Podcast Summary: Fantasy Football Today – Week 17 Tough Calls, Christmas Day Start or Sit (12/24/25)
Main Theme & Purpose
On this Christmas Eve edition, Adam Aizer, Dave Richard, Jamie Eisenberg, and Heath Cummings focus on fantasy manager dilemmas for Week 17, particularly pivotal Start/Sit decisions for championship week. The crew breaks down quarterback, running back, and wide receiver tough calls, previews key Christmas games, reacts to the latest injury news, and answers rapid-fire listener questions. The tone is lively and debate-driven, mixing hard stats, matchup analysis, and playful banter to help fantasy footballers win their titles.
Episode Structure
- [02:21] Show intro & celebratory mood for the holidays
- [04:47] Quick news & injury updates
- [08:57] Tough Calls: Quarterbacks
- [18:42] Tough Calls: Running Backs
- [28:29] Tough Calls: Wide Receivers
- [38:42] Christmas Day Game Previews & Chat Q&A
- [74:39] Holiday food debate & sign-off
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. Setting the Holiday Tone
- The crew shares holiday excitement—jokes about show timing, pajamas, and holiday meals.
- “You just have to do matching pajamas if that's what we're gonna do.” – Host/Moderator [04:11]
- “I don't wear pajamas.” – Heath [04:15]
2. Week 17 News & Notes
- Quick, actionable updates on player injuries and expected absences for the week.
- “Lamar Jackson was listed as did not practice… Josh Allen says he's going to play… George Kittle has a sprained ankle…” – Host/Moderator [06:47-07:48]
3. Quarterback Start/Sit Conundrums
Baker Mayfield vs. Jared Goff vs. Caleb Williams
- Jamie: “I don't want any part of Jared Goff against the Vikings. He has not been good in Minnesota. The Vikings have been amazing since week 10.” [09:18]
- Heath: “I'd prefer to start neither of them but Goff. I have ranked ahead of Mayfield.” [09:54]
- Dave: “I've got Goff one spot higher. I agree completely. They are tough calls. They are 11 and 12 for me.” [10:12]
- Jamie: On Caleb Williams: “Much, much better than Baker… much, much, much, much, much better than Jared Goff.” [10:52]
Dak Prescott: Trust the Matchup?
- Adams worries about blowout risk vs. Washington:
- “Prescott at Washington on paper is just…you drool over this. But I am concerned that the Commanders are so inept that Dak has a rare bad game in a great matchup.” [15:20]
- Panel consensus: Start Dak; he remains a top 3 quarterback for all.
Notable Quote
“It seems like there's maybe 10 quarterbacks we really want to start this week.” – Dave [10:12]
4. Running Back Dilemmas
Featured Players: Tyrone Tracy, Bucky Irving, DeAndre Swift, Tony Pollard
- Order Consensus (all three analysts):
- DeAndre Swift (clear lead)
- Tyrone Tracy & Bucky Irving (close, both RB2/flex range)
- Tony Pollard (bottom, usage and offense concerns)
- Stat: “Bucky Irving is averaging 3.5 yards per carry, almost 2 yards less than last year. Only one run all year longer than 16 yards.” – Host/Moderator [18:42]
- Heath: “I have Swift significantly at the top…Pollard pretty clearly at the bottom.” [20:10-21:05]
- Discussion: Offense, implied totals, and O-line health weigh heavily into start/sit logic.
- “One team has an implied total of 24…one team has an implied total of 17.” – Dave [24:37]
Related Quick-Hits
- Ramandre Stevenson: Over all but Swift if TreVeyon Henderson is out. [25:25]
- Michael Carter: “No.” [25:39]
- Blake Corum vs. Pollard: “Pollard, but they're almost back-to-back.” [25:53]
5. Wide Receiver Dilemmas
Michael Wilson, Tetarol McMillan, Zay Flowers, Christian Watson
- Biggest variable: Injury impact for QBs/WRs
- “Mostly with Watson and Flowers because of the potential of backup quarterbacks. If you get the starting quarterbacks, you feel much better...” – Jamie [29:04]
- Rank Orders Vary:
- Most trust Michael Wilson as the safest, with Flowers and McMillan valued for volume, especially if the game script pushes passing.
- “Volume for McMillan…Carolina won't be able to run, so Bryce has to get the ball out quickly.” – Heath [32:54]
- Zay Flowers: High floor based on target share, but limited TD upside if Tyler Huntley starts.
- “Zay Flowers has a 33% target share with Huntley, but Huntley doesn't throw touchdowns.” – Host/Moderator [35:14]
Notable Segment
Implied Totals for WR teams: Arizona (23), Green Bay (22), Baltimore (19.5), Carolina (17) [34:21]
6. Rapid-Fire Start/Sit Questions
Christmas Game Highlights
Dallas at Washington
- Start Dak, Lamb, and Pickens. Ferguson a borderline TE1/2.
- “I'd try and get away from [Jake] Ferguson…feels low-upside.” – Dave [41:12]
- Washington QBs: If Mariota out, Ty Johnson is desperation-level. McLaurin is a low-end WR2/Flex.
- “McLaurin has a higher ceiling [than Wandale].” – Jamie [47:09]
Detroit at Minnesota
- Goff is a borderline play; low on Jamo without St. Brown.
- “You still start him…Jamo's just not getting the high-end TD production.” – Jamie [54:03]
- Justin Jefferson: No confidence, but you’re starting him if you must.
Denver at Kansas City
- Bonix is a low-end starter. R.J. Harvey is a “love” this week.
- On Chiefs: “No Chiefs policy…even Pacheco.” – Host/Moderator [71:28]
- “Kelsey's the only one in consideration. I don't want to start him…but I don’t know I can find a better option.” – Dave [70:51]
7. Injury & Weather Watch
- Strong advice to confirm all starts/sits closer to Sunday for QB/WR injuries and line movement.
- Weather risks in Cleveland, Buffalo, and possible changes for Jets game [37:26].
8. Notable Listener Q&A & Rankings Snippets
- Dak vs. Stafford: “Stafford's my QB1.” – Dave [49:58]
- Prescott or Lawrence: “Dak.” – Heath [50:08]
- Ferguson vs. Taysom Hill: “Ferguson.” [50:58]
- McLaurin, Ramondre, or Hampton: “If there’s no TreVeyon, I go Hampton.” – Jamie [51:15]
- Christmas food debate (classic FFT banter):
- “Christmas is a ham holiday…I'm smoking wings.” – Dave [75:08]
- “Pork is red meat. Don’t let the advertising fool you!” – Host/Moderator [76:25]
Memorable Quotes & Moments (with Timestamps)
- “There's maybe 10 quarterbacks we really want to start this week.” – Dave [10:12]
- “I’d prefer to start neither of them but Goff.” – Heath on Mayfield/Goff [09:54]
- “Volume for McMillan…Carolina will be forced to throw.” – Heath [32:54]
- “Zay Flowers has a 33% target share with Huntley…but Huntley doesn’t throw touchdowns.” – Host [35:14]
- “If anyone has a boo boo, they need to sit.” – Dave on Giants/Raiders [27:49]
Timestamps for Major Segments
| Segment | Start Time | |-------------------------|-----------| | Show Kick-Off | [02:21] | | Week 17 News/Notes | [06:45] | | QB Tough Calls | [08:57] | | RB Tough Calls | [18:42] | | WR Tough Calls | [28:29] | | Christmas Game Previews | [38:42] | | Listener Q&A | [47:02] | | Chiefs/Broncos Preview | [65:05] | | Christmas Food Bants | [74:39] |
Episode Takeaways
- Prioritize matchups AND offensive context for start/sit choices this week—be extra vigilant on late-week injuries and weather.
- Weekly “tough calls” are especially close for QBs and RBs, with consensus forming around “about 10 clear starters” at each position.
- Injury uncertainty at QB has a ripple effect on wide receiver recommendations—watch for news before locking lineups.
- Show closes with laughs—banter about holiday meal traditions highlights the show’s camaraderie.
Recommendation: For the most up-to-date advice, check their Sunday a.m. live stream and monitor injury/weather news ahead of Week 17 lock.
Merry Christmas—and good luck in your championships from FFT!
