Week 12 Rankings: Standard | PPR

Injuries hit us hard in Week 11, which has carried over to Week 12. Fantasy owners head into a crucial week down several star players.

Andrew Luck (concussion) and A.J. Green (hamstring) are out, and we're waiting to find out the status of guys like Rob Gronkowski (chest), LeSean McCoy (thumb) and Stefon Diggs (knee), among others. The good news is we don't have any teams on bye this week, but we do have to make some tough decisions with three games on Thursday due to Thanksgiving.

Even Fantasy analysts were injured in Week 11 since I broke my pinky playing softball last week (go ahead, make your jokes because I deserve it). I'm headed for surgery on Friday, but you can't rule me out -- although some of you might like it if I were.

We all have to deal with injuries this week, and hopefully your Fantasy teams will still be successful. With that said, Happy Thanksgiving and good luck in Week 12.

Editor's Note: Projections are provided by CBS Sports and not Jamey Eisenberg.

Start of the Week

Thomas Rawls JAC • RB • 34 Week 12 projected stats at TB FPTS 12.9 View Profile

Thomas Rawls returned in Week 11 against Philadelphia from a seven-game absence from a broken leg, and he played well despite the long layoff. But his biggest break came from something unrelated to him.

Rawls was expected to be part of a tandem with rookie C.J. Prosise, but Prosise suffered a broken scapula against the Eagles and will miss significant time. That now leaves Rawls in a featured role, starting this week against the Buccaneers.

And he should be great.

Rawls had 14 carries for 57 yards and three catches for 31 yards on four targets against Philadelphia, and he should be around 20 touches at Tampa Bay. There have been 10 running backs with at least 15 touches against the Buccaneers this year, and seven had either a touchdown or 100 total yards.

Rawls has eight games in his career with at least 15 touches, and he's scored double digits in Fantasy points in five of them. That's a good enough success rate to buy into Rawls this week, and we hope he's ready to take off from this point forward.

You've waited a long time for Rawls to be healthy and deliver, and now is the time. He's a must-start Fantasy running back in all leagues.

I'm starting Rawls over: Spencer Ware (at DEN), Todd Gurley (at NO), Jordan Howard (vs. TEN), Devonta Freeman (vs. ARI) and Doug Martin (vs. SEA)

Quarterback

Start 'Em

Russell Wilson SEA • QB • 3 Week 12 projected stats at TB FPTS 24.7 View Profile

He's back to being the Wilson we know and love as Fantasy owners with three games in a row with at least 24 points in a standard league, and he even caught a touchdown in Week 11 against the Eagles. He now has multiple touchdowns in three games in a row, and he should have another standout outing against the Buccaneers this week.

Three of the past four quarterbacks against Tampa Bay have scored at least 21 Fantasy points, including Alex Smith in Week 11. Wilson has only faced Tampa Bay once in his career, which was 2013, and he scored 25 Fantasy points in a standard league. He should be right in that range again in this matchup.

Marcus Mariota LV • QB • Week 12 projected stats at CHI FPTS 20.2 View Profile

This might be the last time we can start Mariota with full confidence until Week 16 when he plays at Jacksonville. After playing the Bears this week, Mariota has a bye in Week 13, plays Denver in Week 14 and then at Kansas City in Week 15. We'll worry about his upcoming schedule at a later date, but Mariota should do well again this week.

He has scored at least 20 Fantasy points in a standard league in seven games in a row, and the Bears have allowed a quarterback to score at least 21 Fantasy points in three of their past four games. Mariota has been great on the road this season with only one game under 20 Fantasy points, which was Week 4 at Houston.

We doubt the Bears slow him down, and he's must-start option in all league -- for at least one more week.

Dak Prescott DAL • QB • 4 Week 12 projected stats vs. WAS FPTS 24.4 View Profile

Like Mariota, Prescott is rolling now with at least 21 Fantasy points in seven of his past eight games, and his worst performance over that span was 19 points. He has 620 passing yards and five touchdowns in his past two games against the Steelers and Ravens, and he should stay hot against the Redskins.

Now, Washington held Bryant to 17 Fantasy points in Week 2, but he's a much better player since then, which should be on full display on Thanksgiving. Washington has allowed three quarterbacks in a row to score at least 21 Fantasy points in a standard league, and in the past two weeks, Sam Bradford and Aaron Rodgers have combined for 667 passing yards, five touchdowns and two interceptions against this defense.

Prescott should have another solid outing this week.

Kirk Cousins MIN • QB • 8 Week 12 projected stats at DAL FPTS 19.0 View Profile

Cousins had 20 Fantasy points against the Cowboys in Week 2, but it was a struggle with 364 passing yards, one touchdown and one interception on 28-of-46 completions. The Cowboys have only allowed five quarterbacks to score at least 20 Fantasy points this year, including just one in their past five outings, has been the model of consistency with at least 20 Fantasy points in eight of his past nine games, including five in a row.

He didn't play much in his last trip to Dallas in Week 17 last year, but he still completed 12-of-15 passes for 176 yards and three touchdowns for 25 Fantasy points. Another outing like that -- with more attempts, obviously -- is within reach, and this should be a fun game on Thanksgiving.

Eli Manning NYG • QB • 10 Week 12 projected stats at CLE FPTS 20.1 View Profile

Unless you're Ryan Fitzpatrick or Ben Roethlisberger in bad wind, you have success against the Browns. At least that's been the case for every quarterback this season aside from those two, including guys like Carson Wentz, Joe Flacco twice and Ryan Tannehill, among several other stalwarts.

Manning is playing well coming into this game with at least 21 Fantasy points in three games in a row. Now, all three of them have been at home, and Manning only has one game this season with more than 11 Fantasy points on the road, which was Week 1 at Dallas. But the matchup is so overwhelmingly in his favor that Manning should be a Top 10 quarterback this week and a must-start option in all leagues.

Sleepers

Colin Kaepernick (at MIA): He has scored at least 23 Fantasy points in three games in a row and should have the chance for another solid outing this week on the road.

Ryan Tannehill (vs. SF): Five of the past six quarterbacks against the 49ers have scored at least 24 Fantasy points. Only three quarterbacks have fewer than 20 points.

Carson Wentz (vs. GB): Green Bay has allowed 1,239 yards, 11 touchdowns and two interceptions to quarterbacks in the past four games, with three scoring at least 29 Fantasy points.

Sit 'Em

Carson Palmer ARI • QB • 3 Week 12 projected stats at ATL FPTS 19.6 View Profile

The Falcons have allowed some big games to quarterbacks of late, with Aaron Rodgers and Jameis Winston each scoring at least 38 Fantasy points in two of their past three games. And six quarterbacks have scored at least 30 Fantasy points against Atlanta this season. But it's impossible to trust Palmer right now since he has just one game with more than 16 Fantasy points in his past seven outings.

The lone good performance was at Carolina in Week 8, which was a 1 p.m. ET start, but he also had three Fantasy points at Buffalo in Week 3 with the same scenario. He will likely be under 20 Fantasy points again this week, and he's just a No. 2 Fantasy quarterback moving forward until he proves otherwise.

Andy Dalton DAL • QB • 14 Week 12 projected stats at BAL FPTS 16.5 View Profile

Dalton loses almost all of his Fantasy appeal moving forward while A.J. Green (hamstring) is out, especially with Giovani Bernard (torn ACL) lost for the season. Green won't play against the Ravens, and Baltimore could get standout cornerback Jimmy Smith (back) healthy this week. Dalton has averaged 17.4 Fantasy points against the Ravens in his career, although he's been better of late with at least 18 points in each of his past five meetings. And in four career games without Green, Dalton is averaging just 15.8 Fantasy points in a standard league.

Baltimore has allowed four of the past five opposing quarterbacks to score at least 20 Fantasy points in a standard league, but Dalton is hard to trust without Green. He's a low-end No. 2 Fantasy quarterback in this matchup.

Matthew Stafford DET • QB • 9 Week 12 projected stats vs. MIN FPTS 17.2 View Profile

You know I like trends, and Stafford is amazing on Thanksgiving Day. In his past four games on Thanksgiving, he is averaging 31 Fantasy points in a standard league, and he's scored at least 25 points in each outing. And he could benefit this week with Terence Newman (neck) and Captain Munnerlyn (ankle) banged up in Minnesota's secondary.

But the matchup is still daunting for Stafford, who needed overtime to score 18 Fantasy points against the Vikings in Week 9. That game is part of a four-game stretch for Stafford with 19 Fantasy points or less, and Minnesota has allowed just Cousins in Week 10 to score at least 20 Fantasy points this season, including matchups with Rodgers, Mariota, Cam Newton, Eli Manning and Palmer.

Stafford's streak of positive production on Thanksgiving will likely come to an end this week.

Blake Bortles LAR • QB • Week 12 projected stats at BUF FPTS 17.7 View Profile

Bortles had 16 Fantasy points in Week 11 at Detroit, which snapped a three-game streak of at least 21 Fantasy points in a standard league, but he's still thrown at least two touchdowns in four games in a row. He's now dealing with a right shoulder issue, but he's expected to play, although it's hard to imagine an injury helping him improve.

The Bills have only allowed three quarterbacks to score more than 19 Fantasy points this year, which were Fitzpatrick, Tom Brady and Wilson, with the latter two the only ones with multiple passing touchdowns. Bortles can always cobble together stats in garbage time, but it's hard to trust him if he's at less than 100 percent because of his shoulder.

Bust Alert

Jameis Winston NO • QB • 2 Week 12 projected stats vs. SEA FPTS 14.0 View Profile

Winston had one of his best games last week at Kansas City with 331 passing yards and one touchdown and 22 rushing yards. It was a tough environment to play on the road, but he completed 62 percent of his passes and still managed 19 Fantasy points in a standard league. We hope he can repeat that performance at home, but this is a tougher matchup against the Seahawks. Only three quarterbacks have scored at least 20 Fantasy points against Seattle this year -- Matt Ryan, Drew Brees and Tyrod Taylor. Brady and Palmer combined for 23 Fantasy points, and we expect Winston will be under 18 points this week.

He should be considered a No. 2 Fantasy quarterback at best this week.

Running back

Start 'Em

Rob Kelley NO • RB • 20 Week 12 projected stats at DAL FPTS 12.1 View Profile

Kelley's performance in Week 11 against Green Bay was impressive with 24 carries for 137 yards and three touchdowns, but what should have Fantasy owners excited is the workload. In three games since taking over for Matt Jones, Kelley has at least 21 carries in each outing, and he has scored at least nine Fantasy points in a standard league each time.

He offers nothing in the passing game with just two catches on the season, but he keeps improving with his rushing stats, which is all that matters right now. He faces a Dallas defense that has allowed a running back to gain 100 total yards or score in three of the past four games. Kelley should have the chance for another solid outing in this matchup.

Matt Forte NYJ • RB • 22 Week 12 projected stats vs. NE FPTS 10.5 View Profile

Forte had a solid four-game stretch prior to the Jets bye in Week 11, and we expect him to play well once again against the Patriots at home. He has scored at least 10 Fantasy points in a standard league in each of his past four outings, with five total touchdowns over that span, and New England has struggled with pass-catching running backs all season, which bodes well for Bilal Powell as a sleeper.

The Patriots are No. 3 in receptions allowed to running backs this year, and in three of their past four games a running back has scored at least six Fantasy points in a standard league with their receiving stats (Le'Veon Bell, Prosise and Shaun Draughn). Forte hasn't been the same dynamic receiver this year he was with the Bears, but this is a game where his receiving prowess should come into play.

He's a potential No. 1 running back in all leagues.

Rashad Jennings NYG • RB • 23 Week 12 projected stats at CLE FPTS 11.5 View Profile

I never expected in Week 12 of the 2016 season that I'd be recommending Jennings as a starter, but here we are. And he's played well enough the past two games to deserve it. He helped close out the game in Week 10 against the Bengals to finish with 15 carries for 87 yards and three catches for 22 yards, and he followed that up with 21 carries for 85 yards and a touchdown and five catches for 44 yards against the Bears in Week 11.

We hope the recent production travels with him to Cleveland, but the Browns have allowed plenty of big games to opposing running backs all year. Cleveland is No. 2 in Fantasy points allowed to running backs, and we expect Jennings to have three games in a row with double digits in Fantasy points in a standard league. Dare I say, he's a must-start option in all formats.

Carlos Hyde SEA • RB • 30 Week 12 projected stats at MIA FPTS 9.7 View Profile

Hyde is coming off a solid game against the Patriots at home in Week 11 with 19 carries for 86 yards and three catches for 24 yards on three targets. He now has four games this season with at least 20 touches, and he's scored double digits in Fantasy points in a standard league in each outing.

The Dolphins have allowed a running back to score or gain over 100 total yards in three games in a row with Forte, Melvin Gordon and Todd Gurley, and we expect Hyde to make it four in a row. He's a solid No. 2 Fantasy running back in the majority of leagues.

Terrance West NO • RB • 38 Week 12 projected stats vs. CIN FPTS 8.5 View Profile

West has a good opportunity here at home against what could be a beaten down team for the Bengals, who just lost two key offensive players in Green and Bernard and are falling out of playoff contention at a rapid pace at 3-6-1. Cincinnati has also allowed a running back to score at least 10 Fantasy points in six games in a row, so West and Kenneth Dixon can be useful this week.

They are splitting touches, but West has still gotten more work and is the safer option of this backfield. Last week at Dallas, West had eight carries for 42 yards and a touchdown and one catch for 11 yards, and double digits in Fantasy points is a strong possibility again this week.

I like Dixon as a sleeper, but West is a No. 2 running back in the majority of leagues.

Sleepers

Theo Riddick (vs. MIN): Riddick had his best rushing day at Minnesota in Week 9 with 70 yards and has at least seven Fantasy points in a standard league in four straight games.

Wendell Smallwood (vs. GB): The Packers have allowed eight touchdowns to running backs in their past four games, and Smallwood should see plenty of work this week.

Chris Ivory (at BUF): T.J. Yeldon (ankle) might not play, and we saw Ivory get over 100 total yards for the second time in his past three games. He's a flex option this week.

Mike Gillislee (vs. JAC): We expect McCoy to play, but if he's out then Gillislee is a must-start option. He's still a potential flex with McCoy likely limited.

Sit 'Em

Isaiah Crowell LV • RB • 20 Week 12 projected stats vs. NYG FPTS 8.3 View Profile

We had some optimism for Crowell last week against the Steelers because of Pittsburgh's run defense and coach Hue Jackson saying he wanted to give Crowell more work. The result was a dismal eight carries for 10 yards and five catches for 13 yards. He's now combined for 13 Fantasy points in a standard league in his past three games, and he's run for fewer than 30 yards in six of his past seven outings.

The Giants have allowed a running back to score in three games in a row, but that isn't enough to help Crowell. He's a risky No. 3 running back in most leagues.

Mark Ingram BAL • RB • 21 Week 12 projected stats vs. LAR FPTS 9.9 View Profile

Ingram is expected to play despite suffering a concussion in Week 11 at Carolina, but we almost wish he sat out this week against the Rams. That would allow Tim Hightower to get a full workload, but now both running backs are going to hurt each other's production. The Rams have allowed seven running backs to score double digits in Fantasy points in a standard league, but they have only given up one rushing touchdown in their past five games.

Ingram is still worth starting as a flex, and the same goes for Hightower, but it's tough to love either guy when they are sharing touches. And in a difficult matchup, even at home, Ingram gets downgraded this week.

Jeremy Hill NE • RB • 33 Week 12 projected stats at BAL FPTS 9.3 View Profile

Hill has the chance for a heavy workload now that Bernard is out for the season, and the hope is the Bengals will lean on him in the passing game as well. He has five games this season with at least 15 touches, and he's scored double digits in Fantasy points in a standard league in three of them. But that was with a healthy Green to threaten teams down the field. And this is a tough matchup against the Ravens, who are No. 2 in fewest Fantasy points allowed to opposing running backs.

Only one running back has scored on the ground since Week 2, and Baltimore just did a great job in keeping Ezekiel Elliott to under 100 rushing yards in Week 11. Hill is just a No. 3 Fantasy running back this week.

James Starks GB • RB • 44 Week 12 projected stats at PHI FPTS 8.7 View Profile

I'm starting Starks in three leagues this week, but it's because I'm stuck at running back due to injury. His Fantasy production has been fluky the past two games, and it's hard to count on him this week against the Eagles.

In two games back from a four-game absence with a knee injury, he's scored 10 Fantasy points in a standard league at Tennessee in Week 10 and 12 points at Washington last week. But he's needed a receiving touchdown in each outing to save his stats, otherwise he had 44 total yards against the Titans and 71 total yards against the Redskins. I can see him scoring seven Fantasy points in a standard league this week, and he's a better bet in PPR with eight catches in his past two games. But the Eagles have only allowed Crowell to score double digits in Fantasy points at home this year, including matchups with Pittsburgh, Minnesota and Atlanta.

Starks should be considered a flex option in the majority of leagues.

Bust Alert

Doug Martin LV • RB • 22 Week 12 projected stats vs. SEA FPTS 8.1 View Profile

Martin hasn't run well in his two games back from a six-game absence with a hamstring injury, averaging 2.4 yards per carry against Chicago and Kansas City, but he has scored exactly 10 Fantasy points in each outing. He scored a touchdown against the Bears with 46 total yards, and he had 105 total yards against the Chiefs last week. You have to like the workload with at least 17 total touches each week, but this should be a tough matchup for him against the Seahawks.

Seattle has allowed five running backs to score double digits in Fantasy points with six touchdowns allowed, but three of them were scored by LeGarrette Blount and two from Hyde. Martin isn't a must-sit option in all leagues, but he'll need to run better to be successful in this matchup. And if he doesn't score we doubt he will get to 100 total yards. I'd say his projection is accurate for this week, which makes him a flex at best in most formats.

Wide receivers

Start 'Em

Jamison Crowder NYJ • WR • 82 Week 12 projected stats at DAL FPTS 6.9 View Profile

We talked about this last week with Steve Smith, but the Cowboys can't defend slot receivers.

After Smith scored last week with eight catches for 99 yards, Dallas has now allowed seven slot receivers to score touchdowns this year, including Crowder in Week 2. He had six catches for 39 yards and a touchdown on eight targets in that matchup, and he's been on fire of late with at least nine Fantasy points in a standard league in five games in a row.

Crowder's Fantasy production didn't slow down last week with DeSean Jackson back from his shoulder injury, and he should continue to play well in this matchup on Thanksgiving.

Steve Smith BAL • WR • 89 Week 12 projected stats vs. CIN FPTS 7.9 View Profile

Smith just continues to produce when he's healthy, and he's been great the past two games against Cleveland and Dallas with at least 12 Fantasy points in a standard league in both outings. He now has either a touchdown or at least 87 receiving yards in four of the past five games he's been able to finish, and he should stay hot this week against the Bengals.

He has at least 17 Fantasy points in a standard league in two of his past three meetings with Cincinnati, and in his lone meeting with the Bengals last year at home he had 13 catches for 186 yards and two touchdowns. Cincinnati has allowed a slot receiver to score in two of the past three games with Crowder in Week 8 and Sterling Shepard in Week 10, and Smith is a must-start option in all leagues this week.

Demaryius Thomas NYJ • WR • 18 Week 12 projected stats vs. KC FPTS 8.9 View Profile

Thomas had a solid game before his bye in Week 11 with eight catches for 87 yards and a touchdown on 11 targets in Week 10 at New Orleans, and he should keep it rolling this week against the Chiefs. He has a great track record against Kansas City with either 100 receiving yards or a touchdown in four of his past five meetings with the Chiefs, and we don't know if standout cornerback Marcus Peters (hip) will be 100 percent this week after sitting out in Week 11.

Thomas will likely avoid facing Peters this week based on where both usually line up, and the most-targeted receiver against Kansas City has either 80 receiving yards or a touchdown in seven games in a row. Thomas has at least 10 targets in five games in a row.

Jordan Matthews SF • WR • 81 Week 12 projected stats vs. GB FPTS 9.9 View Profile

As expected, Matthews struggled last week against the Seahawks with five catches for 59 yards, but he still had 10 targets for the fourth game in a row. If he gets 10 targets against the Packers, you should be confident in a solid game because this secondary has been brutal of late.

In the past four games, Green Bay has allowed eight touchdowns to opposing receivers and seven have scored double digits in Fantasy points in a standard league.

Matthews has only scored three touchdowns this season and one since Week 3, but he's worth trusting this week given how poorly the Packers have played in pass defense since Week 8.

DeVante Parker MIA • WR • 11 Week 12 projected stats vs. SF FPTS 8.7 View Profile

The Dolphins were forced to throw in the past two games against San Diego and Los Angeles, which has allowed Parker the chance to look like the dynamic playmaker we know he's capable of becoming. He had five catches for 103 yards on eight targets against the Chargers, and he followed that up with eight catches for 79 yards and a touchdown on 10 targets against the Rams.

We doubt the Dolphins will be chasing points this week against the 49ers at home, but San Francisco allows the most Fantasy points to opposing receiver this year, with 18 touchdowns allowed and 13 scoring double digits in Fantasy points in a standard league. Jarvis Landry should benefit as well, but he's proven to be a No. 3 Fantasy receiver in standard leagues and a No. 2 option in PPR. Parker is a borderline must-start receiver in all leagues this week, and we hope he's poised for a strong finish.

Sleepers

Rishard Matthews (at CHI): He's scored at least eight Fantasy points in a standard league in seven of his past eight games and should stay hot against the Bears.

Sterling Shepard (at CLE): He's scored in three games in a row and should have the chance to make it four since Cleveland struggles with slot receivers.

Eli Rogers (at IND): Don't let last week deter you from trusting Rogers as a No. 3 Fantasy receiver. He'll rebound against the Colts in a better weather situation this week.

Cole Beasley (vs. WAS): He had five catches for 75 yards at Washington in Week 2 and has scored at least seven Fantasy points in a standard league in six of his past nine games.

Marqise Lee (at BUF): He's scored at least nine Fantasy points in a standard league in three of his past five games and has been Jacksonville's second-best Fantasy receiver behind Allen Robinson.

Sit 'Em

DeAndre Hopkins ARI • WR • 10 Week 12 projected stats vs. SD FPTS 9.6 View Profile

We hope Hopkins can finish the season strong, but the sample size of negative production continues to grow each week. He's now gone five games in a row with seven Fantasy points or less in a standard league, although he should have scored last week against Oakland but was robbed by a bad call from the refs. Still, he hasn't scored since Week 5 at Minnesota and only has three touchdowns on the season despite averaging more than 10 targets a game in his past six outings.

He also hasn't topped 75 receiving yards since Week 2 and is more of a No. 3 Fantasy receiver in the majority of leagues than a must-start option. Brock Osweiler has ruined Hopkins this year.

Donte Moncrief NYJ • WR • Week 12 projected stats vs. PIT FPTS 6.2 View Profile

Moncrief has been downgraded this week because of Andrew Luck (concussion) being out and replaced by backup Scott Tolzien. T.Y. Hilton is also downgraded from a solid No. 1 Fantasy receiver to a No. 2 option, but you should consider benching Moncrief if possible. At best, he's a No. 3 Fantasy receiver.

Last year, in the final seven games with Luck out with a kidney injury, Moncrief had one touchdown and two games with double digits in Fantasy points in a standard league. The Steelers have only allowed five touchdowns to opposing receivers, but this more about the change in quarterback than the opponent.

We hope Luck is back in Week 13 so Moncrief and Hilton can continue to produce at a high level for the rest of the year.

Tyrell Williams LV • WR • 16 Week 12 projected stats at HOU FPTS 6.5 View Profile

Williams went into San Diego's bye in Week 11 playing at a high level with double digits in Fantasy points in a standard league in four of his past six outings. The two games he failed to reach double digits was against the tough secondary for the Broncos, and this is another tough secondary for the Texans. Houston has allowed seven receivers to score double digits in Fantasy points in a standard league, but only three receivers have topped 100 yards for the season.

Travis Benjamin (knee) is back this week to take away targets from Williams, and Hunter Henry should also be back at 100 percent to hurt Williams' production. He's still worth using as a No. 3 Fantasy receiver, but this is a tough matchup for Williams on the road.

Emmanuel Sanders NO • WR • 17 Week 12 projected stats vs. KC FPTS 8.4 View Profile

Sanders has struggled this season, and it's hard to trust him this week coming off a bye in Week 11. He has eight Fantasy points or less in six games in a row, and he hasn't scored a touchdown since Week 4. He's only scored in two games this season, and he only has one game with more than 100 yards. Sanders has two games with either 100 receiving yards or a touchdown in his past five meetings with the Chiefs and three games with seven Fantasy points or less.

We expect him to be closer to the latter in this matchup, and he also should see plenty of time opposite Peters if he plays. Sanders should be considered just a No. 3 Fantasy receiver in the majority of leagues this week.

Bust Alert

Kelvin Benjamin KC • WR • 81 Week 12 projected stats at OAK FPTS 10.2 View Profile

At some point Benjamin is going to find the end zone again because he hasn't scored in six games in a row. But he only has touchdowns in three games this season, and he's played more like a No. 3 Fantasy receiver than a must-start option. It might be tough for him this week against the Raiders, who have been excellent against No. 1 receivers of late.

In Oakland's past five games, Jeremy Maclin (four Fantasy points in a standard league), Allen Robinson (no points), Mike Evans (five points), Thomas (five points) and Hopkins (five points) have been limited to minimal production, and Benjamin can easily follow suit.

We should start considering Benjamin a No. 3 Fantasy receiver this week.

Tight end

Start 'Em

Kyle Rudolph MIN • TE • 82 Week 12 projected stats at DET FPTS 5.6 View Profile

Rudolph only had one catch for 1 yard in Week 9 against the Lions, but it was a touchdown, which is one of nine touchdowns to tight ends allowed by Detroit this year. That's tied with Cleveland for the most touchdowns allowed to tight ends, and Rudolph has now scored against the Lions in three consecutive meetings. We hope he has more than one catch for 1 yard this time around, but he should be considered a No. 1 tight end in all leagues this week.

Eric Ebron PIT • TE • 85 Week 12 projected stats vs. MIN FPTS 5.6 View Profile

Ebron is becoming the focal point of this passing game, and he even scored a rushing touchdown in Week 11 against Jacksonville. He now has at least 70 receiving yards in three games in a row, including Week 9 against the Vikings when he had seven catches for 92 yards on eight targets. Minnesota has allowed at least eight Fantasy points to an opposing tight end in four games in a row, with Vernon Davis and Jermaine Gresham scoring against the Vikings in the past two weeks.

Ebron is looking like a solid No. 1 tight end for the rest of the season.

C.J. Fiedorowicz HOU • TE • 87 Week 12 projected stats vs. SD FPTS 5.8 View Profile

While Hopkins has struggled with Osweiler this season, Fiedorowicz has become a solid Fantasy option in the majority of leagues. He just had six catches for 82 yards on 10 targets against the Raiders, and he's now scored at least eight Fantasy points in a standard league in four of his past seven games. The Chargers have allowed a tight end to score at least seven Fantasy points five times this season, including twice in the past four weeks with Jacob Tamme and Delanie Walker.

Fiedorowicz should be considered a low-end starter in most formats this week.

Sleepers

Zach Ertz (vs. GB): He has nine Fantasy points in two of his past three games and Green Bay has allowed two tight ends to score at least seven points in the past three weeks.

Cameron Brate (vs. SEA): Seattle has also allowed a tight end to score at least nine Fantasy points in each of the past two weeks and could be without Earl Thomas (hamstring).

Will Tye (at CLE): Cleveland is tied with Detroit for the most touchdowns allowed to tight ends, and Tye scored last week against the Bears. He could easily score again here.

Sit 'Em

Julius Thomas MIA • TE • 89 Week 12 projected stats at BUF FPTS 4.5 View Profile

He's dealing with a back injury, but even if he plays he's hard to trust given his touchdown or bust track record this season. Thomas has scored in three of his past five games, but he's been held to 30 yards or less in each of his past seven outings. Last week was a new low with three catches for 12 yards on five targets, and he failed to score against Detroit.

Buffalo has struggled with Martellus Bennett, Rob Gronkowski and Jimmy Graham this season, but otherwise tight ends have struggled against the Bills, including Tyler Eifert last week with three catches for 37 yards.

Thomas is not worth using in the majority of leagues.

Jared Cook NO • TE • 87 Week 12 projected stats at PHI FPTS 4.4 View Profile

Cook was a star in Week 11 at Washington with six catches for 105 yards and a touchdown, although he also lost a fumble. He was definitely worth adding this week to see if he can build off that performance, which was his first game back from a six-game absence with an ankle injury. But give him at least one game before starting him with his matchup with the Eagles this week.

Philadelphia has allowed just three touchdowns to tight ends this year and only two guys (Vernon Davis and Graham) have scored double digits in Fantasy points in a standard league. For now, just stash Cook on your bench and see if last week was the start of a potential strong finish to the year.

Coby Fleener NO • TE • 82 Week 12 projected stats vs. LAR FPTS 5.1 View Profile

Yes, Fleener scored last week against the Panthers. And yes, Fleener has been better at home than on the road. But he remains way too risky to trust in the majority of leagues, and he only had three catches for 17 yards along with his touchdown last week at Carolina. The Rams have allowed four touchdowns to tight ends this year, but only Brate and Olsen have scored double digits in Fantasy points in a standard league. I'd love to see Fleener finish the season strong, but he's been a bust this season and is hard to trust at this point in the year.

Bust Alert

Tyler Eifert JAC • TE • 88 Week 12 projected stats at BAL FPTS 8.3 View Profile

Eifert is going to be the focal point of the passing game with Green out, and you would expect Dalton to lean on him over Tyler Boyd and Brandon LaFell. But the Ravens know that also, and they are tough against tight ends thanks to safety Eric Weddle. Seth Devalve is the only tight end to score against Baltimore this year, and he's the lone tight end with more than five Fantasy points against the Ravens.

Eifert struggled against the Bills last week after Green got hurt with only three catches for 37 yards on six targets, and he only has one touchdown in four career meetings with Baltimore. He's still worth starting with the chance that he's fed targets from Dalton, but he's a low-end No. 1 tight end at best given the matchup against the Ravens.

Defense/Special teams

Start 'Em

Giants (at CLE)

Projected FPTS: 11.6

As you would expect, the Browns have served up plenty of Fantasy points to opposing DST units this year, especially of late to Baltimore and Pittsburgh. The Ravens scored 24 Fantasy points against Cleveland in Week 10, and the Steelers had 28 points last week. The Browns have scored 10 points or less in three games in a row and have three interceptions, 12 sacks and two fumbles over that span, including the Steelers DST with a touchdown.

The Giants DST has eight interceptions in its past four games with 12 sacks over that span, and is a must-start option in all leagues.

Sleepers

Ravens (vs. CIN): The Bengals are beat up offensively, and the Ravens have at least 16 Fantasy points in three of their past four games.

Steelers (at IND): With Luck out, we should see the Steelers DST stay hot for the second week in a row. It was great last week against the Browns with 28 Fantasy points.

Bills (vs. JAC): Three teams in a row have scored at least 14 Fantasy points against the Jaguars thanks to Bortles and his interceptions. He has 13 interceptions this year.

Sit 'Em

Cardinals (at ATL)

Projected FPTS: 9.8

This is the third time this season the Cardinals are playing on the East Coast for a 1 p.m. start, and the DST combined for 13 Fantasy points in those outings against Buffalo and Carolina. The Cardinals DST has scored less than 10 Fantasy points in two of its past three games, and they have gone four games in a row without an interception.

Only two DST units this season have scored double digits in Fantasy points against the Falcons and none since Seattle did it in Week 6. The Cardinals DST is a sit this week.

Kicker

Start 'Em

Nick Novak LAC • K • 9 Week 12 projected stats vs. SD FPTS 9.3 View Profile

Novak has a good track record at home this season with at least eight Fantasy points in all five games, including three games with at least 11 points. He's 21-of-26 on field goals this season and 16-of-17 on extra points, and the Chargers have allowed four kickers to score at least nine Fantasy points this year, with all four on the road.

Novak is worth streaming as a No. 1 option this week.

Sleepers

Brandon McManus (vs. KC): He's hot coming into this game with at least nine Fantasy points in four games in a row, including two in a row with a least 10 points.

Caleb Sturgis (vs. GB): He struggled last week at Seattle with one Fantasy points, but he scored at least 10 points in his three previous games and should rebound this week.

Chris Boswell (at IND): The Colts are No. 2 in Fantasy points allowed to opposing kickers, and Boswell just tied his season high with 10 points at Cleveland in Week 11.

Sit 'Em

Mason Crosby GB • K • 2 Week 12 projected stats at PHI FPTS 6.7 View Profile

Only one kicker has scored double digits in Fantasy points against the Eagles this season, which was Dan Bailey in Week 8. Four kickers have scored four Fantasy points or less against Philadelphia, and Crosby has been a disappointment of late with eight Fantasy points or less five games in a row. He's scored seven Fantasy points or less in each of his past four road games, and it's hard to trust him as a starter given his minimal production of late.