Merry Megaladon! Starts of the Week + Matchup Mayhem! - Fantasy Football Podcast for 12/24

Summary

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Fantasy Footballers: Merry Megaladon! Starts of the Week + Matchup Mayhem!

Date: December 24, 2025
Hosts: Andy Holloway, Jason Moore, Mike "The Fantasy Hitman" Wright

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Overview

This festive Christmas Eve episode of the Fantasy Footballers Podcast dives deep into championship week with spirited banter, crucial analysis, and actionable fantasy advice for the biggest matchups and toughest decisions of the 2025 fantasy football finals. Andy, Jason, and Mike review waiver wire stashes, injury news, lineup pivots, and offer their signature “Starts of the Week” for every key position, all with their trademark blend of humor and sharp insights. If you’re fighting for a fantasy title, this episode is packed with the analysis you need—and the camaraderie you love.

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Championship Week Vibes & Banter

The crew celebrates championship week coinciding with Christmas, reflecting humorously on past fantasy heartbreaks and their own chances this year. Mike exudes championship confidence while Andy jokes about preemptive defeat. The spread-out game schedule (Thursday–Monday) adds a layer of unpredictability to the title games, with multiple references to “tilt.”

Memorable moment:
Jason (to Mike, about title games):
"Do you believe that you are going to win both types?"
Mike (04:46):
"I do believe that, yes."

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Backup Options: Deep League Waiver Advice (07:48–12:27)

A segment devoted to last-minute, widely available pivots for desperate managers:

• Trey Tucker (WR, LV):

  • “Definitely 100% the number one target there in Las Vegas.” (Andy 07:56)
  • Great matchup vs. the Giants, who "give up a ton of points to wide receivers."
  • Notably playing every offensive snap.

• Jawar Jordan (RB, HOU):

  • “They want to see what they have in Jordan. He’s just one of those very few—there’s not a lot of point in picking up someone for the future at this point. This is your last week. This is it.” (Jason 10:19)
  • With injuries to backfield mates, Jordan is getting 17–20 opportunities per week.

• Devin Singletary (RB, NYG):

  • Singletary is “playable” if options thin, projecting double-digit touches even as an underwhelming backup.

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News & Notes: Major Injuries and Fantasy Fallout (12:35–23:33)

Headlines:

• J.J. McCarthy out with finger fracture; Max Brosmer to start for the Vikings.
• Raiders place Brock Bowers on IR (“Step one of number one pick overall in place.” Andy 15:49).
• DK Metcalf suspension upheld; $45M guaranteed contract voided.
• George Kittle has “mid to low ankle sprain;” hosts doubt he’ll play, raising concern for emergency TE pivots.
• QB Chaos:
  • Josh Johnson (age 39!) likely to start for Commanders; hosts debate him as a desperation superdeep streamer:
    • Jason: "I could pick up 39 year old Josh Johnson against the Cowboys…" (16:26)
    • Andy: "Terrible, terrible, terrible..." (16:28)
  • Other streamers debated: Geno Smith, Kirk Cousins, Aaron Rodgers, Max Brosmer, Quinn Ewers.

Fantasy Impact:

• Urgency for managers scrambling to replace Bowers or Kittle at TE:
  • “You’re going to have to start looking at Darren Waller, Colby Parkinson, Jake Tonjas…” (Andy 18:35)
• If Kittle sits, Tonjas or Loveland among available dart throws.

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Starts of the Week: Championship Edition (23:33–37:42)

Quarterbacks:

• Trevor Lawrence (JAX): “Quarterback FOUR on the season, TWO since the bye. ...The Indy defense, we just saw with Brock Bowers, they're not stopping the passing game right now.” (Jason 25:06)
• Drake Maye (NE): Faces Jets; elite deep passer. “I think we have an opportunity for it to be a great week.” (Mike 25:29)
• Caleb Williams (CHI): “The pass rush doesn’t exist right now for San Francisco. ...Could be very good for Caleb Williams again.” (Andy 26:16)

Running Backs:

• Rhamondre Stevenson (NE): “Bell cow RB against basically the worst defense for RBs in the league the last six weeks.” (Jason 29:13)
• Tyrone Tracy (NYJ): “Tracy is the main course… Raiders 29th in schedule adjusted points to RBs.” (Mike 30:05)
• Chris Rodriguez (WAS): “He’s been running well all year. ...63% of the team's rushing attempts in recent weeks.” (Andy 31:20)

Wide Receivers:

• Jauan Jennings (SF): “Wide receiver 12 since week 9. ...Probably doesn’t have Kittle—should see a huge role.” (Jason 33:11)
• Drake London (ATL): Facing the Rams’ weak secondary. “He did have 8 targets last week... don’t waver.” (Mike 34:19)
• Jacoby Myers (LV): “Main guy… Colts pass defense doesn't exist.” (Andy 35:09)

Tight Ends:

• Juwan Johnson (NO): Clear #2 target, juicy matchup. “My number one (waiver) pick-up-and-play tight end.” (Jason 35:32)
• Harold Fannin Jr. (PIT): “31% target share over last 5 weeks… great future sign for Dynasty.” (Mike 36:23)
• Tyler Warren (IND): “Good for eight, nine targets. That’s good enough for me at tight end.” (Andy 37:02)

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Fantasy Forecast: Christmas & Saturday Game Breakdowns (37:42–70:00)

Scheduling Note

Four days of football—manage your FLEX, watch the inactive lists, and maximize lineup flexibility!

Christmas Day Game Previews

Cowboys vs. Commanders

• Dallas -7, O/U 50.5
• “Two of the worst defenses in football—certainly the worst pass defenses.” (Andy 38:49)
• Javonte Williams: “I’m playing him but... limited in practice.” (Andy 39:21)
• Jake Ferguson fade: “Hasn’t hit 10 fantasy points since Week 7.” (Andy 39:59)
• Chris Rodriguez (WAS): “Start of the week.” (Andy 40:34)
• Josh Johnson at QB for Commanders. Jason (41:11): “He did sign a one year contract in April. He’s just starting.”

Lions vs. Vikings

• “Mike is very confident... playing the Lions defense against Max Brosmer on Christmas Day.” (Andy 42:25)
• Justin Jefferson: Play or sit?
  • Andy: “If you throw the ball to Justin Jefferson, that is your best play in that offense every single time.” (44:21)
• Vikings WRs (Addison, et al.): Avoid.
• David Montgomery drama: Snap share down, social media posts hinted frustration. “Montgomery, good player, Gibbs, elite player.” (Mike 46:08)
• Amon-Ra St. Brown: Dealing with illness, but “supposed to try to go.” (Jason 47:07)
• Jameson Williams: “Keep playing him.” (Andy 48:36)

Broncos vs. Chiefs

• Denver heavily favored with Chiefs’ season in shambles.
  • “Chiefs... 11.5 implied points, tied for lowest of the year. ...Chris OlaDoken will be starting at QB.” (Jason 51:31)
• “You don't start any Chiefs, right?” (Andy 53:22)
• Travis Kelce: Last Arrowhead game? “They’ll try to get him a TD… if possible with Brosmer.” (Jason 54:19)
• Courtland Sutton: “Quietly the WR11... market share has gone up.” (Andy 54:41)

Chargers vs. Texans

• “Both defenses are great; this could be very low scoring.” (Andy 56:12)
• Hampton: “Workhorse RB who is talented… playing him.” (Mike 57:09)
• Dalton Schultz: Preferred streamer, “could do worse.”
• WR dart throws: Alec Pierce vs. Quentin Johnston, leaning Pierce due to matchups.

Ravens vs. Packers

• Green Bay: Favored, but QB Jordan Love’s concussion status uncertain.
• “If Kittle doesn't play, would you play Jake Tonjas… or Colston Loveland?” (Jason 76:17) — hosts debate, leaning Loveland.

Pittsburgh vs. Cleveland

• “33.5 over/under—Mike's face says that's a lump of coal in that stocking.” (Andy 67:48)

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Listener Q&A: Fantasy Mailbag (71:37–76:12)

• Start Lamar or Trevor Lawrence (if Lamar’s back injury lingers)?
  • “I would play Trevor Lawrence. The matchup, the health, the heater he’s on—much better than Lamar.” (Jason 72:10)
• Start Stevenson or Jonathan Taylor (full PPR)?
  • Unanimous: Taylor’s floor is high, but still side with Taylor for steady points.
• Harold Fannin or wait for Kittle Monday decision?
  • Play Fannin; even if Kittle is active, Fannin may be safer.
• Stevenson or Aaron Jones (if Henderson TBD)?
  • Play Stevenson; he’s a strong option regardless of Henderson’s status.

Memorable Mailbag Moment:
Jason, lost in the weeds trying to follow the question:
"I wasn’t listening. I didn’t know the question, not my fault." (76:05)

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Notable Quotes & Moments

• On Raiders IR moves:
  Andy: “All players have been placed on injured reserve.” (15:58)
• On the desperate state of QB options:
  Andy: “I would genuinely, for the first time ever, I think I’d put all those names in a hat and pull one out.” (17:21)
• On DK Metcalf contract void:
  “If they want to get out of the contract, they can do it for free.” (Jason 21:25)
• On defensive waiver warfare:
  “Someone in our league put claims in on both of them. ...Taking some shots.” (Andy 70:10)

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Tone & Style

Fast-paced, light-hearted, and densely packed with inside jokes, the show maintains a tight focus on actionable advice—especially for challenged lineups and injury-riddled teams. The camaraderie and on-the-spot debate between the hosts provide both entertainment and genuine fantasy wisdom, especially for high-stakes managers.

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Essential Takeaways

• Injuries and suspensions are creating chaos at TE and for streaming QBs. Have backup plans in place; don’t hesitate to pivot to “one week wonders” if you’re desperate.
• You have to be aggressive and even a little “gross” in championship week—every waiver and lineup spot is critical.
• Offense can be found in unlikely places. Don't ignore deep picks like Trey Tucker or Trey Jordan.
• Monitor real NFL motivations: Resting/star-playing decisions will impact fantasy, especially with teams locked or eliminated from playoffs.
• Stay flexible: Four-day slate means maximizing your options and making late swaps, especially at flex.

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Timestamps: Key Segments

• Championship banter & schedule: 01:37–05:36
• Backup Options (Waiver picks): 07:48–12:27
• Major News & Injury Impact: 12:35–23:33
• Starts of the Week (all positions): 23:33–37:42
• Fantasy Forecast (Game Previews): 37:42–70:00
• Listener Mailbag: 71:37–76:12

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For championship-seeking managers and fantasy enthusiasts alike, this episode is a must-listen (or read). Packed with pointed advice for deep leagues and last-minute pivots, along with the infectious (and slightly tilted) holiday energy that makes the Fantasy Footballers a staple in the fantasy community.

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Transcript

[Andy Holloway]

Thursday Night Football is on, and it's only on Prime Video. Join Al Michaels, Kirk Herbstreet, and Kaylee Hartung this Thursday as the Denver Broncos take on the Kansas City Chiefs. Coverage begins at 7pm Eastern with football's best party, TNF tonight presented by Verizon. Not a Prime member. Not a problem. Simply sign up for a 30 day free trial. It's the Broncos and Chiefs Thursday at 7pm Eastern, only on Prime Video. Restrictions apply. See Amazon.com Amazon prime for details.

[Jason Moore]

It's Sunday morning, folks. The lineup decisions are piling up faster than dirty dishes in the sink. Your running back's questionable and so is your outfit, but here's the good news. Uncrustables just dropped two new flavors built for the chaos of Sunday mornings. Up an apple and bright eyed berry with 12 grams of protein. They're tasty, they, they're feeling and they keep you fueled through kickoff. So, yeah, go ahead and binge the late game Saturday night. You can still be a morning person come Sunday.

[Andy Holloway]

Ho, ho, ho.

[Jason Moore]

Merry christmas. Welcome to the Fantasy Footballers Podcast with your host, Andy Holloway, Jason Moore and Mike Wright.

[Andy Holloway]

Welcome in.

[Jason Moore]

It's Christmas in title time for me, not you.

[Mike Wright]

I'm pointing at Andy.

[Jason Moore]

So. Wow.

[Andy Holloway]

So much is going on inside of Mike's brain right now.

[Jason Moore]

Way to launch the show.

[Mike Wright]

Well, I couldn't point at Jason because he's.

[Jason Moore]

I am still in a champion.

[Mike Wright]

Technically in one.

[Andy Holloway]

It's just not the League of Race championship. Oh, you are. Yes.

[Mike Wright]

Oh, you're in the it.

[Andy Holloway]

Expertly. Well, facing Mike Clay, it was a funny bit. Yeah. No, I mean, I don't. I don't feel like it.

[Jason Moore]

Wait, wait, wait. Who could you put out? Is there anyone in this room you could point at? Because I'm in a title game. Oh, wait a minute. Oh, yeah. Papa Josh. No, you're poopa Josh. I'm in too good of a mood. It doesn't matter.

[Andy Holloway]

Is this a Christmas mood? I'm better. I'm better.

[Jason Moore]

I had a lot of people reach out.

[Mike Wright]

I slept it off.

[Jason Moore]

Yeah, I'm way better now.

[Andy Holloway]

Nice. Nice. Had a lot of alcohol. It all. I.

[Jason Moore]

It all went away.

[Andy Holloway]

No, we. We've got championship week and that's why we're here. It's Christmas Eve. Merry Christmas, everybody. We. We got Mary Meg is what I'm calling it today.

[Jason Moore]

Oh, I like it. It's not just a mini Meg. It's kind of merry.

[Andy Holloway]

We've got Wednesday and Thursday's segments today and then we'll be back on Friday. The Day after Christmas, getting you primed for championship weekend because. Well, that's. That's kind of important.

[Jason Moore]

Yeah. And we'll have. At that point in time, we will actually have several games to go over. Amazing, amazing football on Christmas. I mean, I just can't wait for these great matchups on Christmas.

[Mike Wright]

It didn't work out very well for Netflix.

[Andy Holloway]

Last year was a bad Christmas for me because I was looking forward to the Houston Texans Baltimore game. I had four players in my title game against Al Borland, and all four stunk, and it was over on Christmas day.

[Mike Wright]

It is a. It is a very strong spin of the roulette wheel, giving us championship Christmas or championship games on Christmas.

[Andy Holloway]

Yeah. Thursday, Saturday, Sunday, this week got a Monday night game. So your championship spread out across four different evenings of tilt.

[Mike Wright]

Yeah. Like, very particularly. Like, we will wake up on the west coast and football will not be far away.

[Andy Holloway]

That's true. That's true. And I'm curious, I don't know what the holiday schedule is for the pants store, Mike. Will you be visiting with the pants store? You. You either you win a couple of titles or you are buying some pants.

[Jason Moore]

You are projected for both of our main leagues to win heavily. You're. You're. You are.

[Mike Wright]

One of them is a heavy projection, but I don't think it's correct. The other one is I am projected to beat Al Borland, but not.

[Andy Holloway]

Do you believe crushing defeat.

[Jason Moore]

Do you believe that you are going to win both types?

[Mike Wright]

I do believe that, yes.

[Jason Moore]

Okay. You're a strong man.

[Andy Holloway]

And will you be coming to work on Tuesday if you lose both titles?

[Mike Wright]

If I lose both, yeah.

[Andy Holloway]

See that little laugh he had there? He just had a moment that revealed how confident he is.

[Jason Moore]

Yeah.

[Andy Holloway]

He said, well, I never considered that.

[Jason Moore]

He did not consider losing both. I was like, that's impossible.

[Mike Wright]

I'm saying I'm not trying to do the. I think I'm going to win.

[Andy Holloway]

Yeah.

[Jason Moore]

Yeah, you are.

[Andy Holloway]

No, that's fine.

[Mike Wright]

That doesn't mean I will, but I do think I will.

[Jason Moore]

I think you'll win one.

[Andy Holloway]

What's wild is he has. He's got so many combined players across both of his teams. Like the borough, Chase Stack, both of those leagues. Christian McCaffrey, both of those leagues.

[Mike Wright]

My king. So if one more week, Christian, three.

[Andy Holloway]

Players in particular do well, it seems like those leagues will be linked. I mean, this is not rocket science, but it's not like the Bengals have a tough matchup this weekend.

[Jason Moore]

Right.

[Andy Holloway]

Arizona Cardinals have one more gift to give you, Mike. Under the under the Christmas tree.

[Mike Wright]

It's a gay that. If the Bengals do well, that's a gift for the three of us. We need Arizona to lose. You know it.

[Jason Moore]

Yeah, I know.

[Andy Holloway]

It's like, Michael do the show by himself on Tuesday.

[Jason Moore]

And like, I got a gift for all three of my kids under the Christmas tree, except one of them gets like, like, you know, the front row tickets. And then the other two I've done.

[Mike Wright]

I did that one year. I had a package that I hid for, or not hid, but I mean, it was covered in the garage for weeks. My wife knew nothing about it.

[Andy Holloway]

It was for her.

[Mike Wright]

It was for the family.

[Andy Holloway]

Okay.

[Mike Wright]

And so I wrapped it up and snuck it in, you know, in the morning, and it played the whole, oh, what is this thing? And then so the kids go and they unwrap it and it's the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles arcade game.

[Andy Holloway]

Oh, for yourself.

[Jason Moore]

Yeah.

[Mike Wright]

Oh, what a great gift for all of us.

[Andy Holloway]

Santa was so kind to me. Us. Well, here we go. We've got a big show for you today. Matchups to get into. We got backup options momentarily. You can follow us on Instagram instagram.com fantasy footballers on X at the FF Ballers. You can hang out on the discord ballersdiscord.com I'll say it again. We're a year round podcast. We're not going anywhere. The show schedule will change after week 18, but we'll be here twice a week. A bonus episode every week all year [e-mail] that is our community of supporters, the Foot Clan. And we give you an extra episode every week over [e-mail]. without further ado, waivers have gone through. It's time for backup options.

[Jason Moore]

Backup options presented by Progressive Insurance.

[Andy Holloway]

All right, most dropped players over the last 24 hours. A bunch of them. Not a surprise. The newly suspended DK Metcalf, who will play no part in fantasy championships. Quinshon Judkins now injured. The estimate. Evan Hull, disaster have they've been released and should be Kamani Vidal with the injury and the reduced workload as well. And then Colby Parkinson after the letdown. Darren Waller, also one of the most released players. If you're desperate, we have backup options for you. I will go with Trey Tucker, wide receiver of the Las Vegas Raiders. I had kind of toyed with the idea of putting Geno Smith as a streaming quarterback option yesterday, which is a wild thing to say out loud, but they're at home against the Giants. The Giants are, I think, losers of seven or eight consecutive games. It is the battle for the number one pick. Geno Smith could have some success in that game, and Trey Tucker is definitely 100% the number one target there in Las Vegas.

[Mike Wright]

Both teams have lost nine in a row.

[Andy Holloway]

Yeah, Trey Tucker is playing basically every single snap in the game. He was 4 for 43 last week, played 100% of snaps. There will be some points scored in this game. It will be to the detriment of those fan bases for those points to be scored. But you, Max Crosby, I mean, they've interviewed a bunch of players from this game. They're like, I can't say what Max Crosby said because it includes expletives. But the TLDR is, I don't care about the pick. I'm the best. I'm paid to be the best defensive end in football. That's what I'm going to go do.

[Jason Moore]

I get it that the players, they want to go win. They want to go play football, win a game. They're competitive, like, of course. But the home fans is the thing that's so confusing to me. I was talking to Mike about this. Like, if you are there as a Raiders fan, you're in Las Vegas, you got season tickets, you're showing up. You want your team to lose. There's no doubt. They're like, none of the fans in that entire arena want their team to win that game.

[Andy Holloway]

I would be fine competitively losing.

[Jason Moore]

That's your hope, right?

[Andy Holloway]

Yeah.

[Jason Moore]

But then when it comes to let.

[Mike Wright]

Me lose on a last field, accidentally competitively win.

[Andy Holloway]

Right.

[Jason Moore]

When it comes to, like, cheering in the home environment, it's like, I don't.

[Andy Holloway]

Know, but I'll go with Trey Tucker. The matchup's too good. The Giants giving up a ton of points to wide receivers. That's where I'll go.

[Jason Moore]

I'm going to go with Jawar Jordan, the running back from the Houston Texans, who has had a lot of opportunities the last two weeks. Two weeks ago, obviously, there was no Nick job. Woody Marks went down and he was great. He had like 15 carries for 100 yards.

[Mike Wright]

You were right on, Jordan.

[Jason Moore]

And so I wonder, you know, this last week, we weren't sure whether Woody Marks would be back or not. He wasn't, but Chubb was back, and it was like, okay, so is Chubb the starter or is it Jordan? I think they want to see what they have in George Jordan. They don't have necessarily their future in this backfield locked up. It's obviously not going to be Nick Chubb. And if Woody Marks is absent again. You're talking about 17 and 20 opportunities the last two weeks. He's just one of those. He's one of the very few. Like, there's not a lot of point of picking up someone for the future at this point. This is your last week. This is it. And so I do think that you need to, you know, I'll throw Tonjas McBasketball out there as well as someone that if you're rostering Woody Marks, Jake.

[Mike Wright]

Ton just make basketball.

[Jason Moore]

I refuse. You know, if you're, if you're, if you're rostering Woody Marks, you should be rostering Jordan because that could happen this week if Marks doesn't play, if Kittle doesn't play this week, Tonjas McBasketball should be on your roster.

[Andy Holloway]

Yeah, I do remember watching the game and Nick Chubb was on there. He was in there on the goal line play action that he had had a couple runs and then were like, okay, he's going to get into the end zone here and they play action to him and threw it to Dalton Schultz, which turned out to not matter to Mike's teams. But it was disappointing in the moment.

[Mike Wright]

Yeah, it was a bummer for the Nick Chubb recommendation. This week I'm going with Devin Singletary. He's in that crap bowl of a game of the Giants versus the Raiders, the Dung bowl.

[Jason Moore]

He.

[Mike Wright]

Devin Singletary is on the most dropped list of this week from sleeper. He saw 12 opportunities last week against Minnesota and the matchup is good. This is not Singletary over Tracy by any means. This is a backup option that should waivers have not gone the way you wanted to. Your league is a little bit deeper. Singletary is playable to me and should see another 10 or more opportunities this week.

[Andy Holloway]

That was backup options sponsored by Progressive Insurance. Quote [e-mail] let's talk news.

[Jason Moore]

News and notes from around the league presented by Progressive Insurance.

[Andy Holloway]

Well, we got news on J.J. mcCarthy pretty quickly yesterday. Hairline fracture on his finger. He is out for the Thursday Christmas Day game. Max Brosmer will start.

[Mike Wright]

Someone from Minnesota tweeted at me and said, it's Brosmer.

[Jason Moore]

Okay, Is that official?

[Mike Wright]

I'm going with it.

[Jason Moore]

Someone tweeted at me, okay, all right. I mean, that's. That can't be wrong.

[Mike Wright]

I can't be held.

[Andy Holloway]

Rosemer.

[Mike Wright]

Max, on Christmas they said, like Super Mario Bros.

[Jason Moore]

I was looking at, okay, Christmas.

[Andy Holloway]

I don't care.

[Jason Moore]

I was looking at the Christmas slate, right? This is Netflix that bought it. I mean, that's.

[Andy Holloway]

Well, they have two of the games. And then there's a prime game.

[Jason Moore]

Okay, so a lot of money going into these Christmas games. Not the URL available.

[Mike Wright]

Netflix.

[Jason Moore]

Yeah, Christmas football dot com. You need it. But I was looking at these. I was looking at the slate, the schedule makers. They genuinely were like, we are giving them the best games of the week. We are. We're making Christmas. We're taking over Christmas in 2025. Cowboys, commanders. That could be. That's Jaden Daniels. That could be a divisional, like victory. Lions, Vikings.

[Andy Holloway]

Oh, my gosh. Just two of the best teams last year.

[Jason Moore]

I mean, you would expect everyone came into this being like, okay, who's going to win the division? Those two are right up there.

[Andy Holloway]

Raise your hand if you're in the playoffs.

[Jason Moore]

Broncos, Chiefs, that's the division. That's for the division. That's for the number one seed. That's. And none of these games matter for anything.

[Andy Holloway]

We'll all watch them anyways.

[Jason Moore]

Oh.

[Mike Wright]

I mean, well, they matter begrudgingly. This is where they really need to embrace fantasy football because everybody, no one gives a crap about these games except for us playing fantasy.

[Andy Holloway]

Max Brosmer will get the start for the Vikings. Ben Johnson said Roma Dunes has been rehabbing the foot injury. He's on the right track. He's in a good spot. He's going to be able to help us this year. I don't think he's going to help your fantasy teams, but they're playoff bound, so that's where he might be able.

[Mike Wright]

To help this calendar year.

[Jason Moore]

I doubt it, but I think this season is.

[Andy Holloway]

Yeah, this season.

[Jason Moore]

I think in the NFL playoffs he'll come back and he'll make an impact.

[Andy Holloway]

Josh Johnson, the 39 year old trending towards making his first start of the year for the Commanders. Which means Marcus Mariota with the hand and the quadriceps will not get the start. Potentially. Although he has not been ruled out.

[Jason Moore]

He has not been ruled out. But this is a Thursday game. He did not practice Monday, did not practice Tuesday. I can't fathom that Mariota is going to play. Let me ask you because I was looking at Josh Johnson. His last start was great. It was like 30 fantasy points. But that was like three years ago. He's almost 40 years old, so I don't think you could trust him. The little stint we saw in replacement of Mariota was bad. One of the worst, slowest throne picks.

[Mike Wright]

Yeah, sorry, Jay.

[Andy Holloway]

We were trying to.

[Jason Moore]

Breaking the.

[Andy Holloway]

I promise it's worth interrupting. We had to confirm it.

[Mike Wright]

There's tweets going out Tom Pelissero, great friend of the show. What? The Raiders are placing Brock Bowers on IR today.

[Jason Moore]

Oh my gosh.

[Andy Holloway]

Step one of number one pick overall in place. Hey, Raiders, this is what you can control.

[Mike Wright]

I respect it.

[Andy Holloway]

All players have been placed on injured reserve.

[Jason Moore]

Oh, man. Oh no.

[Mike Wright]

You were going to.

[Jason Moore]

Okay, so Andy, back to the question at hand. This is. This is legit. I'm sure there's dozens of us out there that need this advice. We're at a 14 team. Our list is really going to.

[Andy Holloway]

No, I wouldn't.

[Jason Moore]

So I haven't heard the other options. You haven't. You haven't heard all the options. I lost Jaden Daniels, then I lost Marcus Mariota in the championship. I could pick up 39 year old Josh Johnson against the Cowboys.

[Andy Holloway]

Terrible, terrible, terrible, terrible.

[Jason Moore]

Currently, as of this moment, before that news, my number one waiver pickup was Geno Smith.

[Andy Holloway]

Now, I mean, I just said I thought about streaming him. Ask me now.

[Jason Moore]

Okay. Would you stream without Brock Bowers?

[Andy Holloway]

No, I wouldn't.

[Jason Moore]

Okay. So now the other options. Kirk Cousins, Rams against the Rams. They're at home. Aaron Rodgers against the Browns without DK Metcalf.

[Andy Holloway]

Okay.

[Mike Wright]

He didn't like DK anyways.

[Jason Moore]

Yeah, I mean Ewers throwing the ball should door Sanders. I mean I could go with like the bros. Mers this is.

[Andy Holloway]

And you're the dude that's never lost the title game.

[Jason Moore]

Yeah, I'm putting that to the test this year.

[Andy Holloway]

Without Brock Bowers, that is. I mean, Trey Tucker. Hey, Trey Tucker looks even better right now.

[Mike Wright]

He does.

[Jason Moore]

And yeah, 14 too. I was.

[Andy Holloway]

I would genuinely, for the first time ever, I think I'd put all those names in a hat and pull one out. You've got a Santa hat on right now. I'm not sure that there's a good.

[Mike Wright]

I mean you understand Cousins probably. How many years of experience Josh Johnson has?

[Andy Holloway]

39.

[Mike Wright]

He's been in the league since 2009.

[Andy Holloway]

I play cousins with the way Pitts has been playing and Drake London, probably. Yeah, that's probably what I would do based on those answers.

[Mike Wright]

It's that or you just.

[Andy Holloway]

Oh my gosh.

[Mike Wright]

You Hercules Mulligan and you play Josh Johnson and you say I'll take the matchup.

[Andy Holloway]

I would love it if we got breaking news that the Giants in a counter move put one of their players on IR right now.

[Mike Wright]

Jackson Dart. He's on the ir.

[Andy Holloway]

So by the way, you may have wanted to know because we just said he went on injured reserve. It's just the knee injury that he's been dealing with and playing through and could. He could definitely play this.

[Jason Moore]

Oh man.

[Andy Holloway]

But the decision was to was made strategically to be smart that get him ready for next year.

[Jason Moore]

I will say that has a huge impact on championships. There are going to be a lot of teams that have Bowers.

[Andy Holloway]

Yeah. That sucks in there.

[Jason Moore]

And it's not like, you know, I don't think you can just pivot to Michael Mayer as a replacement. No.

[Andy Holloway]

And I think you're going to have to start looking at Darren Waller who is recently dropped. Colby Parkinson recently dropped. Jake Tonjas missed basketball. Who was. Who may get a start as an emergency play. But that was big news. George Kittle dealing with a mid to low ankle sprain. I. I doubt he plays this week.

[Jason Moore]

That's how I feel.

[Andy Holloway]

I doubt it. I don't understand why he would I.

[Mike Wright]

Because they got to win out.

[Andy Holloway]

They do have to win out. But they also are in the playoffs and George Kittle has a long term issue with staying healthy.

[Mike Wright]

I agree. I don't think Kittle plays either. If he does play, it creates. It's almost a could possibly worse situation. If he plays of you just. You have no idea how it responds. Yeah. How is it going to respond? Is he going to go out do two snaps ago? Okay, guys. I can't actually do it.

[Jason Moore]

It's going to be used just as a blocker, not running routes, cutting.

[Mike Wright]

But the reason he plays is true. If you win the next. If San Francisco wins the next two games, they get a week off.

[Andy Holloway]

They get the buy.

[Mike Wright]

Yes.

[Andy Holloway]

They get the one.

[Mike Wright]

Yes.

[Jason Moore]

Yeah. Because they play Seattle.

[Mike Wright]

If they win their next two games, no matter what, they are the number one seed.

[Andy Holloway]

The Rams could shut Devonte Adams down for the last two games to keep him ready for the playoffs. That seems smart as well.

[Jason Moore]

Yeah. I mean why you don't need them to beat the Falcons this week and then you don't need them to beat the Cardinals. So. Yeah. Shut them down and have them for the playoffs.

[Mike Wright]

Wait, Kyle, is this. This is a tweet from Doug Claw Doug Clausset saying It'll get you 49ers hypothetical schedule. If they win out, the game site will be week 17, Levi Stadium. Week 18, Levi Stadium.

[Andy Holloway]

Well, those would be the final two.

[Mike Wright]

Yeah. Yeah.

[Andy Holloway]

Of the year already.

[Mike Wright]

And then every is every bowls at Levi's Stadium. They will be a home game for the next five weeks.

[Andy Holloway]

Yeah, they could be. They could be. If they win the next two.

[Jason Moore]

Wow.

[Andy Holloway]

They would be the number one seed. Which means they'd Be the home team for the divisional NFC title game.

[Mike Wright]

That's why I Super bowl would be try to play. But it's also why they see if he can.

[Andy Holloway]

Yeah, that's tough. DK Metcalf, his two game suspension was upheld. His 45 million guaranteed was voided.

[Mike Wright]

That is. That's going to be fascinating to watch.

[Jason Moore]

I don't need him.

[Mike Wright]

I don't. Yeah, they need him.

[Jason Moore]

But they also have to realize we have overpaid for this man.

[Mike Wright]

That's what I mean. If the production has not met the contract by any stretch of the imagination.

[Jason Moore]

So is.

[Mike Wright]

Is there a chance that Pittsburgh just is like, ah, no, it doesn't mean.

[Jason Moore]

It doesn't mean they're not paying him. It means that if they want to get out of the contract, they can.

[Andy Holloway]

Do it for free, which could happen more maybe more likely after next year or something. If it doesn't work out, instead of having two years guaranteed, Philip Rivers will start again against the Jaguars. Makes sense to me. Looked pretty good. The Colts. Did you watch all the mic'd up stuff with Philip Rivers?

[Mike Wright]

I did not.

[Andy Holloway]

Unbelievable. Unbelievable. Not just because of all the calls at the line of scrimmage, not just because of the celebrations, which are outrageous, but also because of this man's incredible usage of substitute words for curse words. It is amazing.

[Mike Wright]

Gosh darn it.

[Andy Holloway]

I mean, it's so. I mean he is. It's like he's dropping all the expletives, but he's not.

[Jason Moore]

It's so funny too because he talks the harshest trash. Stinking.

[Andy Holloway]

Yeah.

[Jason Moore]

I mean he talks trash like a maniac.

[Andy Holloway]

Yeah. Oh yeah. Like.

[Jason Moore]

Like he just finished pounding a six pack and he's letting loose. But he can't. He's not going to let that tongue fly.

[Andy Holloway]

No. He's an incredibly disciplined, hilarious 44 year.

[Mike Wright]

Old poop talker and we've got.

[Andy Holloway]

Can we. He's a poop talker.

[Mike Wright]

Talking that poop.

[Andy Holloway]

Can we submit a petition to allow.

[Jason Moore]

He's a poop talk. That's so good.

[Andy Holloway]

Can we get two color jerseys for this guy? Can we not do the full one color pear shaped situation? You're saying he's all white, then he's all blue. Can we do horizontal stripes?

[Mike Wright]

Yes. No, no. He needs. He needs vertical or that.

[Jason Moore]

That's. Oh, thank you. That is what I meant.

[Mike Wright]

Vertical stripes.

[Jason Moore]

He's slimming.

[Andy Holloway]

I mean in the full blue. It's just.

[Jason Moore]

Don't let him play in the Bumblebee.

[Andy Holloway]

It's just fully. He's just shaped he looks like a top you'd spin on the top of a table. Incredible job.

[Mike Wright]

The Foghorn Leghorn body type.

[Andy Holloway]

Yes. Yes. All right, that was news and notes. Sponsored by Progressive Insurance quote today at progressive.com, progressive Casualty Insurance Company affiliates and third party insurers. Not available in all states or situations coverage subject policy terms, limits and conditions. It's time for starts.

[Jason Moore]

Starts of the week.

[Andy Holloway]

All right. Big week.

[Mike Wright]

Yep.

[Andy Holloway]

Big names. Start of the week time. We're, we're trying to find those guys. You aren't automatically starting. Sounds like Jason could use some help.

[Jason Moore]

Oh, man, I would love any of these guys.

[Mike Wright]

Yeah.

[Jason Moore]

I am now hoping for Kirk Cousins to bring me that title. I'll kick it off here with who? The guy who was Kirk Cousins. Let me tell you why he's a great start this week. Don't do that again at home against the Rams. Trevor Lawrence, it was my stream of the week because amazingly he was 50% available in leagues, not in 14 team leagues. And he's going to be on the road against the poop talker himself in Indy playing against Philip Rivers. He's the quarterback four on the season, quarterback two since the bye week. He's coming off of a good game. He was the quarterback five in Denver in Mile High on the road against a great defense. We have been waiting for that game to be like, is this incredible, you know, outpouring of points from the Jaguars? Is this just because of their schedule? Are they figuring stuff out? T Law has looked great and he continued to do so. I feel like his floor is very high. There's a 47 and a half point over or under. The Jaguars have an impressive 27 point implied team total and they've been letting Trevor Lawrence actually lead the team. This is not, you know, in the past, earlier in the year there was a time where it was like Travis etn, you know, the run game was really leading this team. But over the last month, Jacksonville is third in pass rate over expectation and the Indy defense, I mean we just saw with Brock Bowers, they're not stopping the passing game right now. 31st in passing yards per game allowed. I think I would start him in my championship.

[Mike Wright]

Yep. I'm going with Drake May. He's playing the New York jets and Drake May over the last, you know, six weeks it's been good. It hasn't been great, but I think we have an opportunity for it to be a great week. Patriots are still trying to get that number one seed so we don't need to worry about motivation. We he's the best deep passer in the league, which that's what I want against the New York jets because over the last five weeks they the jets are 31st in schedule. Adjusted points to the quarterback position. I'm not trying to like, I'm not moving away from May because it's just been okay. I think that I think we were you just May today.

[Andy Holloway]

Yes. Caleb Williams at San Francisco. I'm going back to the Caleb Williams as well.

[Mike Wright]

Better hope you get five quarters.

[Andy Holloway]

P. River. The poop talker himself went to 77 and two against San Francisco on Monday night. The pass rush doesn't exist right now for San Francisco. They're 25th in schedule. Adjusted fantasy points allowed to the quarterback position. I think it's going to be very good for Caleb Williams again this week and I think that game overall is going to be really good. So before we jump into our running.

[Jason Moore]

Backs, which Jason, I'm, I'm really considering Josh Johnson here.

[Andy Holloway]

Oh, brother, you shouldn't.

[Mike Wright]

But you live, you live your life.

[Andy Holloway]

You do you. We'll take a break. We'll be right back. Thursday Night Football is on and it's only on Prime Video. Join Al Michaels, Kirk Herbstreet and Kaylee Hartong this Thursday as the Denver Broncos take on the Kansas City Chiefs. Coverage begins at 7pm Eastern with football's best party, TNF tonight presented by Verizon. Not a Prime member? Not a problem. Simply sign up for a 30 day free trial. It's the Broncos and Chiefs Thursday at 7pm Eastern only on Prime Video. Restrictions apply. See Amazon.com Amazon prime for details.

[Mike Wright]

This episode is supported by Prize Picks. It is the holiday season, the best time of year for sports. Bowl games, basketball matchups, playoff pushes. It's all happening at once. And while you're out here making decisions every day, what gifts to buy, which game to watch, there is one place where it feels good to be, right? Prize Picks. And hey, check this out. Prize Picks now is early payouts. If your lineup gets off to a hot start, you may now have the option to cash out those winnings before the game even finishes. We have been loving our time on the Prize Picks this year. Facing off against each other, going the mores or less. And look what I really love on Prize Picks. Number one. The app is extremely easy to use. It's very intuitive. But I love all the creative stuff out there. You know, like just overall past percentage of a quarterback, a running back, will they get more or less than 20 yards on their first five carries? Really special, unique, fun stuff that makes the game day just a little bit more exciting. Download the prize picks app today and use Code footballers to get $50 on lineups after you play your first $5 lineup. That's code footballers to get $50 on lineUps after you play your first five dollar lineup. Prize picks. It's good to be right.

[Andy Holloway]

All right, we're back from the break. Is Jason still considering Josh Johnson?

[Jason Moore]

I am just because I know that in my previous underdog championship matchups that I have won they have come with the most insane crazy names for fun and it worked out. But at running back less insane crazy name I think is a good start this week. Ramon Dre Stevenson. We don't have any update yet on Trayvon Henderson, but obviously be fine guys. He's currently in concussion protocol.

[Mike Wright]

He's not going to be fine.

[Jason Moore]

And the jets like why rush Henderson back when you're playing the Jets? The Patriots should be able to easily handle the jets without Henderson. Give him a week off. Ramon Dre Stevenson was great last week. I mean 8 for 51 and 1 on the ground, 2 for 20, 70 played 84% of the snaps. You know he's going to be basically be a bell cow running back against basically the worst defense for running backs in the league. The last six weeks they're dead last and schedule adjusted fantasy points allowed.

[Andy Holloway]

Who was their matchup last week? The Jets. Who did they get destroyed by? It was like 28.

[Mike Wright]

The saints.

[Andy Holloway]

The Saints. Okay.

[Jason Moore]

Taysom Hill.

[Andy Holloway]

Yeah, I was just trying to think of the running back situation last week. It just ended up being Taysom.

[Jason Moore]

So yeah, I think. Sorry Mike, I know you're playing against Ramondre this week but the rest of your roster will easily overcome it.

[Mike Wright]

Looking at Ramon Ray on their side is disgusting and terrifying. I'm going with Tyrone Tracy against Vegas the last two weeks. 18 opportunities in each. You know Devin Singletary is a backup option. Tracy is the main course starting off. He is the main yes and look over the last five weeks Raiders 29th and schedule adjusted points to the running back position 28th and yards after contact allowed in that space and Tracy has been gouging, gouging with chunk runs. I like him in this matchup.

[Andy Holloway]

Well I'm going to go with last week's running back 20 who was 15 for 63 and a touchdown who was scored 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 of his last seven games and really was just hurt in one of them. It's crowd it's Chris Rodriguez against Dallas C Rod Dallas's Rush Defense has not been good. I think Quinn and Williams is still going to miss this game. I don't know that for certain but. But C Rod himself. This game is a 50.5 over under. That's why Jason's thinking about Josh Johnson.

[Jason Moore]

It's still 50. Oh my gosh.

[Andy Holloway]

Oh my gosh. Crowd has a 63%. 63% of the team's rushing attempts over the last. Is that like a ribbit?

[Jason Moore]

I don't know.

[Andy Holloway]

But his carries are going to come inside the tin as well. He's been running well all year. The lack of commitment to Chris Rodriguez from the beginning hurt this team. I'm going to go Chris Rodriguez start of the week for the championship week. Yeah.

[Mike Wright]

The team had Bill fever and they should have just kept playing Chris Rodriguez. Now Jason, I will just remind you Cowboys commanders is the first.

[Jason Moore]

First game.

[Mike Wright]

I know you will probably be opening presents while that is going on but.

[Jason Moore]

What if that is my best presence?

[Mike Wright]

I know, but that's the gamble.

[Jason Moore]

I mean he's 39 years old. It sucks. That's the issue.

[Mike Wright]

He doesn't suck. He's been in the league for 20 years.

[Jason Moore]

If Philip Rivers can do it. He's five years younger than Philip Rivers. That's true. That's insane. That is insane. He's five years younger than another player playing.

[Andy Holloway]

I'm trying to see if he's ever had a top 24.

[Jason Moore]

He has. You just got to go back. Like his last start.

[Andy Holloway]

He hasn't in the last three.

[Jason Moore]

He hasn't started in the last three seasons. Yeah.

[Mike Wright]

What are they?

[Jason Moore]

His last starts was great but he was. He was a 35 year old.

[Andy Holloway]

That was with against Cincinnati in 2021.

[Jason Moore]

And what. How do you do? How do you.

[Andy Holloway]

302.

[Jason Moore]

302.

[Mike Wright]

He's. Hey, he had two starts that year.

[Andy Holloway]

If you play, I will be entertained.

[Jason Moore]

It's almost worth it. My team can't win.

[Andy Holloway]

You have survived on Jaden, then Mariota. It would make sense to go to the third string.

[Mike Wright]

Two starts that year. Jay. QB4 QB7.

[Jason Moore]

Look, I did just completely replace the Geno pickup with Josh Johnson. So I'll have Josh and Kirk on my roster. We'll see what I do.

[Andy Holloway]

We all envy you.

[Jason Moore]

Yeah. At wide receiver. I'm going with Jennings. Juwan Jennings.

[Mike Wright]

Yeah.

[Jason Moore]

I don't know if you guys know this. He's a. He's a wide receiver one on the season. He's. He is currently wide receiver 12 since week nine. He's been also somebody going against Mike Machine. He is Also going against Mike last year he body slammed Papa Josh on Monday Night Football. Kicked him out of the playoffs.

[Andy Holloway]

You said last week. Yeah. Oh, I thought you said last year. Yeah, like what else happened?

[Jason Moore]

So I mean there's a great game, you know, Sunday night football against the Bears. The Bears 29th and schedule adjusted fantasy points allowed to wide receivers. Everything we hoped that Ricky Pierce saw was going to be and even more pump faked into believing which is basically just the wide receiver one for a good San Francisco 49ers team.

[Mike Wright]

Ricky tricked me so good.

[Jason Moore]

Now you have a team that probably doesn't have George Kittle. If they do have George Kittle, they don't have 100% version of George Kittle. I think Juwan Jennings is like I can't imagine. He's not the biggest name but I can't fathom sitting him down.

[Andy Holloway]

I agree that will be a bit of a. In Mike's matchup, he has Kittle. He is facing Jennings. A lack of Kittle does mean more Jennings. Yeah.

[Mike Wright]

Yeah, it should. I'm going to Drake London against the Rams because I think people might need a little bit of encouragement after last week's disaster. But he did have eight targets.

[Andy Holloway]

Who's his quarterback?

[Mike Wright]

It's Kirk Cousins. We, we need targets. We need target share and Drake London still had that in that first game back Monday Night Football maybe you get that Monday Night Magic 49 and a half point over under. It's in a dome. We love those things. And over the last five weeks this is. This might surprise you too when you're saying, hey, the Rams the number, what a top three pick to win the Super Bowl. Right now over the last five weeks the Rams are 30th in schedule, adjusted points to the wide receiver position.

[Andy Holloway]

They don't give it up on the ground.

[Mike Wright]

Correct. And they can be beat in the air. And I think that Drake London should still be in your starting lineup and don't waver.

[Andy Holloway]

I'm going to go to Jacoby Myers. Last week was the Parker Washington show, but Jacoby Myers over the last six weeks, 25% target share. He is their main guy. Five receptions, 60 receiving yards per game is his average. And the Colts past defense doesn't exist. Brock Purdy just went for five touchdowns and 300 yards.

[Mike Wright]

Crazy.

[Andy Holloway]

The Colts just can't stop anybody through the air. Jacoby is going to Cook at tight end.

[Jason Moore]

I'm going Juwan Johnson. I recommended him as a spot start last week. With Devon Vale out, he is the clear number two target in this Offense on the road against Tennessee last week, nine targets went eight for 89. And over the last five weeks, the Titans are 25th at schedule. Adjusted fantasy points allowed to tighten the matchup is good. The need for him is good. Tyler Schuck has been shucking it very well and he's still available in about 30% of leagues. So if you've got Brock Bowers or George Kittle, you got to be looking at Juwan Johnson. He's my number one. Like could be on the waivers.

[Mike Wright]

Pick up and play right. I think Juwan's going to have. He won't let you down. I don't know if you'll hit the ceiling with John Johnson, but yeah, you.

[Jason Moore]

Might only get points.

[Mike Wright]

He's under 50 yards.

[Jason Moore]

No, no, he's going to be, you know, seven plus targets, at least 45.

[Mike Wright]

Yards or Tyler Schuck targets. Man, those are good targets. I'm going with Harold Fannin Jr. Against Pittsburgh. Let's finish strong here, my man. A 31% target share over the last five weeks. Shador Sanders just throws the ball at the Harold Fannin and the matchup is good over the last five weeks. Steelers 26th in schedule. Just the points to the tight end position and you know, just a shout out here. Rookie tight ends with 7705 over the last 35 years. Sam Laporta, Brock Bowers and Harold Fannin Jr.

[Andy Holloway]

He looks great.

[Mike Wright]

This is a good sign for the future if you got him for free in your dynasty leagues.

[Andy Holloway]

Tyler Warren will be my start of the week at tight end. I know the people are scared, but the numbers last week, the most targets he's had since week 10. He had nine targets last week. It didn't turn into a lot because they didn't connect on a lot of those passes. But Tyler Warren is going to get the target share. Jacksonville's a bottom third team against tight ends. It is a home must win game for the Colts. I told you I might take this one as my almost upset. We'll see what happens when we cover it today. I think Tyler Warren is good for eight, nine targets and that's good enough for me at tight end. So those are your starts of the week. Let's jump right into the forecast.

[Jason Moore]

Fantasy forecast presented by Prize Picks.

[Andy Holloway]

All right, it's time for Christmas football.com three Christmas Day games.

[Mike Wright]

Set your lineups appropriately, people.

[Jason Moore]

Honestly, if you want the best tools, resources, rankings right up until kickoff, Christmas Football.com is where you can go.

[Andy Holloway]

But to Mike's reminder, set your lineups Avoid putting players in the flex spot. The week is broken up into four different days in which games are being played. So you want to make sure that the earliest games are in your positional spot so you have flexibility. There are a lot of players that are on the cusp of playing. You just want to be careful about that. Dallas six eight and one against Josh Johnson and the commanders four and eleven Dallas minus seven. The over under is fifty and a half but that that line means that Washington's just an implied point total of 21.8.

[Mike Wright]

Not bad.

[Andy Holloway]

It's not too bad. Dallas was five and a half point favorites. They've moved to seven point favorites with the Josh Johnson news. They are two of the worst defenses in football.

[Jason Moore]

Certainly the worst pass defenses for sure.

[Andy Holloway]

The it's tough the rematch from week seven where Dallas won 44 to 22. Dallas is completely out. So of the playoffs that is you got the worst week of the year for Javante Williams and he's dealing with a neck injury limited on Tuesday. That's a little bit disappointing. The matchup is great. I imagine you're playing him but we're just kind of running through the end of the year for the sub 500.

[Mike Wright]

Dallas Cowboys yeah and they not that it's just something to pay attention to. I'm playing Javante but they're the Cowboys. One of their rookies, Phil Mafa who had his 21 day practice window open last week has been getting limited practices in. I wonder if we'll see him get a couple snaps.

[Andy Holloway]

The interesting one of the interesting things on Dallas right now. Jake Ferguson has not hit 10 fantasy points since Week 7 of the season. There was a point in which he looked like the one of the top tight ends in the game. It's been okay for some of those weeks.

[Mike Wright]

He can be but really slow. CD and Georgia are both on the field.

[Andy Holloway]

Yeah under 20 yards receiving the last two weeks and unlike the beginning of the year where he had what seven, eight touchdowns. Seven touchdowns.

[Mike Wright]

Yeah.

[Andy Holloway]

He hasn't scored in five weeks when.

[Mike Wright]

CD Lamb was out he was a top five.

[Andy Holloway]

Ferguson or Parkinson?

[Mike Wright]

I would play Parkinson.

[Andy Holloway]

CD Lamb and George Pickens are in Javante just monitor the practice status but he should be in your lineup with the matchup. Chris Rodriguez the start of the week. On the other side Tara McClaurin I feel fine with in this game no matter who the quarterback is. I agree it seems like Josh Johnson is going to be the guy. Has he been on the roster the whole year?

[Jason Moore]

Who knows.

[Andy Holloway]

I would think that you would want to know that.

[Jason Moore]

I would love to know but I don't know who does have that information. Seems impossible to get.

[Andy Holloway]

Oh, he did play last last week.

[Jason Moore]

Yeah, no, I know he wasn't. I don't. I don't know if he was a mid season signing when Jaden Daniels got hurt or something.

[Andy Holloway]

Probably he keeps his. All of his clothing in a suitcase. Debo Samuel. I wouldn't play. It's not been worth playing. So I mean the game's pretty simple. Obviously if Mariota is starting that. So you're going to start then?

[Jason Moore]

Yes, for sure.

[Andy Holloway]

He did sign a one year contract in April. He's just starting.

[Mike Wright]

Josh Johnson.

[Andy Holloway]

Josh Johnson. Any other questions on this game? Do you feel like Dax going to get it done in this one?

[Jason Moore]

Yes, he worries me a little bit. Just in the sense that I thought.

[Andy Holloway]

About making him start of the week. I pulled off of that.

[Jason Moore]

Yeah, I mean he's been playing great. I'm not afraid of starting him but there's that lingering like oh man. If this game, you know, if the commanders with Josh Johnson can't do much and it's a boring lower scoring game but we haven't seen that much from the Cowboys defense.

[Mike Wright]

From the Cowboys. I want to beat the crap out of them.

[Jason Moore]

Yeah, that's true. It's. It's divisional.

[Mike Wright]

Like I don't send a message. We're playing for nothing. We're. I'm playing for pride of my division.

[Andy Holloway]

The Detroit Lions who have a small chance of making the playoffs. They need to win their final two games. Green Bay needs to lose their final two. But that could happen. I mean Jordan Love and maybe even Malik Willis could be out this week. Detroit 8 and 7. They take on the 7 and 8 Minnesota Vikings. The Vegas line. Detroit -7 and a half. The over unders 44 and a half. It's pretty low. Vikings with just 18 implied points. I know Mike is very confident and excited to be playing the Lions defense against Max Brosmer on Christmas Day.

[Mike Wright]

I'm pretty happy about it.

[Andy Holloway]

Yeah, I did see you have to bench the Saints defense to do that. Yeah, but Brosmer, this was the plan. Brosmer is averaging 4.7 yards per attempt. Jefferson had his best game in weeks last week, 6 for 85. But I imagine your guys's confidence in Jefferson this week is minimal.

[Jason Moore]

Yeah, it's very low. This is a situation where you need to look at benching him or what your options are. Brosmer is not good. The Lions need this now. The matchup is pretty decent. The Lions Past defense hasn't been good most of this year, but if you're in the championship and you're looking at, you know, Justin Jefferson or Zay Flowers or Sutton or depending on the injury situation, to booty like even a Stefan Diggs, it's hard to be like, I would rather play Max Brosmer's great wide receiver one than Drake Mays wide receiver one.

[Andy Holloway]

I was completely amazed at how bad the Lions defense was last week. I felt like that was the difference in their season. Like two 45 yard touchdowns given up to, like when you need a stop, you gave up two long touchdowns to Jalen Warren. In this game where you know the season's in the balance, I thought that was embarrassing. Right now they're 31st in the last six weeks against opposing wide receivers. If you want a reason to believe something good can happen for Justin Jefferson, that's your reason. I remember years ago people didn't want to play Kenny Galladay on a Thanksgiving Day game because he was.

[Mike Wright]

Oh man, was it. Was that Blau.

[Andy Holloway]

It was David Blau blow. And nobody wanted to play him. And the first play of the game was a bomb touchdown to Kenny Golladay and everybody was. It was all fixed. So if you want to hold on.

[Mike Wright]

To something, can't hold David Blouse jockstrap.

[Andy Holloway]

All I know is that if you throw the ball to Justin Jefferson, that is your best play in that offense every single time. That's all I'm saying. I think it could work because that's the game plan. You're not going to have Jordan Mason again. You have a banged up Aaron Jones. You do get to possess the football and you're playing a defense that has struggled and you're at home. And so those would be, those would be the pieces of confidence. I think it would be hard to sit him down. It would obviously depend on the options. If you're talking Juwan Jennings. Yeah, yeah, I'm going to play Joanne Jennings. But if you start to get down into a lower category, like, well, that's where are you playing Harrison or are you playing Jefferson?

[Mike Wright]

Mike Marv.

[Andy Holloway]

Yeah. Marvin, who did jack and squat last week?

[Mike Wright]

Oh my gosh.

[Andy Holloway]

That's where I'm more curious. Or Wandale?

[Mike Wright]

If I had them both, I think I would. I think I'd play Marv.

[Andy Holloway]

What about Jalen Waddle or Stefan Diggs?

[Mike Wright]

I'd play them both.

[Andy Holloway]

Waddle with.

[Mike Wright]

No, no, I wouldn't play Waddle. I'd play Jefferson.

[Andy Holloway]

Okay. Diggs. Diggs. We'll have an opportunity against the Jets Addison, you're not playing him as a secondary wide receiver with Brosmer. It's not that complicated on the Minnesota side. On that, the other side. Did you see the ambiguous little post by David Montgomery?

[Jason Moore]

No.

[Mike Wright]

No.

[Andy Holloway]

Wasn't good.

[Mike Wright]

Oh, no.

[Jason Moore]

David, you're a team player. What's going on?

[Andy Holloway]

You're kind of not a player anymore. He had the. I believe the 18% snaps last week was the lowest he's ever had with Detroit as a starter. Barely touching the football. Barely out there at all four carries. Yeah, he was. I think it was pretty clear that he was frustrated.

[Mike Wright]

The problem for David Montgomery, who is a good player, is if he is touching the ball, that means that Jameer Gibbs can't. And David Montgomery, good player. Jameer Gibbs, elite player.

[Jason Moore]

It's.

[Mike Wright]

That's unfortunate, man.

[Andy Holloway]

Yeah, it's. It's really wild, the difference a year has made because they're probably not making the playoffs.

[Mike Wright]

Right.

[Jason Moore]

And then Brian Robinson is a good player. Brian Robinson is a good player. But if you look at the team that could be the number one seed right now, who just gives the ball every play to Christian McCaffrey because it's their best option and sometimes they break the man, but if he stays healthy, they're like on pace for the number one seed. It's. I get it. It's. It's hard. David Montgomery is a good player, but he's not Jameer Gibbs, Right.

[Andy Holloway]

Yeah. He did not practice on Tuesday either. Amanra is supposed to try to go.

[Jason Moore]

Yeah. With an illness. He was sick from his playtime.

[Andy Holloway]

Sick and tired.

[Jason Moore]

Yeah.

[Mike Wright]

Yeah.

[Jason Moore]

If you don't want me, I'm not going to be there.

[Andy Holloway]

Play Gibbs. Yeah. They didn't even notice he wasn't there until after.

[Mike Wright]

David, be careful, man. Be careful with an. I'll show you.

[Jason Moore]

Yeah.

[Andy Holloway]

There's a good chance with this team next year. It's kind of crazy that the Lions like, I love Dan Campbell. I love what they did last year. It is very fair to say some things have fallen apart this year. When you have to take over play calling as the head coach, that reeks of desperation, which. Whether it works or not, you lost Ben Johnson. Then you say, I have confidence in these next guys. They don't do it. So you take over. You might not make the playoffs and you were heavy favorites to win the division and now you've got some tumult in the locker room.

[Jason Moore]

They've definitely dealt with a ton of injuries. They're top three in the league in injuries. So I, you know, who Number one is the Cardinals.

[Andy Holloway]

The Cardinals. Yep.

[Mike Wright]

Yep.

[Andy Holloway]

Fire them all. Fire the training staff. Fire the head coaches.

[Mike Wright]

Fire the owner.

[Andy Holloway]

Fire the owner.

[Jason Moore]

Fire the owner.

[Andy Holloway]

Can you do that? Can we do that?

[Jason Moore]

I just did.

[Andy Holloway]

We pay for the stadium.

[Jason Moore]

We try force.

[Andy Holloway]

Can we at least have him evicted from the stadium we paid for? Yeah. Is it possible if we own the stadium to have him not allowed on the premises?

[Mike Wright]

I'm for it.

[Andy Holloway]

Because he might sell the team if he can't watch the games.

[Jason Moore]

That'd be great.

[Andy Holloway]

That's all I'm saying.

[Mike Wright]

I'm for it.

[Andy Holloway]

It's too bad we didn't pay for his house.

[Mike Wright]

Well, we kind of put him out.

[Andy Holloway]

On the street, I guess. We kind of. Did Jameson Williams keep playing him?

[Mike Wright]

Yeah.

[Andy Holloway]

But it is a tough matchup on the road. Almond Ross supposed to go.

[Mike Wright]

Yeah, that was the news. There was the kind of the freak out on Monday. Oh, I'm in.

[Andy Holloway]

Raw.

[Mike Wright]

Still dealing with that knee injury but he's going to suit up. It didn't work out last week.

[Andy Holloway]

Golf has been a top 10 quarterback in four or five games. Would you play him or Herbert against Houston? I think I'd play golf.

[Jason Moore]

I would play golf.

[Andy Holloway]

Jacoby against Cincinnati or golf? I think I might go Jacoby there.

[Jason Moore]

Yeah, I'd go Jacoby. I go Trevor Lawrence.

[Mike Wright]

The Vikings are number one against quarterbacks on the year and over the last six weeks.

[Andy Holloway]

Yeah, it is. It's another. It's kind of like the previous game. Jason talked about it like the divisional matchup.

[Mike Wright]

Yeah.

[Andy Holloway]

Like there's pride on the line. Like if the Lions lose this game, they have the same record as the Vikings.

[Jason Moore]

Yeah.

[Mike Wright]

If they lose this game, guys, they will have lost to Max Brosmer.

[Andy Holloway]

That will be one of the true insults I mean that one might receive.

[Mike Wright]

We're not playing Week 18. If I'm on the Lions, we lose to Max Brosmer.

[Jason Moore]

Everyone's suspended.

[Mike Wright]

Yeah. To shut it down. Whoever we're supposed to play next week, guess what. You won because we're not coming because we just.

[Andy Holloway]

Brosmer. All right, let's take a break and we'll talk the rest of the Christmas day games and the Saturday games.

[Jason Moore]

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[Andy Holloway]

Partner makes all the difference.

[Jason Moore]

That's why hands down, you count on Grainger for auto reordering. With on time restocks, your team will have the cut resistant gloves they need at the start of their shift and you can end your day knowing they've got safety well in hand. Call 1-800-GRAINGER click granger.com or just stop by Granger for the ones who get it done.

[Andy Holloway]

All right The Denver Broncos 12 and three against the Kansas City Chiefs Slightly.

[Mike Wright]

Favored the Denver Broncos, yeah, they're just.

[Andy Holloway]

13 1/2 point road favorites of a.

[Mike Wright]

Projected 36 1/2 points. They are favored by two touchdowns in a game that they think is going to be about 36 points, which gives.

[Jason Moore]

The Chiefs an implied team total of 11 and a half which is now tied for the lowest of the year. That is the Andy Reid still Andy Reid led oh man. Kansas City Chiefs at home and they're their current and soon to be former home in arrowhead with 11 and a half point implied total because Chris Ola Duke and will be starting at quarterback.

[Andy Holloway]

There's always things that happen during the year where I wish we just had this sentence to say at the beginning like hey, by the way, like here's some things that are going to happen this year. In week 17 the Chiefs will be 13 and a half point home underdogs to Denver. Just so you know, that's just wild. The over Unders 36 and a half Broncos 25, Chiefs 11 and a half if Denver wins out they get the number one seed. They get the buy. So it's a big deal. It's a big game and they should cruise cruise to victory. No. Almost upset here with Ola Doken.

[Jason Moore]

Ola Doken.

[Andy Holloway]

Maybe. Maybe now there is.

[Jason Moore]

Yeah.

[Andy Holloway]

Bo Nicks. Just so you know, Denver right now over the last six weeks, number one in pass rate over expectation. I don't think it's a coincidence that that is coming alongside the loss of J.K. dobbins.

[Mike Wright]

Sure.

[Andy Holloway]

It's not that R.J. harvey isn't a good player, it's that R.J. harvey's a different player. J.K. dobbins is a between the tackles, tough running type of guy. I haven't really seen that from Harvey in any way that I've been impressed. I feel like I'VE seen good plays.

[Jason Moore]

From Harvey's the explosive speedster.

[Andy Holloway]

Yeah. Get him into space, give him opportunities to get going.

[Jason Moore]

But he has been a top 12 running back three of the last four weeks since the bye week. This matchup, when you're favored by that much, he's pretty much a must start.

[Andy Holloway]

Yeah. Yep. I agree. You don't start any. Any Chiefs, right?

[Mike Wright]

No.

[Andy Holloway]

So one catch last week for Kelsey.

[Mike Wright]

The only. Travis Kelsey is the only one that like I can.

[Andy Holloway]

I would try really hard to switch.

[Mike Wright]

I'm saying he's the only one on the team where you're. I can try to tell myself the story of this team. If Travis Kelsey's going off or going out to retire. We got to get in the ball. But. But I can't.

[Jason Moore]

How can.

[Mike Wright]

I can't convince myself of that story. So it's.

[Jason Moore]

No.

[Mike Wright]

I'm playing no.1 on the Chiefs if possible.

[Andy Holloway]

Yeah. And then on the other side, Corland Sutton's been cooking.

[Jason Moore]

Yeah. This. This just to. To speak real quick to what Mike just said. I didn't realize. We just saw this with Taysom Hill, what could be his last game, you know, at the Superdome. This is the. Probably the last game.

[Mike Wright]

Yes.

[Jason Moore]

At Arrowhead Stadium for Kelsey. This is his sending off party. And I do think they'll try to get him a touchdown. I don't know if that's possible with Brosmer.

[Andy Holloway]

Like every time to get him across the fifth.

[Mike Wright]

It's impossible with Brosmer, but.

[Jason Moore]

Yeah.

[Mike Wright]

Sorry. He might be able to do it.

[Andy Holloway]

Cortland Sutton is quietly the wide receiver. 11. The last three weeks have been good on the season. Yeah.

[Jason Moore]

Wow.

[Andy Holloway]

Who is the guy that you just said was 12?

[Jason Moore]

Jennings.

[Andy Holloway]

So Jennings and Sutton with the quietest, most not hurt. Got them. Well, got them to 11 and 12. The market share has gone up for Sutton. Pat Bryant is going to miss.

[Mike Wright]

Yeah. I'll tell you who's not playing this week. Pat Bryant. Freaking idiots.

[Jason Moore]

Yeah.

[Andy Holloway]

Yeah. Troy Franklin. If you want to give it a shot. Cortland Sutton's a much better play. And that's that game Saturday. Houston 10 and 5. Chargers 11 and 4. This is a big one. Vegas line Chargers minus one and a half. The over unders 39 and a half. If the Chargers win out, they're the AFC west champs because they played Denver in week 18 and they're, you know, they've got the shot to do it.

[Mike Wright]

The Chargers. It reminds. It's like the San Francisco 49ers of.

[Andy Holloway]

You're just like. Wait, what they're that good.

[Mike Wright]

The Chargers can win their division.

[Andy Holloway]

Yep.

[Mike Wright]

And because they've just been quietly getting.

[Jason Moore]

It done, they've won seven of their last eight games. The way.

[Andy Holloway]

Feel that way.

[Jason Moore]

The way that it's happened, it was like three wins, then a loss, then a bye week. So it kind of disappeared.

[Andy Holloway]

And then they've kind of got banged up.

[Jason Moore]

Yeah, they weren't demolishing people and they won some games that were lower scoring. So it just. It hasn't been super impressive, but I mean, seven of eight games is crazy impressive in the NFL.

[Andy Holloway]

Both of these defenses are great. They're very good defenses. The over under here is just 39 and a half. And I could see it being a very, very difficult. Like, I don't know how the Chargers withstand the pass rush for Houston. That's. That's my biggest concern. They're going to try to use Hampton. Right. Get the running game going. Hampton is forced to miss tackle on 33% of his carries. That is the number one.

[Mike Wright]

That's a great number.

[Andy Holloway]

Least meow stat in the NFL. Also the highest rate in the NFL. So Hampton is somebody that you play and you just wait.

[Mike Wright]

Is. Is meow face still at zero force Missed tackles, guys.

[Andy Holloway]

Nelson, Taylor, I have no doubt.

[Mike Wright]

Kyle, please, I need an update.

[Jason Moore]

I mean, he hasn't played in a couple of weeks, right?

[Andy Holloway]

I thought he played last week.

[Mike Wright]

He did, yeah.

[Andy Holloway]

He just saw him catch a pass and fall over.

[Mike Wright]

I need him to finish the season. He's checking on it with no force miss.

[Andy Holloway]

Do you feel like Hampton is a medium play or an actually bad play this week? No, no, I think he's okay.

[Mike Wright]

He's at least a medium play. I know the. The matchup is terrifying. I get that. But when you're a workhorse running back who is talented and you're not just chasing volume. I'm you. I'm playing him.

[Andy Holloway]

Are we going to just. Is the Orande Gadsden. Oh, he's going to era over with.

[Jason Moore]

No, not. He put me out last week and embarrassed me and so he will go off.

[Andy Holloway]

Let me. Let me be clear. If he had scored 75 points, you would have lost.

[Jason Moore]

That's true.

[Andy Holloway]

You would have lost seven points. He didn't really put you out.

[Jason Moore]

Well, he didn't.

[Andy Holloway]

Mike put you out.

[Jason Moore]

Mike.

[Mike Wright]

Pillow on the face.

[Andy Holloway]

Yeah, Mike.

[Jason Moore]

That was not a pillow on the face. He barely. That was. I wasn't even looking. You just came up behind me in one swipe of the blade and.

[Andy Holloway]

Yeah. Mercy kill.

[Jason Moore]

Yeah.

[Andy Holloway]

Yeah. Gadson. I wouldn't Count on him this week at all.

[Jason Moore]

No, it's. It's hard to really imagine Herbert and the passing game having success. Their biggest struggle this year has been their pass rush. Their, their past protection. Their offensive line just decimated this year. It's really sad seeing how good they are. The fact that they could actually, you know, win out and be the AFC west champs is crazy when you consider how destroyed their offensive line has been and what could have been for a magical season for Herbert should that offensive line have been there. But the combination of a lack of pass protection mixed with Houston's pass rush, that scares me. If this wasn't in Houston, I would easily pick the Texans. This was one of the hardest games for me to see who's going to win.

[Andy Holloway]

Yeah, it gives me pessimism around the Quentin Johnston like having a follow up performance as well. I don't think the downfield opportunities are going to be there. I don't think that's the game plan against Houston's pass rush. I think that will make it difficult. He's always good for an opportunity there. But I do feel a little bit worried that you're going to get a letdown from Johnston.

[Jason Moore]

Derek Stingley.

[Mike Wright]

Oh, yes, yes. And I have a championship matchup where I'm very much struggling with Alec Pierce versus Quentin Johnston. Alec Pierce gets the Jags.

[Andy Holloway]

Yeah, that's Quinton gets the.

[Mike Wright]

Gets Houston and as of right now, Pierce is in my lineup.

[Andy Holloway]

Now we do have word of Woody Marks. Full practice on Tuesday.

[Jason Moore]

Okay.

[Andy Holloway]

So Woody Marks, unfortunately the matchup stinks.

[Mike Wright]

Now Woody, you took your time. You had good ones.

[Andy Holloway]

I think he was hurt.

[Mike Wright]

Well, I don't get in there.

[Andy Holloway]

Mike's an old school guy.

[Mike Wright]

That's what he's rub some dirt on it.

[Andy Holloway]

But yeah, I think if Woody Mark starts, you start him.

[Mike Wright]

Yeah, I think you do.

[Andy Holloway]

But this is a low scoring game. Dalton Schultz got back into the end zone again last week 5 for 35. You could do worse than Schultz. I like him more than Gadsden and Nico Collins.

[Jason Moore]

Nico's really to me the only lock. Must play Hampton is a probable play. This, this game. I mean could it. I think I don't see how this game, you know, hits 50 points.

[Andy Holloway]

Yeah, it's going to be a lower scoring affair. Baltimore seven and eight. They take on the nine. Five and one Green Bay Packers. The Vegas line is Green Bay minus two and a half. The over under is forty and a half. I think Al is very happy this game is early on a Saturday to try to wipe the Taste of the last week's disaster out of his mouth.

[Mike Wright]

Shorter for Mr. Jordan Love to get back from his concussion.

[Andy Holloway]

This is true. And the Green Bay, you know, you would expect them to be favored by more than two and a half at home if they knew that their quarterback was going to be back out there.

[Jason Moore]

Which floor says today that Jordan Love remains in Kakasha protocol, but will practice today after going through a walkthrough yesterday. So progressing through it.

[Mike Wright]

I mean, we were talking about anecdotally of Love's concussion. Was the helm, was the impact, was the helmet. The helmet. It wasn't the whiplash into the ground.

[Andy Holloway]

Which. Yeah.

[Mike Wright]

Which I. Anecdotally. I just feel like when I'm watching guys hit their head on the ground. Those are the guys who missed the next week.

[Andy Holloway]

Well, they need to win. They need to win or a Detroit loss to get into the playoffs. I mean, they're not a lockdown and we might not have a producer if they don't get a win in the next two weeks. Baltimore would be eliminated. If Pittsburgh wins, they only have 9% playoff chance. But, you know, they're hoping to get Lamar Jackson back. You have. You have starting quarterbacks that are banged up right now. For both of these teams, the over under is just 40. It's not a lot.

[Jason Moore]

Do they call each other and be like, I'll sit my guy if you sit here. Give us each a week to rest.

[Andy Holloway]

It's wild because, like, Malik Willis is also banged up. They think he'll start or is capable.

[Mike Wright]

They think he'd be ready if he has to start.

[Andy Holloway]

Both him and Huntley are pretty similar in, like, they can be productive backups. They can get the offense moving enough. I've been impressed with Willis every start he's had.

[Mike Wright]

Yes, but he will. I mean. I mean, it came out, I guess, nine for 11.

[Andy Holloway]

He threw the big touchdown right to Dobbs.

[Mike Wright]

Yeah, the. Just in the. When they had him, you know, for that stretch run, what, a year ago, whatever it was. And they were winning games. It was. They were very run heavy.

[Andy Holloway]

Where Josh Jacobs limited on Tuesday with.

[Mike Wright]

If you're counting on receiving options, I prefer the Snoop side. So it's like Zay Flowers with. With Snoop Huntley or the other guys with Malik Willis? I'm on the flowers.

[Jason Moore]

So who would you rather start? Snoop Huntley, Malik Willis or Josh Johnson?

[Andy Holloway]

Okay.

[Jason Moore]

All right, guys.

[Andy Holloway]

This is a championship team.

[Jason Moore]

Yeah. Most points scored in the league by week.

[Andy Holloway]

I mean, last week you scored 89. Last week, this should have been me and Mike, Malik, Willis. I think I lost it, like, 137.

[Mike Wright]

He played 64% of the snaps, and he was 10 for 44 on the ground. We know that is part of what the game plan would be.

[Andy Holloway]

Should he be starting my hat situation? That's what I would do. I think you need to get to the hat.

[Jason Moore]

All right? Pull the name.

[Andy Holloway]

Write a letter to Santa.

[Jason Moore]

Josh Jacobs. Obviously, he's not going to practice much, if at all, this week.

[Mike Wright]

You know, is that still good for him? No, no, wait, hold on, hold on. Was it. Was it actually good for him the other week?

[Jason Moore]

I was lying. I was lying. It would be better if he was healthy. Thing is, is, I mean, you just mentioned it at the top of the show.

[Mike Wright]

It had me convinced that not practicing was good.

[Andy Holloway]

If he's active, you're playing him right at home.

[Jason Moore]

If he's active, I'm playing him. They need him. And I think that they hopefully learned a lesson last week where he wasn't injured to the point where he couldn't go back in. They took him off the field. They lost the game.

[Andy Holloway]

Losing Love. Losing Jacobs. Losing. Losing Micah.

[Jason Moore]

It's been a bad couple weeks for packers fans.

[Mike Wright]

Very unfortunate.

[Andy Holloway]

You see the little gif of the guy that's like pretending to wake up from the coma and he's like, oh, how are my 7 and 1 Colts doing? They still leading the way in the AFC?

[Mike Wright]

You might want to go back to sleep.

[Andy Holloway]

Green Bay two weeks ago is my super bowl pick from the afc.

[Mike Wright]

I agreed.

[Andy Holloway]

I don't feel that way right now.

[Mike Wright]

No.

[Andy Holloway]

I like San Fran more. I like Seattle more. I like the Rams more.

[Jason Moore]

You like the teams that are in the playoffs more? Better odds of winning the Super Bowl.

[Andy Holloway]

Green Bay is going to make the playoffs. It's very likely.

[Mike Wright]

It's not. It's not locked, though.

[Andy Holloway]

No. And it would be exciting to go to the final week with the Lions having a shot, you know, for excitement if you don't have a horse in the race.

[Jason Moore]

It does make me kind of want the Ravens. I do want the Ravens to win this game. Only from a standpoint of that might make the Ravens games matter. That might make the packers games matter more. That might make the Lions games matter more. It's just more exciting football next week.

[Andy Holloway]

Play Derek Henry. I was just gonna ask, but John Harbaugh said that it was a planned rotation. That's why he wasn't in there.

[Mike Wright]

I was gonna say, how many touches for the superstar crew of Keaton Mitchell and Rasheen Ali?

[Jason Moore]

I'm Going to say too many. That's my number.

[Andy Holloway]

He said John Harbaugh, in retrospect would rather have had Henry. And they're starting the final drive.

[Jason Moore]

Yeah, I get it. I understand where he was coming from. I do understand what he was saying.

[Mike Wright]

I don't. It's dumb.

[Jason Moore]

I agree with you that it was dumb. At a certain point in the game when you're up and you need to ice it and you have to win this game, you can't take Henry off the field when he's crushing every player.

[Mike Wright]

I think. I mean, I've complained about this. Not just a fantasy complaint, but just for Baltimore. Like Derek Henry could be on the field for third downs. It's okay.

[Jason Moore]

Yeah.

[Mike Wright]

I would like. I would like the defense to think, well, they might run it. It's. I know it's third and five. They might run, but it's not our.

[Jason Moore]

Third down packages, Mike.

[Mike Wright]

So ridiculous. But something to monitor. Just pay attention to it. If Baltimore loses, then that affects Pittsburgh. And Mike Tomlin did say this week, if Baltimore loses, they might.

[Andy Holloway]

This is Saturday.

[Mike Wright]

Yeah. On Saturday. They might consider doing some things with personnel in their game because they will have been. Everything will be locked, man.

[Jason Moore]

Which is basically just Jalen Warren and Kenneth Gainwell probably. It creates a. I mean there's nobody else in Pittsburgh. You're starting.

[Mike Wright]

It's right. But I just like it's. It's scarier. I've got Warren in two title games and I really hope Baltimore wins so I don't even have to consider it.

[Andy Holloway]

They could sit Rogers.

[Jason Moore]

Oh yeah.

[Andy Holloway]

Because Rogers has been really hurt.

[Jason Moore]

They should sit Rogers if they don't.

[Andy Holloway]

Need or play them a half. You know, like that's something to consider and pay attention to and we'll.

[Jason Moore]

Kenny Gainwell was almost my start of the week. He's been so good without DK Metcalf. He's currently the team's leading, you know, player in reception. So he'll be more involved if they are playing that game.

[Mike Wright]

So hopefully it's nothing and we don't even have to think about it. But you need to be.

[Andy Holloway]

We'll be here Sunday live, right?

[Mike Wright]

Yes.

[Andy Holloway]

Also if Jacobs misses, please don't forget about Emmanuel Wilson.

[Mike Wright]

Yes.

[Andy Holloway]

He was very good on the ground last week. He could be a league winning type of player. Absolutely. If Jacobs misses this game, Emmanuel Wilson is a must start at home.

[Mike Wright]

And he is, I mean like, like Devin Singletary. I think he will still get touches even if Josh Jacobs plays.

[Andy Holloway]

See the over under in the Pittsburgh Cleveland game.

[Jason Moore]

Oh no, I haven't.

[Andy Holloway]

33.

[Jason Moore]

33.

[Andy Holloway]

33 and a half. Mike's face says that's a lump of coal in that stocking.

[Mike Wright]

Yeah, don't love that.

[Jason Moore]

Which game is that?

[Andy Holloway]

Pittsburgh. Cleveland. Speaking of Cleveland, which will go down if Baltimore loses, which they should. Baltimore should lose this game.

[Jason Moore]

Dylan Sampson returning to practice today. So for the team that lost, quinch on Judkins Samson and just in time.

[Andy Holloway]

For my last place Dynasty team and.

[Mike Wright]

Pittsburgh, Cleveland is one of the games.

[Andy Holloway]

To watch for Weather, Watson, Dobbs, Jaden Reed. Are you playing any of them without Jordan Love?

[Jason Moore]

Without Jordan Love, probably not. I think that you'll have better options out there. If I had to start one of them, probably. Christian Watson, despite the injury, he was still involved, still gets the target share. He's the most explosive athlete. That's. That's the way I'd lean.

[Andy Holloway]

Okay, this game's. This game's a little bit wild. There's some unpredictability there with the starting quarterbacks and everything's going to play out. The defense has been better for Baltimore. Packers have a good defense.

[Jason Moore]

Do you guys remember? Gosh, it was a while ago. Mike, you probably remember. You're the one with the memory. Matthew golden, he was a first round pick.

[Mike Wright]

He was, yeah.

[Jason Moore]

Do you remember him way back, Way.

[Andy Holloway]

Back in this past year?

[Jason Moore]

Yeah, it was.

[Mike Wright]

Yeah.

[Jason Moore]

No, that was the last draft.

[Mike Wright]

That was this past one. Yeah, yeah. Most recent.

[Jason Moore]

I remember that.

[Andy Holloway]

Well, he did play 31% of snaps and have one target for no catches last week.

[Jason Moore]

That's cool, man. Swing and a miss.

[Andy Holloway]

Sure looking like it. I mean, that's why they never drafted any quarterbacks for Rogers. They knew that they can't wide receivers or wide receivers. They knew that they couldn't draft wide receivers.

[Jason Moore]

Why do it when you are this bad with this much opportunity for an entire season that isn't really marred by injury, your outlook in future success is like you are. Not that it hasn't ever happened, but you're in like the 10% odds betting market.

[Andy Holloway]

I think Mike is preoccupied by the waivers that just went through in our league of record.

[Jason Moore]

Oh.

[Andy Holloway]

Where he went after someone in our.

[Mike Wright]

League fully tried to sabotage me.

[Jason Moore]

Oh my gosh.

[Andy Holloway]

Because you signed Brenton Strange as your insurance for Kittle.

[Mike Wright]

Brenton Strange and Taysom Hill were my. The top two options. I got Strange because I still had two fabric but someone in the league put claims in on both of them. Wow.

[Andy Holloway]

Taking some shots.

[Jason Moore]

Wow.

[Andy Holloway]

So Mike, you've been. Jason and I were on the other side of this Mike you've been on the side of do what you want to do.

[Jason Moore]

Yeah.

[Andy Holloway]

You still feel that way?

[Jason Moore]

Yeah.

[Andy Holloway]

Even if both had been taken, I.

[Mike Wright]

Would have gone got touches with basketball, but this is. It's the game. It's the game.

[Andy Holloway]

Okay. Well, I looks like your opponent signed the Buccaneers to play against Quinn Ewers.

[Mike Wright]

No. I knew I couldn't do anything to stop that.

[Jason Moore]

In the listener league, I did get Kirk Cousins and Josh Johnson. What?

[Andy Holloway]

So I cannot go through no competition.

[Jason Moore]

Well, no competition on those guys, but I did also block Jake Tonjas and AJ Barner. So he's. He's gunner Helm.

[Andy Holloway]

Do you know how much you're going to get beat by in that league?

[Jason Moore]

Yeah, I'm going to say 18.

[Andy Holloway]

That was fantasy forecast presented as always by prize picks. Seven days of picksmas is back. Unwrap the great max discounts on the app through December 26th and use the code footballers and get $50 in lineups when you play $5. Let's do a little Christmas mailbag before we head out for the holiday.

[Jason Moore]

Mailbag jingling.

[Andy Holloway]

We do want to hear about your titles hashtag Foot Clan title over on X. Send it through, let us know the week's going. If you have a question for the show, you can go to the website the fantasy footballers.com or dial our voicemail hotline, 302464 TFFB. First question comes in from Diego in Puerto Rico.

[Jason Moore]

Oh, bonjour.

[Andy Holloway]

Hey, big fan from Puerto Rico. For my fantasy championship, do I bench Lamar with the back injury for Trevor Lawrence? Yes.

[Jason Moore]

Yeah, I would. I would play.

[Andy Holloway]

Mike, were you entertained?

[Jason Moore]

Yeah, yeah. I think Trevor Lawrence, the matchup, the health, the heater, he's been on much better than Lamar.

[Andy Holloway]

And you were asking this question in the office. Do we have a T shirt ready for championships? We do.

[Jason Moore]

Oh, fantastic.

[Andy Holloway]

We have a couple of them that are getting finalized, but every. Every year we release a foot Clan title t [e-mail] Reserve me a couple. Oh, okay.

[Jason Moore]

Calling shot.

[Andy Holloway]

Clip it. Yeah.

[Mike Wright]

Steven in Georgia, if I lose and you play that back, I'm going to feel worse.

[Andy Holloway]

Yeah.

[Jason Moore]

Yeah.

[Andy Holloway]

No, yeah, we'll feel better.

[Jason Moore]

You won't feel better, but I will feel better. I'll feel great.

[Andy Holloway]

Steven in Georgia, I clip it because.

[Mike Wright]

Then when I win, I will play it over and over.

[Andy Holloway]

Can I start? Stevenson over Taylor. So Jonathan Taylor.

[Jason Moore]

Wow.

[Andy Holloway]

Poof. Ramondre over Taylor, full ppr.

[Jason Moore]

I agree. That's a bridge too far. Jonathan Taylor has not done hardly anything compared to what he was doing for the majority of the year. And he's still been decent every week. He's so involved. You know, he's got a baseline of points that is still very high. And then he hasn't, you know, he can always score a touchdown.

[Andy Holloway]

He's not been a top 12 running back since week 10.

[Jason Moore]

No, I.

[Andy Holloway]

No, no, no. I'm not. I'm not disagreeing with you.

[Jason Moore]

I like his floor is high, his ceiling is low. But I would start Jonathan Taylor Joseph in California.

[Andy Holloway]

Would you rather start Harold Fannin on Sunday or wait for the decision on Kid on Monday night?

[Jason Moore]

That's an easy fan.

[Andy Holloway]

It is very easy.

[Jason Moore]

Fanon, I mean, Fanon is. Has been so good where it's like you. You could make the argument that if, you know, Kittle's playing, but he's got the ankle injury.

[Andy Holloway]

Yeah.

[Jason Moore]

That you should still play Fan and over Kittle this week. So the fact that you don't know.

[Andy Holloway]

Yeah. And Jake Tonjas is a. He's a decent player, but there's no guarantee his role in the offense.

[Mike Wright]

There was a note.

[Andy Holloway]

Any significance?

[Mike Wright]

There was a note earlier. At least I saw it on Roto World saying like Shanahan saying that Tonjas will be the one who would replace.

[Andy Holloway]

Oh, I have no doubt he would replace him, but he won't replace him. Do you know what I mean?

[Jason Moore]

Yeah, yeah.

[Andy Holloway]

He's not George Kittle.

[Mike Wright]

Otherwise he would be playing.

[Jason Moore]

Yeah.

[Andy Holloway]

You can win games without him is what I'm saying. And Kittle feels like. Not that. So Kevin and Phoenix, with Henderson still tbd, do I go with Aaron Jones on Thursday Night Football or Stevenson against the Jets?

[Mike Wright]

Oh, Ramon Dre.

[Andy Holloway]

Yeah. Stevenson is the better play anyways. And then he is also the like with Henderson. With Henderson being tbd, that's your backup option for him, but he might just need to be your starter option. Like if, if Henderson healthy, I still would consider playing Stevenson.

[Mike Wright]

Would you?

[Andy Holloway]

I would.

[Jason Moore]

If Kittle doesn't play, would you play?

[Andy Holloway]

Wait, no, no. Answer this question. Answer this question. Henderson's still tbd. Like, if he was active in this game, Ramondre Stevenson, I would play Stevenson.

[Mike Wright]

It's just a concussion and Henderson's been the one getting more opportunities.

[Andy Holloway]

I.

[Jason Moore]

Just. The matchup, I mean, you're saying. So Henderson, we know he's active. Would you play Aaron Jones over.

[Mike Wright]

No Henderson over. Or Ramon Dres.

[Andy Holloway]

He's got some other question.

[Jason Moore]

What are you doing over there? I was looking at other stuff. I thought you guys answered the question. You handled it.

[Andy Holloway]

We were mid answer Are you putting this on us?

[Jason Moore]

Yes, I'm putting this on you for.

[Andy Holloway]

The mailbag that you're supposed to be a part of.

[Jason Moore]

No, but you would answer the question.

[Andy Holloway]

No. We were asking you a question about it. We didn't answer it.

[Jason Moore]

Well, I wasn't listening to you.

[Andy Holloway]

I know.

[Jason Moore]

That's the point. So you're telling me it's our fault.

[Andy Holloway]

That you're not listening?

[Jason Moore]

You're telling me that the question was, would you play Henderson or Ramondre? If Henderson is active, yes. Why is that a question? That's so stupid. You can't.

[Andy Holloway]

What's the answer?

[Jason Moore]

Obviously Henderson.

[Andy Holloway]

You said Stevenson, but I didn't know what to go.

[Jason Moore]

I didn't know what the question was because I wasn't listening. I wasn't listening. I didn't know the question. Not my fault. Oh, my gosh.

[Mike Wright]

Can't hold me accountable.

[Andy Holloway]

Parent. Children, right?

[Jason Moore]

All right, children, Parents.

[Andy Holloway]

Okay. What's your dumb question about your dumb team? Go. Thank you.

[Jason Moore]

If George Kittle is inactive, would you play Jake Tonjas? Having fun?

[Andy Holloway]

Having fun.

[Jason Moore]

Or would you play Colson Loveland?

[Andy Holloway]

Do you want to win the title?

[Jason Moore]

I do want to win.

[Andy Holloway]

Okay, you play Loveland.

[Jason Moore]

Really?

[Andy Holloway]

Yes.

[Jason Moore]

Loveland hasn't been that good.

[Andy Holloway]

Oh, didn't answer your own question.

[Jason Moore]

I'm feeling out all the options here.

[Andy Holloway]

We're here answering a foot clank question. Right in the middle. He's got a Tonjas question. This guy.

[Jason Moore]

Tonjas and some of those.

[Andy Holloway]

Kittleman shy.

[Mike Wright]

I would consider Tonjas over Loveland.

[Andy Holloway]

Not me.

[Mike Wright]

But you have to get to Sunday night.

[Andy Holloway]

Not me. Sometimes the backup tight ends come in and they have a role in the score. Touchdown. Or whatever's going on. Sometimes they're invisible.

[Jason Moore]

Well, the nice thing is it's the exact same game. Lovelander, Thompson. Oh, yeah.

[Mike Wright]

Yeah. Okay.

[Andy Holloway]

I hope you lose by a thousand. That is it for today's sweet Merry Christmas. That is it for today's show. Merry Christmas, everybody. We'll be back on Friday with a mega matchup show. All the Sunday games in the Monday night preview and the shame.

[Mike Wright]

Goodbye.

[Jason Moore]

Thank you for listening to another episode of the Fantasy footballers podcast. Join our fantasy football community on jointhefoot.com and follow us on Twitter the FFballers.

[Mike Wright]

Right now, more than 100,000 children in the US are waiting to be adopted from foster care. And every day, more than 50 age out of the system, left to face the world alone. The Dave Thomas foundation for Adoption is raising awareness about foster care adoption. Whether it's watching the game or enjoying a meal together. Every child deserves to experience life's special moments with a permanent family. You can help. Visit davetomasfoundation.org to learn more.

[Andy Holloway]

Royal Caribbean is next level.

[Mike Wright]

On another level, go all in on.

[Andy Holloway]

The world's boldest ships. Filled with mind blowing entertainment, world class dining and the largest water parks at sea. And just when you think it couldn't get any better, you'll stop at our award winning private island. Perfect day at Coco Cay. This is the undisputed champion of vacations. Book [e-mail] Big time, best time all the time. Come seek the Royal Caribbean.