Fantasy Football Today (CBS Sports)

Episode: Start or Sit (NFC): Start Your Eagles? Start All Lions? Bucs? Cowboys? Commanders?
Date: October 17, 2025
Hosts: Adam Aizer, Dave Richard, Jamie Eisenberg

Episode Overview

This episode of Fantasy Football Today dives into the week’s most pressing Start/Sit decisions focused on NFC teams ahead of Week 7. Hosts Adam, Dave, and Jamie break down key matchups, debate sit/start dilemmas for stars and waiver-wire options, and react to breaking injuries and lineup news. The panel offers actionable insights and rankings for fantasy managers navigating bye weeks and mounting injuries, delivering bold calls on Eagles, Lions, Buccaneers, Cowboys, Commanders, and other NFC squads.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

Quick Recap: Thursday Night Football

(01:41 – 11:37)

• Game: Cincinnati 33, Pittsburgh 31
• Jalen Warren delivered for Jamie’s “Start of the Week,” finishing with 19.8 PPR points.
• Jamar Chase drew an historical number of targets; compared to Chris Chambers and Brandon Marshall’s high-water marks.
• Joe Flacco and Aaron Rodgers both looked strong, but are considered more as streaming/superflex options, with Flacco offering more streaming appeal.
  • "I would say Flacco should be in the streaming conversation. Rodgers less so." — Dave (08:38)
• T. Higgins broke out (6/96/1), but Jamie and Dave caution against over-optimism due to matchup context.
  • "If T. Higgins can be this, then we're back to being all in on him." — Jamie (06:44)
• Bengals’ run defense continues to struggle against tight ends; Mason Taylor recommended as a waiver wire pickup.

News and Notes

(13:06 – 18:33)

• SF QB situation up in the air (Purdy vs. Mac Jones).
• Kyler Murray and Carson Wentz status uncertain; updates expected post-Friday practice.
• Chuba Hubbard likely to play; rankings to be updated accordingly.
• Notable WRs with injury concerns: Garrett Wilson (DNP), Josh Reynolds (Limited), Calvin Ridley (DNP), Puka Nacua (likely out), DJ Moore (Limited).
• Key O-line and defensive injuries discussed, with special mention of Detroit’s and Seattle’s secondary health.
• Chargers' Quentin Johnston expected to play.

One Question for Each Game: Key Start/Sit Debates

(20:57 – 29:49)

1. Philadelphia at Minnesota:

• Are you sitting your Eagles?
  • Temper expectations but generally still starting key Eagles. Hurts downgraded to low-end QB1.
  • AJ Brown and Devonta Smith downgraded to WR2/3 territory.
  • "They are not the Eagles that we know and love, obviously." — Adam (21:58)

2. Tampa Bay at Detroit:

• Anyone you’re avoiding?
  • “Montgomery’s on the cusp…if you have another option.” — Jamie (22:19)
  • Otherwise, start your regulars, especially in the Lions offense.

3. Atlanta at San Francisco:

• 49ers WRs: How to approach with Kittle back?
  • Bourne’s value drops with Kittle’s return.
  • Only two WRs have posted 12+ PPR vs. ATL all year; fade SF WRs unless desperate.

4. New Orleans at Chicago:

• Rank the RBs and WRs (25:09)
  • Jamie: Odunze, Olave, Swift, Kamara, Burden, Shahid.
  • DJ Moore not ranked until more health clarity.

5. Green Bay at Arizona:

• Can you trust a WR?
  • Romeo Doubs in flex conversation; “targets have been there.”
  • Cardinals’ defense susceptible to WRs; opportunity for Dobbs/Golden.

6. Houston at Seattle:

• Start anyone besides JSN and Nico Collins?
  • Both DSTs in play.
  • Sam Darnold as a possible deeper streaming QB option.
  • Jamie: “This just feels like a slow, low-scoring game.”

7. Washington at Dallas:

• Impact of CeeDee Lamb & McLaurin returns
  • Lamb elevates to top WR in his game.
  • McLaurin’s presence would downgrade Samuel but Debo remains preferred WFT WR.

Featured Game-by-Game Analysis

PHI @ MIN

(31:16 – 39:51)

• Hurts is a low-end QB1; may be behind Goff, Mayfield, Caleb Williams for the week.
• Mason, Addison, AJ Brown, Devonta Smith as key flex options—with some ranking Mason above Brown due to matchup (Jamie: “Mason’s been solid…he’s going to be the guy that's the catalyst of this offense.” — 33:31).
• Dallas Goedert is a must-start TE, benefiting from increased targets in a new offensive scheme.
  • "He's a must-start guy." — Jamie (36:58)
• Wrap: PHI DST a low-end starting option if Jalen Carter plays.

TB @ DET

(42:02 – 49:48)

• Both QBs (Goff & Mayfield) are top 6 starts.
• Jameer Gibbs (DET) is the preferred RB; Rashad White (TB) is a strong play but faces a tough matchup.
• Mike Evans considered a strong start, with “buy low” potential as schedule lightens.
  • "There's a possibility that he's just going to be amazing going forward." — Adam (43:18)
• Jamo (Jameson Williams) and David Montgomery both viable, with Jamo offering higher upside.
• Evans top-15 WR; Godwin is just inside top 40; Tez Johnson and Sterling Shepard are upside dart throws.
• Wrap: Sit both DSTs.

ATL @ SF

(48:55 – 55:11)

• SF passing volume vs. ATL pass defense: only two WRs all year have posted solid numbers vs. ATL.
• Bourne is the top SF WR start, but value is capped; Jennings only a desperate flex.
  • "I will trust the player who’s looked the way that he has the last two weeks in terms of Kendrick Bourne at this point." — Jamie (53:41)
• Kittle is a start; Mac Jones/Purdy is strictly 2QB/SuperFlex.

NO @ CHI

(57:01 – 64:09)

• DeAndre Swift is a must-start; top 15 RB upside despite tough Saints run D.
• Kamara is a lower-end RB2 due to snap share declines and Taysom Hill’s presence.
  • “He’s allergic to the end zone at this point. ... He’s just a low end number two running back.” — Jamie (61:46)
• Olave: strong WR2; elite target volume, but needs redzone efficiency.
• Rashid Shaheed: boom/bust flex only.
• TEs Loveland/Commit are sits.

GB @ ARI

(65:01 – 71:47)

• Both teams allow the most pass attempts per game; potential for volume, though results variable depending on QB health (Love > Murray).
• Dobbs in borderline top-30; Golden is an upside stash/play.
• Trey McBride: heavy target share, solid start.
• Cards’ RBs (Carter, Bam Knight): only desperation starts.

HOU @ SEA

(71:51 – 79:09)

• Both defenses are strong; game projected low scoring.
• Ken Walker is a risky start due to reduced workload and Houston run D. Charbonnet a TD-dependent flex.
• Woody Marks is the best Houston RB play due to receiving work.
• JSN (SEA) and Nico Collins (HOU) are still must-starts. Sam Darnold is a viable stream for Dave, less so for Jamie.
• Dalton Schultz is a recommended TE streamer: “He’s got three straight games with six targets, five catches, eight or more PPR fantasy points.” — Adam (78:47)

WAS @ DAL

(79:09 – 82:52)

• Dak Daniels and Sam Howell both strong streamers/starts due to high scoring potential.
• Javonte Murray is best RB, but both starting options.
• Start Pickens (WAS) and Lamb (DAL), both high end options, despite Lamb's return impacting Pickens’ share.
• Jake Ferguson has fallen slightly but remains a start-worthy TE.
• Luke McCaffrey is only a dart throw if McLaurin is out.
• Zach Ertz listed as a TE start in potential shootout.
  • "I like him. I think this is a shootout high scoring game." — Dave (81:28)

Notable Quotes & Moments

• On Jalen Warren’s fantasy performance:
  “He actually, they interviewed him after that game. He actually shouted you out. He said, you know my guy.” — Adam (02:12)
• On the start/sit frustration of SF WRs:
  "It's just not a slam dunk to me." — Jamie (22:58)
• On Jameson Williams’ upside:
  “Jamo's got way more upside.” — Dave (43:50)
• On Kamara’s fading RB1 profile:
  "He's allergic to the end zone at this point. ... He's just a low end number two running back."* — Jamie (61:46)
• On Dalton Schultz as a TE streamer:
  "He’s got three straight games with six targets, five catches, eight or more PPR fantasy points.” — Adam (78:47)

Timestamps of Important Segments

• 01:41 — TNF Recap: Bengals/Steelers & Flacco/Rodgers streamer value
• 13:06 — Quick Hit News & Injury Updates
• 20:57 — One Question per Game: Start/Sit "Fringy" Players for Key Matchups
• 31:16 — Philadelphia at Minnesota: Ranking the Eagles/Key Flex Plays
• 42:02 — Tampa Bay at Detroit: High-Scoring Environment, WR/RB Rankings, Jamo vs. Montgomery
• 48:55 — Atlanta at San Francisco: Capped WR Upside, Kittle’s Impact
• 57:01 — New Orleans at Chicago: Kamara, Swift, Olave Role Analysis
• 65:01 — Green Bay at Arizona: Startable WRs, McBride, Trey McBride, Trey McBride (tight end streamer mention)
• 71:51 — Houston at Seattle: Defensive Battle, RB Splits, Schultz as Streamer
• 79:09 — Washington at Dallas: Heavy Start Recommendations, Ferguson, Ertz, Luke McCaffrey (as deep dart throw)

Flow & Tone

The episode is high-energy and conversational, mixing rapid-fire start/sit questions with deep dives into player roles, injury impact, and rest-of-season outlooks. The hosts joke around, celebrate correct calls, and challenge each other’s rankings, but always circle back to actionable advice—with a bias towards practical lineup management and maximizing upside.

Final Takeaways

• There’s significant caution on “name value” stars in tough or changing circumstances (Eagles WRs, Kamara, 49ers WRs).
• Key focus on leveraging injuries and suspensions to uncover next-man-up value among not-yet-household names (Jameson Williams, Trey McBride, Waiver WRs like Tez Johnson, Sterling Shepard).
• Defensive matchups and O-line/secondary health are major factors in this week’s projections.
• Both established and replacement-level quarterbacks are heavily discussed for streamers, emphasizing volume and matchup.
• Rapid-fire start/sit answers and listener mail reinforce the episode’s practical, in-the-trenches fantasy tilt.

Listen if: You’re facing difficult start/sit decisions in the NFC, need upside waiver wire WRs, or want a confidence boost for streaming QBs/TEs in Week 7!