Decoding Scott Pianowski's NFC Fantasy Plays: Hits and Misses from 2025

Reflecting on the 2025 NFC Fantasy Football Season

The 2025 fantasy football season has wrapped up, and it's time to dissect what transpired in the NFC. Analyzing Scott Pianowski's predictions provides valuable insight into the fantasy landscape, revealing what worked and what didn't.

NFC West Breakdown

Los Angeles Rams

Successes: Kyren Williams proved to be a valuable asset within a narrow Rams offense, affirming Pianowski's foresight. Amidst growing competition from Blake Corum, Williams emerged as a consistent performer.

Failures: Pianowski's assessment of Puka Nacua was off the mark. While I had reservations about his touchdown potential with the addition of Davante Adams, Nacua turned in a monster season. Overanalyzing Matthew Stafford's age also led to missed opportunities; he played at an MVP-caliber level.

Arizona Cardinals

Successes: Reluctance to trust Kyler Murray paid off, as did the pivot towards Jacoby Brissett in the latter part of the season, even if it resulted in losses. Strategically, Pianowski navigated the changing Cardinals roster well.

Failures: The call to speculate on Trey Benson backfired due to injuries, showing that even insightful analysis can miss the mark if luck doesn't favor you. Michael Wilson's late emergence was another oversight that harmed fantasy lineups.

San Francisco 49ers

Successes: Trusting the Kyle Shanahan system proved wise, yielding good production from replacement players. Pianowski effectively dismissed Brandon Aiyuk, a smart move given his underwhelming performance this year.

Failures: Misreading Jauan Jennings' breakout potential led to dropped chances, and with Ricky Pearsall struggling with injuries, Pianowski's risks didn't pay off as expected.

Seattle Seahawks

Successes: Waiting for the Seattle backfield dynamics to settle rewarded fantasy managers, especially with Zach Charbonnet performing reliably. Jaxon Smith-Njigba's receiver role cemented his status as a valuable asset, although I wish I'd secured more shares of him.

Failures: Missing the potential of the Seattle D/ST was a big miss. I underestimated how strong the team could be, especially as they pursued the NFC West crown.

NFC South Analysis

Atlanta Falcons

Successes: Riding the Bijan Robinson hype train was smart. His performance throughout the season placed him among the elite, despite injuries slowing down Drake London's potential breakout.

Failures: Overrating Michael Penix Jr. was one of the regrettable calls. He failed to live up to the hype, while Kyle Pitts' late-season surge passed unnoticed.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Successes: Concerns over aging stars Mike Evans and Chris Godwin proved justified, as both experienced subpar seasons.

Failures: Expecting Baker Mayfield to remain a competent fantasy option went terribly wrong, highlighting the unpredictability of player performance.

New Orleans Saints

Successes: Trusting Alvin Kamara's decline was a savvy move. Juwan Johnson shined as a late FAAB pickup, a key highlight in a narrow passing offense.

Failures: Holding onto Chris Olave shares meant missing out on his significant contributions throughout the season.

Carolina Panthers

Successes: An awareness of low stakes around the Panthers season meant fewer lost resources.

Failures: Failing to catch onto Rico Dowdle's breakout ultimately hurt fantasy outcomes. A missed opportunity to capitalize on Bryce Young's potential compounded the Panthers' shortcomings this season.

NFC North Insights

Chicago Bears

Successes: Recognizing Ben Johnson as a right-answer hire underscored how crucial coaching maneuvers can be.

Failures: Struggling to draft enough Bears talents like Caleb Williams proved costly as their breakout performances soared.

Detroit Lions

Successes: Anticipating continued offensive strength even after losing Johnson was vindicated. Amon-Ra St. Brown solidified his first-round status.

Failures: Relying on higher-risk players like Goff, Gibbs, and Williams turned out less impactful—no significant errors here, just uncertainty.

Minnesota Vikings

Successes: Failing to get it right with this offense was painful. The Viking's offensive struggles were a surprise to all.

Failures: The poor quarterback play from J.J. McCarthy meant that fantasy assets Jefferson and Addison faced hardship as a result.

NFC East Observations

Dallas Cowboys

Successes: Drafting Prescott proved wise as his offensive unit delivered well, yet the defense's collapse harmed overall outcomes.

Failures: Misjudging players like CeeDee Lamb and George Pickens could've changed the trajectory of many fantasy rosters.

Washington Commanders

Successes: Accurate assessments around an aging roster paid off. Washington's inconsistent backfield proved to be a risky endeavor for fantasy players.

Failures: The Terry McLaurin situation turned into a disappointment, thwarted by injuries and performance fluctuations.

New York Giants

Successes: Recognizing Russell Wilson's decline and Jameis Winston's potential was a silver lining in a rocky season.

Failures: Not predicting Jaxson Dart's rushing upside left gaps unfilled in fantasy lineups, ultimately limiting returns.

Philadelphia Eagles

Successes: Saquon Barkley's steady performance aligned with cautious expectations, highlighting strategic risk assessment.

Failures: Dallas Goedert proved to be a red-zone machine, underlining my missed opportunities for production.

As we look ahead to the next fantasy season, the insights gleaned from Pianowski's predictions will serve as a foundation for future strategies. Balancing enthusiasm with a tactical mindset will be crucial as we refine our expectations and approaches.