The Cincinnati Bengals will host the New England Patriots in Week 12. Here’s the latest fantasy football news and advice to help you with your lineups this week and moving forward, specifically regarding QB Joe Flacco.
Is Joe Flacco Playing in Week 12?
Flacco is not on the injury report and barring a surprise, he is expected to play.
We’ll continue to monitor the Bengals’ injury report leading up to kickoff for any changes. You can also visit and bookmark our Fantasy News Tracker for the latest updates.
Should You Start or Sit Flacco in Week 12?
A month between meetings and, as it turns out, maybe the Flacco film really is as simple as it appears.
The Steelers’ defense has been inconsistent this season, but they clearly learned from their first meeting with Flacco and made the necessary adjustments.
Short Passing Profile (under 10 air yards)
- Week 7 vs PIT: 25-of-33 for 216 yards, 3 TD, 0 INT
- Sunday at PIT: 19-of-30 for 125 yards, 0 TD, 1 INT
If the clock didn’t strike midnight on Flacco last week, it’s at serious risk of doing it this weekend against a Patriots team on extended rest.
New England created pressure on one-third of opponent dropbacks when not blitzing in the first seven weeks of the season, a respectable rate, but one that has since spiked to 39.8%. Flacco can deal with pressure, but for him to load his top two receivers down with targets, he needs favorable coverage spots, and with extra men circling in the secondary, that’s less likely to happen.
Joe Burrow is targeting next week to retur,n and I think that’s the next time you start a quarterback with confidence from this team.
Are you looking for start/sit advice for other players in your lineup? Read our Fantasy Football Start ‘Em, Sit ‘Em Cheat Sheet.
Flacco’s Fantasy Points Projection in Week 12
Flacco is projected to score 16.0 fantasy points in PPR formats.
We project Flacco to throw for 243 yards and 1.7 passing touchdowns with 0.8 interceptions. Flacco could also add two rushing yards on the ground.
Check out the free PFSN Fantasy Start-Sit Optimizer for the latest projections and advice for your lineups this week.
Week 12 Weather Impact: Patriots at Bengals
The forecast for kickoff is 44 degrees Fahrenheit with 4 mph winds. These are ideal conditions for fantasy production.
