Fantasy Focus Football – Week 5 Start/Sit: Is it time to move on from A.J. Brown? Is Drake Maye a Lineup LOCK?

Date: October 2, 2025
Hosts: Liz Loza (main host), Producer Dave
Special Guest: Jamie Eisenberg (CBS Sports)

Episode Overview

In this episode, Liz Loza and Producer Dave analyze actionable fantasy football decisions heading into Week 5, focusing on the critical space "between conviction and delusion." The episode features an in-depth look at key player dilemmas (e.g., Drake Maye's emergence, A.J. Brown's struggles), listener and caller therapy, and a rapid-fire "Start, Bench, Cut" segment with CBS Sports’ Jamie Eisenberg. It provides a blend of statistical analysis, match-up discussion, and real-world managerial advice, perfect for fantasy managers searching for Week 5 lineup guidance and beyond.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Drake Maye: A Fantasy "Lineup Lock"? (02:35–04:22)

• Stats & Analysis:
  • Maye is fantasy’s QB4 overall, averaging 21+ points/week, trailing only Josh Allen, Lamar Jackson, and Mahomes.
  • Dual-threat production: Leads the league in completion percentage; over three straight games he’s either rushed for 45+ yards or scored on the ground.
  • Fun fact: Only player this season with at least 988 passing yards and 98 rushing yards.
• Week 5 Outlook:
  • Faces Buffalo as a significant underdog; likely to utilize his legs frequently against a Buffalo D allowing 6.0 YPC to opposing rushers.
  • Ranked as QB7 by Liz for Week 5.
  • Liz Loza [03:43]: “Points do not have to be pretty for them to help fantasy managers win.”

2. The A.J. Brown Dilemma: Time to Panic? (04:22–06:38)

• Recent Struggles:
  • Fewer than 3 catches & 15 yards in 4 of his last 8 games (including postseason).
  • Philly’s conservative game script while winning, plus Hurts’ dips in passing accuracy.
• Chemistry Issues:
  • In Week 4, Brown saw 9 targets—5 were “off target.”
• Week 5 Matchup:
  • Faces Denver, which has conceded only two passing TDs all season—and just one to a WR.
  • Brown is ranked “just inside the top 20” WRs for Week 5.
  • Liz Loza [05:52]: “Given this style of play, given the chemistry issues ... I have AJ Brown ranked just inside of my top 20.”

3. Zach Charbonnet: Time for Fantasy Patience? (06:38–08:40)

• Role Analysis:
  • Charbonnet is a “trusted 1B” rather than a takeover candidate unless Kenneth Walker is injured.
  • In Week 4: Walker out-carried Charbonnet 16–9, and had a slight edge in snaps (52% vs 45%).
• Week 5 Outlook:
  • Bad matchup vs. Tampa Bay, which has the 2nd lowest YPC allowed (3.3).
  • Rankings: Walker RB19, Charbonnet RB29.
  • Liz Loza [07:36]: “Unless there is an injury to Kenneth Walker, he is going to remain the team’s trusted one A option.”

Fantasy Therapy – Listener Q&A

(09:09–14:15)

Ladd McConkey's Value (Michael, NY) [09:38–11:26]

• Analysis:
  • WR54 overall, little production after Week 1. Third in team targets, low usage even in catch-up situations.
  • “Maybe a flex” in Week 5 due to byes.
  • Ted McMillan: “My WR15 for Week 5.”
• Liz Loza [10:45]: “If the Chargers aren’t going to be throwing a bunch and Ladd remains third on the team in looks, he’s not going to get enough opportunities.”

Alvin Kamara Panic (Michael, TN) [11:34–13:13]

• Analysis:
  • RB26 overall; only one 15+ point game.
  • Still out-snapping Kendre Miller, but Miller was heavily involved last week.
  • Week 5: Giants give up 6.1 YPC; positive matchup.
  • “Be patient for one more week—Kamara can finish top 15–18.”
• Liz Loza [12:37]: “At 30 years old, the wheels might be falling off of this wagon ... But this matchup offers a little bit of relief.”

Has Genti Arrived? (@Jim, social) [13:28–14:15]

• Analysis:
  • Volume and talent finally converging; faces a beatable Colts run defense (4.5 YPC allowed).
  • Ranks Genti confidently as RB15 for Week 5.
• Liz Loza [13:31]: “Given the talent and given the volume, patience was key with Genti.”

Guest Segment: Jamie Eisenberg Joins Facts vs. Feelings

(15:16–32:33)

Rapid-Fire “Start, Bench, Cut” (17:15–20:20)

• Key Calls:
  • Ladd McConkey: Start (hopeful for a breakout)
    • “I’m going to start Ladd with the hope this is the week he gets going.” [Jamie Eisenberg, 17:46]
  • Kyler Murray: Start (good matchup vs. Titans)
  • Trevor Lawrence: Cut (“It’s time to move on ... He’s been terrible in wins and good in losses.”) [Jamie, 18:23]
  • Nick Chubb: Cut (Woody Marks era is here)
  • TJ Hockenson: Bench or cut, depending on roster depth
  • Brock Bowers: Start (“Buy low ... better numbers are ahead if health improves.”)

Fantasy Manager Insights

• Rivalry in Leagues:
  • For Jamie, “the person I have to beat is without question our podcast host, Adam Mazer.”
• Biggest “Agita”: Brian Thomas Jr.
  • Route-running & chemistry problems after offseason hype.
  • Quote: “You’re seeing bad routes. You’re seeing afraid to go over the middle at times ... for what the talent level is.” [Jamie, 23:00s]
• Roster Cutoff Points:
  • Jalen Waddle needs to step up with Tyreek Hill out—“step up time for Jalen Waddle and hopefully he delivers.” [Jamie, 25:41]

Advice for 1–3 and 0–4 Managers (26:56–29:05)

• Trade for Depth:
  • Don’t be afraid to package a superstar for multiple startable pieces if you have roster holes.
  • Look at injured or underperforming stars as trade chips to “shake up the energy.”
• Liz Loza [29:05]: “Pull the ripcord and at least change the energy, take a pivot. ... what you’re doing isn’t working.”

Conviction vs. Delusion for Week 5 (29:29–32:12)

• Convicted Success:
  • Kyler Murray—“This is the time for him to step up and hopefully deliver.”
• Fantasy Delusion:
  • Jordan Mason—“You can’t start him against Cleveland. ... just tailor made for what the Browns want to do.”
• Liz Loza [32:12]: “Expectation management is so key in fantasy.”

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On A.J. Brown:
  • “Part of this issue is that Philly likes to play really conservatively when they’re winning, and right now they have yet to lose a game.” – Liz Loza [05:02]
• On Trading to Save Your Season:
  • “If you have superstar caliber players and have two or three holes on your roster, can you turn that superstar into one or two [startable] players?” – Jamie Eisenberg [27:13]
• Conviction vs. Delusion Wrap-up:
  • “Only one is built on facts. Remember, conviction is born out of the research we do, and while the work we put in never guarantees victory, it is ultimately better to lose with conviction than be led by delusion.” – Liz Loza [33:18]

Important Segment Timestamps

• Drake Maye Analysis: 02:35–04:22
• A.J. Brown Deep Dive: 04:22–06:38
• Zach Charbonnet Reality Check: 06:38–08:40
• Fantasy Therapy (Listener Q&A): 09:09–14:15
• Jamie Eisenberg Guest Segment: 15:16–32:33
• Start, Bench, Cut: 17:15–20:20
• Trade Advice for Losing Teams: 26:56–29:05
• Conviction vs. Delusion: 29:29–32:12

Tone & Language

Liz and Dave keep the conversation lively and supportive, mixing hard stats with self-aware humor (“it's only week five. What do you mean we made it?” [00:56]) and therapy-style encouragement for struggling managers. Jamie Eisenberg brings a veteran’s steady presence, balancing optimism with candid roster advice.

Summary Takeaways

• Drake Maye is a fantasy starter and possibly a “lineup lock” due to dual-threat upside, with a solid Week 5 projection.
• A.J. Brown’s volatility is real—he’s a WR2/3 play until chemistry and game script change.
• Zach Charbonnet remains a mere committee/backup RB unless Walker is injured.
• If your season is off to a slow start—trade aggressively to address roster holes.
• Conviction requires research; delusion is bias. Manage expectations, stay nimble, and play with facts-driven guts.

For more in-depth write-ups, see Liz Loza’s “Facts vs. Feelings” column and check out Jamie Eisenberg’s work on CBS Sports and the Fantasy Football Today podcast. For questions or to join the therapy couch, call (914) 348-1893.