The Herd with Colin Cowherd (FantasyPros - The Extra Point)
Episode 1870 | November 30, 2025
Theme: Gearing Up For Fantasy Playoffs, Navigating Tough Week 13 Decisions, and Listener Q&A
Hosts: Scott Bogman & Andrew Erickson (FantasyPros)
Episode Overview
This episode focuses on critical Week 13 start/sit decisions as fantasy managers prepare for playoff pushes. Bogman and Erickson dive into nuanced player value shifts due to injuries, quarterback changes, and depth chart adjustments. They answer Discord listener questions live—with detailed takes on tricky WR/RB choices, tight end darts, playoff handcuffing, and defensive streamers, all while dissecting top narrative players (Joe Burrow, Taysom Hill, Lamar Jackson, etc.). The tone is fun, blunt, and analytical, with some playful venting and inside jokes throughout.
Key Discussion Points & Listener Q&A
1. Michael Wilson vs. Chris Olave — Flexing the Right WR
- Listener "Devo": Can I start Michael Wilson over Nico Collins, Chris Olave, or AJ Brown?
- Erickson (03:01):
“If Marvin Harrison Jr. comes back, you probably just bench Michael Wilson... But compared to those other options, you probably can't do it. I got him right next to Olave. I don’t think you’re taking an insane risk if you bench Olave... attached to a rookie QB playing Miami, which isn’t great.”
- Bogman: Agrees, with caveat to monitor Marv’s status.
2. Impact of Will Campbell Injury on Drake Maye, Stefon Diggs
- Caller "Serge": What’s the Diggs outlook after Campbell’s injury?
- Erickson (05:24):
“It’s possible Drake Maye efficiency tails off... the cluster injuries up front are a concern... But matchups are still good rest of season. Diggs’ routes dipped with Booty back—didn’t expect such a big change. Likely a mid-range WR2 now, not WR1.”
- Bogman: Hopes for more quick passes for Diggs.
- Serge follow-up (07:55): Taysom Hill or Juwan Johnson at TE?
- Erickson: Loves Hill’s upside with Kamara out, “Camara’s down... Who has more double-digit TD upside? Taysom Hill or Juwan Johnson? You know it’s Taysom.”
- Bogman: Hill is boom-or-bust, Johnson has a higher floor, leans Hill for upside.
3. Start/Sit: Rico Dowdle vs Wan’Dale vs Diggs vs Olave vs McConkey
- Caller "Dreddis": Who to play in flex among McConkey, Olave, Diggs, Wan’Dale?
- Bogman: Hard to bench Wan’Dale (“11 targets a game”).
- Erickson (14:00):
“Hard for me not to play Wan’Dale. Diggs might need to move down—rookie QB, on the road, Miami D sneaky vs. WR... Might fade Olave—the least likely to burn you.”
- Both struggle, ultimately lean toward benching Olave due to matchup risk.
4. Floor vs Ceiling: Waddle vs Harvey in Half-PPR
- Caller "Dreddis": Waddle, Harvey, or Neal at flex?
- Erickson (15:03):
“For me, it’s Waddle. You should’ve known better than to ask me to sit Waddle!”
- Bogman: Waddle is safer, Harvey more upside—suggests watching Cowboys WR performances to decide if upside is needed.
5. Kenneth Walker vs Devin Neal (RB Decision)
- Caller "Maddox": If Kamara’s out, Neal vs Walker?
- Erickson (17:42):
“Not over Walker. Not as a home favorite vs Vikings... Walker played his highest snap share last week, coach is bullish... Walker could see 20+ carries.”
6. Playoff Strategy: Two Defenses or Handcuff? Saints vs Steelers D
- Bogman/Erickson: Prefer to carry one D (fewer teams in playoffs), Saints D schedule is strong. If roster space is tight, handcuff a RB over second defense.
7. Burrow Hype vs. Bo Nix: Week 13’s Most Controversial QB Call
- Caller "DB": Start Joe Burrow (off injury, vs Ravens) or Bo Nix (vs Commanders)?
- Erickson (24:34, impassioned rant):
“This one is really easy for me. I think it’s Bo Nix... I don’t understand Joe Burrow as QB8 in ECR. He’s coming off so much missed time. His last three week ones: QB28, 30, 31. Missing T. Higgins, on the road... Commanders are terrible.”
- Bogman: Quibbles about the consensus; understands Erickson’s arguments; admits Burrow’s rank should be lower.
- Later: “Look, I’ll eat the L if I’m wrong. It’s just too aggressive a rank.”
8. Kicker Streaming (Butker vs Patriots kicker)
- Both hosts: Prefer Butker indoors on a high-scoring Chiefs team.
9. Lamar Jackson vs Stafford (and Burrow)
- Caller "Bucksman": Start Burrow or Lamar? And Lamar or Stafford in a tight matchup?
- Erickson & Bogman: Both lean Lamar over Burrow (“Keep the faith”), but Stafford is safer than a banged-up Lamar in a projected-close game.
10. Flex & WR Depth (Michael Pittman, Michael Wilson, Jameson Williams, Shakir)
- Caller "Twitchy" (47:45): Start two of Pittman, M. Wilson, Jameson, Shakir, in playoff push?
- Erickson/Bogman: Bench Pittman, play Jameson and Wilson (even if Harrison returns), citing tougher matchup for Pittman vs Texans.
11. Streaming DEF/ST Rest of Season
- "Red Beard": Playoffs, Saints D or Texans D?
- Hosts: Texans D are “elite defense with elite matchups”—strong endorsement for Houston.
12. Judkins, Etienne, Devonta Smith, DK Metcalf vs. RJ Harvey
- RJ Harvey > DK/Smith if Devonta banged up (“Harvey over DK/Smith, especially if Smith is hurt” - 41:36)
13. Dynasty Trade: A.J. Brown for Garrett Wilson
- Listener "Jack": Offered A.J. Brown for Wilson in dynasty.
- Hosts: Decline the trade if you’re already dominant — Wilson is younger, longer runway.
14. Malik Washington (punt return yards) vs Yosivas at Flex
- Erickson: “If Malik consistently gives 9–16 pts with punt yards, he’s safe.”
15. Few Standout Tight End/Deep Flex Debates
- Henry vs Schultz/Johnson (57:42): Hunter Henry is favorite, but Schultz value up with Mills at QB and soft Indy TE matchup.
16. Quick Hits & Notable Quotables
- Taysom Hill Boom/Bust: “Never wrong, just early.” – Erickson (10:25)
- Burrow’s Week 13 outlook: “Just for this week, I don’t hate him... except against Purdy.” (56:32)
- Jameson Williams advice: “You gotta ride the donuts to get the big games... it’s the JMO experience!” – Erickson (49:09)
Notable Quotes (with Timestamps)
-
On benching Olave for Michael Wilson:
“If you’re trying to jam in Michael Wilson... Olave is ranked higher in ECR, but I can get behind the case.”
(Erickson, 03:01) -
On Joe Burrow ECR (lengthy rant):
“I just, I don’t understand the confidence that oh yeah, he’s going to drop back in and fire on all cylinders...”
(Erickson, 24:34 and ongoing to ~29:00) -
On Taysom Hill’s boom-or-bust:
“Never wrong, Boggs. Just early.”
(Erickson, 10:25) -
On Jameson Williams:
“He’s given donuts before. It’s the JMO experience. You gotta ride the donuts to get the big games!”
(Erickson, 49:09) -
On defensive streamers, playoffs:
“Texans — elite defense with elite matchups, it’s the perfect storm.”
(Erickson, 40:00)
Timestamps for Key Segments
- 03:01 – Start/sit Olave vs. Michael Wilson
- 05:24 – Diggs & Drake Maye outlook post-injury
- 07:55 – Juwan Johnson vs. Taysom Hill
- 14:00 – Deep WR debates (McConkey, Olave, Wan’Dale, Diggs)
- 15:03 – Flex: Waddle vs Harvey
- 17:42 – Kenneth Walker vs Devin Neal
- 24:34 – 29:00 – Joe Burrow rant, QB rankings
- 47:45 – WR/Flex struggles, Pittman/Jameson Wilson/Jameson
- 57:42 – Henry vs. Schultz/Juwan at TE
- 63:51 – Pittman or Wilson; Texans D rest of season
Episode Tone & Style
- Direct, data-driven, playful: Hosts cite ECR, snap shares, and matchup analytics, but also roast each other, drop inside jokes ("Never wrong, just early"), and sympathize with listeners’ fantasy tilts.
- Interactive: Focused on real-time listener dilemmas; the Discord/Q&A portion is the bulk of the show.
- Honest and bold takes (especially on Joe Burrow, Taysom Hill, defensive strategies).
Summary Takeaways
- Joe Burrow is NOT a top-10 play this week—returning from injury, missing weapons, facing a tough defense.
- Play for upside (e.g., Taysom Hill, Hill over Juwan Johnson when chasing points).
- Focus on matchup and usage trends, not just names or prior results (Olave and Pittman both fade-worthy in tough matchups).
- Handcuffs and D/ST streaming is more critical approaching playoffs; Saints and Texans are prioritized holds.
- Trust volume—lean toward high-usage RBs and WRs (e.g., Wan’Dale over lesser flexes).
For Listeners Who Missed the Show
This episode is a goldmine for last-minute Week 13 debates, offering sharp, actionable insights on every position—especially for those in competitive playoff races. The hosts’ frank (sometimes fiery) opinions, data context, and honest tilt make this a must-listen (or read) for anyone aiming to optimize start/sit choices and lineup construction as the fantasy playoffs approach.