Fantasy football advice, Week 12: Who to start/sit for Panthers vs. Cowboys on Thursday

Odds are funny things, and the fact that the 3-7 Dallas Cowboys opened as favorites against the 10-0 Carolina Panthers for their Week 12 game tells you more about the betting public than it does about the respective teams. That said, it's interesting, and does say that a returning quarterback on one side and a lack of public trust on the other makes this game seem closer than the seven-game difference in the standings might indicate.

The Panthers expect to have both Ted Ginn Jr. and Philly Brown available to them in Thursday's game. Ginn was never a real worry, while Brown is officially questionable, but tentatively expected to return after missing Week 11. For Dallas, quarterback Tony Romo, running back Darren McFadden and wide receiver Dez Bryant are all on the injury report, though all three should be fine to play in Thursday's game.

Start ‘em: Remember when Kelvin Benjamin got hurt in the preseason and every was scared off of Cam Newton? He's No. 2 in fantasy scoring among all quarterbacks this year. ... Jonathan Stewart has 12-plus fantasy points in five of his last six games. ... Greg Olsen has been the stud tight end we all thought he'd be. ... Graham Gano has double-digit fantasy points in four straight games and six times all season. ... The Panthers' defense has been very stout of late.

Sit ‘em: The return of Philly Brown will cut into Devin Funchess' looks, probably rendering both afterthoughts.

Start ‘em: In his first game after a long absence, Tony Romo put up 13 fantasy points in Week 11. Another week of practice to shake off the rust, and he should be even better, bad matchup notwithstanding. ... Darren McFadden has 10-plus fantasy points four times in five games since taking over the team's starting gig. ... Dez Bryant hasn't been a fantasy monster since returning, but he's still Dez Bryant with Tony Romo. You're using him. ... Dan Bailey hasn't had a lot of huge games, but he's offered a helpful number of points every game.

Sit ‘em: Before his big game in Week 11, Terrance Williams hadn't had much to offer since Week 4. Expect more of that. ... Cole Beasley had that one good game. That's about it. ... Jason Witten had 18 fantasy points in Week 1. Since then, he's averaged fewer than four fantasy points a game. ... The Cowboys' defense has been very good or very bad almost all year. This looks like a bad time.

Start in every league: Cam Newton, Jonathan Stewart, Greg Olsen, Graham Gano, Carolina defense, Tony Romo, Darren McFadden, Dez Bryant, Dan Bailey
Start if you're desperate: Ted Ginn Jr.
Bench: Philly Brown, Devin Funchess, Terrance Williams, Cole Beasley, Jason Witten, Dallas defense