Week 12 Start 'Em, Sit 'Em: 5 Guys I Want on My Fantasy Team in Week 12

We've reached a crucial point in the fantasy season, where a loss this weekend could spell doom for many fantasy teams.

If Week 12 is a must-win for your team, you're likely agonizing over who to start this week. Hopefully, I can help get the anxiety out of your weekend and help you pick the right player to start.

Last week, I recommended fantasy owners start Carson Palmer, Marshawn Lynch, Tony Gonzalez, Denarius Moore and the New England DST. With the exception of Moore, the players I suggested all had good games.

Here is a list of five players who I think are must-starts in Week 12. If you don't have any of these players, send me your fantasy questions by commenting below.

5. Joe Flacco, Quarterback, Baltimore Ravens

I'm not recommending that you start Flacco over the top-tier quarterbacks, but he is a good start this week if you're desperate for a quarterback.

Flacco has scored double-digit fantasy points (standard scoring) in each of his last four games.

The Ravens have moved away from their running game and have started throwing the ball more.

The emergence of rookie wide receiver Torrey Smith has given Flacco another big-play option.   

He is going to need all of his receivers to play well Thursday night against a very good 49ers defense. The Ravens will likely have no choice but to throw, as the Niners have the top-ranked rushing defense in the league. 

4. Jonathan Stewart, Running Back, Carolina Panthers

Stewart faces an Indianapolis defense that ranks near the bottom of the league in both rush and pass defense.

Stewart should be able to find plenty of room this Sunday as a runner and receiver.

While Stewart hasn't had double-digit carries in the last two weeks, he still has been very involved in the Panthers' offensive game plan.

He had six catches last week against the Detroit Lions for 87 yards and rushed the ball eight times for 22 yards.

The Colts are giving up a lot of yards to opposing offenses, and they've allowed the most most red-zone touchdowns of any team with 25.

Stewart is a good option at RB2, but he's a better flex option.

3. Reggie Bush, Running Back, Miami Dolphins

Bush has scored four touchdowns in the last three games and has emerged as the Dolphins' goal-line back.

Bush has averaged close to 20 touchdowns over the last four games and is a big reason for Miami's turnaround this season.

The Dallas Cowboys come into this game against Miami with the 11th-ranked run defense.

However, in the last four games, they have given up 596 yards rushing.

Bush has the hot-hand right now—Miami and fantasy owners should feel confident putting him in their lineups this week.

2. Percy Harvin, Wide Receiver, Minnesota Vikings

Harvin has been one of the most frustrating fantasy players this season.

Every week, it seems the Vikings say they want to get Harvin more involved in the offense, and every week they fall short of that promise.

It's a dilemma that has left Harvin owners in limbo all season.

With that said, I believe the Vikings have no choice but to force the ball to Harvin this week.

Adrian Peterson is likely out with a high ankle sprain against the Atlanta Falcons, which should increase Harvin's role in the offense.

Since the Vikings' bye week, Harvin has seen an uptick in touches, including a season-high 11 touches in Week 11 against the Oakland Raiders.

In that game, Harvin caught six passes for 73 yards and a touchdown. He also had five carries for 21 yards and had a long touchdown run called back because of a questionable holding penalty.

1. Cedric Benson, Running Back, Cincinnati Bengals

Benson scored two touchdowns last week against a very good Baltimore Ravens defense.

This week, he faces a much softer defense in the Cleveland Browns.

The Browns have been miserable against the run this season, giving up nearly 1,400 yards rushing to opposing teams.

They currently rank 29th against the run and have allowed a whopping 676 yards rushing and five rushing touchdowns in their last four games.

Even better news for Benson is the Browns rank No. 1 against the pass this season, so the Bengals' only offensive success may have to come on the ground.

Benson has faced three very good run defenses since coming back from suspension (Tennessee, Pittsburgh, Baltimore), expect him to be primed for a big game on Sunday.