FantasyPros - Fantasy Football Podcast
Episode: The Extra Point: Playoff Start/Sit Decisions and Chat Q&A (Ep. 1896)
Date: December 13, 2025
Hosts: Chris Welsh & Andrew Erickson

Episode Overview

This episode dives deep into playoff start/sit decisions for fantasy football, directly answering questions posed by FantasyPros Discord community members. Hosts Chris Welsh and Andrew Erickson walk through tricky lineup choices, monitor player injuries, and break down approaches to maximizing upside in fantasy playoff matchups. Emphasis is placed on adapting to last-minute injuries, confidently managing “tough call” roster spots, and playing for both floor and ceiling depending on league context.

The episode features a rapid-fire pace with listener call-ins, covering a wide range of nuanced start/sit and roster management dilemmas, including RB/WR prioritizations, tight end streaming, dynasty playoff strategy, and more.

Key Discussion Points & Community Q&A

Playoff Strategy & Setting Your Lineup

• Playoffs Are Here:
  The episode opens marking the start of fantasy playoffs, with the hosts sharing their own league journeys and the typical anxiety/anticipation of Week 15.
  “Semifinals, quarterfinals, I don't know exactly how these things work — I just show up and win. At least that's the goal, and hopefully the goal we can help get you to today.” (Andrew Erickson, 01:39)

• Discord-Driven Q&A:
  This episode is structured around live Discord questions, lending a tailored, community-driven feel. Welsh and Erickson alternate leading the advice.

RB/WR/FLEX Start-Sit Dilemmas

Trust the RB Volume: Playoff Clusters

Caller: Cornwallis — 03:04

• Choices: Breece Hall, Dowdle, Devin Neal, BTJ (Brian Thomas Jr.), Burden, Manangai (Kyle Monangai)
• PPR format. Need 3.

Consensus:

• Prefer going with RBs given volatility at WR and known volume.
• Start: Breece Hall, Rico Dowdle (if healthy), Devin Neal.
• If Dowdle is out, be ready to pivot to one of the WRs.

Quote:
“If there was an obvious answer, I think you probably would have been able to identify it too... There's no one that I'm thinking 'oh man, you have to add this guy and start him this week.' I think you have the right guys.”
— Andrew Erickson (05:25)

Wide Receiver Uncertainty

Caller: 336 Hokey — 03:37

• WR injuries have gutted his depth.
• Currently starting Michael Wilson & BTJ.

Advice:

• Stick with Wilson and Thomas unless something drastic pops up on the wire.
• No bench options present a compelling upgrade.

Who to Flex? Walker vs. Reed

Caller: Jorge the Lefty — 08:17

• Dilemma: Ken Walker vs. Jaden Reed at FLEX

Advice:

• Go with the higher upside and likely workload of Ken Walker.
• Be wary of “4 for 40” games from Reed; Walker has the potential for a spike week in a strong Seahawks game script.

Quote:
“If the Seahawks lay 35 points at home… I think you gotta click the button on Ken Walker. I think that his upside is significantly higher than Jaden Reed.”
— Andrew Erickson (09:35)

Planning for Drake London’s Absence (Dynasty Leagues)

Question: Should you prepare for his season to be over?

• Plan for the worst—add WR depth.
• Don’t assume a player will definitely return, but don’t panic-drop unless a shutdown is confirmed.
• “Players have been vocal this year: if I’m healthy, I’m playing.” (Andrew Erickson, 10:45)

Tight End Roulette: Tyler Warren vs. Isaiah Likely

Caller: Kyle — 11:52

• Warren = safer floor with target volume.
• Likely = boom/bust, “league-winning performance possible.”
• Choose based on need: steady points → Warren; need a miracle → Likely.

Quote:
“If you want a league-winning performance, not coming out of this Colts offense, I just highly doubt that's going to happen, whereas Isaiah Likely... has the potential to be a top-three tight end.”
— Andrew Erickson (12:48)

RB Bench Decisions: Judkins, Travion Henderson, RJ Harvey

Caller: Kyle — 14:00

• Bench Judkins.
• Harvey gets the nod due to all-purpose usage.
• Monitor injury reports, particularly for Judkins and UCF’s matchup against a weak Packers defense.

Maximum Upside: QB and RB Dice Rolls

Caller: Rice Pudding — 15:46
QB: Dart vs. May
RB: Breece vs. Hampton vs. Monangai

• Stick with Drake Maye for upside at QB.
• Breece Hall for now, but be ready to pivot if health trends downward.
• Watch injury trends into Sunday.

Dealing With Injuries & Uncertainty

• Stay Agile:
  Multiple callers (Rice Pudding, Prezy, Redbeard) grappled with injury decisions and questionable tags. The advice is clear: follow injury reports up to kickoff, especially for workload-volatile backs like Breece Hall or players returning from missed time (e.g., T. Higgins, Chris Rodriguez).

• Manangai Hype:
  Erickson voices consistent confidence in Kyle Monangai for physical play in winter conditions, noting Ben Johnson’s affinity for a running back like David Montgomery “and it’s Kyle Manangai.”

Dynasty Playoff Mindset

Caller: Catalyst — 20:24

• “Should I tank for draft position or play to win in the playoffs, even though my team is a low scorer on paper?”

Unanimous advice:

• Always compete with integrity. “We play to win the game.” Don’t intentionally tank after sneaking into the playoffs; anything can happen.

Schedule Analysis: Mahomes vs. Stafford

Caller: Marcus — 25:46

• Both have mixed playoff schedules.
• Perfect streaming: Start Stafford (Week 15), Mahomes (Week 16), Stafford (Week 17).

Quote:
“You stream it out—start Stafford Week 15, Week 17, and Mahomes in Week 16. That’s basically the perfect way to do it.”
— Andrew Erickson (30:23)

Other Noteworthy Segments & Quotes

Playoff Loser Bracket Motivation

Caller: Mims — 51:57

• In a dynasty league ‘toilet bowl’ bracket for the 1.01 pick, Mims asks for WR darts:
  Worthy, BTJ, Quentin Johnston, Ricky Pearsall, etc.

Preference:

• Roll with upside, including Pearsall: “I kind of think this is a Ricky Pearsall—I want to slide him in type of thing.” (Chris Welsh, 54:10)

DEF Streaming (Minute 58:27)

• Seattle or Houston?
• Texans get edge due to Colts' unsettled QB situation ("full on Texans here, Welsh").

High-Upside Flex

Caller: Currency Alchemist — 61:38

• Wide receiver dilemma: Rashee Rice (lock), Jacoby Myers, Jauan Jennings, Devonta Smith, Justin Jefferson.

• Play Jefferson for ceiling, even with risk:
  “I'm negative on Justin Jefferson, but I can't deny we're in a 'close your eyes, plug your nose, and just dive in' scenario.”
  — Chris Welsh (63:24)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Manangai’s December Outlook:
  “I just really like the spot for Monangai. December in Chicago, Soldier Field, he runs so physical—Ben Johnson found his David Montgomery and it’s Kyle Monangai.”
  — Andrew Erickson (18:30)

• On Dynasty Playoff Integrity:
  “I just don’t like the idea of making the playoffs and being like, cool, I’m going to tank now—you want to install competitive integrity in your league.”
  — Chris Welsh (24:37)

• On Terry McLaurin’s Fresh Legs:
  “Mclaurin has missed so much time this year that he’s probably fresher than other players—he’s like, I have been playing half the season!”
  — Andrew Erickson (46:21)

• Tight End Ceiling/Playoff Heroics:
  “If you want a league-winner, that’s not coming from this Colts offense—I highly doubt that’s going to happen.”
  — Andrew Erickson (12:48)

• QB Streamer Playoff Roulette:
  “You’re telling me the Seahawks are laying 35 [points]? I think you gotta click the button on Ken Walker. His upside is way higher than Reed—even if Reed seems to have the higher floor.”
  — Andrew Erickson (09:35)

Important Timestamps & Segments

• [03:04] Cornwallis Start-Sit RB Cluster
• [08:17] Ken Walker vs. Jaden Reed Flex Decision
• [10:45] Drake London Dynasty Planning
• [12:07] Tyler Warren vs. Likely at TE
• [15:46] Rice Pudding’s High-Upside QB/RB Choices
• [20:24] Dynasty Playoff Tanking Dilemma
• [25:46] Mahomes vs. Stafford Playoff Schedules
• [30:23] 2-QB Playoff Streaming Plan
• [41:55] Woody Marks vs. R.J. Harvey at RB
• [47:42] Upside Play: Terry McLaurin vs. Tetaroa McMillan
• [51:57] Dynasty ‘Sacco Bracket’ WR Darts
• [58:27] Defense Streaming: Seahawks vs. Texans
• [61:38] Currency Alchemist’s WR/Flex Dilemma (start Jefferson)

Summary Takeaways

• Stay Flexible: Monitor injuries, especially among volatile position groups (RB/WR), and be ready to pivot last minute.
• Play for Ceiling or Floor Accordingly: If you’re an underdog, opt for high upside. If you’re favored, lock in floor plays.
• Trust Recent Usage and Team Environment: Don’t get too cute with one-game sample sizes—trend toward players with secure roles and favorable game scripts.
• In Dynasty, Always Compete if You’re In: Don't tank playoff games for draft position after you’ve made the bracket.
• Don’t Overthink Good Players: Despite recent struggles, start your studs when the ceiling is meaningfully above alternatives (e.g., Justin Jefferson in a prime matchup).

Final Words

• The episode reinforced that fantasy championships are won on the edges—by a mix of smart volume plays, chasing upside, and being nimble with late information. Community questions illuminated common playoff anxieties, and Welsh/Erickson’s “in the trenches” advice helped demystify tough start/sit calls for all formats.

End of Episode Summary