Fantasy football advice, Week 12: Who to start/sit for Rams vs. Chargers

A recent hot stretch has the St. Louis Rams back to respectability, sitting at 4-6, while the formerly red-hot San Diego Chargers have fallen on hard times and are down to 6-4. Sunday, the two teams play each other, with one hoping to continue recent trends and the other hoping to reverse them.

The only fantasy-relevant player on the Rams' injury report for the week is tight end Jared Cook, who is questionable with a back injury. San Diego quarterback Philip Rivers is also banged up with a chest injury, but he'll play Sunday.

Start 'em: The team's running-back job is now Tre Mason's, and he's looked good in the role. He's a fine RB2.

Start 'em?: After a good Week 11, Kenny Britt probably looks like an attractive option, but he's only a low-end flex at best. ... The Rams' defense shut down the Broncos last week, and any defense that can do that is at least interesting.

Sit 'em: In his first game back at the helm, Shaun Hill led the way to a victory in Week 11, but he only managed 12 fantasy points. Don't invest yet. ... Benny Cunningham is getting far more usage than Zac Stacy, but neither is a fantasy option. ... Even if he plays, Jared Cook isn't even close to a usable fantasy option. ... Greg Zuerlein had 20 fantasy points in Week 11, but he hadn't gone for more than seven since Week 2 otherwise.

Start 'em: With five fantasy points his last two games combined, Antonio Gates' stock is slipping a bit, but as desolate as the position is, he's still a starter.

Start 'em?: Even without his injury concerns, Philip Rivers would be a dicey fantasy play this week. His numbers have just plummeted of late. ... Ryan Mathews wasn't anything special in his first game back from injury. He's a mid-range flex play. ... If you're going to use a San Diego receiver, it's Malcom Floyd, though he's only a flex play. ... The Chargers' defense has been much worse of late than it was early in the year, but it's not like the St. Louis offense is any great shakes.

Sit 'em: The return of Mathews renders Branden Oliver unusable. ... Unless and until Keenan Allen and/or Eddie Royal show more, it's definitely hard to use either guy. ... The San Diego offense is dicey enough of late that you want to avoid Nick Novak.