FantasyPros Fantasy Football Podcast

Episode: The Biggest Fantasy Football Questions For Each Team in Week 14 (Ep. 1882)
Date: December 5, 2025
Hosts: Ryan Wormley, Pat Fitzmaurice, Derrick Brown

Episode Overview

As the fantasy football playoffs loom for most leagues, Ryan, Pat, and Derrick tackle the most pressing questions for each NFL team heading into Week 14. With four teams on bye (Panthers, Giants, Patriots, 49ers), many rosters are in flux, and the guys break down key positional debates, start/sit dilemmas, and fantasy-relevant trends to help managers clinch crucial playoff spots. The episode features rapid-fire consensus ranking debates, deep dives into emerging offensive dynamics, notable injury impacts, and game-by-game insight into what to watch—and who to trust—in a make-or-break fantasy week.

The hosts cover the early and late games in detail, focusing on actionable takeaways and nuanced assessments for both stars and deeper roster considerations. Notable quotes and sharp disagreements are sprinkled throughout, providing guidance for anyone looking to squeeze out a win in a critical week.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

Thursday Night Recap: Lions 44, Cowboys 30

[00:44–05:38]

• High scoring, fireworks in second half:
  “This game started off slow at the gate...then the second half is just fireworks, man. Both offenses came alive.”—Derrick Brown (02:27)
• Impactful performances:
  • Jameer Gibbs’ 3 touchdown game is noted as a fantasy heartbreaker for some.
  • CD Lamb’s concussion—status very questionable for fantasy playoffs.
• Elite Kicking feat:
  “Brandon Aubrey had field goals from 57, 55, 63...Just a huge day for him, it appears.”—Ryan Wormley (04:50)
• Fantasy relevance:
  • Both Lions and Cowboys offenses look potent—start your studs.

Seahawks at Falcons: Kenneth Walker vs. Zach Charbonnet

[05:56–09:38]

• Million Dollar "Either/Or": Who outscores whom?
  • Both hosts prefer Walker for usage/snap share, but acknowledge goal-line vulture risk of Charbonnet.
  • “Charbonnet still gets the touchdowns. I'll pick Kenneth Walker. I know I'm probably going down with the Titanic with that.”—Derrick Brown (06:19)
  • “Charbonnet outscored Walker five times...Walker outscored Charbonnet five times...So handicapping this one is pretty tough.”—Pat Fitzmaurice (06:50)
• Consensus Ranks: Walker ~RB17-18, Charbonnet ~RB31—opinion split wider than actual usage would indicate.

Steelers at Ravens: Lamar Jackson’s Recent Slump

[09:38–14:46]

• Should you start Lamar?
  • All agree: the numbers have been ugly, but benches are thin; both rank him QB8-9.
  • “Lamar has not cleared 40 rushing yards in a game since Week 4...He hasn't been running well.”—Derrick Brown (11:56)
  • Steelers defense has historically frustrated Lamar; improved recently.
• Ryan's Take: More likely this is a bounce-back for the Ravens' running game, not for Lamar as a passer.
• Are you sitting Lamar for another option?
  • Only if you have a comparable option like Joe Burrow, maybe.

Titans at Browns: Rookie QB Battle

[15:31–18:32]

• Focusing on the young QBs:
  • Pat: “We are still trying to figure out, you know, does Shador have a future as a starter or is he going to be a backup.”
  • Derrick interested in Jerry Jeudy as a sneaky play, connected to Shador Sanders’ deep ball tendencies.
  • “If Shador can light up this secondary, Jerry Jeudy probably has a good day here.”—Derrick Brown (17:13)

Colts at Jaguars: Is the Offense Fading?

[21:49–25:11]

• Colts’ recent struggles, Jonathan Taylor’s mediocre showings attributed to tough matchups and Daniel Jones’ injury.
• Pat:“Daniel Jones fibular fracture is kind of a problem for the Colts offense...I think they might have to lean more heavily on Jonathan Taylor, but...the Jaguars are a pretty tough matchup for running backs too.”
• Michael Pittman Jr. flagged as a likely bounce-back candidate.
• Consensus on Brian Thomas Jr.: Low-end flex, only if desperate.

Commanders at Vikings: RB Ranks

[26:32–29:26]

• Run game a total mess:
  • Pat: “Aaron Jones, running back 27. Chris Rodriguez, running back 28. Jordan Mason, running back 33.” (26:46)
  • Derrick: “If Aaron Jones plays, I’m playing Aaron Jones...I don’t want anything to do with Jordan Mason if Jones is active.” (28:03)

Dolphins at Jets: Is AD Mitchell For Real?

[29:26–34:18]

• AD Mitchell’s breakout—trend or mirage?
  • Pat: “Since joining the jets, AD Mitchell is getting something like a 30% target share and a 60% air yard share...would be pretty foolish not to be intrigued by this guy.” (30:05)
  • Derrick: “It’s volatile. He’ll either be a top 15 WR or outside the top 40...he is their passing offense, basically.” (31:29-32:16)
• Cautious optimism — both rank him around WR28-30.

Saints at Buccaneers: Emeka Egbuka Ranking Debate

[35:52–41:47]

• Does he belong in the top 15 with Mike Evans’ return impending?
  • Derrick ready to drop him outside WR20 if Evans is back.
  • Pat values the volume: “For me, it’s largely about the target volume...he’s still on pace for 11:21 yards and averaging 15.2 yards per catch.”
• Head-to-head: Both prefer Justin Jefferson over Egbuka in a start-sit dilemma.
• Both warn Egbuka’s fantasy value is directly tied to Evans’ status.

Bengals at Bills: Betting the Shootout?

[41:54–48:21]

• Will this be a scoring bonanza?
  • Pat: “There have been a lot of shootout games in Buffalo in December...I think you can just start guys with confidence.” (42:27)
  • Derrick: “Call me crazy, I’m more on the under...With Joe Burrow, second game back, the Bills’ pass defense has been really good.” (43:50)
  • Ryan: “I think this game gets played in the 60s, if not the 70s...I don’t see how these defenses are capable of stopping a good offense…this could be the highest scoring game of the season.” (45:46)
• Dalton Kincaid flagged as a strong play vs. Bengals’ TE defense (47:19-47:47)

Broncos at Raiders: Time to Trust RJ Harvey?

[48:21–51:38]

• RJ Harvey gets the nod as the biggest upward-mover for the rematch. Both believe he’s a high-end RB2 with potential top-12 week upside.
  • “I have RJ Harvey ranked RB12. I don’t even think Harvey’s looked good, to be honest...but I still think he’s a good player and we like the matchup.”—Pat (49:42)
• Reassess Cortland Sutton/Troy Franklin:
  • Pat expecting more from Sutton, less from Franklin due to snap cuts.

Bears at Packers: Best Flex Play?

[51:38–56:42]

• Choices: Christian Watson, Kyle Monungai, DeAndre Swift
  • Pat: Ranks Watson > Swift > Monungai; leans Watson for ceiling, but highlights Chicago RBs’ huge floor due to run game dominance.
  • Derrick: Likes Swift best, “I think Ben Johnson gave us the blueprint...run the ever loving piss out of the ball.”—(54:10)

Rams at Cardinals: Matthew Stafford Top-3 QB?

[56:52–59:25]

• Hosts are not fading Stafford, despite last week’s poor showing.
• Derrick: “I’m in line with ECR…this is more about other QBs being on by [or having] tough matchups.”
• Pat: “He committed turnovers last week, that’s out of character…You might have heard of these guys named Puka Nacua and Davante Adams. They’re pretty good.” (58:30)
  • Fun Stat: Through current six-game TD streak, Davante Adams has 11 TDs, ~49 yards/game, scoring on 42% of his receptions. (59:09)

Chiefs at Texans: KC Offense Versus the League’s Best D?

[59:55–62:15]

• Hosts are low on KC offense this week due to Houston’s elite defense, especially Will Anderson.
  • "Will Anderson is looking like Lawrence Taylor Jr...just been insane." —Pat (59:55)
  • “Casey’s not winning this freaking ball game. They’re not.”—Derrick (61:38)
• Rashee Rice called the lone trusted fantasy option for KC:
  "Texans are...a slot funnel. I still think Rice can get over in this game." —Pat (60:56)

Sunday Night Football Top Props

[62:00–63:24]

• Derrick: Jayden Higgins over 3.5 receptions (62:15)
• Pat: Xavier Worthy under 3.5 receptions (63:01)

Monday Night Football: Eagles at Chargers

[64:09–67:41]

• AJ Brown and fantasy trust:
  • Pat: “Trusted is not a good word...I have A.J. Brown ranked wide receiver 10. And under no circumstances would I ever consider benching him.”
• Dallas Goedert a sneaky start:
  • Derrick: “Why is Dallas Goedert so low in ECR?...He should be a top 12 tight end this week.”
• Saquon Barkley running into a favorable matchup:
  • “The L.A. Chargers run defense is massively overrated...” (64:31)
• Eagles picked confidently to cover vs. depleted Chargers.

Notable Quotes

• “I think the ranking for [A.D. Mitchell] this week…I’ve got him at wide receiver 28. I think is appropriate. But it's volatile. I feel like in rankings, I need to make a stand. Either we're in on him or you're not in on him. And if he booms, he's probably a top 20 wide receiver for the week.” —Derrick Brown (31:29–32:47)
• “I think this game gets played in the 60s, if not the 70s...I don’t see how these defenses are capable of stopping a good offense.” —Ryan Wormley (45:46)
• “Casey’s not winning this freaking ball game. They’re not.” —Derrick Brown (61:38)

Timestamps for Important Segments

• Thursday Night Football Recap: 00:44–05:38
• Seahawks RB Debate: 05:56–09:38
• Lamar Jackson's Outlook: 09:38–14:46
• Titans vs. Browns Rookie QB Battle: 15:31–18:32
• Colts at Jaguars Offense Troubles: 21:49–25:11
• Commanders/Vikings RB Start/Sit: 26:32–29:26
• Dolphins at Jets, A.D. Mitchell Hype: 29:26–34:18
• Saints at Buccaneers, Emeka Egbuka Ranks: 35:52–41:47
• Bengals at Bills, Shootout? 41:54–48:21
• Broncos at Raiders, RJ Harvey Role: 48:21–51:38
• Bears at Packers, Flex Decision: 51:38–56:42
• Rams at Cardinals, Stafford Analysis: 56:52–59:25
• Chiefs at Texans, Sunday Night Football Props: 59:55–63:24
• Eagles at Chargers, Monday Night Preview: 64:09–67:41

Listener Takeaways

• RB/Mid-tier WR Start/Sit Dilemmas: Heavy debate and granular analysis can help you break ties—especially when consensus and actual roles are misaligned.
• Injuries & Byes: With several high-profile absences in Week 14, the margins are thin. Keep an eye on last-second news, especially at WR.
• Upside/Downside Calls: The hosts provide clear context for boom-bust candidates, especially WRs like A.D. Mitchell and Christian Watson.
• QB Decisions: Lamar Jackson’s floor/cratering is real, but options are scarce.
• Betting Edges: Some clear spots flagged for prop plays and game totals (over Bengals-Bills, under KC-HOU).
• Late-Breaking News Critical: Mike Evans status, the health of prominent RBs (Aaron Jones, Etienne), and surprise inactive decisions could upend the rankings last minute.

This summary condenses all major content, decisions, and the unique flavor of this week’s FantasyPros show into a single, structured document, perfect for listeners who want the edge for Week 14—without sitting through over an hour of podcast ads and chatter.