Fantasy Football Week 12 Player Breakdowns

If you haven't had the chance, be sure to check out this week's Start/Sit column, as well as our player rankings. For quick matchup analysis, read on for Week 12 's player breakdowns:


Miami Dolphins @ Buffalo Bills

QB Chad Henne: Has looked good, but Miami will run all day. **
RB Ricky Williams: Should see another big load, and Bills run defense is lousy. *****
RB Lex Hilliard: Should see more carries, but still barely a Flex play. **
WR Davone Bess: Gets a good amount of looks, but not the week to use him. **
WR Greg Camarillo: Too unreliable, and facing decent pass defense. **
WR Ted Ginn: Role isn't established, mostly only has value on returns. **
WR Brian Hartline: Only good for two catches per game, so weak play. *

QB Ryan Fitzpatrick: Looked ok last week, and Miami pass defense nothing special. **
RB Fred Jackson: Role is growing again, and Lynch is dealing with injuries. ***
RB Marshawn Lynch: Check his status, but role hasn't been great. **
WR Terrell Owens: Blew up last week, so the potential is definitely there. ***
WR Lee Evans: Has been quiet, but Fitzpatrick normally loves him. ***


Carolina Panthers @ New York Jets

QB Jake Delhomme: They should look to run the ball a ton, and he's no safe bet. **
RB DeAngelo Williams: Should be extremely active and Jets run defense has been weak. *****
RB Jonathan Stewart: Didn't do much last week, so hard to expect fireworks this week. **
WR Steve Smith: Should see a lot of the Jets top corner, but he's been on fire. ***
WR Muhsin Muhammad: Could see some looks if Smith is shut down. **

QB Mark Sanchez: Not a good option, especially with ultra-stingy Carolina pass defense. *
RB Thomas Jones: Panthers can be run on and Jones should have big workload. *****
RB Shonn Greene: Role has been small, but it's a good matchup. **
WR Jerricho Cotchery: Not a horrible play, but Carolina pass defense is very good. ***
WR Braylon Edwards: Has big-play potential, but can't love the matchup. **
TE Dustin Keller: Could be active as a dump-off guy, but low ceiling this week. **


Cleveland Browns @ Cincinnati Bengals

QB Brady Quinn: Was sharp last week and Bengals pass defense has been only so-so lately. **
RB Jamal Lewis: Should get enough touches to do some damage, but matchup looks tough. **
RB Chris Jennings: Has been involved, but can't expect much against a solid defense. *
WR Mohamed Massaqoui: Suddenly Quinn's go-to guy, or just another one-game wonder? **
WR Chansi Stuckey: Still can't be relied upon, and matchup doesn't help. *
WR Josh Cribbs: Can do some serious damage with returns, and role is ok. **

QB Carson Palmer: Matthew Stafford went off against them, so his chances are good. *****
RB Bernard Scott: Value dips if Benson plays, but Browns stink against run, so solid play. ****
RB Cedric Benson: If he plays he should get some good run with a nice matchup. ***
RB Brian Leonard: Has low-end Flex value if Benson is out again. **
WR Chad Ochocinco: Could have a huge day against very spotty secondary. ****
WR Laveranues Coles: Has a low ceiling, but matchup is fantastic. ***
WR Andre Caldwell: Not a viable fantasy option. *


Indianapolis Colts @ Houston Texans

QB Peyton Manning: No reason to expect anything but elite numbers. *****
RB Joseph Addai: Remains very active and keeps scoring, so run with him. ****
RB Donald Brown: Doesn't have a great role, so not a good play. *
WR Reggie Wayne: Always a great play, so start him with confidence. *****
WR Pierre Garcon: Is good for some shots deep, so worth a play. ***
WR Austin Collie: Role has been weak lately, but not a bad matchup. **
TE Dallas Clark: Best tight end in football and Manning loves him. *****

QB Matt Schaub: Colts secondary is banged up, so he has a chance. ***
RB Steve Slaton: Still the starter, but role is uncertain. **
RB Chris Brown: Had the bulk of the carries last week, so has value. **
RB Ryan Moats: Didn't touch the ball last week, so not a great play. *
WR Andre Johnson: Always a must-start, but not the best match up. ****
WR Kevin Walter: Hasn't been doing much, but potential is there. **
WR David Anderson: Did well last week, and could be active underneath. **
TE James Casey: Could start working into a bigger role. **


Tampa Bay Buccaneers @ Atlanta Falcons

QB Josh Freeman: Falcons pass defense stinks, so he's worth a shot. ***
RB Carnell Williams: Falcons can't stop the run either, so solid play. ***
RB Derrick Ward: Bucs say they'll use all three backs, so some value here. **
RB Earnest Graham: Ditto. **
WR Antonio Bryant: Is healthy again, so has a chance at success this week. ***
WR Sammie Stroughter: Not very reliable, but has a good matchup. **
TE Kellen Winslow: Has a solid role and Falcons are terrible against tight ends. ****

QB Matt Ryan: Bucs can't stop anyone, and Ryan looked better last week. ****
RB Michael Turner: Will be a game-time decision, but too much of a risk this week. ***
RB Jason Snelling: Should be the starter, and matchup is rock solid. ****
RB Jerious Norwood: Could have a bigger role this week, but not reliable. **
WR Roddy White: Should be back to normal against weak Bucs secondary. *****
WR Michael Jenkins: Could find a big play or two against poor secondary. **
TE Tony Gonzalez: Always a solid option, especially with nice matchup. *****


Washington Redskins @ Philadelphia Eagles

QB Jason Campbell: Eagles pass defense solid last week, so not a good play. **
RB Rock Cartwright: Will get all the touches, but tough matchup. ***
WR Santana Moss: Has the potential, but has been very unreliable. **
TE Fred Davis: Is Redskins second best option, so should get some looks. **

QB Donovan McNabb: Redskins pass defense is solid, so not an elite play. ***
RB LeSean McCoy: Should get solid amount of carries, and 'Skins run D weakening. ***
WR DeSean Jackson: Tough matchup, but always a big-play threat. ***
WR Jeremy Maclin: Has been very consistent, but nothing special. ***
TE Brent Celek: A very solid TE1, but matchup isn't great. ***


Seattle Seahawks @ St. Louis Rams

QB Matt Hasselbeck: Look for Hass to bounce back against excellent matchup. ****
RB Justin Forsett: Will likely start and should have a huge role in the offense. ****
RB Julius Jones: Game-time decision and not a good bet this week. *
WR Nate Burleson: Should be fairly active in nice matchup. ****
WR TJ Housh: Has been a disappointment, but it's a good matchup. ***
TE John Carlson: Shredded them for 7/97/2 last meeting, so nice play. ****

QB Kyle Boller: Matchup isn't horrible, but he is. *
RB Steven Jackson: Should get the ball a ton. *****
WR Donnie Avery: Check his status, and is a very iffy play this week. *
WR Brandon Gibson: Should see a lot of targets, but own ceiling with Boller in. **


Kansas City Chiefs @ San Diego Chargers

QB Matt Cassel: He should be very active late in the game, so not a horrible play. ***
RB Jamaal Charles: Chargers can be run on, and he has good potential. **
WR Chris Chambers: Could go off against former team. ***
WR Lance Long: Hasn't done anything lately, but could do some damage this week. **

QB Phillip Rivers: Chiefs secondary is weak, so expect big day. ****
RB LaDainian Tomlinson: Usually finds success against Chiefs, and has looked good. ****
RB Darren Sproles: Not a huge role, but useful in return leagues. **
WR Vincent Jackson: Has been quiet, but could explode this week. *****
WR Malcom Floyd: Over-hyped and very unreliable. **
TE Antonio Gates: He hasn't been great, but potential and matchup bodes well. ***


Jacksonville Jaguars @ San Francisco 49ers

QB David Garrard: 49ers can be shredded, and Garrard has looked solid. ***
RB Maurice Jones-Drew: A must-start. *****
WR Mike Sims-Walker: Always a solid play, and 49ers secondary not playing well. ****
WR Torry Holt: Hasn't scored all season, and production is dipping. **
TE Marcedes Lewis: Very unreliable role, but matchup could help. **

QB Alex Smith: Solid matchup, and Smith looked good last week. ***
RB Frank Gore: Jags can be run on, and Gore should get plenty of carries. *****
WR Michael Crabtree: Should be fairly active, and matchup is nice. ***
WR Josh Morgan: Unreliable, but Jags secondary is vulnerable to big play. **
TE Vernon Davis: Great game last week and potential is always there. *****


Chicago Bears @ Minnesota Vikings

QB Jay Cutler: Minnesota pass defense can be beat, and he'll be throwing all day. ***
RB Matt Forte: He's no match for the Williams Wall. **
WR Devin Hester: Should be active with Bears throwing a ton. ***
WR Earl Bennett: Could be active, but is inconsistent. **
WR Johnny Knox: Big play ability is there, and matchup is ok. **
TE Greg Olsen: Great matchup, as Vikes stink against tight ends. ****

QB Brett Favre: Bears pass defense stinks, so expect solid numbers. *****
RB Adrian Peterson: Bears aren't horrible against the run, but he should be fine. *****
WR Sidney Rice: Could torch Chicago corners, and is absolutely on fire. *****
WR Percy Harvin: Always a solid WR3, so a solid play this week. ***
WR Bernard Berrian: Not as involved as you would like, but has a good matchup. **
TE Visanthe Shiancoe: Always a threat in the red-zone, so decent play. ***


Arizona Cardinals @ Tennessee Titans

QB Kurt Warner: Head appears to be fine, and should pass a ton. ****
RB Tim Hightower: Titans stop the run well, so don't expect the usual. ***
RB Chris Wells: Should see the usual carries, but matchup not great. ***
WR Larry Fitzgerald: Always a great play, and should be very active. *****
WR Anquan Boldin: Looked good last week, and should play big role again. ****
WR Steve Breaston: Role has been solid, so decent play this week. ***

QB Vince Young: Cardinals pass defense stinks, but he won't be too active. ***
RB Chris Johnson: Has been awesome, and matchup is decent. *****
RB Lendale White: Scored last week, so could see some run this week. **
WR Justin Gage: Still out with a back injury.
WR Kenny Britt: Has been starting and playing ok, so decent option this week. ***
WR Nate Washington: Solid matchup, so not a horrible WR3 this week. **
TE Bo Scaife: Role has been small, so find another option. *


Pittsburgh Steelers @ Baltimore Ravens

QB Ben Roethlisberger: Check his status, but matchup bodes well. *****
RB Rashard Mendenhall: Ravens stop the run well, so not a great play. ***
WR Hines Ward: Should be very active, and matchup bodes well. ****
WR Santonio Holmes: Hasn't scored since week one, so this could be the week. ****
WR Mike Wallace: Could see solid amount of targets with nice matchup. ***
TE Heath Miller: Was very active last week, so solid play against Ravens. ****

QB Joe Flacco: Steelers can be passed on, and he should throw a lot. ***
RB Ray Rice: Could still be active through screens, but Steelers stop the run well. ***
RB Willis MGahee: Only has value near the goalline. *
WR Derrick Mason: Should be active, so solid WR3 this week. ***
WR Mark Clayton: Very unreliable, but Ravens will have to pass. **
TE Todd Heap: Not a big role, and just not very explosive. **


New England Patriots @ New Orleans Saints

QB Tom Brady: Should be fine in a huge matchup. ****
RB Laurence Maroney: Saints can't stop the run, so good play. ****
WR Randy Moss: Saints will have trouble with him early and often. *****
WR Wes Welker: Will be extremely active as usual. *****
WR Julian Edelman: Role fairly small, but potential is there. **
TE Ben Watson: Hasn't done much lately, so not a great play. **

QB Drew Brees: Patriots can be passed on, and he'll be needed. *****
RB Pierre Thomas: Should be active early, but Pats are decent against run. ***
RB Mike Bell: Had a good game last week, so should have decent role. ***
RB Reggie Bush: Iffy this week, but role is inconsistent, anyways. **
WR Marques Colston: A solid start in a huge game, and was active last week. ***
WR Devery Henderson: Hasn't been very good lately, but potential is there. **
WR Robert Meachem: Has scored in three straight, so a solid WR3. ***
TE Jeremy Shockey: Hasn't done much lately, so only a so-so play. **