FantasyPros Fantasy Football Podcast – Week 15: The Biggest Fantasy Football Questions For Each Team

Episode 1895 | December 12, 2025
Host: Ryan Wormley
Co-Hosts: Derek Brown (Dbro), Pat Fitzmaurice (Fitz)

Episode Overview

This week’s FantasyPros Football Podcast dives deep into critical fantasy football questions for every NFL team heading into Week 15 — a pivotal round as the fantasy playoffs kick off. The hosts provide actionable analysis on tough lineup decisions, review Thursday Night Football fireworks, discuss surprise breakouts, and address some of the trickiest fantasy assets with an eye toward helping listeners get a lineup edge for playoff matchups.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Thursday Night Football Recap: Falcons vs. Buccaneers

(00:00 – 05:40)

• Kyle Pitts’ Historic Night:
  • Pitts explodes: 12 targets, 11 catches, 166 yards, 3 TDs ― “Probably the best game he's played at any level.” (Ryan, 00:30)
  • Pitts’ usage surged as de facto WR1 since Drake London’s injury.
  • “He's quietly been having a really good season for the entirety of the season...he’s finally healthy after years of getting banged up after dealing with Arthur Smith.” — Dbro (03:50).
• Mike Evans Returns:
  • Steps back into WR1 territory: 12 targets, 6 catches, 132 yards.
  • “He wasn't an every snap player but he was out there when it mattered...kudos, he paid off.” — Dbro (04:43).

2. Quarterback Streaming & Superflex Quandaries

(06:34 – 10:08)

• Shadur Sanders as a Viable Option:
  • Big Week 14 (364 yards, 3 TDs); concerns about cold weather in Chicago.
  • “He could be a QB1 again this week...amongst 29 qualifying quarterbacks, this guy was top 10 in yards per attempt, highly accurate throw rate, and hero throw rate.” — Dbro (07:51).
  • Bears struggle with QB pressure; makes Sanders a solid QB2.
• General QB Depth Woes:
  • “The confidence level drops off precipitously after the guys in QB1 range.” – Fitz (09:37).
  • Both Jacoby Brissett and Sanders discussed as fringe options; preference varies based on matchup and league size.

3. Baltimore Ravens Offense: Hope or Hopeless?

(10:08 – 14:44)

• Concerns:
  • Ongoing frustration with OC Todd Monken’s playcalling (not running Derrick Henry enough).
  • Zay Flowers faces lockdown coverage from DJ Turner.
• Optimism:
  • “I kind of feel like this might be the game where those miscues finally don't happen. But maybe that's just hope on my end.” — Ryan (14:02).
  • Tight end usage (Mark Andrews/Isaiah Likely) expected to rise, as “tight ends just destroy the Bengals.” — Fitz (13:08).

4. Cardinals at Texans: Jacoby Brissett Hits a Wall?

(15:28 – 22:38)

• Brissett vs. Houston:
  • “The confidence level is pretty low... Texans are just so good on defense. Man, they are terrifying to go against.” — Fitz (15:28).
  • Texans allow the lowest opponent passer rating (69.8), one of the league’s scariest matchups.
  • All hosts are down on Brissett; “the bubble gets popped this week.”
• Michael Wilson Debate:
  • Volume vs. matchup: Dbro says you can’t sit a guy with 12-15 targets, even if matchup is bad; Ryan’s wary.
  • “So many guys in this wide receiver 2 to 3 range where...I just don't feel good about their matchups.” — Dbro (19:50).
• Timestamps:
  • Brissett analysis: (15:28-18:22)
  • Wilson debate: (18:22-22:38)

5. Jags WR Brian Thomas Jr.: Start, Sit, or Panic?

(26:23 – 28:53)

• Dbro: Fade him; sliding down target share pecking order; Jets’ deep pass D is stiff.
• Fitz: Slightly more bullish, ranks him WR27, points to increased efficiency post-injury and better Jaguars passing game.
• Consensus: TD-dependent WR3/Flex, but not an auto-start.

6. Chargers Backfield: Vidal vs. Hampton

(29:20 – 33:05)

• Snap Split:
  • Last week, Vidal out-snapped Hampton, but “I think it is inevitable that the workload split will start to tilt back toward Hampton.” — Fitz (29:20).
  • Both backs likely in flex range, with Hampton the preferable option for TD upside (goal line role).
• Hosts’ Ranks:
  • Hampton RB28-31; Vidal RB36-42.
  • “I think both these guys are RB3s...the conversation starts somewhere in the mid RB3 range because I think you’re going to see a 50/50 split.” — Dbro (31:22).

7. Patriots Backfield: Trayvon Henderson’s Upside

(34:08 – 36:31)

• Analysis:
  • RB16 in Dbro’s ranks, RB18-19 in consensus.
  • Dbro expects he could see 5-6 targets in a potentially high-scoring game.
  • “He can do perfectly fine with the 50/50 split...certainly some rushing upside against a bad run defense.” — Fitz (35:31).

8. Giants at Commanders: Slayton Overlooked & Rodriguez Overvalued?

(38:00 – 41:26)

• Chris Rodriguez:
  • Fitz: “I don’t get the fascination...I just don’t know if Rodriguez gets enough volume.”
• Darius Slayton Appeal:
  • “This game is going to be a slop fest...I think it's going to be a quiet shootout. Both these defenses suck.” — Dbro (39:09)
  • Hosts both have Slayton as a startable WR3, ~15 spots above consensus.

9. Brock Bowers: Must-Start Tight End Despite Philly Matchup?

(42:00 – 44:14)

• Consensus:
  • “Hell no, I’m not sitting Brock Bowers.” — Dbro (42:54)
  • Only McBride and Kittle are in the conversation as starts over him.

10. Packers at Broncos: Harvey or Watson?

(45:48 – 48:05)

• Both Hosts Lean Harvey:
  • Dbro: “I would love to tell you Christian Watson, but vs Patrick Surtain...I don’t want any of that smoke.”
  • Fitz: Denver’s offensive line could allow Harvey to be efficient even against the Packers’ run D.

11. Lions at Rams: Players to Fade in a Shootout?

(49:22 – 52:25)

• Dbro: Cautious about Blake Corum and other TD-dependent backs.
• Fitz: Slight fade on Davante Adams (ranks WR7 vs. ECR WR5); “I’m just inclined to be a little lower than consensus on touchdown-driven production profiles.”

12. Colts at Seahawks: Defensive Streamer Gold?

(56:16 – 59:41)

• Analysis:
  • Seahawks D likely to “put the clamps” on old Philip Rivers or Riley Leonard.
  • Only Jonathan Taylor and desperate-types (Tyler Warren at TE) are fantasy relevant for Indy.

13. Cowboys vs. Vikings: Justin Jefferson Trust Level

(63:55 – 65:39)

• Dbro: “Like a six, like a five and a half. Don’t feel great about it.”
• **Receivers are landmines in the WR2 range; you may have to play Jefferson even if you’re nervous about the Dallas defense and McCarthy at QB.

14. Prop Bets for Sunday Night Football

(65:51 – 67:18)

• Dbro: Over 1.5 receptions, Javonte Williams — “He’s hit the over in 8 of his last 13 games.” (65:58)
• Fitz: Over 190.5 passing yards for JJ McCarthy — “It does feel dirty but it’s a four star bet...the prop cheat sheet has been hot with low yardage QBs lately.” (66:19)
• Resource plug: BettingPros NFL Prop Bet Cheat Sheet @ bettingpros.com/props

15. Dolphins at Steelers: Did Pittsburgh Figure Out Passing?

(67:55 – 69:56)

• Fitz: “I think it was an outlier...the Dolphins really don’t give up a lot of big plays in the passing game.” Aaron Rodgers not a safe start.
• DK Metcalf: Both hosts are fading him, ranking him as mid/low WR2.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “He’s finally healthy after years of getting banged up after dealing with Arthur Smith. I love it, man. I’m...so curious what happens with him in the years to come. Wheels up, man.” — Dbro on Kyle Pitts (03:50)
• “He's had five touchdowns in that span since week 11. But you heard it here first. Dbro hates him. Thinks he's a terrible player. He's never gonna start again.” — Ryan joking about Dbro’s view on Christian Watson (48:05)
• “I might bump him further up the ranks just because I do think this is a game where he could see five to six targets maybe a little bit more in this matchup.” — Dbro on Trayvon Henderson (34:08)
• “Hell no, I'm not sitting Brock Bowers.” — Dbro’s definitive TE ranking (42:54)
• “Can you imagine...sitting Justin Jefferson and then he goes off and then you’re eliminated? Like, I just...I might retire from fantasy.” — Ryan (65:39)
• “Things are flying. Good lord. We don't want to play Tyler Warren.” — Dbro, lightheartedly exasperated by conflicting fantasy takes (63:12)

Timestamps for Major Segments

• [00:00] – Thursday Night Football (Falcons-Bucs) reaction
• [06:34] – QB streamers (Sanders, Brissett)
• [10:08] – Ravens-Bengals (Lamar, Zay, Monken frustration)
• [15:28] – Cardinals-Texans (Brissett, Wilson)
• [26:23] – Jaguars WR Brian Thomas Jr.
• [29:20] – Chargers RBs
• [34:08] – Patriots RBs (Henderson)
• [38:00] – Giants vs. Commanders
• [42:00] – Brock Bowers TE debate
• [45:48] – Packers-Broncos (Harvey/Watson)
• [49:22] – Lions-Rams (fades)
• [56:16] – Colts-Seahawks defenses
• [63:55] – Vikings-Cowboys (Justin Jefferson)
• [65:51] – Sunday Night Prop Bets
• [67:55] – Dolphins-Steelers (Rogers/Metcalf)

Final Thoughts

Week 15 is a minefield at several positions, especially wide receiver after the consensus WR1 tier. The hosts repeatedly emphasize the importance of volume over matchup when the slate gets thin, but they also urge caution on banking on previous outlier performances (Devante Adams, Tony Pollard). Must-start assets remain must-starts (Brock Bowers, Justin Jefferson) despite daunting matchups. For tight ends and backend skill spots, the theme is clear: chase opportunity, but monitor surrounding circumstances (weather, QB, injury news) more than usual.

TL;DR

The FantasyPros team tackles every fantasy-relevant top question for Week 15, providing granular advice on breakouts, fades, start/sit dilemmas, and matchup-dependent landmines — helping managers navigate the chaos of playoff football with insights, data, and their usual banter.