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):
  1. DeAndre Swift (clear lead)
  2. Tyrone Tracy & Bucky Irving (close, both RB2/flex range)
  3. 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!