Fantasy Focus Football — Week 12 RB Chaos: Who Can You Trust? 🤔

Date: November 21, 2025
Hosts: Field Yates, Mike Clay, Daniel Dopp
Format: Week 12 fantasy preview with a focus on turbulent running back situations, a Thursday Night Football (TNF) recap, bold predictions, and mailbag questions.

Episode Overview

This episode sets out to help fantasy football managers crack the chaotic running back landscape for Week 12. The hosts break down murky backfields, evaluate quarterback confidence levels, discuss TNF, and answer burning listener questions — all with their signature banter and practical advice.

Thursday Night Football Recap: Texans vs Bills

(Start: 01:00)

• Josh Allen’s Road Struggles:
  Recap centers on Allen’s hot/cold fantasy splits at home vs. on the road.

  • “He continues his streak now of five road games this year: no finishes in fantasy better than eighth.” — Mike Clay (02:17)
  • Allen placed outside the top 20 QBs this week.
  • Despite flashes, caution is advised when Allen faces top defenses, especially the Texans.

• Texans Defense Shines:
  Top-12 QB fantasy finishes allowed this season: zero.

  • “The Texans defense is flat out nasty … buyer beware when your quarterback is facing the Houston Texans.” — Field Yates (04:00)
  • Potential sit candidates in upcoming matchups include Daniel Jones and Patrick Mahomes.

• Fantasy Performers:

  • James Cook had a breakout 110 receiving yards, 8 catches (season highs).
  • On Houston: Woody Marks again led the backfield in snaps but is “not yet flex trustworthy.”
  • Jaden Higgins (Texans WR) found the end zone, possibly trending up.

• Bills WR Situation:

  • Gabe Davis now clearly the WR2 after Keon Coleman was a healthy scratch again.
  • “Coleman…change of scenery player in the offseason. Cut him loose.” — Mike Clay (08:52)

Week 12 Quarterback Confidence Check

(09:14)

• Caleb Williams vs PIT:
  Feast-or-famine, unpredictable output:

  • QB finishes last 6: 10, 27, 20, 1, 4, 22.
  • “He’s a fringe starter this week … my confidence is in the middle.” — Daniel Dopp (10:40)

• Aaron Rodgers vs CHI:

  • Not in top streaming conversations. Only viable if desperate or matchup vs. worst pass Ds.

Week 12 Running Back (RB) Chaos: Backfield Breakdowns

Major Focus: 13:03 – 24:00

Jacksonville Jaguars

• Travis Etienne vs. Michael Tootin:
  • Tootin’s snapshare up, but not ready to trust as a flex. Etienne remains startable but ranks a bit lower this week.
  • “This is still Etienne's backfield.” — Mike Clay (14:41)

New England Patriots

• Rhamondre Stevenson & Trayveon Henderson:
  • Both startable this week vs. CIN. Mike projects nearly equal points.
  • 13 RBs have 15+ points vs. Bengals in 10 games!
  • “This feels like 55/45 split now, not 75/25 … I’d start both.” — Field Yates (16:26)

Pittsburgh Steelers

• Jalen Warren:
  • If healthy, strong RB2.
  • Kenny Gainwell (as the backup): Not startable unless Warren is OUT.

Green Bay Packers

• Josh Jacobs Injury Watch:
  • Emmanuel Wilson “likely the guy” if Jacobs sits. Would become a high-end RB2.
  • “Wilson averaged 4.6 ypc, he's effective with the role.” — Mike Clay (21:14)

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

• Uncertain Backfield:
  • Bucky Irving possibly returns, complicating touches alongside Rachaad White and Sean Tucker.
  • If Irving is out, Sean Tucker a flex/RB2 play; otherwise, avoid all Bucs RBs this week.

WR & Miscellaneous Notes

(24:25 – 28:00)

• Jacoby Myers Watch:

  • Snapshare increasing; could be a flex option ROS (rest of season), but outside the Top 35 this week.

• Ashton Jeanty (Raiders RB):

  • High touch floor, but tough matchup vs CLE “fifth fewest fantasy points to RBs.” Jeanty is RB15 on season, could finish top 12.

• Coaching Commentary:

  • Hosts bemoan stubborn play-callers (e.g., Chip Kelly) and advocate for playing youngsters, especially on losing teams.

Lineup Advice for Key Week 12 Games

(33:10 – 39:55)

Eagles vs Cowboys — Lineup Lock Game

• Start all the usuals.
• Dak Prescott: Ranked QB10–12 by hosts, tougher matchup than his recent run.

Chiefs Skill Players

• Mahomes:
  • Correlation noted: Mahomes has needed significant rushing yards for great QB games this year.
  • Only one 300-yard passing game, struggles with multiple passing TDs lately.
  • “I’m lower than both of you. I’ve got him at QB8.” — Daniel Dopp (38:10)
• Rashee Rice & Travis Kelce:
  • Remain lineup locks, regardless.

Jackson Dart (Giants QB): Rest-of-Season Outlook

(40:11 – 45:52)

• Dart's had five straight weeks with a rushing TD — record for a rookie.
• Concern: Offense may scale back rushing after his recent concussion.
• “Are we getting a QB3 for the ROS, or a top 8 QB if his rushing is throttled?”
• Hosts agree: He’ll regress a bit but still startable most weeks (QB8–12).

Titans WRs Without Calvin Ridley

(46:02–47:20)

• Chimary DK emerges as the only Titans WR worth a speculative roster spot, but none are priority starts this week.
  • “This offense is 11 TDs in 10 games … one of the worst we’ve seen in a long time.” — Mike Clay (46:59)

Streaming Defenses (DST)

(47:25–49:26)

• Las Vegas Raiders a top DFS streaming suggestion vs the Browns (rookie QB Shador Sanders).
• The Browns are in a multi-week stretch where defenses can feast (Raiders this week, 49ers next).
• Top DST SoS (schedule): Saints, Dolphins, Bucs, Giants.

Host Fantasy Trades

(49:47–52:25)

• Mike Clay’s trade:
  • Receives: Amon-Ra St. Brown, Trey Benson, RJ Harvey.
  • Sends: Tetaro McMillan, Bucky Irving, Jacoby Myers.
• Field Yates’ trade:
  • Sends: Jalen Waddle (on bye)
  • Receives: Quinshon Judkins (needed RB depth)
• “All the teams involved are battling for playoff spots—a tight league in the middle portion.” — Mike Clay (52:23)

Starts of the Week

(53:00–59:55)

(Picks must be outside top-10 QB/TE, top-20 RB, top-30 WR, 1 wild card each)

Mike Clay

• QB: Jacoby Brissett vs JAX (“Set the NFL completion record last week.” — 53:41)
• RB: Ken Walker III vs TEN (TNF recap; trending up)
• WR: Ricky Pearsall vs CAR (“85% route participation, takes a leap forward this week”)
• Wild Card (TE): Hunter Henry vs CIN (“Most yards, 12 TDs allowed to TEs this year”)

Field Yates

• QB: Caleb Williams (“Legit believe in Caleb; Bears can handle man coverage.” — 55:14)
• RB: Ken Walker III
• WR: Stefon Diggs (Wildcard)
• TE: Juwan Johnson (No more Rashid Shaheed; four straight 10+ point games)

Daniel Dopp (Punishment: hot sauce on chips per player)

• QB: Sam Darnold (“Back-to-back duds, but Titans matchup”)
• RB (Wild Card): Chase Brown
• WR: Darnell Mooney (“Leaning on re-established QB chemistry”)
• TE: Juwan Johnson

Notable Quotes & Moments

• “Buyer beware when your quarterback is facing the Houston Texans.” — Field Yates (04:00)
• On RB Committees: “I feel like you could justify starting both Henderson and Stevenson.” — Mike Clay (16:11)
• Josh Allen falloff: “He could be QB27 this week.” — Daniel Dopp (05:47)
• On Mahomes: “This is a QB with 1 game over 300 passing yards, more games with 1 or 0 passing TDs.” — Daniel Dopp (38:18)
• On Jackson Dart’s PT: “He’s been tested for concussion four times this year — I don’t think that changes in one game.” — Field Yates (45:11)
• Spicy Hot Sauce Bit: Daniel eating hot sauce on-air for each “start of the week” pick, suffering hilariously through the segment.

Listener Mailbag Highlights

(60:09–63:16)

• Would not trade Derrick Henry + Breece Hall for De’Von Achane unless you are already stacked.
• If Trey Benson plays, start him. If not: Ricky Pearsall over Mark Andrews as a flex.
• Singletary vs. Manungai: Slight lean Manungai due to matchup; both are close coin-flip starts.

Final Notes

• DSTs and defensive matchups matter even more as playoff races heat up — plan 1–2 weeks ahead!
• Bold trade and start/sit discussion modeling practical decision-making strategies.
• The pod closes with some comic relief as Daniel battles spicy regret, while the panel reminds listeners to love each other and check out Sunday’s show.

Timestamps for Key Segments

• TNF Recap & Allen/Texans D: 01:00–09:00
• QB Confidence Check: 09:14–13:03
• RB Chaos/Backfield Dissections: 13:03–24:00
• WR/Other Position Previews: 24:25–28:00
• Lineup Locks/Game Previews: 33:10–39:55
• Jackson Dart Outlook: 40:11–45:52
• Titans WRs: 46:02–47:20
• Streaming DSTs/DEFs: 47:25–49:26
• Trade Debrief: 49:47–52:25
• Starts of the Week/Hot Sauce Segment: 53:00–59:55
• Mailbag Q&A: 60:09–63:16

In summary:
Week 12 is loaded with RB turbulence and tough QB decisions, and the Fantasy Focus team arms listeners to make confident, pragmatic choices, wraps it in their trademark camaraderie, and proves fantasy is as much fun as it is strategy.