Start ‘Em, Sit ‘Em Wide Listeners for Week 12 of Fantasy Football

Dear friends, it’s already week 12! Time to set up those fantastic lineups! Start ‘Em, Sit ‘Em is a best and worst look at the week’s best and worst matchups in fantasy football leagues. Each week I will be examining wingers who could exceed or fall short of expectations based on their weekly opponent… like Jauan Jennings and DeAndre Hopkins in Week 11!

To make your final lineup decision, check out my fantasy player rankings. I update them every day! Make sure too subscribe to the Fantasy Dirt Podcast with Lindsay Rhodes and me as we cover all things fantasy football five days a week!

All items: QB | RB | WR | THESE | K and summer time

Hi: Bengals, Bills, Falcons, Jaguars, Jets, Saints

1. Amon-Ra St. Brown at Colts
2. AJ Brown for the Rams
3. Justin Jefferson on the Bears
4. Puka Nacua vs. Eagles
5. Nico Collins vs. Titans
6. Cooper Kupp vs. Eagles
7. Malik Nabers vs. Buccaneers
8. Terry McLaurin vs. Cowboys
9. CeeDee Lamb at the Commanders
10. Mike Evans on the Giants

Full Week 12 wide receiver rankings (coming soon)

The beginning of the week

Terry McLaurin vs. Cowboys (1 p.m. ET, Fox): McLaurin disappeared from the stat sheet last week, scoring just two points on two goals in a loss to the Eagles. However, he has posted great totals in the past eight games and I like to see him bounce back in a positive game against the Cowboys. Their defense has allowed the 11th-most fantasy points per game on the perimeter, which is where McLaurin runs 87 percent of his routes.

Run them

Jaxon Smith-Njigba vs. Cardinals (4:25 p.m. ET, Fox): Smith-Njigba has been making waves lately as he has scored a combined 48.8 fantasy points in his last two games. He saw a ridiculous 24 targets during that time. I would start Ohio State against the Cardinals, who would have the sixth-most fantasy points per game to slot scorers this year. This is where JSN serves over 81 percent of its total routes this season.

Marvin Harrison Jr. on Seahawks (4:25 p.m. ET, Fox): Harrison Jr. was hard to predict. during his rookie season, as his stats have fluctuated for better and worse over the past month. But with six teams bye, I would start with the rookie in a positive matchup against the Seahawks. Their defense has allowed receivers the ninth-fewest fantasy points per game on the season, and that number has increased to the fifth-fewest points per game since Week 8.

DeVonta Smith on Rams (8:20 p.m. ET, NBC): Smith’s performance over the last two weeks has not been good, as he has scored 10.3 total points on just nine targets. Still, I’m sticking by his side in what could be a multi-scoring game against the Rams. Their defense was also poor against perimeter receivers, allowing the fourth-most points-per-game team to earn that position. I see six teams have byes and Smith has a WR2/flex option this week.

Josh Downs vs. Lions (1 p.m. ET, Fox): Admittedly, I started Downs last week with some concerns about Anthony Richardson. And while his goals actually dropped from the previous four games, Downs still scored a solid 19.4 fantasy points in the win over the Jets. I would like to see him active again this week as the UNC product has the edge against the Lions. No defense in the league has allowed more points to scorers this season.

WR with good matchups

Sit of the week

Courtland Sutton vs. Raiders (4:05 p.m. ET, CBS): Sutton is one of the hottest wingers in fantasy football, so he will be active in most leagues. So this is more of a post where you want to temper your expectations rather than deeply satisfy them. Believe it or not, the Raiders allowed the second-fewest fantasy points per game to perimeter receivers, and Sutton hasn’t outscored them by more than 13.2 points in the last four games.

Sit down

Christian Watson vs. 49ers (4:25 p.m. ET, Fox): Watson broke out last week, throwing for 150 yards and 19 fantasy points in a win over the Bears. I wouldn’t chase points though, as he’s only scored four goals and hasn’t scored in double figures since Week 6. I also don’t like the matchup with the 49ers, who have given up the fifth-fewest yards per game and have allowed just five touchdowns to opposing perimeter receivers this season.

Dell Tank vs. Titans (1 p.m. ET, CBS): Dell has seen its stats rise and fall, and the return of Nico Collins could hurt its share target going forward. Next up is a date with the Titans, who have given up the fourth-fewest points per game to wings across the board and the fifth-fewest fantasy points per game to the perimeter. Dell may offer a flexible start for managers who need help due to Mageddon, but I would temper expectations.

Jordan Addison on Bears (1 p.m. ET, Fox): Addison’s numbers have been better in recent weeks, as he has scored a touchdown and over 15 points in two of the last three games. However, I’m still taking him down this week as he has a tough matchup in Chicago. No defense in the league gave up fewer fantasy points per game to wide receivers, as the Bears gave up just six touchdowns and an average of 26 points to the 2024 draft.

Jaylen Waddle vs. Patriots (1 p.m. ET, CBS): Waddle has been a terrible disappointment for fantasy fans this season, as he has not scored more than 8.5 points in a game since week two! He also couldn’t take advantage of good duels and lacked goals. So despite a Patriots defense that was just overshadowed by Cooper Kupp and Puka Nacua, I can’t advise managers to start Waddle unless you’re desperate.

WR with bad matchups