Week 12 Start 'Em, Sit 'Em Advice on Fantasy Football Stars to Play or Bench

Week 12 will get underway with an intriguing Thursday night matchup between the Buffalo Bills and Houston Texans. While Houston has had its struggles this season, it has also won three of its last four and boasts a defense that can make things difficult for Josh Allen and the Bills.

However, the Texans have decided that they'll start quarterback Davis Mills once again, as C.J. Stroud remains in the concussion protocol.

Fantasy managers may not want to rely on Mills against a Buffalo defense that has surrendered the fourth-fewest fantasy points to opposing QBs. However, a few other second-tier stars and fill-ins should be much more trustworthy in Week 12.

Let's dive into some of this week's best and worst matchups for point-per-reception (PPR) leagues.

Quarterback

AP Photo/Terrance Williams

Lions QB Jared Goff

Start: Jared Goff, Detroit Lions

Jared Goff had a forgettable game against the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday night, finishing with 255 yards but only one touchdown with one interception. He'll have a good chance to bounce back in Week 12, however.

The Lions are set to host the New York Giants, who have surrendered the third-most fantasy points to opposing QBs in 2025. After failing to find an offensive rhythm against Philadelphia, don't be surprised if Detroit looks to run up the score against a vulnerable Giants defense.

Sit: Geno Smith, Las Vegas Raiders

Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Geno Smith was just as disappointing as Goff in Week 11. However, he struggled against a Dallas Cowboys defense that hasn't been very good this season.

No team has surrendered more fantasy points to opposing quarterbacks this season. Smith still tallied an underwhelming 13.9 points. This week, he'll be up against a Cleveland Browns defense that has surrendered the third-fewest fantasy points to opposing QBs.

Running Back

AP Photo/Jacob Kupferman

Saints RB Alvin Kamara

Start: Alvin Kamara, New Orleans Saints

Alvin Kamara is still a very capable running back. However, New Orleans Saints head coach Kellen Moore doesn't feature him in the passing game quite like previous coaches did, which has lowered his PPR floor considerably.

Kamara had a solid 14.5 fantasy points in Week 10 but preceded that outing with three straight games under seven points.

This week, though, could be a good one for the 30-year-old. The Saints are coming out of their bye and set to face a struggling Atlanta Falcons team that has surrendered the fourth-most fantasy points to opposing RBs.

Sit: Zonovan Knight, Arizona Falcons

It's a good week to trust Kamara. It's not a good week to bet on Arizona Cardinals back Zonovan Knight. While Knight did lead the Cardinals in rushing and find the end zone last week, he had a mere 45 scrimmage yards.

Knight could be even less productive this week against a Jacksonville Jaguars defense that has surrendered the fourth-fewest fantasy points to opposing RBs. He's probably going to be a touchdown-dependent option, and the Jags have only given up six rushing touchdowns all season.

Wide Receiver

AP Photo/Matt Rourke

Eagles WR A.J. Brown

Start: A.J. Brown, Philadelphia Eagles

The Philadelphia Eagles keep racking up wins, but they've struggled to get receiver A.J. Brown consistently involved in the offense. Brown has been frustrated enough with his offensive role that franchise owner Jeffrey Lurie recently met with him to discuss the situation, according to ESPN's Sal Paolantonio.

The situation has likely frustrated many a fantasy manager too. While Brown has had the occasional big game, he's had five weeks with fewer than 10 fantasy points—and that's not counting the week he missed with a hamstring injury.

However, Week 12 could bring a good game for Brown. While he had just 1.8 fantasy points against the Dallas Cowboys back in Week 1, no team has surrendered more fantasy points to opposing receivers this season.

Sit: Khalil Shakir, Buffalo Bills

Last week, second-year wideout Keon Coleman was benched for disciplinary reasons. Even with Coleman out, though, fellow receiver Khalil Shakir logged just a single catch.

It's impossible to trust Shakir this week against a stout Texans defense. Houston has surrendered the third-fewest fantasy points to opposing wide receivers. Managers may not be willing to bench Josh Allen in the matchup, but they can bench Shakir.

Tight End

AP Photo/David Zalubowski

Chiefs TE Travis Kelce

Start: Travis Kelce, Kansas City Chiefs

Travis Kelce hasn't been the matchup-proof, must-start tight end, but he's surged in recent weeks as the Kansas City Chiefs' offense has started to find a rhythm.

Kelce has topped 12 fantasy points in three straight games and is coming off a 24.1-point performance against a very good Denver Broncos defense. This week, he'll face an Indianapolis Colts defense that has surrendered the third-most fantasy points to opposing TEs.

Sit: Dalton Schultz, Houston Texans

Texans tight end Dalton Schultz has fared very well with Mills behind center and has reached double-digit fantasy points in three straight games. However, managers should be wary of starting him against Buffalo on a short week.

Houston should look to exploit Buffalo's 31st-ranked run defense, which would likely mean a limited role for Schultz. The Bills have also surrendered fewer fantasy points to opposing tight ends than any other team this season.

*Fantasy scoring information from FantasyPros.