Fantasy Focus Football

Episode: Fantasy Football Bounce Back Candidates You Can't Ignore 🚨
Date: November 13, 2025
Hosts: Liz Loza, Producer Presley (Guest: Mike Golic Jr.)

Episode Overview

This episode of Fantasy Focus Football dives deep into fantasy football bounce-back candidates, roster management advice, and a healthy dose of fantasy “therapy” for listeners. The show blends expert analysis, candid fan frustrations, and an engaging guest spot with Mike Golic Jr., touching on both football and pop culture. The episode is rich in actionable insights, candid takes, and signatures of the podcast’s blend of stats and humor.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Bounce-Back Fantasy Candidates

Jameson Williams’ Resurgence

• After failing to meet expectations early in the season, Williams exploded in Week 10 (6 catches, 119 yards, TD, ~24 fantasy points).
• Liz: “Congratulations to the managers… who refused to look at that week 7 blanking and continued to believe in this player's potential.” [02:28]
• The coaching narrative matters—Dan Campbell took over play calling, leading to increased opportunities for Williams.
• Williams is pegged as a high-upside flex for Week 11, especially in a potential shootout vs. the Eagles:
  • “I'm still not comfortable ranking Williams inside like the top 25 at the position... but he offers so much upside that I am thrilled to be flexing him in week 11.” [03:36]

Derrick Henry: Adjusting Expectations

• Henry peaked early (best game: Week 1), with production flagging due to efficiency regression.
• Still seeing heavy volume (20+ touches in 4 straight games), RB15 in YPC (4.8), but not “guaranteed RB1” anymore.
  • “I don't think he is any longer that surefire RB one… think of him as more of like RB15, RB18.” [06:12]
• Difficult matchup ahead (vs Browns D), but still a must-start unless you have elite depth:
  • “You just got to keep your fingers crossed, throw him in a lineup and hope.” [05:37]

Brock Bowers: Volatility Alert

• Massive Week 9 (43 pts), followed by a 3-point letdown in Week 10—a classic “crash out.”
• Bowers' ceiling is unchanged, but Geno Smith and the offense bring his floor “into the basement.” [07:10]
• Favorable Week 11 matchup: “The Cowboys allow the third most passing yards per game...This does seem like a great get right spot for Bowers.” [08:26]
• Liz ranks him as her TE2 for the week, just behind Trey McBride.

2. Fantasy Crash Out Therapy

(Therapy segment begins at [09:36])

Bijan Robinson & the Falcons Backfield

• Bijan owners feel snakebit by Algier vulturing TDs and high-value carries.
• Key stat breakdown:
  • “Bijan... has 4 TDs on the season (RB21); Algier has 6 (RB11)... Algier has 13 goal-to-go attempts. Bijan, 4.” [11:13]
• Liz: “Just like in fantasy football, just like in real football... we want to protect our investment, and that is what the Falcons organization is doing.” [12:11]
• Empathy for fantasy pain: “I think ultimately... why the hell is Bijan Robinson not scoring touchdowns?” [12:53]

Listener Crash Outs: Shared Misery & Coping

• Listeners share tales of woe:
  • Playing vs. Jonathan Taylor (3 TDs before the 1 p.m. games), Egubka Washington & Jameson Williams.
  • “This sucks, bro. This is like the worst... You can see the signs early, just like... go touch grass.” [14:17]
• Live crash out: A.J. Brown’s Twitch outburst:
  • AJ Brown: “It's a shit show. If you've got me on fantasy, get rid of me.” [15:32]
• Liz on Brown: “He's, like, averaging under 12 fantasy points per game. He's... wide receiver 33 in fantasy points per game.” [15:59]
• On the player’s mindset: “If AJ Brown has given up, then we got real problems... I am imploring you, Nick Sirianni, can you please design a constant peppering of A.J. brown.” [17:02]

3. Guest Segment: Mike Golic Jr. on Football, Snacks & Culture

[Starts at 18:05]

Love is Blind, Snacks & NFL Storylines

• Mike shares reality TV takes—how “Love is Blind” now has a fourth wall awareness, impacting authenticity.
• Mike: “This is one of the first seasons where I felt like... everyone's starting to be aware of the fame and platform... how to play the game.” [18:59]

Snack Drafting

• Mike’s “snack brand” origins, love for Reese’s Fast Break bar:
  • “To me, it has everything... That little bit of, like, base layer... the peanut butter and chocolate ratio is a one.” [22:41]
• Discussion of football’s “thick six” touchdowns and the joys of linemen scoring:
  • “Football's not designed necessarily... for offensive and defensive lineman to touch the football. So when it happens, fat angels get their wings and I get to be really happy.” [23:19]

O-Line Mentality and Impact Rookies

• Mike’s perspective as an offensive lineman—accountability, teamwork, and why linemen stay under the radar:

  • “Your success is defined by how well you protect your friends... We're talking about fractions of an inch, an inch at a time...” [23:59]

• Rookies to watch:

  • Jordan Tyson (Arizona State WR): “Best draft eligible receiver in the country... an unbelievable route runner, incredible contested catcher...” [26:07]
  • Joe Royer (Cincinnati TE): “Last year broke Travis Kelce's single season record for receptions... plus blocker, dynamic in the open field.” [27:07]

Mike Golic Jr.’s Fantasy Misery & Advice

• His fantasy team is struggling—overcommitted to Chiefs, RB woes, injuries (Kyler Murray).
• Offers Week 11 start:
  • “My start for week 11 would be Pat Friarmouth against the Bengals...” [28:55]

Quick Reality-TV-Inspired Game

• Fun segment: Mike picks fantasy “roses” for prime players, lays out who he’d be “locked in a pod” with (“Dan Campbell for sure... he's got all the layers that you're looking for.”) [33:31]

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “Fantasy football is a game of inches, luck and irrational confidence. Proceed with caution, trust your gut. And remember, side effects... may include spontaneous victory dances, mild trash talking, and a belief that your sleeper pick is better than everyone else's.” — Producer Presley [01:57]
• “The right way to look at this situation is that Geno Smith and the underwhelm of the Raiders' offense puts Brock Bowers' floor in the damn basement.” — Liz Loza [07:10]
• “If AJ Brown has given up, then we got real problems.” — Liz Loza [16:00]
• "Just like in fantasy football, just like in real football, we want to protect our investment, and that is what the Falcons organization is doing." — Liz Loza [12:11]
• “Fat angels get their wings, and I get to be really happy.” — Mike Golic Jr. on "thick sixes" [23:19]
• “Dan Campbell... incredibly empathetic, incredibly sentimental, a man that's not afraid to cry... He's the guy that's got the layers that are what this show is all about. Not worrying about what you see visually, but focusing on what's in here.” — Mike Golic Jr. [33:31]

Important Segment Timestamps

• [02:14] – Jameson Williams resurgence discussion
• [04:31] – Derrick Henry, adjusting expectations
• [06:50] – Brock Bowers, ceiling and tough Week 10
• [09:36] – Therapy couch opens; listener crash-outs
• [11:46] – Bijan/Algier backfield breakdown
• [15:32] – A.J. Brown’s live Twitch “crash out”
• [18:05] – Mike Golic Jr. guest segment begins
• [23:19] – “Thick six” touchdown celebration
• [26:07] – Rookie prospects to watch (Tyson, Royer)
• [28:55] – Golic’s Week 11 start: Pat Friarmouth
• [30:28] – Fantasy-reality TV game segment
• [33:31] – Golic on Dan Campbell, “Love is Blind” pod question

Final Takeaways

• Bounce-Back Candidates: Trust the changing usage trends, but don’t over-project past glory onto current roles (Williams, Henry, Bowers).
• Roster/Expectation Management: Always re-evaluate roles, especially after coaching and play-calling shifts.
• Therapy & Community: You’re not alone in fantasy pain; share and learn from others’ “crash outs” for catharsis and better future decisions.
• Pop Culture Crossover: Don’t be afraid to mix football with culture—sometimes it provides the best analogies for player analysis (Dan Campbell as a “Love is Blind” pod partner).

For more weekly insights, therapy, and strategy, subscribe and join the conversation at [Fantasy Focus Football].