Week 16 Start/Sit: Quinshon Judkins, Rashee Rice, Emeka Egbuka + Tua Tagovailoa benched

Summary

Fantasy Football Happy Hour with Matthew Berry

Week 16 Start/Sit: Quinshon Judkins, Rashee Rice, Emeka Egbuka + Tua Tagovailoa Benched
Date: December 17, 2025
Host: Connor Rogers (for Matthew Berry), with Jay Croucher and Lawrence Jackson, Jr.
Episode Overview
This packed episode guides listeners through tough Week 16 start/sit decisions, breaking fantasy news, detailed positional breakdowns, and sharp analysis of league and playoff trends. With Matthew Berry out sick, the team provides injury updates, context on key quarterback changes, and deep dives into running back, wide receiver, and tight end options—plus audience Q&A, bar trivia, and a look at awards/futures odds.

---

Main Theme

Start/Sit Strategy & Playoff Survival
The episode’s core focus is on helping fantasy managers make the right start/sit calls during the playoffs—especially given major quarterback changes (notably, Tua Tagovailoa’s benching for rookie Quinn Ewers), the impact on skill players, and lingering injury risks. The crew weighs in on players whose stock is up or down, emphasizes matchup nuances, and gives actionable advice for every key position.

---

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Breaking News: Tua Benched, Quinn Ewers Starts

• [03:00] Dolphins bench Tua Tagovailoa for rookie Quinn Ewers vs. the Bengals.
• Impact:
  • "No matter who's under center, you're still going to start Devon Achane." – Lawrence Jackson, Jr. [03:00]
  • Jalen Waddle becomes more volatile, with expectations further lowered.
  • Darren Waller is now even more touchdown-dependent.
• Quinn Ewers’ Profile:
  • “Last year in college football, the accuracy wasn't where we hoped it would be. He'll like to move around a little bit to try to buy some time, but I think you're going to see a lot of quick game.” – Connor Rogers [04:06]
  • Miami’s offense may become heavily short-pass/ground game oriented.
  • Definite downgrade for Waddle; less optimism for pass-catchers.

2. Keep It Open or Close It Out: Start/Sit Dilemmas

Challenging roster decisions for the playoffs—should you “keep the window open" (start) or "close it out" (sit)? (Timestamps indicate discussion start)

Quarterback

• Justin Herbert @ Cowboys [07:22]
  • Despite a bland stretch (five sub-15 point games), matchup is favorable.
  • “Herbert is running more than ever... in fantasy, 50 rushing yards is 5 points.” – Lawrence Jackson, Jr. [08:31]
  • Start Herbert: Ranks as QB11; upside is there, especially with increased rushing.

Running Backs

• Quinshon Judkins @ Bills [10:43]

  • Volume remains, but efficiency and game script are concerns.
  • “Running backs that face the Bills this season are averaging over 5 yards a carry…” – Lawrence Jackson, Jr. [10:59]
  • Slight lean to starting due to potential high upside if Bills' run D leaks continue.
  • Start, but temper expectations.

• Aaron Jones vs. Giants [12:54]

  • Recent slump; hope lies in receiving work (14% target share since Week 10).
  • “This Giants team is very much running out the season.” – Jay Croucher [13:53]
  • Start as fringe RB2/FLEX.

• Ashton Gentry vs. Texans [16:12]

  • “Gentry is not working in fantasy right now... just not adding up.” – Lawrence [17:12]
  • Sit/Gentry is a hard fade, even in desperate spots.

• Tyrone Tracy (Comparison)

  • Tracy outpaces Judkins in committee, offers higher receiving upside for Week 16.

Wide Receivers

• Rashee Rice @ Titans [19:01]

  • Gardner Minshew starting does not significantly change Rice’s outlook.
  • “Since Week 7, 12th in target share, 5th in targets per game.” – Jay [19:01]
  • “Rashee Rice is the number one receiver.” – Lawrence [21:17]
  • Start confidently—top 10 WR for the week.

• Justin Jefferson vs. Giants [21:54]

  • Acknowledges his struggles but highlights target share and improving rapport with J.J. McCarthy.
  • Start and keep the faith: “Jefferson...trending in the right direction...I’d actually start him with confidence.” – Connor [24:26]

• Emeka Egbuka vs. Panthers [25:25]

  • Usage volatility but showed signs of life; discussion weighs him vs. Godwin, Pittman, Addison.
  • Mild optimism; start in deeper formats/if WR options are thin.

Tight End

• Mark Andrews (vs streaming options) [26:50]
  • "He could end up in the end zone any time, but that’s just not a bet I’m willing to take.” – Lawrence [27:16]
  • Under 20 yards in 3 of last 4; sit for better streaming options (e.g., Colby Parkinson, Hunter Henry, Juwan Johnson, Theo Johnson).

Rapid Start/Sit Rankings Recap [31:11]

• Keep it Open (Start): Justin Herbert (QB11), Quinshon Judkins (RB), Aaron Jones (RB), Rashee Rice (WR Top-10), Justin Jefferson (WR17).
• Close it Out (Sit): Ashton Gentry (RB25), Emeka Egbuka (WR37; fringe), Mark Andrews (TE20).

---

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Dolphins QB change:

  • “It’s good news for the Bucs and Patriots…big win for the Bucks and Patriots.” – Jay [06:48]

• On Justin Jefferson’s mentality:

  • “I'm proud of myself...sticking with the game plan, sticking with the guys that we have...” – Justin Jefferson (audio clip) [22:05]

• On most frustrating fantasy players:

  • “If there’s anybody out there...Judkins or Gentry, I would say Judkins for you, my friend. You gotta pray.” – Lawrence [18:08]

• On Mark Andrews:

  • "If you've got Kyle Pitts on your team, you're elated to put him in over Mark Andrews." – Lawrence [28:08]

• Fantasy playoff league banter:

  • “...the good thing is that Matthew Berry cannot win the league. That’s all that really matters.” – Jay [33:30]

---

Audience Interaction: Q&A & Bar Trivia

Audience Start/Sit Q&A

• Kelsey or Waller (with backups)?
  • Still Kelsey for veteran floor, even with a backup QB. [06:30]
• Numerous RB and WR toss-up questions, often answered by leaning towards players with higher volume, better matchups, or more pass-catching work.

Fantasy Bar Trivia Segment [35:17]

• Interactive trivia on player efficiency and rankings.
• Fun, smart banter about surprising stats:
  • What QB is #2 in fantasy points per pass attempt? (Answer: Jared Goff)
  • What RB is #2 in points per touch? (Answer: Kenneth Gainwell)
  • Which WR is tied for #6 in red zone targets? (Answer: Troy Franklin)

Memorable banter throughout ("Keanu Reeves has two modes..." [31:58]); crew chemistry makes even data-driven segments lively.

---

Futures & Awards Bets [45:36]

• NFC North Winner:
  • Jay picks Bears (+105, highlighting Packers’ injuries)
• AFC North Winner:
  • Lawrence likes Ravens (+105), noting schedule and defensive edge.
• Saints Over 5.5 Wins:
  • Connor touts their favorable remaining schedule.
• Coach of the Year, Comeback Player, Division Races
  • Jay: “If [Shanahan] runs the slate, that’s your Coach of the Year.”

---

Quick Reference: Important Segment Timestamps

• Tua benching fallout: [03:00–07:22]
• Herbert start/sit debate: [07:22–09:43]
• Running backs: Judkins, Jones, Gentry: [10:43–18:32]
• WRs: Rice, Jefferson, Egbuka: [19:01–26:50]
• Tight end close-outs: [26:50–29:23]
• Trivia segment: [35:17–44:34]
• Awards/futures talk: [45:36–50:59]

---

Final Takeaways

• Don’t panic-bench reliable players like Devon Achane or Justin Jefferson, even with QB changes or recent lows.
• Target volume and matchup, not just recent fantasy finish, when choosing playoff starters.
• Stream tight end if you’ve been relying on Mark Andrews.
• Rashee Rice is a set-and-forget WR1 down the stretch, even with Minshew in.
• Engage with league management and bar trivia to keep fantasy fun—even as the pressure mounts!

---

For all weekly rankings, check out Matthew Berry’s full projections and waiver columns on nbcsports.com, Peacock, or the NFL on NBC YouTube Channel.

“See you guys tomorrow—for Love/Hate, when Matthew’s back!” – Connor Rogers [51:38]

Transcript

[A]

Footballer. Talk about a gallant effort. Barry playing through the illness for the people. For the people.

[B]

Yeah. Because Barry was at the Jags bar on the weekends watching the teal juice. Yeah. You can't go to that place without contracting a disease.

[A]

Problem is that I actually don't feel sick.

[B]

Like my throat doesn't hurt my noses and stuff. It's just my voice is shot because I've just been talking a ton for.

[A]

The last two weeks. Famous last words, right?

[C]

Exactly.

[B]

Well, you should just start breathing on Connor to kind of figure out a.

[A]

Use in here by yourself. I regret Wednesday show. I. I regret us making up before the show. Yeah, that was a bad move.

[C]

Yeah.

[A]

I'll be here with Lawrence tomorrow.

[C]

Fantasy Football Happy hour with Matthew Berry.

[A]

Welcome to the Fantasy Football Happy Hour. That's right. Matthew drinks Robitussin in a small, small quantity for free. I. I promised and delivered. I'm with Lawrence.

[C]

Speak of the devil and he shall appear.

[A]

We're giving Matthew's voice a rest today.

[B]

Get better, Matthew. No comparisons of Matthew Bear anymore to Michael Pittman or Josh Jacobs who show up on the injury report and then play on Sundays. Matthew not. Yeah, he's not here today, but we hope that he gets better.

[A]

K Gemma said the sickler and stuntman Chuck said the Robentus and Ler. That one rolls off the tongue the same way.

[C]

The rope Tussler the chat.

[A]

Big fan of Lawren repping UNC today. It's a backup producer, Pete today. Pete Day Matthew decided.

[C]

Shout out to Billy B. Yep.

[A]

All right, we got keep it open or close it out. League of assholes update, by the way, is the fantasy playoffs roll on. Are you both still alive?

[C]

I am. We in it to win it.

[B]

Yeah.

[C]

I had a buy.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

This is both bye weeks.

[C]

You know what? I noticed something too, Connor, about that coming into this week because we have $100 fab in our league, right? I had $87 left.

[A]

Didn't even break a sweat, so I didn't even care.

[C]

I'm just out there. Bryce Young. Who else? I had Michael Penix. We got Shador in that quarterback. We just. We just having fun now.

[B]

Actually I have $98 left as well. I haven't paid a lot of attention to the league. That's the key.

[C]

There you go. See?

[A]

Wow, this is unbelievable. Right now you should start sniping people that actually need players. I'll spend $20 on.

[C]

I actually used 33 this week though. I believe it was to get Gardner Michue, the Kansas City Chiefs new starting going up against the Titans this week? I don't know. So we'll see how that go.

[A]

All right, well bar trivia and our back to the futures as we always do to close out the show on Wednesdays. But let's get into the rotter world player news guys because we have some big news at the top of the show. The Dolphins have benched to a Tonga Wailoa. It's not Zach Wilson that's going to start Sunday against the Bengals. It is the rookie in Quinn Ewer. So obviously not a lot of people were starting to a Lawrence. But what's the fallout here for the players that we care about starting with Devon Hn?

[C]

Yeah, well Devon HN just had an incredible season. I think no matter what, no matter who's under center, you're still going to start Divine Hn. When it comes to the pass catchers, you got Jalen Water who hasn't been great even coming into week 15. He had been wide receiver 22 over the last four weeks. That probably takes a little bit more of a hit. When you look at a guy like Darren Waller now more touchdown dependent. That's kind of the same with him. That's the guy you start if you're really in need for a tight end. But Devon Achan is the guy you automatically start. Jalen Waller, you start him. But you got to temper the expectations there. And that's just how you go about it with a rookie quarterback.

[B]

Yeah, kind of. The market moved 4 points in direction of the Bengals after tour was formally benched. So the line went from Bengals minus one and a half to minus five and a half to. It hasn't been good this year. He hasn't had a good season. He's still. You would expect a better quarterback than Quinn. News for this week and at home. Yeah. And what do you expect from Quinn? New is what kind of player is he and what's he going to do even with a favorable matchup?

[A]

This is a tough one because this is a guy that is last year college football. The accuracy wasn't where we hoped it would be. He'll like to move around a little bit to try to buy some time, but I think you're going to see a lot of quick game like we often see with tua. That's what Texas did with Quinn Ewers. More often than not he wasn't somebody that was looking to just constantly chuck the ball down the field. So I would imagine that you're going to see a lot of swing passes and dump offs to Hn. I'M very concerned about Waddle. I have no idea how to project Darren Waller because we can call him touchdown dependent, but he's really good in the red zone and it's a great matchup against the Bengals where you might just have to stream him anyway. So Achan, probably a little bit of the same in the pass game. You worry about the Bengals selling out against the run even though they're not good against it. I definitely downgrade Waddle because I don't trust Quinn Ewers throwing outside the numbers in this game.

[C]

Yeah. Unless they're going to get Jalen Waddle the ball in that short area, I really don't see he's also. He does. He's not. You can't expect Quinn Ewers to throw it as much anticipation is Tua either. That. That's. That's probably where their biggest gap is. But in for Tua, that's probably why he's on the bench now because he tried to. Tries to anticipate too much and has those predetermined throws. So you won't get that part from Quinn Ewers. You get a little bit mobility. Like you said, not the strongest arm. Don't got the weakest arm either. But again, it's a rookie even versus a bad defense like the Bengals. You got to proceed with caution.

[B]

Yeah. My concern would be too is that it seems like this system, this Mike McDaniel system has been very tailored to Tour. Without a doubt, Tour has missed time in the past, which has been pretty often. It has completely fallen apart without him. Tyler Huntley last year, Scarlet Thomas, he never looks good without Tour. So Quinn Yu is. There might be a higher degree of difficulty than expect despite being in a good scheme with some useful weapons.

[A]

Yeah, I'm with you. It's going to be really interesting to watch. At least it's a good, good landing for Quinn Ewers matchup wise in to some extent. But if. If you're starting Devon Hn in the semis or you're streaming Darren Waller throughout the plays, you're kind of holding on tight.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

Right now. But you have.

[C]

You.

[A]

You have to start Hn. You're not going to sit.

[C]

Yeah, definitely.

[A]

If anything, hopefully they run the ball a little bit more, which is something they got away from the other night.

[B]

Yep. Also NFL wise, firstly Tyler Hammond, Waller or Kelce this week with both backups, 12 team PPR. I would still go Kelsey, and that's.

[C]

Where I will go. Kelsey, you got a veteran journeyman quarterback right there who at least you have seen him play a good game in his life in the NFL. Whereas you got Quinn Ewers late round draft pick just getting in there. So yeah definitely would go Kelsey here.

[A]

Yeah, yeah I feel like Kelsey gives.

[B]

You a better floor, definitely deeper cut. But this is good news for the Bucks and the Patriots who played the dolphins in week 17, week 18 understand tour has not been great but you know to the market's point about downgrading the Dolphins four points off of this QB change, those two teams are right now in the thick of it in divisional races. So getting to play a rookie quarterback it was. What was he taking? What round was he taking?

[C]

Six, seven point.

[A]

I think the seventh round.

[B]

Seventh round. Yeah, it's a face of seventh rounder as opposed to Tuatagavailoa who knows the offense inside now naturally it's a big win for the Bucks and the Patriots.

[A]

Alright, let's get into the Keep it open or close it out. We will answer your start sit dilemmas here in the fantasy football playoffs and we start with Justin Herbert against the Cowboys, which in theory a really nice matchup for Justin Herbert. The problem is five straight games with under 15 fantasy points for Matthew right now. Jay, he has him as QB11 coming into the week. This line has not been able to protect Herbert, but they've kind of found a way despite that.

[B]

Yeah, Justin Herbert is a chubby leather daddy and despite being anchored to the bench for much of the season behind Jalen Hurts and Daniel Jones, he will be starting for me in the playoffs this week. I don't feel great about it, but could feel worse about it too because the Cowboys defense has become a bit of a pass funnel defense since Quinn and Williams got there and shored up the run game. We saw J.J. mcCarthy just have one of the best games of his career against Dallas. We saw Jared Goff do whatever he wanted through the air against Dallas two weeks ago as well. So I think that Herbert, despite the fact that the offensive line is just not giving him a chance, the fact that he's still Justin Herbert and is running around and still has his receivers and so can create outside of structure, I'd be keeping it open for the most part reluctantly.

[C]

I'm going to. I'm going to keep it open even though he hasn't finished better than QB17 in a week since week nine added that's a large sample size but you brought it up Jay. What JJ McCarthy was able to do versus Dallas, it gives you a lot of confidence of what Justin Herbert could do. JJ McCarthy QB6, last week against the Dallas Cowboys. So with Justin Herbert facing this Dallas defense that just got put out of the playoffs, they're searching for answers. They'll play hard still. They still going to try to like, ruin the Chargers season. But you got a Justin Herbert who. And I love what Justin Herbert has done this year with his legs. He's been running this season more than ever, probably because he has to, but that's, that's a part of his game. And you know, in fantasy, 50 rushing yards get you five points. I'm keeping it open.

[A]

And a reminder, this game is the third highest total for week 16 at 49 and a half points. Aloha, bricks. Hello there, friend. Herbert or Stroud this week, guys.

[B]

Herbert for me, because of the rushing ability and the fact that Stroud can play well and be 260 passing yards.

[C]

Might not throw no touchdowns. I'm gonna go Justin Herbert here too as well.

[B]

Yep. Seamless transition, by the way, from backup producer pete. Going from 2 attacker by low segment to a Justin Herbert segment, echoing their draft selection.

[A]

A lot of debate around that for years. I think it's finally come to an end.

[B]

It's been resolved.

[C]

It's been resolved. I'll tell you what, there was a. It was about two years ago, maybe three years ago. I'm sorry, I was like, tua is playing quarterback better than Justin Herbert today in this season. So probably like eight games ago. I quote, tweeted that same one. It was like, this is not the case anymore.

[A]

Good PR move.

[C]

It probably wasn't last, you know, but it too was having like a great year. But yeah, so, yeah, we could.

[B]

I'm old enough to remember in 2023, like. Like halfway into the season two Tagua was the MVP favorite. Yeah. Literally the MVP favorite.

[C]

Things happen quick.

[A]

They really do.

[C]

This is by far his worst year. But yeah, Justin Herbert the guy.

[A]

All right, let's go to the running backs. Quinshon Judkins. He's got the Bills consecutive games with under 30 rushing yards for Quinshon Judkins, which seems hard to believe, Lawrence, because the volume is always there for him. And volume for a running back against the Bills usually leads to good things.

[C]

Yeah, I'll give it a shot and I keep it open. This is why I still think that Buffalo Bills run defense got some leaks in there. We saw it last week with Trevion Henderson. Quinshawn Juckins doesn't have that type of explosiveness, but he's. You could say he's as good of A running back just on a much worse team. Running backs that face the Bills this season are averaging over 5 yards of carry and that's a place that Judkins hasn't excelled in the yards per carry department. What concerns me is he hasn't gotten those 20 carries these past few games. So that's a concern here, especially when they're double digit underdogs. But how else are you going to get there? You need that run game to work. Attack this great team where they're the weakest. That's the run game. I'm going to leave it open.

[B]

Yeah, I think judgments is a tough one because he gets so much volume and he's so assured of volume each week. The issue is that and sort of the question of his talent. He's a very talented running back, but his run blocking has been atrocious all season. There's no space in that offense because the box is just loaded because there are no receivers who really scare you. And Connor, to me the issue as well is that the defense the past two weeks is not the defense that it was in the first 13 weeks or so of the season where I was like a top three defense in the league. And the fact that they have sprung leaks gives you less confidence that there's going to be game script where this game is close enough for Judkins to be getting many carries in the second half.

[A]

That's the fear is that there's a world where what if they're down three touchdowns legitimately at the start of the third quarter and it's like, well, Jud Perkins now gets three carries the rest of the game.

[C]

Hold on. Are they getting any of their linemen back this week because they was down for their starting offense?

[A]

We'll get our injury reports today.

[B]

He hasn't had any run blocking. Whoever's been in there.

[C]

I just need some linemen in there to help the brother out, you know.

[A]

Our next running back, Aaron Jones against the giants four straight games with under 10 fantasy points. You're seeing a theme here. A lot of players that are trending the wrong direction but have a matchup that makes you think maybe I could get away with this one more time. Aaron Jones Lawrence is RB20 for Matthews, so seems like a believer, a fringe believer that the Giants can kind of fix his woes.

[C]

This one I'll keep open by a little bit and it's because of the receiving work here. He's had a 14% target share since week 10 going up against this Giants team that's giving up the sixth most receptions to running backs. We know that's Aaron Jones is that's kind of his claim to fame right now in this Vikings offense. Last week he had over 30 receiving yards. So if he's going to give me that, then he'll get enough carries. He'll get the double digit carries. If you could get 30, 40 receiving yards, I'm going to keep it open versus the Giants.

[B]

Yeah. Healthy target share in recent weeks for Aaron Jones. I think the main thing is that the Giants, they look like a team that had given up against the Commanders defense especially showing also the Patriots did whatever they wanted the previous matchup there. So this Giants team very much running out the season. They've been efficiency wise one of the worst rush defenses ever in NFL history with the Jameer Gibbs game a few weeks ago being kind of the defining one there. Joe the singing bro. 34:14 hello Joe. Tyrone Tracy or Aaron Jones? Who do you like here? Lawrence? Oh man.

[C]

Based on last week, I had to go Tyrone Tracy, 18 touches, almost 100 yards from scrimmage to two touchdowns. They didn't waste any time making him the leader of that I guess committee you could call it, but it was more 65, 35 in favor of Tyrone Tracy. So I'll go with him.

[B]

Do you think he'll stick as the running back in New York long term?

[A]

Well, it depends on how long this Scatterboo recovery is going to take. What I liked when they drafted Scatterboo was that they're so different. Tracy, former wide receiver, you can get him in space and then Scatterboo is kind of this downhill thumper. But at that point of the season they just completely got away from all their running backs, ran Scatter boo into the ground. So I don't think this will ever be a backfield that should just have one guy. But it's been frustrating how much until last week Singletary was getting work over Tracy when you should just give Tracy most of those touches which they're lean. Feels like Kafka is leaning into that now. I agree with you, Lawrence. I would, I would probably start Tyrone Tracy this week in this spot just a way higher receiving ceiling. And ved asking here Judkins or Tyrone Tracy?

[B]

I would go Tracy just because of the downside with Judkins where there's just all these judge Judkins games. You look at the box score and it's like up 11 carries for 21 yards at the moment for Judkins. And so you just worry about the game script getting out of hand against Buffalo. I understand Buffalo's run defense is not particularly good, but Judkins has gone up against bad run defenses in the past and it doesn't really matter because everyone's loads themselves.

[C]

Yeah, it has to happen for like they're 10 point underdogs. I feel better about the Giants being able to get closer to scoring range at a higher clip at this point.

[A]

All right, our last running back guys, Ashton Genty against the Texans. It has been a tough rookie year for Ashton Genty in what's been an awful year for the Raiders. He's got 14 total fantasy points in his last two games. Jay. And he runs to the buzzsaw that is Houston. I can't imagine a world unless you just have no other players where you have to start Ashton Genti in the fantasy playoffs.

[B]

Yeah, kind of a terrifying graphic here to see Ashton Genti one spot behind Kenneth Gainwell and two spots ahead of the great Michael Carter of the Arizona Cardinals. This would have been stuff of nightmares if you saw this after drafting Genti in the preseason, but yeah, I think it has to be a close. There's just no hope in this Raiders offense. This has been, you know, arguably the worst team in the NFL this year. It is getting worse, not better as well. Looks like Geno Smith is going to be back. Not sure if that's a good or a bad or an indifferent thing, but.

[A]

Going last week because when Pickett got.

[C]

In there I'm like, all right, let's let him play, whatever, you know. Then I'm like, damn.

[B]

Yeah, I thought Pickett was might give him something after what he showed the week prior.

[C]

If you got, if you got Brock Bowers and you still in the fantasy playoffs, you probably would rather have Geno in there because it was just a complete stinker. Like Ashton Genti is not working in fantasy right now, but at least Brock Bowers is to some degree every other week. So. But for me, with Ashton Genti, same thing. Hasn't had more than 35 rushing yards in three straight games, fellas. And the thing we'd been saying in previous weeks was like, oh, he's getting a lot of targets, 6, 7, 8 targets. But now it's just not adding up to the fantasy points that we need. So definitely going to close it out versus this Houston Texans team that are 14 and a half point favorites.

[A]

I was laughing. I saw this in the chat and didn't even ask Pete to air it, but I'm glad he did. I was going to read it. Ryan B. You Guys are killing me. I have Genti and Judkins on the same team.

[B]

Well congratulations. Your season's still alive.

[C]

Apparently if there's anybody out there that has the question coming up, Juckins or Genty? I would say Quinshon judges for you my friend. You just got to pray. You got to pray and hope for the talent that hope that the talent just some way finds its through. All that other stuff is they going through but it's tough sledding for it.

[A]

You might be grabbing Michael Carter on waivers.

[B]

Yeah, well my team as I mentioned got a buy. My two starting running backs are Quinch on Jenkins and Jalen Warren. So there you go. Going to have to lean heavily on.

[A]

JSN and Amonra Ryan, the number one seed, baby. Wow, Ryan, your receivers must be unbelievable in that spot. All right, let's get to the wide receivers here. Rasheed Rice, he's got the Titans. We mentioned it fellas. Gardner Minshew is starting this game. But Jay, I don't think that leads to any kind of downgrade in a great matchup for Rasheed Rice.

[B]

No, I think Rasheed Rice should still see plenty of targets even without Patrick Mahomes. We look at his stats since Week 7, 12th in the NFL and target share, fifth in targets per game. He's been getting a lot of work. He's been the sixth best receiver in fantasy since Week 7 by points per game. And look, Gardner Minshew, this isn't a Tim Boyle situation at all. Minchu has shown that he can operate offenses before. He's in a decent system with Andy Reid if it's not imposing as has been in years past. And the issue with Minshew, it's not so much that like Minchu is more on the Nick Mullens scale where he can compile yards. It's just that he's not going to feel the pressure for the strip sack or he's going to throw some crazy interception. But he'll play, he'll complete pass, he'll.

[C]

Rack it up and a lot like probably they probably won't win the game that day. Although they should win versus Titans. But like you said, he's good enough for us in fantasy to get our receivers the ball. That's evidenced by look, last year Jacoby Myers averaged 14 fantasy points per game. Well, Gardner Minshew, year before that Michael Pittman averaged 16 fantasy points per game. That's in 2023 also with Gardner Minshew. So I'm not too worried about him being able to get him the ball. Because whatever Minshew does outside of that, it doesn't affect Rasheed Rice. Going to keep that open.

[A]

All right. This one Berry pie. You the youth, youth, youth.

[B]

88.

[C]

88.

[A]

I don't know rice or JMO.

[B]

Barry PI you the 88. Maybe I would go Rasheed Rice even though I think it's close. Now. Jameson Williams not quite ready to put him. I mean, Matthew has Rasheed Rice's wide receiver nine quite ready to call JMO a wide top eight wide receiver. JMO is tenth for Matthew Rice.

[C]

You know, I, I would go JMO here 52 over under in this game and they really, they need it. We saw Zay Flowers have a nice little day versus these Steelers. No, none of the receivers on the Dolphins did, but it's the Dolphins and we just saw Tua get bitched. Right. I think it's very close though. It's like, I don't know. Rasheed Rice is the number one receiver though.

[B]

Yeah, I just think with volume, like.

[C]

If you need Rasheed Rice, give me Rasheed. I take the wide receiver one on his team over the wide receiver two in a better offense.

[B]

I think as well. Some of the biases a little bit on Jameson Williams is that the Lions have been throwing a ton. Like they've been playing from behind. They were behind in that packers game that when Monroe went out in that game, they were behind the second half against the Rams and compiled a lot of yards late. So they're seven point favorites in this game against the Steelers. They should be back into kind of Lions game scripts and being able to run the ball in the second half. So for those reasons, I would lean Rasheed Rice.

[A]

Sad to have Justin Jefferson on this list, guys, but three straight games under five, five fantasy points. You don't have to hear it from us. Listen to Justin Jefferson on how tough this season's been.

[D]

Of course, this is a difficult year just with the circumstances, having new quarterback, new guys to the team, trying to figure stuff out. So it's just one of those difficult years to really, you know, think back on and to really reflect after the season. But I'm proud of myself and to not showing the frustration, not really showing my emotions out there on the field and just really being the leader that I am, being the captain that I am because I know so many people are looking at me and really waiting for my reaction and waiting for me to show my emotions. So I'm proud of myself. To being patient, sticking with the game plan, sticking with the guys that we have on this team and just being.

[C]

Myself, I'm sticking with him too. But boy, you could tell he itching to let that A.J. brown out his system. He is itching and it's probably because as crazy as it sounds, he hasn't had over 25 receiving yards in three straight games. Yet he still got a shot at 1,000 yards this year, less than 170 yards away. What do they got? Three more games to go. Three more games to get to a thousand yards. The good thing about it is at least the 28% target share is seven of the eight games with J.J. mcCarthy this season. So J.J. mcCarthy, he knows who to throw the ball to. It just ain't working out. The one pass might be off, but he's getting better. The kid at quarterback, he's gotten better over the past two weeks. So I'm going to stick with him with Justin Jefferson for that reason, I'm going to keep it open on him. What say you Jay?

[B]

Yeah, also Justin Jefferson's trending in the right direction. He's gone from 4 yards to 11 to 22. You might even get right there this week.

[A]

30 on the numbers.

[B]

So the Brosma was. That was the deal that was really bottom because Jefferson on the sideline in Seattle being like what the hell is going on? It's Mac Bros, Max Brosnar as Will Levising pick sixes to the Seahawks defense. But yeah, the key is the targets and also just the confidence that JJ McCarthy is looking much more like he belongs. The past couple of weeks it is a very favorable matchup against a Giant secondary that's got torched by Marcus Mario Tar. So eventually these passes are just going to connect. Jefferson, I think is going to have a big game before the season ends. It's very likely going to be this one. Right.

[A]

This is crazy to say I'd actually start him with confidence this week.

[C]

It's got to also too. Kevin o' Connell said. I don't want him to not get a thousand yards on my watch. They know he's going, he's getting that.

[A]

They know JJ knows. And let's be real, he was wide open in the back corner of the end zone on 1. I thought JJ threw it a little hard and it's one that Jefferson usually catches anyway. If he catches that touchdown, you're looking at it and going of course I'm starting this week. Things are trending in the right direction. So I think Justin Jefferson gets back on track against the Giants. He's a top 20 play for Berry at wide receiver. 17. Emeka Abuka in a massive division matchup against the Panthers. Only two games with 10 plus fantasy points since week six. He started off as hot as anybody was atop the offensive rookie of the year race. It's been really a slow burn for Emeka Abuka lately, but I mean, big game, they're gonna need them. I know Godwin and Mike Evans are back here, Jay, but are you sitting a mecca, Abuka? I mean, look at the names that he's behind right here.

[B]

Yeah, I'm a little more optimistic on a booker than this. Like, I would have a booker over Chris Godwin over Michael Pittman. The thing with a booker is. Yeah, I get that the route participation was down to 63% last week against Atlanta with Evans, Godwin and McMillan all active, but just this is more of a gut sense thing. And just having watched that game, I thought he looked the best that he had in months. And I'm not sure if it was Evans being back taking attention off of him or just kind of hitting rock bottom. Against the Saints the week before, where he dropped the touchdown pass, he looked a lot more like the guy from the first five, six weeks of the season. Now, he didn't have a huge statistical game, but he got into the 60s in yards. Baker missed him a couple of times. If Baker Mayfield's on the money on the second down that preceded the game, effectively ending for Tampa, then a booker ends, you know, in the 80s for yards. He's 5 for 82 or whatever. He just. He looked good. He was making difficult catches and he was getting open. So I get it with the usage, but I think a Buka. I think that he can bounce back and be valuable.

[A]

James asked, should I start a Buka or Addison? What do you think of that, Lawrence?

[C]

I'd go a booker.

[B]

Go Buca as well, though. Yeah.

[A]

Jordan Addison.

[C]

Better qb. Better. Yeah. Sadly, yeah.

[B]

Yeah. I think that.

[C]

Better off. Yes.

[B]

The pendulum is going to swing back to Justin Jefferson.

[A]

Yes.

[B]

Over Jordan Addison. Because I don't think J.J. mcCarthy is really viable to support two different wide receivers for fantasy. So I would go a booker there.

[A]

All right, let's keep it moving to our last one. A tight end, of course, Mark Andrews. If you try to figure out the Mark Andrews weeks, God bless you. Two games with more than 34 receiving yards this season. Of course, he could find himself in the end zone at any moment, but he's tight end 24, Matthew for a reason here. Lawrence, where you see names like. And I think it's justified. Colby Parkinson, Hunter Henry, Juwan Johnson, Even Theo Johnson ahead of Mark Andrews right now.

[C]

Yeah, you said it, Connor. He could end up in the end zone at any time. But that's just not a bet that I'm willing to take. We talked about this last season when he had 11 touchdowns but the receiving yardage wasn't there. He's tight end 40 in fantasy points per game since week 12. In that span, he's had under 20 receiving yards in three out of those four games. He had the good matchup last week against the Bengals. They kind of got ahead. They took the dogs off because Cincinnati couldn't score in their end. But still you had the best matchup for tight ends there and you couldn't do nothing with that there would like if you got Martin Andrews and you got Kyle Pitts on the same team, you're like elated that you got Kyle Pitts on your team right now and could put him in over Martin Andrews.

[A]

It's Kellen Winslow to you.

[C]

Kyle Pitts, the real Kelly.

[A]

Yeah, right, right, right. Yeah.

[C]

The OG Kelly whistle.

[B]

Yeah. I think you got to close it out on Mark Andrews just given how ineffective he's been the past few weeks. But I do think for a sign of optimism and it's not enough optimism to actually start Mark Andrews with anything resembling confidence. But I do think that Lawrence, your man Lamar Jackson has looked the best that he has. This two week stretch is the best and the most spry Lamar has looked since I think the first two weeks of the season.

[C]

Yeah, still not he. Not Lamar Jackson. He not MVP Lamar. He just like a normal quarterback that could win you the game. But these next few weeks they're going to need that.

[B]

It's like pro ball ultimate Lamar, not mvp.

[C]

Yeah, that's fair. Yeah, for sure.

[A]

It does feel like a little bit of a random extension for Mark Andrews at age 33 year extension. I know tight ends age better than most positions.

[C]

I think it'd be that trust man that have with the organization. There's so many other things he do on the field besides catch the passes. We know he ain't the most fleet of footed guy out there. Says a lot about what we could expect or Isaiah likely where he could be going moving forward.

[A]

Right.

[B]

Do you have a theory about Lamar and what's happened this season? You think he was just banged up and it's just taken ages to get over these injuries?

[A]

Yeah, he didn't look as fast as he usually is to me. He outruns literally everybody and you'd see a linebacker spying him be able to Chase him down. It's like I've never seen that happen before. So with a hamstring, it could be really, really tricky. And he's a guy that his athleticism matters so much to the pass game because you're so afraid of him beating you with your. With his legs that it opens up so much space. And when that goes, everything gets a little tighter.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

So it's good to see him looking like Lamar.

[C]

It was the. Not this week against the Bengals, but against the Steelers the week before that when he ran for more than 40 yards and he like took it upon himself. Run the ball into the end zone, like that's what. That's what you want to see. So the game against the Patriots coming up here, that's pretty much going to tell us what we need to know for the rest of the way with this team.

[B]

Yeah, I think with Lamar, even before he did the hamstring against Kansas City, like the week prior against Detroit, he got sacked like seven, eight times. Lamar Jackson doesn't get sacked seven or eight times. And again, something seemed off from the start, but hopefully getting further and further away from whatever was alien early on the season that he can get back. And also this Patriots defense has been fine, but we saw like once they get up against a real superstar quarterback like Josh Allen, you can absolutely get these guys. So Lamar Jackson, if he's right, he should be able.

[C]

When the patriots was up 21 zip, did you feel like it was over? I did not, no. It was too early for them to be up that big.

[B]

Yeah. You knew the Bills were gonna punch back. I thought the thing. I thought the Patriots would keep scoring and they didn't really outside of the Trayvon big run in the second half. But yeah, as Patriots, definitely it's a middle of the pack defense and if Lamar Jackson's on his game, he should be able to score. And that's why Baltimore are inching towards three point favorites.

[A]

All right, to recap, keep it open or close it out. We started with Justin Herbert at quarterback. He stays open right at QB11. Quinshon Judkins, he's a top 20 play, as is Aaron Jones. Both stay open, but a close for Ashton Genty at RB25, Rasheed Rice. Top 10 play. Justin Jefferson. Keep the faith if you have it in you. Wide receiver 17. We think this might finally be the week. And then Emeka Abooka is a close at wide receiver 37, as is Mark Andrews at tight end 20. You have a lot of better streaming options this week at tight END. We're going to take our first break when we're back and play a little bar trivia against you, the regulars, right after this.

[B]

The best Keanu movie, by the way, is Point Break. That's his best performance. Keanu has two modes. He either kind of is like wooden cool Matrix Keanu, Matrix, John Wick, etc. Speed. Or he really tries to act. He can't really do it, but in Point Break, he really gives it a crack.

[A]

The last thing I will say is, believe it or not, this is a.

[B]

Producer Adam show, not a producer Pete show. Given the fact we've spent five minutes talking about Keanu Reeves.

[A]

We are back. No Keanu Reeves talk today. Oh, yeah, but the League of Assholes playoff bracket, you betcha. Here it is right now with the. With both of you getting to chill all week with the bye week.

[B]

I don't know how. My team's not that good.

[A]

Well, better to be lucky than good, Jay.

[C]

Well, you had all the quarterbacks, so that means somebody didn't have them.

[B]

I'm sorry, My team, it's Jackson Smith and Jigba is my team. He is carrying Lawrence, you're taking on.

[A]

Rotopac, King of the Guillotine. By the way, shout out to Rotopat, who won our Guillotine League for the third year in a row.

[C]

That man cannot lose in there.

[A]

That's actually unbelievable. And then, Jay, you'll be taking on producer Steven, who put up over 200 points to producer Damien. Are you little. I'd be a little nervous.

[B]

Well, exactly right. That's why I'm picking up Quinn Ewers in our league right now. Just in case I take an injury. I need all, all the ammo to take damage them because my two backup quarterbacks were Daniel Jones and Jane Dennis. I don't think they're going to help me much this year anymore. But this will be good. Lots of, lots of bragging rights on the line. And the good thing is that Matthew Berry can't win the league. That's all that really matters.

[A]

I was gonna say. I honestly have not cared.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

Once he started owing seven.

[B]

Oh, yeah.

[C]

He got the six and seven. It was like, hold on now.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

And then one last dagger. I beat him in the consolation bracket and I started Roma Dunesay, who didn't play, by the way.

[C]

Yeah.

[B]

So I, I just. Yeah, it's been a very good running bit of Matthew out producing himself with how much he can lie about what is happening.

[A]

Yeah, I finished fifth in points.

[B]

It started in week one where he blamed George Kittle's injury against the Seahawks for costing him his matchup, not acknowledging that George Kittle wasn't on his team and then continued where I believe going to the final weekend, he claimed that he was either seventh or eighth in points for, I believe seventh.

[C]

When he was, he definitely was going to say seventh.

[A]

So not only he got lucky in the league, he actually had some things break right for him. I think I'm the most excited I've ever been for next year's draft when we have the mic on him the whole time just to see.

[C]

Because it'll never. Because then he'll have to be talking about the defending champion being myself or Jay or Roto, Pat or Steven and we'll all be there.

[B]

It also, it can't be forgotten what an absolute disgrace Matthew's performance was at the draft this year where every time that he was given the opportunity to speak it was like a soliloquy out of Hamilton.

[A]

Unbelievable.

[C]

Nonetheless, we won't get that the draft was.

[B]

Yeah, why are you speaking in a MC Contaminator? Why is he speaking every time he's projecting out to the whole audience? Talk like a normal person.

[C]

You know, you know how you notice, you know the term. They say win like you've been there before, Win like you've won something. So these past two years, I think, I think it might have been the first two years that Mr. Berry has won something. So.

[A]

Alright, usually on Wednesdays we do a little blind date. We kind of have a twist on the segment. This week we're doing fantasy bar trivia and this week the regulars can play along. I love when everybody in the chat is trying to guess. This week we'll give a couple different options. Almost a multiple choice. Let's get right into it, guys. Question number one, what quarterback is number two this season in fantasy Points per pass attempt, Matthew Stafford leads the league. Number two, we have hidden out for obvious reasons. And then it's Drake May, Josh Allen, Lamar Jackson. The multiple choice options are Sam Darnold, Jared Goff, Trevor Lawrence or Dak Prescott.

[B]

I'm gonna say this is a not necessarily a trick question but has trick aspects and that it's Sam Darnold because he throws so little and so the per pass attempt, in terms of per play basis, he's been one of the most effective quarterbacks.

[A]

And the JSN effect. You just brought up all the explosive plays. I would agree. I think it's Sam Darnold. What do you think, Lawrence?

[C]

I was going to say Sam Darnold or Dak Prescott. But the JSN point is a good one and I think even with those few games where he didn't have to throw a lot big plays. Jackson, Smith and Jigba leading the league in receiving yards. Give me Sandarno too. At first I was looking at the screen of all the top five guys and I'm like, oh, these are all like top tier quarterbacks. So I was gonna go with another top tier quarterback but that's not really the case here. So give me Darnold.

[A]

All right, so all three of us went with Darnold the chat. A lot of votes for Darnold to come couple for Dak. I saw one in there for Trevor Lawrence and Stuntman Chuck is saying Kyle Orton going with a write in vote.

[C]

That could be fair.

[B]

Kylon started six zero one time in Denver.

[C]

He played the years or was he before Demerius and them Daniel Sullivan said.

[A]

Who'S voting on this if not the regulars? Cause it's not in the chat. I think you could scan that QR code and vote. Yes, you can scan that QR code and vote. We will keep it up as long as we need to so people can get in on the votes. That's where the votes are coming from. So we'll give everybody a second here but Jerry Goff.

[B]

Oh my goodness.

[A]

Nobody got that.

[C]

See, we mentioned.

[A]

Let me go actually, let me go up and see.

[C]

We mentioned Jackson, Smith and Jigba and failed to mention their big play threat, Jameson Williams.

[B]

Jameson Williams, he does have a lot of touchdown passes. Jared Goff, D.J.

[A]

Ferrari and Old Maverick guy. I see they were both right. They both said Goff way a long time ago. So nice job fellas. And then looks like Vinnie said Goff as well. So nicely done. Let's keep this going. Question number two, what running back is number two this season in fantasy? Points per touch. Kind of running it back here instead literally with the running backs. Jameer Gibbs is number one. Number three, ironically, a lot of people would not get this is actually RJ Hart because of all the bizarre goal line work he gets. Devon Hian is four. Jonathan Taylor is number five. The multiple choice options that the regulars can vote on and of course you can say them in the chat as well is Travion Henderson, Bijan Robinson, Kenneth Gainwell.

[C]

Oh God.

[A]

And Christian McCaffrey. So I would rule out McCaffrey right away, guys, because his volume is absurd.

[B]

I think it's Trayvon.

[A]

I'm going to go with Kenneth Gainworth. We'll give the Chat a couple minutes here. Yeah. No, Sasaki agrees with us. He said it's Hendo or Gainwell. A lot of votes for Treveon Henderson. A couple votes for Gainwell. There's actually kind of split as we see the poll right now. 40% Kenneth Gainwell, 45%. Now Treveon Henderson and T.W. gem said Cedric Benson.

[C]

So.

[A]

And Stuntman Chuck said Peyton Hillis.

[B]

Cedric Benson.

[A]

All right. And it is Kenneth Gainwell.

[C]

Of course, he has a big play every game.

[A]

This is one of those where whatever your initial instinct is is not right.

[B]

Yes.

[C]

What was yours? I thought yours was actually it would.

[A]

Be Trebion, but then I said Gainwell because my instinct was Treveon.

[C]

Yeah, yeah.

[B]

Backup producer Pete. In all of our heads, like Bram Stoker's Dracula, playing games with us. Unbelievable.

[A]

All right, question number three. Sticking with the running back theme here, which running back is number eight in scrimmage yards per game? And for some context here we have the top 10. So you can get a good idea of what this looks like. Bajan Robinson is number one, Jonathan Taylor is number two. And number three is Christian McCaffrey. No surprise here, guys. James Cook is number four, a chan is five. Jameer Gibbs would be last one. That's over the hundred yard mark at number six, then below 100 yards, but still cracks the list. Bucky Irving, number eight is our mystery one. Nine is Derrick Henry. Ten is Josh Jacobs. The choices are DeAndre Swift, Rico Dowdle, Javante Williams, or Travis Etienne Jr. How.

[C]

Is this not Rico? Scrimmage yards per game. He had two 200 yard scrimmage games this year.

[B]

Done anything outside of that though.

[A]

I think I'm gonna go in a.

[C]

Switch and a few other hundreds thinking Swift. He just doesn't get the give me Rico.

[B]

You know, screw you guys. I'm going atn.

[A]

This is the most. We all had different answers on the desk and this is the most even the poll has been. Swift is leading at 34%. Rico Dowdle at 21, Javante Williams at 32%. Now that's spiked up. Travis Etienne at 18.2%. The chat is mostly on ETN, but Javante's making a surgeon. Let's take a look at number eight. It was DeAndre Swift at 91.5 yards per game.

[C]

Receiving yard.

[A]

As footballer points out, Swift has been so consistent. Right. He's. He's more kind of the same guys every single week.

[B]

He's playing really well too. I don't think he's like a scheme monster. If I Like the year in Philadelphia. It's like, well, you got massive holes opening for you. He's looking the part in Chicago.

[A]

Yeah, he's been a really nice valley pick for all fantasy drafts. Our last one here, guys. For our second to last one, question number four. Let's get to the wide receiver, shall we? What wide receiver is tied for number six in red zone targets this season? And to give you an idea here, number one, of course is Devonte Adams. You didn't need any help with that one. Number two is Amon Ross, St. Brown. Tied at three is Jamar Chase and Rasheed Rice. They're both below 20, though Adams and Amanra are the only ones over. Number 20, George Pickens, Nico Collins and Juwan Jennings. So Nico Collins, Juwan Jennings and this player are tied at number six with 16 across the board. The options are Jackson Smith and Jigba. Troy Franklin. Too obvious. Wandell Robinson or Michael Wilson.

[B]

Just has to be Troy Franklin. Otherwise, same thing.

[C]

Troy Franklin, huh?

[B]

Yeah, I would. If you asked me, I would have guessed that he had seven, but I.

[A]

Guess he's on this list.

[C]

I say that about all these guys, but I'm gonna go with the fantasy football lord and savior Michael Wilson. Most what? 7th most. I'll go with Michael Wilson.

[A]

The chat is on Michael Wilson pretty much across the board. One vote in there from heyu86 at Wanda the vote. No. 1 is voting for JSN. Troy Franklin's another trick.

[C]

Watch it. Is it JSC?

[B]

It is Troy Franklin.

[C]

I'd rather be Troy Franklin.

[B]

I thought backup Juice of Pete maybe playing some 4D chess there and just throws Jackson Smith in Jigba. But no, it is Troy Franklin with 16 end zone targets. One less than George Pickens, one more than CD Lamb.

[A]

Very checkers, not chess from backup producer Pete on that one. Number five, our final question here. And of course we got to give some love to the tight ends. What tight end is third and fantasy points per target this season? As you see, the options right there are Kyle Pitts, Tyler Warren, Carlos Colson Lovell and Harold Fannin Jr. And the top 10 in the actual category are George Kittle at one, Dallas Goddard at two. Number three is our mystery player. Four is AJ Barner, five is Brock Bowers, six is Trey McBride. Travis Kelsey is seven, as is Mark Andrews as eight, Hunter Henry is nine, Aronde Gadsden is 10. Fantasy points per target is the question.

[C]

Question.

[B]

I'm gonna say Colson Loveland.

[C]

I'm saying I think there have been.

[B]

Enough touchdowns that's why like it's a trick tricky question like AJ Barner is fourth right ahead of Brockback.

[C]

My thinking is as soon AS Connor Ray A.J. barner I said if he's on this list I'm picking coast and love and all the other guys are like weekly starters.

[A]

Warren gets a lot of targets and.

[C]

All I got in my head is that game winning touchdown for the Bears versus the Bengals.

[A]

Yeah David said instinct is Loveland going pits the chat has been all over Fannin the voting is tied with Loveland and Fannin Loveland just passed him. Everybody knows it's not Warren. Too much volume. Kyle Pitts below it is Colson.

[B]

There we go.

[C]

I almost went Ophir.

[A]

No you got it. You got it.

[C]

Helm.

[A]

Very good. I like the pole feature for the.

[C]

Chat for the regulars. That was a good stuff.

[A]

Yeah, we'll have to bring this one back.

[B]

Good producing by backup producer.

[A]

Yeah. Nicely done. Pete is taking it personal the whole feet up on the desk reading the newspaper.

[B]

Yeah. With the broken clock. That's right.

[A]

Twice a fantasy football season. What was that other show that hit or we're still waiting on it.

[B]

Yeah, this is the first one. Sims is good sometimes.

[A]

Blind date was pretty good. It's like Blind date evolved with technology.

[B]

Yeah. It mutated like the creatures in Alien.

[A]

Good God. Alright, we're taking our last break. One more back. Back to the futures as we do every single Wednesday. Our favorite awards and futures bets right after this. DraftKings Sportsbook is an official sports betting partner of the NFL and new customers can bet $5 and get $200 in bonus bets if your download the app and use promo code ffhh when you sign up DraftKings sportsbook that Crown crown is yours. Crown is yours. Back to the futures. Jay, what do we got?

[B]

This.

[A]

This is. This is a hell of a division right now in the NFC North. The packers and Bears feel like almost a coin flip.

[B]

Yeah. And they are priced accordingly. The packers plus 100. The Bears plus 105. The Lions bit more of a longer shot being two games back and some, some some tie breaks going against them as well. They're 11 to 1. But I'm going to take the fighting Chicago Bears at plus 105. They are inching towards being a coin flip maybe a slight favorite against the Packers. And the issue guys for the packers is their injury report which is not good. And it's not just Micah Parsons who's obviously unfortunately lost for the year but Zach Tom is hurt right start tackle. He's not been practicing. Evan Williams not practicing either. Christian Watson health concerns there too. The Bears comparatively very healthy. The Bears very nearly beat the packers when they played in Lambeau a couple weeks ago. So I think the Bears win this game and I think they win the division plus 105.

[A]

What do you like? Lawrence?

[C]

I like the Ravens at plus 105 to win the AFC north and guys who are watching important what you just said, Jay, about the packers injuries. Because when I look at the Ravens and the Steelers right now, even though the Steelers just won their most recent matchup, a lot of balls bounced away at the Pittsburgh Steelers. I think the Ravens as of today are a better team when you look at their remaining schedule. Pittsburgh's got to go to Detroit, who's also fighting for their playoff lives, at least for Baltimore. They get the home game against New England, then they go on the road to Green Bay. J just mentioned all those injuries. The biggest one, Micah Parsons. The Ravens offensive line has been having trouble and the packers not having Micah Parsons is going to be big for the Ravens and for the packers and not week 16 but week 17. The Pittsburgh Steelers are only three and a half point favorites right now against the Cleveland Browns in Cleveland. I think that's going to be an upset alert type of game. And then Obviously at week 18 you get the Ravens and Steelers again. I think when it comes down to it, Ravens just going to get them. Ravens have a much better defense at this point. Lamar starting to come into form. Give me the Ravens at +105 right now.

[B]

Yeah, and for context there, if it does come down to that Week 18 game, which I think it probably will, even though the game's in Pittsburgh, I think the Ravens the market would price the Ravens as about three point favorites in that game.

[A]

Guys, I wanted, I wanted to cook up something bold. Not as bold as Devin White, comeback player of the year though.

[C]

That's bold as hell.

[A]

Yeah, I don't have that. I can't give that one. I don't think he's on the board despite the rumors for good reason.

[C]

Yeah, something in life, but I don't know if it's going to be that award.

[A]

So I'll dial it down a little bit and take the Saints over five and a half wins at minus 115. Look at who the Saints play. They don't need to win all these games by the way. They need two of three against the jets, which Jay and I really liked as our early line alert. Yep, they are four and a half point favorites. Wouldn't be shocked if that moves they're at Tennessee and then they're against the Falcons, which they might not even need that win to clear this. Minus 115 to get. Get two out of the last three games. Tyler shucks playing well. Staley's coaching up a good defense. The Saints have some talent on this team and they're just playing better football right now. Lawrence.

[C]

Yeah, you look at that. Their remaining schedule there. The jets, who was the next one?

[A]

Titans.

[C]

The Titans. This a team that just beat the Bucks, Panthers. Both of those teams scrapping for the top of the division. Yeah. So I could see that. But it's like they're. They kind of got like a. They kind of got like a whole new life right now. They trying to see like, hey, what do we got for next year?

[A]

That's exactly.

[C]

Even outside of the quarterback position, they're like, let's see where we're at. So, dudes, they playing hard every week.

[B]

Yeah. They got. Defense is playing well in the offense. Like Shock is playing something like approaching league average play.

[A]

Yes.

[B]

So it's been very handy.

[A]

Aloha bricks. NFC north or NFC West? Which one is the best division to watch these next weeks?

[B]

I think it's the NFC west just because we've got these block. But like Seattle against the Rams tomorrow night, that is. Yeah, that's the game of the season, basically, because that is likely going to shape who gets the 1 seed in the NFC. It's likely going to shape who wins MVP. Stafford wins that, then that's pretty much good night for that race. If he loses that game, then all of a sudden he's like plus 350 to even win his own division. And then I think your MVP is. I think it'll be Josh Allen in that scenario.

[C]

I'm going to go with the NFC west as well because I feel like it's much more competitive. And producer Pete, I dropped the backup there right there for you, Pete. He just mentioned that the 49ers still have a shot to win this division, so definitely going to be the NFC west for me. Like I said, I think the Ravens are. Are a little further ahead of the Pittsburgh Steelers than the rest of the NFC West. Teams are. So definitely NFC West. Yep.

[B]

Couple other ones before we get out of here. Coach of the year Kyle Shanahan is plus 750, which I think is wrong. He's plus 390 to run the slate list, but I make them. Kyle Shanahan runs a slate, goes 13 4. That's. I think that is your coach of the year. And then Aiden Hutchinson mentioned him yesterday. But 31 twin comeback player of the year, A long shot. Unlike the Devin Watt, who actually can.

[A]

Win, who's probably not on the board still.

[C]

Yeah.

[A]

Despite the rumors, we open the show talking about TUA being benched. How about this? As Quinn Ewers makes his NFL debut, the last Texas quarterback to win his first NFL start, that would be Chris Sims. Week five of 2000. Our coworker Chris Sims, Vince Young, Colt McCoy and Sam Ellinger all lost.

[C]

Who wore that number two better for the Bucs? Chris Simms or Kyle Trask? I'm gonna go with Chris Simms, though.

[A]

That's one of the cleanest uniforms. It is in all of football. An absolute classic.

[C]

That and the throwbacks, too. All of that.

[A]

All right, boys, that's it for us.

[C]

Tomorrow.

[A]

You guys will be back. Matthew will be back. It'll be love hate on a Thursday. But that wraps up our Wednesday show. To producer Pete. Not backup producer Pete. For Jay. For Lawrence, I'm Connor. See you guys tomorrow.