Fantasy Football Week 12 Start 'Em Sit 'Em: Play Brett Favre, Bench Matt Ryan?

With Week 12 of fantasy football already getting started, a whole lot of teams are fighting for playoff berths.

The NFL is a league of matchups, and you always need to adjust your fantasy lineups accordingly.

You never want to overrate the importance of a tough matchup, but you need to take each decision case by case.

And with every point counting, you can't afford to make a mistake.

Here are some of this week's start 'em sit 'em decisions based on the players' matchups.

Start 'Em QB: Brett Favre

Matthew Stockman/Getty Images

MINNEAPOLIS - NOVEMBER 21: Quarterback Brett Favre #4 of the Minnesota Vikings looks for an open receiver while playing the Green Bay Packers at the Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome on November 21, 2010 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/

Brett Favre is fantasy's 27th-ranked quarterback, which isn't normally worthy of a starting spot.

But we all know his talent, and he's going up against the Redskins' porous secondary that allows the second-most points to opposing quarterbacks.

Sit 'Em QB: Matt Ryan

Dilip Vishwanat/Getty Images

ST. LOUIS - NOVEMBER 21: Matt Ryan #2 of the Atlanta Falcons passes against the St. Louis Rams at the Edward Jones Dome on November 21, 2010 in St. Louis, Missouri. The Falcons beat the Rams 34-17. (Photo by Dilip Vishwanat/Getty Images)

Matt Ryan has 44 points in his last two games, but is going up against a Green Bay defense that has allowed 27 fantasy points to QBs combined in its last four contests.

You might not have a better option, but if you have a guy with a good matchup like Favre, sit Matty Ice.

Start 'Em RB: Ronnie Brown

Andy Lyons/Getty Images

CINCINNATI - OCTOBER 31: Ronnie Brown #23 of the Miami Dolphins runs with the ball during the NFL game against the Cincinnati Bengals at Paul Brown Stadium on October 31, 2010 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)

Brown has been useless to fantasy owners all year, reaching double-digit points just twice.

But don't forget about him, as the Dolphins should be ready to pound him into the ground with Tyler Thigpen at QB.

The Dolphins are at their best when they feed Ronnie (and Ricky), and if they give him carries against a weak Oakland rushing defense, he'll produce.

Sit 'Em RB: Michael Turner

Dilip Vishwanat/Getty Images

ST. LOUIS - NOVEMBER 21: Michael Turner #33 of the Atlanta Falcons rushes against the St. Louis Rams at the Edward Jones Dome on November 21, 2010 in St. Louis, Missouri. The Falcons beat the Rams 34-17. (Photo by Dilip Vishwanat/Getty Images)

It might seem crazy to sit the 11th-ranked RB just because he's going up against a tough defense (Green Bay), but Turner hasn't exactly been matchup-proof.

He has five games of seven points or less, all coming against good run defenses.

Just because he feasts on the weak doesn't mean you should start him every week.

Start 'Em WR: Percy Harvin

Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images

CHICAGO - NOVEMBER 14: Percey Harvin #12 of the Minnesota Vikings celebrates a touchdown catch against the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field on November 14, 2010 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)

Harvin was on a tear before his two-point game against Green Bay last week. He's had double digits every week since Week 2, with the exception of a nine-point game.

Look for him to burn Washington's shoddy secondary and get back to business.

Sit 'Em WR: Anquan Boldin

Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images

ATLANTA - NOVEMBER 11: Anquan Boldin #81 of the Baltimore Ravens against the Atlanta Falcons at Georgia Dome on November 11, 2010 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

Boldin is still fantasy's 19th-ranked receiver, but he's only topped 12 points twice and has five games of six points or less, including two oh-fers.

He's going up against Tampa's underrated secondary, and the Ravens will be smart to simply hammer away on the ground, where the Bucs are weakest.

Boldin likely won't see a lot of balls on Sunday.

Start 'Em TE: Greg Olsen

Rick Stewart/Getty Images

TORONTO, ON - NOVEMBER 07: Greg Olsen #82 of the Chicago Bears makes a catch to convert on third down against the Buffalo Bills at Rogers Centre on November 7, 2010 in Toronto, Canada. Chicago won 22-19. (Photo by Rick Stewart/Getty Images)

Olsen has been a disappointment this year in Mike Martz's offense, but he has caught two touchdowns in his last three games.

Philly has given up six touchdowns to tight ends in its last seven games, and there's no reason to think Olsen won't reach the end zone.

If you don't have one of the top couple of TEs, start Olsen.

Sit 'Em TE: Kellen Winslow

Jamie Sabau/Getty Images

CINCINNATI, OH - OCTOBER 10: Kellen Winslow #82 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers runs with the ball against the Cincinnati Bengals at Paul Brown Stadium on October 10, 2010 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Jamie Sabau/Getty Images)

Winslow has been a servicable fill-in for owners, but there's almost no upside in his matchup against the Ravens.

Baltimore has only given up one TD to TEs all year.

Start 'Em D/ST: Browns

Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images

JACKSONVILLE, FL - NOVEMBER 21: Mike Thomas #80 of the Jacksonville Jaguars goes up for a ball against Joe Haden #23 during a game agaisnt the Cleveland Browns at EverBank Field on November 21, 2010 in Jacksonville, Florida. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty

The Browns defense is now ranked fifth in fantasy because of its recent inspired play, and they are playing the Panthers.

Do I need to elaborate?

Sit 'Em D/ST: Bucanneers

J. Meric/Getty Images

TAMPA, FL - OCTOBER 17: Cornerback Ronde Barber #20 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers sets a record for cornerbacks with 172 consecutive starts during the game against the New Orleans Saints at Raymond James Stadium on October 17, 2010 in Tampa, Florida. (Pho

The Bucs have fantasy's eighth-ranked defense, but Ray Rice should make their weak run defense pay.

And Baltimore is the sixth-worst offense for a fantasy defense to go up against.

Unless you have no choice, don't start Tampa.

Comments

Warren Little/Getty Images

LONDON, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 31: San Francisco 49ers mascot emerges from the tunnel before the NFL International Series match between Denver Broncos and San Francisco 49ers at Wembley Stadium on October 31, 2010 in London, England. This is the fourth occasi

What do you think?

Do you agree with my predictions?

Voice your opinion in the comments.

Matt Rudnitsky is a student at the University of Michigan and a Featured Columnist/writing intern at Bleacher Report. Follow him on Twitter at https://twitter.com/Mattrud.