Club Shay Shay: BEST OF NFL Week 12 Part 2

Host: Shannon Sharpe
Air Date: November 26, 2025
Theme: Deep-dive analysis of key NFL Week 12 matchups, quarterback controversies, and the overlooked performance of Shedeur Sanders in Cleveland’s first win with him at the helm.

Episode Overview

This episode of Club Shay Shay, hosted by NFL legend Shannon Sharpe and joined by fellow analyst (Chad “Ocho”) Johnson, delivers a passionate, candid, and insightful breakdown of Week 12's most compelling NFL storylines. There’s a particular focus on the Cleveland Browns’ quarterback controversy, Shedeur Sanders’ historic debut and overlooked recognition, and broader critiques of quarterback management and team dynamics across the league. Additional discussion highlights include record-chasing receivers, defensive dominance, odd coaching decisions, and memorable banter between the analysts.

Segment Highlights & Timestamps

1. Atlanta Falcons vs. New Orleans Saints: Tight End Troubles & JSN’s Historic Pace

[02:26] – [07:27]

• Falcons win 24-10; breakdown of Bijan Robinson’s and Atlanta’s rushing attack.
• Kyle Pitts’ struggles: Sharpe bemoans “too many dropped passes,” not tough or acrobatic catches but “routine stuff, hitting him dead in his hands.”
  • Quote: “He’s as talented of a receiving tight end that I’ve seen come out the draft… but it just hasn't clicked.” – Sports Analyst 1 (03:15)
• Jackson Smith-Njigba (JSN) sets a new pace:
  • 8 catches, 167 yards; breaks DK Metcalf’s Seahawks rookie record (in fewer games).
  • Discussion on why JSN’s smooth, consistent play is so special.
  • Broader conversation of what it takes for a WR to reach 2000 yards in a season, and his MVP chances.
  • Quote: “You think maybe he playing against bad defenses? It don’t matter. Everybody getting that work.” – Sports Analyst 2 (07:12)

2. Overtime Drama: Jags vs. Cardinals & Celebratory Mishaps

[08:45] – [11:39]

• Jacksonville wins 27-20 in OT despite four turnovers.
• Trevor Lawrence: 3 TDs, 3 INTs, 1 Fumble – “Not a clean win.”
• Celebration Broken Down: Critique of players who showboat at the wrong moment (e.g., spinning the ball and wasting time in overtime).
  • Quote: “There's a time and a place to celebrate… do you not understand situational football?” – Sports Analyst 1 (09:35)
  • Reference to Chase Claypool’s infamous gaffe in Minnesota.
  • Key lesson: Hand the ball to the ref, value every second.

3. Shedeur Sanders’ Historic Browns Debut—But No Game Ball?

[15:52] – [26:17]

• Sanders’ start: First Browns rookie QB to win his first NFL start since 1995, ending the team’s infamous streak.
• 11/22 passing, 209 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT—decent numbers in a win.
• Lack of run game and little support, but Sanders “looked to push the ball down the field.”
• Praise for his aggression – “I was very impressed with him…he gives those guys an opportunity to make plays.”
• Controversy: Despite historic win, head coach Stefanski is “non-committal” on Sanders as next week’s starter, and Shedeur does not receive a game ball in the locker room.
  • Locker room clip: “And then another rookie making his first start. Nice job, Shedeur. Well done. There’s that old saying, save the best for last. How about that defensive... 10 sacks by our defense...Miles Garrett...So I'll see guys tomorrow.”
• Analyst frustration and suspicion of front office/coach bias:
  • “So hold on. A guy making his first start, a guy that you didn’t really want to start, a guy that you didn’t even want in your organization...and that’s all he get. Great job. He don't get no game ball.” – Shannon Sharpe (24:40)
  • “That’s not the individual they want at the helm. They made that clear a long time ago.” – Sports Analyst 2 (25:08)

4. Discussion: Browns' Internal Politics & Quarterback Competition

[26:17] – [41:55]

• Larger critique: Browns front office (specifically coach Kevin Stefanski and owner Haslam) are resistant to Sanders' success because he wasn’t “their pick” (preference for Dylan Gabriel).
  • Quotes:
    • “Odds are stacked against you…when opportunity presents itself, [Sanders] has to go out there and do what he did.” – Sports Analyst 2 (25:46)
    • “I ain't say you got to pick the man up on his shoulders and carry him off the field. But that little bit...Harold Fanning, four catches for forty yards…Shador played his ass off.” – Sharpe (26:17)
  • Strong comparison to dating: “Sometimes, you gotta lie to your team…even if you don’t like Shador…commit as if you do.” (29:21)
• Coaches’ pride and job security discussed at length—are they more focused on “being right” than winning?
• “Fans don't hold Haslam and Stefanski in the highest regard anyway...now if you wanted booing and carrying on, take the young man out of the game.” (35:27)
• Dilemma: Let Sanders play and possibly prove the team wrong—or right.
  • “Maybe he proves you right. Maybe he flops. I don't believe he will.” (33:51)
• The significance of giving QBs a true chance and not being blinded by draft status or ego.

5. Patriots vs. Bengals & Veteran QB Analysis

[46:03] – [51:12]

• Patriots beat Bengals 26-20; Joe Flacco’s “turnover machine” tendencies dissected.
  • “He gonna start out hot…but he’s a turnover machine now.” – Sharpe (46:03)
• Defensive play recognition—DB “cheated up” for a pick-six off Flacco.
• Friendly rivalry: Ocho Johnson jokes about his ties to both Patriots and Bengals.
• Highlight: Mitchell Tinsley’s consistent playmaking.

6. Ravens' Win and Offensive Struggles

[51:12] – [54:17]

• Ravens rise from 1-5 to an AFC North tie, but Lamar Jackson’s numbers continue to underwhelm.
• “Lamar’s been held under 200 yards passing for three straight games…not what we’re used to.” – Sharpe (51:12)
• Running game struggles: only 98 yards on 34 carries, “something feels off.”
• Defenses are now keying on Baltimore’s tendencies.

7. Patrick Mahomes, the Chiefs, and Red Zone Woes

[54:45] – [63:19]

• Chiefs beat Colts 23-20; postgame, Mahomes seems to subtly criticize coaching.
  • Mahomes on Bengals DC Anarumo:
    “He’s not stuck in his ways…he adjusts his scheme to the team around him.” – Mahomes [paraphrased, 55:30]
  • Analysts speculate this is a veiled shot at Andy Reid’s stubbornness.
• Chiefs’ red zone futility:
  • Multiple long drives ending in field goals, not touchdowns.
  • “You kick field goals, you get your ass kicked.” (58:05)
  • Lack of speed weapon post-Tyreek Hill is a glaring issue.
  • “Now it's a struggle once they get inside the 20…not getting the home run because once they got rid of Tyreek, the offense completely changed.” – Sharpe (61:58)
• Ocho’s analysis: “The creativity just isn’t working anymore. Everybody's seen all the tricks and it's just tougher now.”

8. 49ers vs. Panthers & Rookie Mistakes

[64:30] – [75:31]

• 49ers prevail over Panthers, 29-19; Christian McCaffrey shines (142 yards from scrimmage).
• Brock Purdy’s “awful” night: 3 INTs but bailed out by defense.
• Panthers’ offensive miscues: Poor communication, missed opportunities by Bryce Young and WRs.
• Detailed technical receiver/DB talk:
  • On running dig routes, matching up with J.C. Horn, and importance of route discipline.
  • Ocho: “When you get to the top of your route and you’re doing all that wiggle, the good corners just stop their feet and drive on it.” (68:57)
• 49ers move to 8-4 and leapfrogged Detroit for the seventh seed.

Notable Quotes & Moments

• On Shedeur's snub:
  • “A guy you didn’t want, a guy you didn’t want to start, makes history, wins you your first road start, and that’s all he get. Great job. He don’t get no game ball.” – Shannon Sharpe (24:40)
• On coaches’ egos:
  • “Coaches have egos too…there is no way in hell they gonna sit on their hands and show the world they made a mistake. Ain’t no way.” – Sports Analyst 2 (30:54)
• On player celebration:
  • “This is overtime. Why you spinning the football? Just hand it to the ref, you save 10 seconds.” – Shannon Sharpe (10:13)
• On the Chiefs’ issues:
  • “You gotta be perfect when you don’t have the home run threat. Now it's a struggle once they get inside the 20.” – Sharpe (61:58)
• On WR route running:
  • “When you get to the top of them routes, you do all that wiggle, instead of just snapping it off…against the good ones, they stop their feet and drive.” – Ocho (68:57)

Tone & Style

The episode features classic Shannon Sharpe energy—direct, unfiltered, and mixed with humor and storytelling. The mood is passionate and critical, especially concerning quarterback politics, underappreciated performances, and the stubbornness of coaching staffs. Throughout, the show balances technical football analysis with accessible real-life analogies, making it entertaining for casual fans and students of the game alike.

Listen for These Takeaways

• Deep skepticism about front office politics impacting quarterback development and reward systems (Sanders’ snub).
• The importance of context in football: how situations, not stats, tell the real story behind wins, losses, and individual performances.
• Recognition of subtler aspects of the game: wide receiver technique, defensive game-plans, and how small errors or decisions (player celebrations, route depth, in-game management) compound to shape outcomes.
• Persistent acknowledgment of changing NFL landscapes—quarterback styles, the evolution of the passing game, and the increased scrutiny that comes with social media and fan feedback.

For anyone who missed the episode, this summary spotlights the most engaging conversations, revealing not just what happened in Week 12, but how player dynamics, coaching pride, and front-office politics continue to define the NFL’s storylines.