Week 13 is underway and it marks the beginning of December football. This means the playoffs are in sight for NFL and fantasy players alike, which makes starting and sitting the right players all that more crucial. I wish everyone luck during this intense time of the year.
With no openly gay players in the league, we formed a fantasy team from players who have shown their support for LGBT issues in interviews with Outsports and other media.
Here are our starts and sits for Week 12:
Quarterback
Start: Aaron Rodgers vs. Cardinals
Yes, Aaron Rodgers has a subpar offensive line, and yes, he has not performed to his standards himself. However, facing a Cardinals team that allowed 25 straight completions to Philip Rivers and 45 points, I like Green Bay’s chances against the lowly Cards.
Sit: Andrew Luck @ Jaguars, Cam Newton @ Buccaneers, Derek Carr vs. Chiefs, Russell Wilson vs. 49ers
If I was feeling a little risky, I’d start Russell Wilson instead of Rodgers against San Fran, but I have to stick with A-Rod. Wilson is by no means a bad start though and should be a Top 5-7 QB this week.
Running back
Start: Jordan Howard @ Giants, Frank Gore vs. Bills
Howard is due for a touchdown after not sniffing the end zone on Thanksgiving and Gore continues to be incredibly consistent. He hardly breaks out for a big game but he never has a bad game, and that’s important with the playoffs coming up.
Sit: Giovani Bernard vs. Broncos, Kyle Juszczyk @ Seahawks
Bernard’s stock might go up given that Andy Dalton has moved to injured reserve, but he still is not a proper fantasy starter and should not be played unless it is a very deep league. Juszczyk falls in the same boat.
Wide receiver
Start: DeAndre Hopkins vs. Browns, Adam Thielen @ Patriots
Hopkins continues to impress, coming off of another strong performance on Monday Night Football. Thielen came back in a big way on Sunday night with a touchdown against the Packers. Look for him to try to do the same against the Pats on Sunday.
Sit: Marquise Goodwin @ Seahawks, Kenny Stills vs. Bills, T.Y. Hilton @ Jaguars, Robert Woods @ Lions, Davante Adams vs. Cardinals
A lot of these players are strong plays, but they do not hold a candle to Hopkins and Thielen. It’s a good problem to have — a surplus of strong, accepting wide receivers in the NFL.
Tight end/Flex
Start: Rob Gronkowski vs. Vikings, Travis Kelce @ Raiders
It’s been a while since we’ve been able to roll out two tight ends, but we can finally do it again this week. Gronk found the end zone in his return to action on Sunday against the Jets, and Kelce is fresh off the bye and playing against the worst team in the league. Cake.
Defense
Start: Miami Dolphins vs. Bills
Walt Aikens and the Dolphins have a good matchup against the Bills, a team that completed just eight passes last week. The challenge for the Fins will be to quiet the run game, something they have been able to do well this season.
Kicker
Sit: Matt Prater vs. Rams
Prater’s facing the Rams, a team that will run up the scoreboard, which means that the Lions will be likely to do the same. Start Prater.
Sit: Brandon McManus @ Bengals
It’s tough to sit McManus this week. He returns to the starting lineup as his team is riding a two-game win streak against playoff-bound opponents. Denver now faces a Bengals team that surrendered 35 points last week and will be without their starting QB. Tough sit, but one I have to make.
LGBT Focus
Read more on these players’ LGBT views:
- These eight players would support a gay teammate (from 2018)
- These New England Patriots linemen would support a gay teammate (from 2018)
- 14 NFL Pro Bowlers say they would welcome a gay teammate (from 2017)
- NFL players react to Michael Sam coming out (from 2014)
- 62 active NFL players who have made statements in support of gays (from 2013)
- Carson Palmer, 12 Indianapolis Colts would embrace openly gay teammate (from 2013)
Jeremy Brener is a student at the University of Central Florida who writes for Outsports. He can be reached via email ([email protected]) and followed on Twitter.
