Week 12 Start ‘Em, Sit ‘Em: Sunday Matchups to Exploit and Avoid

Just like everyone predicted, Washington Redskins quarterback Kirk Cousins led all Thanksgiving scorers after every game went final.

Cousins, who is owned in just 78.8 percent of ESPN leagues, tossed a trio of scores for the second week in a row alongside 449 passing yards in a rather unfavorable matchup against the Dallas Cowboys.

The rest of Week 12 won’t be so simple for owners. 

To help stem the tide, here is a look at updated matchup comparisons and a highlight of some of the most notable players at each position. 

       

Quarterback

Matchup to Exploit: Eli Manning, NYG (at CLE)

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Another NFC East quarterback could have a monster day before Week 12 concludes.

This refers to Eli Manning of the New York Giants, a guy who has turned it on after an iffy start to the year. He has 17 or more points in four of his last five games, with two of those coming in at 22 or more.

Twenty-two seems like a safe floor against the Cleveland Browns, who allow the fourth-most points to quarterbacks on average. Five of the last seven opposing quarterbacks have gone for 20 or more points against Cleveland, so Manning looks like a lock for quality production.

      

Matchup to Avoid: Philip Rivers, SD (at HOU)

San Diego Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers hasn’t hit 20 or more points since Week 5, yet he is owned in more leagues than Manning or Cousins.

Granted, Rivers has been consistent while scoring 19 and 17 points over his last two games. But he’s not a high-ceiling player given the hobbled roster around him, so it’s best to avoid him in Week 12 against the Houston Texans.

The Texans allow the fifth-fewest points to quarterbacks on average this year. As a result, the Chargers seem likely to lean on Melvin Gordon and the ground game on the road.

Rivers isn’t terrible in most matchups, but owners can find better streaming options.

    

Running Back

Matchup to Exploit: Jonathan Stewart, CAR (at OAK)

More often than not, Carolina Panthers running back Jonathan Stewart is dynamite in a good matchup.

Stewart hobbled into the season and didn’t make any noise, but he does have a pair of 20-plus performances in quality matchups. Coming off a week in which he scored a …

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