Fantasy Footballers Podcast: Week 13 Studs & Duds + Lamar / Jefferson Panic Time!

Episode Date: December 1, 2025
Hosts: Andy Holloway, Jason Moore, Mike "The Fantasy Hitman" Wright

Episode Overview

This episode dives deep into the highs and lows of Week 13 in fantasy football, focusing on the stars who delivered (“studs”) and the big names who disappointed (“duds”). The hosts scrutinize underperforming superstars like Lamar Jackson and Justin Jefferson, debate whether it’s time to bench previously automatic starters, and thoroughly recap the key performances and injuries that could shape the fantasy playoffs.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

Fantasy Playoff Drama in the League of Record

• Jason describes an intense playoff scenario: he went “all in” with trades for Jonathan Taylor and Josh Jacobs, but is on the playoff bubble because of recent tough weeks. It now hinges on Hunter Henry scoring fewer than 11.1 points on Monday night.
  Memorable moment: “I'm supposed to watch these games, but I don't know if I can do it. I need to like every play put a piece of tape over wherever Hunter Henry is…” – Andy (05:27)

• Mike and Andy relate, noting this is a common predicament for many managers: “This is that time of year where every one of us out there—it's on the line right now.” – Jason (05:56)

Listener Reactions & Monday Punday

• The hosts read and riff on pun-laden player submissions from listeners for their weekly reaction segment, mixing humor with analysis:
  • “Buston Jefferson” for Justin Jefferson, “Saquon Barfly,” “Kenneth Stainwell,” “Lamar Jack Squat.”
  • Mike: “A Jackson with JSN's on the Naughty list with Scam Darnold and Lamar Laxon.” (08:15)
  • Jason: “You came in here hot like a Thanksgiving authority.” (03:33)

News & Notes

Key Injury Updates

• Amon-Ra St. Brown: Suffered low ankle sprain Thanksgiving; unlikely for Thursday Night against Dallas. The consensus: don’t rush him back unless desperate; the playoffs are where he’s most valuable.

  • Jason: “If you’re in the playoffs, you just want him the healthiest possible when you get there. So rushing it for Thursday and then missing two more weeks, that costs you your season potentially, is all I’m saying.” (12:09)

• Justin Herbert: Fractured left (non-throwing) hand, may play through injury after surgery.

• Marvin Harrison Jr.: Dealing with a heel injury, left game early but returned.

• Aaron Jones: Left with a potential aggravation of his previous AC joint injury.

• Arizona Backfield: Kyren Williams briefly left and then returned, impacting Corum’s and Mason’s usage.

Other Storylines

• Wild AFC North playoff race, with Ravens, Steelers, Bengals all technically in contention (17:19)
• Churning NFC standings: shifting seeds, Bears could drop from 1st to 7th with one loss (18:02)
• Lions’ Frank Ragnall failed physical after return attempt (10:22)

Week 13 Fantasy Studs – Top Performers

Quarterbacks

• Patrick Mahomes and Jordan Love lead the week.
• Bryce Young: Returns to the top 5 (“two weeks out of the last three, Bryce Young getting it done…” – Jason, 22:03)
• Trevor Lawrence: Strong, but Jags game flow capped upside.
• Marcus Mariota: Surprise 3rd; name pronunciation gets airtime (“Collinsworth was hitting that. Oh, man... Mariota.” – Andy, 21:52)

Running Backs

• Bijan Robinson: “Allowed” to score a TD, finally returns value.
• DeAndre Swift: Dominates touches.
• Kamani Vidal: Continues a wild feast-or-famine pattern.

Wide Receivers

• A.J. Brown & Rashee Rice: Major weeks.
• Jameson Williams: Big breakout, especially with Amon-Ra injured; “This is three out of the last four weeks where he’s top ten.” – Andy (29:59)
• Christian Watson: Strong recent target shares.

Tight Ends

• Brock Bowers, Trey McBride, Zach Ertz, Travis Kelce: Usual suspects shine.
• Britain Strange: Emerging and worthy of streaming discussion.

Week 13 Fantasy Duds – Big Names That Disappointed

Panic Time: Lamar Jackson & Justin Jefferson

• Lamar Jackson: “If Lamar Jackson at home against Cincinnati gives you a dud, you need to sit him down... 6.7 points.” – Jason (37:04)

  • Toe injury and limited rushing has erased his safe floor. Since the injury, “Shadour Sanders” outscored him in fantasy.
  • “You can’t go out and win in the playoffs... with 7 points from your quarterback.” – Andy (39:07)
  • All three hosts support benching Lamar if you have playoff alternatives.

• Justin Jefferson: Two catches for 4 yards. “A goose would have felt better.” – Mike (51:13)

  • Usage has cratered under the new QB regime.
  • “This is full deletion of Justin Jefferson.” – Jason (52:30)
  • Historically elite WRs sometimes endure these ‘lost’ years with terrible QB play (compared to Fitz, Steve Smith, Hopkins, Calvin Johnson).

Others

• Saquon Barkley: “Running back 40 on the week. Sheesh.” – Jason (48:17)
  Workhorse usage not translating; on pace for just over 1,000 total yards, but offers little upside for fantasy.

• Jalen Hurts: Third bottom-12 week in last four, but hosts aren’t as worried: “A lot more cowardice than he used to – maybe wisdom, we’ll call it.” – Andy (41:31)

• Zay Flowers: Disappearing (average points per game dropping each year).

  • “Don’t look at the game log, you’ll throw up.” – Jason (55:40)

• DK Metcalf, Brian Thomas Jr., Jalen Waddle, Devonta Smith: Briefly discussed as disappointments. “Let’s play a game: Does he suck?” – Mike (58:11)

Injury- and Waiver-Wire Relevant Players

• Hunter Henry: Playoff-deciding start, as referenced in Jason’s league story.
• Brenton Strange: Top-5 TE in last two weeks – noted as a streamer.
• Kamani Vidal: Reinforces status as insurance RB worth a roster spot.
• Ricky Pearsall: Fading after early-season spike, especially with Jennings back.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments (with Timestamps)

• "I'm supposed to watch these games, but I don't know if I can do it. I need to like every play put a piece of tape over wherever Hunter Henry is..." – Andy (05:27)
• “If you’re in the playoffs, you just want him [Amon-Ra] the healthiest possible when you get there. So rushing it for Thursday and then missing two more weeks, that costs you your season potentially.” – Jason (12:09)
• "If Lamar Jackson at home against Cincinnati gives you a dud, you need to sit him down..." – Jason (36:47)
• “You can’t go out and win in the playoffs... with 7 points from your quarterback.” – Andy (39:07)
• “A goose would have felt better.” (about Jefferson) – Mike (51:13)
• “This is full deletion of Justin Jefferson.” – Jason (52:30)
• “Let’s play a game: Does he suck?” – Mike, on disappointing receivers (58:11)
• “Jason said it. It’s not like it can’t go right. It’s... this is three in a row. This is ice cold.” (About Lamar) – Andy (39:57)

Segment Timestamps

• Fantasy Playoff Drama & League of Record Stories: 02:45–06:01
• Listener Reactions & Monday Punday: 07:38–09:56
• Injury News & NFL Storylines: 09:57–18:27
• Quarterback Studs: 20:36–23:37
• Running Back Studs: 25:09–28:08
• Wide Receiver Studs: 28:09–33:56
• Tight End Studs: 34:01–36:36
• QB Duds and Panic Time (Lamar, Hurts): 36:37–43:45
• RB Duds (Saquon, etc): 48:17–49:47
• WR Duds (Jefferson, Metcalf, etc): 51:13–59:49
• Tight End Duds & Streaming Advice: 61:00–64:38

Closing Thoughts

The episode is a must-listen for managers agonizing over big-name slumps during fantasy playoff pushes, especially at QB and WR. The hosts encourage tough, no-blinders roster decisions and keep things briskly entertaining with living-room banter, memorable analogies, and light-hearted segments.

Final Notes

• Comprehensive waiver wire advice, in-depth playoff analysis, and more can be found on their site, thefantasyfootballers.com.
• Prize and contest winners announced, community acknowledgments, and reminders for premium tools are sprinkled throughout.

For a detailed pulse on Week 13 and actionable advice as you approach the fantasy playoffs, this episode delivers the strategy and spirit the Fantasy Footballers are famous for.