Here is the boldest start ’em sit ’em list for fantasy football. For Week 12, we have the best fantasy wide receiver from last year returning to action and an early-drafted quarterback facing a tough defensive scheme.
Week 12 Start ’em
Josh Gordon, Cle WR
You’ve waited all season long to unleash this guy well here is your chance this week.
I am from the school of thought that when guys come back from either suspensions or injuries, it will take them a couple of games to get on track and it’s better not to start them right away. Well, I’m breaking my thinking process and telling you to start him because this guy is something special. If you remember last year when he was suspended the first two games of the season and came back that first game, he single-handily beat the Minnesota Vikings, lighting them up for 10 receptions for 146 receiving yards, one touchdown and one carry for 22 yards.
This year it’s a different opponent but we should get the same results. Gordon will be facing off against one of the worst defenses against receivers in the Atlanta Falcons. The Falcons give up the 6th-most fantasy points and have given up 11 receiving touchdowns to opposing wide receivers. Don’t think because this is a home game for the Falcons defense that they will show up. Just to give you an idea how bad they have been at home, they have allowed opposing wide receivers to catch 45 targets for 740 yards and four receiving touchdowns in just four games.
He will put up big numbers for you this week especially since TE Jordan Cameron has been ruled out for Sunday’s game with a concussion. I expect the Browns to target him early and often to the tune of 8 receptions for 120 yards and a touchdown. Don’t worry this guy will make you look smart for holding on to him all year.
QBs to Start
Brian Hoyer
Jay Cutler
Kyle Orton
Tony Romo
Matt Ryan
Colin Kaepernick
Tom Brady
Josh McCown
Philip Rivers
Mark Sanchez
Andy Dalton
RBs to Start
Denard Robinson
Matt Forte
Trent Richardson
Jeremy Hill
Rashad Jennings
LeSean McCoy
Justin Forsett
Marshawn Lynch
Eddie Lacy
Isiah Crowell
Frank Gore
Steven Jackson
Arian Foster
Tre Mason
Shane Vereen
WRs to Start
Torrey Smith
Jordan Matthews
T.Y. Hilton
Roddy White
Odell Beckham Jr.
Sammy Watkins
Marques Colston
DeAndre Hopkins
Mike Evans
Alshon Jeffery
Cecil Shorts
Anquan Boldin
Kendall Wright
Demaryius Thomas
Julian Edelman
Malcom Floyd
A.J. Green
Jarvis Landry
TEs to Start
Larry Donnell
Scott Chandler
Antonio Gates
Martellus Bennett
Jason Witten
Coby Fleener
Zach Ertz
Austin Sefarian-Jenkins
Week 12 Sit ’em
Matthew Stafford, Det QB
This has been a down year for the Georgia product. He has not resembled the player that we have been accustomed to the last 3 years (2011-2013) when he threw for more than 14,600 yards and 90 touchdowns.
This week will make it even harder for him to right the ship as he will pay a visit to Gillette Stadium and the New England Patriots’ defense. In his last three road games he has failed to pass for more than 200 yards twice and has only three passing touchdowns to two interceptions. In matter of fact Stafford has only thrown for 300 yards or more on the road once this season and that was against a suspect Atlanta secondary.
With a more formidable secondary in the Patriots which boast cornerbacks Darrelle Revis and Brandon Browner, I see Stafford having a hard time getting anything going. I expect him to finish the game with 210 passing yards, one touchdown and two interceptions. Stafford is outside of my Top 15 at the quarterback position for this week.
QBs to Sit
Drew Stanton
Robert Griffin III
Joe Flacco
Ryan Tannehill
Michael Vick
Eli Manning
Russell Wilson
Teddy Bridgewater
Shaun Hill
Ryan Fitzpatrick
RBs to Sit
Reggie Bush
Lamar Miller
Chris Ivory
Alfred Morris
Giovani Bernard
Fred Jackson
Charles Sims
Bishop Sankey
Jonas Gray
Andre Ellington
Ryan Mathews
Mark Ingram
C.J. Anderson
Darren Sproles
Jerick McKinnon/Ben Tate
WRs to Sit
Kenny Britt
Mike Wallace
Julio Jones
Percy Harvin
Steve Smith Sr.
Doug Baldwin
Justin Hunter
Michael Crabtree
Andre Johnson
Wes Welker
Pierre Garcon
Larry Fitzgerald
Goldent Tate
Keenan Allen
Brandon Lafell
Andrew Hawkins
Mohamed Sanu
Allen Hurns
Terrance Williams
Greg Jennings
TEs to Sit
Jermaine Gresham
Vernon Davis
Delanie Walker
Jared Cook
Kyle Rudolph
Niles Paul
Owen Daniels
Jace Amaro
Josh Gordon photo credit: Erik Drost
