Start 'Em, Sit 'Em Wide Receivers Fantasy Football Week 12: High Scorin' Terry McLaurin

A plus matchup against the Falcons gives Terry McLaurin an excellent opportunity in Week 12.

Start ‘Em, Sit 'Em is the ultimate look at the best and worst matchups based on a PPR scoring system in fantasy football. This column will not cover the elite players in the NFL like Josh Allen, Austin Ekeler or Cooper Kupp. Instead, I'll look at the players you have questions about who could exceed or fail to meet expectations at each position. For all of your final fantasy lineup decisions, be sure to check out my weekly player rankings which will be updated daily throughout the 2022 NFL season.

Fabs Top 10 Wide Receivers
1. Stefon Diggs at Lions (Thur.)
2. Tyreek Hill vs. Texans
3. Justin Jefferson vs. Patriots (Thur.)
4. CeeDee Lamb vs. Giants (Thur.)
5. Davante Adams at Seahawks
6. DeAndre Hopkins vs. Chargers
7. Amon-Ra St. Brown vs. Bills (Thur.)
8. A.J. Brown vs. Packers
9. Jaylen Waddle vs. Texans
10. Terry McLaurin vs. Falcons

Week 12 Start ‘Em, Sit ‘Em: QUARTERBACKS | RUNNING BACKS | WIDE RECEIVERS | TIGHT ENDS | KICKERS & TEAM DEFENSES

Week 12 Start ‘Em: Wide Receivers

Start of the Week

Terry McLaurin vs. Falcons (1 p.m. ET, Fox): McLaurin is coming off his worst stat line in over a month, scoring just 9.6 fantasy points in a win over the Texans. I'd keep the faith in him this week, though, as the veteran faces a Falcons defense that has allowed nine touchdowns and the fifth-most fantasy points to opposing perimeter receivers. Look for McLaurin to rebound and post a bounty of points.

SI Sportsbook Player Prop: McLaurin over 61.5 receiving yards (-118)

Start ‘Em

Michael Pittman Jr. vs. Steelers (Mon. 8:15 p.m. ET, ESPN): Pittman’s fantasy value is back on the rise, as he’s scored 25.8 points in his last two games since Matt Ryan’s return. He’s in a good spot to be even better this week, as the Colts have a great matchup against Pittsburgh. Their defense has allowed 14 scores and the most fantasy points to enemy wide receivers, so start Pittman with confidence.

Christian Kirk vs. Ravens (1 p.m. ET, CBS): Kirk was on absolute fire before the bye week, scoring a combined 53.1 fantasy points in his last two games. Next up is a positive matchup against the Ravens, who have surrendered the third-most points to slot receivers, which is where Kirk has run nearly 70% of his routes this season. I consider the veteran a high-end No. 2 fantasy wideout this weekend.

SI Sportsbook Player Prop: Kirk over 63.5 receiving yards (-125)

Chris Godwin at Browns (1 p.m. ET, Fox): Godwin hasn't been a true fantasy star this season, but he did score in his last game and has a favorable matchup next against the Browns. Their defense has surrendered 12-plus points to six wideouts in their last five games, so Godwin looks to be in a good spot. He's also seen at least eight targets in six straight games, so Godwin should etch out a nice line.

Brandon Aiyuk  vs. Saints (4:25 p.m. ET, Fox): Aiyuk has been on in recent weeks, scoring 15-plus points in four of his last five games including two with over 20 points. He'll remain a solid option against the Saints, who have allowed five wideouts to score 12-plus fantasy points in their last six games. That includes two who have gone over the 20-point mark. Aiyuk is a solid No. 2 fantasy option.

More Starts
• Tyler Lockett vs. Raiders (4:05 p.m. ET, CBS)
• Amari Cooper vs. Buccaneers (1 p.m. ET, Fox)
• Josh Palmer at Cardinals (4:05 p.m. ET, CBS)

DFS Bargains
• Chris Godwin at Browns ($6,000)
• Josh Palmer at Cardinals ($5,400)
• Donovan Peoples-Jones vs. Buccaneers ($4,800)

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Week 12 Sit ‘Em: Wide Receivers

Sit of the Week

D.J. Moore vs. Broncos (1 p.m. ET, Fox): Moore's totals have tumbled in the last three weeks, as he's scored a combined 16.7 fantasy points. He'll be a fade in most leagues this week, too, as the veteran faces a Broncos defense that's given up five touchdowns and the third-fewest fantasy points to opposing receivers. Their defense has also allowed the third-fewest points per game to the perimeter.

SI Sportsbook Player Prop: Moore under 46.5 receiving yards (-125)

Sit ‘Em

Diontae Johnson at Colts (Mon. 8:15 p.m. ET, ESPN): Johnson’s struggles have continued into the second half of the season, as he’s failed to score more than 9.5 points in all but one of his last five games. With George Pickens now the top option for Kenny Pickett and a matchup against the Colts next, Johnson should be on the bench. Their defense has allowed the fourth-fewest points to perimeter receivers.

SI Sportsbook Player Prop: Johnson under 45.5 receiving yards (-118)

Allen Lazard at Eagles (8:20 p.m. ET, NBC): Lazard has seen his points go down in recent weeks, as the emergence of Christian Watson has hurt the veteran's ceiling. I'd consider sitting him against the Eagles, and CB Darius Slay in a tough road matchup on Monday night. Their defense has allowed just four touchdowns and 16.6 points per game to perimeter receivers, so Lazard could have a bad night.

Darnell Mooney at Jets (1 p.m. ET, Fox): Mooney, listed as a start 'em last week, found the end zone and scored 12.9 points in a loss to the Falcons. I'd keep him on the sidelines this week, though, as a tough matchup against the Jets and CB Sauce Gardner awaits. Their defense has allowed the fifth-fewest points to wide receivers, and the position has a very poor 59.9% catch rate when facing the Men in Green.

Brandin Cooks at Dolphins (1 p.m. ET, CBS): Cooks has been quiet in the fantasy stat sheets lately, scoring fewer than 12 points in five straight games including three where he's been held to single digits. The Texans have made a change at quarterback this week, giving the reins of the offense to Kyle Allen. Maybe that will be good, maybe it won't, but I'm fading Cooks as anything more than a low No. 3.

More Sits
• Garrett Wilson vs. Bears (1 p.m. ET, Fox)
• Drake London at Commanders (1 p.m. ET, Fox)
• Treylon Burks vs. Bengals (1 p.m. ET, CBS)

DFS Fades
• Tyler Boyd at Titans ($5,900)
• Allen Robinson at Chiefs ($5,500)
• Brandin Cooks at Dolphins ($5,100)

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Michael Fabiano is an award-winning fantasy football analyst on Sports Illustrated and a member of the Fantasy Sports Writers Association (FSWA) Hall of Fame. Click here to read all his articles here on SI Fantasy. You can follow Michael on Twitter, Facebook, YouTube, and Instagram for your late-breaking fantasy news and the best analysis in the business to help you win a fantasy championship!