Fantasy football: Players to start, and others to sit, in Week 12
With six teams already finished with their Week 12 games, many fantasy managers know whether they've started off on the right foot heading into Sunday's schedule.
Managers with Cowboys Dak Prescott, Michael Gallup, Cedrick Wilson and Dalton Schultz in their lineups were pretty happy. Hunter Renfro, Josh Jacobs and DeSean Jackson managers also were pleased with their Raiders starters.
More: Fantasy football: Week 12 position rankings
In the early game, Darnell Mooney had the most significant fantasy game for the Bears. Cole Kmet had a good game as well at the tight end spot. Josh Reynolds and T.J. Hockenson each scored for the Lions to produce decent games, though I don't suspect a lot of people started Reynolds.
More: NFL lines, spreads and over/unders
Josh Allen had the biggest fantasy performance in the nightcap, throwing four touchdowns as he totaled more than 300 yards of offense. He found tight end Dawson Knox twice and connected with Stefon Diggs and Matt Breida for a score apiece. Diggs amassed 74 receiving yards while Breida is gaining fantasy significance.
Here's a look at some players that should be in starting lineups, and some players who should be left on the bench, heading into Sunday's slate of Week 12 action.
Quarterbacks
Start
Russell Wilson, Seahawks: His last two matchups have been tough, but if he can't produce a decent fantasy score against Washington, then you have to consider sitting him. The Football Team is worst in points allowed to quarterbacks.
Cam Newton, Panthers: The Dolphins are in the bottom five in points allowed to the position and Newton is looking like he has some fantasy viability. With the good matchup, I'm pretty confident he puts up a solid score.
Jimmy Garoppolo, 49ers: He's thrown at least two touchdowns in four straight games, and with Deebo Samuel thriving, all it could take is a quick pitch forward to count as a TD toss. The Vikings are coming off a game in which they gave up four TD passes to Aaron Rodgers. Garoppolo isn't Rodgers, but he could have success against the Vikes.
Sit
Mac Jones, Patriots: The Patriots won't ask Jones to do too much if their defense continues to play well. And if the Titans continue to struggle offensively, Jones won't have to. I don't see him having a great output with the teams expected to have the second lowest over/under total for Sunday.
Ryan Tannehill, Titans: He burned fantasy managers badly last week with a four-interception game against the Texans. This week he has a much tougher matchup with the Patriots. He's clearly missing Derrick Henry taking pressure off the passing game.
Ben Roethlisberger, Steelers: Roethlisberger surprised last week with three touchdown passes against the Chargers. It was the first time he threw that many in a game this season. The Bengals allow the 10th least amount of points to quarterbacks.
Running backs
Start
Saquon Barkley, Giants: Don't worry too much about Barkley. He had a rough outing last week, but the Giants won't get run out of the building by the Eagles. The Giants shouldn't abandon the run like they did against the Buccaneers, which is how Barkley had only six carries.
AJ Dillon, Packers: Aaron Jones may or may not play, but the Packers would be wise to keep Dillon in the game plan. I think they will and he should put up at least RB2 numbers even if Jones plays.
Miles Sanders, Eagles: He returned to the field last week and gained 94 yards on 16 carries against the Saints. The Giants, his opponent this week, are fifth worst in points allowed to the position.
Sit
Latavius Murray, Ravens: Devonta Freeman is getting more carries and the Browns aren't the easiest team to run against. Even when Cleveland does allow running backs to have success, it's to the lead back.
David Johnson, Texans: Rex Burkhead led Houston in carries last week and Johnson remains unable to do well even when the circumstances are in his favor.
Ronald Jones, Buccaneers: Don't let the touchdown he scored last week fool you. He's only contributed in spots and isn't getting enough touches to warrant a start, especially against the Colts, who are best in points allowed to the position.
Wide receivers
Start
Diontae Johnson, Steelers: He missed the Week 3 game against the Bengals; Chase Claypool led with 96 yards that day. With Johnson coming off back-to-back seven-catch performances, he should be the lead receiver in Week 12.
Tyler Lockett, Seahawks: The Washington Football Team is fourth worst in points allowed to wideouts and both top Seattle receivers should do well. Lockett had more than 100 yards last week.
Tee Higgins, Bengals: Higgins missed the first game between the squads, and Ja'Marr Chase and Tyler Boyd led the team. Neither surpassed 65 yards, but they each scored with Chase getting into the end zone twice. Higgins could be seen as a WR2 this week.
Sit
Odell Beckham Jr., Rams: Maybe Beckham just isn't as good as he once was. He had two receptions for 18 yards in his first game with the Rams. It's a tougher matchup with the Packers this week and QB Matthew Stafford has been struggling.
Courtland Sutton, Broncos: He doesn't attract enough targets when Jerry Jeudy is playing. The Chargers are second-best against wide receivers.
Nelson Agholor, Patriots: The only time he has a useful fantasy score is when he gets in the end zone, and he only has three touchdowns on the year. I'd bet on Jakobi Meyers or Kendrick Bourne scoring before Agholor.
This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: Fantasy football: Players to start, and others to sit, in NFL Week 12
