Ashton Jeanty, Rome Odunze And More

In order to help with your start or sit decisions for fantasy football, we’ll be breaking down eight players this week. If you’ve read any of my previous articles, we’ll be slightly changing up the requirements.

To account for bye weeks and just to open the gate for better start advice, running backs and wide receivers need to be outside the Top 18 in Fantasy Pros Week 12 expert consensus rankings (PPR).

As for quarterbacks, tight ends, and defenses, that number goes down to eight. For the sit of the week, the opposite applies (Example: TE8/RB18 is eligible for the sit of the week).

Before we dive into the players, when referencing fantasy points allowed, that’s from 0.5 PPR scoring, but the overall concept is still worth using for PPR analysis.

Breakout Wide Receiver: Rome Odunze (WR19 – Start)

The past few weeks have been rocky for Rome Odunze after having such a hot start. On the year Odunze is averaging 13.5 PPG but his last four weeks have been very up and down.

In the last four weeks, Odunze has gone over 18 points twice and under seven points twice. The talent is clearly there, but the consistency isn’t right now.

The reason you want to start Odunze in Week 12, though, is because the Pittsburgh Steelers have allowed the 3rd most PPG to wide receivers in fantasy football this year. Odunze has become matchup dependent, but this week the matchup says you should start him.

Sit Wide Receiver: Wan’Dale Robinson (WR15 – Sit)

These new rules make the sit section a bit more difficult, but if you have a better option like Odunze, start him over Wan’Dale Robinson. Regardless of who the New York Giants roll out at quarterback in Week 12, Robinson isn’t a player you should feel great about.

Last week, Robinson had just 7.6 points, and in the last four weeks, Robinson has gone under eight points twice. The other two games were 13.6 and 12.2 points. Not necessarily the kinds of weeks that will help you a ton.

The Detroit Lions have allowed the 11th most PPG to wide receivers, which is slightly above average, but it’s nothing special. If you have better options, Robinson can stay on your bench for Week 12.

Breakout Running Back: Kenneth Walker (RB21 – Start)

Typically, you’ll want to leave Kenneth Walker on your bench because this Seattle Seahawks backfield is tough to predict. Last week, Walker had five more carries than Zach Charbonnet, and the YPC marks were 4.2 for Walker and 3.4 for Charbonnet.

The main reason you’ll want to start Walker is because of the matchup. Walker just had 20.1 points, and now he takes on the Tennessee Titans, who have allowed the 7th most PPG to running backs. Coming off a great Week 11, Walker should stay in your lineup for Week 12.

Sit Running Back: Ashton Jeanty (RB16 – Sit)

This is a tough decision, but it may be time to bench Ashton Jeanty. Last week, Jeanty had 1.2 YPC, and he scored less than 10 points against the Dallas Cowboys.

Although Jeanty is averaging 14.1 PPG on the year, the last time he went over 3.7 YPC was in Week 5. Now Jeanty takes on the Cleveland Browns, who have allowed the 28th most fantasy points to running backs this year. Keep Jeanty on your bench if possible to avoid another underwhelming game.

Breakout Quarterback: Bryce Young (QB19 – Start)

None of the quarterback options here are great, but you can feel fine about starting Bryce Young coming off his 31.8 point game in Week 11. Young hasn’t found consistent success this year with just 12.9 PPG, but his Week 12 matchup is strong.

It’s not elite, but the San Francisco 49ers have allowed the 10th most PPG to quarterbacks this year. With not a ton of great options, the hope is that Young can build off that Week 11 game because he has an advantageous matchup this week.

Sit Quarterback: Brock Purdy (QB8 – Sit)

While Brock Purdy is averaging 17.9 PPG and has had proven success over a full year, his matchup isn’t as good. Purdy will be on the other side of Young but the Carolina Panthers have given up the 24th most PPG to quarterbacks. A clear difference versus Young’s matchup.

It’s close, but for Week 12, it would make sense to start Young over Purdy, given their matchups and performances from last week.

Breakout Tight End: Juwan Johnson (TE15 – Start)

We talked about Juwan Johnson in last week’s waiver wire article, but he’s now scored more than 10 points in four straight weeks. If you don’t have one of the top tight ends, Johnson has proven to be a great option this season.
Now, to be fair, the Atlanta Falcons have allowed just the 30th most PPG to tight ends this year. However, with Johnson averaging 10.8 PPG on the year and playing so well recently, he’s become a player you can trust regardless of matchup.

Sit Tight End: Hunter Henry (TE6 – Sit)

Hunter Henry, on the flip side, hasn’t been very productive as of late. Henry has 9.1 PPG on the year, but he’s yet to score over 10 points since Week 4.

The reason why Henry is ranked so highly is that the Cincinnati Bengals have allowed the most PPG to tight ends this year. While matchups matter, the production as of late is so much better for Johnson that I would still rather play him.

Breakout D/ST: Jacksonville Jaguars (D/ST13 – Start)

We’ve said it before but when looking at these underrated defenses, matchups is all that matters. In Week 12, the Jacksonville Jaguars take on the Arizona Cardinals, who have allowed the 3rd most PPG to opposing defenses this year.

Not only that, but the Jaguars defense has looked good this year, averaging 7.1 PPG. If there’s not an obvious choice on the waiver wire or on your roster, you should be looking to add the Jaguars defense if possible.

Sit D/ST: Detroit Lions D/ST (D/ST5 – Sit)

On the other side, the Detroit Lions are taking on the New York Giants, who aren’t as good of a matchup as you may think. Now, a lot has changed with this team, and not having Jaxson Dart in Week 12 could help the Lions, but regardless, they’ve allowed the 12th most PPG to opposing defenses.

The Lions have scored 7.9 PPG this year, but the matchup is more important here. If you’re faced with a start or sit decision between the Lions and the Jaguars, going with the Jaguars makes more sense this week.