The Oakland Raiders started 4-3 and were getting buzz as a possible AFC playoff team, but a recent three-game losing streak has cooled that talk. Meanwhile, the 2-8 Tennessee Titans have never really entered any sort of playoff conversation. On Sunday, two teams that need every win possible just to remain relevant in the NFL season will face off.
Fantasy football advice, Week 12: Who to start/sit for Raiders vs. Titans
Can either of these teams generate some late-season buzz?
Both teams come into Sunday's game largely healthy, at least from a fantasy perspective. Oakland is slightly better off, with no fantasy contributors on the injury report. Tennessee, meanwhile, will be without running back Dexter McCluster, but will also get wide receiver Kendall Wright back after missing three games with a knee injury.
The Titans play host Sunday, with the game scheduled for 1 p.m. ET. Let’s take a look at the fantasy names to consider:
RAIDERS
Start ‘em: It's difficult to separate Amari Cooper and Michael Crabtree by much through 11 weeks. Crabtree has small leads in receptions (57 to 51), targets (96 to 85) and touchdowns (five to four), but Cooper has the edge in yards (736 to 696). All of those numbers are little more than rounding errors, though. They're both virtually equal, and both must-starts.
Start ‘em?: With declining fantasy production in four straight games, some of the bloom is off the Derek Carr rose. He still has a good matchup and strong weapons, though he's basically locked in as a QB2. ... After three straight good-not-great games, Latavius Murray needs to prove something. He's only had one game of more than 14 fantasy points all season. You're still probably using him, but it isn't exciting. ... If the Oakland offense can get back on track, Sebastian Janikowski should benefit.
Sit ‘em: After the team's top four offensive weapons, there's a big fall-off. Clive Walford is an interesting super-deep tight end, but he only has 12 catches and 137 yards on the season. ... The Raiders' defense isn't very good, even against a bad Tennessee offense.
TITANS
Start ‘em: Only once this season has Delanie Walker failed to offer at least five fantasy points, and at a position without a lot of superstars, that's enough.
Start ‘em?: With Dexter McCluster hurt and Bishop Sankey barely involved in the offense anymore, Antonio Andrews should have the running-back job more-or-less to himself. Regardless, he's not producing much. You'd have to be really desperate to dive that deep. ... The return of Kendall Wright is interesting on the very fringes of the wide-receiver ranks; the team's other weapons haven't done much.
Sit ‘em: Take out his big game against New Orleans, and Marcus Mariota has averaged only 11.7 fantasy points a game since Week 1. ... David Cobb has four carries for negative-3 yards. He might have a bright future, but it isn't in 2015. ... After Walker and Wright, Harry Douglas and Dorial Green-Beckham don't offer much upside. ... Ryan Succop still hasn't reached even 10 fantasy points in a game all season. ... The Titans' defense hasn't put up negative fantasy points all year, but also hasn't had much upside.
SUMMARY
Start in every league: Amari Cooper, Michael Crabtree, Delanie Walker
Start if you're desperate: Derek Carr, Latavius Murray, Sebastian Janikowski, Antonio Andrews, Kendall Wright
Bench: Clive Walford, Oakland defense, Marcus Mariota, David Cobb, Harry Douglas, Dorial Green-Beckham, Ryan Succop, Tennessee Titans
