Fantasy Football: Aaron Rodgers and the Must-Starts for Week 12

Quarterbacks:

Eli Manning, New York Giants

Eli Manning and the New York Giants are home against the Jacksonville Jaguars in Week 12. The Jaguars are 28th against the pass and have given up 20 touchdown passes, second most in the NFL. After losing two in a row, the Giants need to get back on track, and this is a perfect opportunity for Eli Manning to make that happen.

Aaron Rodgers, Green Bay Packers

Aaron Rodgers makes a pivotal start in Week 12 when the Packers visit Atlanta to take on the Falcons. This game has huge playoff implications and Rodgers will rise to the occasion. The Falcons have the 24th ranked pass defense and have given up 18 touchdown passes. Rodgers will have no problem taking advantage of the Falcon defense as this game should be high-scoring.

Drew Brees, New Orleans Saints

Coming off a Week 11 performance in which he threw four touchdowns, Drew Brees has another great matchup against the Dallas Cowboys on Thanksgiving Day. The Cowboys have given up the second most touchdown passes in the league with 22. The Saints' offense will continue to roll and Brees will have a big game. 

Running Backs:

Rashard Mendenhall, Pittsburgh Steelers

The Steelers travel to Buffalo this week, and running back Rashard Mendenhall probably cannot wait to run against the Bills' defense. The Bills give up over 163 yards per game, the most in the league. The eighth leading rusher in the NFL should run with ease this Sunday and he is a must-start in all leagues.

Steven Jackson, St. Louis Rams

Steven Jackson and the Rams will visit Denver in Week 12 to take on the Broncos. The Broncos have given up the most rushing touchdowns in the NFL with 15. This is a big game for Jackson because he only has three rushing touchdowns on the year, so this is his opportunity to reach the end zone. Jackson makes an excellent start this week.

Ray Rice, Baltimore Ravens

Ray Rice has not had a 100-yard rushing game since Week 5, and this Sunday is the perfect chance to reach 100 yards for the first time in over a month. Rice and the Ravens will take on the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, who are giving up over 135 yards per game on the ground, fourth worst in the league. Rice is a great start this week so start him in all leagues.

Wide Receivers:

Calvin Johnson, Detroit Lions

Detroit Lions' receiver Calvin Johnson has been having a big season regardless of who his quarterback has been. The Lions take on the Patriots, who are giving up the second most passing yards per game this season. This Thanksgiving day matchup should be a big one for Johnson as he will look to reach the end zone for the third straight week. 

Dwayne Bowe, Kansas City Chiefs

Dwayne Bowe and the Chiefs will be in Seattle this Sunday in a battle of two first place teams. The Seahawks give up 283 passing yards per game, third worst in the NFL. Bowe is having a monster year and he should continue his hot streak in Week 12. Bowe has reached the end zone in six straight weeks, four of those games being multi-touchdown games. It is safe to say Bowe has a good chance of celebrating a touchdown this week.

Mike Wallace, Pittsburgh Steelers

Although the Bills are ninth best in the league in passing yards allowed per game, they have also given up 20 touchdown passes. This is big for Mike Wallace because he has had a knack for the end zone this season with eight touchdown receptions. Wallace has scored in three straight weeks and he will look to continue his streak in Buffalo this Sunday.