, New England Patriots

Mack Hollins has become a prominent piece of the Patriots' passing attack while Kayshon Boutte has been injured. Hollins has been targeted 15 times over the past two weeks and has reached double-digit fantasy points in two of his last three outings.

Hollins should have another strong week against a middling Bengals secondary. He's currently available in 95 percent of ESPN and Yahoo leagues.

*Fantasy roster and scoring information from FantasyPros.