Nov 9, 2025; Tampa, Florida, USA; New England Patriots wide receiver Stefon Diggs (8) catches a touchdown pass under pressure from Tampa Bay Buccaneers safety Antoine Winfield Jr. (31) during the second quarter at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images

Which wideout could be the tipping point between a dub this weekend heading into the playoffs, and which receiver could doom you if you start them? Don't worry, we have you covered.

Here are the wide receivers that need to play in week 12 and the ones who need some time on the pine.

Start: DK Metcalf (Pittsburgh Steelers)

It's been a turbulent season for Metcalf, who has only had a single game over 100-plus receiving yards all the way back in the first month of the season. But trust him this week against a banged-up Chicago Bears secondary, which is susceptible to big plays. Be it Rodgers or Rudolph under center for the Steelers, if you have Metcalf on your team, trust him for at least one more week.

Sit: Brian Thomas Jr. (Jacksonville Jaguars)

For at least this season, I'm out on Thomas Jr. The Cardinals matchup looks juicy, but the Jaguars are winning despite not only their first-year wonder at wide receiver but also their franchise quarterback. He's one of the leaders in football when it comes to dropped passes this season, and until proven otherwise, I wouldn't put my fantasy hopes in those shaky hands.

Start: Stefon Diggs (New England Patriots)

If you have any Patriot players on your team, start them this week. The Cincinnati Bengals' defense is historically bad, and the vibes are rotten in Ohio. The only thing worse than a team that gives up points on almost every opposing drive is a team with a shoddy defense and a rain cloud of drama floating above them.

Sit: Justin Jefferson (Minnesota Vikings)

A big divisional game for Jefferson, and normally, you'd trust him without a shadow of a doubt against the Packers. Alas, J.J. McCarthy is laser-passing over Jefferson's head, and unless he starts playing like every drive is a two-minute drill, that chemistry isn't going to appear magically. The Packers have a strong defense, and with McCarthy throwing interceptions in every game he plays, it could be a more conservative approach for the Vikings.

Start: Nico Collins (Houston Texans)

While the Texans might have trouble getting the win against Buffalo on a short week without starter C.J. Stroud, Collins is going to get his in a game that could push Houston back into the playoff picture. Buffalo's secondary is exploitable, and Collins is a safety blanket for backup Davis Mills to throw to when nothing else is working.

Sit: Elic Ayomanor (Tennessee Titans)

The Titans are a mess, and though Ayomanor has established himself as a guy in Nashville, this is not a week to look at him. The Seattle Seahawks are coming off a gut-punch loss to divisional foe Los Angeles, where their defense stymied the high-powered Rams offense and still fell short. Against an offense that sometimes looks like they can't tie their shoes properly before a snap, the Seahawks are going to let out a lot of frustration on a comatose Titans offense.

This article originally appeared on Touchdown Wire: Fantasy Football Start 'Em, Sit 'Em Week 12: WR Edition

Reporting by Tyler Erzberger, Touchdown Wire / Touchdown Wire

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