Footballguys Fantasy Football Show

Week 14 Matchup Previews with Sam Wagman
Hosts: Dave Kluge & Alfredo Brown
Guest: Sam Wagman (Footballguys, Prize Picks)
Date: December 5, 2025

Episode Overview

This episode, Dave Kluge and special guest Sam Wagman break down key matchups and pressing fantasy football questions heading into Week 14—the final week of the regular season in most fantasy leagues. With playoff spots on the line, they provide deep analysis, actionable start/sit advice, and discuss emerging waiver wire targets, matchup nuances, and handcuff priorities. Expect engaging, thorough conversation sprinkled with sharp player takes, strategic context, and plenty of banter rooted in the wild unpredictability of the 2024 NFL season.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Bengals at Bills

Bengals Backfield: Chase Brown vs. Samaje Perine

• Chase Brown's role remains strong despite Perine's return. While Perine gets snaps, he often pass blocks or works in garbage time.
• Sam (03:19): "I think Chase Brown is still a pretty solid RB1 heading down the stretch here. I'm not too worried about P. Ryan at this point."
• Brown emerging as a capable pass catcher after offseason work; still the main fantasy back.
• Dave (04:33): "If you look at the snap count, you probably think that P. Ryan is much more involved than he actually is... This is absolutely Chase Brown's backfield."

Joe Burrow: Plug-and-Play QB1?

• Both hosts agree Burrow needs to be in lineups.
• T. Higgins' health (full practice) is a good sign; expect a big finish.
• Sam (05:41): "I think he is right there as a QB1... these are fantasy-friendly defenses that Burrow can attack."

Buffalo WRs: Brandon Cooks Hype Level

• Cooks unlikely to be a reliable fantasy asset; situational deep threat at best.
• Sam (07:40): "Outside of Khalil Shakir, there's not really someone that you can trust... Cooks can be someone that you hope for to get a downfield target and a touchdown."

RB Handcuffs: Ty Johnson or Ray Davis?

• Both agree Ray Davis is the better stash for James Cook—can handle full workload if needed.
• Sam (09:53): "Davis seems to have the more consistent role... more consistent touches down the stretch."

2. Jets vs. Dolphins

Antonine Mitchell vs. John Metchie (Breakout WRs)

• Both making waves as fantasy FLEX plays; Mitchell given slight edge.
• Sam (11:59): "Mitchell is starting to come on here... boomer bust is everything... Mitchell is the kind of guy you want to rely on down the stretch."
• Backstories for both players highlight their draft pedigrees and reasons for late-year breakouts.
• Dave (14:04): "These are two really, really good prospects... should be rostered in every league in my opinion."

Tyrod Taylor: Legitimate Streaming QB?

• Both give a yes, especially with byes and injuries to Lamar Jackson, Herbert, etc.
• Sam (15:40): "He's definitely in that front to mid-tier range of QB2s for me... I think this is a good spot for Taylor."

Dolphins Tight End: Darren Waller Confidence

• Waller is a viable TE1/flex play, especially with recent production and good matchups.
• Sam would start him ahead of names like TJ Hockenson, Dallas Goedert, and Zach Ertz this week.
• Sam (17:21): "I would have Waller right there, right outside my top 12 tight ends as a really popular guy."
• Dave (18:44): "Darren Waller... I've got him as my tight end 13 on the week."

Miami Handcuff: Ali Gordon vs. Jaylen Wright

• Preference for Ali Gordon if forced, but neither is a strong add unless Devon Achane misses time.
• Sam (19:38): "My issue, my default answer would be Jalen Wright... but Dolphins have just given Tavon HN the free reign of the backfield... I'd probably lean Ali Gordon."

3. Colts at Jaguars

Daniel Jones: Still a Plug-And-Play QB1?

• No—the hosts and guest say Jones' injury and lack of mobility remove him from streamer/starting consideration.
• Sam (22:06): "You just cannot. He's run a lot less... fracture fibula... He has no lateral mobility."

Michael Pittman vs. Alec Pierce

• Pittman is the clear play, especially vs. Jacksonville’s zone defense.
• Sam (24:54): "Michael Pittman is simply better against zone coverage than Alec Pierce... It's a Tyler Warren and Michael Pittman game for me all day for the Colts."

Jaguars WRs: Jacoby Meyers or Brian Thomas Jr. ROS?

• Slight edge to Myers due to consistency, role, and recent acquisition enthusiasm.
• Sam (27:12): "At some point we have to... just accept this guy [Brian Thomas Jr.] is not playing up to the level that we drafted him. Jacoby Myers... could truly become the wide receiver one of this team down the stretch."

Jaguars Backfield: Travis Etienne vs. Bashal Tootin

• Etienne remains the guy—safe RB2 with a weekly ceiling; Tootin is more "change of pace" for now.
• Sam (30:36): "I just don't think we've seen enough from Tutin, nor do I think this staff is ready to give him the bulk of the work."

4. Bears at Packers

DeAndre Swift & Kyle Monungai: Both Auto-start RBs?

• Both viable starters, but monitor matchups and roles each week.
• Sam (37:58): "Manungai has looked really good... but it's the Bears version of what the Lions have done... Sonic and Knuckles. It's a one-two punch."
• Usage, schedule, and game script will impact value, but both are solid flex plays at minimum.

Bears Pass Catchers: Who to Trust?

• If WR: Roma Dunze; if pass-catcher overall: Colston Loveland (tight end), especially given schedule and recent usage.
• Sam (41:40): "Colston Loveland, who has, I believe, almost 300 yards in his last six games, comes on really strong down the stretch..."

Matthew Golden: Drop or Hold?

• Even first-round draft capital can't save his season; Dave advocates dropping.
• Dave (47:36): "I am okay just dropping Matthew golden... there are just better ways to use your bench spots right now."
• Sam (45:11): "I don't know if there's a good reason to keep Matthew Golden."

Jordan Love: Boom or Bust Week?

• Leans bust, but with some upside due to Bears' tendency to give up big plays and force teams to throw.
• Sam (50:24): "It seems like he never does anything in between... This is going to depend on what the Bears do... probably have him at the back end of my QB1 range."

5. Chargers at Eagles

Chargers WRs if Trey Lance Starts

• Very low confidence in all pass catchers; only possibly Keenan Allen and Lad McConkey as check-down targets.
• Sam (54:13): "My trust in the wide receivers, my trust in the tight ends... wouldn't trust it that much."
• Dave (55:50): "I think what we probably see are a lot of short little dump offs..."

Omarion Hampton: Start If Active?

• Yes—if active, likely to see significant work; worthy of a spot back in lineups even if ramp-up is slow.
• Sam (57:46): "There is a scenario... where Omarion Hampton does get a lot of work again."
• Dave (60:06): "I've got him ranked at RB24... I think you're putting him in lineups."

Eagles WRs: AJ Brown Panic Over?

• Absolutely. He’s always been a must-start WR1; early struggles were injury related and sample-size panic.
• Sam (61:21): "There was never a scenario where AJ Brown was washed... Set it and forget it wide receiver one rest of the season."
• Dave (62:25): "A.J. Brown is still A.J. Brown."

Dallas Goedert: Still a Weekly Start?

• No—usage/production way down, now just a matchup-dependent streamer.
• Sam (64:49): "He hasn't been above 30 yards in his last five to six games... hands have become even more unreliable."
• Dave (67:22): "He's averaging 36 yards/game this year—the lowest since his rookie season..."

Saquon Barkley: Level of Concern

• Expressed concern over Barkley's usage decline, worn down offensive line, and overall drop in production.
• Sam (68:35): "I'm so concerned about Saquon Barkley... it's a mix of the Madden curse, the hurdle curse, the fact that 400, 450 touches last year..."

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Chase Brown vs. Perine – Sam (03:19): "I think Chase Brown is still a pretty solid RB1 heading down the stretch here. I'm not too worried about P. Ryan at this point."
• On Adonai Mitchell's upside – Sam (11:59): "...boomer bust is everything when we're kind of this deep...I think Mitchell is the kind of guy you want to rely on down the stretch here."
• On Tyrod Taylor's streamer appeal – Sam (15:40): "I absolutely think he's on the radar...I would have him ranked right around, right around the, the 16 to 18 range."
• On Matthew Golden busting – Dave (47:36): "I am a, okay just dropping Matthew golden and if he pops off on somebody else's team, I can live with that."
• Colston Loveland TE emergence – Dave (43:36): "Since that point he's the top five tight end in scoring. It is Trey McBride, Brock Bowers, George Kittle and Travis Kelce are the only tight ends outscoring Colson Loveland since week eight."
• On the panic about A.J. Brown – Dave (62:25): "A.J. brown is still A.J. Brown."
• Coffee Hill to Die On – Sam (71:43): "I will not drink hot coffee...I'm just a huge iced coffee guy. I can't tell if I'm just trying to hold on to my youth as long as possible..."

Timestamps for Important Segments

• [03:19] – Chase Brown vs. Perine breakdown
• [05:41] – Joe Burrow's must-start outlook
• [07:40] – Brandon Cooks in Buffalo
• [09:53] – Bills running back handcuff discussion
• [11:59] – Mitchell vs. Mechie at WR
• [15:40] – Is Tyrod Taylor streamable?
• [17:21] – Darren Waller start/sit discussion
• [19:38] – Miami backup RBs: Gordon vs. Wright
• [22:06] – Daniel Jones injury and streamer context
• [24:54] – Michael Pittman vs. Alec Pierce vs. Jaguars
• [27:12] – Jacoby Meyers or Brian Thomas Jr. rest-of-season
• [30:36] – ETN vs. Tootin Jaguars backfield analysis
• [37:58] – Swift and Manungai as Bears plug-ins
• [41:40] – Bears pass catcher you can trust most
• [45:11] – Matthew Golden: worth holding?
• [50:24] – Jordan Love projection vs. Bears
• [54:13] – Chargers WRs Downgrade if Trey Lance Starts
• [57:46] – Omariom Hampton injury return expectations
• [61:21] – AJ Brown is a must start
• [64:49] – Dallas Goedert's fantasy value craters
• [68:35] – Saquon Barkley panic meter
• [71:43] – Sam's "Hill to Die On": Only Drinks Iced Coffee

Final Thoughts

This episode is an in-depth Week 14 primer, loaded with context and actionable advice as you prepare for the critical fantasy playoff push. Not only does it hit lineup locks and juicy waiver wire picks, but it also offers strategic bench and handcuff analysis, plus honest, experience-backed debates on sticky roster decisions.

For anyone on the fence about uncertain players, injury returns, or who to trust at flex, this show provides the clarity—stat-backed and candid—that serious fantasy managers need heading into the playoffs.

Pro Tip: Make those final bench cuts for high-upside handcuffs, keep chasing upside in your flex and WR3 spots, and don't be afraid to drop "name" players if you've seen all you need to.