Fantasy football advice, Week 12: Who to start/sit for Saints vs. Texans

After seeing quarterback after quarterback light up their defense, the New Orleans Saints used their Week 11 bye to change defensive coordinators, in hopes of lighting a fire under a unit that has played terribly this year. Sunday, we see if the change had any immediate effect, with the 4-6 Saints facing a 5-5 Houston Texans team that needs wins to stay tied atop the AFC South.

New Orleans running back Mark Ingram and wide receiver Willie Snead are both on the week's injury report, though there's no real worry about either player missing Sunday's game. For Houston, quarterback Brian Hoyer and running back Chris Polk should both return after missing Week 11, and Nate Washington is expected to be fine for Sunday as well.

Start ‘em: That pesky home/road problem is still dogging Drew Brees. In home games this year, he's averaging 25 fantasy points a game, compared to 13.8 on the road. You're using him Sunday if you have him, even on the road, but temper expectations. ... Mark Ingram has been a stud all season, one of five running backs with at least six fantasy points in every game played, and the other four (Matt Forte, Jamaal Charles, LeSean McCoy, Joseph Randle) have all missed time, while Ingram has played every game. ... After some disappointing early-season numbers, Brandin Cooks has averaged almost 14 fantasy points a game since Week 4. He's a clear starter.

Start ‘em?: Probably the most consistent New Orleans receiver this year has been Willie Snead, though it's been consistently good-not-great. He's cracked double-digit fantasy points only once, but has eight or nine four different times. He's a low-end flex option. ... Benjamin Watson has cooled a bit after his hot stretch, though he still gets plenty of touchdown opportunity.

Sit ‘em: There's been nothing for C.J. Spiller virtually all year, and it's really hard to imagine Tim Hightower can return from total irrelevance to have a real fantasy role. ... After Cooks, Snead and Watson, there isn't much left for Marques Colston, Brandon Coleman or Josh Hill. ... In four games with New Orleans, Kai Forbath has three or fewer fantasy points three times. ... The Saints' defense might get better without Rob Ryan, but it won't happen this quickly.

Start ‘em: The Texans have run three average-or-worse quarterbacks out there this season, and DeAndre Hopkins has feasted with all of them. In this matchup Sunday, he could have a field day.

Start ‘em?: You would be totally justified in streaming Brian Hoyer against the Saints this week; that defense turns quarterbacks into superstars. Just don't get fooled by a big Week 12 and keep Hoyer in your lineup after that. ... Week 11 was a big one for Alfred Blue, with 14 fantasy points, but he had struggled in replacing Arian Foster before that. ... Cecil Shorts III is normally only a super-deep flex option, but against New Orleans, he's much more interesting. ... The Texans' defense has cracked 10 fantasy points in three straight games and four of five. If Brees struggles in a road game, Houston could take advantage.

Sit ‘em: Blue, not Chris Polk or Jonathan Grimes, is the only Houston running back worth an extended fantasy look. ... With Shorts back in the fold, there haven't been many looks for Nate Washington. ... The tight-end trio of C.J. Fiedorowicz, Garrett Graham and Ryan Griffin have combined for 22 fantasy points and two touchdowns this season. ... Nick Novak has yet to crack double-digit fantasy points with Houston.

Start in every league: Drew Brees, Mark Ingram, Brandin Cooks, DeAndre Hopkins
Start if you're desperate: Willie Snead, Benjamin Watson, Brian Hoyer, Alfred Blue, Cecil Shorts III, Houston defense
Bench: C.J. Spiller, Tim Hightower, Marques Colston, Brandon Coleman, Josh Hill, Kai Forbath, New Orleans defense, Chris Polk, Jonathan Grimes, Nate Washington, C.J. Fiedorowicz, Garrett Graham, Ryan Griffin, Nick Novak