Fantasy Football Today Podcast Summary

Episode: Start or Sit (NFC): Justin Jefferson, Chargers RBs, Packers WRs, LAR-SEA Recap
Date: December 19, 2025
Hosts: Adam Aizer, Dave Richard, Jamey Eisenberg
Theme: NFC Start/Sit Decisions & Massive Game Recaps for Week 16

Episode Overview

This episode digs deep into key NFC start/sit decisions for fantasy football playoff managers, leading off with a wild LAR-SEA game recap, and taking you through important injury news, position-by-position breakdowns, and rapid start/sit Q&A from listeners. The crew’s signature mix of statistical context, candid advice, and lively banter is on display as they help fantasy GMs set their lineups for make-or-break postseason matchups.

1. Instant Reaction: LA Rams vs. Seattle Seahawks (LAR 37, SEA 38)

[02:22 - 09:57]

• Game of the Year? The episode opens with awe: “Did we just have the game of the year to start Week 16?” - Adam ([02:22])
• Fantasy Takeaways:
  • Weather panic was overblown; offensive fireworks despite forecasts.
  • Kenneth Walker erupts: 11 carries, 100 yards, TD; 3 catches, 64 yards. “Kenneth Walker, who was dead to the world, suddenly looks like the best running back in football.” - Dave ([04:49])
  • Colby Parkinson disappointment: Two dropped passes, poor fantasy output. “It does suck when you start Colby Parkinson.” - Dave ([05:16]), “We can only say what we see...the reasons were all there, process over results.” - Jamie ([09:17])
  • Kickers & Kyron Williams: Jason Myers let down; Kyron had huge volume, little production.
• Notable Quote:
  • “Throw out every single stat, everything you know about football when you preview a game, because none of it matters, because anything can happen in any single week.” - Dave ([04:49])
• Lesson: Don’t set lineups on early-week weather, trust usage over matchup, and brace for the unexpected in fantasy playoffs.

2. News & Injury Rundown

[10:22 - 13:55]

• Colts activating Anthony Richardson window, but not starting yet.
• RB injuries: RJ Harvey, Jaleel McLaughlin, Nick Chubb, Devonta Williams, Alvin Kamara, DeAndre Swift, Woody Marks, Emmanuel Wilson
• WR injuries: Marvin Harrison Jr., Drake London, Christian Watson (GT decision), Jaden Reed, Rashee Rice (concussion), others.
• TE injuries: Dalton Kincaid may not play; several others questionable.
• Offensive Line: Packers, Vikings, Eagles missing key linemen.
• DEF news: TJ Watt out; Cowboys’ Quinnen Williams concussion (big for Chargers RBs).
• Quick shout: “Patriots DST might be limping into the game at Baltimore.” - Adam

3. Game-by-Game Start/Sit & Key Debates

Format: One big question or key start/sit call per matchup.
Timestamps for main discussion start are approximate.

Chicago Bears at Green Bay Packers

Key Question: Who’s the best WR in this game?
DJ Moore vs. Christian Watson:

• “As of now, it’s DJ Moore. If Christian Watson ends up playing, it could very well be Christian Watson.” - Dave ([13:55])
• Jordan Love: “I’m starting to warm up to Jordan Love in this spot.” - Dave

Philadelphia Eagles at Washington Commanders

Start/Sit Terry McLaurin:

• “Given the nature of the position, it’s very difficult to bench somebody like McLaurin… He’s still got to be in your lineup.” - Jamie ([14:45])
• Jamie has McLaurin top-24, admits limited upside.
• Dave: “He’s had at least 14 PPR points, two of his past three and four of his past five.” ([15:22])

LA Chargers at Dallas Cowboys

Trusting the WRs:

• “You’re going to start Pickens. If you want to lower expectations, smart thing to do.” - Dave ([15:48])
• Lad McConkey: “Okay with him as a low-end number two...assuming he leads the team in targets.” - Dave ([15:48])
• Caution around Quentin Johnston return & general volatility.

Minnesota Vikings at New York Giants

RB/WR Rankings (Jamie):

• “Tyrone Tracy, Aaron Jones, Jordan Mason, Devin Singletary, Wandell Robinson, Justin Jefferson, Jordan Addison, Darius Slayton.” ([19:39])
• Wandell Robinson’s target volume noted; Jefferson/Packers WRs all sit on the startable fringe due to volatility.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Carolina Panthers

Rico Dowdle Outlook:

• “Gonna roll with him again, a number two type player, not a number one guy.” - Dave ([20:20])

Atlanta Falcons at Arizona Cardinals

Toughest Calls: Kyle Pitts & Michael Wilson:

• Starting Kyle Pitts still advised due to positional wasteland and matchup: “I think Pitts, you’re probably still starting...It’s a great matchup. Cardinals have been bad vs. tight ends.” - Jamie ([21:11])
• On Wilson: “Starter in three-receiver leagues...treat him as a flex.” - Jamie ([22:04])

NY Jets at New Orleans Saints

• Breece Hall “very hard to trust,” but still a fringe-start: “I don’t know if I can find 24 other RBs I like better than Breece Hall.” - Dave ([24:52])
• Audric Estime sleeper stash: “This could be a great game for Estime and a so-so game for Breece Hall.” - Jamie ([25:31])

Las Vegas Raiders at Houston Texans

• Jamie: “I’m still starting Bowers...still a top 10 TE, just not top three like he’s been ranked.” ([27:23])
• Uncertainty plagues Texans backfield; Woody Marks if active is the best of a possibly messy committee.
• Dalton Schultz: “If it’s full PPR, I think he’s an easy start.” - Dave ([31:56])

4. Rapid-Fire Start/Sit Listener Mailbag

Throughout, but esp. [32:05, 42:00, 63:15] and other segments

• Massive volume of “Who to start?” about RBs, fringe WRs, TE cutoff lines.
• Frequent tie-breakers by PPR/Non-PPR format; key names:
  • Emmanuel Wilson vs. others if Jacobs is out
  • Quick, blunt, and confidence-tiered
• Notable exchange:
  • “DJ Moore or Terry McLaurin?”
    • Jamie: “I think I’m McLaurin ahead, but I might switch that.”
    • Dave: “I don’t see myself switching that.” ([44:28])
  • “Devonte Smith or Lad McConkey?”
    • Jamie: “Lad.” Dave: “Agreed.” ([52:02])
  • “McConkey or Pickens?”
    • Jamie: “Pickens.” ([63:20])
  • “Dowdle or Estimate Non-PPR?”
    • Jamie: “Still got to go down.” Dave agrees. ([80:30])

5. Key Positional Trends & Insights

Running Backs

• Kenneth Walker rebound; usage unchanged, just big plays ([05:39])
• Chargers RBs: Situation highly variable based on Quinnen Williams’ availability for Dallas
• Panthers & Bucs RBs: Both have favorable matchups, but trust volume only
• Texans & Saints backfields: Loaded with injury uncertainty, and big “If/Then” scenarios for RB2/flex spots.
  • “Somebody from the Saints backfield is going to have a big game.” - Jamie ([91:00])

Wide Receivers

• DJ Moore/Christian Watson: Both can explode, but injury status will swing rankings.
• Terry McLaurin: Start as WR2, limited ceiling; matchup history matters.
• Kyle Pitts/Michael Wilson: Start only if alternatives are poor; matchup-driven flexes at best.
• Justin Jefferson: “Basically like a low-end number two, high-end number three receiver at this point. You can’t say Justin Jefferson is safe.” - Jamie ([69:50])
• Packers WRs: If Watson plays, bump him and offense; if not, Reed/Doubs both in WR3 discussion.
• Mike Evans: “Must-start” (especially vs. Carolina); extreme TD and yardage dominance against them ([74:44])
• Tough fringe cluster: Abuka, McMillan, Pickens, Coker, etc.

Tight Ends

• Jake Ferguson & Antonio Gates Jr.: Both are high-end TE2s, more likely to bust this week.
• Dallas Goedert: “Not as volatile as Parkinson...Washington is terrible vs tight ends.” - Jamie ([47:05])
• Dalton Schultz: Trustworthy floor in PPR, upside capped by matchup.

Quarterbacks

• Jordan Love/Caleb Williams/Jackson Dart: All in mid-QB2 range, matchup- and weather-dependent.
  • “Both...enjoy lesser pass rush pressure. Both of them obviously better when there isn’t much pressure.” - Dave ([37:15])
• Justin Herbert/Joe Burrow/Dak Prescott: All have volume paths to ceiling but carry risk due to OL/defensive matchup.
  • “I’ve lowered expectations on Dak this week.” - Dave ([58:23])

6. Strategic Notes & Memorable Moments

• On process vs. results:
  • “The best we can do is just lay out the reasons for why we liked him. The reasons were all there, process over results.” - Adam ([09:02])
• Weather lesson:
  • “Don’t bother checking it until 7pm Eastern.” - Dave ([38:14])
• Flexibility is key in playoffs: “There’s about 19 receivers that feel safe and that number might be less…” - Jamie ([22:04])
• Start your studs unless convinced otherwise: "It's very difficult to bench somebody like McLaurin." ([14:45])

7. Notable Quotes

• “Throw out every single stat, everything you know about football when you preview a game, because none of it matters…” - Dave ([04:49])
• “If you’re starting Kyron, still as a number two running back, you’re starting Puka, you’re starting Stafford. And just hopefully we get a better game from Kyron. Really, that’s the only one?” - Jamie ([08:38])
• “It’s very difficult to bench somebody like McLaurin...he’s still got to be in your lineup…” - Jamie ([14:45])
• “Process over results...the matchup was great, the opportunity was great.” - Jamie ([09:17])

8. Fantasy Playoff Mindset

• Trust in volume, not matchup, for late-season chaos.
• Check injury/actives for every close call, especially WR2/3, RB2/3, and TEs outside the top 8.
• Don’t be stubborn: Be ready to pivot—especially for ambiguous backfields and banged-up passing games.
• Set expectations: Even studs (Jefferson, Swift, Walker) can flop; context matters.

9. Important Timestamps and Segments

• LAR-SEA Recap & Lessons: [02:22 - 09:57]
• Injury Rundown: [10:22 - 13:55]
• Chicago-GB, Philly-WAS Starters: [13:55 - 15:48]
• Chargers-Cowboys/Min-NYG/TB-CAR/ATL-ARI/Jets-NO Preview/Start-Sit: [15:49 - 26:18]
• Raiders-Texans, AFC notes: [26:19 - 32:05]
• Major Mailbag & Rapid Q&A: Scattered, but heavy at [32:05, 42:00, 63:15]
• Cowboys/Chargers insight on defensive matchups: [53:14 - 62:44]
• Justin Jefferson/Packers WRs sidebar: [69:50 - 72:25]
• Panthers-TB, WR/TE/RB sleepers: [74:07 - 80:37]
• Jets-Saints deep dive on RBs and risk: [88:20 - 91:46]

Final Fantasy Playoff Takeaways

Start your studs, but be nimble with depth. Monitor late injury news for game-changing pivots, especially in ambiguous backfields (Texans, Saints, Chargers, Packers) and among banged-up WR rooms. Don’t anchor on weather too early, stay process-driven, and accept that fantasy outcomes are especially volatile in December. Trust hosts’ rankings as solid tiebreakers, but apply them flexibly based on late-breaking news.

Quote to Live By in Playoff Week:

“Throw out every single stat, everything you know about football when you preview a game, because none of it matters, because anything can happen in any single week.” - Dave ([04:49])

For personalized start/sit tossups, consult this episode’s timestamps or check out the Fantasy Football Today mailbag live stream on YouTube Sunday mornings at 11am ET.