FantasyPros - Fantasy Football Podcast

The Extra Point: Playoff Sit/Start Decisions and Chat Q&A (Ep. 1910)

Date: December 20, 2025
Hosts: Chris Welsh & Andrew Erickson

Episode Overview

In the final regular season episode, Chris Welsh and Andrew Erickson guide listeners through crucial semi-final sit/start decisions and answer real-time questions from the FantasyPros Discord community. With the fantasy playoffs in full swing, the hosts provide actionable lineup insights, tough matchup discussions, and position-by-position breakdowns with a focus on playoff upside and risk management. Candid, fast-moving banter underscores the analysis, as Erickson and Welsh address audience queries, highlight injury news, and discuss player usage trends for owners gunning for the championship.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Quarterback & Flex Start/Sit Debates

Timestamp: 03:18–04:52

• Dart vs. Chuck (Streamer QBs):

  • Chris Welsh: "Shuck is a pretty popular streamer and I'm actually down for the streaming, but not for Dart. I agree with you on the matchup side, but Dart, regardless of...proto or not, he keeps running—had like 60+ rushing yards and he has a lot of equity there. So I'm personally still going Dart." (03:39)
  • Andrew Erickson: "Darts 15 and Chuck is 19. So rolling with the dart." (04:03)
  • Consensus: Prefer Dart due to rushing upside and higher ceiling despite matchup risk.

• Flex RB Decisions (Dowdle, Harvey, Carter, DJ Moore):

  • Consensus pick: RJ Harvey.
  • Welsh: "RJ Harvey was the player...He doesn't have a great matchup against the Bucs—really good against the run...but he gets goal line opportunities, catches passes. I think Harvey has the best ceiling/floor combo." (04:52)
  • Erickson echoes: "Three down skill set...if he's catching passes out of the backfield, then it doesn't matter how good the Jags are at stopping running backs." (04:48)

2. Justin Jefferson vs. T. Higgins: High Profile Wide Receiver Dilemma

Timestamp: 07:04–09:26

• Welsh: "I have so little trust in Jefferson, it's not funny. But also looking at a WR that's dealing in proto right now and is probably even more susceptible to being knocked out."
• Erickson: "It's T. Higgins. If he plays, you're playing T. Higgins. He has a dramatically, significantly higher ceiling...this is such an obvious blow-up spot for him...If T. Higgins plays, you want to put him in your lineup." (08:23–08:53)

Notable Statistic

• Justin Jefferson's last three games: only 37 combined yards.

3. Injury Impacts & WR/RB Pivots

Timestamp: 10:06–11:28

• Welsh & Erickson stress:
  • Even if Marvin Harrison Jr. or Javonte Williams return from injury, if they're active they're likely full-go, as "these teams have nothing to play for... if the guys are coming back, they're coming back to play football." (10:43–11:28)

4. Crowded RB Fields: Choosing Between Similar-Tier Backs

Timestamp: 11:49–12:16

• Choices: Henderson, Harvey, Tracy, Aaron Jones, Rico Dowdle.
• Welsh: "This is Harvey, Henderson, and I'm going to play Aaron Jones in that matchup over Rico."
• Erickson agrees.

5. Tight End Decisions for the Playoffs

Timestamp: 12:37–16:16

• Darren Waller vs. Dalton Schultz vs. Other Streamers:
  • Erickson: "We're not even like, talking about Darren Waller if he's not facing the Bengals this week, am I right? Especially with yours as the quarterback."
  • Both prefer Schultz over Waller, Loveland, Ferg.
  • Welsh: "Dude, Schultz is always a tough guy because I feel like he's always in that like back end fantasy territory of a TE1, and I don’t know like how high his ceiling really is unless he scores a touchdown. But it is the Raiders...so I think it is probably just Schultz." (15:12)

6. Rapidfire Semi-Final Queries: Quarterbacks, Flex, and Tight Ends

Timestamp: 16:19–19:07

• Quarterbacks:
  • Welsh & Erickson: Burrow over Dakota (Dak) or Dart due to matchup and upside.
• Tight Ends:
  • As above, Schultz > Waller > Loveland, noting usage and supporting casts.

7. Rookie Receivers/Marvin Harrison Jr. Effect on Michael Wilson

Timestamp: 21:14–22:42, 34:11–35:33

• Erickson: If Marvin plays, "Michael Wilson has been a ghost." (22:17)
• Played a game reviewing Michael Wilson's stats with/without Marvin Harrison Jr. to reinforce benching him if Marvin's active.

8. RB Sleepers and Risks (Audric Estime, Jordan Mason)

Timestamp: 17:02–17:46

• Welsh: "I think I might go Mason if I'm being honest...Are you that confident that Estime's gonna get Welsh?" (17:10)
• Erickson: "Remember back to last year, right? You were the one that rained on everyone's Estime parade...I just guess for me, am I excited about Jordan Mason? I don't know..."
• Consensus: Estime more volume but risky; Mason potential upside but less certain role.

Notable Quotes / Memorable Moments

• Erickson (regarding T. Higgins vs. Jefferson):

  "If T. Higgins plays, you're playing T. Higgins. He has a dramatically, significantly higher ceiling..." (08:23)

• Welsh (on Justin Jefferson):

  "I have so little trust in Jefferson, it's not funny." (07:04)

• On Michael Wilson when Marvin Harrison Jr. is active:
  Welsh: "Michael Wilson so good. I can’t. You gotta get Marvin Harrison out of there for me. But, yeah, it is what it is, ’cause Gannon is trash." (35:33)

• Holiday Fun Segment (buy/hold/sell: Grinch, Rudolph, Frosty):
  Welsh: "Buy the Grinch, hold Frosty, and get rid of Rudolph. Rudolph’s trash." (43:07) Erickson disagrees, touting Rudolph’s anti-bullying lessons.

Other Advice Highlights

• With Drake London in, downgrade Kyle Pitts ("not nearly as much upside"), but if London sits, "Pitts is a monster." (26:15–27:01)
• Wide Receiver Rankings: London and Evans are top starts in the WR3 mix, move away from Michael Wilson if Marvin Harrison Jr. is healthy.
• Flex RB Rankings: Ranking highlights often had Harvey, Judkins, and Bucky favored over risk-prone options like Estime.
• Tight End Stash: Colston Loveland pegged as a strong upside stream for Weeks 16-17.

  "If he hits against the Packers, this could be like, oh, this rookie tight end is breaking out…" (52:22)

Community Q&A Rapidfire

• Defense Streaming: Chiefs, Eagles, and Saints ranked top-5 this week—favor KC.
• Sit/Start Lightning Rounds repeatedly came down to upside vs. safety, with the hosts revealing their real process ("when in doubt, ask: who has the highest ceiling?").
• Kickers & Defenses majorly impact semi-final rounds—don’t overthink, but "aim every defense perfectly."
• Tight End Cliff: Bowers remains a floor play, while Loveland provides upside; "you have to just plug your nose and put Bowers out there."

Timestamps for Important Segments

• Intro & Playoff Context: 00:32–03:18
• First Audience Q (Start/Sit, Dart): 03:18–04:52
• RB/Flex Debates: 04:14–06:14
• T. Higgins vs. Jefferson: 07:04–09:26
• Injury Plays & WR Swaps: 10:06–11:28, 21:14–22:42
• Crowded RB Committees: 11:49–12:16
• TE Streaming Debate: 12:37–16:16, 47:14–52:22
• QBs for Playoff Upside: 16:19–16:54
• Michael Wilson/Marvin Harrison Jr. Impact: 34:11–35:33
• Estime vs. Mason, RB fliers: 17:02–17:46
• Holiday Segment – Buy/Sell (Grinch/Rudolph/Frosty): 42:34–44:03

Tone & Approach

Playful, fast-paced, and highly interactive, with the hosts providing expert but relatable reasoning behind each decision. The banter and quick pivots between football and fan culture (including holiday bits) keep the vibe energetic and engaging.

For Listeners Who Missed the Show…

This episode is a playoff sit/start clinic. Welsh and Erickson help you weigh safety vs. ceiling across every position, tackle tough injuries, and clarify red flag scenarios (like Justin Jefferson’s usage, or Michael Wilson’s dependence on Marvin Harrison Jr.). You’ll get strategy on streaming TEs, defenses, pivoting at the last minute, and managing stars with tough trends. If you’re sweating out a semi-finals lineup, their process—and laughs—could be the edge you need.