NFL Week 12: Bengals vs Browns fantasy football starts and sits

It is Week 12, and fantasy playoffs are just around the corner. There is no reason to get cute or fancy at this point. Stick with what you’ve been doing. Still here is who you should start and sit when the Bengals meet for the Battle of Ohio.

Must starts

A.J. Green (Bengals WR): Earlier this season Green had five catches for 63 yards and a touchdown. It wasn’t a monster game, but it is still a very good and reliable line. That should be the the floor for Green on Sunday.

Andy Dalton (Bengals QB): Dalton has been lights out against the Browns. Earlier this year he threw for four touchdowns and 286 yards. It was easily Dalton’s best game of the season, and as long as the Bengals can hold up on protection, Dalton should be able to help out your fantasy team this week.

Favorable matchups

Duke Johnson Jr. (Browns RB): I’d hate to spoil it, but Johnson seems like one of the only playable Brown this week. Johnson has been the lone player on the Browns who has been even semi-reliable. He has really blossomed into this do-it-all player who really doesn’t get the ball enough. Last time these two teams met he scored the Browns lone touchdown.

Tyler Kroft (Bengals TE): Kroft was introduced to the NFL the last time he met with the Browns. He scored two touchdowns, including one in between two defenders. He also led the team with six catches on the day. You shouldn’t expect him to replicate that outcome, but he may be heavily involved again even with his injured hand.

Bengals defense: The Bengals are going up against the team with the most turnovers in the NFL. The last time these team met the Browns were held scoreless until garbage time in the fourth quarter. The Bengals also picked off DeShone Kizer and sacked him twice. If you’re streamlining defenses they are probably already owned, but they should be in your lineup this week.

Good but not great

Joe Mixon (Bengals RB): Mixon struggled last week even though he got 20 carries. A lot of that blame belongs to the offensive line, but in his last game against the Browns he rushed 17 times for only 29 yards. Mixon’s value will come from the number of opportunities he has, but it all comes down to whether he can get in the endzone when the Bengals are on the goal line.

Corey Coleman (Browns WR): Coleman returned last week to the Browns lineup, and was instantly DeShone Kizer’s favorite target. He caught six passes for 80 yards. He is a great flex option in points per reception leagues as he should continue to pile up the targets.

Just sit them

David Njoku (Browns TE): Don’t get fancy. Njoku has only caught more than two passes twice this season.

Bengals receivers: I get the thought process. Someone is bound to catch a random touchdown from Dalton, but I wouldn’t risk my playoff hopes by putting someone like Brandon LaFell or Tyler Boyd in the flex.

DeShone Kizer (Browns QB): Kizer has played like a rookie all season long. He has thrown 14 interceptions so far this season, and he had a fumble last week that ended up being recovered for a touchdown. I don’t know where your season is at that you’d even consider putting Kizer in your lineup.