Fantasy Footballers Podcast

"Starts of the Week + Week 16 Breakdown, Semifinal Time!"

December 18, 2025

Episode Overview

The Fantasy Footballers—Andy Holloway, Jason Moore, and Mike “The Fantasy Hitman” Wright—deliver a Week 16 preview packed with semifinal advice, matchup breakdowns, and their signature “Starts of the Week.” This episode is all about helping listeners make their most important lineup decisions, with extra emphasis on flexible alternatives and waiver-wire heroes for fantasy managers fighting for a title shot.

Key Talking Points & Analysis

1. Semifinal Stress, Traditions, and Rivalries

(02:23 - 03:18)

• Andy references the nerve-wracking semifinals, with Mike and Jason squaring off in their League of Record.
• The company Christmas party will coincide with crucial Bears-Packers matchups, adding to the tension.
• "...the palms will be moist. They will be flowing." – Jason (03:18)

2. News & Notes: Injury Updates and Key Absences

(03:26 - 10:27)

• Devonte Adams: Officially doubtful. Andy and Jason agree—do NOT start Stafford against a tough Seattle defense, especially with wind and no Adams.
• Woody Marks/Nick Chubb/Jawar Jordan: Confusion in the Texans’ backfield; expect updates closer to Sunday. Prefer Nick Chubb if active.
• Marvin Harrison: Limited practice, but Andy still likes Michael Wilson’s upside.
• Drake London: May return but possibly on a snap count. Impacts value for Pitts and Sills.
• Geno Smith: Likely starting, which helps SEA pass catchers.
• Christian Watson: Limited practice, expects to play through pain.
• Rashi Rice: DNP, possible concussion concern.
• Other Notables: Roma Odunze, Luther Burden, DeAndre Swift added to injury report, Trey Harris (questionable), T. Higgins in protocol.

Quote:
“They lost the guy who's leading the league in touchdown receptions... If you took Calvin away from him during that 40 touchdown year or Kupp, you’re probably... thinking a little bit differently about it.” – Andy on Stafford's uncertainty (04:23)

3. Starts of the Week

(10:41 - 26:51)

Quarterback

• Andy: Caleb Williams vs. Green Bay
  “Caleb’s up over 20 fantasy points per game at home this year. He rushes the football... without Micah Parsons putting pressure on him, I do think he’s going to have a very successful week.” (11:59)
• Jason: Dak Prescott vs. Chargers
  “The Cowboys are averaging 59 combined points per game... He currently leads the NFL in passing yards. You can't ask for much more than that.” (13:10)
• Mike: Jacoby Brissett vs. ATL
  “Since he has taken over, he’s never not been a top 12 option. He’s scoring 20+ points on the regular and he is on some people’s waiver wire.” (14:28)

Running Back

• Andy: Amarion Hampton at DAL
  “They’ve been better at stopping the run, but I think Amarion Hampton has the capability and the opportunity to give you a big week.” (16:13)
• Jason: Audric Estime vs. NYJ
  “He is the current Saints running back who I and many are projecting to be the starter. The matchup is as good as matchups get right now. The Jets, since giving up Quinnen Williams, have given up monster performances every week on the ground.” (17:43)
• Mike: Houston RBs vs. LV
  “If Woody Marks is out, Nick Chubb is an estimate-type play, but Woody has the shot at a massive day as a two-TD favorite at home.” (19:49)

Wide Receiver

• Andy: Michael Wilson vs. ATL
  “Number one wide receiver in fantasy football over the last five weeks... Falcons the best matchup in the last five weeks to wide receivers.” (20:21)
• Jason: DK Metcalf vs. DET
  “This is like a perfect situation for Metcalf to go off... The Lions rank number one in use of man, 46% of their dropbacks are in man coverage—highest explosive pass-play rate allowed.” (22:38)
• Mike: Jauan Jennings vs. IND
  “Since Week 9, he’s been a top-24 wide receiver in five of six, 6 TDs... 23% target share. The Colts over the last five weeks: 27th in schedule-adjusted points to WRs.” (24:03)

Tight End

• Andy: Dallas Goedert vs. WAS
  “The tight end four on the season... utilization inside the five is awesome. The matchup is awesome... I believe his projection set around 40 yards—I think he's up above that.” (25:04)
• Jason: Oronde Gadsden II at DAL
  “He is my tight end. Downfield threat... with Trey Harris banged up. I chose Gadsden over Dalton Schultz, Parkinson, over Jauan Johnson—other good options.” (25:29)
• Mike: Brenton Strange vs. DEN
  “Targeted on 21% of his routes, averaging almost 50 yards a game... over the last five weeks, the Broncos are 30th in schedule-adjusted fantasy points to TEs.” (26:20)

Memorable banter

• The “titanium underpants” segment for risky playoff RB choices (16:29 - 18:20)
• “If you got a... poop in those titanium pants—well, come on now—it stays there.” – Mike (18:34)

4. Matchup Breakdown & Start/Sit Dilemmas

Eagles vs. Commanders

(29:25 - 33:33)

• Jalen Hurts considered a strong start.
• Devonta Smith’s inconsistency discussed—summed up by Andy: “That 50/50 shot this week, I don't want that.” (31:57)
• Dallas Goedert rated highly.

Packers vs. Bears

(33:34 - 40:17)

• Intrigue and major playoff seeding impact.
• DJ Moore gets a value boost if Odunze and Burden sit.
• Swift’s groin is a concern, Manungai a potential emergency flex if Swift misses.

Bills vs. Browns

(40:18 - 44:27)

• “Just play Josh Allen, man. Don’t detour from the entire... whatever. Ride on the horse that brought you. He’s like four horses.” – Andy (40:43)
• Judkins is frustrating fantasy managers; usage doesn’t match talent. Kincaid’s injury makes him risky.

Chargers vs. Cowboys

(46:44 - 52:25)

• Important playoff implications, confusion that Dallas is favored.
• Mike: “Are you scared of Herbert? …Yes.” (49:54)
• Ladd McConkey: Playable, “best matchup for WRs” — Jason (49:29)
• Jake Ferguson: Remains a back-end, touchdown-dependent start.

Chiefs vs. Titans

(52:44 - 55:39)

• “Tennessee—don’t do it!” – Mike, warning the Titans not to accidentally win (53:09)
• Pollard is the only Dallas player they're willing to trust, Kelsey is a hold-your-nose start if needed.
• Audric Estime discussed as a safer alternative to Pollard this week.

Bengals vs. Dolphins

(55:40 - 61:27)

• Concern over Quinn Ewers starting for Miami—impacting Waddle/Waller.
• Tua benching is viewed as demoralizing for the Dolphins by Jason.
• Waddle, Waller, and other pass catchers are downgraded.

Jets vs. Saints

(62:16 - 65:07)

• Saints a strong defensive play. Schuck at QB is a desperation option.
• Olave a locked-in start, Juwan Johnson is a solid volume-based TE2.

Notable Quotes & Moments

• “They’re shooting themselves right in the junk. This is a purposeful shot.” – Jason, on the Cardinals possibly sabotaging their own draft pick (21:33)
• “When you love somebody and they let you down, your heart turns bitter.” – Andy, explaining lingering Jerry Jeudy pain (44:33)
• “The thing about the titanium underpants is it’s two purposes. It stops or protects your sensitives. It also seals everything in, right? For a week.” – Mike, on managing lineup panic (18:19)
• “If you need upside, Ladd is fine, but if you just need some... Zay Flowers is safer for points.” – Mike on McConkey vs. Zay (52:01)
• “Just play Josh Allen, he is a horse.” – Andy (40:56)

Timestamps for Important Segments

• 02:23 – Semifinal anxiety and tradition
• 03:26 – Injury rundown/news and notes
• 10:41 – "Starts of the Week" begins
• 20:21 – Michael Wilson as breakout WR start
• 29:25 – Matchup preview: Eagles vs. Commanders
• 33:34 – Matchup preview: Packers vs. Bears
• 40:18 – Matchup preview: Bills vs. Browns
• 46:44 – Chargers vs. Cowboys
• 52:44 – Chiefs vs. Titans/lineup minefields
• 55:40 – Bengals vs. Dolphins; Joe Burrow and Higgins status
• 62:16 – Saints vs. Jets; Olave and Schuck
• 65:07 – PrizePicks promo and episode wrap-up

Summary

This episode is a comprehensive guide for fantasy managers entering the semis. The hosts offer decisive opinions on injury-replacement strategies, emphasis on ceiling plays when needed, and objective assessments of risky starts. Their “Starts of the Week” are particularly valuable for those with tough calls or deep-league needs, and the crew’s detailed matchup breakdowns provide tools to crack even the most challenging lineup puzzles.

If you’re agonizing over which fringe player to trust or hunting for a last-gasp waiver gem, this episode’s mix of analysis, humor, and transparency is must-listen material for fantasy footballers chasing a championship.