Week 16 Tough Calls, DEN-LAC Preview, Fantasy Cops, Michael Penix! (12/18 Fantasy Football Podcast)

Summary

Fantasy Football Today - Week 16: Tough Calls, DEN-LAC Preview, Fantasy Cops, Michael Penix! (Released December 18, 2024)

In this action-packed Week 16 episode of Fantasy Football Today, host Adam Aizer teams up with analysts Dave Richard, Jamie Eisenberg, and Heath Cummings to navigate the wild landscape of fantasy football. From quarterback shake-ups to crucial player decisions and game previews, this episode is a treasure trove for fantasy enthusiasts aiming to secure their league dominance.

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1. Week 16 Tough Calls

As the fantasy season nears its climax, making the right player decisions becomes paramount. The hosts delve deep into the most challenging roster decisions for Week 16, focusing on key positions and players under scrutiny.

Quarterback Quandaries: Michael Penix faces the spotlight as he steps in for Mason Rudolph. The uncertainty surrounding Tennessee's starting quarterback situation—whether it’s Dorian Thompson Robinson or a return of Aiden O'Connell—raises pivotal questions for fantasy managers.

Jamie Eisenberg [04:07]: "It's entirely game script dependent because Madison's the rushing back... If Jacksonville plays with the lead, then Abdul is a low end RB2."

Running Back Riddles: Decisions around players like Braylon Allen and Tony Pollard are dissected, especially with injury concerns and fluctuating playtime.

Dave Richard [30:30]: "Pollard's still in number two running back. If he practices in full, similar, I agree with Heath."

Wide Receiver Worries: With Jerry Judy grappling with quarterback inconsistencies, managers are left pondering his reliability.

Jamie Eisenberg [35:30]: "He's a borderline number two receiver. There's a lot of things that could impact Jerry Judy."

2. DEN vs. LAC Game Preview

The showdown between the Denver Broncos and the Los Angeles Chargers is spotlighted as a must-watch for both fans and fantasy players. The hosts analyze defensive matchups, player performances, and potential fantasy points.

Defensive Dynamics: Dave expresses admiration for Denver's defensive prowess, particularly highlighting Nick Bosa's outstanding performance.

Dave Richard [52:47]: "Nick Bosa has been playing out of his mind. He's making a late push for Defensive Player of the Year."

Offensive Insights: Boasting inconsistent performances, Justin Herbert’s reliability against Denver's defense is questioned, while Lance McConkey and Cortland Sutton emerge as exciting starts in the Chargers' lineup.

Jamie Eisenberg [45:00]: "Quentin Johnston is the quintessential boom bust flex. Stone Smart is a mid tight end."

3. Fantasy Cops Segment

Listeners contribute their league dilemmas, seeking expert advice from the hosts. This week's highlights include:

Waiver Wire Woes: Jake recounts his experience with a waiver wire snafu involving a last-minute player drop that cost him a matchup.

Adam Aizer [55:47]: "I lambasted Jake, but he's now heading to the Championship of our league. Tully's revenge is real."

League Management Mishaps: A unique scenario unfolds with a manager controlling two teams—a conflict of interest that raises ethical questions.

Jamie Eisenberg [60:07]: "If the other teams know you're managing two teams, it’s definitely shady."

4. Spotlight on Michael Penix

A significant portion of the episode is dedicated to rookie quarterback Michael Penix, whose performance has become a hot topic among fantasy managers.

Performance Analysis: The hosts debate Penix's potential compared to established quarterbacks, weighing his aggressive playstyle against his lack of consistency.

Jamie Eisenberg [08:58]: "Expecting Michael Penix to be better than Caleb Williams in his first start is a lot."

Fantasy Impact: Penix's ability to exceed six yards per attempt is scrutinized, with Dave voicing cautious optimism.

Dave Richard [10:18]: "Michael Penix is an aggressive downfield thrower with a strong arm, but can he sustain it against the Giants?"

5. Player Rankings and Recommendations

Throughout the episode, the hosts provide updated player rankings, emphasizing must-starts and questionable picks based on recent performances and upcoming matchups.

Running Backs: Jerome Ford and Tony Pollard are highlighted as reliable options, while Breeze Hall's inconsistent touches make him a risky start.

Jamie Eisenberg [29:32]: "If Breeze Hall doesn't practice, I'm starting Madison over him."

Wide Receivers: Juwaun Jennings and Tyreek Hill are discussed, with Kendrick Allen and Mike Evans also under evaluation for their potential upside.

Adam Aizer [40:41]: "Juwann Jennings is a safer play in full PPR leagues compared to Tyreek Hill this week."

Tight Ends: Stone Smart emerges as a viable start over other mid-tier tight ends like Brenton Strange, despite the volatility of his targets.

Jamie Eisenberg [51:38]: "I would start Stone Smart over Kyle Pitts."

6. Final Thoughts and Strategic Moves

As the episode wraps up, the hosts encourage listeners to fine-tune their rosters, emphasizing the importance of staying informed and adaptable in the final stretch of the fantasy season.

Adam Aizer [65:00]: "Trust Jennings and Hubbard. I agree, too."

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Key Takeaways:

• Quarterback Decisions: With multiple starters on the hot seat, assessing matchups and recent performances is crucial.
• Reliable Running Backs: Prioritize players with consistent touches and minimal injury concerns.
• Wide Receiver Selection: Balance high-upside players with steady performers to maximize weekly points.
• Game Previews: Understanding defensive strengths and offensive strategies of upcoming matchups can inform starting decisions.
• Ethical League Management: Transparency and fairness are essential to maintaining league integrity.

This Week 16 episode of Fantasy Football Today equips fantasy managers with the insights and strategies needed to navigate the closing weeks of the season. Whether you're grappling with tough player choices or strategizing for pivotal matchups, Adam and his team provide the expertise to help you clinch those elusive winning points.

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Notable Quotes:

• Jamie Eisenberg [04:07]: "It's entirely game script dependent because Madison's the rushing back... If Jacksonville plays with the lead, then Abdul is a low end RB2."
• Dave Richard [30:30]: "Pollard's still in number two running back. If he practices in full, similar, I agree with Heath."
• Jamie Eisenberg [35:30]: "He's a borderline number two receiver. There's a lot of things that could impact Jerry Judy."
• Dave Richard [52:47]: "Nick Bosa has been playing out of his mind. He's making a late push for Defensive Player of the Year."
• Jamie Eisenberg [60:07]: "If the other teams know you're managing two teams, it’s definitely shady."

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Stay tuned for more expert analysis and advice on Fantasy Football Today, your ultimate resource to dominate your league and earn those coveted bragging rights!

Transcript

[Adam]

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[Dave]

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[Adam]

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[Heath]

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[Jamie]

Fantasy Football TODAY from CBS Sports.

[Adam]

Wanna play? Can you believe this? No, I can't.

[Jamie]

It's time to dominate your fantasy league.

[Adam]

Off to the races and he stays on his feet. Chris is gonna go the distance.

[Jamie]

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

[Adam]

New quarterbacks everywhere. Welcome to Fantasy Football Today presented by BETM GM the sportsbook born in Vegas. It is Wednesday. It is week 16, and there are changes in the air. Michael Pennix taking over Mason Rudolph. Well, actually, have they declared A starter for Tennessee or they just said it's not going to be Will Levis. It's gonna be Mesa, Rudolph, Dorian Thompson, Robinson and hopefully Aiden O'Connell back this week. Maybe even Patrick Mahomes will update you on all the quarterback news. We'll give you some tough calls. How about Brock Purdy and Tuatanga Vaila in that game facing each other? How about Bree hall coming off a nine carry game where he played less than half the snaps. Can we trust him against the Rams this week? How about Darnell Mooney? How about Jerry Judy with new quarterbacks? How about Heath Cummings?

[Dave]

How we doing?

[Adam]

Heath Cummings, I know you have some mystery tough calls that I'm excited to get to today.

[Jamie]

Yes. And this was not a bit. It was just Heath forgetting to hit send after he put names in the text chat. So now you don't know who they are. It's going to be fantastic.

[Adam]

I'm gonna. All right, I'm gonna guess.

[Jamie]

Okay. I've got one quarterback, two wide receivers, two running backs, one tight end.

[Adam]

We can make this a group effort. I think Kyler Murray is your tough.

[Jamie]

Call quarterback nailed it.

[Adam]

Two running backs you said?

[Jamie]

Yes.

[TBD]

Garendo.

[Jamie]

No.

[Adam]

Tyrone Tracy Jr. No. Dave, your turn.

[TBD]

Ryan Robinson.

[Jamie]

They are on the same team.

[TBD]

Rashad White and Bucky Irving.

[Jamie]

No.

[Adam]

Oh, oh. Madison and Abdullah.

[Jamie]

Madison and Abdullah.

[Adam]

Okay, that's a tough call.

[Jamie]

Yeah, it's a tough call. Maybe the best matchup in fantasy and it's entirely game script dependent because Madison's the rushing back. Jacksonville's been bad against both.

[Adam]

If the.

[Jamie]

We don't have any idea who's going to be ahead in this game. If the Raiders are ahead, then I think Madison's probably a low end RB2. If Jacksonville plays with the lead then Abdul is a low end RB2.

[Adam]

Raiders are winning this week. My Raiders are going to win this week. Your tough call wide receivers are. Juwan Jennings.

[Jamie]

Nope.

[Adam]

Obviously your tough call wide receiver is then Devonte Smith.

[Jamie]

He is a tough call but that was not the name. No.

[Dave]

Keenan Allen.

[Adam]

Adam Thielen. Okay, you know we'll find out later. Let's go through the news and notes. We also have the fantasy cops today and we are taking a look at Thursday night's game previewing. Denver and the Chargers. How many people can we trust in that game? All right, so Jamie, Dorian Thompson. Robinson's gonna start.

[Dave]

I can't believe we're starting with Dorian Thompson.

[Adam]

Mason Rudolph's going to start. Michael. Can't believe we're starting with. Did anyone get did any receiver. Which receivers are getting the biggest boost this week from quarterback changes?

[TBD]

Biggest boost N A no one really got a big boost. I think just more confidence in, you know, some of these guys, you know, so a little bit more confident in Calvin Ridley, a little bit more confident in Drake London, a little bit more confident if any in Kyle Pittsburgh it's more concern and well, it's definitely more confidence in, in the Raiders guys. If O'Connell plays that's, that's a big plus. And then the, the Chiefs guys too. If mom's place.

[Dave]

How do you not throw in Mooney with the, with the Falcons guys?

[Jamie]

I I'm sorry but like Michael Penix is a rookie quarterback making his very first start. I do not think he's. I don't think he's necessarily a guaranteed upgrade over anybody.

[Dave]

Over Kirk Cousins. Based on what we've seen from Cousins over the last three weeks. One touchdown, seven interceptions.

[TBD]

He. He may. He may be. He. He may. He certainly is going to have some, some more zip on his throats because Cousins looks like he lost it. But is he going to be accurate? And the other part of this for this week alone, how much will they want him to throw, allow him to throw, need to throw and, and that's the thing that is is more concerning. So I think again like it the, the leagues where I have London, I was never benching him, but I feel a little bit better about maybe some of the opportunities that he'll get from a quarterback that will give him some chances. Maybe a few yards down the field there may be some life for Pitts. Nobody's starting him but there, you know, this is just one you want to see because this is the future, you know. So you want to see Pitts, you know, maybe finish the season strong and get targeted and get opportunities in the, in the Titan situation, you know, hopefully no the hopefully less turnovers, you know, so Ridley gets more chances, Nick Westbrook, Akini gets more chances. I mean what we saw from him last week from Rudolph was a lot to the tight end and a lot to the running back. But you know, is that something that's sustainable? So you know, there's just a lot of variables here with all these situations that it. There's. That's why like nothing no one really flew up or flew down flew up the rankings for me. The Browns guys make me. I'm terrified.

[Jamie]

So maybe I should clarify. I think if you're just looking at like and Drake London was good last week, but if you're just looking at London's points per game over the last three weeks, then maybe it's an upgrade. If you're looking at London's points per game for the season, then it's definitely a downgrade is how I would view it. Like I, he moved down a little bit in my projections just because of what Jamie said. Like the uncertainty about how much he will throw and the fact that like as bad as Kirk Cousins has been the last few weeks, it's been 6.6, 9.3, 6.3 yards per attempt. If a rookie quarterback comes in is better than 6.6 yards per attempt, we get pretty excited.

[Dave]

That's what's going to happen.

[Jamie]

I would expect Michael Phoenix is around 6.

[Dave]

No, he's, he's an aggressive downfield throw. This is what he was in college and remember, well you can be an.

[Jamie]

Aggressive downfield thrower like and still have a low yards per attempt because you're, because you missed.

[Dave]

Sure. But I don't want to say that he's like a complete mess throwing 15 plus yards downfield. He, some of his best throws at Washington were these, you know, fade routes, turkey hole routes like and he's, he's impressively defiant of pass rush pressure. This is all what we saw at Washington. Can't say what it's going to be like this week against the Giants, but I'm just thinking of how he played and how aggressive he was, how strong his arm is. Jamie mentioned that the velocity on his throat, huge upgrade and he can move better than Kirk Cousins. Gang Cousins can't move right now. I think that's part of the reason why they sat him down like he can't even like operate without everybody on the coaching staff holding their breath a little bit. I think this gives Atlanta, I think if this gives Atlanta's pass catchers a fighting chance to be at minimum flex options. If not, in the case of London, a low end number two wide receiver that you start with more confidence now than you would with Drake London with Kirk Cousins. I should say you do wonder how much he's gonna have to throw against the Giants. But if there was ever an opponent for you to throw your quarterback in, into the deep end of the pool against at home, it's this one. And so I'm not expecting 300 yards and three touchdowns, nothing like that. But could he throw two touchdowns and get 225 yards? Yeah, I think he can and I think that the receivers there can, can help him get there.

[Jamie]

I just think we all, everybody universally thought Caleb Williams was better than Michael Penix coming into the NFL. Caleb Williams has now played 14 games and he's still at 6.3 yards per attempt. So just expecting Michael Penix to be better than that in his very first start is a lot.

[Adam]

Yeah.

[Dave]

Okay.

[Adam]

I don't know, people. Someone just asked, should I start Kyler Murray or Michael Pennix? Definitely start.

[Dave]

No. Right. But like, let's not go crazy.

[Adam]

I don't know. I mean, I'm gonna start Drake London. I think he's gonna be better for London than. Well, I think he's gonna be fine for London, but. But there's uncertainty, right? I mean, Cousins. Cousins throws to London in the end zone all the time. I think he has the second most end zone targets in the NFL. We have no idea if Penix is going to do that. So Dave said number two wide receiver. Is that how you guys see London?

[Jamie]

I, I think like Even the last three weeks, Drake London's been 14.3 12 and 17.6 PPR fantasy points. Like to say that he's definitely going to be better than that with a rookie quarterback.

[Adam]

The Giants are a joke right now. Here's the thing. The Giants are super beat up in their secondary and they gave up five touchdowns on 25 passes last week to the Ravens. But they also see the third fewest wide receiver targets per game. It's going to be a Bijan game and an algier game. They're going to run all over him. So, you know, we were. Jamie had Mooney as a tough call. I mean, I don't want to start Mooney. Do you, Jamie?

[TBD]

I mean, you're obviously starting him in three receiver leagues. You know, you got to have a really loaded roster to sit him in those formats. But I, I think in two receiver leagues where he's been in the starting rank, I mean, I know for me, I've been ranking him, you know, around, you know, 20 to 25 in that, in that range pretty consistently because he's had that type of upside until cousin stopped throwing touchdowns. So, I mean, look, two games ago, Darnold Mooney was fantastic. You know, so that was with Cousins being decrepit and you know, looking at how he's looked. So there's more optimism for Mooney if Penix gives him chances. I just don't think the Falcons needing to get a win, wanting to get their rookie quarterback comfortable are going to make him go in there and throw the ball more than 30 times. So I would say it's probably around 25 is the number and 25 target 25 passes knowing that London, Mooney, Pitts, Bijan, they all have Ray, Ray, Ray, Ray. They all have to be someone involved. However, it's gonna, you know, be. Be split up that someone's gonna get left out. Maybe two guys are gonna get left out. So that's kind of where I come out. Like London, I'm just starting because he's the best one and I've, you know, a lot of faith in him and you know, this is not a matchup thing. I mean, you said it, Adam. These guys could do it if, if Cousins was right and they wanted to go in there and let them run, throw the score, run to win, they could have done that.

[Adam]

Yeah. All right, let me, let me finish this conversation. I see a lot of Michael Pennix questions in the chat and so I think you're going to answer the other guy for all of them. But maybe not Rogers or Pennix.

[Dave]

Rogers.

[TBD]

Rogers.

[Jamie]

Oh yeah.

[Adam]

Purdy or Pennix?

[Jamie]

Purdy.

[Dave]

Brock. Brock. Brock, Brock and roll high school.

[Adam]

Pennix or Anthony Richardson?

[TBD]

Richardson panics.

[Jamie]

Yeah, it's a. We've not still Richardson. Yeah.

[Adam]

All right. Okay, so those are your quarterback changes. And, and honestly we're talking about Jerry Judy later. But I asked you who's risen with the quarterback changes. Obviously the Browns look much worse with Dorian Thompson Robinson there he is averaging in his career 3.6 yards per attempt or something. You just heard all Heath talking about six yards per attempt would be really good for a Rookie. He's like 80% of or Daniel Jones is like 80% better than Dorian Thompson Robinson has been.

[Jamie]

And, and he throws interceptions at a rate just as high as James. Like, oh man, it's just absolutely awful in every way.

[Adam]

It's small sample size, but you can't have much confidence. Okay. Derek Carr is likely out for the season. Jamie mentioned it. Aiden O'Connell trending in the right direction. He might start. And same with Patrick Mahomes and Geno Smith as well. So it's actually we might be getting good news on some starting quarterbacks running back news. Joe Mixon practiced. He's at Kansas City on Saturday. Dan Campbell talked about the other Detroit running backs having expanded roles behind Jameer Gibbs. There's no interest in picking up another Lions running back, is there?

[Dave]

As a handcuff, it's about the only thing I can think of.

[Adam]

All right.

[Dave]

And the name would be Craig Reynolds.

[Jamie]

If you promise me that Craig Reynolds there's going to be one guy and it wouldn't be two, then I think Craig Reynolds would be a good flex.

[Adam]

And sincere McCormick posted about returning next season. So I don't think we're going to be seeing sincere McCormick this year. Unfortunately. We might see Marquis Brown this week. He's practicing in full. They play they play Houston on Saturday and George Pickens missed practice. They're at Baltimore on Saturday. Will Disley miss practice? They're playing tomorrow against Denver. The Rams activated Tyler Higby off ir. Can't imagine people are going to be confident to start Tyler Higby, but he could be back this week. Green Bay linebacker Quay Walker is week to week. I'm still confidently starting their DST against the Saints and TJ Watt missed practice. Wasn't a great practice report for the Steelers, but it's the first one of the week so we we've got time. All right, let's start with some tough calls and let's go to the so Jamie gave me a list. He meant to hit send but didn't. Dave thought we got enough guys here. That's just fine. Which is, which is true. So this is Jamie's list then. We'll get the mystery guys from Heath shortly. But, but you have two guys in the same game. Jamie of Brock Purdy and Tua Tongue of I lower this game in Miami. Who are you more confident in?

[TBD]

Tua? If the tackles are there.

[Adam]

The tackles, it's just Armstead. Right. Isn't the other tackle out for the year? Am I wrong about that?

[TBD]

Well, I mean their, their initial starting right tackle is out for the season.

[Adam]

Okay.

[TBD]

Their backup right tackle was out last week.

[Adam]

Okay. So are they in your top 12? Purdy and or Tua?

[TBD]

No.

[Adam]

Is anybody struggling with these two guys?

[Dave]

Yes, I'm struggling with two and he is in my top 12 for now.

[Adam]

I, I'd be struggling with both. Yeah. I mean sue is still throwing 40 or time 40 plus times a game. That's pretty good.

[Dave]

Yeah, but we're coming off of a game where he did that and he was absolutely awful, telegraphed a bunch of throws. Defense did something different that that that the 49ers can easily replicate. D'Amico Ryan's, you know, helped the 49ers, helped build the 49ers defense up. He was their defensive coordinator before he was the head coach in Houston and now it's Nick Sorensen leading that group in San Francisco and there's potentially no Jalen Waddle. So you're taking away a pretty good target regardless of how productive Waddle is on a week to week basis. I think if you start Tua you're hoping that he just, he does what he's been doing, save for the Texans game, which is throw a lot, fall into production, dink and dunk his way down the field, find the end zone on these dink and dunk throws and fingers crossed that he gets you north of 20 fantasy points. Can it happen? I think it's like three quarterbacks this year have done that against San Francisco. One of them was Josh Allen in the snow. And I think the other two had rushing numbers to help them out. So it's a tough chore to expect to a tongue of Aloha to get over 20 fantasy points. But I've, I've got tough. I've got issues with a lot of other quarterbacks that are ranked anywhere from like 10 to 19. So he's just in that mix. And the only reason why he's toward the top of that is because of the volume that he throws.

[Jamie]

Might be. Might be the worst week of quarterback of the season. If you're not considering buys, we do not have a game with a total of an over, under over 49 this week. Not sure that's happened all season. You got the Mahomes question mark in terms of injuries. You got a lot of bad matchups for quarterbacks. I've got two zero right now. I think 14 and Purdy 16. Mahomes is right in between them at 15. There's just again a huge blob from only now it extends up to like QB6. That it's. Yeah, good luck. Good luck.

[Adam]

You know what's really interesting about the Dolphins, they give up the second fewest fantasy points to quarterbacks. But you know, we watch them, we see Aaron Rodgers throw for over 300 yards. Only score 19 points. You've got, let's see, since week eight, we've had Kyler Stafford, Minshu Love and Aaron Rodgers throw for 274 more yards, Josh Allen throw for three touchdowns. But none of these guys are having big games. The Dolphins, I didn't realize this until this morning, they give up the second fewest rushing yards per game to quarterbacks and the fewest rushing touchdowns per game. And they're great against the running backs too. So I don't know if it's fluky or not, but they are giving up almost no. No rushing production. And that has actually been a big part of Purdy's success this year. So that kind of opened my eyes a little bit here and maybe limits the ceiling for Brock Purdy.

[Dave]

Could the team that runs the ball best hurt their team's quarterback the most. So, for example, if. If we project, for whatever reason, Garendo to have a great game, because I don't think we can project the Dolphins run game to do well. Does. Does that hurt Brock Purdy? And the answer is yes. Problem is, I don't know how good Garendo is going to be against these Dolphins. Because of what you just said.

[Adam]

Yeah.

[Dave]

So there's a chance he throws for him. For Brock Purdy throwing the ball 32 times, that's a lot. That's the equivalent of 2 of throwing for like 38. So if. If that happens, then maybe Purdy isn't necessarily a dud this week either.

[Adam]

You guys starting? Someone wants to know if you're starting Cooper Rush over these guys.

[TBD]

No and no.

[Jamie]

That's not a. That's not a bad question. I've got Purdy and Rush separated by less than a tenth of a point. They're basically back to back. Yeah, it's very, very, very close.

[Dave]

Where do. What. What do you have projected for Garendo? I'm curious now, Heath, because I. I think if we. If we can somehow come to a conclusion that Guerreno can be okay or just whoever's running.

[Adam]

I think it's.

[Jamie]

I think, yeah, I've got him for 75 rushing yards, 15 receiving yards, mid RV2.

[Dave]

Okay. So in my opinion, if that projection comes in, that kind of hurts Purdy.

[Adam]

Okay. So you guys seem to like two or better than Purdy, everyone.

[TBD]

Yeah, slightly.

[Jamie]

I do, but I don't. I don't have any confidence in it.

[Dave]

I just.

[TBD]

I don't have a big game for George Kittle.

[Dave]

I. I hope it's a big game for George Kittle. I. I don't want to look at what Tua did last week and say, all right, that's the reason why I'm sitting him. Okay. If you're sitting him, it's because the offensive line's terrible and because the matchup is a nightmare.

[Adam]

Yeah, I'm totally willing to excuse the snow game for Purdy. Not even a. You know, not even a thought for sure. Yeah, the rain game, I mean, the first half was bad, but then he played horribly in the second half. If they did somehow get Trent Williams back would be helpful.

[Jamie]

I didn't realize this was. Somebody had put this on Twitter yesterday or something. Like, the rain thing is not something new. Apparently Brock Purdy is Troy Aikman and just cannot throw a football when it's wet.

[Dave]

He's the wicked witch of the West.

[Adam]

That's interesting that I like that. That gives me I am starting him over Bo Nix and I see two of you have Knicks ahead of him. I will tell you I am starting.

[Jamie]

I have Purdy over Nick.

[Adam]

Yeah, I got you Heath. You and me, baby. All right, we'll talk more about Nicks in a little bit. We also will talk about Heat's mystery. Tough call. But if you haven't signed up yet for BetMGM, let's get on that. Let's use the Bonus code fantasy on BetMGM and you're going to get up to a $1500 first bet offer on your first wager with BetMGM. Download the BetMGM app, sign up using the Bonus Code Fantasy, deposit at least $10 and place your first wager on any game and you'll receive up to 1500 dollars in bonus bets if your bet loses. Just make sure you use the bonus code Fantasy when you sign up. Right back with Kyler Murray after this break on fft.

[Heath]

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[Adam]

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[Dave]

It was definitely not a quiet place. Day one.

[Adam]

It was golfy. All right, Heath, what's tough about Kyler Murray against the Panthers?

[Jamie]

He's been awful. And the Panthers are the best matchup in fantasy. And you have to decide whether you want to just completely disregard his recent play in favor of the matchup he just faced what was we thought was a fantastic matchup against the New England Patriots. Produced zero touchdowns, 235 combined passing and rushing yards. Has only one game in his last four with multiple touchdowns. Only one game in his last eight with more than 21 rushing yards. It's been Awful. And they might be able to win this game by just handing it to James Connor 30 times. And it kind of seems like that's what the coaching staff wants to do right now. But Carolina's been a fantastic matchup for quarterbacks pretty much all season long.

[Adam]

Yeah. Is he ahead of Purdy and Tua?

[Jamie]

He is, yep.

[Adam]

All right, all right. You know what? Not to shortchange your guy, but let's, let's go. We just got to speed up here. Yeah, we'll talk about him.

[Jamie]

Yeah, he's short.

[Adam]

He's short. There you go. No, he is a tough call and we're going to get a lot of questions about him. But you're. I guess I'm glad you said that. This is a tough week for quarterbacks because I, I feel that way about my quarterbacks in basically every league. You know, like, man, I've got a lot of reasons to tell you to sit. Jared Goff a lot.

[Jamie]

I think that's one of the most. Like, I'm playing or I'm not facing him. But Nick in our YOLO league has both Kyler and golf, and I just can't imagine making that decision this week. Like, you got the guy who just scored 40 points, but he's playing outdoors and he's not been good outdoors yet this year.

[Adam]

Yeah.

[Jamie]

And Kyler has the best matchup in fantasy, but he hasn't been good in basically a month. It's a fascinating decision.

[Dave]

They could both stink, but they can both be great. Like a conundrum for sure. I'll take off. I mean, I know you're not asking me like, no, the right answer or anything like that, but without Montgomery there, maybe that helps him actually throw some touchdowns inside the 10 yard line. Maybe that makes the offense kind of go through him a little bit more.

[Adam]

It didn't last.

[Dave]

They don't have two running backs.

[Adam]

It didn't last year.

[TBD]

You know, they don't have another good running back there.

[Dave]

They have one, but they don't have two.

[Adam]

They had three games last year without Montgomery. They had one game with an 80 something percent pass rate. They got blown out by the Ravens and had to throw the other two games. They were at about 51 pass rate, 46 pass rate. Actually two of their lower pass rates of the season last year without Montgomery. And that's what you do against the Bears. You run on the Bears. It's, it's just, it just stakes that golf comes from that performance to, to this situation. But I actually can't wait to talk about that later in the week. All right, Bree Hall. Jamie is a tough call for you against the rams. He played 48% of the snaps. He had 11 touches. Rams run defense been kind of hit or miss. It was a hit last week. How do you feel about Breeze Hall?

[TBD]

It's tough. It's tough to bench somebody of his potential because, you know, he has the opportunity to go off on any given week when he's right. But I just don't think he's right. I mean, you know, we had the knee injury that there was some talk about maybe shutting him down. He didn't practice all last week, so I'm sure they were just monitoring his touches and, you know, being cautious about it. Now they're down, potentially. Braylon Allen, do they give him more work? I know Alan was in and out of the lineup last week, and this is a game where there is a very likely chance that they're chasing points where we haven't seen Breeze hall involved in the passing game for a good portion of the second half of the season. So does this just feel like an absolute pitfall for him where he's not getting the touches that he needs to be successful? So I don't like the jets in this spot as a whole. I mean, you're still starting the receivers. I think Aaron Rodgers is going to have a big step back this week, and Breece Hall I don't think is going to have a big game.

[Dave]

How do you feel about the running backs this week? Is it kind of like the quarterbacks? Because if we're not ranking Camaro, we're not ranking Montgomery. Maybe some other names are out. Some guys are getting pushed up that would normally not be top 24 running backs. And I think that Breeze hall might be one of those guys that's kind of getting pushed up.

[TBD]

I would start Jerome Ford over resolve this week.

[Jamie]

I currently would. I think it's. For me, I'm just going to let his practice participation determine it. If we get another week where he's just basically not practicing, then I'm not starting him. And if we get a week, if he gives us a full practice someday this week, then I'm starting him.

[Adam]

Man, I would. That Ford vs. Hall decision would be a lot easier if Jameis Winston were the quarterback. Not that Jameis is so great, but, you know, he can move the ball down the field. Ford has entered tough call territory now. Tony Pollard, Jamie, you call him a tough call. It's the same thing as. As Breeze. He's obviously playing hurt. He had a 5.9% avoid rate against the Bengals last week, which is the second lowest of the season. 17 carries for 45 yards against that team. Not good. And he yeah, I mean it's just, it's just an injury thing. And Tony Pollard, how do you feel about him at Indianapolis? Compare him to Breeze Hall.

[TBD]

I feel better about him than I do Breeze Hall a lot of it based on what game script could be because I don't think that they're getting boat raced by the Colts like they, you know has been a problem for Pollard when they're chasing points. So I think Pollard's still in number two running back. If I had to make the choice I would start him over Breeze hall. There is clearly the concern though if they are chasing points then we may not see him very much because that's been where Taize Spears when he's been healthy takes on a bigger role. So if Pollard practices in full similar you know I agree with Heath Bob Bristol, if he practices in full no issues this week then I'll probably move him up a few spots. But this was the guy that I thought would be a top 10 running back last week based on the matchup against the Bengals and Clearly he's not 100% and you know the score didn't help.

[Adam]

Who are your mystery tough calls? Heath at running back.

[Jamie]

So at the running back position I well we already, I already told you it remains a mystery to you because you don't listen. No, it's Alex Madison and Amir Abdul Sincere McCormick likely out for the year and I think this just. I think a Raiders running back is going to be a top 24 running back this week. Yeah, I currently have Madison ranked higher. I think Dave and Jamie maybe both have Abdullah ranked tire Abdul is not going to do much in the running game but if they get into a hurry up situation where they're chasing points in this even before halftime or definitely in the fourth quarter then Abdullah might have a five catch quarter. And so that's kind of what it comes down to. This Jags team is awful. The Raiders team is not any not much better. Neither one of these teams should want to win the game. But I think if Aiden O'Connell is coming back that tells you the Raiders are probably playing to win the game. I think the Raiders probably will win the game and then I think Madison's probably the better.

[TBD]

When we, when we were talking about it yesterday with the assumption, at least my assumption that Ritter was playing I liked Abdullah not significantly better than Madison but better than Madison just because we did not see Ritter challenge down the field very much on Monday night and that would benefit Amir Abdullah no matter the score. Now if O'Connell does play, that makes it a little bit easier to trust Madison. So he's point about them trying to win. Plus you have a quarterback that will challenge down the field. So the, the non hurry up throws to, you know, the, the scripted throws to the running back won't be the same, you know. So Ritter well lean on Abdullah more. I think O'Connell won't have to because he's going to be a little bit more aggressive. So it should help Madison if OConnell's there.

[Dave]

And just to put a finishing point on this, I'm checking out how O'Connell does against man against zone. We know the Jaguars have been playing heavy man coverage all season long. His quarterback rating against man coverage is 126.7 against zone at 79.5. Completion rate is about the same. Yards per attempt is a yard higher against man. His adot is about the same. His off target rate is about the same. His touchdown rate is 12% against man coverage. And so if he's going to throw well in against Manto man that I, I think that absolutely hurts Abdullah because of what Jamie just said. Okonnell looks this way when he throws. He doesn't go to the side like Ritter does and check down to his running backs. So that hurts Abdullah. That helps Madison. If they build a lead that way, that also helps Madison. My dog is freaking out. He's trying to get into my lap and I will. I, I'm. I think I'm going to change my rankings and I think Madison's probably the guy who should be ahead.

[Adam]

Someone so Madison or Naji Harris from the chat.

[Jamie]

Madison.

[Dave]

I kind of get it with Madison.

[TBD]

I, I probably go Madison but it's, it's so tough.

[Adam]

I just. Madison had a stretch where he was the starting running back. You know, they kind of phased out Samir White and he really wasn't that bad. He didn't run that well or anything, but he was a useful player and he caught some passes. Two catches, five catches, three catches, five passes. That's gonna be part of his game even on first and second down. So I, I wish, I don't think Madison was available in a single league that I'm still in. Maybe one. And I wish I could have gotten him because I'm in dire straits at running back. So he's not that bad. Madison or Breeze hall or, or Abdullah or Breeze hall this week.

[Dave]

Not There yet Bruce Hall. It.

[Jamie]

It. For me, it's going to be determined by Brie Soul's practice. Like, if he goes a week without practicing at all, I'm starting Madison over Riesel.

[Adam]

Okay. Tony Pollard might also go a week without practicing at all. I mean, he did that last week and he. He re injured his ankle. Do not drop Tajie Spear. It could. You know, this could be the week. I keep saying that, but it could happen. Let's see if we have any wide receivers. We talked about Darno Mooney. How about Jerry Judy? Jamie, what do you think about Jerry Judy?

[TBD]

He's been awesome, and now there's a lot of risk because the quarterback play is not going to be the same, you know, and so you. This is clearly not a matchup thing. The Bengals are, you know, one of the best matchups you could find. This is all about will he get the targets? Will he get quality targets? Will he, you know, lose some opportunities if both David Najoku and Cedric Tillman return from injury on top of it, you know, so there are a lot of things that play here that could impact Jerry Judy. You know, so for a guy that was, you know, becoming a set it and forget it receiver, you know, I think he's a borderline number two receiver. Still a starter in three receiver leagues because there's still the opportunity for him to do something with whatever opportunities, whatever targets he gets, whatever catches he makes out of them. But I mean, just. This is a total, total downgrade, you know, so top 10 guy for the last month now, barely top 24 guy.

[Adam]

I bet he's. I bet he's a top three receiver. Let me see when he broke out.

[TBD]

I'm just saying, you know, week eight's when you start.

[Jamie]

Week eight is when Jameis took over. And ye. Yeah, I'd be a top three receiver.

[TBD]

Well, it's also when. When Cooper was traded, too.

[Adam]

I'm gonna look just for my own curiosity.

[Jamie]

I've got it right here. Jerry Judy, since week eight, is wide receiver five overall and wide receiver three per game.

[Adam]

Oh, man. Darnell Mooney or Jerry Judy.

[Jamie]

Judy.

[Dave]

Judy for now.

[TBD]

Judy for now.

[Adam]

Drake London or Jerry Judy.

[TBD]

That's not close.

[Dave]

Drake.

[Jamie]

I'll go London. But they're both number twos for me.

[Adam]

They are Jameson Williams or. Or Jerry Judy.

[TBD]

Still Judy.

[Adam]

Okay.

[TBD]

If it was indoors, it'd be Jameson.

[Adam]

Okay. All right. I'm gonna skip the tight end. Tough calls, and we'll. Oh, we got heats. Mystery. Tough call. Wide receiver Terry Kill. Oh, I never would have gotten that. Okay.

[Jamie]

I mean, you just look at what he's been this year. If we're concerned about Tua and particularly if the tackles are not there and Tua can't throw downfield, then I'm just not sure that that Tyreek can get the ball as far downfield as he needs to to be a must start wide receiver.

[Dave]

Well, he hasn't been doing a lot of that.

[Adam]

Yeah.

[Dave]

All year.

[TBD]

He should get a lot of.

[Jamie]

He hasn't been a must. He hasn't been performing like a must start wide receiver all year.

[Dave]

That's very fair.

[TBD]

You should get a lot of volume without waddle there though.

[Dave]

Agreed.

[Adam]

Yeah. I. With this week with all these quarterback issues, I mean, that's got to translate to wide receiver issues too, right? We can't love the passing games this week. I just wonder how you can get away from Tyree Kill. Then again, there are loaded teams right now that have great players.

[Jamie]

I. I think it depends. Like, and I. You never want to say when a guy is not even 31 yet that this has anything to do with age. But Jamie has been the ageist at wide receiver all season long.

[TBD]

Worked out well last week. I mean, Keenan Allen and Mike.

[Jamie]

Tyree Kill yards per route run is like 1.7 this year. It's never been below 2.1. His yards per target is the lowest it's been since his rookie season. His yards per reception is the second lowest it's been since his rookie season. Like, he's. It's not just that he's not getting the volume that you would like. It's that he's not making the same big plays. And like the A dot we talked about how Tua can't. Doesn't have time to throw down field. His adot's actually higher than it was last year.

[Dave]

Really? Do you have his numbers with just two A throwing to him? Because I'm. I'm guessing you're looking at something cumulative.

[Jamie]

I am looking at something cumulative, but there have. I mean it was four games, so that was really bad. But it's not like I'm on it. Tyreek's been good since Tua came back.

[Adam]

No, you're absolutely right. The number, the rates. We showed some screenshots on on Monday's beyond the box Score two plays where Tyreek Hill is wide open for a touchdown. He has destroyed his defender, Derek Stingley once a linebacker a second time. And Tua Tango by Loa is not under pressure on either circumstance. And he has in one of them, he checks Down. And the other one he has already checked down before to a. Just before Tua got open. So he threw a running back on both of those plays. If he had held the ball for a half a second and just looked. You know, my takeaway just from watching Tyreek Hill. He still got it. He is so fast. Like he. He still looks great. But they never throw the ball downfield to him. And I pretty much mean never. I can't remember the last time they took a deep shot to Tyreek Hill. If it's happened. It's so rare. So that's killing his. His rate stats and all that. But yeah, I mean, I'm. I'm going to start him. Two guys like two guys that you could have justified starting ahead of him would be Jerry Judy, which I don't think we can do now, right?

[TBD]

No, no.

[Adam]

And I would say Juwan Jennings you could have justified. And that's a tough call for me this week. I don't know how you feel about the. That whole game is a tough call. Basically.

[Dave]

It is.

[Adam]

Except for H.N. but. And Johnny McKittle not. There are pieces of that game. I shouldn't have said that whole game that there are pieces of that game that are tough call. Yeah. It's like Juwan Jennings or Tyree Kill. Who would you go with?

[TBD]

All right.

[Jamie]

Jennings. For me.

[Dave]

I. I think Jennings in full PPRs the safer play.

[Adam]

Yeah. Good call by Henry. The last play of the game was a deep shot to Tyreek that was intercepted. It was deep. It wasn't super deep, but yes, it was intercepted by stealing play.

[Dave]

It's all in line with the Dolphins philosophy. I. I would tend to agree with you, Adam, that it's. It's not a Tyreek is getting old thing. It's a. The Dolphins offense is Tua's got to get the ball out quick and that's that. That's the story for that offense. I'm sorry, Heath, go ahead.

[Jamie]

No, that's also a problem because his yak is the lowest of his career.

[Adam]

Yeah.

[Jamie]

He's doing less after the catch also.

[Dave]

What do you have it at?

[Jamie]

3.9.

[Dave]

Okay. And it's 4.2 with Tua. So the numbers that you. You said earlier probably right about where he's at all year with tua. Anyway. What's down here?

[Adam]

What's Drake London's? Just out of curiosity. Two points.

[Jamie]

Drake London doesn't. Doesn't care.

[Dave]

It's a potato chip.

[Jamie]

Yeah. It's on one point.

[Adam]

Oh, I'm sorry. Those are our tough calls obviously a lot more that we'll talk about as we get into start sit throughout the week. Hey, why don't you do us a favor and vote for us. Someone said they would vote for us if there was more dog on the show, Dave, so I'm looking at you for that one or Jamie or I've got the barking sound as well that I can play. But if you go to sports podcast group.com sportspodcastgroup.com click vote now and it's Best Fantasy Betting and Gaming Podcast. Scroll down. Vote for Fantasy Football today. We won last year. Let's defend our championship. And if we've helped you get this far, you know, hopefully we've been a part of that. Obviously you're a big part of that. You're the manager, you've done most of the work. But hopefully we've been helpful for you. So we'd love for you to help us out. And go to sportspodcastgroup.com and click vote Now. And Best Fantasy betting and gaming podcast is the category and vote for Fantasy football today. It takes about 30 seconds. Speaking of, well, this break's going to take longer than 30 seconds, so we'll be back in longer than 30 seconds to talk about Denver and the Chargers.

[Dave]

What is going on, guys?

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[Adam]

And we welcome you back. Dave It's Thursday Night Football. Denver is at the Chargers. Jamie, why don't you tell me who is an exciting start in this game.

[TBD]

Lad McConkey, Cortland Sutton, Broncos DST both kickers.

[Adam]

Now what about McConkey and Sutton versus Tyreek Hill?

[TBD]

Both better.

[Adam]

Everybody agree on that?

[Jamie]

I think I have it. Sutton, Tyreek, McConkey.

[Dave]

I've got Tyreek Hill just behind lad.

[Adam]

So the McConkey rankings are interesting. Dave and Jamie are basically all in Heath as I saw yesterday and I know Tuesday rankings are unreliable. He was closer to 30 I think.

[Jamie]

For you McConkey he's, I think he is a high end number three wide receiver for me currently and like this is one of those games this week. I think the over under is 42 and a half which is even on a week without a lot of high games on the lower side. I, I, he might be a borderline number two. Okay like we had that really good stretch of a lot of yardage but even last week was like five for 58. He's had a lot of games in the 50 to 60 yard range since McConkey busted out.

[Adam]

He had a huge game I think it was against the Saints. It's his last seven games. He is the number 13 wide receiver per game in full PPR, 15th per game and half PPR. He is only 28th in targets though among wide receivers in that stretch. He did miss a game. He only has three red zone targets. He only has three end zone targets in that stretch. But he's, he's very explosive. He actually has since, since that these last seven games. Lab. McConkey has basically the same explosive play rate as A.J. brown. He's more or less leading wide receivers in that metric, he doesn't get like 50 yard plays. He gets a lot of 18, 20, 25 yard plays, that kind of stuff.

[Jamie]

I, I don't want to take anything away from lad McConkey at all, but I do want to say like in that seven game stretch, he has played the Buccaneers, the Falcons, the Bengals, the Ravens, the Saints, the Browns and the Titans. Like that's almost the top five in terms of fantasy points allowed to wide receivers.

[Adam]

That's a good point. All right, Jamie and Dave, because I know Heath is not in on this because high five to Heath. Brock Purdy over Bo Nix. Dave, tell me why you like Bo Nix this week. As of yesterday, you and Jamie both had him 13th.

[Dave]

I like Bo Nix because I think he's still capable of getting around 20 fantasy points. He's not a top 12 quarterback. Maybe he creeps in if I lower Tua or if I lower Aaron Rodgers, but I, I think the matchup isn't that daunting for him. Last week he made some terrible throws that were intercepted, but he also threw three touchdowns. He's got good command of the offense. I don't think the Broncos can run the ball worth a dang. He's going to throw the ball at least 30 times, maybe in the neighborhood of 35 times. Broncos playoff hopes ride with him. And the truth is, is that as what he's coached to do, being a short and intermediate area passer, he's generally been great at that this year. The last two games, the one before the by the one after five interceptions. Yeah, that's some evidence that things could be wonky. But it's self inflicted and I think he can fix that and I think Sean Payton can fix that. And this isn't the worst matchup in the world for him to fix that against. So I, I wouldn't mind starting Bo Nix. I do not have high expectations. Like I said, around 20 fantasy points.

[Adam]

Okay. Anybody want to add anything?

[TBD]

I think the Chargers are falling apart a little bit. Yeah.

[Adam]

Boy, they are. Fraudulent defense. Remember how good they were before they started playing good offenses?

[Dave]

Yeah.

[Adam]

Killed.

[Jamie]

Now they're just Jekyll and Hyde. Like they gave up 35 points to Baker last week. They got 16 points combined to Mahomes and Cousins the two weeks before.

[TBD]

Yeah, those are two crappy quarterbacks.

[Adam]

Yeah.

[Jamie]

Like they just, they've had a lot of really good games and a lot of really bad games.

[Dave]

Yeah. 23 or more to four of the last six quarterbacks that they faced.

[TBD]

I, I really want to see the Bengals get in the playoffs. And the easiest path for them to get in the playoffs is for Denver to lose because the Charger schedule is so easy.

[Adam]

Yeah. So you're really.

[TBD]

This is the game that it hinges on.

[Adam]

All right, so Jamie's rooting for the Chargers and the running backs in this.

[TBD]

I'm ready for the Bengals. I don't care. I mean, I, I honestly, I'd rather see the Chargers get knocked out because to me, they're very boring. They are boring. The easiest path, though is for the Broncos to lose out.

[Dave]

And it could be trouble, like if the Bengals playoff chances are gone after this week. How many of those guys play in week 17?

[Adam]

All right, so in week 17, they'll play. No. Who?

[TBD]

Unless, I mean, they're trying to get chase the triple crown. I would be shocked if they don't.

[Dave]

We'll see.

[TBD]

I know that Burrow's got an outside shot of 5,000 yards.

[Adam]

Back to this, Back to this. Bo Nix or Sam Darnold question. Darnold.

[Jamie]

Oh, yeah. Darnold.

[Adam]

Yeah. All right. Javante Williams, six games of double digit carries. Six games of double digit carries. 9.2 or more PPR fantasy points in every game. Usually not great, but that's a floor. I don't know that he will get that estimate out. Snapped him in the fourth quarter and McLaughlin got hurt in the third quarter. But is there a single running back that anyone can trust in this game?

[Dave]

No, no. Javante would be at the top. Although there are rumblings in the Denver media that it's. Audric estimates time.

[TBD]

Okay, well, McLaughlin went from not practicing, you know, on the estimated report to limited yesterday. So we'll see what his final.

[Dave]

Oh, that would be good. If he's back.

[Adam]

And then how do we feel about the Chargers passing game other than McConkey, you know, any case for Herbert. And then Quentin Johnston, I mean, caught another touchdown last week and had 10 targets. And then you got Stone Smart, who looked pretty good and had 50, 50 yards in two straight games. One of those games, he basically was the starter for the tight end for like half the game. So Heath, your thoughts on those three players in particular? Stone Smart, Quentin Johnston and Justin Herbert.

[Jamie]

I think just like I've got Justin Herbert 19th, he's the QB2 like he's been all year. I would say that Quentin Johnston is the quintessential boom bust flex. And he's been a very good boom bust flex because he's boomed plenty for you this year. I'd like it in the semi finals of the fantasy playoffs if I didn't have to start someone like him. But I wouldn't feel too terrible if I did. And Stone Smart's kind of the same thing at tight end. Like he's a. I would definitely prefer to stream Brenton Strange, but I would start Stone Smart over Kyle Pitts. I'd start him over Cole Commit. He's, he's, he's a mid tight end too.

[Dave]

So did Jamie, Did Patrick Stratan practice again in full yesterday?

[TBD]

I don't think there's any issue with him. And actually Riley Moss was limited so there's a chance that he could return. So if you have both those guys out there, then it could be tough just across the board. I think McConkey will avoid them just where he lines up. But there's still the risk of both those guys being healthy. Awful for Herbert and, you know, awful for Quentin Johnson.

[Adam]

Okay. Stone Smart did. We did. Where's. Where's Stone Smart in your rankings, guys?

[TBD]

Right around 12.

[Jamie]

I think he's 15.

[Dave]

I've got him currently at 11th in full PPR.

[Adam]

Okay.

[Dave]

Don't know if I love that. Isn't Hayden Hurst possibly coming back?

[TBD]

I don't believe so.

[Dave]

I know they opened up his window. I don't know if he's coming back to play or not.

[Jamie]

That position has been such a freaking abomination. Like this might end up being the worst year of all the bad years for Titans.

[Adam]

Dave, how would you rank these D. Because I actually think the DSTs are pretty interesting in this game.

[Dave]

Sure.

[Adam]

How would you rank them with the 49ers DST? Like talk about the this game compared to the Niners Dolphins game and like the game scripts.

[Dave]

Sure. I'm really going to love Denver's DST if certain plays and it looks like he isn't. If Riley Moss comes back and plays, that's on top of their pass rush. Nick Bonito has been playing out of his mind. He's making a late push for defensive player of the year. This is a DST I'm going to have a hard time seeing. I'm going to have to make the choice between them and Atlanta in a bunch of my leagues. And Those are both two DSCs that have been playing great. So they're a must. I've got the Chargers way down and the 49ers a borderline starting option like.

[Adam]

The 49ers Dolphins game. Is that a high scoring.

[Dave]

No, I'm. I'm starting to think that it's not going.

[Adam]

Sorry, but that's the game of the week. It is. It's a terrible slate this week but the Niners and the Dolphins two non.

[TBD]

Playoffs of the week.

[Adam]

Hey, I don't care about the standings. I just want the best game. And I looked at the I, I, I did not listen to a single thing you guys. I was trying to figure out the game of the week.

[TBD]

Eagles Commanders. No Eagles.

[Adam]

The Eagles are gonna crush the commanders. Steelers, Ravens. Is going to be boring. It's gonna be 14 points scored.

[TBD]

But you like that though.

[Adam]

I don't necessarily like that. I like competitive. You don't know who's gonna win edge of your seat games. Steelers, Ravens, might be that so there.

[Jamie]

There is a game that has only a 3 1/2 point spread and the highest over under on the entire weekend slate.

[Dave]

Is it Raiders? Jaguars?

[Adam]

No. Jets? Rams?

[Jamie]

Nope.

[Adam]

Tampa Bay? Dallas? I was thinking about that one.

[Jamie]

Tampa Bay Dallas.

[Adam]

I was like this is like. And I, I can't.

[TBD]

Well, I hit the wrong button with the buzzer. Should have told you all you needed to know.

[Adam]

Yeah, I know I hit the buzzer was oh man, I screwed. What? I won't screw up the next sound we play because it's gonna fantasy the Friday gag.

[TBD]

So you got two days to make up.

[Adam]

All right, fine, fine, fine. Get ready, Dave. Just pretend that this conversation I'll be.

[Dave]

Ready for when we talk about bucks and cowboys.

[Adam]

And that's the end of Thursday night Football. Okay, let's do some fantasy cops. It's a callback from Jake. You said. Just wanted to give you a follow up on the FFT fantasy cop segment on the waiver wire snafu from earlier this season. As you may remember, I was the manager. Fire Billy Napier is his team name back in week six who repeatedly ad dropped on the waiver wire so that my opponent, Brian Tully, one of our CBS Sports HQ producers, was unable to find a replacement for James Cook on Monday Night Football after he was surprisingly ruled out about an hour and a half before kickoff. Off I went on to win that matchup by four points which would have been made up by a replacement player off the waiver wire for Cook. We, we were pretty critical of this, right? This was.

[TBD]

Yes, yes.

[Adam]

Yeah, we lamb based.

[Dave]

Although the audience was like they loved what Jake did.

[Adam]

Yeah. Oh, speaking. You have to remind me. I have to apologize to Jack Capitorto. But anyway, Jake says since then I've proceeded to win seven of my last nine games to make the finals of our work league league in absolutely cinematic fashion. I am now facing off against Tully in the Championship of our league. You couldn't write a script better than this? That is great. This is Tully's revenge. And Jake, thank you for the email, but I will tell you straight up, I'm rooting for Tully. Like you, you deserve to lose. So. And apologies to Jack Capator. We smeared. We sullied his good name.

[TBD]

I thought, great name, great name.

[Adam]

It's not that great of a name. It's a good name. We sullied it though. I sullied it. I thought that he did that ad drop thing where he added a tight end. Dropped a tight end, Added a tight end. Dropped a. He just added three tight ends and kept them all. He dropped other players.

[Dave]

So perfectly legal.

[Adam]

Yeah, no, perfectly fine. I just. I guess I saw it and I was like, why would someone add this many tight ends? He must be doing some shenanigans. But he wasn't. So anyway, on me. And next up is from Good Enough to Beat Everyone Twice. He says, Dear tennis star, that's me, sun God, that's Dave, basketball dad. I don't know who that is. And rebound coach. Are they both Heath?

[Jamie]

I think Jamie's basketball dad.

[Adam]

Okay. I'm the commissioner of a casual league where my girlfriend managed one of the teams.

[Dave]

Oh boy.

[TBD]

You could relate.

[Dave]

No.

[Adam]

After a few about the commissioner of that league, after a few weeks she decided that the frustration of starting 03 was. Was too much for her and she relinquished the team to me. I had managed to finish the regular season in first place with my original team and I pushed her team up to fourth place and into the playoffs. It's a four team playoff, so I'm technically playing myself in the first round. Some of the other. Just cracks me up, man. Some of the other managers in the league are calling for my disqualification, assuming I colluded with myself to get both teams into the playoffs. But I did not make a single transaction between the two teams for the entire season. My original team is 10 and five. Four teams are eight and seven. One of them being my second team, my girlfriend's original team. And four teams are seven and eight. One of the seven and eight teams has the highest points total. So should I propose a league vote to remove my second team and replace it with this 7 and 8 team or guarantee one of my teams a spot in the championship?

[TBD]

So everybody in the league knows that you're running the. Your girlfriend? Yeah, they're all well aware of this.

[Adam]

Apparently they are now anyway.

[Dave]

Well, but if they weren't, then that's a real problem.

[Adam]

Yeah, big time.

[Dave]

But if they were, like, as soon as the girlfriend quits and he. He sends a little note out to Lee saying, hey, guys, she's quitting. I'm taking over. Is everybody okay with that? If there was no blow back then, then I think you proceed as normal.

[TBD]

Right. If it was. If it was. If he got out in front of it and said, this is what's happening, Is everybody okay with it? And everybody says yes, then there's no griping.

[Dave]

But if he didn't do that and now the league is finding out, then I think you've got to disqualify that second team, the girlfriend team.

[Adam]

Okay. Put the points later. The thing is, I feel like you could, in theory, manage two teams without any conflict. They kind of can exist separately. I think waiver wire might be, you know.

[Dave]

Well, you certainly shouldn't be allowed to trade with it.

[Adam]

No.

[TBD]

And he didn't make trades.

[Adam]

Yeah, and he did. But I. I would be. I would be very uncomfortable with this. I would probably.

[Jamie]

How did this message start? A very casual league, right?

[Adam]

Yeah, yeah, yeah.

[Jamie]

Like, are we. Is this like a family? Friends and family and kids and, like, we're just playing for. For fun? Like, I'm not sure it's that big a deal.

[TBD]

It really depends if other people in the league are calling for him to be disqualified. Right. Whatever the. However it was, whatever the penalty is, if he has a solution that works for everybody, then he doesn't seem upset about it.

[Adam]

Oh, this is a good point. Right. Let the group set her lineup from the chat. Let the group set her lineup so we know he's not rolling over for his one SE team. That's interesting. Right? Because, like, you, if you have both, you want your better team to advance.

[Jamie]

So I'd probably just let the girlfriends at the lineup this week. I was it?

[Adam]

Well, yeah. I don't know, man. This is tough one. So what's. What's our final solution? I. I think. I think kick it. I think kick out the four seed and put the points leader in seven and eight. Points leader agreement.

[Dave]

Oh, but that's only if he didn't disclose that he was running the team.

[Adam]

Yeah. Which really doesn't seem like he did because people are kind of mad about it now, so.

[Dave]

Yeah, well, that's some shady stuff.

[Adam]

All right, this next one is from Eric from a city north of Mexico. Dave.

[Dave]

Let's go with Duluth, Minnesota.

[Adam]

We have two brothers in our league playing each other in the first round of the playoffs. One of them sat Derrick Henry and Brian Thomas Jr. For Chris Rodriguez and Nick Westbrook. Aine. Everyone in the league has called it out as collusion. When the brothers were asked if they were colluding in the chat, one of them just said, quote, I'm bilingual and don't know what that means. I'm obviously kicking them out of the league next year, but how do I handle it this year? The brother with Henry would have lost regardless, but I don't think the other should be allowed to move on. If I disqualify them, who should replace them in the next round? They're supposed to play the second seed.

[TBD]

You don't disqualify him, you just kick them out next year.

[Jamie]

Yep.

[Dave]

Especially if the Henry team was going to lose either way.

[Adam]

Yeah, like one of them was going to move on. So what's the collusion? Just getting the better team to advance. You know, one of them was going to lose anyway. No, I know it's kind of a weird one, but thank you for your fantasy cops and let's go to some emails to finish the show. Fantasy Football at cbsi.com fantasy [e-mail] and yeah, Mr. Papianski wants to send us aviators for this segment for fantasy cops. I would appreciate that. You can send them, send them our way. All right. Jake wants to know if he should start the Colts or the Bills, DST or the Falcons this week.

[Dave]

Falcons.

[TBD]

I'm torn on the Bills and the Falcons. I mean, obviously, you know, the Falcons have the Giants, but it's not like the Bills don't have a great matchup. Also, the one thing first off, if you can roster the Colts, roster the Colts because they get the Giants next week. So, so do that. I probably lean toward the the Falcons, but the Bills are close.

[Jamie]

I, I don't like the Colts that much. If Mason Rudolph starting a quarterback, his sack rate is like a third.

[TBD]

No, no, that's for next week.

[Jamie]

Right, but he was looking. No, I agree. But I was saying, like his question was this week.

[TBD]

Yeah, yeah, okay.

[Jamie]

I'd start the Bills.

[Adam]

The other question was Waddle. Coker or Tank Dell? Ppr.

[Jamie]

Coker.

[TBD]

Oh, I'm sorry, it's Coker or Tank Dell.

[Dave]

Unless Waddle plays.

[TBD]

Waddle. If he plays, then Coker.

[Jamie]

Yeah, and that's, that's another guy. Like if, if you have a roster spot just sitting at the end of your bench, go add Jalen Coker. 87 snapshare, was like a full time wide receiver in this offense. Has multiple but boom games over the last, his last four and faces Tampa Bay in the fantasy championship. If he gets another game where he scores 15 fantasy points and plays Tampa Bay next week, we're all going to be ranking him as a top 36 wide receiver.

[Adam]

Okay. From Devin, start two quarterbacks. Kyler Nix, Darnold, Purdy Darnold and Kyler.

[TBD]

Yep.

[Jamie]

Yep.

[Adam]

Start two flexes in PPR. Lad McConkey, Devonte Smith, Aaron Jones, Tony.

[TBD]

Pollard, Jones and McConkey.

[Dave]

Yes, I agree.

[Jamie]

Yeah.

[Adam]

Hawkinson or Strange. 1.5 points per reception.

[Dave]

Strange.

[TBD]

Strange.

[Jamie]

It's strange. But I. I think I might be the low guy on Strange. So I just want to like Evan Ingram did miss a month earlier this year and in those four games, Brenton Strange had a total of 18 targets. I'm not sure last week is. Is guaranteed to come anywhere close or this week to what last week was.

[Dave]

That's fair.

[TBD]

100. But all those earlier games were with a healthy Christian Kirk and a quarterback that's going to throw downfield. And Trevor Lawrence.

[Dave]

And Gabe Davis.

[TBD]

And Gabe Davis. The other tight end, Gabe Davis.

[Adam]

I think I. One of my bold, my like unofficial bold prediction was that Gabe Davis would lead the team and receive. Would. Would it be better than Brian Thomas?

[Jamie]

Bold predictions. Just last night, some. Some really funny.

[Adam]

I think mine were good. Right.

[Jamie]

I remembered how mad I got for Dave for one of his bold predictions being that Kyle Pitts is just not that good.

[Adam]

That's pretty good. That's pretty good.

[Jamie]

It was 100 accurate. It's just wonderful.

[Adam]

By the way, I owe you lunch. Yeah.

[TBD]

Johnson's been better than they get.

[Adam]

Oh, yeah? Yeah. Well, it's not really fair. I mean, it's got to be healthy games.

[TBD]

No, you made the bed.

[Adam]

Yeah. I owe you lunch. But we're not going back to that crap place though, I'll tell you that. Golf or love this week from Drew.

[TBD]

I don't think love's gonna throw very much again.

[Dave]

Yeah, it's golf.

[Jamie]

I don't have the confidence that everybody else does, but I'll agree it's golf.

[Adam]

I don't really like either of these.

[TBD]

Guys, but I mean this feels like a run game and get out of there for the Packers.

[Adam]

Again, Brenton Strange or Tucker Craft?

[Dave]

Strange.

[Jamie]

I've got Craft. One spot higher.

[Adam]

Okay. This is from Benson who is a big time fan from Melbourne, Australia and he says a Bon. Dusty, Danger and Crips. I don't know who that is.

[Jamie]

Could you say it in regular?

[Adam]

No. Bond, Dusty, Danger and Crips. Yeah. No idea. Michael Penix OR Mason Rudolph? 4 point per passing Touchdown.

[TBD]

Now we're in a Pennix range. I would go Rudolph, but it's close.

[Dave]

I would too. I think he's shown us enough in. What is it, like two starts plus the game he played last week that.

[TBD]

His last two and a half appearances. So the first start that he made for Levis wasn't great. Last two starts earlier in the year were very good. And then the half was really good.

[Dave]

Yeah, he might be able to get you to 18. I don't know if Fenix can get you there. I think Panics can be good. I don't know if he can be like ridiculously good.

[Adam]

Nikki Z. Sturgeon County, Canada okay, everybody.

[Dave]

Knows where that is.

[Adam]

Neighbors Shakir and Brian Robinson. Half ppr. Rank them.

[Dave]

Thomas. Neighbors Shakir. But there's a giant gap between Thomas.

[Jamie]

Who's Thomas?

[Adam]

Robinson. Brian Robinson.

[Dave]

I thought you said Brian Thomas.

[Adam]

Yeah, Brian Robinson.

[Dave]

That's my Freudian slip of the show.

[TBD]

Thomas, not Thomas. Neighbors Shakir Robinson.

[Dave]

That's the order.

[Jamie]

I will go. He's at half ppr, right?

[Adam]

Cpr.

[Jamie]

Yeah, I'll go. Robinson. Neighbors Shakir.

[Adam]

Ooh, Robinson. Tough call. Tough call this week.

[Jamie]

They're all tough calls, especially in half ppr. Malik, Neighbors, like all those catches are only worth half of what they are.

[TBD]

Falcons, though. I mean, this. I don't.

[Adam]

I mean, he's had nothing but good matchups, though. Nothing he caught. By the way, he caught a touchdown last week against a cornerback on the Ravens who has been on the team for three games, has barely played, was only in for garbage time. I think it was Desmond King and he smoked him. I don't want to completely lose that. The only touchdown he scored since week three was against the guy that never would play except it was 35 to 7 or something at the time.

[Dave]

Might get you 12 half PPR points.

[Adam]

It might get. I mean, the Falcons are horrible, so he might get you more.

[Dave]

No, they're past rush. Has been very good lately, but they're. And that can obviously impact Tim Boyle throwing to him.

[Adam]

Who should I Start in Week 16? Pick 2 in PPR from Miharo. From New Zealand. I don't know if I can do a New Zealand accent. Maybe something like this. Chuba Hubbard, Isaac Garendo, Juwan Jennings. We need two of those three.

[Dave]

Can't anybody write in saying that they're a mime? Give me the names again, please.

[TBD]

Jennings and Hubbard.

[Jamie]

Did you say full PPR?

[Adam]

Yeah, PPR, Hubbard, Garendo, Jennings.

[TBD]

After last week, don't play both 49ers.

[Jamie]

Trust Jennings and Hubbard. I agree.

[Dave]

I agree, too.

[Adam]

All right, real quick here. From jj, Pick one, Dobbs, Metcalf, Odunze.

[Dave]

Okay, I think I saw Metcalf.

[TBD]

Metcalf if it's Gino, Dobbs if it's not.

[Adam]

And from don, pick two, Barkley, Achan, Chase, Brown, James Connor, bragger, Barkley and Brown.

[Jamie]

Yeah, yeah.

[Adam]

Thanks for watching and listening, everybody. We'll talk to you tomorrow on fantasy football today. Good luck. Let's go get a win. Paramount podcasts in all new all access.

[Jamie]

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[TBD]

Take a sneak peek into my trailer.

[Adam]

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[TBD]

Different character in me.

[Dave]

On his quest for global victory, Captain.

[Adam]

America has taken his team on his shoulders.

[Jamie]

Balancing fame Christian's never wanted the spotlight and the game. These are the goals that create legends.

[Adam]

I want to be the best player in the world.

[Jamie]

Pulisic presented by michelob ultra new docu.

[Adam]

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