Two more weeks until the playoffs (in most leagues). Our favorite time, and probably most stressful time, of the fantasy season is finally upon us. This week, fantasy owners had to deal with the Thanksgiving Day games. Matthew Stafford, Ben Roethlisberger and Kirk Cousins are just some of the QBs you had to decide if they were worth playing early in the week.

With 13 games left for Week 12, there are still plenty of strong options available at QB this week. But, who is really worth starting with a group of strong options already off the board? Remember: These columns do not include your every-week starters. For this week, players like Tom Brady and Marcus Mariota are not considered. This article goes deeper than that.

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• 2025 fantasy football rankings
• Running back (RB) rankings
• Wide receiver (WR) rankings
• Quarterback (QB) rankings
• Tight end (TE) rankings
• Defense (D/ST) rankings
• Kicker (K) rankings
• FLEX rankings
• Dynasty rankings

Best Start Possible – Eli Manning @ CLE

Tom Brady. Marcus Mariota. Andy Dalton. Dak Prescott. Joe Flacco. There are the five quarterbacks this season that have all topped 20 fantasy points against the Browns. Additionally, including these five, the Browns have allowed all but one QB to score 14 or more points, allowing an average of 19.3 fantasy points per game for QBs. This shows that the Cleveland DEF is obviously not that good. Now, the team gets to face their fifth Super Bowl winning QB in Manning, who has led the G-Men to five straight victories. In that span, Manning has been playing well, throwing 12 TDs to only six INTs. While the Browns are an easy team to run against, their secondary has been weak as well. With the passing attack being the strength of the Giants, expect them to air the ball out early, especially to Odell Beckham Jr.

Quality Start – Tyrod Taylor v. JAX

Besides Aaron Rodgers and Phillip Rivers in Weeks 1 and 2, no QB has scored more than 19 points. But, with the Jaguars on a downfall and the Bills fighting for a wildcard playoff spot, it could be a game to see Taylor throw early and deep in this game. This is especially true to believe if Sammy Watkins returns from his 10-week absence this week. While Watkins may be on a snap count, it would be interesting to see Taylor try to air the ball out to Watkins early in this game. With a depleted WR core this week (hurt Watkins and injured Robert Woods), the Jaguars may try to take RB LeSean McCoy out of the equation by shutting down the run, forcing the ball in Taylor’s hands often, even if it is a close game.

Worst Start Possible –  Blake Bortles @ BUF

The only time Bortles has played the Bills was last season in London. How did he fare you may ask? Not too good. He finished with 182 yards, two TDs and one INT. But, he only completed 13 of 29 pass attempts. And, Bortles was much better last season than he has played this season. Ten games into 2015, Bortles had 20 TDs to 12 INTs. In 2016, he has 18 TDs to 13 INTs. Some may say that there is not much of a drop, but the biggest difference is Allen Robinson. The stud WR that has 1,400 yards and 14 TDs last season has failed to live up to his Pro Bowl expectations. Throw in the fact that the Bills have already held three QBs to less than 10 fantasy points and this is a nightmare matchup for Bortles.

Not a Good Start – Jameis Winston @ SEA

Why would you play anyone against the Seahawks is the best question to ask. They only give up an average of 13.8 fantasy points to QBs per game. This includes allowing a combined 24 points to Tom Brady and Carson Wentz over the past two games. Matt Ryan, Drew Brees and Taylor are only QBs to score 20 or more against them this season. The season that Winston has had to date has not been bad. He knows how to get the ball to Mike Evans and hopes the defense does their part to keep them in the game. Unfortunately, Winston has 10 INTs and has fumbled the ball seven times, losing three of them so far. While he has protected the ball better than last season, he still has some strides to make. Let’s try not to forget that he did throw four INTs against the Cardinals earlier in the season.

Have a player or position question you would like me to talk about? Follow me on Twitter @JSorensen119 and let me know.