
Week 12 RB CHAOS: Who Can You Trust?
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A
Quick break. Want to make a big play on your next paint project? Go with Behr Marquis interior paint and primer only at the Home Depot. With over a thousand colors, exceptional hide and advanced stain blocking, Behr Marquis is built to stand up to real life. No do overs, no wasted weekends, just bold color and a finish that holds strong. One coat coverage, no overtime. Behr Marquis only at the Home Depot. How doers get more done Ballad only when tinted to colors from bare Marquis interior. One coat hide collection. What's good everyone? Welcome in to Fantasy Focus Football presented by Wingstop alongside Mike Clay and Phil Jaetz. My name is Daniel Dopp here to give you everything for week 12, our second part of our preview, as well as a little bit of a Thursday Night football recap, my friends. How you guys doing?
B
Good. I am completely amazed by some of the things that we saw last night. We said yesterday we were excited about that game and we had some questions.
C
We did.
B
Whether Josh Allen could be started. We'll talk about that in a moment. But it's great to be here. This is week 12. Just an early heads up. Week 13. We are on the air three days next week. That's right, our usual five.
A
It's weird. Week 13 doesn't have a bye week in the NFL, but there is a bye week for us because we are off on Thursdays and Fridays.
C
It's our bye week.
A
Yeah, exactly. So we will. We will talk more about that though obviously next week. Let's make sure that we get you set up for this week and you are ready for everything. Shout out to our friends over at trophy smack. Visit trophysmac.com use the promo code focus10 for 10% off your order over there. And shout out to our buddy Eric Moody hanging out in the YouTube chat right now. Follow him on social media, Rick N. Moody everywhere that you get your social content and make sure you give him a little bit of love in our YouTube chat today. All right, with that being said, let's dive into this Thursday Night Football recap where I crushed Mike in a board bet saying Josh Allen will be a top eight quarterback. He finishes QB2 on the week. So far he scored exactly eight points. Seriously, this is. We need to lead in with this. Mike, you laid out an unbelievable argument yesterday about why we should be potentially lowering expectations on Josh Allen and basically everything that you said just came to fruition.
C
Field and I were talking about this right before the show. It's like, should we have had more conviction on this one? So tough. We. It's like all the signs say it's going to be a dud for Josh Allen. All the signs about how do you bench him. And to your point, off a six touchdown game is still Josh Allen at the end of the day, but he continues his streak now of five road games this year. No finishes in fantasy better than eighth. If you're watching the stream here, you can see it on your screen. He'll be 24, 18, 8, 10 and now he's going to finish probably, I.
A
Don'T know, outside the top 20 at.
C
27 this week or something. So it's something we're going to. I didn't look at it to schedule.
B
But 28 quarterbacks total playing this week, so.
C
So he might be 27.
B
He might be.
C
He might be.
B
He'll be low for sure.
C
Yeah, we have to keep an eye on the schedule going forward. You know, if it's a good matchup on the road, we're not as concerned as you saw. You'd like 18 and 24 points in two of them games. Yeah. Still finished QB8 or lower. You're still going to start them. This is something we need to monitor because it's been hot and cold for home and road for him this year.
B
I tell you what, I think the thing you need to be monitoring more than that is the Texans defense and their schedule going forward because I mean, I know we have very little time before kickoff on Sunday, but if you have Daniel Jones and you can move him right now for a usable piece, I'm telling you, man, that is intriguing to me because dimes goes this week, the Chiefs. I've already laid out my concerns there. Next week, the Texans. This Texans defense is flat out nasty. They have not allowed a top 12 quarterback all season over the next two weeks. And keep this in mind, Daniel Jones and Patrick Mahomes over the next two weeks. They have Dak Prescott down the schedule as well. So we'll have those conversations when those times arise about whether you should be starting or sitting those players against the Patrick against this Houston Texans defense. It could have been worse, truthfully last night, like there were a couple of wild plays last night. We were talking about this before the show as well. First of all, a fourth and 27 conversion on a hook and lateral crazy to Khalil Shakir, which the Texans defense just for some reason has like five plays a game where they just forget how great they are and they are great. On top of that there was a third and 18. They had just sacked Josh Allen. Usually on third and 18 you're saying to yourself, everything in front of the sticks, right? We will drop back into coverage as long as a fourth down is the next play. Instead, they brought all this pressure and Khalil Shakir goes for a 44 yard swing pass where he was not touched until about 42 yards down the field. So it could have been worse for Josh Allen. But buyer beware when your quarterback is facing the Houston Texans.
A
Did you. Did either of you guys, coming out of this conversation Mike gave us yesterday, make the decision to bench Josh Allen in any of your leagues for anybody else?
B
I haven't one league, and in that league, my backup quarterback is basically nonexistent. I've had enough crap on that team throughout the year that I have not rostered a second quarterback except for when Allen was on a buy. So I did not make the decision to bench him, and I wish I did.
A
I've got two leagues where I have Josh Allen this year. One of them, I had Michael Panix as my backup. So I now have dropped him and added someone else. So I definitely started Josh Allen because he was the best option. Another league, I had Brock Purdy and I made the decision to drop, to not drop, to bench Josh Allen, and I played Brock Purdy.
B
All right, so that one, that one. That would be like a. Yeah, no doubt about it. But it would be like if you had Sam Darnold. I guess that's a bad example because.
C
The only place a lot of people who had Purdy and Allen on their roster started Allen, really, I would say. I would say most people did.
B
It was smart.
A
Thank you.
B
Yeah, thank you.
C
Don't you agree with that?
A
Well, I mean, to be fair, we haven't played the games yet. He could be QB28. Josh Allen could be QB27 on the week. So we'll see.
B
I'm looking for the person that's like, hey, man, like I'm going out there with and I'm trying to think of a quarterback that, like, has a low ceiling but is hopefully going to get.
C
You like Jordan Love or something like that. Yeah.
A
Bryce Young have another matchup?
B
Yeah, Bryce would be a good one where it's like I'm benching him for Bryce Young. Like that to me would have been.
A
Like against the Niners. Right.
B
Going out there on a limb and doing it like Aaron Rodgers if you don't play, you know. So anyways, I mean, Cam Ward at.
C
This point, I mean, Shador Sanders might outscore him.
A
So Bills were pretty chalk, though, other than that, Josh or James Cook, it's great.
C
He delivered again.
A
It's Fantastic.
B
Season high 110 receiving yards. He had eight catches which I think was tied for his season high. It was those three guys. That's it. The Texans, you know the Woody Marks takeover is here as far as snaps played. That being said, it's been back to back games where he's played a lot and hasn't had much in the way of fantasy relevance. So this offense still having some struggles. Mike alerted us to Jaden Higgins and the potential for an expanded role coming into the game yesterday. He found the end zone near the nine target.
C
Easily a team high easily.
B
Nico Collins had three catches for 55 yards in the first half, 52 yards and then he had zero catches in the second half. It was a funky game and they were playing with the lead. I actually thought they should have gone for the kill a couple times earlier in the fourth quarter and they kept letting Buffalo hang around and they kept running the football sort of stubbornly in Houston.
A
That being said, hanging around, hanging around.
B
Well done. They're six and five now and by the way, everything they want is in front of them, including two games against the Colts.
C
Yeah, it's wide open. We and you just mentioned the Colts have a very tough schedule. It's wide open for the Texans who should have C.J. stroud back for their next game. Not that they've missed a beat offensively with with Davis Mills under center. And by the way, yeah. Woody Mark 16 for 74 on the ground. You'd going into the game if you knew that you'd be like all right, he had a good game but he had negative 5 receiving yards on one catch. We need more involvement in the passing game. It just did not happen for him in this game.
A
He had a couple times too inside like the probably seven yard line where they're trying to give him the ball at the goal line.
C
Ish.
A
And then it didn't work and then they pulled him out and then they put in Nick Chubb and it was like please don't do this.
B
Yeah, we were talking about it with this over text. We were like every Nick Chubb carry is a win for the Bills.
C
Yes.
B
Yeah, Woody's legit man.
A
He's got some.
B
You can clearly tell some of the concerns coming into the NFL. Like is his size and his power profile enough to be in every down back? Looks like it sure looked at like looked like it last night.
A
I got one last question about this game and then I'm ready to move on. It has now been two straight Weeks where Keon Coleman has been a healthy scratch because of. I'm not totally sure what. Yeah, do you guys say that again?
C
Gabe Davis, he's our number two receiver now. I was going to mention that as well. He's kind of established that that quick. It's second game and he's already second in line. Yeah.
B
They play the same role and you can argue which one of those guys is more talented at this juncture of his career. But for a Bill's team that is still 7 and 4 and can be very good but has is gone going through more pains this year than they have in recent seasons. They're going to play the trusted vet.
C
Yeah, yeah.
B
They just are.
C
Yeah. Coleman maybe a change of scenery in the off season sort of player, but certainly if he's still on your roster and I'm sure he's on a few, you cut him loose.
A
He's okay to be able to drop.
C
And move on A while ago, honestly, but especially now.
A
All right, let's dive into our Week 12 Preview Part 2. If you did not listen yesterday, feel free to head back and listen to part one of that preview. Let's go and field Minister Yates. I'm going to start with you.
B
All right, let's do it. I feel like we talk about this player a lot, but he does tend to have an up and down nature to his game. So confidence level, if you will. Going into this matchup against the Steelers for Caleb Williams, it may sound like this is a really good matchup on paper. The Steelers have allowed the 10th most fantasy points to opposing quarterbacks this season.
A
Sounds good. Yeah.
B
However, they have held three straight quarterbacks under 15. They've been a little better defensively of late and it's not like they have been playing against Josh Allen and Patrick Mahomes in that stretch. But still they've been a little bit better defensively over the past few games. They did a good job against Cincinnati's offense last week specifically. And Caleb Williams at his best can be QB1. He has been QB1 on two separate occasions this season for the entire week. Over his last six games though, here's his finish. Caleb Williams, Quarterback 10, Quarterback 27, Quarterback 20, Quarterback 1, Quarterback 4 and Quarterback 22. He is a feast or famine player.
A
That is all over the board.
B
Any thoughts on whether you have the last six weeks would suggest to us that it's probably not going to be in the middle. Do you think he's more feast or famine this week?
C
Well, I decided to put him in the middle that's what I did.
B
Wow. Fence play.
C
Yeah. I mean I think if you have. I'm going to start him I think in one league, maybe two this week. Yeah, he's. He's a fringe starter, I think in this matchup right now. Yeah.
A
Okay. I think I would probably have him as a fringe starter as well, but I don't think you had asked confidence.
B
Yeah.
A
Like given the yo yo nature of what you just said. 6 Ooh. No, probably. I mean I would probably have him not to land in the middle again, but my confidence would be in the middle because I don't know whether it's going to be that QB20 game or QB4 game because I've seen him do both.
B
Yeah, he's. I mean he's super talented. Maybe the Steelers rush the passer well against his great offensive line. That leads to some scramble opportunity. Of these I did want to mention in that same game. Other side of the coin is if Aaron Rodgers plays, it does seem like a good opportunity to stream him. Right. The Bears of course have allowed the six most fantasy points to opposing quarterbacks. They are much and I mean much better last week against JJ McCarthy of note as well. Top cornerback Jalen Johnson practiced in full yesterday and he's not a good corner. He is in elite corner. He's an all pro level cornerback. Not saying that changes the Bears defense entirely and they have massive injuries across the defense right now to the Bears. But this Bears defense last week showed itself to be a bit more capable. Does Aaron Rodgers crack your top 10 or 12 quarterbacks for the week?
A
No, he does not.
C
He's not. He's not in the projections right now. I'm still leaning toward. I know he's limited but I'm still on the fence on that one. So we'll make a decision on that today if we're going to project him or Mason Rudolph, but Rudolph in there for now. But I think Rodgers has to have. It has to be like Cincinnati for me to stream him. He does. He gets you nothing with his legs. You need basically four passing touchdowns to get there. So for me, I'm not. He's not near my top.
B
I did see a rumor and I don't know if this is substantiated or not that if Aaron Rodgers is inactive, Darnell Washington is going to start at quarterback and they're just going to run.
C
We all want that Tush pushes.
A
I just want to make sure everyone else knows the thing that I sent to you guys because on the Amun Ra and Equanimity of St. Brown podcast. They asked Darnell Mooney. Darnell, how much do you weigh now? Come on, man. You look like a freight train when you're out there. Like you're not a normal tight end. He's 6 foot 7, 311 pounds.
B
He's an offensive tackle.
A
There is a reason why when cornerbacks try to tackle him, it looks like they're little children. And he's a mascot. Like at halftime. Like, you know how they do those. Like, it's just insane. Anyways, him being athletic enough to be.
C
A pass catching tight end is awesome. Yes. I love it.
A
I love it.
C
By the way, of course, of course. DK Metcalf in theory, heads into this matchup with finally his easiest matchup of the year. And Jalen Johnson comes back. Of course, Metcalf just cannot get a break.
A
All right, Mike, I think you are up next.
C
I am. And this one's going to take a minute. This is where I'm going to spend most of my time because I have five running back or five backfields to work through here. We.
B
Oh boy.
C
That's relatively tight. But we have a bunch to talk about. So we grouped them all together. So give me a minute on this one. All right. We're start with Jacksonville. Yep. We did have a change early last year. We had about three quarters. What did I say last year.
A
But still it's the same thing.
C
There was a change last year too. Travis ETN wasn't as good.
B
Yeah.
C
Anyway prior to leaving in the fourth quarter. But Shaw 2 and 22 snaps, 15 carries, 74 yards and a touchdown. Travis Etn played three more snaps at that point. 25. But at 12 carries for 47 yards and a touchdown. Laquin Allen still played four snaps but no carries in that game. Jacksonville did call 45 runs in that game as they were leading. So game script was obviously an issue. In tune getting more run as a rusher. I'm a little hesitant on Tootin still. Like I'm not really there yet. This is still a committee. ETN's not going anywhere. He's playing great this year.
B
Yeah, he is.
C
Toon's played well, but we haven't seen him handle a workload that big this season. That was actually his highest snapshare of the season and he missed most of the fourth quarter. And they still like Laquin Allen in passing situation. So I'm not there yet. On tune. He can go on your bench for now, but this is not a guy I'm trusting in my flex just yet. Even in a Good matchup this week against Arizona.
B
Two things here, both Tutin and ETN on the injury report this week, each limited so far. ETN with the shoulder, Tutin with an ankle. I think for now, the conversation is not about whether Tutin belongs in lineups, but whether it has any impact on ETNC.
C
I'm at 23 on ETN, so that's probably a little bit lower. That's lower than where he's performed this season. But I'm still starting etn. It's, it's doing that and I'm not buying yet. And by the way, he's 11 targets in 10 games as well. Does too. Not much of a factor in the passing game, so you're not going to make up ground that way. So ETN. I'm starting 2 ton tutin. I am not. All right, how about the Patriots? Ramandre Stevenson seems likely to return for this one. Yep. Henderson has obviously been fantastic. I feel like we haven't seen him in forever. I know, but he. Miss him, right? Yeah, I do. I do. 223 yards over his last 243 yards. Apologies, Trevian. Over his last two games, five touchdowns, 50 fantasy points. He has been electric. 87 plus yards now and three straight. But here's the thing, and looking at this backfield, I feel like you could justify starting both of them. They're playing the Bengals this week, so if there was ever a perfect scenario where you're like, oh, man, do I, you know, do I start him? Or does he go back to the bench and not play much? He might not play much and still have a huge game against Cincinnati Bengals or just getting crushed here.
B
Can I correct one thing, please? If there's ever a time where he might not play that much and you still might be able to start him, it's not just this Sunday. It's the following Monday as well against the Giants.
C
Yeah, fair point. But I'm saying this is the week where we're going to kind of get an idea. Is it 60, 40 in favor of Henderson now? Is he, is it 70, 30 in favor of Stevenson? At least we'll get a little bit of an idea from this matchup, guys. 13 running backs already have 15 plus fantasy points against the Bengals this season.
B
Wow. Play 10 games. That means more than one a game.
C
Yes.
B
Yeah. I mean, there's room.
A
So this is why you're considering both of them.
C
Exactly right.
B
This is my forecast. This is my, my, my prediction. It's, it's, it's not informed. It's Just kind of comments. It's. It's gut call here.
A
Yep.
B
Think from Andre Stevenson is on the field to begin the game on Sunday. I think Ramondra Stevenson has a snap edge. I think Ramandra Stevenson has a carries edge. I think it's a little more equitable than where it was previously. Like there were games where as Mike mentioned it was like 75, 25 in favor of Stevenson. This feels like it will creep much closer to 55, 45.
C
Yeah, no doubt. And they keep playing well offensively with Henderson handling most of the pass blocking work as well. So it's not like I'd be a little more concerned about this if they were still not trusting him in that role.
B
But they are.
C
They have. The last couple of weeks he's been good. So makes me think a little bit of a changing of the guard is.
B
He also just needs one right. Like he could break as he has shown against Tampa twice and other games. Like one big play for Trayvon Henderson.
A
Could equal 14 fantasy points from a projection standpoint. Mike, you still have Ramondi slightly ahead of Travion.
C
I have them both at 14 points. I mean I. Henderson is ahead but they're at 17 and 18. So a little bit of hedging on this one. But they're both in the top 20. Got it. You can start them both and I would have more. I feel like the floor is higher for Henderson in this one just because maybe Stevenson coming back is limited or Henderson's the guy. But we know Henderson's gonna have a role. He has to. They can't. Gosh, I can't go backward now. Yeah.
B
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A
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C
Let's go to Pittsburgh. It's team that played the Bengals last week. Jalen Warren only played 18 snaps in that game against me, so it's 67 yards to our point about how bad the Bengals are against running backs. Warren still playing well. 83 yards per game, 13.2 fantasy points per game despite only scoring three touchdowns this season. Good matchup against the Bears. 5.0 yards per carry against running backs this season. That's one of the worst in the NFL. It sounds like Warren will go. He's missed some practice, but Mike Tomlin said he expects him to play. So as far as I'm concerned, Jalen Warren Good RB2 Kenny Gamewell back to the bench. He's had two huge games this year. Both were when Jalen Warren were injured, when he missed the one he left last game against the Bengals. Otherwise he's been what is it? It's it's horrendous. Under 10 fantasy points in every other game he's played. So he is not a starting option if Warren is active.
B
Hinker all right, good.
C
Next one. Packers. Oh, here's one of the this is the big one. Yes. So Josh Jacobs may play in this one. We're not sure yet if Emmanuel Wilson is available on waivers. You're going to see a very large projection that of course assumes Josh Jacobs is out for this one, which is still my expectation.
B
My lean is Jacobs out.
C
I agree. I think they give him a week off here and give Wilson a shot. Jacobs has not missed a game since he joined the packers, so I think maybe he gets the week off here and we we take a look at Wilson last week. 11 carries and one target on 36 snaps. Chris Brooks played five snaps. It wasn't even close. It wasn't like last year where those were the two backups Wilson and Brooks and they kind of split that role. It was very clear cut in favor of Emmanuel Wilson, so. And by the way, he's averaging 4.6 yards per carry in his career. He's been pretty effective, has Wilson. So he's a good I. I ranked him 14. He's a good RB2. I think he certainly should be in lineups against Minnesota. They haven't faced a lot of running back volume this season, which is why they're kind of mid pack and fantasy points allowed. But it's a neutral matchup.
A
Emmanuel Wilson now rostered in 71% of leagues, which means that people listen to us and we said just to make.
C
Plans, just in case you don't have time on waivers. Yeah, exactly.
B
Whoa Nelly. Yep.
C
Enormous last one, guys, is the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Rashad White, Sean Tucker, give us some.
A
Good news here, Mike. We've been waiting for some. Do you have anything?
C
Well, the good news is we expect Bucky Irving perhaps to return this week. Maybe so limited in practice.
A
He was sure back to back limited.
C
Yeah, there's. There seems like a chance he plays in this one. The bad news is chance.
B
I'm not saying. I don't think it's a certainty.
C
The bad news is if he goes though, what do you do with him? Like is he going to be a plays full complement of snaps? Probably not.
B
Their offensive coordinator Josh Grizzard has already said in the case of both Chris Godwin and Bucky Irving, when they come back, it's not like you get them back out there, you immediately put them back into their normal roles.
C
Yeah, I think it's going to be three backs in this one. You're going to see Rashad White on the field, you're going to see Sean Tucker on the field and of course Buck Irving, if he's active, will play now. If Irving's out, Tucker. It's still, I mean, it's still probably going to be somewhat of a hot hand approach, but I think we feel better about Sean Tucker as the top play after what we saw last week. He'll be in the RB2 conversation. Rashad White, probably a little risky to start, but. But a flex option in this matchup. But they're playing the Rams. I mean, this is not a good matchup. Especially if Irving is active. It's going to be really hard to trust any of these guys.
B
Yeah.
C
I do want to say this though, about Sean Tucker, just. And then this. That'll be old water, Mike. Yeah, a lot of reasons for pessimism here. First of all, last week they played the Bills. Yep. They are one. You know, say they're the worst run defense in the NFL.
B
Second worst run defense.
C
Remember, the Bengals aren't an NFL.
A
Correct.
C
So the bill. The Bills are the worst. He took advantage of that matchup, obviously. Obviously. Bucky Irving, if he's not back this week, will be back soon and he's gonna, he's. He's their best back. Like he beat him out last year. Absolutely. It's gonna be our lead back at some point. Also, we've seen this before from Sean Tucker last year in week six, had 192 yards and two touchdowns and 17 touches. The rest of the season he had 39 touches, 204 yards and a touchdown.
B
Yeah.
C
And it wasn't like he got hurt. He just went back to the bench again. They're playing the Rams this week. They've allowed three touchdowns and the third fewest fantasy points to running backs. I do not think this is. This is a Rico Dowdle situation where Rico Dow played well and then took over the lead back.
A
I don't know.
B
Doesn't feel like it's going to be the guy. It's just. I'm not sure that happens this week.
A
Mind you. We have seen some Rico Dowdle type games out of Sean Tucker, as you're.
C
Saying, but I agree only to know others. Yeah, I don't think it's there. And maybe, look, maybe he. It's enough that he take some away from Rashad White, maybe a little away from Bucky Irving. They. They're like, okay, Irving's back. Now. We're not going to put as much of the workload on him as they we they did the first four weeks of the season. He's an undersized back. Like, it makes sense to disperse some of those touches. So you might see some Sean Tucker, but it might be six carries, zero targets for him once everyone's healthy.
B
Totally.
A
Okay. I would not like to start any bucks running back. I think this week if I could help it. If I can just not start anybody.
C
If, if Irving's acting, if Irving's out, then I think.
A
Yes, correct. But if, but if Bucky Irving is.
C
Well again, even then they're playing the Rams. So.
A
I want to talk to you about a guys that we haven't been starting recently, but I'm hoping that we kind of get back to a spot where maybe he becomes a useful flex option down the stretch for us. And that's Kobe Myers in his third game against the J with the Jacksonville Jaguars. Couple things. First two games that he played as a Jaguar were against really difficult defenses. They played the Texans and the Chargers. That's the second and third fewest points per game to wide receivers this year. Week 10 he played 42% of the snaps. That was his first game with the Jaguars. Week 11 he played 64% of the snaps. So you saw it jump by over 20% there. Had five for 64 on six targets. This week they take on the Cardinals. Yeah, Brian Thomas Jr. Still limited at practice. Has been limited for both days. Still dealing with that ankle injury was limited last week as well and ended up not being able to roll because of it. So we're definitely watching that because there's a chance that Brian Thomas, in being limited, could be out there. There's also a chance just like last week, he doesn't play in Jacoby Myers is the number one wide receiver in this offense. I don't feel super great about starting Jacoby Myers, but this topic is more about the idea of We've seen that snapshare increase. They have everybody. This is a playoff team. The Jaguars are 7 and 4. They are literally in the playoff hunt right now. They need pass catchers. So is this a spot where we can see more snapshare? Maybe? High 70, low 80% he was in the 90% snapshare range when he was playing for the Raiders. Do we see him become a larger part of this roster this week? I would love to see just more Jacoby Meyer. So I'm not starting him. I'm probably out this week. He's going to be outside my top 35 at the wide receiver spot. But I just want to mention it because these Jaguars, especially with BTJ being banged up as a playoff team, they need someone they can count on and I'm hoping he can become a guy as a flex option down the stretch for our playoff squad.
B
We'll see if BTJ plays. If he's out, it makes it more appealing. BJ I have zero feel on because as Daniel noted, he did practice all week last week and then did not play. Yep, I kind of feel like something may have to give here on Sunday afternoon in Las Vegas. I will continue to say my two favorite defensive plays on the week are the Browns and the Raiders. Even with a veteran quarterback under center for the Raiders, I still feel like I prefer the Brown. The Browns are a better defense, obviously. I'll continue to say I think Miles My bold prediction is that Miles Garrett breaks the NFL single season sack record over the next three games over the next three games by week 14, how.
C
Many more does he need?
B
He needs seven and a half to tie, eight to break. I think over the next three games, Miles Garrett gets sacks, becomes the NFL's single season all time sack leader. They have been tracking sacks since 1982 and I think 22 and a half, Michael Strahan's current record is going to go down courtesy of Miles Garrett. But something has to give here a little bit. So on the one hand we have seen at times Ashton Jensen gets semi game script out of games when like you know, the Raiders have been absolutely demolished, which is a lot recently. He's a little bit vulnerable to either a couple of snaps for Raheem Mostert or like against Kansas City. They just benched him. Not. Not they rested him when they were getting smoked by the Chiefs.
C
Yep.
B
So that's not going to happen against the Browns. The Browns are not good enough to blow out the Raiders, but the Browns have allowed the fifth fewest fantasy points per game to opposing running backs this season. And while I think Genti has kind of settled in, he's not been like as bad as it seemed coming out of the gates. He still only has one game with 20 plus fantasy points. He has a second with 19.9, but still by definition just one 20 plus fantasy point game this season. Do you guys think the Raiders offense can do enough and Genti can find the end zone on Sunday to be a solid RB2?
A
Negative.
C
Yeah, I mean I'm at 10, I.
A
Think he can be an RB2, but I don't think he finds the end zone. Sorry, two questions. I don't think he finds the end zone.
C
Yeah, I'm still chasing the volume and the receiving game talent and yeah, the receiving game work has been better. So it might not be super efficient. He's still struggling before initial contact, but he's been really good after initial contact.
B
So he's due to break one of these soon, you know.
C
Yeah, I mean I'm still chasing that.
A
I had asked Mike about this the other day where I was like, you know, I. We're now almost 12 games into the season. Ashton Gentee, one of the running backs that we talked about where Mike had a stat leading in. If you are drafted Inside the top 10, we expect you to be really good at fantasy football and we're just wondering what it would look like. Like he's still, I mean it doesn't feel great. Ashton Genti still running back 15 on the season. That's the thing. Like, and he could easily finish as a top 12 running back down the stretch, I believe.
B
Is that in points per game or is that points per game? Yeah, because he's already had his buy too. So if it was total points, it would be even higher than that.
A
Oh.
B
One thing I will say is I still remain flummoxed by what Chip Kelly is doing. Did you guys. He was asked. And coordinators are required to speak once a week to the media. I think the local media gets to request offense or defense. Because it's an offensive league, we tend to hear from offensive coordinators. And Chip was asked, like, why did they abandon the run basically from Jump street last week? And Chip was like, yeah, I mean, we're moving the football up and down the field through play action. He's very stubborn. I hope that his stubbornness lands on. Give Ashton genti the ball 30 times on Sunday. Or maybe Genty 22. Brock Bowers 13 targets and Jack Besh actually plays.
C
Yeah, I'd like to see that.
B
Those would be the three things that make me happy. Yeah, it's probably asking for too much.
A
I don't love it. It doesn't give me.
C
I don't have a lot of confidence. I thought we were gonna get. When Myers got traded, I thought we were gonna get a look at Jackson. They won't do it.
A
Or maybe Trey Tucker would materialize as, like. I mean, because he's a. Still nicely young. He's in.
B
Listen, here's the deal.
A
It's just Brock Bowers.
C
I feel like Tucker is a three. All due respect. Him, he's a three. Yeah, he's a three.
B
But listen, this coaching staff is remarkably stubborn and Pete Carroll is going to be optimistic until the bitter end. That being said, he's up there. We're going to win a ton of games. You guys just got to see it. It's coming, it's coming, it's coming. We're going to win a ton of games like that may happen. Play the kids. You're 2 and 8. Who cares about whether Tyler Lockett can post 45 receiving yards? I know this sounds absolutely bombastic because I was cool with the trade when it went down for them this offseason. I'd freaking play a no Connor right now. He's healthy. I know that sounds awful, but like, Geno Smith has been worst starting quarterback in the NFL relative to his own baseline. I would play Aiden o' Connell right now.
A
I would say he's the worst starting quarterback in the NFL given the fact that the other guys that I think are worse than him haven't had 13 years of NFL experience or whatever.
B
His own baseline. Correct. Like Cam or it's probably, you know, statistically been worse. Or Dylan Gabriel. But those guys are rookies.
A
Correct?
C
Right.
A
Absolutely.
C
It is.
A
Yes.
B
Is that crazy for one to no.
A
Connell.
C
No.
A
I would rather see Aiden o' Connell at this point. I absolutely would. And by the way, it's really tough when you hear an offensive coordinator say stuff that you just know as a fan with logic in your brain where you're like, guys, just stop. Well, I think just don't do this.
B
I ever had a different if I ever had the opportunity to be a consultant to, like people in front of a microphone in the NFL, it would be stuff like that where it'd be like, hey, it's totally fine to go up there and be like, we just got blown out again.
A
Yeah.
B
Listen, we're working extremely hard to find ways and we understand that the most important way for us to play offense right now is to maximize some of our most talented players. I haven't done enough of that. I'm going to work on that going forward.
C
Yeah. Kenny Pickett also there as an option. Remember the Browns Week 1 starter? Supposedly for a while in the off season, we thought.
A
I didn't even realize that Kenny Pickett was the backup.
C
So we might see some of these guys down the street.
B
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B
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C
All right, next for me, is the Cowboys off? Well, actually the Eagles Cowboys game is just lineup lock central on both sides.
A
Just gonna be like Lions Eagles games. That would line up locks on both sides too.
B
I'm in the same boat.
A
Nine to 16. Those.
C
I mean. Yeah, at least the. I. I mean Dallas's defense is better objectively. I mean on paper. And they, they showed it last week. It was better. Raiders, I get it. But Eagles defense is peaking for sure. And that's where. Where I'm headed here, which is that. Yes, like devonte Williams, the two receivers, even Jake Ferguson, those guys are going to be in lineups this week for sure. What about Dak Prescott? That's a tricky one. They played in Week 1. He had 188 yards and zero touchdowns, 7.8 fantasy points in that game. And then he heated up after that. 22 plus fantasy points and five of his next six. Now he's been a little bit boom, bust. He had two duds in a row against Denver and Arizona. And then of course he beat up on the Raiders with 24.3 on Monday. Fellas. Yes, the Eagles have allowed a two weekly finishes better than 12th to quarterback so far this season. Their last two opponents since they're by with everyone kind of healthy in the Jalen Phillips trade. Jordan Love at 7.8 points and Daniel, as you know, Jared Goff 12.1. This is a tough assignment. Maybe probably a top five toughest assignments. I think it's three right now.
B
Top three. I think there are three defenses you're scared of the most.
C
Yeah.
B
In some order.
C
Philly and Denver. And Denver. Yes. Those are the three that are fair enough.
B
Different here.
C
Yeah. Yeah. So yeah, I have Prescott at QB11 because this is still a, you know, a team that's going to throw the football. He has two good targets. You expect CD Lamb to deliver.
B
Cowboys are much better at home offensively.
C
That's a good point too. They haven't. Yeah, they, they. And they beat up on the NFC east at home too. Makes us really 21 in favor. Yeah, it's a, it's a tricky one for sure. So. But nonetheless, they can win this game. And Dakota have a bad game. I mean just like the Lions very easily could have won last week and Goth could add, you know, had a bad and did have a bad game.
B
So kind of like the Texans in the sense that this is their last stand.
C
Yeah. Oh, they have to win.
B
Yeah, they win and it's like we can. Until they lose another game. Yeah, we can play the we have a shot card. The Texans are in that same.
C
Yeah, this is the NFC east right here. Probably. I mean if the Eagles win this.
B
They'Re probably winning it either way.
A
But yes, but if, if Dallas wants a shot, they've got to.
C
I think so. But the way the Eagles 3 vs.
B
5, 5 and 1.
C
If Eagles could start scoring points, oh geez, we're going to lose four in a row the way they're playing offense. But anyway, Prescott. Yes. I have him at 11. He's a fringe starter this week. Definitely. If you've been leaning on him though, through that hot streak, you know, little, little caution this week.
A
You got him at 10, I got him at 11, field dozen at 12. So we're all in that same range as a low end QB1. I'm going to talk about another quarterback and most importantly just the Chiefs passing attack in general field. You kind of talked about this a little bit earlier in the week, but I just want to mention the Chiefs here. Rasheed Rice, top five wide receiver, he's a lineup block. Travis Kelsey, he's a top five tight end, he's a lineup block at this.
C
Point of the season.
A
That's who he is. Xavier Worthy did not practice on Wednesday, was limited on Thursday and dealing with an ankle injury. I'm still out on Xavier Worthy.
B
I think just for those wondering, it's the same cadence he was on last week. It is probably play on Sunday, but he's managing this ankle thing, whatever it.
A
Is, they are dealing with it. Yeah, it happened during practice in week 11 so we'll see how that one works out. But I would probably still rather not play Xavier Worthy because we have not seen it. He has not been a trusted pass catcher within this and that's part of this. As you had alluded to, Patrick Mahomes was really good for a while. He's kind of slowed down just a little bit recently and I want to give you guys a couple of stats here. He's had back to back duds and I want to take a look at I built a couple or I did not build. I am so sorry. Our producer, our producer Tyler built me some full screens and so I want to look at this Patrick Mahomes when he's had at least 25 rushing yards in a game this year. Weeks 1, 2, 5, 6, 7 and 8, he had at least if you were watching the YouTube stream and if you are not, you can see it, at least 22 fantasy points in every single game. He has at least 25 rushing yards this year because he has been utilizing his legs so much more. Those are the six good games. The other four games in which he has not hit at least 25 rushing yards look a little bit different. There is one game in there in which he looked pretty good, which we're going to throw up on the screen as well. But week three, only two rushing yards 13.1 fantasy points. Week four only five rushing yards. He had 27 because he had four passing touchdowns in that game. Week nine only five rushing yards 10.1. Week 11 only three rushing yards 13.3. I tell you that because the Colts are allowing the second fewest rushing yards to quarterbacks this season on top of just being a good defense in general against passing quarterbacks.
B
I'll say this though, I don't think Patrick Mahomes rushing totals are at all predictable.
C
I agree.
B
Right.
A
So this is where I was saying earlier in the season. I do not believe this rushing is real. Like he's not going to get 12 points a game because he's getting 55 rushing yards and a rushing touchdown which is what four of those six games that he had over 22 fantasy weeks. Like that's what he was doing. He's finding the end zone. He's running a ton of I made.
B
Them home this week.
A
You guys, I believe have them as quarterback. Four I've got him at quarterback. Eight I believe so I'm definitely lower.
C
I'm on, I'm on four. The Colts have been good against the pass. I mean they're mid range and fantasy points allowed because they haven't or they faced a lot of volume there. If you look at points over expected, their third best against quarterbacks this season. So in a more competitive game you might see them play well defensively. But again, I'm homes a four. He's still going to have to throw the football a lot and he may not be running as much. But you know he has, he has Rasheed Rice and he does.
A
You said the correlation might not be like a running thing which is also part of the problem for me because he has more games with zero or one passing touchdowns than he has multiple passing touchdowns. He only has one game where he has thrown 300 passing yards this year. If you look at his box score, you wouldn't be like, oh wow, that's clearly Patrick Mahomes. That stretch was really great, but it was buoyed by all of the rushing that he got. So I'm just saying he's lower.
B
That's all the correlate. Like there is a correlation between him running well in a fantasy quarterback. I just can't say. Like, hey, the reason why it happened those weeks versus these weeks is like he's. It's all scrambling, right? It's not really any designed runs whatsoever. And it's hard to predict scrambles.
A
Hard to predict scrambles.
B
Yeah.
A
And it's a quarterback that has one 300 yard passing game and he has more games with zero or one passing touchdown, which is why I am lower than you guys.
C
That's fair. I mean this could be. I wouldn't be shocked if this is 17 tracking.
B
Oh really?
C
No, I wouldn't be shocked. I mean we know the Chiefs defense is good.
B
The Chiefs defense is awesome.
C
And the Colts defense, I mean they could get Trevarius Ward back here and have him and Sauce Gardner on the perimeter with Kenny Moore in the slot. I mean, does it get better than that? It's not get better than unreal. So this could be a, you know, in Kansas City would not shock me if it was a low scoring game. However, Mahomes is still averaging two more fantasy points for him than any other quarterback left in our rankings this week. I mean he has been exceptional. So I did look, I have him four, not one Mike.
A
Sometimes you got to look at the matchup and just like take the superstar out of it, you know, I learned that this last week on, on Thursday Night Football.
B
So anyways, if DUD this week with the Texans looming in a couple of weeks.
C
Yeah, bro.
B
They play the Cowboys next week. That should help.
A
That one should feel good.
B
Yeah, but you could if you have five weeks of duds from Patrick Mahomes, man, we'll talk about it. My next talking point here is there was a time not that long ago where we thought that Jackson Dart was a potential league winning quarterback. Right. He was top five in our rankings every single week that's still in play. And Jackson Dart could still play this weekend. He remains limited in practice, but it does sound like he is advancing through the concussion protocol and the Giants expect him to play. This is not about whether I would start or sit Jackson Dart, he's inside the top 10. He's been awesome. It's really just. Are we going to see the Jackson Dart that we saw prior to this that had A real clear path to top three to four quarterback upside or might this be a more conservative approach that puts a little bit more of a ceiling on Jackson Dart? Jackson Dart is the only rookie quarterback in NFL history with five straight games with a rushing touchdown. He's been unbelievable with his legs. The week that Jackson Dart was out, which was last week, Shefty had a report about how the Giants are to the effect of like the Giants are encouraging Jackson Dart to be a little more mindful of his play and as an organization they're going to be more mindful of how he is rolled out as well. Reiterate this. When Brian Daboll was the head coach, he was clearly coaching for his job week in and week out. I kept calling it the kitchen sink. Mike, you and I were at one of Jackson Dart's first starts against your Eagles and it was like everything they could do to maximize Jackson Dart, they were going to do. Now the objectives have changed, right? You want to play Jackson Dart, you want to continue to develop him. But when you've already fired the head coach at some point, the goals are not to win as many games as possible. It's to develop players for long term success as best as you can. And is rushing Jackson Dart eight or nine times in this game the smartest thing to do? When he just got out of the concussion protocol and he's been tested for concussion four times this year.
C
Yeah, no, I'm with you. I think you'll still see a couple design runs and he's going to scramble a bit. They're playing the lines you'd expect them to trail in this game. There's going to be opportunities for him to throw plenty and scramble a handful of times. That being said, I don't have him ranked top three or top five, anything like that. Have him down at eight this week against the Lions.
B
That's to me the point is that like are we how we're going from a guy who might settle in is more in the territory of guys, maybe Brock Purdy level where it's like yeah, 8, 8 to 11 based off of matchup as opposed to a guy where you're like there was a week where Mike correctly, by the way had him projected as the highest scoring quarterback on the board and he had 26 plus fantasy points and he missed the fourth quarter. Basically, yeah.
A
So this one's tough for me though. I like, I get the question but the hard part for me is the human element of Jackson Dart was just playing football. And are you going to tell I Mean, how old is he? 21. Are you going to tell a 20, 23. Okay, are you going to tell like a 23 year old kid who like this is how he plays the game. All of a sudden he gets one.
C
Week off in this extreme situation.
A
But is that going to immediately like, are you going to see it the very next week on the field?
B
Maybe. But two things. One way to mitigate that is not running. They were running design correct powers all the time.
A
I feel like with the style of quarterback that he is, I don't know if you can help him being like, oh shoot, the play's not there, I'm going to take off.
B
So it is one of the biggest objectives of the organization going on. It should be by the way. And this is not something that is a mere byproduct of the Giants and Brian Dabel and Ronnie a lot. Jon Gruden, who does sort of a modified version of his longtime quarterback camp now with Barstool Sports had Jackson Dart on there and there's this clip that's been going viral of late. Where Jack were. Jon Gruden. This is way before what we're talking about right now. This is back in March or something is like, dude, we're going to call you Evil Knievel. Because the way you play right now, he's like, you cannot help yourself. Jackson Dart made a comment. I think it's something like he always wanted to be plus two. Gurdon was like, what's that? He's like, every time I get hit, I want two more yards before initial contact. Nuh. Like for quarterbacks it might be negative 2. Like some of the best runners right now in the NFL at the quarterback spot are some of the most awkward scramblers too because they do this thing where when they get in harm's way, they don't really know how to slide. So they just kind of like power down, crumpled down. You know what? It helps. Yeah, it helps.
C
Yeah. I take that from running backs. I mean I have James Cook on my FF now team and last last night there was one, he was running around the corner and there was a couple of defenders coming and he could have probably got an extra yard or two and he just got out of bounds. I was like, thank you, man. Like, I'll take that all day. I think a lot of guys should do that.
A
What you're describing though was part of the like fear for me with the head. Like the thought process of is Jackson Dart just going to be like, I'm just going to play differently. Everything you're describing is that's just the way the kid plays football and I think he can change that. But I just am wondering, can he change it in one game or is this a over the off season we're going to totally mold this kid into who we want him to be.
B
I would say this is. I don't think it could be changed in one game. I'm sort of mindful to set the table for what the rest of the season looks like.
C
Fair.
A
That's fair.
B
Are we going to get QB a top three quarterback for the rest of the year or might he settle in as a top eight quarterback which is still, by the way, great. Just not as great as was when he was evil Knievel out there.
A
If he's not utilizing his legs as much as he was, he just can't be that top three quarterback because of the guys that he has around him. It feels like in this offense but.
C
I would agree with you that a lot of it is avoidable if you're scrambling. If look, if he rolls out and there's no one there, he's going to scramble either way. Yeah. It's just a matter of do you lower the shoulder and run over, get.
A
Down, slide, get out of bounds.
C
And the other way is you don't call design runs for him like so I think a lot of it is avoidable and will happen pretty fast. That doesn't mean he's not going to be a plus as a rusher. He still will.
B
We all are at that level. Yes.
A
Don't worry. Aiden Hutchinson and Ali McNeill are going to collapse the pocket. You don't need design runs. He'll have plenty of scrambling opportunities for him.
C
They're going to let him alone. Yeah. Yeah. They're going to be nice to him.
A
Mike Clay, I think you got one more left on the table.
C
Yeah, really quick. This. This could be we'll speed through this. Titans wide receivers without Calvin Ridley there's not much to talk about here. Alec Ale Manner missing practice. He might not even go in this one. The only guy I'm interested in is Chimary DK right now. Chimray dk. It always takes me a half second. Look, Ridley's out for the season but he's only played seven snaps over their last six games anyway. He he's been out or left two games injured during those games. Ao man are 30 targets. Van Jefferson, 28 DK had 20 although he missed most of the last game due to injury. DK is the top Titans receiver during that stretch and fantasy points per game despite missing most of that game. But it's only 9.4 fantasy points. This offense is 11 touchdowns and 10 games this season, which is unbelievably terrible. One of the worst we've seen in a long time in this league. They are facing the Seahawks this week. Tough matchup. If there's one of these guys who I might put on the end of my bench, it's DK. Right now. He does have those back to back 16 plus fantasy point games, but that's it.
B
Would you rather start Chimera, DK or.
A
I was just gonna say that.
C
Thank you. Field Metcalf.
A
I think so too. I think. I think I would start dk.
C
I'll stick with it. I don't. I. I don't know if Jalen Johnson's even gonna be a full go in that game. I mean, I, I know I'm going back to analysis of a different topic, but Jalen might be limited not having not played this season.
B
Yeah.
C
So I'm going for show.
A
All right. I got one more. And it's also really quick. And field. You kind of alluded to it already.
B
Great minds thinking I like them.
C
Yeah.
A
And you wouldn't have known because this isn't a topic that we talk about on the show. But if I had to choose this week, I just want to make sure that the people knew. If you need a streaming defense, the Las Vegas Raiders are out there and available for you to grab. Raiders have been a very below average defense, though I do not want to make it sound like they have been good. They are currently 25th in defensive fantasy points. They are averaging 3.9 points per game. But this week, Mike Clay has the Raiders defense and special teams with the third highest projection of the week. Fantasy defenses are averaging 11.8 points per game against the Cleveland Browns. Only teams playing the Titans score more fantasy points per game on the defensive side than the the Cleveland Browns. Excuse me, teams that play Cleveland. And obviously the kicker is you get Shador Sanders under center this week. So you got a rookie quarterback that you saw go 4 for 16 and we have no idea what he's going to look like. So if you need a streaming option this week, it's a little bit of like, don't watch the game, just like start them because the matchup should play. But the Raiders are out there. If you need someone on the defensive.
B
Side, I love it. I also love at this time of the year and especially in deeper leagues, like I'm always. I'm a week in advance on a lot of my waiver wire action right now. Obviously if I have a player on a buy that I need to fill in, that's going to be the top priority. But thinking ahead, the 49ers draw the Browns next week. So if you're sitting there on Sunday, you've got an empty bench spot for whatever reason you dropped. Somebody made a trade, whatever. The 49ers are an interesting defense to grab now before you play the Browns next weekend. The Browns, by the way, who just got 20 plus fantasy points against the Ravens last weekend, obviously play the Raiders this weekend. Fortniters next weekend. Not quite as desirable. The Titans for the Browns in week 14. Cleveland is in a month long stretch of being very valuable.
C
Yeah. Actually have them mid pack strength to schedule the rest of the way. The easiest schedules going forward for defense is the Saints. The Dolphins and the Buccaneers are top three. Giants four. So some of these aren't.
B
Yeah.
C
Super intrigued.
B
Schedule is awesome.
C
Five though. Yeah.
A
Ravens are good by Miles Garrett and how good they are.
B
I mean they're just so good. The Browns have such. They have splash players on defense for our game. Splash plays are very valuable as the Texan showed us last night.
A
Yep. All right, that's going to do it for our preview. We got some starts of the week we need to bring to people.
C
Yeah, we have to do that. By the way, we should recap our two trades in the Fantasy Focus.
B
Yeah, let's do it.
A
We got a couple of trades. Go ahead. Who was it who made these deals?
C
So I made one with Quentin. Yep. We negotiated producer. Yeah, yeah. He put a Monroe St. Brown on the block. So I traded. You know, as a resident Lions fan, of course I acquired a Monroe St. Brown, Trey Benson. Hoping I get something out of him. Going for it in R.J. harvey.
A
Yeah.
C
Or running backs in Amanra. Traded away Tedro McMillan the big game last week and then I also gave him Bucky Irving and Kobe Myers.
B
He just, I mean like so many unknowns in that equation.
C
Yes, yes, there absolutely are at the running back position. But I feel like I gotta, I gotta boost a receiver. Gave up a high end running back. But there's some question marks there with Lucky going forward and brought in. I feel like Harvey and Benson could be those guys we talk about like man, final month of the season they delivered for their team at 20 touches each and came through. So I like it.
B
Here's how I think I would rank those players if they are available.
C
Exactly the exercise I did.
B
Ready for it.
A
Yep.
B
I'm on Route 1.
C
Yes. Okay.
B
That's a mike side.
A
Agreed.
B
Ted Rod, 2.
A
That's on Q side.
C
Okay.
B
Bucky Irving, 3.
C
Yeah.
B
Trey Benson, 4. RJ Harvey, 5.
C
Yeah, that's exactly.
B
So when you add those up, you get 1, 4 and 5, that equals 10. He gets 2, 3 and 6, that equals 11. So very equitable trade right there.
C
My thinking why I did that though is because first of all, Tedaro sold us his buy, which is somewhat of a variable. Harvey's on a buy this week, but I don't need him this week, so it works out nicely there. And also Irving, he's coming up. He's been out for a while. I know. And I have Bijan Robinson is my RB1 in that league. So I, I feel like puts me in a good spot. But again, I understand it from both sides. It felt like a really Mike deal for both sides.
A
Totally. Oh, no, no. Sorry. And then you dropped. You dropped Harold Fannin as a part of this move, huh?
C
No, I did not. Other side, because Benson was on. Benson was Q had to drop our. Benson was on ir, so he had to drop someone. Yeah.
A
All right.
B
All right. And I made a trade as well. So I made a trade with Zach, one of our producers as well. I in that league. League have been pretty running back thin. And I might be okay this week if Bucky Irving is out. But going into the weekend, I don't know if he is out. So I moved my Jalen Waddle on a buy in exchange for his Quinton Judkins. Zach thin at wide receiver himself. My wide receiver core is made up of normally Jalen Waddle plus Nico Collins, plus George Pickens. I can probably scrounge together a flex on the wide receiver front easier than I can a second running back. So I now have Quinn Sean Judkins going Forward as my RB2 to pair with Trayvon Henderson.
C
I believe all the teams involved kind of battling for.
B
Yeah, kind of all the spots.
C
We're all kind of tight, tight league in that middle portion. So, yeah, a lot of fun.
A
We'll see how this one's going to play out because it is. There's a lot of teams right in the middle there like you guys are talking about.
B
Yeah, let's dive into Wednesday, by the.
A
Way, starts of the week. Yes, it is. And we will definitely talk about that more. Not only about the trade deadline moving coming into Thanksgiving weekend, but like you were saying, field with it being week 14, the final week of buys next week. We should talk about people that you should Preemptively add for the following week to be able to get ahead of the CMC bye week with that one.
B
That's a Tuesday topic right there.
A
Let's dive into some starts of the week.
B
All righty.
A
I unfortunately have a punishment this week.
C
Yeah, you do.
A
My punishment is going to be giving out my players while I do some hot sauce.
C
Okay. Do you have it?
A
I do have it. I'm going to start with you guys though, and I'm going to do. I'm going to let you roll first and then I'm going to be at the end of the. That's all right with you guys?
C
Am I up first since I won finally? Sure.
A
Yeah.
C
I don't remember, but it's been a minute.
A
If I think we got the standings here for starts of the week, I wonder how that looks too. We def.
B
Last week's points. We showed you. It was an absolute dilapidation.
A
Terrible performance all the way around.
C
Yep. So we're picking outside the top 10 quarterbacks and tight ends, outside the top 20 running backs, outside the top 30 receivers. But remember, we got a wild card.
A
One wild card.
C
Wild card.
A
So wild card gives you anything other than a top five player. You cannot pick a top five player with your wild card.
C
Exactly right. So my start of the week at quarterback will be Jacoby Preset against the Jaguars. Literally set the completion record in the NFL last week. 452 yards. He has two touchdowns passing in all five stars so far this season. 19 plus fantasy points and all those in Jacksonville. Top five and fantasy points to quarterback. So give me Jacoby Brissette.
B
Like it.
C
Running back Ken walker to the third trending up fellas. Season I 20.1 fantasy points last week and draws the Titans eighth most fantasy points to running back. So like that one wide receiver. I've talked up this guy early in the. I know he had a dud last week but I said stick with him. So I'm going to put my money where my mouth is. Ricky Pearsall against Carolina like it 85% route participation last week at zero yards on one catch. But I think he takes a leap forward this week so I'm going all in on him. Last one will be my wild card. It is Hunter Henry because give me some piece of a player playing against the Bengals this week and they have been atrocious against tight ends. The most yards touchdowns with 12 already and fantasy points to tight ends. And Henry's a bold wild card because he has been under 10 fantasy points in seven straight games. I think that changes this week. Remember, we have to use a. We have, you know, eight weeks, so we can only use a position wildcard twice. I already use wide receiver, so I'm burning a tight end this week. Like it.
A
All right. Field ministry Yates.
B
I am up next and my quarterback is Caleb Williams.
A
Oh, okay. All right.
B
Sort of trying to show Caleb I believe.
C
Yeah, I do believe.
B
I legitimately do believe here in Caleb Williams. I do think this Bears offense can handle some of this man coverage you're going to see from the Pittsburgh Steelers. They have done a good job against that so far this season. He's right inside my top 10 of quarterbacks. My running back is Kenneth Walker, the third. Mike made all the right. So one piece of crossover between Mike and I, that is KW3, my wide receiver. Not quite a crossover for Mike, but a similar line of thinking. My wildcard pick of the week, Stefan Diggs. Okay, as much of this offense as we can get this weekend. As Mike said, I don't think anybody will Shadow Stefon Diggs. D.J. turner, of course, their top corner, just Diggs has moved all over the field. He's played inside, like, it's just he's a tough guy to shadow with in a given week. And then finally, this guy was on a buy last week at tight end after four straight games of ten plus fantasy points. Juwan Johnson.
C
Okay.
B
Yeah. So no, obviously no more Rashid Shahid.
A
Correct.
B
Brandon Cook's cut.
A
Yes. Or will be cut or something.
B
Yeah, yeah, he's going to be cut eventually, which I think we'll see. More Devon Vallee. We'll see. Obviously a lot of Chris Olave. We'll see. Mason Tipton. But Juwan Johnson, who's. I thought Taysom Hill might be more of a detriment to his value when he first came back. Now, yeah, he's an X factor. And Juwan Johnson is pretty much an every down player.
C
I hate to say this, but one of my favorite bets of the week is Joanne Johnson. Under four and a half catches. He has four targets in his last two games. So four and a half catches seem pretty bold to me. So I like the under four and a half catches.
A
But anyway, keep that crap to yourself. None of us want to hear it.
B
Yeah. So are you just going to drink the entire bottle of hot sauce?
C
Oh, God.
B
I.
A
So here's the deal. I got some hot sauce. How we've done this. We've done this before, right? I mean, we did a little homage to the hot ones. No, this is. This is the good Stuff There's. I have one and I. So I'm going to. What's its rating as a part of a million. Whatever really hot is.
B
It's Jared Gossip quarterback rating.
A
I've got this. That's right. I've got one chip per position. So I'm not going to do one chip for all four. I've got to do all of them. And I'm going to make sure that everyone sees that I am a effectively putting a.
B
That's. That's good, right?
A
Is that enough?
C
Be clear. You're doing this one time, right? Not.
A
All right, all right. So I got that. I mean, one per position, right?
C
You're doing one per position. All right.
B
Animal.
A
So my starting quarterback. Oh, ma'. Am. Starting quarterback this week gonna be Sam Darnold, baby. Okay.
B
Yeah.
A
Back to back duds. Under five fantasy points.
C
What's wrong, Daniel?
B
You okay?
A
Yep.
C
Already.
B
He's already hitting.
C
Yeah, I believe it.
A
Under five fantasy points. But they're taking on the Titans and you love that. So I'm following Sam Darnold. I should have done one chip for the whole lineup.
C
Guys, I'm surprised you made this decision. Well, some of us go a little lighter on it.
A
Really want to be a man of the people and make sure that they get what they paid for on this free streaming Internet show. Oh, my gosh.
C
I mean, to prepare the chips for you. Yeah.
B
Do you need me to.
C
Nope.
A
My second one. I also want a piece of that game, but I'm gonna take Chase Brown going up against the Patriots as my wild card.
C
But double the hot sauce for your wild card.
A
No, that's unfair.
B
I'm not gonna lie. I know Stefania is our resident empath, but I am feeling this for you.
C
Me, too.
B
All I can think of right now is sitting on the John later.
C
Yeah.
A
You know my friend John. All right, so the third one.
C
Why? He doesn't do this anymore.
A
That's why. Yes, yes. But we talked about the reason why we like Chase Brown against. The Pats are really good against the run. But, Mike, you alluded to it. They are really good at allowing running backs to be able to catch the ball. That is something that Chase Brown has done recently over the last two weeks. Six and eight catches in those two games at my wide receiver spot.
C
All right. You're doing well. You're hanging in there.
A
I am going to go with a guy that has not been good this year.
C
Like a little taco.
A
Going there with a quarterback that has also been atrocious. And that is Darnell Mooney.
C
Yeah, I like this one at the wide receiver. I'm also with him. I like it.
B
God, I don't know, man.
A
I can't taking on the Saints. It's going to be him and Kyle Pitts. I mean, maybe Kadero Hosh, but I think it's. I am leaning on them getting back to their 2024 version of themselves they've had all week in practice to be able to hone that chemistry again. I'm in on Darnell Mooney and last one boy I don't like. This is the tight end who has only had four targets in each of the last two games. Seems not, but has scored at least 10 fantasy points and four straight. Take that, Mike Lay. It's Juwan Johnson.
C
Yeah.
B
Hey, I'm out on Juwan.
C
Yeah, I know. I'm out on Juwan.
B
You okay, bud?
C
That's hot.
B
Do we need milk for you? You need milk?
A
It's hot in a different way than the other one. Like, you know how, like, certain things like sit in your mouth or on your tongue or your. Well, your hot buds?
C
Yeah, we do.
A
Yeah, that stuff. All right, let's do a couple of mailbag questions, guys.
C
Yeah. Let's do more work while you're good at that. On fire. Yeah.
D
Yeah.
A
We're gonna head on over to our YouTube chat. Mind you follow our friend Eric Moody on social media at Eric N. Moody. He is awesome. First question that we have to retire Hot sauce today.
C
Oh, my goodness.
A
And how 13. Gordy Howe's grandson.
C
Yeah.
B
Yes, it is. N out 13. Let's just take this over, take the rest of the show.
A
Why don't you guys go ahead and do that?
B
He wants to know, would you trade D. Eric Henry and Breece hall for Devon Hn?
C
I would not. And I talked about this, I believe, the other day. The Raven schedule is pretty appealing.
B
It is appealing.
C
So I think you're going to get RB1 numbers from Derek Henry. HN obviously, is on a tremendous level. He's up there. He's one of the best in the business. No doubt. But Breeze hall will probably get RB2 numbers. Henry, RB1. I think the only scenario is if I'm stacked. If this is a shallower league and you're loaded, that's where I would do.
B
It, is if you're stacked and it's like, hey, I'm not even starting. You're not doing more, are you?
A
Yeah, one per question. That's the way it works, right? I thought we leaned into that right now.
C
I don't feel bad anymore. It's up to you.
B
Yeah. You don't have to do that.
A
Geez, you're in the people at home.
B
You're literally crying right now.
A
It is hotter than I expected. Like, the first one came on hot, but then it got hotter. Hotter as I went.
B
Absolutely. Here's what I don't understand about this. We can take another question in a moment. There are people who actually like this.
A
What's wrong with them?
B
There are people that eat that and they're like, oh, let me get some more. What would that be appealing on?
A
I have no idea.
B
I would not want to ruin a burrito with that hot sauce. No.
A
Why ruin a perfectly good burrito?
C
A little bit of spice, mild to medium range.
B
I like mild to medium hot sauce on so many things in my life. You can put it on pizza, you can put it on sandwiches, you can put it on various types of meat. I'm all good with that. On chips. If you want to. If you want to put it in like a seven layer dip. That sounds great. Not the stuff that you're eating right now. No.
C
Oh, gosh.
B
Aller1. SJ says ha. He put his hair down. You know, he is sweating.
A
That is unfortunately true, guys.
B
Literally, he is sweating.
C
Yeah.
B
If we have one more question, let's take it so Daniel can get out. Here we go. One more question here. Flex. Bam. Night. Bam. Mark Andrews or Ricky Piersol? Assuming Trey Benson is out.
A
Let's assume Trey Benson's in. Would you start Trey Benson over all of those other three guys?
C
No.
B
Yes, I would if Trey Benson. But if he doesn't have Trey Benson and Trey Benson is not available to him, my answer would be Ricky Piersoll over Mark Andrews.
C
Yeah, I'm going. I'm going pearsall. It is closer with Andrews. I'm going pearsall. I think you get more upside out of that. Not as reliant on just a touchdown like you are with Mark Andrews. But if Benson is out, then I'm going bam. Night.
B
This guy's a savage right here. All right, one more before we say goodbye because Daniel literally needs to go to the bathroom right now. What else we got? This next question comes from ambition Z1000. Kyle Manungai or Devin Singletary. Keep in mind that Singletary faces the number one run defense in terms of fantasy points allowed. Two running backs, that being the Detroit Lions. I am going to go with begrudgingly, Kyle Manangai.
C
Yeah, me too. I have a one spot ahead. So this is a toss up for sure. Singletary getting the goal line work from Tyrone Tracy, which helps your cause. But Manon Guy, a bit of a lighter match. I'm not that much of one. The Steelers have been good against running backs, but I'll give him a tiny edge.
B
All right, that's going to do it for us here on Fantasy Focus. We're going to say goodbye. We're going to take Dingle to the infirmary. Don't forget to love each other. Be kind to yourselves.
A
Today's show presented by Wingstop as well. We love those guys over there. Absolutely.
B
That was my, my attempt.
A
It was great. No, you were fantastic at it. I appreciate it. We do love you guys. And we will see you on Sunday morning for Fantasy Football now on ESPN2. We'll see you guys then.
B
The hair looks great. Oh, it's so hot though.
A
Guys.
D
Calling all daydreamers and date nighters. Come immerse yourself in the rich culture of Texas and dig into our mouth watering barbecue. Trailblazers can explore our natural wonders. And beach lovers will wonder why they've never felt so relaxed before. You're invited to discover experiences you can only find in Texas. Visit traveltexas.com and plan your trip today. Let's Texas.
Date: November 21, 2025
Hosts: Field Yates, Mike Clay, Daniel Dopp
Format: Week 12 fantasy preview with a focus on turbulent running back situations, a Thursday Night Football (TNF) recap, bold predictions, and mailbag questions.
This episode sets out to help fantasy football managers crack the chaotic running back landscape for Week 12. The hosts break down murky backfields, evaluate quarterback confidence levels, discuss TNF, and answer burning listener questions — all with their signature banter and practical advice.
(Start: 01:00)
Josh Allen’s Road Struggles:
Recap centers on Allen’s hot/cold fantasy splits at home vs. on the road.
Texans Defense Shines:
Top-12 QB fantasy finishes allowed this season: zero.
Fantasy Performers:
Bills WR Situation:
(09:14)
Caleb Williams vs PIT:
Feast-or-famine, unpredictable output:
Aaron Rodgers vs CHI:
Major Focus: 13:03 – 24:00
(24:25 – 28:00)
Jacoby Myers Watch:
Ashton Jeanty (Raiders RB):
Coaching Commentary:
(33:10 – 39:55)
(40:11 – 45:52)
(46:02–47:20)
(47:25–49:26)
(49:47–52:25)
(53:00–59:55)
(Picks must be outside top-10 QB/TE, top-20 RB, top-30 WR, 1 wild card each)
(60:09–63:16)
In summary:
Week 12 is loaded with RB turbulence and tough QB decisions, and the Fantasy Focus team arms listeners to make confident, pragmatic choices, wraps it in their trademark camaraderie, and proves fantasy is as much fun as it is strategy.