The Herd with Colin Cowherd

FantasyPros - The Extra Point: Tough Week 14 Decisions, Playoff Prep, and Chat Q&A (Ep. 1883)

Date: December 6, 2025
Hosts: Chris Welsh (B), Andrew Erickson (A)

Overview

This episode of the FantasyPros “Extra Point” podcast (featured on The Herd) dives into the tough start-sit, waiver, and strategy dilemmas facing fantasy football managers heading into Week 14—a crucial week with playoff berths on the line. Broadcasting live with their Discord community, hosts Chris Welsh and Andrew Erickson take listener questions in real time, navigating the latest injury news, shifting depth charts, and forecasting fantasy value for the stretch run. It's a rapid-fire, collaborative, and often humorous take on the dense, ever-changing landscape of fantasy football.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Rectifying Past Predictions & Game Environment Previews

• Welsh Returns, Erickson Eats Crow on Joe Burrow:
  • Erickson admits to a failed anti-Burrow stance last week, conceding to consensus wisdom.
    • Quote: “I was very wrong about Joe Burrow. So I said I was gonna take the L.” (01:22, Erickson)
  • Outlines optimism for a high-scoring Bills-Bengals matchup, citing mild weather and strong offenses.

2. Dynasty & Trade Season Strategy

• Jacoby Brissett Superflex Trade Analysis (04:00–06:50):
  • Listener traded for Jacoby Brissett as dynasty playoff insurance.
  • Both hosts approve—late rookie picks (“thirds”) rarely pan out.
    • “Once you get outside the top 15, 16 overall, even late seconds…just don’t translate to anything.” (04:50, Erickson)
  • Cardinals’ future: Both hosts expect Kyler Murray to be traded. Brissett likely back as a bridge/depth QB.

3. Start–Sit Debates and Injury Fallout

• QB: Josh Allen or Dak Prescott? (08:00)
  • Stick with Allen (“Guillotine winner, FantasyPros is the biggest winner on the planet…go with Josh Allen.” (08:22, Welsh))
• PPR WR: Jameson Williams vs. Jalen Waddle (08:41):
  • Slight, reluctant edge to Jameson Williams.
• Running Back Concerns – Chargers Backfield (10:00–15:20):
  • Hesitation around starting Omari Hampton due to uncertainty in role, QB injury (Herbert), tough defensive matchup.
  • Jalen Carter’s injury swings analysis towards Hampton as a possible upside play.
    • “That is a significant injury that matters a lot.” (14:22, Erickson)

4. Playoff Defense Planning & Positional Drops

• Week 15–17 D/ST Stashing (16:30–20:00; 43:55–45:59):
  • Philly and Tampa Bay both considered solid playoff defenses—especially against weak offensive lines/dropback passers.
  • General advice: Don’t overthink, target whoever faces the Raiders, Titans, or similarly weak offenses.
    • “At this point we don’t need to reinvent the wheel.” (45:37, Erickson)
• Droppable Wide Receivers – Brian Thomas Jr. (21:08–23:46):
  • Both hosts agree he’s droppable for higher-upside, more consistent options (Adonai Mitchell preferred).
    • “I am ok with cutting Brian Thomas for Adonai Mitchell.” (21:52, Welsh)
    • “He doesn’t have any good games back-to-back all year … If the answer is no [on if you’ll ever start him], get this guy off my roster.” (22:58, Erickson)

5. Roster Construction, Insurance, and Streaming QBs

• Quarterback Hoarding Dilemma (24:05–25:21):
  • Even if you’re locked into a QB1 (Drake May), don’t drop Joe Burrow: keep him out of your opponents’ hands.
    • “You don’t throw back an elite quarterback into the pool for someone else to pick up and play against you.” (24:46, Welsh)
• Playoff Stashing Multiple Defenses (43:55):
  • Encouraged. Clear out extra WRs to stash D/STs.

6. Waivers, Flex Calls, and Wait-on-Monday Strategies

• Late-Week Flex Substitutions (46:32–48:41):
  • Example: Play Omari Hampton (if activated) over Woody Marks.
  • If forced to drop a bench TE for roster churn, Hunter Henry is “fine” to cut—on a bye, with a tough Week 15 matchup.

7. Addressing “Winner-Take-All” & Playoff Strategies

• When to Make High-Variance, Upside Plays (49:13–52:03):
  • In desperation (vs. a stacked opponent), swing for upside at TE (Waller over Goddard) but do not bench Burrow for Tyrod Taylor simply to offset Ja’Marr Chase exposure.
    • “There isn’t one reality where I start Tyrod Taylor over Joe Burrow to even save the universe.” (49:51, Welsh)

8. Live Start–Sit Rapid Fire — Notable Rulings

(Timestamps indicate when the discussion begins for each)

• Hampton, McConkey, or Marks?
  • Start McConkey over Hampton, start Hampton over Marks (55:41).
• Love vs. Herbert at QB (55:41):
  • Play Jordan Love. “No Herbert for me.”
• Rashee Rice/Amon-Ra for Bucky/Malik Neighbors Dynasty trade (53:31–55:24):
  • Slight preference for Bucky/Malik side (youth/upside), but “it’s really close.”
• Flex Priorities: DJ Moore, Rodriguez, or Jayden Higgins (57:13):
  • Erickson prefers Rodriguez; Welsh suggests picking up Adonai Mitchell if he’s available.

9. Fun, Community, & Side Notes

• Pickle vs. onion discourse (07:17, 20:28, 32:44, 39:37). Ballast for the hardcore football debate.
• Shout-outs to recurring Discord/Twitch personalities (Dredis, Father Man, Prezi).
• Memorable banter:
  • “Pickles also gross. Olives, gross” (07:17, Tim B.)
  • “Pickles are bomb. I don’t know what you’re talking about.” (09:27, Bobby)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments (with Timestamps)

• “If you want to be in the fantasy playoffs, you can’t be holding on to guys who need back-to-back good games and never deliver them.” (22:12, Erickson)
• “I just realized that Herbert really isn’t going to be able to move to the right side. He’s not going to be able to hand the ball off to the right side.” (10:00, Welsh)
• “You could start the worst defense in the NFL against the Raiders and still get pressure.” (20:11, Erickson)
• “There isn’t one reality where I would start Tyrod Taylor over Joe Burrow to even save the universe.” (49:51, Welsh)
• “Jets get an interception this week — their first of the season.” (59:32, Erickson; prop bet banter)

Key Timestamps

• 01:22 — Erickson admits Burrow “L”; Buffalo–Bengals matchup optimism
• 04:00 — Jacoby Brissett dynasty trade breakdown
• 08:08 — Allen vs. Prescott at QB
• 10:00 — Chargers backfield uncertainty, Omari Hampton projections
• 14:22 — Jalen Carter out; impact on running back value
• 16:30 — Playoff defense stashing strategies
• 21:08/22:12 — Cutting Brian Thomas Jr.; Adonai Mitchell’s rise
• 24:46 — Roster construction: why not to cut Burrow
• 43:55 — Week 16-17 defense stashes & theory (KC, NO, DET)
• 46:32 — Picking up/playing Hampton over Marks; IR and bye week strategies
• 49:13–52:03 — Burrow v. Tyrod Taylor; upside vs. “blocking” opponent
• 55:41 — Ladd McConkey vs. Hampton; Love vs. Herbert at QB
• 57:13 — Flex pickups for late-season depth

Tone & Community

The episode is informal and fast-paced, with a friendly, chat-centric, and occasionally irreverent tone. The hosts balance serious analytical takes with in-jokes, pop-culture references, and playful debates (including extensive tangents on pickles and onions). The interactive format captures the “living organism” of fantasy football advice—fluid, real-time, anchored in both numbers and nuanced, lived experience.

Ideal For:
Any fantasy manager navigating playoff qualification or gearing up for a championship run; those looking for sharp, up-to-the-minute analysis, plus some entertainment and community vibes.