Week 12 marks the start of the true final stretch, where every lineup decision carries playoff-level weight and every breakout or bust can swing a season. With the fantasy postseason looming, managers are scrambling for any edge—whether it’s riding hot hands, navigating late-season injuries, or gambling on emerging waiver-wire heroes. As pressure peaks and margins tighten, here are the Week 12 fantasy football headlines that could define who survives and who watches the playoffs from the outside looking in.
DAK ATTACK
Dak Prescott delivered one of his strongest outings of the 2025 season on Monday Night Football in Week 11 against the Raiders, completing 25 of 33 passes for 268 yards and four touchdowns while taking just one sack. It was a true bounce-back performance, tying his season high in passing touchdowns and showing the kind of command and efficiency that had been missing during some of his earlier games. For fantasy managers, that stat line translated into a big week, far above his typical 18–19 points per game pace from earlier in the season. The matchup itself was favorable given Las Vegas’ vulnerability to the pass, but Prescott still maximized every opportunity, spreading the ball well and finishing drives in the red zone — a key shift after inconsistent scoring weeks leading up to Week 11.
Looking ahead, Prescott’s fantasy outlook for the rest of the 2025 season is cautiously optimistic. The Week 11 eruption reminded everyone that he still carries legitimate QB1 upside when the Cowboys offense is synced and his protection holds up. With capable weapons around him and a system that can create scoring chances, Prescott should remain a viable fantasy starter, especially in matchups that don’t feature elite pass defenses. However, his inconsistency throughout the season still creates some risk; fantasy managers should expect a mix of boom weeks like Monday night and quieter outings where he settles into mid-QB2 territory. While he may not produce four-touchdown explosions every week, his floor is stabilizing, and his ceiling remains high enough to keep him in the starting conversation for the remainder of the 2025 fantasy campaign.
NINERS HOLDING ON
In Week 11 of the 2025 season, George Kittle, Christian McCaffrey, and Brock Purdy all delivered big fantasy days in the 49ers’ 41–22 win over Arizona. Kittle turned back the clock with six catches for 67 yards and two touchdowns, giving managers one of the top tight end performances of the week. McCaffrey dominated as usual, piling up 121 total yards with three touchdowns — two on the ground and one through the air — reinforcing his status as the most reliable fantasy running back in football. Purdy was efficient and productive, completing 19 of 26 passes for 200 yards and three touchdowns, two of which went to Kittle, giving him a strong fantasy outing despite limited yardage.
Looking ahead to the rest of the 2025 fantasy season, all three players project very favorably. Kittle remains a volatile but high-upside TE1; his red-zone chemistry with Purdy means he’ll continue to have spike weeks even if his usage fluctuates at times. McCaffrey, as long as he’s healthy, remains the safest elite option in fantasy — his workload balance and scoring opportunities keep his weekly floor extremely high. Purdy shapes up as a steady QB1/QB2 option depending on league format, with his efficiency and elite supporting cast giving him a stable weekly baseline, even if the 49ers don’t always ask him to throw for big yardage. Together, this trio should remain highly dependable fantasy contributors through the remainder of the 2025 season.
NOT SO RAVENS
Lamar Jackson turned in a lackluster fantasy performance in Week 11 against the Browns, completing just 14 of 25 passes for 193 yards and throwing two interceptions, per CBS Sports. He added only 10 rushing yards on four carries, a limited ground game that dulled what is often his biggest fantasy strength. The Browns’ defense, particularly their pass rush, took advantage of Baltimore’s shaky offensive line — Myles Garrett sacked Jackson four times — and Jackson looked uncomfortable under pressure. According to postgame reviews, this was one of Jackson’s worst starts in a while, especially by his own standards.
Looking ahead, Jackson’s outlook for the rest of the 2025 fantasy season is more cautious than bullish. The hamstring issues he’s been battling — which limited his mobility — remain a concern, and continued pressure from elite defensive fronts could sap his rushing upside. That said, he still has a high ceiling: when healthy and protected, he can make plays with both his arm and legs. But after Week 11, managers may need to temper expectations in terms of consistency. In more favorable matchups, Jackson can still produce solid QB1 value, but his fragile health and boom-or-bust nature might make him a riskier fantasy asset down the stretch.
RAMS ROLLING
Matthew Stafford, Davante Adams, Puka Nacua, and Kyren Williams have all emerged as key fantasy contributors for the Rams in 2025, and their Week 11 performance against the Seahawks highlighted both their strengths and some of the risk factors going forward. Stafford had a modest but efficient game, completing 15 of 28 passes for only 130 yards but throwing two touchdowns in the Rams’ tight 21-19 win. While he didn’t pile up yards, he avoided turnovers and continued to trade points when needed, helping maintain his value as a dependable fantasy QB.
Davante Adams, despite coming into the game questionable with an oblique injury, found the end zone again — hauling in a 1-yard touchdown from Stafford. This catch marked another red-zone score for Adams, reinforcing his role as a high-value touchdown target even if his overall yardage fluctuates. As for Puka Nacua, he was the Rams’ top receiving option that day, catching 7 of 8 targets for 75 yards, plus he added 18 yards on two carries, though he did lose a fumble. His consistent volume continues to make him a fantasy anchor and a favorite in PPR formats.
On the ground, Kyren Williams was very effective: he rushed 12 times for 91 yards, including a short rushing touchdown that helped the Rams build their lead. That kind of high-efficiency run game (especially in a close game) underlines his role as a three-down back and a bargaining chip in fantasy lineups.
As Week 11 comes to a close, the playoff picture in fantasy leagues is clearer than ever—and so are the stakes. The decisions made now, from bold start/sit calls to savvy roster moves, will echo through the final weeks of the season. Whether you’re fighting for seeding, clinging to a final spot, or battling to stay alive, every point matters, and every headline from this week could prove pivotal. Stay sharp, stay active, and get ready—the push for the playoffs is only getting more intense from here.
