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 slateākey 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. Thereās 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: āCan 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?ā (03:48)
- Tyler: āThat is exactly my reality. ... I won by 1.7 points thanks to McCaffrey.ā (03:56-04:42)
- Kittleās monster day, but injury concerns (ankle/hip-drop tackle) as he tops all TEs in Week 16.
- Stefania: āHe called it a hip drop tackle ... yet he didnāt feel like it was a high ankle sprain.ā (05:33)
- If Kittle is limited for Week 17, monitor closely.
- Coltsā offense surprises: Philip Rivers connects with Alec Pierce and Josh Downs keeps a safe floor, but Jonathan Taylor is kept in check.
- Stefania: āHe hasnāt had 100 yards since before the bye ... Unfortunate for those who had Jonathan Taylor on their team.ā (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)āhosts advocate caution for QB streamers in championship week, question his ceiling.
- Stefania: āIād be awfully nervous about starting Lamar Jackson in championship week and how heās looked.ā (13:48)
- Trevor Lawrence: Back-to-back āmonster gamesā; strong add for needy managers.
- Daniel: āI think you can take him right off the waiver wire, put him directly into your starting lineup.ā (15:16)
- Tyler Shuck: New Orleans offense rolling, strong 2QB/Superflex option for Week 17.
- Tyler: āI would strongly consider Tyler Shuck as a better start in Week 17 over Lamar Jackson.ā (18:39)
Running Backs
- Blake Corum: Four straight games with 13+ fantasy points; still under-rostered, a priority addāeven if only to block your opponent.
- Daniel: āEven if you donāt need a running back, just go grab him to block your opponent...ā (19:16)
- Cleveland RBs: Quinchon Judkins out; debate between Travion Williams (safer) and Dylan Sampson (upside if he plays/practices fully).
- Stefania: āIf Dylan Sampsonās not practicing and heās out, then itās an easy call...I might draw the line if heās limited/questionable.ā (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 Etienneās role.
- Stefania: āYou could do worse, I think, than Brenton Strange.ā (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: āAny defense in Pittsburgh...taking on Shador Sanders and his ability to take sacks and rack up turnovers is viable.ā (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-Raās 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 thatās the case.
- Aaron Jones (Vikingsā RB): Flex playāLionsā 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: āI donāt feel confident starting him, but I feel like I just might have to [Rice]... Kelsey outside my top 15.ā (52:31)
5. Playoff Stash Advice & League Updates
- Ramondre Stevenson: Banged up RB rooms boost his value as a must-roster stash.
- āEven if you donāt think youāll start him, add to block your opponent.ā (56:19)
- Fantasy Focus League Update: Miller Lite Mike vs. Jamar Mageddon in final (āsome big names on both squadsāāAmon-Ra, Bijan, Jamar Chase, Kyren Williams).
Notable Quotes & Moments
- Tylerās miracle comeback story (49ers MNF, 04:06):
āI was trailing by 64.2 points...woke up and saw...five touchdown passes, two of them to MC. I won by 1.7 points!ā - Stefania on Kittleās health (05:33):
āHe called it a hip drop tackle...yet he didnāt feel like it was a high ankle sprain.ā - Stefaniaās warning on Lamar (13:48):
āIād be awfully nervous about starting Lamar Jackson in championship week and how heās looked.ā - Daniel on Blake Corum strategy (19:16):
āGo add him even if youāre not going to use him just to block somebody else.ā - Tyler on waiver-wire logic (especially for streaming defenses, 28:55):
āLook at the Vegas betting line and games that have totals in the 30s...better for streaming defenses.ā
Timestamps for Important Segments
- 49ers-Colts MNF Recap: 02:40ā09:59
- Injury Updates & QB Waiver Wire: 12:35ā15:41
- QB/TE Waivers & Streaming: 17:24ā27:29
- Week 17 Streaming Defenses: 27:29ā30:31
- Week 17 Preview ā Cowboys/Commanders: 30:43ā34:26
- Lions/Vikings Discussion: 34:32ā41:49
- Broncos/Chiefs Preview + R.J. Harvey for OROY: 42:49ā53:09
- Playoff Stash: Stevenson: 56:19ā57:14
- Focus League Update & Mailbag: 57:27ā64:28
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 kindāto themselves and each otherāover the holidays.
Useful Takeaways for Non-Listeners
- All major fantasy-relevant injuries, especially at RB, have a direct waiver-wire and start/sit impactāmonitor 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).
- Donāt overlook āblockā additionsāeven if youāre 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 17ās chaos.
For more strategy and in-depth matchup preview, tune in to the Friday show for Week 17 Part 2!
