Week 15 Tough Calls, ATL-TB Preview, Fantasy Feud! (12/10 Fantasy Football Podcast)

Summary

---

Fantasy Football Today: "Week 15 Tough Calls, ATL-TB Preview, Fantasy Feud!"

Release Date: December 10, 2025
Hosts/Analysts: Adam Aizer, Dave Richard, Jamey Eisenberg, Heath Cummings

---

Episode Overview

The FFT crew tackles the most challenging start/sit decisions for Week 15, digs deep into the Atlanta Falcons vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers matchup, and closes things out with a raucous game of Fantasy Feud. With playoffs in full swing, this episode delivers analysis on quarterbacks, running backs, wide receivers, tight ends, DST options, and key injury updates—plus candid, practical advice to help fantasy managers survive the trickiest matchups of the year and set their optimal lineups.

---

Key Topics & Insights

1. Week 15 "Tough Calls" at Quarterback

[05:23 - 13:40]

Quarterbacks Discussed:

• Jacoby Brissett (at HOU)
• Patrick Mahomes (vs. LAC)
• Bo Nix (vs. GB)
• Dak Prescott (vs. MIN)

Main Insights:

• Dak Prescott: Despite Minnesota’s resurgent defense, the group ranks Dak as a consensus top-7 QB (“We might feel a little queasy…but we’re all starting him.” – Heath, 06:16).
• Rest of the Tier:
  • Jamie: Mahomes > Brissett > Nix
  • Dave: Brissett two spots higher than Mahomes, both above Nix
  • No one wants to start Bo Nix unless desperate.
  • Brissett's previously steady production is risky this week: “He has been so awesome...but Houston’s just a different animal right now. They’re destroying offenses.” – Jamey, 09:22.
  • Mahomes’ recent struggles (only one solid outing in the last five); facing an underrated Chargers pass defense. “I am nervous to start Mahomes. I haven’t done the full deep dive yet...but it’s based mostly on track record than anything else at this point.” – Dave, 13:32.
  • Jacoby Brissett is a "sit" for most, with Houston giving up virtually nothing to top QBs this year.

Notable Moment:
The crew debates who would win a 40-yard dash today—Philip Rivers or Adam. Consensus: “I think you would, too.” – Dave, 07:40.

---

2. Running Back Dilemmas

[15:25 - 27:24]

Backs Debated:

• Deandre Swift (vs. CLE)
• Omarion Hampton (at KC)
• Devin Neal (vs. CAR)
• Ashton Gentry (at PHI)

Main Points:

• Gentry is the most divisive—Heath ranks him top 10 in full PPR (due to pass role), while Dave and Jamie keep him around RB20 or below:
  “I just think the pass volume last week had to do with the Broncos. But for PPR, his role is huge.” – Heath, 20:36
  “He’s just in a piss-poor environment. It really sucks to watch.” – Jamey, 17:31

• Deandre Swift: Solid RB2 but capped upside due to RBBC.
  “You just know what you’re getting...If he scores, he’s going to be amazing. If he doesn’t, he’s going to give you somewhere around 10 PPR points.” – Jamey, 25:51

• Hampton and Neal are playable as RB2/flex, but with clear risk: workload questions for Hampton, matchup-driven ceiling for Neal.

---

3. Wide Receiver Surprises & Tough Calls

[28:41 - 37:27]

Key Receivers:

• Rashee Rice, Michael Wilson, Christian Watson, Courtland Sutton, Tetaro McMillan

Major Takeaways:

• Michael Wilson: Top 14 consensus if Marvin Harrison Jr. is out, despite tough matchup. “You can’t sit a guy who’s averaging over 30 fantasy points per game in these exact circumstances.” – Adam, 30:14
• Christian Watson: Massive boom-or-bust, usually just four catches per game but highly efficient when he hits; some hosts feel WR24 is “probably too high.” – Heath, 34:49
• Courtland Sutton: Trending up post-bye, 10 targets last week; still hard to trust due to Sean Payton’s unpredictability.
• Group agrees: Wide receiver tiers fall sharply after the top 12-14, making WR3/Flex a minefield this week.

---

4. Tight Ends and Defense/Special Teams

[37:52 - 42:59]

• Tyler Warren: Start Kincaid, Fannin, Pitts, even Theo Johnson over him.
• DSTs: Denver DST faces the lowest fantasy point offense for DSTs (Green Bay).
  “You can just carry the Broncos—don’t drop the Broncos...But Rams, I don’t want to trust against Detroit.” – Jamey, 41:29

---

5. Deep Dive Preview: Atlanta Falcons at Tampa Bay Buccaneers

[44:35 - 55:48]

Atlanta:

• Bijean Robinson: Automatic start.
• Kyle Pitts: Consensus top-5 TE, even if London is active.
• Everyone else: Ignore.

Tampa Bay:

• “Bucky Irving’s a must-start.” – Jamey, 46:16; Atlanta run D “abysmal lately.”
• Receivers:
  • “Evans is the steadying force...I think he’s going to hit that intermediate area and that’s where you can win against Atlanta.” – Dave, 50:13
  • Evans = high-volume WR3, Abuka = best low-end WR2, Godwin = low-end flex.
  • Injury returns (Worfs, Evans) crucial for Bucs O.
  • “If Mike Evans doesn’t play, then Abuka is a number two, Godwin is a number three.” – Dave, 54:28

Interesting Stat:
“Ten wide receivers have 83 yards or a touchdown against the Falcons in their last seven games.” – Adam, 44:31

---

6. Fantasy Feud!

[59:01 - End]

• The hosts face off in a spirited trivia contest.
• Notable categories and answers:
  RBs with 50+ catches: McCaffrey, Gibbs, Bijan, HN, Chase Brown, Kenneth Gainwell.
  WRs, PPR PPG: JSN, Puka, Rashee Rice, George Pickens, Jamar Chase, Drake London.
  Top 5 Christmas Movies (IMDb, 1980 or later): Home Alone, Die Hard, Elf, Christmas Story, Christmas Vacation.

Memorable Banter:
“I mean, you sucked today, Dave.” – Jamey, 67:26
“He hasn’t seen Gremlins, but he’s watched a documentary about it.” – Jamey, 68:14

---

Notable Quotes by Segment

• On Jacoby Brissett vs. Houston:

  “He’s been heroic for fantasy managers…But Houston’s just a different animal right now.” – Jamey, 09:22

• RB advisory:

  “It’s hard to sit this…because he’s just, he’s done it…But I mean, Houston’s just a different animal right now. Like, they’re destroying offenses.” – Jamey, 10:05

• Deandre Swift talk:

  “I think you just know what you’re getting at this point. So I have Hampton ranked too high…He’s just a number two running back that I think you just know what you’re getting. If he scores, he’s going to be amazing.” – Jamey, 25:51

• On Bucs WRs and Mike Evans:

  “Evans is the steady force...the target share for Evans [was] huge earlier in the year...against zone coverage, that’s a matchup Evans should win.” – Dave, 50:13

---

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Tough Call QBs: 05:23 – 13:40
• Tough Call RBs: 15:25 – 27:24
• WR/Flex Debates: 28:41 – 37:27
• TE/DST Quick Fire: 37:52 – 42:59
• ATL-TB Game Preview: 44:35 – 55:48
• Fantasy Feud: 59:01 – End

---

Tone & Style

The hosts blend in-depth, statistics-driven fantasy analysis with friendly banter, self-deprecation, and spirited debates, offering actionable insights and a fun, engaging vibe for dedicated fantasy football fans.

---

Summary prepared for fantasy managers seeking every edge for Week 15 playoff lineup decisions.

---

Transcript

[A]

As football season winds down, I actually get a little bit more free time. So I started looking into my yearly golf trip destinations. Last year, I did a week in Pinehurst, North Carolina, and while I was gone, my place was just sitting there. So I figured, why not put it on Airbnb. I was already away. The house was empty. Hosting just felt like the practical move. And the extra money offset some of the trip costs, which never hurts when you're traveling for golf. So now as I'm planning this year's trip, hosting on Airbnb is just something I do when I travel. If my home's going to be empty anyways, it might as well work for me. While I'm gone, your home might be worth more than you think. Find out how [e-mail] host hey, Dan.

[B]

Here from Heed the Call.

[C]

You know how in football, timing is everything? You miss your window by a second and the play's already gone. The holidays are the same way. Everything happens fast.

[A]

And if you're not ready, you're scrambling.

[B]

At the last minute.

[C]

That's why Amazon prime is the real MVP this season.

[B]

With Prime's fast free shipping, you can make those last minute calls look effortless. Forgot your secret Santa gift? Need something for that office party? Prime's got your back, helping you go from oh to all set. Faster than a two minute drill.

[C]

Absolutely, Mark.

[B]

Because prime isn't just about getting things fast.

[C]

It's about making sure you never miss your shot. It turns that last minute scramble into a smooth holiday win.

[B]

So this season, remember, Prime's fast delivery has your back during the holidays, especially when it's down to the wire and.

[C]

Can'T wait another minute. Last minute gifts delivered.

[B]

It's on Prime.

[C]

Visit Amazon.comprime to shop now.

[A]

This is Fantasy Football TODAY from CBS Sports. What a play.

[D]

Can you believe this?

[A]

No, I can't. It's time to dominate your fantasy league.

[B]

Off to the races and he stays on his feet.

[D]

This is gonna go the distance.

[A]

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

[B]

Tough calls, tough calls this week, people. We're gonna help you out as we welcome you to Fantasy Football today presented by BetMGM. Make it legendary. Dak Prescott against this red hot Vikings defense. A struggling Patrick Mahomes against the Chargers. Devin Neal in an amazing matchup. How about the. Really? The Packers Broncos game is a little bit difficult. How about some DSTs like the Broncos DS? You know, the Broncos DST is facing a team that gives up the fewest Fantasy points to DSTs so who can you trust this week? We also have a Falcons Bucks preview in depth. This is a game with some tough calls. And which game do you think we're playing today, Dave?

[A]

Richard.

[C]

I hope it's who has More.

[B]

It is not who has More. It is the feud we're playing.

[D]

Yeah, who has More is such a.

Fun little game.

[B]

It is very fun little game.

[D]

I agree.

[B]

That's the right F word to use for who has More. Someone said say in the chat ban ties and who has more, which I think is fair. I'll try my best to ban ties. All right. By the way, if you were gonna go out for a fancy event, would you rather wear a tie or a bow tie?

[D]

Are you horrible, Redenbacher?

[B]

Yeah, I hate bow ties. Bow ties suck.

[A]

I've never. I don't think I've ever worn a bow tie.

[C]

My grandfather exclusively wore bow ties.

[B]

Yeah, this. They suck.

[D]

It's funny you mentioned that because one of my best friends posted a picture on Facebook. He went to some like gala for his job and he's wearing a bow tie and I just sent him a picture of him and. Or I said, you make the popcorn or do you just sell it?

[B]

That's good news. And notes. The Charger signed Philip Rivers to the practice squad. He might play this week at Seattle.

[A]

If he does what the Colts signed Philippers.

[B]

Why did I say the Packers?

[A]

You said the Chargers.

[B]

Why did I say the Char. Oh, because he used to play for the Chargers.

[A]

Yeah, he did.

[B]

I don't even know the mistake I made. Thank you. The Colts signed Philip Rivers to the practice squad and he might play this week at Seattle. And if he is on the practice squad, he can still he doesn't reset his hall of Fame eligibility clock. They sign up to the active roster. It does. DK Metcalf was hospitalized with a stomach issue on Sunday, but he should be ready to go this week. And tight end Darnell Washington's in the concussion protocol. They have Miami on Monday. Still haven't seen an Update on Devon HN, Kate Otten missed practice. Mike Evans, Jalen McMillan, left tackle Tristan Worfs, they were all limited. We might not get Otten, we might get the other guys this week. But we'll see Wednesday practice report will be very, very telling. Bucks guard Ben Bredesen is on IR and Hassan Redick was limited. And in the spirit of bringing the old guys back, Jason Pierre Paul is now on the Bucks practice squad for this Atlanta Tampa Bay game. Drake London missed practice, so still not expecting him and Kyle Pitts was limited, Arizona left tackle Paris Johnson's week to week, and Baltimore running back Keaton Mitchell has a minor knee injury. And that's it for your news and notes. We have a lot of other podcasts for you to check out. CBSSports.com podcast Now's a great time to be listening to FFT Dynasty if you're looking ahead to next year. College football podcasts are great. We got basically any type of sport. We more or less have podcasts for it. Cbsports.com podcast all right, let's start with the tough calls. So you guys gave me some I crowdsourced on Twitter and the four quarterbacks that I thought we'd talk about were Jacoby Brissette at Houston.

Patrick Mahomes against the Chargers, Bo Nix against Green Bay, and Dak Prescott against Minnesota, Brissette at Houston, Mahomes against the Chargers, Knicks against Green Bay, and Prescott against Minnesota. Three of those quarterbacks are at home. Heath, are any of those easy calls?

[A]

I don't know about easy calls because the Vikings defense has been really on fire lately. But we've seen Dak go into some games where the defense has just been dominating quarterbacks and still is a easy start. So as long as CD Lamb is out of the concussion protocol and cleared to play, I'm as you can see here, we all have Dak ranked as a top seven quarterback. We might feel a little queasy about it at some point in that game, but we're all starting him.

[B]

Is he the best one of this group of four?

[D]

Yes.

[B]

Okay, so then Jamie, how do you rank the next three? That would be Bo Nicks against the Packers, Brissette at Houston and Mahomes against the Chargers.

[D]

Mahomes, Brissette Nicks.

Dave I currently have.

[C]

Brissette two spots higher than Mahomes, both.

[A]

Of them ahead of next Heath, same as Jamie.

[B]

Home is Brissette next. Does anybody want to start Bonix?

[A]

Not even a little.

[D]

I mean, he's typically been great at home in his young career, but I think you just look at how they're playing right now and the defense that they're playing with, the passwords that they're playing like don't feel like this is a great spot for him. Wouldn't surprise me if he gets that 18 to 20 point range, but it just feels like it's a tough ask for him to get there right now. So I would rather start Mariota if he plays in place of Jane Daniels, and I'd rather start C.J. stroud with his matchup against Arizona. You know, just two guys that we mentioned on the waiver wire show.

[A]

I agree completely. And we had a tough call from the chat. Who has a faster 40 time, Philip Rivers or Adam? And I think this is today because you're in prime tennis shape and Philip Rivers is coming off of his couch today. If you were to go to Indianapolis's practice and race Philip Rivers, who do you think would win?

[B]

Chargers practice? I honestly think I would win. What do you think?

[D]

I think you would, too.

[A]

I'll take Philip Rivers because while he's ancient in football man years.

[D]

Yeah.

[A]

Like, he's like, what, seven years older than you?

[B]

No, he's only three years older than I am.

[A]

Three years older than you?

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

I don't think you have any chance.

[B]

I think I do. Dave, break the tie.

[C]

Rivers.

[B]

Rivers. Oh, no. Dave, your video is frozen. If you want to hop out and come back in, we'll get. Dave's look good there, though. Oh, you're back.

[A]

He's back.

[D]

All right. You're good.

[B]

We still have time for the fog to creep in. All right, so nobody wants to start Bo Nicks. He's. He's in the 20s in the rankings. How about Mr. Jacoby Brissette? So we talked about him yesterday, but Heath, you weren't on yesterday's show. I did give this stat that the Texans have faced the top three quarterbacks in fantasy this year. Stafford, Allen, Mahomes. I don't think in that order. They have scored a combined 28.2 fantasy points in six point per passing touchdown leagues. That's insane. That's a little bit more than nine points per game for those three quarterbacks. Do you trust Brissette?

[A]

Not I, I don't. And I think this is the toughest call because he has been so awesome. 20 fantasy points, automatic. 23 fantasy points, like 80% of the time. And he's faced some tough defenses. But I just think we have to draw a line between tough defenses and the Houston Texans with what they've done specifically to Mahomes and Josh Allen in the last three weeks. And I just, I, I can't get there with starting Brissette. I. Jamie said he would start Mariota. I would start Mariota over Brissette assuming Daniels is out.

[B]

Would you start Daniels over Brissette if he played?

[D]

Yeah. Yeah. Against the Giants? Yes, probably.

[A]

I, I don't know why they would bring him back after the same arm.

[D]

Yeah.

[B]

All right.

[A]

Like, I think you'd have to have some concern that he would play A quarter and a half and be done.

[B]

Brissette has scored the third most fantasy points of any quarterback against Green Bay, the fourth most against Seattle, the fifth of any quarterback against the Rams. If he were to do that, be somewhere in the three to five, the third to fifth best game against the Texans, that would be around 20 fantasy points there. I think there have been five quarterbacks have scored 20 or more, but only one who scored anything significant. Only one has scored.

[D]

Offensive lines a mess. Like there's, there's a lot of reason to be concerned for this week. Like he's, he's been, he's been heroic for fantasy managers. He absolutely has. Like he's been for a time when Lamar Jackson was struggling and Baker Mayfield's been struggling and you know, Jane Daniels out before Joe Burrow came back. Like he's been, you know, we, we mentioned this yesterday and I'm gonna have a tough call because the, the season long situation is Stafford's the best waiver wire quarterback we have. You can't compare that. But like at a time when we picked up players in the middle of the season, this has been the best waiver wire quarterback for what he's done. Yeah. All right. So like it's, it's hard to sit this, you know, because he's just, he's, he's done it. Like you said, some of the matchups on the road, you know, Seattle, he did it against them. Like he's just been, he's been good. But I mean, Houston's just a different animal right now. Like they're destroying offenses and somebody asked.

[A]

In the chat, does that mean you also sit Michael Wilson? And for me, not at all. Because like a third of Jacoby's passes go to Michael Wilson. And it's easier in full PPR to be a good starter without a good day from your team's offense.

[D]

Right. Brissette can go for 180 passing yards in this game and throw three picks, but he could also have 80 yards and a touchdown to Michael Wilson.

[B]

Yeah, I think we want to know if the Texans can put up points against them. They've scored more than 30 points twice. They've scored 26 or more points four times this year. They faced some, some pretty good defenses. This will be one of the worst defenses they faced this year, but I.

[A]

Think Woody Marks can put up some points. I've used 32 points per game to running backs allowed by the Arizona Cardinals in their last five games.

[D]

Whoa. Whoa.

[B]

That's amazing. Our last one here at the quarterback Position is Mahomes against the Chargers. You've got him. Let's see. Heath, I think the highest at 7, I want to say.

[A]

Yeah, that'll probably come down a little bit. He's going to be in that 11, 12 range.

[B]

All right, so Dave, you're the lowest then at 15th on Patrick Mahomes, who scored 6.3 fantasy points last week and has been 17.1 or fewer in four of his last five games.

[C]

The only time he had a good game was on Thanksgiving against Dallas. And that's one of the easiest matchups in football. I talked about it earlier this week. The Chargers, they've gotten it done one way or another. 19 or fewer fantasy points to 10 of the last 12 quarterbacks that they face. That's a tough matchup. And you even think about Jalen hurts. If you would taken away every turnover that Herz had on Monday night, how many fantasy points would he have had?

[B]

Like 10.

[D]

Yeah.

[C]

And then even if you give him the touchdown that A.J. brown dropped in the end zone, the. The one later in the game, not the one.

[A]

Say which one?

[D]

Right, right.

[C]

The one later in the game. He would have had 17, 18 maybe. So it's it. They do a really good job this, this is a step down in class going from Houston to the Chargers. But I've got the same offensive line concerns that we have with Jacoby Brissette. And, and just like Jacoby Brissette, the way that Mahomes would get it done would be via volume and via rushing perhaps, which is what he did in Week 1 against the Chargers. That's the only game in three against Jim Harbaugh that he's managed to put up north of 17 fantasy points. So I, I am nervous to start Mahomes. I haven't done the full deep dive yet in him versus Brissette. So it's in pencil right now. The Brissette is over Mahomes, but it's based mostly on track record than anything else at this point.

[B]

All right, let's take a look at our running backs here. Before we do that, how about this awesome second chance offer from BetMGM. So let's say you bet on your favorite player to score the first touchdown in the game, but his teammate scores first instead. Well, if this happens, BETMGM wants to give you another chance at the end zone. With BetMGM's second chance promotion, you'll get your stake back if your first touchdown scorer scores second instead of. That's right. Bet on any pro football player to score the first Touchdown of the game. And if you're right, you win. And if your player scores second, you get your stake back in cash. With BetMGM Second Chance offer, you have a chance to keep the fun going after the first player crosses the goal line. So try a first touchdown score wager with confidence today. BetMGM make it legendary. All right, based on your feedback and based on crowdsourcing, who were the running backs that are tough calls? Deandre Swift against Cleveland. Omarion Hampton at Kansas City, Devin Neal against Carolina. Carolina's allowed 72 or more rushing yards to seven running backs in their last six games, including Alvin Camara in Week 10 and Ashton Genty at Philadelphia. Genti coming off a bad game with only 5.8 fantasy points. You know, the, the first two games of Greg Olson as their coordinator. The Raiders have not even run 50 plays yet. They ran like 40, about 48 plays, I think, in both games. So anyway, it's been tough sledding for him, but he's had the catches. Okay, so it's Swift, Hampton. Swift against Cleveland. Hampton at Kansas City. Devon Eel against Carolina. Genti at Philadelphia. Jamie, Anyone in there? Not a tough call. Or do you agree with this list?

[D]

I mean, mostly agree. I, I think, you know, we, we got this question yesterday on CBS Sports Network. Do you play best player or best matchup? And it's such a case by case situation, but I think like in the case of Mahomes and Genti, and you could probably throw Swift in there based on his season.

These guys are hard to bench because you see what they're capable. Like you think about the game two weeks ago for Swift against Philadelphia where it looked like the Eagles were just such a dominant matchup and we didn't know, obviously Jalen Carter was not right. But still, like, it was hard to recommend. It was, it was hard to say. Swift is an easy start, right? So most people probably still started him. But Genti was a first round pick or a high second round pick for many people. Jefferson obviously was a first round pick. Mahomes is, you know, one of the top quarterbacks. And you bench these guys in the playoffs. And now you have eight months, whatever it is, 10 months to think about. This is why I lost my fantasy team, because I played C.J. stroud or I played Devin Neal or I played, I saw Papinski had the question of Darius Slayton or Justin Jefferson. Like, imagine how that goes when it goes wrong in your brain, in your psyche for that, you know, amount of time. So I think in the case of, of I'll just, you know, this Genti's one that stuttered out to me. Like it's, it's awful for him. Like, you know, we've gone from, okay, his talent will win out. Well, okay, that hasn't necessarily materialized because the situation so bad. Well, okay, now he's been involved in the passing game. Well, now that's disappeared the last couple of weeks and you know, now you're talking about a Eagles defense that may have to carry this team to the playoffs because the offense has been struggling so badly. And here comes this team with this terrible offensive line and a backup quarterback potentially. If you don't even consider Dino Smith to be that good of a starter, you know, now you're throwing Kenny Pickett behind this line. So like I feel bad for the Genti managers. I lost my two, two of my, my nine teams that missed the playoffs have Ashton Genti on them. And he's not the only reason why, but he's a big reason why.

[A]

Yeah.

[D]

And so like I'm glad I don't have to make that decision. I, I, you see where I have him ranked. You see, obviously Dave has a similar, you know, feeling about this. Like it's just, it, it's, he's just in a, in such a piss poor environment. It really sucks to watch.

[B]

I just wanted one thing. First of all, Jamie said he missed the playoffs with nine teams. Jamie only played in 10 leagues this year, so. Tough, tough. No. 28. And he actually was only bad in the passing game this past game. It's only been one game. He's had eight targets in three straight games. Only had two catches for eight yards against Denver last week on four targets. Denver, meanwhile, that's like. Denver has not allowed more than 11 receiving yards to a running back in any of their last six games. Holy cow. So that was tough for him. I will get Heath's take as Heath has has Genti ninth. Dave and Jamie have him outside the top 20. But we're going to take a real quick break, come back and talk about Ashton Genti, Deandre Swift, Omarion Hampton and the other guy that I forgot in this group after this. Who?

[D]

Devin Neal.

[B]

Devin Neal after this.

[D]

From holiday parties to festive roasts by the fire, the holidays are full of moments to share a drink with friends and family.

[B]

Being ready for the next morning still matters.

[D]

That's why I have to tell you about this game changing product I use. It's called Pre Alcohol.

[B]

I'll be honest, I'm heading out to.

[D]

A show this weekend in New York City. A lot of money to get there. It's Geese, the most popular band right now on the Internet. And I know it's going to be a heavy drinking weekend.

[B]

I already know.

[D]

So I prepped everything. You know, I got the ticket ready, I got my train ticket. I want to make sure that the day is going to go great. But then I said I forgot the.

[B]

Most important thing and I looked to.

[D]

My cabinet and there it was, the pre alcohol. So I cannot wait to take that before the concert.

[B]

It's going to be a long night, but it's not going to be a.

[D]

Long morning with pre alcohol.

[B]

Make the most of every toast this holiday season.

[D]

Just don't forget to bring pre alcohol along for the ride. Go to zbiotics.com/fft to learn more and get 15% off your first order when you use FFT at checkout.

[C]

There's a reason Chevy trucks are known for their dependability because they show up no matter the weather, push forward no matter the terrain, and deliver. That's why Chevrolet has earned more dependability.

[A]

Awards for trucks than any other brand.

[C]

In 2025, according to J.D. power. Because in every Chevy truck, like every Chevy driver, dependability comes standard. Visit Chevy.com to learn more. Chevrolet received the highest total number of awards among all the trucks in the.

[D]

JD Power 2025 U.S. vehicle Dependability Study.

[C]

Awards based on 2022 models. Newer models may be shown. Visit J for more details. Chevrolet together, let's Drive this episode is.

[D]

Brought to you by State Farm.

[C]

Listening to this podcast Smart move.

[B]

Being financially savvy. Smart move.

[C]

Another smart move having State Farm help.

[B]

You create a competitive price when you choose to bundle home and auto bundling.

[C]

Just another way to save with a personal price plan like a good neighbor.

[B]

State Farm is there. Prices are based on rating plans that vary by state.

[D]

Coverage options are selected by the customer.

[C]

Availability, amount of discounts and savings and.

[B]

Eligibility vary by state. All right, Heath, you can make your case for Ashton Genti.

[A]

Yeah, I think in non PPR I have him ranked very close to where Dave and Jamie do. The split is the biggest amongst any running back who's in the top 24. And I just mostly think the pass volume last week had to do with the Broncos. It's you look at his last four games now he has 28 targets, eight and three of those four and one. So I still have him projected for a pretty enormous role in the passing game. And that makes a very big difference in where you rank a guy in non PPR versus full ppr.

[C]

I don't have a problem with the role. I've got a problem with the efficiency. And he's had 12.1 or fewer full PPR points in three of his last four games. If he does not score, if he does not have two breakaway plays, I'm talking like 15 plus yards, not 50 yards or Tony Pollard type plays from week 14, I think he's going to disappoint you. And so that's what makes me nervous, particularly with the Eagles defense showing us that they can be okay. I mean, obviously the 60 yard play to Vidal on Monday was kind of an accident and I don't know if you can count on that to happen in Genty's favor, but I, I do see Genty as someone that carries a lot of risk.

[A]

I, I do think this, like, just based on the numbers, is Ashton Genti's best matchup in over a month. Yeah, Eagles have not been good against running backs.

[B]

No, they're like 23rd against running backs. They don't have Jalen Carter right now and they give up 4.4 yards per carry to running backs. 4th most receiving yards per game. The running backs, they've been a little better lately.

[D]

Exc.

[B]

That 60 yard catch.

[A]

Well, and Hampton scored on a pass.

[B]

He did. But. But they haven't allowed more than two catches to a running back in three straight games. But for the season they've been a little vulnerable against pass catching running backs. All right, so that's Genti. Would. Would I. Obviously Heath would not. Dave and Jamie, would you start Devon Neil over Genti?

[C]

No.

[D]

No, no.

[B]

Okay. This is tough because Neil getting a ton of work or he did last week. But no, it's two. Two straight weeks with 17 or more touches and Carolina's just awful against running backs right now. So I think it is going to be a tough call. I mean, certainly, certainly belongs on the show. Notes. Would you start him over DeAndre Swift against Cleveland or Hampton at Kansas City?

[A]

Nope.

[D]

Nope.

[C]

Don't have it that way as of now.

[B]

Oh, I, I don't want to start Hampton. I mean.

Dave, how you feeling about Amari and Hampton in Kansas City? Thankfully, I have a buy in my Hampton league, so I. Hopefully he can take over. But he didn't take over last week at all.

[C]

It was his first game back and so he played 31% of the snaps and. And I felt like we got really lucky with the touchdown catch that he had. But he had some decent runs in the beginning of the game and toward the end of the game. And I am, I am hoping that he gets more opportunities this week. It's a tough matchup, man. Kansas City's run defense is definitely good, but I don't, I don't know how the Chargers operate at a normal, in a normal place for them given all the issues they have with their offensive line, with their quarterback, and therefore I think they have to lean on their running backs. I, I feel like. I don't know how you feel about Heath because you watch the Chiefs closer than anybody, but I feel like we've got a low scoring game coming our way.

[A]

Yep. Vegas does, too. Chargers have an implied total of 19, which is part of the reason. And I'll just say, like, I've got.

[C]

That is low.

[A]

I've got him at 25th in the rankings, and this is one of those guys that I moved up from where he was in the projections, thinking that he probably would see an increased role this week. I think the, the big problem is like, it wasn't just pass blocking, but the, the huge split was in routes run. Vidal ran more than half of the team's routes. Yeah. Hampton ran like a fifth of the team's routes.

[C]

Yep.

[A]

And so if, if he's an early downs back only against the Chiefs in a game where they have an implied total of 19, that's a, that's a pre. Recipe. I've still got him ahead of Devin Neal. And I think that to Jamie's point earlier, this is just kind of one of those things where I think Omarion Hampton's a lot better than Devin Neal. And let's. Like, it's not like the Saints are implied to score more than 19 points, but I think this. There's a, there's a big risk.

[B]

Okay.

[A]

Especially. And listen, there's no reason with what the way the Chiefs have played the last month to think this will happen, but if they're playing from behind, it could be really bad for him.

[B]

Jamie, let me get your thoughts on DeAndre Swift, who had 13 carries for 63 yards, three catches for 19 yards, for 11.2 fantasy points at Green Bay. And he gets the Browns this week, who are 12th against running backs. They allow 3.9 yards per carry to running backs, but in their last, I want to say eight games now it's, it's since week four, the Browns are allowing 4.3 yards per carry to running backs. They really haven't been that imposing defense they used to be. But Swift, he can still. He can. I think we've seen in a few games recently he can play well, like at Minnesota, 21 carries for 90 yards last week, 11.2 fantasy points and not have a good fantasy game. It's kind of tough. Your thoughts on Swift?

[D]

Well, I mean like you said, he's come through in some tough matchups. I think the, the workload you kind of know what you're getting because he's going to split with Manangai. He's going to lose touchdown opportunities to Manangai. And so those are things that are, you know, part of the issue here. But we just saw Tony Pollard run through this Browns defense like they weren't even there. And so like knowing how the Bears are are programmed right now where they don't want to put too much on Caleb Williams and against an offense that yes looked amazing last week with Shadur Sanders is still a Browns offense that for the most part a struggle and did struggle in the first two starts with Sanders. So how much of that was just facing the Titans? So assuming the Bears do what they typically do and you asked this question about the Bears dst, I do think the Bears have a good dst. I do think that there's there, there's turnover opportunities for them every time they step on the field. It's just how they play. So they'll probably turn over the Browns a couple of times. There'll probably be some short fields. There'll be some opportunities for Swift. I think you just know what you're getting at this point. So I have Hampton ranked too high. Even though I looked at and saw 16th, that's too high. I think this is a right range. We're all in a similar spot except for Sportsline on, on Swift, you know, right around 20th on average. So he's a, he's just a number two running back that I think you just know what you're getting. If he scores, he's going to be amazing. If he doesn't score, he's going to give you somewhere around 10 PPR points and I think you just get that floor and you're safe with it. He's not an elite running back in this scenario because of a Nonangai. If non guy were to leave the game early, like we probably get a monster game from DeAndre like the Bears just want to run the ball and it's a, it's a great rushing offense since things have sort of clicked for them. So I just think you treat him as a number two running back and don't even think twice.

[A]

To Jamie's point. The Bears had that five game winning streak week nine through 13 and it was right like they're winning and it's right after they changed to the really more run heavy approach. They're averaging 71 offensive plays and 35 rush attempts in those in that five game winning streak. So like yeah, it's probably going to be close to 50, 50 on the rush attempts but it might be 17 for both swift and Mountain Guy.

[B]

It might. Unfortunately it's been like that. That stat of how many running back carries per game has sort of been like who Kamani Vidal fantasy points one week up, one week down. One week up, one week down. It's not, it's not a consistent 35 per game. But, but I, I think in this game you feel like they are in a position to be running the ball a lot against Cleveland, which would be great and they're kicking everyone's ass on the offensive line. I mean they really I think won that battle against the Packers. Didn't really get a big run in that game but a very, very consistent running. All right, let's move on to the wide receivers here. You know what? Wide receiver, wide receiver, tough calls like everyone. So at what point I'll look at the consensus rankings. Jsn, Chase, Puka, St. Brown, Rasheed. Oh, sorry, I thought Dave was interrupting me. Just clearing.

[C]

No, sorry, just coughing. Tried to move the mic away. My apologies.

[B]

That's okay. Rasheed Rice is five. Does anybody consider him a tough fight? Tough call because he actually has not been good in tough in good match in bad matchups. Okay. Chargers are second against wide receivers. CD Lamb or we have him in right now. Nico Collins, George Pickens, Lamb and Pickens against Minnesota, are they tough calls?

[C]

No, as long as they're playing.

[B]

Yeah. AJ Brown, Michael Wilson is. It has got to be a tough call, right? I mean Jamie's 14th, Dave 10th, Heath 5th. Right now on Michael Wilson and I, I still think he's a tough call. They've only been four wide receivers all year, which is done.

[A]

Well I, I understand what you're saying and I under like I maybe I'm a little too high on him. Although his target share and if you see sport, if you're watching and you see the sports line ranked, I think they probably have Marvin Harrison. They do back in until he's ruled out. So that'll be much higher. But everybody can't be a tough call. Like the reason that these guys are ranked in the top 14 is because the guys 15 through 28 are so much worse and much tougher calls. So like I think you just have to start those guys.

[B]

I'm not saying everyone is a tough call. I only read 10 names there, but.

[A]

You read the top 10.

[B]

Yeah, yeah. Those guys aren't tough calls. But Michael Wilson, I feel like, has to be a tough call against Pittsburgh.

[A]

If Marvin Harrison Jr. Is out. No matter how tough the matchup is, you can't sit a guy who's averaging over 30 fantasy points per game in these exact circumstances.

[D]

Well, you know, I think. I mean, I'll speak for myself, you know, ranking him 14th, you know, kind of your process without the projection teeth. Like, I forced him in that spot essentially, because, like, of. Of what the hope is that he still gets that because, like, we're still looking at a guy who has been a monster in three games, and for the most part, the Rams, you could say it's a tough matchup. Like, they've been pretty favorable situation like this. We just watched this team. You know, the Bills game's different because even though Shakir played well, like, they destroyed Josh Allen and they destroyed Rashi Rice, they destroyed Patrick Holmes. Like, they're. They're a destroyer, you know, like, this is what they do. And so, like, how. How good will Wilson be? Because he's been dominating targets. He's been an absolute superstar. Like, we. If you were to say right now, like, reset the season to week one and Marvin Harrison is out for the year, and we get this the first game of the season. Yeah. Spend. I don't know, you know what this is. This was. This was Puka Nakua week one of his rookie season. Like, what we're getting from this.

[C]

Yeah.

[D]

And is it sustainable in this type of matchup? And so I love that you have. Believe me, I have a billion Michael Wilson shares. Like, couldn't be more excited to finish this out. If Marvin Harrison doesn't, you know, play the rest of the season, I hope he does for his health, but obviously, for, you know, Wilson's fantasy managers, you like to see the continued. But, like, this is. This is the test. This is the test. Like, how good is he? Because, I mean, he's. He's been. He's been Marvin Harrison senior. When Marvin Harrison Jr. Is not there.

[B]

Dave, there have been. I'm doing this just, like, on the spot. How many targets you want to give them?

[C]

Wilson for this coming game?

[B]

Yeah.

[C]

Baker's dozen.

[D]

Adam.

[B]

All right, so let's say 10 or more JSN, Puka and Shakir, they had 10 or more targets against Houston. They all had 19 or more fantasy points for Michael Wilson. Mike Evans had 11, and he had 11 targets and he scored 10.6 fantasy points. Parker Washington and Troy Franklin had 10 or 11, and they had terrible games. So that's three out of six who had 10 or more targets, had huge games, and three had pretty bad games. But I think if you got, if you got 10.6 fantasy points from Michael Wilson this week, how would you feel about that?

[C]

I'd be disappointed. That's not what I'm signing up for when I start Michael Wilson. The only point I'd want to add here is the way that Michael Wilson is playing and how he's utilized. This is a big, rangy, physical receiver, kind of like Mike Evans, which kind of scares me a little bit. I'd like to look more at that game that Mike Evans had, but he runs a lot of short and intermediate routes. He's not a downfield guy and he could just turn around, box out the corner and make the catch. And so I think he can do enough of that where he's gaining a lot of receptions between, let's call it 8 and 15 yards and, you know, rack up his way to fantasy points and then throw in a touchdown in there if he can get so fortunate enough to get one against this Houston defense. That's what I'm starting him for. I don't expect Mike Wilson to go and catch a 40 yard bomb on the Texans defense. I don't know if Brissette's gonna have that kind of time to throw downfield and make those kinds of plays. I think this is going to be a dink and dunk offense from Arizona, and the two guys who have been benefiting should continue to benefit.

[B]

Okay, and now all of this, the last five minutes of the show, if Marvin Harrison Jr. Plays, you can just skip through it and I'll just edit it out because it changes everything. All right, the other three guys I wanted to talk about a wide receiver. Christian Watson at Denver, Cortland Sutton in that same game against Green bay, and Tedro McMillan at New Orleans. Heath, how would you rank Christian Watson, Tedro McMillan, Cortland Sutton?

[A]

Oh, very uncertainly is how I would rank them. I. I think all three of them I've got as low end wide receiver twos. Currently I have Tedro McMillan a couple spots ahead of Christian Watson and Watson one spot ahead of Cortland Sutton. I think Watson is probably the most troubling just because, like it's three of the last four weeks now, he scored 18 or more fantasy points with four catches. Exactly.

And generally speaking, guys who catch four passes in a game are not right. Guys, you're super excited to start. Those are your boom bust number three wide receivers. We've just gotten three booms in the last four weeks. Now you're facing the Broncos. I, I've got him at 24 and I feel like that's more too high than too low. But it is. Wide receiver. Not going to start Justin Jefferson over Christian Watson.

[B]

You're not. Okay.

[A]

I'm not.

[B]

Yeah. Jefferson's got that dream matchup against the Cowboys.

[A]

Yeah, I mean, yeah, we've never seen Justin Jefferson against a dream matchup.

[B]

I know, I know.

[A]

He faced the commanders last week.

[B]

Yeah, I know. Watson, Watson, yeah. Four catches. But for his career he averages 17 yards a catch. So if he can do that, then you actually have a 10 point fantasy game there as a floor. But I don't know that I'd make that argument.

[A]

Well, I don't think four catches is the floor because I think at least one of those games. He also had four targets last week.

[D]

Yeah.

[B]

Jamie, what would you say? How would you rank Watson, Tedro, McMillan and Sutton?

[D]

Sutton, McMillan, Watson, Dave Sutton.

[C]

Then a gap and I've got Watson and McMillan back to back.

[B]

Sutton pretty close to having a touchdown last week. He still ended up with a decent game. Six catches, 62 yards, but 10 targets. So kind of encouraging stuff in three straight games. Eight targets, then six targets, but a big game against Washington and then 10 targets last week.

Has is Sutton moving away from this tough call status or still there?

[A]

I do not ever trust Sean Payton and so like we had a month where Troy Franklin was the number one wide receiver on this team and now he's playing behind Pat Bryant. I don't know. I wish I was in Sean Payton's brain and I could see what he thought the way to attack this packers defense was. But if he gets 10 targets, then yeah, he's probably deserves to be in that 15 to 16 range where Dave and Jamie have him. I think that there's a possibility also like I, I believe teams have generally tried to run the ball more against the packers than pass the ball. And if it, it could be a 6 target game for Cortland Sutton, in which case I'm too high on him in 25th.

[B]

Okay.

[D]

You know the thing that's encouraging though? All three of these games post by so what wasn't working before the buy hopefully has been corrected. After the buy, two conversations were had, you know, about getting the ball more two games. So.

[B]

For Sutton, they had a week.

[D]

12 by.

[A]

So one of the games.

[D]

Was before the buy. Yeah.

[B]

Chiefs. Chiefs game by at Washington at Las Vegas. All right, look, wide receivers is going to give you fits. Hopefully you have some ones that you like. Tight end. Real quick, here is Tyler Warren. I didn't have a ton of tight ends on the list, but who are some guys that you would start over? Tyler Warren, Jamie.

[D]

I would start Dalton Kincaid over him this week. I would start Harold Fannin over him this week and I would start Kyle Pitts over him this week.

[B]

Any disagreements there, guys?

[C]

Nope, not for me.

[A]

I'll add one more because I am Mr. Blue. This week. I would start Theo Johnson over.

[C]

I thought you were gonna say Jake Ferguson when you said Blue, but I get it.

[B]

Yeah. Ferguson, I think would be an easy call if Lamb didn't play. If he does play. It's probably not that easy for calls. If Lamb plays, you go in Tyler Warren in a brilliant matchup at Seattle or Ferguson against the Vikings.

[D]

If Lamb does not play.

[B]

If Lamb does play, Lamb does play.

[D]

Then I would go Warren. I'm going to Warren anyway.

[C]

I think I'm gonna go Ferguson anyway.

I think it'll be a high scoring game for the Cowboys and the Vikings. I think they're going to put up points. I don't think there's going to be a lot of great defense throughout the game on either side. And I don't know what to make of this Colts offense.

[D]

Now I'll give you. I'll give you the. Probably the only example that you need. Dave. How bad was Max Brosmer against Seattle?

[C]

Oh, he was absolutely horrible.

[D]

And who had his best game of the season against?

[C]

Was it Hawkinson or Oliver or both?

[D]

It was Hawkinson. Yeah.

[B]

And how. You know, Kirk Cousins was very good and Kyle Pitts had a big game.

[D]

Yeah, I mean, they just. This is the one position that they're. They're Cincinnati Light, you know, it's it. And Warren's clearly more talented than those guys. Like Brett Rippin is gonna probably go out there and throw the ball all over the place. I can't imagine bringing Philip Rivers in to not throw the ball a little bit. If he's going to start, they're going to try and run the ball. But this is going to be a game where they probably get behind early. So I think Warren will still be okay. Like, he's not. Oh, yeah, he's not. He's not as safe as he used to be. But like. Right. I. I feel pretty good about him in this matchup no matter who the quarterback is.

[C]

So I feel exactly the same way. Like, still a top 10 type of tight end. But other tight ends who have emerged recently, some of them have great matchups too. I think you've got to trust them ahead.

[A]

I've got Juwan over him, too.

[B]

Oh, interesting. Yeah.

[C]

Juwan makes me nervous. Kasiki makes me nervous.

Oh, wait, where I'm at with Schultz or likely. I might move likely ahead of Warren. I might move likely ahead of Warren because that's the matchup.

[D]

I have them back to back. Yeah, I think that's how I have it, too. If there. If there was no Andrews, then I feel much better about.

[A]

Like, I'd go Warren because I think there's a chance that it's market like Jamie just said, like, for the last month, if we could just start the Ravens tight end, it'd be fantastic.

[C]

Yeah, I keep thinking both of them could end up doing well.

[D]

Like they could.

[B]

They both did fairly well, I think, in the first matchup two weeks ago.

[D]

Andrews got hot late, and then the Flowers fumble sort of killed any momentum there.

[B]

Okay, let's go to the DSTs real quick. The three that were suggested were New England against Buffalo. I think you can pretty much get away from them. Dave has New England 10th. Jamie and Heath have them way outside the top 12. But Denver against Green Bay packers give up the fewest Fantasy points to DSTs. And the Rams against Detroit. Packers haven't really faced a lot of good DSTs, so they've had sort of an easy schedule in that regard. Denver against good offenses, they were terrible at the Colts, good at the Chargers, good at the Eagles, bad against the Giants, who are like an average offense with Dart. Bad against the Cowboys, good against the Chiefs. So up and down for Denver and.

[D]

Certain missed a couple of those games, too.

[B]

Okay. And the Rams against Detroit, you know, that's a tough one as well. Jamie, what's your DST strategy this week if you have Denver or the Rams?

[D]

I think Dave gave a good outline yesterday about what you do at this point in the season of. You know, you can carry two DSTs if you need to. You could. I'm carrying. In our podcast league, I'm carrying three DSDs with the hope I make it to the championship game. I don't want to give up the Patriots because they play the jets in week 17. So, like, I picked up one for. Give myself an option for next week and then hopefully get to week 17 if. If that happens. But.

You can. You can just carry the Broncos. Don't drop the Broncos. Don't give them to somebody else and pick up the 49ers, pick up the Jaguars. I just think that there's like, I, I'm not going to go to the Cowboys, for example, even though they may be great against JJ McCarthy, as we see McCarthy clearly vomit all over himself. Cover your ears, Thomas. There's there, there's some of those, like borderline ones like the Dolphins have been playing great.

[A]

Yeah.

[D]

You know, I still would probably trust the, I mean, I have ranks. I still would trust the Broncos DST over the Dolphins. So Rams.

[B]

What about the Rams?

[D]

The Rams I don't want to trust against Detroit. You know, when Detroit is on and this is an indoor game that could be the highest scoring game of the week. Wouldn't shock me if, if the Rams stink. And we've seen the Rams stink, you know, I mean this, this defense has been very up and down. They've been much better home. And Jared Goff does not have a great history facing his former teams. Actually played them three times. But I just think there are so many crappy offenses out there like and DSCs that are available, you know, 49ers being the best one and, and Jaguar is not far behind.

[B]

All right, let's take a break. We are going to talk about a game that's full of tough calls. Maybe that's an exaggeration, but it has some tough calls. Atlanta at Tampa Bay. When we come back on fantasy football.

[C]

Today, Tito's handmade vodka is America's favorite.

[D]

Vodka for a reason.

[C]

From the first legal distillery in Texas, Tito's is six times distilled till it's just right and naturally gluten free, making it a high quality spirit that mixes with just about anything from the smoothest martinis to the best bloody Marys. Tito's is known for giving back, teaming up with non profits to serve its communities and do good for dogs. Make your next cocktail with Tito's, distilled and bottled by 5th Generation Inc. Austin, Texas. 40% alcohol by volume. Savor responsibly.

[B]

What's good, y'?

[D]

All?

[B]

It's Vaughn Miller, super bowl mvp, Sagmaster, and now your host of Free Range. This is where NFL meets Real Talk. Every week I'm bringing you inside the game. From locker room stories to league wide headlines. You want football iq, locker room insight and real conversations with the people shaping the league. Welcome to Free Range with Von Miller.

[D]

Where nothing is off limits and every down counts.

[B]

New episodes every Wednesday. Listen and follow Free Range with me, Von Miller, wherever you get. Your podcast Thursday night Football. Nah, nah, nah, nah, nah, nah, nah, nah. Yeah. All right, we've got Atlanta, Tampa Bay, an updated stat of the game. Ten wide receivers have 83 yards or a touchdown against the Falcons in their last seven games. So that's pretty cool. But of course, Bucks wide receivers are not doing that at all. All right, Heath, I'm gonna. I'm gonna start with the Atlanta Falcons for you.

[A]

Okay, good.

[B]

Easy peasy.

[A]

Yeah, I think. I think you should start Bijan Robinson, and I think you should start Kyle Pitts, and I think you should ignore everybody else.

[B]

And Kyle Pitts is top five for everyone. So. Yeah, Pitts or Kelsey, but. Yes, who would you start over pits? So McBride, Bowers.

[D]

Who?

[A]

Harold Bannon.

[C]

Oh, Kittle McBride, Bowers.

[B]

Yeah. And Fannin.

[C]

Yeah, I agree with you, Fanon.

[D]

Jamie Pitts over Fanon for me.

[B]

Okay. But it's basically Kittle McBride, Bowers, and then Pitts comes into the.

[D]

That. That only changes if Drake London plays. Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah.

[B]

It changes in a big way, I assume.

[D]

In terms of fan and yes. In terms of still starting pits. I would still start pits.

[A]

He's been awesome, I believe, against the Buccaneers.

[D]

He has been awesome against the Buccaneers. He's been solid with Kirk Cousins in the four games. Three of the four have been very good. So he was great against the bucks in week one or 12 PPR points against the Bucks. Week one, we'll call it great. But that was with London playing, so I still would start him, but, you know, he's. He's top four for me with Drake. London not there. Okay.

[B]

He has one touchdown this year. Kyle Pitts, he has one end zone target, so that's kind of an issue. But right now, 18 targets in his last two games, very good target share, and he's the guy. Tampa Bay is 14th against tight ends. All right. On the other side of the ball.

Jamie, which. Which Bucks are you confident in starting?

[D]

Oh, boy. Chase McLaughlin. I. I think for Bucky Irving, I'll go right back to him. I know he got a little bit banged up in that game with ankle that took him off the field. And then Sean Tucker kind of got rolling a little bit, and then Bucky had the big run late. But for me, I'm. I'm gonna trust that this is a game where they can lean on in the Falcons. Run defense has been absolutely abysmal lately, so Bucky Irving's a must start. It's really the receivers in Baker, you know, so Baker's track record against Atlanta is enough to buy into the Fact that this may be his first game with his entire, entire receiving core, I think the entire season.

[B]

Yep. All year.

[C]

Yeah.

[D]

Right. So especially McMillan plays. So hopefully that helps. Worf's back helps, Falcons defense against quarterbacks and passing games helps. So there's just a lot of things working in his favor. But Baker just has not been right. So for me, I'm Gonna like, he's 12th. He's right behind my homes. Like, that's kind of where I start to get a little bit like a lot of questions at quarterback. So if I've been starting Baker and getting by with it, like, I'm moderately encouraged for this week. If you have the ability to still pick up Jackson Dart or Brock Purdy, as we talked about on Tuesday, easy change for me, I would, I would pivot to those guys. But I'm not starting Mariota or CJ's job, for example, over Baker Mayfield, Dave.

[B]

Heath, you have any difference of opinion there?

[A]

Not really. I also have Baker 12th as of right now. I think I do have Mariota one spot ahead of Baker, but he is the Most borderline top 12 quarterback there could be.

[D]

And the receivers obviously are tough to trust right now because Abuka's been getting targets but doing nothing with them. And we saw the drop last week, Evans in his first game back. We already know there's been two examples, one good, one bad, of what they thought they were going to do with a guy coming back from extended absence. Chris Godwin barely played, did nothing. Bucky Irving was supposed to not play very much and was still awesome in the 50 of the snaps that he played. So how much does Mike Evans coming back from a pain tolerance situation and a lack of playing time versus, you know, a knee injury or a foot injury, etc, you know, so if he is, if his conditioning is good, he's going to play a lot of snaps. That's the, the, the one area where you have to have a little bit of, you know, question and concern.

I just think like you treat them all as number three receivers, to me it would be still a book of the highest. Then Evans, then Godwin, just with the hope of Evans catching a touchdown and being somewhat successful.

[A]

I, I am too high on Mike Evans right now and I'll lower him a little bit. But I do kind of think with the way Igbuka has played lately and, and particularly the drop issues that almost everyone's had and the fact that Mike Evans had a 30 target share earlier this year when he was playing with Baker Makefield, and that's his guy and he's not like, as Jamie said, he's not coming back from a soft tissue injury. He's not coming back from a high ankle sprain. He's coming back from a broken collarbone, which sucks. I'm sure it hurt really bad, but he should be fine. So I'm, I'm a little more optimistic that Evans really has a high target share. And if you've had a high target share against the Falcons, you've been great lately.

[B]

Dave, I want to get your thoughts on these receivers, but one other factor here is that they did play in week one and AJ Terrell mostly shadowed Mike Evans. I went back and I watched, if not, I think like three quarters of that game and he got open against Terrell. He just didn't really get targeted against Terrell. So there is that factor as well. That could happen and that freed up a Buca to have a good game in Week one. But how do you see the wide receivers playing out? I think Jamie said he'd go Abuka, Evans, Godwin, Heath. How would you rank them?

Heath froze. Or is it me?

[D]

Heathrows.

[B]

Okay, Dave, how would you rank them and how do you see it playing out?

[C]

I. I see a book as the best, but he's a low end number two receiver. Evans, a high end number three receiver. Godwin, somebody I really don't want to trust. Maybe a low influx at best. I think Evans is the steadying force here because he, he touched on this. It really. I was happy that he did the target share for Evans. Huge. When he was playing earlier in the year. The target per route run rate, that's a little bit different than target share. But Evans was the highest there against zone coverage. What did the Falcons do the most? Zone coverage. And I think that that's going to be an easy, reliable, trustworthy receiver that Baker should be on the same page with pretty quickly. Hopefully that, yeah, they've been practicing for more than a week, so hopefully they've got their timing down. I don't expect Evans to dominate on, on downfield throws, but I also don't think he's going to get a bunch of like 3 and 4 yard routes either. I think he's going to hit that intermediate area and that's where you can win against Atlanta. If the Falcons adjust too much to that, that's going to open up a Buka. I. I feel like there's been miscommunications between a Buka and Baker and that's part of the reason why Abuka hasn't been playing well, or at least why he didn't play well last week. I'll call it that. But to me, the whole key to anything on Tampa right now is Tristan Worfs. If he plays that offensive line, should be good enough to give Baker Mayfield all the time he needs to throw accurately downfield. If Worfs doesn't play, then I get a little bit nervous about all these guys. So not the highest of expectations, but I think Evans is is definitely going to be the reason why A Baker has a decent game and B, why a lot of people in the passing game for Tampa can be effective.

[B]

Well, you're not going to start Kate Odd, and that's an easy call. We pretty much are going to start Bucky Irving. I expect Bucky's start percentage to be I start percentage is a little tricky right now because there are so many teams that are eliminated. But in a normal week, I would think It'd be about 90% just given the state of the running back situate position. But I mean, we need to see.

[C]

If he's even on the injury report. If he's not on the injury report, then I think anything that we're talking about from last week' game where we weren't sure how healthy he was, didn't play much of the second quarter, kind of 50. He got banged up in the second half, right? He got banged up. If he's not on the injury report, though, I would expect him to be the lead back for Tampa. And in this matchup against Atlanta, I believe you touched on it, Jamie. Just like they're giving up gobs of.

[B]

Numbers to running backs and wide receivers. I mean, like I said, 10 receivers with 83 yards or a touchdown against the Falcons in their last seven games. Cooper cup just caught a touchdown ad and I Mitchell had 102 yards and a touchdown. Tetarol McMillan scored like 40 points or something like that.

[D]

Right.

[B]

Xavier lee get had 83 yards and a touchdown on eight targets. So this is one of the best matchups for receivers. That's why this is so tough. So let me see what we've got in the chat.

[D]

I have a brutal, brutal decision to make Thursday.

So it's our office league playoffs where we start one wide receiver, one running back and two flexes. And I have Baker keep that in mind. So I have to make a call with Evans Wilson because we don't know if Marvin Harrison will be back.

Devin Neal and Trevion Henderson. So I have to pick three guys from those two players. From those four players.

[B]

I'm a little hesitant with Evans. Honestly. I do think the A.J. terrell factor is real.

[D]

I, I don't disagree with you. But if Harrison plays.

[B]

Yeah, yeah, yeah.

[C]

I want no part of my closets.

[D]

I mean, who would.

[B]

So then you think. I think you have to play Evans because then you could just sit Neil.

[D]

No.

[C]

You or sit Travion.

[D]

No, because I have to play one wide receiver. So it's. I have to play Evans.

[C]

You play Evans receiver.

[D]

I would play Wilson over Neil if Harrison is in.

[B]

Right. That's what I'm saying. So you. No. Not knowing. Not knowing the Michael Wilson, Marvin Harrison situation. You start ev. And then if, and then. Yeah, but that's what I'm leaning.

[D]

It basically comes down to Wilson vs. Neil because I do think Henderson is. I like Anderson better than Neil.

[B]

We've previewed this entire game. Assuming Mike Evans is going to play. If he doesn't play, then Abuka is.

[C]

What, still a number two receiver, Still.

[D]

A high end, number three receiver and.

[B]

Godwin is a number three receiver.

[C]

I have all them.

[D]

It's basically like ibuka's in the mid 20s, Evans is in the high, the low 30s and Evans is like around 36, 37. I mean, I'm sorry, God was around 36.

[B]

Yeah, I, I think he had eight targets last week. He had five targets the week before and he dropped a touchdown. And you know, he ran more routes last week. 86.1% of the. Of the.

[D]

This is going to start to get like how we said the Chargers were early in the season. You know, this, this stretch run for them. We, you know, last year we got lucky because when McMillan got hot, it was God when was off the field. And so, you know, I'm worried the most about a Buka because of what's been happening to him and Bucks, you know, sort of going into a shell a little bit. Do they just try to go back to what's familiar for Baker and Godwin in the slot? Could be awesome. You know, that's where he's had his most success. And so you have a Buka and Evans on the outside and now Godwin becomes just a target hog and closes the season on a tear. It's hard to count on that because we haven't seen it. But again, now you have the trustworthy guys there, plus their high profile rookie who got off to such a hot start. And now it's just been struggling because the target's still been there for book. It's clearly Baker's been trying to get him going. The offense has been trying to get him going.

[B]

It's not just the target. It's these opportunities for huge plays have also been there for Abuka, and it almost feels fluky. It feels like a fluka that they haven't happened. Whether it's been, you know, an overthrow or a drop or whatever. There have been fantasy points that have just been left on the field.

[D]

But what a bad. No, no joke that you just made.

[B]

What did you just say? Did you say it?

[D]

You have to go back and listen. No.

[B]

Okay, I'll let this.

[C]

I believe the word he used was freaking Adam.

[B]

Okay, good. All right, let me read some chat questions here. Pick three. Irving, Henderson, Harvey, Etn Dowdle, full PPR.

Irving.

[D]

It would be Etn, Irving, and Harvey.

[C]

Yeah, that's my three, and probably in.

[D]

That order as well.

[B]

Abuka, McConkey, Fannin. Jeez, there's a lot here. Jalen, Warren, Rico, Dowdle, Devin, Neal. Pick three. Abuka, Makonke, Fannin, Jalen, Warren, Dowdle, Neil. Yikes.

[D]

Man.

[B]

Does a booker make the cut?

[C]

He does for me.

[D]

I'm torn between Abu Ka Makanki.

I'll go Fanon.

[C]

Dowdle and Abuka.

[D]

No, that Dowdle's probably. No, Neil's my least favorite. I go Fanning. And the receivers.

[B]

Cortland Sutton or Chris Godwin?

[D]

Sutton, Sudden.

[B]

Sutton or Abuka? Sutton, Sutton, Sutton or a Buka? If Evans is out. Sutton, Sutton, Sutton, Abuka, Flowers or Tracy? PPR.

[D]

Flowers.

[C]

I have a book of. One spot ahead of flowers.

[B]

A Booker or McConkie. I think we just.

[C]

We did a Booker.

[B]

I'll go Makanka, Evans or Tetero McMillan.

[C]

Agreed.

[B]

Evans, Myers, Wilson. Sit one.

[C]

Ooh.

Wilson. MHJ plays, right?

[B]

Yeah, but we won't know. Oh, we might know. We might know by Thursday.

[D]

I mean, look, if Evan. If. If Harrison misses practice Wednesday and Thursday, then you should feel somewhat confident that he's not going to play like Mrs. Practice. Okay, you get limited, then you got to be worried.

[B]

That was a thorough preview of Atlanta and Tampa Bay.

[C]

It was long. I forgot the theme song.

[B]

Yeah, well, before you get back to the theme song, Heath. Heath had a power outage, so he's coming back now, but.

Oh, damn. What was I going to say? Oh, yes. Remember, remember. Hey, Heath, we did that basically the entire preview and answered those questions, assuming that Evans is going to play. If Evans does not play, it changes things. Check the rankings. And that was Thursday Night Football.

[C]

Na na na na na na na.

[B]

And now it's time to finish the show with the fantasy Feud. All right, who do we want for our first category? Well, the third one is about movies, so I think I'm going to save Heath for that one.

[A]

There you go.

[B]

So first category. Give me Dave. Give me Jamie. All right, the top six answers are on the board. You have to buzz in by saying your name. If you get the number one answer, you choose pass or play. If you don't get the number one answer, the other person has a chance to guess that. All right, top six answers are on the board. I'm looking for running backs with 50 or more catches.

[D]

Jamie.

[B]

Jamie.

[D]

Christian McCaffrey.

[B]

That is correct. He is number one. Pass or play.

[D]

Oh, pass.

[B]

All right, Dave, you get to play running backs with 50 or more catches. The top six answers are on the board. I think the only six answers are on the board. Who are we looking at?

[C]

Jameer Gibbs.

[B]

Gibbs is your number two answer.

[C]

Hey.

Does Genti have 50 catches?

[B]

You want me to tell you?

[C]

Well, I want you to let me know if I'm right or wrong.

[B]

Is that your official guess? Yeah, yeah, yeah. 45.

[C]

Okay.

What about.

Why am I blanking on this? Why am I blanking?

[B]

3.

[C]

John Robinson.

[B]

Robinson is correct.

[C]

He's the number running backs in. In rankings. He is he in there?

[B]

Number three.

[C]

Oh, look at that. And what are you looking for? How many of the top six.

[B]

What was the first one you said?

[C]

I said Gibbs. Okay, then Genti, then than Bijan.

[B]

Right.

[C]

So you've got to be up there.

[B]

You've got the top three. You've got the top four. Now McCaffrey, Bijan, HN. We've got two more running backs with 50 or more catches.

[C]

Oh, Chase Brown has caught a lot of balls as chase Brown at 50 catches.

[B]

My man Chase Brown. Good job. He's number five.

[C]

And now I'm stuck. Jalen Warren.

[B]

Jamie, I'm going to ask you to please not look at the chat or just go to the go to like the private chat or something so people don't spoil it.

[A]

Come on, guys.

[D]

I.

[A]

Somebody just accused me of cheating in the chat. I'm not even playing this game.

[B]

All right, Dave, you have one more guest. Running backs with 50 or more catches.

3, 2, 1.

Jamie has a chance to steal. So far we have McCaffrey, Gibbs, Bijan, Devon, Achan, Chase Brown. And last answer.

[D]

Five seconds, James Cook.

[B]

Oh, James Cook.

[D]

Yeah.

[B]

They sure, Dave? No, James Cook has. How many catches does James Cook have? 29.

[C]

I forget James Cook, he only has 29.

[D]

All right.

[C]

Okay.

[B]

This no one was going to get this Kenneth Gainwell has 50 catches.

[C]

I guess the wrong Steelers running back.

[B]

All right, Dave gets the points in the first round. Second round, give me Dave. Give me Heath. The top six answers are on the board. Very simple. Top six wide receivers and PPR points per game.

[D]

Dave.

[B]

Dave.

Pukinakua is. Let's see what answer is. Why did I guess he's not number one?

[C]

No, but I know who is.

[B]

Okay, Heath, the board is yours. Number two.

[A]

Heath.

[B]

Heath. Jsn JSN Is correct. Pass or play?

[A]

Oh, I mean, I'll play.

[B]

Okay.

[A]

Why not?

[B]

Top six wide receivers, PPR points per game. We have JSN And Puka Nakua. And go ahead.

[A]

Rashi Rice.

[B]

She Rice is number four.

[A]

George Pickens.

[B]

Number five.

[A]

Amanra St. Brown.

[B]

Number eight. Tied for seventh.

[C]

So I have a question. Is there. Is there a limit on how many games played?

[B]

Well, Rashee Rice has played seven games, so I'll just say seven or more games.

[D]

Okay?

[B]

Okay.

[C]

All right, good.

[A]

What numbers do I have, please?

[B]

You have JSN 1, Puka, 2. Rice, 4, Pickens, 5. So we're looking for number three and number six. You have one strike.

[A]

Jamar Chase.

[B]

Correct. Number six.

[A]

Who is number three in fantasy? Points per game.

[B]

No looking.

[A]

I feel like it's somebody who is not playing any longer.

[B]

Two. One. CD Lamp is tied for seventh.

[A]

Tied for seventh. So I need number three or number six.

[B]

Number three. You got number six. It's Jamar Chase. You have.

[C]

We're down to one name, right?

[B]

J. Yeah. JSN Puka, Rice, Pickens, Chase, and who's number three in points per game? In 5, 4, 3, 2, 1.

All right, Dave, you have a chance to steal here and see, because you.

[C]

Said seven games or more, I was debating between two guys that hadn't played a full season. It was Lamb and London. London Heath. Guest Lamb. So I will say London.

[B]

Oh, Dave for the win.

[C]

Oh, it's right.

[B]

It's right.

[C]

Are you about to buzz me?

[D]

Yeah.

[C]

Play the game of the week song.

[A]

So Dave.

[B]

Yeah, this is.

[A]

Jamie won the first one.

[B]

No, no. Dave won the first one.

[A]

So why did Dave play in the second one? How do you determine who plays in the third one now?

[C]

Because the third one triple the points.

[B]

Anyway, you and Jamie play.

[A]

Okay, so Dave can't win.

[B]

You can't win the third one. He already won the first two.

[D]

He.

[A]

But the third one's triple points.

[B]

Are you playing in this one? That it's not.

[A]

It should have been me and Jamie in the second one, and then the two winners Play in the third one.

[B]

All right, it's triple the points. Triple the points. All right, but let's see.

[C]

And I have absolutely no chance.

[B]

All right, here's. Here's how we're gonna do this. Triple the points. But. But usually the. The person who passes. The person who passes gets.

[A]

You are so terrible.

[B]

No, no, no.

[A]

You just sit around before we play a game and think, how can I mess this game up this week?

[B]

I wasn't going to make this triple the points, but you're insisting, so I have a fun wrinkle on this. Okay, it's triple the points, which means David automatically lose. However, the person who passes usually gets one chance to get the answer. Right.

[D]

Right?

[B]

I'm gonna give the person who passes three chances, and if you don't get it on three, then Dave wins this round also. So I'm gonna give Dave an opportunity to win this round even though he's not playing. All right, here we go.

[A]

Why not just give the first passes one chance, and then if they don't get it, give Dave the next chance?

[B]

I like that. Even better. Even better.

[D]

Because.

[B]

No, because.

All right, that sets up Dave for failure, I think. But. All right, fine. Top five answers are on the board, and I want you to listen to the whole thing before you buzz in. Top five Christmas movies according to IMDb. However, I'm going to limit it to 1980 or later. 1980 or later. Top five Christmas movies according to IMDb. Jamie and Heath.

[A]

Go he.

[D]

Heath.

[A]

Home Alone.

[B]

The number one answer, pass or play.

[D]

I'll pass.

[B]

Okay, Jamie and Dave, you got me thinking, too.

[D]

1980.

[B]

1980 or later. So that when you say or later.

[C]

Does that mean 1980 through 20? 25 or 1980? Since the start of.

[B]

I'll tell you the movies that are eliminated. It's a Wonderful Life, A Christmas Carol, and Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer would have been on here, but. But I'm going 1980 or more recent than that.

[A]

Sorry, there's only. There's only one answer you can give here, Jamie.

[D]

Christmas Story.

[B]

The Christmas Story is on there. Yeah.

[A]

That was not the one.

[B]

Number three.

[D]

Die Hard, Die Hards.

[B]

Number two.

[A]

There we go.

[B]

I'm sorry, Chris. I was. Christmas Story is number five, not number three.

[D]

How many are there?

[B]

Five. Home Alone, one. Die Hard, two. And A Christmas Story is three.

[D]

Elf.

[B]

Elf is four.

[D]

Christmas Vacation.

[B]

Oh, a clean sweep for Jamie. This is an easy category, actually. Congratulations, Jamie Eisenberg. You won. You tripled the points.

[A]

I mean, you sucked today, Dave.

[D]

I was. I was destined to name all the Christmas movies from 1989.

[B]

Gremlins was also on the list. And I was like, is that really? I don't remember. I haven't seen Gremlins in so long.

[A]

It's 100% a Christmas.

[D]

Okay.

[B]

Is it good? I feel like it's not good.

[A]

Very good.

[D]

Not good.

[B]

All right, well, that's Janice.

[D]

Gremlins.

[B]

Dad, Dan has never heard of Gremlins.

[A]

Have you seen Gremlins, Adam?

[B]

Yeah, I've seen Gremlins. I've seen Gremlins too. I just. I don't know. I'm gonna see if I can text Dan real quick and see if he's even heard of it.

[D]

Of course I've seen Grandma's. Grandma's Great.

[B]

There's no. Oh, seen it. Are you kidding? He's never seen Rocky. You think he's seen Gremlins?

[D]

He's watched.

[B]

Have he's heard of the movie Gremlins?

Okay, let's see if he responds in the next 15 seconds while we do our sign off here. What'd you say, Jamie?

[D]

He hasn't seen Gremlins, but he's watched a documentary about it.

[B]

He watched the Gremlins series, all four seasons of it. He binged. All right. Trying to kill time to see if Dan responds, but he has silenced his notifications, so I'm not optimistic. Listen, I got to promote something. We have such a hilarious follow up to a fantasy Cops from last week that you're gonna have to wait for the mailbag for. You'll enjoy it. We got AFC home games tomorrow, NFC home games Friday. And have a wonderful Wednesday, everybody. We will talk to you later on Fantasy football today. And still nothing from Fantasia.

[D]

Paramount Pine.

[C]

If you're an H VAC technician and a call comes in, Grainger knows that you need a partner that helps you find the right product fast and hassle free. And you know that when the first problem of the day is a clanking blower motor, there's no need to break a sweat. With Grainger's easy to use website and product details, you're confident you'll soon have everything humming right along. Call 1-800-GRAINGER Click grainger.com or just stop by Granger for the ones who get it done.