Just hours before the start of Week 12 I know many people have questions running through their heads. Who should I start? Who should I sit? Let’s take a look at how some of the recent news changes things:
Laurent Robinson – Dallas Cowboys – Wide Receiver
The team’s official Twitter feed has reported that, “Official Game Status: Out – Austin, Fiammetta, Jenkins, Kitna. Questionable – Jones, Kosier, Sensabaugh”. The big news is that Miles Austin will miss his third straight game, leaving Laurent Robinson to start against the Miami Dolphins.
Robinson has been a major cog in the Cowboys offense, with five touchdowns in his past four games. Granted, he has posted less than 40 yards in two of those games, but the touchdowns more than make up for it. Against a Dolphins’ team that is allowing the eighth most passing yards per game (251.1) and 14 TD on the year, he should be considered a solid WR2 in all formats and a good play today.
Reggie Bush – Miami Dolphins – Running Back
Wasn’t Daniel Thomas supposed to be the better back in Miami? At this point the carries are virtually even between Bush and Thomas (117 vs. 114), yet Bush has rushed for 100 more yards (506 vs. 406) and has 4 TD. Thomas, on the other hand, has yet to find the end zone on the ground (he does have one receiving touchdown).
Throw in Bush’s prowess in the passing game, with 32 receptions for 202 yards and 1 TD, and it’s obvious who the better play is at this point. Thomas has been running the ball a little bit better of late (92 yards on 32 carries in his past two games) than Bush (79 yards on 29 carries), but that shouldn’t be enough to deter you. The touchdowns and receptions are too much to overcome. Bush should be considered a solid RB2 depending on your other options.
James Starks – Green Bay Packers – Running Back
Playing in the first game on Thursday, the questionable tag is a major red flag for fantasy owners. It’s not that he’s a great option to begin with, as the Packers are a pass first team and should be in a shootout against the Lions, but the knee and ankle injuries will limit him even further. He hasn’t scored since Week 1 and has not had more than 13 carries in a game this season. Look towards another option.
Frank Gore – San Francisco 49ers – Running Back
Despite being limited in practice this week, there is no question that he is going to play. He came out of Week 11 unscathed, and considering he got 24 carries for 88 yards in that one there is little doubt that he will again operate as the lead back. The Ravens do pose a tough test (fifth best in the league at 93.2 rushing yards per game), but look for him to continue to be a major part of the offense. All it will take is one touchdown for him to prove usable, so consider him a solid RB2 in all formats.
Dan Carpenter – Miami Dolphins – Kicker
According to Benjamin Volin (via Twitter), “Source confirms that #Dolphins K Dan Carpenter is not on the team flight toDallas. Shayne Graham will handle kicking duties again”. If you were looking towards Carpenter for Week 12 you need to hit the waiver wire immediately and find yourself an alternative.
Make sure to check out all of our Week 12 articles:
RP – First I want to say Happy Thanksgiving!
Here’s my lineup for the week. Let me know what you think I have some players today going in.
D. Brees
G. Jennings
L. Robinson
M. Bush
D Sproles
K. Smith – Flex
J. Witten
D. Ackers
NY Jets D
Bench
A. Boldin
S. Greene
B. Tate
J. Simpson
E. Decker
AJ Green
Thanks!
Nope, I agree with what you’ve got in there. Good luck!!
I have vernon davis as my tight end, should i play heath miller or brent celek over him?
What are your thoughts on keeping handcuffs? On offense, we start 1Q B, 2 RBs, 2 WRs, 1 TE, and 1 Flex. At RB, I have Foster, Murray, Felix Jones, Best, Kevin Smith, and Jonathan Stewart. I have been tempted to drop Felix to help out w/ other areas, but know it could pose a risk. I know it depends on the situation, but should I continue to protect Felix at all costs? Other expendable positions could be a 4th WR (we start 2 plus the aforementioned Flex), a 2nd DEF/ST (we start 1, but I am carrying 2 based on upcoming matchups), or my backup QB. Thanks!
It all depends on your starting WR, honestly. I don’t think you need to hold onto Jones at all costs, though. I also think Best is probably expendable at this point as well.
It all depends on the situation and team need. What are you looking to pick up in his place?
My four WRs are Fitzgerald, Lloyd, Austin, and Santana Moss. In our league, we start 1QB, 2RBs, 2WRs, 1TE, 1 Flex, 1K, 1DST, 1DL, 1DB, and 1LB. I haven’t been carrying any backups for the 3 IDP positions, but keep getting burned by injuries and having to juggle spots around because my bench is very offensive focused. Or, sometimes potential RB additions become available, like a Spiller or someone of that nature, and I’m often wondering if I can increase the depth of my RB corps at Felix’s expense, or, is it too risky if Murray goes down. Some sites swear that you must protect your “studs”, but on the other side of the equation, it might amount to a spot that may never get to be deployed on game day.
P.S. For this particular weekend, I have to secure a backup DB, probably at Santana Moss’s expense (Felix is not an option now that Dallas has already played), but my question is a little more for next week and beyond in case another need develops.
It’s always a tough call to drop a handcuff, but at this point in the season and if you have the proper depth already I don’t think it’s an issue. Of course, Best is now an easy play instead so he’s definitely the one I’d drop.