Fantasy Football Today (10/30/2025)

Episode: Start or Sit (AFC): Start all Chargers? Sit Your Broncos? Start Kareem Hunt?

Hosts: Adam Aizer (A), Dave Richard (D), Jamey Eisenberg (A), Heath Cummings (C)
Original Air Date: October 30, 2025

Episode Overview

In this episode of Fantasy Football Today, the team takes a deep dive into AFC matchups for Week 9, discussing who to start and sit with a focus on trending players like Chargers skill positions, the murky Broncos offense, and the prospects of Kareem Hunt with Pacheco sidelined. The analysts debate players they love and ones they're avoiding, with actionable insights on difficult decisions and injury updates. The conversation is fast-paced, rich with data, and peppered with classic FFT banter.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Players the Hosts Love (03:51)

• Jamie highlights:
  • Kamani Vidal (Chargers RB): "Start of the week...excited to see him against the Titans defense without Jeffrey Simmons... all in the top 12, so should be a great game." (04:11)
  • Keenan Allen (Chargers WR): "Almost every receiver that's had at least seven targets against the Titans has been very good." (04:11)
  • Kyle Manangai (Bears RB): "Flex play. Cincinnati's been giving up positive production to two RBs three times this season." (04:11)
• Heath adds:
  • Khalil Shakir (Bills WR): "Leads the bills with a 21% target share for the year, actually 26.6% over the last month... He’s a top-24 guy for me, probably for the first time all year." (07:09)
  • Kyler Murray (Cardinals QB): "Hopefully coming back from injury, and facing the Cowboys. Do you need any more explanation?" (07:09)
  • Tyrone Tracy (Texans RB): "Efficient and high volume against a really beat-up San Francisco defense." (07:09)

2. Players to Avoid (08:47)

• Heath’s avoids:
  • Xavier Worthy (Chiefs WR): "He's now in that Jameson Williams and Quentin Johnston group that could have a big week, but target share is low and you’re just hoping for a long touchdown." (09:10)
  • Bo Nix (Broncos QB): "Now he's facing the Texans... I don't want to start Bo Nix." (09:50)
  • Ja’Kory Cross/Bill (Panthers RB): "When you get 12 touches a week and are facing the best run defense, you’re just hoping for a huge play." (10:52)
• Jamie’s avoids:
  • Alvin Kamara (Saints RB): "Rams have yet to allow a rushing TD to a running back, and fewest fantasy points allowed to the position. Kamara is just too tough to trust… only a flex." (11:39)
  • Rico Dowdle (Panthers RB): "At best a flex. Prefer to sit if I can." (12:17)
  • Courtland Sutton (Broncos WR): "Tough to get away from, but low-end WR2 at best, just because of the tough matchup and questionable quarterback play." (12:23)

3. News & Notes (15:25)

• Big QB news: Jaden Daniels expected to play, Bryce Young back to full practice, Joe Flacco questionable, impacts rankings for Chase/Higgins (15:31).

  • Jamie on Ja’Marr Chase if Flacco is out: “Still be a must-start, maybe slides down a couple of spots, but you’re not benching him.” (15:55)
  • Heath on Tee Higgins: “More of a low-end WR2/high-end WR3 if Flacco is out.” (15:55)

• RB injuries: Ramondre Stevenson (toe), DeAndre Swift (vested day off), Isaiah Pacheco (missed practice), Cam Scadaboo had surgery.

• WR injuries and changes: Puka Nacua limited but expected to play, Christian Kirk returned to practice, Nico Collins likely to play, Terry McLaurin out, Calvin Ridley missed practice, lots of uncertainty for Bears WRs.

• Notable trade: Jets acquired John Metchie from Eagles.

• OL/DL injuries: Panthers and Cowboys have banged up O-lines, Titans’ Jeffrey Simmons still out.

4. Quick Start/Sit Debates & Rankings (Various)

- Chargers Skill Players

• Start SZN: "You just start them all and figure it out as you go." (06:25)
• Keenan Allen: "Number two wide receiver; Heath has him WR1." (04:11)
• Quentin Johnston: Lower floor; more go routes, big plays needed (23:10).
• Gadsden (TE): "Bubble might burst, but still a start inside top 10." (38:07)
• "Justin Herbert—no buts with him. He’s a start." (39:04)

- Broncos Skill Players

• Courtland Sutton: Low end WR2 at best; Texan D difficult matchup (12:23, 25:21)
• Bo Nix: "Avoid if possible." (09:50)
• J.K. Dobbins: "Still RB2 for me, but easy path to Knight/Hunt finishing better." (66:15)

- Kareem Hunt vs. Night:

• Adam: “Night, but that's a very good comp.” (29:18)
• Heath: “They're back-to-back.” (29:20)

- Tough Calls

• Evan Engram vs. Kyle Pitts: Pitts > Engram for both (63:51)
• Gadsden, Bowers, Kincaid: Bowers > Gadsden > Kincaid (43:35)
• Woody Marks vs. Kyle Manangai: Most rank Marks ahead. (70:57)

5. Game-by-Game Quick Hit Analysis (22:31+)

Colts at Steelers

• "Top-5 fantasy game of the week… lots of must-starts and maybe-starts." (22:38)
• "Start Daniel Jones for Colts; Pittman is a set-it-and-forget-it." (31:42)
• "Rogers is a good superflex start but not high ceiling." (35:19)

Chargers at Titans

• Start all Chargers skill guys, including Keenan Allen and Gadsden; sit Titans skill guys (40:07, 40:15).
• "Chargers an offense where someone gets left out every week, but not a reason to shy away." (06:25)
• Quentin Johnston is 25-36th for most, so likely only a start in 12+ team leagues with byes.

Jaguars at Raiders

• "Start Bowers…Etn is RB2 but could be more with better offensive line." (47:08, 47:52)
• "Thomas and Hunter both startable as WR3s. Would start both over Raiders WRs." (51:09, 52:02)
• "Tucker is still preferred Raiders WR, but only a middling flex." (52:48)

Broncos at Texans

• "Don’t want to start a QB here. Sutton is a flex/low end WR2, Dobbins a borderline RB2." (65:21)
• "Woody Marks as top play over most back-end RB2s/flexes." (70:12)

Bears at Bengals

• "If Flacco plays, start Chase, bump up Brown. If not, downgrade all Bengals except Chase." (71:48, 75:24)
• "Caleb Williams – set up for a 30-point upside, but risk if Bears run over Bengals." (73:08)
• "DJ Moore – high-end WR3, solid floor." (74:05)
• "Colston Loveland a dart throw; only if Kmet is out." (74:27)

Falcons at Patriots

• "Start Bijan, start Kyle Pitts (Patriots struggle with TEs, and Pitts’ role is safe)," (60:12, 63:19)
• Drake London iffy with injury; Mooney not yet startable (60:12).
• Patriots WRs – Diggs is highest ranked (deep-league flex), Boutte is a boom/bust deep league option (60:48).

Chiefs at Bills (AFC Game of Week!)

• Heath on Kareem Hunt: "RB24, right on the edge." (28:09)
• Adam: “Bills give up 5.3 YPC and 6th most points to RBs; Hunt a goal line guy—he averaged 14.5 PPR/G last year without Pacheco.” (28:34, 28:53)
• Heath: “No more than one target in a game since Week 1, but that’s also true with Pacheco typically.” (28:53)
• Dalton Kincaid: “Toughest matchup of season, don’t want to start but remains top-12 by default.” (79:25)
• Khalil Shakir: “Love him this week, top-24.” (07:09)

6. Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Jamie on the volatility of Chargers skill players:
  • “You just start them all and figure it out as you go.” (06:25)
• Heath on Bears offense/Bengals defense:
  • “I would not be surprised if this is a blow up spot for Caleb Williams... but so many good QBs this week.” (73:08)
• Heath on James Cook vs. Kareem Hunt:
  • “James Cook is too good to even consider sitting, but it’s not the best matchup.” (83:40)
• Adam’s bold prediction: “Kareem Hunt outscores James Cook.” (82:52)
• Jamie on Courtland Sutton: "Low-end number two wide receiver at best... I'd start him over Worthy." (12:23, 13:36)
• Heath on Evan Engram: "Evan Engram is the most opposite player of George Kittle... he catches four or five passes a game for 30-40 yards." (69:09)

Important Timestamps

• Players Love/Avoid (Start/Sit rapid-fire): 03:45 – 14:05
• News & Injuries: 15:25 – 19:30
• Game-by-game Q&A begins: 22:31
• Chargers at Titans deep dive: 39:04 – 42:11
• Jags/Raiders WR/RB breakdown: 47:08 – 54:16
• Broncos/Texans RB debate: 65:21 – 70:22
• Chiefs/Bills Hunt & Shakir: 27:48, 81:16
• Kincaid analysis: 79:25

Quick Tiered Start/Sit Summaries

• Start Confidently:
  • Chargers starters (Herbert, Allen, Vidal, McConkey, Gadsden), Colts (Taylor, Pittman), Khalil Shakir, Bijan Robinson, Brock Bowers
• Decent Flex/Borderline:
  • Kyle Manangai, Tyrone Tracy, J.K. Dobbins, Quentin Johnston, Courtland Sutton (low end), DJ Moore, Evan Engram
• If Desperate/3-WR Leagues:
  • Xavier Worthy, Quentin Johnston, Brian Thomas Jr., Travis Hunter, Patriots WRs, Troy Franklin
• Sit if Possible:
  • Bo Nix, Rico Dowdle, Alvin Kamara (downgrade), Titans RBs not named Henry (especially in this week’s context)

Fun Moments

• Jamie’s dog interrupts his opening take (03:45)
• Heath’s Halloween plans: “Just hang out out back and leave all the lights off... Grinch who stole Halloween, folks.” (02:45 – 03:37)
• Adam’s “Bold prediction counter”: Hunt > Cook (82:52)
• Goat references to the New England quarterback carousel ("Patriots have the best quarterback in the world again... just joking around." 27:07)
• Adam’s trivia on sliced bread and Indiana’s Wonder Bread (29:39)
• Heath’s granddaughter going to the Dolphins game as a penguin in a Waddle jersey (77:19)

Closing Takeaways

• Load up on Chargers (unless you’re desperate; if so, Johnston is risk/reward)
• Sit Broncos where possible (Sutton only out of need, Nix a no-go)
• Start Kareem Hunt as a strong RB2/flex without Pacheco—in exciting spot vs. porous Bills run D
• Heavily monitor injuries (Saints RBs, Patriots RBs, WRs in Chicago & Cincy, Flacco for Bengals upside)
• Brock Bowers is a must-start at TE
• Caleb Williams is not a must, but a solid bet for upside
• This is a strong QB week, weak RB week—make lineup choices accordingly!

For more depth, listen for Jamie and Heath’s weekly tiers on CBSSN and tune in Sunday on YouTube for lineup lock.

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