NFL Weekly Preview Week 12 2025: Key Injuries, Difference Makers & Projected Upsets

We begin the 12th week of the 2025 NFL regular season on Thursday. Here are the key injuries, fantasy stars and projected upsets.

Key Injuries

Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Penix Jr. of Cookeville, Tennessee will have season ending knee surgery. As a result, Kirk Cousins of Barrington, Illinois will be the Falcons quarterback moving forward. Remember, Cousins signed a four-year deal worth $180 million during National Football League free agency last season. 

In Detroit, tight end Sam LaPorta of Highland, Illinois did not play Sunday night against the Philadelphia Eagles with a back injury, and is now on the injury list. The loss of LaPorta is a major reason why the Detroit Lions looked completely out of sync in a 16-9 Detroit loss. As a result, Lions quarterback Jared Goff had 23 incompletions.

Meanwhile, in Houston, Texans running back Joe Mixon of Oakley, California, will not play at all in 2025 because of a foot injury. Another player gone for the season is Seattle Seahawks defensive tackle Johnathan Hankins of Dearborn Heights, Michigan (back). Meanwhile, Philadelphia Eagles right tackle Lane Johnson of Graviton, Texas is gone four to six weeks with an ankle injury.

Fantasy Stars

The top rated quarterback is Patrick Mahomes of the Kansas City Chiefs. He is projected to get 252 yards passing, 24 yards rushing and two touchdowns against the Indianapolis Chiefs. The top rated running back is Christian McCaffrey of the San Francisco 49ers. On Monday night, he is projected to get 119 total yards against the Carolina Panthers. On Sunday, the top rated wide receiver is Jaxon Smith-Njigba of the Seahawks. He is projected to get eight catches for 100 receiving yards and one touchdown against the Tennessee Titans.

Projected Upsets

I like three underdogs this week. They are the Pittsburgh Steelers to beat the Chicago Bears as a 2.5 point underdog, the Indianapolis Colts to beat the Kansas City Chiefs as a 3.5 point underdog, and the Atlanta Falcons to beat the New Orleans Saints as a 1.5 point underdog. The Colts are well rested after their bye, and the Falcons could be better with Cousins at the helm.