Fantasy Footballers Podcast – Episode Summary

Episode: Starts of the Week + Week 14 Breakdown, TESLAA TIME!

Date: December 4, 2025
Hosts: Andy Holloway, Jason Moore, Mike “The Fantasy Hitman” Wright

Episode Overview

The Fantasy Footballers bring top-tier fantasy advice and trademark humor ahead of a crucial Week 14 for fantasy managers. The trio digs into their “Starts of the Week,” analyzes key matchups, breaks down injury news, and navigates pivotal start/sit decisions to help listeners secure playoff positions. “Teslaa time” and playful jabs fill the air, but it’s all business when it comes to advice designed to win leagues.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Teslaa Time & Thursday Night Football

• The ongoing “Teslaa time” sound drop leads to banter about its rising volume and in-show antics.
• Start/Sit Dilemmas: Teslaa (Isaac Teslaa) is a hot topic—featured in 12 of the top 15 start/sit questions for the week.

“He’s only in 1, 2, 3…12 of our top 15 start/sit questions of the week.”
— Andy Holloway (02:12)

• DK Metcalf vs. Upside Plays: Teslaa’s situation becomes a point for discussion about pivoting from underperforming stars for streamer upside.

2. News & Notes (05:17–10:45)

Injuries & Transactions

• Mark Andrews: Unexpected 3-year, $39M deal with Ravens. Team clarity tips in his favor for at least three more seasons.
• Amon-Ra St. Brown: Listed as questionable for Thursday, no practices, not expected to play. If he’s active, play him, but nerves are warranted (06:04).
• Other notables: Woody Marks (expected to play), Brian Thomas Jr. (opportunity with Parker Washington out), Marvin Harrison Jr. (worrisome heel injury, trending toward missing time).
• Trey Benson: May be done for the year if not activated soon.
• Drake London: PCL injury, not practicing.
• Tee Higgins: Limited with concussion.
• Dalton Kincaid: Limited; optimistic outlook.
• Chris Olave: Didn't practice; his back issue is a concern.

Fantasy Impact

• Monitor veterans who aren’t typically rested; missing Wednesday practice is a red flag for young WRs like Rome Odunze.
• Backfields clarified: Rico Dowdle to remain Cowboys’ primary early down back.

3. Starts of the Week (10:45–18:44)

Quarterbacks

• Trevor Lawrence (Mike, 10:53):
  • “Top 12 in four of five. Colts’ D is a good matchup; low pressure and vulnerable to the pass.”
• Jared Goff (Andy, 11:35):
  • “Highest over/under of the week. Dallas has been a punching bag for fantasy QBs.”
• Matthew Stafford (Jason, 12:13):
  • “Protected in a dome, top team total, lowest pressure rate in the league, great spot vs Cardinals.”

Running Backs

• Devin Neal (Mike, 12:58):
  • “Not a ceiling play, but safe for volume. Bucs D beatable since Week 9.”
• Chase Brown (Andy, 13:42):
  • “Bills are a run funnel. Great upward trend; double fantasy production since early year.”
• Quinshon Judkins (Jason, 14:16):
  • “All the work, especially in the red zone. Browns are favorites, great TD upside.”

Wide Receivers

• Jameson Williams, Michael Wilson, Amon-Ra St. Brown (comedic segment as each host tries to get the camera for their WR pick, 15:06–15:46).
• Michael Wilson (Jason):
  • “If Marvin Harrison’s out or limited, Wilson has target share and Rams can’t be run on.”

Tight Ends

• Dalton Kincaid (Mike, 16:31):
  • “Love the matchup, risk with injury, but once healthy he eats vs Bengals. If out, Dawson Knox is a deep-league play.”
• Kyle Pitts (Andy, 17:24):
  • “No London? Pitts is guaranteed 5+ targets; Seattle can’t defend TE. He won't goose you.”
  • “Don't play Kyle Pitts—except this week. What are you doing? Eight targets last week.” (17:34)
• Brenton Strange (Jason, 17:56):
  • “Two top-5 finishes since return, 83% snaps, Colts are dreadful vs TE.”

4. Fantasy Forecast – Game-by-Game Week 14 Breakdown (20:49–55:41)

Seattle Seahawks vs Atlanta Falcons

• Seattle: Start both RBs (Walker, Charbonnet), JSN should bounce back, Seattle's defense is a go.
• Atlanta: Bijan Robinson is a clear play. If Drake London is back, start him, but it’s a tough matchup.
• Kyle Pitts: Start of the Week with London out (27:21).

Cincinnati Bengals at Buffalo Bills

• High-stakes, high-scoring expectation (over/under moved up to 53.5).
• Bengals: All main pieces are playable. T. Higgins trending toward playing is big news.
• Bills: Josh Allen, James Cook, Dalton Kincaid (if active) are all green lights.
• Weather: Possible snow and 20-degree weather could slow things.

Tennessee Titans at Cleveland Browns

• Over/Under: Ultra-low (33.5).
• Recommendation: “Play CLE DST, bench all Titans. Pretend the Titans are on a bye.” (33:54)
• Judkins and Fannin: OK for desperate Browns owners.

Washington Commanders at Minnesota Vikings

• Start Justin Jefferson: “If you can’t play JJ in this matchup, there will never be a time to do it again.” (37:34)
• QB pressure on JJ McCarthy: “This might be your career, JJ. This is the game that decides if you’re a career backup or not.” – Andy (36:12)
• Terry McLaurin: Solid play, and Chris Rodriguez as a desperation flex.
• Zach Ertz vs. Kyle Pitts: “Ertz is way better than Kyle Pitts.” (41:01)

Miami Dolphins at New York Jets

• Jets: Breece Hall calls himself a decoy (“Just call me decoy”—Breece Hall, 44:55). Not much faith elsewhere, but targets Adonai Mitchell for boom plays.
• Miami: Devon Achan is a machine; Jalen Waddle’s usage is there but doesn’t feel mighty—start but temper expectations.

New Orleans Saints at Tampa Bay Buccaneers

• Chris Olave: Start if healthy; important for Shuck’s viability.
• Devaughn Vele: “If Olave doesn’t play, Vele is in play” (51:10).
• Tyler Shuck: Improving across recent games—trending toward a full-season pace of 4,300 yards, 23 TDs.

Bucs Skill Players

• Bucky Irving: Clear lead back, heavily used.
• Emeka Egbuka: Not a must-start, but “I’m okay with it—I want the targets.” (54:29)

5. Lightning Round: Fun, Stats, Banter, and Culture

• “Teslaa time” sound drop antics - recurring joke about in-show effects and production overkill.
• Mason Taylor, Tight End Tackling Trivia
  “He is alone above 20 receptions with no forced missed tackles.”
  — (47:01, confirmed by Kyle, producing laughs at Taylor’s ‘kitty cat’ status)
• Notable Quotes:
  • “Kids don’t do drugs. And don’t play Kyle Pitts.” – Andy (17:24)
  • “He won’t goose you—which is a big accomplishment for the tight end position.” – Andy (17:49)
• On Saints QB Tyler Shuck’s emergence:
  “He’s on pace for 4,300 yards, 23 touchdowns. That’s starter-worthy.” – Andy (52:16)
• Playoff Push Perspective:
  “These next two weeks will determine everything for the Bengals.” – Andy (30:09)

Notable/Memorable Moments & Quotes

| Quote | Speaker | Timestamp | |---|---|---| | “He’s only in 1, 2, 3…12 of our top 15 start/sit questions of the week.” | Andy Holloway | 02:12 | | “Teslaa is a scratcher and you don’t always win on scratchers, but you can’t win if you don’t play.” | Jason Moore | 03:02 | | “You know me, I’m famous for a few sayings: Kids don’t do drugs. … Don’t play Kyle Pitts. But this week… play. What are you doing? Kyle Pitts.” | Andy Holloway | 17:24 | | “If you can’t play Jefferson in this game, you will never need. There’s never a time to play him again.” | Andy Holloway | 37:40 | | “Just call me decoy.” | Breece Hall (quoted by Andy) | 44:55 | | “He is alone above 20 receptions with no forced missed tackles.” | Kyle, Tight End Stat | 47:01 | | “He’s on pace for 4,300 yards, 23 touchdowns. That’s starter-worthy.” | Andy Holloway | 52:16 | | “Play CLE defense and I benched all my other players. Pretend the Titans are on bye.” | Andy Holloway | 33:54 |

Timestamps for Important Segments

• Teslaa/Start Sit Philosophy: 02:10–03:20
• News and Notes: 05:17–10:45
• Starts of the Week: 10:45–18:44
• Seattle vs Atlanta Analysis: 24:11–27:59
• Cincinnati vs Buffalo: 28:18–31:32
• Tennessee vs Cleveland: 31:39–34:09
• Washington vs Minnesota: 35:50–41:04
• Miami vs New York Jets: 43:48–49:10
• Saints at Bucs / Tyler Shuck: 49:56–54:03

Overall Tonality

The show maintains a high-energy, comedic, and authentic tone, full of inside jokes and fantasy wisdom. The camaraderie of the hosts shines, but actionable advice is always front-and-center—especially concerning playoff clinching lineup decisions.

Quick Takeaways for Fantasy Managers

• Don’t get cute or overthink starting your studs in premium matchups (Justin Jefferson, Bijan Robinson, Michael Wilson if Harrison is out).
• Volume trumps upside risk for mid-tier RBs like Devin Neal, Chase Brown.
• Keep a close eye on injury practice reports through the week.
• CLE defense is top tier against dreadful offenses—in full fade on Titans.
• Use late-week updates to make pivots at WR and TE, especially if your guy is trending toward a DNP.
• Don’t force streamers; trust core players unless the volume dictates otherwise.

End Note

“Don’t let us down, Isaac (Teslaa)!” – Mike Wright (56:33)
All roads lead to playoff victory or heartbreak—this cast arms you to meet the moment.

For more deep dives and live lineups, head to jointhefoot.com and catch the Fantasy Hitman live Sunday morning before kickoff.