Week 12 Starters & Benchwarmers

Wondering whether or not to start Aaron Rodgers and Antonio Brown, or to bench Matt Schaub and Greg Jennings? The network bozos specialize in that kind of advice. If you’re looking for help with your real starting lineup conundrums, read on.

Here are my picks to roll, and get rolled, in Week 12 of the 2015 season.

Watch ‘em roll

Kirk Cousins, QB, Redskins vs. Giants. Cousins and his teammates predictably struggled against the mighty Panthers defense, but they’ll enjoy some home cooking this weekend with the generous Giants secondary visiting. With a healthy DeSean Jackson back in the fold, Cousins should take advantage of this delicious matchup.

T.J. Yeldon, RB, Jaguars vs. Chargers. The rookie has been a decent, though far from spectacular, fantasy contributor thus far; but he suffers from a lack of touchdowns. Fortunately, only Detroit has coughed up more scores to opposing rushers than this week’s visitors, so look for Yeldon to rack up the yards as well as his third TD of the season.

Danny Woodhead, RB, Chargers at Jaguars. Woodhead was a non-factor in the Chargers’ humiliating loss last week, which should teach his coaches a lesson. Look for the multi-talented back to be heavily involved as both a runner and receiver, and to find his way back to the end zone in this very favorable matchup.

Golden Tate, WR, Lions vs. Eagles. Though he failed to score his second TD of the season, Tate hauled in eight of his 11 targets last week. Expect a similar workload against the Eagles’ overly generous secondary, with even better results.

Michael Floyd, WR, Cardinals at 49ers. Floyd is back at practice, suggesting he is on track to return from his hamstring injury in time to blitz the generous 49ers secondary. With both Larry Fitzgerald and John Brown helping to deflect attention, Floyd will get his fair share of looks and opportunities to soar.

More thumbs up (excluding the no-brainers): QBs Cam Newton, Josh McCown, Carson Palmer, Ben Roethlisberger; RBs Chris Johnson, Matt Forte, Mark Ingram, DeMarco Murray, Eddie Lacy, LeSean McCoy, Chris Ivory, DeAngelo Williams, Doug Martin, Javorius Allen; WRs DeSean Jackson, Brandon Marshall, Eric Decker, Larry Fitzgerald, John Brown, Jarvis Landry, Randall Cobb, Sammy Watkins, Alshon Jeffery, Mike Evans, Brandin Cooks, Michael Crabtree, T.Y. Hilton, Willie Snead, Jeremy Maclin, Davante Adams, Vincent Jackson, Allen Robinson, Travis Benjamin, Brandon LaFell.

Roll ‘em back

Tony Romo, QB, Cowboys vs. Panthers. If Carolina’s defense isn’t enough to scare you away, consider that Romo was beat up pretty badly by the Dolphins on Sunday and his worst game of 2014 came on Thanksgiving after just three days of rest. Sure, he’s a Jedi, but you may be thankful if you keep him on your bench in this one.

Thomas Rawls, RB, Seahawks vs. Steelers. I know you want to start Rawls after his dominant performance last week. But consider the fact that his huge day came at the expense of the league’s softest rushing matchup and he’ll be facing the league’s stingiest on Sunday. Hopefully you have safer options.

Ronnie Hillman, RB, Broncos vs. Patriots. As much as the Broncos would love to slow down this game with Hillman running the ball, they will find tough sledding against the Patriots’ stout rush defense.

Jordan Matthews, WR, Eagles at Lions. Matthews is on a two-game swoon, and his prospects for turning that around Thursday are decidedly slim. The Lions are playing some salty pass defense, and should have little trouble gobbling up Philly’s struggling aerial attack.

Allen Hurns, WR, Jaguars vs. Chargers. Hurns had his seven-game scoring streak snapped last week, no doubt in part due to his nagging foot and thigh injuries. He’ll be facing one of the league’s toughest secondaries on Sunday and could have another rough outing as a result.

More thumbs down: QBs Andy Dalton, Derek Carr, Philip Rivers, Alex Smith, Sam Bradford, Ryan Tannehill, Matt Hasselbeck, Brock Osweiler, Jay Cutler; RBs Andre Ellington, Joique Bell, Jeremy Langford, Alfred Morris, Alfred Blue, Shaun Draughn, C.J. Anderson, Rashad Jennings, C.J. Spiller, Antonio Andrews, Isaiah Crowell, James Starks, Matt Jones; WRs Mike Wallace, Terrance Williams, Marvin Jones, Leonard Hankerson, Andre Johnson, Tavon Austin, Kamar Aiken.

TAKING A FLIER

Brian Hoyer, QB, Texans vs. Saints. When you’re a QB, there’s nobody you’d rather see lining up against you than the New Orleans defense. Hoyer has passed the concussion protocol and will have a chance to excel with the help of DeAndre Hopkins and his other weapons. Hoyer has passed for multiple scores in every game he’s completed since Week 4, and two TDs seems like his floor in this primo matchup.

DON’T BE THE BONEHEAD WHO…benches Tom Brady or his leading receivers just because they’re playing the vaunted Broncos defense. Brady and coach Bill Belichick relish the opportunity to embarrass proud defenses, and they’re still playing for history with a massive chip on their shoulders.