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

Week 11 wrapped with a lopsided game between the Dallas Cowboys and Las Vegas Raiders. Fantasy managers on the wrong end of a similar performance will be looking to bounce back in Week 12.

Unfortunately, several top-tier fantasy stars will be out of action, as the Denver Broncos, Los Angeles Chargers, Miami Dolphins and Washington Commanders go on bye.

Injuries, of course, will keep several more players out of starting lineups.

Here, you'll find some of the best and worst matchups of Week 12, along with some start/sit advice for fringe starters in point-per-reception (PPR) play.

Start: Woody Marks, RB, Houston Texans

AP Photo/Ashley Landis

Though rookie Woody Marks hasn't consistently put up starter-level numbers, he has taken over as the Houston Texans' lead back. He had just 51 scrimmage yards against the Tennessee Titans this past week, but he logged 19 touches compared to Nick Chubb's three.

With C.J. Stroud set to miss another game while in the concussion protocol, Houston will probably try to take a run-heavy approach against the Buffalo Bills.

Buffalo, for the record, has surrendered the second-most fantasy points to opposing running backs this season. As long as Marks sees a decent volume of work, he's likely to reward managers with a solid outing.

Last week, Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Sean Tucker racked up 34 fantasy points against the Bills.

Other fringe starters to consider this week include:

David Montgomery, Detroit Lions

Kyle Monangai, Chicago Bears

Emanuel Wilson, Green Bay Packers

Sit: Devin Singletary, RB, New York Giants

AP Photo/Kamil Krzaczynski

Since losing Cam Skattebo to a season-ending injury, the New York Giants have used Devin Singletary and Tryone Tracy Jr. in a split backfield. That's led to some unpredictability for both players.

Both Singletary and Tracy topped 17 fantasy points in Week 11. However, Tracy had more touches and yards, while Singletary's value came from a pair of rushing touchdowns—he averaged just 2,8 yards per touch.

There's absolutely no guarantee that Singletary will see a sizeable volume this week, especially if Tracy continues to be the more efficient player. That makes him a touchdown-dependent option against a Detroit Lions team that has surrendered just eight rushing touchdowns all season.

Detroit has also surrendered the second-fewest fantasy points to opposing running backs. The list of other backs to avoid this week includes:

Rachaad White, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Nick Chubb, Houston Texans

Chuba Hubbard, Carolina Panthers

Start: Darnell Mooney, WR, Atlanta Falcons

AP Photo/Tyler Kaufman

Managers who held onto Darnell Mooney through the first 11 weeks of the season have found their opportunity to play him. The Atlanta Falcons wideout missed the early season with a broken collarbone. In eight appearances since, he had just 16 catches for 224 yards.

However, Mooney does have chemistry with Kirk Cousins, who is back behind center after Michael Penix Jr.'s season-ending knee injury. With Cousins at quarterback for most of last season, Mooney racked up 64 catches for 992 yards.

Mooney also figures to be Atlanta's No. 1 perimeter receiver this week, as Drake London is considered "week to week" with a knee injury.

The New Orleans Saints, who have surrendered the 17th-most fantasy points to WRs, are a middling matchup for Mooney, but volume should make him a viable flex play.

The list of other fringe receivers to consider includes:

1. A.J. Brown, Dallas Cowboys
2. Michael Wilson, Arizona Cardinals
3. Jerry Jeudy, Cleveland Browns

Sit: Ricky Pearsall, WR, San Francisco 49ers

AP Photo/Scot Tucker

The San Francisco 49ers saw quarterback Brock Purdy return to the lineup in Week 11, and he fared extremely well. They also saw wide receiver Ricky Pearsall return, but his outing was far less impressive.

While Purdy threw for 200 yards and three touchdowns, Pearsall caught just one of three targets for zero yards.

Pearsall's role will undoubtedly grow as the season progresses, but Purdy appears quite content to lean on Jauan Jennings, George Kittle and Christian McCaffrey in the meantime. The 49ers may not look to go pass-heavy anyway against an underrated Carolina Panthers secondary.

Carolina has surrendered the fourth-fewest fantasy points to opposing wide receivers this season. Other fringe receivers to avoid this week include:

Keon Coleman, Buffalo Bills

Brian Thomas Jr., Jacksonville Jaguars

Elic Ayomanor, Tennessee Titans