Fantasy Football Today (CBS Sports) — "Start or Sit (NFC): Start Jalen Hurts? Dak Prescott? Michael Wilson? Alvin Kamara? Sean Tucker?" — November 21, 2025

Episode Overview

This episode, hosted by Adam Aizer with analysts Dave Richard and Jamey Eisenberg, delivers all the critical start/sit advice for week 12’s NFC matchups. The crew analyzes the fallout from Houston's win over Buffalo, addresses major injury updates, and debates tricky lineup choices—focusing especially on QB, WR, and RB uncertainties for fantasy managers. Lively banter, candid reflections on previous recommendations, and quick-fire debates make for an engaging and insightful rundown.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Houston vs. Buffalo Thursday Night Review (02:25–09:00)

• Texans’ Defensive Dominance: Houston’s D-line tore through a battered Bills OL for eight sacks, unsettling Josh Allen (03:39).
  • Quote: “Showed that Superman is mortal…just brutal, brutal results.” — Dave (03:51)
• Fantasy Notes: Josh Allen remains a must-start, but fantasy results disappointing; Khalil Shakir bounced back; Woody Marks almost scored but still underperformed; Jaden Higgins rising.
  • Quote: “Jaden Higgins could end up being like one of the best mid-to-late round picks next year…” — Dave (04:24)

2. Wide Receivers: Marks, Collins, & Others (05:11–07:47)

• Nico Collins: Injured and invisible in 2nd half (“super frustrating,” injured rib).
  • Adam laments: “Nico Collins was not targeted in the second half...he’s basically ruined my fantasy seasons.” (08:09)
• Dalton Schultz & TEs: Buffalo shutting down TEs; no major matchups left. Schultz isn’t a drop, but temper expectations.

3. Acknowledging Bad Calls & Fantasy Lessons (09:00–10:30)

Roundtable on their “worst fantasy calls” of the season for a dose of humility.

4. Injury Updates & News (12:28–15:10)

• Joe Burrow: May return early; if so, ranked as borderline QB1 but some hesitation.
• RB News: Josh Jacobs status (possible return Thanksgiving); Bucky Irving out, mental health comments, Sean Tucker to get more work for Tampa, Kareem Hunt’s status if Pacheco is out.
  • Quote: “You keep [Bucky Irving] on your bench and wait for some positive news.” — Dave (13:30)
• General WR/TE Notes: Brian Thomas Jr. limited, Chris Godwin trending up, tight ends banged up.

One Question for Each Game: Start/Sit Debates (18:58–25:57)

Philadelphia vs. Dallas (NFC Headliner) (19:17)

• Which Offense Do You Trust More?: Cowboys slightly edge out Eagles per Dave, both have tough matchups (19:17).
  • Quote: “Probably the Cowboys, but…both offenses have very challenging matchups.” — Dave (19:17)
• Both teams’ WRs (Lamb, Pickens for DAL; A.J. Brown, Smith for PHI) remain tough to bench despite concerns; but “no way you can sit them” (32:35).
  • Adam: “Would you agree with this? ...there is just no way you can sit them.” (33:12)

Giants at Lions (21:06)

• Wandale Robinson, Jameson Williams, David Montgomery: Rankings for PPR—Williams > Robinson > Montgomery.
• “This should be a big game for [Williams]…he’s turning them into monster numbers…” — Dave (51:42)

Carolina at San Francisco (21:49)

• 49ers WRs: Only start in three-receiver leagues. Jennings over Pearsall; limited upside vs. tough CAR secondary.

Tampa Bay at Rams (22:45)

• Sean Tucker RB Startability: Splits opinion, but most favor Emmanuel Wilson over Tucker.
  • “Wilson significantly over Tucker. I don’t like Tucker this week.” — Jamie (23:37)

Atlanta at New Orleans (24:35)

• Start Kamara?: Yes. Dave: “Definitely. He’s a number two fantasy running back.” (24:35)
• Camara’s touches in question, but Atlanta matchup promising.

The “Reluctant Start” RB Group (25:40–27:57)

Identifies a cluster of RBs who are RB2 options but not inspiring starters: Emmanuel Wilson, Kamara, Sean Tucker, David Montgomery, Ashton Genti, Quentin Judkins, Breece Hall, Ken Walker.

• Jamie: “There’s pros and cons for all these guys…There’s paths to success for all of these guys.” (26:55)
• Dave touts Breece Hall upside: "I’m kind of encouraged by Breece Hall and what he might be able to do." (26:16)

Deep Dive: Eagles vs. Cowboys — Who to Trust? (29:17–40:57)

• Defensive Improvements: Eagles D has shut down multiple top teams recently, creating risk for Cowboys/Opposing WRs and RBs (29:17).
• Dak, Hurts, WRs, RBs:
  • Lamb & Pickens: Top starts despite defensive risks.
  • Eagles WRs: “I’m starting Michael Wilson over both Eagles receivers without hesitation.” — Jamie (31:49)
  • RBs (Barkley, Javonte): “Both top 12 for running backs for me…” — Dave (34:56)
• Tight End Landscape:
  • Ferguson and Goddard both “outside the top 5 but inside the top 10” (39:58)
  • Trust Juwan Johnson over Ferguson and Goddard.

Game-by-Game Briefs & Recommendations

Minnesota at Green Bay (42:33–49:24)

• Best Start?: Jefferson (barely), but not “must start.” Jamie: “Just a number two fantasy receiver…frustrating to say.” (44:28)
• Aaron Jones/Emmanuel Wilson: Both low-end RB2s; Jones gets a slight edge for snap share.
• Packers WRs: Dave leans Dobbs/Watson, Jamie less enthusiastic.
  • “Dobbs is getting targets and not producing…” — Jamie (48:26)

Giants at Lions (49:24–55:31)

• Lions a full green light (Goff, Williams, Montgomery).
  • Williams’s explosive play rate “out of control…no one does that” — Adam (52:09)
• Wandale Robinson: Heavy target share, mid-tier flex. Lions have been limiting WR production lately but allow TDs.
• Theo Johnson: Top-13 TE for both.

Carolina at San Francisco (57:00–62:40)

• Start Brock Purdy: “Top 10 quarterback,” per Dave (60:02).
• WRs: Jennings over Pearsall, but both only in deeper leagues.
• Trey McMillan: “Sure, start him,” for Arizona.

Tampa Bay at Rams (63:13–69:15)

• Baker Mayfield: Mid-QB1 streamer due to Rams’ declining pass rush. “Baker’s someone that is still very startable…” — Dave (63:57)
• Sean Tucker: Lower confidence despite more work coming; “one great game was against one of the worst defenses.” — Jamie (67:49)
• Abuka & Otten: Must-starts. Avoid Godwin if active (limited role probable).
• Rams Offense: Stafford top 3–4 QB, Kyron must-start, both primary WRs (Adams, Puka) clear starts.

Atlanta at New Orleans (69:45–74:45)

• Olave: Clear start, as ATL gets torched by WRs.
• Kamara: RB2, but “I’m kind of nervous…” — Adam (71:04)
• Juwan Johnson: Stronger play than Ferguson/Goddard.
• Kyle Pitts: TE1 but with measured optimism.
• Darnell Mooney: Desperation PPR flex, stash for next week’s Jets matchup if desperate (72:18).

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “There’s pros and cons for all these RB2s…There’s paths to success for all these guys.” — Jamie (26:55)
• “This week is just reluctant start week. Happy reluctant start week, everybody.” — Adam (42:33)
• “Dobbs is getting targets and not producing…this is a really good [Vikings] defense.” — Jamie (48:26)
• “I feel the same exact way [about Barkley/Javonte as Lamb/Pickens]. I’m not going to sit them for [RB2 group].” — Dave (34:12)
• “Baker’s someone that is still very startable…If Baker’s got time, he will absolutely connect downfield.” — Dave (63:57)
• Jamey, candidly on Michael Wilson: “I’m starting Michael Wilson over both Eagles receivers without hesitation.” (31:49)

Timestamps for Important Segments

• [02:25–09:00] Thursday Night Game Takeaways (Texans/Bills)
• [12:28–15:10] Key Injury Updates (Burrow, Jacobs, Irving, Pacheco)
• [18:58–25:57] One Question for Each Game, Week 12 (NFC)
• [29:17–40:57] Eagles vs. Cowboys Start/Sit Deep Dive/Q&A
• [42:33–49:24] Minnesota at Green Bay: Who can you trust?
• [49:24–55:31] Giants at Lions: Lions festival? Wandale/Johnson as streamers.
• [57:00–62:40] Carolina at San Francisco: Purdy, WRs, McMillan
• [63:13–69:15] Bucs at Rams: Mayfield, Sean Tucker, Rams offensive starts
• [69:45–74:45] Atlanta at New Orleans: Mooney stash, Juwan Johnson, Kamara dilemma

Overall Tone and Takeaways

• Tone: Authentic, informative, and lively. The crew freely jokes about their past misses and disagreements (“we all suck anyway…” — Adam, 10:05) and maintain a relaxed, relatable style, even when discussing complex injury scenarios or “gross” RB2 options.
• Takeaway: Week 12 is filled with reluctant but necessary RB2 and WR3 choices due to injuries and tough matchups. Trust the volume and upside for studs, but consider hot-hand and injury pivots where necessary. Sit fringe Eagles WRs for upside pivots, and stream with caution at RB and QB, especially with injury-influenced roles.

For listeners who missed it:
This episode will help you attack week 12 with realistic expectations, clever pivots, and matchup-based adjustments—especially if you’ve been burned by “must-starts” or are sifting through the RB2/WR3 wasteland. The advice is pragmatic, not dogmatic, delivered by analysts unafraid to reassess and admit mistakes.

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