Washington had won two straight games in Weeks 7 and 8 to make a once-awful season look respectable again, but followed that up with consecutive bad losses to Minnesota and Tampa Bay to fall apart once again. Meanwhile, the San Francisco 49ers have bounced back and forth from good to bad all season, and have currently won back-to-back contests.
Fantasy football advice, Week 12: Who to start/sit for Washington vs. 49ers
One team has won two straight, while the other has lost two straight. The favorite here is easy to pick.
Washington will be without tight end Jordan Reed Sunday, as he deals with a hamstring injury. San Francisco, meanwhile, will have its full complement of fantasy-relevant contributors.
The 49ers will host Sunday’s game at 4:25 p.m. ET. Let’s look at the fantasy names to consider:
WASHINGTON
Start 'em: After a midseason lull, Alfred Morris is back to being an every-week must-start. ... Even after last week's no-show, DeSean Jackson is still a strong fantasy option.
Start 'em?: When Jordan Reed missed games earlier in the season, Niles Paul became a useful fantasy option. He could be again.
Sit 'em: He still has some level of upside, but there is just no way to use Robert Griffin III in fantasy until he starts showing it. ... Roy Helu Jr. has put up some numbers, but ultimately he's not much more than a Morris handcuff. ... When was the last time we saw anything useful out of Pierre Garcon? Let him sit for a bit. ... Kai Forbath put up negative fantasy points last week. ... No, you aren't using the Washington defense.
49ERS
Start 'em: The team has been giving Frank Gore more and more touches of late. He's a fine RB2. ... Phil Dawson ought to get plenty of kicking chances Sunday. ... The 49ers' defense is good, and the Washington offense is bad. Okay then.
Start 'em?: With only one game of 20-plus fantasy points, and 13 or fewer in four straight games, Colin Kaepernick is off the QB1 radar for the time being. ... Anquan Boldin has been the 49ers' best fantasy receiver this season, and he's a fine flex play.
Sit 'em: Neither Michael Crabtree nor Stevie Johnson is a fantasy starter right now, even after Crabtree scored a touchdown last week. ... It's a lost season for Vernon Davis, who is barely even ownable right now.
SUMMARY
Start in every league: Alfred Morris, DeSean Jackson, Frank Gore, Phil Dawson, San Francisco defense
Start if you’re desperate: Niles Paul, Colin Kaepernick, Anquan Boldin
Bench: Robert Griffin III, Roy Helu Jr., Pierre Garcon, Kai Forbath, Washington defense, Michael Crabtree, Stevie Johnson, Vernon Davis
