Fantasy Focus Football: “Week 15 Must-Start Players You Need”

Date: December 12, 2025
Hosts: Field Yates, Daniel Dopp, Mike Clay
Special mentions: ESPN, Stephania Bell (not present in this episode)

Episode Overview

This episode of Fantasy Focus Football dives deep into must-start players for Week 15 of the fantasy football season. Field Yates, Daniel Dopp, and Mike Clay recap a historic Thursday Night Football performance, dissect injury news, debate lineup dilemmas, analyze backfields and wide receiver groups, and furnish their official “Starts of the Week.” The tone is humorous, collegial, and occasionally self-deprecating, making for a lively yet information-rich listen for fantasy football managers looking to navigate playoff matchups.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Historic Thursday Night Football: Kyle Pitts Goes Nuclear

• [04:00] – [06:22]
  • Standout Performance: Kyle Pitts exploded for 45.6 PPR fantasy points (7 rec, 111 yds, 3 TDs)—the highest single-game total by a tight end since 1966.
  • Fantasy Fallout: Only ~49% of Pitts’ managers started him, potentially swinging fantasy playoff matchups.
  • No Drake London Impact: Pitts averages 8.6 targets and 19 points per game when London is out, compared to 6 targets and 9.1 points when London is in.
  • Quote:
    • “We watched the greatest game in the history of fantasy football by a tight end last night.” – Field Yates, [04:00]

2. Tampa Bay WRs: How to Rank Them after Mike Evans’ Return

• [09:09] – [11:49]
  • Mike Evans Miracle Recovery: Returned from a broken collarbone ahead of expectations; posted 6 catches, 132 yards on 12 targets.
  • Usage Split:
    • Evans: 51% snaps, 28 routes
    • Godwin: 95% snaps, 37 routes (but just 1 TD, 20 yards)
    • Abuka: 24 routes (coined as a coin flip WR2)
    • McMillan: 20 routes
  • Rest-of-Season View:
    • Evans is the upside play.
    • Godwin is a volume safety net but less exciting for ceiling.
    • Abuka and McMillan are fringe.
  • Quote:
    • “Going into the playoffs, you are chasing the upside. The upside play is Mike Evans.” – Field Yates, [10:47]

3. NFC South Playoff Picture

• [13:41] – [14:22]
  • The Bucs and Panthers play twice in the remaining weeks (16 and 18), so the division outcome is still up for grabs.
  • Hosts favor the “better team” Bucs, but note both have disappointed.

4. Week 15 “Trust-O-Meter” – Start/Sit Debates and Trend Analysis

Brian Thomas Jr. (WR, Jaguars)

• [15:11] – [17:09]
  • Pros: 6 targets/80 yds in last game; Jets depleted at CB.
  • Cons: Under 12 points in 9/10 games this season.
  • Leaning: Play only if desperate; not trustworthy for most.
  • Quote:
    • “You're hoping you get an early 40 yard touchdown outta him. Otherwise, another dud.” – Mike Clay, [17:02]

Ashton Genti (RB, Raiders)

• [18:12] – [20:46]
  • Underwhelming production: 12.1 or fewer fantasy points in 3 of last 4; inefficient rushing.
  • Volume is there, but offense is struggling.
  • RB2/flex at best.

Breece Hall (RB, Jets)

• [20:46] – [22:29]
  • Major concerns: Only 2 carries inside the 5 all season; brutal matchup; new QB; not a lineup lock for first time in 2025.
  • Quote:
    • “Very nervous about this one. The best way to justify starting Breece Hall is if you are absolutely positive this game will be 35–0 at halftime and the Jets are playing catch up.” – Field Yates, [22:02]

Steelers Backfield: Jaylen Warren & DK Metcalf

• [39:03] – [42:48]
  • Warren: Not topped 70 total yards in 4 games; low ceiling even in decent matchups.
  • Metcalf (playing for Steelers): After explosive Week 14, back in top 20 WR mix due to demonstrated usage.

5. “Bonanza” Games – Rams vs. Lions Fantasy Explosion

• [24:00] – [29:24]
  • This Lions vs. Rams game features huge fantasy names:
    • QB: Stafford (QB5)
    • WRs: Puka, Adams, Amon-Ra, Jameson Williams all top-12 potential
    • RB: Gibbs (RB3 since Week 7), Kyren Williams
  • Quote:
    • “You're going to have four top-12 WRs, a top-5 QB, and a top-3 RB that doesn't even include Kyren Williams!” – Daniel Dopp, [25:04]
  • Fun Stat:
    • Adams leads the NFL in end zone targets (25); potential record.

6. Backfield News: Changing Roles & Snap Splits

• [29:30] – [31:54]
  • Rico Dowdle & Chuba Hubbard (Panthers):
    • Expecting a 55/45 or 60/40 backfield split. Dowdle heading toward RB2 territory.
    • Fewer “league winner” vibes, more “safe but capped upside.”
    • Hubbard’s usage growing, especially in negative game script.

7. Ravens Tight Ends: Can You Start Both?

• [32:35] – [34:53]
  • Mark Andrews: Quiet lately, but history and redzone role keep him in TE1 range.
  • Isaiah Likely: Trending up (6 targets/12.5 points in two straight); Bengals allow most fantasy points to TEs.
  • Both are startable, Andrews preferred.

8. Wide Receiver Woes: Who’s Really a Top 15 Guy? (McMillan, Allen)

• [35:00] – [38:35]
  • Shocking Stat: Both Keenan Allen and McMillan are WR14 on the season despite cold stretches.
  • ”Gross” Position: After the top 12, WR gets “messy.” Even inconsistent stat lines keep you relevant.

9. Starts of the Week

• [55:49] – [58:29]

Field Yates

• QB: Trevor Lawrence
• RB: Kenneth Gainwell
• WR: AJ Brown
• TE: Isaiah Likely

Daniel Dopp

• QB: Jared Goff
• RB: Omarion Hampton
• WR: Davante Adams
• TE: Isaiah Likely

Mike Clay

• QB: Lamar Jackson (“back-to-back weeks”)
• RB: Devin Neal
• WR: Khalil Shakir
• TE: Dallas Goedert (“the consensus is low, but I like him in this matchup”) – [58:10]

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Kyle Pitts’ Historic Night:

  “We watched the greatest game in the history of fantasy football by a tight end last night.” – Field Yates, [04:00]

• On the agony of benching Pitts:

  “You’re gonna watch a 49-point game sitting on your bench for days over the weekend.” – Daniel Dopp, [06:22]

• On Breece Hall’s Redzone Usage:

  “How many carries inside the five this season for Breeze Hall?...2.” – Mike Clay, [21:10]

• Fantasy Bonanza Game:

  "You’re going to have four top-12 WRs, a top-5 QB, and a top-3 RB that doesn’t even include Kyren Williams!" – Daniel Dopp, [25:04]

• On the state of fantasy WRs:

  “Wide receiver is just so top heavy and then there’s that massive drop off.” – Mike Clay, [36:37]
  “He’s 14th in fantasy points... He’s had four good games. One of them was really great and he is 14th in fantasy points.” – Mike Clay, on Keenan Allen, [36:28]

Injury Report & Practice Rounds (Key Takeaways)

• Woody Marks: Expected to play, just getting maintenance days.
• Alvin Kamara: DNP both days, Devin Neal is a flex/high upside play.
• Josh Jacobs: MRI clean, questionable for Sunday—make backup plans.
• Marvin Harrison Jr.: DNP; Michael Wilson becomes a fringe top-20 WR.
• Tee Higgins: Yet to clear concussion protocol as of Friday morning—have alternatives ready.
• David Njoku: DNP both days, look for Harold Fannin at TE if Njoku is inactive.

Audience Q&A: Key Situational Advice

• Rico Dowdle vs. Devin Neal:
  • Slight edge to Dowdle, but both are RB2/flex considerations. Hubbard’s presence muddies Dowdle’s upside.
• Javonte Williams, Josh Jacobs, Travis Etienne, RJ Harvey decision:
  • If healthy, start Jacobs. Otherwise, ETN is preferred for matchup reasons.
• Tyler Warren vs. Darren Waller:
  • Slight nod to Warren. Waller hasn’t regained old usage.
• Rashid Shaheed, Cooper Kupp, Xavier Worthy, or Evan Engram at flex:
  • Worthy is the “boom” play; tough call but limited upside otherwise.
• Tee Higgins injury uncertainty:
  • Stay tuned through the weekend; have replacement ready.

Bonus: Fun and Offbeat Moments

• Discussion of Best NFL Uniforms, [01:46] – [03:45]
  • Creamsicles, Seahawks throwbacks, Broncos Orange Crush, Patriots red, Dolphins aqua all get shoutouts.
• Playoff League Trash Talk:
  • Repeated jokes about benching Kyle Pitts, the agony of being in the 49% who did so.
• Michael Jordan’s Baseball Cameo:
  • Light banter about weird athlete crossovers, “Birmingham Barons.”
• Bemidji State Shtick:
  • Field gets trolled about NFL trivia, “Gunnar Olszewski went to Bemidji State.” [54:49]

Important Timestamps

• Kyle Pitts Recap: [04:00]–[06:29]
• Tampa WRs Breakdown: [09:09]–[11:49]
• Trust or Bust Segment (Thomas Jr., Genti, Hall): [15:11]–[22:29]
• Big “Bonanza” Game (Rams/Lions): [24:00]–[29:24]
• Backfield Trends (Dowdle/Hubbard): [29:30]–[31:54]
• TE Trust (Andrews/Likely): [32:35]–[34:53]
• WR Landscape (Keenan Allen/McMillan): [35:00]–[38:35]
• Starts of the Week: [55:49]–[58:29]
• Audience Q&A (various players): [58:50]–[64:05]

Tone Recap

The episode blends expert analysis, banter, and sarcasm. The hosts readily admit frustrations over the unpredictability of 2025’s fantasy landscape, especially at the secondary positions (WR, TE), while maintaining a “stick with your process and don’t tilt” message throughout.

Final Takeaways

• If you survived the Pitts explosion (or benefitted!), the focus is chasing upside in the fantasy semifinals—play your stars and don’t overreact to one-week aberrations.
• Check injury news right up to kickoff; several backup RBs and WRs could become league-winners on a moment’s notice.
• After the elite options, most “startable” WRs and RBs are just that—startable, but volatile.
• At tight end, if you can’t have Pitts or Andrews, hunt for usage spikes and good matchups, like Isaiah Likely or even Dallas Goedert.

In the hosts’ own words:
“You deserve it. We love you. We’ll see you Sunday.” – Daniel Dopp, [65:33]