Fantasy Football Today: Start or Sit (NFC)! Halloween Edition! SCARY LINEUP DECISIONS! (10/31/25)

Hosts/Analysts: Adam Aizer, Dave Richard, Jamey Eisenberg
Theme: SCARY LINEUP DECISIONS for NFC games—a special Halloween spirited breakdown of the week’s most difficult fantasy football start/sit calls.

Overview

This Halloween-themed episode dives into critical NFC “start or sit” calls for Week 9 of the fantasy season. Hosts Adam, Dave, and Jamey, in full costume and banter, break down matchup-specific lineups, answer listener questions, and settle some of the scariest fantasy choices you’re facing. The focus? Six key NFC home games, injury updates, “must-starts,” boom/bust plays, and streaming options—all with a festive, joke-filled FFT Halloween spin.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

Thursday Night Football Takeaways (Baltimore 28, Miami 6)

[02:29–06:41]

• Lamar Jackson as Fantasy MVP: Adam argues Jackson should be a first-rounder, but Dave and Jamey still don't favor QBs early.
  • Adam: “He deserves to be a first rounder. He’s top 12!” [03:46]
• Devon Achane/Jalen Waddle: Remain strong starts.
• Zay Flowers & Mark Andrews:
  • Jamey: “Start Flowers as a high-end WR2… Andrews more red zone/touchdown dependent.” [05:41]
• DFS Talk: Some fun about cheap DFS options and costume banter.

Scary Lineup Poll: “How long would Adam Aizer survive in a Scream movie?”

[07:27]

• Adam: “I’m the sensible, responsible one—I’ll die in the sequel probably!”
• 52% of YouTube poll says Adam dies in the opening scene.

Injury & News Updates

[08:40–15:00]

• Kyler Murray: Trending toward playing, but some concern; backup plans advised.
  • Dave: “If Kyler plays, he’s going to be awesome... I’d still start him if he’s out there.” [09:08]
• Rhamondre Stevenson: Toe injury. Travion Henderson (“top 26, maybe top 24 RB if Stevenson is out”). [10:16]
• DeAndre Swift, Jameson Williams, Cooper Kupp: Various statuses discussed. Williams a stash for potential upside.
• Trade Rumors: Eagles “unofficially shopping” A.J. Brown/Terry McLaurin potentially on move—causing stir, but not urgent for managers.
• TE Streamers: If Cole Kmet is out, Colston Loveland mentioned.

One Question for Each Game

[17:09–22:33] (Quick Fire Round)

• Carolina at Green Bay: Start or sit Rico Dowdle?
  • Jamey: “Low-end starter at best… tough matchup. I’d rather start Kareem Hunt.” [17:20]
• Minnesota at Detroit: Better flex: Jordan Addison or David Montgomery?
  • Jamey: “Format dependent—lean Montgomery in non-PPR (TD upside), Addison in full PPR.” [18:31]
• San Francisco at Giants: Best WR?
  • Both: “Wandale Robinson.” [19:41]
• Seattle at Washington: Can you trust the Washington pass game?
  • Jamey: “Debo is a low-end WR2. Ertz is my most trusted start for Washington.” [20:13]
• New Orleans at Rams: Is Chris Olave a must-start with Tyler Schuck?
  • Jamey: “Yes… The targets have been too good.” [21:06]
• Arizona at Dallas: Rank Bam Knight, Pickens, Marvin Harrison Jr.
  • “Knight. Pickens, Harrison.” [22:06]

Deeper Game-by-Game Fantasy Analysis

Carolina at Green Bay

[23:00–30:15]

• Rico Dowdle: Still “safer” than GB WRs—volume should be there, but Packers' run D is tough.
• Packers WRs: Watson ranked highest, but tough trust after recent usage.
  • “Golden [Jayden Reed] is droppable—too many mouths to feed.” — Dave
• Jordan Love:
  • Jamey: “Low-end QB1 at best... depends if he gets 30+ attempts.” [27:11]
  • Dave: “If no volume, tough to trust. I’d start Caleb Williams over him.” [27:56]
• TEs: Tucker Kraft is a safer play over Gadsden. [28:49–29:57]

Minnesota at Detroit

[31:02–39:23]

• Expectations: Lions will run heavy, Goff as “top 10-12” but not a ceiling play.
  • “Goff will finish as a top 10 QB, but not a monster.” — Dave [31:47]
• Jameson Williams: “Mid-WR3 boom/bust” but low trust despite OC’s remarks.
• Jared Goff vs. Kyler/Brissette/Caleb: Split; Jamie prefers Arizona QBs’ upside.
• David Montgomery: “TD-dependent, a strong RB2, ranked above Vikings RBs.” [35:45]
• Vikings Receivers: Addison is a WR2/flex—concern about McCarthy’s effect, but usage and matchup are promising (secondary banged up).
• TJ Hockenson: Only start if both tackles play; outside top 12 otherwise.

San Francisco at Giants

[41:26–51:35]

• 49ers Passing Game: Only Kittle is a “must”; Jennings a deep-league WR3 option.
  • Jamey cites Giants’ decimated secondary: “Best matchup in a month for Jennings.” [44:21]
• Giants: Wandale Robinson is safest WR/Flex; Darius Slayton is a boom/bust.
• RB Situation: Tyrone Tracy is a strong RB2 if Cam Scadaboo is out; upside but goal-line uncertainty.
• Theo Johnson: A viable start with Dart at QB and Bellinger iffy.
• QBs:
  • Dart over Love or Darnold (“rushing upside”), but Daniel Jones over Dart.
• Quickfire: Purdy vs. Stafford? Stafford. Jennings vs. Keenan Allen? Allen. Wandale vs. Travis Hunter? Split.

Seattle at Washington

[51:32–61:23]

• Seattle RBs: Ken Walker “most trust but only a low-end RB2.” Charbonnet is TD-dependent but possibly more reliable.
  • Dave: “Charbonnet my favorite... getting opportunity and scoring.” [53:12]
  • Jamey: “Walker more explosive; I’m banking on his big-play ability.” [54:21]
• Commanders Pass Game: Jaden Daniels is a risky back-end starter (injuries, missing McLaurin).
  • “Low-end starter... you don’t want to miss out on the upside, but tread lightly.” [57:56]
• Zach Ertz: Strong TE start due to Seattle’s struggles vs TEs (ranked top 8-12).

New Orleans at Rams

[62:48–67:13]

• Saints: “Only Olave is a confident start.” Rashid Shaheed is a deeper-league dart throw (dependent on deep strikes connecting).
  • Dave: “Targets for Olave are too good—must start.” [21:06, 63:23]
• Rams: Stafford a “top 10 QB” (must-start); Higbee and Blake Corum are desperation plays.
  • Jamie: “Stafford should have a hyper-efficient game. Must start.” [66:18]
• Kamara: Jamie and Dave both extremely pessimistic—only a floor-based low-end RB2.

Arizona at Dallas

[68:00–75:29]

• Quarterbacks: Kyler Murray and Brissette both startable; Kyler has good AT&T Stadium history.
  • “Kyler’s top 12, Brissette is in the streaming mix if Kyler sits.” — Dave [69:25]
• Running Backs: Bam Knight locked in as an RB2 ("perfect setup vs Dallas”). Night’s big game could hurt Trey Benson’s rest-of-season value.
• Tight Ends: Trey McBride is top dog (“Frankenstein” pun). Jake Ferguson still a start despite volatility due to matchup.
• Receivers: CeeDee Lamb and George Pickens must-starts; Harrison is near-mandatory unless you’re loaded.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Adam (on surviving Scream): “I don’t drink. I know the rules... I’ll probably die in the sequel.” [07:31]
• Jamie (on Zay Flowers): “Putting him top 10, top 12, I don't know man... but you’re starting him every week. Andrews is red-zone dependent.” [05:41]
• Dave (on Jordan Love): “He has three games this season over 20 pts—all when he throws 30+ times. If he doesn’t, he’s tough to trust.” [27:24]
• Jamie (on Kamara): “Very minimal expectations... Rams are #2 against RBs, no TDs allowed on the ground. Kamara hasn’t scored since week 1.” [65:32]
• Jamey (on Seattle RBs): “Neither is in the top 20... Both are better than Vikings or Titans RBs, but that’s not saying much.” [55:44]
• Running Halloween Puns: “Jason Voorhees Ferguson,” “Trey McBride of Chucky,” “Blake Gorham,” “Count Dakula,” etc.
• Nando Guest Cameo: Quick, chaotic, comedic interlude as Nando returns for FFT Halloween and to discuss league standings. [24:53–27:02]
• Costume Banter: “You actually pull off Garth better than Wayne.” [76:33]

Time-Stamped Important Segments

• [02:29] – Thursday Night Football Fantasy Review (Lamar, Waddle, Zay Flowers)
• [07:27] – Halloween “Scream” Poll
• [08:40–15:00] – Injury & News Updates (Kyler, Stevenson, Williams, etc.)
• [17:09–22:33] – Quick Fire Round: One Question For Each Game
• [23:00–30:15] – Deep Dive: Carolina at Green Bay (Dowdle/Fantasy RBs)
• [31:02–39:23] – Deep Dive: Minnesota at Detroit (Montgomery, Addison, Laporta)
• [41:26–51:35] – San Francisco at Giants/49ers Skill Player Outlook
• [51:32–61:23] – Seahawks vs. Commanders: RBs, QBs, Ertz
• [62:48–67:13] – Saints at Rams: Who’s worth starting?
• [68:00–75:29] – Cardinals at Cowboys: Kyler, Bam Night, McBride, Ferguson

Fantasy Start/Sit Summary (by Game)

Carolina at Green Bay

• Start: Josh Jacobs, McMillan (WR2), Kraft (TE1), Dowdle (flex, low-end RB2).
• Sit/Monitor: Packers WRs (Watson > Dobbs), Jordan Love (only in deeper leagues).

Minnesota at Detroit

• Start: Jameer Gibbs, Amon-Ra St. Brown, Jared Goff (QB1/2), David Montgomery (RB2).
• Vikings: Addison is a WR2/3, TJ Hockenson (only if both tackles healthy).

San Francisco at Giants

• Start: George Kittle, Christian McCaffrey, Wandale Robinson (flex), Tyrone Tracy (RB2, if Scadaboo out).
• Consider: Juwan Jennings (DFS, flex), Theo Johnson (low-end TE stream).

Seattle at Washington

• Start: Ken Walker, Zach Charbonnet (both RB2s), Jaxon Smith-Njigba (WR3), Zach Ertz (TE1).
• Cautious: Jaden Daniels (low-end QB1), Commanders WRs (injury-impacted, especially no McLaurin).

New Orleans at Rams

• Start: Chris Olave (WR2/3), Matthew Stafford (QB1), Rams DST (elite).
• Consider: Rashid Shaheed (deep leagues), Higbee/Blake Corum (desperation/risk), Theo Johnson (TE).

Arizona at Dallas

• Start: Dak Prescott (QB1), CeeDee Lamb (WR1), George Pickens/Marvin Harrison Jr. (WR1/2), Bam Knight (RB2), Trey McBride (TE1), Jake Ferguson (TE1).
• Watch: Kyler Murray/Jacoby Brissette (strong streamers), aftermath for Trey Benson if Knight thrives.

Closing Halloween Banter

• Costumes discussed, puns celebrated, and the FFT crew’s tradition of blending sharp fantasy takes with entertainment shines through—“Party time, excellent!”

Summary Useful for:
Anyone needing quick, actionable analysis for start/sit NFC dilemmas, up-to-date injury-influenced rankings, streaming options, and a fun, thematic fantasy football listen that matches the Halloween energy of Week 9.