You have lineup questions, we have lineup answers -- at least we hope so. Start 'Em, Sit 'Em is here to help fantasy managers make difficult roster decisions. And you know what is a good move? Starting Christian McCaffrey. But that's too obvious, so you won't see such simple analysis here. Instead, we're exploring more debatable situations. And if you can't find a player you are looking for, please check out the latest NFL Fantasy lineup rankings.
NOTE: Unless otherwise indicated, all stats come from NFL Pro, Next Gen Stats or NFL Research.
Start 'Em
Burrow is expected to make his return on Thanksgiving night against the Ravens, with the Bengals' playoff hopes dwindling by the week. Perhaps rust is a concern, but if Burrow is back playing for the Bengals, I would play him in fantasy football. The Ravens defense has been stingier of late in terms of allowing touchdowns, but it has still allowed the sixth-most passing yards since Week 8. Plus, safety Kyle Hamilton's status is up on the air after he left last week's game with an ankle injury. In two games against the Ravens last season, Burrow threw for 820 yards and nine touchdowns. This game once again has the potential to be a scorefest.
Dart returned to practice last week but ultimately didn't play for a second straight game. Another week and a Monday night game this week gives Dart a good chance to return. He's been great for fantasy purposes, averaging 22.9 fantasy points per game as a starter -- a number topped only by Josh Allen. The rookie has seven rushing TDs in his seven starts and rushed for over 50 yards in five of them. With Dart taking too many hits already, it's likely the Giants could use fewer designed runs moving forward. The Patriots are in the top 10 in passing yards and touchdowns allowed on the season, and they have surrendered the third-most pass TDs since Week 8. Dart remains a strong start in a contest in which the Giants could be in catch-up mode.
It's been a very up-and-down fantasy season for Nix with a wide range of results week to week. After a couple of down performances, the second-year passer has a great get-right opportunity in Week 13. Washington ranks in the top five in passing yards, touchdowns and fantasy PPG allowed to QBs this season. Dan Quinn's defense has struggled to generate pressure and sacks too of late. The Commanders defense is second in YAC and YAC over expectation, while 56 percent of Nix’s pass yards have come after the catch, the sixth-highest in the NFL, per Next Gen Stats. Nix is in play in this fantastic matchup.
Love didn't do much last week in Green Bay's double-digit win over Minnesota. That has been a trend. He has only topped 15 fantasy points in games with multiple passing TDs, and he's been held under 200 pass yards in three straight contests. I expect better results this week against the Lions, who have allowed multiple passing TDs and 18-plus fantasy points to three QBs in their last four games (J.J. McCarthy, Marcus Mariota and Jameis Winston). Love put up multiple TDs in their Week 1 matchup. This season, Love has a 13-2 TD-to-INT ratio with a 117 passer rating against man coverage, and Detroit plays man at the highest rate in the league. Love also excels against the blitz, which the Lions run at a top-10 rate.
DEEPER START OPTIONS: Cardinals' Jacoby Brissett (at Buccaneers); Seahawks' Sam Darnold (vs. Vikings); Jaguars' Trevor Lawrence (at Titans).
Sit 'Em
This felt spicier prior to Purdy's three-INT outing against the Panthers on Monday night, but this is about the matchup. The Browns are sacking quarterbacks at the highest rate in the NFL and are seventh in pressures. They have allowed the fourth-fewest passing yards and third-fewest fantasy PPG to QBs this season and have held QBs to fewer than 15 fantasy points in each of their last three games, including Lamar Jackson and Justin Fields to less than seven apiece. It's very possible this is a low-scoring affair, so with no teams on bye in Week 13, I would avoid Myles Garrett and the Browns defense.
This is third straight week Jones is a sit in this article. In each of the last two weeks, Jones finished outside of the top 11 fantasy QBs. In fact, Jones has been in a bit of a slump in averaging just 15.5 fantasy PPG in his last three contests with four TDs and four INTs. He was gifted a short-yardage TD last week after his defense forced a turnover near the goal line, but he struggled to consistently move the ball. This week, he faces a Texans defense coming off an eight-sack game where it blitzed only 16 percent of the time. Houston has sacked QBs at the fourth-highest rate. My approach with Jones all season has been to sit him when he's likely to be under duress, so that applies here. Plus, Houston ranks in the bottom three in pass yards and TDs allowed, while giving up the fewest fantasy PPG to QBs.
In his last six games, Williams topped 21 fantasy points three times (25-plus twice) but scored fewer than 12 in the other three. While the Bears continue to win and sit atop the NFC North, I would look to get away from him against the Eagles this week. Since Week 8, the Eagles have generated pressure on over 40 percent of dropbacks, the fifth-highest rate in the league. On the season, they have allowed just 11 passing TDs in 11 games. While Dak Prescott put up numbers against them last week, NFC North QBs have not faired well. In Weeks 10 and 11, Jordan Love and Jared Goff combined for fewer than 20 fantasy points. Play it safe and avoid Williams on Black Friday.
It's still unclear whether Stroud will be available for Sunday's game. If he doesn't clear concussion protocol, Mills will get his fourth straight start. Either way, don't plan on starting a Texans QB this week. Since Week 8, the Colts have allowed just three TD passes and sacked quarterbacks at the eighth-highest rate. Patrick Mahomes scored 17 fantasy points against them last week, but he's the only QB to reach 14 in that span. This division matchup has defensive battle written all over it. Avoid the QBs in this one.
