Fantasy Football in Week 11 was not kind. Russell Wilson did not continue his hot streak in his matchup against the Baltimore Ravens, even though the Steelers pulled out the win.

Nick Chubb didn’t get revitalized during his Week 10 bye and was a non-factor in the Browns’ blowout loss to the New Orleans Saints. Josh Jacobs scored and provided quality fantasy production with 134 total scrimmage yards, including a 58-yard contribution in the passing game.

George Pickens was still the go-to for Wilson and contributed eight receptions on 12 targets for 89 yards. Courtland Sutton continues to be heavily targeted by impressive rookie quarterback Bo Nix, with seven receptions on eight targets for 78 yards.

Rounding out the lineup were three giant misses, starting with Garrett Wilson and Dawson Knox. Both were counted on to provide significant contributions but failed fantasy managers. The cherry on top was the New Orleans Saints’ defense, who couldn’t stop the Cleveland Browns offense or force any turnovers.

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Thankfully, that week is behind us, and we look forward to Week 12. Fantasy managers are fighting for playoff spots or positioning, so finding the players with blow-up potential is critical. Check out which players will blow up this week with my Week 12 fantasy football smash starts.

Fantasy Football Smash Starts For Week 12

Quarterback

Baker Mayfield (QB – TB) at New York Giants

Baker Mayfield and the Buccaneers return from their Week 11 bye to take on the New York Giants. The Bucs have the fifth-highest-scoring offense in the NFL. However, Mayfield and the offense saw their explosiveness dip across the four games before they welcomed their bye week. The drop coincided with the loss of wide receiver Mike Evans to a hamstring injury and Chris Godwin to an ankle injury.

The Bucs received great news when they announced Evans is expected to return this week. With Evans’ return and continued reliance on tight end Cade Otton and play-making running backs Rachaad White and Bucky Irving, Mayfield is anticipated to succeed again.

The Giants’ defense allows the ninth-most points per game to opposing quarterbacks, which bodes well for Mayfield to return to being a fantasy QB1.

Running Back

Brian Robinson Jr. (RB – WAS) vs. Dallas

It is hard not to pick on the Dallas Cowboys’ defense. The Commanders’ offense will look to ride Brian Robinson Jr. against the 31st-ranked run defense, surrendering 151 yards allowed per game. Robinson returned to the field last week and produced 63 rushing yards and a score against a tough Philadelphia Eagles defense.

Fantasy managers should target the Cowboys’ defense to get opposing players in their lineups when making fantasy start sit decisions. They allow the third-most fantasy points and second-most rushing touchdowns to running backs.

Robinson has scored in six of his eight games this season. The former Alabama star has a high ceiling this week, with scores and 100 scrimmage yards in the realm of possibility.

Rhamondre Stevenson (RB – NE) at Miami

Rhamondre Stevenson is in a plus-matchup against the Miami Dolphins this week. He will follow up on the 19.2 PPR points he produced in Week 5 against a Dolphins defense ranked 26th in rush defense DVOA (defense-adjusted value over average).

Stevenson fills the stat sheet with his involvement in the passing game and 78% of the red-zone touches. Look for Stevenson to produce RB1 numbers with 100+ scrimmage yards and a touchdown.

Tyrone Tracy Jr. (RB – NYG) vs. Tampa Bay

Yes, we are returning to Tyrone Tracy Jr. Why not? Tracy has been an RB1 for the last five weeks. Since taking over as the Giants’ lead back, the rookie running back has at least 100 yards from scrimmage in four games.

In Week 12, Tracy and the Giants take on the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, who have allowed 22.5 fantasy points per game (sixth-most) to running backs. In addition, the Bucs’ defense allows a league-high 51.3 receiving yards per game to the running back position.

With the Giants moving on from Daniel Jones to Tommy DeVito, we should see a refocus on the running game and intermediate throws, which provides Tracy the perfect shot to surpass 100 yards from scrimmage and visits to the end zone.

Wide Receiver

Ladd McConkey (WR – LAC) vs. Baltimore

The Harbaugh Bowl on Monday Night Football will be a high-scoring affair with plenty of passes from Justin Herbert and Lamar Jackson. Herbert has the Chargers’ passing game playing at an elite level. He has thrown multiple touchdowns in three of his last four contests and surpassed 275 passing yards in four of his previous five starts.

Rookie wideout Ladd McConkey has emerged as a No. 1 WR for Herbert, including his season-high 123 yards on six receptions last week. McConkey has produced at least 100 receiving yards in two of his previous four games. The Ravens allow the most receiving yards and fantasy points per game to opposing wide receivers.

McConkey leads the Chargers with a 24% target share. McConkey is a smash start this week as he hits 100 yards again and scores his fifth touchdown versus this vulnerable Ravens defense.

Jameson Williams (WR – DET) at Indianapolis

Jameson Williams is a highlight waiting to happen. Last week, he recorded his second 100-yard performance of the season, including a 64-yard catch-and-run score. His splash plays fit perfectly in the Lions’ offense as he continues to be a high-upside weekly wide receiver option for fantasy managers.

Willaims and the Lions’ offense have a favorable matchup against the Indianapolis Colts, who are in the bottom 10 in receiving yards allowed to wide receivers. Watch Jared Goff connect with Williams on a big play or two at Lucas Oil Stadium on Sunday.

Tight End

Zach Ertz (TE – WAS) vs. Dallas

After facing off against two of the top defenses in the league with matchups against the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Philadelphia Eagles defenses, a matchup against the Dallas Cowboys will be a welcome sight for Zach Ertz.

Rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels has slowed down considerably from his blistering start, but that can be attributed to a rib injury that is more painful than Daniels or the Commanders are letting on.

The veteran tight end continues to be the go-to guy on intermediate routes and enjoys elevated targets. Ertz has posted five or more receptions in six of the past seven games. A matchup against the Dallas Cowboys in Week 12 will not slow down Ertz.

The pace should increase in a favorable matchup. Ertz follows up on his score last week versus the Eagles with another score this week.

Defense

Washington Commanders D/ST vs. Dallas

Let’s continue with the theme of picking on the Cowboys. It’s hard not to like the Commanders’ defense this week as a smashing start.

The Commanders’ defense is middling, but they have a juicy matchup. The Cowboys’ offense is a total disaster. They lead the league with 20 giveaways and allow 2.9 sacks per game. That signals a recipe for a fantasy defense to smash,

Dennis Sosic is a featured writer at FantasyPros. For more from Dennis, check out his archive and follow him @CALL_ME_SOS.