← Fantasy Football Happy Hour with Matthew Berry
Fantasy Football Happy Hour with Matthew Berry
Week 14 Start/Sit: Kenneth Walker III, Emeka Egbuka, Brian Thomas Jr.
00:51:59
December 3: Matthew (@MatthewBerryTMR) details his location to Jay (@croucherJD) and Connor (@ConnorJRogers), then the trio discuss Mike Evans and Deshaun Watson having their window opened to return from IR. They also analyze whether to start or sit Baker Mayfield, Kenneth Walker III, Jaylen Warren, Emeka Egbuka, Troy Franklin, and Kyle Pitts among others before highlighting the League of Assholes standings one week before the playoffs. The show wraps up with the crew’s favorite futures bets, including a Vikings and Cardinals regular season win total.
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- [00:01]
A
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- [01:01]
B
Where do you think Matthew is today? And we got some really great options.
- [01:05]
A
My vote would be that he's going to Baton Rouge to be on Lane Kiffin's staff.
- [01:09]
B
What's his title?
- [01:10]
A
Some type of data analyst. He get to be on the field with it too. So he look more important.
- [01:15]
B
Chicken tender specialist.
- [01:16]
A
Yes.
- [01:17]
C
Give him some gear.
- [01:18]
A
Give him one of the headsets.
- [01:19]
B
Yeah, he's definitely wearing a headset. He's not saying anything into it but. Right. Yeah.
- [01:23]
C
Can you imagine Matthew in a jig GM type of role? He's like Joe Dumas with the two foreigns. Can't turn him on.
- [01:30]
B
Incredible.
- [01:31]
C
It looks like young Wei Ku.
- [01:32]
B
Young Wei Ku replacement is the leading option.
- [01:36]
C
To be fair, Young way Ku. His kicking performance last night. The one man in America that that would surpass with Matthew Berry who would have stubbed his toe but. But at a further place back like.
- [01:48]
B
Five yards back and blaming the turf.
- [01:51]
A
Exactly.
- [01:51]
B
Yes.
- [01:53]
C
Yeah.
- [01:54]
B
Who didn't cut this patch of grass?
- [01:55]
C
Yeah, exactly.
- [01:57]
B
Guler.
- [02:01]
A
Fantasy Football Happy hour with Matthew Berry.
- [02:06]
B
Welcome to the Fantasy Football Happy Hour. Connor Rogers. Jay Croucher. And look who it is. His gracious return, Matthew Berry. Hello, Matthew.
- [02:17]
A
Greetings from Orlando. Connor, how are you? I see it's. It's apparently Jersey Wednesday.
- [02:22]
B
That's right.
- [02:23]
A
Been replaced by tracksuit Friday. Or replacing that. I'm in a hotel room in beautiful Orlando, Florida. So you can see I'm wearing my Cheshire cheer dad hat. As Cheshire junior cheer has once again made it to the national finals of the American Youth Cheerleading association or the ayc. The national finals, the competition we won locals, we won first place in the state of Connecticut. We placed in the northeast region. And so now we are here in Orlando competing for a national title. And I'm here for the week, excited to see my daughters compete. And thank you to NBC for allowing me to. To come watch my kids tumble and stunt as they say.
- [03:07]
C
Okay. Tumble and stunt indeed. That that's what they say. But good luck to the girls. Matthew, good luck to you. Kind of the chat started off hot as we. We started the show two minutes late. It wasn't exactly backup producers Pete's fault but to hear him, it was very.
- [03:23]
B
Much the bus got ran over him.
- [03:24]
C
Though the way I would describe it as K Gemma. Lol. Backup Pete, you gotta put down the donuts and start the show. Yeah. Backup producer Pete, AKA Chief Wiggum. But I would describe it, it was basically like Pete trying to start the show. It was like the docking scene in Interstellar but completely the opposite with no tars. Yeah. No tars. Yeah. It's that scene without tars. Yeah.
- [03:45]
B
So you can imagine how it would have gone. Here we are.
- [03:49]
A
I'll say this, you know me, my favorite sport in the world is running the bus. Driving the bus over backup producer Pete. But in this case it was actually not his fault. Chat for us starting late. It was. I had a beautiful backdrop seeing the outside of beautiful Orlando, Florida and actually where I'm staying. I'm actually staying at a Universal property. We're on one of the hotels at Universal Studios because I'm a company man and so I thought it was like this beautiful backdrop and you could see the park in the background, the whole thing. But just there was too much lighting. We had issues with lighting. So instead you get the. The inside of my hotel room.
- [04:25]
C
So it wasn't Pete's fault, it wasn't Matthew's fault. It was the light's fault.
- [04:28]
A
It was light, it was nature.
- [04:30]
B
To be fair. It's hard to predict.
- [04:32]
C
Yeah. Young way Coop blames it on the turf, the turf monster. We will blame it on the light monster.
- [04:36]
A
Yeah. No one will ever finish. No one will ever finish Magnolia Scott. Let's be clear about that. Come on. Stop.
- [04:43]
B
Alright. It is a backup producer Pete day. As you could tell it is 12:05 and we've gotten absolutely nowhere and we didn't even start until 12:02. Keep it open or close it out. We'll have all your start sit answers today. We'll be talking a little fantasy playoff strategy as a look ahead and as we always do on Wednesdays we close out the show with our back to the futures bets. But before we do any of that, we got to get into the Roto World player news because we have plenty of it today, starting with the Bucks getting not just Jalen McMillan back at practice, but welcome back Mike Evans. Mike Evans absolutely drinks for free today. It's great for an early return. We'll see ultimately when he is activated here. Jay officially for a game, but this is a big shakeup in the Tampa Bay wide receiver room.
- [05:28]
C
Yep, absolutely great to get Mike Evans back. The thousand yard streak likely comes to an end, but great to have him back as the Bucks push for the glorious NFC South. Seems like he's been medically cleared the clavicle seems like it's in better shape than expected. He's ahead of schedule. Jalen McMillan back as well. It's a very interesting pass catching room now because Macro Bucha, as we've talked about and as we're going to get to, has really tailed off getting a lot of targets, not really doing much with them. The catchable converting the targets into catches has not worked out well. Chris Godwin had some moments as well.
- [06:02]
B
Right.
- [06:02]
C
So now you go from a couple of weeks ago as a Macro booker and not much else and now you've got potentially four to five viable pass catching options. So how it shakes out I still when Evans is right and fully and healthy and ramped up, I think that he'll be the number one pass catcher in the offense. Still have a booker above Godwin until we see some more sustained performance from Godwin. But I think it just creates more uncertainty and I think Matthew, this just kind of builds upon Macro Booker trending in the wrong direction in terms of his value.
- [06:32]
A
Yeah. I mean although the argument though the counter to that Jay is just that Ameca Buka actually probably was at his most productive at the beginning of the year when Evans was healthy. Evans played the first three weeks, drew a 29% target share like they were looking for him. A decent amount didn't translate into massive fantasy production because there weren't a lot of touchdowns, just 11.3 fantasy points per game. He was outside the top 30 on a points per game basis. But the fact of the matter is they see this full shot and yeah, welcome to the the the beautiful amenities of.
- [07:03]
Right there. I probably kind of cleared that out before we, before we start this show.
- [07:08]
B
Sorry guys, it could have been worse.
- [07:11]
A
Yeah, exactly right. Exactly. Could have been anyway, but specifically about Mike Evans. So I think I'm going to say remains to Be seen. I think this is ultimately good news for Baker Mayfield. We're going to talk about him a little bit later in the show. And I think like, as. As teams are in the fantasy playoffs and as the. As the Bucks ramp up getting Evans back, I will say it's worth seeing if Mike Evans is available in your league. He's out there at about 30% of leagues. I looked at all my leagues. He was out there in about two. He's not available in our league because of course I dropped him thinking he was out for the year and desperately needing the IR spot to like try to, you know, manipulate my way back into the, into the race. And we'll get to that in a second as well. But so, yeah, Rotopad of course picked him up in our league as well. But he is out there in a handful of leagues, I think, especially leagues where they're short benches. So I think, listen, once Evans comes back, I think he's an immediate starter because he's Mike Evans. And I think it remains to be seen if there's a drop in a Mecca Bucket's production. I think he's too good to. For it to get much worse than it has been. Right. I mean, like, you know, I don't know for me. So I mean, I'm going to say remains to be seen as if this is bad or potentially a positive for a booker.
- [08:25]
C
Yeah. Matthew will likely not make the playoffs in the league of assholes, but his spirit or ghost will live on in the entities of Mike Evans and Jane Daniels. Potentially on playoff teams after he dropped them.
- [08:37]
B
Yeah. For future assets.
- [08:39]
C
For future assets in a play.
- [08:41]
A
We're rebuilding. We're. We're in a rebuilding year, obviously, you know. Yeah, absolutely.
- [08:46]
B
Another bit of news here, guys. The Browns designated quarterback to Sean Watson for return to practice. Is there any fantasy relevance here, Matthew, even if it's beyond the scope of Watson himself?
- [09:01]
C
No. Okay, noted.
- [09:03]
B
I think that's a fair response.
- [09:05]
A
No, I just. When was the last. We have not seen desean Watson be usable for fantasy outside of the Houston Texans. And that was many, many years ago. Like, you know, like they were like at his best. At his best with the Browns. He was like QB15. Like he was a mid tier QB2 because he was running a little bit, you know, back then. And I just. The Browns feel like a mess. I don't know if Kevin Sapanski two time coach of the year. Kevin Sapanski. Not everyone knows that he won that second award, but he did. I don't know if Two times. Coach of the year, Kevin Stefanski is back with the Browns. Feels like maybe, you know, a fresh start for all involved. I think Stefansky is a good coach, but it's, it's just such a tough scene in Cleveland and I can't imagine anyone starting desean Watson this year. I'll give you, I'll give you just one example then we move off of this. I'm in a very deep dynasty league. Producer Damian is in that league with us as well. It's a two quarterback superplex league. So it's a 12 team, 25 man roster. Super Flex dynasty league. Where every court. Where, where? And this week, this week on waivers, Trey lance went for $16. We have $100 fab in this league. Trey Lance went for $16, Deshaun Watson went for three. Just to give you an idea like, and it's, it's, you know, it's all. And that's a dynasty league that Damian I are in with like Field Yates and Mike Clay and Stefan Yabel, like all of our old ESPN colleagues and friends, Daniel Doppelgan and a lot of the producers that we work with at ESPN as well. It's a very competitive, smart league. And the fact that Watson was out there and literally went for $3 this week, I think tells you all you need to know. Yeah, and I didn't, I wasn't like, oh man, I should have been four. You know, I was like, whatever.
- [10:49]
C
Yeah. As it pertains to his value for this season, I mean it's a parlay that needs to hit. One, needs to actually be healthy enough to be able to play right. Two, he needs to be able to supplant Shadow Sanders as the starter. And then three, he needs to have to play at a level that he hasn't played at in five years. So like the odds of that parlay hitting are pretty astronomical. So I think it's largely irrelevant for fantasy purposes.
- [11:14]
B
Yeah, the Browns don't always make the right decision, but they need to take the low hanging fruit and see what they have in their own quarterbacks. Like you're getting Nothing from watching DeSean Watson play this year. But jitter Sanders, you like to see what he could do. Just like they gave Dylan Gabriel some run as well. All right, guys, the next bit of news talk about goes from the pass here. The Steelers claim Adam Thielen on waivers J After a trade that did not work out, bringing him back to Minnesota, he's released. The Steelers looking for basically any warm bodies in the wide receiver room.
- [11:46]
C
Yeah, I think, look, here's the thing is that the Vikings gave up real stuff, Bradham Thielen, and if he could play, I think he would have been out there.
- [11:53]
B
That's exactly.
- [11:54]
C
So that is a bad indicator. Now, I understand there's not a lot of competition in terms of the wide receiver room for the Steelers. When we look at, you know, DK Metcalf has had a. An underwhelming season relative to expectations. Calvin Austin's been injured and hasn't done much when he's been out there. But the problem is, is that it's very likely that doesn't have a lot left. He's going to be at absolute best the number two wide receiver in this offense behind DK Metcalfe. And then he's in an offense with a suspect quarterback team that loves to run the ball, a team that has an infatuation with throwing to tight ends. So in what world does Adam Thielen return fantasy value even it's a desperation flex type? I'm not sure. The Steelers, I mean, they claimed him for a reason to give him a shot, but I think he is much more in the kind of Robert woods phase, his career than being able to be fantasy relevant.
- [12:43]
A
Yeah, I have a slightly contrarian take here, Jay. I think you're likely right in terms he's unlikely to produce fantasy value unless you're sort of in a deep league. But I do think that I hold out a flicker of a hope that maybe in a deep, you know, in a deep league that he could potentially be usable in a full PPR league. And the idea that, like, he's completely done and sort of in the, to your point, the Bobby Trees version of his life at the moment, I'm not convinced that's the case. It might be. It might be. But, you know, in terms of Minnesota, like, he asked for his release. I mean, I think he saw the writing on the wall, which is this is a passing game that is not really going anywhere. They can't get the ball. I mean, respect. I mean, like, I don't know that we can judge Adam Thielen's, you know, doneness or not based on the Minnesota passing game. I mean, Justin Jefferson isn't doing anything in Minnesota these days.
- [13:34]
B
Right.
- [13:34]
A
Neither is Jordan Addison. So it's hard to say, like, oh, Adam Thielen's done because he wasn't able to get anything done with the Vikings. He asked for his release from the Vikings and longtime player, fan favorite. They love him there. I think they know there's not enough passing volume to go around today. You know, they graciously said, sure, you can go, go sign with a team. I think Thielen was hoping to be, you know, picked up by a Super bowl contender. I'm not sure that the Steelers are, but when you think about this Steelers offense, you're absolutely right. Does it produce a lot of fantasy points for wide receivers? It doesn't. Right. They're 32nd in the NFL. There's no team in the NFL worse and right than the Steelers in wide receiver target share. They just don't throw a lot as well. And there's been only three times this entire year that a Pittsburgh wide receiver not named DK Metcalf and has even scored 12 fantasy points in a game. So I get all that, but I just sort of think, here's Aaron Rodgers, who likes to throw it, who likes to throw it short, who likes to get rid of it quickly, and you've got a veteran slot receiver who's going to be near the line of scrimmage and could you see some PPR cheat code, you know, old school Wandell Robinson type production. Not the touchdowns, but just like, you know, like literally, you know, seven for 40 yards kind of production from Adam Thielen. Some Zach Ertz type production, if you will, from Thielen. Just because he's a, he's a veteran. Rogers, a veteran. They'll have a quick shorthand. I'm just, anyway, I'm not rushing the waiver to pick him up. I did grab him. That, that, that's that same dynasty league I just mentioned, 12 teams, 25 man rosters. Because there's like no one, like, well, maybe you never know. Who knows, Maybe down the stretch there's something, you know, but so I just, again, I'm not ready to say Adam Thielen's done, I guess is my way of saying. And I do, I do think there's the slimmest of chances that Thielen provides some, you know, scammy PPR production in a deep league.
- [15:26]
C
Down the Noted for the record that Matthew Barry is touched his good name to Adam Thielen. Look, I get all that and I get the JJ McCarthy aspect. My only pushback would be that we can move off Adam Thielen.
- [15:37]
B
The chat cannot believe the amount of time we have spent on him and Deshaun Watson.
- [15:42]
C
My only pushback would be, I get the JJ McCarthy stuff. He also didn't do anything with Carson Wentz and Wentz was able actually to, you know, put up some passing yards and give Justin Jefferson some value against the Bengals In Week 3, Thielen played 45 snaps. Jefferson went 575. Thielen didn't have a catch. So I think he's done. He might not be done. Maybe there's some found in the youth in Pittsburgh, but yeah, I wouldn't be counting on greatness for Adam Thielen.
- [16:07]
B
I can't let this segment go. So one more quick funny thing. This tweet is from Sunday from Seth Rohrabaugh. Mike Tomlin will say something like we can't eat soup with forks. We need spoons. Then the Steelers will sign a 2018 Pro Bowler to the practice squad. This tweet was on Sunday. What did the Steelers do this week? Well, they added the 2018 Pro Bowler and Adam Thielen. And what did we do? We spent the first 20 minutes of the show talking about them. Let's get to keep it open or close it out. We start, we go back to the Bucs with Baker Mayfield. Some help on the way for Baker Mayfield, but it has not been good for him. Only one game with 17 points points since week seven. Matthew, can you continue to start Baker Mayfield?
- [16:45]
A
No, I'm going to close it out. I'm excited for him to get Mike Evans back. But this particular week against the Saints, I get it. You're like, oh, the Saints, he should light him up. And maybe we've seen that before. But look, they're just not, they're just not right? Like since week 70s, quarterback 22 on a points per game basis, right? Two games. Literally. There's been only two games out of the six in that stretch where he's been better than QB18. And believe it or not, I think maybe it's because teams are so successful running the ball against them or they they're getting short fields because the offense is turning the ball over. But the Saints are actually a top seven pass defense so far this season. They're they're allowing under 190 passing yards a game. Again, I think that's somewhat circumstantial, but still it's just Baker's not running. He's clearly banged up and the offense just doesn't seem right. The having Bucky Irving come back makes me feel like they lean on the run game a little bit more. And so I bet Baker Mayfield a QB18 this week, he's a close it out for me.
- [17:36]
C
Yep, I agree that I just as you look at how Matthew has Baker quarterback 18 in between Marcus Mariota and Tyrod Taylor. Baker Mayfield, who is you know, everyone's MVP after six weeks and I think, you know, justifiably so to an extent. I think the issue with Baker is that I don't think he's played a good game since week six. What are you giggling about, Connor?
- [17:57]
B
Hey, Gemma in the chat said next segment we will discuss Mercedes Lewis lack of involvement on the Broncos offense.
- [18:05]
C
Oh, that's good.
- [18:06]
A
It's an interesting thought idea.
- [18:08]
B
At least we lean in.
- [18:09]
A
Producer Pete, we're switching up segment two. Good suggestion.
- [18:14]
C
Sorry.
- [18:15]
B
Anyway, I really railroaded your point.
- [18:16]
C
Baker Mayfield. Baker Mayfield. No good. He banged up. He's good, but he's banged up. So, yeah, you can look elsewhere. As you can see, he's buying Marcus Mariota in the rankings. It's not good for Baker.
- [18:26]
B
Yeah. All right. Our running back to kick things off with Kenneth Walker against the Falcons. This is a stat that's not going to surprise anybody. He scored one touchdown in his last nine games here. Jay. Kenneth Walker looks pretty good running the ball. They get down to the red area. It just feels like the lack of touchdowns have completely limited his ceiling. Where you do wonder, can you continue to play him?
- [18:47]
C
Yeah, I still am going to play him. He slide 13 carries for 56 yards against the Vikings. His Falcons rush defense we've talked about a lot of the time. It's just, it's not particularly imposing. Jonathan Taylor had a million yards against them in Berlin recently. And I wonder, Connor, if what Brian Flores did against the Seahawks is going to be the blueprint going forward. How to play this team where like the way that they defended jsn. I'm doing that in a long time. Like they were literally faceguarding JSN with cloud coverage over the top. It was like deep cut. It was like Iman Shumpet in the finals guarding Klay Thompson. Just face guarding him. Not looking at anyone else. 2015 finals. Go back, watch the tape of Munch up. Did a very good job on clay, but I wonder if teams are just going to sell out to stop JSN and just force the Seahawks to run the ball. Because the Seahawks, they run the ball a lot, but they didn't do it super efficiently. No, but. And look, it's a favorable matchup as well against the Falcons. So I would be keeping it open on Kenneth Walker. The Seahawks touchdown favorites here. They should have game script.
- [19:47]
B
I feel like if that happens, it can limit jsn. But Kubiak will find ways to get him the ball. But you're right. And Flores is just. He's as good as game planning as anyone. Like he can just throw in wrinkles that other people don't. This one from Will Garrettson, Ken Walker or Amarian Hampton in his first game back ppr. What do you think of that start sit dilemma Matthew Yeah, it's a tough.
- [20:10]
A
One obviously, because we just don't know. We just don't know if they'll ever give the ball to Ken Walker in close. And exactly how much does Hampton get a full time rollback or does Kamani Vidal sneak in there? I walk her like four spots higher than Hampton so far this week. I'm keeping it open just to bring it back to our segment. So I would go with him. I would go with Walker over Hampton in the first game back here, although I have both inside my top 20 obviously. But look, three straight games with a snap rate above 50%. Like his two highest target target shares of the season have come in the last two weeks. So they're starting to involve him in the passing game a little bit more. And it's a nice matchup with the Falcons. They've allowed at least 15 fantasy points to an opposing running back in three of the past four games. There's always the threat of Charbonnet getting into the end zone, but it does feel like. And it's weird. It's weird like they use Walker up until they get there and then it just. I don't know if it's luck or design, but probably a little bit of both in terms of why Charbonnet keeps getting these touchdowns. But I think Walker's the better back. I think Seattle thinks Walker's the better back and I like the matchup. So I'm keeping it open on Walker as an RB2 this week.
- [21:13]
B
Our next running back, Jalen Warren. Huge game. Steelers, Ravens, both even right now and they'll play each other twice down the rest of this stretch for Jalen Warren. Matthew, he gets touches, but he's RB29 in points per game over the past four weeks. He just hasn't been as effective as we're used to seeing him with all those touches.
- [21:32]
A
Yeah, I mean, honestly. And the Steelers haven't been as good. The offense hasn't been good. But you know, they just signed Adam Thielen. I don't know if you guys are aware of that, but I think that gives them.
- [21:40]
B
He's making a big impact.
- [21:41]
A
Should we talk about the impact that I'm feeling is going to have on Jalen Warden? That's one thing we failed to mention in our 20 minutes. We didn't really? Talk about what the effect feeling was.
- [21:51]
C
One of the Pistons traded for Rashid Wallace when they won the title in 2004. This is the missing pace Steelers.
- [21:57]
A
That's right. I was pretty sure today that I wasn't getting an Aman Sharp Shumpert or Rasheed Wallace.
- [22:03]
B
That's the beauty of this.
- [22:04]
C
Five million to one caches.
- [22:06]
A
Exactly. Listen, I'm keeping it open on Jalen Warren though because I think that the touchdowns haven't been there, the scoring equity hasn't been there as well. But they're trying to do it right. You know, they're trying to. He's. In terms of teams percentage of red zone rushes, Jalen horn is top 10. Had an 18% target share last week, which was one of the highest of the year for him. He's had at least 15 touches in five of the past six games that he's fully completed. Remember he's left that one early due to injury but you know, so he's getting, he's getting the work A little too much. Kenneth Gainwell for our taste. But you see it there on your screen going up against Baltimore. This is going to be a hard fought game. It always is. Between the Ravens and the Steelers. I think they're going to like always they're going to want to run the ball. Ravens defense is a lot better these days. But Warren, because of the, because of his passing game usage, because he's out there, because it's not like Rogers, you know, is doing much else. I, I'm reluctantly keeping it open on Jalen Warren. I am as a top 20 play. I think he's a low end RB2 this week.
- [23:05]
C
Yeah, I agree. I think that like what's the alternative? They're going to have Rogers drop back 45 times these. Rogers is one of the multiple quarterbacks right now playing with fractured bones and did not look good against Buffalo. So I think they just got to continue to lean into the run. Baltimore's rush defense is fine. Not particularly imposing though. Ranks middle of the league in terms of success rate. EPA again. So yeah, Jaylen Warren again, not particularly inspiring, but I think an RB2 type.
- [23:31]
B
All right guys. A more difficult running back to project than Jalen Warren. What he marks against the Chiefs on Sunday Night Football. Maybe not as difficult. Jay, when you hear that he's got three straight games with under eight points and I feel like that was the turning point where like Woody Marks is here, it's going to be time and there's just been nothing going and the volume is typically there but Not a lot of touchdowns or big plays and limited pass game work.
- [23:53]
C
Yeah, it's funny he's playing the Chiefs because I think that his closest facsimile in the league in a way is Kareem Hunt. Just without the touchdowns where Kareem Hunt. It's same with Woody. Woody Mouse looks good. He always looks good out there. It's just as good as like fighting ahead for four or five yards behind a suspect offensive line. No one works harder for 4 or 5 yard gains than Woody Marks and Kareem Hunt. But in terms of rush yards allowed to running backs, the Chiefs in the defenses in the top five fewest, right next to the Texans who they'll play on Sunday Night Football. So Woody Marks, I mean you're just counting on the touchdowns and it's not an explosive offense. It's not a team that you expect to put up 30 plus just his games. I always feel like it's going to be 14 for 62 and no touchdowns.
- [24:36]
B
Yeah, it's an absolute grind. Matthew, I mean I would think that you're leaning more on closing this one out after three games like this.
- [24:44]
A
Yeah, it's unfortunate. I agree with Jay, like talent wise to the eye test, guy looks good. But production wise, it's just not there. You saw it on your screen. It's a tough matchup against Kansas City. 5th Fewest Rush Yards allowed to opposing running backs. But you hinted at this Connor, like they're not using him in the passing game. That's what's so weird is this is a guy that came out of college, that was his game, right?
- [25:02]
B
Yes. That was his whole skill set. And that's how they started to work him in over the summer. And now he's by default, just had to be their lead back.
- [25:10]
A
Yeah, but the problem is, is without the passing game work and without the touchdowns because it seems they do seem to prefer Nick Chubb when they're getting close or Nico Collins on a reverse. You know the fact is, is that he's just not getting that work. 23 receiving yards over his past five games. Like not per game. Like that's his total over the last five games, Woody Marks has 23 receiving yards. This is an unbelievable stat. But over the past three weeks there is no running back among qualified running backs. There's no qualified running back that is worse in fantasy points per touch than Woody Marks. He is dead last. And so yes, I am closing it out. He's my running back. 28. We like Woody Marks. It's just I don't know, this is a tough matchup and the usage hasn't been there. That makes you think he's going to get the fantasy production that we want.
- [25:55]
B
Let's get to the pass catchers. We talked about a Mecca Buca with the return of Mike Evans at the top of this show, but for this week, specifically Matthew against the Saints, you know, can you continue to roll a book out there? I find it hard to believe people have so many better options or a surplus of options, but he does have one game with 10 plus points since week six.
- [26:17]
A
It's. I get it. And if like I'm in a league and I see somebody has a booker on their bench, I get it. I'm reluctantly keeping it open here as well, though. Listen, he's had six straight games with eight or more targets. Like, we believe in a Mecca Buka's team talent.
- [26:30]
B
Right.
- [26:30]
A
We believe in this kid from Ohio State. And so, you know, the fact of the matter is over the last six games, he's got basically a 30% target share. And just, I think, you know, again, Baker's been off the offense has been a little bit out of sync, but you're just telling me, you know, a guy with that kind of talent's getting eight targets. I know that he's gotten into the production, hasn't been there, but I'm, I'm keeping it open. I'm reluctantly keeping it open as a borderline wide receiver. 2, 3. You see it there on your screen. He's my number eight wide receiver this week. So he's, he's right there in the mix on the kind of two, three, border and Jay.
- [27:07]
B
I mean, the reality is too, a lot of wide receivers are banged up or dealing with horrible quarterback play right now that once again, because of the usage, the target share that Matthew hinted, maybe there's a floor at least with Ibuka that a lot of guys in this range might not have.
- [27:22]
C
Yeah, I would keep it open on Ibuka as well. Well, just because of the targets, because of the favorable matchup against the Saints, you just need one breakdown. Baker is throwing it his way. He hasn't lost confidence, which is promising. The concern is, is that a booker since week six to your point, he's at basically one good game. He's 69th in PFF grade among wide receivers. It just doesn't feel like the player who is kind of having this magical run the first five weeks of the season. Have you noticed anything different about a booker and the way that he's being played?
- [27:54]
B
Well to that grade, they're going to hammer you pretty hard on drops. And he's had some and I have no problem with that. That should hammer your grade. And he's had some big drops. So I think that's it. Matthew, where you look at it, maybe the glass half full is Baker still looking his way and if you finish half of those plays, we're not having this conversation. But the glass half empty is, is that something that is going to continue going forward? I would think it doesn't personally. Like I think this, this dam is this slump is going to break. But there are the two ways of looking at it.
- [28:25]
A
There's no, there's no question about it. Like I said, I wouldn't be surprised if like again, I'm not looking at somebody sideways if he gets benched in the league that I'm in. But you know, the premise of the segment is are you keeping it open.
- [28:36]
C
Or closing it out?
- [28:37]
A
And I am. I'm reluctantly keeping it open on a boot. I don't know that you're going to have many better options. Again, talented wide receiver getting eight targets in a decent matchup against the Saints. It's going to be tough to beat, I think for most people on their rosters.
- [28:52]
B
How about this from Raise the flags a Buka or Mike Evans if Mike Evans is active.
- [28:57]
A
Evans, yeah.
- [28:58]
C
I think Evans because as well faithful the nature of the injury too. Like it's not like he's coming back off a knee or bad ankle. Yeah it's like he broke his collarbone and bone to healed. Mike Evans knows the offense. Baker Mayfield is very in tune with Mike Evans. So yeah, I think it's Mike Evans.
- [29:16]
B
There the next one. I don't think we'll share the same confidence in here. Matthew Brian Thomas Jr. Against the Colts right now it's this matchup is fine. There's nothing wrong with especially Sauce Gardner is not going to play in this game. Not put on IR yet, but not going to play in this game. But 28 receiving yards in his first game back last week and this has just been a very, very disappointing season across the board.
- [29:37]
A
His, his lack of production this year has been shocking and I don't know if it's just not on the same page with Trevor Lawrence. Of course so much of his production last year down the stretch came with Mac Jones. Whether it's, you know, unfamiliarity or with Liam Cohen's offense or just not a fit for what Liam wants to do. He has been banged up this year, but production wasn't there prior to the injury. So it doesn't. You can't really say like, yes, he didn't produce, but he was hurt. He didn't produce. He's had one game this year, literally one game this year with more than 12 fantasy points. Last week he ran 84% of the routes and still only earned 12% of the target. Just think about that, like just 12% target share. I mean, he was out there, right? I mean, and this is a game that Parker Washington left early do you know, and he's not even. Not only is he not earning targets at a high rate, he's definitely not earning them when you get in close. He's got one red zone target over his past seven games. Literally one red zone target. Not even end zone target. Literally one red zone target in his last seven games that he's played. So, yes, I'm closing it out on Brian Thomas Jr. Is outside my top 30 this week and he is in the running for biggest bust of the year, I think fantasy wise based on where he was drafted and his production. You know, again, because I don't think you can sort of blame.
- [30:53]
You can't. You can't blame his lack of production on injury the way you can some other, you know, some other players. Whatever. Jaden Daniels I think you can blame on injury. Right. Like he's been banged up basically, you know, most of the year.
- [31:04]
C
Yeah. No, I agree. Brian Thomas Jr. And Kendrick Bourne, the only two Mac Jones merchants in NFL history. I think it's a, it's a relatively favorable matchup against the Colts. Question here from MDD0101 drop BTJ for Evans. Yes. I'd rather have Mike Evans.
- [31:23]
A
Yes.
- [31:23]
C
Going forward. I think that's.
- [31:24]
B
Yes, without a doubt. I'm at the point where with Brian Thomas Jr. Jay that like are they just going to trade him this offseason? I'd be. I'd almost take that side.
- [31:33]
C
Yeah.
- [31:34]
B
Than against it. Which is wild to say.
- [31:36]
C
Yeah.
- [31:36]
B
It just feels like it's just not working with Liam Cohen and this offense as a whole.
- [31:40]
C
And they have a million wide receivers as well.
- [31:42]
B
Hunter will be back.
- [31:43]
C
Travis Hunter will be back. They've obviously invested resources in trading for Jacoby Myers. Parker Washington's a real player.
- [31:48]
B
They throw Brad Strange all the time.
- [31:50]
C
They have players there. So yeah. I don't know what happened to Brian Thomas Jr. I mean we came into the season, it's like a fringe first round pick in fantasy. So it's very strange. This is a reasonable spot to get right. I think certainly source Gardener island is much more Imposing than Makai, Blackman, Ireland. And so the Colts corners looking a little bit more shaky than it was a week ago. Colts also very little pass rush. It's layout to Latu and then just, you know, prey basically. Right. They're getting very little pressure. So Brian Thomas Jr. The reality is he's had more than five catches once this season. So I just don't think you can count on this guy at all.
- [32:27]
B
How about Troy Franklin? Matthew Two games with more than 40 receiving yards since week five. Sean Payton, we always make jokes about his backfield usage. That's starting to carry over to the wide receiver room as well as Pat Bryant gets more involved.
- [32:41]
A
Yeah, pat Bryant ran five more routes than Troy Franklin last week. 67% route rate last week. That's his lowest since week number one. And so it's just sort of all over the place. And a game in which the Broncos were, you know, it was kind of a crazy game against my commanders going back and forth as well. The problem is, is that Troy Franklin is really touchdown dependent and I, you know, who among us isn't? But like in the games in this year in which he hasn't scored, he's averaging seven fantasy points a game. Right. He's had 40 or fewer receiving yards in six of his last eight games. And he's been bailed out by the touchdowns, which is always an opportunity there. But he's just. They just spread the ball around so much and they, they use so many different pieces of their offense. Like, it's hard to trust Troy Franklin. If you start him, you're basically banking on a touchdown against the Raiders, which could happen easily. Obviously the Raiders have struggled so far this year, but he's my wide receiver. 40. I'm closing it out on Troy Franklin.
- [33:33]
B
All right. And our tight end on the board is to see Troy Franklin beyond household names like Jordan Addison, who's barely seen the ball in weeks. Romeo Dobbs, Devon Vale and Xavier Worthy. So tough times for Troy Franklin. Our tight end is Kyle Pitts this week. Last week was his first game with more than eight points since Week 8. Jay, the jets defense will do that. Tight ends have had big performances against him this week, but he's got Seattle on deck, who also is not great against the tight end.
- [34:02]
A
Yep.
- [34:02]
C
So I think you keep it open on Kyle Pitts, which is a strange thing to say out loud. Say Drake London and his health and that'll change the state of the offense. But ultimately you cannot run the ball on Seattle. Their rush defense is completely dominant. I know the Falcons will try because that is what they're going to need to do. But regardless, I mean eight targets in there for game. Kirk looks a bit better than expected. I thought he looked completely done the Miami game initially, but he's been serviceable the past two weeks.
- [34:28]
B
Some throws.
- [34:29]
C
Yeah, made some throws. Good. Way to put it. Connor. He's been able to make some throws on the floor. No. Doesn't move and they don't have a ton of zip on them. But he has been able to. I mean he was able to get Kyle Pitts 82 receiving yards. So I think that you know, in this tight end landscape that Kyle Pitts is startable. He's at the lower end of startable. But I would keep it open. Matthew.
- [34:50]
A
Jay, I agree with you. I'm a tight end 8, so lower end of startable but still a tight end one. I am keeping it open. You mentioned the targets last week. 23% target share since week seven. That's one of the highest among all tight ends over the last handful of weeks. And it's actually not a scary match against Seattle. As good as Seattle is in all aspects of the defense. Connor, but you referenced it. Seahawks are not good against tight ends. They give them the third most receiving yards for game two opposing tight ends. They've given up dubbed fantasy points to a tight end in three of the past four games. So yeah. Kyle Pitts, come on down. I'm keeping it open on Kyle Pitts. Kirk Cousins to Kyle Pitts. Those are your Atlanta Falcons.
- [35:31]
C
I'm sure this is going to go great.
- [35:34]
Three for 17 coming up.
- [35:37]
B
Joshua.
- [35:38]
A
Yep.
- [35:39]
B
Pitts or Kincaid against the Bengals?
- [35:41]
C
Kincaid if he's healthy for me.
- [35:42]
A
But if he's healthy. Yeah.
- [35:45]
B
The Bengals have been the feast of all feasts for tight ends this year. Yeah, Henry had like 26 points.
- [35:51]
C
There's a bit of a discourse that the Bengals defense with Joe Burrow has gotten better because they kept the Ravens to 14 points. The Ravens had five turnovers in the game. Yeah, if the Bengals can get five turnovers every game, they'll be fine. But one of those turnovers also came at the 1 inch line. So that should be get them 21 points. There's still the worst defense in football.
- [36:09]
B
Yeah, I would agree. I'm not going to buy into that. We do have one more name for keep it open or close it out. Another tight end.
- [36:16]
A
Broncos.
- [36:16]
B
Broncos tight end Mercedes Lewis. He's got a great matchup this week, Matthew against the Raiders. You know, people are talking about the big dog. I think he's 40 years old right now. Can you. Can you give him one more ride here with Mercedes Lewis?
- [36:29]
A
Let's see now. I know Jay wants to say he's done as well, but you sort of think about what Marcellus is doing here. You know, Geno Smith likes. Likes the veteran players. A nice matchup as well. Yeah.
- [36:42]
I can't even do it straight.
- [36:44]
C
He played 20 snaps last time they played the writers.
- [36:47]
B
Yeah, he's kind of a sixth offensive lineman.
- [36:50]
C
Yeah, he has a 26 pass blocking grade.
- [36:53]
B
I take that back, by the way.
- [36:55]
A
He might be older than 40. Like, it's like death taxes in Mercedes Lewis. He's always out there. Like, it's just he. He will never go away.
- [37:03]
C
He's actually. He's actually dead.
- [37:04]
B
41 and turning 42 in May.
- [37:07]
A
I mean, there you go.
- [37:09]
B
Yeah.
- [37:11]
Good for Mercedes Lewis. Brandon De La Torre. I love this show. We love that you love this show. We're here for the laughs. A smidge of fantasy advice with lots of laughs. Let's recap. Keep it open or close it out. Baker Mayfield a top 20 play, but he's a close. He is not in QB1 territory after this slump he's been on. Kenneth Walker stays open at RB16, as does Jalen Warren at RB18. But Woody Marks ends up a close at RB28. Just not a lot of production despite volume. Mecca Abuka, you probably don't have a better option. So he stays open based on target share. At wide receiver 18, Brian Thomas Jr. Though you can close that one out. At wide receiver 33. It just hasn't happened this year. And Troy Franklin trending the wrong way in recent weeks. He's wide receiver 40 as the Broncos give Pat Bryant more work. So Franklin's a close and our tight end Kyle Pitts is an open top 10 play. Tight end 8. Good matchup against Seattle. All right, we're taking our first break. When we're back, can Matthew actually go from 07 to the playoffs in our fantasy league of assholes? We really hope not, Becca.
- [38:26]
C
For years, everyone thought Verizon had the.
- [38:29]
B
Best network because they did. But now the best mobile network in.
- [38:33]
C
The US is T Mobile. T Mobile's network has the most advanced.
- [38:37]
B
5G with more towers and their signal.
- [38:40]
C
Reaches further than ever. So you can text and insta talk and say, you won't believe where I am.
- [38:47]
A
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- [40:05]
Michael Wilson is a member of Live at Noon on the tube. By the way, on a five game win streak I defeated Roto Pac and Michael Wilson has been a part of that. I play backup producer Pete in what is my super bowl who stinks by the way.
- [40:18]
B
He's the worst six and six I've ever seen.
- [40:21]
A
There's no question.
- [40:21]
B
But Jay had his fourth strike stringers in against him running up the score.
- [40:25]
A
Beat him by 100. But Jay benches players at halftime and still beat him by 100. But make no mistake, again I'm piecing it together like I. I'm starting like Harold Fannin as a flex like my my team is so decimated by injury so I am piecing it together but I managed to get it every week. It sort of. And Michael Wilson has been a part of it. Backup producer Pete is favored but we've been underdogs in five straight so we'll see what happens. He is. Look at the projections. He's favored.
- [40:52]
B
Yes. Matthew's hot streak continues as we take a look at the League of Assholes playoff picture. It pains me to say Matthew and I are both 6 and 7. As is. As is backup producer Pete.
- [41:05]
C
Now the point.
- [41:06]
B
The point differential a little different.
- [41:08]
C
I'm in.
- [41:09]
B
Yeah, you're in.
- [41:10]
C
I'm in.
- [41:10]
A
Yeah.
- [41:10]
B
Lawrence surging. Damien always pretty good. Not surprised there, stupid. Dev. You know for all the jokes we make about Dev, it's like karma kind of kicked in. He's point total is the worst of the playoff teams but he's 8 and 5. So good for stupid Dev producer Steven kind of a shot there. Go ahead, Matthew.
- [41:31]
A
I just could say I needed like I needed. I needed Rotopat to. To lose last week. He didn't. I needed stupid death. Stupid Dev actually lost to Roto Pat and I believe. And so I needed stupid Dev to finally win a game last week. And of course he did because then he would have been him and Steven those. I needed both those two teams to lose, to be 6 and 7 me to have a real shot here and then I could have potentially snuck in. If I win next week and I'm seven and seven and a lot of the six win teams like go to six and eight then I think because I knew the points just aren't there again, you know, between. Between Jaden Daniels and Mike Evans and Xavier Worthy and you know, the slow start case run, the exclusial or the excuse lure is in full effect. But make no mistake, even though I think I have to outscore Stephen by 176 points or something for all the scenarios, don't worry. Oh, go ahead.
- [42:27]
C
Hold on. First of all, I didn't realize that backup producer Pete has actually written a manifesto of every single clinching scenario as though this is the AFC South. If Indianapolis, Jacksonville and Houston are all tied at the end of the season. This is unbelievable.
- [42:41]
B
Well, I'll explain Matthews. Matthew clinches with a win over Denny and he needs either very likely scenarios. Steven loses. Plus Matthew outscores Stephen by 176 points plus I lose or Matthew outscores me by 98 points or Rotopat loses. Matthew outscores Rotopat by 164 points plus I lose. Or Matthew outscores me again by 98 points plus he outscores Pete by 68. There's a chance, there's. It's a non zero.
- [43:20]
A
Yes. You know, we play this league on ESPN and it gives me a 2% chance of making the playoffs.
- [43:27]
B
Nice.
- [43:27]
C
Which seems high.
- [43:29]
A
Yeah.
- [43:29]
B
I don't know where they came up with those.
- [43:31]
C
It reminds me of. Was it the Joe Flacco? Joe Flacco when He threw the 4th and 29 to Ray Rice against the Chargers. Is that right?
- [43:38]
B
Made like 40 people miss.
- [43:39]
C
Yeah, it's like that except it's 4th and 58 basically. Yeah. So it's like 4th and 58.
- [43:44]
B
You got to.
- [43:45]
C
Rice needs to go for 59 yards.
- [43:47]
A
Which is, which is true. And I mean Connor, if, if you beat Dev and then you have a bunch of different scenarios for you to make it, you need, you need very lose and you need to outscore Jay by 78 or Rotopad to lose and you outscore Rotopat by 66. It's like, it's unbelievable in terms of, in terms of what, what needs to happen. But I think the most important thing is yeah, there's, there'll be no math. Here's the most important thing. I was 07 and I'm a game away from finishing the year at 7 and 7. It like that's the most important thing. I beat backup producer Pete. Everyone that's come in front of me I defeated put together with. I have done. Despite the fact that I'm a two time champion of this league, I would argue I've actually done the best coaching of my life this year to bring us back to set to even have the fact, yes, I agree with you. We're not making the playoffs.
- [44:39]
C
Aston answer Daniels and Mike Evans, how's that good coaching?
- [44:44]
A
No, but my point, no, but like my point like I had a bad draft obviously that some, some guys didn't produce and some guys got injured. You know, Xavier Worthy missed the first five weeks, Mike Evans out after week three. Jay Daniel's been off on my first round pick, so. And Chase Brown was unusable for the first seven weeks. That's like my first five picks. But what I'm going to say is, is that, but so coming back from 07 is my best coaching. I've been piecing it together with like the Michael Wilsons of the world, you know and yeah, and what I would tell you is, what I would tell you here, Jay, is that still going. Even though the fact that I'd like whatever 2% chance of making the playoffs and even if the real odds are even lower than that, the fact is as we sit here on the week before the playoffs start, I actually have a chance. It's infinitesimal. But the fact that I started 07 and we enter week 14 with me having a legit chance, or a chance not even legit, but that I started 0 and 7 and in week 14 I actually have a chance to make the playoffs is unbelievable. It's a disgrace to the rest of you once again. How dare you. I gave you. I gave you a seven game head start. I gave all of you a seven game head start and you could not kill me. You could not kill me. It's outrageous.
- [46:01]
C
What are you, King Lear or soliloquy? We got that, we get it.
- [46:05]
A
I'm just. You want to go back to talking about Adam Thielen, we can do that too.
- [46:08]
B
I've never been more disappointed with my co workers. All of you, like all of you, just an absolute awful effort. Anyways, we did promise. Yeah, yeah, we did promise some playoff strategy. Right now we're going to start with the defense, special teams for those of you that still have those in your leagues. Some of you have already clinched a playoff spot and are looking towards your playoff matchups. These are defense special teams that are owned in less than 50% of leagues that have favorable playoff schedules. Guys, we will each pick one kind of in draft format so we won't repeat any. And Matthew, after your tough fantasy year, we'll give you the first pick here. Which one of these five would be your go to for the stretch run as you see the schedule for each as well?
- [46:51]
A
Give me the Saints. You know what I mean? Like again, Carolina, I know they just had the nice game, but they're, you know, it's still a, it's a low passing volume offense so it's, they're not going to run up a bunch of points on you. Obviously the, the jets are fun. Tyrod's not scared to throw, pick or take a sack. And then obviously at Tennessee in week 17. So I think it's between the Saints, the Bucks. But give me the Saints who dash.
- [47:14]
C
Yeah, I'm going to take the Bucks because the matchups fairly favorable. Atlanta at Carolina at Miami, also these options, I think they're just the best defense, full stop, even though they haven't played to a super high level this year. But I think Todd Bowles with his blitzing, with his personnel, with the schedule, that would be my pick.
- [47:33]
B
Slim pickings here for me, but I'll go with the Dolphins. Yeah, the matchup. The Dolphins defense to their credit has showing signs of life for a couple of weeks.
- [47:41]
C
Teams played hard, right?
- [47:42]
B
They were awful in September. They are playing hard. They're better up front right now. You know, they have the matchup against the Steelers here, which is one that you think would actually be a benefit to their defense. But then you got to deal with the Bengals and Bucs. I agree with you guys. I'd go Saints and Bucs over them as well. And if you have any questions about the Giants, who we didn't get to, just know that Joe Shane, he'll understand your question.
- [48:06]
A
Why do you believe that you're the.
- [48:08]
B
Right person to help turn this thing around. Yeah, I understand the question. I understand the question. And I understand the question. And, yeah, I understand the question there, too, Pat. And yeah, I understand the question. And, yeah, I understand your question. Again, I think somebody asked the same thing earlier, but I understand your question.
- [48:23]
C
It's very clear that Joe James told that at, like, a leadership meeting. That's a good way to respond to a question.
- [48:29]
B
Buy yourself some time.
- [48:30]
C
Listen, Joe, this is how you engage with people. It makes them feel like they're being heard. It's very bad. It's all very.
- [48:35]
A
Yes. Yeah, I understand. I understand your question. Understand why you're asking it. I'm not going to give you an answer, but I do understand it. The reason I'm not giving you an answer you want to hear is. Is not because of a lack of comprehension. I do understand the question.
- [48:50]
C
That's bad.
- [48:51]
B
All right, don't worry. Everybody will always understand.
- [48:53]
A
A quick story here.
- [48:54]
B
Yeah, this is a great time for it.
- [48:56]
A
Yeah. So I'm just sitting here. I'm looking at myself. You know, I'm whatever. I'm out of a suitcase. I'm in a, you know, I'm in Orlando, whatever. So I'm, you know, whatever. I'm wearing a T shirt. Alabama Roll Tide. We got a big game against Georgia on Saturday. But I'm sitting here and I'm noticing it's a little wrinkled, and I'm trying to, like, you know, stretch it out, work it out.
- [49:14]
C
I don't think it's. That approach is working. I would try a different approach, obviously.
- [49:19]
B
So just go with the wrinkles, wrinkle release sprays.
- [49:22]
A
The other approach. Well, right.
- [49:23]
C
It's like you're tense, like you're Ben Johnson.
- [49:25]
A
What's going on before the show. But I didn't.
- [49:28]
C
There's no chance. You know how to work an iron. It's okay. To lighter than regulars.
- [49:32]
A
That's exactly right, Jay. I don't. And my wife was like, no, I'm not doing that. She peaced out. So. And I don't blame Beth for doing that, but it reminded me of a story.
- [49:43]
You guys remember Merrill Hodge, ESPN analyst for many, many years, Pittsburgh Steelers legend. So Merrill Hodge, great guy. And so I worked with Merrill when I first got to ESPN for a number of years, and we would do segments together and stuff like that awesome guy. And I don't know if you remember for people that can think about what Meryl looked like, but Meryl is ripped, like, you know, still to this day.
- [50:06]
B
Right.
- [50:07]
A
But, like, he's just like. He's a guy. And like, he always had these awesome ties with a big knot. And he was always. It always looked like he was about ready to burst out of his shirt. You know what I mean? Like, it was always this. His shirts were always super tight and, like, just always pressed really thin and looked great. I remember talking to Merrill one time. I'm like, hey, man, how do you. How do you get your shirts to look like that? That's so awesome. How do you look like, how can I do that? And he took a look at me and he goes, bench press.
- [50:35]
Like, just like, listen, there's no laundry secret, dude. Just get to the gym. No more detail, sad sack.
- [50:41]
B
Yeah.
- [50:42]
A
And I've never forgotten that. I'm like, yeah, you're probably right. Just because he's in great shape. You're right. That would have been the answer. It's not a laundry thing. It's not a starch thing. It's just a bench press.
- [50:54]
C
Oh, dear. And then you didn't do it.
- [50:56]
B
Yeah. I'm glad you followed his advice, Matthew. That's the best part of the story.
- [50:59]
A
Obviously. That seemed like a lot of work. I was hoping it was just like a spray or something.
- [51:04]
B
We got Valiant Vincent weighing in.
- [51:06]
A
Wait.
- [51:06]
B
Yeah. Barry would need to know how to iron a shirt. Lol. That is exactly right. All right, we're going to take our last break. When we're back, we got our back to the futures bets. Last call. Right after this.
- [51:25]
A
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- [54:01]
B
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- [54:19]
All right, guys, it's time for back to the futures. Jay, what's in the crystal ball?
- [54:24]
C
Gonna take the fighting? JJ McCarthy's under five and a half wins at plus 160s to take a look at their schedule commanders. This week it's about a coin flip in the market and then at Cowboys, at Giants, Lions, Packers. I suspect they're going to lose those games against the Cowboys, Lions and Packers and then I need them to lose one out of two between the Commanders and at the Giants and I think they will do that. Connor.
- [54:46]
B
All right, I'm going with the Texans to win the AFC south plus 310 right now when you look at this division, The Colts are 140, Jacksonville is 145. They're both 8 and 4 and they both play each other twice. The Texans, they're 310 at 7 5. If they beat the Chiefs on Sunday Night Football, they have the Cardinals and the Raiders after that right now. So the Texans at plus three times, just like a big number.
- [55:11]
C
Yep, I agree. I think that should be closer to plus 210. I think that if they beat the Chiefs they are very, very live to win that division.
- [55:17]
B
Matthew, what do you got for us?
- [55:19]
A
How about the Cardinals under four and a half wins? Look at the Cardinals upcoming schedule. They've got three wins right now so they need two more wins the rest of the season. I don't see who they're beating on this team. They got the Rams and they're at the Texans. Maybe they could squeak by the Falcons, but then they got to go at the Bengals against Joe Burrow and then at the rams in week 18. I think maybe they win one of the following games but I don't think they win two. So give me under four and a half wins for the Cardinals at minus 105.
- [55:44]
C
Wow. Jacoby Brissette slander to end the show.
- [55:46]
A
Michael Wilson what are the two games they win on that schedule there? Maybe they beat the rams in Week 18 if the Rams rest everybody.
- [55:53]
C
But like I think the Rams will be able to position now. They need to win. Yeah, exactly. I think I'll beat the Falcons and then you need to win one of the other. It's not like they're a lock to beat the Falcons, but yeah, they would be tiny favorites in that game and then the other four they'll be underdogs in all of them and you have to, you know, win a strange game against Bengals Texans.
- [56:12]
A
I mean maybe the Bengals I guess, but I just give me Joe Burrow over Jacoby Brissette.
- [56:17]
C
Just saddened by the Brissette slander and lack of faith.
- [56:19]
B
Yeah, Brandon De La Torre said there we have it. Barry hates Jacoby. Yeah, you see it like this.
- [56:25]
C
To be fair, Matthew, you might have Kyle Omari back for those final few games, in which case they'll definitely lose.
- [56:30]
B
Galaxy braining.
- [56:33]
A
By the way, real quickly your your hopes of using Jayden Daniels in the playoffs. Jay get better. Dan Quinn talking about the fact that he's optimistic. He's gonna get a lot of reps in practice. They'll think about it till Friday. He's off to a good start. Still not clear for practice, but just, you know, they're starting to ramp him up.
- [56:51]
C
Show us the ankles, Barry. People want to see the ankles.
- [56:53]
B
An ankler sign off?
- [56:54]
C
Oh, no. Guinea. Let's.
- [56:57]
B
Does he even have pants on? That's it for us. The guys will be back tomorrow. Matthew and Jay, I'm Connor. We're getting the hell out of here.