Gear up for all the Week 12 excitement with The Sideline Sage with Frank Ober! Frank breaks down the key matchups, reveals the latest standout players, and brings you the boldest predictions to keep your fantasy team and football fandom sharp. Each episode delivers wisdom, humor, and trusted analysis on the hottest sports headlines—spotlighting local heroes and national game-changers. Whether you’re living the high stakes of fantasy football or just love the drama of the gridiron, Frank Ober’s got you covered for every snap this week. Catch the Sideline Sage for Week 12 and stay ahead of the game!
Fantasy Football Article: 2025 – 2026 Season Week 12
Let’s take a look at the impact of injuries and personnel changes that have occurred this past week.
RB Jaylen Warren of the Pittsburgh Steelers injured his ankle in week 11 and is questionable going into week 12. Kenneth Gainwell, his backup, had a solid game after replacing Warren and is a viable replacement in your lineup. Hopefully, if Warren is on your team, you also picked up Gainwell as his handcuff.
Both QBs CJ Stroud of the Houston Texans and Jaxson Dart of the New York Giants remain in concussion protocol. Their respective replacements, Davis Mills and Jameis Winston, are serviceable but you should have better options.
With QB Michael Penix out for the year, the Atlanta Falcons will roll with veteran Kirk Cousins. He has not performed well in limited action. I expect the Falcons to rely more on the running game with Bijan Robinson and Tyler Allgeier.
The Buffalo Bills keep searching for a WR who can create separation and take the top off of opposing defenses. They activated former Bills player Gabe Davis and Mecole Hardman. Neither are worthy of being rostered. A player to keep an eye on is WR Tyrell Shavers who had 4 catches for 90 yards and a TD in week 11.
The New York Jets are replacing QB Justin Fields with veteran Tyrod Taylor. Taylor is a better passer but doesn’t provide the running threat that Fields does. Playing any Jets player regardless of the QB is a gamble. The only Jets players worth considering are RB Breece Hall and TE Mason Taylor.
WR Ja’Marr Chase of the Cincinnati Bengals has been suspended for one game due to spitting on Jalen Ramsey. This means Tee Higgins will be the top WR in week 12 but it should be noted that he has already been the more productive of the two WRs in the last few weeks. Without Chase on the field, Higgins will get more attention, which means facing CB Christian Gonzalez of the New England Patriots this week. A sneaky sleeper WR on the Bengals is Andrei Iosivas although he is TD dependent.
QB Aaron Rodgers of the Pittsburgh Steelers has a small fracture in his left wrist. His availability is questionable. Mason Rudolf is his backup and is serviceable but there are better QB options to play. If Rudolf starts in week 12, this should have minimal impact on other Steelers.
QB Shedeur Sanders of the Cleveland Browns got his first taste of regular season NFL action due to Dillon Gabriel leaving the game with a concussion and it did not go well. Starting a Browns player is a gamble with the exception of their defense, RB Quinshon Judkins, and possibly TE Harold Fannin. Which QB plays makes no difference.
The Washington Commanders cut PK Matt Gay and replaced him with Jake Moody, whom they signed off of the Chicago Bears practice squad. Moody was cut earlier this season by the San Francisco 49ers and was picked up by the Bears. He performed well for the Bears when called upon. He can be a viable bye-week replacement.
Week 11 Results
QB: Aaron Rodgers (Pittsburgh Steelers): 116 total yards, 1 TD, 0 Int
Sleeper – Jacoby Brissett (Arizona Cardinals): 450 total yards, 2 TDs, 2 Int
RB: Kimani Vidal (Los Angeles Chargers): 2 receptions, 12 total yards, 0 TDs
Woody Marks (Houston Texans): 1 reception, 51 total yards, 0 TDs
WR: Jaylen Waddle (Miami Dolphins): 3 receptions, 52 total yards, 0 TDs
Jauan Jennings (San Francisco 49ers): 4 receptions, 54 total yards, 0 TDs
TE: Dallas Goedert (Philadelphia Eagles): 2 receptions, 24 total yards, 0 TDs
Cade Otton (Tampa Bay Buccaneers): 2 receptions, 28 total yards, 0 TDs
PK: Harrison Butker (Kansas City Chiefs): 7 points, 1 PATs, 2 FGs
Andy Borregales (New England Patriots): 9 points, 3 PATs, 2 FGs
DF: Baltimore Ravens: 16 points against, 187 total yards allowed, 3 sacks, 1 takeaway
Green Bay Packers: 20 points against, 336 total yards allowed, 2 sacks, 2 takeaways
Players to Start Week 12
QB: Brock Purdy (San Francisco 49ers vs. Carolina Panthers)
Caleb Williams (Chicago Bears vs. Pittsburgh Steelers)
RB: Travis Etienne (Jacksonville Jaguars at Arizona Cardinals)
Kenneth Walker (Seattle Seahawks at Tennessee Titans)
WR: Jameson Williams (Detroit Lions vs. New York Giants)
Sleeper – Christian Watson (Green Bay Packers vs. Minnesota Vikings)
TE: Hunter Henry (New England Patriots at Cincinnati Bengals)
Kyle Pitts (Atlanta Falcons at New Orleans Saints)
PK: Tyler Loop (Baltimore Ravens vs. New York Jets)
Jason Myers (Seattle Seahawks at Tennessee Titans)
DF: Cleveland Browns (at Las Vegas Raiders)
Detroit Lions (vs. New York Giants)
Week 11 Selections vs. the Point Spread
New England Patriots (-11.0) vs. New York Jets Final Score: NE 27 NYJ 14
Detroit Lions (+1.5) at Philadelphia Eagles Final Score: Phi. 16 Det. 9
Dallas Cowboys (-3.5) at Las Vegas Raiders Final Score: Dal. 33 LV 16
Week 11 Record: 2 – 1 Season Record: 20 – 13
Week 12 Selections vs. the Point Spread
Houston Texans (+5.5) vs. Buffalo Bills
What a great matchup. The Houston Texans defense has given up the fewest points in the NFL while the Bills, led by QB Josh Allen, have one of the highest scoring offenses. The Bills defense is weak against the run so the Texans will pound the ball and use up the clock. I envision a relatively low scoring game decided by a FG. Take the home team and the points.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers (+6.5) at Los Angeles Rams
The Buccaneers have been struggling of late but you can’t ever count out QB Baker Mayfield. The Rams are coming off a huge divisional win against the Seattle Seahawks and there could be a letdown. I think the Rams win but Baker Mayfield keeps it close so take the Buccaneers with the points.
San Francisco 49ers (-6.5) vs. Carolina Panthers
QB Brock Purdy is back for the 49ers. Although QB Mac Jones did an exceptional job when Purdy was out with an injury, Purdy is much more efficient in running the offense. Although the 49ers have several injuries on defense, the Panthers don’t have enough weapons to keep up with the 49ers offense led by RB Christian McCaffrey. Take the home team and give the points.
