Fantasy Focus Football: Backfield Breakdowns – Who Can You Trust in Week 3?

Date: September 19, 2025
Hosts: Field Yates, Stephania Bell, Mike Clay, Daniel Dopp
Theme: In-depth analysis of confusing NFL backfields, evolving quarterback situations, and actionable advice for fantasy football managers as we approach Week 3.

Episode Overview

This packed episode dives into the most perplexing backfields and quarterback controversies across the NFL as fantasy managers try to make sense of usage patterns, injury fallout, and depth chart shakeups. Field, Mike, and Daniel pepper each other with stats, hot takes, historical context, and tactical advice, all while keeping things lighthearted with show banter and their ongoing "starts of the week" segment. If you're looking for clarity on who you can trust in fantasy lineups—especially at running back—this episode delivers data-driven perspective, injury updates, and bold opinions.

Key Discussion Points & Timestamps

1. Bills vs. Dolphins & Thursday Night Recap (02:27–09:23)

• Fantasy Standouts: Josh Allen remains elite; James Cook is "cooking" (03:12). The Bills' WR situation is muddled, with Dalton Kincaid's breakout (03:33–04:13).
• Dolphins Analysis: Tyreek Hill is locked in, finally scoring a TD this season (07:34). Devon Achane is trending toward being the second-best pass-catching RB behind CMC (06:23–07:34).
• Ali Gordon's Value: He’s cemented as Dolphins RB2 and is the top injury handcuff if Achane goes down (07:34–08:33).
• Takeaway: Few surprises—chalking up "moral victories" does little for fantasy purposes; stick with obvious starters.

Quote:
_"The passing game is largely designed around the two receivers and Devon Achane." – Field Yates (06:46)

2. Week 3 QB Watch – Key Storylines (09:23–26:02)

• Cincinnati Bengals: How does the offense change if Jake Browning starts?
  • Jamar Chase remains a start but possibly behind WRs like Puka Nacua or CeeDee Lamb (09:57–11:06).
  • T. Higgins: Risky flex, volatile week-to-week (11:57–13:20).
  • Mike Clay optimism: Browning posted QB4 numbers during an extended run in 2023 (12:17–13:20).
• Minnesota Vikings: Outlook if Carson Wentz starts.
  • Wentz’s historical performance: not disastrous for fantasy, but caps WR and TE ceilings. Prioritizing Justin Jefferson targets is a must (17:10–19:15).
  • Mike Clay: “It gives me a little hair of optimism...hopefully he's better about featuring Justin Jefferson.” (18:53)
• Washington Commanders: If Jaden Daniels is out, what to expect from Marcus Mariota?
  • Both Debo Samuel and Terry McLaurin discussed; Mariota’s previous usage trends highlighted (21:41–23:48).

3. Daniel Jones & Emerging QB Starters (24:06–26:09)

• Jones is a cautious streaming pick; Week 3 against the Titans is an acid test. If he delivers again, he moves closer to must-start (24:27–25:56).
• Field’s warning: "At this time last year...the best offense in fantasy football was the New Orleans Saints...[be cautious] writing things in stone." (25:16)

4. The Most Confusing Backfields – Deep Dive (26:09–48:56)

Giants Backfield: Cam Skattebo vs. Tyrone Tracy (26:09–30:09)

• Chiefs D is stingy. Skattebo may have edge (especially if Tracy misses time), but neither is a top-20 RB. Both are risky flexes at best (27:20–29:37).
• Mike notes Tracy’s kick return duties are a red flag: “That's always not...great for fantasy.” (28:21)

Seahawks: Kenneth Walker III Breakout? (30:45–35:21)

• Zach Charbonnet’s injury could unlock a full workload for Walker, potentially a “lineup lock” if Charbonnet sits. (31:43–35:21)
• “The door is open for him to take control.” – Mike Clay (31:50)

Patriots: Stevenson vs. Henderson (36:06–38:09)

• Stevenson is still the safe, if unexciting, play; Henderson needs to show more to earn trust.
• “I'd rather go a different direction, but if you need him...” – Mike Clay (38:07)

Browns: Quionshon Judkins vs. Dylan Sampson/Jerome Ford (38:09–39:52)

• Judkins appears to be the ascending rookie, but Ford continues to dominate snaps. Judkins is more speculative than locked-in. (38:49–39:52)

Chargers: Amari and Hampton Frustrations (39:55–42:06)

• Hampton’s usage and efficiency are trending the wrong way; this is a pass-first team. He’s outside top-20 RBs, but matchups against bad run D (Denver) keep him in play.

Jaguars: ETN vs. Tootin (42:24–43:29)

• ETN remains the clear starter, but Bashel Tootin is a must-stash, with some hints he could take over if fortunes change.(43:03–43:29)

Cardinals: James Conner vs. Trey Benson (44:00–46:24)

• Conner is locked in as the workhorse. Benson is a "premium insurance" add, showing serious explosiveness but not yet a threat to Conner’s weekly status. (45:38–46:24)

Ravens: J.K. Dobbins & RJ Harvey (46:39–47:22)

• Messy split, with a three-man RBBC including Tyler Badie. Dobbins is the only barely-flex-worthy play for now.

5. Rookie Running Back Struggles & Potential Breakouts (47:22–48:56)

• Hosts express frustration but remind listeners that many rookie RBs take weeks to earn full roles.
• "If there's a big topic next week...I hope it's breakout week three for rookie running backs. That's what we want. We need these guys." – Mike Clay (48:56)

6. Tight End Roundup: Who to Trust in Week 3 (48:58–54:22)

• Sam LaPorta: Not struggling; more trust than recent box scores suggest. Start confidently (49:12–50:22).
• Kyle Pitts: Trending up in usage; “fringe” starter with cautious optimism, especially against Carolina (51:20–52:41).
• Mark Andrews & Isaiah Likely: Andrews is concerning; coaches may soon shift toward Likely as the featured TE.
  • Mike Clay: “I’m not saying that will happen, but it’s at least a possibility to the point that I would put him [Likely] on my bench.” (54:00)
• Tucker Kraft Injury Watch: Musgrave insurance pickup suggested, but Kraft may still play (56:43–57:12).

7. Starts of the Week – Picks & Rapid Analysis (57:17–64:21)

• Parameters: Outside top 8 QBs, top 15 RBs, top 20 WRs, top 5 TEs. (58:30)

• Mike Clay’s Picks:

  • QB: Justin Herbert
  • RB: Jaylen Warren
  • WR: Marvin Harrison Jr.
  • TE: Jake Ferguson
    (“This Dallas offense…that’s not going to change…” – Mike Clay, 60:40)

• Field Yates’ Picks:

  • QB: Daniel Jones
  • RB: Jordan Mason
  • WR: George Pickens
  • TE: Zach Ertz

• Daniel Dopp’s Picks:

  • QB: Jared Goff
  • RB: Jordan Mason
  • WR: Deebo Samuel (caveat if Mariota plays, would have preferred Pickens)
  • TE: Juwan Johnson

• Segment includes light competition, friendly ribbing, and a look ahead to tightening the criteria for future weeks.

Notable Quotes & Moments

• On Devon Achane:
  “He’s on pace for over 100 catches this year…” – Field Yates (06:42)

• On Kenneth Walker’s Opportunity:
  “This is a great opportunity against this defense...if Charbonnet doesn't play...it could be Walker taking most of that work.” – Mike Clay (31:52)

• On Giants Backfield:
  “If you combine their numbers so far, it is atrocious: 2.9 yards per carry and 4.3 yards per target.” – Mike Clay (27:50)

• On Rookie RBs:
  “If there’s a big topic next week…I hope it’s breakout week three for rookie running backs. That’s what we want.” – Mike Clay (48:56)

• On Sam LaPorta ‘struggling’:
  “I take umbrage with saying he’s struggling…target share overall is up from last season.” – Mike Clay (49:45)

• On Kyle Pitts:
  “He can get back to where he was as a rookie. Post-hype sleeper.” – Mike Clay (52:41)

• On Start/Sit Philosophy:
  “He is a risky flex option for me, not a lineup lock.” – Mike Clay re: T. Higgins (12:00)

Final Takeaways

• Backfields are Shifting: Rookie RBs like Judkins, Tootin, and Benson are emerging as stashes, but established veterans (Conner, Stevenson, ETN) remain startable barring injury or role change.
• QB Changes Matter: Significant fantasy impact based on Burrow/Daniels/Wentz status—always monitor late-week reports.
• Tight End Depth is Thin: Continue to start players with usage or upside, like LaPorta and Pitts, even after duds.
• Waiver Wisdom: Add high-upside backup RBs (especially Benson, Tootin) over veterans losing roles.
• Start Parameters Changing: Next week, the crew tightens ‘starts of the week’ criteria for greater challenge.
• Lighthearted Vibe: The episode is peppered with dad jokes, hair commentary (on Daniel wearing a wig for a friendly wager), and plenty of in-jokes.

Listener Value

If you missed the episode:
You’ll get clarity on muddy backfields, the effects of key injuries, and which emerging rookies to roster vs. start. Expertise mixed with sharp banter and lots of actionable advice for setting fantasy lineups in a tricky Week 3.