Fantasy Footballers Podcast Summary

Episode: Starts of the Week + Week 15 Breakdown, Coach Jokes
Release Date: December 11, 2025
Hosts: Andy Holloway, Jason Moore, Mike “The Fantasy Hitman” Wright

Overview

This episode is a playoff special as The Fantasy Footballers break down key starts and sits for Week 15, offer in-depth injury updates, share their “Starts of the Week” for each position, and dive into a rapid-fire matchup forecast. The trio brings their signature blend of expert analysis and comedy, making the playoff tension a little more bearable (and hilarious).

Playoff Mindset & League Banter

• The hosts celebrate making the playoffs in their leagues, contrasting the anticipation of league glory versus disappointment ("Are you going fishing or getting the trophy?") (02:02, Mike).
• Early jokes set the stakes high: "Now, it's like playoffs are here. You live or die now." (01:45, Andy).
• Playful jabs about how prepared they are (or not) for their upcoming league matchups.

Major News & Injury Updates

(04:13–08:45)

• Mike Evans & Jalen McMillan: Activated off IR, Evans expected to play. "I've got him in my 30s... my wide receiver." (05:09, Andy)
• Kyle Pitts: Officially questionable but likely to play.
• CD Lamb: Still in concussion protocol, but “seeing him at practice” is encouraging. (05:46, Andy)
• Nick Chubb & Woody Marks: Chubb didn't practice; Woody Marks likely to see increased workload.
• Marvin Harrison Jr.: DNP; skepticism about his enthusiasm to play (“He just doesn’t seem like a guy that wants to play right now.” 06:39, Jason).
• Tee Higgins: Still in concussion protocol despite practicing, raising player safety concerns. (“I feel like it’s dumb and like, you know, malpractice to put a guy who keeps having his head hurt back on the field that quickly.” 08:05, Andy)
• Other notables: Alvin Kamara, Pat Bryant, Jaden Daniels (ruled out), positive news on T. Higgins but still risky.

Starts of the Week

(09:05–25:02)

Quarterbacks

• Mike: Jackson Dart vs. Washington Commanders

  • “Only Josh Allen is averaging a higher fantasy points per drop back this season.” (09:17, Mike)
  • Rushing upside and favorable matchup.

• Jason: Lamar Jackson vs. Bengals

  • “This is the most must win game for Baltimore.” (11:09)
  • Emphasizes rushing performance and generous defense.

• Andy: Jared Goff at Los Angeles Rams

  • “Revenge at the core... this game has a 55.5-point over-under.” (11:16–11:42)
  • Rams are tough to run on, should force lots of Goff pass attempts.

Running Backs

• Mike: Woody Marks vs. Arizona

  • “Running back 14 last week in Arrowhead, 29 opportunities.” (13:20)
  • Projected high workload.

• Jason: Chris Rodriguez vs. Giants

  • “He has scored four rushing touchdowns since week seven… is a real option this week.” (14:18)

• Andy: Travis Etienne vs. Jets

  • “Quietly been a top-12 back five of the last six weeks.” (15:10)
  • Jets are bottom of the league vs. RBs.

Wide Receivers

• Mike: Emeka Egbuka vs. Atlanta

  • “Atlanta… dead last since Week 8 against wide receivers. The targets are still there.” (16:19)
  • Down weeks should snap against weak secondary; Evans’ return helps.

• Jason: DK Metcalf vs. Miami (Monday Night Football)

  • “You love the target share last week too… Miami’s pass defense is allowing the highest completion percentage in the NFL.” (17:13)

• Andy: Justin Jefferson vs. Dallas

  • “Four receptions for 15 yards combined in his last two games… If you want help in making that decision… I’m telling you you can.” (17:48–18:46)
  • Jason calls for a guarantee and Andy delivers:

    “If he has a bad game, it’s my fault, not yours.” (19:41, Andy)

Tight Ends

• Mike: Theo Johnson (stack with Jackson Dart)

  • “He’s on pace for 89 targets, 600 yards, 7 touchdowns… I like Theo Johnson this week. I like him long term as well.” (21:17)

• Jason: Dalton Kincaid vs. Patriots

  • “He is really their top option… Patriots bottom five against tight ends.” (22:01)
  • Predicts a monster game and bold Bills playoff prediction:

    “I think the Buffalo Bills are going to crush the New England Patriots… and will be the AFC champions this year.” (22:01–22:31, Jason)

• Andy: Mark Andrews vs. Bengals

  • “Snap route participation... it’s still Mark Andrews.” (23:58)
  • Reminds listeners Bengals are worst in the league vs. TE.

Matchup Preview & Insights

Cleveland Browns vs. Chicago Bears

(28:22–34:02)

• Weather alert: “Might be one of the coldest games in Soldier Field history.” (28:45, Jason)
• Bears have become a run-heavy offense. Cleveland's RB defense has fallen off.
• Both sides’ RBs in play; pass-catchers risky due to weather and defense.
• TE Harold Fannin is a must-start with huge target share in recent weeks.

Baltimore Ravens vs. Cincinnati Bengals

(34:04–38:12)

• Must-win implications for both teams.
• If Higgins is out, look toward Kasicki, but avoid TE against Baltimore.
• Start both Mark Andrews and Isaiah Likely (“25 fantasy points a game to TEs” – 36:00)
• Zay Flowers only a mid-level start; Justin Jefferson preferred in a direct bet.

Chargers vs. Chiefs at Arrowhead

(38:12–45:19)

• Chiefs’ playoff chances in jeopardy; “This is their season” (40:12, Jason)
• Rashid Rice and Kareem Hunt seen as startable.
• Hunt's touchdown frequency highlighted: “That is two more than Christian McCaffrey.” (41:39)
• Backfield timeshare for Chargers between Hampton and Vidal.
• Both QBs viewed with caution due to matchups and recent form.

Buffalo Bills vs. New England Patriots

(47:31–53:04)

• Playoff seeding and MVP talk for Drake May.
• Bills are slight favorites on the road.
• Patriots’ rush defense is "violent."
• Both QBs playable, but caution for Drake May (“He’s definitely one of the scariest plays this week…” 50:50, Andy)
• Rushing volume expected for both RB groups; Henderson gets a boost in rankings.

Washington Commanders vs. New York Giants

(56:26–59:52)

• Both defenses among league's worst; highest implied total for Giants all season.
• Heavy endorsement for both teams’ RBs.
• Theo Johnson (TE) start-worthy.
• Cautious optimism for Devin Singletary on Giants side.

Other Quick-Hit Takeaways

• Raiders vs. Eagles: Eagles dominant favorite; Saquon Barkley, A.J. Brown, and DeVonta Smith all startable.
• Jaguars vs. Jets: Full steam on all Jaguars; no Jets are recommended, including Breece Hall.
• Cardinals vs. Texans:
  • Texans' defense and run game praised: “Largest spread of the CJ Stroud era.” (66:18, Jason)
  • Michael Wilson could see double-digit targets if Marv is out—startable in deeper leagues.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Tee Higgins’ multiple concussions:

  “I feel like it’s dumb and like you know, malpractice. To put a guy who keeps having his head hurt back on the field that quickly.” (08:05, Andy)

• Start the Scary Guys:

  “To complete the trifecta of scary wide receiver starts of the week, I’m picking someone who has four receptions and 15 yards combined in his last two games… It is Justin Jefferson…” (17:48, Andy)

• Andy’s infamous guarantee:

  “Justin Jefferson should be started in your playoffs, and if he has a bad game, it’s my fault, not yours.” (19:41, Andy)

• On the Bengals’ laughable defense vs. tight ends:

  “25 fantasy points a game… We could have an hour-long podcast just talking about crazy statistics of the Bengals guarding tight ends...” (36:00–36:12, Jason)

• Pluralizing Snafu:
  • Series of running gags about Andy dropping “s” in words, suggesting he’s losing the ability to pluralize—culminating in medical jokes:

    “Apparently the part of my brain that's... the S's, it's just not firing." (44:14–44:19, Andy)

• Coach Joke:

  "Coach jokes. That's a good one, LaFleur." (54:58, Andy)
  — after reacting to the Josh Jacobs injury news.

Listener Start/Sit Dilemmas

(69:53–71:04)

The top “who do I start” questions posed by listeners, with quick picks from the panel:

• Egbuka vs. DK Metcalf: Both Mike and Jason pick Egbuka.
• Amari Hampton vs. Egbuka: "Safer to play Hampton, but… kaboom in the playoffs, I'd play Egbuka." (70:09, Mike)
• Likely vs. Warren: Both lean Isaiah Likely.
• Joe Burrow vs. Drake May: Andy: “Back-to-back in my rankings…[I'd] probably be Burrow.”

Fantasy Insights and Tone

• Actionable: Focuses on start/sit decisions for playoff matchups, particularly who to trust in high-variance roles.
• Conversational & Humorous: Plenty of banter and jokes alongside detailed rationale for player picks.
• Bold but Self-Aware: Recommendations come with both excitement and candid warnings, especially for “scary” options (like Jefferson and Egbuka).

Timestamps for Key Segments

• [04:13] — Injury Roundup & News
• [09:05] — Starts of the Week (QBs begin)
• [28:22] — Chicago vs. Cleveland breakdown (start of rapid matchups)
• [38:12] — Chargers vs. Chiefs
• [47:31] — Bills vs. Patriots
• [56:26] — Commanders vs. Giants
• [66:18] — Cardinals vs. Texans
• [69:53] — Listener Start/Sit Lightning Round

Conclusion

The Week 15/Playoff edition is packed with strong start/sit opinion, injury updates, and matchup breakdowns, all delivered with the Footballers’ lighthearted style. Key themes: Trust your stars (even the scary ones, like Jefferson), monitor injuries closely, and matchups make all the difference in the fantasy playoffs. As always, the hosts’ wit and humility shine through—“If [Justin Jefferson] has a bad game, it’s my fault, not yours.”