Week 12 Fantasy Football Start ‘Em, Sit ‘Em: Michael Pittman Jr. vs. DK Metcalf

Week 12 fantasy managers face a brutal WR2 decision between Michael Pittman Jr. and DK Metcalf, and the stakes are sky-high as both receivers look to rebound from disappointing Week 11 performances.

Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Dk Metcalf (4) reacts after tochdown during the first quarter at Gillette Stadium. | Brian Fluharty-Imagn Images

Every week, fantasy owners have to make tough decisions when they are setting their lineup. One of the toughest positions to decide on is your WR2. In Week 12, many fantasy owners will be deciding between Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr and Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver DK Metcalf. Both of these wide receivers come with both a high ceiling and a low floor. Unfortunately, both are coming off one of those floor games, making this decision even tougher after they just burned you in Week 11. 

WR Michael Pittman Jr, Indianapolis Colts

Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr. (11) warms up before the game against the Tennessee Titans at Lucas Oil Stadium. | Robert Goddin-Imagn Images

The Case For Michael Pittman Jr

Pittman is coming off a terrible game, but in his two previous games, he caught 17 of 21 targets for 210 yards and a touchdown. He's been fairly consistent this season, only giving you three true dud games, much in part due to his six touchdown receptions. The Colts have a much better passing attack than the Pittsburgh Steelers, and Pittman has a much better quarterback in Daniel Jones. This season, he has caught 54 passes for 580 yards and six TDs. 

The Case Against Michael Pittman Jr

Pittman struggled last week against the Atlanta Falcons, catching just two passes for 19 yards, and he has a much more difficult matchup this week. The Kansas City Chiefs are allowing the seventh-fewest fantasy points to wide receivers this season. There are also a lot more weapons that need the ball in Indianapolis, with Jonathan Taylor, Tyler Warren, Alec Pierce, and Josh Downs all commanding opportunities. It is safe to say that Pittman has a lower ceiling and a similar floor to Metcalf. 

WR DK Metcalf, Pittsburgh Steelers

Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver DK Metcalf (4) runs with the ball against the Cincinnati Bengals during the fourth quarter at Paycor Stadium. | Joseph Maiorana-Imagn Images

The Case For DK Metcalf

Metcalf is much more explosive than Pittman. He has totaled 551 yards and five TDs, despite catching just 37 passes this season. This gives him a much higher ceiling because of his big-play ability. No pass-catcher in Pittsburgh is nearly as talented as the 6'4, 229-pound wideout. The matchup is much better for Metcalf this week, who takes on the Chicago Bears. Chicago is allowing the ninth-most fantasy points to wide receivers this season. 

The Case Against DK Metcalf

As of now, we don't even know who the quarterback for the Steelers is going to be in Week 12. Perhaps even more alarmingly, we aren't sure which one is better for Metcalf. For whatever reason, Aaron Rodgers does not seem to love throwing the ball to Metcalf. The duo has only connected on 37 of 62 targets this season. The volume hasn't been there, and there is a blatant lack of chemistry between Metcalf and Rodgers. With that said, there is little reason to believe that things would get better with Mason Rudolph under center. Metcalf has really been struggling, catching just 10 passes for 90 yards and no TDs, in his past three games combined. Those are alarmingly bad numbers.

DK Metcalf vs. Michael Pittman Jr. Week 12 Verdict

This was a tough one, but we are going to roll the dice and go with the upside of Metcalf. We will be hoping for a bounce back this week in the much better matchup. The quarterback won't really impact our decision either way. What it comes down to is that Metcalf can break off a long TD from anywhere on the field, while that's just not in Pittman's skillset.