Fantasy Football Today Episode Summary

Episode Title: Start or Sit (NFC): Panthers RBs and WRs, Bucs Pass Catchers, Giants Offense and More
Date: October 24, 2025
Hosts: Adam Aizer, Dave Richard, Jamie Eisenberg

Episode Overview

This episode is all about breaking down start/sit decisions for some of the most pressing NFC matchups in fantasy football for Week 8. The crew—Adam, Dave, and Jamie—go game by game, delivering analysis, injury updates, rankings, and their trademark banter. They dissect tricky situations such as the Carolina Panthers’ backfield, the New York Giants’ trending fantasy assets, and which Tampa Bay pass catchers can be trusted. The episode is a dense one, jammed with numbers and calls to help you dominate your lineups.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

Chargers vs. Vikings Takeaways (04:08)

• Adam’s Mood: Adam laments a rough fantasy week, notably due to starting Quentin Johnston.

  • “Just so you know, the energy I’m providing today, I am faking it... it is a Quentin Johnston-induced terrible mood.” — Adam (05:17)

• Chargers:

  • Justin Herbert: Called a "stud" by Jamie.
  • Arande Gadsden: Firming up as a must-start tight end with three straight big games.
  • Kamani Vidal: Emerging as a must-start RB1 due to opportunity and explosiveness.

• Vikings:

  • Jordan Mason: Disappointing in RBBC usage; game script hurt him, and Adam doesn’t trust him against the Lions.
  • Justin Jefferson: On pace for 100/1462/2 (receptions/yards/TDs). Worries over his WR17-18 per-game standing, but Jamie is bullish on a buy-low.
  • TJ Hockenson: Disappointment continues despite an opportune matchup.

News & Notes (13:12)

• Injury Roundup: Lamar Jackson (likely in), Bryce Young and Brock Purdy (not expected), Josh Downs (likely in), A.J. Brown (DNP twice—real game-time risk), plus several notable others with limited or missed practices.
• Commanders WRs/Terry McLaurin: Jamie ranks McLaurin just inside top-30, Debo Samuel as the better play.
• Pollard Practice Status: He’s “good to go,” per Dave (14:52).
• Tight Ends: Dalton Kincaid and Mason Taylor are both iffy with injuries; don't rank Kincaid unless full practice Friday.

One Key Question for Each Game Quick Hits (22:03)

San Francisco @ Houston

• Niners Passing Game: Dave doesn’t want to start either SF WR; Kittle is the only non-McCaffrey receiving option to use (22:40).
  • “Don’t want to start either 49ers WR. If I had to pick one, it would be Jauan Jennings. I’m going right back to George Kittle...” — Dave

Green Bay @ Pittsburgh

• Jalen Warren & DK Metcalf: Jamie starts both due to PPR upside and volume, but tempered given defenses are strongest vs run (23:14).
• Romeo Doubs: Wideouts do well against PIT if heavily targeted—a key stat supporting Doubs as a Flex/WR3 (37:15).

Miami @ Atlanta

• Jalen Waddle: Both Dave & Jamie are “low” due to ATL’s outside WR defense and Miami’s offensive struggles. Prefer other WRs where possible.
  • “There’s a pretty gross track record for outside WRs vs ATL this year... Waddle’s someone that I think you should down-grade expectations for.” — Dave (24:33)

Giants @ Eagles

• Giants Skill Players: Jamie calls only Scattaboo (RB) and Wandale Robinson (if Slayton is out) “must-start” (26:16). Jackson Dart remains a high-floor, low-ceiling QB in a tough matchup.

Tampa Bay @ New Orleans

• Pass Catcher Rankings: Kamara, Tez Johnson, Otten, Shahid from Jamie; Dave has Kamara, Tez, Otten close, then Shahid trailing.

Buffalo @ Carolina

• Rico Dowdle: Jamie and Dave see Dowdle as a startable RB2 given opportunity, but caution a Chuba Hubbard split.

Game-by-Game Deep Dives

San Francisco @ Houston (29:44)

• 49ers: Only start McCaffrey, Kittle.

• Houston:

  • Dalton Schultz is a strong start if Nico Collins is out—connection with Stroud and facing a weak coverage LB (Tatum Bethune).
  • Woody Marks—borderline RB2/Flex.
  • If Collins or Kirk plays, Schultz falls behind other streamers like Mason Taylor.
  • “49ers allowed over 13 PPR to Kyle Pitts last week after Fred Warner went out...every target at Bethune has been caught by opponents.” — Dave (31:00)

• Comparison: Schultz preferred over Hawkinson, Kincaid (if inactive), and even Travis Kelce in weaker matchups (per Jamie).

• WR Fliers: Only desperation for Jalen Knox/Jaden Higgins if both Collins & Kirk are out.

Green Bay @ Pittsburgh (36:27)

• Packers:

  • Jacobs (RB) is the "must-start". Doubs & Golden are WR2/3 given PIT's pass D and target volume.
  • Watson’s presence may not drag Doubs much; Kraft is their top TE streamer.

• Steelers:

  • DK Metcalf and Jalen Warren are borderline must-starts. Tight end production is not chaseable from last week.

• Quarterbacks: Prefer Rodgers over Love (recent production); neither is elite this week.

Miami @ Atlanta (45:53)

• Falcons:

  • Must Start: Bijan Robinson, Drake London, Kyle Pitts (“Weird calling him a must-start, but it’s that kind of week.” — Dave)
  • Volume-driven Flex: Tyler Allgeier (great play if you need an RB2 due to Miami’s run D).

• Dolphins:

  • Only Devon Achane is “must-start”; Waddle is borderline WR2, not a must due to offense/ATL CBs.

• Passing Volume: Miami’s run defense means ATL WRs likely get lowed target share. Mooney is a desperation flex.

Giants @ Eagles (54:04)

• Giants:

  • Scatter Boo (RB) is RB7 since Jackson Dart took over.
  • Jackson Dart is a high-floor QB, mainly for superflex; tough matchup.
  • Wandale Robinson target share spikes if Darius Slayton is out.

• Eagles:

  • Hurts is a must-start unless A.J. Brown (questionable) is out, then decision gets closer.
  • Goddard is a low-end TE1 either way, “shoots up” if Brown is out (60:48).
  • Devonta Smith is top 10 WR if Brown is out; low WR2 with Brown in.

Tampa Bay @ New Orleans (64:07)

• Saints:

  • Chris Olave: Now flirting with WR1 territory due to massive target share and efficiency spike.
  • Alvin Kamara: Usage is good, but worried about his own OL, lack of upside, and Taysom Hill’s vulture risk.
    • “Don’t have high expectations... at best, the number two running back.” — Dave (68:28)
  • No desperation flexes among other Saints.

• Bucs:

  • Rashad White: Must-start, one of Dave’s favorite RBs due to improving O-line and Saints softening run D.
  • Mike Evans & Chris Godwin: Godwin not mentioned much, Evans is a locked-in WR1.
  • Cade Otton: Jamie is much higher (5th) vs. Dave (9th-11th) among TEs.
  • Tez Johnson, if needed, is in flex play.

Buffalo @ Carolina (73:03)

• Bills:

  • Start Josh Allen, James Cook (with lower expectations due to Carolina run D).
  • Shakir is a flex but not strong; avoid Keon Coleman.

• Panthers:

  • Dowdle is a start (over Shakir, Keon, Liggette, etc).
  • Chuba Hubbard and JCM (“just can’t miss”?) are low-upside plays.

Injury Updates & Practice Alerts

• A.J. Brown: Two DNPs, highly questionable. If out, Devonta Smith and Dallas Goddard skyrocket.
• Terry McLaurin/Debo Samuel: Both practiced in full, McLaurin is just inside top-30.
• Tony Pollard: Missed one practice (rest), full participant Thursday—he’s "good to go” (14:52).
• Dalton Kincaid: Await Friday’s final practice; don’t rank unless full.

Rankings & Player Comparison Highlights

• Dalton Schultz ranks ahead of Mason Taylor if both Collins & Kirk are out; if either play, Mason Taylor gets the nod.
• George Kittle: Clear TE1 tier with great matchup, “National Tight Ends Day.”
• Jalen Warren: Start over Waddle, Pickens, and even some RB2s with tough matchups. Warren also a preferred dump-off back for PIT vs. GB.
• Romeo Doubs: Start ahead of McLaurin and Waddle in Week 8.
• Texans DST: Dave & Jamie both prefer Houston’s defense over SF’s in their matchup.

Notable Quotes

• On Chargers’ Quentin Johnston:
  “I’m afraid that he might be done as a fantasy starter and I feel like there’ll be a week where he, you know, goes back but I’m... annoyed.” — Adam (05:17)

• On Justin Jefferson:
  “If I’m looking at the Jefferson manager and they’re below .500, I’m going to try and make offers.” — Jamie (09:12)

• On Dalton Schultz’s Opportunity:
  “Nico Collins has to be out, but this is the guy who has the most time banked with C.J. Stroud... potential 7 for 80 type game from Dalton Schultz.” — Dave (31:00)

• On Devonta Smith/A.J. Brown Injury Fallout:
  “Number two receiver with [A.J. Brown], top ten receiver without [A.J. Brown].” — Jamie (60:29)

• On Alvin Kamara’s Week:
  “Don’t have high expectations. On top of that, Eric McCoy’s out for the year... He really hasn’t had upside all year long.” — Dave (68:28)

Timestamps for Major Segments

• [04:08] Chargers/Vikings Recap & Game Takeaways
• [13:12] News & Notes: Key Injuries & Practice Reports
• [22:03] One Key Question for Every Game
• [29:44] In-Depth: 49ers at Texans
• [36:27] In-Depth: Packers at Steelers
• [45:53] In-Depth: Falcons vs. Dolphins
• [54:04] In-Depth: Giants at Eagles
• [64:07] In-Depth: Bucs at Saints
• [73:03] In-Depth: Bills at Panthers

Memorable Moments

• Adam’s self-deprecating energy, blaming Quentin Johnston “in four leagues” for his foul mood (05:17)
• Confirmation of “National Tight Ends Day” and its impact on George Kittle’s ranking (33:44)
• The weekly “Who’s the Kool-Aid Man?” banter, blending fantasy and pop-culture references (63:48)
• “Uncle Dave” reappearing as Dave’s longtime nickname, and admitted sharpness downswing in props season (03:36)
• Adam’s running joke about the “Game of the Week”—ending on a tangent about Michael J. Fox in Teen Wolf (79:46)

Fantasy Managers’ Takeaway:
Expect some ugly games and low totals, but there are matchup exploitation opportunities—Dalton Schultz, Houston’s DST, Rashad White, Doubs, and all the RB2/Flex pivots are critical this week with six teams on bye. Monitor injuries up to Sunday, especially AJ Brown and Nico Collins. Adam, Dave, and Jamie deliver a blend of analytics, actionable advice, and humor to keep you ahead for Week 8.

Listen to the full show for in-depth mailbag answers and real-time Q&A with fans!