Footballguys Fantasy Football Show — Week 3 Matchup Previews with Jeff Blaylock

Date: September 19, 2025
Host: Dave Kluge
Guest: Jeff Blaylock
Podcast: Footballguys Fantasy Football Show

Episode Overview

This week's in-season installment of the Footballguys Fantasy Football Show dives deep into six matchups that carry heavy fantasy football implications for Week 3. Host Dave Kluge and guest Jeff Blaylock, both seasoned Footballguys analysts, bring a blend of sharp analysis and candid, often humorous conversation. The duo covers player trends, matchup breakdowns, panic meters, actionable start/sit questions, and strategic waiver advice to help listeners navigate their fantasy rosters.

Key Discussion Points and Game Breakdowns

1. Cincinnati Bengals at Minnesota Vikings

Timestamps: 02:45 – 10:13

• Jake Browning Viability:

  • Blaylock: Browning is a viable stash in one-QB leagues, prime for Superflex, but don’t start him yet. More valuable as insurance or trade bait for Joe Burrow managers (02:45).
  • Kluge: "While I think a lot of people...will immediately say no, like this guy doesn't even deserve to be rostered, I think he is absolutely worth a stash." (03:21)

• Bengals Skill Position Panic Meter:

  • Jamar Chase: "1. I'm Zenful Cow..." No concerns, remains a WR1 (04:31).
  • Tee Higgins: "About a six..." Becoming dangerously TD-dependent (04:31).
  • Chase Brown: "Three or four...would love to see him more involved in the passing game" (04:31).
  • Kluge: "Jamar Chase, everyone take a deep breath. Woosa. Everything is going to be okay." (05:57)

• Vikings QB Situation (Wentz vs. McCarthy):

  • Blaylock: "Faith is a strong word, brother...I have no faith that this is going to be a better offense under Wentz than it would be under McCarthy" (06:59).

• Jordan Mason Startability:

  • Seen as a lower-end RB2 or good flex in the right matchup (Bengals run D is beatable). Avoid starting him over proven RBs like Connor, Javonte Williams, Kyren Williams (08:50–11:51).

2. Los Angeles Rams @ Philadelphia Eagles

Timestamps: 12:31 – 17:33

• Kyren Williams Panic?

  • Blalock: Not worried yet. "As long as Kyren is upright and able to play...he’s going to get his 18 to 25 touches" (13:20).

• Davante Adams (Rams)—Expectations:

  • Target share steadiness noted. Low catch rate compared to Puka Nacua but not concerned yet (14:05).

• A.J. Brown—Benchable?

  • Blaylock: Not benchable but only a WR2 until Hurts is forced to throw more. "It’s not so much a matter of benching A.J. Brown as it’s going to be coming to terms that he’s only a wide receiver two right now" (16:02).
  • Kluge: "It’s just that we have to kind of look at him as this boom-bust flex player right now" (17:33).

3. Denver Broncos @ Los Angeles Chargers

Timestamps: 18:46 – 29:49

• Bo Nix, Sophomore Slump:

  • Both agree the Week 1 panic was overblown, but he’s not startable as a QB1 outside of Superflex (18:46–20:44).

• Denver WRs:

  • Blaylock recommends starting Troy Franklin as a high-end flex ("He is the wide receiver 14 on the season"). Cautious on Sutton; avoid everyone else. Sean Payton's unpredictability is a concern (21:44).
  • Kluge: "I think the joker is us for believing that we can predict Sean Payton's tendencies" (23:16).

• Chargers WRs and DEF Matchups:

  • Expect Pat Surtain to match up most with Quentin Johnston, freeing Keenan Allen for another big game. Keenan is inside Kluge’s top 30 WRs. Hold, don't sell high (25:32–26:26).

• Najee Harris’s Impact on Omarion Hampton:

  • Blaylock: Harris is a limiting factor and could cap Hampton’s upside for much of the season (26:44–28:05).
  • Kluge: “...this is just a Greg Roman tenet, to have multiple running backs…” (28:05).

4. Dallas Cowboys @ Chicago Bears

Timestamps: 29:49 – 44:15

• Dak Prescott Outlook:

  • Both rank Dak highly due to Chicago’s defensive woes. Kluge: “Dak Prescott is my QB5 on the week...fire up all of your Cowboys with confidence.” (30:55)

• Jake Ferguson Breakout:

  • Top-7 tight end in catches, “underrated...no effective competition for the work” (32:26, 34:07).
  • Volume expected to remain steady; better option than higher-drafted TEs like Colston Loveland.

• Bears WRs (Odunze, DJ Moore, Zaccheaus):

  • Target splits and possible red flags in DJ Moore’s fit and chemistry with Caleb Williams. Blaylock: “...this week I might be tempted if I if you gave me all three and said pick one, I might actually pick Zacchaeus” (35:22–37:46).
  • Kluge: “If I'm holding DJ Moore, I'm hoping he gets traded at this point because I, I don't like the fit in this offense.” (38:46)

• Caleb Williams as Plug-and-Play QB1:

  • Both agree on top-12 status, but caution “be prepared for the roller coaster ride” (41:08). Progress from Week 1 to 2 is noticeable.
  • Kluge: “If I see development and like a change in play from week one to week two, I get way more excited about that…” (42:59)

5. Kansas City Chiefs @ New York Giants (Sunday Night Football)

Timestamps: 44:15 – 54:01

• Xavier Worthy’s Game-Time Decision:

  • If active, plan for a late swap; keep in the flex. Look for emergency options (Taekwon Thornton, Rashod Bateman). Don’t force it if squeamish (44:97).
  • Blaylock: "Actionable is just have a backup plan...know now what you're gonna do" (47:08).

• Taekwon Thornton as a Desperation Flex:

  • Kluge: “At least has the chance of catching a 60, 70 yard touchdown…” prefers him slightly over Hollywood Brown for ceiling play (48:46–50:10).
  • Blaylock: “If you get to the point where you need a home run hitter...you're willing, I think, to risk a zero or a very small score to get that...” (49:03).

• Travis Kelce Panic Meter:

  • Still playable but "Kelsey is about a seven [on panic scale]" — touchdown-dependent TE at this stage (50:40-51:45).

• Wandale Robinson’s Breakout:

  • Wide receiver 8 in fantasy but likely peaking. Blaylock: “I think his floor is more stable now than it ever has been...but that’s his peak, he’s going to slide back into the 20s…” (52:43-54:01).

• Scatterbo vs. Tyrone Tracy:

  • Blaylock: “Is neither an option?” Would lean Scatterbo slightly, but prefers avoiding both if possible (54:34).

6. Detroit Lions @ Baltimore Ravens (Monday Night Football)

Timestamps: 57:27 – 65:19

• Lions Offense vs. Ravens Defense:

  • Blaylock: Not worried about the road matchup; Ravens D may be overrated, not an auto-bench scenario for Goff or his weapons (57:48).

• Jameson Williams Roller Coaster:

  • Both endorse starting him despite volatility. “He only needs two catches to go for 100 yards and a touchdown...consistency gives us the warm and fuzzies...but you got to ride the highs and the lows.” (59:46–60:38)

• Zay Flowers’ Sustainability:

  • Blaylock: “Back to earth, baby. I cannot see him maintaining [a 42% target share]...he tends to start fast, and then they seem to find a way to...bring everybody else into the game plan or defenses start saying, hey, we should probably cover this guy.” (61:41–62:56)

• Sam LaPorta Usage:

  • Projected for “more big day for Laporta here.” Baltimore D has allowed significant TE production. Only Brock Wright could eat into Laporta’s ceiling this week (63:36–65:19).

Notable Quotes

On Jake Browning:
Dave Kluge [03:21]: "While I think a lot of people are just going to immediately say no, like this guy doesn't even deserve to be rostered, I think he is absolutely worth a stash..."

On Jordan Mason:
Jeff Blaylock [08:50]: “Let's not get cute about this. He's still a backup running back and backups are backups for reasons.”

On Sean Payton & Denver WRs:
Dave Kluge [23:16]: “I think the joker is us for believing that we can predict Sean Payton's tendencies.”

On A.J. Brown:
Blaylock [16:02]: “It's not so much a matter of benching AJ Brown as it's going to be coming to terms that he's only a wide receiver too right now. As long as Philly can run the ball at will and he's not the elite piece that we might have wanted to draft him out.”

On DJ Moore's Fit in Chicago:
Kluge [38:46]: “If I'm holding DJ Moore, I'm hoping he gets traded at this point because I, I don't like the fit in this offense.”

On Travis Kelce:
Blaylock [50:40]: “You mourn what was...if he becomes touchdown dependent, that means he's no different than about 15 other tight ends you could probably start.”

On Jameson Williams:
Kluge [60:38]: "...a guy like Jameson Williams who can give you three points one week and then 33 points the next week is a lot more valuable than a guy who's just consistently giving you eight to nine points..."

Actionable Takeaways

• QBs: Jake Browning is worth a stash, but only start in Superflex; Bo Nix is sliding to borderline starter territory.
• RBs: Jordan Mason is flex/RB2 material, but don’t bench proven vets for him. Najee Harris will cap Omarion Hampton's upside.
• WRs: Jamar Chase remains safe, Tee Higgins is risky, AJ Brown is a WR2/flex, Keenan Allen is a strong play, Jameson Williams high-variance but startable.
• TEs: Jake Ferguson is a legit TE1, especially over some drafted above him; Kelsey and Andrews warrant concern, but not outright benching.

Fun and Memorable Moments

• Panic Meter Scale: “1 = Zenful Cow / 10 = Hair on Fire”
• Blaylock's Betting Story: Tales of Vegas retreats and missed touchdown bets added a relatable and entertaining layer (23:16).
• Mock Outcry on Travis Kelce: “You mourn what was...candlesticks make a great gift.” (50:40–51:41)
• Podcast Hill to Die On: Blaylock's passionate argument for points per first down over PPR scoring (66:09).

Timestamps Guide to Important Segments

| Segment | Timestamp | |-----------------------------------|--------------| | Bengals–Vikings QBs/Panic Meter | 02:45–04:31 | | Vikings Backfield/Startability | 06:59–08:50 | | Rams & Eagles WR/RB Analysis | 12:31–17:33 | | Broncos/Chargers Skill Positions | 18:46–29:49 | | Cowboys–Bears, Key Plays | 29:49–44:15 | | Chiefs–Giants, FLEX Options | 44:15–54:01 | | Lions–Ravens, WR/TE Preview | 57:27–65:19 |

Episode Summary

This episode delivers a robust, rapid-fire run through the key fantasy-relevant matchups for Week 3 of the NFL season. Dave and Jeff blend strategic, numbers-driven insight with clear actionable guidance for fantasy managers, always laced with good humor and humility about the unpredictability of the sport. Whether navigating waiver stashes, dissecting early-season usage trends, or identifying panic and patience players, their balanced, deeply knowledgeable dialogue provides tangible utility for players at any depth of fantasy experience.

For more from Jeff Blaylock, catch his Dynasty Compass podcast or read him on Footballguys. For Dave Kluge’s weekly rankings and analysis, stay tuned each week to the Footballguys Fantasy Football Show.