Fantasy Football Today Podcast Summary

Episode: Mailbag and Fantasy Cops!
Date: December 20, 2025
Host & Panel: Adam Aizer, Dave Richard, Jamey Eisenberg, Dan Schneier
Purpose: Listener mailbag, lineup dilemmas, playoff advice, league disputes (Fantasy Cops), and candid in-season conversation for those competing in the fantasy football playoffs.

Episode Overview

This episode features the crew diving deep into listener questions and pressing Week 16 start-sit dilemmas during the fantasy playoffs, alongside the much-loved “Fantasy Cops” segment resolving controversial league behavior. The hosts offer candid analysis, humor, relatable tales from their own leagues, and plenty of actionable advice for managers fighting to win their championships. The tone is relaxed, fun, and interactive, balancing sharp football insights with friendly debate (and the occasional dad joke).

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Playoffs Tilting & Thursday Night Fallout

• Dan Schneier kicks off lamenting being crushed early in the playoffs by a monster Thursday performance from Stafford, Puka Nacua, and JSN.
  (03:20) "I guess I'm done... like, I was first in points by 231 and now I’m matched up against Stafford, Puka, and JSN all on one team." – Dan

• Adam & Jamie reflect this playoff pain is very common, especially with wild Thursday or overtime point explosions.

2. Rapid-Fire Start/Sit Mailbag (04:50–42:00)

Quarterback Decisions

• Jalen Hurts vs. Drake Maye: Panel leans Hurts for matchup and known ceiling.
  "Gonna go with Jalen Hurts. Love the matchup. Let it ride." – Dan (05:04)

• Brock Purdy vs. Caleb Williams/Bo Nix: Consensus is to stick with Purdy's steady production.

• Mayfield > Dart: Panel prefers Baker Mayfield this week (31:57).

Tight End/Streamer Talk

• Loveland, Waller, Pitts: Panel generally refuses to bench Pitts even with London back. "I don't think you can bench Pitts, regardless of if London plays or not." – Dan (05:19)

• Warren vs. Knox: Touches debate; slightly favoring Warren for safety, but see value in Knox if Dalton Kincaid sits.

Running Back Debates

• Henry, Swift, Dowdle: Leaning Henry for a potential ceiling, Swift for PPR flex (07:10).

• Michael Carter’s value: Multiple listeners ask if Michael Carter’s temporary starting role makes him a lineup lock ("Jones against Giants defense. Got to do it." – Jamie (24:38)).

• The Estimate vs. Evan Hull debate (08:13–12:40):

  • Long, spirited debate over the merits, athleticism, and workload for backup/plug-in RBs Estimate and Hull vs. each other and the Jets defense.
  • "He's a good gamble this week... he's got a little bit of burst, yards after contact," – Dan.
  • Dan likens Estimate's skillset to "prime Rhamondre Stevenson," while Adam and Jamie express skepticism but admit both are plausible desperation starts against a bad defense.

Wide Receiver Choices

• Christian Watson/Jaylen Waddle/Rice/Brian Thomas Jr: Panel navigates injury news and hesitancy around Watson but prefers him if he starts.
• Evans is a must-start: Consistent theme that Mike Evans remains a weekly lock unless injury strikes.

DST Streaming

• Bills DST is the “fun” Week 16 streamer; preference over Vikings and Chiefs.

FLEX Conundrums

• Multiple listeners seeking between low-end RB2s (Dowdle, Carter) and WR3s (Abuka, BTJ, McConkey, Sutton).

3. “Grade-the-Trade” and Commish/Ethics Questions

Fantasy Cops Segment (43:08–52:55):

• A heated scenario where a manager with leftover FAB blocks an opponent from adding QBs during playoff week by churning waiver adds/drops to keep alternates on waivers.
  • Panel verdict: “Not in the spirit of the game, and not allowed in many CBS leagues per guidelines.” Adam, Jamey, and Dan agree this is a gray area, with Adam citing platform rules:
    • “It’s not within the spirit… to just keep add-dropping and putting a guy on waivers so someone else can’t get him.” – Adam (48:09)
  • Jamie on league settings: “There should be something in your bylaws next year to protect against this.”

4. Real-Life League Banter, Colorblindness, and Dad Jokes

Host Colorblindness Anecdotes (14:09–16:51)

• The crew shares the day-to-day annoyances of being red-green colorblind, with Adam and Dan recounting poker struggles and the classic "what color is my shirt?" debate.
• Memorable moment: The team tries to see a red gap in a color test live on air (16:40).
  • "You see a blob of colors that look pretty similar to me." – Dan

Fantasy/Nap Chat & Playoff League Updates

• Jamie and Dan describe overlapping playoff runs and semi-final matchups.
• Extended laughing and joking about sleep ability and napping prowess.

Dad Jokes & Listener Interludes

• Why couldn't the bike stand up on its own? Because it was too tired. (30:09–30:18)
• Several rapid-fire jokes/banter, including Frozen’s Elsa/Let It Go gags (57:05).

5. Listener League/Playoff Situations

• Commissioner Dilemma: Is it ethical for a commish/player to play QBs in separate leagues to “hedge” their chances at a title? Panel says it’s reasonable based on your risk tolerance and league format.
• Celebrating vs. Humility: If you beat your boss in the work fantasy championship, do you rub it in? Depends on the relationship!
• Waiver Desperation: As the season ends, who to chase off the wire in injury-riddled situations as the playoffs escalate?

6. Strong Playoff Waiver Priorities & Strategic Advice

• Ownership of Playoff Matchups: Take shots on high-upside backups in “semis” if projected to lose big (e.g., Estimate over floor RBs).
• Matchup-based streaming: DST, K, TE options are all on the table if you’re a big underdog.
• Don’t Overthink It: Still lean on studs (Evans, Henry, Purdy, Waddle) unless injuries or workload shifts force your hand.

Notable Quotes & Moments

Tilting Over Thursday Points:

"Got my bye week and now matched up against Stafford, Puka and JSN all on one team. I guess the season's over! It’s Thursday. Is there any world I can make a comeback? Probably not." – Dan [03:20]

The Audric Estime Debate:

"I think Estime is definitely a better player... He's a Ramondre Stevenson type – good stop and start, great after contact. I think you'll be surprised, Adam, at Estime." – Dan [10:32]

"He might be the slowest running back in the NFL." – Adam [11:40]

"If they were playing a normal defense, it's not even a conversation. This is just such a great opportunity." – Jamie [11:48]

Fantasy Cops Ethics:

"It's not in the spirit of the game to just keep add-dropping and putting a guy on waivers so someone else can't get him... It's using designated roster spots for the sole purpose of add-drop, add-drop, add-drop." – Adam [48:09]

"There should be something in your bylaws next year to protect against this." – Jamie [51:33]

Being Colorblind:

"You see a blob of colors that look pretty similar to me." – Dan [16:46]

Dad Joke Winner:

"Why couldn't the bike stand up on its own? Because it was too tired." – Listener Jordan [30:09]

Important Timestamps & Sections

• Mailbag Kickoff / Playoff Rant: 03:08–04:39
• Rapid Fire Start/Sit Mailbag: 04:50–37:01
• Estimate vs. Hull RB Debate: 08:13–12:40
• DST / Streamer Priorities: ~07:28, 29:56
• Fantasy Cops Segment (League Ethics): 43:08–52:55
• Colorblindness Chat: 14:09–16:51
• Dad Jokes and Listener Interludes: 30:09–30:18, 57:05–57:12

Episode Tone & Final Thoughts

The episode is energetic, irreverent, and packed with examples from both the hosts’ own leagues and listener dilemmas. The hosts combine stat-driven advice with candid fandom and plenty of light-hearted side chatter (movies, naps, steak vs. chicken, accepting defeat in the semis, how to celebrate vs. your boss, and more). "Fantasy Cops" remains a highlight, handling tricky situations that can arise only in high-stakes playoff weeks.

Bottom Line

This episode is an essential resource for playoff managers needing one more edge.

• You’ll get actionable recommendations for close calls at every fantasy position.
• The crew highlights the importance of thoughtful, competitive, and fair play in fantasy leagues.
• If your playoff lineup is in flux, you’ll find relatable advice and plenty of good laughs to keep your stress in check.

Remember: Don’t overthink your studs; swing for ceiling in deep underdog scenarios; and always clarify league policies before drama arises. And if you’re going to a Hanukkah party during the game… “feel the vibe” before asking to put the game on!

For more, listen to the episode or follow @FFToday for daily playoff advice and laughs.