Key Fantasy Starters and Tough Calls - Lineup Spotlights and Betting Tips for Week 12

Scott Engel provides Week 12 fantasy football lineups analysis, spotlighting key NFL players to start and tougher lineup start/sit decisions to make. He also adds some betting tips.

Below you will find some of my spotlight choices and players to go with when dealing with challenging lineup decisions in Week 12. These selections are based on my Premium Weekly Lineup Rankings, available as part of the RotoBaller NFL Premium Pass.  This week, we offer a free preview of my ranks. Enter promo code KING at checkout for a discount and get access to my ranks in all formats, plus a full roster of tools and analysis for the rest of the 2021 season. Skill position analysis here is based on my PPR rankings.

We now add in some betting tips, as many of the recommendations here naturally work into some prime player props. Plus, I also share some over/under, ATS, and money line picks for selected games. All odds and prop plays are via DraftKings Sportsbook.

For a significant betting edge, check out RotoBaller's Premium Betting Tools and content. Lineup ranks follow this week's featured recommendations.

• 2025 fantasy football rankings (redraft)
• Dynasty fantasy football rankings
• 2025 NFL rookie fantasy football rankings
• Best ball fantasy football rankings
• Quarterback fantasy football rankings
• Running back fantasy football rankings
• Wide receiver fantasy football rankings
• Tight end fantasy football rankings

Week 12 Running Back Spotlights

-Ty Johnson aims for his third game in a row on the road with 60+ scrimmage yards. He has a TD in two of his past three road games. Johnson also had a 104 yard, one TD game on 22 carries in the first week of December last season. Before Week 11, Johnson had five or more receptions in three of four games. With Michael Carter out, Johnson is the better bet to be the more productive of the two primary Jets RBs. The Texans are 23^rd in Fantasy Points Per Game allowed to RBs.

Betting Tip: Take Johnson over 54.5 rushing and receiving yards at -110.

-Miles Sanders had a season-high 94 rushing yards last week. He had 85 rushing yards in his last road meeting with the Giants. In four career games against the Giants, though, Boston Scott has 432 scrimmage yards and six TDs. Sanders should provide a decent amount of yardage but expect at least a rushing TD from Scott, who is the better goal-line option. Credit to Dave Spadaro of the Eagles official site for reminding us that Scott is a “Giant killer” and a viable deeper flex option on RotoBaller Radio on SiriusXM Fantasy Sports Radio. The Giants are 28^th in FFPG allowed to RBs.

Betting Tip: Scott is a great play at +310 to score a TD on Sunday.

-Melvin Gordon aims for his fourth game in a row with a rushing TD. He rushed for 79 yards in his last meeting with the Chargers. Gordon has 404 scrimmage yards (101 per game) in his past four games vs. AFC West opponents. Gordon has seven scrimmage TDs this season and is the preferred fantasy option of the two top RBs in Denver because of that statistic. The Chargers have allowed 13 rushing TDs to RBs, second in the NFL. Start Gordon as an RB2 streamer or as a good flex play.

Betting Tip: Denver has won three of the past four matchups with the Los Angeles Chargers. "Surprises" can happen in divisional games. Go with the Broncos on the money line at +125.

-Former Seahawk J.D. McKissic had nine receptions for 56 yards and a TD catch vs. Seattle last season. He has four+ catches in three of his past four home games. The Seahawks have allowed an NFL-high 726 receiving yards to RBs. McKissic should get flex and streaming consideration in Week 12.

Betting Tip: The Seahawks are the pick here at -1 (+100). Russell Wilson should perform better in his third game back from an injury, and Seattle is desperate for a win.

Week 12 Wide Receiver Spotlights

-Laviska Shenault Jr. had five catches for 50 yards in Week 11. He has 50+ receiving yards in three of his past four home games. After losing Jamal Agnew for the season, the Jaguars may start to give Shenualt more playmaking opportunities in the passing game. Shenault should be able to provide at least adequate PPR totals vs. Atlanta. The Falcons have allowed an NFC-high 14 TD receptions to WRs, so Marvin Jones is also a good bet to find the end zone.

Betting Tip: Take the Over of 45.5 here at -110. The Jaguars rank 24^th in team defense, the Falcons are 29^th.

-Kendrick Bourne aims for his fifth game in a row at home with 55+ receiving yards. He has 75+ receiving yards and a TD catch in two of his past three home games. The Titans have allowed the most Fantasy Points Per Game to WRs. Mac Jones is doing a fine job of taking what the defense gives him, and the Titans will give him a lot to take. The defense will spend a lot of time on the field because of the injuries that have depleted the offense. Bourne is worthy of fantasy WR3 consideration this week.

Betting Tip: Bourne is a fine play over 3.5 receptions at +130.

-Brandon Aiyuk led the 49ers with seven receptions for 85 yards and had his third receiving TD of the season last week. After a very disappointing start to the season, Aiyuk is starting to show signs of life. He has seven-plus targets in three of his past four games and six-plus catches in two of his past three. The Vikings are 30^th in FFPG allowed to WRs, so start Aiyuk as a WR3.

Betting Tip: Take the Vikings on the money line at +150. Minnesota is coming off a big win over Green Bay and is +6 in turnover ratio, while San Francisco is -5. The Vikings can win on a late 49ers mistake.

-DeAndre Carter has caught all three of his TD passes in the last three games. He has six targets in two of his past three games. Seattle’s defense ranks 30^th in sacks with 17. Taylor Heinicke will have time to throw and locate his targets. That should mean two or more TD passes and another for Carter. Seattle lost impressive rookie CB Tre Brown for the season and his absence will hurt the Seahawks pass defense. Carter is a very good streaming option for Week 12.

Betting Tip: I like Carter to score at +650 in the second half when the defense has been worn down more.

Week 12 Quarterback Spotlight

-The Falcons have scored only three points in the last two weeks, but that was against Dallas and New England. Matt Ryan should bounce back against Jacksonville’s 19^th-ranked pass defense. The Jaguars rank 29^th in sacks with 18, so Ryan may have some ample time to throw. He has two+ TD passes in six of his past seven road starts. Ryan is a viable streaming option in Week 12.

Betting Tip: Take the Falcons to score on their first offensive drive at +160 as they start to bounce back on offense early.

Week 12 Tight End Spotlight

-Evan Engram has a receiving TD in two of his past three games. The Eagles allow the most Fantasy Points Per Game to TEs. If you need a TE option this week, especially to replace Travis Kelce, you can consider Engram. The Giants are missing personnel at WR and with Jason Garrett out of the picture, Engram may become more involved in the offensive flow again.

Betting Tip: Go with Engram to score at +240.

Scott Engel's Week 12 Rankings

More Fantasy Football Analysis