The Herd with Colin Cowherd – FantasyPros: The Biggest Fantasy Football Questions For Each Team in Week 14 (Ep. 1882)

Release Date: December 7, 2025
Theme: Week 14 Fantasy Football Preview – Key questions, start/sit dilemmas, injuries, and playoff advice for every NFL team

Episode Overview

This episode of the FantasyPros Football Podcast, hosted by Ryan Warmley alongside analysts Pat Fitzmaurice and Derrick Brown, dives deep into the most pressing fantasy football questions for each NFL team heading into Week 14. With the fantasy playoffs looming (or underway in some leagues), the hosts analyze matchups, discuss notable injuries, and help managers with tricky start/sit decisions. The focus is on optimizing lineups in a week underscored by key absences (Panthers, Giants, Patriots, Niners all on bye), injuries (notably CeeDee Lamb), and unpredictable usage among skill players.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Thursday Night Recap: Lions 44, Cowboys 30

• [02:15] Derrick Brown: The game started slow, looked like a defensive battle, but erupted in the second half. "Both offenses came alive... just fireworks, man."
• Jameer Gibbs’ 3 TDs were highlighted as a fantasy game-changer, much to Ryan’s frustration due to timing.
• Officiating Issues: Dbro noted, "Refs kind of fumbled the bag in multiple different spots yet again" [02:21].
• Amon-Ra St. Brown: Played despite ankle issues, proved reliable.
• CeeDee Lamb Injury: Suffered a concussion; severity suggests he may miss fantasy playoffs' first week.

  "If you've not seen the video, don’t watch it. It was horrible." – Derrick Brown [04:05] "If you are a CeeDee Lamb investor, you probably should make alternative plans." – Pat Fitzmaurice [04:28]

• Brandon Aubrey’s Kicking Heroics: Multiple 55+ yard field goals [04:39].

2. Start/Sit Debate: Kenneth Walker vs. Zach Charbonnet (Seahawks at Falcons)

• Million-Dollar Question:

  "If I told you you would win a million dollars if you correctly pick who scores more fantasy points... Kenneth Walker or Zach Charbonnet?" – Ryan Warmley [05:44]

• Dbro leans Walker due to volume, despite Charbonnet "still gets the touchdowns."
• Pat’s analytical breakdown: Over the last 11 games (excluding one missed by Charbonnet), they’ve split fantasy point victories 5-5 with one tie.

  "Handicapping this one is pretty tough... Like Dbro, I’m going to go with Walker because he gets more opportunities." – Pat Fitzmaurice [07:39]

• Discussion of Scoring Formats: Pat prefers half-point PPR with first-down bonuses, noting PPR’s role in "diluting the variance of touchdowns." [08:19]

3. Will Lamar Jackson Bounce Back? (Steelers at Ravens)

• Lamar’s Slump: No passing TDs in three straight games, hasn’t cleared 40 rushing yards since Week 4, and has never rushed for a TD vs. Pittsburgh [09:56, 11:44].
• Pittsburgh's Defense: Steelers playing better since Week 9, ranking top-10 in pass defense metrics.
• Dbro: "Even if we want to parse this out and say, ok, he’s not going to run, fine... When he's throwing the ball, he hasn't been good."
• Both Dbro (QB9) and Pat (QB8) hesitant but not outright benching Lamar except for rare favorable alternatives like Joe Burrow [14:35].

4. Unattractive Matchup: Titans at Browns

• Fitz and Dbro analyze two struggling rookie QBs (Shador Sanders for Cleveland, Cam Ward for Tennessee).

  "We are still trying to figure out what Shador can be... we're still just trying to figure out how good Cam Ward can be." – Pat Fitzmaurice [15:36]

• Dbro's sleeper: Jerry Jeudy, “an interesting flex play,” if Sanders connects on deep passes [17:00].

5. Colts at Jaguars: Fading the Colts’ Offense?

• Both hosts concerned about Daniel Jones’ injury and declining Colts passing game.
• Michael Pittman labeled a possible bounce-back due to clear role vs. certain coverages (too-high looks) [22:52].
• Jonathan Taylor’s struggles (down to 3.9 YPC last two games) highlighted, and Jags praised as formidable run D [24:10].
• Brian Thomas Jr.: Wide receiver 30 in ECR; both hosts slightly lower in personal ranks, with caveats for byes and need [25:20].

6. Running Backs to Trust: Commanders at Vikings

• Who to start? Aaron Jones, Chris Rodriguez, or Jordan Mason?
  • Pat: Aaron Jones (if healthy) > Rodriguez > Mason [26:56].
  • Dbro: "If Aaron Jones plays, I'm playing Aaron Jones. If Aaron Jones is out, I'm playing Jordan Mason."
• Heavy skepticism over Chris Rodriguez’s PPR value due to lack of receiving work [27:14].

7. Breakout Watch: Dolphins at Jets – A.D. Mitchell

• Mitchell’s role and upside discussed after a breakout week with Jets (8-102-1).

  "Since joining the Jets, A.D. Mitchell is getting something like a 30% target share and a 60% air yard share... it would be pretty foolish not to be intrigued by this guy." – Pat Fitzmaurice [30:13].

• Both feel his ranking (WR 29-30) is fair, though Dbro notes Mitchell’s profile means he will either "boom or totally bust."
• “It’s binary – you’re either in on him or not.” – Derrick Brown [32:25]

8. Saints at Buccaneers: Emeka Egbuka’s Ranking

• Egbuka has finished outside the top 40 WRs in three straight games, yet consensus WR14-15.
• Dbro (WR20): "I think it’s too high... it’s really tied to Mike Evans news. If Mike Evans is active, it means bad things for Egbuka.” [36:01]
• Pat: Holds at WR14 but only if Evans is out, “I might have both as WR2s if Evans is active.” [39:14]

9. High-Scoring Game Anticipated: Bengals at Bills

• Both hosts love this game for fantasy points due to weak/banged-up defenses.

  "I think this game gets played in the 60s, if not maybe even in the 70s... I think this could be the highest scoring game of the season." – Ryan Warmley [45:55]

• Both are fading Khalil Shakir as overrated (ECR WR24), citing inconsistent usage and lack of scoring [42:36-43:42].
• If Dalton Kincaid is out, little excitement for Dawson Knox or backup TEs [48:06].
• T. Higgins’ status crucial for Burrow’s upside [45:29].

10. Broncos at Raiders: Buy Back in on RJ Harvey

• Both expect a big bounce back from Harvey after a down game (6 touches, 18 yards last time vs. LV).
• Harvey ranked RB12-13 for the week, with the optimism that he’s due for a 2 TD blowup [49:25-49:53].
• Pat highlights Brock Bowers as a player to expect more from, and warns of declining usage for Troy Franklin [51:01].

11. Bears at Packers: Swift, Watson, Manungai – Order ‘Em

• Watson and Swift are preferred plays (Watson’s recent 28% target share noted), with Manungai third but still viable [52:36, 54:20].
• Both hosts optimistic on Watson: "Since week 11, Christian Watson has had a 28 target share and a 36 first read share." – Derrick Brown [55:31]

12. Stafford High in Ranks (Rams at Cardinals)

• Both agree consensus QB3 (effectively QB2) for Matthew Stafford is justified due to matchups and limited alternatives.

  "I think we get a pissed off Rams team... this should be the big bounce back game for Stafford." – Derrick Brown [57:48]

13. Sunday Night Football: Chiefs at Texans

• Fitz: “It’s going to be a struggle... I don’t want to bet on anything else in the Chiefs offense other than maybe Rashee Rice. The Texans have the best defense. Will Anderson is looking like Lawrence Taylor Jr. these days.” [60:06]
• Dbro expects Texans to win outright and is especially high on Jaden Higgins props. “I’ve already bet the Houston money line... KC’s not winning this freaking ball game.” [61:44]

14. Monday Night Football: Eagles at Chargers – Who To Trust?

• Pat: “Trusted is not a good word to use with the Eagles offense these days... I have AJ Brown WR10 – you never bench him.” [64:17]
• Dbro: “Start Barkley and AJ Brown, but the real value this week is Dallas Goedert – shocked he’s as low as TE16 in ECR. The Chargers are secretly weak versus tight ends.” [65:30-66:41]
• All agree Eagles should cover easily, especially with Chargers' injury woes.

Notable Quotes & Moments

• Debro on CeeDee Lamb’s concussion:

  "If you've not seen the video, don't watch it. It was horrible to see and... I don't know if he's going to be available. It was that bad." [04:05]

• Pat’s take on unpredictable touchdowns and PPR scoring:

  "Touchdowns are unpredictable. I'm convinced that's why people like PPR scoring... It's just a way to dilute the variance of touchdowns." [07:39]

• Pat’s data on Lamar’s struggles versus Steelers:

  "Lamar has averaged 160 yards and never had a rushing touchdown against the Steelers." [09:56]

• Ryan reinforcing fantasy pain:

  "I roster both of these guys [Walker/Charbonnet] in a league together, and I find myself just constantly frustrated at which one I started." [09:16]

• Dbro on A.D. Mitchell’s volatility:

  "Either we're in on him or you're not in on him. And if he booms, he's probably a top 20 wide receiver for the week." [32:25]

• Debro’s vote of confidence for RJ Harvey:

  "Would it surprise anybody if that happens and he runs for two touchdowns in this game? No." [49:10]

• Pat on Christian Watson's resurgence:

  "For a guy who had a lot of injury problems early... he's playing really well, playing the best football of his career." [56:31]

• Pat on Will Anderson:

  "Will Anderson is playing at a defensive player of the year level. He's not going to get it because Myles Garrett is, but Anderson should absolutely be in the top three." [60:06]

• Derrick Brown on the Chiefs-Texans game:

  "I've already bet the Houston money line... Kansas City's not winning this freaking ballgame." [61:44]

Timestamps for Important Segments

• [02:15] – Lions vs. Cowboys TNF recap
• [05:44] – Walker vs. Charbonnet for Seahawks
• [09:27] – Steelers at Ravens: Lamar Jackson conundrum
• [15:19] – Titans at Browns: What to even watch for?
• [22:24] – Colts at Jaguars: Trusting JT/Pittman?
• [25:20] – Brian Thomas Jr. as a flex?
• [26:56] – Commanders at Vikings: RB hierarchy (Jones, Rodriguez, Mason)
• [29:36] – Dolphins at Jets: Is A.D. Mitchell for real?
• [36:01] – Saints at Buccaneers: Emeka Igbuka vs. Mike Evans' status
• [42:36] – Bengals at Bills: Fades & fireworks
• [49:25] – Broncos at Raiders: RJ Harvey’s path to a big week
• [52:36] – Bears at Packers: Watson, Swift, Manungai ordered
• [57:48] – Rams at Cardinals: Stafford as QB3 justified?
• [60:05] – Chiefs at Texans: Case for Houston
• [64:17] – Eagles at Chargers: Who you can trust

Tone, Style & Takeaways

• Tone: Analytical, unfiltered, relatable, and humorous when discussing fantasy frustrations.
• The hosts remain optimistic in places (Christian Watson, A.D. Mitchell, RJ Harvey) but aren't afraid to steer managers away from trap plays (Chris Rodriguez, Khalil Shakir).
• RJ Harvey, Christian Watson, and Michael Pittman highlighted as strong Week 14 starters.
• Caution on Lamar Jackson, Chris Rodriguez, Khalil Shakir, and Emeka Egbuka (if Evans active).
• Special attention to injury news (CeeDee Lamb, Mike Evans, Aaron Jones) affecting critical lineup decisions.

Summary:
If you’re vying for a fantasy playoff spot, this episode is a must-listen for actionable lineup advice, high-upside starts, and avoidable traps based on rich statistical perspective and intuitive breakdowns. The hosts connect the dots between NFL context, fantasy opportunity, and risk with clarity and candor.