FantasyPros Fantasy Football Podcast: "The Extra Point"

Episode 1870 – Gearing Up for Playoffs, Tough Week 13 Decisions, and Chat Q&A
Release Date: November 28, 2025
Hosts: Scott Bogman & Andrew Erickson

Main Theme and Purpose

This episode of The Extra Point dives deep into pivotal Week 13 lineup decisions as fantasy football managers gear up for the playoffs. Hosts Scott Bogman and Andrew Erickson answer live listener questions from the FantasyPros community chat, focusing on nuanced start/sit debates, key injury updates, and strategies for optimizing rosters during crunch time. The episode is especially tailored to those seeking last-minute guidance to maximize their postseason prospects.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Injury & Player Status Updates

• Michael Wilson vs. Marvin Harrison Jr.: If Harrison is out, Wilson is a viable high-risk, high-reward start. If Harrison plays, Wilson's ceiling lowers but isn't eliminated ([03:04]).
• Campbell & Patriots Passing Game: With Campbell and Jared Wilson out, the Patriots' offensive outlook becomes shakier, particularly affecting Drake May and Diggs ([05:23], [07:27]).

2. Start/Sit Debates & Flex Decisions

• Michael Wilson or Chris Olave?

  • If Harrison Jr. is out, it's reasonable to bench Olave for Wilson despite Olave’s higher consensus ranking, especially with Olave facing a tough Miami defense and rookie QB concerns.
  • Quote: “I can get behind the case [to bench Olave]. He's attached to a rookie quarterback playing on the road. Miami's kind of been pretty good against rookie wide receivers this year.” – Andrew Erickson ([03:34])

• Taysom Hill vs. Juwan Johnson (TE Debate):

  • Taysom Hill has the upside, especially with Kamara out, and has seen increased carries in recent weeks (2, 4, 7, 10 over the past four games). Juwan Johnson is the safer play PPR-wise.
  • Quote: “Who has more double-digit touchdown upside…Taysom Hill or Juwan Johnson? You know the answer is Taysom Hill.” – Erickson ([08:35])

• Hunter Henry vs. Strange (TE Debate):

  • Henry preferred due to favorable matchup and consistent involvement in Patriots’ depleted offense ([12:52]).

• Difficult Flex Choices:

  • Example: Between Waddle, Harvey, or Neil, both hosts preferred Waddle for floor against Washington, with Harvey considered a higher-upside play if chasing points ([15:04]).

3. Rest-of-Season & Playoff Stashes

• Diggs ROS Value:

  • Considered a locked-in mid WR2 with Campbell gone. Target volume remains, but overall upside capped versus expectations ([06:36]).
  • “He’s still the alpha in terms of the target leader…but probably just more of a mid-range WR2.” – Erickson ([07:16])

• Two Defenses for Playoffs?

  • Typically not advised unless there’s a clear matchup advantage and roster space. Prefer to handcuff RBs or add upside players ([19:27]).

4. Quarterback Special

• Joe Burrow on Return:
  • Hosts are skeptical of Burrow’s ECR QB8 ranking. He has historically underwhelmed in week one/after layoffs (QBs 28/30/31). Returning from injury and without T. Higgins, he should be ranked outside the top 15.
  • Quote: “I just can’t get on board with where he’s ranked this week…I’m very much against the market here.” – Erickson ([25:20-29:10])
• Bo Nix vs. Joe Burrow:
  • Bo Nix recommended for the week, playing the league-worst Commanders defense ([24:06]).

5. Playoff Defense Strategy

• Houston vs. New Orleans:
  • Strong recommendation for the Texans who are considered "an elite defense with elite matchups" for fantasy playoffs ([39:50]).
• Start/Sit with Injuries:
  • Harvey over DK if Devonta Smith is banged up ([41:13]).

6. Live Start/Sit Rapid Fire

Numerous questions answered live, including:

• Rico Dowdle over Mooney, Sutton, or Jones in flex ([37:43])
• Stand pat with Drake May despite Patriots’ injuries ([38:05])
• Yoshibash over Addison due to QB downgrade in Minnesota ([35:23])
• Michael Wilson and Jameson Williams as preferred WRs in risky teams ([47:54])
• Goff over Purdy if prepping for a bye week ([51:57])
• Aggressive arguments against overvaluing Michael Pittman this week due to matchup ([48:33])

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Start/Sit Agony:

  • “[Start/sit with these options]—just flip a coin!” – Scott Bogman ([12:13])

• Erickson’s Spicy Burrow Take:

  • “Maybe I’m wrong, but we’ve got a pretty large sample size of him coming back after a long layoff and doing absolutely nothing.” – Andrew Erickson ([25:20])

• Playoff D Strategy:

  • “I would rather handcuff a running back even if it’s not going to give me anything than carry two defenses most weeks.” – Bogman ([19:07])

• On Taysom Hill Upside:

  • “Never wrong. Just early.” – Erickson, after predicting a Taysom Hill breakout week ([10:24])

Important Timestamps & Segments

• [03:04] – Michael Wilson vs. Olave w/Marvin Harrison Jr. injury outlook
• [05:23] – Diggs, Patriots offense after Campbell/Wilson injuries
• [08:35] – Taysom Hill vs. Juwan Johnson upside debate
• [15:04] – Flex debate: Waddle vs. Harvey
• [24:06] – Burrow vs. Bo Nix QB discussion & fiery skepticism on Burrow return
• [27:09] – Why ECR is so high on Burrow – market rationale explored
• [39:50] – Texans vs. Saints D/ST for playoffs
• [46:47] – Gainwell, Debo, Aaron Jones start/sit nuance
• [47:54] – Risky but necessary – benching Michael Pittman
• [51:57] – Waiver stashing Goff for critical playoff week
• [58:14] – Juwan Johnson, Henry, Schultz TE debate with stats

Tone & Style

The episode maintains a friendly, conversational, and occasionally irreverent tone—with Erickson bringing energy even while under the weather, and Bogman keeping the show lively and relatable, peppering in jokes about illness, coaching decisions, and fantasy heartbreaks. Both provide actionable, expert analysis with honest disagreements and explain their stances in depth for listener benefit.

Summary Table: Key Advice & Calls

| Situation | Preferred Option | Timestamp | Key Note | |-------------------------------------|--------------------|------------|-----------------------------------------------| | Michael Wilson vs. Olave | Wilson (if Marv out)| 03:04 | Olave risky with rookie QB vs MIA | | WR2/Flex: Waddle vs. Harvey | Waddle | 15:04 | Floor play, upside with Harvey if trailing | | TE: Henry vs. Schultz vs. Juwan | Henry, maybe Schultz| 57:30 | Henry higher upside, Schultz good matchup | | TEX vs. NO D/ST ROS | Texans | 39:50 | Elite defense, great playoff schedule | | QB: Burrow or Bo Nix | Bo Nix | 24:06 | Commanders juicy matchup, Byrd skepticism | | Hold 2 DEF for playoffs? | No | 19:27 | Use bench for RB handcuffs instead | | TE: Taysom Hill vs Juwan Johnson | Hill for Upside | 08:35 | Take Hill if need boom, Johnson for floor | | Burrow backup after Purdy bye | Goff | 51:57 | Better matchup, no need to hold Purdy | | Addison or Yoshibash | Yoshibash | 35:23 | Addison downgraded with Brosmer at QB |

Final Takeaways

• Target upside plays like Taysom Hill and Michael Wilson in weeks where projected as underdogs or need a breakout score.
• Be wary of overvaluing returning players like Joe Burrow, historically slow off injury/layoff.
• Play the best matchups, especially at D/ST and in flex, as the bye weeks and injuries shift value week-to-week.
• Streamline your playoff roster—avoid stashing extra defenses unless the matchup is elite; instead, prioritize RB handcuffs and upside.
• Injury reports and late-week news (especially on returning stars like Harrison Jr. and Kamara) remain critical to final lineup decisions.

This episode serves as a comprehensive, practical guide to making razor-thin Week 13 and playoff calls, helped by both granular analysis and anecdotal “been-there” advice from longtime fantasy experts. Essential listening/read for any manager facing tough lineup choices in crucial weeks.