Fantasy Football Week 12: 5 Options to Consider in a Bind

With the fantasy football playoffs right around the corner, this week of games is a big one for many team's playoff hopes. It's important as ever to make sure you are putting together the right starting lineup in Week 12.

If you can't field a lineup full of no-brainer starters, you are probably looking around to see which guys you can deploy this week. That is probably the case, considering there are so many injuries around the league right now.

The following are five options that might even be available on the waiver wire that you should consider using this week. At this point of the season, you have to try anything and everything to get wins.

Chaz Schilens

While a matchup against the Chicago Bears pass defense isn't great for Oakland Raiders wide receiver Chaz Schilens in Week 12, he has a chance to play a lot of snaps.

Jacoby Ford has already been ruled out for the contest and Denarius Moore is unlikely to play. That means someone else is going to have to step up for Carson Palmer, and Schilens could be that guy.

Schilens hasn't put up many numbers this season, but he does have two touchdowns in limited action, including one last week. Darrius Heyward-Bay is also a little banged up, meaning Schilens is the best Raiders wideout who is fully healthy at this point.

Seattle Seahawks Defense

If you're looking for a nice matchup play for your team defense this week, you should take a long look at Seattle. The Seahawks would be a great pickup if you had the Detroit Lions benched against the stalwart Packers, for instance.

Seattle's defense hasn't had a great year as a whole, but has done well against weaker offenses such as Cleveland and St. Louis. The Washington Redskins would certainly fall under that category as well.

Chris Clemons and Co. shouldn't have much of a problem stopping Rex Grossman and a fluctuating running game in Week 12. Seattle is a top 10 defensive option in fantasy leagues.

Riley Cooper

It's almost certain that Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver Jeremy Maclin is going to miss his second straight week of action on Sunday. That should mean good things for Riley Cooper, who would start in his place.

Cooper led the Eagles in targets in Week 11 when Maclin missed, and he gets one of the better matchups around the league in Week 12. The New England Patriots are one of the worst teams against the pass in all of football.

While you can't exactly trust a player like Cooper who hasn't had consistent success, it would be an upset if he doesn't at least have a solid day against New England. His Eagles are in desperation mode and will certainly give it everything they have.

Brandon LaFell

Carolina Panthers wide receiver Legadu Naanee is expected to miss this week's action against the Colts. That could mean big things for Brandon LaFell.

LaFell is a big-play weapon, and the Colts have had their problems stopping the pass this season, especially against physical receivers. Just ask Julio Jones, who had his first two NFL touchdowns against Indianapolis a few weeks ago.

The second-year receiver has a chance for a career day against the hapless Colts. Cam Newton has been one of the league's top quarterbacks this season and shouldn't have any trouble lighting up a defense that had 62 points scored on them earlier in the year.

Marion Barber

Chicago Bears running back Marion Barber has five touchdowns in the seven games he's played this season. He is clearly their short-yardage back, and also has a chance to receive more carries down the stretch.

With the loss of quarterback Jay Cutler, the Bears figure to go run-heavy with Caleb Hanie at the helm. That's great news for Barber, who has already been receiving a handful of carries backing up Matt Forte.

Factor in that the Oakland Raiders allow the fourth-most yards per game against the rush, and Barber has a chance to have a nice day this Sunday. A dozen carries along with a touchdown is easily within reach for the former Cowboy.