LAST-MINUTE Week 15 Start 'Em, Sit 'Em Advice! Actives/Inactives Updates & Q&A! (12/15 Fantasy Football Podcast)

Summary

Fantasy Football Today: Episode Summary Episode: LAST-MINUTE Week 15 Start 'Em, Sit 'Em Advice! Actives/Inactives Updates & Q&A!
Release Date: December 15, 2024
Host: Jamie Eisenberg
Analyst: Heath Cummings
Platform: CBS Sports

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Introduction to Week 15 Fantasy Playoffs

In this crucial Week 15 episode of Fantasy Football Today, host Jamie Eisenberg and analyst Heath Cummings dive deep into the fantasy playoffs, offering last-minute advice on player selections, injury updates, and strategic decisions to help listeners dominate their leagues.

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Injury News and Player Rankings

Zach Charbonnet and Ken Walker:

• Jamie (02:26): Kicks off the discussion with updates on Zach Charbonnet and Ken Walker.
• Heath (02:45): "Zach Charbonnet is inside of my top 10. I think he's one spot behind Chuba Hubbard, a must-start running back."

Charbonnet is highlighted as a must-start option, while Walker presents bad news for fantasy managers.

Bucky Irving vs. Rashad White:

• Jamie (02:50): Raises concerns about Bucky Irving's back injury and its impact on Rashad White's performance.
• Heath (03:07): "I have both Bucky Irving and Rashad White ranked as low end number two running back options."

Both players are discussed as viable options, with Heath recommending starting Irving over alternatives like Sincere McCormick and Ramondre Stevenson. Jamie expresses slight preference toward White due to recent performances and health concerns.

Breeze Hall Update:

• Jamie (04:37): Talks about Breeze Hall's availability after a knee injury.
• Heath (04:37): "Breeze Hall is a low end number two running back. I would start him over the Tampa Bay backs."

Heath advises caution with Hall, considering his recent injury and workload distribution compared to teammates.

Tony Pollard's Status:

• Jamie (05:12): Questions confidence in Tony Pollard's readiness after missing practices.
• Heath (06:01): "He is my favorite running back we've talked about so far besides Zach Charbonnet. I would start him definitely over the Bucks or the Jets."

Pollard is recommended as a start despite potential injury risks, emphasizing his high ceiling.

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Wide Receiver and Tight End Injuries

Lad McConkey's Status:

• Jamie (07:02): Updates on Lad McConkey's game-time decision status due to shoulder and knee injuries.
• Heath (07:14): "If you have another wide receiver in our top 48 that's playing at 4:30 or later, then I would try to wait it out for Lad McConkey."

Heath advises managers with strong bench options to tentatively wait for McConkey's status, while those without should play available receivers early.

Josh Downs vs. Pitman:

• Jamie (08:38): Discusses Josh Downs' return and his potential upside.
• Heath (08:38): "I'm not super optimistic. There's always the risk of a low volume in Anthony Richardson's passing game."

Heath remains cautious about starting Downs, preferring Pittman unless there's clear evidence of increased role.

Jameis Winston's Performance:

• Jamie (09:27): Explores Jameis Winston's game prospects amid weather concerns in Cleveland.
• Heath (09:27): "I still think Jameis has top five potential this week. The Chiefs defense hasn't been particularly great."

Despite uncertainties, both analysts lean towards starting Winston over Aaron Rodgers, anticipating a favorable matchup against Jacksonville.

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Listener Q&A Highlights

Ramondre Stevenson vs. Najee Harris (Question by Cameron at 10:00):

• Heath (10:54): Prefers Najee Harris, citing a slightly higher ranking in all formats.
• Jamie (10:54): Agrees, favoring Najee for his role in the passing game.

Sam Darnold vs. Josh Downs (Question at 11:17):

• Heath (11:17): Recommends Sam Darnold, highlighting his potential against the Raiders.
• Jamie (11:20): Supports Darnold, noting potential defensive weaknesses in Jacksonville.

Bucky Irving vs. Sam LaPorta (PPR) (Question at 11:32):

• Heath (11:48): Chooses Bucky Irving, contingent on his active status.
• Jamie (11:49): Agrees with Bucky Irving unless injury reports suggest otherwise.

Shakir vs. Other Flex Options (Question at 12:13):

• Heath (12:13): Opts for Shakir as the safer flex option.
• Jamie (12:15): Also selects Shakir, appreciating his consistency over alternatives like Jalen Waddle.

Sincere McCormick vs. Others (Question at 12:27):

• Heath (12:27): Recommends sitting Sincere McCormick.
• Jamie (12:27): Agrees, advising to sit McCormick for better options.

Brian Thomas vs. DK Metcalf (Question at 12:41):

• Heath (12:50): Favors Brian Thomas.
• Jamie (12:51): Also prefers Thomas, labeling it an easy decision.

Justin Herbert vs. Caleb Williams (Question at 12:56):

• Heath (12:56): Chooses Caleb Williams for higher upside.
• Jamie (12:58): Selects Alvin Kamara over the options provided, reflecting concerns over both.

Jameis Winston vs. Aaron Rodgers (Final Q&A at 13:19):

• Heath (13:19): Sticks with Jameis Winston, noting favorable conditions.
• Jamie (13:40): Also opts for Winston, expressing confidence in the matchup against the Jets.

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Strategic Takeaways

• Risk Management: Both hosts emphasize the importance of balancing high-upside plays with injury risks, especially during the fantasy playoffs.
• Matchup Considerations: Evaluating player performance against specific defenses remains a critical strategy.
• Flexibility: Maintaining flexibility in lineups and being ready to adjust based on last-minute updates is essential for playoff success.

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Conclusion

In this high-stakes Week 15 episode, Jamie Eisenberg and Heath Cummings provide invaluable insights for fantasy football managers navigating the playoffs. From injury assessments to player rankings and strategic Q&A, listeners are equipped with the knowledge needed to make informed decisions and secure victory in their leagues.

For more expert analysis and fantasy football strategies, tune into Fantasy Football Today on CBS Sports.

Transcript

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[Jamie Eisenberg]

It's Sunday morning. It's week 15. It's the fantasy playoffs. This is Fantasy Football Today Express. I'm Jamie Eisenberg. That's Heath Cummings. All right, Heath, we got a lot to get to here with all the injury news from the weekend starting with Friday. We got some good news for Zach Charbonnet. Bad news obviously for Ken Walker Charbonnet, clearly a must start running back. How high do you have him ranked?

[Heath Cummings]

He is inside of my top 10. I think he's one spot behind Chuba Hubbard, a must start top 10 running back.

[Jamie Eisenberg]

Yeah, he's the easy one. Now we get to the fun ones here with some of these other running back situations. So let's start with Bucky Irving. Because we expected him to be out, we thought Rashad White's going to be an absolute superstar for this weekend. I'm a little bit concerned about Bucky Irving with the back. As we saw the last time he played, wasn't able to finish the game. How do you have the Bucks running backs ranked?

[Heath Cummings]

This is probably the most difficult one of the day. I've currently got both Bucky Irving and Rashad White ranked as low end number two running back. Opt options. There's a lot of volume available. That's the good thing in this offense, both in the running game and the passing game. So they could both have double digit carries, they could both see three or four targets. There is more risk than usual for Bucky Irving, but there's a lot more upside for him than there are for most running backs that are ranked in that RB25 range. So I would definitely start him over sincere. McCormick, Ramondre Stevenson, Isaiah Pacheco. I would rather start Jonathan Taylor and Rico Dowdle, guys like that.

[Jamie Eisenberg]

So you have Rashad White ranked higher than Bucky Irving.

[Heath Cummings]

I have Bucky Irving one spot ahead of Rashad White.

[Jamie Eisenberg]

Okay. I have it the other way just because I'm a little concerned, you know, I'm just worried that how healthy is the back? You know, clearly they feel good enough to play him, so that's a good sign. So I agree with you, he should be a number two running back. But as we've seen, they both kind of worked in tandem for a good portion of the stretch where Bucky Irving was great. It just was Bucky was outperforming him and actually getting more work in the passing game. But coming off the game, Rashad White just had. I wonder if they give him maybe a little bit more of an opportunity here and certainly with the work in the passing game. So I'm going to give Rashad White a little bit of a nod. But look, it's good to have Bucky Irving on the field and hopefully he takes advantage of this matchup against the Chargers and does not re injure his back, especially for anybody that has him on a buy. Looking forward to getting him back next week. So we'll see what happens there? All right. For the jets we got Breeze hall expected to play, did not practice all week, but he is good to go with the knee injury. How do you feel about hall and then do you have any interest still in Braylon Allen or Isaiah Davis?

[Heath Cummings]

This one is almost as difficult for me just because hall like Irving coming off of an injury, really a big question mark all week long. The other thing is the last time that he played in a game he had a 57% rush share. So he's still doing most of the works on early downs. But he only had a 3% target share. Both Isaiah Davis and Braylon Allen had more targets than Breeze hall the last time that he played. So I'm also ranking him as a low end number two running back. I would start him over the Tampa Bay backs. I've Braylon Allen and Isaiah Davis are now both just kind of touchdown dependent flexes in that RB40 is range.

[Jamie Eisenberg]

Yeah, it's unfortunate for people that went in all this week on the, the free agent running backs. I mean Patrick Taylor obviously did not play on, on Thursday. It didn't matter, excuse me, on Thursday. And then you have the two jets guys. So we thought okay, maybe one or the other would be relevant this week, especially with a great matchup against Jacksonville. And now here we go with Breeze hall back. But it's obviously great to have Bries all back. I'm with you. I think he's more of a number two running back. I actually would take Rashad White over Breeze hall because again the work in the passing game and a little bit more, you know, I think a little bit more confidence in, in what the situation is there with White versus Irving versus Hall. So it's just really nerve wracking to say that here we are in the fantasy playoffs. We have to trust these injured running backs. Didn't practice all week. And then we get to the other guy that we're talking about here which is Tony Pollard did not practice all week, but we kind of expect him to play the entire time and that's the report that we're going off of. So they are going to test out the ankle pregame. Do you have confidence in Tony Pollard that he will be okay and are you starting?

[Heath Cummings]

He is my favorite running back that we've talked about so far besides Zach Charbonnet. I would start Charbonnet over him, but yeah, a borderline top 12 running back. Listen, you're not going to feel very good if he plays five plays and leaves injured, but that's kind of the types of risks that we're having to take at this point, I would start him definitely over the Bucks or the Jets.

[Jamie Eisenberg]

All right, we take a quick break here on Fantasy Football Today Express. When we come back, we'll wrap up the wide receiver, tight end injuries and then get to some of your questions.

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[Jamie Eisenberg]

The wide receiver injuries. Lad McConkie is expected to be a game time decision. They're going to work him out pre game dealing with the shoulder and the knee injury. It's a 425 start in the game for the Chargers and the Bucks. How you approaching McConkey and maybe Justin Herbert?

[Heath Cummings]

So I think it just really comes down to what is your other option. If you have another wide receiver in our top 48 that's playing at 430 or later, then I would be trying to wait it out for lad McConkey and if he plays, I'd view him as a high end number three wide receiver. If you really are like scraping the bottom of the barrel for a wide receiver like you don't have Josh Palmer, you don't have Quentin Johnston, you don't have anybody that's ranked near those guys. Then I think you just go ahead and play whoever you've got in the early game because like we don't know for sure that lad McConkey is going to play. And then even if he is active, he has the same risk that we just talked about with Bucky Irving and the same risk that we just talked about with Breeze Hall. So it's a, it's a double risk thing. It really depends on who you have on your bench.

[Jamie Eisenberg]

Easy to go get Josh Palmer if he's available and just sort of mix and match those two guys. As we saw, Palmer had nine targets last week in place of McConkey. Desperation. There's going to be some guys in the 4 o'clock and you know, later games. I'm, I'm thinking maybe like a Marvin Mims who's had some production, you know, recently for the Broncos Trying to think some of the guys in the later games.

[Heath Cummings]

Yeah, and that's. I think that's what I would say. Like, if I can get Palmer, then I'm waiting. If I have to trust Marvin Mims, then I'm probably just trying to start somebody else.

[Jamie Eisenberg]

Right. Yeah. I'm thinking more like the. The deeper leagues, you know, those type of guys that, you know, just trying to find somebody. All right. Josh Downs also expected to play coming back from the shoulder injury. Shane staking wasn't 100 committed to it, but all the reports indicate he's going to play. How do you feel about Josh Downs?

[Heath Cummings]

I'm not super optimistic. There's always the risk of a low volume Anthony Richardson passing game. And for the most part, when we've seen Pittman and Downs together with Anthony Richardson, Pittman's been the number one in terms of targets. So I don't really want to start Josh Downs. He's a flex. I prefer Pittman and Downs this week.

[Jamie Eisenberg]

Yes. I would go Downs over Pittman just because I think based on how these guys will operate, probably Sir Tan sees a little bit more of Pittman Downs in the slot. That's not where exactly Sir Tan goes all the time. Pittman more the big physical receiver. And they are down Riley Moss. So I do think there's an opportunity here for Josh Downs to make some plays. We'll talk about it quickly when we get to the weather real quick. David Najoku not expected to play. Any interest in the. Well, I guess let's start with James Winston because I know you're really high on Jameis. We got weather concerns in Cleveland. We got no tight end now expected to play without Najoku. How do you feel about Jamis?

[Heath Cummings]

I'm really struggling with this game because I just always go look and see what Kevin Roth says about it over at Roto Grinders. And he's got it as a yellow, orange. And if it's a full orange, that's the point where I start making adjustments. Yellow, orange. It sounds like this is really a big question mark. So it's. It's a risk tolerance thing. I still think Jameis has top five potential this week. The Chiefs defense hasn't been particularly great. Jamis has been awesome as a fantasy starter. There's also a really low downside. I would start Jameis over Mahomes. He's a little. I think I had him eight on Thursday when we talked. He's 11 now.

[Jamie Eisenberg]

Okay, so you did downgrade him a little bit. Yeah, he's outside my top 12, James. I'm. I'm nervous just because no Nijoku weather concerns, no Tillman. He also is not going to play. So just having the two receivers clearly is enough for Jameis. But you know, you're losing weapons, bad weather. You know, Steve Spagnolo could maybe make things a little uncomfortable for Jameis. I know they, they have done a little poorly against quarterbacks lately, but they did step up against Justin Herbert last week who did have a receiver missing. So a little bit concerned about James based on where the week started, where we are right now, and then one defensive note which hopefully will help the Falcons offense in general. Max Crosby is now out for the season, so IDP leagues obviously got to find a replacement for one of the best pass rushers. And this Raiders defense should be even worse. So maybe Kirk Cousins can find the end zone for the first time in four weeks. All right, let's get some questions Heath before we wrap this up. So you throw them up and we'll talk about it. All right. So Cameron wants to know Ramondre Stevenson or Najee Harris this week. I wish we knew the format, but let's assume ppr, half ppr. How you. How you approaching this?

[Heath Cummings]

I'm going nausea just barely over Ramondre in all formats. They're both borderline number twos. I've actually got them behind the Bucks and behind Briesol.

[Jamie Eisenberg]

I do hope that Ramon Dre Fresh Legs comes back from the bye week and does some damage against the Cardinals run defense like Charbonne did. Not to that extent, but you know, takes advantage of it. But yeah, I agree. I'd go Naji as well. Probably have a big role in the passing game without George Pickens. Tuatanga by lower Sam Donald. Who are you going there?

[Heath Cummings]

They're both top 12. But I will go with Sam Darnold.

[Jamie Eisenberg]

I like them both as potential top five quarterbacks, but I will go Darnold as well. Next James. I guess it's Josh. Josh Palmer. I don't like James Farmer. James Palmer's reporter. Josh Palmer or Josh Downs.

[Heath Cummings]

That is that Colts game at 4:30.

[Jamie Eisenberg]

Also, the Colts can't. Yeah, it's in Denver.

[Heath Cummings]

Okay. So that's really easy. If there's no lad McConkey, I would start Josh Palmer. If lad McConkey plays, I would start Josh Downs.

[Jamie Eisenberg]

All right. I would go down either way. Next question. Bucky irving or Sam LaPorta? PPR.

[Heath Cummings]

I'm going bucky.

[Jamie Eisenberg]

I would go Bucky as well. Unless we get some report that he's you know, gonna be. Remember, both these games are also 4 o'clock, so you get a report pre game. Hey, Bucky's gonna be the backup. Then you go to the porta. Marvin Harrison Jr. Adam Thielen.

[Heath Cummings]

I will go Thielen.

[Jamie Eisenberg]

I'll go feeling as well. Anita Flex, Khalil. Shakir, Jalen Waddle or Kate Otten?

[Heath Cummings]

I'm still gonna go Shakir.

[Jamie Eisenberg]

I'm gonna go Shakir as well. But I do like Jalen Waddle going back home to Houston, so we'll see if that matters for him. But Shakira is the safer option. Bries hall or Devon Hn. That's easy. Darnell Mooney or Jalen Model?

[Heath Cummings]

Mooney.

[Jamie Eisenberg]

Yeah. Especially again. Nomax Crosby. This should be a huge game for the Falcons. Please, Kirk Cousins, deliver Mooney or Waddle. We answered that right. So we're going pick three. Brock Bowers, Trey McBride. Sincere McCormick, Breeze Hall. Wow. So who's the odd man out here?

[Heath Cummings]

I would sit sincere. McCormick.

[Jamie Eisenberg]

Yes, sincerely. Sit McCormick. Next one, we'll go a couple more. Brian Thomas or DK Metcalf?

[Heath Cummings]

Brian Thomas.

[Jamie Eisenberg]

Yeah. Easy one for me, too. All right, two more. Justin Herbert or Caleb Williams?

[Heath Cummings]

I'm going Caleb.

[Jamie Eisenberg]

I'm going Herbert. And this is again. You'll know if McConkey plays. If McConkey plays, it's Herbert. If McCy's out, Caleb, James Cook or Alvin Kamara. Half PPR.

[Heath Cummings]

Alvin Kamara for me.

[Jamie Eisenberg]

Yeah, Alvin Kamara for me, too. I'm nervous about both these guys, to be honest. All right, last one. Jameis Winston or Aaron Rodgers.

[Heath Cummings]

I do like Aaron Rodgers a lot this week, too. Against Jacksonville. I'm gonna go with Jameis and I. I'll just say, like, this was one where because weather forecasts do change, I'd probably be checking about 12:30 and seeing what people are saying on Twitter, what Kevin Roth is saying right before game time about that weather in Cleveland, but assuming it doesn't get worse, I would go Jameis.

[Jamie Eisenberg]

I would go Jameis. Also, I am rooting very heavily against the jets today because Heath and I are in a tough matchup. My team sucked on Thursday night with Matthew Stafford not playing great and Puka was great. Karen Williams was okay. Keith is going to beat me in the yolo League because he's got Bries hall back. He's got Devonte Adams, he's got Garrett Wilson. So go Jags. Go shut down the jets offense and then maybe have a chance.

[Heath Cummings]

You do currently have an illegal lineup in that league also.

[Jamie Eisenberg]

Oh, no. I know. I'm waiting to drop, see what happens. That'll do it for us. About Evan Ingram, also out, by the way, if you haven't seen so Brenton Strange, there are some, there are some decent desperation tight ends. You got Bren Strange, you got Jordan Akins in Cleveland. And there's one, oh, Stone Smart. Stone Smart for Chargers. So some desperation tight end plays if you're missing everything. All right, that'll do it for us. We'll be back here at 11:30am Eastern on YouTube answering all of your questions. You can check out CBS Sports HQ at 10:00am Eastern as well. Get those lineups right, check the weather, make sure everything is good for your fantasy playoff rosters. For Heath Dummies, I'm Jamie Eisenberg. This fantasy football sector, Paramount podcasts.