Week 12 Fantasy Football Last Second Decisions

I did something right this week, as Robert Griffin III owns the number two spot in my week 12 fantasy player rankings. And you’d think if I owned RG3 and started him (which I do and did), that I’d be sitting pretty. If I told you I also had Megatron, you’d say I’ve got this week in the bag and I’m heading for the fantasy playoffs.

You might be wrong. Especially when I’m facing the New England Patriots suddenly elite defense (thanks, Jets), who piled on 30+ points, as well as Arian Foster, who we all know who can’t help but just be out of this world awesome on a regular basis.

I still have over 75% of my roster to go, but with a tight race despite two huge efforts from two of my biggest guys, I still have some crucial last second fantasy football decisions to make before I board my flight back to Florida and kiss the holidays good-bye. I think you know where I’m going with this. Hit the injury report, check the matchups, and make sure your final roster is the one you’d use 10 out of 10 times this week.

To help you get to that level of confidence, we’ve got another friendly dose of Last Second Decisions:

Injury Sound-Off

Michael Vick, QB, Philadelphia Eagles

Vick is looking to be out for this week. Nick Foles will get his second straight start, and I’m not overly excited about that fact.

Jay Cutler, QB, Chicago Bears

Cutler is slated to face the Vikings this week. His return could go either way, but Minnesota is a bit vulnerable against the pass. Look for him to pick things up with Brandon Marshall this week.

Ben Roethlisberger, QB, Pittsburgh Steelers

Big Ben is out at least one more week. In looking for replacements, just be sure to ignore Charlie Batch, Brady Quinn and Nick Foles this week.

LeSean McCoy, RB, Philadelphia Eagles

McCoy will miss week 12 and possibly even week 13 with a concussion, which gives way to Bryce Brown. Brown is a very natural and fluid runner, and he rests well inside my top-20 for running backs this week.

Darren McFadden, RB, Oakland Raiders

Run DMC will miss another week. Marcel Reese is your guy to use in Oakland, as he’s been very solid for two straight weeks.

Darren Sproles, RB, New Orleans Saints

Sproles should play in week 12 and is free to use in PPR formats. Elsewhere, I’d wait a week to see what his role will be as a runner.

Julio Jones, WR, Atlanta Falcons

Jones is no lock this week with a bum ankle that robbed him of time against the Cardinals in week 11. I love him against Tampa Bay if he’s a full go, however.

Percy Harvin, WR, Minnesota Vikings

Harvin is officially doubtful, so don’t count on him this week. Rookie Jairus Wright put up 65 yards and a score in his absence last week, so he could be worth a flier again if you’re desperate.

Dwayne Bowe, WR, Kansas City Chiefs

Bowe is a bit shaky this week due to a sore neck, and also because Brady Quinn is his quarterback. Facing Champ Bailey can’t help, either.

Danny Amendola, WR, St. Louis Rams

Amendola is in a walking boot and is pretty unlikely to play this week. Start looking for a suitable replacement.

Role Control

All Spiller and No Jackson?

Fred Jackson is expected to play this week, but C.J. Spiller will start and is a good bet to dominate carries. F-Jax will still get his and a matchup with the Colts bodes well for both guys. Clearly Spiller is the Buffalo back to use, however.

The Return of Beanie Wells

Beanie Wells makes his return for the Cardinals this week, while LaRod Stephens-Howling is banged up after a solid week 11. Look for the two to split touches as long as LRSH is healthy.

Steelers Flimsy Curtain

The Steelers back-field is a bit of a miss right now, so it might be wise to steer clear from their running backs if you can. Rashard Mendenhall makes the most sense, but Jonathan Dwyer should also get carries, with Isaac Redman third in line if he plays.

The Ballard of Vick and Brown

Vick Ballard owns the starting gig in Indy right now, but Donald Brown is expected to play in week 12. Ballard is the suggested play, but if you’re starving for RB help, Brown could help out in the Flex against a weak Bills defense.

Rashad Jennings vs. Jalen Parmele

The Jaguars have benched Jennings and Parmele will start this week. He put up 80+ rushing yards last week and gets a weak Titans defense, so he could be in for decent RB2 production this week. Jennings shouldn’t be used at this point.

Alex Green’s Starks Reality

James Starks has been stinking up the joint, so he’s a shaky bet to continue getting 15-20 touches. Then again, so is Alex Green. Neither back is a threat to score or put up 70+ yards. Use them as flex filler at the very best if you’re desperate. I’m taking Green over Starks, but not happily.

Matchup Dance-Off

• If Colin Kaepernick is in fact the starting quarterback for the 49ers (which I expect him to be), I expect nothing less than 250+ total yards and 2-3 scores. If not, Jim Harbaugh could end up looking like quite the idiot.

• I know Matt Ryan has been imploding as of late, but I really like him ans his Falcons receivers against a shaky Buccaneers pass defense.

• Carson Palmer and Andy Dalton are dueling to the death in a bit of a revenge contest this week. I even think the Raiders could win. More to the point – expect a lot of points and big numbers for both quarterbacks and their counterparts.

• The Packers are 11th against the run, so I’m not a huge fan of Ahmad Bradshaw this week. Besides, Andre Brown is still stealing his goal-line touches.

• I’m super excited to see what Bryce Brown can do against a weak Carolina Panthers run defense. That is, if Andy Reid actually, for once, commits to the ground game. On the flip-side, I’m not banking on much of a rebound effort from Nick Foles.

• Vernon Davis is going to have a big game against the Saints. Jimmy Graham will join him from the other side.

There will not be a fantasy versus section this week, thanks to the would-be holiday and arguably the worst four-day cold of my life. Feel free to ask me questions via Twitter @NFLSoupKevin or below. Just remember that I will be in the sky for a good part of Sunday, and can’t guarantee I will be able to answer questions heading into game-time. If I can, I’ll be here or on Twitter. Good luck this week as you make a push for the fantasy football playoffs!