Fantasy Football Today - "Start or Sit (AFC)" - September 25, 2025

Main Theme:
The team breaks down start/sit decisions for all AFC matchups in Week 4, helping fantasy managers optimize their lineups by discussing standout players, notable busts, rookie breakouts, injury impacts, and game-by-game questions. Hosts Adam Aizer, Jamie Eisenberg, and Heath Cummings deliver nuanced, actionable advice on must-starts, flex-worthy options, and players to avoid, often referencing their own rankings and debating live matchups.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Players to Love & Breakouts ([03:17], [06:00])

Jamie Eisenberg’s Players to Start:

• Geno Smith (QB, SEA):
  • “Start of the week. Expecting a big game…taking on the Bears…seen two of three QBs absolutely light up this defense in different ways.”
  • Would start over Baker Mayfield, Jared Goff, Dak Prescott, even Patrick Mahomes this week.
• Matthew Golden (WR, GB):
  • “Breakout opportunity with a great matchup against the Cowboys…would be a starter in three receiver leagues.”
• TreVeyon Henderson (RB, NE):
  • “Seen flashes…practice reports suggest he may have his breakout…could outperform the likes of DeAndre Swift, Javonte Williams, David Montgomery.”

Heath Cummings’ Players to Start:

• Jordan Love (QB, GB):
  • “I have Love as a top six quarterback this week…this is the get-right game for Jordan Love in the passing game.”
• Trey Benson (RB, SF):
  • “Bad matchup…downgraded the efficiency but he’s still a top 15 RB.”
• Harold Fannin (TE, CLE):
  • Continues to get targets, “should have 6-7 targets a game, if Browns throw 40 times.”

Notable Quote:

"If we get anything else suggesting that Henderson's getting his first start this week, it will be Henderson over Pollard for me. It's razor thin and I think there's a lot more upside with Henderson." — Heath Cummings ([10:43])

2. Players to Avoid & Notable Bust Alerts ([11:17])

Jamie Eisenberg’s Avoids:

• Baker Mayfield (QB, TB):
  • “Still be a little cautious…not a slam dunk start. He’s the bust alert…tough matchup vs. Philly’s defense.”
• Javonte Williams (RB, DEN):
  • “Down two interior linemen…taking on a strong run defense. He’s more of a flex than RB2.”
• Brian Thomas Jr. (WR, NO):
  • “Only starter in three-receiver leagues. Something’s off—drops, discomfort, tough matchup vs. 49ers.”

Heath Cummings’ Avoids:

• Jared Goff (QB, DET):
  • “Have him 16th. I'm just not going to start any QBs against the Browns.”
• Tony Pollard (RB, TEN):
  • “Implied total of 15.5…low role in the passing game, low touchdown odds, not startable in a likely low scoring game.”
• TJ Hockenson (TE, MIN):
  • “Encouraging usage with Wentz, but only 6 targets…Steelers D getting healthier…could be a low-volume pass game.”

“Pollard may be the one that scares me the most...I just do not have a lot of hope that the Titans get the offense going.” — Heath ([09:11])

3. Start/Sit Debates & Quick-Hit Rankings

• Geno Smith or Jordan Love?
  • Heath: “Love, but they’re close.”
  • Jamie: “Geno, but don’t drop Love for Geno.” ([10:25])
• Tony Pollard or TreVeyon Henderson?
  • Heath: “Pollard by a hair, but if there’s confirmation Henderson starts, it’s him.”
• Javonte Williams or Ken Walker?
  • Heath: “Williams,” Jamie: “Walker.” ([14:51])
• Starting Bengals vs. Denver:
  • Jamie: “Start Jamar Chase, Chase Brown and Higgins are flex plays.”
  • Heath: “Start Chase Brown over DeAndre Swift and Tony Pollard.” ([26:03])

4. Game-By-Game Quick Questions & Advice

([21:48 onward, timestamps per game below])

• Baltimore at Kansas City
  • Mark Andrews vs. Chiefs WRs: “I am more confident in a Chiefs receiver than Mark Andrews” — Jamie ([22:24])
  • Both Jamie and Heath: Not expecting a high-flying classic, see risk of a slower, lower-scoring game.
• Minnesota at Pittsburgh
  • “Jordan Mason and Justin Jefferson — that’s it for must-starts.” — Jamie ([40:04])
  • Jalen Warren: “Start over Swift, Pollard, Javonte.” — Jamie/Heath ([42:04])
• Chicago at Las Vegas
  • Caleb Williams is QB4 (“must start”), Genti “breakout game” over Swift.
  • DJ Moore vs. Xavier Worthy: Jamie has Worthy higher but notes Moore’s lack of targets troubling.
  • Jacoby Myers: “A boom-bust WR3.” — Jamie. Heath still top-12.
• Carolina at New England
  • Chuba Hubbard: “Behind Swift, just ahead of Pollard, but I don’t love him...more a high-end flex.” — Heath ([56:55])
  • Tetro McMillan: Must-start if Gonzalez is out, solid WR2/W3.
  • “Drake May is a must-start over Geno Smith.”
• Jets at Dolphins
  • “If you can’t start your Jets against the Dolphins, when can you?” — Adam ([71:23])
  • “Start HN, start Tyreek Hill, Waddle is a WR3.”
• New Orleans at Buffalo
  • “Josh Allen, James Cook, start with confidence…Kincaid is my favorite Bills pass-catcher.” — Jamie ([75:11])
  • Chris Olave: “Should see 10 targets, but low upside...new Wandale Robinson.” — Jamie ([77:37])
• Tennessee at Houston
  • “Nico Collins, next game, please.” — Jamie.
  • “IO Manor leads in red zone targets, lean IO over Kirk... Ridley just a spot ahead.” ([81:05])
  • Pollard over Jameson Williams, but little confidence.

5. Injury & Practice Notes ([14:44–19:39])

• Notables:
  • DeAndre Swift (hip), Chris Godwin, Xavier Worthy all trending toward playing, but keep an eye on late week reports.
  • Brock Purdy, Cam Ward, Jaden Daniels — limited.
  • Numerous teams with key OL, DL, and secondary injuries (affecting matchup calls).
  • “Almost every year, the 49ers are just super banged up.” — Jamie ([16:14])

6. Market & Trade Tidbits ([29:30–30:40])

• Jamie attempted (and rescinded) trades with CeeDee Lamb following injury, seeking to pivot to a surer WR/RB combo.
• “If you’re desperate, just getting Courtland Sutton for CeeDee Lamb isn't the worst.”
• Heath: “I put him on the trade block three days ago, I’ve gotten one offer — Quentin Johnston.”

7. Rookie/Breakout Monitoring

• Emphasis on rookie snap shares, touch patterns, red zone usage (Golden, Henderson, Bowers, etc.).
• “If Golden gets the opportunity and Jordan Love throws near 30 times, there’s real upside.” — Jamie ([04:41])
• “I’d start Scaterboo over Chase Brown.” — Heath ([26:46])

8. Memorable Moments & Banter

• Adam’s “useless stat of the game” delivery ([30:40]).
• Exchange about “blue shirt day” and postgame breakdowns.
• Adam’s “shoulder statting” to describe confidence levels ([83:13]).

Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• “Start Geno Smith. Start him over Baker Mayfield, Jared Goff—even Mahomes personally.” — Jamie Eisenberg ([03:17])
• “Jordan Love is a top six quarterback this week…this is the get right game.” — Heath Cummings ([06:13])
• “Pollard may be the one that scares me the most…do not have a lot of hope the Titans get the offense going.” — Heath Cummings ([09:11])
• “Baker's just on that cusp of a starter. It's not a must-sit by any stretch, but he's the bust alert in start/sit.” — Jamie Eisenberg ([11:17])
• “If we get anything else suggesting that Henderson's getting his first start this week, it will be Henderson over Pollard for me.” — Heath Cummings ([10:43])
• “Jordan Mason and Justin Jefferson — that's it for must-starts.” — Jamie Eisenberg ([40:04])
• “If you can't start your Jets against the Dolphins, who can you start your Jets against?” — Adam Aizer ([71:23])
• “Nico Collins, next game, please.” — Jamie Eisenberg ([80:57])

Timestamps for Important Segments

| Segment | Timestamp | |---------------------------------------|------------| | Kickoff, blue shirt banter | 01:51 | | Players the hosts “love” | 03:17–06:53| | Players to sit/avoid | 08:19–13:33| | News and notes, injuries | 14:44–19:39| | Game-by-game “one question” round | 21:48–44:40| | In-depth start/sit for CHI-LV, CAR-NE | 48:00–62:07| | Quick-hits and additional mailbags | 62:26–84:02|

Flow & Tone

• Light, conversational, plenty of friendly debate and banter.
• Frequent direct ranking references, clear and actionable guidance.
• Hosts challenge each other’s viewpoints, especially on close calls (e.g., Geno vs. Love, rookie upside).
• Language is casual, but analysis is insightful and backed by data, matchups, and injury news.

Summary Cheat Sheet: Who’s Hot, Who’s Not

Must-Start (Confident RB1/WR1/QB1)

• Geno Smith (vs CHI)
• Jordan Love (vs DAL)
• Jamar Chase, Justin Jefferson, Jordan Mason
• Caleb Williams (QB4 matchup)
• Garrett Wilson (vs MIA)
• Josh Allen, James Cook

High-Upside Flex/WR2

• Matthew Golden, TreVeyon Henderson (if confirmed role)
• Jacoby Myers (boom/bust WR3)
• Trey Benson (RB2/3)
• DK Metcalf (three WR leagues only)
• Teddyro McMillan (monitor injury/Christian Gonzalez status)

Risky/Bench Candidates

• Baker Mayfield (“bust alert”)
• Tony Pollard, DeAndre Swift (tough matchups/low trust)
• Brian Thomas Jr. (regressed, tough matchup)
• TJ Hockenson (low volume risk)
• Javonte Williams (depleted OL)
• Bengals not named Chase (Brown/Higgins as flexes)
• New England RBs (low confidence)

For more detail or player-specific matchups, see timestamps by segment and check for injury news as the week progresses!