The Final All-Out Blitzes of the season (2025) ...

[The Football Guru 233]

It's that time of year again, folks!!

As you remember from the previous few years, I like to devote my final three columns of the season to answering your dynasty questions or start/sit for the fantasy playoffs. Please ask them below or tweet me @DougOrth. Please be aware that my column drops on Fridays, so I may not address your waiver questions in the articles. I should be able to do so on the board, however.

All I ask is that you include anything that would help me sway my decision one way or the other, especially if there is an unusual scoring setup.

[Showboat 308]

Pick 4 of the following to start in week 15:

D,Neal v.CAR

R.Stevenson v.BUF

E.Egbuka v.ATL (Thur)

T.McLaurin @NYG

C.Sutton v.GBP

H.Fannin @CHI

J.Ferguson v.MIN

 

I'm really tempted to sit all of the WRs for a TD league with bonuses for 100 yards.

 

[Nomad99 842]

Ros wr 3 & flex to go with AJ Brown & Pickens. Need 2

Diggs

McMillan 

Watson

Slayton

Pearsall 

Gainwell 

 

[LaChup 278]

Should I trade Mahomes for Shadeur? My league rewards QBs for scoring points. 

[Bills04 66]

Hi Guru! I think I'm set for most my positions .. but “have options” at WR and for my FLEX. Full-point PPR. Currently rolling with WR1 = C. Sutton and WR2 = E. Egbuka. FLEXing M. Wilson. BUT – I also have NYG WR W-Rob, and SF WR J. Jennings. I'm concerned about Egbuka, who has done nothing the past month.. Also, J. Jennings has caught TDs in 4 of the past 5 games. I'm also concerned about Wilson, who will be at HOU which has a top-tier DEF. (NOTE: I'm also starting ARI TE T. McBride..) W-Rob will get me double-digits pretty much ever week, and an occasional “spike” week. Home against WAS could be one of those weeks.

 

What say you??

[The Football Guru 233]

19 hours ago, LaChup said:

Should I trade Mahomes for Shadeur? My league rewards QBs for scoring points. 

If hype can be scored in fantasy leagues, make the trade now. Otherwise, sit back and hope that Mahomes doesn't have to play Houston every week.

[SaintsInDome2006 800]

Rest of season: Mariota or McCarthy?

And

Week 15 - redraft, superflex, 6 pt TD, pt per 25 yards passing, pick 1:

Caleb Williams vs Cle

Mariota at NYG

McCarthy at DAL

Thanks!

[RareN64Dream 26]

Pick 2: Justin Jefferson, Davante Adams, Emeka Egbuka, or Michael Wilson.

Could also start one of these WR over these RBs at flex; if anyone agrees.

Pick 3: Saquon Barkley, Josh Jacobs, Javonte Williams, Bucky Irving, and Omarion Hampton.

I am thinking Barkley, Jacobs, Jefferson, Adams, Irving currently. I have not got Michael Wilson yet; I have to drop Zach Ertz for a WR. I started Brock Bowers last game and this week.

Also, at QB- I can start Burrow, Herbert, Goff or Mahomes. I am currently starting Burrow; would it be crazy to drop Goff or Herbert (both) for a WR(s) to start over Adams, Jefferson or Egbuka? There might be some nice sleepers out there; I know Wilson had a big game vs Rams. Shouldn't have dropped him for Ertz? I think, or a QB.

Kyler Murray, Garrett Wilson got dropped by me. I am #1 seed though.

 

I need a huge week because I dropped Wilson around Week 12 and should have started him over Jefferson. I need a big win because it is a ESPN league and I lost last week by around 30.

[RareN64Dream 26]

8 hours ago, Bills04 said:

Hi Guru! I think I'm set for most my positions .. but “have options” at WR and for my FLEX. Full-point PPR. Currently rolling with WR1 = C. Sutton and WR2 = E. Egbuka. FLEXing M. Wilson. BUT – I also have NYG WR W-Rob, and SF WR J. Jennings. I'm concerned about Egbuka, who has done nothing the past month.. Also, J. Jennings has caught TDs in 4 of the past 5 games. I'm also concerned about Wilson, who will be at HOU which has a top-tier DEF. (NOTE: I'm also starting ARI TE T. McBride..) W-Rob will get me double-digits pretty much ever week, and an occasional “spike” week. Home against WAS could be one of those weeks.

 

What say you??

Probably, Sutton, Wilson and Jennings. Jennings just had a bye week, so he is rested. Wouldn't be surprised to see Egbuka or Robinson do well though, also. Egbuka and Mayfield haven't been doing as well lately, though.

[The Football Guru 233]

On 12/8/2025 at 5:40 PM, Showboat said:

Pick 4 of the following to start in week 15:

D,Neal v.CAR

R.Stevenson v.BUF

E.Egbuka v.ATL (Thur)

T.McLaurin @NYG

C.Sutton v.GBP

H.Fannin @CHI

J.Ferguson v.MIN

 

I'm really tempted to sit all of the WRs for a TD league with bonuses for 100 yards.

 

I want you to get this well in advance of the start of the TNF game. I have Egbuka as the fourth-best play and projected for 5-63-1. I would start him.

[The Football Guru 233]

On 12/8/2025 at 7:04 PM, Nomad99 said:

Ros wr 3 & flex to go with AJ Brown & Pickens. Need 2

Diggs

McMillan 

Watson

Slayton

Pearsall 

Gainwell 

 

Rest of season (ROS?) or just for Week 15? I assume PPR?

[Nomad99 842]

5 hours ago, The Football Guru said:

Rest of season (ROS?) or just for Week 15? I assume PPR?

Rest of season & 1/2 ppr

Tnx

[Phil Simms 11 134]

PPR. Bunch of WR 2s I need to pick 2 from for this week

• Wilson - has been on fire but HOU tough matchup
• Meyers - keeps catching TDs, this game script could end up being run heavy
• Mclaurin - good matchup and with Ertz gone is only target. Had 14 targets from Mariotta a couple weeks ago
• Wandale - good matchup and has been near WR1 status

Have McLaurin and Wandale in for now.

 

edit- I can also bench one of RB Javonte Williams or RB J Cook and go 3 WRs

 

 

[The Football Guru 233]

On 12/9/2025 at 9:55 PM, RareN64Dream said:

Pick 2: Justin Jefferson, Davante Adams, Emeka Egbuka, or Michael Wilson.

Could also start one of these WR over these RBs at flex; if anyone agrees.

Pick 3: Saquon Barkley, Josh Jacobs, Javonte Williams, Bucky Irving, and Omarion Hampton.

I am thinking Barkley, Jacobs, Jefferson, Adams, Irving currently. I have not got Michael Wilson yet; I have to drop Zach Ertz for a WR. I started Brock Bowers last game and this week.

Also, at QB- I can start Burrow, Herbert, Goff or Mahomes. I am currently starting Burrow; would it be crazy to drop Goff or Herbert (both) for a WR(s) to start over Adams, Jefferson or Egbuka? There might be some nice sleepers out there; I know Wilson had a big game vs Rams. Shouldn't have dropped him for Ertz? I think, or a QB.

Kyler Murray, Garrett Wilson got dropped by me. I am #1 seed though.

 

I need a huge week because I dropped Wilson around Week 12 and should have started him over Jefferson. I need a big win because it is a ESPN league and I lost last week by around 30.

I'll get to your question in the article, but for the purposes of beating the clock on TNF ...

I would start Adams and Egbuka based on my projections, but I admittedly feel very uneasy about it given your other options.

As for the RBs, keep tabs on Jacobs' knee issue. If he goes, Barkley-Jacobs-Irving. If he doesn't, Barkley-Irving-Hampton. Again, I'm not feeling much confidence with these selections, but you do have great options

[The Football Guru 233]

On 12/9/2025 at 1:37 PM, Bills04 said:

Hi Guru! I think I'm set for most my positions .. but “have options” at WR and for my FLEX. Full-point PPR. Currently rolling with WR1 = C. Sutton and WR2 = E. Egbuka. FLEXing M. Wilson. BUT – I also have NYG WR W-Rob, and SF WR J. Jennings. I'm concerned about Egbuka, who has done nothing the past month.. Also, J. Jennings has caught TDs in 4 of the past 5 games. I'm also concerned about Wilson, who will be at HOU which has a top-tier DEF. (NOTE: I'm also starting ARI TE T. McBride..) W-Rob will get me double-digits pretty much ever week, and an occasional “spike” week. Home against WAS could be one of those weeks.

 

What say you??

I will answer this question as part of someone else's question in my article, but I would roll with Robinson over Wilson. I liked Robinson over Egbuka FWIW.

I ended up projecting Jennings for 5-53-0 this week. The stats suggest this will be more of a CMC and Kittle week. If it means anything to you, Jennings is the best bet among the WRs to score IMO.

[polecatt 489]

This may be too late, which is fine of course but I can't believe I'm asking this, but should I bench Justin Jefferson? 

Other options are Ladd McConkey and Devonta Smith. 

PPR, big long ball TD bonus. 1pt per 20yds and 6pt 100 yd bonus.

Also waiting to see if CeeDee plays

[RareN64Dream 26]

17 hours ago, The Football Guru said:

I'll get to your question in the article, but for the purposes of beating the clock on TNF ...

I would start Adams and Egbuka based on my projections, but I admittedly feel very uneasy about it given your other options.

As for the RBs, keep tabs on Jacobs' knee issue. If he goes, Barkley-Jacobs-Irving. If he doesn't, Barkley-Irving-Hampton. Again, I'm not feeling much confidence with these selections, but you do have great options

I left Egbuka on the bench. I didn't really spend much time on my computers on Wednesday. Thanks for the advice.

[uwmalcolm 77]

Hi Doug!

League 1, half PPR, need to pick 2 out of:

B.Hall

Devonte Smith

T.McMillan 

 

League  2, half PPR, need to pick 2 RBs and a flex out of:

O. Hampton

D.Neal

T.Tracy

T.Pollard

C.Olave

C.Sutton

Thanks! 

[Mike FF Today 759]

Playoff Week 1 article is posted!

[Showboat 308]

On 12/11/2025 at 1:15 AM, The Football Guru said:

I want you to get this well in advance of the start of the TNF game. I have Egbuka as the fourth-best play and projected for 5-63-1. I would start him.

Guru, thanks for the insights and great article.  I think I've narrowed my decision down to having to bench one of Sutton, Neal or Stevenson.  With Pat Bryant ruled out, does that shift the needle enough to bench Sutton?  Otherwise, I'm guessing that you would bench Stevenson out of those three (I just can't shake the feeling that he has the best chance to score multiple TDs, which would be huge for my league even if the yardage isn't there).  Mostly, I think I need to be talked off the ledge..

[The Football Guru 233]

6 hours ago, Showboat said:

Guru, thanks for the insights and great article.  I think I've narrowed my decision down to having to bench one of Sutton, Neal or Stevenson.  With Pat Bryant ruled out, does that shift the needle enough to bench Sutton?  Otherwise, I'm guessing that you would bench Stevenson out of those three (I just can't shake the feeling that he has the best chance to score multiple TDs, which would be huge for my league even if the yardage isn't there).  Mostly, I think I need to be talked off the ledge..

Based on strict probability, I would say Stevenson and Neal have a pretty low chance of scoring. Stevenson had two tries from the 1 against the Bengals a couple of weeks ago and was turned away both times. He has only scored in two of 10 games, although he did score twice in the first game against Buffalo. In short, I don't even know if he is the preferred goal-line option at this point. The Saints only have three RB scores all year, so I think that hoping they can get two in two weeks is a long shot.

I don't like Sutton as much now as I did before the Bryant rule-out, but I still like his chances of scoring more than the two backs.

[SaintsInDome2006 800]

On 12/12/2025 at 12:45 PM, Mike FF Today said:

Playoff Week 1 article is posted!

Thank you for the response!!

[The Football Guru 233]

On 12/12/2025 at 2:59 AM, polecatt said:

This may be too late, which is fine of course but I can't believe I'm asking this, but should I bench Justin Jefferson? 

Other options are Ladd McConkey and Devonta Smith. 

PPR, big long ball TD bonus. 1pt per 20yds and 6pt 100 yd bonus.

Also waiting to see if CeeDee plays

CeeDee is good to go. The way I would rank the others: Smith, McConkey, Jefferson ... I don't know how we can have faith in Jefferson right now. I'm sure he'll have a great game again soon, but I'm clueless which one it will be. Dallas' defense is better than Washington's ... about that, I am sure.

[The Football Guru 233]

I am pretty sure I answered everyone's questions, either here or in the article. Let me know if that is not the case.

[Showboat 308]

I'll go to QBs for my week 16 question:

B.Mayfield @CAR

J.Dart v.MIN

Does Baker finally show up with his back against the wall?  Dart is certainly enticing, but seems a high risk that he doesn't finish he game and the Vikings D has been able to contain QBs for the most part.  3-point passing TDs, 6-point rushing TDs - bonus for 300 yard passing.

[Showboat 308]

If I can get a second one for week 16, pick 2 of the following to start in a TD league with bonuses for 100 yards

D.Neal v.NYJ (if cleared health-wise, I’m definitely starting him assuming Kamara remains out)

T.McLaurin v.PHI (he usually has a tough time against Philly, but this may be the WAS Super Bowl)

J.Ferguson v.LAC (tough D but middle of the pack against TE)

R.Stevenson @BAL (definitely second fiddle now, but not totally phased out of the gameplans)

[LVSaint429 35]

#1 seed so had 1st round bye. Back to work this week with a lot of tasty matchups but someone has to sit…

1 QB - Nix over Goff

1 RB - McCaffrey

2 WRs - Sutton, Evans

1 TE - Waller, JJohnson or Parkinson? 

2 Flex - ? ? 
CBrown, Moore, Jefferson, JHiggins

 

[polecatt 489]

Same as above, got Nix or Goff to choose at QB. 

1pt 50yds, 6pt 300 yd bonus

6pt TDs, big long ball TD bonus 

Who to start?

[jrokh 620]

Don't know if this is the official week 16 thread, but I'll ask here anyways. Assuming Drake London Plays do I roll with him, or stick with Mike Evans? Also if time, Jordan Love at Chicago or Jacoby Brisset vs. Atlanta. Thanks for all your hard work Doug!

[Bills04 66]

Hi Guru! Ugh – more decisions to make this time around. My RBs are set (due to injuries!). At QB, I have Dak - Home vs. LAC, or Nix - Home vs. JAX. LAC DEF is the best in the league vs. WRs.. Also, Nix way out played Dak last week. Currently rolling with Nix. Oh – full-point PPR. At WR, I have DEN's Sutton also Home vs. JAX as my WR1. My WR2 is NYG's W-Rob, Home vs. MIN. He's more of a “floor” play. I'll likely FLEX a WR; currently going with SF's Jennings, who “all he does it catch touchdowns!” - he is at Indy. Other options include .. ARI WR M. Wilson - Home vs. ATL; worried because MH Jr. practiced on Wednesday. (As with last week, my TE is McBride, so another negative vs. Wilson – there is only one ball!) I also have TB WR Egbuka @ CAR, who I'm “down on,” after Evans dominated targets last week.

 

Oh, for Defense, I am rolling with DEN - Home vs. JAX. I also have TB @ CAR, but CAR has been playing better recently. There are also a lot defenses available on the waiver-wire I could grab: NO - Home vs. NYJ; BUF @ CLE; MIN @ NYG, and NYG - Home vs. MIN. Standard-scoring, but nothing for punt / kick return yardage (yes, if a TD).

 

What say you??

[Captain America 3]

Hey Guru. Please rank the following. Non-PPR. Need 2 WR/1 Flex, or 3 WR. Have a 50 pt. lead in a 2 week playoff format, so need more floor versus ceiling.

 

Mike Evans@CAR

J. Waddle - CIN

DeVonta Smith@WSH

Tetairoa McMillan - TB

Blake Corum@SEA

Kyle Monangai - GB

Thanks!

 

 

[Lake209 46]

Q1:  What do you do with Drake London, assuming he is practicing?  Specifically: for this week (Week 16); first game back post-injury.  Auto-start or wait-and-see?

Q2:  In full-PPR, rank these RB's for Week 15:  THenderson, RJHarvey, WMarks/Jawhar Jordan (<--if Marks is out), Aaron Jones.

Q3:  Would you start Jaylen Waddle over any of the above RB's?  <---This question also, a 'what do you do' with Waddle, given the Tua benching.

Tx much. 

 

[Showboat 308]

On 12/16/2025 at 10:55 AM, Showboat said:

If I can get a second one for week 16, pick 2 of the following to start in a TD league with bonuses for 100 yards

D.Neal v.NYJ (if cleared health-wise, I’m definitely starting him assuming Kamara remains out)

T.McLaurin v.PHI (he usually has a tough time against Philly, but this may be the WAS Super Bowl)

J.Ferguson v.LAC (tough D but middle of the pack against TE)

R.Stevenson @BAL (definitely second fiddle now, but not totally phased out of the gameplans)

Since Neal has already been ruled out, please pick 2 of the following:

T.McLaurin v.PHI (he usually has a tough time against Philly, but this may be the WAS Super Bowl)

J.Ferguson v.LAC (tough D but middle of the pack against TE)

R.Stevenson @BAL (definitely second fiddle now, but not totally phased out of the gameplans)

H.Fannin v.BUF (TEs have not fared well against the Bills, so I had kind of excluded him from consideration but am second-guessing that now) 

[uwmalcolm 77]

Hi Guru,
 

1/2 PPR, I need to pick 3 of these WRs. I have Adams too, but he’s likely out.

Chase 

Evans

Olave

Sutton

2 of these RBs (or play all 3 of them and only choose 2 WRs…I’m assuming that I’d flex a WR) :

Tracy

Hampton

Carter

 

At QB would you go with Jackson or Purdy? 4 points for passing TDs. 
 

Thanks as always!

Edited Friday at 12:15 AM by uwmalcolm

[polecatt 489]

RJ Harvey or Treyevon Henderson?

Survived the wrong choice last week, thanks to Kyle Pitts, can't believe I just typed that

Anyway, which RB?

1pt per 25 yds, 6pt 100 yd bonus, PPR, and big long ball TD bonus 

[The Football Guru 233]

18 hours ago, jrokh said:

Don't know if this is the official week 16 thread, but I'll ask here anyways. Assuming Drake London Plays do I roll with him, or stick with Mike Evans? Also if time, Jordan Love at Chicago or Jacoby Brisset vs. Atlanta. Thanks for all your hard work Doug!

I appreciate you taking the initiative of continuing the thread.

[The Football Guru 233]

On 12/16/2025 at 11:55 AM, Showboat said:

If I can get a second one for week 16, pick 2 of the following to start in a TD league with bonuses for 100 yards

D.Neal v.NYJ (if cleared health-wise, I’m definitely starting him assuming Kamara remains out)

T.McLaurin v.PHI (he usually has a tough time against Philly, but this may be the WAS Super Bowl)

J.Ferguson v.LAC (tough D but middle of the pack against TE)

R.Stevenson @BAL (definitely second fiddle now, but not totally phased out of the gameplans)

I'll answer that here since you already used your get-one-free token

Neal is out. I would pick up Estime ASAP if you can and hope that we get some clarity on him getting the start. If that happens, he would be one of my starters.

I want nothing to do with Terry vs. PHI if I can help it, but I'm not sure you can bench him here.

Ferguson vs. LAC is Goedert and Kelce also did really well against the Bolts. It doesn't make a lot of sense to me since that should that is something Derwin James takes care of.

Stevenson has been fine since his return (at least 77 total yards in his last two plus an equal share of work in the passing game ... he appears to be trusted more in that role than Henderson), but he doesn't have the upside that most of use need at this point.

In short, if you can pick up Estime, I would go with him and Ferguson (although I don't feel great about Fergie this week). If you can't get Estime or stash Jawhar Jordan - just in case neither HOU back is ready - then I would go with Ferguson and McLaurin.

[The Football Guru 233]

On 12/16/2025 at 12:09 PM, LVSaint429 said:

#1 seed so had 1st round bye. Back to work this week with a lot of tasty matchups but someone has to sit…

1 QB - Nix over Goff

1 RB - McCaffrey

2 WRs - Sutton, Evans

1 TE - Waller, JJohnson or Parkinson? 

2 Flex - ? ? 
CBrown, Moore, Jefferson, JHiggins

 

I'll get the TE part of your question now because Parkinson plays on Thursday. Parkinson is my answer. Waller is tough to bench given the ridiculously good matchup, but I don't want my fantasy fate tied to a rookie quarterback making his first start, especially one I didn't like all that much in the draft process. Johnson probably gets a little bump because Vele is out, but I think it is just as likely that the Saints try to exploit the Jets LBs with their running backs in the passing game (just like the Jags did last week). I think weather might be the only thing that keeps TNF from being a smash spot for Parkinson.

[The Football Guru 233]

19 hours ago, jrokh said:

Don't know if this is the official week 16 thread, but I'll ask here anyways. Assuming Drake London Plays do I roll with him, or stick with Mike Evans? Also if time, Jordan Love at Chicago or Jacoby Brisset vs. Atlanta. Thanks for all your hard work Doug!

Not sure I will have the time to get around if I wait: I would start Evans. I'm still not at a point where I trust Cousins, who apparently has a grudge against the Bucs and nobody else.

Brissett all day at QB. I know there is a path for Love to outperform him, but the garbage time has been good to JB. I think there is a real chance that the game turns into a bit of a shootout.

[The Football Guru 233]

On 12/16/2025 at 8:09 PM, polecatt said:

Same as above, got Nix or Goff to choose at QB. 

1pt 50yds, 6pt 300 yd bonus

6pt TDs, big long ball TD bonus 

Who to start?

I have a strong feeling that Detroit might light up the Steelers in the dome.

I don't think the Jags have a great secondary, but their defense has played well during the winning streak. I think there is a much better chance Goff gets to 300 and 3 than Nix.