Every Friday throughout the NFL regular season I will be sending you this lineup helper that I like to call: Tough Decisions. In this article I will breakdown players with similar value, ranking and projection heading into this coming week.

Since this piece does come out on Fridays, injury news may pop up after posting time. Make sure you’re checking all your sources so you have up to date information regarding injuries, playing status, etc. Once again, if you want your lineup question featured in this piece, just hit me up on Twitter and your question could be featured. Anyways, let’s get into it.

Let's take a look at the TOUGH DECISIONS for Week 12:

QUARTERBACKS

Colin Kaepernick (@MIA) or Carson Palmer (@ATL)

The Case for Kaepernick: Believe it or not, over the last month, Kaepernick has notched the 10th-most fantasy points among all quarterbacks. He’s ahead of guys like Derek Carr, Cam Newton, Matthew Stafford and Eli Manning, just to help put things in perspective. Kaepernick has tossed five touchdowns over the past four weeks, compared to just one interception. The 49ers quarterback has tallied 110 rushing yards and one touchdown over the past four games, which gives him a nice fantasy floor each week. Listen, he’s not going to lead San Francisco to a ton of points each week, but he can put up decent fantasy numbers with the right matchup. The Dolphins have been right around league average against quarterbacks this season, making Kaepernick an above-average QB2 in Week 12.

The Case for Palmer: Palmer has been pretty bad this season, but he does get a nice matchup against a generous Atlanta defense. The Falcons have allowed the second-most passing touchdowns in the league this season, not to mention the most fantasy points per game to opposing signal callers. Palmer has scored 15 or more fantasy points just once after their Week 2 contest with the Bucs and without David Johnson, this offense would really struggle. Palmer’s 13:10 TD/INT ratio is uninspiring to say the least, but in a likely high-scoring affair with Atlanta, the team is going to need Palmer to sling it. He will approach 300 yards this weekend, putting him in QB2 territory.

The Verdict: Kapernick. Palmer has just been so bad this season, and Kaepernick can do it with his legs.

RUNNING BACKS

Todd Gurley (@NO) or Matt Forte (vs. NE)

The Case for Gurley: Gurley reached double-digit fantasy points for the first time (standard scoring) since Week 5 against the Buffalo Bills. Gurley’s 76 rushing yards last week against the Dolphins is his second highest mark of the season, which really showcases just how much he’s struggled this season. Regardless of how frustrated you are with him this season, you can’t deny that this matchup with New Orleans carries a lot of excitement for Gurley. The Saints trail only the Chargers in rushing touchdowns allowed this season, and in terms of fantasy points, the Saints are the fourth-most generous team to opposing running backs. Gurley will see 20 carries on Sunday and he’s going to eclipse 100 yards for the first time all season. He’s a high-end RB2 for me in Week 12.

The Case for Forte: Can New York keep this game close for long enough that the Jets don’t have to abandon the run? That’s one hell of a question. Forte is just one of eight running backs averaging at least 21 touches per game, however, that number can be deceiving. He’s been doing it mainly by rushing attempts, because he’s nowhere near the receiving threat that he was in his glory days in Chicago. In 10 games this season, Forte has logged three or more receptions in just two games. At this point, he’s good for two receptions a game, so if the Jets have to abandon the run early, Forte will have a hard time producing. Consider him a RB2 on Sunday.

The Verdict: Gurley. Love the matchup.

WIDE RECEIVERS

Kelvin Benjamin (@OAK) or Julian Edelman (@NYJ)

The Case for Benjamin: Benjamin is coming off a game in which he received just three targets, but a matchup against the Raiders provides him with an excellent opportunity to produce. Well, we said the same thing last week against an equally as bad New Orleans secondary. This week will be different! Right? It should be. Newton continues to struggle, but Benjamin’s size should loom large in this contest, especially when Carolina makes its way down into the red zone. It’s been a rough season for Benjamin thus far, but he will score on Sunday for the first time since Week 4 against the Atlanta Falcons.

The Case for Edelman: With Rob Gronkowski and Chris Hogan out, Edelman beat the San Francisco defense for 77 yards and a touchdown on eight receptions. He served as the No. 1 option in the passing attack, and since Gronk is unlikely to play, Edelman will once again be the top option against a shitty New York pass defense. The Jets are allowing the 11th-most yards to receivers this season and Edelman’s shiftiness is hard to neutralize. Seeing as he’s scored twice in the past three weeks, he’s a reliable WR2 in all formats this weekend.

The Verdict: Edelman. Benjamin should do just fine, but he won’t reach Edelman’s point total in Week 12.

THE FLEX CONUNDRUM

Rashad Jennings (@CLE) or Michael Crabtree (vs. CAR)

The Case for Jennings: Cleveland struggles slowing down the pass, they can’t neutralize the run game and simply put, that defense can hardly stop a nose bleed. The Cleveland defense is allowing 4.6 YPC to opposing running backs and Jennings is coming off his best game of the season last week. Last week against the Bears he set season-highs in rushing attempts (21), receptions (5) and receiving yards (44). Paul Perkins had been getting some work of late, but with Jennings running so well against Chicago, the former received just six touches. Jennings can get it done in both aspects of the offense and since he is facing Cleveland, you have to love him this week. Consider him a reliable RB2 this week.

The Case for Crabtree: Crabtree was absolute garbage on Monday night. It was easily the worst game of his season and one could argue that it was the worst game of his career. He was awful, atrocious even. Crabtree almost had more drops than receptions! As unconventional as it sounds, because of that, I love him this week. Crabtree will be determined to not let it happen again and he has an advantageous matchup against a Carolina defense that has allowed the 11th-most fantasy points to opposing wide receivers this season. Short memory, folks. He’s a WR2 this week.

The Verdict: Jennings. The matchup is just too damn good.

TIGHT ENDS

Zach Ertz (vs. GB) or C.J. Fiedorowicz (vs. SD)

The Case for Ertz: From Week 5 through Week 7, Ertz was an afterthought in the Philadelphia passing attack. However, in recent weeks, there has been a concentrated focus to get the football in Ertz’s hands. If you ask me, he’s the most reliable option in the passing attack that team has, considering all of the drops from those wide receivers. Ertz has caught at least six passes in each of the past three weeks and there is a renewed focus to get him the football. The Green Bay defense has allowed the sixth-most fantasy points to opposing tight ends this season, placing Ertz in low-end TE1 territory.

The Case for Fiedorowicz: Over the last two weeks, only five tight ends have more receiving yards than Houston’s C.J. Fiedorowicz. He’s seen at least five targets in seven straight games, so he gives owners a quality floor at the tight end position. Fiedorowicz hasn’t found the end zone since Week 8, but he is a reliable option in the red zone attack. Quarterback Brock Osweiler is content on dumping the ball off near the line of scrimmage, which benefits the tight end. San Diego is stingy against tight ends, but if the ball isn’t going to DeAndre Hopkins or Lamar Miller, it’s likely heading towards Fiedorowicz. TE2 for me, ladies and gentlemen.

The Verdict: Ertz. This one will be pretty close, but the fact that Ertz will score in Week 12 puts him over the top.

You can find me on Twitter: @colbyrconway