Sit/Start Week 12 Reviewing All Fantasy Relevant Players In Every Single Game

Game Info

Kickoff: Sunday, November 29th, at 1:00 PM EST

Location: Paul Brown Stadium, Cincinnati, Ohio

Betting Odds: NYG -5.5, 42.5 total via Oddsshark

Network: FOX

New York Giants

Quarterback

Daniel Jones (Start if you must, QB2)

I haven’t been too keen on declaring Daniel Jones a start much this season, but if you’re in a QB bind, he may be a good play against the Bengals. I mean, if not this week, then when? He’s been getting it done with his legs as of late, and more importantly, has protected the football. It was his second game in a row where he hasn’t turned over the ball. He’s set to face a Cincinnati defense that has given up the ninth most fantasy points to the QB this year; and they’ve allowed 22 total passing touchdowns to date.

Running Back

Wayne Gallman Jr. (Start, RB2)

Wayne Gallman Jr. has been the featured back ever since both Saquon Barkley and Devonta Freeman hit the IR. The ground yards aren’t there – he hasn’t run for over 100 yards any game this season – but he has scored in every game since Week 7. He’s a volume-based RB2 against a Bengals defense that just allowed Washington’s Antonio Gibson to rush for 94 yards on 16 carrels and find the end zone.

Wide Receivers/Tight End

Darius Slayton (Sit), Sterling Shepard (Start, WR3), Golden Tate (Sit), Evan Engram (Start, TE1)

While the most talented receiver on the team, Darius Slayton has been too up and down this season to warrant a weekly start designation. He has not scored since Week 6 and has only topped 100 yards receiving once (Week 5). While Sterling Shepard has only scored once since returning Week 7, he’s been the more consistent receiver. He’s averaging eight targets a game in that span, and 6.5 receptions per. Golden Tate remains on your league’s wire.

Evan Engram had a down week against the Eagles before the BYE, only targeted three times to the tune of two receptions for 15 yards. Good thing the Bengals have given up the fourth-most fantasy points to TE’s on the season, as it should allow for more Engram involvement and production.

Cincinnati Bengals

Quarterback

Brandon Allen (Sit), Ryan Finley (Sit)

This one is easy. Wednesday morning, news broke that Brandon Allen would be getting the start over Ryan Finley. Finley came in for relief after the unfortunate injuries Joe Burrow suffered against the Football Team last week; a torn ACL and MCL. Finley is not a great passer, recalling 2019 when he completed 47% of his pass attempts in three starts. And then there is Allen who was most recently on the practice squad leading up to this decision. In short, it’s going to be tough sledding for whoever is under center for the Bengals, and the offense overall in these final six games.

Running Backs

Giovani Bernard (Start, RB2), Samaje Perine (Sit, but worth a stash)

With Joe Mixon placed on IR last Saturday, the Cincinnati backfield will continue to belong to Giovani Bernard for at least two more games. Bernard has had a few down games as of late and hasn’t topped over 100 yards at any point this season since taking over for Mixon. However, his volume and pass-game work have been enticing from a fantasy standpoint. You can look for more of the same against a Giants defense that has given up the eighth-most fantasy points to running backs this season. Same Perine is second in line now behind Bernard, and while he isn’t worthy of starting, he’s certainly a pair of fresh legs you’ll want to stash.

Wide Receivers/Tight End

Tyler Boyd (Sit), Tee Higgins (Start, FLEX with caution), A.J. Green (Sit), Drew Sample (Sit)

With Burrow’s season over, there’s no other way to put it: the stock of the Bengals wideouts takes a massive hit. Tyler Boyd and A.J. Green are both sits simply because you cannot trust Finley to elevate any of them as Burrow has been. I’d be hard-pressed to bench Tee Higgins, as you may not be able to pivot any better than him, and so you can take your chances with him in your FLEX this week. Time will tell the rest of the season if any of them gain some final-stretch fantasy relevance, but I’d be hard-pressed to trust a Bengals WR this week with such uncertainty behind center. The same can be said for tight end Drew Sample, who quite frankly wasn’t a factor even with a healthy Burrow.

-Matthew Cava (@cavaM_ Twitter & Reddit)