Fantasy Focus Football – "Bring Home a Fantasy Title with These Tips!" (Dec 25, 2025)

Overview

In this special holiday episode of Fantasy Focus Football, Liz Loza is joined by producer Quentin (Producer Q) and special guest Producer Alex for a lively, advice-filled session designed to help fantasy football managers clinch their championships in Week 17. The crew shares personal fantasy triumphs ("Monday Night Miracles"), in-depth player analysis, and a festive game inspired by The Polar Express. The tone is spirited, celebratory, and accessible, balancing stats and strategy with signature warmth and humor.

Episode Highlights & Key Segments

1. Holiday Spirits & Fantasy Miracles (01:02–04:02)

• Personal Week 16 Stories:

  • Quentin shares a near-miraculous, razor-thin win in his decade-old home league, clinched by D. Winters' pick-six:

    "I basically won by a yard. So it was hands down the best fantasy football win I've ever had." (Quentin, 02:27)

  • Liz recounts her own comeback from 65 points down, thanking Brock Purdy, Jonathan Taylor, Juwan Jennings, and "hitting the over" on a Philip Rivers prop:

    "Girl, they went off...I won in many different ways." (Liz, 03:07)

• Takeaway:
  Championship week is about optimism, seizing the moment, and, sometimes, a little fantasy magic.

2. Championship Week Player Focus: Who Can You Trust? (04:02–10:18)

Tyler Shough (QB, Oregon Ducks/49ers)

• Analysis:
  • Scorching hot: 17+ fantasy points in four straight, QB8 in past month, QB5 in completion % (Weeks 13–17).
  • Major value comes from rushing; 30 carries since Week 12, just behind Josh Allen.
  • Excellent Week 17 matchup at Tennessee, whose defense is highly permissive to QBs:

    "I do think he is perfectly serviceable...I have him ranked in that QB 13 to 15 range for week 17." (Liz, 05:35)

Ashton Genti (RB, Boise State/Workhorse NFL Back)

• Breakout:
  • Week 16: 24 carries, 128 yards, 1 rushing TD; plus a 60-yard receiving TD.
  • RB13 overall on the season, behind only Saquon Barkley.
  • Metrics: 2.42 yards after contact (5th among RBs), 7th most catches, 3rd in receiving TDs.
  • Week 17 matchup: Giants have allowed 3rd most points and 17 TDs to RBs.

    "He could end up winning you your championship…Genti is in week 17." (Liz, 08:07)

Harold Fannin Jr. (TE, Browns)

• Momentum:
  • With David Njoku sidelined, Fannin became offensive focal point: 2 TDs in Week 16 (1 receiving, 1 rushing).
  • 19.5 fantasy points (2nd among TEs in Week 16).
  • 5+ targets in 11 straight, a rushing attempt in 4 of 5.
  • Another strong matchup for Week 17 (Steelers, highly TE-friendly).

    "I have him ranked as my tight end five in week 17." (Liz, 10:07)

3. Polar Express Game: Who's Boarding the Fantasy Championship Train? (12:30–23:36)

A whimsical, Polar Express-themed segment where the hosts evaluate whether to “bring along” key fringe players in fantasy lineups for Week 17.

Jackson Dart (QB, Giants)

• Liz:
  • "He's coming off an absolutely abysmal showing, but the matchup against the Raiders makes me think we could have a rebound here... I have him in the QB14 range." (15:28)
• Alex:
  • "The thing I really like from him this week is his rushing upside. The Raiders allowed rushing TDs to similar quarterbacks." (16:40)
• Both agree: Dart is a viable, matchup-based streamer if you’re desperate.

Michael Carter (RB, Cardinals)

• Alex:
  • "You've asked for a gift, and your parents bring you the knockoff version of it... He's a legit alternative, but I don't love it." (17:26)
• Liz:
  • "I think he's more of an RB3 or a Flex for me, but it wouldn't surprise me if he falls into the end zone." (18:12)
• Consensus: Useful in deep leagues/RB emergencies only; ceiling is limited.

Tetairoa McMillan (WR, Panthers)

• Liz:
  • "Talent is always a tiebreaker... I'm allowing him on the train under the parameters that he's a flex only." (19:12, 21:13)
• Alex:
  • "I'm leaving Tet at the station... He's only reached 70 yards in one game with fewer than 10 targets." (20:34)
• Summary: Risky, volume-based upside for deep lineups; flex territory.

Darren Waller (TE, Dolphins)

• Alex:
  • "I'm leaving Darren Waller at the station. I don't want any part of anybody outside of Han in this Dolphins offense." (22:10)
• Liz:
  • "To me, he's like getting a hoverboard for Christmas and then realizing it's going to explode and need to be recalled... I too will finally leave a player in the cold." (22:32)
• Consensus: Too volatile, poor recent performance, not worth the risk.

4. Memorable Quotes & Moments

• On Monday Night Miracles:

  "I basically won by a yard. So it was hands down the best fantasy football win I've ever had." (Quentin, 02:27)
  "Girl, they went off... I won in many different ways." (Liz, 03:07)

• On Harold Fannin Jr.:

  "Fannin comes in and blows the doors off of everything... I have him ranked as my tight end five in week 17." (Liz, 10:07)

• On trusting fantasy gut feel:

  "Take the facts of fantasy football seriously, but consult your feelings before making any lineup changes." (Quentin, 02:06)

• On "Polar Express" Fandom:

  "I feel like the Polar Express doesn't get enough love in terms of the lexicon of Christmas movies...I will always be the one to step up and bat for it." (Quentin, 13:31)

• On Michael Carter's fantasy prospects:

  "To me, Michael Carter is like, you've asked for a gift, and your parents bring you the knockoff version of it." (Producer Alex, 17:26)

Timestamps for Important Segments

• 01:02–04:02: Monday Night Miracles and personal fantasy stories
• 04:02–10:18: Detailed breakout on Tyler Shough, Ashton Genti, and Harold Fannin Jr.
• 12:30–23:36: Polar Express Game: rapid-fire start/sit on Jackson Dart, Michael Carter, McMillan, Darren Waller
• 15:28: Liz’s breakdown on starting Jackson Dart
• 17:26: Michael Carter as a “knockoff gift” analogy
• 19:12: Liz’s argument for McMillan as a deep-league flex

Final Thoughts

• Championship Week Mindset:
  Stay optimistic—miracles (and comebacks) do happen.
• Key Strategy:
  Ride hot hands (e.g., Shough, Genti, Fannin), trust matchups, and don’t hesitate to play safe flex options over boom-or-bust names.
• Important Reminder:
  As always, blend the facts with your own gut feelings when making that final start/sit call:

  "May your facts be solid, your feelings be right, and your bust be someone else's problem. Good luck, y'all." (Liz, 27:00)

Useful For:
Anyone seeking actionable advice, confidence, and a dash of holiday cheer for their fantasy football championship decisions.