Introducing 4th and Inches, the Ram Sports Editors’ weekly guide for all things NFL. Like an offensive coordinator facing fourth-and-short, picking between winners and losers, or starts and sits, can feel like an impossible choice. Don’t know who to pick? Let us decide for you.
Week 12 Picks:
Games with an asterisk beside them represent our locks of the week.
Steelers @ Browns
Jonah (83-52): Steelers
Griffin (81-54): Steelers
Joe (86-49): Steelers
Chiefs @ Panthers
Jonah: Chiefs
Griffin: Chiefs
Joe: Chiefs
Vikings @ Bears
Jonah: Vikings
Griffin: Vikings
Joe: Vikings
Titans @ Texans
Jonah: Texans
Griffin: Texans
Joe: Texans
** Lions @ Colts **
Jonah: Lions
Griffin: Lions
Joe: Lions
Patriots @ Dolphins
Jonah: Dolphins
Griffin: Dolphins
Joe: Patriots
Buccaneers @ Giants
Jonah: Buccaneers
Griffin: Buccaneers
Joe: Buccaneers
Cowboys @ Commanders
Jonah: Commanders
Griffin: Commanders
Joe: Commanders
Broncos @ Raiders
Jonah: Broncos
Griffin: Broncos
Joe: Broncos
49ers @ Packers
Jonah: Packers
Griffin: Packers
Joe: Packers
Cardinals @ Seahawks
Jonah: Seahawks
Griffin: Seahawks
Joe: Cardinals
Eagles @ Rams
Jonah: Eagles
Griffin: Eagles
Joe: Eagles
Ravens @ Chargers
Jonah: Ravens
Griffin: Ravens
Joe: Ravens
Fantasy Football:
Start ‘Em, Sit ‘Em:
QB
Jonah: Jayden Daniels (Start) – All the pieces are falling into place for Daniels to have a fantastic week: the Cowboys are in freefall; he will be playing at home and thus won’t have to deal with the challenges that come with away games; and his supporting cast are all getting healthy. Look for Daniels to have a massive week…
Griffin: Anthony Richardson (Sit) – Richardson’s sophomore season has had its ups and downs. Recently he’s seen a lot more of the downs. The Lion’s defense has a bunch of dogs and they will no doubt cause a headache for the Colts’ quarterback.
Joe: Drake Maye (Start) – I’ve seen enough. By that I mean, I’ve seen the light. Maye is the Messiah. While I can’t say he’s a reliable fantasy option on account of the Patriots’ abysmal personnel on the O-line and at skills positions, he is certainly capable of putting up top-five numbers on account of his down-the-field passing tendencies and his willingness to use his feet.
RB
Jonah: D’Andre Swift (Sit) – While the Bears may choose to lean on their run-game this week considering Caleb Williams’ recent struggles, I would still fade Swift since he’s going to be running behind a struggling offensive line lined up across a Vikings defense that has been merciless in recent weeks.
Griffin: Joe Mixon (Start) – Joe Mixon has proved any doubters wrong this season with his impressive performances. Look for him to continue the momentum for his performance on Monday night as the Texans play a mediocre Titans squad.
Joe: Jonathan Brooks (Sit) – I’m as excited as anyone to see Brooks make his NFL debut Sunday. That said, with Chuba Hubbard having a career year (good enough for being the RB12 in PPR), expect Brooks to have limited opportunities until he’s fully healthy.
WR
Jonah: Jordan Addison (Sit) – Addison has been very hit-or-miss this year, his fantasy totals fluctuating between five-ish points and 16-ish points. Given this inconsistency and the fact that he’s going to be trying to get open against a lockdown Bears secondary, I would consider allowing Addison to ride the pine this week.
Griffin: Deandre Hopkins (Start) – After a tough loss against the Bills, the Chiefs should be in cruise control against the poorly performing Carolina Panthers. Hopkins should get back in rhythm as the Chiefs look to get back into the win column.
Joe: Josh Downs (Start) – Downs has been weirdly good – good enough, at least, to make up for Michael Pittman’s sudden fall-off. Against the high-octane Lions, expect the Colts to pass often in an effort to cut into whatever deficit they may face; the game script is great for Downs.
TE
Jonah: Sam LaPorta (Start) – The way the Lions’ offense has been playing in past weeks is justification enough to start their star tight end. However, should one couple this fact with the reality that LaPorta will be lining up against a Colts squad that is the fourth-worst against tight ends, and I think starting him should be a no-brainer.
Griffin: Brock Bowers (Sit) – Despite going off last week, Brock Bowers will face one of the best passing defenses in the league.
Joe: Brock Bowers (Start) – Oh, Griffin. Bowers has been the lone consistent Tight End in 2024 — you’d think that the man who boycotted all TEs would respect what Bowers has done for the position. He’s got a tough matchup in the Broncos, yes, but he’s got WR1-type of rapport and trust with Gardner Minshew, who will look his way no matter the matchup.
DEF
Jonah: Chiefs (Start) – They’re hyper-talented, and they’re playing the Panthers… This really shouldn’t take much more elaboration/justification.
Griffin: Broncos (Start) – The Broncos defense is the second-best statistically in fantasy this season, and the Raiders aren’t exactly a dynamic offense.
Joe: Eagles (Sit) – I like the Eagles to win this week, but the Rams’ outing against the Patriots last week showed me that this offense is good enough to give any defense problems so long as their WR core is healthy.
