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Week 12 is going to be one of the toughest weeks of the fantasy football season, with six teams on bye and our rosters stretched thinner than ever. Combating this challenging week means looking for value in players who might not normally crack your starting lineup but have the potential to deliver when it counts the most.
This week, we’re looking into the fantasy outlooks of Anthony Richardson, Matthew Stafford, and Baker Mayfield—three quarterbacks in vastly different situations heading into this pivotal slate of games. Each brings a mix of intrigue, risk, and potential reward, making them interesting options for managers navigating bye-week chaos.
In a week where reliable options are scarce, finding the right balance between consistency and upside is key. These three quarterbacks offer a variety of paths to production, depending on your league format and roster needs. Whether you’re chasing a playoff spot or trying to lock down a top seed, let’s break down what Richardson, Stafford, and Mayfield bring to the table for Week 12.
Should I Start Anthony Richardson for Fantasy Football?
It's been a roller coaster ride for Anthony Richardson in 2024 and he's experienced the highs of highs and the lowest of lows. After being benched two games for veteran Joe Flacco, Richardson was thrust back into action in Week 11 against the New York Jets and had his best game of the season in a thrilling comeback victory.
Put these 4 pictures in an Art Museum.
The Trucking
By Anthony Richardson pic.twitter.com/pqMVum5wAv— Colts Enjoyer (@AR5Renaissance) November 18, 2024
This week, however, the Colts have an absolute gauntlet of a matchup against the Detroit Lions, who are playing some incredible football right now. While the game scripts could favor Richardson, he remains a risky play in fantasy at this stage. We need to see more consistency and improvement, but I'm rooting for him.
Should I Start Matthew Stafford for Fantasy Football?
Matthew Stafford has shown no signs of slowing down at his age and has been slinging it of late with his top two wide receivers Cooper Kupp and Puka Nacua back in action.
Matthew Stafford has been dominating, leading the Rams to four wins in their last five games. 🔥 pic.twitter.com/JHTvjhyv1R
— Sunday Night Football on NBC (@SNFonNBC) November 21, 2024
However, the Rams have a difficult matchup on Sunday Night Football against the Philadelphia Eagles, who are surging at the right time and finding their footing on defense. Will the Rams' front be able to hold up against the Eagles' defensive line? That is a big question.
Should I Start Baker Mayfield for Fantasy Football?
Baker Mayfield has shown that he is a legitimate NFL quarterback again this season and was having arguably the best year of his career before losing wide receivers Chris Godwin and Mike Evans in the same game earlier in the year. The good news is that Evans has been activated after a hamstring injury and will be back in Week 12.
Brace yourself since Baker Mayfield is back from his bye I’m going to hype up my fantasy football teams 😂
— Christa 💚 (@thatssochrista_) November 20, 2024
Given that the Bucs play a terrible Giants defense in Week 12, Mayfield remains the best quarterback of the three to start for fantasy in Week 12 in an absolute slam dunk matchup.
Popular Week 12 Searches - Start/Sit Comparisons
Below are some popular Week 12 searches and comparisons from our Who To Start tool for Anthony Richardson, Matthew Stafford, Baker Mayfield compared to others. You can also use the free Who Should I Start tool to run your own start/sit comparisons, up to four players at once:
Bo Nix or Baker Mayfield
Matthew Stafford or Geno Smith
Anthony Richardson or Matthew Stafford
Baker Mayfield or Bo Nix
Cj Stroud or Matthew Stafford
Geno Smith or Anthony Richardson
Justin Herbert or Baker Mayfield
Matthew Stafford or Tua Tagovailoa
Matthew Stafford or Russell Wilson
Drake Maye or Anthony Richardson
Jared Goff or Baker Mayfield
Russell Wilson or Matthew Stafford
Baker Mayfield or Kyler Murray
Baker Mayfield or Justin Herbert
Matthew Stafford or Tommy Devito
Russell Wilson or Anthony Richardson
Matthew Stafford or Sam Darnold
Baker Mayfield or Jared Goff
Brock Purdy or Baker Mayfield
Baker Mayfield or Tua Tagovailoa
Justin Herbert or Anthony Richardson
Tua Tagovailoa or Anthony Richardson
Caleb Williams or Anthony Richardson
Jayden Daniels or Baker Mayfield
Matthew Stafford or Jordan Love
Baker Mayfield or Patrick Mahomes
Bo Nix or Matthew Stafford
Caleb Williams or Matthew Stafford
Geno Smith or Matthew Stafford
Patrick Mahomes or Baker Mayfield
Baker Mayfield or Jordan Love
Matthew Stafford or Anthony Richardson
Sam Darnold or Anthony Richardson
Sam Darnold or Matthew Stafford
Tua Tagovailoa or Baker Mayfield
Baker Mayfield or Geno Smith
Baker Mayfield or Sam Darnold
Drake Maye or Matthew Stafford
Jordan Love or Matthew Stafford
Matthew Stafford or Jared Goff
Baker Mayfield or Jayden Daniels
Baker Mayfield or Russell Wilson
Jordan Love or Baker Mayfield
Matthew Stafford or Cj Stroud
Matthew Stafford or Drake Maye
Tua Tagovailoa or Matthew Stafford
Jameis Winston or Anthony Richardson
Jared Goff or Matthew Stafford
Jordan Love or Anthony Richardson
Lamar Jackson or Baker Mayfield
Patrick Mahomes or Matthew Stafford
Baker Mayfield or Cj Stroud
Baker Mayfield or Jalen Hurts
Bo Nix or Anthony Richardson
Brock Purdy or Anthony Richardson
Dak Prescott or Baker Mayfield
Kyler Murray or Anthony Richardson
Matthew Stafford or Caleb Williams
Baker Mayfield or Brock Purdy
Brock Purdy or Matthew Stafford
Cj Stroud or Baker Mayfield
Derek Carr or Matthew Stafford
Jameis Winston or Matthew Stafford
Kirk Cousins or Matthew Stafford
Kyler Murray or Matthew Stafford
Matthew Stafford or Brock Purdy
Patrick Mahomes or Anthony Richardson
Baker Mayfield or Jameis Winston
Baker Mayfield or Lamar Jackson
Gardner Minshewii or Anthony Richardson
Jalen Hurts or Baker Mayfield
Jayden Daniels or Anthony Richardson
Kyler Murray or Baker Mayfield
Matthew Stafford or Bo Nix
Matthew Stafford or Jameis Winston
Matthew Stafford or Justin Herbert
Rachaad White or Baker Mayfield
Anthony Richardson or Baker Mayfield
Baker Mayfield or Josh Downs
Baker Mayfield or Matthew Stafford
Baker Mayfield or Tommy Devito
Cj Stroud or Anthony Richardson
Detroit Lions or Anthony Richardson
Geno Smith or Baker Mayfield
Jalen Hurts or Matthew Stafford
Jared Goff or Anthony Richardson
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