FantasyPros Fantasy Football Podcast (iHeartPodcasts)

Episode: Week 12 Lineup Advice: Starts, Sits, Player Debates, and TD Calls (Ep. 1856)
Date: November 20, 2025
Host: Seth Wilcock
Guests: Jake Ciely (The Athletic), Pat Fitzmaurice (FantasyPros/The Athletic)

Episode Overview

This episode delivers sharp fantasy football advice for Week 12 with a focus on start/sit decisions, waiver wire pickups, and player debates. Seth, Jake, and Pat guide listeners through the fantasy football minefield of injuries, emerging waiver-wire heroes, and tough lineup calls, while also injecting banter and holiday spirit. Notable highlight: their “Flag Plant Players” and a series of rapid-fire start/sit debates to help set your winning lineups for this critical fantasy week.

Key Topics & Insights

Thanksgiving Banter and Pop Culture (00:53 - 04:00)

• The crew jokes about Thanksgiving movies, with consensus on “A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving” as the GOAT, and exploring obscure picks like “Tower Heist” and “Planes, Trains and Automobiles.”
• Casual discussion about Christmas decorations and how fantasy football analysts secretly hoard bins of ornaments.

Waiver Wire “Start or Sit?” Debates

Emmanuel Wilson (GB, RB) vs. Chris Brooks (Packers Backups) (05:09 - 09:18)

• Pat: Wilson’s the top waiver add but may see a timeshare if Josh Jacobs is out:

  “It could be a 75/25 split in Wilson’s favor. It could be more like 60/40, or 55/45... Matt LaFleur just goes with the hot hand.” (07:23)

• Jake: Sees Wilson as a low-end RB2 with risk, echoing the handcuff wisdom:

  “All these handcuffs in the world need to be on rosters ... Back-end RB2 for me.” (09:18)

Michael Wilson (ARI, WR) Emergence (09:18 - 12:40)

• Jake: Cautions Michael Wilson managers against overreacting to last week’s WR1 outburst, likes him as a WR2/3 but with clear risk:

  “Wide receiver two with WR1 upside, but a WR4 floor.” (10:46)

• Pat: More bullish (WR18), citing improved target share and Jacksonville as a pass funnel:

  “I think I underestimated Michael Wilson... last week Wilson looked very legit...” (11:37)

• Both note how Jacoby Brissette has rejuvenated the offense, benefiting Wilson and Trey McBride.

Sean Tucker (TB, RB) Outlook (13:07 - 15:40)

• Pat: Hesitant due to usage and a tough Rams matchup, ranks him RB27 (13:37).
• Jake: Acknowledges Tucker’s talent but notes Rashad White’s strong presence in passing downs:

  “[Tucker] could ... be excited for, but there's still risk baked in here.” (15:40)

Kenneth Gainwell (PIT, RB) with Jalen Warren Uncertain (15:40 - 19:33)

• Jake: If Warren sits, Gainwell is a high-end flex but not top-15; Caleb Johnson (the overlooked stash) could siphon touches (17:39).
• Pat: Aggressively ranks Gainwell (RB13) if Warren is out, citing past performance with the lead role:

  “Gainwell has been fantastic whenever Warren has been out... That dual run/catch usage is really attractive.” (18:09)

Flag Plant Players: Trusted Starts for Week 12 (24:00 - 28:09)

Pat:

• Brock Purdy (SF, QB): Predicts more passing volume due to weak 49ers defense forcing shootouts.

  “I think Brock Purdy might get thrust into a lot of shootouts down the stretch...” (25:04)

Jake:

• Andrei Iosivas (CIN, WR): Under-the-radar WR in line for a top-30 week if any of Chase/Higgins miss.
• Isaiah Hodgins (NYG, WR): Notes Giants’ “fascination” with him, calls him a deep-league dart-throw:

  “Would you rather play Isaiah Hodgins or Jerry Jeudy? ...I think I'd rather play Hodgins...” (28:09)

Head-to-Head Start/Sit Debates

Zach Charbonnet (SEA, RB) vs. Kyle Monangai (CHI, RB) (29:07 - 30:55)

• Unanimous: Prefer Charbonnet due to game script/floor, despite carry concerns.
  • Pat: “Work for both [SEA backs] in a favorable matchup.”

Devin Singletary (NYG, RB) vs. Tyler Allgeier (ATL, RB) (31:38 - 33:37)

• Jake: Leans Singletary for now, but would prefer Allgeier if Jackson Dart (QB) returns due to potential for vultured TDs.
• Pat: Likes Allgeier’s involvement, notes Lions are tough TD matchup for backs.

Christian Watson (GB, WR) vs. Jordan Addison (MIN, WR) (34:18 - 37:39)

• Both Jake & Pat: Prefer Watson due to volume and Love’s play, bemoaning Addison’s efficiency issues with J.J. McCarthy under center.
  • “Christian Watson, I have at 25, 100% with Fitz on this one.” (36:43 – Jake)

Luther Burden (CHI, WR) vs. Xavier Legette (CAR, WR) [Deep WR4s] (39:18 - 42:43)

• Both: Marginal preference for Burden due to increased slot role and potential scheme usage. Both wary of Legette’s role and Panthers’ depth.

Rapid Fire Start/Sit Calls

RBs: Kareem Hunt vs. Alvin Kamara (44:00 - 45:07)

• Both: If Pacheco is out, Hunt; if Pacheco plays, Kamara gets the nod (“that would be the difference maker right now.”)

WRs: Khalil Shakir vs. Ricky Pearsall (45:26 - 46:44)

• Pat: Safer floor with Shakir; swing for the fences with Pearsall if needed.
• Jake: “If you’re shooting for the ceiling ... it’s Pearsall.”

Flex: David Montgomery (DET, RB) vs. DK Metcalf (SEA, WR) (47:03 - 48:54)

• Both: Montgomery in the slam dunk spot against the Giants’ putrid run defense.
  • Pat: “The Giants ... have the worst run defense in the league by DVOA, even worse than the Bengals.” (47:53)

Flex: Theo Johnson (DET, TE) vs. DJ Moore (CHI, WR) (49:16 – 50:54)

• Pat: DJ Moore, citing matchup against soft Steelers’ outside corners.
• Jake: Leans Theo Johnson for floor, Moore if ceiling/chasing points.

Flex: Tez Johnson (TB, WR) vs. Tyjae Spears (TEN, RB) (51:16 – 52:43)

• Both: Slight preference for Tez Johnson’s big-play upside vs. Spears’ capped ceiling.

Darnell Mooney (CHI, WR) vs. Zonovan “Bam” Knight (JAX, RB) (53:10 – 54:40)

• Pat: Mooney for upside, given potential targets with no Drake London.
• Jake: Floor is with Knight, but Mooney for ceiling.

QB: Jacoby Brissett (ARI) vs. Baker Mayfield (TB) (55:04 – 57:23)

• Jake: “Why do we keep doubting Baker Mayfield? ... I trust him.”
• Pat: Takes Brissett, expecting 40+ pass attempts vs. Jags’ pass funnel defense.

TE: Kyle Pitts (ATL) vs. Mark Andrews (BAL) (57:23 – 58:17)

• Both: Pitts gets the edge with Drake London out; Andrews only if chasing touchdowns.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Michael Wilson’s breakout:
  “No one in the fantasy community was talking about or debating Emmanuel Wilson this summer... and now this week he was the darling of the waiver wire.” – Pat (05:09)

• Jake on the perils of late-season RB adds:
  “We do not want to be chasing all of our fab on Emmanuel Wilson, which could blow up in our face anyway...” (07:43)

• Pat on Charbonnet hate:
  “He’s been getting a lot of short yardage carries ... hit behind the line of scrimmage on 33% of his carries this year, highest in the league.” (29:20)

• Jake’s humor on Isaiah Hodgins:
  “Isaiah Hodgins is the Giant drunk text at 3am—‘you up?’—that’s what it is.” (27:39)

• On Jordan Addison’s struggle with J.J. McCarthy:
  “31.8% catch rate ... 4.7 yards per target on throws from McCarthy ... Watson is the far better quarterback.” – Pat (34:18)

• Jake’s blunt QB evaluation:
  “J.J. McCarthy, let’s be honest, stinks right now. Like, he’s one of the worst throwing QBs in the NFL.” (36:15)

• Jake, on being bold with deep WRs:
  “If I’m chasing wide receivers this low, I’m going ceiling, and I’m going ceiling with Burden.” (41:00)

Touchdown Calls (58:54 – 61:06)

• Pat: Aaron Jones scores a revenge TD at Lambeau Field.
• Seth: DK Metcalf to find the end zone, boosted by a manageable matchup and Mason Rudolph at QB.
• Jake: Deep sleeper—Brock Wright (DET, TE) scores vs. the Giants.

Timestamps for Important Segments

• 00:53 – Thanksgiving movies and banter
• 05:09 – Waiver wire RB: Emmanuel Wilson debate
• 09:18 – Waiver wire WR: Michael Wilson analysis
• 13:07 – Sean Tucker (TB RB) break down
• 15:40 – Kenneth Gainwell if Jalen Warren sits
• 24:00 – Flag Plant Players (Purdy, Iosivas, Hodgins)
• 29:07 – Charbonnet vs. Monangai RB debate
• 31:38 – Singletary vs. Allgeier
• 34:18 – Christian Watson vs. Jordan Addison
• 39:18 – Deep WR4 debate: Burden vs. Leggette
• 44:00 – Kareem Hunt vs. Alvin Kamara
• 45:26 – Shakir vs. Pearsall
• 47:03 – Montgomery vs. Metcalf
• 49:16 – Theo Johnson vs. DJ Moore
• 51:16 – Tez Johnson vs. Tyjae Spears
• 53:10 – Mooney vs. Knight
• 55:04 – Brissett vs. Mayfield (QBs)
• 57:23 – Pitts vs. Andrews (TEs)
• 58:54 – Touchdown Calls

Tone & Language

Consistently friendly, slightly irreverent, and practical—with fit doses of self-deprecation and inside jokes. The group balances sharp, trustworthy analysis with a playful tone that keeps things lively:

“Jake, we’re agreeing so much. I think it’s because Seth is a uniter and Worm is a divider!” – Pat (47:53)

“I actually have Jalen Coker back to back with Burden...if Glee gets ok, I don’t want either one of them.” – Jake (39:38)

Summary

This week’s episode features:

• Deep dives on trending waiver wire adds (Emmanuel Wilson, Michael Wilson, Sean Tucker, Kenneth Gainwell)
• Trusted “flag plant” player picks
• Rapid fire and deeper start/sit debates for every fantasy-relevant position
• Smart, context-rich commentary on usage, matchups, and actionable ceiling/floor plays
• Clear, timestamped debates for time-strapped listeners
• Helpful mindset for those scouring for mid-season lineup edges, with substantial caution on riskier backs and WRs, and a consistent encouragement to chase upside if you’re an underdog.

Recommended for: Anyone facing tough roster calls or in search of actionable last-minute fantasy advice for Week 12, wrapped in the FantasyPros signature style.

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