I'm thankful my Week 12 matchup is over already. I've complained a lot in this space how my teams have been doing. I won't keep repeating the main points of popularity, because there's nothing worse than a fantasy football matchup that you aren't involved in and forced to hear about, but last night was the only Thursday I remember (Thanksgivings included) that my contest started and ended in the same day, with Sunday and Monday games to go that still have a ton of talent. It leads to a bit of a different framing for this week's column.

You see, normally I sit down and map out advice that I hope to find on Sunday. Ok, sure, it's good to remember that Mark Ingram is probably gonna be better than Isaiah Crowell, but some weeks you're looking for another factor; is he more likely to score? Are we seeing him getting a bigger share of targets? Is there a positive trend that should be embraced, or a matchup avoided? Sure, it's not exactly earth-shattering analysis, but half the time we read these columns to just get an edge.

This week, you're likely either looking for a lock or someone who can get anywhere close to the Jamison Crowders and Keenan Allens of Thursday. While we don't do locks around here (save for ASJ, who is my other thing I'm thankful for this year), I can do my best to give you the dart-throw guys I'd be starting for matchups where you really need it.

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Running Back Questions

Against all odds, should you take a look at ___________ now?

A: C.J. Anderson
B: Isaiah Crowell
C: James White
D: Lamar Miller

I'm endlessly frustrated as a CJ Anderson owner, and he undoes a lot of this advice on a regular basis. He's not being consistently targeted, he may not be the clear front-runner for the job by the end of the season, and he only seems to show up in favorable matchups. The reality is that I can't fault anyone who goes with Devontae Booker this week, but with Anderson seeing at least double digit rushing opportunities for four of the last five weeks, I'm rolling out Anderson as a FLEX in a non-PPR league.

Am I officially throwing up my hands and FLEXing in __________?

A: Damien Williams
B: Marlon Mack
C: Corey Clement
D: Giovani Bernard

For me, this one just comes down to numbers, because I don't know how you can consciously trust someone like Corey Clement to win you anything. But there are some stats that are just impossible to ignore; Clement is being used as a alternative play to Jay Ajayi, garnering at least 50 yards over the last three weeks, and the Chicago Bears give up touchdowns to running backs when they are on the road. It'll be a cold one in Philly, I can't see the Eagles not leading, so I'll be keeping an eye on going to the run. Who knows how much they are favoring Clement over Ajayi, but considering his workload spike following Ajayi joining the team, I'm rolling him out in very deep leagues where a FLEX is needed.

Wide Receiver Questions

Am I really going to roll with ____________ this week? (Yes. Yes I Am)

A: JuJu Smith-Schuster
B: Devin Funchess
C: Robby Anderson
D: T.Y. Hilton

It took me 12 weeks to cheat, but I finally did it. In a week where we need some end zone and target magic, I'm recommending all of these guys as WR2 and flex plays, in the order listed, and here's why.

JuJu Smith-Schuster can take one of the Packers' bikes from training camp and take it home if he wants this week, given that I expect the talented rookie to bully the Pack enough to eat their lunch anyway. JuJu isn't getting enough love this week as the WR2 vs a defense that has been embarrassed by sub-standard offenses since Week 7. Obviously I'd prefer JuJu in a week where Antonio Brown had a problematic matchup with the top corner, but I think Pittsburgh does enough that both guys get solid work.

Devin Funchess is gaining a little bit of trust back, week by week, in the Carolina offense. I don't exactly trust him as a lock week after week, but I'm hoping Cam Newton will favor him the more Funchess catches the targets thrown at him. Between this favorable relationship and the matchup, I like Devin Funchess more as a FLEX this week, especially in PPR, with huge upside potential.

Robby Anderson is having a touchdown streak that's hard to ignore, and will be on the other side of the shootout with Carolina hoping to eat. I don't know if the streak continues (though, who isn't rooting for it) but Anderson has been steadier than the other guys on this list and it should be rewarded with a space in your lineup, with less "boom" potential than the other three.

T.Y. Hilton is a nod, in human form, that sometimes having a good draft on paper doesn't mean a good season. I'd be surprised if Hilton owners were still in the playoff hunt, but an expected shootout vs Tennessee should mean the still-very-talented receiver will hopefully top 100 yards this week. Hilton is a FLEX without question for me, but if you are playing in a league that generously rewards yardage, Hilton is worth a FLEX start at least.

Tight End Question

In Week 12, I will stop blowing my horn for ASJ and start blowing my horn for _________

A: Cameron Brate
B: Benjamin Watson
C: Tyler Kroft
D: Ed Dickson

This simply comes down to scoring potential, and Baltimore proved that they can have their way with bad defenses regarding of how good/healthy/elite Joe Flacco is these days. Benjamin Watson wasn't a factor against the Pack, but I think it was a one-week fluke and I expect Watson to see the end zone (more than these other guys, anyway) vs the Houston Texans.

More Week 12 Lineup Prep