Nov 9, 2025; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago Bears tight end Colston Loveland (84) takes the field for a game against the New York Giants at Soldier Field.

Fantasy football managers already survived "byemageddon" this season, but Week 12 brings our final round of a four-team bye week.

The Denver Broncos, Los Angeles Chargers, Miami Dolphins and Washington Commanders are on a bye this week.

The good news? Breakout tight end Tyler Warren and top weekly streaming candidate Juwan Johnson will be returning from their byes, but there are still difficult decisions to be made in Week 12. The fantasy football playoffs are nearly here, and your team could be relying on a late-season push to get into the dance.

Last week, the quartet of veterans George Kittle, Mark Andrews, Jake Ferguson and Travis Kelce all scored touchdowns, helping fantasy managers. Who will be in a position to contribute in a significant way this week?

The playoff push has arrived. Here is who you should start and who you should sit at tight end in Week 12 of the fantasy football season.

Fantasy football start 'em: Week 12 TEs

Hunter Henry, Patriots (at Bengals)

The red-hot AFC East-leading Patriots get the Bengals this Sunday. Unless you've been living under a rock, you'd know to start your tight end against Cincinnati in 2025. The Bengals have been historically bad, allowing a league-high 22.5 PPR points per game to opposing TE rooms.

Cincy has allowed a league-high 12 touchdowns to the position. Henry has scored just once over the last two months and has topped 50 yards just once since Week 3, but this matchup is too tasty to leave the veteran out of lineups. He played 94% of snaps last week and has had at least six targets in two of the last three games. He's plenty involved, so start him with confidence in Week 12.

Noah Fant, Bengals (vs. Patriots)

Fant is the top streamer of the week at the position who will likely go unnoticed by your league mates. With Ja'Marr Chase suspended, the veteran could be in for added opportunities against the Patriots. Joe Flacco's gunslinger mentality could benefit Fant in this matchup that projects to be a negative game script for Cincy when it plays the AFC East-leading Patriots.

New England's defense has allowed the most receptions to opposing tight ends in 2025. The 27-year-old is coming off a season-high six targets and has scored a touchdown in two of the last four games. He could be in line for his third finish inside the top 10.

Colston Loveland, Bears (vs. Steelers)

Tyler Warren in Indianapolis has dominated the conversation as the top rookie tight end in 2025, but get your popcorn ready because Loveland is poised to break out. The Bears' rookie had a season-high 75.3% snap rate with Cole Kmet healthy this past Sunday against the Vikings. The offense is crowded, so Loveland is still matchup-prone, but Chicago hosts the Steelers this week, who have allowed the sixth-most fantasy points per game to the position. Pittsburgh has surrendered the most passing yards per game. If you're searching for upside this week, Loveland is your target.

Cade Otton, Buccaneers at Rams (Sunday Night Football)

The Buccaneers' No. 1 receiver, Mike Evans, suffered a broken collarbone in Week 7 and Chris Godwin could be sidelined again. Otton is a top-10 option and one of the top streamers of the week at the position when the Buccaneers take on the Rams. This game is tied with the highest projected total of the week (49.5).

Otton was a start in Week 10 and a sit in Week 11, but he can be trusted again in Week 12. The Rams have allowed the 11th-most fantasy points per game to opposing tight ends, and Tampa Bay is a road underdog, suggesting it will need to throw plenty to keep pace with the high-powered Rams. Otton is a focal point in the offense with the Bucs' wide receivers banged up and could notch a top-five finish this Sunday if he can find the end zone for the first time in 2025.

Fantasy football sit 'em: Week 12 TEs

Dalton Schultz, Texans vs. Bills (Thursday Night Football)

Just as we start tight ends against the Bengals, we recommend sitting them against the Bills. Buffalo has allowed the fewest receptions (25) and receiving yards (270) to tight ends this season, while also allowing just one touchdown. Schultz has had a solid floor over the last month but his ceiling is low against Buffalo.

Davis Mills will start again with C.J. Stroud still in concussion protocol. Buffalo has allowed a league-low 6.02 fantasy points per game to opposing tight ends. Leave Schultz on the bench this week.

T.J. Hockenson, Vikings (at Packers)

Another week, another sit recommendation for Hockenson. Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy has been among the most disappointing players, and his struggles have been passed down to his teammates around him. While Justin Jefferson, Jordan Addison and Hockenson are among the most talented at their position in the NFL, they just haven't been able to get in sync with their starting quarterback.

Hockenson has been one of the biggest disappointments of the fantasy season so far, finishing outside the top 15 at the position in all but one game. There have been few signs to trust Hockenson in 2025, so leave him on the bench again in Week 12 when the Vikings face the Packers on the road.

Fantasy football start 'em, sit 'em, Week 12

Looking for more fantasy football advice? USA TODAY Sports has you covered:

→ Need an edge under center? Here are the best quarterback options to start and to sit in Week 12.

→ A good running back makes all the difference. A bad running back can cost you a lot of points. Here's who to start and who to sit in Week 12.

→ The wide receiver position is one of the deepest each season. Set yourself up for success in Week 12 with start 'em, sit 'em advice for wideouts.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Start 'Em, Sit 'Em tight ends: Week 12 fantasy football

Reporting by Tom Viera, USA TODAY / USA TODAY

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