Podcast Summary: Fantasy Footballers – "Championship Studs & Duds + Magic Mike, One More Game!"

Date: December 29, 2025
Hosts: Andy Holloway, Jason Moore, Mike "The Fantasy Hitman" Wright
Theme: A deep dive into championship fantasy football week – celebrating the big winners, commiserating with the unlucky, and breaking down the year’s most studly and dudly performances.

Episode Overview

This energetic episode celebrates the highs and lows of fantasy championship week, spotlighting "Magic Mike" Wright's double-crown victory, dissecting the wild outcomes of Week 17, and honoring both fantasy football juggernauts and season-sinking disappointments. The trio balances sharp analysis with trademark humor, providing insights into player performances, running gags about their own league, and advice for both champions and those left questioning their roster decisions.

Main Highlights and Key Discussion Points

1. The "Year of Mike" – Double Champ Victory

• [02:42] Mike is congratulated for his "super duper champ" season, having dominated both primary leagues. The hosts rib him for his earlier humility, only to see him launch into the show with confidence.
  • Jason: "You did the unthinkable. You got the double up—our two primary, super duper... champ."
  • Mike: "They said it couldn't be done."
• [03:59] Jeremy gives the finger to fate: “If you went up against Derrick Henry and you lost, I’m sorry...that was one of the biggest fantasy performances in a long time.”

2. Derrick Henry’s Historic Championship Performance

• [04:41] Jason and Jeremy marvel at Derrick Henry’s monster week, declaring it possibly “the biggest performance in modern day history in a championship week.”

• [14:24] The crew highlights that Henry alone outscored eight major fantasy WR/RBs combined (including Justin Jefferson, CeeDee Lamb, Amon-Ra St. Brown—see detailed breakdown below).

  • [14:31] Mike: “Derrick Henry 45.6 points. If you add up Justin Jefferson, CeeDee Lamb, Amon-Ra St. Brown...Jacobs, Jameson, and Gibbs—they equal 45.6 for those eight dudes.”

3. Christian McCaffrey’s RB1 Finish – Again

• [06:22] Mike celebrates CMC’s consistency: “Since 2019: RB1, injured, injured, RB2, RB1, champ. RB72 injured, RB1.”
• [07:14] Jeremy argues if not for injuries, McCaffrey would have exceeded even LaDainian Tomlinson’s legendary dominance.

4. Championship Stress, Sacrifices, and Real Life Mixing In

• [09:45 & 10:13] Mike discusses the real toll: “I spent two hours in high stress according to my Whoop... all I did was sit and watch for eight hours.”
• [10:18] Jeremy asks if it was worth the years off his life:
  • Mike: “Every man dies. Not every man is a super duper champ.”

Anecdote:

• [11:42] Mike describes his bittersweet family holiday, torn between championship joy and an impromptu group grieving session:
  • “This is like the crowning achievement of my fantasy football career.”

5. Monday Punday, Listener League, and Community Shoutouts

• [13:44] The hosts revel in listener submissions for funny team names, both "studs" and "duds", e.g. “Saquon Barfley,” “Josh Fakeobs,” “CD Sham.”
• [15:14] Jason congratulates Matt in the Listener League for surviving a “Reaper Gauntlet”—knocking off each host for the title.

Detailed Segment Recaps with Timestamps

A. Championship Heroics and Stud Performers

Quarterbacks

• [25:06] Drake Maye, Brock Purdy, Malik Willis, and Jackson Dart are spotlighted for their stellar championship outputs.
  • [25:19] Jason: “Purdy was Number One… that was Brock Purdy making plays, not just Kyle Shanahan’s scheme.”

Running Backs

• [29:36]–[31:40]
  • Derrick Henry: Historic, game-winning performance.
  • Christian McCaffrey: Mr. Consistency; punctuates his RB1 legacy.
  • Zach Charbonnet, Ramondre Stevenson, Travion Henderson, and Chase Brown all cited as key difference-makers.
  • [31:16] Jeremy: “Chase Brown... strong argument for fantasy MVP in terms of the playoff stretch.”

Wide Receivers

• [36:43]
  • Luther Burden’s breakout (23.8 pts) is celebrated as one of the stories of the season.
  • Jamar Chase, Chris Olave, Christian Watson, and others round out the week’s best.

Tight Ends

• [42:37]
  • Trey McBride sets season record for TE receptions, surpassing Zach Ertz.
    • [42:53] Jeremy: “He may be at 130 by the end of next year.”

B. Dud Performances and Wounded Hopes

Quarterbacks

• [46:53]–[48:17] Jared Goff, Jalen Hurts, and Sam Darnold all face scrutiny for season-dampening games.
  • [47:06] Jeremy: “Goff: Three fumbles lost, two interceptions... That was not that good.”

Running Backs

• [50:25]–[52:43]
  • Josh Jacobs’ “steaming pile” performance (4 carries, 3 yards) as the lowest low.
  • Jameer Gibbs, Saquon Barkley, and Jaylen Warren all underwhelm.
• [51:22] Jason: “Two active weeks in a row for Jacobs in the playoffs where you combine the games and don’t even have five fantasy points.”

Wide Receivers

• [53:04]–[56:35]
  • Disappointments abound: CeeDee Lamb, Nico Collins, Amon-Ra St. Brown, Justin Jefferson, DJ Moore.
  • [54:18] Jason: “[Jefferson’s] fantasy points since week 10: 5, 8, 6, 1, 2, 3, 11, 5... That doesn’t make sense for the best WR.”

Tight Ends

• [60:17] Taysom Hill vanishes after big projections.
  • Jeremy: “Zero targets, zero rushing yards after being a third of the offense the week prior.”

C. News and Notes

• [15:47] Injury and roster updates:

  • Drake London available, Davante Adams out.
  • Josh Allen gets x-rays again; Geno Smith suffers high ankle sprain.
  • Cardinal misery and coaching hot seat discussed.
  • Jalen Waddle and Luther Burden picked up injuries, but Burden expected to be OK.

• [16:48] Jason sums up Buffalo’s pain: “Something is wrong in my foot, they just can’t find it.”

D. Season Reflections and Dynasty Implications

• [57:45]–[60:01]
  • Wide-ranging dynasty debates on Chris Olave, Luther Burden, Tet McMillan, and Nico Collins.
  • [40:28] Jason on Tet McMillan vs. Olave: “Oh, man, I'll go Tet there.”
  • The hosts discuss reasons for second-year letdowns (Lad McConkey, Brian Thomas Jr.), and the impact of changing team landscapes.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Mike: “Every man dies. Not every man is a super duper champ.” [10:26]
• Jason: “Derrick Henry 45.6 points. If you add up Justin Jefferson, CeeDee Lamb, Amon-Ra… they equal 45.6 for those eight dudes.” [14:31]
• Jeremy: “Sometimes if you go up against something like that, you just tip your cap and move on to next year.” [04:10]
• Jason: “You can be the greatest WR and have a run of this much irrelevance for fantasy if your QBs are a backup and then a backup to the backup.” [54:18]
• Mike: “…the crowning achievement of my fantasy football career. And you’re over, you’re like, like, no, you go work.” [12:01]
• Jason: “We were that meme of the reaper just going through the doors.” [15:31]
• Jeremy: “Week 18 weirdos, we’re still here for you.” [62:03]
• Mike: “Tougher than early 1900s coal miners doing the heavy lifting of week 18…” [62:16]

Final Segment: Advice, Announcements, and Next Week

• Focus will shift to Week 18 weirdness and future dynasty content.
• “Footy Awards” and “Truth Series” coming soon.
• One more game – encouragement for those still playing or enjoying NFL action in Week 18.
• Plugs for championship merch at shopballers.com and fantasychamps.com (“before Mike buys them all!”).

Takeaways for Listeners

• Celebrate: Enjoy (and commemorate) your wins!
• Commiserate: Sometimes, you can’t beat Derrick Henry—move on and don’t blame yourself.
• Stay Water: The Fantasy Footballers emphasize adaptability, active management, and not sitting still with “pretty” lineups.
• Dynasty Watch: The balance between talent, opportunity, and changing NFL realities is as tricky as ever.

Further Listening

• Tune in for the Week 18 “Megalodon” mailbag episode for more deep-dive matchup analysis, offbeat takes, and signature Footballers humor.
• Follow the Ballers for off-season dynasty breakdowns and “Truth Series” retrospectives.