Footballguys Fantasy Football Show: Week 12 Matchups Previews with Colton Dodgson

Date: November 21, 2025
Hosts: Dave Kluge & Alfredo Brown
Guest: Colton Dodgson (Footballguys staff writer, Sunday Morning Live co-host)
Theme: Deep-dive, actionable fantasy football insights with a focus on Week 12 matchups, late-season strategy, and notable player situations.

Episode Overview

Dave Kluge is joined by Colton Dodgson to break down the critical storylines and player dynamics influencing Week 12 of the fantasy football season, as the playoff push intensifies. With uncertainty swirling around injuries, ambiguous backfield roles, and emerging playmakers, the duo delivers tactical analysis for key games, roster moves, and start/sit dilemmas.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Managing the Playoff Push

• Mindset Shift Going Into Playoffs: Both Dave and Colton highlight the late-season transition from speculative bench stashes to actionable, high-upside adds focused on playoff matchups, especially targeting D/STs and “injury away” running backs.
  • "It just kind of hits you where it’s like, wow, fantasy playoffs are almost here. I need to start mapping out my defenses... start getting those injury-away running backs..." – Dave (03:08)

2. Pittsburgh Steelers at Chicago Bears: Chaos in Fantasy Backfields & Boom-Bust WR Value

Steelers Backfield: Jalen Warren & Kenneth Gainwell

• Usage Split & Uncertainty: Both backs are viable, with Gainwell showcasing strong pass-blocking and Warren offering superior efficiency after the catch. The backfield could continue a “1A/1B” split with Arthur Smith’s unpredictability at play.
  • "Trying to prognosticate Arthur Smith here... can be difficult. But, there is definitely viability with a 1A/1B sort of split..." – Colton (07:16)
• Actionable Recommendation: Gainwell should be rostered everywhere as an upside handcuff with standalone flex potential if Warren misses time.
  • “Check your waiver wires, pick up Kenneth Gainwell if he is available.” – Dave (08:13)

DK Metcalf: Start/Sit Dilemma

• Boom-Bust Profile: Despite a slowdown in production, Metcalf remains a must-start “boom/bust flex,” given target volume, the possibility of Aaron Rodgers returning, and his ability to break big plays—even when recent results are frustrating.
  • "He falls into that cluster of other boom bust WR3s that you just put in your lineup every week and hope for the best." – Dave (11:58)

Luther Burden & Kyle Manungai: Deep Stashes & Touchdown Upside

• Luther Burden: Steady post-bye usage growth and bench stash status, but remains dependent on increased targets or injury ahead for a true breakout; not reliable yet for regular starting lineups.
• Kyle Manungai: Touchdown-dependent but viable flex given short-yardage/red zone role; upside spikes if DeAndre Swift misses time.
  • "Definitely somebody you can consider as a flex option..." – Colton (16:13)

3. New England Patriots at Cincinnati Bengals: Tight End Attack & Stefon Diggs Hype

Hunter Henry: Tight End Targeting the Bengals

• Elite Matchup: Bengals are the league's worst at defending TEs, making Henry a fringe TE1 (Colton) or even top 6 (Dave) play for the week.
  • "They are giving up the most points to tight ends, not by a small margin... just move them up like 10 spots in my rankings." – Dave (20:04)

Stefon Diggs: Is He a League Winner?

• Role Expansion & Efficiency: Target share, efficiency, and production all spiking at the perfect time, with a soft upcoming schedule.
  • "I think you have to feel really good about his chances. The show sheet said 'league winner' and I was like, yes, I’m feeling it." – Colton (21:20)
  • "He is fourth in the league in yards per route run..." – Dave (24:14)

Chase Brown: Rest-of-Season Trust

• Heavy Opportunity: Back to workhorse status, strong in both volume and missed tackles forced, especially with Joe Burrow returning to restore offensive normalcy.
  • "I’d like Chase Brown a ton..." – Colton (28:24)

4. New York Giants at Detroit Lions: Jackson Dart’s Rushing & Backfield Clarity

Jackson Dart: Play-Calling Transition & Fantasy Floor

• Potential Reduction in Designed Runs Under Mike Kafka: Coaching change may cap QB run attempts near the goal line to preserve health, slightly lowering his fantasy ceiling.
  • "I would hope they can find a way to strike that balance without eliminating [Dart’s rushing]." – Colton (31:54)
• Rankings Impact: Dave drops Dart to QB11 for the week, noting a real risk to his hitherto insulated floor (32:31).

Tyron Tracy vs. Devin Singletary: RB Flex Viability

• Role Distinction: Tracy has perimeter efficiency/rushing upside, Singletary goal-line and third down, making Tracy a low-floor but startable flex.
  • "Touchdown upside might be capped by Singletary’s role a little bit. But if Tracy continues to look explosive... usage in Week 11 might give him a floor best suited for a reasonable flex option." – Colton (36:41)

Jameson Williams: The Buy-Low, League-Winner Argument

• Role Transformation: Now manufacturing touches/crossing routes YAC, not just a deep threat. Among top few WRs in production since Week 6; Dave/Colton would deal most WRs for him short of “big four.”
  • "Since the bye week... his standing in Jared Goff’s progression hierarchy has skyrocketed... he’s been the WR2 in half-PPR since week eight." – Colton (41:05)

5. Cleveland Browns at Las Vegas Raiders: Fantasy Black Hole and RB Decision

No-Start for Browns’ Pass Catchers

• QB Uncertainty with Shador Sanders: Backup looked overwhelmed in his sample; process reads and quick decision-making are issues—this casts severe doubt on pass-catcher fantasy value.
  • "If he can’t get to the first read, the play was over... the floor is the basement." – Colton (47:13)

Ashton Jeanty vs Quinshon Judkins: Deciding Rest-of-Season RB Value

• Jeanty’s Talent, Raiders Dysfunction: Despite Jeanty’s skills, abysmal OL & tough playoff schedule push Colton towards Judkins, whose role/volume is more dependable.
  • "I just need to see him (Jeanty) in a better situation. But, I think role is more suited to Judkins... his role is more suited to positive scripts." – Colton (51:39)

6. Jacksonville Jaguars at Arizona Cardinals: WR/Backfield Battles & Cardinals Elevated Passing

Jacoby Meyers vs. Parker Washington: Emerging Slot Ace

• Meyers Edging Into Reliable Role: Trade and usage paint a picture as the planned “Godwin” analog in the Cohen O; higher target volume and better fit than Washington.
  • "Everything you look at, it’s like, okay, Jacoby Meyers... focus of this passing game last week." – Colton (53:38)

Bashaw Tootin vs. Travis Etienne: RB2 Breakout Brewing?

• Still Etienne for Now, But Tootin Surging: Despite Tootin’s impressive efficiency, Etienne’s red zone/go-to role keeps him ahead—for now.
  • "As close as this was, I think Etienne’s role in goal to go situations last week... pushes me towards him, but the takeover could happen soon." – Colton (58:29)

Michael Wilson: Top-15 Play Without Marvin Harrison Jr.

• Massive Week 11, Huge Opportunity: With MHJr out, Wilson should be considered a high-end WR2 with upside, especially in Jacoby Brissett’s pass-heavy mindset.
  • "I think Wilson could climb even higher... without Marvin Harrison Jr., that warrants top 12 to 16 consideration..." – Colton (61:23)

Trey Benson: Rest-of-Season Outlook

• Job to Lose: On return, expected to immediately take over the Arizona backfield given the inefficacy of current options.
  • "Life without Trey Benson has been hell for the Cardinals running game... I don’t see any scenario where you don’t see what you have in him right away." – Colton (63:23)

7. Philadelphia Eagles vs. Dallas Cowboys: Stars, Struggles & Late-Risers

A.J. Brown: Panic or Patience?

• Sinking Stock, but Not a Drop: Despite a full squeaky-wheel game in Week 11, Brown underwhelmed, possibly due to lingering injury; outlook downshifts to boom/bust WR2 moving forward.
  • "More of a boomer bust, trust, low end WR2... this was the matchup." – Colton (70:11)
  • "Not dropping, but lower your expectations." – Dave (71:34)

Saquon Barkley: Where Does He Rank ROS?

• Still an RB1, But Cautious: OL instability, vanishing explosives, and game script struggles mean Barkley’s in the RB7-10 range for Colton/Dave.
  • "Saquon Barkley, right now, he would be my RB9 the rest of the way... not even a reflection on him, it’s the offense." – Colton (78:20)
• Encouraging Efficiency Trends: Bounce-back in missed tackles/long runs inspires hope for better days if O-line stabilizes.
  • "Last five games, he’s had 21 missed tackles forced... he’s looked like Saquon Barkley again." – Dave (79:36)

Cowboys WRs: George Pickens Forcing a ReFrame on CeeDee Lamb?

• Two Alpha WR1s: Pickens’ elite playmaking yields a true 1a/1b situation—both are WR1/2 hybrid plays with week-winning upside.
  • "Both have WR1 ceilings and WR2 floors because of path to volume and the passing rate." – Colton (84:27)
  • "Raw fantasy production, WR10 and WR11 since returning from injury..." – Dave (84:33)

Malik Davis: Under-the-Radar Handcuff

• Must-Roster Insurance: Currently the clear RB2 and maybe the best true handcuff left on waivers in fantasy playoff season.
  • "He’s a twisted ankle away from being a plug-and-play RB2..." – Dave (86:27)

Notable Quotes & Timestamps

• On Playoff Preparation:
  "Start mapping out my defenses... getting those injury-away running backs." – Dave (03:08)

• On Steelers Backfield:
  "Getting into the head of Arthur Smith... is going to be a tough proposition." – Colton (07:16)

• On Jameson Williams:
  "Since the week 8 bye, he's the WR2 in half-PPR scoring." – Colton (41:06)
  "If you can acquire him, he's a league-winner." – Dave (43:21)

• On Browns' New QB:
  "If he can’t get to the first read, the play was over... the floor is the basement." – Colton (47:13)

• On A.J. Brown:
  "Lower your expectations significantly and kind of accept the fact that maybe this was not the best pick." – Colton (71:35) "I purposely worded the question to try to elicit a bit of an emotional response out of you." – Dave (71:34)

• On Cowboys’ Emerging WR Duo:
  "Both have WR1 ceilings and WR2 floors because of how much Dallas throws the ball..." – Colton (84:27)

Advice & Takeaways for Week 12

• Prioritize handcuff RBs and D/ST with favorable playoff schedules as you prep for the postseason.
• Field boom-bust WRs (like DK Metcalf, A.J. Brown) instead of overthinking benchings; the upside is too high.
• Aggressively pursue league-winners like Stefon Diggs and Jameson Williams while others are distracted by age narratives or team situations.
• Tight end streamers: Target whoever faces the Bengals (Hunter Henry this week).
• Monitor changing or ambiguous backfield roles closely—especially in Pittsburgh, Chicago, Jacksonville, Arizona, and Dallas.
• For under-the-radar stashes: Kenneth Gainwell, Malik Davis, Trey Benson.
• Don’t hesitate to trust Michael Wilson as a genuine WR2 in games Marvin Harrison Jr. misses.
• If you have to pivot to a backup (Gainwell, Tootin, Benson), don’t be afraid—sometimes opportunity is king.

Memorable Closing Wisdom

"It’s way easier to be a decent person than not to be. Treating people right and owning your L's in all facets—those are the most admirable qualities a person could have, and I don’t think we see either enough." – Colton (88:25)

Where to Find Colton Dodgson

• Twitter: @FFCDodd
• Footballguys Column: “Fantasy Dreams and Nightmares” (Tuesdays)
• Footballguys Sunday Morning Live (Start/Sit Q&A)

This episode is a must-listen for fantasy players prepping for the postseason, delivering granular breakdowns, actionable moves, and candid, nuanced analysis on every relevant Week 12 storyline.