We all have our opinions on why we like a player heading into each week, but this week certainly has some names that have caused quite the conversation piece. Whether Jay Cutler’s interceptions have driven you mad or Jonas Gray’s 4 TD game has your head spinning still, we’ve decided to take it to the experts to see what their reasoning is for why they love/hate certain players this weekend.

We are providing thoughts from both ends of the spectrum. There are certainly some Dissenting Opinions which is exactly why we want to give you reasoning from both ends. If you were having trouble before, perhaps these opinions will help on your decision-making this weekend.

QUARTERBACK

MATTHEW STAFFORD (DET at. NE)

Consensus ECR: QB #12

Likes Him More: Andy Behrens #8

Likes Him Less: Ryan Rufe #17

LOVE: “Wait, has the Patriots defense been completely shutting down opposing quarterbacks, and I’ve somehow missed it? No, in fact that’s not the case. New England has allowed seven multi-TD passers so far this season (Stafford will make it eight), and the team’s defense has allowed the fifth-most fantasy points to the quarterback position over the past five weeks. The Pats themselves are putting up silly point totals, which of course feeds these fantasy eruptions. Detroit’s receiving corps is now as healthy as it’s been all year; there’s no way Stafford delivers a second-straight dud. Don’t punish him for last week’s disappointment.”

– Andy Behrens (Yahoo)

HATE: “If Stafford was more consistent, I wouldn’t be talking about him in this space, but alas, he’s put up five games during which he has scored 15 fantasy points or more and five games during which he’s scored 13 fantasy points or less, including last week’s 5-point dud against the Arizona Cardinals in what looked like a favorable matchup on paper. And that was with Calvin Johnson back in the fold for the Lions. At this point, I’m finding it hard to justify a top 10 ranking for Stafford among QBs, especially this week on the road against New England’s elite secondary. Perhaps he’ll find a place there in weeks 13 and 14 when Chicago and Tampa Bay visit Ford Field, but not this week against one of the hottest teams in football.”

– Ryan Rufe (RotoBaller)

RUSSELL WILSON (SEA vs. ARI)

Consensus ECR: QB #10

Likes Him More: Scott Spratt #5

Likes Him Less: Dawgmatica #20

LOVE: “I have Russell Wilson ranked fifth at the position this week, and he’s also fifth at the position for the season. So I don’t think I need to convince anyone Wilson belongs where I ranked him most weeks; I need to convince them that the Cardinals matchup will not prevent him from performing up to his usual standard. The key for me is that Wilson may be the most consistent quarterback because of his rushing production. His 577 yards rushing are nearly twice as many as the next best quarterback this season. The Cardinals do have an exceptional run defense, but I think it’s a mistake to assume that applies evenly to quarterback runs. If anything, an elite run defense will force Wilson to dropback more often rather than hand the ball off to Marshawn Lynch, which will increase Wilson’s opportunities to run. The only rushing threat at quarterback the Cardinals have faced this season is Colin Kaepernick, and he rushed for 54 yards on 12 attempts against them in Week 3. Expect the standard modest passing totals and 50+ yards rushing for Wilson here and start him with your usual confidence.”

– Scott Spratt (Pro Football Focus)

HATE: “Russell Wilson, LOVE him or HATE him for the rest of the season – HATE – First of all, I have nothing against Wilson or the Seahawks, as I had Wilson ranked higher than most to start off the 2014 season and picked Seattle to make it back to the Super Bowl. That being said, losing Golden Tate in the offseason and then jettisoning Percy Harvin mid-season left Wilson with a relatively bare cupboard to use in the passing game, so more than usual, he’s had to depend on his legs to score fantasy points for his owners. The major predicament Russell will be dealing here is that the teams he will be facing in Weeks 12-16 (Ari, SF, Phi, SF, Ari) have allowed a combined ZERO rushing touchdowns to their opponents this season, with Arizona allowing just a total of 85 rushing yards and San Fran allowing just 62. Depending on your legs as a fantasy QB is tough enough, but having to depend on them against top-flight rush defenses spells disaster for fantasy owners. Oh, and one more thing – in nine career games (including playoffs) against Arizona and San Francisco, Wilson’s high passing game was 235 yards while his high rushing game was a mere 33 yards (zero rushing TDs).”

– Dawgmatica (Pyromaniac)

RUNNING BACK

TRENT RICHARDSON (IND vs. JAC)

Consensus ECR: RB #14

Likes Him More: Sigmund Bloom #9

Likes Him Less: Jeff Paur #29

LOVE: “I LOVE Richardson this week at Jacksonville. While he has scarred his fantasy owners with repeated disappointments, he is set up to get the bulk of the touches for the first time this year, and against a team that Indianapolis should have no trouble controlling the game against. Really, any competent running back could go for 80-100 total yards with a great shot for at least one score. Richardson may never even come close to living up to his billing entering the NFL as the #3 overall pick, but he is competent.”

– Sigmund Bloom (Footballguys)

HATE: “I know Trent Richardson is starting, but I have a hard time trusting him – even with more touches. He averages just 3.4 yards per carry for the season and continues to underperform. He plays in one of the best offenses in all of football, but has just two touchdowns for the season. Richardson has 14 or more carries five times this season, but averages just 60.2-rushing yards per game with that much work. He might get the work, but that doesn’t mean it will translate into success. I consider him nothing more than a flex option going forward.”

– Jeff Paur (RTSports)

JONAS GRAY (NE vs. DET)

Consensus ECR: RB #28

Likes Him More: Walter Cherepinsky #12

Likes Him Less: Brian Dezelske #38

LOVE: “The Patriots were ranked 13th in red zone offense (touchdown percentage) heading into Week 11. That wasn’t a terrible mark by any means, but for a 7-2 team heading into a big game at Indianapolis, they needed to get better. The Patriots are now sixth in that category, thanks to Jonas Gray’s four touchdowns against the Colts. Gray may not handle the majority of the workload each week – trying to guess what Bill Belichick is going to do with his running backs is as futile as playing the lottery – but there’s no doubt that Gray, like Stevan Ridley before him, will be an option as a battering ram at the goal line. Ridley scored 12 touchdowns in 2012 as New England’s primary goal-line back. Considering how great Gray looked Sunday night, he could produce as an RB2 with upside, just as Ridley did before he was benched last year for fumbling too frequently.”

– Walter Cherepinsky (WalterFootball)

HATE: “I have one rule when it comes to sports betting: When the action heavily favors one team, I run in the other direction as fast as I can. Why? Because, too often, it’s just too good to be true. This rule applies directly to Jonas Gray as well, who was one of the hottest waiver wire acquisitions this week. Most fantasy owners forgot to scope out the matchup before they went and added him. Gray will be facing the front seven of the Detroit Lions who give up 3.0 yards per carry and lead the league in rushing defense. Expect Shane Vereen to be a focal point in the passing game this week. The Patriots signing of LeGarrette Blount also throws a wrench into this backfield of uncertainty. Go ahead and lay your money on the longshot if you want, but as you’re walking away from the Las Vegas Sports Book with your face in your hands and your wallet empty, just remember you were warned.”

– Brian Dezelske (Fake Pigskin)

ISAIAH CROWELL (CLE at ATL)

Consensus ECR: RB #15

Likes Him More: scoutPRO #4

Likes Him Less: Bloomberg Sports #30

LOVE: “The Browns RB situation has been tricky all season. Cleveland eliminated a piece to the puzzle this week by releasing Ben Tate. Crowell outplayed West in practice last week, which led to him gaining the starting role last week. He finished with a season high 16 touches for 91 yards. Isaiah had 52 snaps compared to 10 by West and 17 by Tate. The Falcons have allowed the most fantasy points to the RB position with 5 teams scoring more than 30 fantasy points. Over the last 3 games, Atlanta has allowed 190 yards rushing to RBs (3.2 yards per rush and no rushing TDs). Cleveland has 12 rushing TDs, but they are only averaging 3.5 yards per rush. West still has a chance to steal carries if he plays well. Solid matchup with upside and the addition of Gordon should help the Browns running game.”

– Shawn Childs (scoutPRO)

HATE: “There’s no question Crowell’s stock is on the rise ever since getting the surprise start last week, Tate getting cut, and the coaching staff sticking with him this week after losing a fumble last week. However, I feel it takes a lot of guts in trusting the Browns musical chairs at RB if you are in a must-win situation. He is much more of a low end RB2/Flex option in my opinion as long as Terrance West is healthy. If you’re thin at RB you obviously start him – just know that he has a pretty low floor.”

– Sean Koerner (Bloomberg Sports)

WIDE RECEIVER

JOSH GORDON (CLE at ATL)

Consensus ECR: WR #13

Likes Him More: K.J. #1

Likes Him Less: Jeff Paur #27

LOVE: “Josh Gordon will be facing an Atlanta Falcons team that ranks DEAD LAST against the pass this season, giving up 281.2 YPG through the air. He led the league in receiving yards last year, and already has a solid connection with Brian Hoyer. I expect Josh to hit the ground running this weekend, and remind owners everywhere why he is such an elite talent.”

– K.J. (Fantasy Team Advice)

HATE: “I think Josh Gordon brings some risk in his first game back after sitting out 11 weeks. He is going to have some rust, especially since he hasn’t been able to practice with the team during that period. I would feel a lot better about him if he had been practicing with the team but that hasn’t been the case. For me, I think he is a low-end No. 2 or No. 3 fantasy receiver for this week. He is capable of the big play at any time, so I think he is worth using, but he isn’t a guy I would count on to produce like he did last season just yet. It might take him a few games to round into form.”

– Jeff Paur (RTSports)

JORDAN MATTHEWS (PHI vs. TEN)

Consensus ECR: WR #19

Likes Him More: Walton Spurlin #13

Likes Him Less: Bill Enright #36

LOVE: “Since Mark Sanchez took over at QB in Week 9, he has targeted Jordan Matthews 20 times including five red zone looks. In his two starts, Sanchez is averaging 40 passing attempts per game and has shown a great rapport with the rookie WR. Matthews has hauled in 14 receptions for 280 yards and four touchdowns with Sanchez under center. The Eagles have shown they will continue to throw the ball when well ahead in games (Week 10 versus Carolina) and when well behind (Week 11 versus Green Bay). If it ain’t broke then don’t fix it. Matthews will continue to get plenty of looks this week and post outstanding fantasy numbers.”

– Walton Spurlin (FantasySharks)

HATE: “With four TDs in his last three games and back-to-back 100 yard performances, Jordan Matthews has been one of the NFL’s most productive rookie wide receivers since Mark Sanchez took over for the injured Nick Foles. But Fantasy Managers should temper expectations heading into Week 12. The Rookie can’t be considered anything more than a WR3 as the Eagles host the Titans. Tennessee is getting beat up on the ground and through the air by opposing team’s Number 1 Receivers, so that’s good news for Jeremy Maclin, Darren Sproles, and LeSean McCoy. But team’s 2nd receiver haven’t produced big numbers against the Titans secondary. DeSean Jackson, Mohamed Sanu, Martavis Bryant, and Terrance Williams all had less than five fantasy points when going up against this AFC South squad. The Titans have allowed just two TDs to opposing team’s Number 2 receivers this season. Just as it did for fellow rookie receiver Martavis Bryant in Week 11, look for Matthews’ TD streak to end against the Titans.”

– Bill Enright (FFChamps)

CECIL SHORTS (PHI vs. TEN)

Consensus ECR: WR #32

Likes Him More: Matthew Hill #15

Likes Him Less: FFToolBox #56

LOVE: “Cecil Shorts has been a fantasy afterthought this season thanks to both the emergence of rookie Allen Robinson as the Jaguars’ go-to receiver, as well as his missing three of the first five games with a balky hamstring. With Robinson’s season ending prematurely with a broken foot, expect a healthy Shorts to be one of the league’s most targeted receivers down the stretch. Shorts, who has seen 47 targets in the past five games, has an extremely receiver-friendly schedule to close out the season with games against the Colts, Giants and Texans over the next three weeks. Look for Shorts to be a high-volume play this Sunday in Indianapolis, as the Jaguars seem destined to be throwing early and often in an attempt to keep up with a Colts offense looking to bounce-back from Monday’s prime-time loss to the Patriots.”

– Matthew Hill (Fantasy Team Advice)

HATE: “Even with the loss of Allen Robinson for the remainder of the season, Cecil Shorts won’t be be a formidable fantasy receiver this season. He has two touchdown receptions over the last two seasons. Practically every new, young and exciting player in the NFL has more potential than him. If you have no aspirations in life, think sweatpants are fashionable or perhaps have food stains on the front of your shirt, go ahead and slide Shorts comfortably into your starting lineup. You’re the type of person to be happy if he collects five passes for 75 yards. Good for you, champ. But if you ask for more out of life and want to *gasp* take a bit of a risk, start just about anybody else under the age of 24 playing wide receiver in the NFL who gets decent playing time.”

– Matt De Lima (FFToolBox)

TIGHT END

KYLE RUDOLPH (MIN vs. GB)

Consensus ECR: TE #16

Likes Him More: Kyle Wachtel#10

Likes Him Less: Adrian Pereira #32

LOVE: “In Rudolph’s first game since Week 3, he played on only 14 of the Minnesota’s 47 offensive snaps as per ESPN. He also did not see one target, but did primarily play on passing downs, which is where his fantasy production will come from. This week, he’s improved to being a full participant in practice and should see a large jump in playing time. Norv Turner’s emphasis on tight ends (look no further than Jordan Cameron last season) was a major reason why Rudolph was pegged as a breakout player heading into the season and now that he’s returning to full strength, there’s no reason that can’t be rekindled. A game script that forces them to keep pace versus Green Bay is a good place for Rudolph to start flashing his TE1 potential.”

– Kyle Wachtel (Forensic Fantasy)

HATE: “Kyle Rudolph returned to action in Week 11, but finished the contest without a single target. It was fellow tight end Rhett Ellison that actually hauled in a TD. I question whether Rudolph has recovered from the groin injury enough to contribute beyond being a decoy or blocker. Minnesota faces Green Bay this week, a team that has allowed just 2 TDs against tight ends all season. Combine this with the fact that Bridgewater hasn’t had more than one passing touchdown in a game, makes Rudolph a low end TE2 option at best.”

– Adrian Pereira (eDraft)

OTHER LOVE/HATES

JAY CUTLER (CHI vs. TB)

Consensus ECR: QB #6

Likes Him More: Dan Yanotchko #3



LOVE: “I love Jay Cutler this week, due to the fact that he has put up above average fantasy numbers, and he has a great matchup this week against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. First off, the Bears love to throw the ball, as Cutler has not had a game this year with less than 30 passing attempts, and he has put on impressive statistics of 67% completion percentage, 269.5 yards per game, and 21 touchdowns. The Buccaneers have been generous to opposing quarterbacks this year, giving up 266 passing yards, 20 TDs, and that adds up to allowing 18.9 fantasy points per game. I love Cutler this week, as the Bears love to use the vertical passing game, and also Tampa is very weak against opposing quarterbacks.”

– Dan Yanotchko (EDSFootball)

DESEAN JACKSON (WAS at SF)

Consensus ECR: WR #18

Likes Him Less: Jeff Brubach #32



HATE: “My main concern with DeSean Jackson in Week 12 is the Washington matchup with the San Francisco 49ers. Coming off a rough performance in Week 11 against Tampa Bay, I don’t expect quarterback Robert Griffin III to turn things around as a nine point underdog on the road against a 49ers team that has played solid defense at home. San Francisco hasn’t allowed an opposing wide receiver to rack up more than 57 yards in a home game this season (Jeremy Maclin, Week 4), and I wouldn’t bet on Griffin and Jackson changing that this week.”

– Jeff Brubach (The Fake Football)

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Thank you to all the experts who took the time to provide us their love/hates for Week 12. For the latest information, head to our Rankings page to find who the experts like for Week 12.