X
Lost password?

Don't have an account?
Gain Access Now

X

Receive free daily analysis

NFL
NBA
NHL
NASCAR
CFB
MLB
MMA
PGA
ESPORTS
BETTING

Already have an account? Log In

X

Forgot Password


POPULAR FANTASY TOOLS

Expert Advice
Articles & Tools
Import Your Leagues
Draft Rankings
Draft Simulator
Enter League Settings
Value Picks
Compare Any Players
News and Alerts

Booms and Busts - Starts and Sits for Week 12 Lineups

Jimmy Garoppolo fantasy football rankings news NFL DFS lineup picks

Brandon's fantasy football start em and sit em for Week 12 lineups in 2021. Sneaky players to start that may boom, and typical starters to disappoint or bust.

First and foremost, I would like to start things off on the behalf of the team at Rotoballer by wishing everyone a Happy Thanksgiving! As the calendar rolls over to December, the 2021 fantasy season begins to draw to a close. Every season these are the most crucial weeks for fantasy managers. Depending on your placement in the standings, you could be dragging your knuckles to sneak into the playoffs. Or you could be coasting with a great team to that ever-elusive first-round bye. The ideologies put forth by these different managers can be seen by how they set starting lineups. Being a front-runner sometimes puts you in a position to take fewer chances with lineup decisions. While playing from behind, managers typically have to swing for the fences in an attempt to gain victories because a loss this late in the season could send you packing as your team misses the playoffs.

As the 2021 season draws to a close, it appears as though the wild weekly performances that have been the trend all year will continue. With Trevor Siemian, Colt McCoy. Devonta Freeman and Marquez Valdes-Scantling all being inside their respective position's top 10 a week ago, it's clear that these wild-card player performances will continue to hit. It's become not a matter of if but who will come from nowhere to shine in fantasy each week. The casual fantasy manager will not be able to put their fingers on these players but the more competitive ones are the managers that do the deep dives into the analytics to find the under-the-radar players that can produce big numbers in great matchups. Some weeks it may not amount to much of a point differential in your starting lineups, but in others it's what separates winning from losing. And heading into Week 12, finding those differences can be crucial for some managers.

As we go through the analytical data and trends, it's apparent that there are some matchups to attack, while there are some that you should avoid. I dive into those numbers and bring to you some names that aren't your typical starters that should be in lineups while also presenting players that could be facing tough matchups in Week 12.

Editor's Note: Identify fantasy football draft busts, overvalued ADPs, and key players to avoid so you can draft with confidence this season.

 

Week 12 Woos - Fantasy Football Booms

Jimmy Garoppolo vs. Minnesota Vikings

Garoppolo has been one of the more consistent quarterbacks in the league over the last month. With multiple touchdown games in four straight and two QB1 finishes over that span, he has become somewhat reliable. On the season, his deep analytical data has been subpar at best, ranking outside the top 20 in multiple categories. The silver lining is his 8.3 yards per attempt, which ranks fourth at the position. All in all, his 16.2 FPPG puts him at QB20 on the season, but is also a number he has eclipsed in three of the last four games. A number he should be able to improve upon in Week 12 as he faces a Vikings defense that has allowed 23.31 FPPG to opposing quarterbacks over the last month. If you are in a bind at QB this week, Garoppolo could be a player to slide into your starting lineup with a great matchup.

Rex Burkhead vs. New York Jets

First off, what year is it? I feel like I am turning back the clock doing a write-up about Burkhead. However, as the carousel of Texans running backs has continued to turn, we find ourselves here. There's nothing that you can look at within the analytical data that supports Burkhead being even remotely close to a viable running back, but by process of elimination, the Texans have decided he will be the player they will lean on. Although the yardage wasn't anything to get excited about, he was able to garner 18 carries in the game. This could be good news for Burkhead in Week 12 if he can see a similar workload. He will be facing a Jets defense that has been downright atrocious against running backs over the last four games. Allowing a league-high 10 touchdowns and 36.20 FPPG, this is a matchup that even Burkhead could take advantage of. He could be viewed as a Flex play for teams needing help this week.

Russell Gage @ Jacksonville Jaguars

With the Falcons lacking a weapon opposite Kyle Pitts with Calvin Ridley away from football, the team has been searching for a consistent option outside. Since returning from injury, Russell Gage has slowly been becoming that guy. His 34 targets over six games aren't exactly great, but with two eight-target games over the last three, the arrow is pointing up. Matt Ryan is starting to get comfortable looking his way, something that can only help this passing attack. The Week 12 matchup should be one for Gage to see a production boost, facing a Jaguars' defense that has allowed 36.55 FPPG to the position over the last four games. Gage's potential in this game could vault him into WR3 consideration for Week 12.

Evan Engram vs. Philadelphia Eagles

You know it's a tough week when you are suggesting Evan Engram as a potential quality starter. On the season, he ranks outside the top 15 in largely every category at the position, including ranking 19th in two of the most important categories with just 28 receptions and two scores. All of this has limited his potential to a lowly 7.7 FPPG on the year. With that being said, he is staring at a very solid matchup in Week 12. He will be facing an Eagles defense that has been very generous to the position over the last four games, allowing 24.48 FPPG over that span. Starting Engram can be frustrating dealing with his inconsistencies, but this week he is definitely on the TE1 radar.

 

Week 12 Boos - Fantasy Football Busts

Ryan Tannehill @ New England Patriots

Tannehill has been on a Jekyll and Hyde pace over the last month with two games finishing as a QB1 and the other two outside the top 15 at the position. His subpar performance last week against the Texans was his first game with just one score since Week 6. He has been steady on the passing yards (2,681) front rankings eighth in the league, but his lack of scoring (13 touchdowns) has limited his production to just 17.3 FPPG. Meeting even that number could be a task for Tannehill as he faces the stout Patriots defense allowing just 5.52 FPPG to quarterbacks over the last four games.

Leonard Fournette @ Indianapolis Colts

Speaking of a player that has been struggling as of late, Fournette has not been over 47 rushing yards or found the end-zone in any of the last three games. On the season, he has surprisingly been an asset to fantasy managers from a PPR standpoint. He ranks inside the top 10 in targets (54), receptions (44), and yards (323). This has helped buoy his fantasy production to the tune of 15.2 FPPG, ranking as RB18 on the season. The lack of production from a rushing standpoint has been concerning and something that may not improve in Week 12 as he faces a Colts defense allowing just 17.53 FPPG to running backs over the last month. Typically, Fournette is a starter for managers as a RB2, Fournette should be viewed as a Flex play at best this week.

Marquise Brown vs. Cleveland Browns

After missing last week due to injury, Brown will be looking to get things back on track as he is coming into this game with 39 targets over his last three games. It's clear that as Rashod Bateman has been seeing the field more often, it has only helped Brown in the coverages he faces. He continues to be a threat down the field as he leads the league in deep targets (21) and ranks 11th in air yards (1,008). Both of those data points have helped him on the season produce quality numbers and rankings as the WR8 with 17.8 FPPG. After the week away, coming back could be an issue in Week 12 with a difficult divisional matchup against the Browns. They are allowing just 27.05 FPPG to the position over the last four games and could limit the damage that Brown could cause in this game. While he is viewed as a fringe WR1 weekly in fantasy lineups, this matchup could see him produce just WR3 numbers at best.

Kyle Pitts @ Jacksonville Jaguars

Pitts has been struggling mightily in recent weeks as he has been viewed as the player to shut down by opposing defenses. The first two games without Calvin Ridley were great for Pitts as he was over 100 yards in both and scoring in one. Since then the going has been rough. He has just 164 receiving yards over the last four games and has not scored since Week 5. The struggles could continue this week as he faces a Jaguars defense that has been terrific against opposing tight ends in recent weeks allowing just 6.95 FPPG. As defenses continue to focus their efforts on Pitts, the numbers will likely continue to suffer. Fantasy managers may be put in a position to play him anyways due to a lack of options.



Download Our Free News & Alerts Mobile App

Like what you see? Download our updated fantasy football app for iPhone and Android with 24x7 player news, injury alerts, rankings, starts/sits & more. All free!

More Fantasy Football Analysis




POPULAR FANTASY TOOLS

Expert Advice
Articles & Tools
Import Your Leagues
Draft Rankings
Draft Simulator
Enter League Settings
Value Picks
Compare Any Players
News and Alerts

REAL-TIME FANTASY NEWS

Austin Riley

Hopes to be Activated Next Week
Ketel Marte

Lands on Restricted List After Burglary
Ricky Pearsall

Heads to PUP List
Brandon Aiyuk

Placed on PUP List
Luther Burden III

Signs Rookie Deal
Washington Nationals

Eli Willits Expected to Sign Contract on Saturday
Grayson Rodriguez

Being Shut Down Again - Will We See Him Again This Year?
Ezequiel Tovar

Activated and Back in Lineup on Friday
Max Fried

"Hopeful" to Pitch Next Week - Looks Like He'll Avoid IL Stint
Steven Kwan

Receives Injection in Wrist, Considered Day-to-Day
CJ Abrams

Back to Start Second Half
Alec Bohm

Back From Rib Injury on Friday
Trey Hendrickson

Holdout to Spill into Regular Season?
Jalen McMillan

Bucs Offensive Coordinator Not Forgetting About Jalen McMillan
Levi Onwuzurike

to Miss at Least Four Games
Nick Emmanwori

Seahawks, Nick Emmanwori Reach Agreement on Rookie Deal
Max Holloway

Set For Main Event
Brandon Lowe

Back From 10-Day Injured List
Dustin Poirier

Set For His Final UFC Fight
Roman Kopylov

Set For Co-Main Event
Paulo Costa

Returns At UFC 318
Luis L. Ortiz

to Remain on Leave for Another Month - Will he Pitch Again?
Daniel Rodriguez

Looks For Third Win In A Row
Kevin Holland

Set For His Fourth Fight This Year
Dan Ige

Looks To Win Back-To-Back Fights
MMA

Patricio Freire Set For His Second UFC Fight
Daniel Zellhuber

Set To Open Up UFC 318 Main Card
Michael Johnson

Looks For Third Consecutive Win
Elijah Arroyo

Signs Rookie Deal
Jaydon Blue

Described as "Borderline Lazy"
T.J. Sanders

Bills Sign T.J. Sanders to Rookie Deal
Christian Wilkins

Raiders Put Christian Wilkins on PUP List
Jabari Small

Lions Add Jabari Small to Backfield
Quinshon Judkins

Remains Unsigned, Won't Report With Rest of Rookies
Mason Taylor

Agrees to Rookie Contract with Jets
Hendon Hooker

Leading Lions QB2 Battle Entering Training Camp
Ozzy Trapilo

Agrees to Rookie Contract with Bears
Tate Ratledge

Agrees to Rookie Contract with Lions
Jack Bech

Signs Rookie Contract with Raiders
Yegor Chinakhov

Requests Trade
Dakota Joshua

Maple Leafs Acquire Dakota Joshua
Lukas Dostal

Signs Five-Year Extension with Ducks
Shemar Stewart

Not Practicing With College Team
Uchenna Nwosu

Seahawks Place Uchenna Nwosu on PUP List
Taylor Decker

Alim McNeill, Taylor Decker Placed on PUP List
Eugenio Suárez

Eugenio Suarez Expected Back Friday
Damian Lillard

Returning to Portland
Paul Skenes

Pirates Could Preserve Paul Skenes in Second Half
Brooks Barnhizer

Grabs 19 Points, Nine Boards in Summer League Win
Jeremiah Fears

Scores 22 Points in Summer League Loss to Thunder
Isaiah Collier

Collects 17 Points In Summer League Win
Caleb Houstan

Joins Hawks
AJ Johnson

Erupts for 25 Points in Summer League Loss
Washington Wizards

Leaky Black Logs Double-Double in Loss to Jazz
Connor Norby

Undergoes Surgery, Expected to Miss 6-8 Weeks
Trey Alexander

Tallies 25 Points in Losing Effort
Johni Broome

Records Second Consecutive Double-Double
Jahmir Young

Has Historic Summer League Outing
Rob Dillingham

Plays Big Role in Wednesday's Win
Tyrese Proctor

Erupts for 35 Points Against Kings
Cody Williams

Leads Jazz to Victory Against Wizards
LeBron James

Mavs Not Interested in "Gutting its Roster" For LeBron James
Josh Hart

Undergoes a Procedure on Right Finger
Jake Burger

Goes on 10-Day Injured List With Quad Strain
Sal Frelick

Dealing With Grade 1 Hamstring Strain, TBD for Start of Second Half
Chris Sale

Plays Catch
Los Angeles Clippers

Bradley Beal Heading to Los Angeles to Join Clippers After Contract Buyout
Rayan Rupert

Scores 24 Points in Summer League Win
Derik Queen

Collects Third Consecutive Double-Double in Summer League Loss
GG Jackson II

Records 13 Points in Summer League Action on Tuesday
Johni Broome

Logs Double-Double Against Wizards
DaRon Holmes II

Records Double-Double in Summer League Loss to Raptors
Kyle Schwarber

Named All-Star Game MVP
Harris English

Takes Stellar 2025 Performance to The Open Championship
Aldrich Potgieter

Seeks Better Result in Northern Ireland
Cameron Young

Likely to Hang Around at The Open Championship
Cameron Smith

Just Trying to Make the Cut at Royal Portrush
Jordan Spieth

Is Jordan Spieth Still a Natural for Links Style Golf?
Patrick Reed

a Viable Option at The Open Championship
PGA

Sungjae Im Wants to Rebound from Last Experience at Royal Portrush
Xander Schauffele

Looks to Defend His Claret Jug at Royal Portrush
Tony Finau

Trying to Turn Tide at Royal Portrush
Daniel Brown

Seeks a Rebound at The Open Championship
Rory McIlroy

Will be the Most Watched Player This Week at Royal Portrush
Daniel Berger

Trending Poorly as The Open Championship Looms
Clayton Kershaw

Retires Both Batters In ASG Appearance
Eugenio Suárez

Eugenio Suarez Hit In Pinky In All-Star Game, X-Rays Negative
MLB

NL All-Stars Win On Tie-Breaker Home Run Swing-Off
Robert MacIntyre

Hoping to Bounce Back at Open Championship
Shane Lowry

Hopes to Repeat at Royal Portrush
Brian Harman

Hopes to Rekindle Some Magic at the 153rd Open
UTA

Michael Carcone Returns to Utah on One-Year Contract
Bowen Byram

Signs Two-Year Deal with Sabres
Morgan Barron

Jets Re-Sign Morgan Barron for Two Years
PGA

Chris Gotterup Punches Ticket to Royal Portrush With Win at Scottish Open
Bryson DeChambeau

Hopes to Reverse Links Golf Struggle at the 153rd Open
Keegan Bradley

Needs to Find The Weekend at Royal Portrush for Ryder Cup Hopes
Justin Thomas

Finishes Tied For 22nd at Genesis Scottish Open
Scottie Scheffler

Finishes Tied For Eighth at Genesis Scottish Open
Jon Rahm

Finishes in Second at LIV Andalucia
Tallison Teixeira

Suffers First-Round TKO
Derrick Lewis

Scores First-Round TKO
Stephen Thompson

Loses Controversial Split Decision
Gabriel Bonfim

Wins Controversial Split Decision
Calvin Kattar

Gets Outclassed At UFC Nashville
Steve Garcia

Extends His Win Streak
Nate Landwehr

Gets Knocked Out
Morgan Charrière

Morgan Charriere Scores Third-Round Knockout
Austen Lane

Suffers Submission Loss
Vitor Petrino

Scores First-Round Submission In Heavyweight Debut
Tuco Tokkos

Earns His First UFC Win
Chase Elliott

Charges to A Finish of Third At Sonoma
Chase Briscoe

Finishes Second With his First Career Road-Course Top-Five at Sonoma
Christopher Bell

Rollercoaster Day Ends With Top-5 Finish at Sonoma
William Byron

Maintains the Regular-Season Points Lead
Kyle Busch

Earns A Hard-Fought Top-10 Finish At Sonoma
Alex Ovechkin

Not Thinking About Retirement
PIT

Penguins Acquire Arturs Silovs
NHL

Nikolai Kovalenko Returns to Russia
Tyler Reddick

Evades Near Upset to Remain Alive in In-Season Challenge
Ty Gibbs

One of Three Tylers to Make In-Season Challenge Semifinals
Kyle Larson

Curiously Mediocre at Sonoma Before Late-Race Crash
NASCAR

John H. Nemechek Edges Out Teammate to Make In-Season Challenge Semifinal
Alex Bowman

Ty Dillon Bumps Alex Bowman to Advance to In-Season Challenge Semifinal
Shane Van Gisbergen

Can Anyone Beat Shane van Gisbergen at Sonoma?
Tyler Reddick

Better at Sonoma Than Record Shows
Chase Elliott

a Prime DFS Option at Sonoma
Michael McDowell

Struggling a Bit at Sonoma
NASCAR

Christopher Bell Has Never Finished Better Than Ninth at Sonoma
Ryan Blaney

Has Top-10 Upside at Sonoma
NASCAR

Sunday at Sonoma Will Likely Be a Long Race for Bubba Wallace
Kyle Larson

Is A Likely Top-Five Contender for Sonoma
Ryan Preece

Points Position Could Affect Race at Sonoma
Todd Gilliland

Struggling to Find Speed at Sonoma
Ty Gibbs

May be an Underrated Favorite to Compete for the Win at Sonoma
RANKINGS
C
1B
2B
3B
SS
OF
SP
RP

RANKINGS

QB
RB
WR
TE
K
DEF