Fantasy Football Today (FFT) – Start or Sit (NFC): AJ Brown, Tee Higgins, Cowboys-Bears Bonanza and More!

Date: September 19, 2025
Hosts: Adam Aizer (A), Dave Richard (B), Jamey Eisenberg (C), with insights from Heath Cummings

Episode Overview

This episode dives deep into the critical start/sit decisions for the NFC Week 3, focusing on marquee players like AJ Brown, Tee Higgins, backfield situations, injury news, and high-upside matchups including Cowboys-Bears. The analysis aims to empower fantasy managers to make informed lineup choices, address injury pivots, highlight key trends, and react to evolving NFL offensive landscapes.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Buffalo vs. Miami Recap – Fantasy Trends and Takeaways

Timestamps: 03:30 – 11:40

• Bills Offense: Remains largely unchanged, centered around James Cook and Josh Allen.

  • Dave: “James Cook... might come out of the week as the number one running back in fantasy. Are we buying that James Cook is a top five running back?” (07:21)
  • All: Unanimous agreement: Yes, Cook is top-5 until further notice.

• Passing Game: Dalton Kincaid continues to intrigue at TE with a 23% target per route run rate. Still, his route participation limits ceiling.

  • Dave: Notes his snap count isn’t elite: “He still played only about half the snaps.” (06:47)

• Dolphins WRs: Optimism persists for Tyreek Hill and Waddle, despite target volatility and possible trade chatter.

  • Adam on Tyreek Hill: "He looks really good out there... he had a drop, wasn't an easy play. He had a drop on a deep ball.... Tyreek Hill is still destroying cornerbacks, getting open, doing backflips." (09:05)
  • Jamey: Expresses concern about potential trade impact on Tyreek’s value (07:43–08:39).

• Actionable Take: Tyreek Hill is a must-start if no trade, but worth shopping in trades given Miami’s outlook.

2. Injury Updates and Navigating Uncertainty

Timestamps: 12:36 – 17:48

• QB Injuries: Monitor Brock Purdy (49ers), Jaden Daniels (Washington), and potential spot starts (Mariota, Mac Jones).

• RBs: On DeAndre Swift’s availability:

  • Jamey: "I would stash Monongai only if you have the open roster spot. Otherwise I think DeAndre Swift is going to be fine." (13:28)

• WR Updates: Lab McConkey, Josh Downs practicing; Juwan Jennings questionable.

• Tight End Streamers: Musgrave, Tucker Kraft discussed as pivots depending on injury results.

3. Quick-Hit Start/Sit for NFC Key Matchups

Timestamps: 19:58 – 44:11

Cincinnati at Minnesota

• Tee Higgins: View as a WR2; has produced well with Jake Browning, even outscoring Chase in Browning-led games last year.
  • Dave: "I would start Higgins over Evans." (21:28)
• QB Streamers: Jake Browning is a solid fill-in, even considered over Goff in some spots.

Dallas at Chicago (Game of the Week)

• Start Everyone? Nearly. Dak, CeeDee, DJ Moore, Calvin Williams (Caleb Williams) in play.
• On Mahomes vs. Caleb Williams: Mahomes still the safer play.
  • Jamey: “For me, Mahomes is six and Williams is eight.” (22:16)

Vegas at Washington

• Uncertainty at QB (Daniels or Mariota), but start Jacoby Myers, with Debo getting a slight edge over McLaurin.
  • Jamey: "Jacoby Myers by a good margin." (23:37)

Rams at Eagles

• AJ Brown & DeVonta Smith: Low-end WR2s; frustration brewing with Philly’s low-volume pass game.
  • Jamey: “You can’t call AJ Brown even a must start receiver. So he's, he's a little tough to trust.” (24:30)
• Potential for a “squeaky wheel” game if Eagles play from behind.

Atlanta at Carolina

• Drake London: Start this week against a weaker secondary; recognize upside.
  • Dave: “There should be plenty of time for Penix to locate and throw to Drake London.” (24:39)

New Orleans at Seattle

• Cooper Kupp vs. Chris Olave: Prefer Olave (by a small margin).
• Adjust WRs if TE Dallas Goedert plays for the Eagles.

Arizona at San Francisco

• Depleted Arizona secondary offers opportunity for 49ers WRs (Pierceall, Jennings) to be high-upside WR2/3 plays.
  • Dave: “How do you argue with what [Jennings'] target volume has been dating back to last year?” (26:17–26:53)

4. Player Debates & Listener Start/Sit Rapid Fire

Timestamps: 35:58 – 44:11

• Jordan Mason: Consensus top-10 RB this week, especially with Aaron Jones sitting.
• Chase Brown: Still startable but not at his preseason value.
• George Pickens: End zone targets are there; touchdown variance could swing his week.
• DJ Moore: Viable WR3 in most formats, but usage profile (“slot rate high, YPRR low”) concerns Adam.

Notable Listener Q&A:

• “Mason or Tony Pollard?”
  • Jamey: “Mason.”
• “Pickens or Jacoby Myers?”
  • Both: “Myers.” (43:24)
• Start Sit Tight End Triage: Ferguson, Johnson, Fannin, Ertz all in back-end TE1 mix depending on league and matchup.

5. Deep-Dive: DFS, Mailbag, and Last-Minute Advice

Timestamps: 47:10 – 80:00

• Jacori Crosby-Merritt: Flex play; should see most touches for Washington, with McNichols/Chris Rodriguez mixing in on passing downs.
  • Jamey: “I have him as a high end flex. I think you're considering him as a number two running back…” (48:22)
• Jacoby Myers: Top-15 play, thriving with higher slot usage/yards after catch.
• Rams Backfield: Cautious with Kyren Williams, consider Mason and others first.
• Alvin Kamara: Must-start due to undeniable PPR floor in favorable matchup vs. Seahawks.
• Ken Walker (if Charbonnet returns): Remains a startable RB2, but with a potentially capped ceiling.
  • Dave: “If Charbonnet plays, you’ve got to worry about just how much work Walker gets, and so you'll take what seems like the guaranteed workload for Kyron.” (58:07–58:20)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• "He looks really good out there... Tyreek Hill is still destroying cornerbacks, getting open, doing backflips. I'm encouraged. I don't think he's washed up. I will just say that I don't think—in fact, I'm adamant that he is not." —Adam on Tyreek Hill (09:05)
• "I would start Higgins over Evans." —Dave, on Tee Higgins vs. Mike Evans (21:28)
• "You can't call A.J. Brown even a must start receiver. So he's, he's a little tough to trust." —Jamey (24:30)
• "You can't deny how good [Javonte Williams] has been. Can't deny his role in the passing game. If it's a competitive game or if Dallas is trailing or whatever, you know he's going to get targets on top of getting a lot of carries." —Dave (40:28)
• "Jordan Mason: He's got a great opportunity. There's no denying the matchup... But racing him up, like, I, I know [Heath]'s got him like top 10 overall in PPR, it's just... way too much for me... But if you've got him, unless you're loaded at running back, you're probably starting Jordan Mason." —Dave (34:36)

Fun banter: Frequent light-hearted jabs about creative transitions, the overly praised "Game of the Week" song, and culinary tangents about knishes and arepas.

Timestamps for Important Segments

• Buffalo/Miami Recap & WR Talk: 03:30–11:40
• Key Injury Notes: 12:36–17:48
• Start/Sit for Key NFC Games: 19:58–44:11
• Listener Chat Q&A: 35:58–44:11
• Commanders Backfield Deep-Dive: 47:10–49:55
• Eagles WRs Analysis: 54:32–63:48
• Kamara & Seattle NO Start/Sits: 69:30–74:20
• Arizona/SF Showdown: 74:47–79:14

Summary Table: Key Player Start/Sit/Flex Calls

| Position | Player | Confidence (PPR) | Context/Reasoning | |---------------|------------------------|--------------------------|---------------------------------------------------| | RB | James Cook | Must-start / Top 5 | Buffalo role, production, consistent usage | | WR | Tee Higgins | WR2 – start | History with Browning, matchup | | WR | AJ Brown | Low WR2 | Philly’s low passing, possible “squeaky wheel” | | WR | Tyreek Hill | Must-start (unless traded)| Target volume, separation, trust | | RB | Jordan Mason | Top-10 starter | Matchup, workload with Aaron Jones out | | WR | Jacoby Myers | Top-15 WR | Slot usage/YAC spike, team reliance | | TE | Dalton Kincaid, Ferguson, Johnson, Ertz | TE1/Streamer | Opportunity, targets, matchup upside | | RB | Alvin Kamara | Must-start | Receptions, favorable matchup vs. Seattle | | RB | DeAndre Swift | Low RB2 / Flex | Usage trending down, keep an eye on injury | | RB | Ken Walker | RB2 (if Charbonnet plays)| Volume, but check injury status |

Final Thoughts

This episode is a must-listen for fantasy managers navigating packed injury reports and volatile early-season performances. The crew expertly weighs analytic trends, scheme changes, and developing personnel news, all while fielding live start/sit dilemmas and injecting signature FFT wit. Use their actionable insights to make confident Week 3 NFC decisions!