QUARTERBACK
START OF THE WEEK: Ben Roethlisberger (@ IND)
After his disappointing Week 11 versus the Browns in a windy road game, I heard a lot this week about Big Ben not being good on the road. While it’s been true this season, it was against the Eagles (who are allowing less than 10 points per game at home), the Dolphins (the game he was injured), the Ravens (his first game back from injury, where he played injured), and last week versus the Browns (bad weather). In Week 1, he lit up the Redskins for 300 yards and three touchdowns. He’ll light it up again on Thanksgiving night versus a banged up Colts defense.
START: Kirk Cousins (@ DAL)
Cousins has an endless number of (sometimes weird) catchphrases to use after wins, and a W on Thanksgiving versus the 9-1 Cowboys could bring about something we are not prepared for. Washington will be throwing on Thursday with the Cowboys allowing the third fewest rushing yards but the 21st most passing yards this season.
START: Sam Bradford (@ DET)
In their overtime loss to the Lions a few weeks ago, Bradford threw for 273 yards and one touchdown, but was efficient (31/40 passing, no turnovers). There’s a good chance Bradford throws 40 times again with no running game to speak of for Minnesota; he’s a high-end QB2.
START: Jared Goff (@ NO)
Goff wasn’t really asked to do much in his first career start last week, but he will have to do a lot to keep up with Drew Brees this week. It’s not a bad idea to get a quarterback playing in a potential shootout. Goff has the talent to put up numbers, and is a good desperation play for Week 12.
Others: Carson Wentz (vs GB)
SIT OF THE WEEK: Matthew Stafford (vs MIN)
Stafford has cooled off considerably since starting the season with three or more touchdown passes in four of his first six games. It’s unlikely he heats back up against the Vikings on Thursday. He needed an overtime touchdown to get up to 14 fantasy points in the first game versus Minnesota.
SIT: Philip Rivers (@ HOU)
With all 32 teams playing this week, Rivers drops out of the top-10. The Texans are allowing just 11.6 fantasy points per game at home this season. The Chargers travel to Houston for Week 12.
SIT: Jameis Winston (vs SEA)
Those who want to stick with Jameis after his 331-yard performance in Kansas City last week could take solace in the fact that they get Seattle playing on the road, but I’d still stay far away from Winston this week. With no real threat outside of Mike Evans, the Seahawks will have no trouble slowing down the Bucs.
SIT: Ryan Fitzpatrick (vs NE)
Fitzpatrick is the starter again after Bryce Petty got a chance with Fitz injured, but he should start for your fantasy team. He’s got more games with single-digit fantasy points than he does with double-digits, including negative-three against the Chiefs. You might be thinking, “Didn’t you just say Goff is a good option in a potential shootout with Drew Brees? Fitzpatrick plays the Patriots.” Negative. Three.
RUNNING BACK
START OF THE WEEK: Thomas Rawls (@ TB)
If you’re reading this and think there is a chance Rawls is still available in your league, quickly get to your waiver wire and pick up up (he’s still available in 16% of ESPN.com leagues). Every year there is a guy that is on an overwhelming amount of championship rosters, and there is a good chance it’s Rawls this year. He’s an RB1 for the rest of the way, including this week versus the Bucs.
START: Carlos Hyde (@ MIA)
Chip Kelly called Hyde the focal point of the offense this week, and when he’s healthy, Hyde needs to be the focal point of your fantasy lineup. The Dolphins are suddenly one of those low-scoring, slug it out teams, but they are still a bottom-10 defense in yards per carry allowed. The Niners will feed Hyde this week.
START: Devontae Booker (vs KC)
Many people might be shying away from Booker after three straight inefficient games as the starter, but he did see 24 carries last week; as long as Booker sees the majority of the snaps in a run-first offense, he will be at least an RB2. I think the Broncos will have some things figured out coming off the bye, and Booker will show everyone he belongs in the RB1 conversation for the fantasy playoffs.
START: Latavius Murray (vs CAR)
For some reason, the Raiders went away from giving the ball to Murray at the goal line after he scored three times there against Denver. Oakland probably won’t do it again since they had to settle for field goals after they got “a little too cute,” as Jon Gruden said. With Luke Kuechly looking doubtful to play on Sunday for Carolina, Murray should find room to run behind his great offensive line.
Others: Ty Montgomery (@ PHI), Kenneth Dixon (vs CIN)
SIT OF THE WEEK: Doug Martin (vs SEA)
Martin was a popular pick to dominate upon returning from injury, but he’s averaging just 2.4 yards per carry since he’s been back. It is unlikely he gets going with a game with Seattle this Sunday, making Martin just a FLEX for Week 12. His prospects remain bright for the fantasy playoffs, however, with two games against the Saints.
SIT: Jeremy Hill (@ BAL)
Hill owners might be eager to get him in their lineups with Giovani Bernard (knee) done for the year, but it might be best to keep him out for this week; the Ravens have the league’s best run defense, and could be stacking the box with A.J. Green (hamstring) also out for the Bengals. Hill is a touchdown-dependant FLEX for this week.
SIT: Robert Kelley (@ DAL)
A guy named “Fat Rob” as a sit on Thanksgiving!? How dare you! Kelley ate last week against the Packers, but it isn’t a bad idea to leave him out of lineups for this week. The Cowboys are more vulnerable through the air than on the ground, and Kirk Cousins is having no problems throwing it. Fat Rob might have to do his eating at the dinner table this week.
SIT: Eagles running backs (vs GB)
Ryan Mathews (knee) and Darren Sproles (ribs) are both banged up, but both might play. Wendell Smallwood seems like the best bet for fantasy success this week, but it’s impossible to tell without an update on Mathews and Sproles soon. With three games on Thursday and the Eagles not playing until Monday night, you should probably just avoid this backfield situation all together.
Others: Frank Gore (vs PIT), Chris Ivory (@ BUF)
WIDE RECEIVER
START OF THE WEEK: Julio Jones (vs ARI)
I’ve had a lot of guys as a “Sit” with Patrick Peterson guarding them, including Stefon Diggs and his three points last week, but Julio is different than everyone else. Jones roasted Patrick Peterson is their last meeting for nearly 200 yards, catching every single pass targeted for him. #11 remains a top-two option with Antonio Brown for Week 12.
START: Michael Thomas (vs LA)
Thomas has been quiet the past two weeks, averaging just three fantasy points per game. Playing back at home, though, @Cantguardmike is a top-10 option against LA. Thomas is a big receiver, and the next “Start” is a big receiver that just had eight catches for 79 yards and the game-winning touchdown last week against the Rams.
START: DeVante Parker (vs SF)
After a good start to the season, Parker fell off the map with four out of five games with two or fewer fantasy points, but he was apparently battling his hamstring injury. If he’s still battling an injury now, it’s impossible to tell. Parker is looking like A.J. Green lite, just as many expected when he was a first round pick in 2015. Parker is on the WR2 map.
START: Tyler Boyd (@ BAL)
A second round pick in this year’s draft, Boyd will have to step up with the real A.J. Green (hamstring) out for at least one week–and probably longer. Boyd has the talent to make an impact and eventually become a viable WR2 for however long Green is out. Cincinatti will have to throw to move the ball on the Ravens this Sunday.
Others: John Brown (@ ATL), Adam Thielen (@ DET)
SIT OF THE WEEK: T.Y. Hilton (vs PIT)
Andrew Luck (concussion) was just ruled out for Thursday night, so Hilton’s stock takes a huge hit. I guess there’s always a chance T.Y. could get behind the defense, but you almost have to bench him with Scott Tolzien under center for the Colts. Donte Moncrief should also stay far away from lineups with Luck out.
SIT: Kelvin Benjamin (@ OAK)
Benjamin hasn’t scored double-digit fantasy points since Week 2, and the drought could continue against an improving Raiders defense. Sean Smith could probably give KB fits as a bigger cornerback. With a matchup with the Seahawks next week, it might be best to keep Benjamin out of lineups until the fantasy playoffs.
SIT: Stefon Diggs (@ DET)
If he was 100%, Diggs would probably be a high-end WR2 versus the Lions after he caught 13 passes for 80 yards in their Week 9 matchup. Since he’s been limited in practice on a short week, it might be best to leave Diggs out of lineups for Week 12.
SIT: Mike Evans (vs SEA)
The Seahawks will have plenty of attention on Evans with no real threats besides him on the Tampa Bay offense. Richard Sherman does better against big receivers than he does against smaller, quicker guys, so Evans shouldn’t be too hard to contain for Seattle.
Others: Marvin Jones (vs MIN), Tyrell Williams (@ HOU)
TIGHT END
START OF THE WEEK: Martellus Bennett (@ NYJ)
When I chose Bennett at the “Start of the Week,” there was a report that Gronk wasn’t expected to play. Since then, Gronk has practiced and it looks like there’s a decent chance he suits up on Sunday. If not, Bennett is an elite option with the Jets defense yielding big plays over the middle.
START: Kyle Rudolph (@ DET)
Rudolph has just one catch in Week 9 versus Detroit, but it was a touchdown. The Lions are allowing the 31st most fantasy points per game to tight ends, which could potentially make Rudolph owners very happy on Thanksgiving.
START: Vance McDonald (@ MIA)
The Dolphins have struggled defending athletic tight ends this season, which is a good sign for McDonald’s chances of success this week. The Niners’ tight end is averaging just under 10 fantasy points per game over the past three weeks.
START: Gary Barnidge (vs NYG)
Barnidge should be happy as anyone that Josh McCown is back under center for the Browns, as the two had great chemistry last season. If the connection can do what they did a year ago, that probably means a touchdown for Barnidge.
Others: Jesse James (@ IND), Jason Witten (vs WAS)
SIT OF THE WEEK: Travis Kelce (@ DEN)
Besides Philip Rivers and his tight ends, the Broncos have contained opposing tight ends this season; Denver is allowing just 3.6 points per game to non-Chargers at tight end. Kelce is just a low-end TE1 for this week.
SIT: Tyler Eifert (@ BAL)
Eifert will see more targets with Giovani Bernard and A.J. Green out, but he will also see more attention. With the Ravens allowing the second fewest fantasy points per game to tight ends, Eifert should stay out of lineups for Week 12.
SIT: Coby Fleener (vs LA)
A touchdown saved Fleener last week. Having not surpassed 44 yards since Week 6, Fleener might be best left on the waiver wire. He’s behind Cooks, Thomas, Snead, and Ingram for targets in the Saints passing game.
SIT: Cameron Brate (vs SEA)
Brate was a “Sit” last week and had just two catches for 18 yards. Ignore the production Seattle has allowed over the past two weeks to tight ends; they will be focused on Brate as the second biggest threat besides Mike Evans.
Others: Hunter Henry (@ HOU), Clive Walford (vs CAR)
DEFENSE
START OF THE WEEK: Buffalo Bills (vs JAC)
As bad as the Jaguars have been on offense, they didn’t allow a defensive score all year… until the past two weeks, when they’ve allowed three. Buffalo will get after Blake Bortles and cause him to turn it over, which he’ll probably do even if they don’t get after him.
START: Baltimore Ravens (vs CIN)
The Ravens had negative fantasy points last week, but it was against a rolling Cowboys team. This week, they get a reeling Bengals team who will be without A.J. Green and Giovani Bernard. The Ravens have double-digit fantasy points in half their games this season.
START: Pittsburgh Steelers (@ IND)
With the news that Andrew Luck is out, the Steelers become a very attractive streaming option. Indy’s starting quarterback Scott Tolzien has a 1:5 career touchdown-interception ratio, and the Colts will be forced to throw to try to keep up with Big Ben and co.
START: New England Patriots (@ NYJ)
Ryan Fitzpatrick. That’s all that needs to be said.
Others: New York Giants (@ CLE), New Orleans Saints (vs LA)
SIT OF THE WEEK: Arizona Cardinals (@ ATL)
Matt Ryan. That’s all that needs to be said.
SIT: Philadelphia Eagles (vs GB)
The Eagles have been way better at home than on the road, but Aaron Rodgers, for all the Packers struggles, is a guy that it doesn’t matter where he’s playing. Also, the return game takes a hit if Darren Sproles isn’t retuning punts.
SIT: Carolina Panthers (@ OAK)
The Panthers have improved defensively since their bye, but not enough to be confident starting them against Derek Carr and the Raiders. With Luke Kuechly (concussion) unlikely to play, the Panthers defense will be a lot softer.
SIT: Los Angeles Rams (@ NO)
Although they’ve been in low-scoring slugfests in each of the past three weeks, Los Angeles will have to score points playing in New Orleans. Don’t start their defense this week.
Others: Houston Texans (vs SD), New York Jets (vs NE)