Sit/Start 2024 Week 12: Reviewing All Fantasy Relevant Players in Every Game

Game Info

Kickoff: Monday, November 25, 2024, 8:15 ET

Location: SoFi Stadium, Inglewood, California

Network: ESPN/ABC

Writer: Chris Helle (@ChrisHelleQBL on Twitter)

Baltimore Ravens

Quarterback

Lamar Jackson: Start, QB1

The Chargers defense has given up the fewest points in the NFL, but there’s no chance you’re sitting the QB1 and front-runner for MVP. Sure, Lamar Jackson had a lower-scoring game last week against Pittsburgh than his average, but he’s shown the ability to put up 23+ points in fantasy against KC, BUF, CLE, and DEN. Jackson has yet to go a game without a passing TD and has only thrown 3 interceptions on the year (all of which hit his receivers in their hands). He’s one of the few set-and-forget QBs without concern for the matchup.

Running Back

Derrick Henry: Start, RB1
Justice Hill: Sit

Not to discredit how well LAC’s defense has played, but they’re allowing the same yards per rush attempt as Dallas (4.7 Y/A, tied for 9th most). The main disparity that sets this defense apart from the pack is that they’ve allowed the fewest rushing TDs. The Ravens will surely have learned their lesson from last week by not running the ball with Derrick Henry in goal-line situations. Not that there was any question on this one though, you’re starting The King every week, but this might not be as difficult a matchup as it seems at face value.

Wide Receiver

Zay Flowers: Start, WR2
Rashod Bateman: FLEX Option, WR4
Diontae Johnson: Sit

There have been a few bumps along the way that have relegated Zay Flowers into WR2 territory, despite being the WR8 in PPR. On the season, he’s accounted for 29% of the Ravens’ targeted air yards and the 5th most receiving yards in the league. Expectations for this week should be managed some given the matchup and expected volume. The Chargers allow the 5th fewest yards per pass attempt, and Flowers’ target share has dropped from 27% through the first 9 weeks down to 19% over the last 2 weeks. The game script could work in this receiving corpse’s favor though — LA’s passing offense has been getting better with each week so the Ravens will have to score to keep up. Rashod Bateman’s involvement seems to be a coin flip each week, so only consider him for your FLEX if you’re desperate to roll the dice.

Tight End

Mark Andrews: Streaming Option, TE2
Isaiah Likely: Sit

Mark Andrews returned to his TE1-level production for a few weeks as he put up over 14 fantasy points in each game between Weeks 6-8, but these last 3 weeks have shown some reason for hesitation in this matchup. Andrews had 7 redzone targets between Weeks 6-8, but only 1 these last 3 weeks. He did convert that single red zone target into a TD, but that was against the pass-funnel Bengals. The other two weeks without any goal-line looks were against Denver and Pittsburgh — both defenses feared similarly as the Chargers. Andrews’ target share as a whole hasn’t been very reliable, and this matchup pushes him outside of a lock-start. We have seen the flashes of the chemistry between him and Jackson throughout the season though, so he can be started if necessary.

Los Angeles Chargers

Quarterback

Justin Herbert: Start, QB1

With four straight games over 19 fantasy points and a great matchup, this should be a good game for Justin Herbert. The Ravens have allowed the 7th most yards per pass attempt and the 2nd most passing TDs — both stats worse than each of the last 3 teams Herbert faced. Baltimore’s strength is in their run defense, so it would be far from surprising to see another 30+ passing attempt game. The other thing that’s making Herbert nearly a weekly starter in fantasy is his scrambling. He’s now taken 14 carries for 97 yards and a touchdown over the past two games. Prime time at home in a favorable heavy-weight matchup, this is a smash start.

Running Back

J.K. Dobbins: FLEX Option, RB3
Gus Edwards: Sit

As previously mentioned, the Ravens’ defensive strength is against the rush. Allowing only 3.4 yards/carry is the lowest of any defense in the league. It was a hot start to the season for J.K. Dobbins, but a split backfield with the return of Gus Edwards knocks him down a peg. Dobbins does still have a grip on the majority of snaps — 66% and 73% these past two weeks — but Edwards has had twice as many red zone carries in both of those games. Dobbins should still be considered as a FLEX play given his volume, however, Edwards is a risky touchdown-dependant play that’s safer left on your bench. 

Wide Receiver

Ladd McConkey: Start, WR2
Quentin Johnston: FLEX Option, WR3
Joshua Palmer: Sit

The rookie bulldog has taken over WR1 duties for the Chargers but has been a bit streaky in fantasy. He’s the WR18 on the back of a 29-point game, which was the only time he broke 20 points, and has also logged 4 games less than 10 points. What’s promising is that he’s had 6 or more targets in five of his last 6 games. The Ravens’ secondary has been anything but elite, so Ladd McConkey should be seen as a high-end WR2 this week. Also, keep an eye out for Quinten Johnston — he’s had a touchdown in each of his last 3 games and just saw 8 targets against the Bengals last week. He had shown to be fairly boom/bust through week 6 before missing two games, but this is another great matchup for him to potentially continue his TD streak.

Tight End

Will Dissley: Start, TE1

If you picked up Will Dissley off waivers for last week — congratulations on him producing his best week of the season and keep him in your lineup! He’s quietly accrued the second-most targets on this offense behind McConkey, and McConkey also only has 1 more red zone target than him. He was averaging only 45% of snaps before the bye due to Hayden Hurst seeing an average of 60% of snaps, but since the bye, Dissley’s taken over averaging nearly 65% of snaps. We’ll look to ride the momentum of last week again in this one given the matchup and expected volume.