Welcome to our Fantasy Football Starts & Sits for Week 12 of the 2022 fantasy football season!
It doesn’t get much better than this, does it? Not only will we be treated to three games on Thanksgiving (or as we call it on this side of the Atlantic…Thursday), but the start of the World Cup means there is truly very little reason to leave the comfort of your sofa for the next few days. The fantasy playoffs, meanwhile, loom in the distance, so let’s try and get you one step closer. Happy Thanksgiving to all who celebrate; here are my Fantasy Football Starts & Sits for Week 12.
Quarterback
START: Geno Smith versus The Las Vegas Raiders
He ain’t writing back. The Geno Smith show continues this coming Sunday with one of the most favorable matchups for quarterbacks. Coming off their bye following the league’s first game in Germany, the Seahawks face the Raiders. Las Vegas has allowed the third-most points to quarterbacks this season per FantasyData and rank dead last in defensive pass DVOA, per FootballOutsiders. It is also worth reiterating just how well he has been playing this season. Smith ranks eighth in EPA/play and leads the league in completion percentage above expectation.
Expect fireworks again. Fire up Geno. Fire up DK. Fire up Lockett.
Coming out of the bye, Geno Smith is in play as a QB streaming candidate for Week 12
— Fantasy Footballers (@TheFFBallers) November 22, 2022
The Raiders rank:
– 31st in scheduled-adjusted fantasy points to QBs
– 32nd in Expected Points Added per Pass Attempt
Geno has 2+ passing TD in 8 out of 10 starts this year#FantasyFootball pic.twitter.com/sx5T4UXE3v
Additional Start Candidates: Derek Carrvs. SEA, Jimmy Garoppolo vs. NO
SIT: Aaron Rodgers Versus The Philadelphia Eages
The reigning MVP has had a tumultuous season and on paper, this matchup is far from favorable. While rookie Christian Watson has helped marginally revive the offense, serious issues remain. Rodgers is averaging just 15.6 fantasy points per game this season, according to FantasyData, representing his lowest mark since he became a starter. This week the Packers travel to Philadelphia who have allowed the fewest average points to quarterbacks so far this season. There should be plenty of better streaming options available to you.
Additional Sit Candidates: Daniel Jones vs. DAL, Kirk Cousins vs. NE
Running Backs
START: Jeff Wilson Jr. versus The Houston Texans
Some players traded take a couple of weeks to get acclimatized to their new surroundings…not Jeff Wilson Jr. The former 49er has slotted straight back into McDaniels’ scheme, averaging 18 half-PPR points per game over the last two weeks. His matchup this weekend does not get much better for running backs. The Dolphins welcome the Texans to Florida on Sunday, who have allowed the most points to running backs so far this year. The Texans also rank 31st in defensive rush DVOA. On top of that Miami is a 13-point favorite over their opponents at the time of writing, meaning the running backs should also enjoy a positive game script. Both Wilson and Mostert are good starts this week given the matchup, but recent evidence suggests Wilson has begun to take the no. 1 spot.
Additional Start Candidates: Rachaad White vs. CLE, Miles Sanders vs. GB
SIT: Isiah Pacheco versus The Los Angeles Rams
While Pacheco has fully emerged as the Chiefs lead running back, it has yet to lead to real fantasy success. The rookie has seen at least 15 touches in each of the last two games yet has only seen three targets on the season. This week’s opponents the Rams, however, offer one of the tougher matchups for running backs. Offenses have focused their attacks through the air, with the Rams ranking fifth in defensive rush DVOA, and 26th versus the pass, according to Football Outsiders. As a result, the Rams have allowed the eighth-fewest points to running backs this season in half-PPR scoring, per FantasyData. He should offer a reasonable floor given recent usage, but his ceiling appears limited.
Additional Sit Candidates: Elijah Mitchell vs. NO, Cordarrelle Patterson vs. WAS
Wide Receivers
START: Christian Kirk Versus The Baltimore Ravens
Christian Kirk has been quietly producing in recent weeks, averaging just shy of 16 half-PPR fantasy points per game over his last four games. The fifth-year receiver has cemented his position as the team’s WR1, averaging 9.5 targets per game over the same period. His last outing against the Chiefs provided fantasy managers with his best performance to date, reeling in nine of his 12 targets for 105 yards and two touchdowns. He faces another favorable matchup this coming Sunday against the Baltimore Ravens. The Ravens have allowed the seventh-most fantasy points to wide receivers in half-PPR scoring so far this year. Start Kirk with confidence once again.
31.5 fantasy points for Christian Kirk today 🤯 pic.twitter.com/VWftfespNV
— NFL Fantasy Football (@NFLFantasy) November 13, 2022
Additional Start Candidates: Gabe Davis vs. DET, Parris Campbell vs. PIT
SIT: DJ Moore versus The Denver Broncos
Well, the DJ Moore renaissance appears to have been short-lived. Since his 152-yard performance against the Falcons, Moore has failed to reach 30 (yes, THIRTY) receiving yards in any of the following three outings. It does not look like things are about to improve either. The QB merry-go-round in Charlotte now means that Sam Darnold will be the starter this coming weekend. On top of that, Moore faces a Denver Broncos team who have allowed the second-fewest average points to wide receivers this season per FantasyData, and rank fourth in defensive pass DVOA according to Football Outsiders. There are plenty of better, high-upside options out there.
Additional Sit Candidates: Diontae Johnson vs. IND, Michael Gallup vs. NYG
Tight Ends
START: Gerald Everett versus The Arizona Cardinals
Any time I can pick a tight end playing against the Cardinals, I’m going to jump at the chance to do so. Arizona has generously been allowing an average of 16.6 half-PPR points to the position this year – the most in the league. Up next is the LA Chargers, giving Gerald Everett a chance to continue the tradition. While his fantasy production may have been somewhat lacking at times, his usage has been relatively consistent. Everett has seen at least six targets in eight of his nine healthy games. If he’s healthy this week, I can feel confident streaming Everett.
Additional Start Candidates: Dawson Knox vs. DET, Tyler Higbee vs. KC
SIT: Robert Tonyan versus The Philadelphia Eagles
Tonyan has shown moments of promise this year but has been particularly disappointing for fantasy managers in recent weeks. The former UDFA has failed to surpass 35 receiving yards in any of his last five games and has only one touchdown this year. As mentioned above, the matchup for Green Bay’s passing attack is brutal. The Eagles are allowing an average of 7.8 half-PPR points to tight ends this season, ranking ninth lowest in the league.
Additional Sit Candidates: Hayden Hurst vs.TEN, Tyler Conklin vs. CHI
