Week 12 Start 'Em Sit 'Em: 10 NFL Players to Bench in Fantasy Football

The playoffs are almost upon us and you're battling for one of the final playoff spots in your fantasy football league.

You can't afford to make a mistake and start the wrong guy at one of your positions that seems to have a new face each week.

Here are some starters fantasy owners should avoid in Week 12.

Andy Dalton

Most likely if you have Andy Dalton on your team, you have a good backup. There are very few fantasy owners that had Dalton as their first choice at quarterback.

You might want to stay away from Dalton, one of the biggest surprises of the 2011 NFL season.

The Cincinnati Bengals offense will lean on it's rushing game this week against the Cleveland Browns, a team that has the top-ranked pass defense in the NFL.

Dalton doesn't make a ton of mistakes so that still makes him a sensible bet at quarterback. But if it's more points you're looking for, you might want to find another quarterback who faces a lesser defense.

Fred Jackson

Even if Fred Jackson plays this week, he may not be 100 percent, so that fact alone makes him a risky start.

On top of that, the Buffalo Bills as a team that has been going through plenty of issues including a beat down from the Miami Dolphins last week, 35-8.

Now the Bills are looking at the New York Jets who are coming off a week where they held one of the best rushing attacks in the NFL to only 86 yards. It would have been significantly less if not for Tim Tebow's miraculous 95-yard drive where he picked up most of his yards on the ground.

Jackson will have a tough time gaining yards and combined with a possible injury to battle, it stinks of a no start for the Bills running back.

Green Bay Packers Defense

The Green Bay Packers pass defense has been lacking this season, making them the second-worst in the NFL.

This week, they go into Detroit to take on Matthew Stafford and the Lions explosive passing attack. Stafford threw for five touchdowns in his last game, leading his team to a great comeback victory after a slow start against the Carolina Panthers, 49-35.

This matchup is Green Bay's worst nightmare and although the Pack can go shot for shot with the Lions' offense, it's their defense that will give you headaches.

Look for another defense this week, maybe a worse team with a more favorable matchup.

Alex Smith

The San Francisco 49ers had their problems driving the ball down the field and into the end zone last week. Finally, Alex Smith broke through to put a few touchdowns on the board.

And that was against the pitiful defense of the Arizona Cardinals.

This week will be a much different story on both sides of the ball for the Niners, going up against the Baltimore Ravens and their elite defense.

Smith hasn't made a ton of mistakes this season, but if Frank Gore fails to break 100 yards and get into the end zone, the former No. 1 overall pick will have to do more. That means more opportunities for mistakes against a top defense.

The 49ers have been on a great winning streak for the majority of the season, something that isn't easy to do in the NFL. Smith will certainly struggle against Baltimore as his team due to lose one, finally does.

Ray Rice

Staying with the Ravens-Niners matchup in Week 12, there won't be much of a running attack for Baltimore.

That means Ray Rice will succumb to San Fran's top-ranked run defense in the NFL.

I feel this game will come down to the quarterback, and the Ravens have that advantage. That will make Rice a non-factor in this one and a must-sit this week.

I would've said the same for Gore of the Niners, but he has been one of the best backs in football, making his a must-start no matter what defense he faces.

DeMarco Murray

Don't look now, but the Miami Dolphins have only allowed one running back to gain over 100 yards in a game this season. And that was against Ben Tate and the Houston Texans top-ranked rushing attack.

The Dolphins can stop the run, plain and simple, a fact that doesn't look good for DeMarco Murray and the Dallas Cowboys' ground game.

Murray has been quite the force since taking the majority of the carries for Dallas in Week 7, but I expect that to be put on hold for a week against a Dolphins team who seems rejuvenated and motivated to win.

The Boys will use Tony Romo and their sixth-ranked passing attack to do most of the work offensively with the running game taking a backseat.

Better defense, fewer attempts and less yards makes Murray a non-starter in Week 12.

Andre Johnson

Andre Johnson may finally be coming back for the Houston Texans Week 12 showdown with the Jacksonville Jaguars, but you may want to keep him on the pine for another week.

The Texans saw their quarterback Matt Schaub go down to a season-ending injury two weeks ago and will have to go to Matt Leinart for the first time this year.

Still trying to adjust to being the new starter, Leinart might have a tough game against a good Jaguars pass defense, making Johnson's chances slimmer than usual to have a big day.

That being said, expect the Texans to do what they do best and run the ball to take pressure off Leinart in his season debut.

I know it's tempting, but don't click submit just yet to make a roster change. Give it another week.

Maurice Jones-Drew

You'd think that losing Mario Williams would have devastated the Texans defense, but they have continued to roll right along, sporting the fourth-best run defense in the NFL.

Normally, Maurice Jones-Drew is a must-start every week, but you might want to re-think that strategy if you can find a back with a more favorbale matchup.

The Texans will shut down rookie quarterback Blaine Gabbert, making the Jaguars offense as predictable as a sunrise.

Jones-Drew will be the primary focus of one of the best defenses in the league, making it a long and unproductive day for him.

New England Patriots Defense

Making his career debut with the Kansas City Chiefs, Tyler Palko had his issues with New England's defense, throwing three picks. Despite that, Palko still threw for 236 yards and a 66 percent completion percentage.

The Pats will be taking on a much more capable offense in Week 12 in the Philadelphia Eagles, who should be getting back Michael Vick from injury.

Philly has the best running game and running back in the NFL in LeSean McCoy. He should have no trouble picking up big yardage on the ground and should be able to restart his touchdown streak that was snapped last week.

With the running game easily established, the Eagles can move the ball through the air, ultimately putting up plenty of points on the Patriots terrible defense.

Might want to look for a more favorable matchup in a different defense this week.

Dwayne Bowe

Despite a slew of issues with the Chiefs passing attack, Dwayne Bowe has still managed to have himself an impressive season.

In Palko's starting debut, Bowe still picked up a decent amount of points in Week 11.

Next week will be quite the task for Kansas City's rookie quarterback, going up against an elite defense in the Pittsburgh Steelers.

It'll be a game of growing and physical pains for Palko and the Chiefs passing game. Bowe should be nowhere to be found in this one, leaving no reason to give him a start this week.