Week 18 Start or Sit! Who Can We Trust in this Wacky Week? (01/02 Fantasy Football Podcast)

Summary

Fantasy Football Today – Week 18 Start or Sit! Who Can We Trust in this Wacky Week?

Date: January 2, 2026
Hosts/Analysts: Adam Aizer (Host 1), Dave Richard, Jamie Eisenberg
Summary by Section Below

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Overview: Episode Theme & Purpose

This episode tackles the chaos of NFL Week 18—always a tricky fantasy football slate as playoff-bound teams rest stars, injured players sit, and contract incentives drive surprise performances. Adam, Dave, and Jamie walk through every matchup, sharing who you can trust, which lineups are "safe," and who presents sneaky upside (or disaster potential) for fantasy championships decided in this unpredictable week. They address contract incentives, injury notes, and go rapid-fire with actionable “Start or Sit” advice, while weaving in way-too-early 2026 draft questions for every game.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Who's Resting, Who's Playing – The Starter/Inactive Report

• Resting teams: Packers (resting top QBs, likely key skill players), Bills (likely sitting Josh Allen, James Cook), Eagles (resting main guys), Chargers (Herbert out, others likely benched).
• Star Mention: Saquon Barkley’s 87-yard, $250K incentive sparks debate whether Giants “gift” his bonus (04:57).
• Watch for last-minute surprises: "If you’re playing for a championship in Week 18, it is vital to stay on top of the inactives. ...There are going to be so many players that are either surprise inactives or you're thinking maybe they'll be inactive and then they are." —Dave (15:27)

2. Fantasy Playoff-Impacting Contract Incentives (06:42–08:58)

• Notable players with big financial motivations:
  • Saquon Barkley: 87 total yards (250k bonus).
  • Stefon Diggs: 8 receptions (500k bonus), generally deemed a "big ask".
  • Rico Dowdle: 7 rushing yards (1M bonus), +1 TD = extra $250k.
  • Marquise Brown: $750k per touchdown next two scores.
  • Others: Dawson Knox, Khalil Shakir, Kareem Hunt, Hunter Henry, Debo Samuel, Tony Pollard.
• Jamie’s take: "Diggs...a big ask. ...You gotta wonder if these teams will just cut them a bonus check to keep the relationships good, particularly Barkley." (08:12)

3. Navigating Injuries & Depth Charts (10:02–14:41)

• Status checks on Breece Hall, Josh Jacobs, Kyron Williams, Wandale Robinson, Chris Olave, Sam LaPorta, and many more.
• Offenses likely to field backups: Packers, Eagles, Chargers, and possibly more as the weekend unfolds.

4. Start/Sit Mailbag – Listeners’ Crucial Decisions (17:21–22:27)

• Listener “Bo” seeking touchdown scorers for a $4,500 payout.
  • Options: JSN (Jaxon Smith-Njigba), Courtland Sutton, Chase Brown, DeAndre Swift, Bills RB
  • Analyst Lean:
    • Jamie: Swift & Ray Davis (if Cook is out)
    • Dave: Sutton, strong defense for JSN too
    • Adam: JSN #1, Ray Davis if Cook sits, then Chase Brown

Notable Quote:
"I love Ray Davis this week if James Cook doesn’t play—even with Bill's backups against that Jets run defense..." —Jamie (18:48)

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Game-By-Game Fantasy Breakdown

Format: Game, 2026 Draft Question, Key Starts, Sits, and Insights

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Carolina Panthers at Tampa Bay Buccaneers (22:56–28:03)

• 2026 Draft Q: If core returns, which Bucs WR do you draft first? “Probably still Mike Evans…Round 5.” —Jamie (22:56)
• Start: Mike Evans ("destroys this team… his history vs. Carolina is amazing" – Jamie), Chris Godwin (flex), Rico Dowdle (motivation + matchup), Tedorrel McMillan (high upside WR2).
• Sit: Bucky Irving "tough to trust", Panthers' WRs are DFS dart throws.
• **"Bracing for bust weeks amongst Bucs WR2/3, tough call for McMillan’s volatility." —Jamie (25:15)

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Seattle Seahawks at San Francisco 49ers (28:03–33:14)

• Sam Darnold (top-15 QB this week), Charbonnet the preferred Seahawks RB ("goal line/TD equity"), but treat both Seattle RBs as low-end RB2s.
• Juwan Jennings vs. McMillan vs. Evans? Jennings “between Evans and McMillan” due to recent strong play/TD luck.
• Analyst caution: "Hard to bank on touchdowns every week..." —Adam (32:28)
• 49ers: Purdy is a start, but "If there's no Trent Williams, I might bump Trevor Lawrence ahead of him." —Dave (31:31)
• DFS note: Seahawks DST a serviceable play.

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Baltimore Ravens at Pittsburgh Steelers (33:14–38:42)

• 2026 Draft Q: Is Derrick Henry a round one pick next year? "No, not a first round pick... workload + age + probable timeshare worries me." —Dave (33:54)
• Lamar Jackson: Not confidently trusted (“hasn’t shown it lately, and Pitt D has his number”)
• Zay Flowers: "Solid No.2 WR, targets will be there, despite tough D." —Jamie (35:20)
• Ravens’/Steelers’ RBs (Warren, Gainwell): Both RB2/flex with Gainwell higher.
  "Gainwell more valuable for his receiving role, especially vs. Baltimore's tendencies." —Jamie (37:01)
• No interest in tight ends as starts outside DFS dart throws.

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Dallas Cowboys at New York Giants (38:42–43:10)

• 2026 Draft Q: Dak Prescott or Jackson Dart as dynasty QB? "Right now it's Dak" —Jamie; Dave has Dart higher (38:53)
• Start all core Cowboys (CeeDee Lamb, Dak, etc.), “I think Dak plays the majority of the game, even if just 3 quarters, could still be 225 & 2TD – this Giants D isn’t that good.” – Dave (40:34)
• For Giants: Dart is a low-end starter; Wandale Robinson's health "crucial" for any WR trust.
• RB: Tracy (Daniel Thomas) an RB2 if game flow/defensive injuries trend right.
• "If Quinnen Williams sits, this run D stinks. Makes Tracy/Blue interesting depending on who gets the nod." —Jamie (42:02)

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Green Bay Packers at Minnesota Vikings (43:10–44:44)

• 2026 Draft Q: Justin Jefferson still top 12 WR? "Borderline. It feels gross not to rank him there..." —Jamie (42:30)
• Start: Jefferson (“OK as WR2 this week, 53 yards from 1,000, likely scores.” —Dave), Jordan Mason if lead RB.
• Sit: All Packers, including Emmanuel Wilson, given uncertain usage.

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Cleveland Browns at Cincinnati Bengals (44:44–46:18)

• Summary: “Start all Bengals, sit all Browns.” —Dave (45:00)
• T. Higgins vs. Jefferson (2026): Jamie prefers Higgins due to QB situation.

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Indianapolis Colts at Houston Texans (46:59–49:39)

• 2026 Draft Q: Indy WR1? “Pittman, 'cause Pierce will be gone.” —Jamie (46:59)
• Start: Jonathan Taylor (RB1/2, especially if Cook rests), Nico Collins, Dalton Schultz, CJ Stroud (borderline QB1), Texans DST.
• Woody Marks: Only a flex; prefer Seattle RBs, Tracy, Jacory Croskey-Merritt.

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New Orleans Saints at Atlanta Falcons (49:39–52:50)

• 2026 Draft Q: London or Olave? “London—would take both over Jefferson...” —Jamie (53:11)
• Start: Bijan Robinson, Kyle Pitts (“you can’t sit Pitts…but Saints great vs. TEs, so temper expectations,” —Jamie), Juwan Johnson is safest Saint.
• Audric Estime (Saints): “Needs a TD, flex-level; Saints WRs are pure DFS/gamble.”

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Tennessee Titans at Jacksonville Jaguars (53:18–56:51)

• 2026 Draft Q: Who leads Jags WRs in 2026? Myers, but Travis Hunter could leap up charts if healthy.
• Start: Lawrence, Washington, Myers, Brian Thomas Jr (high upside this week vs. Titans corners).
• Titans: Tony Pollard (solid flex), Okonkwo is TE “desperation stream”.

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Arizona Cardinals at LA Rams (57:23–60:15)

• Devonte Adams vs. Marvin Harrison Jr. (“If Jacoby at QB, give me Marvin.” —Jamie (59:58))
• Start: Rams stars (Stafford, Kupp, Puka if active), Michael Wilson (Cardinals WR1), Jacoby Brissette (starter this week).
• Colby Parkinson (AZ TE) cracks top 12 in both PPR and standard.

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Detroit Lions at Chicago Bears (60:15–65:31)

• 2026 Draft Q: Rome Odunze or Luther Burden as your dynasty WR? “Burden for now.” —Jamie/Dave (60:47)
• Start: Caleb Williams ("my start of the week" —Jamie (60:56)), DJ Moore, Colson Loveland (high-end TE), Jameson Williams, Amon-Ra St. Brown if active, Jahmyr Gibbs.
• Sit: David Montgomery (insufficient workload lately).

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Kansas City Chiefs at Las Vegas Raiders (65:31–67:19)

• 2026 Draft Q: Ashton Jeanty or Rashee Rice? “Might go Rice if Mahomes is healthy.” —Jamie (65:51)
• Start: Travis Kelce (possibly his last KC game), Michael Mayer (Raiders TE if Bowers sits), Ashton Jeanty (if full workload).

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Los Angeles Chargers at Denver Broncos (67:57–68:35)

• Barely any starts; essentially “sit-em all.”
• Kamani Vidal a borderline flex at best.

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Washington Commanders at Philadelphia Eagles (68:41–71:45)

• RBs (Tank Bigsby, Rodriguez, Vidal): Deep flex territory only.
• Jahan Dotson: DFS sleeper only.
• WR: Terry McLaurin is a low-end WR2; Deebo Samuel (high risk, high reward this week).

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Miami Dolphins at New England Patriots (71:45–76:04)

• 2026 Draft Q: Where’s Rhamondre Stevenson next year? “Probably still here; likely a frustrating committee with TreVeyon Henderson.” —Dave (73:53)
• Start: Patriots RBs (both fringe RB2), Jalen Waddle (WR3/flex), Hunter Henry (fringe start), Pats DST.
• Greg Dulcich a very deep TE sleeper if Henry sits.

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New York Jets at Buffalo Bills (76:04–78:19)

• 2026 Draft Q: “Do we treat this season like it never happened for Jaden Daniels?” “Mostly, yes…but you have to consider injury risk for all running QBs.” —Jamie (71:52)
• Most are fades, but Breece Hall is a borderline RB2/flex; “watch Ray Davis if no James Cook.” —Adam
• Stefon Diggs: “must start if active.”

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Dak & Giants D: "Dak plays the majority of the game...could still get you 225 & 2—even if it’s just three quarters, Giants D isn’t that good." –Dave (40:34)
• On Contract Incentives: "That's one where I think [whether Diggs gets to 8 catches] takes into account, you know, will he play the full game?" –Jamie (08:16)
• On Week 18: "It is vital to stay on top of the inactives. ...This is the week where this happens." –Dave (15:27)
• On DFS Sleepers: "[Saints WRs]—great DFS dart throws…with the way Shock is playing..." –Jamie (12:45)
• On Late-season Risk: "Receivers can get their numbers, but the QB doesn't necessarily have a great game…that’s been the MO for Baker since the shoulder injury.” –Jamie (25:15)
• On 2026: "If Parker Washington finishes strong, Travis Hunter recovers fully...we’re probably gonna pivot." –Dave, on who could emerge as a top Jags WR (54:01)

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Quick Timestamps for Top Segments

| Segment | Time | |-----------------------------------------------------------|------------| | Who's Resting/Starting Updates | 04:05–07:49| | Contract Incentives Rundown | 06:42–08:58| | Detailed Injuries/Depth Chart Watch | 10:02–14:41| | Listener's $4.5K Touchdown Choices (Bo) | 17:21–22:27| | Carolina-Tampa Game Deep Dive | 22:56–28:03| | Rapid-fire Game Breakdowns (all 16 games) | 22:56–78:19| | DFS Sleepers/Deep Flexes | Throughout | | Key 2026 Draft & Dynasty Debates | Sprinkled (see per-game) |

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Closing Notes & Tone

The crew kept a friendly, slightly punchy tone, with jokes about bowl games and “you gotta go!” teasing, poking fun at fantasy logic whiplash, and realism about the agony (and occasional joy) of setting Week 18 lineups. Regular reminders to “check inactives” and "keep an eye on trends" made the advice practical, while 2026 questions sparked shed-light, “way-too-early” speculation for deep dynasty/keeper leagues.

Listeners are encouraged to play it safe, check late news, and accept that Week 18 is about embracing chaos, targeting motivated players, and sometimes…just a little luck!

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For deeper, game-by-game detail (including player-by-player start/sit rankings), see above segment breakdowns.

Transcript

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[Host 1]

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[Dave]

This is Fantasy Football TODAY from CBS Sports. What a play. Can you believe this?

[Host 1]

No, I can't.

[Dave]

It's time to dominate your fantasy league. Off to the races. And he stays on his feet. This is gonna go the distance. Now here's some combination of Adam, Dave, Jamie and Heath.

[Host 1]

Happy Friday, everybody. Happy New Year, everybody. Welcome to the show. It's Fantasy Football today presented by BetMGM. Make it legendary. We're doing the entire week 18 slate today. Ooh, monumental task ahead of us. Who's going to be resting? Starters? Who can you count on this week? And for each game, we'll have a 2026 question. For those of you not playing in week 18, there still will be some relevant content for you. Good morning, Dave. Richard. I did not even think Dave was going to be on the show. I knew he traveled to the Fiesta Bowl. He fiested this week. And welcome back.

[Dave]

Oh, my gosh. You mean cotton.

[Host 1]

Oh, yeah, right. My bad.

[Dave]

I am not a time traveler. If I were, I'd be a lot better at fantasy football.

[Host 1]

Are you going to. Let's go to the Fiesta bowl together, me and you.

[Jamie]

I don't.

[Dave]

I don't.

[Jamie]

Okay, go. You can't go to one and not the other.

[Host 1]

That's why these. That's why these bowl games have such affordable tickets. It's really a lot to ask of these fan bases to keep traveling. I mean, you could have gotten into the Orange bowl for like 30 bucks yesterday or something.

[Dave]

Crazy about the same price for the cotton ball too. Shout out for charging face value.

[Host 1]

You gotta go. I don't know. That's a lot. It's a lot to ask.

[Jamie]

Not the other. You gotta go.

[Dave]

The money isn't the issue. It's the flight. That's a five hour flight.

[Jamie]

You gotta go.

[Dave]

Florida to Arizona.

[Host 1]

Yeah, you gotta go. Obviously you can't.

[Dave]

You can't borrow the private jet.

[Jamie]

Jamie, you gotta go. However you get there, you gotta go. Oh, man.

[Host 1]

Well, anyway, it's been a joyous week for. For me and Dave, for sure. And we won't talk about that anymore. Let's get into week 18.

[Dave]

Sure. We won't.

[Host 1]

I can't imagine it was a lot of fun for you guys to do rankings this week. Which teams do we know Jamie are sitting players right now?

[Jamie]

Packers are not going to start either. The top two quarterbacks, so you assume they're going to sit some of their key guys. I would assume Josh Jacobs for sure. Christian Watson, playing through whatever injury he's been playing through, probably going to sit as well, especially after what happened to them last year. Week 18, the Bills sound like they're going to sit Josh Allen, which means they're probably going to sit James Cook would be my guess. They're two top offensive players. I don't know why you would risk that if you're going to sit Alan. We know that the Chargers are going to sit Justin Herbert, so they're probably going to sit some guys and Marian Hamptons on the injury report with an ankle problem, so I wouldn't expect to see him. Which means you can't trust the receivers with Trey Lance. And the Eagles are going to sit a good portion of the guys. The one that's tricky is Saquon Barkley because he has a $250,000 contract incentive for. I think it's like 83 total yards or something like that.

[Host 1]

87.

[Jamie]

87. So my guess is they do some sort of. Here you go. Thanks, Saquon, for everything that you've done. And don't play, but here's your. Here's your bonus. So there's a few of those situations that you got to keep an eye on, but I think right now, for. From what I understand, I might be missing a team, but Buffalo, Green Bay, Philly and the Chargers from the playoff teams, I think those are the ones that you gotta be concerned about.

[Host 1]

Okay. Does anybody worry about Dallas pulling their starters?

[Dave]

It's possible.

[Host 1]

Feels like that's been suggested, you know.

[Dave]

Right. I don't think Brian Schottenheimer said anything to dispel that. So we. I'm still ranking them like they're going to play at least three quarters. So the starters are in my rankings, but I think there's a chance we see some of Joe Milton and some other players as well.

[Jamie]

I started building some DFS lineups for the story that I read every Friday, and it was fun and tricky at the same time because, like, there's a lot of different options you can use, but at the same time, like, you obviously want to get some players that are in great matchups and how much of those guys will play. Dallas was one. And, you know, I'm keeping an eye on the Wanda Robinson injury because, well, will he play? And if he doesn't play, that takes away a little bit of the. The allure of a giant stack of Jackson Dart and one of his receivers, because I don't know if you want to trust any of the other guys in terms of, you know, there's. There's plenty of boom potential, but there's also plenty of bus potential as well.

[Host 1]

I think another one to watch is New England. And when is Jack. Jacksonville plays at 1. So do. I'm sorry, did we figure out the scenario of New England and Jacksonville wins.

[Jamie]

And New England loses? Jacksonville gets the two, okay. Correct.

[Host 1]

But if Jacksonville and New England both.

[Jamie]

Win, then New England is the 2. Unless Denver loses and New England is the 1. Right, right.

[Dave]

But then one of those has to lose.

[Host 1]

Denver's playing chargers backups 4:25 Eastern. New England's playing Miami. So it's possible with some scoreboard watching, that New England could be pulling starters in the second half, but not if Jacksonville wins necessarily at 1:00 clock against Tennessee. All right, so a lot of scenarios and the incentives, some other players that have incentives this week. Dawson Knox is 7 yards away from $100,000 and one touchdown away from another hundred thousand dollars. Khalil Shakir is going to get $150,000 for each of his next two receiving touchdowns. But we're not expecting Josh Allen at this point. Maybe that's a little.

[Jamie]

He will probably take a snap.

[Host 1]

Yeah, right.

[Jamie]

To keep his streak intact and then sit.

[Host 1]

I was saying, I was talking to my friend last night, I was like, my brother in law is like, it's gonna be so annoying. He's gonna play one snap or one series and then I'm gonna have to azer stat his entire season just like I did last week last year. He's gonna have zero points. He's gonna gonna kill his AD average. Rico Dowdle, seven yards away from a million dollars, but one touchdown away from 250 extra.

[Jamie]

Yeah, he's playing. I would expect that. Yeah.

[Host 1]

Marquis Brown, $750,000 for each of his next two touchdowns.

[Dave]

Kareem Hunt might hit that incentive by 2027. Yeah.

[Host 1]

Kareem Hunt, 31 total yards away from 25,000. Stefan Diggs is eight catches away from 500,000. You think Stefan Diggs gets it?

[Jamie]

No, that's, that's a big ask. So.

[Dave]

Yeah, it's a lot.

[Jamie]

We'll see. That's one where I think takes into account, you know, will he play the full game?

[Host 1]

Hunter Henry, five catches away from 250,000. That could happen. Mac Holland's four catches away from a $400,000 incentive.

[Dave]

That's not happening.

[Jamie]

He's on IR.

[Host 1]

Oh, yeah, my bad. Saquon Barkley, 87 total yards away from 250,000. As Jamie mentioned, Debo Samuel is 10 catches, 93 yards and two touchdowns away from big incentives. It's Debo Samuel and he'll be facing Eagles backups, by the way, Eagles backups last year in week 18 went out and beat the Giants 20 to 13 with Tanner McKee at quarterback.

[Jamie]

It wouldn't shock me if he gets the yards because they'll probably try and do that.

[Host 1]

Sam Darnold has a lot of money he could make with a good game on Saturday at San Francisco. And this one's interesting. Tony Pollard, who's got 300 yard games and an 80 plus yard game in his last four, he's 66 rushing yards away. Tony Pollard from $250,000. That's a tough defense. He'll be facing in Jacksonville. All right, news and notes. Lamar Jackson's gonna play. Yay. Josh Allen we're not so sure about at least playing anything significant. Patriots said they're going to play their starters. Eagles resting starters. Marcus Mariota is doubtful, so it'll be Josh Johnson at Philadelphia. Geno Smith is out. We could see Kenny Pickett and Aiden o' Connell. According to Vincent Bonsignor of the Las Vegas Review Review Journal. Hey, Aaron Rodgers might come back next year. About that. Brady Cook is starting for the jets again. Clayton Tune is starting for the Packers. J.J. mcCarthy practiced in full, so he's might play against packers backups. And Anthony Richardson practice in full. But it's going to be Riley Leonard, right?

[Dave]

Yes.

[Host 1]

Running back. A lot of running back news. Breece hall missed the practice, but he came back. He practiced on Thursday. Josh Jacobs limited. We're not thinking, we're not expecting Jacobs. Kyron Williams was limited with an ankle injury. Should be fine. But Blake Corum missed practice. But you do. Do you wonder about Kyron Williams and how much he'll play?

[Jamie]

I think it comes down to again what happens in the game Saturday night and do they still have a shot at the five seed? Right.

[Host 1]

So they need the Niners to win. Sorry. Seattle to win any Seattle to win in order to have.

[Jamie]

Not sure about that, but I think that's correct.

[Dave]

No, that's right. The Rams need to win in a.

[Host 1]

49Ers loss to get the five.

[Dave]

Yeah, I've got all the scenarios here.

[Host 1]

And the five is the coveted spot because you'll face Carolina or Tampa Bay.

[Jamie]

Right.

[Host 1]

Let's see. We got Devon Hn. He's been missing practice with a shoulder injury. Jalen Wright could be in play at New England. New England's got maybe Milton Williams coming back, but Kyrus Tonga, another defensive tackle and linebacker Robert Spillane, they're hurt. Chase Brown's been out with an illness. We'll see about that. Javante Williams and Malik Davis are both banged up so Jaden Blue could could be a Week 18 winner at the Giants. Jordan Mason practice in full, but Aaron Jones has been missing practice and they've got the packers theoretically a lot of their backups.

[Jamie]

I wouldn't be surprised if this is Aaron Jones's last game in the NFL because he's three just turned 31. He I heard on a radio broadcast he took part in the the media's broadcast camp, you know, to get guys ready for broadcasting careers. So he did that last off season. So I wonder if facing the packers would be a good way to go out for him. That'd be cool if this is what he decides.

[Dave]

He's got a he does have a 2 million roster bonus on March 15, so I would imagine a decision from the Vikings if he doesn't make a decision will be made before then.

[Host 1]

Chris Rodriguez is going to play Basil Tutin practice in full. Alvin Camara missed practice. Jamie mentioned Omari and Hampton with an ankle injury and Kamani Vidal, who missed last week's game, he practiced in full. So Videl, with, you know, Trey Lance at quarterback, we'll be facing Denver, who needs a win and Rico Dowdle is good to go. A wide receiver. Marvin Harrison Jr. Is out. Jack Besh is back. Wanda, I mean we'd be so excited. I think I would be for Wanda Robinson this week, but he's been missing practice so keep an eye on that and we were excited about Tyler Schuck, but Chris Olave, thankfully he's going to be fine. But Chris Olave has a blood clot in his lungs, should fully recover in the next month, but he will be out. And Mason Tipton missed practice. Are there any Saints wide receivers to look at?

[Jamie]

Atlanta yeah, Kelvin Austin Jr. He's played a lot recently since Devon Vale's injury and coming off a decent game. If you're desperate, Dante Pettis will also get some opportunities. So I think this is just you trust Tyler Schuck to make these guys better. They're great DFS dart throws because we've seen this Falcon secondary prior to the last couple of weeks, but for the most part they were struggling down the stretch. So with the way Shock is playing, if you think there's going to be a lot of opportunities, then these guys will get targets and hopefully deliver. But obviously Juwan Johnson is the one you want to look at and just say he's safe at his position. I don't know how great he'll be now that he'll get some additional coverage, but he's certainly going to get opportunities.

[Host 1]

Yeah, and Shuck is no longer really an attractive option for Dave and Jamie. They have him 19th and 20th. Devonte Adams not expected to play. Cash on booty and demario Douglas could play this week. Pat Bryant looks like he's good to good to go for Denver. Romo Dunes A probably not going to play, but Luther Burden probably will play Dave, is that fair to say?

[Dave]

Fair to say.

[Host 1]

All right, Rashid Shahid is going to play for Seattle at San Francisco on Saturday and Aman Ross St. Brown, that's one we're keeping an eye I'm keeping an eye on anyway. You know they've been eliminated. He's been playing hurt and he was limited in practice. St Brown so at least he got in the limited session there.

[Jamie]

Sounds like he's gonna play.

[Host 1]

Yeah Tight end known to Joku or Fan in at practice for Cleveland. Dalton Kincaid limited. Theo Johnson still missing practice with an illness that kept him out of last week's game. T.J. hawkinson missing practice. How about Sam Laporta? His his back injury could sideline him into until training camp or later. That's tough. Keep an eye on Chico Conquo he's got a touchdown and two straight games. I think he has seven or more targets in three straight games. And gunner Helm missed practice so that could lead to more targets for Okonkwo Darren Waller mispractice. Greg Dulcich would be the guy there. George Kittle expects the play. You guys ranked Kittle?

[Jamie]

Yep.

[Dave]

Must start cool. Big surprise.

[Host 1]

And Jake Ferguson was limited with the calf injury that he left last week's game with on the offensive line. The two big ones for Saturday Charles Cross, Seattle's left tackle is out and Trent Williams, San Francisco's left tackle, is questionable and the defensive injuries to know. Seattle safety Kobe Bryant is doubtful. Detroit defensive tackle Ali McNeil missed practice. He got hurt last week. Their run defense was much worse without him. So that's for Chicago. They're running backs against Detroit. Tampa Bay is going to be without linebacker Anthony Nelson and cornerback Jamel Dean. I mentioned the Patriots defensive line update and the packers claimed Trayvon Trayvon Diggs off waivers. They're a little beat up at cornerback, so they need the help.

[Dave]

Listen, if you're gonna if you're playing for a championship in week 18, it is vital to stay on top of the inactives. You should be doing this every week anyway, but there are going to be so many players that are either surprise inactives or you're thinking maybe they'll be inactive and then they are. This is the week where this happens. You've got to stay on top of it. And actives typically come out 90 minutes before kickoff if a player isn't ruled out in advance anyway. So stay on top of all these injuries so you know what's up with your lineups in Week 18.

[Host 1]

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[Dave]

I'm sorry, I just cleared my throat.

[Host 1]

Oh, okay. Well listen man, trying to talk about BETMGM here. Make sure to bet up to the minimum stake odds and legs specified on the token. If your boosted bet hits, you'll score a bigger payout. From opening kickoffs to game winning drives, this pro football boost pack is your ticket to unforgettable moments this season. Don't wait on the sidelines, join the action with BetMGM. And by the way, if you're just signing up for the first time, use the bonus code for Fantasy for that fifteen hundred dollar offer. Fantasy is the bonus code. Is the bonus code there? Something really cracked me up in the chat. I hope that you guys will have a show on Sunday morning. Lol. Yet. No, we will not have a show on Sunday morning and unfortunately we will not have a mailbag. This is our last show of the week. We will have shows Monday, Wednesday and Thursday for the next five months basically beginning next week. And we will take a break and when we come back we're going to help someone win $4,500. Okay, ready to make Bo our listener some money here?

[Jamie]

Yes.

[Host 1]

He's going to donate some to charity if we can help him out. All right. Joe says Bo says $4,500 are on the line. Joined a league where every week we pick anytime touchdown, you start with three strikes and if your guy scores a touchdown, you don't lose a strike. If they score two touchdowns, you get an extra strike. Leagues started with 100 people down to the last week, there are eight left. I currently have a one point lead because he's gained extra strikes and we are picking two guys this week. You can only use them once so that doesn't matter anymore. He needs two players that you think are going to score a touchdown this week. He's deciding between Jackson Smith and Jigba at San Francisco. Cortland Sutton against Chargers, likely backups Chase Brown against the Browns, DeAndre Swift against the Lions or a Bills running back against the Jets. So we need two touchdown scores. JSN Sutton Chase Brown DeAndre Swift, Bills.

[Jamie]

Running back it's so funny because the first two names that popped in my head were Swift and Ray Davis. I didn't know what the stipulations were but those are the first two names that I thought of when you started to to say this. So when you got to the end, I was like, oh, interesting. Can you pick a random Bills running back or you have to pick the specific Bills.

[Host 1]

Pick the Ray Davis or James Cook.

[Jamie]

Yeah, that's, that's, that's crazy because I love Ray Davis this week. If James Cook doesn't play even with Bill's backups against that jets run defense, Swift would be one for me. I'm, I'm a little nervous about Chase Brown. You know, you mentioned you're going through the teams Chase Brown's on the injury port. I love him this week, obviously, if he plays. But I don't know if he has any incentive to play at this point, you know, with what he's accomplished and how he looks. And so will the Bengals be a little bit cautious with him. But I think if he does play, he's going to have an awesome matchup against the Browns team that clearly doesn't have any incentive to play for nearly the Bengals. But Chase Brown's just been amazing. The receivers are great, but you know how receivers go. I mean, Cortland Sutton had two touchdown opportunities last week and dropped them both.

[Dave]

Man, that's why he bounces back this week.

[Jamie]

I, I would go. He has picked two. Yeah, Swift is one for me.

[Host 1]

Really? Okay. I mean, Bears running back score touchdowns almost every week. Just. You never, you don't know who it's gonna be.

[Jamie]

It's risky. But again, you know, you are talking about him against his former team. How do you do against the Eagles when he played them? He also scored against the, the Lions in week two. So with the way their run defense looks right now and that team trying to get the 2 seat, I think Swift has a as much opportunity as anybody. So I'll let you guys pick the other one. I'll take Swift.

[Dave]

Sutton was the first name that came to my mind, so I'm glad that he can use him. This is Bo Nix against Chargers backups. That means a backup pass rush, backup secondary. We, we saw the Broncos last year in a game that they needed against backups and Bonix went berserk. And it doesn't sound like you can use. I, I guess you could use quarterbacks, but then they have to run for the touchdown. They can't throw for it. And even if they could, I don't know if he's used Bonix anyway. But if you can't use Knicks for a passing touchdown, I would use Cortland Sutton. And I don't hate JSN one bit because that 49ers pass rush is bad to begin with. Their secondary isn't great, and I think Seattle's gonna throw plenty.

[Jamie]

So this.

[Dave]

I. I don't mind JSN as a second name, and I feel like both of them are a little bit safer than Swift. But I agree with Jamie. Like, the offensive line for Chicago is great. Detroit's defense is banged up. We don't know how motivated Detroit will be. They probably will be, but Swift is a good option. I think Sutton and JSN are better.

[Host 1]

I would go with JSN. He'd be my first one. You got a 47 and a half point total and obviously a huge game they need to play. Whereas I really do like Sutton versus the Chargers. But what if the Chargers don't, like. Don't score any points right. Against Denver and they just don't have to throw so that I like Sutton.

[Jamie]

Just.

[Host 1]

That's in the back of my mind. If Chase Brown. Chase Brown has an illness on the injury report with an illness. So I think I'd go with him. If he plays, I'd go with Ray Davis. If they rule, I. I'd go with JSN number one. Number two would be Ray Davis. If they rule James Cook out, I don't think I'd go with Cook because I'd be nervous about him playing limited snaps. So one would be JSN for me. Two would be Chase Brown. If he plays, then probably Swift. Then Sutton just get like, I go.

[Jamie]

Jason over Sutton personally, if we're going receivers.

[Host 1]

Me too. Dave said Sutton first.

[Dave]

I. I'd take Sutton first.

[Host 1]

Okay.

[Dave]

I'll give you another dark horse receiver who's only scored twice this year, so you might be nervous. Maybe you've heard of him. His name is Justin Jefferson.

[Host 1]

No way.

[Dave]

Against the packers backups, it's a dark horse. Maybe this is something for like.

[Host 1]

No.

[Dave]

You want to go on bet MGM and take an anytime touchdown prop. And it just. I feel like with McCarthy back, it's a quarterback upgrade. Backups on defense for Green Bay, one last hurrah. He's a few yards away from a thousand to begin with.

[Jamie]

53.

[Dave]

Yeah. Yeah. 53 yards. There you go.

[Jamie]

Thank you.

[Host 1]

All right. All right. Good luck to you, Bo, and we appreciate your. Your charitable donation. Let's get to. Let's get to the games. Okay, so 20, 26 question for each game. Carolina at Tampa Bay. If everybody comes back, let's say that the Buccaneers have the same wide receiver core. Who's the first Bucks wide receiver you're drafting and in what round do you think you take them? Jamie?

[Jamie]

Probably still Mike Evans and I would say with everybody there. Round five, Dave.

[Dave]

Buka. Round five or six.

[Host 1]

Okay, well, this is one of the big one. The first three games we're going to preview are the big ones. Carolina, Tampa Bay, Seattle, San Francisco, Baltimore, Pittsburgh. Dave, who do we like in this game? Could be a low scoring game. The bucks have scored 20 or fewer points in five of their last six. Panthers rarely score more than 23 points. What's the total here? It's. It's 43 and a half. Who do you like in this game to start?

[Dave]

Well, there's obvious names, obviously Mike Evans and who else is really obvious? Is Tedro McMillan even obvious at this point?

[Host 1]

Not after last week. One of the biggest.

[Dave]

Yeah. Given the. Given how he's done, but also given just the landscape of the week and so many receivers missing, I feel like people will still be compelled. Start. McMillan had a great game against Tampa before. Tampa's secondary is in bad shape. Even if Jamel Dean had played, it would have been in bad shape. I kind of like Rico Dowdle. I like the way that he ran last week. I don't think the Panthers used him enough. And Tampa's run defense has been terrible lately. Levante David's been making some mistakes. And Carolina's offensive line, we talked about it last week with Aquanu coming back at left tackle. I, I think that helps a little bit. Robert Hunt will be back, I think this week. I think I said that last week and then he ended up not playing. But that line will be a little bit stronger. I think Carolina runs a lot and I think Rico Dowel can end up finishing the year strong. And I don't know if he's got incentives still. You might have mentioned that the earlier.

[Host 1]

He does. Yeah.

[Jamie]

He's.

[Host 1]

He's going to get.

[Dave]

How close is he?

[Host 1]

He's like seven yards away from a million dollars. But if he scores a touchdown. So he's going to get that. He's a touchdown away from 250k.

[Dave]

Okay. So ultimately he can help his team make the playoffs. They don't have to worry about anything that happens to. In the other NFC south game. I, I kind of like Dowdle. So low end number two running back for him. I'm nervous about Bucky. There isn't a quarterback I really like in the game. Godwin is in that flex territory in full PPR. Jalen McMillan's interesting too. I like the way that he played.

[Host 1]

How do you feel about Bucky?

[Dave]

I don't love him. Low end number two running back at best.

[Host 1]

So who's our. So your favorite running back is Dowdle. Jamie, how about you?

[Dave]

Was my favorite running back in the game, for sure.

[Jamie]

Daddle is my favorite running back. But I think Bryce Young also has a decent game here. I mean, the track record against the Bucks has been fantastic. Eight straight games with a quarterback at 19 fantasy points or more, including Bryce Young, who had 21 in the first matchup. So I don't know if Tampa can stop anything that the Carolina Panthers want to do. It's a matter of what the Carolina Panthers want to do, and so I'm hopeful. You know, Dave just mentioned all, you know, three of the top four receivers for Tampa Bay. So the. The question is, can Baker Mayfield play well here? And this is one of those scenarios where I'm sure Dave will agree, like, the receivers can get their numbers, but the quarterback doesn't necessarily have a great game. And that's kind of been the MO for Baker for the last second, for the second half of the season since the shoulder injury. And so one of the receivers will probably. One of the two of the top four receivers will probably be terrible, one will probably be close to great, and one will be decent. And I think, you know, for me, I. I don't know where Dave has this, but Evans destroys this team. His history against Carolina is absolutely amazing. I said at the first matchup, he had another touchdown in the first game. So I think you trust him just based on how Baker's leaning on him. And then Godwin coming off the game that he just had, he actually has 14 PPR points or more in two of his last three. The one they didn't do, it was against Carolina, but He does have two touchdowns into his last three games, so he feels like the second best option. McMillan is interesting because he's coming off this huge game against Miami, but the two previous games, he was terrible. So it's probably going to be either him or Abuka having a big play or two that will help boost their numbers, but not enough to where I think you're going to start them. Even in a week 18 scenario where there's a lot of guys missing, but one of these guys could be decent DFS plays. I think just in the case of Carolina, for me, I'm going to trust Tet as a number two receiver because I do think that Bryce Young will be good enough, that he's a borderline starter. So I actually like Bryce Young better than Baker Mayfield just based on the defenses that each of them are facing.

[Host 1]

Sorry, I was muted there. Give the panthers credit their seventh best against quarterbacks. Basically, the M.O. is they're pretty good against the pass. They're not that good against the run. But Bucky Irving is just tough to trust right now. They've. The Panthers have allowed 10 rushing touchdowns to running backs in their last six games. But again, who's.

[Jamie]

And Sean Tucker had one of them.

[Host 1]

Who's gonna. Right, exactly. Who's gonna score?

[Dave]

Yeah, that's. Who scores for Tampa this week.

[Jamie]

The five teams met. There was no targets for Bucky's. So like he got involved in the passing game against Miami, but then it's just he's all over the place right now and he's going to be a really tough player to evaluate next offseason just based on how good he was to start the year, how awesome he was as a rookie and how terrible he's been. Downstretch.

[Host 1]

So Evans and McMillan are starts, basically.

[Dave]

Yep. And I think you could qualify Godwin as a start too. Again, going back to a lack of good receivers this week, it just pushes up a lot of the players that would be in the flex range into the low end, number two receiver range.

[Host 1]

Okay. And let's go to Seattle at San Francisco. So this is kind of where Sam Darnold would be good, right? I mean, yes, like Sam Darnold or Bryce Young. Okay.

[Jamie]

And it's funny you say that because this is typically when Sam Darnold is bad with a huge game.

[Host 1]

Yeah, I know, right?

[Dave]

The matchup is good. But you know, Jamie's right. Just the fact that it's a playoff intense type game. This is when he wilts.

[Host 1]

So. So the game scenario last year.

[Jamie]

Exactly.

[Host 1]

You're right.

[Dave]

Easier matchup though than last year.

[Host 1]

The 49ers are. Well, no, last. Last year you played the Lions, right?

[Dave]

Yeah.

[Jamie]

And they were terrible.

[Host 1]

They were horrible.

[Dave]

They had a pass rush.

[Jamie]

No, they did not. They lost touches and they were terrible.

[Host 1]

They lost everything. I mean, they lost.

[Jamie]

They were so bad at the end of the season.

[Host 1]

They were almost historically bad in December last year. The amount of yards per play they were allowing. I remember that stat. And he fold. And. And look, he threw two interceptions against the Rams a few night a few weeks ago. Right. Got lucky with that overtime game to have a good game. So he's not like a top 12 guy. Sam Darnold. See, he's 13.

[Dave]

Oh, I like him.

[Host 1]

Oh, he is. Never mind. He's 13 for Jamie's 11th for Dave. He's 18th for Heath. I was speaking for Heath, but that was as of Two days ago. Anyway, what about the running back Charbonnet? Coming off an 18 carry game, he had the last five carries and seven of the last eight carries for Seattle. So he basically ran out the clock. Jamie, is he the, the Seattle running back you prefer at this point?

[Jamie]

I think you have to, you know, you just look at the, the body of work and the touchdown potential and that favors him. He had a touchdown in the Week 1 matchup against San Francisco as well. I think just looking at what makes their team go is using both running backs and when they get down to the goal line or inside the 10, it's, it's Charbonnet time. And he's been involved in the past game almost just as much as Walker recently. So just looking at. He runs forward, Walker looks for big plays. You know, I, I would imagine after what they saw last week, like, how do you not give him more opportunities?

[Host 1]

So, because, because we say this every week about Ken Walker. When Ken Walker has a good game, like, whoa.

[Jamie]

I just think you treat them again, given the week, you treat them just a simple fight. You treat them as low in number two running backs. I prefer sharpening.

[Host 1]

Okay. Yeah. If people in the chat, if you have any specific questions about the game, feel free to fire away. We'll answer them. But we have 16 games to get through today. So the easy calls in this game are obviously McCaffrey and JSN and the 49ers tight end, whoever it may be. We're expecting it to be Kittle. He says he's going to play, but the let's talk about Purdy.

[Jamie]

He's easy call.

[Host 1]

Well, I mean, is he? Because look at who he's.

[Dave]

All right.

[Host 1]

I mean, look, the last two games have been against the Colts and the Bears and he scored 40 and then the Titans.

[Jamie]

You still expect, you still expect the top 12 game from him.

[Host 1]

Okay. Seattle has had a pretty easy schedule. They haven't really faced a lot good offenses.

[Jamie]

So I get those quarterbacks have beat them up.

[Host 1]

Well, not all of them. Stafford scored 17.2. Brissette scored 21.4. And then that's kind of it.

[Dave]

I think it's easier to lower expectations for Purdy if he doesn't have Trent Williams protecting his blind side.

[Host 1]

But remember, he didn't. Yeah, go ahead.

[Dave]

Williams didn't practice all week. The replacement last week wasn't very good. He was maybe average. And I just, I like Purdy. I'm going to start Purdy. But I, every time I go to my rankings, I'm not sure If I want to keep him where I have him right now he's fifth and I'm thinking if there's no Trent Williams, and this is why you've got to look at the inactives before the game like there's a case to be made to start Trevor Lawrence ahead of him.

[Jamie]

Well, I would do as an example.

[Host 1]

Yeah, I think Jackson Dart a little.

[Dave]

Worried about darts offensive line too. But Dart clearly has the matchup. I think he needs to have Wondale active in order to feel good about him.

[Host 1]

What about Piersol and Jennings? Good, good to go with them.

[Dave]

Yep.

[Jamie]

Jennings is a must start receiver at this point. I mean he just scores all the time. And Pearsall, I think you give him the credit for his last two games over 95 yards receiving in both 15 targets in those two games. And he had over 100 yards receiving against Seattle in week one. I will.

[Host 1]

I won't dispute the Jennings thing because it's week 18 and so many guys are sitting. But the trends are not great for Jennings the last two games when Ricky Pearsall has been on the field and he only has three games all year with more than 54 yards. So I, you know, the. It's hard to bank on touchdowns every week. They're saving him, they're propping him up.

[Jamie]

And Seattle, I mean, I think you said it best. Like who are you starting over? Juwan Jennings at this point of the replacement options or you know, like as good as Godwin played last week. I still rather trust Joanne Jennings and his quarterback and his matchup as well.

[Host 1]

How about just out of Curiosity, Evans, Teterom McMillan, Juwan Jennings.

[Jamie]

I put Jennings in between those two. Just because of McMillan's volatility.

[Host 1]

Yeah.

[Dave]

All right, Evans ahead next game.

[Host 1]

Seattle DST by the way is around 12th or 13th. Baltimore's at Pittsburgh. Dave, you trust Lamar Jackson?

[Dave]

Not really.

[Jamie]

Oh, wait.

[Dave]

I don't know how healthy he is when he did play.

[Host 1]

2020 question. 2026 question.

[Dave]

Oh, I'm sorry, I didn't know that was a 20.

[Host 1]

No, it wasn't. It wasn't. I just forgot my 2026 question.

[Dave]

Derek, 2026 question for the last game.

[Host 1]

Yeah, I know. It's too late now. We're gone. Dave, Derek Henry. You look at his numbers with Lamar Jackson. Pretty damn good. Can we make a case for him as a round one pick next year?

[Dave]

I don't know if I, if I trust it just because. Forget about the age. It's the workload that he took on again. Another year of doing that. And you saw before last week, the Ravens were taking him off the field more than they really should have. And so if they go into next year with Derrick Henry, is it going to be a thing where he's in a timeshare for, you know, the first 10 games of the season, he's only playing 50% of the snaps. He's maxing out at 15 carries and then he's off the field and it's Keaton Mitchell and Justice Hill or whoever that. That worries me a little bit. So, no, not a first round pick.

[Host 1]

Okay. Dave, you trust Lamar Jackson this week?

[Dave]

Not really. I don't. I feel like he's got to prove it at this point and I know it's week 18 and it's exciting that he's coming back. The Steelers tend to have his number and he has not given us good fantasy numbers at all since he came back from injury. Less. The first game he came back from injuries against Miami, he crushed and then after that he just completely fell apart. So I'd rather go to battle with some of these other quarterbacks that we'll talk about, including Dart Caleb Williams, Bo Nix. Brissette isn't a fan any. We're not fans of Brissette anymore because of how he's been playing. But I'd still start him out of Lamar.

[Host 1]

Would you go to the the Bryce Youngs of the world over Lamar Jackson?

[Dave]

I'm not there yet. I would still go Lamar and hope that he can get me to 18 fantasy points.

[Host 1]

Jamie, how we feel about Zay Flowers easy start this week?

[Jamie]

Yeah, I mean his last four games have been great. I think having Lamar back is huge for him. The Steelers defense has been fantastic and and their secondary has been playing very well. Some of it's who who they have played against. But I think you just take into account what Flowers has done and the importance of this game and you consider him based on the field, a solid number two. Address here.

[Host 1]

Okay.

[Jamie]

He had over 100 yards against Pittsburgh.

[Host 1]

The first time we're going to start Derek Henry. I assume we're not going to start a tight end in this game. Even though you know the Steelers tight ends are seeing the increase in targets.

[Jamie]

Great DFS place because one of these guys will probably have a decent game.

[Host 1]

Yeah. It's a really tough matchup though. Baltimore is fantastic. They have not allowed more than 60 yards to a tight end all year. They've allowed four touchdowns to tight ends this season.

[Dave]

Baltimore or Pittsburgh?

[Host 1]

Baltimore.

[Dave]

Okay.

[Host 1]

Yeah, great, great. Against tight ends. Okay. On the Pittsburgh side We're not going to start Rogers or a wide receiver. Dave, how do you feel about Warren and Gainwell?

[Dave]

I think they're number two running backs. I know that the Ravens run defense, their whole defense overall has been very up and down this year. I like Gainwell better. I feel like he's just got like a little bit of an edge in terms of catching the ball, being a checkdown guy, a safety valve guy for Aaron Rodgers. And I haven't looked it up to see just how big the difference has been inside the 10 for these guys. But I feel like they've been splitting enough to where that receiving edge is for Gainwell than it is for Warren.

[Jamie]

Okay, so the Ravens are third in the NFL and most receptions allowed to running backs. And gainwell in the first game he had four carries for 15 yards and a touchdown but he had six catches in that game, only 27 yards. So the touchdown kind of saved him. But I mean he's just been so involved in the passing game and without, you know this, this burned me last week by saying this because I thought it would be the case without DK Metcalf and clearly it did not happen. Where they used Gainwell in the passing game. There was a report that came out either yesterday today that they used in the chip a little bit too much and that's something I think that they regret because they didn't get him out in involved in as a weapon for, for Rogers like they probably will this week. So just given the matchup and I think what is at stake and who's missing without Metcalf there, this could be another five plus catch game for him. So I think you trust him more. It's a little bit tougher. So you know when you start to get into those touchdown dependent guys that are getting a lot of work meaning like Manangai and Charbonnet and it's probably it in terms of like who you trust. Like I, I mean obviously you're not gonna go like the Tyler Algiers and Sean Tucker's of the world but I think when you look at the, the low end number two running backs, like I don't know if Warren's a slam dunk. Gainwell to me is okay and remember.

[Host 1]

He was chipping Miles Garrett last week. Won't have to deal with that against Baltimore.

[Dave]

Do you want the inside the five splits for these guys?

[Host 1]

No, it's okay. I mean they both pretty, let's just.

[Dave]

Say it's pretty close but Warren has an edge.

[Host 1]

Questions from the chat from the last game Bo Nix or Brock Purdy.

[Jamie]

Purdy.

[Dave]

Purdy. As of now.

[Host 1]

Zach Charbonnet or Audrey Estimate?

[Jamie]

Charbonnet.

[Dave]

Charbonnet.

[Host 1]

Okay. And we're gonna take a break. Ravens DST, by the way, is 10th. About 10th for Jamie and for Dave, Ravens are 11th. Okay, so we'll take a break and we'll go through the other games a lot quicker, and we'll start with Dallas at the Giants when we come back on Fantasy football today.

[Jamie]

Dallas for the Giants head coaching candidates?

[Host 1]

No, not at all. Jackson Dart or Dak Prescott in 2026?

[Jamie]

Right now it'd be Dak.

[Dave]

I think I have dart higher.

[Host 1]

Dallas has won nine in a row in this series, 16 of the last 17. Dak Prescott has won 14 straight against the New York Giants. And it would be so easy to just start all of your Cowboys, basically, but we do have some concerns about how much they'll play. So, Dave, how did you go about approaching that? Plus, we don't even know who they're starting running back is going to be. But give me your thoughts on the Cowboys.

[Dave]

I think it almost helps them that we don't know who they're starting running back is going to be because it'll just make it easier to call place for Dak Prescott, who currently leads the NFL in passing yardage at 4,482.

[Jamie]

You might not. Might not be the leader by the time he takes the field.

[Dave]

That might be true because, well, who's playing ahead of that?

[Jamie]

Stafford. Oh, no. Stafford plays same day.

[Dave]

No, Stafford plays after him. I thought maybe you were referencing.

[Jamie]

I was. I keep thinking. I keep on thinking that Stafford's tied into the Saturday game because will he play or will he not play?

[Dave]

Sure. So it really comes down to those two to be the passing leader of the year. And obviously, if Stafford tops Dak, that helps his MVP case and all that stuff. And we know that the Rams are going to play their starters. At least they're going to start them. I. I think Dak plays the majority of the game, and it wouldn't surprise me if he had a good game. Even if it's three quarters, let's say he could still get you 225 and two, maybe even three. This Giants defense isn't that good. And I think we can see Lamb and Pickens go out with a bang to end the year. Pickens, by the way, at 1420 yards, probably not going to win the receiving crown because JSN and Puka are so far ahead of him, but he's going to finish with a really strong year. And that is probably going to be something he's interested in doing since he's going into a contract year. Doesn't want to get the franchise tag, but he's probably going to get it. But at least now he starts to get paid a little bit going into 2026.

[Jamie]

Yeah.

[Host 1]

So start your Cowboys, basically. But I don't know if I could trust Javante if he, if he plays. He was limited. I was surprised.

[Jamie]

I don't think Javante's playing.

[Host 1]

I know, but why did he. Why was he limited in practice on Thursday after missing Wednesday?

[Jamie]

So he was. He was not even practicing. He was just there off to the side.

[Host 1]

All right. All right. So then, yeah, I mean, Malik Davis would be pretty appealing. And if not, Jaden Blue could be a guy to go with start Dart.

[Dave]

Come on. So the Cowboys have never had a leader in passing yards. I'm reading this now. Like, think of all the illustrious quarterbacks that they've had. They've never had a guy lead the NFL in passing yards in the season. When I'm reading, oh, we're getting a.

[Jamie]

500 yard game for deck, right?

[Host 1]

I hope so. Please, please beat the Giants. You starting? Are you basically starting your Giants? I mean, Jamie Grimmy, real quick, your rundown on the Giants, I mean, Dart.

[Jamie]

Is a, is a start no matter who the receivers are. Because I think of we saw him run again a little bit last week, which was encouraging with the design runs. But if there's no Wanda Robinson, it makes it a little bit harder, especially if no Theo Johnson as well. Because now you're down to, you know, Darius Slayton who can't hold on to the ball consistently and Isaiah Hodgins and, you know, Bellinger and all these other backups that are just not great. So it makes it very difficult to say Jackson dart, easy start, but I think low end starter still just based on his. His rushing ability. So the Wandale injury is one you got to watch.

[Host 1]

Yeah.

[Jamie]

I think Tracy's a decent number two running back. You know, I wonder how much if he plays at all. Quinn and Williams, you know, dealing with this neck injury, he has nothing to prove. He's obviously established himself as a building block for this Cowboys defense going into 2026. Like, if he's not 100, is he out there? And if he's not out there, we know what this run defense looks like. It's pretty miserable. So that's one to keep an eye on as well.

[Host 1]

Green bay's at Minnesota 2026. Question for Jamie. Did Justin Jefferson make your top 12 at wide receiver.

[Jamie]

I haven't done it yet, so I can't say for sure, but he'll be in the, in the range there depending on how this offseason goes. But man, it just feels gross to not have him there. He's just so good. I like the fact that he came out, I think it was yesterday and said that he wants to show people how good J.J. mcCarthy is. And so if that's the priority and, and you know, here, here we. What I said to you the other day, everything that why Justin Jefferson was a bust was because we thought it would be Kevin o' Connell making him good. We thought Justin Jefferson would help mount here. I'm saying the same thing. So he's got a lot to prove. We'll see how the receivers look and who comes into the NFL but. And where they go. But he borderline. Let's just say.

[Host 1]

Okay, Dave, is there anyone in this game you feel good starting Green Bay at Minnesota?

[Dave]

If there's one running back for Minnesota. Meaning and it looks like it's more likely to be Jordan Mason than it would be Aaron Jones. But if. Let's just say Aaron Jones is out and Jordan Mason is in, I'd feel good starting Jordan Mason as the lead back for the Vikings. I. I guess I'm okay with Justin Jefferson as a number two wide receiver. Again. He would normally be a flex, but so many guys out, you just push him up a little bit. You he's got 50 something yards earlier to get to a thousand. I think he could score. Packers are probably not going to be real interested in like playing big in this game. Their backups will be. But they're backups. That's probably about it. There's nobody on Green Bay that I.

[Host 1]

Would trust not Emmanuel Wilson.

[Dave]

I don't even know if Emmanuel Wilson gets a, you know, a workload that would be deemed feature back worthy. They could end up using two or three guys just to kind of piecemeal their way through this game. How about the Vikings dst? I would be excited about the Vikings dst.

[Host 1]

Okay.

[Jamie]

Yeah.

[Host 1]

I mean there's always a possibility that the Packer that the Vikings could have a big day offensively because they're facing backups and JJ McCarthy actually kind of scores 20 points at D.C. he's never pretty, but he's. He's not the worst. Who's okay, Jamie? If we were redoing the waiver wire show knowing Chris Olave is out and J.J. mcCarthy looks like he's in, who's the number one quarterback. Is it young? Is it McCarthy who's the best waiver wire quarterback?

[Jamie]

I would still go young over McCarthy, but McCarthy would be too. So I like him better than Cam Ward, who was third. Okay.

[Host 1]

All right. I'm good to go with that game. Let's go to our next game. It is Cleveland at Cincinnati. Okay. 2026 question. Oh, man. Sorry. I should have been more prepared for this.

[Dave]

I mean, we can get through the game in about 15 seconds. We can do a throwback here. Jamie start all Bengals. Sit all Browns.

[Jamie]

Yeah, basically. I mean, now that Fannin's not looking like he's going to play.

[Dave]

So that's the game.

[Jamie]

I think Sam says an interesting flex, but that's about it.

[Dave]

Find your. Find your 2026 question.

[Host 1]

I think Judy is an interesting flex because he actually had a pretty nice game last week because Fanning got hurt. So just a. I mean, maybe not.

[Jamie]

The way that they defend receivers, though.

[Host 1]

Yeah. And he's pretty much never in the slot, so he will see a lot of their top corner, but he had seven. He had five for 54 on seven targets last week against Pittsburgh. And no concerns about the. About like Joe Burrow's kind of bad history against the. The Bengals against the Browns.

[Jamie]

I mean, he's not the top quarterback for me. He's fifth, you know, so there are four guys I like better this week, but he's still somebody that I would be starting.

[Dave]

I see my top quarterback, this Brown defense, hasn't played well at all.

[Host 1]

Oh, okay. All right. I see some questions in the chat. I'm gonna kind of go like in a little bit, I'll go through some of them and it won't be for each game. Okay, now, question for this game, I asked you about Justin.

[Jamie]

It could also be just something with the Bengals. Like, I wouldn't be surprised if they start to rest. Guys like go out and have a couple of big moments and then they start to pull guys off.

[Host 1]

Would you rather draft Justin Jefferson or T. Higgins?

[Jamie]

Higgins.

[Dave]

Jefferson.

[Host 1]

Higgins. Wow. Jamie, give me 10 seconds.

[Jamie]

Why? Well, I mean, you see what he does when he's healthy and his quarterback is much better than Justin Jefferson's, unfortunately for Jefferson. So I'll take the upside of the quarterback versus the upside of the receiver.

[Host 1]

Yeah, Higgins is a guy like he. He's not getting a lot of targets right now. I know it's. Again, this is one of those. It's week 18. What are you going to do? And he's scoring touchdowns. But I'm kind of disappointed in what I'm seeing from Higgins. Hopefully you can go out with a bang. Indianapolis is at Houston 2026. Question here. Who's going to be your favorite Colts wide receiver in drafts?

[Jamie]

Pittman, because Pierce will be gone.

[Dave]

That's what I think too, unless they franchise them.

[Host 1]

Any hesitation starting Jonathan Taylor? I mean, I guess what kind of a start is Jonathan Taylor this week against his tough run defense?

[Jamie]

Good start, not great start.

[Dave]

I've got him 12th, I believe.

[Host 1]

Is that the only Colts player you're even considering?

[Jamie]

Yes. I do hope that he continues to be involved in the passing game. He actually has a career high in receptions and receiving yards, so good to see that he's got that potential still. And hopefully that continues with Riley Leonard. Really something to keep an eye on with the quarterback situation for next year because if they come back with Richardson, then we know the passing down work is going to be terrible for him. If they get a pocket passer, which I'm sure they're looking for, or at least somebody that stays in the pocket a little bit more than Richard does, then Taylor's upside looks great. Plus, again, you know, you look out, you look at their third place schedule versus what would have been a first place schedule and I think it helps.

[Dave]

How about Daniel Jones is the quarterback?

[Jamie]

I mean, coming off an Achilles, that will help Taylor, but I don't think that helps the offense. Right.

[Dave]

Taylor's got a shot to lead the NFL in rushing on the season. He's about a little less than 50 yards behind James Cook coming into the week. If Cook ends up resting, Taylor can lead the league in rushing for the year. Unless Derek Henry goes berserk Sunday night.

[Jamie]

Or unless that's something they want James Cook to do.

[Dave]

Yeah, that's true.

[Host 1]

Would you start CJ Stroud or JJ McCarthy?

[Jamie]

Shroud.

[Host 1]

CJ Stroud or Bryce Young?

[Jamie]

They're close for me, but Stroud agreed.

[Host 1]

Any Woody Marks had 19 carries last week. Obviously against the bad run defense, he didn't do that much with them.

[Dave]

Yeah, sounds like a Woody Marks game.

[Host 1]

Joa Jordan had eight carries for 36 yards. Any who we starting for the Texans?

[Dave]

Dave, you're starting Nico Collins. You're starting Dalton Schultz. If you're really in a pitch at quarterback, you're starting C. Distroud. You're definitely starting the Texans dst. I suppose if you're really, really in a pinch at wide receiver, Jaden Higgins could come into play and that's really about it. Let me see where I have Woody Marks because I'm Not a big fan. I. I like him if you're gonna take the over on his rush attempts or something like that, but he's more of a flex than anything else.

[Host 1]

Seattle running backs or Woody Marks?

[Dave]

Seattle running backs. Jacori Crosky, Merit ahead of him. Tyrone Tracy ahead of him.

[Host 1]

Wow. So you have Jacobi, Crosby, Merritt ahead of Chris Rodriguez.

[Dave]

Yes.

[Host 1]

Okay. All right, that's it. Finished with that game. Saints are at the Falcons. It's a big game because if the Bucks beat Carolina on Saturday, they need the Saints to beat the Falcons. So if the Falcons. Yeah, if the Falcons win, then Carolina wins the division regardless of whether or not they lost the day before. So the huge game here and no Chris Olave. It's going to be tough. Tyler Schuck was someone we really liked, but not so much anymore. Jamie, how about Audric? Estimate dominated snaps, 14 carries last week and had the one cat. Had a touchdown at times and a tough matchup. He came through. Now he'll try to do it again against a team that's been pretty good against running backs lately. How do you feel about Estimate?

[Jamie]

He's a flex, you know, had a nice 30 yard touchdown run late in the game against the Titans to boost his numbers and get him into the end zone, he's going to need to score. Now. They have used him a little bit in the passing game since Devin Neal's injury, but we're talking about like a 3 for 14 type of game. You know, not anything I think you'd be thrilled about for him. But clearly without Olave there, someone's gonna have to step up. I do think that, and I saw one report that Taysom Hill now comes back into play for them because of the receiving core being what it is. But I really think if you're just looking at it, the only starter for the Saints that's easy is Juwan Johnson. 10 10.3 PPR points. I think it was 10.1 against the Falcons the first time. They've actually been really good against tight ends, but I think you just rely on what his targets have been. The last two weeks have been fantastic for him without Devon Valley on the field. So just given his now expanded role in terms of what the target potential could be without a lobby on the field, I think you buy into it. But really it's a lot of dart throws. It's, you know, Tayson's a dart throw. I think estimates really a gambler. I do think Kelvin Austin, Kevin Austin, excuse me, Kevin Austin and Dante Pettis are worth A look in dfs, they're so cheap and they're going to get targets. So Austin's my preferred choice. But we'll see how this, you know, goes for them. You know, we're talking about some milestones. Tyler Shuck still is the right now the betting front runner for rookie of the year. So if he goes out and has a good game without a lot of on the field, I think it solidifies the award for him. If he stinks and let's say Jackson Dart or one of the receivers have a big game or RJ Harvey has a big game shot could lose the award but right now he's the favorite.

[Host 1]

Dave, talking about Atlanta here, Bijan is. Is an easy start. Is Kyle Pitts an easy start?

[Dave]

Yep, because of the position more than anything else. I feel like last week he would have been okay if. If Bijan just didn't crush the Rams. The game script was a little bit different. The Rams were better offensively. We would have seen more targets for both him and Drake London, but Pitts is a start. London I'm nervous about. Certainly Kirk Cousins isn't somebody that I'm. I'm rushing to start. It's really just Bijan and Pets.

[Host 1]

Okay.

[Jamie]

States are actually great against Titans. I agree with you starting pits but they're just fantastic. And they did a great job on him too in the first matchup. That was the first start that Cousins had after Penix's injury. But you can't sit cop at this point.

[Host 1]

Someone's asking Drake London or Chris Godwin this week.

[Dave]

Godwin.

[Jamie]

Yeah, I agree. I think there's more upside right now.

[Host 1]

Such a shame. London's just not himself right now. The 2026 question for new Orleans at Atlanta is Drake London or Chris Olave?

[Jamie]

Who's the quarterback for Jake Lynn?

[Host 1]

I don't know.

[Dave]

Let's say it's Pennix. I've got London two spots ahead of Olave.

[Jamie]

I would probably take London as well, but they're going to be close. I would take both over Jefferson without question.

[Dave]

Yep, all three are in my top 12.

[Host 1]

Tennessee at Jacksonville. Cam Ward or Kirk Cousins.

[Dave]

Is that for this week?

[Host 1]

Yeah, that's for this week.

[Jamie]

Cousins.

[Dave]

I'll take ward.

[Host 1]

All right, 2026 question here would be who. Who's your top Jaguars wide receiver and when are you drafting them?

[Jamie]

I don't know if Brian Thomas is on the team.

[Dave]

Yeah, what really a lot of variables there. I'm gonna say Jacoby as of now, but if, if Parker Washington keeps coming on strong and I Like him this week.

[Host 1]

Oh, wait, you're forgetting about Travis Hunter.

[Dave]

Well, but he's coming back from a major knee injury.

[Host 1]

Just. I, I forgot about him until just now, so I figured you guys also did.

[Dave]

No, I get it. I think right now it's Myers, but it's going to fluctuate. Washington finishes the year strong. Travis Hunter recovers fully, participates in training camp and is going to play receiver full time. Then, I mean, we're probably going to pivot to Hunter. Let's not.

[Jamie]

I wouldn't be surprised if they're top three receivers if they keep Thomas and Thomas's fourth because Myers, Washington's going to be their slot guy. Myers and Hunter might be their top two outside guys.

[Dave]

And if, if we're liking all those receivers, then goodness gracious, Trevor Lawrence is going to be a like top eight quarterback, maybe higher.

[Host 1]

So. Yeah, I mean, you say that, but then you got to do your rankings and see if you really could put them eight because it's kind of hard. But it's really hard for this, right? For this game. This game is. This is a good fantasy game. I mean, these are two teams that are, that are going to be going for it. And you know, Lawrence is playing great. He's an easy start. I think it's interesting with Brian Thomas, juniors have two bad games in a row. He got shadowed by Sir Tan and he basically got shadowed by Sauce Gardner while Gardner was in the game. But I don't see how you get away from Parker, Washington and then Jacoby Myers, to me is like doing what Jacoby Myers does, which is make us think he's really great. And then we realize he's actually not that great. He's just kind of fine. But he's still very involved, getting a lot of.

[Jamie]

I do think this is a very good game for Brian Thomas Jr. Based on the matchup. But it's. Can you trust him? That's the question. You know, so, like, Dave's right. Washington's been so locked in with Trevor Lawrence right now, like, it's hard to get away from 10 targets per game. But they just face two teams that are very good against perimeter wide receivers. And this team is not. Titans suck against outside boundary.

[Dave]

It's really true. Yeah. And they're passing.

[Jamie]

This could be a huge game for Brian. They're going to take shots of Brian Thomas. I mean, I know that they were trying to get him going prior to last week, and I think when Sauce was, you know, deemed active, that sort of changed things a little bit because of how the matchups were and where Trevor Lawrence is going. Plus, Lawrence was a little bit off based on where he'd been the previous four games. But the thing about Trevor Lawrence just from 2026 is Liam Cohen likes his quarterbacks to run. And you saw with Baker in 2024, you're seeing it with Lawrence now. I mean, he's fantastic in terms of finding the end zone. So their design runs when they get inside the 10. I think it. I know it was last week. I'm. I'm guessing it's probably close because they both had two touchdowns. I'm not mistaken. One was through the air for Bijan. He has more rushing touchdowns than beyond Bijan Robinson.

[Dave]

He has nine on the year, four in his last three games.

[Host 1]

So we like the Jaguars. To sum it up, Dave, which Titans do you like?

[Dave]

Pollard's okay at running back. Cam if you're desperate at quarterback. Okonkwo if you're desperate at tight end. End of list.

[Host 1]

Arizona's at the Rams.

[Jamie]

Jacoby question in the chat. If you want to answer it, I've.

[Host 1]

Which one?

[Jamie]

Kurt, what's. Just.

[Host 1]

What's the question? I don't see it.

[Jamie]

It's Parker Washington, Michael Wilson or Kenny Pickett. I guess, if it's a Super Flex league.

[Dave]

Yeah.

[Host 1]

All right. Pick two. Parker Washington, Michael Wilson.

[Jamie]

Kenny pick Michael. I would actually start picking over Washington and Superflex.

[Dave]

I wouldn't. I'm not sure if Pickett's playing the whole game.

[Host 1]

Yeah, right there was that report about it.

[Dave]

I don't want a half of Kenny Pickett even in super flex.

[Host 1]

Okay.

[Jamie]

Yeah, I'm. I'm gonna go quarterback almost every time.

[Host 1]

But it's not necessarily too.

[Dave]

But not here.

[Host 1]

The full game. Quarterback.

[Dave]

If I knew for sure Pickett was playing four quarters then. Yeah, probably.

[Host 1]

All right, again, I've got a bunch of questions.

[Jamie]

Starred.

[Host 1]

We'll get to them kind of later in the show. Arizona's at the Rams. Jacoby Brissette. I mean, this is another game where we're going to be starting a lot of guys. Michael Carter. Not necessarily, but. No, no. Marvin Harrison Jr. I think we know what that means for Michael Wilson.

[Jamie]

Five. Wide receiver.

[Host 1]

Yeah. And Brissette. Maybe the magic's running out a little bit, but not this week. Not this week. Okay.

[Jamie]

No. Still starter.

[Host 1]

Do we think the. Yeah, he's a starter, but, you know, Purdy over him. I assume Dart. Who else?

[Jamie]

Not if Dart doesn't have Wanda. I go.

[Host 1]

Okay. How about Lamar Jackson or Brissette?

[Jamie]

They're close.

[Host 1]

You guys Have Stafford in your top three. Dave, what do you think about. Are you nervous about that?

[Dave]

No, I think the Rams are going to be able to do whatever they want here. This Cardinals defense is depleted.

[Host 1]

Sorry, I meant are you nervous about them playing Sunday morning?

[Jamie]

Because that might change, Right.

[Dave]

If Sunday morning, if they end up saying up we're gonna set our guys because of what happened on Saturday.

[Jamie]

Well, they're not going to say that.

[Host 1]

No.

[Dave]

A report could come out. They won't say that, but a report could come out saying that they're. They're changing their tune. But Sean McVeigh, at least like in Heat of the Moment after their game on Monday, was adamant that his guys were going to play and that they needed the playing time. Now, does that mean that it's going to be 4/4 of Matthew Stafford? I would bet against that. But three quarters of Matthew Stafford against this defense could still be monstrous. So I'm good with starting the Rams players.

[Host 1]

2026 question. Marvin Harrison Jr. Or Devonte Adams, who's.

[Jamie]

A quarterback for the Cardinals?

[Host 1]

I don't know.

[Dave]

Good question.

[Jamie]

So the. I think I saw two. Two reports, if I'm not mistaken, that one suggested if they get rid of Gannon but keep the gm, then Kyler. Because I might be getting this wrong. The Kyler could still be the quarterback. Could be the other way around. But there is a scenario, I think in play where maybe it's. They get rid of everybody and they keep Kyler. I don't know. But I saw something that. That either Kyler could be back or. Or Jacoby could be back. If. If it's Jacoby or someone like him. I'll take Marvin.

[Host 1]

Okay. By the way, in this game, Colby Parkinson, did he crack your top 12?

[Jamie]

He did.

[Host 1]

Okay. He's eighth for PPR.

[Dave]

I've got him eight.

[Jamie]

Yeah. The only way that he would not be in the top 12 for me is if Devonte plays, which doesn't seem likely.

[Host 1]

Doesn't seem like it. Yeah. Rams DST is also one you could look at. Detroit is at Chicago.

[Jamie]

This is just one thing to keep an eye on here, is if you are looking for a desperation play. I wonder if no Quorum of Dark West Hunter gets an opportunity late in the game here.

[Dave]

I bet it would be Ronnie Rivers.

[Jamie]

Could be.

[Host 1]

Yeah. Okay, 2026 question for Detroit at Chicago. How about Romo Dunes or Luther Burden?

[Jamie]

Burden.

[Dave]

I think for now it's Burden.

[Host 1]

Okay. This is an interesting game here. I mean, I think for Chicago, it's kind of like all systems go in.

[Jamie]

Terms of, you know, Caleb, my start of the week.

[Host 1]

Yeah, I think Caleb. Right. He should be great. And Detroit's defense is pretty bad. I think not having a Lee McNeil, which I assume they won't have, is a big deal for their run defense. They're not playing for anything. The Bears are. But Detroit, you know, cold weather game, Somebody asked is there any bad weather? Not. Not really. Doesn't seem like weather's going to be super impactful, but is not usually the spot for Jared Goff. I'll point out last year he was on fire and it didn't matter where he played, but. And he was on fire before last week this year, but yeah, I don't know. Like, Jamie, do you think the Lions offense shows up in this game?

[Jamie]

I think for as much as they want to play, there's a chance for these guys to do well. They obviously have been struggling, so I'm sure they want to go into the off season playing well. I'm sure they would love to be some sort of spoiler if they can against Ben Johnson, knowing that if they lose in terms of the Bears and the Eagles win, then that bumps them down a spot in the seating. So minor victory, I think, for Dan Campbell, knowing his personality. But my guess is that if they're healthy and these guys are going to be out there, they'll play as much as they can because it's just been such a lost season for them. So trying to end on a high note, I'm sure is a positive for how that team tends to operate. So I think off is good as a low end starter. Clearly the pass rush is not a huge issue for Chicago as we've seen, and the back end of their secondary has been beat up a little bit. So St. Brown and Jameson Williams are in play here as mustard guys. I'm going to have them ranked back, basically back where they were prior to facing the Vikings. You know, I was concerned about that last week based on Minnesota's defense. So this is a much easier matchup for them. I don't know. I don't think golf is a top five quarterback. He's not my favorite quarterback in this game. You know, I'd rather start Caleb. So could they start to pull guys off the field if the game is lopsided one way or the other? Sure. But I think it's going to take that happening. And the only way I think that happens really is if the Bears are blowing out the Lions and they decide, you know what, we just had enough.

[Host 1]

Yeah, you know, the Lions I mean they're, they're, they're not going to shy away from anything. They're going to want to go for it. I wonder if they're going to try to get Dave Montgomery in the end zone and what could be his last game with the team. But you can't start him. We like DeAndre.

[Jamie]

Last game was his first time since I think like week eight with more than 10 total touches. Like they're just not giving him work.

[Host 1]

Yeah, well, we love DeAndre Swift. He's top 12. Kyle Menon. Guys, 25th for Jamie, 30th for Dave. So don't start him. Luther Burden is, we're assuming he's going to play. So he's a must start guy. He's top 12 also.

[Dave]

Yeah, he's the number one receiver.

[Host 1]

How about more? How about DJ Moore and Colson Loveland? Dave, you trust them? Colson Loveland, by the way, his routes, he's been running more routes and his, his target share has not been good this year. Last week was a season high in target share, but his target per route run rate has been very good in four of the last five games. You combine that with more routes and bam, you get more targets. So I like that trend. What do you think about more in Loveland?

[Dave]

I think you're, you should be compelled to start Loveland. I've got him actually fifth in full ppr. Just knowing that Chicago needs to or wants to win this game. No Romo D. Playing this the game of the week. Yeah. Oh, the game.

[Host 1]

Game of the week. Game of the week. It's the game of the week.

[Dave]

Yeah.

[Host 1]

Cause it's the game of the week.

[Dave]

Hey.

[Host 1]

I know Dave likes how many times I say game of the week during the, during the song. But the truth is folks, I forgot about game of the week while we did the first three games. Probably would have done it for Seattle, San Francisco, but yeah. So this was my best chance, I think.

[Dave]

Okay.

[Host 1]

Sorry to cut you off, Dave.

[Dave]

It's, I mean, I'm freaking used to it. It's been a decade of this shtick already. Loveland's a must start tight end. And the number for Caleb Williams, 271 yards. If he gets 271 passing yards, he's the first 4,000 yard passer in Chicago Bears history. I'm not saying that they're going to make it a point to get him there, but if things are going right and they're winning and Caleb's already having a good game, wouldn't surprise me if they just call A ton of easy pass plays in the second half.

[Jamie]

Three of the last five opponents against Detroit have given up over 300 yards passing. So there's. There's a lot to like about. I think it's just 270though, to get to 4, 000.

[Dave]

Yeah, 271 breaks 4,000. Yeah.

[Host 1]

Well, we just need him to get right to 4,000.

[Dave]

Okay, so he's gonna get exactly 270 yards then. Yeah.

[Host 1]

Well, asterisk.

[Dave]

Sorry that you're gonna miss out on that extra 0.04 fantasy points if he only gets exactly 270.

[Host 1]

Loveland or Pittsburgh?

[Dave]

I got Pitts higher right now.

[Jamie]

Pittsbut is close and most of these.

[Host 1]

Remaining games are kind of crummy with a lot of guys resting, a lot of bad players. So Kansas City's at Las Vegas 2026. Question for this game. Ashton Genty or Rashi Rice?

[Jamie]

Man, Rice has got such high upside. I think in my homes is ready to go by week one. I might go Rice.

[Dave]

I've got Rice higher. But they're both round two picks.

[Host 1]

You want to start anyone in this game? Kansas City at Vegas.

[Dave]

Genti's not bad.

[Jamie]

I wonder how much Genti will play just because of them trying like this is. This is another week of a tank off for them because the Chiefs are trying to lose too, to make their draft pick. Can they move up?

[Host 1]

Who?

[Jamie]

The Chiefs.

[Dave]

The Chiefs, Right. They lose, then maybe they're. They're. They're already in the top 10, right?

[Jamie]

I think they're sixth, if I'm not mistaken.

[Dave]

Yeah. So Kansas City Chiefs with the top five pick. That'd be crazy.

[Jamie]

I might be wrong on that. But no, there's, you know, Kelsey's last game maybe in. In his career, which is depressing that this is how he's going out. If that's the case, he'd be the only chief I would consider. And then for the Raiders, yeah, it's just gentle. Oh, no. Michael Mayer. Mayer's, you know, two of three games without Brock Bowers. He's been 16 PPR points or more. So that's just, I think, where they go from a passing game perspective.

[Dave]

Has there been any word on whether they'll try and rush Genty or whether they'll try and pat his rushing stats because he's got an outside shot at a thousand yards?

[Jamie]

I mean, they didn't rest him last week. Just knowing everything that. That they were doing. I'd be surprised if they sat him this week.

[Dave]

He would. It would need. He would need A big game. I think it's 112 yards to get to a thousand.

[Host 1]

If the Raiders win, there's a possibility they would lose the number one pick. Obviously, if they lose, they will have the number one pick. So they, they want to lose Kansas City. Yes. They have the ninth pick right now, Kansas City. They're in a three way tie with, with New Orleans and Cincinnati at 6 and 10. So they could get to eighth. That's the lowest. That's the best draft pick that Kansas City could get would be eighth. I think if they win though, they could fall decently because there's some seven and nine teams behind them and they're six and ten. All right, Trey Tucker. Trey Tucker or DJ Moore.

[Jamie]

Moore.

[Host 1]

All right, Chargers at Broncos. Start them all, sit them all.

[Dave]

Yep, yep.

[Host 1]

What about Videl?

[Dave]

Nope.

[Jamie]

He's in flex conversation just with guys. Like, I mean, I would start crossing merit ahead of him, but, you know, not an easy matchup. Still sma, Emmanuel, Wilson, like, that's where Vidalis.

[Dave]

I don't know how much he's going to play if they're already resting so many starters. Vidal plays a lot, or at least he did before he got hurt. You know, if you want to get him out there for a drive or two, just to keep him fresh.

[Host 1]

All right, let's. Let's say you wanted a second Broncos receiver. Would you go Pat, Brian or Franklin?

[Jamie]

Still Franklin.

[Host 1]

20:26 question. Hampton or Harvey Hampton.

[Dave]

Hampton.

[Host 1]

Washington's at Philadelphia. How do we feel about Tank Bigsby.

[Jamie]

In that same range, guys?

[Dave]

Which is what?

[Jamie]

Flex?

[Dave]

Yeah, I, I wish I knew for sure that he would be the one that plays all game long.

[Host 1]

I mean, I can't. If, if this game, if there were stakes in this game and Barkley were out, then I, I think it would.

[Dave]

Be absolutely, clearly ranked much higher.

[Host 1]

So you just think maybe that, like Vidal, they, he's. That they might just not use him because he's.

[Dave]

I'm a little more encouraged about Bigsby than I would be Vidal because the only thing with.

[Jamie]

I mean, again, remember, there's only 53 guys on a roster, so they can't sit everybody. And right now, Haskins in the concussion protocol. Hampton may not play with the ankle injury, so it's probably going to be Vidal and Jared Patterson. How much they use Patterson clearly can be the case. You know, just run them into the ground. But again, it's not like these guys could just keep putting people on the.

[Host 1]

Roster, you know, so Tanner McKee, by the way, scored 23 fantasy points last year. In week 18 against the Giants. He's an interesting player, especially in DFS. And would you say Johan Dotson would be like a sleeper?

[Jamie]

He's the only one I would consider. Sure.

[Host 1]

Okay.

[Jamie]

Maybe.

[Host 1]

How about for the commanders? You like Debo or McLaurin better?

[Dave]

You like and John Dotson? Yes.

[Host 1]

No, no. Who did then them you like McClure.

[Dave]

McLaren over Debo both in the flex range. It's still John Josh Johnson at quarterback.

[Jamie]

So who's the listen, Debo had a great game last week. You know a lot of it was on a broken play to get to his. He had 95 total yards. I believe it was. I think with the incentives that they try to get him involved heavily. So he's a high end number three receiver. McLaren is a low end number two receiver. I think just with the Eagles resting their guys in the secondary, it gives a huge opportunity for. Yeah because I thought Johnson actually played well last week, you know for first time playing in 2 years and 39 year old quarterback. So if there's no pass rush, which there's probably not going to be a huge. I can't imagine Jalen Carter's playing because of, you know.

[Dave]

Nope.

[Jamie]

So like this should be an opportunity for him to have a decent game.

[Host 1]

Yeah, it's pretty. This is always one of those interesting spots. Definitely going to do some fanduel lineups with some commanders, draftkings whatever it is. And yeah. And then Dave, you said you like Bill better than Rodriguez. Do you have either of them in your top 24?

[Dave]

I believe I've got Bill at 25.

[Jamie]

Okay.

[Dave]

So very close. I think he ends up leading the way in terms of carries and just an explosive player against a team that's going to have some backups in on defense. I'll take that chance as a flex.

[Jamie]

And he remember face them without Jalen Carter the first time week 14 or 15 and he scored a touchdown. So he's got four touchdowns in his last three games. Only eight carries in that game. The only problem is that like if they get behind which would not be surprised even with backups he has no catches since week 11. Like there is no involvement in the past game whatsoever.

[Host 1]

By the way, 2026 question for this game, Washington, Philadelphia. Do we act like this season never happened for Jaden Daniels?

[Dave]

Mostly yes.

[Jamie]

I mean you have to take into account that running quarterbacks get hurt and so how risky do you want to be with him comparatively to you know, as high as like the. The Joe Burrows, Brock Purdy's of the world who don't run as much but have, you know, huge upside throwing the ball or, you know, the, even the, the older pocket pastor guys that are coming off big seasons and Matthew Stafford and Dak Prescott.

[Host 1]

So it's funny that you mentioned Purdy and, and who just say burrow because you know what they did, they got hurt, they missed half the season, basically. You know, pocket pocket passers get hurt too. Miami's at New England. Tough time with the 2026 question here, but we'll try it. 2026 question for Miami and New England. Where's. Where's Ramandre Stevenson going to be next year and what does it mean for Travion?

[Jamie]

It's a great question, I think whether it's Ron Ramandre or somebody else, they're going to have some other person back there. You know, you would hope it would be somebody like Terrell Jennings where there's not as much upside or not as much maybe trust. But if they go out and draft another running back or you know, bring in a veteran guy, you know, that has some opportunities or Ramandre like traits, then you know, it'd be a little bit concerning. I mean, you see how much upside Trevian has. It's so frustrating.

[Dave]

I know there's just something, the little things that he's not doing. Well, I talked to Damien Harris about this a couple of weeks ago and that apparently Josh McDaniels is a stickler for even like the, the smallest of things, like, you know, chipping the right way on a, on a pass rush or on your way out of the, of the pocket. I, I don't think it makes financial sense for the Patriots to cut Ramadre Stevenson until after next season. There's too much money there. So he's probably going to stick around one more year and this is going to be the duo that'll frustrate us between Travyon and Roman.

[Host 1]

If Devon Hn plays, I'm sure we're going to start him if he doesn't play. Dave, would you start Jalen Wright? Like, how would you compare.

[Dave]

Yes. The Patriots defense, even if they get Milton Williams back on the defensive line, they've struggled stopping the run lately and I would be inclined and I'm encouraged by what I've seen from Jalen right at the end of the year. It's the first time that he's really looked like, like the player that I remember at Tennessee early on in the season and when he sparingly played preseason games, he just didn't look good. He didn't look right now he does. So I'd be okay with Jalen Wright if there's no hn.

[Host 1]

Who's your favorite Patriots running back in this game?

[Jamie]

Still Henderson, but I have him back to back if that's the way.

[Host 1]

If HN were out, would you start Jalen Wright over both Patriots running backs?

[Jamie]

No.

[Dave]

Nope. No, I do have. I have reminder a spot higher than Travion. It's both number two running backs.

[Host 1]

Where? Like at the 20ish range?

[Dave]

Nope. 16, 17. Okay, that's me confused with 6, 7.

[Host 1]

Oh. 16, 17. Jalen Waddle is 26th for Jamie and 20th for Dave. Barely played last week. Patriots have been hurt.

[Dave]

Yeah.

[Jamie]

Still dealing with the rib injury. Probably gonna see Christian Gonzalez. This just doesn't seem like a great game for Waddle.

[Host 1]

Yeah. Since Christian. Since Christian. Since Christian Gonzalez debuted in Week 4. Only five wide receivers of more than 65 yards against new England. Any. Any interest in Greg Dulcich as a sleeper?

[Jamie]

I mean, yeah. Waddles out then. Sure, but I'd rather go the Steelers guys, for example.

[Dave]

And I think it would help. You'd be more encouraged if Darren Waller didn't play. And I know that he's on the injury report too, obviously. That's.

[Host 1]

That's what I meant. I know it's also actually been a little bit better than. Than Waller lately.

[Jamie]

But.

[Host 1]

Yeah.

[Dave]

Yes. No, I would take him over the Steelers guys because I don't know which Steelers guy to go with start.

[Host 1]

Drake May. We talked about the Patriots running backs. I'm guessing we love Stefan Diggs this week.

[Jamie]

Yeah. Mustard guy. I mean, you know, who knows what the off season, off the field stuff that's going on that. Is there any sort of internal punishment? But the only concern would be is like they could have a lead in this game and start to pull guys.

[Host 1]

Yeah. Okay. But he's top 15 and Hunter Henry's a start. Hunter Henry is seventh for. For Jamie, ninth for Dave. So start Hunter Henry.

[Jamie]

He was on the injury port Wednesday. I'll just keep an eye on what's going on there. Okay. Knee injury.

[Host 1]

And you can probably start the Patriots DST and the jets are at the Bills. All right, 2026. Question is, where are you going to rank Garrett Wilson, who is really having a great game? Obviously I don't know who his quarterback will be, but it won't be Justin Fields. It seems a great season he was having. Not a great game. But Dave, do you think Garrett Wilson will be a top 12 wide receiver?

[Dave]

I do. I think we'll Remember those great games that he had will be encouraged by a new quarterback coming in the offensive line, coming back solid. We don't know what the running game is going to look like either. So there's, there's definitely going to be possibilities here for Garrett Wilson to be a target hog and hopefully a better quality of target from either a rookie quarterback or a veteran that the jets pick up who's an upgrade on Justin Fields and Tyrod Taylor.

[Host 1]

I have no idea what to do with this game. For starts and sits jets at Bills. I think it's our last.

[Jamie]

I think you avoid it.

[Dave]

I think you avoid it for the most part.

[Host 1]

I. The thing that, I think the thing that would excite me the most would be if James Cook sits in. Ray Davis got all the work. What about Breece Hall? What about on that side of the ball, Jamie Breeze Hall?

[Jamie]

I think you're starting Breeze hall, you know, coming off the game that he just had. Isaiah Davis, I believe still in the concussion protocol, if they're going to sit Josh Allen, they're going to start to sit guys defensively too. And so for a run defense that's been awful, the only question would be is, does Breece hall want to go out there and put a good game on display for free agency or does he just feel like, okay, I don't want to get hurt going to free.

[Host 1]

Right.

[Jamie]

You know, so I'm sure that conversation has been had in some capacity. But look, he came through in a garbage time situation last week against a run defense that had been struggling and can easily do that again in a game that, you know, may be filled with backups. So just keep an eye on the Buffalo situation. But I think Bruce Hall's again, given the week, a borderline number two running back for this week.

[Host 1]

Okay, all right, cool. That's. That's it for that. Let's read some questions from the chat. Bucky Irving or Tyrone Tracy Jr. Tracy.

[Dave]

Tracy for me.

[Host 1]

Dak Prescott or Drake May.

[Jamie]

Right now. May.

[Dave]

Agreed.

[Host 1]

Do you guys really think Emmanuel Wilson is a good start? I would think the packers would want to save him.

[Dave]

No, I don't think so.

[Jamie]

He's a flex.

[Host 1]

Jerry Judy or Chris Godwin?

[Jamie]

Godwin.

[Dave]

Agreed.

[Host 1]

Any bad weather games this week? So looking at Kevin Roth on Rotor Grind, Roto Grinders, the two Saturday games he has in yellow because there could be some rain, a little bit of wind in the San Francisco game, but rain in Tampa Bay, rain in San Francisco, but yellow is not anything to avoid. Miami at New England, he has temperatures in the mid 20s, otherwise fine. Jets at bills, temperature in the mid 20s. Light winds, could see some snow, but not impactful levels. And Pittsburgh hosting Baltimore. Temperature in the 20s, otherwise fine. So cold weather. I don't really like cold weather. Oh, man, it has been freaking miserable up here. Just disgusting. Every day, snow and crap and gosh, I hate it. But I don't think I'm gonna go to the Giants game. It's just been like, I don't want to sit outside in this garbage.

[Jamie]

How much are the tickets?

[Host 1]

Dirt cheap.

[Dave]

They'll pay you to go?

[Host 1]

Yeah, I don't even take a look at the latest prices, but it's. It's ugly.

[Jamie]

But you can go watch history.

[Host 1]

They're starting at $35. This should be cheaper than that.

[Jamie]

Why don't you just go for like an hour and leave?

[Host 1]

Drive an hour to sit for an hour and then leave?

[Jamie]

I mean, if you're having fun, then you stay. But you know, take Andrew to a game and have fun.

[Host 1]

Yeah, I don't know.

[Dave]

Get frostbite.

[Host 1]

Yeah, I took out the garbage yesterday. Almost got frostbite.

[Dave]

So.

[Host 1]

Was a lot of garbage. How do you feel about the Bengals DST this week against Cleveland?

[Jamie]

Low end starter?

[Dave]

Yeah, not bad. They've been playing much better lately.

[Host 1]

Estimate or Charbonnet or Dylan Sampson?

[Jamie]

Charbonnet.

[Dave]

Charbonnet over SMA over Samson A. Yeah.

[Jamie]

Give me Samson over estimate. Ppr.

[Host 1]

Caleb Williams or Jackson dart?

[Jamie]

Caleb.

[Dave]

I think I have dart higher.

[Host 1]

Jacoby Brissette. Jackson dart or Lamar Jackson?

[Jamie]

Right now it's dart. If Wandale is out, I'll take Brissette.

[Dave]

All right. I threw a dart to suggest Jackson dart.

[Host 1]

Bo Nix, Matthew Stafford or Sam Darnold?

[Jamie]

Stafford. As of now, if we find out that he's not going to play a full game, then Bonix could be a good replacement.

[Host 1]

I think Nix is the safest.

[Jamie]

Just. He's definitely safer. But I mean, I don't know that.

[Dave]

He'S like three quarters.

[Host 1]

I don't know that Bonix is playing against backups. I think, like, I know Justin Herbert's not playing, but we don't know, like derby.

[Jamie]

We don't know who they're going to sit on defense. But again, if they're starting to pull guys back, like, right.

[Host 1]

I think. Right. I think domino effect. McBride or Michael Mayer?

[Dave]

I mean, what McBride.

[Host 1]

McBride is fine.

[Jamie]

It would be. It would be McBride over Bowers. Yeah.

[Host 1]

Commandee Vidal, Jaden Blue or Tank Bigsby? Pick two.

[Jamie]

I mean, if Blue is the starting running back for the Cowboys, he's the easy one. And then I would go tank over Vidal.

[Dave]

Agreed.

[Host 1]

We. Yes, we do. We do. Continue. We have three shows a week during the off season. Monday, Wednesday, Thursday. What do we usually cover? So during the NFL playoffs, we'll have a little bit of playoff talk on the Thursday shows. We'll help set DFS lineups and things like that. But it's mostly going to be rankings. It's going to be, you know, we'll unveil our top twelves at each position and stuff like that. We'll get you ready for 20, 26. Never too early. Are you guys playing the Eagles DST this week?

[Jamie]

Not with as much confidence as I was before.

[Dave]

Yeah, I got to move them down.

[Jamie]

Cool.

[Host 1]

All right. Good show, guys. Fun times. Happy New Year. Dave. What was it like being at the game?

[Dave]

It was cold. Dallas was cold. Not as cold as you. When you take your garbage out in your robe and undies, but it was cold.

[Jamie]

But that.

[Dave]

That happens to be the best way to serve revenge.

[Host 1]

What was the split in terms of fans?

[Dave]

It was. It was closer to 50, 50 than I thought it would be. And the interesting thing that they did was they tickets were dispersed as such, where Ohio State had their side of the stadium and Miami had their side of the stadium. So I'd say it was, like, maybe close to 60, 40 in favor of Ohio State. And their fans were really cool, by the way. Like, no. Nobody was out of line or yelling or anything like that. If anything, I saw Miami fans that were a little out of line, but a little bit of an edge for Ohio State. But they left with, like, five minutes. We started seeing fans leave with five minutes to play. Like, Miami got the ball. Wow. Their last possession, and Buckeyes fans were leaving even though it was a one.

[Jamie]

You have to go to the next game.

[Host 1]

I don't. I think I'm saving up for the.

[Jamie]

Not you.

[Dave]

If it wasn't in Phoenix, I'd be there. Or you gotta.

[Jamie]

I mean, if you go to one, you gotta go to both. Like, you got to commit to it.

[Dave]

I didn't go to College Station.

[Host 1]

Yeah, we didn't go to the first one.

[Jamie]

Yeah, but now you went to this one. You can't stop now.

[Host 1]

What is this rule?

[Jamie]

It's bad karma.

[Host 1]

It's so funny that, like, it's kind of too dramatic and we're not there.

[Dave]

We're gonna have to live with that for the rest of our lives.

[Host 1]

They just beat Ohio State, who's just. Miami hates Ohio State because the. The 22,003 festival.

[Dave]

Yeah, I'm kind of over it now for some reason.

[Host 1]

They still have two games to play. Hopefully they haven't done anything yet. They're only in the semifinals.

[Jamie]

It's true. It's really, it's really crazy. Like the, the two like probably best storylines of Ole Miss losing their coach and getting to this point and you guys not really expected to be in the.

[Host 1]

I know.

[Jamie]

In the playoffs because of how stupid it was. And now you, you both have huge upsets and facing each other. I, I mean Chambliss was amazing last, wasn't he?

[Host 1]

He was incredible. Ole Miss, his quarterback was phenomenal. I'm very nervous about it, but yeah.

[Jamie]

I saw some people saying that the Georgia was a better matchup for you.

[Host 1]

For whatever it's worth, we're favored against Ole Miss and we would have been underdogs against Georgia.

[Dave]

Right. I was nervous about Georgia for sure.

[Host 1]

And was I gonna say anyway, what, what teams now with this eight, with this 12 team playoff and the four teams who get buys. The teams with buys are now one and seven in their. In the last two seasons. Indiana is the only top four seed that won their. Their first game. Kind of crazy that they're off for almost four weeks. It's just so long.

[Dave]

Yeah, it's not right. It looks like I can fly there for under 500 bucks.

[Jamie]

You have to go.

[Host 1]

Tickets are so cheap.

[Dave]

It's just long. It's such a long.

[Jamie]

Another, another buddy who went to the game too, and I'm telling the same thing. Like he's like, I don't want to go. It's so far. Like, come on.

[Host 1]

Like you.

[Dave]

It's once in a lifetime and I'm old and I'm broke. Like these are all things that come into play.

[Host 1]

You know who it's, who's gonna be there is Ole Miss fans. So I think, Dave, you do have to go. You have to support us. All right, I'll see. I won't see you there. Thanks everybody for watching.

[Jamie]

You might see one of our former co workers who's sunglasses Thomas. Yep.

[Host 1]

Don't know who you're talking about, but looking forward to that. All right, have a great weekend, everybody. We'll talk to you Monday on fantasy.

[Dave]

Football Today.

[Jamie]

Paramount podcasts.

[Host 1]

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[Dave]

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[Host 1]

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[Dave]

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[Host 1]

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[Dave]

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[Jamie]

You don't even know the game you're playing, do you?

[Dave]

Landman? New season now streaming only on Paramount plus.