The turkey talk hit different this season’s Thanksgiving. Some NFL names belong on the dinner table, being dissected by experts. Two stars landed critically on the “biggest flops” list heading into Week 13. Quite frankly, both are dealing with brutal regression from their 2024 performances.
Nov 23, 2025; Arlington, Texas, USA; Philadelphia Eagles running back Saquon Barkley (26) wears Beats by Dre during warm ups prior to the game against the Dallas Cowboys at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images
Nov 23, 2025; Arlington, Texas, USA; Philadelphia Eagles running back Saquon Barkley (26) wears Beats by Dre during warm ups prior to the game against the Dallas Cowboys at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images
Ryan Sanudo and David Scott didn’t pull punches when breaking down the league’s biggest disappointments, who don’t deserve to be thanked. The conversation centered on players who looked elite last year but can’t get it done in 2025.
Saquon Barkley and Geno Smith Serve Up Major Disappointment
Saquon Barkley went from historic to pedestrian in one offseason. After leading the NFL with 2,005 rushing yards last season, he’s averaging just 3.7 yards per carry through 11 games this year. He doesn’t seem to reach at least 1000 yards when the season ends.
The Sun’s Sanudo said that Barkley hasn’t been the same guy, averaging under four yards per carry. Based on last season’s expectations, he is undoubtedly the biggest disappointment of this Thanksgiving.
Geno Smith is horrible….holds on to the ball way to long doesn’t https://t.co/z6htO2jo3g plays at the line of scrimmage doesn’t call proper protections
— Raider Griff (@BigGriff28) November 23, 2025
Barkley has just 684 yards on 185 carries this season and has topped 100 yards only once. His 22-yard game against the Cowboys was something the RB will never want to remember. Defenses are stacking the box on 32.4% of his snaps, and he’s no longer making them pay for it.
Geno Smith so damn trash, pocket awareness in the negatives ….you can’t feel or see them boyz blitzing? lol
GET TF OUT OF THE POCKET DANCING 🐱 🤡!!
— ℕ𝔼𝕍𝔼ℝ 𝕊𝔸𝕋𝕀𝕊𝔽𝕀𝔼𝔻. (@Keim_IsRare) November 24, 2025
Geno Smith’s slide is no different, even uglier, as Scott stated. After setting career highs in Seattle, he’s drowning in Vegas with the Raiders at 2-9. His passer rating on deep balls sits dead-last among qualified QBs.
What’s Worth Celebrating This Season
This Thanksgiving, Jonathan Taylor is one player who actually deserves a “thank you.” He’s putting together an MVP-level season, piling up 1,197 yards and 17 total touchdowns in 11 games. The Colts’ back has become such a fun player to watch.
Meanwhile, Myles Garrett continues his dominance on the edge. The Browns pass rusher is tracking toward another Defensive Player of the Year nod. The franchise is in no way close to making the playoffs, but he is likely to rewrite the history books.
Most surprisingly, he has been the lone bright spot in Cleveland’s ugly season, and his coach acknowledged his outstanding performance by giving him the game ball instead of Sheuder Sanders.
And the last name fans want to thank, likely, someone from Bears. Quite frankly, they finally look functional under Ben Johnson.
Caleb Williams is showing real promise as the offense starts to click. Chicago sits at 8–3 and leads the NFC North, and the second-year star’s growth is giving the franchise real promise about its future.