Fantasy football managers know that every lineup decision can make or break a week, and choosing the right players to start or sit is where championships are won. With the 2025 NFL season underway, matchups, stats, and trends are more important than ever. From favorable matchups and scoring trends to players you should avoid in tough spots, my weekly positional start and sit guide is built to give you an edge.
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DEF to Start
Cleveland Browns
The Browns are an easy start in fantasy football this week, drawing a Raiders offense that has been a gold mine for opposing defenses thanks to Geno Smith’s turnover issues and high sack rate. Cleveland has generated at least three sacks in four straight games while forcing multiple takeaways in nearly every matchup, highlighted by a 17-point explosion against Baltimore. Smith has been sacked 10 times over his last two outings and has thrown an interception in three straight games, setting up another high-pressure environment for a Browns front led by Myles Garrett. With 18 sacks in their past four contests and a matchup against one of the league’s most mistake-prone offenses, this is a defense that needs to be in fantasy football lineups everywhere.
Green Bay Packers
Green Bay profiles as a strong start this week against a Vikings offense struggling behind J.J. McCarthy, who has thrown at least one interception in every start and taken sacks at a top-five rate. Minnesota has allowed 34 sacks and committed 18 giveaways, making them one of the best matchups for fantasy defenses all season. The Packers may not always deliver splash plays, but this environment sets the table for one of their better outings with Lambeau providing a boost and McCarthy continuing to put the ball in harm’s way. With Minnesota ranking top four in fantasy points allowed to opposing DSTs, fantasy managers should feel confident rolling out Green Bay.
Baltimore Ravens
Baltimore is a clear start this week as they face a Jets offense allowing the second-most fantasy points to opposing defenses, including 36 sacks and 12 turnovers. The Ravens defense has tightened up recently and gets to face off against the Jets, who will trot out Tyrod Taylor over Justin Fields without Garrett Wilson. With Baltimore ranking near the top in Week 12 projections and playing at home against a bottom-tier scoring offense, all indicators point toward a productive outing. This is one of the safest and highest-upside DST plays of the week.
DEF to Sit
Philadelphia Eagles
The Eagles are a firm sit this week, heading into Dallas to face an offense that has averaged 35.3 points per game at home and rarely allows defenses to generate meaningful fantasy production. The Cowboys’ explosive passing attack has held opponents to the fourth-fewest defensive fantasy points, and a projected high-scoring environment further limits Philadelphia’s upside. While the Eagles’ defense is talented, this matchup offers too much risk and too little reward, making it a spot where managers should pivot to better streaming options.
Kansas City Chiefs
Kansas City belongs on the sit list this week as they take on a Colts offense that has allowed the second-fewest fantasy points to opposing defenses and continues to operate efficiently behind an 8-2 record. The Chiefs have posted just two fantasy points in back-to-back games and have reached double digits only three times this season, giving them one of the lowest ceilings among viable DSTs. With Indianapolis protecting the ball well and limiting sack opportunities, this matchup offers little upside for fantasy football purposes, making Kansas City an easy fade.
Kickers to Start
Cam Little JAC
Cam Little is a strong start this week thanks to a favorable matchup against an Arizona defense that ranks top-three in fantasy points allowed to kickers and has repeatedly given up double-digit outings. Little has been steady all season with a 16-for-20 field goal mark and elite long-range accuracy, including three makes from 50-plus yards. Even though he didn’t attempt a field goal last week, his recent 28-point two-game stretch shows the upside he brings when Jacksonville stalls near scoring range. With the Cardinals allowing 10.2 points per game to kickers on the road and six different kickers hitting 11 or more against them, Little is a locked-in start.
Tyler Loop BAL
Tyler Loop is one of the hottest kickers in fantasy football and remains a start this week against a Jets defense that allows the most fantasy points to opposing kickers. He has scored 12 or more points in three of his last four games and has been nearly automatic, converting seven of his last eight field goal attempts. The Jets have allowed multiple field goal makes in nearly every matchup, with only two kickers failing to hit that mark all season. Given Loop’s recent consistency and the high volume of attempts opponents see against New York, he carries legitimate top-five upside again.
Kickers to Sit
Harrison Butker KC
Harrison Butker is a sit this week as Kansas City continues to provide him minimal volume, with just two field goal attempts over his last four games and no recent double-digit fantasy performances. Indianapolis has allowed only one kicker to score more than nine points this season and severely limits field goal opportunities, especially at home. With the Colts ranking near the top in preventing kicker production and the Chiefs leaning on red-zone efficiency rather than stalled drives, Butker offers little upside and should be benched in fantasy football lineups.
Will Reichard MIN
Will Reichard is an easy sit this week against a Green Bay defense allowing just five fantasy points per game to kickers at Lambeau Field, one of the toughest environments for the position. Minnesota’s offensive struggles have capped his scoring potential, and he has averaged just 7.5 points across his last four outings despite strong early-season accuracy. The Packers have held most opposing kickers under nine points at home, making Reichard far too risky given the Vikings’ inconsistency. Fantasy managers should look elsewhere for Week 12.
