FantasyPros - Fantasy Football Podcast

Episode: The Biggest Fantasy Football Questions For Each Team in Week 16 (Ep. 1909)

Date: December 19, 2025
Host: Ryan Warmley
Guests: Derek Brown (“Debro”), Pat Fitzmaurice (“Fitz”)

Overview

This jam-packed episode dives deep into the most pressing fantasy football questions for each NFL team heading into Week 16—the fantasy semifinals. Ryan, Debro, and Fitz analyze key player situations, provide consensus and personal rankings, debate key start/sit decisions, and offer actionable advice for managers chasing a championship. The tone is lively, honest, and full of practical fantasy wisdom, mixed with humor and some memorable anecdotes.

Thursday Night Football Instant Reaction (Seahawks 38 - Rams 37 OT)

• Main Theme: Wild Thursday Night Football game sets a high bar for the week; fantasy implications abound.
• Impressive performances by Matthew Stafford (457/3 TDs), Puka Nacua (12/225/2), Kenneth Walker, and JSN.
• Debro (01:20): “Is this the game of the year? … If you're going against Puka Nacua, most likely, good luck. We'll see you in 2026.”
• Frustration for those facing Rams’ stars, and sympathy for fantasy managers who got burned by unexpected performances.

Notable Quotes:

• Fitz (02:38): “You knew Puka was going to have a good game. Everyone had him ranked WR1 this week… but where was the coverage on that overtime touchdown?”
• Debro (05:17): “It feels like…the dagger in the heart of everybody that believed in Kenneth Walker all year. And then…week 16—now we get the Kenneth Walker usage and the big blow up game.”

Saturday Slate Highlights

Eagles at Commanders — Washington Backfield Conundrum

• Key Question: Start Jacory Crosby Merritt or Chris Rodriguez?
• Consensus: Both are uninspiring RB4/flex plays, low-end options due to split workload and matchup risk.
  • Fitz has them back to back: Rodriguez RB42, Merritt RB43. “I just don't want to play either guy.” (07:47)
  • Debro: “I've got Rodriguez at 37, [Merritt] at 43. … Who gets the touchdown? ...I think if anybody gets a touchdown, it's probably Rodriguez.”

Packers at Bears — What Changes in a Quick Rematch?

• Packers’ offense: Uncertainty around Christian Watson’s health and role. Jaden Reed favored for slot upside vs. Bears’ leaky slot coverage.
  • Debro: “If we're looking at any Packers pass catcher to have a big game, actually kind of leaning Reed…not Watson…” (14:44)
  • Fitz caveats: Jaden Reed has rarely surpassed 6 targets; “That's my concern.”
• Bears’ offense: RB split likely continues; target consolidation with WR injuries, but skepticism about Caleb Williams’ production.

Rapid Fire: DJ Moore vs. Jaden Reed

• Debro: Reed
• Fitz: Moore by a “ten spot gap”

Sunday Early Slate

Buccaneers at Panthers — WR Rankings

• Consensus Split: Mike Evans top dog. Debate between Feytero McMillan vs. Emeka Egbuka as WR2 on respective teams.
  • Debro: “Evans is the clear and not even close top guy. Igbuka is number two, Tets three for me…then Godwin and Coker in the same bucket.” (16:25)
  • Fitz: “I'm even more extreme…Evans WR11, McMillan WR15, Egbuka WR31, Godwin WR32. … I just, I mean, I like McMillan a lot more because he's clearly the number one guy.” (18:02)
• Light roast: “Kirk Cousins looks like a Hall of Famer every time he plays the Bucs.”

Bills at Browns — What to Do with Quinshawn Judkins?

• Key Issue: Great volume, poor efficiency; Browns O-line beat up.
  • Fitz: “Since week six, Judkins has averaged 51 yards a game, 3.1 yards per carry. … The offensive line is a mess.” (24:08)
  • Debro: Ranked RB21: “I can only push him so far down the rankings because of what running back looks like this week.”

Chargers at Cowboys — Player Rankings Disagreements

• Jake Ferguson (TE):
  • Debro: “Right now, he's TE16 in ECR. … It's not a good matchup for the outside WRs. … It's a good bounce-back spot for Ferguson. I have him at TE10.” (27:57)
• Justin Herbert (QB):
  • Fitz (29:10): “I've got him down in QB2 range. I have him at QB17. … The Chargers are becoming run-heavier. … Since Joe Alt went on IR, Herbert has averaged 160 passing yards and one TD a game… Haven't thrown for more than 220 yards in any game over that stretch.”

Jets at Saints — Saints Backfield Without Devin Neal

• Who to trust: Audric Estimé or Evan Hull?
  • Fitz: “I've got Estime 34, Hall 47. … Usage last week was confounding: Hull had more carries, Estime had more receiving.” (31:51)
  • Debro: “Actually…leaning in the direction of Estime. … He could easily be an RB2 this week if he gets 12–15 touches.” (34:08)
• Reminder: Situational usage last week was contrary to pre-draft skillsets.

Sunday Late Slate

Vikings at Giants — Will JJ McCarthy & Justin Jefferson Click?

• Ongoing frustration: Jefferson barely produces despite McCarthy’s QB1 performances.
  • Debro: “He could've easily, and you could argue should have, had two touchdowns last week. … At this point, we're going down with the Titanic. If this ain't the week, there is no week.” (37:26)
  • Fitz: “The real key question: Would a Justin Jefferson breakout game help anyone at this point? Are any Justin Jefferson stakeholders still alive?”

Chiefs at Titans — Impact of Mahomes' ACL Tear

• Key Point: Chiefs offense gets extreme downgrade. Rashee Rice (concussion) likely out; Worthy & Kelsey target volume up.
  • Fitz: “I think Gardner Minshew is going to lean on [Kelsey] pretty heavily. … Worthy [currently WR42], might have to move up.” (42:00)
  • Debro: “I think with Rice out…Xavier Worthy goes back into the role everybody salivated over in the offseason. … Pick him up, start him. … I've got him WR19 this week.” (44:11)
  • Both quick to avoid the RBs due to tough matchup.

Bengals at Dolphins — Post-Shutout Faith

• Bengals perspective: Expect bounce-back. “Not that concerned. … Burrow could still put up points… Chase Brown may be their de facto WR2 if Higgins is out.” (48:39)
• Dolphins with Quinn Ewers: Both skeptical he’ll boost the pass game, expect heavy game management.

Notable Stat (Debro, 50:57): “Since Week 11, the Bengals actually rank eighth in pressure rate.”

Falcons at Cardinals — Kyle Pitts, Tight End Salvation?

• Optimism: Both have him as top-3 TE, especially if London sits.
  • Debro: “Kyle Pitts. We've arrived. … Top five tight end. It just took us how many years…” (52:27)
  • Fitz: “He's now had three really good games in a row… All with London out.” (53:48)

Jags at Broncos — Is Trevor Lawrence Back?

• Both have him outside top 15 (low teens/20). Caution on road matchup in Denver after career-best game.
  • Fitz: “If Trevor Lawrence cooks in this game, we should probably take it as a sign he’s permanently turned the corner.” (55:28)
  • In Dynasty: Both see him as a mid-low QB2, trending up, but still cautious after long slow-burn development.

Steelers at Lions — Can You Trust Aaron Rodgers?

• Neither trusts him for fantasy:
  • Debro: “I don't believe it. QB24. … I think it's just Roger playing point guard and captain checkdown in this offense.” (59:24)
  • Fitz agrees, citing Lions’ defensive strengths against YAC.
• On the spread: Both pick Lions -7; acknowledge it’s “classic Tomlin spot” to keep it close.

Raiders at Texans — Can You Start Anyone from Vegas?

• Over/Under 1.5 startable players: Over, but barely.
  • Debro: “Gentiy and Bowers…In a PPR can Gentiy still get there with five to six checkdowns? Absolutely. … Not starting any other pass catchers.” (62:13)
  • Fitz: “Brock Bowers is always startable. … Genti is startable in PPR/half, not in standard.”

Sunday Night Football — Patriots at Ravens

Rapid-Fire Start/Sit Debates:

• Drake May vs. Lamar Jackson: Both prefer May (QB3). Lamar back to QB5.
• Derrick Henry vs. TreVeyon Henderson: Both narrowly prefer Henderson in PPR.
• Hunter Henry vs. Mark Andrews: Both prefer Andrews, but neither wants to start either.
  • Debro: “I'd rather play Mike freaking Gesicki over both these guys. Yuck.” (67:35)

Favorite SNF Prop Bets:

• Fitz: “Drake May over 20.5 rushing yards.”
• Debro: “DeAndre Hopkins under 1.5 receptions.” (68:16)

Monday Night Football — Philip Rivers Returns for Colts

• Analysis: Colts’ offense is ultra-conservative with Rivers, low aDOT, no YAC, offense extremely condensed.
  • Fitz: “Colts passing game was very…condensed, constricted, shrunken. Rivers was getting the ball out super quickly… I don't know if it's going to be any different Monday night against the 49ers.” (70:10)
  • Debro: “This is kind of the dollar store version of what Aaron Rodgers is doing. … But the 49ers allow few YAC, so upside is capped. … Huge JT (Jonathan Taylor) game could be coming.”

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Debro (about Kenneth Walker’s Week 16 blowup): “Now we get the Kenneth Walker usage… Well, he’s probably on benches or teams not in the playoffs.”
• Fitz’s “Tim Hightower” throwback: “It is exactly 10 years since Tim Hightower went berserk for the Saints in the fantasy playoffs, Worm. You might not remember— you were only like 9 at the time.” (31:45)
• Debro, on trusting Kyle Pitts: “We’ve arrived…It just took us how many years and head coaches and OCs…”
• On Raiders’ offense: “Brock Bowers is always startable—against the Texans, against the machines from War of the Worlds, I don’t care.” — Fitz (63:16)
• Debro (16:06): “I have more faith in Jordan Love to play well…than I do Caleb Williams…”

Key Takeaways for Each Week 16 Dilemma

• Start/Sit decisions are razor-thin at RB and WR. Lean on volume and matchups—embrace volatility if you’re the underdog.
• Monitor late-week health news closely (e.g., Christian Watson, Rashee Rice).
• Don’t get anchored to names: New roles (Xavier Worthy, Audric Estimé) provide league-winning upside if opportunity aligns, especially in decimated depth charts.
• Quarterback landscape is a minefield: Temper expectations for aging or backup QBs, but exploit plus matchups where possible.
• Tight end revival only for a precious few: Pitts, Bowers, and Ferguson offer hope—after that, stream and pray.
• Be bold: Fitz—"If Lawrence cooks Denver, it's time to believe." Debro—"Pick up and start Worthy if Rice is out—he's a top-20 guy."

Timestamps for Notable Segments

• [00:35] — TNF Reaction: Rams vs. Seahawks
• [07:47] — Eagles at Commanders (Backfield confusion)
• [10:13] — Packers at Bears (Pass-catcher worries)
• [16:25] — Bucs at Panthers (WR rankings debate)
• [24:08] — Bills at Browns (Judkins trustworthiness)
• [27:57] — Chargers at Cowboys (Disagreements on Ferguson & Herbert)
• [31:39] — Jets at Saints (Saints RB lottery)
• [37:26] — Vikings at Giants (JJ McCarthy + Jefferson hope)
• [42:00] — Chiefs at Titans (Life post-Mahomes)
• [48:39] — Bengals at Dolphins (Offensive trust after a shutout)
• [52:27] — Falcons at Cardinals (The Pitts Emergence)
• [55:28] — Jags at Broncos (Is Lawrence for real?)
• [59:24] — Steelers at Lions (Rodgers skepticism)
• [62:13] — Raiders at Texans (Over/under startable players)
• [65:17] — Patriots at Ravens (Rapid Fire Starters)
• [67:53] — SNF Prop Bets
• [70:10] — Colts with Philip Rivers (Passing game breakdown)

Final Notes

• Show returns for Week 18 with a look-ahead edition; no episode next week due to holidays, but live help will be available via FantasyPros live streams and start/sit shows.
• Advice is contextual, forthright, and driven by both analytics and experience—perfect for semifinal decision-makers who want more than just the rankings.

Best of luck in the fantasy semifinals!