Fantasy Football Today (12/05/2025) – Start or Sit (NFC): Jayden Daniels, Vikings RBs, Bears RBs, Eagles WRs & More

Hosts: Adam Aizer, Dave Richard, Jamey Eisenberg
Key Analysts: FFT Crew
Date: December 5, 2025

Episode Overview

This episode of Fantasy Football Today dives into pivotal start/sit decisions with heavy focus on NFC squads as the fantasy playoffs arrive. The crew offers rapid-fire analysis and debates over high-profile, controversial choices including Jayden Daniels’ ceiling, murky Vikings and Bears backfields, the unpredictable Eagles wide receivers, Arizona’s uncertain WR situation, and much more. If you’re making playoff lineup decisions, this is the critical, numbers-packed episode you need.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Thursday Night Recap: Lions vs. Cowboys

• 74 points were scored, yet both quarterbacks underperformed for fantasy. Jameer Gibbs was the top story, nearly matching both QBs’ production himself (04:52).
• Ryan Flournoy and Isaac Tesla got surprise TDs; most Tesla shares were dropped when Amon-Ra St. Brown was confirmed active (02:10).

“Jameer Gibbs had 37 [PPR points], so he almost scored as many points as the two quarterbacks combined.” — Adam (04:52)

• Takeaway on Amon-Ra St. Brown: Remains a must-start; concerns about usage were squashed after his strong game post-injury (03:39, 04:24).

2. Quarterback Start/Sit Dilemmas

• Jared Goff & Dak Prescott: Still safe to trust moving forward despite down Week 13. Goff’s indoor schedule is a plus. Only consider sitting for Burrow, Daniels, or other elite options (05:48).
• Jayden Daniels: Consensus top-12 play this week vs. Minnesota. Heath is especially bullish (ranked 5th).

“Absolutely, [Daniels] could be a league winner. Giants, Eagles, Cowboys the next three weeks—two great matchups.” — Jamie (12:32)

3. Waiver Wire & Injury News Impact

• Ryan Flournoy: Flex appeal only if CeeDee Lamb remains out. High target-per-route-run rate, but playoff context means few managers will need him (08:07).

• Isaac Tesla: Similar logic—viable as a swing for upside if injuries linger in Detroit (09:23).

• Injury Roundup:

  • Lamar Jackson expected to play through dings.
  • Jaden Daniels full practice.
  • T. Higgins practiced in full (14:40).
  • Marvin Harrison, Greg Dortch, Drake London, Mike Evans all listed as “questions”, affecting potential starts/sits.

4. Game-by-Game Start/Sit Questions

Eagles at Chargers (Monday Night)

• Eagles Outlook:
  • Jalen Hurts, A.J. Brown are locked in.
  • Devonta Smith: Low-end WR2, but “zone-beater” which matches Chargers’ coverage style (29:41).
  • Saquon Barkley: Not a top-12 RB, possibly outside top 15. Start only for lack of better options (26:57, 27:29).
  • Dallas Goedert: Sit, unless desperate.

“I think if you start Devonta Smith, you’re hoping for four or five catches, 75 yards, outside chance he breaks a long one.” — Dave (29:41)

• Chargers Outlook:
  • Herbert likely to play, but risky with hand injury and shaky OL (31:01).
  • If Vidal is solo starter, treat as solid RB2; if Hampton returns, both are in flex/RB2 mix. Eagles allow RB pass-game usage, but not every back takes advantage (32:44).
  • Lad McConkey is best Chargers WR play. Gadsden is fringe top-12 TE if Herbert plays.
  • If Herbert is ruled out, all Chargers pass catchers become sits.

Chicago Bears at Green Bay Packers

• Bears RBs:

  • "Trust? No. Start? Yes." (20:40)
  • Swift > Manangai, but both risky. Negative game script favors Swift; both are playable flexes in deeper leagues.
  • Caution: Receiving production is way down; make these borderline calls if desperate (39:59).

• Packers WRs:

  • Christian Watson is top WR play from this game; role is increasing (42:04).
  • Jordan Love is a stream-worthy QB1 due to Bears’ poor pass rush and Green Bay’s big-play willingness (41:03).

Saints at Buccaneers

• Saints pass defense has stifled most WRs/QBs (48:15). Bucs want to lean on the run.
• Bucky Irving: Must start over most fringe RB2s/flexes.
• A Mecca Buka: Volume keeps him in high-end WR2 range, but ceiling capped unless Evans (Q) sits (50:03).
• Godwin/Evans: If Evans plays, both are WR3/flexes; if out, Godwin a safer floor WR2/3.

Washington Commanders at Minnesota Vikings

• Jayden Daniels: Top 12, but temper ceiling. Vikings D has shut down recent QBs.
• Terry McLaurin: Number two WR, but matchup is tough; risk/reward (58:45).
• TJ Hawkinson/Zach Ertz: Only start if desperate—go with other streaming TEs (63:53).
• RBs: Chris Rodriguez for floor in non-PPR, Devin Neal in PPR; neither a must-start (60:33).

Rams at Cardinals

• Matt Stafford, Puka Nacua, Davante Adams, Kyren Williams: All firm starts. Kyren is still low-end RB1 due to role (70:38).
• Blake Corum: Deep-league flex if blowout is expected (71:13).
• Cardinals WRs:
  • If Marvin Harrison and Dortch are out, Michael Wilson and Trey McBride are must-starts. Dortch is a deep dart throw if he practices (72:42).
  • Jacoby Brissett is a viable streamer if you need a safe QB1 play (71:53).

Seattle Seahawks at Atlanta Falcons

• JSN, Bijan Robinson, and Kyle Pitts: JSN is strong, Pitts is a desperation low-end TE1 in PPR, Bijan is obvious (75:44).

• Ken Walker: Still a low-end RB2/flex, but touchdown dependency and committee usage remain concerns.

  “I like [Ken Walker] better than Saquon Barkley this week.” — Jamie (77:51)

Memorable Quotes & Moments

• On Saquon Barkley:

“He’s not in my top 12. He’s not in my top 15 ... So I don’t love the setup for him, but you’re going to start him because it’s Saquon Barkley.” — Jamie (26:57)

• On the spread in Packers-Bears:

“You’d think that would be a closer spread. The Bears are the better team based on record.” — Jamie (40:31)

• On Christian Watson's evolving opportunity:

“Seventeen targets in his last two games ... That’s always been his downfall, not getting chances.” — Jamie (42:04)

• On the overall NFC slate:

“None of these games deserve [Game of the Week]. None of them on today’s slate, I’ll tell you that.” — Adam (19:55)

Important Timestamps by Segment

• Thursday Recap/Gibbs/St. Brown: 01:22–05:48
• Jayden Daniels League Winner Debate: 11:42–13:51
• Injury/Roster News: 13:51–16:41
• Start/Sit Lightning-Round by Game: 19:01–23:31
• In-depth Eagles/Chargers Preview: 25:14–35:22
• Packers-Bears RB/WR Deep Dive: 36:46–45:12
• Saints-Bucs Wideout/Backfield Landscape: 48:15–57:13
• Vikings-Commanders WR Hierarchy & QBs: 58:21–65:14
• Rams-Cardinals Rundown: 69:13–75:34
• Seahawks-Falcons Final Thoughts: 75:44–79:04

Quickfire: Notable Start/Sit Decisions

• Jayden Daniels ranked top-12; must-start over fields like Sam Darnold, but not over Burrow (12:15, 65:12).
• Vikings RBs: Jordan Mason would be the start of the week if Aaron Jones sits (68:48).
• Devonta Smith: Play over shallow flyers, but bench in favor of WR1-caliber volume players (29:08).
• Jacoby Brissett: Use as a safe top-8 QB streamer if you’re nervous about weather for Burrow/etc. (71:53).
• Ken Walker: Start if thin, but prepare for flex-level production and risk.

Listener Mailbag (Abbreviated)

• Start both Bears RBs (Swift/Manangai) if you have to—acceptable in desperate, bye-heavy weeks (45:25).
• Startups/flex contests: "Flowers or Odunze? Odunze/Flowers. Kyle Menangai, T. Higgins or Aaron Jones? If Jones practices, go him." (46:02)
• Quick-hitters for tough WR2/3 and RB2/Flex calls at the end of each preview.

Final Notes & Recommendations

• Monitor injury updates over the weekend: Several pivotal pass catchers and RBs are “questionable” or game-time decisions that will swing depth plays (Evans, Harrison, Dortch, Lamb, Hampton, Walker, etc.).
• Prepare backup Monday Night pivots if starting Eagles or Chargers skill players due to injury uncertainty at RB/QB.

Closing Encouragement

The episode ends with reminders to tune in for Sunday Q&A, check for last-minute news, and a rally for votes in the 64.com bracket finals, plus camaraderie and banter (“It’s so cold today...I hate you guys in Florida.” — Adam, 24:04).

For a detailed breakdown, recommendations, and all critical game pivots, use the timestamps above to jump to that matchup or player discussion!