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Fantasy Football: Top 10 Start 'Em Picks For Week 12

Updated Mar. 4, 2020 2:58 p.m. ET

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Heading into Week 12 Fantasy Football action, make sure to start these top five players that will surprise many when all is said and done.

Oct 31, 2016; Chicago, IL, USA; Minnesota Vikings tight end Kyle Rudolph (82) is defended by Chicago Bears defensive back Harold Jones-Quartey (29) during the first half at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-USA TODAY Sports

It’s Week 12 of fantasy football, and oh what a week it is! We have three teams playing on Thanksgiving and no teams on a bye. Last week, fantasy owners were left with heartbreak after so many players fell short to injury. Hopefully, you have good backups on the bench or are lucky enough to land someone decent via the waiver wire.

Even though there aren’t any bye teams this week, make sure to keep an eye on players entering favorable matchups. It’s all about which players are going to step up and rise to the occasion.

After analyzing this week’s matchups and past performances, I have identified this week’s top five players to start. Make no mistake about it, they will shine in Week 12.

Without further ado, adjust your lineups accordingly and start these players!

Nov 20, 2016; Cleveland, OH, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger (7) calls an audible at the line of scrimmage against the Cleveland Browns during the first quarter at FirstEnergy Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports

5. Ben Roethlisberger, QB – Pittsburgh Steelers

Ben Roethlisberger is the ideal fantasy football quarterback. Although he had a few busts after returning from a Week 6 injury, he has successfully earned double-digits in all but two games.

One of those games was against the Cleveland Browns last week. Roethlisberger completed 23-of-36 passes for a lousy 167 yards and zero touchdowns. He earned about six fantasy points; even Ryan Fitzpatrick earned 15 points against the Browns.

On the other hand, in Week 10, he earned over 35 fantasy football points against the Dallas Cowboys. Roethlisberger had over 400 yards and three touchdowns.

This week seems as if it will offer the same results. Roethlisberger and the Pittsburgh Steelers take on the Indianapolis Colts. If you know anything about the team’s history, you would already have Roethlisberger in your starting lineup.

In Roethlisberger’s last two games against the Colts, he completed about 80 percent of his passes for over 880 yards and 10 touchdowns. That averages to five touchdowns per game.

Now, I don’t expect Roethlisberger to score five touchdowns but, last week Marcus Mariota scored two touchdowns against the Colts. Roethlisberger could see a 300-yard game and two touchdowns in his Week 12 matchup. He is a must start in all leagues!

Nov 13, 2016; Landover, MD, USA; Minnesota Vikings tight end Kyle Rudolph (82) scores a touchdown against the Washington Redskins in the second quarter at FedEx Field. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports

4. Kyle Rudolph, TE – Minnesota Vikings

High valued tight ends are hard to come by in fantasy football. The fact that Kyle Rudolph has earned double-digits in at least half of his games is impressive.

Although he was a huge Week 11 bust earning only about one point, his Week 10 Washington Redskins game offered better results. Rudolph completed 5-of-8 targets and one touchdown and brought home about 15 fantasy points.

Although his play time has been inconsistent with a new offensive coordinator on deck, Rudolph’s Week 12 matchup is too ideal to bypass him on your starting lineup. This week the Minnesota Vikings take on the Detroit Lions.

Not only does the Lions defense lack at defending the pass but, they have offered the position nine touchdowns in their last 10 games. Not to mention, Rudolph is among that statistic and scored a touchdown against the Lions in their Week 9 matchup. Rudolph is projected to have a little under 50 yards and touchdown in his Thanksgiving Day game. He is a must start.

Nov 13, 2016; San Diego, CA, USA; Miami Dolphins running back Jay Ajayi (23) warms up before the game against the San Diego Chargers at Qualcomm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Orlando Ramirez-USA TODAY Sports

3. Jay Ajayi, RB – Miami Dolphins

Once Arian Foster and Kenyan Drake were out of the picture, Jay Ajayi took over the Miami Dolphins offense. He had back-to-back 200+ yard games in Week 6 and 7 totaling almost 90 fantasy football points between the two games.

However, since his Week 8 bye, he has only earned double-digit points once. Last week, he rushed 16 times for a little under 80 yards. Ajayi hasn’t scored a touchdown since Week 9 when he faced the New York Jets.

But, we can expect to see the Ajayi we remember from Week 6. This week the Dolphins take on the San Francisco 49ers. Not only are the 49ers the worst rushing defense in the league but, they are surrendering almost 180 yards per game to the position.

Expect to Ajayi to bounce back with 120 yards and a touchdown in this ideal Week 12 matchup. Ajayi is an RB1 option in all leagues this week.

Nov 20, 2016; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; New York Giants defensive tackle Damon Harrison (98) celebrates in front of Chicago Bears quarterback Jay Cutler (6) during the third quarter at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

2. New York Giants D/ST

The New York Giants D/ST was a let down in the beginning of the season. After boasting about the millions of dollars spent on their defensive line, fantasy football owners expected a lot from the team.

However, during their first five games this season, they only earned double-digit points twice. Since then, the Giants D/ST hasn’t earned less than 20 fantasy points. And now they face the Cleveland Browns. I shouldn’t have to say anything else, it’s the Browns, and they’re starting Josh McCown.

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McCown is a risk taker who is fumble prone; arguably up there with Blake Bortles. Not to mention, for every seven dropbacks, McCown has given opposing D/ST’s fantasy football points.

The Giants D/ST is only owned in about 50 percent of leagues; their ownership has increased by six percent this week. Let that be a sign for fantasy owners! They will triumph this week and is one of the top-ranked D/ST for Week 12. Start them in all leagues, including daily fantasy football games.

1. DeVante Parker, WR – Miami Dolphins

DeVante Parker could arguably be considered a sleeper, however, he has had two great back-to-backs weeks which lands him on this week’s start ’em list. Before those two games, Parker only earned double-digit points once all season.

But Parker seems to have found his mojo; too bad it came so late in the season! In Week 10, he had five receptions for a little over 100 yards earning over 20 fantasy football points.

Last week, he had a little under 80 yards on eight passes and a touchdown for about 20 points. And this week’s matchup couldn’t have come at a better time.

As I stated earlier, the Dolphins take on the 49ers this week. The 49ers not only lack at defending the pass but they have given opponents 23 passing touchdowns this season; that’s 30th in the league!

Look for Parker to be a great RB2/3 or Flex player this week as he is projected to have about 70 yards and a touchdown. Take advantage of the Dolphins while they’re on fire, because it doesn’t come often. Start Parker in your Week 12 lineup.

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