Fantasy Football Matchups We Love - Start 'Em, Sit 'Em Picks for Week 12 Include Bo Nix, De'Von Achane, Quentin Johnston, Calvin Ridley, more

It seems as though fantasy managers were either incredibly disappointed or incredibly excited in Week 11. The output was modest for most players. However, if you had a monopoly on a select few players such as Cooper Kupp, Taysom Hill, or the Detroit Lions, you likely won your week.

With the fantasy playoffs roughly three weeks away, every week counts at this point in the season. Unfortunately, this week is byemaggedon in the NFL. We will be without Bills, Falcons, Jaguars, Jets, Bengals, and Saints players. Each one of those teams has at least one significant fantasy-relevant player.

With so many players due to take the week off this week, this column is that much more important. Let's dive in and see who you can have confidence in for Week 12 and who you should leave on your bench amid slim pickings.

• Quarterback fantasy football rankings
• Running back fantasy football rankings
• Wide receiver fantasy football rankings
• Tight end fantasy football rankings
• Kicker fantasy football rankings
• FLEX fantasy football rankings
• Defense (D/ST) fantasy football rankings
• Superflex fantasy football rankings
• IDP fantasy football rankings
• Dynasty fantasy football rankings

Fantasy Football Quarterback Matchups We Love

Bo Nix - Denver Broncos
Opponent: at LV
Opponent Rank vs. QB: 25th

Nix has grown into a budding star in 2024. He is the current QB7 in fantasy because of his use of both his arm and his legs. Nix has thrown for at least 223 yards or multiple touchdowns in four straight games.

The Broncos will visit the Raiders in Week 12, who have surrendered 18.5 points per game to opposing quarterbacks in fantasy this season. Nix has another chance to throw multiple touchdown passes in what should be a breeze of a win for the Broncos.

Bo Nix last 9 games: 6-3, 17 TD, 2 INT

"This is the worst roster he'll ever have... He's making really good decisions." — @ColinCowherd pic.twitter.com/g9n29LMLwH

— Herd w/Colin Cowherd (@TheHerd) November 19, 2024

Justin Herbert - Los Angeles Chargers
Opponent: BAL
Opponent Rank vs. QB: 30th

With two high-end fantasy quarterbacks, Josh Allen and Joe Burrow, out on bye this week, let's run it back with Herbert in this column. Herbert now has four straight games with at least 19.48 fantasy points. He will draw the pass-funnel Baltimore Ravens in Week 12.

While the Chargers have a great defense, they showed vulnerability against the Bengals in Week 11. Expect the Ravens to score with a vengeance as they come off a huge loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers. This projects to be a high-scoring affair and Herbert should be a stud this week.

Fantasy Football Quarterback Matchup to Temper Expectations

Anthony Richardson - Indianapolis Colts
Opponent: DET
Opponent Rank vs. QB: 6th

Richardson was back with a vengeance in Week 11. He tore up an uninspired Jets team with both his arm and his legs. While his performance was encouraging, it is hard to trust Richardson to be consistent after what we saw before his benching earlier in the season.

The Lions are unstoppable right now. They have not allowed more than 23 points to an opponent since Week 7. Their secondary is playing much better and they are impossible to run on. If they neutralize the threat of Jonathan Taylor in the backfield, then this will be a tough outing for Richardson.

Fantasy Football Running Back Matchups We Love

De'Von Achane - Miami Dolphins
Opponent: NE
Opponent Rank vs. RB: 19th

The RB8 on the season, Achane is in prime position to run wild against the New England Patriots. Achane's efficiency has not been elite this season (4.34 yards per carry) but his pass-catching has been unbelievable. Achane has four or more receptions in four straight games. He has also scored a touchdown in three of his last four.

The Patriots have had issues containing opposing running backs all season. This finally feels like a week in which Achane will be able to unleash one of his signature home runs. He checks in squarely as an RB1 in Week 12.

I will continue to say it, De’Von Achane’s footwork and contact balance is SPECIAL. pic.twitter.com/dvjlc03mEZ

— FinsCentral (@finscentral) November 18, 2024

Brian Robinson Jr. - Washington Commanders
Opponent: DAL
Opponent Rank vs. RB: 30th

With the way the Cowboys defense is playing, the Commanders are going to end up at the 1-yard line at some point in this game. The Commanders' favorite play to run at the goal line is a run up the middle. Robinson is all but guaranteed a touchdown this week.

Outside of the touchdowns, Robinson has been solid all around in 2024. He is seeing plenty of volume, and he has recorded 524 rushing yards in eight games played. After what Joe Mixon just did to this defense in Week 11, Robinson deserves a place in your lineup.

Fantasy Football Running Back Matchup to Temper Expectations

Najee Harris - Pittsburgh Steelers
Opponent: at CLE
Opponent Rank vs. RB: 7th

While the raw numbers suggest that the Browns are not great against the run, they have not allowed a lot of points to opposing running backs in fantasy. That is likely in part because teams are throwing the ball all over the yard on this team.

This feels like a game in which George Pickens could have a field day. Additionally, Harris has seen his volume and snap share dwindle of late as Jaylen Warren has gotten healthier. Both players may be better off as flex plays rather than the RB2 that Harris has been for much of the season.

Fantasy Football Wide Receiver Matchups We Love

Quentin Johnston - Los Angeles Chargers
Opponent: BAL
Opponent Rank vs. WR: 32nd

Let's go with a stack this week. Johnston has made his living on the back of touchdowns in 2024. However, it has felt all season as though if Justin Herbert is going to throw a touchdown, it is going to go to Johnston. More than a quarter of Johnston's catches have gone for a touchdown this season.

Johnston's touchdown efficiency is unsustainable, but he finds himself in a generous matchup against the Baltimore Ravens this week. This should be a high-scoring game and Herbert is likely going to need to throw multiple touchdowns if the Chargers expect to win this game. It is Johnston's time to shine.

Quentin Johnston out here back flipping in primetime

PEOPLE WROTE QJ OFF AND HE DID NOT WRITE BACK pic.twitter.com/X7zreVNRbn

— Barstool TCU (@BarstoolTCU) November 18, 2024

Calvin Ridley - Tennessee Titans
Opponent: at HOU
Opponent Rank vs. WR: 24th

Let's throw a little confidence to the Ridley train this week. After being an afterthought for much of the season, Ridley has made his way back into fantasy relevance over the last four games. The Titans are going to be playing from behind all season, and Ridley should continue to see excellent target volume.

With the Titans playing at the Texans this week, this is a plus matchup for Ridley. The Texans defense is not fully firing on all cylinders yet this season. That is in part due to injury, but Ridley stands to benefit in Week 12. He has a good chance to deliver WR2 value this week.

Fantasy Football Wide Receiver Matchup to Temper Expectations

Deebo Samuel Sr. - San Francisco 49ers
Opponent: at GB
Opponent Rank vs. WR: 10th

Something is going wrong for the 49ers this year and Samuel has not been immune. Despite the loss of Brandon Aiyuk for the season, Samuel has not enjoyed the high-end fantasy production we have seen out of him in the past.

Samuel has only eclipsed 20 PPR fantasy points once this season. While his target share is solid, he is not breaking away down the field. The Packers have been excellent at containing opposing wide receivers in fantasy. Additionally, this game will be played at Lambeau, which will present all sorts of challenges for the 49ers in Week 12.

Fantasy Football Tight End Matchup We Love

Dallas Goedert - Philadelphia Eagles
Opponent: at LAR
Opponent Rank vs. TE: 26th

Let's give Goedert some love this week. Since his return from injury, Goedert has two straight games with double-digit fantasy points. The Rams are 26th against opposing tight ends in fantasy. They have had trouble containing the position all year.

This projects to be a high-scoring game with two excellent offenses. Goedert should be plenty involved and has a great chance to exceed 10 fantasy points once again in Week 12. Fire him up as a TE1.

Fantasy Football Tight End Matchup to Temper Expectations

Cade Otton - Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Opponent: at NYG
Opponent Rank vs. TE: 1st

If there is one position the Giants have had success defending in 2024, it is tight ends. Otton has been stellar of late. However, this poor matchup and the impending return of wide receiver Mike Evans may eat into Otton's production.

It feels like the Buccaneers would have found ways to get the offense going outside of Otton during the bye week in Week 11. He should still deliver TE1 value, but it feels less likely that we will see the 20 PPR-point outings that have been flowing of late.

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