Fantasy Football Today Podcast Summary

Episode: Wild Card Winners and Losers! Loveland, Jacobs, Coker, Hurts, & More!
Date: January 12, 2026
Hosts: Adam Aizer, Jamey Eisenberg, Dave Richard

Overview

This episode dives into the fallout and fantasy football takeaways from NFL Wild Card Weekend 2026. The hosts discuss major player performances (both winners and losers), assess the impact of key injuries and coaching changes, and provide early insights on rankings and strategy for the upcoming fantasy season. Notably, Colston Loveland’s breakout, Josh Jacobs’ value decay, wide receiver shakeups, and concerns around Jalen Hurts and the Eagles’ offense take center stage.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Unprecedented Wild Card Drama

• Wild Card Weekend featured multiple historic games:
  • Most fourth-quarter lead changes (12 in five games over two days).
  • Most game-winning touchdowns and comebacks in the last three minutes.
  • "It's pretty unbelievable weekend, huh?" (Jamie, 04:17)

2. Major Injuries & News

• George Kittle (49ers): Torn Achilles, status for 2026 season in doubt.
  • "This is really a devastating injury for somebody his age... For me, he's a late-round flyer at best now." (Jamie, 07:03)
• Offensive Line Woes: Key injuries for Chicago (Ozzy Trapillo), Carolina (Iki Ekwonu), and more.
• Coaching Movements:
  • Dolphins fire Mike McDaniel; potential Jim Harbaugh rumors.
  • Coordinators moving, with several high-profile jobs in play (Packers, Ravens, Giants).

3. Fantasy Winners

Colston Loveland (Chicago Bears, TE)

• 3 straight games >20 PPR points, double-digit targets.

• Emerged after early season shoulder injury; now a focal point in the offense.

• "Loveland is ahead of Fannin for me. He's tight end 3 with Kittle hurt." (Jamie, 22:42)

• Volume and role should continue, especially if other pass-catchers (Moore, Odunze, Burden) move or shift roles.

  "He might be top one [in team targets]... He's just such a dynamic player, not a typical tight end." (Dave, 23:25)

Jordan Love (Packers, QB) & Romeo Doubs (WR)

• Love: 38 points, 46 pass attempts; quietly finished season strong.
• "If the Packers go more pass-friendly with Jacobs declining, Love could be a late-round gem." (Jamie, 26:49)
• Doubs: Free agent, high-upside mid-to-late round pick depending on landing spot.

Jalen Coker (Carolina, WR) & Khalil Shakir (Buffalo, WR)

• Coker: 9/134/1 vs. Rams; 4 of last 7 games with TD, finishing season hot.

• Shakir: 12/12 catches, 82 yards; solid mid-round value with room for more should Buffalo not add WR talent.

  "Whenever Buffalo needs him, Shakir comes through... Coker is flashing, but it’s hard to see him becoming a must-start yet." (Dave, 29:35)

Parker Washington (Jacksonville, WR)

• 3 of last 4 games >100 yards, 4 straight games of 19+ PPR points.

• Earned trust with Lawrence; potentially leapfrogs other mid-tier WRs for 2026.

  "I feel like Trevor Lawrence was lost without him in that game... Parker is exactly the steady mid-round WR I want." (Dave, 38:00)

4. Fantasy Losers

Romo Odunze & Luther Burden (Chicago, WRs)

• Odunze: Just 2/44 returning from injury; Loveland’s emergence plus WR committee muddy his value.
• Burden: Not on field enough (64% routes), role may limit upside; “reminds me of Jaden Reed: lots of potential, not enough usage.” (Jamie, 42:15)

Josh Jacobs (Packers, RB)

• 6.8 points vs. Chicago, declining workload/trend.
• "[Are] we starting to see the downturn of Jacobs?... He may only be worth a third-rounder now." (Adam, 45:32)
• Age, potential cap issues, injury history are concerns.

Jalen Hurts & AJ Brown (Eagles)

• Hurts: Down year despite a top-7 finish; design runs plummeted from 96 (2024) to 41 (2025).

• Eagles finish 21st in scoring (worst in years); offensive scheme in question.

  • "Their offense was broken." (Adam, 55:22)

• AJ Brown: Still top-12 WR, but uncertainty amid trade rumors and potential coaching staff upheaval.

  “I don't know if I could draft [AJ Brown] in Round 2 anymore, unless he lands with an elite QB.” (Jamie, 51:40)

Brian Thomas Jr. (Jaguars, WR)

• Major sophomore slump (9.9 PPR/gm, WR47); trade rumors, uncertain future.
  • “One of the worst sophomore seasons from a guy who had a great rookie season maybe ever.” (Jamie, 49:34)

Rico Dowdle (Cowboys/RB)

• Lost job, set to hit free agency on a low note.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• "Loveland is ahead of Fannin for me. He's tight end three." (Jamie, 22:42)
• "I compared [Loveland] to Darren Waller... Now I think of Brock Bowers—he's a target hog." (Dave, 23:32)
• "If the Packers go more pass-friendly with Jacobs declining, Love could be a late-round gem." (Jamie, 26:49)
• "I feel like Trevor Lawrence was lost without [Parker Washington]... He's the steadying guy in this passing offense." (Dave, 38:00, 38:45)
• "Josh Jacobs may only be a third-rounder now... the decline is real." (Adam, 45:32)
• "Their offense was broken." (Adam, 55:22)
• "[Brian Thomas Jr.] One of the worst sophomore seasons... maybe ever." (Jamie, 49:34)
• Classic playful banter returns as Dave shows up late:
  • “Hey, idiot?” “Sup, fool?” (16:28)

Noteworthy Timestamps

• 04:17 – Historical context for Wild Card weekend
• 07:03 – George Kittle injury analysis
• 13:26 – Green Bay offense/LaFleur debate
• 22:42 – Loveland’s ascension to TE3
• 23:32–24:39 – Loveland’s role and comparison to Bowers/Waller
• 26:49 – Packers offensive strategy and impact on Love
• 29:35 – Shakir vs. Coker WR rankings
• 38:00–38:45 – Parker Washington’s sleeper case
• 41:48–42:15 – Burden/Odunze usage and full routes breakdown
• 45:32 – The Josh Jacobs “slide”
• 49:34 – Brian Thomas Jr. as a sophomore bust
• 51:40 – AJ Brown’s fantasy uncertainty
• 55:22 – “The Eagles offense was broken.”

Ranking & Draft Takeaways

• Emergent TEs: Loveland, Fannin, and Warren project as top-5 round picks. Loveland could lead all Bears in targets.
• Veteran RBs: Josh Jacobs sliding; not a must-draft in first two rounds.
• QB Approach: Hurts no longer elite without rushing, Love a savvy late flier (if LaFleur opens the playbook).
• WR Late-Round Gems: Parker Washington, Coker, Shakir all profile as potentially undervalued, matchup-dependent WR3s.
• Sophomore Scares: Odunze, Brian Thomas Jr. fall toward bench/late-round territory.

Episode Tone

A balanced and conversational mix of statistical analysis, big-picture fantasy strategy, and good-natured ribbing. The hosts both debate rankings and provide actionable advice, keeping the focus on helping listeners sort out their big 2026 fantasy questions after a wild playoff weekend.

Summary prepared for Fantasy Football Today listeners: Catch up on wild card drama, fantasy risers and fallers, and early 2026 draft thoughts—without the fluff.