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- [00:02]
A
You're in the 06010 Focus Fantasy.
- [00:09]
B
Fantasy Focus. What's good, friends? Welcome into fantasy focus Football presented by Wingstop alongside Stefania Bell and field Yates today. My name is Daniel Dye.
- [00:23]
C
He says with great excitement, no Liz Loza today.
- [00:25]
B
We love being able to have Liz on set. It doesn't get to happen very often. I get to see your handsome face every single day.
- [00:31]
C
Field sound great. I get it. It America agrees as well. Liz, though, hopefully made it back okay to my family in Los Angeles.
- [00:38]
B
Yeah.
- [00:38]
C
Thank you for welcoming me back.
- [00:39]
B
Of course. Great to be able to have you guys here. Very excited to be able to talk about what was the Monday night football game. Maybe not very excited. I shouldn't have used those words. But we will talk about the Monday night football. Yeah. It was very exciting for you. Absolutely.
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A
It was.
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B
We're also going to dive into our waiver wire and because we only have a few shows this week, because it's Thanksgiving weekend, we are going to do a show today and tomorrow we'll be off on Thursday and Friday. So we're gonna start our Week 13 preview today with a couple of Thursday night games as well as the Friday game as well. So we'll dive into all of those. But first and foremost, quick shout out to our friends over at trophy smack. Go visit trophysmac.com use the promo code focus10 to get 10% off your order over at trophysmac.com get a belt, get a chain, get a toilet seat, all the things you could ever want for your league. And shout out to our buddy Eric Moody. Follow him on social media. Ricknmoodie and jump in our YouTube chat. Here he is answering all your questions all show long.
- [01:32]
A
You know, trophy smack. I might need a toilet seat and a championship belt.
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B
Hey, nothing wrong with that for you.
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C
Quite a starter kit right there.
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B
That's right.
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A
One of everything. I know.
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B
Why not?
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A
By the way, that in this show league. And I'm just going to say it right, I'm going to own this. Like, you know, my team has been terrible. They are the worst ever. I can't even get victory points. I lose twice.
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C
Yeah.
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A
Every week in this league no matter what I do. And I have many things to blame, but I just. We don't have time.
- [02:02]
B
You're the Joe for, you know what happened.
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A
You know what happened this week. Well, I think Presley's team beat me by like three points and I scored like 137. I mean, is this fair?
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B
It's like you were right there.
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C
Fair.
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B
We'll dive into it.
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A
Three points. I'm going to be oh and 500.
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B
Were you counting on any 49ers to help get you over the top?
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A
Well, if I'd had one, it wouldn't have helped.
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B
Okay. All right.
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C
All right.
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B
Well, then let's dive in.
- [02:29]
C
One that could have helped.
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B
We had what was not one, not two, not three, not four, but five interceptions thrown in this game between Brock Ber and Bryce Young. What was your big takeaway when you were watching this? Because it didn't feel like there was a lot on the Panthers side of the football team.
- [02:46]
C
Assuming somebody wants to cover the 49ers and Christian McCaffrey in a moment, which will. We will. He's brilliant. Great conversation about whether he's the fantasy MVP once again, but I thought we saw a little bit more of a split backfield in Carolina than of late. So we saw chuba Habber play 35% of the snaps. Rico Dowdle played 65% of the snaps. Still a very healthy number of snaps, but it's his lowest in four games. He was at 74 or above in each of the three games prior to last night. On top of that, Rico Daddle is now have been held to 53 or fewer rushing yards in three straight games. There was a time where Rico felt like top seven or eight running back, right? We were talking about him being like just behind Josh Jacobs. The regression has kind of hit here for Rico Dowdle, who's still at 11.4 fantasy points. Not some unbelievably terrible number. But the time in which it felt like he was going to win your your league has at least temporarily been put on hold. They play the Rams next weekend. One of the worst defenses to face in the entire NFL for opposing running backs. And it's not like last night they had Chuba Hubbard on the field a lot because they were down by 30 points and they were just throwing the football. Which you see for some teams who do have a running back that basically plays only when they are behind. Now, this game was closed for much of the game last night. So a little bit less from Rico Dowdle over the past three games than we grew accustomed to when he was the best running back in fantasy football for like three out of four weeks.
- [04:14]
A
I was surprised because I think with the weaknesses that are apparent in the 49ers, especially through their linebacking core, I thought Rico Doddle would have a big game.
- [04:23]
C
They should have. Well, let's, let's. This is a not Monday or Tuesday. Monday Tuesday morning quarterbacking because I feel like we do sometimes overdo it with like these coaches are such morons. Here's how we could have made it that much easier. I did feel like it was pretty apparent the Panthers on first and goal from the one yard line should have had Rico Dowdle just run the football.
- [04:43]
B
Yes.
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C
Worst case scenario, you try again on Saturday, second down. But they end up play action and Bryce Young throws a pass that is intercepted.
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B
It was a sick interception, one of.
- [04:52]
C
Two interceptions for Tig last night. So just a weird circumstance and play call there by Carolina on the goal line could have helped the day for Rico Dowdle. That being said, not a great monster night. We have grown accustomed to those from Rico, at least during that stretch in which he could not be stopped. Stefania. But I think from there we can kind of defer to the San Francisco side of the game. And of course the Christian McCaffrey show rolls on.
- [05:15]
A
Christian McCaffrey is just, you know, it's hard for me to talk about this because I feel like everyone's going to say you're biased. And I am. I do own this. I watch a lot of 49ers football. But you would be hard pressed to find a player who is as valuable to his team in terms of what he does as Christian McCaffrey in the sense that he's. It's just the versatility and the pass catching. I think he has the number one wide receiver in the league right now in terms of receptions.
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C
He is the number one player overall in the NFL with 81 catches coming. Unbelievable.
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A
Insane. Like he's a running back, mind you, and he is leading pass catchers. So that was on display. It's his vision when he's running. He finds holes, he's patient. He does all of the things they needed him to chew up. Time essentially. Brock Purdy obviously was struggling last night, so they put the load on Christian McCaffrey and you know, there was that the game moved so slowly and there were so many turnovers that you were hard pressed to find scoring for your fantasy team. But ultimately Chris McCaffrey finds the end zone and helps you out with what, 27 fantasy points or thereabouts.
- [06:25]
C
Highest scoring player amongst non quarterbacks. Maybe even including quarterbacks and all. Yeah, including quarterbacks in this one scoring player. No, no. Just across the NFL season this year, the highest scoring player in all the fantasy football is Christian McCaffrey. Guys, he's averaging 25.7 fantasy points per game. We don't really need to do the who's the fantasy MVP every single week. We can table it for the end of the season when we will give out awards. But Christian McCaffrey has continued to prove his mettle. He was amazing last night. He had nine touches on the first drive.
- [06:55]
B
That's unbelievable.
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A
He really. I think they were talking about it in the booth like they were saying he was going to break his own streak of how many times he touched the ball in the. In the first drive for the 49ers. You know who else I thought performed well last night was George Kittle. He was also somebody that was. Was he was necessary for. Brock Purdy stepped up to help bail him out. The ball went. Brock Purdy was struggling. The guy he's looking for, if it's not Christian McCaffrey, is George Kittle. 13.8 fantasy points, I believe. And so Kittle, I think, has been fairly solid in terms of fantasy production.
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B
George Kittle may have bailed Brock Purdy out, but if you tried to start Ricky Pierce all. He did not bail out your fantasy squad. He still didn't really get a ton. He was on the field a bunch, but did not get a ton of run. From a volume perspective, right now, it's just not his thing. Feels like it is Joanne Jennings and it is George Kittle. And Ricky Pearsall is kind of the odd man out right now in the receiving core.
- [07:49]
C
And I think we have to realize too, like, let's talk about where we're at in the season. Right. It's week 13. The 49ers aren't a buy in week 14.
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B
Yep.
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C
You have to ask yourself if you have Ricky Pearsall if you need a roster spot, is he. Drop a bull. There's a. There's a. There's at least a chance. Are you going to play him this week? Do you feel confident playing Ricky Pearsall against the Browns where it's supposed to be snow, wind and wet on Sunday in Cleveland?
- [08:16]
B
Nope.
- [08:17]
C
And then he goes into a buy in week 14. I'm not saying you should be dropping him. I'm just saying we've reached the point of the year where there's a cross section of players that at one point felt like, you can't drop that guy because he's way too valuable potentially. Now potential is not that valuable. Right. Because we're into the production, not potential or go home. So Ricky Piersol, probably because of the injury, a season that has kind of gone by the wayside, but for now, like, not a guy that should be in lineups. Not an auto drop by any means, but definitely should not be in lineups for week 13.
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B
Is there any reason that you feel like we wouldn't have Juan Jenning next week because of a potential suspension?
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C
I don't think so.
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B
Okay. That after the game was not that level of things. I just want to ask.
- [08:56]
C
So he. And for those that missed it, Trayvon Merrick, the safety from the Panthers got into it after the game because Trayvon Mer kicked him in the.
- [09:05]
B
I'm sorry, Jwes.
- [09:06]
C
Wow. Yeah, I. I had to think about how he could say this. It's made for Internet tv. You were the better family jewels, the Jennings. Yes. But I think Jennings may maybe find. But I don't think he'll miss.
- [09:21]
B
Doesn't feel like it's going to get.
- [09:22]
C
That well for the 49ers.
- [09:24]
B
Well, let's talk about our fantasy focus show league. With the wrapping up of Monday night Football that meant that our league got even a little bit tighter. Here is the scoreboard. This week I took down team Moody, which I needed to do big time.
- [09:35]
C
Win for you 1212 high scoring team.
- [09:38]
B
Trophy smack just crushed Miller Light Mike again. They are a wagon. They will not slow down. Fields. You got beat by team Loza.
- [09:45]
C
Did. And not only did I lose to Liz Loza, but I believe I was five points shy of getting at least a victory win. So an 02 week for me drops me from 11. 11 to 11 and 13.
- [09:58]
B
Tough. Stefania got beat by three points by our producer David Presley. Not great.
- [10:03]
C
Two, three.
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B
Yeah, we got. I'll tell you what, if we look at the standings here we are in a good spot. Right in the middle. There are so many teams just stuck in the middle of this. Well, sorry about that, Stefania.
- [10:15]
A
Look at Trophy smack back on top of I. Do you think.
- [10:18]
B
Do you think that we don't need.
- [10:20]
A
Our words of last week? They were like we're going to trophy smack.
- [10:24]
B
Send yourself a toilet seat. That's how we feel about you right now because you are so good at fantasy football. Every year you're right at the top.
- [10:31]
C
I don't think trophy smack has trophy smack won the league.
- [10:34]
B
I don't think so.
- [10:35]
A
I think it's always been like finals, like semi finals finals.
- [10:39]
C
I know I won two seasons ago.
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B
All right.
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C
You can remember all your wins, right?
- [10:43]
B
That was time.
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C
Oh, so sorry.
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B
No, it's all good. It's all good.
- [10:45]
C
I forget who won last year, but let's move on.
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B
Time for playoff stash presented by Wingstop. We're going to bring one stash leading into the 2025 fantasy playoffs. I brought you a guy last week, Fields. You're going to bring us someone this week.
- [10:57]
C
We actually all brought you guys last week and a week later my pick of J.J. mcCarthy feels awful. That being said, I look to do better this week as over the past couple of games we have seen a Jets wide receiver emerge. Remember all those big trades the jets made? Much of it was focused in on the draft capital the jets received in exchange for players like Sauce Gardner and also Quinn and Williams. They made another trade at some point during the slew of trades they made that included John Metchie coming to them from the Philadelphia Eagles in exchange for cornerback Michael Carter. There was also some draft picks involved Mechi over the past couple of games. How about this Week 11? Three catches, 45 yards and a touchdown and 82% of the snapshot showed some ability in that game against the Patriots. Week 12 Six catches, 65 yards, one touchdown on seven targets and 88% of the snaps in the jets lost this past weekend to the Ravens, a defense that has been playing pretty good of late. Garrett Wilson is out for at least two more games. We'll see whether that's longer or not. The jets have the 11th easiest schedule for the rest of the season for wide receivers. Tyrod Taylor is now under center. That means more passing is likely compared to where things were at with Justin Fields. On top of that, John Mech is an easy guy to root for. Second round pick who has dealt with a lot, a lot of adversity early on in his NFL career, including overcoming cancer. So he's back on the field. That's awesome to see. He was a great, great college player at Alabama who had a very unique journey getting to college and playing in playing for Nick Saban at Alabama. So a player that's got some ability, that much has always been clear. Now he's getting some opportun opportunity as well. An interesting name to stash right now. The jets are often playing from behind. That definitely helps his cause.
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B
Yes, they are. Also you already said this, but I just, I do love this story of John Neshi. Like a great dude to root for. Like an easy one.
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So just kind of quietly has gone about his business and done his job and it's nice to see him get elevated to a chance where he could really shine.
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C
Yeah.
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B
Love being able to see him get a role here and see what he can do with it. All right. Thank you for that, Phil Jates.
- [13:02]
C
You're welcome.
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B
That is our playoff stash Presented by Wingstop. Let's dive into the week 3, 13 waivers.
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C
Let's do it.
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B
And let me tell you guys this, no teams on a buy this week, which means priority waivers are quite slim.
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C
Yeah, they are. On top of that, it's, you know, I think we have to remind people that much of the waiver wire action from this point forward will be dependent upon two things. One, serious bi week woes.
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B
Yep.
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C
We have zero of those this week. And two, an injury. Right. If we have an injury to a major player who has an obvious replacement, we'll talk about that player on the waiver wire.
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B
Last week, the perfect example, as you saw, Josh Jacobs was held out. Emmanuel Wilson came in and smashed for fantasy managers. And this week, I don't think we have anybody like that. There are no priority pickups for me this week because nobody got hurt. No one's on by. It doesn't feel like there's someone you need to take from the waiver wire and put immediately into your starting lineup.
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C
Okay, so do we have any next level?
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B
I got some streamers here that you could. That I get some options and some deeper league guys.
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C
Quarterback streamers?
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B
Yeah, I got one quarterback streamer, guys. You know who the quarterback streamer is. I cannot believe this person is still not rostered in over 50% of leagues.
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C
Well, let's stop talking about him after this week because this reminds me of where we were a few weeks ago with Trey Benz.
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B
That's fair. Six straight weeks as a top 12 quarterback. But Jacoby Brissette, one more time, at least 18 and a half fantasy points in every single game over the last six weeks, have you had a quarterback score under 18 and a half fantasy points? Not if you had Jacoby Brissette under center because he has been unbelievable. You get one more week. And I'm glad you said this, but you get one more week with Jacoby Brissette as a starter. This is it. Because the next two games after this, he plays the Rams and the Texans in weeks 14 and 15. That's not a week I'm trying to stream. After that you can come back to it. He gets the Falcons and Bengals in week 16 and 17. However, after this week, we're out on the streaming radar for two more weeks for Jacoby Brissette because those two defenses are just too good. This week, though, I got him as a top 12 quarterback against the Bucks. Like a running back spot, a deeper league target. Maybe someone to consider. Devin Neal. Stefania, do you have any updates by any chance on Alvin Camara, last we.
- [15:05]
A
Heard was he was going for an MRI on that knee injury that he suffered last week. And the news, the results were not out as of late last night. Anything this morning that I've heard yet, so stay tuned.
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C
I can make the case for him as a priority AD just because so rare that we have a running back that is available. Sure. But along those lines, Devin Neal steps into the Alvin Camara role.
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B
It hasn't been a great role.
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C
Yeah, Alvin Camara has one touchdown this season that was I think all the way back in week one. It's been a very, very slow start. A just slow season in general for Alvin Camara. Devin Neal, Kansas's all time leading rusher. He had three seasons of a thousand rushing yards during his college career. Pretty good. He was a good player. He ends up going in the fifth round. Maybe it was a sixth round because of the depth of this running back class. I know, how dare you. Get it together, will you? But a guy who had to wait his turn during the draft process but stepped into that number two role once Kendra Miller tore his ACL earlier this season. So the good here for Devin Neal is he played a ton of snaps once Alvin Camaro went down last week. He is going to have a legitimate role in a matchup against the Dolphins that we think is pretty good for the New Orleans Saints running backs. The mitigating factors are this. The Saints offense does not score many points. Yep. On top of that, Taysom Hill is going to be a factor. Taysom Hill played a lot of running back last week as well and it wouldn't surprise any of us if they get the ball in the five yard line and in what happens. It takes some Hill time and that.
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B
Is why he's not a priority AD to me. Because if like otherwise I still think he's worth adding. He filled in really admirably as a pass catcher too. Once Camaro went down at five catches for 43 yards on seven targets. Finished with 11.1 points. You talked about the matchup against the Miami Dolphins. If you've got a guy on the end of your bench and you're saying to yourself, you just brought it up. I'm going to bring, I'm going to talk about. I'm sorry Stefania, you're 49er.
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A
Go ahead.
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B
Let's say that you've got a wide receiver at the end of your bench. I'm just not. I got four guys better than Ricky Pierce Hall. I'm just not going to play him this year. If you tell me that Devin Neal is out there in waivers. Would I drop Ricky Piersol to go grab Devin Neal because maybe a running back is more valuable down the stretch than Ricky Pierce Hall, I'd have no problem being able to do that. I just don't think he is a priority AD with how bad unfortunately that offense is and the fact that Tayson Miller is there. However, he should get some run against a nice defense. If there is no Alvin Camara, we'll find out that a little bit later.
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C
In the week sounds like a week where it could be no Alvin Camara. Especially because at this point of the.
- [17:30]
A
Season and you're not rushing anyone back from that. He's had an ankle issue that he's been dealing with off and on as well. So it just feels like at the very least with a knee issue that was enough that you're being sent for follow up testing, it's hard to imagine him suddenly being back.
- [17:46]
B
I vividly remember talking about this in the preseason where we said to ourselves one of the things to fear about Alvin Kamara is as an older running back on a potentially not good team. If he gets banged up down the stretch, what's the purpose in them being saying I need to play him in week 16 and 17 for the Saints? There is none. The purpose is only for us in fantasy football. So is it well this year? Yeah, who knows. All right, let's talk about some wide receivers, some deeper league targets. Jaden Higgins has been coming on recently as a wide receiver here. Seven or more targets in four of his last five games. Thirteen or more fantasy points in three of those five. He gets the Colts this week in week 13. If you need a wide receiver, someone you could throw on the end of your bench. Same with Luther Burden. Luther Burden has been coming on the clear wide receiver 3. I don't think he's going to get more run unless either DJ Moore or Roman Dunesday gets banged up. But he's clearly the number three guy. Five targets in back to back weeks. You see him blooming into a nice end of bench stash for Caleb Williams as a rookie. That's just seen a little bit more growth towards the end of the season.
- [18:45]
C
By the way, Luther Burden I think is going to challenge George Pickens for a ratio of every time they touch the ball something really cool happens. Yeah, it may not be Pickens has now gotten to a place where the ball is coming his way a lot. Yep, he's second in the NFL and receiving yards. Luther Burden is not going to see the ball as much right now with both Roma Dunes and DJ Moore in the running game for the Bears. But every time he gets a pass I'm like whoa. Yep, he is explosive and of course he has, you know, on the short list for the best play callers in the NFL designing things for him right now. So he'll be a fun guy that will have more fans at about Friday at 6:30 Eastern Time because they played during that Black Friday game against the Eagles. As we'll preview in just a matter.
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B
Of months moment, he's actually going to be a really fun one for us to talk about I think over the off season to say what is the value of this wide receiver two in this Bears offense and his second year under Ben Johnson and going to be a lot of fun to talk about that. All right, I got one more player here and it's because we're going to have very likely, I'm assuming no T. Higgins this week still in the concussion protocol. Andre Yoshavas and and and they play Thursday Thursday which makes sense.
- [19:51]
A
It's just such a short week and they already ruled them out. Yes.
- [19:55]
B
Those other two guys that I just mentioned, Jaden Higgins and Luther Burden. They're if you want to add someone for maybe they get hot down the playoff stre this one Andre Yosavas. This is a one week rental as a wide receiver too. So this is a situation you expect a big bump from T. Higgins. He's had some nice games where he's seen some more volume when either T or Jamar Chase has been out three games this year with more than seven targets. He's had 10.6, 13.2 and 18 fantasy points, double digits in all three of them. So if he can hit that seven target mark right now with by the way, Joe Burrow under center, Joe Burrow.
- [20:27]
A
Is going to be back the starting quarterback. So it's been a minute since we've seen him run this offense. I'll be very curious to see how he looks just judging from how much work he was doing before he was in practice. Like I I'm not really worried about his conditioning. You always worry about timing when you haven't been out there with your guys for, for, for that long. But I expect Joe Burrow to look.
- [20:50]
B
Very Joe Burrow like so let's transition in. I want to ask you more Joe Burrow questions but I'm going to save them for when we get into that game, Stefania, if that's okay because there's a lot that we got. However, we got four games to preview right now. We're going to start with our Thursday Thanksgiving slate. Packers and Lions, a 1pm game.
- [21:10]
A
Are you going to be watching?
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B
I will be watching, but I'm a little bit thrown off. I swear for the rest of my life. This has been a 12:30 start time.
- [21:18]
C
It has Sunday. Okay, 12:30 and then it was like. No, it's a one o' clock game. Since when?
- [21:22]
B
When did that happen? Okay, so that's maybe this year thing.
- [21:25]
C
This might be the NFL acknowledging if you look at the games they have this year on Thanksgiving.
- [21:31]
B
Yep.
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C
And the Thursday night game is always going to rate really well because it's a primetime game.
- [21:35]
B
Correct.
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C
But can you think of a better Thanksgiving slate of late than Packers? Lions with both teams are very good. Yep. Chiefs, Cowboys. A lot of people are predicting Chiefs. Cowboys could become the single most watched regular season game of all time in.
- [21:52]
A
The history of watching football.
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C
So wouldn't surprise. I think. I think the number is like, like 42 and a half million back in the day. I can't recall which game that was probably involved. The Cowboys, Cowboys, Chiefs will do some serious numbers and Packers, Lions will do as well.
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A
And Bengals, Ravens and Joe Burrow coming back. Coming back now I think you get a ton of eyeballs on that as well. I mean, look, we'll all be watching. So let's talk.
- [22:16]
C
Yes, one o' clock is definitely a curveball. Yes, always 12:30.
- [22:20]
B
Well, let's dive in then. We'll talk packers and Lions here. Lineup blocks in this game and we're going to talk about a couple of lineup blocks. Aman Ra St. Brown and Jameer Gibbs are the two lineup locks for the Lions. Josh Jacobs also a lineup block, assuming he's going to play Stefania. I know he sat out specifically and it wasn't a problem as to whether or not he felt like he could go and deal with it. It was just the range of motion with the swelling.
- [22:41]
A
Right.
- [22:41]
B
Do we have any updates? I was paying attention on Sunday morning.
- [22:45]
A
It's very true. So just for those who might have missed it, his knee reportedly swelled up when he heard it. Not last Sunday, but the week prior. And one of the issues with swelling is it can. It inhibits the muscle control around the joint. So you don't want to get out there when you don't have good stability control from the muscles because then you risk a really significant injury on top of it. So Josh Jacobs had said it was never about whether he would want to play and how he's played through injuries. It was whether his knee would allow him to. And I think the collective decision making was it was not quite ready to go. And part of that thinking was there is another game on Thursday. So it sounds like he's feeling better. He was a limited participant in their Monday assessment of what their projection is, but I do think that there's a good chance that he plays on Thursday. It's not a done deal yet. You know, he has to behave over a couple of days and they have to be really comfortable. He can run. But I. I think it's more likely than not, let's put it that way.
- [23:48]
C
I just.
- [23:48]
B
I just want to put this out there because I think I very much know the answer. But if Josh Jacobs plays, Emmanuel Wilson looked awesome last week. You don't think there's a chance that they try to like, hey, we'll bring Josh back slowly. You could think about both these running backs.
- [24:00]
C
I'd be surprised if he has a little bit more work. Josh Jacobs earlier this season had a game in which he was coming off of the injury port. He might have been sick. And Emmanuel Wilson played like 30% of the snaps.
- [24:11]
B
Okay.
- [24:12]
C
You know, in some games, Josh will play 80, 85% of the snaps. But this is not a must win by definition. It's close to it.
- [24:18]
B
It says close to it.
- [24:19]
C
Want to stick in the NFC north race. The Bears at the very top of the NMC north right now, but if they lose to the Lions, they would push them back to what, seven, four and one?
- [24:30]
B
Yep.
- [24:30]
C
And that would definitely decrease their chances of winning the division. With the Bears at 8 and 3 going into Friday's game and the Lions, who, if they win, would be 8 and 4.
- [24:39]
B
The only other question I really honestly have about the Green Bay packers is, is there a pass catcher that you've decided over the last couple weeks you can finally trust? I'm sorry, Stefania, you have one more thing.
- [24:48]
A
Well, I. What I wanted to say on that before we start talking about pass catchers, is Jaden Reed is somebody that's been off the radar because he's been hurt and absent for so long. But they opened his practice window and he is now practicing with the team member. He fractured his collarbone. He also had that Jones fracture in his foot that he had decided to try and play through. They took advantage of when he was out to get the collarbone fixed to go ahead and fix the foot as well. So he may come in. In better shape now than he actually was coming in to start the season. So he is now limited. Still listed as limited. Participant, but we don't exactly know when that's going to open up. I don't necessarily think it'll be this Thursday.
- [25:29]
B
Okay.
- [25:30]
C
I think there's a chance, but I.
- [25:31]
A
Think there's a chance. Yeah. So I think that's what we want. Stay tuned.
- [25:36]
B
Throw one more packers wide receiver.
- [25:38]
A
Exactly. But it does change how you feel potentially about and I feel like meh about a lot of them because every week there's volatility in who is the primary target.
- [25:48]
C
Can you start at packers receiver? You can, sure, if you so confidently I'd argue no. If you look over the last four games Romeo Dobbs four straight games under 10 fantasy points. Christian Watson has led the team in three of their past four games amongst wide receiver fantasy points. But he has only one game during that four stretch. Four game stretch with 12 over 12 and a half fantasy points. So that 12 and a half number is okay for a flex. But if you're looking for a guy that you should be confidently starting, I don't think there is an answer in this packers wide receiver.
- [26:18]
B
I think that game is a game in which Christian Watson had under 50 receiving yards but just had two touchdowns.
- [26:23]
C
Four for 46 with two touchdowns was his one big game since coming back. You ever show up late to the game and your friends already saved your seat, your drink, even a plate that's looking out, that's having your back. And that's exactly what AT and T does with the AT and T guarantee. They know staying connected matters. That's why AT and T has connectivity you depend on, guaranteed. Or they'll proactively make it right. Just like that friend who takes care of things before you even ask. AT&T connecting changes everything. Terms and conditions apply. Visit att.comguarantee for details. Out here, days are getting a little cooler and mornings are starting with a few more layers. It's a season for more time at the grill and more feed for your animals. That's why season after season, we're here for your life out here. Tractor Supply it's that time again. The holidays are here and if your partner is asking what to get you, make it easy. Tell them to add Manscaped to the list this year. From the beard hedger to the lawnmower trimmer, Manscaped trademark keeps you clean, confident and ready for every holiday gathering. These aren't just gifts, they're smart upgrades for your daily routine. So this season, give the gift of grooming and confidence that lasts long after the wrapping's gone. Take advantage of Target's Black Friday deals and get 25% off all power shavers. Hurry. Offer ends November 30th.
- [27:48]
B
All right, then on the other side, do you feel like and this is an ultimate trust play Jameson Williams. I mean, I think you just have.
- [27:55]
C
To ask yourself, are you in or are you out? Right. There's no to me. It's the logic should not change much from one week to the next. It should not be a matchup thing. He had an amazing matchup last week. He did. Let's look at Jameson Williams last seven games. Yes.
- [28:09]
B
Thank you.
- [28:09]
C
I'm going to give you another fantasy game log here for Jame over his last seven. Two points. 18.6 points.
- [28:15]
B
That one's good.
- [28:16]
C
Zero points.
- [28:17]
B
That one's not good.
- [28:17]
C
16.6, 23.9, 19.7 and zero. So in those seven games, he had three games with two or fewer. The other four were 16.6 or more. This is Mike Williams back in the day. This is Tyra Lockett back in the day. This is name your favorite random boomer bust wide receiver. But nobody defines that more in today's NFL than Jameson Williams. You play him or you don't. It's not really matchup dependent. It's not really, hey, this is this. This factor comes into play. It's how risky do you feel?
- [28:49]
B
We've been asking the question, though. Can JMO be not considered boom bust If Sam laporte is going to miss the rest of the season and maybe he becomes like a more trusted wide receiver too. And coming out of last week, it feels like a reminder that this is just going to be part of JMO's game. Even if they want to get him involved, these type of games are in there because every once in a while when Amon Ross, St. Brown and Jameer Gibbs are working. Yeah, maybe JMO is going to come away with a tough one. Like this is sort of how it works.
- [29:16]
A
I feel like this is where I'm going to channel my. Liz.
- [29:21]
B
Yeah. Facts versus feelings.
- [29:22]
A
The feelings, you know, the facts say it's complete feast or famine. Right. Like Thanksgiving's a feast day, is it not?
- [29:30]
C
Feels like it feels like it feels.
- [29:32]
B
Let's hope so.
- [29:33]
A
Jameson. I always the lately the Lions, these, this version of these fun, good, talented Lions feel like they always have something fun up their sleeve.
- [29:42]
C
Yeah.
- [29:43]
A
On Thanksgiving day. And Jameson Williams has been a part of that. I think that this is the week. But for fantasy purposes, knowing that some of us are in this, you know, I've got to win out in order to make the playoffs?
- [29:58]
C
Yep.
- [29:59]
A
This is the time to swing for the fences. Right. And, and to me, that's what he is. He's the guy that you throw in there. If you feel like I need to go with the dart throws that are not going to net me a safe floor, they're going to help me get into the playoffs. If that's the push I'm trying to.
- [30:16]
B
Make, he could be that guy.
- [30:18]
C
Know your needs, right?
- [30:19]
B
Exactly. Exactly.
- [30:20]
C
If you think that you're a strong favorite and all you got to do is win one more game and you're in, then you probably go with your lower ceiling player than Jameson Williams. If you feel like, hey, you need.
- [30:31]
B
To win back Khalil Shakir, who's a, who's a good safe guy. Right.
- [30:35]
C
Shakir is a good example right there. If you need a big swing because you're really facing a tough opponent and you got to win out to make the playoffs, then you probably rolled the dice with jmo. I'm not saying to start him or sit him. I am saying that it really comes down to knowing your needs and just being comfortable living with whatever outcome heads your way. It can be great. It's pretty unlikely that Jamo goes for like eight fantasy points if history has told us.
- [31:00]
B
Agree. Yeah, he's pretty impacted, I think, by this offense too. It feels like when the offense is grooving, then he can get on, on track, but when it's not, I think he's kind of impacted by that. And I think there's another guy in David Montgomery that feels like is just unstartable right now in fantasy football, which really sucks. Someone that I have loved so much last couple weeks, we've a couple of years. Excuse me. He's been a top 20 running back right there with Jameer Gibbs this year. I think we've gotten to the point now heading into the playoffs that like, we just need to say I don't think David Montgomery is even a flex consideration with the way that the Lions are utilizing him. He's. No, he's not. Just touchdown depend and even just going to touchdown, I don't know if isn't enough right now.
- [31:35]
C
Maybe we talked about how maybe Jameson Williams getting more involved was the big change with Dan Campbell taking over as the play caller. Maybe the bigger change, maybe the more accurate change is just leaning more and more into Jameer Gibbs, who is becoming at least a candidate for offensive player of the year. But David Montgomery over the past two games has 11.4 fantasy points total. So you do the math on that that's 5.7 per game over his last six games. He has not topped 11 fantasy points in any of them. So he is a low ceiling player right now. And I was going to say flex play, but that's not even accurate.
- [32:09]
B
No, I think, I think he is a touchdown dependent flex play. When you start three flexes and you have to fill the third flex like that's where it is. He's the third of your three flex.
- [32:18]
C
Two touchdowns. I don't even know that one touchdown's enough.
- [32:21]
B
No, seriously, he might not hit double digits if he just gets one touchdown.
- [32:24]
C
Might be 46 yards and a touchdown with one catch for 5 yards for David Montgomery. With the way that Jameer Gibbs is rolling. Right? Yup.
- [32:31]
B
Y that one has been very difficult. So there's a couple questions leading into that game. Let's move ahead and talk about this second game here.
- [32:37]
A
Full of fantasy potential.
- [32:39]
B
That's right. Chiefs and Cowboys lineup locks in this one include Rasheed Rice, Travis Kelsey, CD Lamb, George Pickens, Javante Williams, Jake Ferguson, and my question to you guys is, are both Dak and Patrick Mahomes considered lineup locks for you guys in this one?
- [32:55]
C
You hard pressed to bench either of them. As we know the Cowboys the gift that keeps on giving to opposing quarterbacks, they still rank dfl that's dead last in terms of fantasy points allowed to opposing quarterbacks with some color in the middle of that one. So Mahomes. Yeah, I don't have enough time family program here. Patrick Mahomes obviously hasn't been great over his past three games. He has been held in check pretty significantly after we kind of like Mike, we did the strength of schedule stuff and it was like Patrick Mahomes has the hardest schedule of any quarterback remaining. And at that point he was the highest scoring quarterback in all of fantasy football football. It'd be hard to bench him against this Cowboys defense though. The Cowboys defense in the first half last week gave Jalen Hurts whatever it wanted and then it kind of locked things up in the second half. But it would still be hard for me to bench Mahomes. And Dak Prescott's been great as well. But of note, this Chiefs defense has allowed the 12th fewest fantasy points to opposing quarterbacks. I still think I would play Dak Prescott, but if you told me one of these guys was held to 12 fantasy points in the game, I would be much more confident in that player being Dak Prescott and not Patrick Balms. A Patrick Mahomes dud would definitely surprise me.
- [34:04]
B
Ooh, I mean, I mean the matchup against the Dallas Cowboys. Cowboys.
- [34:08]
C
You think Mahomes would be held to 12?
- [34:09]
B
No, but it's so tough when I look at, when I look at Dak, I'm just going to quickly read since this is all the way back to week four. 30.9, 28.2, 22.3, 23.2. He's crushing here. And then two games in the middle that were tough. 6.6 and 15.4. And then the last two, 24.3 and 27. Dude has been on fire.
- [34:31]
A
Yesterday he was my guy that I said might be one of the best value picks of the draft.
- [34:35]
B
Absolutely.
- [34:35]
A
You know, because for where you drafted him and where he's performed and I, I think he was top five this week as well. He's just been consistently consistent. It's been awesome.
- [34:48]
B
Yeah, he has been rock solid for your squad. I think I would also start him. Even though it is a much tougher matchup. I still have him as a low end QB one. I think my homes is more of a high end QB one given the matchup. Dak, I'm still starting this week. I just saw Kareem Hunt this last week touched the ball 33 times. He's actually had a nice little run recently. Four straight weeks with a touchdown. Four straight weeks. Not us. Isaiah Pacheco managers four straight weeks with at least 12 and a half fantasy points for Kareem Hunt over that span. He was top 15 twice and top 20 another time. Never outside the top 25 at the running back spot. Do you feel like he's kind of worked his way into the like we need to be considering Kareem Hunt as a potential flex option for our squads.
- [35:31]
A
Isaiah Pacheco listed as a full participant for the first time now and we we haven't seen him. So let's see if he ends up playing on Thursday. That could put a dent in Kareem Hunt's projection. His value essentially.
- [35:46]
C
I'm assuming Isaiah Pacheco plays on Thursday. The full participation in practice indicates that Jeremy Fallock says the Chief Chiefs it's trending towards him playing on Thursday and if he plays, it's hard for me to play any Chiefs running back.
- [35:59]
B
Don't want to start either.
- [36:00]
A
It just makes it messy.
- [36:01]
C
Yeah, there's going to be at least two guys involved. Burchard Smith will get his customary five to six snaps per game where he ends up touching the ball on two or three of those. And while it does still if you look at the full season numbers suggest that the best run defense to face in the NFL, or one of the best is the Cowboys for opposing fantasy running backs. Over the past two games, it should be noted since all of these trades that the Cowboys made. The Cowboys have faced 30 rushing attempts. They've allowed 90 rushing yards.
- [36:30]
B
Over the past few games.
- [36:32]
C
They've seen Saquon Barkley and Ashton genty. Of those 90 rushing yards, the longest rush, 11 yards to Geno Smith.
- [36:40]
B
Stop it.
- [36:41]
C
So the other 29 carries have gone for 79 yards. So again, I'm not ready to declare that this defense has been fixed. This run defense is not totally, but it's a tougher matchup now than it was two weeks ago. I feel comfortable saying that. And I would prefer to not play any Chiefs running.
- [37:00]
B
All right, let me do the quick if then statement then. If Isaiah Pacheco doesn't play, Kareem Hunt is a flex worthy option. Okay. If he does play, you don't want to start either one of these guys. If for some reason at this point Kareem Hunt would be out, would you feel.
- [37:13]
C
Is he out?
- [37:14]
B
No, no, no. But I'm just saying there's the if, then statement.
- [37:17]
C
Hypotheticals. Yeah.
- [37:18]
B
Would you have the same.
- [37:19]
C
Okay.
- [37:20]
B
You. You look at Pacheco in the same way as you look at Kareem Hunt. Okay. I was just curious, just looking at the backfield there. Last one. Are we just fully out? Are we like. We're at the point where we've waved the white flag. Are we out on Xavier Worthy being a starting flex option for us? Because we've been trying to make it happen and no matter what, it just doesn't keep happening.
- [37:36]
C
I'm out.
- [37:36]
B
Okay.
- [37:37]
A
You can't trust.
- [37:38]
C
Okay.
- [37:39]
A
It's the issue.
- [37:39]
B
That's how I feel. I want to know if I was the only one.
- [37:42]
C
Put some numbers to it.
- [37:43]
B
Seven straight games under 60 receiving yards.
- [37:45]
C
Yeah. He returned in week four. So week one, he gets hurt. He misses two and three because of that shoulder injury. Week four comes back, he has a good game. 17 plus fantasy points since then. Week five and on 11.1 is his maximum output. Five guys, it's brutal. 13 now. So worthy has just totally faded from a prominent role in this offense. They're spreading the ball around.
- [38:09]
A
I think that's the thing. It's just being.
- [38:11]
C
It's being spread besides where she writes. Yeah. So.
- [38:14]
B
And he had great matchups. I want to say this. He had some great matchups in there. They played Vegas and the Commanders. That's two situations in which you Feel like, okay, this is finally where we're going to see Xavier Worthy. This week they played the Colts or last week, Excuse me, they played the Colts as well. That's another matchup. They, like you, feel pretty good.
- [38:31]
C
It's just hard, you know, I hope this isn't the case, but if we go through a season in which Xavier Worthy, the fastest player in the history of the combine, has zero games with 20 plus fantasy points, that would be one of those things that, if I said it going into the season, hey, he's going to play 14 games and have zero with 20 plus. You'd say, like, the odds there are like 50 to 1. We're getting close to that.
- [38:51]
A
I wonder if the Chiefs are a victim of like, now that they have the availability of all these, of all this personnel that is. It's sort of diluted the offense in that way. Plus, they haven't really. I feel like they, they haven't found a rhythm offensively, which is a weird thing to say about a team that's so talented. But I don't ever know what to expect when the Chiefs open up a game.
- [39:14]
C
I also would say this, like, and this is a year and a half into it. I'm not sold yet. This is some blue chip wide receiver, I think.
- [39:24]
B
I unfortunately, solid, solid player.
- [39:27]
C
Am I sold? Like, he's obviously, incredibly. He's rare in terms of his speed. I'm not sold that this is like the kind of guy that you build a passing game around. I know that they did a lot.
- [39:36]
A
Of that out of necessity last season.
- [39:39]
C
But it was all, it was all dink and dump, right? It was throw the ball and then yard, pass the line of scrimmage and let him get 8 or 9 yards at a time. So in terms of like, building your actual passing game around a player like, we're seeing with Jackson, Smith and Jigba right now, like, I don't think that if you, if you did a draft of wide receivers, I'm not sure Xavier Worthy goes in the first, like, to build a team around to go top 30.
- [40:02]
B
I'm not sure that he's better than Hollywood Brown in this offense right now. And like, I'm not trying to say that Hollywood Brown needs to be someone that we, like, have a name that we're, like, keeping an eye on. But like, yeah, I want to make.
- [40:11]
C
This very clear, by the way, for Chiefs fans that see this.
- [40:14]
B
Sure, sure.
- [40:15]
C
This is a November 25th evaluation.
- [40:17]
B
Yes, yes. I'm sure you get a lot more heat about this on, on social media than I do. So it's all good.
- [40:23]
C
You just do a good job of not checking it.
- [40:24]
B
That's. That's true. That's true. Well, I need to check the, not check the box score a little bit more often. On Xavier Worthy, it has been a tough one. I think we are out on him this week again, especially because there's no teams on a buy. Doesn't feel like you need to go that far. You should have plenty of other options.
- [40:38]
C
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- [41:08]
B
All right, let's talk about the Sunday night game and I think we should take a little bit more time on this one. Stefania.
- [41:15]
C
Thursday night.
- [41:16]
B
Did I say Sunday night? Thursday night game. My bad. Guys, listen, we're in week 13.
- [41:21]
A
Come on, we got things all moved around.
- [41:23]
B
Bengals, Ravens, we already said this. The biggest news of this entire game is that we're going to have Joe Burrow back under center. The question that I have for you as a fantasy manager that wants to know if I can trust him is if Joe Burrow is coming back. Can you tell me if this is Joe Burrow, like 100%, no limitations Joe Burrow, or is this 80% of Joe Burrow with some limitations but that's still good enough to be able to start?
- [41:45]
A
Well, I don't think until we see him we can say exactly what he looks like. But if you're asking the question of does he come into the game with any limitations? You know, when players come back from injury, sometimes we talk about, well, they're, they're about 75% this, that. Yeah, no, I, I expect this is the full deal on Joe Burrow. The We've, we've talked about the regular time frame for these. It's roughly 10 to 14 weeks. Most guys aren't going to see a full clearance till the three month mark. Joe Burrow beat that. Now, there's other considerations. Tissue healing matters, the integrity of the repair matters. And then everything else is on the player and their conditioning and their readiness and how do they respond to football activity and when he's practiced does he have soreness on? You know, part of the reason he wasn't playing last Sunday was because physically, two back to back practices during the week was a lot. And I think he was reminded of, oh, this is football. And this is what happens when you're having to go back to back day to day. And they were looking at, hey, there's only three days off between these two games. Otherwise he probably would have started last Sunday. So it wasn't like he needed three days additional healing time. It was really about the spacing of the game games. He comes in, I think he's ready. I think he wants to show everyone he's ready that there's one key for him as a physical therapist. I'm sure I, I can't speak for a surgeon, but I, if I'm guessing and every member of the medical staff and the Bengals is like, you gotta protect yourself to some degree. Like if you see that the play is there's, it's a no win. You know, don't take the pile on top of you. He got hurt. Hurt not just taking a sack, but because the weight, the defenders on top of him with his foot up. Protect yourself. Don't get in those situations. Don't let it be six guys on top of you before you give up the play.
- [43:36]
B
This is where I would love to see the classic Peyton Manning, where he would just crumple in the pocket and be like, all right, I'm just going to go down. Like, you know what? Just preserve.
- [43:43]
A
That is a, that is a thing too of the protection. You know, if you know that you're going to get sacked or you're going to get hit, like don't try and fight it and stay up or try and drag defenders with you. Go to the ground. You see guys who've protected themselves, who stay healthy. This is what they learn to do.
- [43:58]
B
Does this impact the way that you approach the Bengals by having Joe Burrow under center in his first game Back field skill players?
- [44:06]
C
Not really. I mean, because we're talking about Jamar Chase. You're playing him, obviously. Chase Brown's been awesome. You've been talking about him, you know, playing him again. Never wrong, only early. Right. He's a lineup lock. He's great. Over the past four games, I have two thoughts here. So on Joe Burrow, you know, not defense it, but it depends because you've had a plan for the past 10 weeks, you've been using somebody else to get by without Joe Burrow. I don't know who that person is, but it sort of does depend. Like, do I think he's an auto start? No. It was a better matchup last week than it is this week. Do you want to weigh in on that?
- [44:36]
A
I have Lamar Jackson.
- [44:38]
C
Yeah.
- [44:38]
A
Last two weeks have been rough.
- [44:40]
C
Let me. I want to get to Lamar in a second. I'm still leaning Lamar.
- [44:43]
B
I would play this.
- [44:44]
A
Is that. That's the kind of you say you want to know if somebody's been managing for weeks. That is a question. I think that you could have somebody who you drafted as a top five quarterback who really has not been performing. There's been a couple of them.
- [44:57]
B
The best question is outside of if you had Joe Flacco and just replaced him with the one to one there, if you had Jacoby Brissette, who has been the only guy the last couple of weeks that you feel you can count on, are you ready to turn it over to Joe Burrow? Maybe Brissette's been holding down the fort for your team.
- [45:12]
C
I don't know. I'll tell you why. Ravens defense playing good football?
- [45:15]
B
Yes, they are.
- [45:16]
C
Over the last six games the Ravens have played, they have not allowed a single quarterback to reach over 15 fantasy points. And their last six games we'll play a little game of trivia. Yes. Who do you think has the most fantasy points? I was excited about facing the Ravens over their past six games.
- [45:32]
A
Who do we think what has the.
- [45:33]
C
Most fantasy points amongst quarterbacks? I can't give you the team.
- [45:37]
A
I don't remember who played.
- [45:38]
C
Oh, no. It wouldn't be obvious just like think just of a random quarterback. Because I think you could probably go for the rest of the show and not guess it.
- [45:45]
B
Well, Bryce Young threw 448 against two. It wasn't the Raven.
- [45:48]
C
It was not them. That's correct. Yeah.
- [45:49]
A
I don't, I don't. I don't even really remember C.J.
- [45:52]
C
Mccarthy.
- [45:53]
B
That's okay. Well, I wouldn't have guessed. That is. That would have been here for a while.
- [45:57]
C
McCarthy, thank you for sparing 14.9 fantasy points against the Ravens. It is a tough matchup. So I think Burrow is a conversation he has, I think quarterback 13 on my board right now. So there are options that you may have added on the waiver wire.
- [46:14]
B
Yep.
- [46:14]
C
Like a Jacoby Brissette or you grabbed a quarterback who was dropped in something like, you know, Brock Purdy might have been dropped in your league because people got anxious with his time missed. And like Brock, I think probably finds himself in a comparably tough spot against the Browns on Sunday. But there are options of quarterbacks that could be started ahead of Joe Burrow. I also totally respect and understand and might be in the same boat myself of hey, I get my shiny object back, right? Joe Burrow is back. I want to be able to play Joe Burrow for the possibility of a 25 point outing. I have a lineup in which I have Joe Burrow and Baker Mayfield and C.J. stroud as his funky scoring lead. And I don't know what I'm going to do. Right.
- [46:57]
A
I believe that the Cincinnati Bengals defense is going to give up a lot of points to the Ravens and Joe Burrow could be a busy guy.
- [47:04]
C
He could be a busy guy. And I'll just say this like, is that going to happen? That's my question.
- [47:08]
B
That is a question.
- [47:09]
C
Let's talk about Lamar.
- [47:13]
A
Problem. I'm just going to take a seat. I'm going to pull up a chair, I'm going to listen because I came here, I came to the show, I showed up today for fantasy advice. This is my conundrum.
- [47:23]
C
Yeah, Lamar's in a funky back to back to back games with 16.6 or fewer fantasy points.
- [47:28]
A
I have a theory.
- [47:29]
C
Is your theory health related?
- [47:31]
A
A little bit.
- [47:32]
C
I think I have noticed the Ravens since Lamar's injury snafu has now dealt with somehow. A hamstring injury, a toe injury, a foot injury and a knee injury. All injuries in five weeks.
- [47:48]
B
They're all lower body injury as well.
- [47:51]
C
Oh, I don't know. Maybe I, maybe it was me.
- [47:53]
A
I think it's one of those.
- [47:54]
C
Is ankle, ankle, knee and hamstring.
- [47:58]
B
Gross. You know that, that's a, those are all big parts.
- [48:01]
A
He's not running though. We talked about this. I mean we talked about this yesterday. What did I say? I had the, I had. The stat has already left my mind, but it was something like 11 rushing yards in two games or I mean.
- [48:13]
B
He has 11 rush attempts in two games.
- [48:15]
A
Okay. He. I knew the Levin was in there somewhere. He's not running and he was so valuable with that before because he was a threat both places. Now if something hasn't opened up, you know, it's, it's just not the same.
- [48:30]
B
Can I read to you guys? Since he came back, he had a couple of weeks there in the middle of the season obviously that he missed. Since he came back, 5 for 14, 9 for 36, 4 for 10, 7 for 11. So three of his four games under 15 rushing yards.
- [48:44]
A
Yeah.
- [48:44]
C
And the part that I think is more concerning because that, that nine, four four. That 17. That's 24 rushing attempts in four games. That's like enough. Like if you told me you're getting six a game from Lamar, they're mostly.
- [48:56]
A
Taking off to get out of trouble there. We're not seeing like designed Lamar runs.
- [49:01]
C
Maybe we'll see more of that. But the thing is that this is also a player who last year threw 41 touchdown passes. Yes, he led the league in passing touchdowns last season. So. So listen, Lamar's way up in my rankings this week. The Patriots played, I would say, like Drake May looked pedestrian by his own standards last week and still threw for nearly for a career high in passing yards. Which says something about what Drake May's pedestrian outings look like when he's throwing for nearly 300 yards. That guy is a cyborg as well. So I'm, I am starting Lamar confidently this week. I just want to note that it has been a tough three game slog for those that welcomed Lamar back and thought but hey, it's time for liftoff. A reminder, these two teams play twice in three weeks. So if Lamar goes off on Thursday, it may be the beginning of a playoff related heater.
- [49:48]
B
Cincy. Pittsburgh Cincy for the next three for the Lamar Jackson letter Ravens. That'll be something.
- [49:53]
A
My question, which one are you starting?
- [49:55]
C
I'm taking Lamar.
- [49:56]
B
I would start Lamar as well.
- [49:58]
A
Okay.
- [49:58]
B
I would start Lamar.
- [49:59]
A
I just needed a little validation here.
- [50:01]
B
That's fair. I want to ask one more question. I forgot to do this. This is my fault. It was a faux pas on the Bengal side of it. If there's going to be no T. Higgins, has Andre Yosavas worked his way into a flex consideration or because we got no teams on a buy?
- [50:13]
C
He's a deeper league flex. Talked about him earlier in waivers. But of note this past week with no Jamar Chase, who's not the same as T. Higgins, but he'll play the second most snaps amongst wide receivers. Yoshi Voss on Thursday played 84% of the snaps. He had seven targets. It'll be him, Jamar Chase and Mike Gasicki as the three guys that matter a lot for this Bengals offense. The splits for Gasicki last year without T. Higgins were very promising. If you're looking for a tight end.
- [50:38]
B
Flyer, ooh, I like it. Okay, love that. How about also if there's a tight end flyer, it's not really a flyer at this point, but do you think Mark Andrews is really a lineup block with the way he's been playing?
- [50:48]
C
Oh no, no, no. I mean he's got eight straight games with 34 or fewer receiving yards. He has five straight games with three or fewer catches. Unless you're counting on a 35 yard. I was just gonna say, you know, run.
- [51:00]
B
Well, let's take a look really quickly. I just want to throw up a full screen that I had our producer Tyler put together. When you look at how the Bengals have done against tight ends this year, that was good.
- [51:09]
A
I was going to bring that up. Yep.
- [51:10]
B
Steelers and Colts have allowed 182 points. Dolphins have allowed 185 to the position. Seahawks have allowed 186. Jaguars have allowed 183. That's team six through two. And then after 193 points allowed by the Jaguars, you have the Bengals, who have allowed 250, 51, almost 60 more points than anyone else. I think it's just the whole. If you've got a tight end and you need someone this week, like the Bengals are not the worst team to throw a dart as a tight end against.
- [51:37]
C
Definitely back on the radar in that regard.
- [51:39]
B
We saw it last match.
- [51:40]
C
Hunter Henry was the highest scoring tight end on the board. I do still have some concerns because he has been so average over.
- [51:47]
B
He has been very average.
- [51:48]
A
Yes.
- [51:48]
B
Don't.
- [51:49]
A
Now don't have Isaiah likely come in and steal all those scores.
- [51:53]
C
That's what happens. That's exactly what happens.
- [51:55]
A
That's what you were worried about.
- [51:56]
C
Yeah.
- [51:56]
B
All right, last one. Let's talk about the Friday game. You wake up the next day. Yeah, this is going to be a good one. Bears and the Eagles. Bears are the kings of the NFC north right now. I believe Eagles are kings of the NFC East. So this is two huge games.
- [52:10]
C
The second and third best records right now, along with the Seahawks. But Seahawks, because they played in the same division as the Rams, are on the outside looking in for that division crown lineup.
- [52:20]
B
Blocks in this one include Jalen hurts, Saquon Barkley, A.J. brown, Devonte Smith, Dallas Goddard.
- [52:25]
C
Let me have a moment here.
- [52:26]
B
All right.
- [52:27]
C
Same sort of deal here with Lamar Jackson applies to Saquon Barkley. Yes, I get it. If you're sitting there and you're saying to yourself, you can't just tell me he's a lineup block without also acknowledging how bad he's been. You're correct. Saquon Barkley has been 19th or worse amongst running backs in five of his last six games. It might be 20th. I don't know if Saquon. I think Saquon had 12.4. Rico Dowdle had 11.5. Last night. So there's been a lot of discussion about Saquon of late, especially over the past couple of days. One of the big talking points since Sunday's game is that this offensive line is just not giving him nearly the same amount of space. It's a really good lineup, really good matchup. Excuse me, against the Chicago Bears on Friday, who we have seen consistently struggle to defend the run. The Bears are so beat up on defense, all three of their linebackers missed this past Sunday's game. They had guys that have been last lifelong special teams players starting at linebacker. So if he doesn't do it this upcoming Sunday, I was. I think you and I were talking about this before. Maybe it was someday recently. Daniel, is that like, you probably have to start Saquon Barkley. Saquon Barkley and Justin Jefferson are vying for the least enjoyable experiences to have on your fantasy roster. This season has nothing to do with either of those players. They're both not just amazing players, but by all standards, like, like, by all measures, A plus. The NFL could not be in better hands with those two as the stewards of the game going forward. They're amazing dudes as well. But talking about fantasy football, it's not fun, man. It's not fun. With Saquon, you feel you have to play him. Obviously it's been bad.
- [54:02]
B
This is.
- [54:02]
C
And we've started this week, of course, but still, you know, it hasn't been fun.
- [54:05]
B
This is. This is the. And we've said it a bunch and one last time, like when you talk about the historical regression, like, I don't know if that's the offensive line. I don't know if it's him just losing a little bit of juice.
- [54:14]
C
But.
- [54:14]
B
But this has been very difficult for him on the other side with. And I realize we're not talking about the Vikings, but for Justin Jefferson, it is so frustrating watching a guy that is so good at football have his game impacted by others around him. Not trying to throw a shot at J.J. mcCarthy. He's just not playing well right now. And when you've got what should be one of, if not the best wide receiver on the planet and you just have a hard time getting him the football, it's very frustrating. So shout out to all Saquon and Justin Jefferson. Justin Jeff. Justin Jefferson managers. We've seen a little uptick in AJ Brown usage recently. We're going to hope that continues. It's a nice matchup against the Bears secondary here, so work sometimes. Yeah, I don't have a single Chicago Bear in the lineup lock category at this point? Do you think it's egregious to not have either of the running backs or even Roma Dun or DJ Moore as locks at this point?
- [55:00]
C
I think the thing we have to note on DeAndre Swift is not just the Kyle Manungai is playing more. There are two other notes. Notable things the Bears get the ball 3 yards and in and they're running the football. It's probably going to be Kyle Manungai getting the first crack at it. He had a goal line rush a couple days ago that resulted in a touchdown. On top of that, DeAndre Swift for a long time had a very clear edge. He was a huge part of the passing game. He's got one catch over the past two weeks. So the Bears are getting much more involvement from a pair of players that we have. One we have already discussed in Luther Burden but also Colston Loveland who will bring up in just a moment here. Yep, that has impacted DeAndre Swift in the passing game a little bit.
- [55:37]
B
I don't think that he is a.
- [55:38]
C
I mean he's ranked higher than Manungai for me, but neither is inside the top 20 of running backs.
- [55:43]
B
I decided to take a stand and I put Kyle Manungai slightly ahead of DeAndre Swift because over the last three weeks Manungai has more fantasy points than DeAndre Swift does. Part of that is the goal and usage. Stefania, you mentioned that on Monday Show Field just mentioned it today, but that is definitely a thing. I don't think either one of them are lineup blocks. I think they're flex considerations if you need them this week.
- [56:01]
C
Week.
- [56:02]
B
What about the wide receiver inconsistency? Are you changing your approach at this point on Roman Dun or is it similar to the Jameson Williams conversation that we had about him earlier? Like you're playing Rome because this is what you know Rome is.
- [56:14]
C
Well, I think it's a little like little different. There's not. There's a probably a lower ceiling and a higher floor for him than Jamo, than jmo. Yeah, he's had a bagel this season, but not like three games over the last seven with two or more fantasy two or fewer fantasy points. He's kind of just moved down. He's de escalated from like wide receiver one territory for the first four weeks to strong wide receiver two to like now wide receiver two slash flex consideration is what Rome is at in this matchup. He might see and we're not going to. I don't think we're going to be Doing wide receiver cornerback matchups this week because of the reduced week, but he probably will see a lot of Quinion Mitchell. Worth noting here that over the past five games Roma Dunes has had a target share of 27.8 or more and three of them. So I still think he's a pretty good bet to lead the Bears in targets on Friday. I think he's still hanging on to low end wide receiver to our flex value. Okay.
- [57:10]
B
I have him more as a flex consideration just with the last couple weeks, but with the, with the volume that he's getting, it still feels tough to be able to quit him in this offense. Even though we've seen DJ Moore come on the last couple weeks.
- [57:20]
C
I tell you, the Bears and I've been saying this on NFL Live, I've said it on this show too. Like, they have a lot of like close but doesn't count opportunities in their offense where it's like drop passes like, gosh, Rome last week, like over the middle, like making matches.
- [57:35]
A
They have all, they've all contributed in that department. So if you watch, there's actually like, oh, that catch there, that would be, you know, potentially another score. That would be another few points. We just haven't really seen that. They're another offense where I think as a whole they're getting better. I think Caleb Williams is getting better. And as he's gotten more efficient, I do think he's delivering the ball more places, using his tight end a little bit more in Colson Loveland. And so that has taken some of the shine off Rome being the clear edge number one. Because I feel like Rome was safe for him and that it was when it was Roman DJ Moore that we were talking about, there was a clear distinction to me. Now it's Rome versus the field and I, I feel like that has watered it down a little bit.
- [58:20]
C
Last thing I'll say on that is there's only one player who I don't recall having a pretty obvious bad drop. It'd be Colson Loveland.
- [58:29]
B
Was it him?
- [58:30]
C
Nice little segue there. You know, he's been awesome. He's been.
- [58:32]
A
He's fantastic.
- [58:34]
C
Small sample size and he's still kind of waiting his turn. Yep. But every time Colson level and catches the football. And this applies to Luther Burden as well. You're like, whoa.
- [58:43]
A
It's also with just what he does once he has it. Like, he is so strong, so physical. There's a reason that we were like, ooh, Tyler Warren, Colson love. Like, they both play the position so Incredibly well. Colson Loveland, you know, he had a major injury before he came into the draft. So I feel like too there was like some recovery and getting acclimated back into football and then getting integrated into the Bears offensive and now it's. He's sort of taken that next step and it's really fun to see.
- [59:11]
C
There was a little bit of a. We had this debate during the pre draft process like Colston Loveland was a little bit more of like a Travis Kelsey type tight end if you're thinking archetype. And Tyler Warren might have had a little bit more rugged nature like George Kittle looks kind of like that 12 weeks into the season. Right. I don't know that Tyler Warren's as athletic as George Kittle at his peak and Colston Levin not as prolific as Travis Kelce obviously at his peak. But just in terms of styles of play, these guys are both. I think the discrepancy in production is more one guy got to a team that needed them right away and one guy went to a team that has a veteran in Cole Comet that's playing a lot more. However, Colson Loveland is seeing the uptick in his first five games. Did not run 20 routes in any of them over his last five games. He's run 20 or more routes in all of them.
- [59:56]
B
Love that.
- [59:56]
C
He's just not seen quite enough opportunity for us to say, hey, this is a lock it in tight end. He has 13 targets over his last four games. The efficiency is very high because he is.
- [60:06]
A
He's that good.
- [60:07]
C
Oh man, is he fun to watch. And he had a sick touchdown grab last week. This Eagles defense, we should note, very, very good. So a tough challenge for the Bears across the board.
- [60:16]
B
I was just going, I'm going to put a number to that. Fields mentions it. That was going to pour cold water on it because I love Colson Loveland. I feel like you and I have been way more in it. Mike is and you're not Mike. But Mike sits in the chair that you just. I know I did not mean to gesture that was so rude and inappropriate. Mike is Michael over there who doesn't even show up to work on Monday and Tuesday has been very much more out on Coltson Loveland taking the other stance. However, this week I just want to say this. Philadelphia is allowing tight ends to average 8.2 fantasy points per game. That's the second lowest number of points per game to the tight end position this year. It's a really tough matchup. I think I'm the optimistic one. I have met tight end, 15 this week, which I think I'm the highest at ESPN fantasy. So even though we love Colson Loveland and what he can be down the stretch, it would be a tough one for me this week.
- [60:58]
C
Great stuff there.
- [60:59]
B
Hey, we got through the Thursday games, We got through a Friday game. We're going to come back tomorrow.
- [61:03]
A
I want to mention one more note, even though we're not talking about this game, and that's for people who may not have heard it, but J.J. mcCarthy went into the concussion protocol, developed symptoms after the game. Kevin o' Connell spoke about it that he had some symptoms on the return flight home. And as is customary, player reports the symptoms. The team then does an evaluation immediately when they get back. And they felt the medical staff did that the concussion protocol was the proper place for him. Now, he has been in meetings already and at the facility, so it, you know, that's a good sign in terms of the fact that he's doing things. But Kevin o' Connell said essentially, like health first, but then you look at the preparation over the week and who's been able to prepare more. And Max Brosmer might be your guy. Vikings this weekend. So stay tuned, Just follow the reports. But in case people miss that, just letting you know.
- [61:56]
B
Well, Justin Jefferson is quarterback. Agnostic right field. Mac Brosmer.
- [62:01]
C
Yeah. Brosmer, who played at UNH before finishing up for a year at Minnesota. So that would be all right.
- [62:07]
B
Look at that. Minnesota.
- [62:09]
C
Minnesota Deal. Yeah.
- [62:11]
B
You're so good at accents. I actually don't like doing accents. Because you're so much better. You did the Australian one the other day. Yeah, I didn't need it. I just said, you did it and you're so good at it.
- [62:20]
C
I have very few special skills, but that might be one.
- [62:22]
B
That might be one of them.
- [62:24]
C
You got any ordinary.
- [62:26]
A
No.
- [62:26]
B
No. You're not even gonna try? Not even gonna try.
- [62:28]
C
Haley Burns, former producer of the Shout.
- [62:31]
B
That's right, from Australia.
- [62:32]
C
I have to. If she says this clip, grade my effort.
- [62:34]
A
I speak French. Yes, but I'm. We're not doing that unless we're not gonna do it. We're not gonna do that. I have to be like, in the. Speaking French, but it.
- [62:43]
B
Okay, okay.
- [62:44]
C
I barely speak English, so shout out to you for speaking French and indig.
- [62:47]
A
I'm fluent.
- [62:47]
B
Yeah, I'm ready to do a fantasy focus from Paris.
- [62:50]
A
We're not doing. Listen, I am all in. I will get you all up to speed. I will order food, wine, croissant.
- [62:58]
B
Oh, I got for Everyone. Yes.
- [62:59]
C
French fries for all.
- [63:00]
B
That's all I wanted.
- [63:01]
C
French, right?
- [63:01]
B
Yes.
- [63:02]
A
Yeah.
- [63:02]
C
French fries. Those are actually from France.
- [63:05]
B
That's. They come or they originate from.
- [63:06]
A
They have other food over there. So you know.
- [63:08]
B
Oh, I had no idea.
- [63:09]
C
Yeah.
- [63:10]
B
I'm here for the French fries. All right. That's gonna do it for us today. Was that not a good one? I was trying.
- [63:18]
C
Happy Thanksgiving. Just to find you who have to go home tonight. We're so thankful for you.
- [63:22]
A
Thank you.
- [63:23]
C
All that you do.
- [63:24]
B
Seriously.
- [63:25]
A
We'll have a. Like, we need our little Thanksgiving little mini Thanksgiving table here.
- [63:29]
B
Absolutely.
- [63:30]
C
I got you some.
- [63:31]
B
Yeah. Some goldfish that my came out of fields pockets for his daughters.
- [63:34]
C
Forgot to finish on the way out.
- [63:35]
A
So one, one, one day a year that I get to watch football with my family.
- [63:41]
B
That's right.
- [63:41]
A
California.
- [63:42]
B
Oh, love Excited about that. Very much. Enjoy it. All right, well, we will be back tomorrow with Mike Clay. We'll dive into the rest of everything that you need to know for week 13 to get you ready. Today's show was presented by Wingstop. Don't forget to love each other. Be kind to yourself. Get your waiver wire claims in and we'll see you back here on Wednesday for one more show this week. Love you guys.
- [64:00]
C
Later.
- [64:01]
B
See you.
- [64:02]
C
Fantasy.
- [64:03]
A
You're in the whole 601. Oh, God.
- [64:08]
C
Fantasy. Fantasy.
- [64:12]
A
Focus.