FantasyPros Fantasy Football Podcast

Episode: Fantasy Football Takeaways: Fact or Fiction + Week 14 Waiver Wire & Trade Advice | Out of Bounds (Ep. 1874)
Date: December 2, 2025
Hosts: Joe Pisapia (“Joey P”), Scott Bogman (“Bogman”), and Chris Welsh (“Welsh”)

Episode Overview

This lively episode explores the fallout from a wild holiday NFL weekend, delivering sharp fantasy football insights, Week 14 waiver wire/trade advice, and rapid-fire “Fact or Fiction” takes. The crew debates hot topics like Justin Jefferson’s fantasy value, Dan Campbell’s late-game management, whether to “amicably divorce” Mike Tomlin from the Steelers, and more. Listener questions spark practical advice on lineups and playoff pushes.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. NFL Weekend Reactions: Best Catches and Surprises

• Impressive Catches:
  The hosts rave about three spectacular grabs from the week: Traylon Burks, Puka Nacua, and Brock Bowers.
  • Welsh: "Brock Bowers’ one had so many implications...it looked like balls on the ground, it was a complete throwaway." (02:29)
  • Bogman: "Traylon Burks being healthy enough to be on the field is a miracle. And then making that catch is awesome as well." (03:07)
• Fantasy Implications:
  Burks’ catch inspired hope, but the group urges caution, noting his persistent injury struggles.

2. Steelers & Mike Tomlin: Time for a Split?

• Bogman’s Take: "When the whole crowd started chanting 'fire Tomlin' last night, I was like, that's a wrap... It's time to punch the reset button and find somebody new." (05:34–06:39)
• Context:
  Despite Tomlin's legacy, the hosts agree that Pittsburgh’s playoff drought and ineffective quarterback solutions mean a change is likely needed after this season.

3. The Bears, Eagles, and “Tipping Plays”

• Play-Calling Predictability:
  Joe highlights a TikTok where a fan claims he can predict Saquon Barkley’s play type by the way he looks in the backfield, and wonders if this impacts opposing defenses.
  • Welsh: "I continuously think it's the play calling...They've found points of being successful when they change up." (08:14)
  • The crew draws parallels to baseball and “tipping pitches.”

4. Dan Campbell’s Aggression: Asset or Liability?

• Joe’s Concern: "At a certain point, when does Dan Campbell's aggression become his own worst enemy? ...Every fourth down is not worth going for." (10:44)
• Bogman’s Counter: "If it works, you're a genius, and if it doesn't, you're an idiot. That's just all there is to it." (10:55)
• Welsh adds: "It's just, it's analytics, but...he's on the wrong turn of it right now." (11:41)
  • Conclusion: The group debates situational awareness vs. analytics, agreeing Campbell’s hyper-aggressiveness may limit the Lions’ post-season potential.
• Memorable Quote:
  Joe: "The Lions are never going to win anything. I'm sorry, Lions fans. ...Their coach has no idea about situational football." (30:53)

5. The Justin Jefferson Dilemma

Is He Still Playable?

• Welsh:
  • “Jefferson is cooked. The quarterback play is beyond embarrassing... 24% target share...only 50% catch rate. They can't get him the ball." (15:05–17:14)
  • Advocates benching but not dropping Jefferson; references the “Trojan horse” tactic of releasing him to a playoff opponent: “I just don't think I can be a Trojan horse type of guy.” (17:14)
• Bogman: “If Brosmer has to start again, there's no way I put Jefferson in my lineup. But...something clicks with JJ McCarthy...Of course [then] it’s going to be peppered Justin Jefferson with a million targets.” (18:13)
• Should You Start JJ? The group concludes he's benchable but not droppable, depending on QB news, especially in 3WR leagues this week vs. Commanders. (19:25)

6. Waiver Wire & Trade Advice: Week 14 Targets

• A.D. Mitchell:
  • Welsh: “A.D. Mitchell season might officially be here. Weeks 12 and 13 – no one in the NFL has more air yards... 9½ targets/game, 31% share." (22:26)
  • Has struggled with drops but opportunity is surging due to Tyrod Taylor’s affinity for him. Must-add for WR-needy rosters.
• Chuba Hubbard vs. Rico Dowdle:
  • Bogman: “Chuba is eating right into Rico and going to ruin him down the stretch...It’s going to be a 50/50 split now.” (26:16)
  • Rest of Season: Consensus leans Manangai over Rico due to opportunity and backfield clarity. (27:45)

7. “Fact or Fiction”: Rapid Fantasy Hot Takes

Key listener questions and group responses:

• Chuba Hubbard is back to being an RB1:
  • Bogman: “Fact. It's what the Panthers want. ...But he's probably a high-end RB2, not an RB1.” (33:15)
• Time to Bench Lamar Jackson in Single QB Leagues?
  • Welsh: “Fiction. ...This is a titanic player, you just gotta go down with the ship.” (33:39)
• AJ Brown is a league winner:
  • Bogman: “Fact. Throw the ball to him, he's going to catch it and put up points.” (34:22)
• The Bengals win the division:
  • Joe: “Fiction. They're too far behind. ...It's too little, too late.” (35:26)
• The Chiefs can run the table:
  • Bogman: “Fiction. I don't even know the schedule. I don't think they're a good enough team to do that this year.” (37:52)
  • Welsh: “Of course they can... They got the refs on their side, they got the NFL on their side and they can do anything.” (37:59)

Notable Quotes & Moments

• Mike Tomlin & Steelers’ Future:
  "That's a wrap... It's time to punch the reset button." – Bogman (05:34)
• Dan Campbell Boldness:
  "If it works, you're a genius, and if it doesn't, you're an idiot." – Bogman (10:55)
• Justin Jefferson Being “Cooked”:
  "Jefferson is cooked... The quarterback play is beyond embarrassing." – Welsh (15:05)
• Analytics vs. Feel:
  “Analytics are great except for also there’s human beings playing...” – Joe (12:53)
• Lions & Winning:
  “I thought we were turning a corner. They're not, because their coach has no idea about situational football.” – Joe (30:53)
• AD Mitchell Air Yards:
  “He might drop 30 different passes, but if they throw him 40, then he can get his, you know, nine catches.” – Welsh (24:21)
• Kelsey impersonating Mahomes:
  "His [Mahomes] voice is comical. ...Travis Kelce constantly, lately doing Patrick Mahomes voice in interviews is hilarious to me." – Joe (40:19)

311 Contest & Player Picks (Week 14)

Each host picks a 300-yard passer, 100-yard rusher, and 100-yard receiver for the week:

• Joe: Dak Prescott (QB), Devon Achane (RB), Jamar Chase (WR) (41:53)
• Welsh: Joe Burrow (QB), James Cook (RB), Jameson Williams (WR) (42:31)
• Bogman: Dak Prescott (QB), Jonathan Taylor (RB), Jaxon Smith-Njigba (WR) (43:32)

Side banter: If you get all three, you get an “extra point” in their ongoing competition.

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Catches of the Week & NFL Recap: 01:48–03:42
• Steelers & Tomlin Discussion: 05:01–06:56
• Saquon ‘Tipping Plays’ & Offensive Predictability: 07:59–08:58
• Dan Campbell 4th Down Debate: 10:44–13:21
• Justin Jefferson ‘Cooked’ Debate: 15:05–19:25
• Waiver Advice (AD Mitchell, Chuba, Rico): 22:26–28:08
• Fact or Fiction Segment: 33:15–40:05
• 311 Contest/Picks: 41:53–43:39

Overall Tone & Style

The episode is candid and humorous, balancing actionable fantasy analysis with opinionated debate and playful banter. The hosts' chemistry stands out, as does their rapport with an active listener base. Quotable zingers and self-deprecating jokes maintain a light, entertaining mood even as serious NFL and fantasy topics are discussed.

For Listeners: Key Takeaways

• Monitor Justin Jefferson’s QB situation closely — benchable but do not drop.
• Prioritize A.D. Mitchell on waivers; high-upside WR down the stretch.
• Chuba Hubbard is trending up but more RB2 territory; Manangai offers sneaky volume at RB.
• Don’t overreact to analytics in lineup decisions; context & “feel” matter.
• AJ Brown is a weekly must-start, Lamar remains a ride-or-die.
• Rethink trust in the Lions’ playoff run due to questionable leadership late in games.

Listen for: Fantasy playoff advice, deep waiver tips, and bold takes to help you make smart Week 14 decisions—served with a generous side of football humor.