Fantasy Focus Football — "SECURING Your Fantasy Football Championship!"
Date: December 26, 2025
Hosts: Field Yates & Daniel Dopp
Episode Focus: Week 17 Fantasy Football Championship: Strategy, Key Injuries, Start/Sit Decisions
Episode Overview
This episode centers on strategies, injury updates, and player analysis to help fantasy managers secure their championship in Week 17. Field Yates and Daniel Dopp provide a detailed look back at the underwhelming Christmas games, preview every important fantasy matchup for the weekend, and debate crucial start/sit dilemmas, especially given injuries and some unexpectedly frustrating player performances.
1. Christmas Game Recaps and Fantasy Fallout (03:17–15:37)
Dallas Cowboys vs. Washington Commanders
- Key Takeaway: Most fantasy-relevant players disappointed, save for Dak Prescott, Brandon Aubrey, and surprise RB Jakori Crosby Merritt.
- Field Yates:
“It kind of felt like you banked on all the Cowboys and two of them paid off. Dak was really good yesterday… Aubrey, who actually missed a 58-yard field goal, still got you 15 fantasy points... Besides that, I kind of felt a little bit underwhelmed by that game.” (04:22) - Notable Stat: George Pickens, after overperforming this season, “crawled to the finish line” with three out of the last four games under 10 fantasy points. (04:46)
- Funny Moment: Daniel jokes on Aubrey missing a long FG just to prove he's not a robot. (05:28)
Detroit Lions vs. Minnesota Vikings
- Defensive Slugfest: “Pretty much all defense here.” (06:04)
- Disappointments: Jared Goff (5 turnovers), Jameer Gibbs (6.4 pts), Justin Jefferson (4 for 30 yards, “woe-be-gone season”).
- Field on Lions’ Frustration:
“The Detroit Lions lost to a seventh round rookie quarterback who had 51 passing yards and a team total of three passing yards is just embarrassing.” (09:12) - Daniel on Gibbs:
“When the guy gets you there and then performs that way in the win-or-go-home playoffs, it’s so difficult for you to continue to advance.” (10:27)
Denver Broncos vs. Kansas City Chiefs
- Chiefs Frustration: Only Travis Kelce was semi-startable (8.6 pts), no other chiefs trustworthy.
“Travis Kelsey had five catches for 36 yards, which...is actually not terrible...They threw for 66 yards.” (12:02) - Broncos’ Bright Spot: Bo Nix (19.5 pts), RJ Harvey (18.6 pts) paid off.
- Sutton Disappointment: “It was the night of close calls for Courtland Sutton…” (13:29)
- NFL’s Scheduling Miss: Daniel laments all the Christmas matchups ended up duds for fantasy, and the NFL misread them pre-season. (15:00)
2. Week 17 Championship Start/Sit Decisions (15:37–44:07)
Steelers Backfield: Kenny Gainwell vs. Jaylen Warren (15:37)
- Field’s Call:
“Starting at least one of them. That one is Kenny Gainwell…back-to-back-to-back games with exactly seven targets.”
“I have Warren...on the back 20 this week here...” (16:03) - Daniel: “It would be almost impossible for me to bench Kenneth Gainwell…” (17:44)
Derrick Henry & Zay Flowers with Backup QBs (19:25)
- Henry: Still starting (“running back 15 or so range”), but note poor volume/efficiency without Lamar Jackson.
- Zay Flowers: Downgraded to “potential flex option” due to Tyler Huntley’s low passing output.
“If you have a thin WR room...just submit lineup and don’t worry about it. But...you have another WR you could slide in above Zay Flowers.” (21:32) - Field on Ravens: “Nervous about this offense, nervous about this team, man.” (22:17)
Trevor Lawrence = Must-Start (22:47)
- “Trevor Lawrence is a must start this week...four times in the top seven [last 5 weeks]. He’s been money.” (22:54)
- Daniel: “No way I’m not putting him out there for my Week 17 championship.” (24:21)
3. Risky Receivers & Notable WR Start/Sits
Cardinals WRs: Michael Wilson vs. Marvin Harrison Jr. (24:21)
- Daniel:
“I just feel a lot better about Michael Wilson than I do with Marvin Harrison Jr. given...if I start Marvin Harrison there’s a chance that heel injury pops up mid-game.” (25:30) - Field: “It is a scary proposition. It’s an all-time great matchup...but it does feel risky to start Marv...” (26:26)
Buccaneers WRs (27:27)
- Field:
“If you’re playing a Bucs wide receiver, it’s Mike Evans...I feel more comfortable if I’m going to get a 7-pt dud...I’ll be able to wrap my brain around it a whole lot more with Mike Evans.” (29:16)
4. Other Key RBs and Flex Considers
Amarian Hampton vs. Texans (31:33)
- Daniel: “He is just clearly the number one back...I can’t imagine sitting him after seeing what he’s done...even against this Texans defense, Hampton is a must-start.” (31:33)
Patriots RBs: Ramondre Stevenson & TreVeyon Henderson (32:03)
- Field:
“If Henderson is out, Stevenson should play a ton of snaps...Jets 28th against running backs in fantasy...it would be very, very hard for me not to have him in there.” (33:02) - Daniel: “This matchup is too good. With the volume, you might have to make a tough decision.” (34:48)
5. WR2/Flex Deep Cuts & Lower Ceiling Plays
Wandale Robinson (Giants) (36:37)
- Daniel:
“He’s been in that like WR2 range, which is crazy...he has been so good...But last week was so bad...I still feel...probably a low-end WR2, or a high-flex.” (37:43) - Field:
“The Giants might be motivated to lose right now...so I don’t know how they’re going to approach it.” (38:08)
Ashton Jeanty (Giants RB) (39:33)
- Field:
“Giants allow the second most fantasy points to opposing RBs...Genti ranked highly, wonderful matchup. It would be a nice way for him to finish out the season.” (39:33)
6. Major Matchups: Start/Sit Locks
Bills vs. Eagles
- Start:
- Josh Allen, James Cook (Bills)
- Jalen Hurts, Saquon Barkley, A.J. Brown, Dallas Goedert (Eagles)
- Devonta Smith: Perennial flex—“You draft him as WR2, he ends up as your flex and you just live with that.” (42:55)
- Sit: All other Bills/Eagles WRs/TEs are dice rolls (42:13)
- On Allen vs. Purdy: Daniel: “I have to choose between Josh Allen and Brock Purdy...Purdy’s taken on the Bears and this might be the fantasy game of the week.” (44:07)
49ers vs. Bears
- Start:
- Brock Purdy, Christian McCaffrey, (if healthy) George Kittle (49ers)
- DeAndre Swift, D.J. Moore (Bears)
- On Bears WRs: D.J. Moore is “coin flippy but still has big play upside.” (46:42)
- On Kittle’s status: “Wouldn’t be surprised if George Kittle plays...both teams have much to play for.” (45:00)
- On DJ Moore last week:
“It felt like almost all his real production came on that one last throw...That doesn’t give me the hope I had going into the game.” (47:39)
7. Final Championship Weekend Advice and Notes
- Brock Bowers on IR: Daniel—“Just make sure that, if you have Brock Bowers, go out and find someone else...Hunter Henry, A.J. Barner...some options.” (50:54)
- Holiday scheduling: Multiple games Thursday, Saturday, Sunday, Monday—be strategic with when your players go.
Field’s Parting Wisdom (51:04)
“Don’t ever apologize for winning, don’t care who it’s against, how it happens, and don’t ever apologize for sustained success.” (22:46)
8. Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
- On bad matchups: “Maybe we’d rather spend time with the family than keep watching this football game.” – Daniel (09:34)
- On fantasy frustration: “When the guy gets you there and then performs that way...it’s so difficult...” – Daniel on Jameer Gibbs (10:27)
- On fantasy football now post-Week 17: “We’re not going to disappear...It’s been an unbelievable regular season and playoffs so far. I’m pumped to see how this championship weekend unfolds.” – Field (49:36)
Timestamps of Important Segments
- Christmas game review: 03:17–15:37
- Steelers RBs debate: 15:37–17:44
- Injury pivots (Henry, Zay Flowers): 19:25–22:46
- Must-starts (Lawrence, others): 22:47–24:21
- Risky fringe WRs (Cardinals, Bucs): 24:21–30:11
- Patriots RBs dilemma: 32:03–34:48
- Deep cuts — Wandale, Jeanty: 36:37–41:23
- Matchups/Bills-Eagles/49ers-Bears: 41:23–47:39
- Tight end advice/Bowers IR: 50:11–50:54
Summary Table: Key Week 17 Start/Sits
| Player/Unit | Start/Sit | Notes | |----------------------|-----------|----------------------------------------------------------------| | Kenny Gainwell | Start | PPR safe floor, heavy targets (16:03) | | Jaylen Warren | Flex | Needs big play, less passing-game work | | Derrick Henry | Start | "RB15ish", not elite but still in must-start territory | | Zay Flowers | Flex | Downgraded without Lamar, risky WR2/flex | | Trevor Lawrence | Start | “Must-start”, top 7 four of last five | | Michael Wilson | Start | Over Marvin Harrison Jr. due to health/snap concerns | | Marvin Harrison Jr. | Risky Flex| Not locked in, heel injury + playing time concerns | | Mike Evans | Start | Only reliable Bucs WR | | Amarian Hampton | Start | Must-start even in tough matchup | | Ramondre Stevenson | Start | If Henderson is out, “very hard to not have him in there” | | Wandale Robinson | Flex/WR2 | Volume WR, but Giants’ volatility make him risky | | Ashton Jeanty | Start | High upside vs. Giants, top RB matchup | | Josh Allen | Start | QB lock vs. Eagles | | James Cook | Start | High-floor RB vs. Eagles | | Jalen Hurts | Start | Even in tough matchup | | Saquon Barkley | Start | Locked in vs. Buffalo, run D | | A.J. Brown | Start | Injury note: tooth, but “will play” | | Devonta Smith | Flex | Unpredictable but playable | | Dallas Goedert | Start | Locked in vs. Buffalo | | Brock Purdy | Start | Top-10 QB vs. Bears | | Christian McCaffrey | Start | Always | | George Kittle | Monitor | Play if healthy | | DeAndre Swift | Start | Bears allow production | | DJ Moore | Start | Big upside even if stats are unpredictable |
Final Word
As the fantasy football season culminates, Field Yates and Daniel Dopp urge managers to “trust your process,” embrace the chaos of Week 17 with confidence, and always remember — don’t apologize for success. Want more? Watch Fantasy Football Now Sunday morning and check for lineup updates through the holiday schedule. Good luck in your championships!