Fantasy Football: four starts and four sits for Week 12

With the playoffs fast approaching, Week 12 looms large for owners looking to clinch a spot. Getting the right players in your lineup at this time of year is crucial, so lets look at who some of the best and worst, options are for Week 12.

Starts

Start of the week: Frank Gore, RB, Indianapolis Colts

Gore’s Colts are set to take on the Steelers in the primetime matchup on Thanksgiving. But the Colts may be without star quarterback Andrew Luck on Thursday night, and instead, be stuck with Scott Tolzien. As a result, a heavy dose of Gore should be expected. In addition, the Steelers have been one of the worst defenses against the run, but have been solid against the pass. So why would the Colts put pressure on their backup quarterback if they don’t need to? A big game for Gore seems very likely.

Rishard Matthews, WR, Tennessee Titans

The Titans offense continues to roll, and this week, the team is set to take on the Bears. The Bears defense has seen drastic improvements against the run, but remain very shaky against the pass, allowing the third most points to wide receivers this season. Marcus Mariota is beginning to trust receivers not named Delanie Walker, and Matthews has been one of his favorite targets. Matthews has his best matchup yet during this Titans run, and will take advantage.

The entire Redskins-Cowboys game

Not that the defenses in this game are bad, but the two offenses are so good. This game has shootout written all over it. The Cowboys have been solid defending the run, but the proficiency of the Redskins passing offense will force the Cowboys defense to be ready for big passing plays, moving players outside of the box and giving Rob Kelley running lanes. The Redskins passing offense will be able to impose their will on the Cowboys secondary, Kirk Cousins will have yet another big game. On the Cowboys side of the ball, we all know that the trio of QB Dak Prescott, RB Ezekiel Elliott and WR Dez Bryant are one of the most formidable set of triplets in the NFL, and they all will have big games on Thanksgiving. Cowboys WR Cole Beasley could also find success in the slot, as the strength of the Ravens secondary is outside of the numbers.

Dolphins offense

The rolling Dolphins offense will receive a visit from the San Francisco 49ers, a game that the Dolphins should dominate. The 49ers have allowed the most fantasy points to running backs, and it seems a near guarantee that Jay Ajayi is in store for a monster day. Quietly, Dolphins QB Ryan Tannehill has been having the best year of his career, making him a viable streaming option for a quarterback with a bad matchup. Jarvis Landry is also a must start this week, as he should find success against a bad 49ers secondary.

Sits

T.Y. Hilton/Donte Moncrief, WR, Indianapolis Colts

For the same reasons that Gore is a great start, Hilton and Moncreif fall as sits. Despite the production the two receivers have had in recent weeks, with Tolzien under center against a strong pass defense, Gore will be the featured part of the offense, leaving less touches to go around for Hilton and Moncrief.

Tevin Coleman, RB, Atlanta Falcons

Coleman seems likely to make his return against the Cardinals in Week 12, after last playing in Week 7 against the Chargers. Despite how well Coleman played earlier in the year, his return does not warrant automatically putting him into your lineup. Coleman will be worked in, with Devonta Freeman seeing most of the work, as the Falcons will want to make sure that they have Coleman at full strength for their playoff push. Not only could Coleman see a limited workload, but the Falcons take on the Cardinals, who have allowed the least points to running backs this year.

Marvin Jones, WR, Detroit Lions

What happened to Marvin Jones?! Jones was one of the elite fantasy receivers in the beginning of the season, and has seen his production drop off dramatically since. Facing the Vikings this week, Jones should not be considered for your starting lineup, he is close to being completely droppable.

Terrelle Pryor Sr., WR, Cleveland Browns

Pryor is a great player, trapped on a really bad team. While Pryor has seen strong production this year, he won’t find the same success against the white-hot Giants defense. The Giants are in the top ten for fewest points allowed to wide receivers. The 7-3 Giants are clicking on all cylinders right now, and facing the Browns may not even register as a speed bump of the Giants roll.