Two weeks remain before the playoffs start in most leagues, and we're here to help you make some shrewd roster decisions to clinch that playoff berth, stay alive, or play spoiler.
Now, you're not going to find "start Matt Forte" here. If you drafted a player in the first five rounds, chances are those are your go-to players, so we'll try to give you some less-than-obvious choices to bolster your lineup every week.
On that note, here we go for Week 12:
Start ‘em
Delanie Walker, Tennessee Titans tight end vs. Oakland
The absence of Jake Locker makes Walker a play as Ryan Fitzpatrick tends to look his way more often. It is unlikely he will replicate his 10 catch, 91-yard performance from a week ago but in games that Fitzpatrick has started, Walker sees an average of 7.25 targets per game. The matchup favors Fitzpatrick as Oakland gives up the eighth most fantasy points to quarterbacks in Yahoo! leagues, and no-name Houston tight end Garrett Graham caught 7 passes for 136 yards last week against the Raiders. On the whole, the Raiders have given up six touchdowns to tight ends this season.
Dallas defense vs. New York Giants
The putrid NFC East is a haven for fantasy football players, and this is an instance where you can swap a defense for a big week. The Cowboys are coming off a bye and are facing an Eli Manning-led Giants offense that is allowing the most defensive fantasy points across Yahoo! leagues. The Cowboys are in a must-win situation, coming off a bye, and playing an offense that has allowed 27 sacks, thrown 18 interceptions and lost 11 fumbles. The Giants have also allowed five defensive scores and an additional three special teams scores, and the Cowboys have one of the best kick return games in the league.
Sit ‘em
Bobby Rainey, Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back vs. Detroit
Rainey is the shiny new piece of gold on the waiver wire after his 193 yards of total offense and three scores against Atlanta. Doug Martin owners are probably wondering why their top 5 draft pick couldn’t produce like Mike James and now Rainey, but it’s not the week to chase these points. The Buccaneers are playing on turf in Detroit, but the stout Lions front seven is allowing the 13th fewest fantasy points to running backs across Yahoo! leagues. They have not allowed a 100-yard rusher or a rushing touchdown all season, though Rainey will catch some passes.
Montee Ball, Denver Broncos running back vs. New England
Sunday night’s two-touchdown performance against the vaunted Kansas City defense might have people thinking the changing of the running back guard is finally happening in Denver but it’s not a good week to count on that. Ball was the beneficiary of Knowshon Moreno’s heavy workload. While the matchup seems favorable with a mediocre Patriots defense playing on a short week, Ball’s touches remain too sporadic to rely on as a starter. And, he continues to fumble.
Sleeper
Carson Palmer, Arizona Cardinals quarterback vs. Indianapolis
Palmer has been a middling fantasy quarterback all season and exploded, predictably, against an awful Jacksonville team. The Colts are a good team, but this is about a matchup and Palmer should be able to put up numbers this week. Since week 4, the Colts have allowed an average of 275 passing yards per game, along with 12 touchdowns while making just two interceptions. Palmer and the Cardinals are hot and he may be a sneaky play this week.
