The spotlight is on Vikings QB McCarthy, who is facing intense scrutiny heading into Week 12. With Minnesota’s offense sputtering and Green Bay’s defense surging, this matchup presents one of the trickiest fantasy landscapes of the week. The Packers, meanwhile, are trying to keep themselves in the NFC playoff hunt and will lean heavily on Jordan Love and their deep rotation of weapons.
Below is your full Start ’Em, Sit ’Em breakdown, each with a 1–5 rating for confidence plus a final takeaway.
START ’EM
Jordan Love – QB, Packers
Rating: (3/5)
Love hasn’t been explosive lately, but he’s been consistent, averaging at least one passing TD per contest. Against a Vikings defense on its heels, Love has real upside for 2+ scores. A solid QB2 with QB1 potential.
Josh Jacobs – RB, Packers
Rating: (4/5) if active
If Jacobs is cleared, he’s an automatic start. He’s the most complete back on the roster and would command the bulk of touches. Strong RB2 with TD upside.
Emanuel Wilson – RB, Packers
Rating: (2/5)
Monitor closely.
If he’s announced as the starter, he jumps to a FLEX-worthy play. Even in a split, he offers explosive-play ability but carries risk. Only start if news breaks in his favor.
Romeo Doubs – WR, Packers (FLEX)
Rating: (3/5)
Love’s most-targeted receiver. The volume is solid, but he needs a touchdown to hit WR2 numbers. Reasonable FLEX with upside.
Christian Watson – WR, Packers
Rating: (4/5)
Watson is the big-play spark plug and has scored in recent weeks. His ceiling is higher than Doubs’, making him a strong WR2/FLEX option this week.
Luke Musgrave – TE, Packers (Sleeper)
Rating: (2/5)
A sneaky streaming candidate. Minnesota struggles with tight ends, and Musgrave could easily find the end zone on a seam route or goal-line leak.
Packers D/ST
Rating: (4/5)
Green Bay has played extremely well and now faces a struggling rookie QB who has been turnover-prone. Top 10 defense this week.
Aaron Jones – RB, Vikings
Rating: (4/5)
Revenge game alert. Minnesota will need Jones to stabilize the offense while McCarthy settles in. Expect heavy usage and a real chance at a touchdown against his former team.
Jordan Mason – RB, Vikings (FLEX)
Rating: (2/5)
Mason complements Jones and should handle 8–12 touches. Worth a FLEX play in deeper leagues given Minnesota’s run-heavy likely script.
Addison, Doubs set for bigger roles in GB vs. MIN – Via NBC Sports
Jordan Addison – WR, Vikings
Rating: (3/5)
Addison has been the one consistent spark, delivering steady WR2-level play. He offers big-play potential and red-zone trust, making him a confident start even with offensive struggles.
Justin Jefferson – WR, Vikings (FLEX)
Rating: (3/5)
Jefferson is always dangerous, but defenses are keying on him heavily with McCarthy struggling. He’s still startable, but he feels more like a FLEX/low-end WR2 this week rather than the automatic WR1 we’re used to.
SIT ’EM
TJ Hockenson – TE, Vikings
Rating: (2/5)
Hockenson just hasn’t produced like an elite tight end this year. Between inconsistent QB play and defensive focus on short/intermediate routes, he belongs on the bench until the offense shows signs of life.
FINAL TAKEAWAY
This rivalry game could be closer than expected, but from a fantasy perspective, the Packers offer more stability and higher ceilings across the board. Jordan Love and his receivers are in a prime position to take advantage of a vulnerable Vikings defense, while Minnesota will lean heavily on Aaron Jones and Jordan Addison to keep the offense afloat.
If you’re looking for safer fantasy production, lean Packers. If you need high-variance upside, Jefferson, Addison, and Mason can provide it, but they come with risk tied to McCarthy’s growing pains.
Week 12 is a prove-it game for both teams, but especially for Minnesota’s young quarterback. The fantasy fortunes of their stars will rise and fall with him.
