Accept SOME Substitutes

Backups could be the key to fantasy glory.

Author

Jake Trowbridge
December 06, 2025

I’m a sub in my buddy’s bowling league. Our team name is Rusty Buckets. No, I don’t know why either, and at this point I’m too afraid to ask. 

I’m not a very good bowler. Actually, that’s not accurate. I’m a terrible bowler. But I’m a great morale guy, I usually buy the first round of drinks, and I occasionally get lucky and roll a solid game.

What does this have to do with fantasy football? I promise I’m getting there …

Subs Can Win Big

This past week the captain of the team, who has a handful of perfect 300 games under his belt, asked me to sub for him. Not because he was unavailable, mind you, but for STRATEGIC REASONS. Oh, and by the way, this series determined who would clinch first place. (Gulp.)

So why take such a weird risk? What strategy could possibly excuse sending in a clown to bowl in such a critical situation? Well, he insisted that my outrageously high handicap (130 average for the win, bay-bay!) would counterbalance any down performances by our good bowlers. If I just showed up and didn’t drop the ball on my foot, I could really help the team. Cap’n, on the other hand, would need to play near perfect to have the same effect.

Long story short, his bold strategy paid off. I bowled slightly above my average and we won a very close series.

OK, but seriously, how the hell does this tie into fantasy football!? 

As we prepare for the fantasy playoffs—or even this week’s must-win matchups—it’s more important than ever to recognize the value of a good substitute in your lineup. Don’t get me wrong, I’m not telling you to sit your studs for some random waiver pickups. But really consider the matchups. Factor in the injuries. Be weary of extreme weather! And don’t be afraid to make a “bold” sub when it’s called for.

For instance, Dwain McFarland has Jacoby Brissett above Lamar Jackson in his weekly rankings. Maybe that’s bold, but I freakin’ love it! Because frankly it’s hard to even call Jackson a fantasy stud right now. He put up fewer fantasy points over the last three weeks than Tyler Shough, who even had a bye week crammed in there. Meanwhile, Brissett hasn’t finished worse than QB10 in the last five weeks. So which QB really qualifies as the bold start?

I’ll leave you with one more story—Don’t worry, it’s a short one. Several years ago in my home league playoffs, I made the decision to start prime A.J. Green, who was facing a shutdown cornerback, over Marquise Goodwin, who was on an unusual hot streak and playing a fantasy-friendly efense. Subbing in Goodwin was just too bold of a move and I couldn’t stomach it. Their stat lines that week?

  • A.J. Green: 2-30-0

  • Marquise Goodwin: 10-114-0

That one decision got me booted from the playoffs and it still haunts me. Know when to send in the subs, folks.

The Vanicream TRUST-O-METER: Bucky Irving

OK, we saw Bucky Irving put up 81 scrimmage yards and a touchdown in his first game back after seven weeks with injury. Can we trust him to keep it going this week when the Saints come marching in to Tampa Bay? That’s at least an 8 on The Vanicream TRUST-O-METER. Maybe a 9. And if this were the Vanicream UPSIDE-O-METER? Easy 10.

And hey, if you don’t know who Vanicream is—besides being fantasy fans, they’re the #1 Dermatologist Recommended Brand for Sensitive Skin. Celebrating their 50th year, their products were developed with one goal—to create something for people with sensitive skin. The ingredients make all the difference, and Vanicream’s most important ingredient—that’s trust! (thus the TRUST-O-METER!). If you want to give them a try, your skin will thank you.

Fantasy

Editors’ Picks

Are you facing a do-or-die situation for the playoffs? Or are you already in the dance and just tinkering with your roster for the playoffs? Either way, our great content has all the Week 14 goodness you could ask for. Also, don’t miss the Week 14 rankings, Xfinity Best Projections and Start/Sit tool. And ICMYI, here are some information-packed articles:

Matthew Freedman compiled his favorite plays for week 14.

This is the time of year to pile up running backs like fire wood for the winter, and Coach Gene Clemons presents six RBs who need to be rostered practically immediately.

Fantasy

Matthew Stafford is in a Smash Spot in the Desert

Don’t let a rain-soaked afternoon in Charlotte where a tipped pass and an end-zone throw were intercepted throw off the fact that Matthew Stafford is playing quarterback better than just about anyone in the NFL this season. Plus, this week he’ll be playing indoors in the Arizona desert against a Cardinals defense that has been somewhat forgiving. Mark Drumheller points out the big advantage that Stafford has this week:

“Despite the Cardinals having respectable metrics defending the pass this season (19th pass/EPA allowed), we have seen some of the better offenses (Seattle, San Francisco) move the ball at will against them in recent weeks. I’m confident Sean McVay can exploit the same vulnerabilities considering the Stafford-Davante Adams connection is the hottest duo in football right now.”

Drumheller doesn’t stop at the Rams QB, as he highlights two other players he can’t wait to smash into lineups for Week 14. ⤵️

Fantasy

Week 14 Fantasy Football Injury Update: Good/Bad News

Yes, it’s Week 14, and everyone in the NFL is feeling something. It’s just the degree to which the players are hurt that will determine whether they can suit up or sit out. Players like Justin Herbert, Jayden Daniels and many more have been the subjects of intrigue for fantasy managers looking to start them … many with the playoffs on the line.

Adam Ronis and Jorge Martin run through the fantasy-relevant injuries heading into Week 14. FYI, this article will be updated today as news hits about player availability. ⤵️

Fantasy

Late-Week Streamers: Grab Adonai Mitchell

Funny how life can flip with a change of scenery. A few weeks ago Adonai Mitchell was in the doghouse in Indianapolis after dropping the football near the goal line in a seven-point loss to the Rams in Week 4. Then came a trade to the Jets, and he’s seen 25 targets in the past three weeks. Almost half were last week in what became an 8-102-1 performance for Mitchell. Could he make it in New York? Jonathan Fuller makes the case that Mitchell is worthy of a late-week pickup:

“Everything is breaking right for the ex-Colt with minimal target competition and a somewhat more competent passing game now that Tyrod Taylor is leading the offense. Mitchell's role in the offense has grown each week, and he most recently posted an elite 97 UR Score in Week 13.”  

Fuller digs deep on players who could be streaming options—maybe more—in Week 14. ⤵️

Fantasy

Around the Watercooler

Have you put up those holiday lights? Us neither. Check out this fantasy goodness and then you can see about putting them up.

👀 ICYMI: Dig deep on the Week 14 Matchups. And drop in on Rankings Risers/Fallers before setting up your lineup.

🐶 Check out these Battle Royale drafts on Underdog. Then draft your own.

☝️ Our guy Jake Trowbridge talks DFS with Chris Harris right here.

✌️ A 5-leg parlay around Josh Allen when he’s facing the Bengals? Yes, please!

😱 The Stranger Things edition of Scared Money. Try that 10-leg parlay and don’t be a stubborn punk …

🚑 Kyler Murray is officially done for the season. Where does that leave Jacoby Brissett in our Rest of Season Rankings?

🏈 Already secured a playoff spot? Look ahead to Week 15 and beyond with these stashes.

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