Low Stakes and Chill Vibes

Not much to stress about this time of year ... Right?

Author

Jake Trowbridge
December 20, 2025

You know what I like about fantasy football this time of year? The low stakes. Oh, and the simplicity. Yeah, things sure couldn’t be more chill or easy to navigate.

It’s not like we’re dealing with a mountain of injuries to extremely important players. That would be cruel! And it’s basically plug-and-play when it comes to matchups. Because it’s not as if Isaiah Likely just dropped a massive goose egg in our laps against a Cincinnati defense that actually hands fantasy points out to any random tight end they encounter on the street. It’s their form of charitable giving, and I appreciate them for it.

No, everything is super low pressure and everything is going as planned. Speaking of which, here are some of this weekend’s easiest decisions that certainly won’t haunt any fantasy managers whatsoever:

Trust Ashton Jeanty vs Houston?

As much as I want to scream “NOOOOOOOOO” like Luke Skywalker in Empire Strikes Back, serviceable running backs are becoming a rare commodity. Jeanty hasn’t topped 50 rushing yards in his last five games, but he’s also averaged 7 targets per game in that stretch. The Texans defense gives a -3.3 Xfinity Fantasy Boost to opposing RBs. 

There’s a legitimate discussion about whether to start Jeanty or Michael Carter. And that’s how you know it’s the playoffs.

Attack the Bengals with Darren Waller?

I already mentioned this, but it bummed me out so much I have to say it twice. Isaiah Likely walked away from last week’s matchup with the most fantasy-friendly defense tight ends may ever see in their lifetime with ZERO POINTS.

Not only has Cincinnati short-circuited my thought process for opposing TEs, but there’s also the Quinn Ewers of it all. Will he feed Waller the way he deserves to be fed? Or will he be more starved for attention than Taylor Swift during someone else’s Grammy performance? WE JUST CAN’T KNOW. (But Pete seems pretty confident he’ll feast.)

Which Jaguars Receiver Will Get Patrick Surtain’d?

You don’t mess with the Surtain, folks. The Broncos’ shutdown cornerback just held a blazing-hot Christian Watson to 3 catches for 29 yards and clinched a game-swerving interception in the process. In general, there haven’t been many fruitful fantasy experiences for those facing The Iron Surtain. (I know his name doesn’t rhyme with “curtain,” but it’s a solid nickname if you only ever write it out and don’t think too much about it.)

The question is who would draw shadow coverage in Jacksonville’s offense? Is Jakobi Meyers viewed as the true WR1? For fantasy purposes, I’d say yes. But does Denver’s defense feel the same way? Could he spend more quality time with Brian Thomas Jr, instead?

Sorry if you were expecting genuine answers to any of these questions by the way. I just really REALLY needed the opportunity to vent. Answers can be found here.

Are You Starting Ashton Jeanty?

True story: Last winter we worked around the clock to improve the beloved start/sit tool, with designs of putting it into our premium Tier 2 package. Then Xfinity asked if they could make it FREE for everyone. So now you can enjoy our excellent start/sit column AND the accompanying tool all at the low price of $0.00, thank you to Xfinity. Go now! Run some players through! Enjoy the tool! And get that win!!

Imagine all your football, all in one place. Easy. Xfinity. Imagine That.

Fantasy

Editors’ Picks

Congrats on reaching the semifinals, though if you’re facing Puka Nacua there’s the door to the third-place game! But don’t give up yet, our great content will help you make your best lineup decisions. Also, don’t miss the Week 16 rankings, Xfinity Best Projections and Start/Sit tool. And ICMYI, here are some information-packed articles:

Matthew Freedman bangs a gong for his favorite plays for Week 16:

It’s the fantasy semifinals and Jacoby Brissett is a must start. What multiverse is this? Dwain McFarland has the Arizona QB in the top 4, and showcases more players rising and falling in the rankings.

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A.J. Brown Bounceback Will be a Smash

Yes, the 2-41-1 line last week was not what fantasy managers were looking for from A.J. Brown after three straight weeks with over 100 receiving yards and scoring 3 TDs. But that was a 31-0 game that got out of hand fast and Jalen Hurts needed to pass just 15 times. This week will be different, wrote Mark Drumheller:

“Brown’s late-season surge has moved him into the Top 10 in scoring among WRs (158; 0.5 PPR), but his 16 FPG average since Week 7 puts him in elite company. Seattle’s Jaxon Smith-Njigba leads all receivers this year with an 18.1 average per game. Roll in a +2.4 fantasy boost from the Washington defense and we are cooking with gas.”

Drumheller makes a compelling case to set it and forget it with Brown and two more players in your lineup. The chances for them to smash and boost you to the championship game in your league are too good. ⤵️

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Fantasy Experts’ Roundtable: Unexpected QB Starters

Nothing screams fantasy playoff semifinal desperation than a $20 max bid on Gardner Minshew, only to be outbid by a savvy leaguemate facing you this week. Yup, there were many big bids on Minshew and others in many a superflex league after Patrick Mahomes helped fantasy teams to the playoffs, only to see his season ended unceremoniously with a torn ACL. So if you had to pick between Minshew, Marcus Mariota and Philip Rivers as your QB2, which fighter are you choosing?

Peter Overzet, cooterdoodle and Jake Trowbridge tackle a series of questions, including on Trevor Lawrence starting in Denver, dynasty advice, Christmas movies and holiday gift ideas. As usual, this trio is both entertaining and informative at an important juncture of the fantasy calendar. ⤵️

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Around the Watercooler

How’s your holiday shopping going? Same here. This fantasy playoff goodness will get your mind off things while you wait in line.

📺 Dwain is joined by Brian Drake as they talk start/sit options for the fantasy semis. We love the Drake!

👀 ICYMI: Check out the Week 16 Matchups. Then go to the Rankings Risers/Fallers before setting your lineup.

🪑 Kendall comes down off the high of the Seahawks’ comeback to talk start/sit advice with Adam.

🎙️ The latest episode of Fantasy Football Weekly tackles how to handle the Colts’ WRs and more.

💰 Already eliminated from the playoffs and looking for some DFS action? Pete guides you along Underdog drafts so you can get in on the action.

😱 For her next trick, these 3 QBs must score.

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