Fantasy Football Today – Week 12 Recap

CBS Sports – November 24, 2025

Overview: A Week of Turnarounds & Key Takeaways

In this Week 12 recap episode, hosts Adam Aizer, Dave Richard, Jamey Eisenberg, and Heath Cummings break down a much more exciting and productive slate compared to the previous week. They dive into standout player performances, key fantasy winners and losers, major injuries, advanced stats, and what it all means for fantasy lineups moving forward. The discussion is lively with memorable debates on player value, waiver priorities, usage trends, and a heavy dose of the show’s signature humor and friendly ribbing.

1. Quarterback Scoring Bounces Back

[02:17] Adam: “That was a lot better than week 11... Last week we had six or seven quarterbacks score 20 points. ...Let’s see how many this week... 10 so far. We had some big performances.”

• Week 12 saw far more QB success stories compared to the problematic Week 11.
• Three overtime games led to inflated stat lines and extra opportunities across the board.
• Fewer “catastrophic” injuries than feared.

2. Injury Updates & News

[20:21-22:45] Major reported injuries:

• Ashton Gentry (ankle), Alvin Kamara (knee), Quinchon Judkins (left, but returned), DK Metcalf (left but returned), Michael Mayer (ankle), Noah Gray (concussion), several O-line losses across multiple teams.
• T. Higgins entered the concussion protocol; unlikely to play on the short week.
• Key defensive injuries: Kyle Hamilton (BAL), Keyshawn Nixon (GB), Joey Porter Jr. (PIT).

Adam [22:45]: “Jamie Eisenberg is probable to return right now. What’s up, Jamie?”

3. Winners & Losers

Biggest Winners

Wandale Robinson (NYG WR)

Heath [03:19]: “The biggest winner of this week is Wandale Robinson. ...He gets so many targets and he doesn’t score any fantasy points. Boom. In your face, Adam.”

• Early trick play led to over 100 yards by end of Q1; added 50 more through the day.
• Great PPR floor (“8 to 10 points”) with spike week upside.
• Must-start in 3WR leagues.

Dave [05:15]: “He’s a must start in three wide receiver leagues because I think the floor—Week 10 it was 12 PPR points. Week 9 it was almost 14.”

Caleb Williams & Michael Wilson

Jamie [31:43]: “Caleb Williams, 53% started, 27.7 fantasy points at Pittsburgh. ...Michael Wilson—10 more catches on 15 more targets, 118 yards.”

• Williams continues to produce despite tough matchups.
• Wilson is a clear #1 WR in the offense with Marvin Harrison injured.

Breece Hall

Heath [33:22]: “Best thing from this game is he had four catches for 75 yards...It was an encouraging performance. Makes you feel better about him as a number two running back rest of season.”

Notable Performances

JAHMYR GIBBS (DET RB)

Adam [31:02]: “What did he score, 55 points today? ...Best in at least three years. So, amazing game for Jahmyr Gibbs."

• Set the fantasy world ablaze with the top NFL RB game in three years.
• Cemented as an elite rest-of-season starter.

AJ Brown (PHI WR)

• 8/110/1 line, 10 targets. Eagles looked better but shut out second half; both top WRs had double-digit targets.

Emmanuel Wilson (GB RB)

Dave [24:37]: “Didn’t look amazing, but put together so many solid runs… Clearly the main back for Green Bay this week.”

Biggest Losers

Justin Jefferson (MIN WR)

Dave [05:52]: “…it’s JJ McCarthy playing poorly. ...today was the first time in eight games he did not have nine plus targets… 8.8 PPR points. ...I don’t know how you can view Justin Jefferson as a top 15 wide receiver.”

• Suffers from poor QB play (McCarthy) and offensive line issues.
• Several agree he’s no longer a clear top-15 WR, potentially not even top-24.

Dave [09:04]: “Justin Jefferson’s a bust.”

Lamar Jackson (BAL QB)

Adam [11:26]: “Buy or sell? Lamar Jackson a sit going forward?”

Dave [12:30]: “He has scored basically 12 fantasy points in his last two games... He just doesn’t want to run... He’s just not really looking to run.”

• Struggling due to multiple injuries and lack of rushing upside.
• Still startable vs. CIN Week 13, but real concerns lingering.

Saquon Barkley (NYG RB)

• Continues to underperform relative to draft price.
• Remains an RB2, but is now compared to backs like Travion Henderson in start/sit conversations.

Jamie [28:23]: “Barkley’s been a bust.”

David Montgomery (DET RB)

Jamie [37:03]: “Can’t start Montgomery anytime soon. The touchdowns have disappeared… At best a touchdown-dependent flex, in the Tyler Allgeier range.”

Zay Flowers (BAL WR)

Jamie [37:03]: “…you just cannot say he’s a must start guy in a two receiver league.”

DeAndre Swift (CHI RB)

Heath [34:09]: “Had a fumble in the second quarter and only two carries after that. Wolf.”

• Lost work to Manangai after early fumble; backfield increasingly murky.

Also Noted:

• Patrick Mahomes: Three straight “duds.”
• Jameson Williams: “Donut” (zero—one key play called back) [38:06].

4. Debate Highlights & Memorable Quotes

• Justin Jefferson Panic:
  “I don’t know how you can view Justin Jefferson as a top 15 wide receiver and maybe not even a top 24 wide receiver as long as McCarthy is playing like this.” – Dave [06:50]
• Wandale Robinson Must-Start Case:
  “He’s got a floor …of 8 to 10 points and he’s a little better than that… every once in a while he gives you a league-winning week.” – Heath [05:11]
• Jaylen Warren Committee Concerns:
  “Jalen Warren got so lucky. ... Committees are bad for fantasy.” – Adam [16:10]
• Fantasy Brutality:
  “I benched AJ Brown this week and I hate myself for it.” – Adam [11:14]
• Lamar Jackson’s Decline:
  “He just doesn’t want to run… I think they have a pretty lousy receiving core other than one guy.” – Adam [12:30]
• Dave on Bears CC (Committee Committee): “We have like six teams that are not a committee, right?” [16:08]

5. Timestamps for Key Segments

• 00:00-02:17 – Ads, brief intro
• 02:17-05:30 – Week 12 QB scoring, initial winners: Wandale Robinson
• 05:52-07:32 – Biggest losers: Justin Jefferson
• 11:26-13:14 – Buy or sell: Lamar Jackson concerns
• 14:24-15:07 – Buy or sell: Bijan Robinson, Pittsburgh backfield talk
• 20:21-22:45 – Injury rundown & offensive line news
• 22:45-24:16 – Advanced running back metrics (trends for Tracy, Jones, Walker, Diggs)
• 24:16-26:16 – Emmanuel Wilson, Eagles passing game returns to form
• 28:18-30:51 – Barkley struggles, RB2 status debate
• 31:02-31:43 – Jahmyr Gibbs dominance
• 37:03-38:06 – Dave & Jamie’s Losers: Montgomery & Flowers, Jefferson, Jameson Williams
• 43:15-46:12 – Derrick Henry’s surprising efficiency
• 54:43-56:52 – Drake May QB status, mobility drop-off discussion
• 58:23-58:56 – Ken Walker’s usage tick up
• 61:06-62:15 – DJ Moore, waiver wire WRs, and sell-high talk
• 63:11-63:32 – Wandale Robinson’s rank since Neighbors’ injury (top-20 PPR WR)
• 66:44-67:54 – Browns defense, Shador Sanders start

6. Running Back Committees: The Ongoing Headache

• Several backfields remain untrustworthy due to heavy committee usage:
  • PIT: Warren & Gainwell splitting; week-to-week unpredictability.
  • GB: Emmanuel Wilson DFS winner for the week, but job not secure.
  • NE, NO, SEA, DET, CHI: Multiple runners taking meaningful snaps.
• Dave [16:08]: “We have like six teams that are not a committee, right?”
• Owners are warned: gameplans and usage remain volatile, do not take one week of clarity as gospel.

7. Waiver Wire & Early Lookahead

Jamie [23:48]: “Devin Neal if Kamara misses time… Mostert if Gentry’s out… Emmanuel Wilson (if Jacobs’ status is unclear), Brenton Strange at TE, Greg Dortch at WR.”

8. Advance Metrics & Hidden Usage Gems

Adam [22:45]:

• Tyrone Tracy: 72% route participation
• Aaron Jones: 68% (promising trend)
• Ken Walker: Season-high in routes (59.3%)
• Stefan Diggs: Disappointing 53.8% this week

9. Quickfire “Believe It or Not” Takeaways

• Jordan Addison is droppable – “Believe it.” [46:49]
• Romeo Doubs is droppable – lukewarm yes; prefer over Addison, but not must-hold [47:43]
• Kareem Hunt (KC) must-start even if Pacheco returns? – Top-24 RB, but “must start” debatable [50:17]
• Drake May: still a top-12 QB, but not a must-start – [55:08]
• Kyle Pitts is droppable – “Believe it.” [71:23]

10. Noteworthy Statistical Notes

• JSN (SEA): 75+ yards in 11 straight games—only Marvin Harrison Sr. and Cooper Kupp have longer streaks.
• Wandale Robinson: 14.5 PPR points per game since Neighbors’ injury (top-20 WR pace).

11. Notable Team & Player Usage Trends

Eagles:
Both Brown and Smith had 10+ targets; Hurts threw 39x.

Packers:
Jordan Love’s passing volume down, less faith in WRs.

Saints:
Taysom Hill continues to vulture carries.

Jets:
John Metchie and Adonai Mitchell emerging while Garrett Wilson is out.

Bears:
Swift/Manangai split is permanent until further notice.

12. Closing Thoughts & Consensus

• The optimism for RB and WR options is increasing with creative playcalling, but committees are muddying most decisions.
• Big names like Jefferson and Barkley are no longer untouchable.
• Jahmyr Gibbs and Wandale Robinson lead the week’s league-winners, while several former fantasy stars fade into flex/bench territory.
• Advanced usage stats will be key for setting lineups as the fantasy playoffs approach.
• Don’t chase points from backup RBs and WRs, but act on consistently improving roles and injuries.

Summary Table: Major Winners & Losers

| Category | Winner(s) | Loser(s) | |-----------|----------------------------------|---------------------------------------------| | QB | Caleb Williams, Jackson Dart | Lamar Jackson, Drake May (slight downgrade) | | RB | Jahmyr Gibbs, Breece Hall, Emmanuel Wilson | David Montgomery, Saquon Barkley | | WR | Wandale Robinson, Michael Wilson | Justin Jefferson, Zay Flowers, Jameson Williams | | FLEX/Other| Advanced metrics risers; durable committee backs (sometimes) | DeAndre Swift, Kyle Pitts (droppable) |

Final Memorable Moment

Adam [31:03]: “There’s nothing everybody’s about Jahmyr Gibbs. But what, what did he score 55 points today or something?... It’s the best [RB fantasy] game in at least three years.”

This episode captured the thrill and frustration of Week 12 perfectly—reminding listeners that while talent prevails, situation, injuries, and coaching volatility are just as influential in fantasy football success.