Things are getting real in fantasy football, with only three more weeks left for most managers to secure a playoff spot. Many fantasy trade deadlines have now passed, adding extra spice to the waiver wire each week.

For those still able to make a late trade, though, my weekly buy-low/sell-high article for PFSN is available for free, here.

Also available, is my streamers article, for anyone needing short-term help at QB, TE, Kicker, or Defense for this weekend, and that’s available here.

Below, though, are six players I’ve highlighted for this week’s games. Some for good reasons, others for bad, but all stand out to me for different reasons. So, without further ado, here are my fantasy football starts and sits for Week 12 of the 2025 NFL season.

START: Matthew Stafford, QB, Los Angeles Rams

I won’t go too deep into this one, as listing the obvious qualities that Matthew Stafford possesses would be a waste of time for me to write, and for you to read. However, while some players have the reputation to survive a disappointing fantasy week, 37-year-old Stafford may have managers worried.

In a nutshell, Stafford threw for only 130 yards against the Seattle Seahawks in Week 11 and was the QB16 on the week. Not only are the Seahawks one of the best defenses in the NFL, though, but the Rams were also playing with a lead for all but six minutes and 22 seconds.

Stafford attempted only 28 passes, his second-fewest of the season, and now faces the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Stafford can’t run like Josh Allen, but the Buccaneers gave up 317 yards and three touchdowns through the air alone to the reigning MVP on Sunday.

That was in 38-degree temperatures and 20 mph winds, whereas Stafford will be indoors, in California.

START: Woody Marks, RB, Houston Texans

Fourth-round rookie Woody Marks looks to have completely taken over the lead role in the Houston Texans backfield in recent weeks. Marks had 18 carries against the Tennessee Titans on Sunday, and now has 32 over his last two games.

Add to that that he is more known for his pass-catching prowess, and he has massive potential for production moving forward. Especially this week, when the Texans take on the Buffalo Bills at home.

The Bills have allowed 5.4 yards per carry this season, the second-most in the NFL, behind only the Giants. In the aforementioned game against Tampa Bay on Sunday, the Bills allowed Sean Tucker to accumulate 140 total yards and three total touchdowns.

Marks won’t benefit from the colder weather that Tucker did in Buffalo, nor does this game have as much shootout potential, but Marks is a must-start regardless.

SIT: Tony Pollard, RB, Tennessee Titans

This one feels too obvious, but according to Yahoo, Tony Pollard is still starting in 38% of leagues at the time of writing. The former Cowboy has been incredibly disappointing this year, and has topped 50 rushing yards in just one of his last five games.

Across those five games, Pollard has averaged just 34.8 yards per game and scored zero touchdowns. He does get the occasional target, but teammate Tyjae Spears continues to dominate in that area.

In what is likely to be a negative game script, against one of the best run defenses in the NFL, Pollard is a huge stay-away this week. There will almost certainly be a better flex option on your bench; if not, there will be one on the waiver wire.

START: Greg Dortch, WR, Arizona Cardinals

Anyone who has Michael Wilson on their roster will rightly be starting him this week, after he exploded in Week 11 with 185 receiving yards on 15 catches. But Wilson wasn’t the only Cardinals receiver to benefit from Marvin Harrison Jr.’s absence.

While nowhere near as flashy, Greg Dortch caught six of six targets for 66 yards and a touchdown in the loss to the 49ers. Dortch has been mostly utilized as a gadget option for Arizona this year, with Harrison, Wilson, and Trey McBride all ahead of him in the pecking order.

With Harrison set to miss another week, though, and Arizona having given up over 40 points in each of its last two games, Dortch should be in for increased looks once more.

The Jaguars held the Chargers to only six points on Sunday, but gave up 100 points over their three previous games. This matchup has shootout potential and Dortch is a good bet if you need to pick up a flex on waivers this week.

SIT: Jordan Addison, WR, Minnesota Vikings

Before the season, I’d have struggled to believe that I’d be pushing Dortch as a start in the same week as I told people to bench Jordan Addison. Here we are, though, in Week 12, and I just can’t trust J.J. McCarthy to make the most of his ridiculously talented supporting cast.

At least 75% of NFL quarterbacks would kill to be in McCarthy’s position, but the *second-year* quarterback looks completely out of sorts. To put it into context, Justin Jefferson’s best fantasy finish with McCarthy playing has been WR18.

Addison is good, but he’s not Jefferson. Despite averaging over seven targets per game in his three appearances alongside McCarthy, the third-year receiver hasn’t broken the top 30 receivers in any of them.

Green Bay’s defense hasn’t given up too many big plays this year, which is more bad news for the receiver. The Packers have allowed 6.2 air yards per attempt this season, sixth-fewest. Addison typically thrives on chunk plays, but McCarthy may have to get rid of the ball quickly with Micah Parsons breathing down his neck.

START: Mason Taylor, TE, New York Jets

Mason Taylor features in my streamers article this week, but I though it worth mentioning him here to, as he could become a weekly starter down the stretch. The Jets finally announced that Tyrod Taylor will replace Justin Fields as the team’s starting quarterback, weeks after initially trying to make the move.

Fields’ played as advertised in New York, offering explosive plays with his legs, but almost nothing in the passing game. His lack of accuracy was exacerbated by his lack of timing when throwing, leaving the Jets one-dimensional.

Tyrod is also a mobile quarterback, but offers far more potential as a passer, and looks to throw first before taking off and relying on his speed. Despite starting only one game this season, Tyrod accounts for 25% of Mason Taylor’s 48 targets so far.

With Garrett Wilson on injured reserve, and Adonai Mitchell still struggling with his hands, Taylor may well be New York’s primary pass catcher this week. There are far easier games than Baltimore on the road, but Taylor has breakout potential in fantasy after the quarterback change.

That’s it for another week. I’ll be back with another article on Tuesday, when I’ll go over my priority waiver targets for Week 13, along with some stashes. I’ll also be continuing to post my work for PFSN, as well as my blog posts, on socials, and you can follow me on X, BlueSky, or LinkedIn.

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As always, thank you for reading, and best of luck with your Week 12 matchups!