Fantasy football advice, Week 12: Who to start/sit for Patriots vs. Broncos on Sunday night

A few weeks ago, an impending New England Patriots-Denver Broncos Week 12 game would have been the highlight of the season, with two undefeated teams playing and Tom Brady and Peyton Manning at the respective helms. Now, though, the Broncos have lost two of three, and Manning has been replaced at quarterback. It's still a high-profile prime-time game, but there is admittedly a little less luster than there had been.

The Patriots will be without wide receiver Julian Edelman for the second straight week, and his replacement, Danny Amendola, isn't expected to make the trip either. With Aaron Dobson hitting injured reserve this week, the Patriots are down to Brandon LaFell, Chris Harper and (if he can recover from a hamstring injury) Keshawn Martin at wide receiver. For Denver, quarterback Peyton Manning is out again with a foot problem. Wide receiver Emmanuel Sanders and tight end Owen Daniels, though, are both expected to play through their respective injuries.

Start ‘em: It's admittedly scary playing Tom Brady against Denver, but that defense has slacked off of late, and Brady is still the game's best fantasy quarterback. Push down that fear and use him. ... The same can be said for LeGarrette Blount, who is worrisome, but as the Patriots run out of offensive weapons, they don't have a choice but to give him a load of carries. He's a No. 2 running back. ... The Bills somewhat shut down Rob Gronkowski last week, showing it can be done, but this is still Rob Gronkowski we're talking about here. ... Steven Gostkowski kicked for only four fantasy points in Week 1, but hasn't gone for fewer than seven since. ... The Patriots' defense gets to face a backup quarterback, meaning that's a must-start.

Sit ‘em: Behind Blount, James White had a fine Week 11, but against Denver, he can't be counted on to repeat that.

Start ‘em: With the new quarterback under center, Demaryius Thomas still put up 11 fantasy points in Week 11. He's fine.

Start ‘em?: The change at quarterback has meant good things for the Denver running game. Ronnie Hillman is the better option over C.J. Anderson, but there is an argument for either one as a strong flex play with upside. ... Between injuries and the new quarterback and a rough matchup, Emmanuel Sanders is a flex option this week, albeit one with big upside. ... Owen Daniels and Vernon Davis both put up six fantasy points a week ago. With the new look of the Denver offense, either one could make a leap forward, though both have super-low floors. ... Brandon McManus hadn't gone below seven fantasy points through the first seven games, but hasn't gone about six since. ... You're still going with the Broncos' defense, but off of the unit's three worst games of the season and against the New England offense, you're forgiven if you scour for sleepers.

Sit ‘em: In his first start, Brock Osweiler wasn't actually bad, with 18 fantasy points. Of course, there is a huge difference between the Chicago Bears' defense (in Week 11) and Sunday's opponent, New England.