Fantasy Football Today (CBS Sports): "Start or Sit (AFC): Quinshon Judkins, Drake Maye, PIT RBs and Our Ideal Thanksgiving Meal"

Episode Date: November 27, 2025
Hosts: Adam Aizer, Jamey Eisenberg, Heath Cummings

Episode Overview

This festive Thanksgiving episode dives into AFC start/sit decisions for Week 13, focusing on tricky RB and WR options, key injury updates, and helping listeners make the tough lineup calls for pivotal fantasy matchups. The crew also debates ideal Thanksgiving meals and dishes, delivering laughs and audience questions with their signature banter. Notable player discussion centers on Quinshon Judkins, Drake Maye, Pittsburgh RBs, and plenty of “who to trust” analysis for a field of dicey AFC fantasy starters.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Thanksgiving Vibes and Community

• The guys open in a light holiday mode, ribbing each other about favorite Thanksgiving foods and talking about the tradition of Wednesday night “Thanksgiving Eve” as a big night to gather with friends.

  • “Ham’s better than turkey.” – Adam [01:39]
  • “I am expecting a very festive YouTube chat tonight… everyone’s coming in here to hang out with us.” – Heath [02:00]

• For fun: Each host details their ideal Thanksgiving meal later in the show (see Memorable Moments below).

2. Start of the Week & Players They Love for Week 13

• Jamey’s Picks:

  • RJ Harvey (RB, UCF): “Washington defense is number five in most fantasy points allowed to running backs... I’m hopeful he’ll be in that [13+ FP] range. Which puts him as number two running back. I have him at number fifteen.” [03:53]
  • Jacoby Brissette (QB): “Has 20+ points in six straight... good matchup vs. the Bucs.”
  • Stefon Diggs (WR): “He was miserable last week but this is a much easier opponent... Giants are terrible. I think Diggs has a significant bounce back.” [04:55]

• Heath’s Picks:

  • Travion Henderson (RB): “Big playback… Giants defense almost historically bad against RBs... He's a top 12 running back this week.” [05:40]
  • Wandale Robinson (WR): “Not far from a top-12 WR... 30% target share since Neighbors went down… You start that guy every week.” [05:45]
  • Ashton Jeanty (RB): “Usage in the passing game has been fantastic... they throw it to him 17 times, I don’t care about the schedule.” [06:20]
  • Compare: "Jeanty, Travion, and Harvey all back-to-back-to-back" in his rankings. [06:59]

3. Players to Avoid / Sit Calls

• Heath:

  • “Sit Swift, sit Menangai, sit Daniel Jones... Texans have allowed only 3 QBs to reach 20 fantasy points all year.” [07:13]
  • On DeAndre Swift: “Not a top-30 RB. I have zero faith...” [07:16]
  • Brock Purdy: “There's absolutely no reason to start him against Cleveland.” [08:13]

• Jamey:

  • Sit Aaron Jones, Michael Pittman, and Deebo Samuel:
    • “Jones vs. Seattle, undrafted rookie QB making 1st start, banged up OL—how do you trust the offense?”
    • “Pittman vs. Houston: brutal matchup, last 3 vs Texans, 9.4 PPR or less.”
    • “Deebo Samuel: Not a starter in 3-WR leagues.” [09:04]

• Deebo Debate:

  • Jamie: “He’s 40th for me—don’t trust him against Denver.”
  • Heath: “Not a must-start, but not someone you have to run away from—found a way to be top-30 most weeks.” [11:27–12:36]

4. Major Injury & News Rundown (Timestamped at [13:46])

• Baker Mayfield questionable, Aaron Rodgers DNP but optimistic, Daniel Jones limited but should play.
• RB updates: Trey Benson limited, Josh Jacobs in, Bucky Irving practiced fully (not expecting big workload), Ken Walker limited, Ashton Jeanty off injury report.
• WRs: Marvin Harrison Jr. limited, Devonta Smith possibly out, Jaden Reed out, Chris Olave left early.
• Offensive line: Multiple key injuries notably for the Patriots, Vikings, Bills, Lions.
  • “Patriots missing their left guard and left tackle… against the Giants.” – Adam [15:51]

5. Game-by-Game Start/Sit Rapid Fire

Giants at Patriots

• QBs (Drake Maye & Jackson Dart): Both viable; Maye higher (Heath has him at 2, Jamie at 7). [20:03]
• RBs: Travion Henderson close to must-start; “Giants, almost historically bad vs RBs.” [30:01]
• WRs: Diggs, Wandale Robinson startable; Kayshon Boutte a deep dart.
• TEs: Theo Johnson slightly above Hunter Henry; both streamers, neither reliable top-12. [37:07]

Buffalo at Pittsburgh

• Steelers RBs: “Warren is a low-end RB2... would not be surprised if some passing game work goes to Warren now with a week under his belt.” – Heath [20:41]
• Shakir/Diggs/Wandale:
  • Jamie: “All in top 20; Diggs first.”
  • Heath: “Wandale, Shakir, Diggs—in that order.” [38:55]
• DK Metcalf: “Number 3 WR, tough to start as anything else.” [40:38]
• Josh Allen: Still a starter, even with O-Line injuries. [41:50]

Raiders at Chargers

• Chargers RBs (Vidal/Hampton): Both low-end RB2/flex if starting. Not high-ceiling but volume-based. [21:13]
• Ashton Jeanty: Strong start.
• Justin Herbert: Debate on trust; Heath top-10, Adam/Dave more cautious, citing O-Line and playstyle. [46:02]
• Trey Tucker: "On the Jameson Williams Spectrum—big play ability, but risky." – Heath [50:45]
• Quentin Johnston/Keenan Allen: Not much trust, but if forced, QJ over fringe options. [49:18]

Houston at Indianapolis

• Nico Collins: High-end WR2—some disagreement over his reliability in tough matchups. [22:21]
• Woody Marks: High-end flex, maybe low-end RB2; tons of carries but limited passing game lately. [56:28]
• Dalton Schultz: Top-10 TE option. [57:54]
• Jonathan Taylor: Start, but “hasn’t been great in tough matchups this year.” – Adam/Jamie [58:43]

Jacksonville at Tennessee

• Trevor Lawrence: Low-end starter; “opportunity for one of his better games in last month.” [63:13]
• Travis Etienne: Only confident RB start; Tootin a “what-the-heck flex.” [63:36]
• Jaguars WRs (Myers, Washington): Both number threes; if Brian Thomas Jr. plays, “all become fringe.” [64:21]
• Brenton Strange: Jamie bullish (top-7), Heath sees as TE1/2 fringe. [65:52]

San Francisco at Cleveland

• QBs: Sit Brock Purdy, Shakur Sanders.
• Judkins: “High-end flex/settle for RB2. Only reason to start him is TD hope.” – Heath [73:10]
• Harold Fannin Jr.: Heath bullish, top 10 TE, others more cautious but note snap/route trend. [70:26]
• DSTs: Both Niners and Browns top 10. [72:08]

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Thanksgiving Debates (“Quickfire” at 26:08):

  • Adam: “Pumpkin pie or pecan pie?”
    • Heath: “Pumpkin!”
  • Adam: “Turkey or ham?”
    • Jamie: “Turkey.” Adam: “Ham.”
  • Adam: “Sweet potatoes or mashed potatoes?”
    • Jamie/Heath: “Mashed!”
  • Adam: “Stuffing or gravy—only one?”
    • Jamie: “Stuffing!” Heath: “If I have something to put it on, gravy.”
  • “Heath, you only got one right!” – Adam [26:42]

• Heath’s Perfect Meal:

  • “One third smoked turkey, one third mashed potatoes, one third stuffing, covered in gravy, side of cranberry sauce. Pumpkin and pecan pie.” [27:00]
  • “This is not a day for superfluous sides!” – Heath

• On Stefon Diggs’ Volatility:

  • “It feels to me more like a boom-bust No. 3 WR … sometimes, you don’t really know when it’s going to happen.” – Heath [30:25]

• Strong Fantasy Factoids:

  • “The Giants are allowing a yard more per carry to RBs than any other team.” – Adam [30:01]
  • “Pittsburgh: 10 straight QBs have thrown 33+ passes; most fantasy points allowed to WRs.” – Adam [38:27]

Timestamps for Important Segments

• [01:39] – Thanksgiving chat, show rundown
• [03:37] – Start of the week picks (Harvey, Brissette, Diggs)
• [05:27] – Heath’s loves (Henderson, Wandale, Jeanty)
• [07:13] – Players to avoid (Swift, Daniel Jones, Purdy, Pittman, Deebo)
• [13:46-15:51] – News & injuries update
• [20:03] – Game-by-game: Giants at Patriots (QBs, RBs, WRs)
• [22:21] – Houston at Indianapolis: Nico Collins debate
• [30:01] – Giants D vs RB stat, Stefon Diggs/flex trust
• [38:55] – “Wandale, Shakir, Diggs” WR rankings
• [46:02-48:11] – Chargers’ offense debate; Herbert start/sit
• [50:32] – Trey Tucker evaluation
• [56:28] – Woody Marks workload
• [63:13] – Trevor Lawrence/Jags pass game vs. Titans
• [70:26] – Browns TE Harold Fannin Jr. breakout?
• [73:03] – Quinshon Judkins rest-of-season value
• [75:00] – Wrap-up and “what will you do if you win the podcast contest?”

Takeaways for Listeners

• Start Confidence:

  • Travion Henderson, Ashton Jeanty, RJ Harvey = low-end RB1/high RB2
  • Wandale Robinson = high-end WR2/3, must-start in favorable context
  • Brock Purdy, Deebo Samuel, Swift = sits in most formats
  • Nico Collins = trust in most, but be wary in the hardest WR matchups

• Debate Points:

  • Justin Herbert is polarizing due to O-line and recent offensive struggles.
  • Stefon Diggs and other boom/bust WRs come with “ride the variance” risk.
  • For holiday feast: mashed potatoes and stuffing > all other sides.

• DFS/Betting:

  • Jamie & Heath highlight volume over matchup in several ambiguous backfields.
  • QB/WRs facing the Giants and Steelers get matchup upgrades.

Final Words

“I’m thankful to get to do this show with you guys.” – Heath [75:13]

“Our audience is incredible. You guys are showing up to vote. It means a lot to us. We care about you, you care about us. I love you all. Enjoy your holiday.” – Adam [75:15]

Happy Thanksgiving, and good luck in your fantasy matchups!
For further advice, check rankings, injury updates, and join the community discussion on CBS Sports HQ, YouTube, and Twitter (#AskFFT).