Week 12 Fantasy Football Start 'Em Sit 'Em Flex picks ft. Shedeur Sanders, Jacoby Brissett and more

This is a must-win week in fantasy football. Well, isn’t every week? But seriously, you need this W. The playoffs are around the corner, and you need to secure seeding or just stay alive. With four teams on BYE, lineup decisions are harder than ever.

Have no fear. I’m in this with you. I’ve got a dozen teams in leagues that range from expert leagues to backyard family set-ups. But it doesn’t change the fact that we need to get it right when setting our lineups.

There’s some quarterback uncertainty that could impact your decisions. In Cleveland, do you want anything to do with Shedeur Sanders? I don’t. There’s a chance Aaron Rodgers sits for the Steelers. We know that the Falcons will start Kirk Cousins, whose arm is completely shot. Tyrod Taylor could be an improvement for the Jets. Also, we might see the return of Joe Burrow. With so many moving parts, it’s going to be an exciting week.

When making a lineup choice, use our free tool that can be customized to make your life easier.

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NFL: San Francisco 49ers at Arizona Cardinals - Source: Imagn

Week 12 Starts:

Jacoby Brissett (QB) ARI - One week after setting the NFL record for most completions in a game, Brissett has another juicy matchup with the Jacksonville Jaguars. He’ll be without Marvin Harrison Jr., but that didn’t slow Brissset down last Sunday. The Jags are a top-5 pass defense in terms of points allowed to the quarterback. If you like consistent play, you’ll love Brissett. He’s thrown two touchdowns in five straight games. Start the Cardinals' signal caller with confidence in a home game that should shoot out.

Kayshon Boutte (WR) NE - Boutte returns from a hamstring injury and back into a starting role for the Patriots. Before going down, Boutte was on a hot streak with three consecutive double-digit games. His nose for the endzone could be on display in Cincinnati against a brutally bad Bengals defense. Boutte has four touchdowns in his last three full games played. This Bengals’ secondary can’t stop anyone. Boutte has three straight top 24 finishes in games he wasn’t injured in. I think he finds the endzone again this weekend.

Kenneth Gainwell (RB) PIT - We’re not sure Jaylen Warren (ankle) will play this week. If you’re desperate at running back, I think Kenneth Gainwell could give you 10+ fantasy points. Last week in relief, Gainwell took a 63% snap share and turned it into a top-5 finish among all running backs. He’s an elite pass blocker and receiver, so there’s no role he can’t fill. Facing the Bears, who have allowed four straight double-digit outings to opposing running backs, Gainwell is a viable flex for Week 12.

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Syndication: Akron Beacon Journal - Source: Imagn

Week 12 Sits:

Any Cleveland Brown - I can’t in good faith tell you to start someone with Shedeur Sanders at quarterback. He’s not ready to play. In his debut, Sanders was abysmal. His 4/16 (13.5 rating) is cringeworthy. I don’t expect it to get much better, even with a week of practice under his belt. He’s just not a starting quarterback in the NFL at this point. If you’ve Quinshon Judkins, Harold Fannin, or Jerry Jeudy, you can’t start them. There won’t be many drives sustained or scoring opportunities this week. Do yourself a favor and bench every Brown.

Emanuel Wilson (RB) GB - A very hot waiver wire add this week, Wilson might not even see the field as a starter. Josh Jacobs is practicing and is in line to play on Sunday. Wilson was added in over 55% of leagues this waiver period, and he’s a solid addition to your roster. If something were to happen to Jacobs, Wilson would be a viable starter every week. Just don’t think you’ve hit the lottery with the Green Bay backup because he might be relegated to the bench again this weekend. Monitor the Sunday inactives before you go and drop Wilson (which I wouldn’t do).

Darnell Mooney (WR) ATL - I’m not falling for it. I know Drake London is out, but I’m not tying my fantasy fortunes to noodle-armed Kirk Cousins. The ball has to go somewhere, I get it, and Mooney did have seven targets a week ago, but thinking he’s magically going to become a fantasy asset again is a risk I’m not willing to take. It’s not that the matchup is even difficult. The Saints are a middle-of-the-road pass defense. I just don’t trust the quarterback play. Cousins should’ve retired already. In Mooney’s last two games, he has four receptions on 15 targets. That’s pathetic.

Edited by Brian Drake