Before I get into the start of a column that will be coming every single week during the fantasy football season here on Talking Points Sports, allow me to introduce myself. I am Bird to many, Eddy to others, and Ed to a lot. Sports are my life, and I hope with each article published from here on out, you the reader, will easily see this in everything that I write for this site. I cannot wait to see what the future holds. So to start, welcome to The Bird’s Nest.
Now you may be asking, what exactly is the Bird’s Nest? Well, it means more than you think. Growing up on Long Island, yes it is ON Long Island not IN Long Island and I will not be told otherwise, my home is commonly referred to as the Bird’s Nest. Think of it as a place where everyone could come and congregate for football, whenever it is on. This is what I want this piece to be, a place for you to come and hang out with me just like it has been for my friends for the last twenty plus years.
Every week for this piece, I want to start off with something that isn’t football-related that can maybe impact you outside of the sports realm. Today is Thanksgiving, a day where we give thanks for all that we have in our lives. I am thankful to this site for bringing me aboard like they have, and allowing me to share my thoughts with you all about the things I love the most. I hope you all have a wonderful Thanksgiving with the people that mean the most to you.
On a much bigger picture, this is November. November is also known for No-Shave November, an awareness-raising campaign meant to stand side by side with those fighting cancer. I do it every year to raise awareness for cancer, and it is one of the joys of any time of year. Everyone knows someone that has fought cancer, and the most important thing you can do is to routinely check yourself for anything that may feel abnormal. If there is, see a doctor, because early detection can save your life.
I feel obliged to discuss this because it is so important to me as a human being. Losing a loved one before it is their time to go is the worst thing that can happen in someone’s life, and I have lost two of the most important people in my life to cancer. Please, if not for yourself than for your families, continue to check yourself and stay up to date on your check ups. Now, it is time for start or sit in Week 12. Chris Birdsall and Mike LoCascio, this one’s for you guys.
Quarterback Starts for Week 12
Despite the absence of Amari Cooper and lingering doubts about whether CeeDee Lamb will be available, Dak Prescott is a start for me this week, taking on the Raiders Thursday afternoon. It was a down week across the board for Dallas against the Chiefs, but even if Dak doesn’t have his top two targets he still will be a solid play in fantasy. The Raiders are middle of the road against QBs, 13th in points allowed to the position, however we just saw Patrick Mahomes carve them up for 5 touchdowns two weeks ago. Dak is a top 5 fantasy play for me this week, and start him with the utmost confidence in what should be a bounce-back game for Dallas on Thanksgiving.
I am gonna go a bit crazy now given his overall lack of production, but I am gonna roll with Russell Wilson as a start this week. First, he goes up against the Washington Football Team who give up the most fantasy points to opposing quarterbacks. Second, it is Monday Night Football. There are three guarantees in life folks, death, taxes, and the stars showing up on Monday Night. Seattle should have no problem against Washington if they are going to keep their playoff hopes alive. This is as close to a must-win as it gets for Seattle. Russ is a top 10 play for me this week against Washington.
An off-the-board selection, I am gonna say Tyrod Taylor is all systems go for me this week. Now I am aware that the only spots where Taylor is rostered are probably the deepest 14 team redraft leagues, super flex, and 2 QB leagues, and that is fair. However, Taylor and the Texans have a home date with the New York Jets. This may be some stinky football, but Tyrod is coming off of a performance in which he posted two rushing touchdowns versus the Tennessee Titans. The floor is there via the rushing, while the ceiling is also there because it is the Jets. Tyrod isn’t a top 12 play for me, however, I do have him sniffing my top 15 this week. I would rather start Tyrod over Jimmy G, Ryan Tannehill (who we will get to in a minute), and Ben Roethlisberger.
Other starts I like this week: Cam Newton is a great start this week going up against Miami. Fire him up as a top 10 play at the position. Jalen Hurts is a start this week as he takes on a Giants team that just was carved up by Tom Brady and the Buccaneers. He brings a very nice rushing floor to the table, making him a top 5 play at the position this week. In a pinch, I would also look at Derek Carr this week against Dallas.
Start of the Week: Russell Wilson
Quarterback Sits for Week 12
It isn’t always sunshine, rainbows, and lollipops ain’t it? I think that is something close to what anyone who invested in the Tennessee Titans is probably saying. Derrick Henry is done for the year, Julio Jones has looked like a shell of himself, and A.J. Brown has been nursing all sorts of injuries. Ryan Tannehill is the biggest sit I will mention at the position this week, as he goes up to Foxborough to take on the Patriots. Part of why Tannehill is a sit is because I ask the question of who on earth is he going to throw to? And this is the problem. Look at what has happened to Matt Ryan since Calvin Ridley has been absent (by the way, please sit Matty Ice thank you very much in advance). This can be a similar situation where Tannehill could get swallowed up because of receivers that are simply unable to get open. Sit Tannehill across the board, as he does not crack my top 20 at the position this week.
Maybe put me in the minority here, but I have always been so uninspired by Tua Tagovailoa. One of the biggest QB draft mistakes that is hardly discussed because it isn’t the Chicago Bears, the Dolphins should be placed in the same category when they decided to take Tua over Justin Herbert. I still cannot even begin to comprehend what the Dolphins were thinking, it rattles me to this very day. Tua goes up against a Carolina defense that quite frankly is very good despite its recent performances. Good luck to anyone who decides to heed this advice and start Tua when he is bound to enter Stephon Gilmore’s domain. It may not end too kindly for him. Sit Tua, as he too does not crack my top 20 at the position this week.
Other sits for me this week: Please, please, please, please, do not start Taylor Heinicke Monday Night. I know it is enticing against Seattle, but there are better options out there. I also would look to fade Carson Wentz going up against Tampa. While Tampa is exposed in the secondary, if we learned anything from a week ago it is that the Colts REALLY want to run the ball with Jonathan Taylor. Wentz also carries a low ceiling, making him not as appealing to me this week.
Sit of the Week: Ryan Tannehill
Running Back Starts for Week 12
Oh boy, oh boy have I been waiting for this section. Despite how truly awful they are, I am slamming the desk for you to start David Montgomery this week as the Bears kick off Thanksgiving Day against the woeful Lions. Now, the Bears are not much better, however they have a starter that is worthy of making this offense hum a little bit with Andy Dalton. Who do the Lions have at QB? Well that is Tim Boyle, thank you for asking! Boyle is a massive turnover risk in this game, which could lead to a lot of opportunities for Montgomery to have a really nice day and start your Thanksgiving off on a high. Montgomery is my RB9 this week in half ppr scoring against a Lions defense that allows the 3rd most points to opposing running backs. Roll Monty.
What on earth has happened to Darrell Henderson over the last few weeks? Before the Rams’ bye in week 11, Henderson had been coming off of a combined two-game stretch in which he posted 86 combined rushing yards on 16 carries with 0 touchdowns. The Rams travel to Green Bay this week, and while the Packers are not terrible against opposing running backs, allowing the 9th fewest points to the position, I still like Henderson to exploit a depleted Green Bay defense. Start Henderson as a low-end RB1 against Green Bay.
This is a very simple solution that I want all fantasy managers to understand. If you have players that are facing the Atlanta Falcons, you start them. This is no different with Jacksonville Jaguars running back James Robinson, who comes in as a top 12 play for me this week. Atlanta concedes the 4th most points to the running back position, and have allowed 100 team rushing yards in 5 straight games. Start Robinson with supreme confidence this week, and expect a touchdown as well, as Robinson has scored in two straight games, and has seven touchdowns in his last seven games.
Other starts I like this week: I do like both Melvin Gordon and Javonte Williams this week against the Chargers. Gordon has a revenge game in store, while Williams has steadily improved in recent weeks. I would not be surprised if Williams takes over as the lead running back soon for the Broncos. Fire up Ty Johnson this week against the Texans, as the Texans have allowed 100 rushing yards in every game this season bar two. With no Michael Carter for the Jets this week, Johnson profiles as a high-end RB3 with RB2 upside. Johnson played 62% of the Jets offensive snaps after Carter went out injured. If he plays, I also like Cordarelle Patterson this week against Jacksonville. While he is listed as a receiver on some sites, I rank him as a running back and label him a mid RB2 this week.
Start of the Week: James Robinson
Running Back Sits for Week 12
I have a hard time endorsing Antonio Gibson this week despite his strong matchup versus Seattle on Monday. Gibson has been up and down all year long, and very hard to rely on. Perhaps the most grueling moment of the season came in week 11 when Gibson was benched after fumbling in the red zone for Washington against Carolina. Gibson hasn’t had a game yet this season where he has posted more than 22 fantasy points in full point PPR, and it is hard to trust him here. I still have Gibson as a top 24 play this week based on the matchup.
Outside of matchups versus the Buccaneers, Jets, Texans, and the Falcons, this running back has not posted more than 13 PPR points all year long. Any guesses on who this could be? If you guessed Myles Gaskin, you would be correct! Gaskin has been a fantasy blackhole this season after being hyped as a very popular sleeper pick in the pre-draft process by many, yours truly included. Outside of a fluke game versus Tampa, Gaskin has seen his best fantasy days come against teams who are dreadful. Carolina are far from that, thus making Gaskin an easy sit for me this week as he is not in my top 30 for the position.
Who knows what is going on in San Francisco these days. I want to believe Elijah Mitchell is the best running back there, but Kyle Shanahan won’t let him prove that point. Perhaps it really is Deebo Samuel after all? If Mitchell doesn’t play and it turns to Jeff Wilson Jr. once again for the 49ers, I still wouldn’t insert him into my lineup. Sit both 49ers this week if you can.
Other sits for me this week: Devonta Freeman took advantage of a really good situation last week. No Lamar Jackson, which meant the designed QB runs had to be thrown out the window, greatly benefiting Freeman. If Jackson returns this week, which he should, I would be sitting Freeman at all costs. Whether it be Alex Collins, DeeJay Dallas, Travis Homer, whomever for Seattle, there isn’t a single Seahawks running back I want to have near my lineup for the foreseeable future. Take everything I just said and now apply it to Tennessee. Fade D’Onta Foreman, Jeremy McNichols, and Dontrell Hilliard if possible.
Sit of the Week: Myles Gaskin
Wide Receiver Starts for Week 12
You don’t really need me to tell you that you should be starting Davante Adams, right? Well if you need me to, START DAVANTE ADAMS! The man is a freak of nature, aided of course by the Batman to his Robin, Aaron Rodgers. Adams had a monster day in week 11 versus the Vikings, and now gets a tougher test here versus the Rams at Lambeau. I don’t think Jalen Ramsey will be shadowing Adams here, as the Rams have deployed Ramsey as more of a safety this year with ability to roam all over the field. He is my WR1 this week, and most weeks.
I absolutely love Michael Gallup this week for the Cowboys. Dallas plays the Raiders on Thanksgiving, and Gallup serves to at least be the number two receiver for Dallas in what projects to be a get right game. The Cowboys should put up points in this game for the Raiders, as they have conceded 96 points in the last 3 weeks all resulting in losses. Gallup ranks as my WR17 this week, and may go as high as WR15 for me as we get closer to Thanksgiving.
All aboard the D.J. Moore train! Moore reaped in the immediate benefits of getting Cam Newton back behind center for Carolina last week, posting 5 catches for 50 yards and a score versus Washington. Moore gets another good matchup this week against Miami, and comes in as my WR14 this week.
Other wide receiver starts this week: Start Elijah Moore as he takes on Houston. Moore is quickly becoming the Jets number one pass catcher, and in a matchup that should have points Moore figures to benefit. I am also going to go out on a bit of a limb and say this is the week for Rashod Bateman to have his coming out party against Cleveland. I have him as a top 24 wide receiver this week, but will only start him if Lamar Jackson returns. Only if you are in a real bind, I would consider Darnell Mooney a start for this week against Detroit if you need the receiver help. Mooney projects as a top 30 wide receiver for me this week.
Start of the Week: Rashod Bateman
Wide Receiver Sits for Week 12
A flukey touchdown last week versus the Steelers prevented Mike Williams from posting yet another dud. Take away the 53 yard score, Williams would have gone for four catches for 44 yards. That simply isn’t reliable enough for him to keep starting for me in fantasy. I have Williams just inside my top 24 this week, but I am really struggling with him at the moment. He goes up against a Denver Broncos team that has been solid against opposing receivers, but I would look to bench Williams if you can afford it.
Unless your name is Ja’marr Chase, I simply want no part of the Cincinnati Bengals and their passing game. Tee Higgins and Tyler Boyd are easy fades for me this week, moreso Boyd than Higgins. However, I would sit both if you can. Higgins sits as my WR22, but I am struggling to trust him after his dud versus Las Vegas last week. Boyd sits as my WR37, but check on his status closer to Sunday as he is questionable to play versus Pittsburgh this week.
Other wide receiver sits for me this week: I would look to fade both Cole Beasley and Emmanuel Sanders versus the Saints, as they simply aren’t reliable enough. I have Sanders ranked higher than Beasley, but would simply sit both. A part of me really wants to play him, but until I see it sit Odell Beckham Jr. against the Packers this week. OBJ ranks as my WR35. Do it again is the motto I am using for Brandon Aiyuk after recording 7 catches, 85 yards, and a touchdown versus Jacksonville. He needs to become more consistent before I can thrust him back into my lineup. Aiyuk ranks as my WR29 this week.
Sit of the Week: Brandon Aiyuk
Tight End Starts for Week 12
What will be one of the shorter sections for the column this week, the tight end position is usually pretty simple to project. Guys who score usually end up top 10 for the week, simple as that right? Now it is about finding those guys. One of them is New England Patriots tight end Hunter Henry. Henry has 7 touchdowns on the season, and I expect him to make it 8 versus Tennessee. He has been held to under 40 yards in six consecutive games however, so he needs that touchdown for the start to be worthwhile.
Dallas Goedert projects as a very strong start for me this week against the New York Football Giants.The Giants allowed Rob Gronkowski to torch them on Monday night, and Goedert seems to be in a position to have a fine game versus the Giants. Goedert serves as Jalen Hurts’ top offensive pass catcher, and I would expect Goedert to be top 10 at the position this week.
Other tight end starts I like this week: Fire up Dalton Schultz for the Cowboys against the Raiders. Schultz should see a bunch of work in this game, especially if the Cowboys are down both Amari Cooper and CeeDee Lamb. Pat Friermuth is an excellent start this week against Cincinnati, especially with fellow tight end Eric Ebron questionable for the contest.
Start of the Week: Dallas Goedert
Tight End Sits for Week 12
I would be cautious about starting Dawson Knox this week against the New Orleans Saints. The Bills tight end only managed season high in catches and near season high in yards thanks in large part due to a game that became out of control quickly versus the Colts in week 11. Knox projects as a top 10 tight end, but much like the bottom feeders of the tight end pool, may require a touchdown to return any sort of value.
T.J. Hockenson is another tight end I would love to fade this week. Hockenson takes on Chicago on Thanksgiving, but will have Tim Boyle as his starting QB. Even though Hockenson projects to be the top pass catcher next to D’Andre Swift, I am nervous about calling him a solid option thanks to the lack of talent at the QB position this week for Detroit.
Other tight end sits this week: Tyler Higbee only really projects as a touchdown or bust play for me this week, so I would look to fade him despite the strong matchup with Green Bay. Austin Hooper falls into the same category as Higbee, with Hooper also dealing with Baker Mayfield and his bum shoulder/knee/toe.
Sit of the Week: Dawson Knox
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