Podcast Episode Summary

Podcast: Fantasy Footballers – Fantasy Football Podcast
Episode: Playoff Time! Week 15 Start/Sit + Jason's Rivers Dreams
Release Date: December 10, 2025
Hosts: Andy Holloway, Jason Moore, Mike “The Fantasy Hitman” Wright

Episode Overview

The Fantasy Footballers kick off fantasy playoff season with signature wit and energy, diving deep into Week 15’s Start/Sit conundrums, waiver strategies, backup options, and wild NFL storylines—most notably, the possible return of 44-year-old Philip Rivers for the Colts. The hosts balance actionable analysis with playful banter, player stat breakdowns, and mailbag questions, equipping listeners with the tools (and laughs) needed to make the right moves in the most critical week of the fantasy season.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Playoff Mindset: Don't Rest on the Bye

• Timestamps: 01:48–05:50
• Discussion: The hosts stress that securing a playoff bye isn’t an excuse to relax. Mike emphasizes using the bye week to scout future opponents, stash high-upside waiver picks, and block other managers.
• Quote:
  • "If you are on bye, PAY ATTENTION. Do not take this week off. Be active, make waivers, look at future weeks, look at your opponents. Be proactive." — Andy (03:11)

2. Year-Round Analysis: Footy Awards and The Truth Series

• Timestamps: 04:48–05:53
• Discussion: Even after the fantasy season, the crew keeps analyzing player trends (the “truth” behind final stats) and delivers post-season awards.
• Quote:
  • "It's never too early to get ready for the 2026 fantasy football season. Don’t leave the season with a distorted view of who was actually good." — Mike (05:13)

3. Backup Options & Waiver Priorities

• Timestamps: 06:49–15:12
• Key Takeaways:
  • Kayshon Boutte: Surprised to see him dropped; coming off injury but possesses upside, especially with favorable matchups (BUF, BAL, NYJ).
  • Darren Waller: On the most-dropped list—grab him if available; has the easiest TE playoff schedule.
  • Isaiah Likely: Viable tight end stream candidate, especially given Bengals’ struggles against TEs.
• Notable Quotes:
  • "Kayshon Boutte is one of the best bets on a touchdown this week." — Jason (09:25)
  • "Waller has the easiest schedule of all tight ends the rest of the way: number one." — Jason (11:32)
  • "If you’re struggling, great pickup to play this week… turns out I can’t, but I would." — Andy (14:05)

4. Philip Rivers’ Comeback Dream

• Timestamps: 15:18–20:48
• Summary:
  • The Colts have signed Philip Rivers, and he might actually start in Week 15, five years removed from NFL play at age 44.
  • The gang debates the odds and the spectacle—whether it's a trainwreck or a historic comeback—and what it means for fantasy-relevant Colts.
• Notable Quotes:
  • "This is incredible. It doesn't even matter how it goes. You buy a ticket because it's like I've never seen someone eaten by a lion." — Andy (15:32, 15:47)
  • "This could go real bad." — Andy (15:51)
  • "He is still good at handing the ball off and throwing four-yard outs." — Jason (18:33)
  • "Alec Pierce is going to be so pissed… zero targets." — Mike (19:05, 19:12)

5. Thursday Night Game Breakdown: Atlanta vs. Tampa Bay

• Timestamps: 24:40–32:18
• Fantasy Focus:
  • Mike Evans & Godwin: Evans looks likely to play, setting up a great matchup with Atlanta’s league-worst defense against WRs last six weeks.
  • Kyle Pitts: A sneaky TE start with high target share; matchup against Tampa is favorable.
  • RBs: Bucky Irving and Bijan Robinson are must-starts.
  • QB streamers: Baker Mayfield is a decent Superflex option.
• Notable Debates:
  • On who ranks the WRs—Buka, Godwin, Evans.
  • Start/Sit Question: Pitts vs. Isaiah Likely (28:04). Consensus leans to Likely.
  • Quote:
    • "Mike Evans is someone that I am willing to play over… like if I'm toying with Devon Vale... We've got a matchup where we are starting Mike Evans." — Andy (26:19)

6. Mailbag & Listener Questions

• Timestamps: 32:33–54:50

Selected Q&As:

• DEF/Streaming:

  • Seattle or 49ers D/ST this week?
    • Both safe, slightly prefer Seattle vs. possible Colts backup QB(s).
    • "Seattle—they do what scores in fantasy." — Andy (34:32)

• Fantasy Playoff Etiquette:

  • Is it bad form for eliminated teams to use waivers?
    • No consensus; Mike says play to win and avoid last place; Jason/Andy advocate for clear league rules to prevent collusion.

• Start/Sit Rapid-Fire:

  • Brian Thomas Jr. vs. Jordan Addison
    • Consensus: Brian Thomas Jr. (47:10)
  • Isaiah Likely vs. Tyler Warren/Harold Fannin:
    • Slight edge to Tyler Warren if Rivers starts, otherwise tricky.

• Camara vs. Chris Rodriguez for stash:

  • Clear preference for Chris Rodriguez given Camara's injury, contract, and Saints’ lack of incentive to play vets. (50:45–51:43)

7. Philip Rivers vs. Reality Bet

• Timestamps: 41:46–43:24, 45:20–46:14
• Comedy/Highlight: Andy and Jason make a $100 bet that Philip Rivers (should he start) will throw for over 200 yards, despite betting lines putting his O/U at 152.5 yards and plus odds for even one TD pass.
• Quote: "I am literally fueled by hopium right now in Philip Rivers." — Andy (43:24)
• Fun Banter: Jason threatens to “cash out” immediately, Andy stays optimistic despite the odds.

Notable Quotes & Moments

| Timestamp | Quote | Speaker | |------------|-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|--------------| | 03:11 | "If you are on bye you, pay attention. Do not take this week off. Be proactive." | Andy | | 09:25 | "Kayshon Boutte is one of the best bets on a touchdown this week." | Jason | | 14:05 | "If you’re struggling, great pickup to play this week… turns out I can’t, but I would." | Andy | | 15:38 | "You either see somebody conquer a lion, or you see them eaten by one. And either way, you buy a ticket." | Jason | | 19:12 | "Alec Pierce is going to be so tired and have zero targets." | Mike | | 26:19 | "Mike Evans is someone that I am willing to play..." | Andy | | 34:32 | "Seattle—they do what scores in fantasy. So I would roll with the Seahawks." | Andy | | 43:24 | "I am literally fueled by hopium right now in Philip Rivers." | Andy |

Important Timestamps

• Playoff Advice / Bye Week Strategies: 01:48–05:50
• Backup Options: 06:49–15:12
• Philip Rivers Segment: 15:18–20:48, 41:46–43:24, 45:20–46:14
• Thursday Night Football Preview (Falcons vs Buccaneers): 24:40–32:18
• Mailbag (Q&A, Advice, Debates): 32:33–54:50

Summary Table: Thursday Start/Sit Preferences

| Position | Player | Start Preference | Analysis | |-----------|----------------------|-------------------|----------------------------------------------------------------------------| | WR | Buka > Godwin > Evans| Buka #1 | Buka safest, Evans playable if active, Godwin high target share | | TE | Isaiah Likely > Pitts| Slight lean Likely| Bengals poor vs. TEs; Pitts risky, though good recent target shares | | RB | Bucky, Bijan | Both must-start | Both producing RB2 numbers or better, especially since their returns | | QB | Baker (Superflex) | Cautious start | QB14–QB12 range for the week, solid if you’re desperate or in Superflex |

Episode Highlights & Tone

• Signature playful, self-deprecating banter amid genuinely sharp analysis.
• Extended riffing about Rivers’s age and comeback reminiscent of a sports sitcom.
• Honest disagreement (and laughter) over projections and start/sit choices.
• Deep-dive into actionable data—especially for tight ends and defensive streaming.
• Mailbag includes debates over etiquette & league rules, offering both principle and practicality.

For Listeners Who Missed the Episode

• If you’re in playoff contention, stay aggressive—even on a bye week.
• Check waivers for recently dropped players with upside and soft playoff schedules—Darren Waller and Isaiah Likely most notably.
• The Philip Rivers story is hilarious, bizarre, and potentially fantasy-relevant for Colts pass-catchers—don’t count on downfield production or deep threat WRs.
• Prioritize divisional matchups and playoff implications—Thursday's Buccaneers/Falcons game is critical for both teams’ playoff chances.
• The gang’s consensus slight preference on murky start/sits: Brian Thomas Jr. > Jordan Addison, Likely > Pitts, Buka > Godwin > Evans, Rodriguez > Kamara (stash).
• Reminder: Ensure your league has clear playoff waiver rules before drama erupts.

Classic quote to remember (19:12):
“Alec Pierce is going to be so tired and have zero targets.” — Mike

For more Start/Sit debate, stream finder tools, or to join the Foot Clan community, visit thefantasyfootballers.com.

(Adverts, intros & outros excluded as per instructions.)