Commanders fantasy football starts and sits for Week 12 vs. Cowboys

The Washington Commanders offense did not look like the juggernaut we have become accustomed to seeing this season at the Philadelphia Eagles on Thursday Night Football. That unfortunately also led to several lackluster fantasy performances across the board.

With that being said, it is a new week. The Commanders need to bounce back, and a match-up with the struggling divisional rival Dallas Cowboys is a perfect get-right game.

It's a much easier game for Week 12 on paper, although form goes out of the window in division clashes. However, it should bode much better for the Commanders' fantasy stars.

With this in mind, here are your Washington starts and sits in fantasy football against the Cowboys in Week 12.

All stats are courtesy of Fantasy Pros.

Commanders fantasy football starts and sits for Week 12

Starts

Jayden Daniels

We discussed recently how Jayden Daniels has struggled the past couple of weeks. Those indifferent efforts have also translated into his fantasy football performances.

After starting his rookie season with 20 or more fantasy points in six out of nine games, Daniels has now had fantasy finishes of 8.6 points and 14.4 points over the last two weeks. He is still a weekly QB1, but no longer an absolute must-start until proven otherwise.

Luckily for Daniels, his match-up against the Cowboys makes him a prominent fantasy option. Dallas is currently giving up the fifth most fantasy points to quarterbacks, allowing 20.1 points on average. This should be a big get-right game for the No. 2 pick.

Start Daniels as a high end QB1 this week.

Brian Robinson Jr.

Brian Robinson Jr. played in his first game in a few weeks at the Eagles. He looked fully healthy against a stout defensive line. He is back as a weekly RB2.

The Cowboys' defense struggles a ton against the running back position. They allow the third most fantasy points to running backs. Last week, they conceded 153 total yards and three touchdowns to Houston Texans star Joe Mixon.

On top of all this, Robinson has scored a touchdown in six out of eight games played this season. That should not stop against Dallas.

Start Robinson as a high-end RB2 this week.

Austin Ekeler

Even with Robinson back, it should be expected that it's still close to a 50/50 split between the two backs. Austin Ekeler continues to produce when given the opportunity. He could be set for a profitable afternoon versus an abysmal Cowboys run defense.

There likely won't be as many receiving opportunities, given that Washington should have the lead all game. Even so, Ekeler will still be involved in the ground game.

Start Ekeler as a low end flex play this week.

Terry McLaurin

Terry McLaurin had his worst performance in a long time last week, only catching one ball for 10 receiving yards. Rookie cornerback Quinyon Mitchell did a good job against him, but he was still open at times. The main reason he had a bad fantasy performance was due to Daniels' inconsistent effort.

Even with the lackluster performance, McLaurin is still the WR7 on the season in PPR (points per reception) leagues and is still averaging 15.8 points per game since Week 3. One down week does not detract from his outstanding campaign so far.

The Cowboys give McLaurin a great match-up without Trevon Diggs in the lineup. Daniels should also bounce back against one of the worst defenses in the league.

Start McLaurin as a WR1 this week.

Zach Ertz

Zach Ertz has been earning a ton of targets lately - seven last week and eight in Week 10. He has now propelled himself to the TE10 on the season, and the TE5 the last two weeks.

He is not a flashy play by any means, but Ertz is someone you can throw out there knowing you have a solid floor. That is something you can only say for a handful of tight ends.

Unless you have one of the elite tight-end options - those being Brock Bowers, George Kittle, Travis Kelce, and Cade Otton - Ertz should be in the starting conversation.

Austin Seibert

Everything is trending towards Austin Seibert returning from his hip injury against the Cowboys this week. He is still the K1 in points per game with 13.3. The consistent kicker has not had a game under nine fantasy points all season.

As long as Seibert is playing, he is a must start.

Commanders Defense

We have a good idea of what the Commanders' defense is this season. It's not elite, but it's not bad at all either.

It's a solid defense. One thing they seem to always do is shut down subpar offenses. That trend should cotninue against the Cowboys.

Sits

Noah Brown

Noah Brown continues to play as the Commanders WR2 for the offense. However, he has not produced the last two weeks with Daniels' struggles. Until the signal-caller proves he is back to the superstar we saw before the rib injury, the wideout should stay on fantasy benches.

Commanders trio of other receivers

Luke McCaffrey, Dyami Brown, and Olamide Zaccheaus still make up this bunch of receivers rotating in the WR3 spot for the offense. There has yet to be one who has consistent production in this group. If one is to emerge, you would expect it to be the rookie slot receiver.

Keep all of these receivers on your bench this week.

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