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

The bye weeks are officially over, but that doesn't make setting a lineup for your fantasy football team much easier.

In Week 12, you still have to worry about setting your lineup earlier enough to be ready on Thanksgiving, as well as dealing with various injuries and inconsistent performances throughout your roster. This leaves plenty of question marks, but there are still ways to put out the best team possible.

Here is a look at a few fringe flex options with advice over whether to start them or sit them this weekend.

Start 'Em

Pos.	Player	Team	Opp
RB	Javorius Allen	Baltimore Ravens	CLE
RB	Alfred Blue	Houston Texans	NO
RB	Melvin Gordon	San Diego Chargers	JAX
WR	Travis Benjamin	Cleveland Browns	BAL
WR	DeSean Jackson	Washington Redskins	NYG
WR	Martavis Bryant	Pittsburgh Steelers	SEA
TE	Julius Thomas	Jacksonville Jaguars	SD

Javorius Allen, RB, Baltimore Ravens

Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports

If you were able to get Javorius "Buck" Allen off waivers, don't hesitate to put him right into your lineup.

The rookie running back will take over for the injured Justin Forsett as starter for the Baltimore Ravens, and the team will have to rely on him with Joe Flacco also out for the year. Allen finished with 22 carries and five catches last week, so you can be certain the workload will not be an issue.

Scott Pianowski of Yahoo Sports also noted Allen is an upgrade at receiver:

Remember, Marc Trestman coached Matt Forte to 102 receptions out of the backfield last year. With backup Matt Schaub taking over at quarterback, the Ravens will likely have to use a lot more shorter passes, which could benefit Allen.

Against a Cleveland Browns defense allowing the most rushing yards in the NFL, Allen should have a big game.

Travis Benjamin, WR, Cleveland Browns

Don Wright/Associated Press

The big story for the Cleveland Browns this week is the benching of Johnny Manziel due to off-field behavior. Head coach Mike Pettine discussed his thoughts on the move:

This is especially bad news for Travis Benjamin, who has made a great connection with the former first-round pick. While this drops the receiver a bit for Week 12, he should still be a worthwhile fantasy starter with Josh McCown as the starter. 

Even with some inconsistent play, Benjamin has had a strong season while already doubling previous career highs in receptions and yards. If he keeps up his current pace, he will finish with about 77 catches and 1,178 receiving yards.

With the Baltimore Ravens allowing the third-most fantasy points to opposing receivers this season, per ESPN, this is a chance for a big game.

Sit 'Em

Pos.	Player	Team	Opp
RB	Matt Jones	Washington Redskins	NYG
RB	Isaiah Crowell	Cleveland Browns	BAL
RB	Ronnie Hillman	Denver Broncos	STL
WR	Jordan Matthews	Philadelphia Eagles	DET
WR	Kamar Aiken	Baltimore Ravens	CLE
WR	Davante Adams	Green Bay Packers	CHI
TE	Charles Clay	Buffalo Bills	KC

Matt Jones, RB, Washington Redskins

Evan Vucci/Associated Press

I hope you started Matt Jones in Week 11 when he scored 24 points, because you might not get anywhere near that production for the rest of the season. The rookie followed up his huge performance against the New Orleans Saints with five carries for zero yards and a fumble against the Carolina Panthers in Week 12.

As Thomas Boswell of the Washington Post noted, fumbling has been one of the bigger issues:

This has kept the Redskins from trusting Jones to get a bigger workload. In fact, Week 2 was the only game in which he finished with more than 11 carries.

Although the New York Giants appear to be an easier matchup, Jones isn't going to get enough carries to make a difference unless we see another blowout, and that isn't likely in this NFC East battle. 

Jordan Matthews, WR, Philadelphia Eagles

Julio Cortez/Associated Press

The good news for Jordan Matthews is that he is still the No. 1 receiver on the depth chart. As Zach Berman of the Philadelphia Inquirer noted, the second-year player has not seen his playing time decrease lately:

Unfortunately, this has not led to much success. After a big showing against the Dallas Cowboys in Week 10 (nine catches, 133 yards and a touchdown), Matthews has just seven catches for 34 yards in the last two games combined. 

In the last eight games, that Week 10 performance was the only time he had more than five fantasy points in standard leagues.

It clearly doesn't matter whether Sam Bradford or Mark Sanchez is under center, Matthews has not done enough to be worthy of a fantasy start.

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