Week 12 of the 2025 
NFL season starts tomorrow, which means that NFL Fantasy Football managers have only a few more games before the playoffs.
Many teams have already been eliminated, while thousands of other squads still believe they can win their leagues by pushing all the right buttons going forward.
Whether it’s adding players off the waiver wire or knowing which should start and sit, GIVEMESPORT is here to advise on how to win your upcoming matchup.
We therefore have selected ten on-the-bubble players/units you need to bench and start for Week 12. Here are our choices.
Quarterbacks
Start – Brock Purdy, San Francisco 49ers (vs Carolina Panthers)
Brock Purdy is back and healthy and the 
San Francisco 49ers‘ quarterback is in stellar form after a 19.3 point performance against an underrated 
Arizona Cardinals‘ secondary.
Now the 25-year-old faces an unpredictable 
Carolina Panthers team at home on a Monday night stage that he is primed to shine on. The 49ers are getting more of their key receivers back by the week, which means that Purdy should continue to peak this season as a starting fantasy quarterback.
Sit – Daniel Jones, Indianapolis Colts (vs Kansas City Chiefs)
Daniel Jones has been an MVP candidate for most of this year for a team that is a clear-cut Super Bowl contender. The 
Indianapolis Colts currently sit at 8-2, thanks in large part to the NFL’s best offense.
Nonetheless, it’s going to be hard for this unit to have a prolific day through the air against a desperate 
Kansas City Chiefs team. Andy Reid’s squad still has an elite defense that is playing for its postseason lives this weekend, which means that Jones might be in for a difficult Sunday.
Running Backs
Start – TreVeyon Henderson, New England Patriots (vs Cincinnati Bengals)
TreVeyon Henderson has found his form in Foxborough. The 
New England Patriots‘ rookie running back is coming off of a three-touchdown game against the 
New York Jets which marked the fifth time he’s reached the end zone in two games.
The former Ohio State standout is a key player in both the Patriots’ ground game and passing attack, making him a matchup nightmare for a 
Cincinnati Bengals‘ defense that has been among the worst in the league this season. Expect another 20+ point performance from the 23-year-old.
Sit – Aaron Jones, Minnesota Vikings (vs Green Bay Packers)
Aaron Jones has recorded 11+ points in three straight games, but the 
Minnesota Vikings‘ tailback is facing a quality 
Green Bay Packers‘ defense with a struggling J.J. McCarthy under center.
Look for Green Bay to key in on the veteran, hold him to less than 10 points, and make the Vikings’ QB beat them in this divisional affair.
Wide Receivers
Start – Rashee Rice, Kansas City Chiefs (vs Indianapolis Colts)
Rashee Rice has one of the highest projections going into this marquee clash against the Indianapolis Colts. That comes even with the AFC South giants making an upgrade to their secondary during the trade deadline.
Despite a 9.8 point performance against a loaded 
Denver Broncos‘ defense, Patrick Mahomes has given the third-year wideout seven-to-ten targets every game he’s played, which bodes well for his upside against leakier secondaries.
Sit – DK Metcalf, Pittsburgh Steelers (vs Chicago Bears)
DK Metcalf hasn’t eclipsed 10 points for now three straight games with the 
Pittsburgh Steelers, who are clinging onto first place in the AFC North.
The two-time Pro Bowler is seeing a decent number of targets per game, but with Aaron Rodgers out this weekend against the 
Chicago Bears, he’s way too risky of an option to start in Week 12, even as a flex option.
Tight Ends
Start – Hunter Henry, New England Patriots (vs Cincinnati Bengals)
The Cincinnati Bengals are the worst team in the NFL by far at containing opposing tight ends in fantasy scoring. Now Hunter Henry gets an opportunity to have his best performance of the season for a red-hot New England Patriots team that has won eight straight.
We’re anticipating that the 30-year-old is well over the 10 point mark during what has been an uneven season fantasy-wise.
Sit – David Njoku, Cleveland Browns (vs Las Vegas Raiders)
David Njoku is gradually seeing fewer targets by the week, and now he faces a 
Las Vegas Raiders‘ secondary that is actually very good at containing opposing tight ends.
While Shedeur Sanders will make his first start this weekend for the 
Cleveland Browns, which could bode well for the ninth-year veteran, the upside is not worth the risk.
Defense
Start – Cleveland Browns (vs Las Vegas Raiders)
The Las Vegas Raiders’ offensive line might be the worst unit in the entire NFL. Myles Garrett is the front-runner for Defensive Player of the Year who is on a record-setting pace with 15 sacks this season.
The future Hall of Famer would be an MVP candidate if the rest of his team was halfway decent. Chip Kelly’s offense is in absolutely dire strength for a franchise that is stuck in football purgatory right now, and we don’t expect that to change in Week 12.
Sit – Tampa Bay Buccaneers (vs Los Angeles Rams)
The 
Tampa Bay Buccaneers‘ defense has been gashed over the past few weeks, and gave up a record-breaking performance from Josh Allen last Sunday.
Todd Bowles‘ team will now face the scorching 
Los Angeles Rams, led by Matthew Stafford, one of the league’s top MVP candidates at this point. Expect the Buccaneers’ secondary to continue its recent woes against the NFC West leaders.
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