Fantasy Focus Football: Top Fantasy Stars Poised for a Big Week 14 | December 3, 2025

Episode Overview

This episode, hosted by Field Yates, Daniel Dopp, and Mike Clay, focuses on critical fantasy football decisions heading into the final week of the regular season (Week 14). The crew dissects the fantasy prospects of several marquee talents—Saquon Barkley, Justin Jefferson, and Lamar Jackson—who are at the center of start/sit debates due to recent underperformance and team factors. They also highlight high-upside dart throws for desperate playoff hopefuls and engage in board bets to solidify their takes.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. The Playoff Picture and League Drama (00:43–04:27)

• Field, Daniel, and Mike share personal updates from their leagues. Week 14 is the “final week of the regular season,” with playoff spots on the line.
  • Field explains the three “buckets” of fantasy teams: teams already clinched, totally out, and those battling for the last playoff spot—"the most stressful one."
  • Mike recounts his dramatic fantasy loss to a Patriots defensive touchdown and how it affected his playoff odds.
  • Daniel, Mike, and Field all break down how tight the margins are in their Fantasy Focus League, with point differentials and tiebreakers in play.

2. Segment Structure and Big-Name Breakdown (05:40–06:20)

• The main theme: “Players you’re nervous about, but who have massive upside (or risk) going into Week 14.”
• The three featured players: Saquon Barkley, Justin Jefferson, and Lamar Jackson—each analyst builds the case for and against their startability.

In-Depth Player Debates

Saquon Barkley: High Volume, Minimal Results (06:20–17:36)

Field Yates on Saquon Barkley

• Recent production:

  • “Last four games: 13.1, 10.0, 12.4, and 5.6 fantasy points. It’s been really bad for Saquon.”
  • RB finishes: 20th, 27th, 19th, 47th—borderline starter or flex, but not what you expect.
  • “Zero touchdowns, low efficiency (mostly under 4 yards/carry) and wildly fluctuating targets.”

• Reason for optimism:

  • “He’s still Saquon Barkley—a player who can create something from nothing.”
  • Huge opportunity share: 25, 28, 18, 15 combined rushes + targets in last four.
  • The Chargers allowed three consecutive weeks of 27+ fantasy points to a single RB.

• Reason for pessimism:

  • “Giants’ offense is in a rut—four offensive TDs in three games.”
  • Lacks goal-line chances due to the Tush Push. Only four carries inside the 5 this season (38th among RBs).

Mike Clay adds:

• “The O-line is no longer dominant, he’s getting two fewer yards before contact per rush than last year.”
• Good News: The schedule gets much easier after this week. “Raiders, Commanders, and Bills—some of the weakest run Ds for fantasy.”

Should you start him?

• The hosts compare Barkley to names like Quinshon Judkins, Chase Brown, Kyron Williams, and Javonte Williams.
• They agree Barkley is at a “floor” as low-end RB1/high-end RB2, but Daniel is skeptical he’s even that.
• Board Bet: Will Barkley finish as a top-17 RB?
  • Daniel: “I say Saquon Barkley finishes outside the top 17 at running back in week 14.” (17:36)
  • Mike & Field: “I say Saquon finishes top 17.”

Justin Jefferson: Are You Really Sitting Him? (19:30–27:12)

Mike Clay on Justin Jefferson

• “Last week: 4 yards on 6 targets. Under 12 points in 4 straight games.”

• Career-worst efficiency:

  • “29.6% target share (career high), but only 59% catch rate (never below 64% before), just 2 TDs.”

• Schedule: “Easiest in NFL for WRs over next 4 games (Commanders, Cowboys, Giants, Lions).”

• Dilemma:

  • “Can’t bench him unless you’re stacked in an 8-10 team league.”
  • Daniel agrees, “Honestly, this week Jameson Williams feels in a different tier due to the Amon-Ra injury, but the rest (Olave, Waddle, Devonta Smith) are the same tier as Jefferson right now.”

• Board Bet:

  • Field (lower on JJ): "I say Justin Jefferson is not a top 18 wide receiver in week 14."
  • Mike & Daniel: “We say he is top 18."

Lamar Jackson: Disappearing Superpowers (28:04–37:36)

Daniel Dopp on Lamar Jackson

• Reasons for optimism:

  • “Lamar freakin’ Jackson. Steelers match up is solid: QBs at home vs PIT—all are averaging over 20 points.”
  • Dual-threat QBs have hurt PIT: “Fields (29.5 pts), Drake Maye (19.2), Joe Flacco (25.9)…"

• Reasons for pessimism:

  • “He has been bad for a minute. One total touchdown in the last month.”
  • “Hasn’t topped 50 rushing yards since Week 1—his superpower is missing.”
  • “Outside top-10 QB in every game but four (all in the first half of the season)."

• Start over Lamar this week: Mahomes, Daniel Jones, Jordan Love, Caleb Williams.

• All three hosts: "Lamar’s volatility opens the door for back-to-back good matchups (Steelers, Bengals), but it would not be shocking if he’s not top 12."

Board Bet: Is Lamar Jackson a top-12 QB in Week 14?

• All agree: “He will be top-12.”

Upside Flex Plays for Week 14 (39:10–57:15)

The hosts each pick three (or more) high-upside dart-throws for desperate teams needing a playoff miracle:

Field’s Picks

• AD Mitchell (Jets WR): "100+ yards last week; playing better with Tyrod Taylor. Facing Miami."
• Alec Pierce (Colts WR): “20.9 yds/catch; boom-bust; facing Jaguars.”
• Isaac Tesla (Lions WR): “Could be the #2 WR if Amon-Ra and Raymond are out; high scoring game.”

Mike’s Picks

• Christian Watson (Packers WR): “Highest air yards since Week 8, finally converting, gets Bears D.”
• Omarion Hampton (Eagles RB): “Risky, but Eagles run D has been wobbly and he’s a volume back."
• Vikings passing game (JJ McCarthy, Addison, Hockenson):
  • “Schedule is a gift—next four weeks as easy as it gets.”
  • “Addison: 10 targets last week, Hawkinson: increasing target share.”
  • “Can McCarthy do enough to keep the passing offense relevant?”

Daniel’s Picks

• Jacoby Myers (Raiders WR): "The safest play on this list; big, steady volume."
• Broncos WRs (Troy Franklin, Pat Bryant): "Raiders allow the 4th most WR points. Franklin is WR42 for me; Bryant is trending up in volume."
• Rashid Shaheed (Seahawks WR): “Super deep, but ATL allows most points to WRs; he needs just one deep shot—my WR55.”

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Mike Clay on Saquon Barkley:
  "The schedule looks really good after this week, and the guy is top 8 in carries and targets among running backs. It's hard not to follow that volume." (15:47)
• Field on roster stress:
  "That fantasy team, I need to go 2-0 this week. It's not just me vs. Mike, it's me vs. the league." (03:53)
• Daniel on Lamar Jackson:
  "He has been bad for a minute in case you guys didn't know. Do you know how many touchdowns he scored over the last one month? It's one." (30:32)
• Mike on Vikings' schedule:
  "So you're looking at the body of work for these guys, but the schedule is as easy as it gets. If McCarthy can't make it work now, it's not happening." (55:09)
• Daniel on Rashid Shaheed:
  "He just needs one play. But also he's like fourth in line in the lowest volume offense in the NFL. It's a tough one to justify in a lineup in most cases… but the matchup is great." (57:15)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Playoff League Drama / Personal Leagues: 00:43–04:27
• Show Structure & Big Three Players Teased: 06:14–06:50
• Saquon Barkley Deep Dive: 06:20–17:36
• Justin Jefferson Deep Dive: 19:30–27:12
• Quick 2026 Fantasy Outlooks for Stars: 24:25–27:03
• Lamar Jackson Deep Dive: 28:04–37:36
• Upside Flex Plays / Dart Throws: 39:10–57:15
• Lineup Board Bets (Saquon, Jefferson, Lamar): 16:42, 36:33, 37:00
• Start/Sit Listener Questions: 61:29–63:34

Episode Tone and Style

The tone is lighthearted, friendly, and energetic—hosts joke about each other’s fantasy fates, poke fun at their own “dart throws,” engage in good-natured ribbing (“Are you rooting for your own misery, Field?”), and routinely poll both each other and the audience for input.

Final Takeaways

• Barkley, Jefferson, and Lamar are tough to bench due to their talent, volume, or past results—but all carry real risk in Week 14.
• Several young/cheap flex options (AD Mitchell, Christian Watson, Jacoby Myers, etc.) could swing playoff matchups.
• Use recent performance and matchup data, but don’t “bench your studs” without a clear and trustworthy replacement.
• The schedule for the fantasy playoffs is a major factor—stars on teams with easy schedules could bounce back just in time.