As the pivotal Week 12 of the fantasy football season kicks off, managers everywhere are seeking expert insights to optimize their lineups for victory. With seven early window games on tap, ESPN’s team of fantasy gurus is here to provide last-minute advice and answer all of your burning start/sit questions in a live chat from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. ET.
Injury Updates and Tough Decisions
According to sources, one of the most pressing topics heading into Sunday is the state of the New York Giants passing game, with backup Tommy DeVito set to take the reins in place of an injured starter. DeVito’s unexpected opportunity has fantasy managers scrambling to assess whether the young signal-caller is worth an emergency pickup and start in Week 12.
The Tommy DeVito situation is definitely one we’ll be monitoring closely leading up to kickoff. He showed flashes in the preseason, but starting him in fantasy lineups is still a risky proposition without seeing him against first-team defenses.
– Eric Karabell, ESPN Fantasy Analyst
Beyond the Giants’ QB quandary, fantasy managers are seeking advice on a range of perplexing lineup decisions, such as:
- Navigating the always treacherous FLEX position and determining which boom-or-bust candidate to trust
- Weighing upside versus floor when it comes to players returning from injury or facing tough matchups
- Deciding between multiple players at the same position who offer similar projections
- Accounting for the latest injury updates and practice reports that could shake up depth charts
.@TripleH said he's picking Jalen Hurts for his fantasy team this week 🔥#FlyEaglesFly pic.twitter.com/sNEELwk2Ik
— ESPN (@espn) November 19, 2022
Leveraging Expert Analysis
To cut through the noise and make the most informed lineup decisions, fantasy managers can tap into the wealth of knowledge from ESPN’s stable of experts, including:
- Eric Moody: Known for his bold calls and contrarian approach
- Eric Karabell: A respected veteran with a knack for identifying under-the-radar gems
- Tristan H. Cockcroft: Creator of consistency ratings to assess player volatility
In addition to the live Q&A, managers can consult a wealth of fantasy football resources to guide their Week 12 lineup construction, including:
- ESPN+ Cheat Sheet with projections and expert tips for every player
- Inactives and injury reports to monitor who’s in and who’s out
- Comprehensive weekly rankings by position and overall
Thinking Ahead: Rest-of-Season Moves
While the focus may be on locking in lineups for this crucial Week 12 slate, successful fantasy managers are always thinking multiple moves ahead. As the fantasy playoffs draw nearer, it’s essential to assess your roster’s strengths and weaknesses and explore opportunities to bolster your squad for the stretch run.
If you’re sitting at 7-4 or 8-3 and feeling good about your playoff chances, now is the time to start planning ahead and making speculative adds for Weeks 14-17. Stashing high-upside handcuffs or scooping up players with favorable matchups could be the difference between a first-round exit and a championship run.
– Tristan H. Cockcroft, ESPN Fantasy Analyst
By combining the sage advice from ESPN’s fantasy experts with diligent research and a strategic mindset, fantasy managers can position themselves for success not only in Week 12 but for the all-important postseason on the horizon.
As kickoff rapidly approaches, ESPN’s fantasy football experts stand ready to guide you through your most pressing lineup dilemmas and help you make the decisions that could define your fantasy season. Join the conversation, absorb their insights, and march confidently into Week 12 with your lineups optimized for victory.
