This is the Fantasy Nerd's look at the best and worst matchups for Week 12 of the 2021 NFL season. Analysis is aggregated from multiple sources including FN. Rankings are based upon PPR (point per reception) scoring. Given the known conditions, these matchups are the ones to watch and/or avoid.
Please Note: This list does not generally include the elite players that you are going to start regardless of matchup. You don't need us to tell you to start Alvin Kamara, Travis Kelce, or Davante Adams. Instead, we take a look at other players on your team that we believe either have great matchups or should be avoided for multiple reasons. Factors like opposing defense, performance trending, and peer comparisons may influence our decisions.
Happy Thanksgiving from our team to yours!
Start 'em Cam Newton (CAR, QB)We had Cam Newton listed as a Start last week, and while he didn't put up big yards through the air, he delivered a fantastic day throwing for two scores and running one in. This week he'll face a Miami defense giving up the fifth most fantasy points to QBs.
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5th Most Pts to QB
Start 'em Russell Wilson (SEA, QB)It's simply not normal for Russell Wilson to go three straight games with less than 10 fantasy points. Washington gives up more fantasy points to quarterbacks than any other team, so we're expecting a nice bounce back game for Wilson. Cam Newton put up 26 points against them last week. This will be a get-right game.
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Most pts to QB
Start 'em AJ Dillon (GB, RB)Aaron Jones returned to practice this week, but we're going to continue to lean on AJ Dillon once again. The Quad Father should have another opportunity to see plenty of action. While the Rams aren't the easiest opponent, they have given up big games to both D'Andre Swift and James Conner (avg 24 pts/gm) this season.
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14th Most Pts to RB
Start 'em James Robinson (JAC, RB)While the Jacksonville offense has been anemic, James Robinson has seven scores in his last seven games. He's dealing with knee and heel issues that have prevented him from being as explosive as he was in the past, but the workload is there to keep him fantasy relevant. Robinson should be a high-end RB2 against the Falcons.
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4th Most Pts to RB
Start 'em Tyler Lockett (SEA, WR)Tyler Lockett is a boom or bust type player. With two 100+ yard games in his last three outings and a matchup against a porous Washington secondary, we're banking on a boom game this week.
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4th Most Pts to WR
Start 'em Elijah Moore (NYJ, WR)Let's see how the change in QB this week will affect Elijah Moore. With Mike White and Joe Flacco, Moore absolutely flourished regularly putting up double digit fantasy points. Zach Wilson has commented on Moore's big play ability and the need to get him the ball, so let's see if we can make it four straight weeks with a trip to the endzone.
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11th Most Pts to WR
Start 'em Rob Gronkowski (TB, TE)With the injuries that Gronk has had to deal with this year, we had low expectations for him on Monday night. He surpassed all expectations (6-71) and seems to be back to his usual self. He has a great matchup this week as Indy has been very generous to tight ends this season.
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4th Most Pts to TE
Start 'em New England Patriots (NE, DEF)The Patriots seem to have figured things out now. Their defense has been stout and we'd expect that to continue this week. With no Derrick Henry to contend with, the Titans are no longer the offensive juggernaut that they were earlier this season. Double-digit fantasy production from the New England defense is not out of the question.
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14th Most Pts to DEF
Start 'em Jake Elliott (PHI, K)Streaming your kicker? If not, you should be and Jake Elliott should be on your radar for Week 12. He's made at least three field goals in his last three games and the Giants present an attractive matchup this week.
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6th Most Pts to K
Sit 'em Matt Ryan (ATL, QB)For the second straight week, Matt Ryan was pulled late in completely lopsided games. With a weak offensive line and no legitimate weapons at his disposal, Matty Ice has become unreliable and thus unstartable. It's hard to see that trend disappearing against Jacksonville.
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11th Fewest Pts to QB
Sit 'em Ryan Tannehill (TEN, QB)Let's be honest here. Without Derek Henry, opposing defenses do not have to respect the Titans' run game. Without Julio Jones and even with a banged up AJ Brown, there's little to be afraid of in the receiving game. Tannehill's four picks last week are indicative of the offensive decline for the Titans. The Pats give up the 2nd-fewest fantasy points to QBs making Tannehill a must-sit.
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2nd Fewest Pts to QB
Sit 'em Devin Singletary (BUF, RB)The Buffalo backfield has turned into a three-way committee diluting the value of all the RBs. Singletary had just three totes last week and hasn't had more than seven carries since Week 4. The addition of Matt Breida hurts his fantasy value - not that he has much coming into a difficult matchup with the Saints.
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3rd Fewest Pts to RB
Sit 'em Nyheim Hines (IND, RB)Playing behind Jonathan Taylor means playing second fiddle. Given that JT is currently the leading fantasy scorer, Hines will continue to be relegated to third down work and an occasional breather. In a good matchup, he still has value. The Bucs are in the Top 10 in fewest points allowed. Hines may not be worth even a flex play here.
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9th Fewest Pts to RB
Sit 'em Kadarius Toney (NYG, WR)Kadarius Toney led the Giants in targets last week, but his seven catches totaled a whopping 40 yards. Fantasy owners need to bank on him getting at least one big play in order to make him more than a WR3/flex option. It could happen, but a matchup with a very stingy Philly secondary means that the odds are not good.
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3rd Fewest Pts to WR
Sit 'em Odell Beckham (LAR, WR)Ranked 38th this week, Odell Beckham will face a Packers defense giving up the 8th-fewest fantasy points to receivers on the year. He'll be playing in just his second game as a Ram. His first game saw just three targets, so his fantasy relevance will hinge upon his usage. It's tough to predict what will happen this week. The safe bet is to look for alternatives.
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8th Fewest Pts to WR
Sit 'em Jared Cook (LAC, TE)Other than a 19 point day back in Week 4, Jared Cook has largely been absent this season. He's averaged just 3.9 points the last two games. Denver is giving up the 3rd-fewest fantasy points to tight ends this year making Cook a risky start.
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3rd Fewest Pts to TE
Sit 'em Green Bay Packers (GB, DEF)The Packers defense has been pretty solid for fantasy owners this season, but you may want to stream someone else this week. The Rams offense has kept opposing defense/special teams to the 6th-fewest fantasy points.
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6th Fewest Pts to DEF
Sit 'em Chase McLaughlin (CLE, K)Most analysts had higher expectations for the Browns this year. Chase McLaughlin was no exception, but after missing 10% of his kicks, expectations have lowered. Toss in a matchup with Baltimore and it's time to stream a different kicker.
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7th Fewest Pts to K
