Start or Sit (AFC): Start Your Raiders? Sit Most Bengals? TreVeyon Henderson Breakout? (09/25 Fantasy Football Podcast)

Summary

Fantasy Football Today - "Start or Sit (AFC)" - September 25, 2025

Main Theme:
The team breaks down start/sit decisions for all AFC matchups in Week 4, helping fantasy managers optimize their lineups by discussing standout players, notable busts, rookie breakouts, injury impacts, and game-by-game questions. Hosts Adam Aizer, Jamie Eisenberg, and Heath Cummings deliver nuanced, actionable advice on must-starts, flex-worthy options, and players to avoid, often referencing their own rankings and debating live matchups.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Players to Love & Breakouts ([03:17], [06:00])

Jamie Eisenberg’s Players to Start:

• Geno Smith (QB, SEA):
  • “Start of the week. Expecting a big game…taking on the Bears…seen two of three QBs absolutely light up this defense in different ways.”
  • Would start over Baker Mayfield, Jared Goff, Dak Prescott, even Patrick Mahomes this week.
• Matthew Golden (WR, GB):
  • “Breakout opportunity with a great matchup against the Cowboys…would be a starter in three receiver leagues.”
• TreVeyon Henderson (RB, NE):
  • “Seen flashes…practice reports suggest he may have his breakout…could outperform the likes of DeAndre Swift, Javonte Williams, David Montgomery.”

Heath Cummings’ Players to Start:

• Jordan Love (QB, GB):
  • “I have Love as a top six quarterback this week…this is the get-right game for Jordan Love in the passing game.”
• Trey Benson (RB, SF):
  • “Bad matchup…downgraded the efficiency but he’s still a top 15 RB.”
• Harold Fannin (TE, CLE):
  • Continues to get targets, “should have 6-7 targets a game, if Browns throw 40 times.”

Notable Quote:

"If we get anything else suggesting that Henderson's getting his first start this week, it will be Henderson over Pollard for me. It's razor thin and I think there's a lot more upside with Henderson." — Heath Cummings ([10:43])

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2. Players to Avoid & Notable Bust Alerts ([11:17])

Jamie Eisenberg’s Avoids:

• Baker Mayfield (QB, TB):
  • “Still be a little cautious…not a slam dunk start. He’s the bust alert…tough matchup vs. Philly’s defense.”
• Javonte Williams (RB, DEN):
  • “Down two interior linemen…taking on a strong run defense. He’s more of a flex than RB2.”
• Brian Thomas Jr. (WR, NO):
  • “Only starter in three-receiver leagues. Something’s off—drops, discomfort, tough matchup vs. 49ers.”

Heath Cummings’ Avoids:

• Jared Goff (QB, DET):
  • “Have him 16th. I'm just not going to start any QBs against the Browns.”
• Tony Pollard (RB, TEN):
  • “Implied total of 15.5…low role in the passing game, low touchdown odds, not startable in a likely low scoring game.”
• TJ Hockenson (TE, MIN):
  • “Encouraging usage with Wentz, but only 6 targets…Steelers D getting healthier…could be a low-volume pass game.”

“Pollard may be the one that scares me the most...I just do not have a lot of hope that the Titans get the offense going.” — Heath ([09:11])

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3. Start/Sit Debates & Quick-Hit Rankings

• Geno Smith or Jordan Love?
  • Heath: “Love, but they’re close.”
  • Jamie: “Geno, but don’t drop Love for Geno.” ([10:25])
• Tony Pollard or TreVeyon Henderson?
  • Heath: “Pollard by a hair, but if there’s confirmation Henderson starts, it’s him.”
• Javonte Williams or Ken Walker?
  • Heath: “Williams,” Jamie: “Walker.” ([14:51])
• Starting Bengals vs. Denver:
  • Jamie: “Start Jamar Chase, Chase Brown and Higgins are flex plays.”
  • Heath: “Start Chase Brown over DeAndre Swift and Tony Pollard.” ([26:03])

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4. Game-By-Game Quick Questions & Advice

([21:48 onward, timestamps per game below])

• Baltimore at Kansas City
  • Mark Andrews vs. Chiefs WRs: “I am more confident in a Chiefs receiver than Mark Andrews” — Jamie ([22:24])
  • Both Jamie and Heath: Not expecting a high-flying classic, see risk of a slower, lower-scoring game.
• Minnesota at Pittsburgh
  • “Jordan Mason and Justin Jefferson — that’s it for must-starts.” — Jamie ([40:04])
  • Jalen Warren: “Start over Swift, Pollard, Javonte.” — Jamie/Heath ([42:04])
• Chicago at Las Vegas
  • Caleb Williams is QB4 (“must start”), Genti “breakout game” over Swift.
  • DJ Moore vs. Xavier Worthy: Jamie has Worthy higher but notes Moore’s lack of targets troubling.
  • Jacoby Myers: “A boom-bust WR3.” — Jamie. Heath still top-12.
• Carolina at New England
  • Chuba Hubbard: “Behind Swift, just ahead of Pollard, but I don’t love him...more a high-end flex.” — Heath ([56:55])
  • Tetro McMillan: Must-start if Gonzalez is out, solid WR2/W3.
  • “Drake May is a must-start over Geno Smith.”
• Jets at Dolphins
  • “If you can’t start your Jets against the Dolphins, when can you?” — Adam ([71:23])
  • “Start HN, start Tyreek Hill, Waddle is a WR3.”
• New Orleans at Buffalo
  • “Josh Allen, James Cook, start with confidence…Kincaid is my favorite Bills pass-catcher.” — Jamie ([75:11])
  • Chris Olave: “Should see 10 targets, but low upside...new Wandale Robinson.” — Jamie ([77:37])
• Tennessee at Houston
  • “Nico Collins, next game, please.” — Jamie.
  • “IO Manor leads in red zone targets, lean IO over Kirk... Ridley just a spot ahead.” ([81:05])
  • Pollard over Jameson Williams, but little confidence.

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5. Injury & Practice Notes ([14:44–19:39])

• Notables:
  • DeAndre Swift (hip), Chris Godwin, Xavier Worthy all trending toward playing, but keep an eye on late week reports.
  • Brock Purdy, Cam Ward, Jaden Daniels — limited.
  • Numerous teams with key OL, DL, and secondary injuries (affecting matchup calls).
  • “Almost every year, the 49ers are just super banged up.” — Jamie ([16:14])

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6. Market & Trade Tidbits ([29:30–30:40])

• Jamie attempted (and rescinded) trades with CeeDee Lamb following injury, seeking to pivot to a surer WR/RB combo.
• “If you’re desperate, just getting Courtland Sutton for CeeDee Lamb isn't the worst.”
• Heath: “I put him on the trade block three days ago, I’ve gotten one offer — Quentin Johnston.”

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7. Rookie/Breakout Monitoring

• Emphasis on rookie snap shares, touch patterns, red zone usage (Golden, Henderson, Bowers, etc.).
• “If Golden gets the opportunity and Jordan Love throws near 30 times, there’s real upside.” — Jamie ([04:41])
• “I’d start Scaterboo over Chase Brown.” — Heath ([26:46])

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8. Memorable Moments & Banter

• Adam’s “useless stat of the game” delivery ([30:40]).
• Exchange about “blue shirt day” and postgame breakdowns.
• Adam’s “shoulder statting” to describe confidence levels ([83:13]).

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Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• “Start Geno Smith. Start him over Baker Mayfield, Jared Goff—even Mahomes personally.” — Jamie Eisenberg ([03:17])
• “Jordan Love is a top six quarterback this week…this is the get right game.” — Heath Cummings ([06:13])
• “Pollard may be the one that scares me the most…do not have a lot of hope the Titans get the offense going.” — Heath Cummings ([09:11])
• “Baker's just on that cusp of a starter. It's not a must-sit by any stretch, but he's the bust alert in start/sit.” — Jamie Eisenberg ([11:17])
• “If we get anything else suggesting that Henderson's getting his first start this week, it will be Henderson over Pollard for me.” — Heath Cummings ([10:43])
• “Jordan Mason and Justin Jefferson — that's it for must-starts.” — Jamie Eisenberg ([40:04])
• “If you can't start your Jets against the Dolphins, who can you start your Jets against?” — Adam Aizer ([71:23])
• “Nico Collins, next game, please.” — Jamie Eisenberg ([80:57])

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Timestamps for Important Segments

| Segment | Timestamp | |---------------------------------------|------------| | Kickoff, blue shirt banter | 01:51 | | Players the hosts “love” | 03:17–06:53| | Players to sit/avoid | 08:19–13:33| | News and notes, injuries | 14:44–19:39| | Game-by-game “one question” round | 21:48–44:40| | In-depth start/sit for CHI-LV, CAR-NE | 48:00–62:07| | Quick-hits and additional mailbags | 62:26–84:02|

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Flow & Tone

• Light, conversational, plenty of friendly debate and banter.
• Frequent direct ranking references, clear and actionable guidance.
• Hosts challenge each other’s viewpoints, especially on close calls (e.g., Geno vs. Love, rookie upside).
• Language is casual, but analysis is insightful and backed by data, matchups, and injury news.

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Summary Cheat Sheet: Who’s Hot, Who’s Not

Must-Start (Confident RB1/WR1/QB1)

• Geno Smith (vs CHI)
• Jordan Love (vs DAL)
• Jamar Chase, Justin Jefferson, Jordan Mason
• Caleb Williams (QB4 matchup)
• Garrett Wilson (vs MIA)
• Josh Allen, James Cook

High-Upside Flex/WR2

• Matthew Golden, TreVeyon Henderson (if confirmed role)
• Jacoby Myers (boom/bust WR3)
• Trey Benson (RB2/3)
• DK Metcalf (three WR leagues only)
• Teddyro McMillan (monitor injury/Christian Gonzalez status)

Risky/Bench Candidates

• Baker Mayfield (“bust alert”)
• Tony Pollard, DeAndre Swift (tough matchups/low trust)
• Brian Thomas Jr. (regressed, tough matchup)
• TJ Hockenson (low volume risk)
• Javonte Williams (depleted OL)
• Bengals not named Chase (Brown/Higgins as flexes)
• New England RBs (low confidence)

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For more detail or player-specific matchups, see timestamps by segment and check for injury news as the week progresses!

Transcript

[Jamie Eisenberg]

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[Adam Azer]

Whoa.

[Jamie Eisenberg]

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[Adam Azer]

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[Heath Cummings]

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[Jamie Eisenberg]

That I accepted a great offer from Carvana online.

[Heath Cummings]

I must have time traveled to the future.

[Jamie Eisenberg]

It was just moments ago.

[Adam Azer]

We do same day pickup. Here's your check for that great offer. It is the future. It's.

[Jamie Eisenberg]

It's the present. And just the convenience of Carvana.

[Adam Azer]

Sorry to blow your mind. It's all good.

[Heath Cummings]

Happens all the time.

[Adam Azer]

Sell your car the convenient way to Carvana.

[Jamie Eisenberg]

Pick up.

[Adam Azer]

Times may vary and fees may apply. What does possibility mean to you?

[Jamie Eisenberg]

Um, that's a hard question.

[Adam Azer]

Something that you can strive for. I'm able to do anything I set my mind to. You're confident in yourself and you believe in yourself. Stuff that you could achieve. I feel excited. Anything is possible when you're more confident. Shoes are a huge part of that. They are the most important part of my style. You can like express yourself in the right shoes.

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[Heath Cummings]

This is fantasy football today from CBS Sports.

[Adam Azer]

Wanna play?

[Jamie Eisenberg]

Can you believe this?

[Heath Cummings]

No, I can't. It's time to dominate your fantasy league. Off to the races and he stays on his feet.

[Jamie Eisenberg]

This is gonna go the distance.

[Heath Cummings]

Now here's some combination of Adam, Dave, Jamie and Heath.

[Jamie Eisenberg]

What's up, everybody?

[Adam Azer]

Welcome to the show. It is Thursday, September 25th and we've got eight games to preview for you. Starter sit for the AFC Games on Fantasy Football Today presented by BetMGM, the sportsbook. Born in Vegas, Adam Azer, Heath Cummings, Jamie Eisenberg and Heath. One of us is going to have to change.

[Heath Cummings]

No, Jamie missed the memo.

[Adam Azer]

It is happy blue shirt day, everybody.

[Jamie Eisenberg]

I didn't realize it was giant blue day.

[Adam Azer]

Yeah, Bright blue shirts here on.

[Heath Cummings]

I mean, it was a great day. Great night on Sunday night. Yeah. 23, 21. Is that what the score was?

[Adam Azer]

Look, you don't want to make excuses, but I never would have picked the Giants if I Had known Graham Gano is going to get hurt in warmups. Okay, like gosh, the Chiefs just keep getting breaks. We're going to tell you some players we love.

[Jamie Eisenberg]

You guys have spoken since the game?

[Adam Azer]

No. Yeah, we do go kind of a long time without speaking today. Baltimore, Kansas City, Minnesota at Pittsburgh, Chicago at the Raiders, Carolina, New England, Cincinnati at Denver, jets at Dolphins, Saints at Bills, Titans at Texans. Let's get some players we love. Usually we do one. I was like, you know what, why don't we give some more names just at the top of the show. Players were excited about this week and it's going to be sort of on a sliding scale. I think Jamie's not going to say that these guys are absolute must starts. But Jamie, give me three players that you are feeling this week.

[Jamie Eisenberg]

I'll start with the start of the week. That's Geno Smith. So expecting a big game for him taking on the Bears. He's coming off an amazing performance fantasy wise against the Commanders with 289 passing yards and three touchdowns. And we've seen two of three quarterbacks absolutely light up this defense in different ways. J.J. mcCarthy from really a quarter perspective but also using his legs. Jared Goff beat them up for five touchdowns I think. I don't know if you'll agree with me, but I think if CD Lamb was healthy that Dak Prescott would have had a better game from from his perspective. So I'm excited for Gino to see how he does. I don't know how many people are gonna trust Gino because of Gino, but I would start him over Baker Mayfield for example. I start him over Jared Goff, I start him over Prescott. Trying to think anybody else of like prominence. I would actually start him over Mahomes personally. But I think there's a big opportunity here for, for Dino Smith. The other two guys would be two players I'm expecting to get their breakout performances this week. One would be Matthew golden and the other would be Travion Henderson. So we've seen flashes in very small sample sizes. Trevion week one where he was more involved in the passing game. But I think the three fumbles based on the practice reports seemingly are going to help him. And then golden just gets the great opportunity with the matchup against the Cowboys. So I think both rookies will have not saying much but their best games to date. But maybe games that we could look back and say this was the start of when they were great.

[Adam Azer]

But for golden and Treveon Henderson, are they in your top 24.

[Jamie Eisenberg]

No. So you still have to be a little bit cautious. Both would be flex options as you see if you're watching on YouTube. And golden would be a starter for me in three receiver leagues, you know, so with the potential upside of what can happen now, this could easily be Dontavian Wicks or Romeo Dobbs having a big game. And I think one of them, if not all three of them, could go off this week just based on the matchup. And if the packers decide that they're going to let Jordan Love throw the ball maybe close to 30 times, they may not have to. But I do think there's a big opportunity for Golden. In the case of Trevion, no, he's not ranked in the top 24, but you know, just in that flex range. It's actually a pretty good week for running backs. Would not surprise me if he's better than some guys who are established that, who have established themselves at least for this season. So he's not far behind for me at least this week. Deandre Swift, Javante Williams, David Montgomery. I just don't like the matchups for those guys this week. I'm not going to start having Henderson over them yet, but would not surprise me if Henderson's better.

[Adam Azer]

Henderson snapshare 48 or, sorry, Golden. Golden snapshare 48. Week 159 Week 271 in week three where he had four catches for 52 yards on four targets at Cleveland and kind of went out of bounds, surprisingly when he might have had an even bigger game, a gain on a deep ball. Heath, give me three players you love.

[Heath Cummings]

So the first two I love. The second, the third one I'm just starting again. I mean, I love him, but I don't necessarily love him this week. I'm still starting him. The first one is Jordan Love. Yes. For players I love. How about one named Love?

[Adam Azer]

Yeah.

[Heath Cummings]

Facing the Dallas Cowboys, the obvious concern is will he throw more than 30 pass attempts? The great thing is against the Cowboys, you may not need to throw more than 30 passes. It's been one of the worst, friendliest defenses to almost all positions in fantasy. They're getting a little bit healthier. I don't think that's going to be enough to make them good. I do have Love as a top six quarterback this this week. We all have him as a top nine quarterback this week. I think we were talking on Sunday night we were a little bit concern concerned. This is the get right game for Jordan Love in the passing game. You may have to go away from him after this, but you can start him this week.

[Adam Azer]

All right. And then Trey Benson tonight.

[Heath Cummings]

Listen, it's a. It's a bad matchup and I have downgraded Trey Benson's rushing efficiency, which has been spectacular so far this year. But I still expect him to have enough targets and to do enough against this Seahawks defense that he's a top 15 running back. And I'm still starting Harold Fannin. I understand the sequencing of his targets feels a lot worse than somebody like Mark Andrews or somebody like TJ Hawkinson because their best game was this week and his best game was week one. But Mark Andrews did do that against the Lions defense that Harold Fannin's getting ready to face. Ex Vegas has absolutely zero fears about the Browns defense for this Lions offense. They still have, I think, an implied total of 27. So I think we're going to see a lot of pass attempts for the Browns and Fannin still has a 15 target share on the year. If you're throwing 40 passes a game, that's six or seven targets a game for Fannin and hopefully he can he. He broke a couple tackles in their most recent game. Let's break a couple tackles and get into the end zone.

[Adam Azer]

All right, so you're saying that Vegas doesn't seem to have a lot of fear for the Lions offense against the Browns. And if we transition to. And just to recap, Heath's players to start were Jordan Love, Trey Benson, Harold Fannin. Transition to your players to avoid. You do have Jared Go Goff on there.

[Heath Cummings]

Well, the Lions did just score, what, 38 points with Jared Goff scoring 14 fantasy points. This, I think, is probably like if there's the thing I'm most excited to watch this week is the Lions offense against the Browns defense just because of how good both of those units are. And it looks like I'm actually the highest on Jared Goff, but I. I just don't know that I'm going to start any quarterbacks against the Browns.

[Adam Azer]

All right, golf 16th for you. The Lions averaged 34.6 offensive points per game at home last year and this year 52 points in their one home game. So they are so good in their building, but I don't think they face a defense quite like Cleveland's last year at home. You also are sitting trying to avoid Tony Pollard and TJ Hawkinson Pollard at Houston Hawkinson against Pittsburgh.

[Heath Cummings]

So I think there's a big group of running backs in the RB 22 to 29 range that we're going to have to make decisions about and Swift and Tony Pollard are certainly in that group. They're both kind of borderline start sits for me. Pollard may be the one that scares me the most. I think their implied total right now is 15 and a half. Just do not have a lot of hope that the Titans get the offense going and don't think that Pollard has very good touchdown odds or enough of a role in the passing game to make him somebody you want to start in what looks like a very low scoring game. I thought the usage for TJ Hawkinson with Carson Wentz was encouraging last week, but because of the way they're running their offense, it was still just six targets. I do think the Steelers getting a little bit healthier, will be better defensively than they have been. And if they're not and the Vikings are just playing from ahead because I don't think Aaron Rodgers is going to do much against that Vikings defense, then I don't think they're going to throw that much. And Jordan Addison's back.

[Adam Azer]

Yeah, that is true. Okay, so a few questions for you before we get to Jamie's players to avoid Would you start Jared Goff or Geno Smith?

[Heath Cummings]

Oh, Geno for sure.

[Adam Azer]

That was the easy one. Would you start Jordan Love or Geno Smith?

[Heath Cummings]

Jordan Love for sure.

[Adam Azer]

Jamie.

[Heath Cummings]

I'm sorry, Jordan Love or Geno Smith? I wouldn't say for sure. I would start Love, but they're both very close.

[Jamie Eisenberg]

I would start Gino, but if I have Love, I would not be dropping Love to pick up Gino.

[Adam Azer]

Would you start Tony Pollard or Travion Henderson?

[Heath Cummings]

I have Pollard ahead, but Jamie mentioned it and like the only thing I saw was Henderson was going first in like the individual running back drills, which often signifies the starter. If we get anything else suggesting that Henderson's getting his first start this week, it will be Henderson over Pollard for me. Like, it's, it's razor thin right now and I think there's a lot more upside with Henderson than there is with Pollard. Great matchup. I just, I'd like to know for sure that he's getting an increase in touches.

[Adam Azer]

All right, Jamie, three players that you want to avoid this week.

[Jamie Eisenberg]

So Baker Mayfield stuff to sit. And I know he's getting Chris Godwin back, which is awesome, but I would still be a little bit cautious about him. He's not a slam dunk. Must start. You see if you're watching on YouTube where we have him ranked, he's, you know, borderline starter at best. Sports line is basically out on him in one quarterback leagues at 17 but he has him at 13 as do I and Dave has him at 12. So just concerned about Baker this week and again, you know, not dropping Baker for Geno Smith, but I would start Geno Smith over Baker Mayfield this week if you're talking about just a one game sample size. So last week under 20 fantasy points. We saw last year when he did not have Mike Evans and Chris Godwin, he was sort of cobbling his way to getting right around 20 fantasy points. So I think he can get to that number. Last week he was at 19.7. First time since week 13 of last year in the regular season that he was under 20 fantasy points and had one touchdown pass. So it's a tough matchup. Philadelphia's defense obviously is, is still very good, very solid. They did a good job against Matthew Stafford last week despite the fact he threw for two touchdowns. So I think Baker's just on that cusp of a starter. It's not a must sit by any stretch, but he's the bust alert in start sit. Javonte Williams is basically the same kind of situation. They're down two interior offensive linemen with the center and guard not being there in BB and the rookie and now you're taking on a Packers run defense that is obvious. Obviously been very good aside from what Quinton Judkins does last week. But this is a very depleted Cowboys offense at this point and I think they'll be able to slow down Javante. And what we saw last week, which could happen again, is when they were getting blown out in the fourth quarter it was Miles Sanders on the field and not Javante Williams. So I'm not so concerned, I'm not so confident that Javante will be getting some garbage time production here. So he's again more of a flex play than a number two running back. And then the third guy I forgot Ryan Thomas Jr. Brian Thomas Jr. I think at this point it's just time to consider him a starter in three receiver leagues as opposed to two receiver leagues. There is clearly something going on from a disconnect with his quarterback. He's dropping the ball. He's not looking very comfortable anytime he's over the middle of the field. And now he's facing a 49ers defense that I know it does not have Nick Bosa, but they still have a very good secondary and they're going to make things tough on Brian Thomas. So at this point you just have to kind of understand where he's at. I get it. Most people are still going to start him. Two receiver leagues. I'm out three receiver leagues. He's still in my lineup.

[Adam Azer]

All right, let me tell you guys what's going on on Sunday. We are changing things up a little bit. We usually have the 11:30 to 1. We actually last week went 11 to 1pm so we're going to do two different shows 8:30 to 9:30am Eastern before the game in Ireland. 8:30 to 9:30am we will be live doing the Q and [e-mail] fantasy football today and then we're going to take a break and then we're going to come back from noon to 1. So we've got two different shows, 8:30 to 9:30am and then noon to 1pm Eastern. We're going to help you set your [e-mail] fantasy football today. So very different schedule, which we probably will be going forward for the next month or however long these Europe games last. And please join us. We have a lot of fun news and notes. Brock Purdy was limited. Cam Ward was limited with calf and ankle issues. We're certainly expecting him and Jaden Daniels was limited. We just don't know yet about Purdy and Daniels will know more tomorrow. Most likely running back DeAndre Swift limited with a hip injury. Jacori Crosby merit mispractice. They're calling it precautionary. And Zach Charbonnet is questionable. Did you guys end up ranking him? Yep.

[Jamie Eisenberg]

Okay. We did okay.

[Adam Azer]

And where did you so Javante Williams or Ken Walker?

[Heath Cummings]

Williams.

[Jamie Eisenberg]

Walker for me.

[Adam Azer]

Javante or Charbonnet.

[Heath Cummings]

Williams.

[Adam Azer]

Okay. Wide receiver Chris Godwin practiced. Kind of feels like he's going to play this week, but we don't know. Xavier Worthy practiced in full, which is good tonight. Zay Jones is going to be out. Terry McLaurin probably not expecting him at this point, but uncertain. Malik neighbors miss.

[Jamie Eisenberg]

Very weird situation. Right. He's going for a second opinion, but he still might play this week. I don't get that. You can't count on him.

[Adam Azer]

They're down playing the second opinion thing, but I feel like they might be.

[Heath Cummings]

I thought the more troubling thing was that he also saw a core muscle specialist. Like it seems like they're not even for sure what the injury is.

[Adam Azer]

Yeah. Oh well. So don't count on having Terry McLaurin Malik neighbors missing practice. Not surprised he hurt his shoulder late in the game but I'm expecting seems like they are expecting him to play. Devonte Adams missed practice. He should play. Tettero McMillan missed practice with a calf injury we're keeping an eye on that one. Nico Collins sat out. Alec Pierce in the concussion protocol, and Ricky Pearsall and Juwan Jennings both missed practice. So we don't really get too worried until maybe Thursday. A lot of guys miss practice on Wednesday.

[Heath Cummings]

Pearsall said he was not concerned.

[Adam Azer]

Okay, well, that's good. Tight end Colson Loveland missed practice with a hip injury.

[Jamie Eisenberg]

Amazing how banged up the 49ers are. I can't. I can't wrap my head around.

[Adam Azer]

That's wild. Almost every year. Isaiah likely was limited. Brock Bowers practiced in full. We like to see that. Come on, come on. Yeah. And Chargers tight end will disly miss practice. I didn't mention this aspect of the Arande Gadsden playing time, but Disley missed last week's game, and Gadsden didn't play much. He had about a 45% target per route run rate, which is obviously insane. And that was Gadsden. And. And Harbaugh said he's earned more playing time, but Disley's injury opened that door for him.

[Jamie Eisenberg]

I'm not asking you to do more work because we will help you. I'll help you. I'll make sure to do this. But this happened with Gadsden and Jameson Williams, for example, last week.

[Adam Azer]

The.

[Jamie Eisenberg]

The first quarter scripted early plays for guys where it looks like they're gonna go crazy, and then they do nothing the rest of the game.

[Adam Azer]

Oh, is that what happened with Gadsden?

[Jamie Eisenberg]

Well, it was. Most of it was early in the game.

[Adam Azer]

Also, what happened with RJ Harvey? RJ Harvey had a few targets early in the game. It kind of looked like they were going to get him involved. And now let's see what Gadsden did in the. In the third quarter. He had. He had two targets in the third quarter. How about the fourth quarter?

[Heath Cummings]

He had two targets, two in the fourth.

[Adam Azer]

Yeah, he had four targets in the second half. Three of them for 19 yards and a four first down, but not a touchdown. Okay. I'm not going to go through all the offensive line stuff, I'll tell you that. Green Bay's offensive lines a little beat up. Cleveland's offensive line is very beat up. Not very. But they lost their left tackle for the season, their right tackles, day to day. Lane Johnson looks like he's going to play defensively tonight. Seattle is getting two of three starters at defensive back, a corner and a safety. They're getting them back tonight. Buffalo's pretty beat up, but that could just be. No, it's. I mean, they're beat up on the defensive line.

[Jamie Eisenberg]

They're on a bye week. They're taking their time.

[Adam Azer]

Got the Saints. Christian Gonzalez might play this week.

[Jamie Eisenberg]

Would you take the points?

[Adam Azer]

What's the line?

[Jamie Eisenberg]

Sixteen and a half. At least on our site.

[Heath Cummings]

I think it's down. I think yesterday at FanDuel it came down to 15 and a half. But I, I, I, I would not.

[Adam Azer]

Yeah, me either.

[Heath Cummings]

I'd be more likely to take the nine and a half for the Browns than the six fifteen and a half for the Saints.

[Adam Azer]

Steelers as he's mentioned briefly, they're getting a little healthier with Joey Porter Jr. And DeSean Elliott, two defensive backs limited in practice training in the right direction for their game against Minnesota. Derek Stingley for Houston, he's day to day. Indianapolis slot cornerback Kenny Moore is out with an achilles injury and DeForest Buckner, defensive tackle, he missed practice. Let's see. Traquan Diggs. I wrote Stefan Diggs in my notes and I couldn't remember his brother's name. Traquan Diggs. Trayvon. What the hell's his name? The guy on the Cowboys. Diggs.

[Jamie Eisenberg]

Trayvon Diggs.

[Adam Azer]

He missed practice, but Duron Bland was limited. Oh, this is the big one. The Ravens are super beat up on their defensive line. Namdi Matabuke. They are much better against the run when he plays. He's out this week and maybe longer. They seem very concerned about his neck injury. Hoping for the best there. And they have two other defensive linemen, interior defensive linemen who are injured right now but have a chance to play. And linebacker Kyle Van Noy missed practice. So that's the Chiefs matchup. And also the Eagles are a little beat up on defense.

[Jamie Eisenberg]

Pacheco. Pacheco.

[Adam Azer]

Yeah baby. It's the week. No it's not.

[Heath Cummings]

Curry Munt.

[Adam Azer]

Yeah, and it's time for football at BetMGM. And when you register with BetMGM, you're gonna get instant access to a variety of parlay selection features, live betting options, boost tokens, and the best daily promotions in the business. Plus, when you huddle up with BETMGM at your fingertips, every pass, every catch and every game matter. More than ever, football's back, so don't miss out on any of the hard hitting action. Place your moneyline prop and parlay bets with BetMGM today. BetMGM and Game Sense. Remind you to play responsibly. See betmgm.com for terms 21/only. All right, let's get to one question from each game after this on Fantasy Football Today. It's football season and you gotta keep.

[Jamie Eisenberg]

Up with the action.

[Adam Azer]

Listen in to Pushing the Pile, part of CBS Sports Podcast Network with Mike Renner, Kyle Long and now me, JP.

[Jamie Eisenberg]

Acosta for smart analysis of everything between the lines.

[Adam Azer]

With four episodes a week Sunday night recaps, film review, power tiers and weekly previews, you will know Ball Stick with us until one team lists to Lombardi Download and follow Pushing the Pile on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and Anywhere podcasts are found.

[Heath Cummings]

What's up everyone? It's Siya Najad from Fantasy Football Today dfs, a weekly NFL daily fantasy show that's a part of the CBS Sports Podcast Network. If you're looking for NFL game by game previews, which player's stock is up or down, and DFS strategies and advice, Mike McClure, Meg Shoup and I have you covered every single week. Download and follow us on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and anywhere podcasts are found. Make sure to turn on those notifications so you don't miss a single pick all season long. Good luck. What's up everyone? It's the counselor of Cash Cnajad from the Early Edge, a daily sports betting show powered by Sportsline and part of the CBS Sports Podcast Network. If you're looking for the best bets, picks and analysis for the day in sports, we're your one stop shop. We're locked in every day with NFL bets and player props, college football picks and so much more. Download and follow us on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and anywhere podcasts are found. Subscribe to the SportsLine YouTube page to watch us live at 10am Eastern Time every weekday. Make sure to turn on those notifications so you don't miss a single pick all season long.

[Adam Azer]

Good luck. One question for each game. We'll start with Baltimore at Kansas City. Question Two questions, I guess. Number one, are you more confident in. I don't know what he's laughing at.

[Jamie Eisenberg]

We'll start with one question for each game. Here's two questions.

[Adam Azer]

Yeah, well, I just thought of it. Are you more confident in Mark Andrews or any Chiefs receiver? And two, should this be the game of the week tomorrow? I'm not really feeling it.

[Heath Cummings]

No and no.

[Adam Azer]

Well, the first question was not yes or no.

[Heath Cummings]

Are you more no.

[Adam Azer]

You're not confident in Mark Andrews or a Chiefs receiver?

[Jamie Eisenberg]

No, I am more confident in starting a Chiefs receiver than I am Mark Andrews. Last five games against the Chiefs.

[Adam Azer]

I I'm guessing bad Bad Isaiah likely had that huge game against the Chiefs last year in week one.

[Heath Cummings]

This. This Has a potential and hopefully it's not. Hopefully it's a great exciting game. It has the potential to be the most boring game of the week.

[Adam Azer]

Apparently.

[Jamie Eisenberg]

It'll definitely come down to a late second play, field goal, something. But is it is potential to be boring?

[Adam Azer]

You know, look, the Ravens defense is not good right now. They even said it themselves. And without Matabuque, without maybe some other interior lineman, I'm not saying that's going to help the passing game. It could help the rushing game. It could help the passing game. Lamar Jackson's amazing. He's never boring. So I don't know. I don't know if I agree with the assessment. What's the, what's the total of this game?

[Heath Cummings]

44 and a half.

[Adam Azer]

That's not so bad.

[Heath Cummings]

No, it's just that I think 48.

[Adam Azer]

And a half, bro.

[Heath Cummings]

Oh, 48 and a half. Great.

[Adam Azer]

Go.

[Heath Cummings]

I think we're gonna have a lot of long drives. I. I worry that the Ravens are just going to get like. I don't think the Ravens are going to get after Patrick Mahomes that much. Their pass rush isn't very good, but I think they're just going to play so deep to not let them get the deep balls that we're going to get a lot of those Mahomes 4 yard passes in this game.

[Adam Azer]

Love those. Minnesota.

[Heath Cummings]

It's not really Taekwond Thornton's game.

[Adam Azer]

Minnesota's at Pittsburgh. Well, obviously Taekwond is going to be affected by the status of Xavier Worthy. All right. You know, that's the first game we're going to preview, so we'll get to that in a BIT. Starter sit DK Metcalf. The Vikings have held D.J. moore, Drake, London T. Higgins and Jamar chased fewer than 11 PPR fantasy points. But they've only seen 41 wide receiver targets in three games. That's ridiculously low. Starter sit DK Metcalf.

[Jamie Eisenberg]

Start. In three receiver leagues, sitting two receivers.

[Heath Cummings]

I would start Michael Pittman, Quentin Johnston. I'd even start DJ Moore over him. But he's what Jamie said.

[Adam Azer]

Would you start Travion Henderson or DK Metcalf?

[Jamie Eisenberg]

I'd still start Metcalf unless we find out for sure Henderson is the starter.

[Heath Cummings]

Just give me an inkling. I don't even need for sure. Just one more beat writer, speculate on it and I'm in.

[Adam Azer]

All right. Chicago.

[Heath Cummings]

Right now it's Metcalf just barely over Henderson.

[Adam Azer]

Chicago's at Las Vegas. Potential for a lot of points in this game. Rank the Running backs and wide receivers.

[Jamie Eisenberg]

Genti Swift. Oh, all together.

[Adam Azer]

Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah.

[Jamie Eisenberg]

Oh, oh, oh, oh. Okay.

[Heath Cummings]

Myers.

[Jamie Eisenberg]

Myers.

[Heath Cummings]

Genti.

[Jamie Eisenberg]

Genti Bowers.

[Adam Azer]

I didn't say him, but sure. Are we going Swift or are we going DJ Moore?

[Heath Cummings]

Swift over Moore.

[Jamie Eisenberg]

Okay, then Tucker Moore. Tucker Manangai met.

[Adam Azer]

Okay. Burden lobby Carolina at New England. I was going to ask if you're starting a New England running back, but we think we've covered this. So just listen to the beginning of the show. Cincinnati at Denver. Are you starting any Bengals?

[Jamie Eisenberg]

Yes, I'm starting Jamar Chase for sure. Chase Brown and Higgins are more flexish plays than must start plays.

[Heath Cummings]

I. I would start chase Brown over DeAndre Swift and Tony Pollard.

[Adam Azer]

Really?

[Jamie Eisenberg]

I would as well.

[Adam Azer]

Really?

[Jamie Eisenberg]

Well, I mean first off, Denver's run defense has been awful.

[Adam Azer]

Has it been awful? Oh, yeah. Well, no. Oh, yeah. Well, two last two weeks. Yep. Jonathan Taylor and Omarion Hampton tore them apart. But.

[Jamie Eisenberg]

So hopefully this is a get right game for Chase Brown. But there's, I mean there's no. He's not. Not ranked anywhere close to where he was drafted.

[Adam Azer]

For me, at least someone asked in the chat. Chase Brown or Trey Benson?

[Heath Cummings]

Benson.

[Jamie Eisenberg]

Benson. I'd start Scatterboo over Chase Brown this week.

[Heath Cummings]

I would too.

[Adam Azer]

How about David Montgomery or Chase Brown? Montgomery against Cleveland.

[Heath Cummings]

It's Brown for me.

[Adam Azer]

They gave him four or five, five or six targets last week. Whatever it was, they gave him more targets. That was good. Jets at Dolphins. Do we have a potential bonanza here?

[Jamie Eisenberg]

I hope so. I mean there, there's potential for it. You know, it's. It's two bad defenses. It's obviously offenses that have a lot of question marks specifically for the jets who's playing quarterback because we. We'll hopefully get an answer today. I'm surprised there's been nothing on Justin Fields at all.

[Heath Cummings]

So I was thinking about that late last night and I, I think it kind of makes it like they didn't have to do anything. And this is like you'd like them, the Dolphins to have to prepare for both.

[Adam Azer]

Right.

[Heath Cummings]

Or at least a couple.

[Jamie Eisenberg]

Yes. What I'm saying is like there's no other place that gets the coverage that the jets and the Giants do. And you know, on top of the national guys, like there's been nothing on. He's progressing through the concussion protocol or he's gonna take another week. Like it just feels, feel, feels not Fields feels as if the jets almost want to play Tara Taylor one more week.

[Heath Cummings]

The. That. Yeah. I was gonna say the. The beat writers There have been a little busy with Jackson dirt.

[Adam Azer]

The.

[Heath Cummings]

Here, here.

[Jamie Eisenberg]

There's two different.

[Adam Azer]

Yeah, they have different. Different sets. All right, let's move on here. Sorry.

[Heath Cummings]

One. One quick thing. The New York jets have more missed tackles this season than the Buccaneers, Falcons, Lions and Rams combined.

[Jamie Eisenberg]

Wow.

[Adam Azer]

Wow. Great.

[Heath Cummings]

39 missed tackles in three games.

[Adam Azer]

Start HN New Orleans at Buffalo. Alvin Camara or Chris Olave? Who would you prefer?

[Jamie Eisenberg]

Olave.

[Heath Cummings]

Olave. And full ppr.

[Jamie Eisenberg]

Yeah.

[Adam Azer]

Okay. And Tennessee at Houston. Will Tony Pollard finally have a good fantasy game?

[Heath Cummings]

I don't think so.

[Jamie Eisenberg]

He's a flex.

[Adam Azer]

Texans have been okay against running backs. They give up 4.13 yards per carry to running backs. A lot of problems with that Titans offense though. So just one quick thing from yesterday. I wish I had done more research on this, but Khalil Shakir was a wide receiver. I thought of that. Had a high ankle sprain. Happened just this preseason. Came back for week one. Can't really say I have not evaluated any Khalil secure tape, but feel like he's kind of himself. So we were talking about that yesterday and it's hard to recover from. Still hoping that for Lamb it's more of the moderate or less severe high ankle sprain. That was just.

[Jamie Eisenberg]

I made two offers yesterday to try to trade away Lamb. One I rescinded immediately because I didn't love it. After I sent it one I don't think is going to happen, but there is a team that is absolutely loaded in a 12 team league that I'm in and I offered Lamb for JSN and Ken Walker. I'm fully anticipating getting rejected, but at least I made the offer. The other one was for. Same league was for Cortland Sutton, Travion Henderson and Dalton Kincaid. That's the one I rescinded because I was like, it just doesn't feel great.

[Adam Azer]

You would have done that or.

[Jamie Eisenberg]

No, I didn't love it.

[Adam Azer]

Oh yeah. I mean, just. I think if you're desperate, just getting Cortland Sutton for CD Lamb isn't the worst.

[Jamie Eisenberg]

Yeah. So just. Just in.

[Adam Azer]

In getting JSN would be amazing.

[Jamie Eisenberg]

So Justin, I don't need to replace him in that league right away. So that was. Rye was like, I want to see how long he's out. The other one I would do in a heartbeat.

[Heath Cummings]

I put him on the trade block three days ago and I've gotten one offer. It was Quentin Johnston.

[Adam Azer]

It's not that bad of an offer. I mean, make me a counter offer.

[Heath Cummings]

I've sent some other offers out to other people.

[Adam Azer]

All right, that's what we lawyers call a counter offer. Baltimore's at Kansas City. Here's your useless stat of the game with a question mark. Actually I don't think it is the Ravens allow not 3.9 yards per carry to running backs. With Nnamdi Matabuque on the field, that's only 20 carries, 6.2 with him off the field, 50 carries. What I think is more better, I think is better, more helpful is last year they averaged 7/10 of a yard per carry to running backs more with him off the field. So it's a big deal for them. But I don't think that means we can have any confidence in a Chiefs running back. So in this game we're starting Lamar Jackson. Is there any hesitation to start Derek Henry?

[Jamie Eisenberg]

I think the only hesitation would be is if you really love Trey Benson and you really love you have Jordan Mason and like there's like such a very narrow path of, you know, Hampton's on your team as well. Like you know these guys that have the chance to have blow up weeks that are coming out of nowhere essentially, you know, from injury or you know, surprise performances. I don't think you get cute with it. Heath, by the way, since the person that you tried to make your trade Benson, Derek Henry trade with asks every time he gets a trade offer. Yeah, it was and I was very impartial because I'm clearly in the league. I was just trying to answer from a fantasy analyst perspective. I thought it was a very fair deal. And as I said to him, I said you have to just decide do you want the better player for this year or do you want the better.

[Heath Cummings]

Player for long term and he just didn't decide. It's still sitting in his inbox.

[Jamie Eisenberg]

Yes.

[Adam Azer]

All right, so start Derek Henry starter, said Zay Flowers after last week's dud and still I gave this stat in Week 1. But in his career, Zay Flowers has scored 13 or more PPR fantasy points with fewer than seven targets twice in his entire career. Starter sit start Trey Benson or Zay Flowers?

[Heath Cummings]

Flowers.

[Adam Azer]

Flowers in full PPR starters at Mark Andrews by the way, 2024 Mark Andrews in weeks three and four he had a combined zero catches on two targets and then he scored nine and a half or more PPR fantasy points in 11 of his last 13 regular season games. So is he about to do that again? Starter city Andrews against the Chiefs, who currently are good against tight ends but last year were one of the best matchups.

[Jamie Eisenberg]

I think he's A low end starter. We'll find out if likely returns which could make it messy. And again, his track record against this team just has not been great.

[Heath Cummings]

I am not, I don't, I'm not starting him but if like he's a. He's there's from 10 to 15, there's not much distinction.

[Jamie Eisenberg]

I personally would rather start Hawkinson because I think the benefit for Hawkinson despite the fact that the Steelers are getting healthy is Carson Wentz. I would rather start Hunter Henry, who's had a better start to the season is really a go to member of his offense. I'd still rather start Dawan Johnson. Got a question in the chat. I'd rather start Andrews than Ertz for example. So if you've been, you know, going that route, I'd rather have the upside of what Andrews could be. But still like I don't think it's. I can. Kate also personally.

[Adam Azer]

All right, can I jump in there? How many of the guys did you just mention? Would you start over Travis Kelsey?

[Jamie Eisenberg]

Juwan Johnson over Kelsey would probably be the only one. I don't know if I have Henry ranked. I probably would start Henry over him too.

[Heath Cummings]

I have Henry over Kelsey too.

[Adam Azer]

Yeah, Heath has Henry. Heath has Kelsey 12th, Jamie has him eighth. Dave has Kelsey 15th.

[Heath Cummings]

You know, we did just rank Xavier worthy and so it's tough.

[Adam Azer]

Yeah, look, obviously he just hasn't been that good. He had that one broken play against the Chargers where he scored that touchdown on four targets. He's had six and seven targets the last two games. He's had four catches. It gives you a little bit of a floor. It's not like he's going to give you a zero maybe.

[Jamie Eisenberg]

Well, to your point, if they're going to dink and dunk their way down the field, that should help him. And I wonder if the perception is different if he catches the touchdown against the Eagles as opposed to drops it.

[Adam Azer]

I think they're going to take their shots down the field too. I mean it's just what they've done through three games. They do a lot of dinking and dunking and then Mahomes also takes several deep shots. He doesn't really do much intermediate stuff.

[Jamie Eisenberg]

Well, he's. He's smart enough to understand that pass interference helps. So you know they're. They're not afraid to challenge defenses.

[Adam Azer]

Absolutely. But you know, he's got again, he's got the most pass attempts of 20 or more air yards. I think. Yeah, I'm pretty sure this year and maybe the most 30 or more air yards too. I don't remember.

[Heath Cummings]

But I think one of the real keys for Kelsey, for Thornton, maybe even for Marquis Brown if they're going to dink and dunk is this like early in the week we get this report that Xavier Worthy is going to come back in a decoy role. Well, what's the point of a decoy if you're going to leak out that he's going to be in a decoy role?

[Adam Azer]

Right. So how you feeling about what you said you just ranked Xavier Worthy. Where'd you rank him?

[Heath Cummings]

Well, I didn't. He didn't make my top 48 yet.

[Jamie Eisenberg]

Jamie. He's right around wide receiver 30, golden or worthy. It's a great call. Right now I have Worthy higher, but I may need to rethink that.

[Adam Azer]

They're the same picture this just the injury. Right. If we had a fully healthy Worthy, he'd be a slam dunk, right?

[Heath Cummings]

Correct.

[Jamie Eisenberg]

He seems to think he's fine.

[Adam Azer]

Right. He practiced in full. There was a report earlier this week.

[Heath Cummings]

He'S not taking hits in practice. Like are they going to actually subject him to getting hit?

[Jamie Eisenberg]

Very true. He could take one hit to the shoulder and he's out.

[Adam Azer]

Yeah. So there is some risk there. But there's also a lot of upside here with Worthy because if he's healthier than we think, he goes out there and faces this team that's not great on defense, has no pass rush right now. Could be pretty good. Is there any other Chiefs receiver you're interested in starting?

[Jamie Eisenberg]

I would take a flyer on Thornton just because of what he's done the last couple of games. But there's no must start play aside from Worthy in the three receiver league for me.

[Adam Azer]

How are we feeling about Mahomes.

[Jamie Eisenberg]

Low end starter?

[Adam Azer]

All right. You said Geno Smith over him.

[Heath Cummings]

Yep.

[Adam Azer]

Drake May.

[Heath Cummings]

And the other thing about when you look at the quarterback rankings this week, we've not ranked like we may get Justin Fields back today. We may get Jaden Daniels back today.

[Adam Azer]

Are you starting Mariota or Tyrod Taylor or Justin Fields over Mahomes?

[Heath Cummings]

Well, I would start the Commander starter probably over my homes.

[Adam Azer]

Yeah. I didn't ask Daniels because I know you would but. But you'd start Mariota over him.

[Heath Cummings]

You went out McLaurin without McLaurin. Maybe not. Probably not. Not Taylor. Probably Yes, Fields.

[Adam Azer]

All right, so low end started from Homes, flex option for a Chiefs running back. And would it be Kareem Hunt? Is he your highest ranked guy?

[Heath Cummings]

I think I've got Pacheco Just ahead of Hunt. I think Jamie has Hunt just ahead of Pacheco. I really don't even want to flex them. You know, week one, I'd rather start Nick Chubb.

[Adam Azer]

Week one, last year, I know Pacheco didn't have a great rush average against Baltimore because they were a great run defense, but he had 15 carries, 45 yards and a touchdown, two catches for 33 yards.

[Heath Cummings]

That's not like.

[Adam Azer]

I think it's gone, it's done. I'm just. I'm sad about it.

[Heath Cummings]

Okay. You weren't trying to make a point that maybe he's going to get 15 carries in this game because maybe he will. No, but we just have. No.

[Adam Azer]

And.

[Heath Cummings]

And like, I don't think they were very happy with him last week. Mahomes was mad at him over the dumb backward path stuff because Pacheco. I don't know if you've seen the video.

[Adam Azer]

Yeah. Oh, I talked about it yesterday. Or. I think it was one of the weirdest plays I've ever seen. They just. It's like he got knocked out a little bit and didn't know where he was.

[Heath Cummings]

And then really like the other backwards pass where he just throws it forward and ends the play.

[Adam Azer]

Yeah. I don't know.

[Heath Cummings]

I wouldn't play him on a passing down ever again.

[Adam Azer]

Yeah, no, I'm just. I'm reminiscing about the good old days with Isaiah Pacheco. Would you start a DST in this matchup?

[Heath Cummings]

No, I don't really want to.

[Jamie Eisenberg]

I mean, the only. The only thing that was something intriguing, but I think a lot of it was how the game unfolded and it could clearly unfold again. Like, Mark Jackson took seven sacks last week.

[Adam Azer]

Yeah. Most sacks in football through three games. Who's number two? Oh, wait, no, that's not true. He doesn't have the most sacks. He has the highest sack rate.

[Heath Cummings]

Cam Ward is the most.

[Adam Azer]

Cambord is the most.

[Jamie Eisenberg]

Yeah.

[Adam Azer]

Minnesota's at Pittsburgh. This game's amazing.

[Jamie Eisenberg]

Number one pick goes to terrible team and gets sacked a lot. It's crazy.

[Adam Azer]

Yeah, I would. I watched.

[Heath Cummings]

He also like his time to. It's not like he's getting sacked right away. He's holding the ball for a long time.

[Adam Azer]

I tried to watch and see who, if I felt like it was on him or his line. And I'm not really sure. Yes is the answer, probably. Okay, Minnesota's at Pittsburgh. Here we go with. Oh, yeah, I'm sorry. We'll just move on to this game. Minnesota 65 pass attempts in three games fewest in the NFL. They've run the fewest plays in the NFL. I mean they've run 53 fewer plays than Buffalo, Dallas and New Orleans who are all tied for the most. They've had basically a fewer game, one less game than Buffalo, Dallas and New Orleans. Minnesota. Okay, so that's what you need to know about them. Who are the must start guys in this matchup? Minnesota at Pittsburgh.

[Jamie Eisenberg]

Jordan Mason and Justin Jefferson. That's it.

[Adam Azer]

Jordan Mason and Justin Jefferson. All right. Do we have to do any Jordan Mason's ores? It means He's a top 10 guy this week.

[Jamie Eisenberg]

He's right there. I would start him over Derek Henry personally, but that's.

[Heath Cummings]

I would too. And full ppr.

[Jamie Eisenberg]

Yep. Well, I mean even in non they're the same kind of player. It's. Yeah. I don't think you get a ton of receptions for either one.

[Adam Azer]

Right. He only had 22 pass attempts for Wentz last week, I believe and he did not have a single target, Jordan Mason. But he did run most of the routes for the running backs. All right, Jefferson. Yes. We gotta wait and see with Addison. Right?

[Jamie Eisenberg]

I would. Yep.

[Adam Azer]

Addison.

[Heath Cummings]

I mean if they're throwing 22 pass attempts and or 27 even and eight of them are going to Justin Jefferson, like it's just not enough for anybody else.

[Adam Azer]

So you guys differ a little bit on Hawkinson? A little. All right. Jamie's a little more optimistic about Hawkinson. Heath, not so much. Let's just look.

[Heath Cummings]

But again like and I think Jamie probably agrees with this, the difference between tight end 11 and 15 or 16 is probably which of those guys happened to score a touchdown.

[Jamie Eisenberg]

Yes.

[Adam Azer]

Okay, so you'd Fanon. You'd start over Hawkinson Heath?

[Heath Cummings]

I would. And Jamie wouldn't?

[Adam Azer]

Jamie would not. But we would start Juwan Johnson over him.

[Heath Cummings]

Henry for sure.

[Adam Azer]

Henry. Yes.

[Jamie Eisenberg]

Kincaid. Yes.

[Adam Azer]

Andrews or Hawkinson?

[Jamie Eisenberg]

I would go Hawkinson.

[Heath Cummings]

I have Andrews. But they're based. They're a coin flip.

[Adam Azer]

Okay.

[Jamie Eisenberg]

We're gonna sit Aaron Rodgers in in our draftathon league. So Heath, you can go pick him up. I dropped both Hawkinson and Fannin who are my two tight ends for Henry.

[Adam Azer]

There you go. So Jalen Warren has been pretty good so far. 13.9, 17.4, 13.1 fantasy points. Aaron Rodgers is going to keep throwing his running backs. He's been doing that for a long set, many, many years now. So is Jalen. We didn't mention him as a must start. Jamie, how do we feel about Jalen Warren?

[Jamie Eisenberg]

I think he's a number two running back. So I would start him over Javante Williams this week. I would start him over Tony Pollard this week. I would start him over DeAndre Swift this week. I would start him over.

[Adam Azer]

Give me some wide receivers. You start him over Metcalf.

[Jamie Eisenberg]

I've started over Metcalf. I would start him over Jameson Williams, Jerry Jude. I mean, these are guys who've been better than. So that's not probably saying much.

[Adam Azer]

Brian Thomas Jr.

[Jamie Eisenberg]

I start him over Brian Thomas Jr.

[Heath Cummings]

I'm high on Brian Thomas Jr. And I still wouldn't start him over. I think he's a number two anyway. I don't think he's a flex.

[Jamie Eisenberg]

Yeah, I, I think that the case for Jalen Warren is his involvement in the passing game. The negative for Jalen Warren is this defense is fantast, you know, so it's just a tough matchup. And I think if you're, if you've been starting Jalen Warren, you're continue to start Jalen. Like, I have so many Jalen Warren chairs. I'm not even remotely thinking about benching him. Except in our podcast league, which we almost made you a trade off for Adam, by the way, of Jalen. Like, we're sitting Jalen Warren in a 14 team league. Like that's a luxury most people don't have.

[Adam Azer]

But there's Quentin Johnson for Jalen Warren.

[Jamie Eisenberg]

No, we're not gonna do that. We, we debated, we debated offering you jalen Warren for lad McConkey. And Todd and I both came to the conclusion, like, let's just sit on our strength for right now and see if something better presents itself or you get more desperate.

[Adam Azer]

Pretty desperate.

[Jamie Eisenberg]

So in any, in any case, Jalen Warren's been as good as advertised for what the expectations were at this point. So number two, running back, just, that's, I think, the only way to say you could bring up a lot of examples clearly, but he's, he's a good start.

[Adam Azer]

All right, DK Metcalf. So week one was actually his just barely his best game. And he was shadowed by Sauce Gardner. He had 83 yards, 12.3 fantasy points. Week two, Aaron Rodgers had a rough game and he scored 11 fantasy points. DK Metcalf. And then week three scored 12.2 fantasy points. He had 32 yards and a touchdown on four targets only. I mean, terrible game for Rogers. Well, only 23 pass downs, but 139 yards in two of three games. He's been shadowed by Sauce Gardner and Carlton Davis. So you've heard it already. He's a number three wide receiver. DK Metcalfe is not a must start. This team is allowed. I don't really know what to make of it. The Vikings are allowing the fewest fantasy points to wide receivers. I don't know if they're so great on a per target basis, but nobody's getting more than five targets basically or six targets. Except Odunze had nine, Chase had six, Drake London had four. So they're just not getting again 41 wide receiver targets against Minnesota in three games. But you got to be cautious with Metcalf.

[Heath Cummings]

You know, I wonder because so much like the Vikings have good players, obviously I don't want to discredit them, but so much of what they do defensively is Brian Flores just terrorizing quarterbacks with his different blitzes and different alignments. Aaron Rodgers isn't good anymore, but is he, you think, his veteran?

[Adam Azer]

Not really. I know where you're going with this, but he's so immobile that that's my concern.

[Heath Cummings]

Well, but they at least have a better idea what they're doing before the snap than most of the quarterbacks the Vikings have faced.

[Adam Azer]

Yes, and, and his, his M.O.

[Jamie Eisenberg]

Has always been, you know, take the play clock down so he can see what he's gonna, you know, be facing if he can, you know, dissect it before the snap. The, the problem is it's like he doesn't have the assets to help him in that regard like Calvin Austin and, and Roman Wilson and John who Smith at this point in limited use and Pat Fran, like they're not winning a lot of their one on one matchups against Minnesota, at least in my opinion. So. And it's not like DK is, you know, quick twitch guy that's gonna, you know, be free and on, on, you know, a blitz pickup, you know, hot route type situation. Like there's just not a lot to love about what the scenario is for Roger. So yes, he will, he will probably see it. But you know, you're standing in the middle of the road and, and the truck is coming. You can't get out of the way.

[Heath Cummings]

So I was looking, the, the teams that scored, I guess 30 points against the Vikings last year were two Jared Goff games and a Matthew Stafford game.

[Adam Azer]

Yeah, Rogers Schaefers. Give me the stat. Rogers against the Vikings last year in London. 29 of 54 for 244 yards on 54 pass attempts with two touchdowns and three interceptions. It's just not setting up to be a great game for the Steelers passing game. Someone asked me in an email, pick two of three, Devonte Smith, Jalen Waddle and DK Metcalf. I said, you know what? I think I'm sitting Metcalf. And then we just had the consensus rankings up and they are back to back to back with Metcalf last on that list. All right, start the Vikings dst. Would you start the Steelers dst?

[Heath Cummings]

No, they're a low end starter for me, assuming that Porter's back. I don't, I don't believe Carson Wentz is good.

[Adam Azer]

All right, let's take a break. We got Chicago at Las Vegas. When we come back, if you love the NFL and NFL draft, you'll love with the first pick a part of CBS Sports Podcast Network, CBS Sports draft analyst Ryan Wilson and former Titans GM Ran Carthon come to you twice a week to give the front office perspective on the biggest NFL storylines of the day. We also follow the NFL Draft closer than anyone, the weekly updates on our favorite college players, names to know based on your favorite NFL team's needs, and all the mock drafts and big boards you could want. If you love football, you're exactly where you're supposed to be. Download with the first pick and follow on Apple podcasts, Spotify and anywhere podcasts are found. Carolina basketball isn't just a program, it's a legacy. I'm John Henson and we'll be the host of Tar Heel 247, a UNC basketball podcast for fans who bleed Carolina blue. Each week I'll be joined by players, coaches and insiders for real, unfiltered conversations about the team, the tradition, maybe some funny stories and everything in between. No filters, no fluff. Just hoop talk the Tar Heel way. Subscribe now to Tar Heel247@ UNC Basketball.

[Heath Cummings]

Podcast or wherever you get your podcast at.

[Adam Azer]

We're going to have a good time. Let's get ready to go. Chicago and Las Vegas. These two teams have struggled against the past. They're sixth and seventh worst in passing yards per attempt allowed, but the Bears worst touchdown rate in the NFL 8.6%. Vegas middle of the pack. Here's your let's have a little hope stat of the game. Ashton Genti's first three opponents. This is what they're giving up in terms of yards per carry to running backs. 2.6, 4.6, 3.1. It's been a pretty tough schedule, although I think Genti has underperformed that. You know that yards per carry in all three matchups, but the Bears give up 5.34 yards per carry to running back. So let's keep our fingers crossed. You guys have Caleb Williams as QB4. Wow. We don't have to talk about that. He is a must start. DeAndre Swift is what? He's the number two or a flex.

[Heath Cummings]

Right around the line?

[Jamie Eisenberg]

He's a flex for me.

[Heath Cummings]

I think he's 24 or 25.

[Jamie Eisenberg]

I wonder how hurt he is.

[Adam Azer]

He's getting three carries every three catches every game.

[Jamie Eisenberg]

Yeah, sometimes it goes for 45 yards and sometimes it goes for six.

[Adam Azer]

That's true. I don't know. It's. I feel like I want to be optimistic about him. I can't really figure out what the hell is going on here. Maybe he's just not that good. He's averaging three and a half yards per carry. He's had somewhat of it. Look, he's faced Minnesota, Detroit and Dallas. Dallas actually has a very good run defense. So I think it's been a tough, tough slate for him too. Unfortunately, the Raiders have had a good run defense except for that really fluky 60 yard touchdown run from Jeremy McNichols where he was pretty much wrapped up and then he got away from it. Other than that 3.5 yards per carry on every other run to running backs.

[Jamie Eisenberg]

Yep. And Crosby Merrick got a one yard touchdown.

[Adam Azer]

So yeah, you just expect a lot of points in this game or you're hoping for a lot of points anyway. How do you feel about Genty compared to Swift? I know you like him better, but how much better?

[Jamie Eisenberg]

I think this is going to be Genti's breakout game, which is my kind of only hesitation with Geno Smith as the start of the week. But I still think that based on the game flow, those two can both have a big game simultaneously.

[Heath Cummings]

I. I hope it is. He is. He's an RB2 for me, but not somebody I'm considering benching.

[Adam Azer]

Okay, I'll see if I get some Genti. Go ahead and fire away with some questions in the chat. The Bears wide receivers. I assume Romo Dunes is not Even a question. Top 12 do you worry about the fact that odunze has had four touchdowns in three games but only 37? 128, which is great. And 62 yards. Does it feel like it's sustainable for him or is he too touchdown dependent?

[Jamie Eisenberg]

I mean I, I just think the fact that he's the go to guy in Ben Johnson's offense right now. Caleb Williams is playing well. The Raiders secondary stinks. He's been consistent in finding the end zone and there's a receiver problem for fantasy managers right now. Like, I wouldn't overthink it.

[Heath Cummings]

Like, he's currently wide receiver 3 at 29, 20.9 points per game. I don't think that's sustainable. But you don't need that to be a top 12 wide receiver.

[Adam Azer]

D.J. moore or Xavier Worthy more.

[Jamie Eisenberg]

For me, I have worthy ranked higher as of now. More is just so tough to trust. Like the fact that Caleb Williams is playing so well and he's not getting targets.

[Adam Azer]

Yeah. Five to six targets in all three games for D.J. moore scored a touchdown last week to get to 12.8 fantasy points as most of the year. The Raiders, though, they allowed fourth, the fourth most fantasy points to wide receivers. Five wide receivers have scored at least 11.7 PPR fantasy points and none of them had more than eight targets. Some of them had, you know, a lot fewer than that. But yeah, they, they're. They're not. They're. They're not good. So. Great matchup. Would you start tight end in.

[Jamie Eisenberg]

In the Baked Burger Dynasty league? I was so thrilled a few months ago when I looked at my receiving cord and it was T. Higgins and Jameson Williams and DJ Moore and Rashi R.

[Adam Azer]

Yeah, that's how I feel with one of my Dynasty leagues where I have Malik Neighbors And Brian Thomas Jr. Did not win. Yes. Did not win in week three. Tell you, that receiver's been weird, man. I'm assuming we're going to sit the Bears tight ends.

[Jamie Eisenberg]

Yes.

[Heath Cummings]

Yeah.

[Jamie Eisenberg]

All right. I would have interest in Cole Comet in a deeper league if there is no Colston Loveland just because there might be a few more targets coming his way.

[Adam Azer]

All right. Geno Smith right now is 8th for Jamie, 7th for Dave and 9th for Heath. If you missed the conversation on Geno Smith, rewind to the very top of the show. He's the first player we talked about. Bears allowing third most fantasy points to quarterbacks. Let's do some Ashton Genties or do we have. Let's see. Thomas, I guess just throw some questions in the chat and I'll get to them in a little bit. Throw some stars on there and yeah, we'll see if we have any Genti ones. But Hampton or Genti rest of season?

[Jamie Eisenberg]

Hampton.

[Heath Cummings]

I'm still going to go.

[Adam Azer]

Genti Travis ETN or Ashton Genti this week?

[Jamie Eisenberg]

Genti Genti this week.

[Adam Azer]

Reese hall or Ashton Genti?

[Heath Cummings]

Genti.

[Jamie Eisenberg]

Genti.

[Heath Cummings]

They're very close. These are good questions.

[Adam Azer]

Michael Pittman or Genti Gent Hitman and ppr. Hitman is at the Rams. So that's a split there. Split decision. All right, we're going to start Bowers. What do you think about Jacoby Myers? Heath, you still have Myers in your top 12. Jamie's got him 20th.

[Heath Cummings]

Going right back to him.

[Jamie Eisenberg]

I don't have him higher than that.

[Adam Azer]

You had him 20 yesterday. Let me see if that has changed. You have him 20. Okay, Dave 21st. I'll tell you the guys you have in front of Myers. You have Debo Samuel with the assumption that McLaurin's out. Terry Mc. Not Terry McLaurin. Ted Auroa, McMillan, Michael Pittman and Zay Flowers.

[Jamie Eisenberg]

Yep, he's all. He's right in that range.

[Adam Azer]

All right, so starting him and Tucker.

[Jamie Eisenberg]

He is a boom bus. Number three receiver.

[Heath Cummings]

Yep.

[Adam Azer]

Would you start right?

[Heath Cummings]

Not right behind, but in the same right. Right behind Marvin Harrison, basically.

[Adam Azer]

Genti or Benson? We have a question.

[Jamie Eisenberg]

Genti.

[Heath Cummings]

I think I have Benson. Higher.

[Adam Azer]

Tucker or Hunter Henry is a question. I just saw ppr.

[Heath Cummings]

I would go Tucker.

[Jamie Eisenberg]

I would go with Henry in full ppr.

[Adam Azer]

Tucker or let's say Javante Williams. So we don't love this week.

[Heath Cummings]

Javante.

[Jamie Eisenberg]

Genti or Javante?

[Adam Azer]

No, no. Tucker. Trey Tucker or Javante?

[Jamie Eisenberg]

Oh, Javante.

[Adam Azer]

All right, from the chat. Caleb Williams or Justin Herbert?

[Jamie Eisenberg]

I'd go Caleb.

[Heath Cummings]

I have Herbert just ahead. But they love them both.

[Adam Azer]

Caleb or Jaden Daniels?

[Jamie Eisenberg]

That's a great one. I would go Caleb and I have to make that call if he plays.

[Heath Cummings]

We're not even ranking Daniels yet. I've not projected it yet, so I'm just guessing I'll probably have Caleb higher.

[Jamie Eisenberg]

But I think just with the idea of if he plays, he's playing with a knee brace. Probably not going to run as much and may not have McLaren.

[Adam Azer]

So swift or Golden?

[Jamie Eisenberg]

Swift. Swift is definitely safer. But would not surprise me if gold is better.

[Adam Azer]

DJ Moore or Jerry Judy. Half PPR.

[Heath Cummings]

More.

[Jamie Eisenberg]

Good luck, DJ more.

[Adam Azer]

Next game is oh start bar powers and set the DSTs Carolina at New England. Start of the game. Start of the game for Chuba Hubbard here. The yards per carry for lead running backs against New England. Ashton Genti averaged 2 yards per carry. Devon HN 2.7, Jaylen Warren 2.6. Also we'll mention that Chuba Hubbard was wide open for what should have been a 31 yard touchdown. But Bryce Young underthrew him. Pass was incomplete last week.

[Heath Cummings]

He does.

[Adam Azer]

Yeah. He might have been throwing to Te McMillan who is also kind of in the area. It was just a bad throw and stat of the Game number two parentheses. I think this is true. Hunter Henry just had the second best fantasy game of his career. Scored 29 points against Pittsburgh back in 2019. He scored 30 points also against Pittsburgh, but pretty sure that's true. All right. How do you feel about Chuba Hubbard, Bryce Young, you guys, It's a good matchup for Bryce Young. I might DFS him, but you guys are not starting him. He's about 20th. How do you feel about Chuba Hubbard, Heath?

[Heath Cummings]

He is behind DeAndre Swift for me. He's just one spot ahead of Tony Pollard for me. But I, I don't, I don't love him. You might have to start him, but he's more of a high end flex for me.

[Jamie Eisenberg]

I would start him over both those guys.

[Adam Azer]

What's the issue here? Heath?

[Heath Cummings]

I mean, he hasn't been as good as I would like to see. Rico Dowdle's gotten work at the, at the goal line. And this Patriots defense has been good against the run and not good against the pass. Now Christian Gonzalez comes back. I think that if he's back, we might have to put an asterisk next to all of the. This is a great matchup for the passing game stats. And the Patriots defense might just be pretty good.

[Adam Azer]

That's something. Yeah. Would that affect your Tedro McMillan rankings of Christian Gonzalez plays?

[Heath Cummings]

Yes, I kind of already accounted for that a little bit. There was. They did say that the, the plan is for him to play this week. We'll see if he can actually do it. But yeah, he might be a top 12 wide receiver if Gonzalez is ruled out and he's a number two if he's not.

[Jamie Eisenberg]

He's also dealing with this calf injury that we don't know how much can impact him.

[Adam Azer]

And Jamie, if you want to give a word on Chuba Hubbard, because you do have him, I think considerably higher than Heath.

[Jamie Eisenberg]

I think this is rolling the past game. The fact that this game has a chance to get a little high scoring, you know, is, is somewhat encouraging. So Heath is right. He has not been great and he's been saved by his work in the past game, which I do think is something that's a positive and that's not necessarily a negative. But the Rico Dottle stuff is a little concerning. You know, you've seen his workload creep up a little bit. If you remember, we had some of these conversations in the preseason, like, you know, how much would somebody else take away from it? And I kept bringing up post draft, you know, would it be both of Rico Dowdle And Trevor Etienne, you know, could they use both these guys now? ETN's been a non factor and we kind of knew that right away from the preseason when they didn't use him or training camp when his role was sort of defined at that point. But I think in the case of it's not just like he didn't get the touchdown in a blowout situation because it was a blowout. He got it. That that's kind of been his role in terms of RICO data, like he's getting goal line opportunities. So he's just right, you know, he's, he's. I probably haven't ranked a little bit too high. You know, I'm thinking about it like as the show's going on, like Jalen Warren versus Versus Chuba. I have right now Chuba higher. I probably need to reverse that. In PPR.

[Adam Azer]

You have him 16th, Heath has him 24th. I believe Chuba Hubbard is Teddy Roll McMillan a must start. And I just said that you had ranked ahead of Jacoby Myers. Jamie, who we think is a pretty much a must start.

[Jamie Eisenberg]

So yeah, I will lower McMillan if Gonzalez is playing.

[Heath Cummings]

Yes. I think, yeah, there's two things for me. The only way he's gonna like fall out of must start territory is if Christian Gonzalez is back. And he's still limited late in the week with this calf injury.

[Adam Azer]

He's also a little overrated, I think. I mean, I'm pretty excited about what we're seeing just in terms of early career production. But he's scored fewer than 12 PPR fantasy points in two of three games and that's with eight to 10 targets in each game. He hasn't caught a touchdown. I think he's been kind of close.

[Heath Cummings]

But Bryce Young, they have an implied total of 18, so they may not score many times. I mean, there's a. I agree with Jamie. There's a chance this game turns into a high scoring game, but that's not the way that, that Vegas sees it right now.

[Adam Azer]

All right, we're not going to start Hunter Renfro or anyone else. We're not going to start a Carolina tight end. Drake May is pretty much a must start. Drake May or Geno Smith May for me, May just. Jamie's the favorite preseason player versus his start of the week.

[Heath Cummings]

How many years has it been that we really like, didn't think that Carolina's past defense was good?

[Adam Azer]

Oh yeah.

[Heath Cummings]

But they were really good against quarterbacks last year.

[Adam Azer]

It was because their run defense was so bad and teams didn't really throw on them this year? I don't know. Trevor Lawrence has scored 12.12 points, Kyler Murray 16 points, Michael Penix 3.8 points. They allow the fewest fantasy points to quarterbacks. They've allowed the fewest touchdown passes in the NFL and not a rushing touchdown to a quarterback yet.

[Jamie Eisenberg]

So I don't know if May is the outlier to this, but have they faced a good quarterback yet?

[Adam Azer]

Lawrence, Murray, Penix, I mean, May's definitely the best fantasy quarterback from that group.

[Jamie Eisenberg]

I.

[Adam Azer]

Okay, but he's. You know what? May's doing enough good stuff. Just has to stop those turnovers. But two good games rushing the last.

[Jamie Eisenberg]

Two weeks has been amazing.

[Adam Azer]

Yeah.

[Jamie Eisenberg]

Which is what my hope for him was all along, that he would be running.

[Adam Azer]

All right, and the Patriots running backs, Stevenson or Henderson is where for you guys?

[Jamie Eisenberg]

Henderson is just outside the top 24 range, so I think right now he's 29 or 30. Stevenson is not far behind him. Just with the potential of him still getting work. Because as you noted, Adam, I think on Sunday that despite the two fumbles at late in the game, they went back to him.

[Adam Azer]

Yeah. And that's why even if Henderson starts, they say he is starting. I'm not going to fully buy in yet. I, I really.

[Heath Cummings]

Well, if we were fully buying in, we wouldn't even be talking about whether we're going to start him or not.

[Adam Azer]

Well, but let's. Also, he hasn't been that good. He had 14 touches last week against a Steelers defense that was really struggling and he turned it into 7.7-PPR fantasy points with three catches. So that's the other angle of it. He had three cat, three carries for 10 yards. Three carries, whatever. Against the Dolphins.

[Heath Cummings]

I don't.

[Adam Azer]

Yeah, I believe in him. I know we believe in him, but he hasn't done enough yet. Look, it could be a breakout game. It could be on your bench, but we'll take it. We just want some optimism for going forward.

[Jamie Eisenberg]

He's not, you can't, like, I, I mean, I love Heath's optimism of if we get one more beat writer report that he's going, I don't know, all in, but you're gonna, you know, feel a lot.

[Heath Cummings]

Well, no, it's just like the running backs who are directly ahead of him. Like we're talking about Tony Pollard, Chuba Hubbard, DeAndre Swift, Chase Brown, Quinton, Sean Judkins on the Browns. Like, it wouldn't take much to move them up five spots is what I would say.

[Jamie Eisenberg]

Yeah, no, no, that's what I'm saying, like, I. I recognize that and I'm not far behind you, but I do think, like, you should have some trepidation of even that scenario. Like, you know, Judkins is getting work. You know, Pollard is getting work. You know, these guys are going to get touches, and even if the fact that he's the first guy on the field, he may still get a Gibson drive, a Stevenson drive, and if those guys get hot, then he's not coming back in. So that's the. The risk at this point. Like, I think it. I think we're a week away from. He's better than those guys. If he gets 20 touches and not even has, like, a breakout game, but just does enough to say, okay, yeah, he's our guy moving forward.

[Adam Azer]

Sure. Okay. You're not starting a Patriots wide receiver, right.

[Jamie Eisenberg]

You can't.

[Adam Azer]

Yeah. And they did say that someone will.

[Jamie Eisenberg]

Have a good game, but you can't trust.

[Adam Azer]

Mike Vrabel said that they might give Diggs, that Diggs will start to get more snaps. But still Hunter Henry is eighth or ninth, depending on who your rankings you're looking at. So he's a good start this week. Carolina against tight ends, whatever. Kind of, kind of average give up the 8th most points. But. But that's so early. So Henry, we said over Andrews and Kelsey, right? Hawkinson.

[Heath Cummings]

Yes. Yes.

[Jamie Eisenberg]

Yep.

[Adam Azer]

Okay. LaPorta or Henry. Okay. See if I have any questions here. Teterol McMillan or a Mecca Abuka.

[Jamie Eisenberg]

I would plan on a Buka.

[Heath Cummings]

Buka.

[Adam Azer]

I saw one. Ted Roll McMillan or Marvin Harrison Jr. There it is.

[Jamie Eisenberg]

Unless McMillan does not practice today. And I know he said he's going to play, but still, like, you like.

[Adam Azer]

The DSDS in this game?

[Jamie Eisenberg]

No, not really.

[Adam Azer]

All right. Cincinnati at Denver. We're gonna sit Jake Browning. Just, you know, to put things in a little bit of perspective. It was probably the worst game of Jake Browning's career last week. The Vikings have the tendency to do that. I don't think it's going to get any easier this week against Denver, but, you know, it was really. It was hopefully a low point for Jake Browning. Okay. Chase Brown is a number two running back. He's certainly not a must start. He's actually kind of closer to a flex. He did have a nice target bounce back last week with four catches, but, man, he's just been horrible. So I think we've talked about him enough. Jamar Chase. I'm gonna check the updated rankings because this is. Chase is third for Heath, 13th for Jamie, and 12 for Dave. I Am a little stunned by that. Going up to Denver, Jamar Chase is third for you.

[Heath Cummings]

I don't think defenses really matter. Jamar Chase, quarterback, and he's been awesome with Jake Browning for like 80 of their sample together.

[Adam Azer]

I don't really agree with that, unfortunately, because they have three game. Okay. You have to do just the Higgins games. So it's. We're now.

[Heath Cummings]

I haven't taser statted it well.

[Adam Azer]

Yeah, it's a big deal. We're now five games of Browning, Chase and Higgins. And Chase has had two good games, including week two of this season. So I'm still optimistic because I think two years ago, like I keep saying, they threw to Tyler Boyd a lot. They threw to Tanner Hudson.

[Heath Cummings]

Most importantly, Dave and Jamie have him.

[Adam Azer]

Where 12th and 13th. So we'll move on. We'll move on. Starter city. Higgins.

[Heath Cummings]

That's it.

[Jamie Eisenberg]

Starting three receiver leagues sit in two receivers.

[Heath Cummings]

Yeah.

[Adam Azer]

Higgins or Trey Tucker?

[Jamie Eisenberg]

Still Higgins.

[Heath Cummings]

I think I have Higgins one spot higher.

[Adam Azer]

Higgins or Cam Scatter.

[Jamie Eisenberg]

Boo. Scatterbow. Okay, this, this is the trap we fall into too many times in our job. And as fantasy players, you drafted this guy in round two or round three. There's still the upside of him with one big play, had a 42 yard touchdown catch with Jake Browning. And you're looking at Trey Tucker coming off back to back games with eight plus targets taking on the Bears. And so the numbers will tell you it should be Trey Tucker. The player will tell you it should be T. Higgins. What are you going to do? What do you do?

[Adam Azer]

Yeah. Pop quiz, hot shot.

[Jamie Eisenberg]

Yep.

[Adam Azer]

I'd start. I'd start Higgins because if Bowers gets back to being himself, we just don't know when that's going to happen. But he practiced in full. I think that's going to end up being pretty bad news for Trey Tucker. So let's go to the Cincinnati tight ends with Noah Fant dealing with a concussion. Did you guys.

[Jamie Eisenberg]

I will say this though, like, Quentin Johnston is starting over to Higgins.

[Adam Azer]

Yeah. And Keenan Allen. Right.

[Jamie Eisenberg]

Correct.

[Adam Azer]

Any interest in Kasiki if fans out?

[Jamie Eisenberg]

Not really.

[Heath Cummings]

I just hope. Not really. I, I think I gave the stat yesterday, but like a third of Browning's targets this year have gone to tight ends. That needs to stop.

[Adam Azer]

But you said that the Broncos, I mean, look, Tyler Warren, seven targets. Arande Gadsden, seven targets and they get the most tight end targets.

[Heath Cummings]

Last year they had the fifth most tight end targets.

[Jamie Eisenberg]

Last year.

[Adam Azer]

I actually, unfortunately, I think last week they didn't just throw to Gasicki. Or they threw some other tight ends in there too.

[Heath Cummings]

So Drew Sample through the first two weeks had actually played more snaps than fan to Orgasicki.

[Adam Azer]

All right, how do you feel about Bo Nicks this week against the Bengals?

[Heath Cummings]

I think Dave would call it a Jobu game. Yeah, he's ranked 10th or 11th for me.

[Adam Azer]

I think he's sixth for Jamie and Dave. So Bo Nicks is a chart.

[Heath Cummings]

Joe Bow game.

[Jamie Eisenberg]

Love it.

[Adam Azer]

Bo Nixer, Geno Smith, Gino next. Are you starting J.K. dobbins with confidence? We've talked about guys like chase Brown and DeAndre Swift and all these guys we have questions about. Is Dobbins ahead of that group?

[Jamie Eisenberg]

Yes.

[Heath Cummings]

I need to move Dobbins up a little bit. I think I've got him a little bit too low. I did so I'll have him out of Brown. Yes.

[Adam Azer]

Okay. Jamie's got him 17th day 14th and Heath is going to move him up. Do you think he'll be in the top 20 for you?

[Heath Cummings]

Probably like 20 to 22.

[Adam Azer]

All right, Dobbins or Benson?

[Jamie Eisenberg]

Benson I would go Dobbins.

[Adam Azer]

Sid Harvey, start Sutton. Any interest in Franklin or Mims?

[Jamie Eisenberg]

Franklin still over Mims for me, but desperation at best.

[Adam Azer]

And Denver's DST is top two. The jets are at the Dolphins. Miami is 12th in yards per play, but they've run the second fewest plays in football and it's really because of their defense. Their defense can't get off the field. They have the second worst third down defense. They stink. But their offense is, is doing some promising things in this game. Are you going to start the jets quarterback?

[Jamie Eisenberg]

I would feel more confident if it was Fields, but this is again, I think I said it yesterday like there's a group of quarterbacks that have the chance to play well that aren't going to be in a lot of lineups and Torod Taylor is one of them and Fields probably will be as well. But there's again player situation versus guy that could struggle that you always start because he's been your guy or you don't want to make a move. So to Taylor Darnold, trying to think who else is in this category. I put once there, like there's just a handful of quarterbacks here that have a chance to play well.

[Adam Azer]

Okay, but, but like the thing is if Justin Fields were healthy and he were facing the Miami Dolphins, I feel like he'd be a top five quarterback for you guys.

[Heath Cummings]

I think he'll be top 12 for me if he's, if he's at play yeah, I'll probably start him.

[Jamie Eisenberg]

Yes.

[Adam Azer]

As a last check that he was 82 roster Justin Fields. So you might be able to pick him up. Like, I know he's not the most polished quarterback, but he still has huge games, including Week 1 against Pittsburgh jets running backs. It's really just Breeze hall at this point. Breeze hall or J.K. dobbins.

[Jamie Eisenberg]

Oh, all right.

[Adam Azer]

Well, you know, look, if you have a Jet, this is the week to start. If you can't start your jets against the Dolphins, who can you start your jets against? Just the Cowboys. I don't know if they're playing the Cowboys. They're not. Garrett Wilson is a start and jets tight ends or sits, you know, he's like around 15th or so.

[Heath Cummings]

I really want to move him higher if. If I wish some that this line was a little bit higher. It's only like 24 and a half because this one seems like it could be a bonanza. So I. I'd like to get to a little bit higher.

[Adam Azer]

I think the Dolphins win this. I think the Dolphins show up, win this game and everyone's happy.

[Jamie Eisenberg]

They lose on prime time. He might get fired.

[Adam Azer]

Yeah. Start Hn start Tyreek Hill. How do we feel about Jalen Waddle?

[Jamie Eisenberg]

He's a high end, number three receiver.

[Heath Cummings]

I thought I was expecting the. I think Jamie said it three times already and still fits. Set him in two wide receiver leagues. Start him in three.

[Adam Azer]

So kind of interesting with the jets now. Sauce Gardner we haven't had an update on. He's in the concussion protocol, but Calvin Austin scored more fantasy points than DK Metcalf. No Buffalo wide receiver did anything. Ameka Buko was better than Mike Evans. I would imagine Gardner is going to be on Tyreek Hill. I went back and looked at the history of those two guys with Miami. Tyree Kills had two awful games against the jets, but guess who was the quarterback? Skyler Thompson. And then he had nine catches, 102 yards and a touchdown at the jets in 2023 with Tua. But none of that production came against Sauce Gardner, so it does. Does these rankings of Hill and Waddle change based on Gardner's availability?

[Jamie Eisenberg]

I saw he said he was going. That doesn't mean the team will allow him to play. Then you go back in the game.

[Adam Azer]

I'm not sure. I thought he was. Maybe he's not in the protocol. I haven't seen anything on him, so probably he's fine. I guess we'll get more.

[Jamie Eisenberg]

Today everything is just quiet with the Jets. It's crazy I would still. Are you saying start Tyree kill?

[Adam Azer]

I said start Tyree kill. But maybe I shouldn't be so, so cavalier about it. You know, Metcalf struggled against, against what's his name? Gardner. Evans struggled against Gardner. He did have a touchdown but didn't come on sauce Gardner. So I don't know, maybe I'm being. Maybe we need to evaluate this.

[Jamie Eisenberg]

I would still start Tyreek. There's so, so much pre snap motion for him that it's. They'll find ways to get him open. And you said this, he's still getting open. This is not going to be a game where two is under such duress like he has been. He'll be able to have some time to throw the ball.

[Adam Azer]

So he hasn't been. He. He has actually had more time to throw the ball than any year of his career. He's got the highest time to throw of his career. He did get. He was. You're right about last week. He was under duress a lot. The other two weeks, not so much. Hasn't been the issue for him. He's just been really inaccurate. You know what worries me a little bit, guys? Is Darren Waller gonna play? I think Darren Waller is going to play in this game. Yeah. That could be four or five targets that aren't usually going to tight ends.

[Jamie Eisenberg]

You really want to make Darren Waller thing.

[Heath Cummings]

No, I don't.

[Adam Azer]

I don't know why.

[Heath Cummings]

I don't know why Darren Waller can't do a Jonas Smith did last year.

[Adam Azer]

Well, he can't. He could. He did the last time he played with Daniel Jones. He basically did exactly what. What John New Smith did last year.

[Jamie Eisenberg]

My favorite thing ever. I don't think I've ever said. This is whenever Adam's shoulders get high. No, it's not your arms. It's of course. Again, why would he be able to do it?

[Adam Azer]

Of course you could do it like Frank. Frank and Adam. Okay, Frankenstein. All right, so we're not starting a DST in this game. Saints are at the Bills. It's not exactly start them all, sit them all. I mean, in fact, it's not even close to that because I'm assuming you're not going to want to start a Bills wide receiver, right?

[Jamie Eisenberg]

I still prefer Shakira over Coleman, but this could easily be a Coleman breakout game. Kincaid is my favorite pass catcher for Buffalo and it's just, it's just what they are like. You're starting. You're starting Josh Allen and you're starting James Cook with confidence and that's really it?

[Adam Azer]

That's six or seven? Six. Seven. Six. Seven.

[Jamie Eisenberg]

You finally figured out I messed it up.

[Adam Azer]

Damn it. Yeah. Six, seven. Okay. Sorry. You're starting Josh Allen and James Cook and then. Yeah. How about Kincaid or Fannin?

[Jamie Eisenberg]

Kincaid.

[Heath Cummings]

Bannon.

[Adam Azer]

Kincaid or Henry?

[Heath Cummings]

Henry.

[Jamie Eisenberg]

Henry.

[Adam Azer]

Concater Waller. Lol. Just kidding. Concave or Andrews?

[Jamie Eisenberg]

Kincaid.

[Heath Cummings]

Kincaid.

[Adam Azer]

All right. Camara or Chase Brown?

[Jamie Eisenberg]

Come here.

[Heath Cummings]

I have Camara one spot higher.

[Jamie Eisenberg]

Can they just trade him already?

[Adam Azer]

Camara. So the Bills are giving up 5.56 yards per carry to running backs. A lot of that is Derek Henry. He had 18 carries for 169 yards and two touchdowns. HN Average 5 yards per carry. Breeze hall struggled so I don't know how good but remember they don't have Ed Oliver right now. Probably not Matt Milano. We'll see what the injury report is.

[Heath Cummings]

Does he play in the second half?

[Adam Azer]

Yeah, he's got two six and two targets in three games. Alvin Camara. So he's kind of a low end. Number two running back.

[Jamie Eisenberg]

Where do we want to see Camara go? Chiefs.

[Heath Cummings]

Chiefs would be ideal. The hair would fit in the backfield.

[Adam Azer]

We are talking about a running back who hasn't had a 30 yard carry since what, 20, 20 or something like.

[Heath Cummings]

Also fits in the backfield.

[Adam Azer]

Chris Olave is. Whoa. What do you got? You got him 19th in PPR. Heath.

[Heath Cummings]

Well, I was just looking at this and I think like however you want to rank him there should be a big difference between how you rank him and non PPR in full.

[Adam Azer]

Yeah.

[Heath Cummings]

And I think we all have him around 25 to 30 and none he he's getting all the targets we could want. He's probably going to have 10 targets. He's probably going to catch be among the top 10 and catches seven for 50.

[Jamie Eisenberg]

Pencil in. He's the new Wandell Robinson.

[Adam Azer]

He's got a career low in yak. He's averaging 2.1 yak per catch. That's insane. He's going to do better than that but not much better. He's not a great yak guy but he's. But he's got a lower adot this year. I think so he should have more yak. Who's the second best wide receiver in this game?

[Jamie Eisenberg]

The second best wide receiver in this game. I would take Khalil Shakir.

[Heath Cummings]

There is not another wide receiver in this game in my top 48. No Rashid Sheed. I'll take Rashid Sheet. I We are right back like the week one was so awesome for this passing game and the last two games, they've played two basically bad teams and Josh Allen's thrown 25 and 28 pass attempts.

[Jamie Eisenberg]

Right.

[Heath Cummings]

They ran a ton of plays week one because they were chasing the score and running this really fun offense. And they get ahead and it's right back to extremely low play volume. Like it's. They're still the bills and they're 15 and a half point favorites.

[Adam Azer]

Yeah. Okay. And start their DST. Oh, Juwan Johnson is a must.

[Heath Cummings]

What is bigger, the Bill's margin of victory or Josh Allen's passage?

[Adam Azer]

Allen's pass attempts by a nose. Tennessee's at Houston. Stat of the game number one, a reminder for you. Houston traded a 2026 third round pick to move into the fourth round to select Woody Marks and he has played seven, 13 and 30 snaps. Jamie highlighted this on the waiver wire show. He also had two targets in week three after getting one target in the first two games combined. So my point is they obviously invested in this guy. He's 49 rostered. It's probably not going to be that great, but this might be your last chance to get Woody Marks. Bye weeks are coming up. Maybe he's getting a bigger role. Maybe.

[Heath Cummings]

I'm not saying I, I'm excited by Woody Mark's snapshare. The only problem is Nick Chubb has played 50, 53 and 52% of the snaps. His snaps have not been affected by Woody Marks playing more. They just vanquished Damien Pierce. And Dari, I think, is playing a little less.

[Jamie Eisenberg]

Darren Bolly did not play on offense at all last week. And so I think in the case of what you're hoping for for Woody Marks is that he starts to impress in his opportunities.

[Adam Azer]

Right?

[Jamie Eisenberg]

And that cuts into Nick Chubb. Let's face it, Nick Chubb has not been able to stay healthy each of the last two seasons. One devastating the injury and then the broken foot. And so can he hold up behind this offensive line where he's taking a lot of hits and the workload that he's still getting at this point, I think the, the clear problem is, is that Woody Marks is not going to make this a better running situation. He will potentially be better than Nick Chubb in this terrible running situation, which may lead to a flex opportunity. So to your point, Adam, he should be rostered in much more leagues than he is, just with the potential of what he could be. But look, there's no, there's no fixing what the problem is here. It's not a Nick Chubb problem per se. It's just a Houston Texans problem.

[Adam Azer]

So Tennessee at Houston. Who are the must start guys in this game?

[Jamie Eisenberg]

Nico Collins, next game, please.

[Adam Azer]

Who are the sleepers in this game?

[Jamie Eisenberg]

Christian Kirk, I think is. You know, in. In the conversation. I o manners. In this conversation. You can still put Ridley here.

[Adam Azer]

What do you like better? I o Manor or Kirk? And let me give you one stat on Kirk here. He had eight targets in week one. Very encouraging. Four of them came on the last possession of the game. They were in play, in catch up and nearly scored, I think through an interception. But he only had four targets before that drive. So who do you like better? IO Manor. Who leads Tennessee in red zone, green zone and end zone targets Or Christian Kirk?

[Jamie Eisenberg]

IO Manor.

[Adam Azer]

How about Calvin Ridley or Christian Kirk?

[Jamie Eisenberg]

I think I have them back to back with just the still upside of what Ridley could be one spot ahead. Especially with Stingley not expected to play.

[Adam Azer]

Okay. In my one league where I drafted a whole bunch of running backs that I thought were going to be good but are actually terrible. I am still starting Tony Pollard over Pacheco and R.J. harvey. That's an easy call. But Pacheco or even Pollard. Yeah, Pollard or.

[Heath Cummings]

You don't need to do anything.

[Adam Azer]

Pollard or Jameson Williams.

[Jamie Eisenberg]

Pollard.

[Heath Cummings]

Pollard.

[Jamie Eisenberg]

Pollard or Texas run defense has not been great. No.

[Adam Azer]

I feel like it's been one game, though. Am I wrong about that?

[Heath Cummings]

So Kyron Williams had 18 for 66 3.7 yards per carry. Rashad White was really good. Bucky Irving was 4.2 yards per carry. ETN and Basil Tootin were both 3.5 yards per carry last week.

[Adam Azer]

Yeah. Any TN would have been even worse than that. But they let him score.

[Heath Cummings]

Man, I think she's so mad.

[Adam Azer]

No, they 100 let him score. That one. We know for sure.

[Jamie Eisenberg]

We think. We think.

[Adam Azer]

No, they let him score.

[Jamie Eisenberg]

Have they said so? Have you heard one person say it?

[Adam Azer]

The announcer.

[Heath Cummings]

I heard Adams said it. You're so mad about that.

[Adam Azer]

Pollard is. No, I. It was the right move. I was happy about it. It was good. It was good for Nico and Christian. Kirk.

[Jamie Eisenberg]

Chubb score from 30 yards out.

[Adam Azer]

No, it wouldn't have really made sense because they still had the two minute warning and all three of their timeouts, but it was some really poor effort. I. I am. I am not convinced that it didn't happen. Put it that way. Double negative.

[Jamie Eisenberg]

You know how I know you're not convinced? Yeah. Your shoulders stay down.

[Heath Cummings]

Do you think the Giants let Cream Hunt score last week?

[Adam Azer]

I don't think so.

[Jamie Eisenberg]

Okay.

[Adam Azer]

Oh, man. Okay. That's it for today's show.

[Jamie Eisenberg]

I'd like to ask Ali if when you guys get an argument, like when you know you're right, your shoulders probably do this. And then when you know you're wrong, you probably just naturally.

[Adam Azer]

Bro, I cannot remember the last argument I got into with her. It must be nice you learn your lesson 2024, I'd say no, we just never. We average less than one fight per year. Very proud of that.

[Jamie Eisenberg]

Oh, you azer statted that one for sure. What?

[Adam Azer]

No, I did it.

[Jamie Eisenberg]

See, in her mind, it's probably 50.

[Adam Azer]

No, not at all.

[Heath Cummings]

She's like, I can tell you about three fights we've had. She just didn't know.

[Adam Azer]

What did she correct me on yesterday?

[Jamie Eisenberg]

Oh, so correcting you is not an argument.

[Adam Azer]

Something I was doing. Was it with cooking? Oh, yeah. I was a little sloppy with the quesadilla making yesterday. That's about as bad as it gets at my house. You should probably put some cheese on the edge there or something like that. So very lucky. Very lucky man. All right, that's it for today's show. Thank you for watching. Listening, everybody, to this marathon. We will talk to you tomorrow with the NFC home games and good luck with your matchup stuff tonight.

[Jamie Eisenberg]

Paramount podcasts.

[Heath Cummings]

Sunday, you can count on an NFL on CBS doubleheader featuring a matchup between MVPs when Lamar Jackson leads the Ravens on the road against Patrick.

[Adam Azer]

Mahomes and the Chief takes it home for the touchdown.

[Heath Cummings]

CBS Sports will be on site at Arrowhead beginning at noon Eastern with the NFL today. You can always count on Sundays with the NFL on CBS and streaming on Paramount.

[Adam Azer]

Plus.