FantasyPros - Fantasy Football Podcast

Episode: The Biggest Fantasy Football Questions For Each Team in Week 12 (Ep. 1859)
Date: November 21, 2025
Hosts: Ryan Warmly (“A”), Derek Brown/DBRO (“C”), Pat Fitzmaurice/Fitzy (“B”)

Episode Overview

This episode dives team-by-team into the most important fantasy football questions heading into NFL Week 12. The hosts analyze key matchups, discuss big player news and injuries, spotlight risers and fallers, and provide actionable advice for fantasy managers pushing toward the playoffs. Alongside rankings talk and game breakdowns, the conversation features strategic nuance, humorous moments, and pointed critiques about NFL coaching staffs.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Thursday Night Recap & Texans/Bills Fallout

• Josh Allen Disappointment:

  • Fitz notes Allen managers “are going to be hard-pressed to stare at that stat line for a few days” (01:25).
  • James Cook, Khalil Shakir had fantasy value, but few did. Nico Collins, disappointing.

• Jaden Higgins' Role Growing:

  • DBRO: “He got a 67% route share last night and dude soaked up a 30% target share” (02:11).
  • Critique of Texans OC Nick Haley: “Situationally, poor play calling...I hope you get a better OC next year” (02:11).

• Texans Defense Now Must-Avoid:

  • Fitz: “It is a skull and crossbones defense...Houston, Denver, Philadelphia. Those are probably the three right now that you do not want to see going up against your best players.” (03:59–04:23)
  • Debro: Highlights Allen’s lack of support, O-line struggles, and missing WR1.

2. Jets at Ravens: Tyrod Taylor’s Impact

• Jets’ Offense Outlook:
  • Tyrod Taylor is an upgrade over Justin Fields for “catchable targets,” but not enough to move the fantasy needle. (06:04)
  • DBRO: “Outside of Mason Taylor, who are you even considering in fantasy right now? I’m not playing AD Mitchell in any...league.” (06:04)
  • Breeze Hall remains a middling RB2 (RB19).
  • WRs “go from completely unplayable to completely unplayable” (07:19).
• Superflex Appeal: Taylor is QB22 in ECR mostly due to lack of better options.
• Spread Reaction:
  • Big favorites exhausted by Ravens – neither host confident Baltimore covers -13.5, would lean toward the Jets (08:40–09:24).

3. Steelers at Bears: Swift vs. Odunze Dilemma

• DeAndre Swift vs. Rome Odunze:
  • Fitz prefers Swift: “Swift has become exactly [a reliable option].” (10:02)
  • DBRO: Pittsburgh’s improved run defense, but Chicago OL and Swift’s tackle-breaking keep him in top 16.
  • Odunze’s volatility directly tied to Caleb Williams' erratic QB play.
• Kyle Managai Ranking Oddity: RB36 in ECR, lower than expected; consensus is underrating Bears RBs.

4. Patriots at Bengals: Drake May & Burrow's Return

• Drake May 300-Yard Potential:
  • DBRO: Only if Burrow plays, as Patriots may throw more if pushed (14:13).
  • Fitz: Unlikely due to Patriots’ run game and May’s low volume: “Since Week 4, Drake May is averaging 26.8 pass attempts per game...not conducive to 300-yard games even against bad defenses.” (14:54)
  • Burrow’s return would move him to QB9 for both (18:03).

5. Giants at Lions: Bounce Back Week for Detroit?

• Full Confidence in Lions Offense:
  • Fitz: “This is the week I think [Gibbs] goes berserk on the ground. And there's enough room for Monty [David Montgomery] too.” (22:21)
  • DBRO higher than consensus on Monty, expects a TD.
  • Spread feels a bit low at Lions -10; both expect Detroit to “smash” the Giants, especially after NYG QB Jackson Dart ruled out (25:21, 35:02).
• Injury Watch: Brian Branch and Terrion Arnold for Detroit’s secondary.

6. Vikings at Packers: Rest of Season Crystal Ball for Watson & Co.

• Christian Watson & Romeo Doubs:
  • Both hosts: Watson at WR25 this week, WR35 ROS. Doubs is even higher on DBRO’s board (WR22).
  • “Minnesota has the highest deep ball completion rate allowed... Hello Christian Watson.” (27:42)
  • Packers passing schedule makes both WRs strong plays.
  • Slight difference: Debro is QB14 on Love, Fitz more wary (QB17).

7. Colts at Chiefs: Surprise Shootout?

• Daniel Jones Ranking:
  • Fitz is +2 on Jones vs consensus and sees him as a backend QB1 due to “passing volume if Chiefs push the pace.” (30:35)
  • DBRO is out on Xavier Worthy; “He has been a nothing burger. I want nothing to do or starting Xavier Worthy.” (34:20)
• Jacoby Brissett vs. Daniel Jones: Both shade Brissett as the preferred fantasy streamer due to consistent floor (34:27–34:53).

8. Seahawks at Titans: Seattle's Get-Right Spot

• Sam Darnold Bounce-Back?
  • Both hosts expect a low-volume, high-efficiency game. “He was doing it with ruthless efficiency [early in season].” (36:10)
  • Seattle running backs, especially Kenneth Walker, are strong starts; pass catchers led by JSN.
• Game Script:
  • “Do not start ANY Titans.” - DBRO (40:01)
  • Seattle expected to win big.

9. Jags at Cardinals: Michael Wilson's Ascension Without Marvin Harrison Jr.

• Wilson’s Ranking:
  • DBRO has him at WR23, slightly below ECR (WR20).
  • Fitz is highest, WR18, expects double-digit targets: “Does Petzig let Jacoby Brissette cook? And he has been. He's been cooking, man.” (41:14)
  • Wilson’s prior stats depressed by Kyler Murray’s one-read tendencies; Brissette a much better style fit.
• Trey McBride:
  • “Breaking news, going to be awesome, probably another week.” – Ryan (44:56)

10. Browns at Raiders: Shador Sanders’ First Start

• Host Caution:
  • DBRO: “I hope for better things for Shador...I could see this going very, very poorly.” (45:27)
  • Fitz: Doesn’t want to start any Browns other than Quinshon Judkins: “I just don’t want to play any Browns in fantasy except maybe Quinshon Judkins.” (46:32)
  • Fitz likes over 161.5 pass yards prop, DBRO is less optimistic due to poor pressure handling.

11. Eagles at Cowboys: Clash of the Week

• Cowboys O vs. Eagles D: Both hosts pick the surging Eagles defense, hailing Jalen Phillips' impact and high pressure rate (50:27).
• Eagles O vs. Cowboys D: Eagles again, with Devonta Smith and Dallas Goedert as prime plays. A.J. Brown could be removed by too-high safety looks (51:15).
• Consensus: Both lean Philly -3.

12. Falcons at Saints: Impact of Kirk Cousins

• Low Expectations:
  • Drake London out, Bijan Robinson and Tyler Allgeier are “maybe helped” by negative Cousins game script.
  • Pits and Mooney (WR32) are startable but ceiling capped.
  • Algier at RB30 for Fitz, still a flex option.

13. SNF Bucs at Rams: Confidence in Sean Tucker?

• Skeptical:

  • DBRO: “I just don’t have a lot of faith in Sean Tucker.” (55:32)
  • Rams’ run D among best past month; tough path for Bucs RB.
  • Fitz: “And even with the 140 yards...Tucker played 11 fewer snaps than Rashad White.”

• Props:

  • Fitz likes Under 241.5 pass yards for Mayfield (57:21).
  • DBRO likes Over 1.5 passing TDs for Mayfield in garbage time, but also ranks Bucky Irving over Baker this week.

14. MNF Panthers at 49ers: Is Bryce Young Back?

• Bryce Young’s Best Spot Yet?
  • Fitz breaks down 49ers’ league-worst pass rush stats: “Even a mediocre quarterback can look like vintage Tom Brady if he has all day to sit in the pocket.” (59:52)
  • Bryce is ranked as a borderline top-15 QB (QB15–QB18).
  • Tet McMillan is WR11–WR15, consensus WR12.
  • DBRO: “It’s a real conversation this week: Tet McMillan vs. Justin Jefferson.” (62:27)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Texans’ OC Nick Haley:

  • DBRO (02:11): “He’s a bottom five OC. He’s terrible. Situationally, nothing made sense.”

• On Christian Watson’s ROS appeal:

  • DBRO (27:42): “Minnesota is giving up the highest deep ball completion rate in the entire freaking NFL. Hello, Christian Watson.”

• On the 49ers D-line woes:

  • Fitz (59:52): “49ers cornerbacks are basically sitting ducks with such a feeble pass rush, and even a mediocre quarterback can look like vintage Tom Brady…”

• On Xavier Worthy:

  • DBRO (34:20): “He has been a nothing burger. I want nothing to do or starting Xavier Worthy. If that burns me, so be it. I don’t think it will.”

Timestamps for Key Segments

• [01:25] – Reactions to Thursday Night Football; Texans D becoming matchup-proof
• [06:04] – Tyrod Taylor starts for Jets; what it means in fantasy
• [10:02] – Swift vs. Odunze for Bears-Steelers
• [14:13] – Drake May and Bengals game; Burrow’s impact
• [22:21] – Full bounce-back spot for the Lions
• [27:42] – Packers WR discussions, Watson and Doubs rest of season
• [30:35] – Colts-Chiefs, Daniel Jones viability, out on Xavier Worthy
• [36:10] – Seattle offense forecast, Sam Darnold
• [40:21] – Michael Wilson’s breakout opportunities with the Cards
• [45:27] – Browns at Raiders, Shador Sanders first NFL start
• [50:27] – Eagles at Cowboys: Defense vs. Offense breakdowns
• [55:32] – SNF: Sean Tucker skepticism
• [59:52] – MNF: Bryce Young analysis

Summary Table: Players & Rankings

| Player | This Week Ranking | ROS/Notes | |----------------------|-------------------|------------------------------------------------------| | Tyrod Taylor | QB22 (SF only) | Upgrade vs Fields, but still low ceiling | | DeAndre Swift | RB16 | Reliable thanks to usage, in great OL form | | Rome Odunze | WR19 | Ceiling hindered by QB volatility (Caleb Williams) | | Christian Watson | WR25 (this week) | WR35 ROS; deep ball schedule advantage | | Romeo Doubs | WR22 (DBRO) | Both viable; GB faces multiple weak secondaries | | Daniel Jones | QB11 (Fitz) | High variance; garbage time potential | | Sam Darnold | QB14–17 | Bounce-back vs TEN, but still low passing volume | | Kenneth Walker | RB7–10 | Starts strong vs poor TEN run defense | | Michael Wilson | WR18 (Fitz), 23 (DBRO) | Big volume, benefits from Brissette. | | Trey McBride | Top 12 FLEX | Elite TE play, especially with Marvin Harrison Jr. out| | Bryce Young | QB15–18 | Plus matchup vs SF, possible streamer | | Tet McMillan | WR11–15 | In play above consensus; functional WR1 | | Sean Tucker | RB27 (Fitz) | Not trusting; Rams D is tough, low passing work |

Takeaways for Fantasy Managers

• Avoid skill players facing Texans, Broncos, or Eagles defenses—they’re “skull and crossbones” matchups.
• Lions are a smash start this week; Gibbs, Montgomery, St. Brown, and Goff all have top-12 upside.
• Christian Watson and Romeo Doubs are strong plays down the stretch thanks to favorable deep-ball matchups.
• Monitor health news for key RBs—especially late-week downgrades.
• Don’t chase Xavier Worthy’s name; matchup doesn’t favor downfield threats.
• Bryce Young a viable streamer versus pass-rush depleted 49ers.
• Michael Wilson and Trey McBride are legitimate volume-based starts while Harrison Jr. is out, particularly in full-PPR.
• Fade the Titans, Browns (except Judkins), and stuck-in-committee backfields.
• Eagles/Cowboys: Lean into Eagles’ skill position players and defense.

For more up-to-date consensus rankings and start/sit help, visit fantasypros.com/rankings.