Who Should I Start? Christian McCaffrey or Tyjae Spears

Saturday, November 22, 5:26 AM

San Francisco 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey was the overall RB1 in Week 11, his third such finish in the last five weeks and his tenth top-10 finish in 2025. McCaffrey is in a good spot to attempt a repeat against the Carolina Panthers on Monday night. Much of McCaffrey's production in 2025 has come as a pass-catcher, but with Carolina offering up 4.72 yards per carry to opposing running backs this season, there is reason to believe he will do more damage on the ground than usual in Week 12. Carolina has been especially bad over the last four weeks, giving up a league-worst six rushing touchdowns and the fourth-most fantasy points per game to running backs. It goes without saying that McCaffrey should be in starting lineups in Week 12, but fantasy football managers are justified in feeling especially optimistic about what the superstar will produce in his first game against his former team.

Saturday, November 22, 12:18 PM

Tennessee Titans running back Tyjae Spears had a tough time as a rusher in Week 11 against the Houston Texans, recording just three rushing yards on four carries. However, Spears played a role in the passing game, logging five catches for 31 yards on five targets. Across his last five games, the 24-year-old has now hauled in 18 catches for 127 yards on 19 targets. With Spears continuing to share rushing work with fellow Titans back Tony Pollard, fantasy managers should not expect much rushing production in a tough Week 12 matchup against the Seattle Seahawks. Through 11 weeks, Seattle ranks fifth in the NFL in yards per carry allowed (3.9) and fourth in rushing touchdowns allowed (sixth). At the same time, Seattle is allowing more targets per game (7.3) to running backs than any other NFL defense. Spears could have an opportunity to expand upon his receiving role against the Seahawks. He profiles as a low-end flex option for fantasy managers in Week 12.