It’s week 12 of the fantasy season and it’s time to start taking risks. Whether it’s time to make your final playoff push or to make being in first place interesting, let’s get risky.

QB:

Start: Jay Cutler

Jay Cutler has been pretty inconsistent this year with his real-life quarterback play, yet has been surprisingly good in fantasy. Owners maybe getting a bit annoyed with his occasional 8 point performances like his two weeks ago against the Green Bay Packers. This week he takes on the lackluster Bucs who are always an enticing matchup for any positional unit, especially quarterback or wide receiver. So why not start the seemingly struggling “coach-killer” this week?

Start: Colin Kaepernick

Colin Kaepernick has not surpassed 15 fantasy points in the last 5 weeks in NFL.com standard scoring leagues. But, he is playing the Redskins who are really weak against opposing quarterbacks and are having a bit of a falling out in the locker room courtesy of RG3. Look for Kaepernick to run and pass all over them and potentially put up big points.

Sit: Tom Brady

Tom Brady has been a stud this year. He has been consistently good for fantasy owners all year long. But, it’s time to take some risks. He is going up against the best fantasy defense against QBs and his running back situation is murky as Jonas Gray had to be sent home from the Pats training facility for sleeping in. Look for a bust performance from him.

RB:

Start: Jerick McKinnon

McKinnon has not really been dependable this year especially with Matt Asiata vulturing his fantasy value. This week, however, Asiata is unlikely to play with a concussion and the only other back in Minnesota is newly signed Ben Tate. Tate is expected to be used in short yardage situations, but his role is still unclear as he is a brand new addition to the team. McKinnon is an athletic freak who has a decent matchup against Green Bay Packers this week and real shot at some boom or bust production.

Start: CJ Anderson

Anderson on paper has a relatively tough matchup against Miami this week. However, pretty much every other decent RB is injured in Denver (Montee Ball and Ronnie Hillman). This leaves only Anderson and Juwan Thompson. Anderson is expected to have the feature back role this week and has huge potential for a boom game against a stout Miami defense.

Sit: Arian Foster

Oh Arian Foster. He has been such a tease for fantasy owners over the past few seasons, having unbelievable games yet getting hurt so frequently. This week he is very unlikely to play and should be benched in favor of his primary back up Alfred Blue who has a good matchup and is coming off a good game against Cleveland last week.

WR:

Start: Torrey Smith

Smith is the ultimate boom or bust WR in fantasy. He is a huge vertical threat in the Ravens offense whose entire fantasy value hinges on catching long touchdowns. This week he has a favorable matchup against the New Orleans Saints who cede the sixth most fantasy points to WRs. If in need of a potentially huge performance start Smith and cross your fingers.

Start: Jordan Matthews

Jordan Matthews, the former Vanderbilt stand-out, has showed up to play these last few weeks. It appears those second team reps he took with Mark Sanchez have helped the two develop a good chemistry. Over the past three weeks he has scored over double digit points in NFL.com standard leagues and looks to do more of the same this week as the Eagles take on a weak Tennessee Titans team. He has a huge potential for points this week.

Sit: Golden Tate

Golden Tate has also been studly as of late. Performing at a high level ever since Calvin Johnson was afflicted with an ankle injury. This week, however he travels to Foxborough to take on the New England Patriots and their tough secondary. Rumors speculate Tate will be taking a trip to Revis-Island this week as the Pats want to matchup the big Calvin Johnson against their tall corner, Brandon Browner. Any receiver facing off against Darrell Revis should beware and so should their fantasy owners.

TE:

Start: Jacob Tamme

Jacob who? That’s right. Jacob Tamme. The huge tight end who has been the primary back up to Julius Thomas all year long. Thomas this week is unlikely to play, opening the door for Tamme to have a huge window of opportunity. The big tight end in Denver has underrated hands and hopefully can embrace the “next man up” theory and play at a Julius Thomas-type level.

Start: Coby Fleener

Fleener impressed last week against New England and accumulated 144 yards through the air. This week he has an interesting matchup in the form of an unimpressive Jacksonville Jaguars team and defense. Look for a boom or bust point output from the former Stanford Cardinal this week.

Sit: Delanie Walker

Walker missed last week with a concussion but has passed the NFL’s concussion protocol and is probable to return this week against the Eagles. The Eagles cede the second fewest points to TEs this year and Walker’s value will hinge on him getting in the end zone this week. Look for the Eagles to decimate the Titans on the offensive side of the ball putting pressure on the young QB  Mettenberger to perform. Unless Walker finds a way to score this week look for a bust showing.

D/ST:

Start: Detroit Lions 

Detroit has a phenomenal defense but has a tough matchup this week against the red-hot New England Patriots. Everybody loves offense but why not pick up switch it up and pick defense over offense? Look for a big chance for the Lions to show their mettle as they attempt to quell the surging Patriots.

Sit: Miami Dolphins

The Dolphins defense has been on a hot streak as of late and playing at a really high level. This week they play in Denver against the Broncos and their Peyton Manning-led offense. Sit them and don’t think twice about the risk.

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Feel free to email me specific line up questions at ishfantasyhelp@gmail.com