Fantasy Focus Football: MNF Recap + Week 17 Preview

Podcast: Fantasy Focus Football
Hosts: Daniel Dopp, Stefania Bell, Tyler Fulghum
Date: December 23, 2025
Episode Focus: Monday Night Football recap, waiver wire & injury updates, and a first look at the Week 17 slate—key for fantasy playoff strategists.

Main Episode Theme

This episode delivers crucial takeaways from the high-scoring 49ers-Colts Monday Night Football matchup, deep waiver wire advice, late-season injury updates, and positional preview insights for a pivotal Week 17 in fantasy championships. There’s an energetic, comedic tone throughout, as hosts tell their own league stories and debate start/sit decisions heading into the most important fantasy week of the year.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Monday Night Football Recap: 49ers 48, Colts 28

• 49ers explode for 48 points; Brock Purdy throws five TD passes, Christian McCaffrey and George Kittle go nuclear for fantasy managers.
  • Daniel: “Can you imagine if you had both Brock Purdy and Christian McCaffrey on your squad, two guys that scored over 30 fantasy points, what would that feel like, I wonder?” (03:48)
  • Tyler: “That is exactly my reality. ... I won by 1.7 points thanks to McCaffrey.” (03:56-04:42)
• Kittle’s monster day, but injury concerns (ankle/hip-drop tackle) as he tops all TEs in Week 16.
  • Stefania: “He called it a hip drop tackle ... yet he didn’t feel like it was a high ankle sprain.” (05:33)
  • If Kittle is limited for Week 17, monitor closely.
• Colts’ offense surprises: Philip Rivers connects with Alec Pierce and Josh Downs keeps a safe floor, but Jonathan Taylor is kept in check.
  • Stefania: “He hasn’t had 100 yards since before the bye ... Unfortunate for those who had Jonathan Taylor on their team.” (09:59)
• 49ers, Rams, Seahawks: All attractive for fantasy lineups with lots still to play for.

2. Injury Roundup & Waiver Wire Priorities (Quarterbacks & Running Backs)

Quarterbacks

• Lamar Jackson: Banged up (back, lingering hamstring)—hosts advocate caution for QB streamers in championship week, question his ceiling.
  • Stefania: “I’d be awfully nervous about starting Lamar Jackson in championship week and how he’s looked.” (13:48)
• Trevor Lawrence: Back-to-back “monster games”; strong add for needy managers.
  • Daniel: “I think you can take him right off the waiver wire, put him directly into your starting lineup.” (15:16)
• Tyler Shuck: New Orleans offense rolling, strong 2QB/Superflex option for Week 17.
  • Tyler: “I would strongly consider Tyler Shuck as a better start in Week 17 over Lamar Jackson.” (18:39)

Running Backs

• Blake Corum: Four straight games with 13+ fantasy points; still under-rostered, a priority add—even if only to block your opponent.
  • Daniel: “Even if you don’t need a running back, just go grab him to block your opponent...” (19:16)
• Cleveland RBs: Quinchon Judkins out; debate between Travion Williams (safer) and Dylan Sampson (upside if he plays/practices fully).
  • Stefania: “If Dylan Sampson’s not practicing and he’s out, then it’s an easy call...I might draw the line if he’s limited/questionable.” (23:14)
• Rams RBs, Tyjae Spears, Kenneth Gainwell: All situationally useful; particularly in favorable scripts/playoff matchups.
  • Discussion on Tony Pollard/Tyjae Spears dual value, especially if Titans are playing catch-up.

3. Waiver Wire: Tight Ends and Defense

• Brenton Strange (Jags): Solid streaming option vs. Indy; note risk due to Etienne’s role.
  • Stefania: “You could do worse, I think, than Brenton Strange.” (27:14)
• Other streaming TEs: AJ Barner (Seattle), Theo Johnson (Saints) for high-upside dart throws.
• DST Streamers: Tampa Bay and New Orleans get endorsement for matchups against Miami and Tennessee, respectively.
  • Tyler: “Any defense in Pittsburgh...taking on Shador Sanders and his ability to take sacks and rack up turnovers is viable.” (28:55)

4. Week 17 Preview: Christmas Day Games (Key Start/Sit Debates)

Cowboys vs. Commanders

• Start with Confidence: Dak Prescott, CeeDee Lamb, George Pickens, Javonte Williams.
• Jake Ferguson: Hosts lukewarm on him; dropping volume, now TD-dependent.
• Commanders: No true lineup locks; Chris Rodriguez a desperation flex (volume RB). Mariota a viable QB2 deep league play.

Lions vs. Vikings

• Lions: Auto-starts: Jameer Gibbs, Amon-Ra St. Brown, Jameson Williams.
  • Monitor Amon-Ra’s knee and O-line health (third-string center).
• Vikings:
  • Justin Jefferson: A start, but only WR2/flex expectations if Max Brosmer starts at QB; Addison/Hockenson are sits if that’s the case.
  • Aaron Jones (Vikings’ RB): Flex play—Lions’ rush D has softened recently and Jordan Mason is banged up.

Broncos vs. Chiefs

• Broncos: R.J. Harvey (auto-start), Courtland Sutton (WR2). Troy Franklin as a ceiling dart-throw with Pat Bryant concussed. Bo Nix as a QB12-level play.
• Chiefs: Rashi Rice low-end WR2 at best (concussion protocol; concern about Chris Oladokun at QB), Kelsey off the TE1 radar (outside top 15 in rankings).
  • Daniel: “I don’t feel confident starting him, but I feel like I just might have to [Rice]... Kelsey outside my top 15.” (52:31)

5. Playoff Stash Advice & League Updates

• Ramondre Stevenson: Banged up RB rooms boost his value as a must-roster stash.
  • “Even if you don’t think you’ll start him, add to block your opponent.” (56:19)
• Fantasy Focus League Update: Miller Lite Mike vs. Jamar Mageddon in final (“some big names on both squads”—Amon-Ra, Bijan, Jamar Chase, Kyren Williams).

Notable Quotes & Moments

• Tyler’s miracle comeback story (49ers MNF, 04:06):
  “I was trailing by 64.2 points...woke up and saw...five touchdown passes, two of them to MC. I won by 1.7 points!”
• Stefania on Kittle’s health (05:33):
  “He called it a hip drop tackle...yet he didn’t feel like it was a high ankle sprain.”
• Stefania’s warning on Lamar (13:48):
  “I’d be awfully nervous about starting Lamar Jackson in championship week and how he’s looked.”
• Daniel on Blake Corum strategy (19:16):
  “Go add him even if you’re not going to use him just to block somebody else.”
• Tyler on waiver-wire logic (especially for streaming defenses, 28:55):
  “Look at the Vegas betting line and games that have totals in the 30s...better for streaming defenses.”

Timestamps for Important Segments

• 49ers-Colts MNF Recap: 02:40–09:59
• Injury Updates & QB Waiver Wire: 12:35–15:41
• QB/TE Waivers & Streaming: 17:24–27:29
• Week 17 Streaming Defenses: 27:29–30:31
• Week 17 Preview – Cowboys/Commanders: 30:43–34:26
• Lions/Vikings Discussion: 34:32–41:49
• Broncos/Chiefs Preview + R.J. Harvey for OROY: 42:49–53:09
• Playoff Stash: Stevenson: 56:19–57:14
• Focus League Update & Mailbag: 57:27–64:28

Closing Advice & Tone

The hosts maintain their signature friendly, energetic, and comedic style. They emphasize the volatility of Week 17 (injuries, weather, late-scratch chaos), urge managers to check practice reports, and encourage blocking strategies on waivers. They close with gratitude for loyal listeners and remind everyone to be kind—to themselves and each other—over the holidays.

Useful Takeaways for Non-Listeners

• All major fantasy-relevant injuries, especially at RB, have a direct waiver-wire and start/sit impact—monitor throughout the week.
• Proven veterans in good matchups (e.g., Trevor Lawrence, Aaron Jones) get the green light over big names with injury or QB uncertainty (e.g., Lamar Jackson, Justin Jefferson).
• Don’t overlook “block” additions—even if you’re set, grab top waiver players to deny your opponent.
• Pay attention to betting totals for identifying streaming defenses.
• Flexibility and up-to-date injury/news monitoring are critical for Week 17’s chaos.

For more strategy and in-depth matchup preview, tune in to the Friday show for Week 17 Part 2!