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Fantasy Football Week 12 Start or Sit: Branden Oliver

Branden Oliver

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The St. Louis Rams have been very stingy when it comes to allowing opposing running backs fantasy points. For that reason, among others, Fantasy Football owners should stay away from starting San Diego Chargers running back Branden Oliver in Week 12.

Oliver has seen plenty of highs in his rookie season, which includes a 29-point performance in Week 5 against the lowly New York Jets. He also put up 18 fantasy points against the Oakland Raiders in Week 6. Of course, the Jets and Raiders have combined for three wins this season. Outside of those two performances, he has not done a lot, which has given owners plenty of doubt on a week-to-week basis.

St. Louis has allowed the seventh-fewest fantasy points to opposing running backs over the past six weeks. Combine that with Oliver’s decreased workload and it spells a recipe for disaster. In fact, the only reason to even consider starting Oliver this week is if an owner finds himself in a dire situation. Even then, there is most likely someone better on the waiver wire.

I will admit that the potential is there. Oliver rushing for over 100 yards and a touchdown in back-to-back weeks is certainly impressive. More importantly, it shows that he is capable of having a breakout performance. Then again, that was when the Chargers gave him a majority of the carries, something that has not happened since Week 6.

Being third on the depth chart behind Ryan Mathews and Donald Brown means the chance of Oliver having any sort of impact is slim to none in Week 12.

Michael Terrill is a Senior Writer for Rant Sports. Follow him on Twitter @MichaelTerrill, “Like” him on Facebook or add him to your network on Google.

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