Starts of the Week + Week 16 Breakdown, Semifinal Time! - Fantasy Football Podcast for 12/18

Summary

Fantasy Footballers Podcast

"Starts of the Week + Week 16 Breakdown, Semifinal Time!"

December 18, 2025

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Episode Overview

The Fantasy Footballers—Andy Holloway, Jason Moore, and Mike “The Fantasy Hitman” Wright—deliver a Week 16 preview packed with semifinal advice, matchup breakdowns, and their signature “Starts of the Week.” This episode is all about helping listeners make their most important lineup decisions, with extra emphasis on flexible alternatives and waiver-wire heroes for fantasy managers fighting for a title shot.

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Key Talking Points & Analysis

1. Semifinal Stress, Traditions, and Rivalries

(02:23 - 03:18)

• Andy references the nerve-wracking semifinals, with Mike and Jason squaring off in their League of Record.
• The company Christmas party will coincide with crucial Bears-Packers matchups, adding to the tension.
• "...the palms will be moist. They will be flowing." – Jason (03:18)

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2. News & Notes: Injury Updates and Key Absences

(03:26 - 10:27)

• Devonte Adams: Officially doubtful. Andy and Jason agree—do NOT start Stafford against a tough Seattle defense, especially with wind and no Adams.
• Woody Marks/Nick Chubb/Jawar Jordan: Confusion in the Texans’ backfield; expect updates closer to Sunday. Prefer Nick Chubb if active.
• Marvin Harrison: Limited practice, but Andy still likes Michael Wilson’s upside.
• Drake London: May return but possibly on a snap count. Impacts value for Pitts and Sills.
• Geno Smith: Likely starting, which helps SEA pass catchers.
• Christian Watson: Limited practice, expects to play through pain.
• Rashi Rice: DNP, possible concussion concern.
• Other Notables: Roma Odunze, Luther Burden, DeAndre Swift added to injury report, Trey Harris (questionable), T. Higgins in protocol.

Quote:
“They lost the guy who's leading the league in touchdown receptions... If you took Calvin away from him during that 40 touchdown year or Kupp, you’re probably... thinking a little bit differently about it.” – Andy on Stafford's uncertainty (04:23)

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3. Starts of the Week

(10:41 - 26:51)

Quarterback

• Andy: Caleb Williams vs. Green Bay
  “Caleb’s up over 20 fantasy points per game at home this year. He rushes the football... without Micah Parsons putting pressure on him, I do think he’s going to have a very successful week.” (11:59)
• Jason: Dak Prescott vs. Chargers
  “The Cowboys are averaging 59 combined points per game... He currently leads the NFL in passing yards. You can't ask for much more than that.” (13:10)
• Mike: Jacoby Brissett vs. ATL
  “Since he has taken over, he’s never not been a top 12 option. He’s scoring 20+ points on the regular and he is on some people’s waiver wire.” (14:28)

Running Back

• Andy: Amarion Hampton at DAL
  “They’ve been better at stopping the run, but I think Amarion Hampton has the capability and the opportunity to give you a big week.” (16:13)
• Jason: Audric Estime vs. NYJ
  “He is the current Saints running back who I and many are projecting to be the starter. The matchup is as good as matchups get right now. The Jets, since giving up Quinnen Williams, have given up monster performances every week on the ground.” (17:43)
• Mike: Houston RBs vs. LV
  “If Woody Marks is out, Nick Chubb is an estimate-type play, but Woody has the shot at a massive day as a two-TD favorite at home.” (19:49)

Wide Receiver

• Andy: Michael Wilson vs. ATL
  “Number one wide receiver in fantasy football over the last five weeks... Falcons the best matchup in the last five weeks to wide receivers.” (20:21)
• Jason: DK Metcalf vs. DET
  “This is like a perfect situation for Metcalf to go off... The Lions rank number one in use of man, 46% of their dropbacks are in man coverage—highest explosive pass-play rate allowed.” (22:38)
• Mike: Jauan Jennings vs. IND
  “Since Week 9, he’s been a top-24 wide receiver in five of six, 6 TDs... 23% target share. The Colts over the last five weeks: 27th in schedule-adjusted points to WRs.” (24:03)

Tight End

• Andy: Dallas Goedert vs. WAS
  “The tight end four on the season... utilization inside the five is awesome. The matchup is awesome... I believe his projection set around 40 yards—I think he's up above that.” (25:04)
• Jason: Oronde Gadsden II at DAL
  “He is my tight end. Downfield threat... with Trey Harris banged up. I chose Gadsden over Dalton Schultz, Parkinson, over Jauan Johnson—other good options.” (25:29)
• Mike: Brenton Strange vs. DEN
  “Targeted on 21% of his routes, averaging almost 50 yards a game... over the last five weeks, the Broncos are 30th in schedule-adjusted fantasy points to TEs.” (26:20)

Memorable banter

• The “titanium underpants” segment for risky playoff RB choices (16:29 - 18:20)
• “If you got a... poop in those titanium pants—well, come on now—it stays there.” – Mike (18:34)

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4. Matchup Breakdown & Start/Sit Dilemmas

Eagles vs. Commanders

(29:25 - 33:33)

• Jalen Hurts considered a strong start.
• Devonta Smith’s inconsistency discussed—summed up by Andy: “That 50/50 shot this week, I don't want that.” (31:57)
• Dallas Goedert rated highly.

Packers vs. Bears

(33:34 - 40:17)

• Intrigue and major playoff seeding impact.
• DJ Moore gets a value boost if Odunze and Burden sit.
• Swift’s groin is a concern, Manungai a potential emergency flex if Swift misses.

Bills vs. Browns

(40:18 - 44:27)

• “Just play Josh Allen, man. Don’t detour from the entire... whatever. Ride on the horse that brought you. He’s like four horses.” – Andy (40:43)
• Judkins is frustrating fantasy managers; usage doesn’t match talent. Kincaid’s injury makes him risky.

Chargers vs. Cowboys

(46:44 - 52:25)

• Important playoff implications, confusion that Dallas is favored.
• Mike: “Are you scared of Herbert? …Yes.” (49:54)
• Ladd McConkey: Playable, “best matchup for WRs” — Jason (49:29)
• Jake Ferguson: Remains a back-end, touchdown-dependent start.

Chiefs vs. Titans

(52:44 - 55:39)

• “Tennessee—don’t do it!” – Mike, warning the Titans not to accidentally win (53:09)
• Pollard is the only Dallas player they're willing to trust, Kelsey is a hold-your-nose start if needed.
• Audric Estime discussed as a safer alternative to Pollard this week.

Bengals vs. Dolphins

(55:40 - 61:27)

• Concern over Quinn Ewers starting for Miami—impacting Waddle/Waller.
• Tua benching is viewed as demoralizing for the Dolphins by Jason.
• Waddle, Waller, and other pass catchers are downgraded.

Jets vs. Saints

(62:16 - 65:07)

• Saints a strong defensive play. Schuck at QB is a desperation option.
• Olave a locked-in start, Juwan Johnson is a solid volume-based TE2.

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Notable Quotes & Moments

• “They’re shooting themselves right in the junk. This is a purposeful shot.” – Jason, on the Cardinals possibly sabotaging their own draft pick (21:33)
• “When you love somebody and they let you down, your heart turns bitter.” – Andy, explaining lingering Jerry Jeudy pain (44:33)
• “The thing about the titanium underpants is it’s two purposes. It stops or protects your sensitives. It also seals everything in, right? For a week.” – Mike, on managing lineup panic (18:19)
• “If you need upside, Ladd is fine, but if you just need some... Zay Flowers is safer for points.” – Mike on McConkey vs. Zay (52:01)
• “Just play Josh Allen, he is a horse.” – Andy (40:56)

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Timestamps for Important Segments

• 02:23 – Semifinal anxiety and tradition
• 03:26 – Injury rundown/news and notes
• 10:41 – "Starts of the Week" begins
• 20:21 – Michael Wilson as breakout WR start
• 29:25 – Matchup preview: Eagles vs. Commanders
• 33:34 – Matchup preview: Packers vs. Bears
• 40:18 – Matchup preview: Bills vs. Browns
• 46:44 – Chargers vs. Cowboys
• 52:44 – Chiefs vs. Titans/lineup minefields
• 55:40 – Bengals vs. Dolphins; Joe Burrow and Higgins status
• 62:16 – Saints vs. Jets; Olave and Schuck
• 65:07 – PrizePicks promo and episode wrap-up

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Summary

This episode is a comprehensive guide for fantasy managers entering the semis. The hosts offer decisive opinions on injury-replacement strategies, emphasis on ceiling plays when needed, and objective assessments of risky starts. Their “Starts of the Week” are particularly valuable for those with tough calls or deep-league needs, and the crew’s detailed matchup breakdowns provide tools to crack even the most challenging lineup puzzles.

If you’re agonizing over which fringe player to trust or hunting for a last-gasp waiver gem, this episode’s mix of analysis, humor, and transparency is must-listen material for fantasy footballers chasing a championship.

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Transcript

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[C]

Welcome to the fantasy footballers podcast with your hosts Andy Holloway, Jason Moore and Mike Wright.

[A]

Welcome.

[B]

It's football time. Gotta get a little raspy.

[A]

Thursday, December 18, week 16 of the fantasy football world semi final week final start today.

[C]

Unless you're in a stupid Week 18 playoff league. But we'll still be here for you.

[A]

Tell us how you really feel about Week 18 leagues.

[C]

They're garbage albatrosses that need to be cut by platforms and not even allowed to exist.

[B]

Goodness.

[A]

Strong feelings from Jason Moore. Freshly trimmed beard.

[C]

Got a little, got a little, got a little cut.

[A]

Oh, you almost showed your hair.

[C]

I mean show what you're like.

[A]

I got a haircut.

[C]

Take a look. Take a look at my haircut cut all five of them.

[A]

Well, welcome in one and all. We're here. We've got news for you. We got our starts of the week. We're jumping into the matchups. We got football tonight. It's go time. We had waivers run yesterday. We have Mike and Jason facing off in our league of record. The stress, is it beginning? Is it already begun?

[C]

It definitely began yesterday. Right now I feel okay. Right now is like the lull. We don't have anybody in the Thursday night matchup, either one of us. So it's like we, we get a reprieve for a few days and then as soon as Saturday happens where we are having our company Christmas party at your house, Andy. And that's right, the Bears packers game will be on and help determine who moves on to the championship. Oh, the Palms Will be moist. They will be flowing.

[A]

Knees weak.

[C]

Yeah.

[A]

Yeah. All right, well let's jump right in. We got news to talk about.

[C]

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

[A]

Devonte Adams officially doubtful. He's not going to play.

[C]

Good.

[A]

He's not going to play.

[C]

He should not. He should not play.

[A]

It does make me very like the people are asking about Stafford. We talked about it yesterday. Like it's. It would be an extremely nerve wracking start. Like I would be actively trying not to start Matthew Stafford in Seattle.

[C]

One of the toughest matchups. High wins.

[A]

Your touchdown.

[B]

We got wins.

[C]

We got wins tonight. So a little bit rain, but rain doesn't really affect a lot of bit wind. Lot of bit wind. So we'll have to monitor up. We'll tweet something out before the game because wind is one of those things where you really need jacoby close to kickoff time. But it's. There were some reports that were like 20 miles sustained, 40 mile an hour gusts.

[A]

Well, they got two running backs that are great. They lost the guy who's leading the league in touchdown receptions like Devonte Adams is that dude like Matthew Stafford. Let's look at the career of Matthew Stafford. It is outlier touchdown season a bunch of years outlier touchdown season. If you took Calvin away from him during that 40 touchdown year or cup, you're probably. Yeah. You're thinking a little bit differently about it. It's not that he can't perform. It's that Seattle's a great defense.

[C]

They're a great defense.

[A]

He already would have been a questionable start in Seattle with Devonte Adams.

[B]

They held Philip Rivers to one touchdown.

[A]

That's it. That's. These are the guys.

[C]

Oh man.

[B]

I mean shut down.

[A]

Woody Marks didn't practice.

[C]

I believe what you mean is they gave up a touchdown. Philip Rivers, his line was 0.5.

[B]

Yeah. Woody Marks not practicing. Nick Chubb was limited. Yeah, it's a. It's a little confusing right now which sucks because there is fantasy gold and then their hills.

[C]

I mean Jord Jordan is like. So I is a player that I really thought about going hard on the waivers after I decided not to because I thought Woody was going to play. If Woody does not play, he's got to be in your lineup.

[A]

I don't think so.

[B]

Not if Nick Chubb plays.

[A]

I don't think so. If Nick Chubb is active, I think that would be a bad decision. We know the hierarchy there. George Orton had to be signed off the practice squad this week to be back on the roster, which might be an indication of either Chubb not being back enough or Woody Marks not being active.

[B]

Now, Woody Marks didn't practice last Wednesday and I know he got knocked out of the game, so that didn't fully work out. But I bet we have a report by today's exactly I this isn't a full panic that Woody Marks is not.

[C]

Going to play yet.

[A]

Marvin Harrison returned to a limited practice. He may be back out there. I know the question will be do you still like Michael Wilson? Yes, I do. I still like Michael Wilson this week. It is the best matchup over the last five to eight weeks for wide receivers.

[C]

Yeah, it's a fantastic game environment all the way around. I had people ask I saw several questions on X about Michael Wilson. It's like, how do you go away from Jerry Rice?

[A]

If Jerry Rice is playing, you play him. Drake London, this is a good question. He returned to a limited practice. He could be on the the prescription. You were saying that Adams would be if he was active, which is he might not play as a full allotment of snaps. They made the comment we're excited to see what he can give us, but it impacts your Kyle Pitts. It impacts your perception of this game. Do you. Are you automatically starting Jake London if he's active?

[C]

I think I would automatically start pretty close. What has been happening with Kirk Cousins, with Kyle Pitts, I mean, look at Pitts last and Drake London is just way better. So yeah, if Drake London is active, they need Darnell Mooney has his. Seriously, what has his skill evaporated? I don't know what's going on, but it seems like he's just. Maybe it's a worthwhile.

[B]

He had all the weird preseason injury stuff, if you remember, like in training camp.

[A]

Well, he broke his clavicle immediately, didn't he?

[B]

Yeah. I don't remember what the full injury was, but it was like Mooney might play this year. That's where.

[C]

Right.

[B]

We had that weirdness and then he was just ready.

[A]

We're still in the. He might.

[C]

Maybe he was. Yeah, but maybe he was not ready. They just don't have. Was it David Sills is out there running? Almost.

[A]

I would play Sills over Mooney. Sure. And if London was out, I think Sills is a weird dart throw because he's out there. 80 plus percent of snaps. Ted McMillan. Teteroa McMillan T Mac.

[B]

Whoa.

[A]

T. Macroa McMillan did not practice on Wednesday. Foot and ankle injury. We'll monitor that today as well. Pete Carroll said there's a good chance. Geno Smith starts in week 16. Okay. Brock Bowers, I guess, is better off a little bit.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

With Gino, but not by a lot. And then we've got big names in today's matchups that we'll talk about, but Christian Watson is one of them. We should definitely mention it at the top here. He returned to a limited practice. He came out and said, like Josh Jacobs, he said you got to play with stuff this time of year. That's what his comments were. You got to deal with stuff this time of year. The direct quote, we're at the point of the season when you've got to fight through some stuff. So should be good.

[C]

I mean, Josh Jacobs is the example, the leader.

[A]

You're absolutely right.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

How do you possibly.

[C]

Oh, you're not going to play with that. Watch me.

[A]

I'm playing with this. Look how hugely swollen my knee is.

[C]

My leg goes the wrong direction. I'm out there running, man.

[B]

I mean that you're making some assumptions that Josh Jacobs is going to be active.

[C]

I sure am, Michael. I sure am.

[A]

Roma Dunes A Luther Burden did not practice on Wednesday. DeAndre Swift added to the injury report with a groin injury. This game is wild because I really like. Well, I like Caleb Williams in this game. Yep. But I don't know exactly who's catching all of the passes, so we'll see what happens. Odunze is probably going to miss.

[B]

I would say Burton speaks the love language.

[A]

Yeah, he might. He might. That might be his love language. A little commit action.

[C]

What?

[B]

Get out of here.

[A]

I was trying to find some sort of commit double entendre and I couldn't do it. Rashi Rice.

[B]

Hard name the best of me in commit.

[C]

It's very nice.

[A]

It's commit.

[B]

Okay.

[A]

Rashi Rice. We were, we were surprised here. Rashi Rice did not practice. Well, not surprised because Rush your Rice.

[B]

Got hit so hard he's getting exploded.

[A]

But we didn't hear about a concussion until yesterday.

[C]

He did not get hit in the head. He was hit so hard in the body that it just swelled the brain. That's what it. I mean, it does.

[B]

It does feel like that he was hit so hard in the spine that.

[C]

It is wiggled cartoon style.

[A]

Crash test dummy. That's what he was. T. Higgins remains in concussion protocol limited on Wednesday and Kellen Moore had already ruled out Devin Neal and Devon Vale. Alvin Camara is not practicing. It's going to be Evan Hole and Audrey Estimate. Not in that order necessarily. Brady Cook will start for the jets again this week.

[C]

Hooray.

[A]

That was news and notes sponsored by Progressive Insurance quotes [e-mail] Progressive Casualty Insurance Company affiliates and third party insurers not available in all states or situations. Coverage subject to policy terms, limits and conditions. It's time for starts.

[C]

Starts of the week.

[A]

Oh, mine's Caleb Williams. That is, I spent a lot of time. Look, this is, this is high pressure starts in the week. It is. It's very difficult. I felt like the best matchups, maybe this is encouraging. Let me start the segment like this. We've all got starts the week at every position. I felt like all the best matchups this week were legitimately the best players. So I didn't, I didn't. Jonathan Taylor. Right, right. I'm talking strength to schedule stream finder tool. The best matchups, a lot of them were the auto start guys. Bijan, right. Like you don't. I'm not going to come on here and say start Bijan or start Jonathan Taylor.

[B]

Well, that's my start of the week.

[A]

In your heart.

[B]

I'm joking.

[A]

You didn't really have Bijan, do you?

[B]

No, I do not have Bijan. I'm the same as you like, so.

[A]

I'm trying to find.

[B]

We're trying to give you alternatives should you need them or confidence boosts on.

[A]

Players that you have a decision to make on them. Quarterback is always a decision. We just talked about Stafford. Maybe you've got another one on the roster. Caleb Williams against Green Bay. To me, your first glance, you're like, nah, I don't want to do that. I think you should do it. I think that we've seen the struggles of the Green Bay defense on the road in recent weeks against Denver and Detroit. Parsons, that's it.

[B]

Devastated.

[A]

That's the major, major point of this conversation. The pass rush. The offensive line already great for Chicago. You're at home. It is a huge game. Caleb's up over 20 fantasy points per game at home this year. He rushes the football. A good baseline there and without Michael Parsons putting pressure on, on him. I do think he's going to have a very successful week. They gave up a ton of points in Denver last week, lost Michael Parsons. Bo Nix was great. I'm going Caleb Williams for a crucial semifinal week.

[C]

I like it. I like it. He is the type of quarterback that has pretty hot and cold from a fantasy standpoint even. He's been playing well, not turning the ball over. But when you get a good game, you can have a really, really impactful game. So that will be exciting. I'M going to go with my quarterback against Mike. I think he is. It's a very good game environment for Dak. Prescott coming. Prescott, what's going on with you? No, it's, it's. I mean, we, we have, we have a city right north of us that we go to all the time and it's Prescott. It's not the same, but it's Prescott.

[A]

Jason, we've done this show for 11 years.

[C]

Yeah, yeah.

[B]

Prescott has existed.

[A]

Stop making excuses before the show.

[C]

Okay? Dak Prescott at home versus the Los Angeles Chargers. He currently leads the NFL and passing yards. He's the identity of the Cowboys team. The Cowboys are averaging 59 combined points per game. You know how every. We're going to go through matchups today and whenever we hear a 50 point over under, we're like, oh, this is awesome. We want part of these game environments. They're averaging 59 combined points per game. You can't ask for much more than that. That's the most of any team since 2018. This game that they're in is already a 49 and a half point over, under second highest of the week. Like, probably take over on that. And at home he's been great. So I know that the Chargers defense is very good and Dak is coming off of a down week, but at home, just like when he was at home against Philly and was great, wasn't.

[A]

He at home against Minnesota?

[C]

Yes.

[A]

Okay.

[C]

So, I mean, but the thing is, is he didn't play poorly. It was the rushing touchdowns that happened. He just got like, you know, three.

[B]

Rushing touchdowns siphone 61% of his passes, 300 yards.

[A]

He just, I look, it's the same as Burrow. It's the same as, as Dak. When we just talked about Burrow and Dak, they're in the same boat. You're not playing for something. Los Angeles is playing for something. But, but the, you know, you make the case.

[B]

All right? If you're interested in 20 fantasy points from your quarterback with the ability to go nuclear this week against the Atlanta Falcons, it is Jacoby beef brisket Brissette. This is one of the most baffling things I've ever experienced playing in fantasy football, that there is a quarterback who has just, since he has taken over, has never not been a top 12 option. He's scoring 20 plus points on the regular and he is on some people's waiver wire, at least as of Tuesday when we were talking about it. Jason, stream of the week, my start of the week. Jacoby is just he's going to chuck it so much and you have bam. Knight is out now. You know, there are conversations of is it Michael Carter, is it Demari, Demarcado? It doesn't matter, truly.

[A]

It's 50 pass attempts.

[B]

It's Jacoby. It is Jacoby who will throw for another 250 yards and probably multiple touchdowns.

[A]

Moving to the running back position. The best matchup of the week. Jason's got that guy as his start of the week at least on in terms of like strength of schedule. And then like I said, a lot of the big matchups beyond that that are great. It's a Chan, it's Bijan, it's Bucky, it's Saquon. I'm going to go with a guy that I think people are waiting to have make a huge contribution to their lineup. Like maybe you can start him, but you don't feel like he's going to win you the week. Maybe this will be the week he gets it done. Amari and Hampton at Dallas. 15 and 16 touches in the two games back. Quinn and Williams might be out in this game. They've been better at stopping the run.

[B]

He's in concussion protocol.

[A]

So I think Amari and Hampton has the capability and the opportunity to give you a big week.

[C]

All right. My running back start of the week. This is, this is a little bit crazy. This is for those who are in need. Mike, I'm going to need second level underpants on this.

[B]

You got it, my man. Let me find those things for you.

[C]

Titanium underpants. These are big boy underpants.

[B]

I'm with you with the pants and I'm with you on the plate. It makes sense.

[C]

These are 227 pound big body back underpants. Talking about a guy that Mike, you really liked coming out of college. Audric estimate Lauder, he is the current Saints running back who I and many are projecting to be the starter. Now Evan Hull is there. This is a situation. Alvin Camara has been injured. He was not at practice the last I saw. I don't expect him to play. If he does, let's just pivot to him. If he's out, then you have two running backs left because Devin Neal, who was doing great work, injured. Kendra Miller obviously doesn't know how to not be injured. And so Audric estimate he was out there. If you look at once Devonil went down, he got the majority of the works and snaps from that point forward, he got three targets and he, he played well. The Saints are four and a half point Home favorites. And the matchup is as good as matchups get right now. The jets, since giving up Quinn and Williams, have given up monster performances every single week on the ground.

[A]

How much does he weigh?

[C]

227 pounds.

[A]

So based on my. I've done some. Some math over here, guys. Ultra thin titanium underpants, they would only add about two and a half pounds.

[C]

Oh, thank goodness.

[A]

A more rigid armor style. I don't know if that's. It looks like that in the video, Mike. Yeah, that's about five extra pounds. Or as Chad GPT says, dramatically heavier and far less comfortable than they sound.

[B]

Yeah, I didn't think they sounded very.

[A]

Comfortable to begin with.

[B]

I mean, the thing about the titanium underpants is it's. It's two purposes. It stops or like, it protects, you know, your, your sensitives. It also seals everything in, right, for a week.

[C]

No leakage.

[B]

When you, when you have.

[A]

If you got a.

[B]

When you certainly poop in those titanium pants.

[A]

Well, come on now.

[B]

It stays there.

[C]

But I will, I will say this so when, when I'm talking about my starts of the week, a lot of times, you know, I. We always are rooting for our starts of the week to do great. And hopefully they do oftentimes and sometimes they don't. I'm writing on this. I am personally playing Audrey Estimate against Mike in my lineup. I'm choosing to play him over David Montgomery. And so that if you're in that level of a situation, this is. I'm trying to be like, would I really do this in the playoffs? Yeah, I'm doing it.

[B]

And you're doing it over David Montgomery.

[A]

Yeah, Mike.

[B]

All right. Mine is. It's a little up in the air right now. I have Houston running back down against the Las Vegas Raiders. I think it will still be Woody Marks based off of, you know, he had taken over. They at least said that he could have gone back in the game. It was just unnecessary at that point. And I think that Wednesday is just a rest. So I do believe that it will be Woody Marks. Should it not be Woody Marks and Nick Chubb is up. I have no problem like an, like an estimate type of play. Nick Chubb could go right in if he. If they both miss Jawar Jordan. He just ran for 100 yards.

[A]

This than that, though. Yes, it's Chubb over Jordan.

[B]

It is for me.

[A]

It is for me, too.

[B]

Yeah, it goes Woody to then if Woody's out, and then goes Nick Chubb and then to Jordan. I think all are perfectly fine. Fantasy football plays The Texans are two touchdown favorites at home. So here over the last five years. Here are the team rushing averages. Among two touchdown favorites, 31 total attempts, 145 rushing yards and one and a half rushing touchdowns on average. And on top of that, the Raiders just. They are a great matchup for running backs in general. It's all lining up here.

[A]

All right, I'm going. Michael Wilson against Atlanta for my wide receiver start of the week. The number one wide receiver in fantasy football over the last five weeks. Regardless of what seems to be Marvin Harrison's return in this game, you're in a dome. It's tied for the third highest over under of the week. Atlanta, Arizona 48 1/2 points. Falcons the best matchup in the last five weeks to wide receivers. Michael Wilson is doing too much good work. Cardinals have too few good running backs. It's the same argument that you made for Jacoby. Wilson will be on the other end of five to 15 catches and back into the end zone.

[C]

I think, and you know for certain that the Arizona Cardinals will win this game. There's no world where they don't win. There's nothing.

[A]

I've thought about this, Jason. I've examined it from every angle. You're 100%.

[C]

There is nothing they're going to ruin worse than winning this game. They're in a beautiful situation. If they lose to the Falcons now, they flip with the Falcons and not only does that hurt their pick, but guess who has the Falcons pick, which is already top 10. Oh, man, the Rams. So it's like the Cardinals will shoot themselves in the foot.

[A]

The Rams could win in the junk.

[C]

They're just. I mean.

[A]

Wait, wait, say that again.

[C]

They're shooting themselves right in the junk. This is a purposeful shot.

[A]

They.

[C]

They're so dumb. They're going to win this game. So yeah, Michael Wilson, probably five touchdowns.

[A]

Hey, the only potential saving grace of that argument, Jason, because that's definitely Cardinals, is that the Falcons would also screw up their pick.

[C]

Yeah, this is a real.

[A]

It's a real.

[C]

Which franchise is going to franchise the most?

[A]

Like it's a two Stooges situation.

[C]

Yes. My wide receiver start of the week.

[B]

You fell right into my trap is DK Mike. I got into the dock first. I was putting in my starts of the week and I was like, oh, man, DK Metcalf against the Lions. Yeah, I was like, you can do it.

[C]

Well, Mike will be playing DK Mike.

[A]

Chef, by the way, I mean, back to back weeks for DK Metcalf in this start of the week segment.

[C]

Yeah. And.

[B]

Oh, it really didn't.

[C]

I guess he scored. Yeah. He did a good game.

[A]

He had a good week.

[C]

He did. He's had two good weeks in a row. One. The thing is with DK Mike Caf is that we want high targets. We want him to be a volume wide receiver. And it's really disappointing that he hasn't been.

[A]

How about fantasy points? Can we settle on those?

[C]

Fantasy points in the. At the end are all that matters right now. He's been doing a great job. He's the wide receiver. 15 on the year he was drafted as the wide receiver. 20. That's good. He's a B in consistency. It sucks because when you watch the games, you're like, why aren't you targeting him? But then he ends up with a touchdown. He's okay. This matchup against the Lions is just. It's the perfect semifinals matchup. They ranked number one in use of man. 46% of their dropbacks are in man coverage. In that span, they've allowed the highest explosive pass play. And they're 31st in fantasy points above expectation to outside wide receivers. This is like a perfect situation for Mike Calf to go off in case.

[A]

You were tempted to get somebody else in your start of the week. Bad news. Marshawn Lloyd changed to doubtful.

[C]

Wow, not again.

[A]

That seems like a move up.

[C]

Yeah. So he. So he's. He's up.

[B]

He's moved from out to doubtful.

[A]

Outfold and doubtful.

[C]

Congratulations.

[B]

And the last thing I'll add for DK Metcalf if you're out there, I'm playing him is the like Detroit can stop past catching running backs pretty well and like that. The Steelers are doing that a ton. I mean, Kenny game is getting so many. I think he leads the team in receptions, but.

[A]

Oh, my gosh. But the Arthur Smith.

[B]

But the Lions can shut that down. And just like when they. When the Steelers played the team that shuts down tight ends, they're like, fine, we'll throw to our $150 million guy.

[C]

Right?

[B]

All right. My wide receiver. Start of the week, it is Juwan Jennings who is taking on the Indianapolis Colts quietly. I think since week nine, he's been a top 24 wide receiver in five of six, six touchdowns in those games, a 23% target share. And Ricky Pearsall got his injury, his PCL, it was re aggravated. So I expect in a plus matchup the Colts over the last five weeks, 27th in schedule. Adjusted points to wide receivers. It's all there. And I think that Juwan is going to have a good game. It was going to be a great game, but I downloaded. I downgraded him.

[A]

Yeah, I downgraded him. Sounded funny. Tight end start of the week is Dallas. Good air. Good air. Dallas Goddard against Washington. The tight end, four on the season, nine rush, nine receiving touchdowns, six receptions from a career high. His utilization inside the five is awesome. The matchup is awesome. Washington allowing the highest yards per pass attempt in the NFL. I'm going back to the. Well, I believe his projection set around 40 yards. I think he's up above that. Dallas got it against Washington.

[C]

I'm going to Ronda Gadsden the second against Dallas. He is a wide receiver, not really a tight end. He lines up.

[A]

He's your tight end.

[C]

He is my tight end. And this is another one where I look, if you want to play him with me, this is who I'm playing against. Mike. I lost Darren Waller in my mind, so I'm choosing to play him. He was my number one pickup over Dalton Schultz over Parkinson, over Juwan Johnson. Other good options out there.

[B]

That's wild.

[C]

I chose Gadson. He's a downfield threat. And I think that game environment against the Dallas Cowboys with huge hurt they're going to use. We have. You know, he's 4 for 61.

[A]

Trey Harris is banged up. Did you know this?

[B]

Oh, you're serious.

[A]

Right after we talked about it. Oh, my goodness. By the way, I would love to. I would normally choose this moment to make fun of Jason for having three of his players as the four starts of the week. I would love to do that. But you have to understand, two of the three players were waiver wire pickups yesterday. So this was not. This was not. They're on my team. So their starts of the week. This is. They're on the waiver wire. I signed them to play them because I believe their starts of the week estimate Gadsden, both pickups, both into the lineup.

[C]

What could go wrong?

[B]

It's nasty.

[A]

Everything.

[C]

Sometimes you got to scratch a claw in the playoffs. If you're with me, you're with me.

[B]

I'm going with Brenton Strange against Denver. The tight end start sits. They are tough this week against it. I think he's a fine play, Johnson, but I went with Brenton Strange. He's being targeted on 21% of his routes. That is a very, very strong number. I know since he's been back from the injuries, averaging almost 50 yards a game. And over the last five weeks, the Broncos are 30th and schedule adjusted fantasy points to the tight end. It is a place where that excellent defense can be beats for fantasy purposes.

[A]

All right, we're going to take a break and jump right into the forecast.

[B]

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 pass 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 in lineups after you play your first five dollars lineup. Prize picks it's good to be right. Today's show is brought to you by indeed. There's a talented person out there who could take your company to the next level and with Indeed sponsored Jobs, you can connect with them faster. Join the 3.3 million employers worldwide that use Indeed to connect with quality talent that fits their needs. We know all about hiring here at the Fantasy Footballers hq. It is extremely important you have the right person for the job. If you don't, it is detrimental to your company. So why not get a leg up on that? Finding the person the fastest way you can spend more time interviewing candidates who check all your boxes. Less stress, less time, more results. Now with Indeed Sponsored Jobs and listeners of this show will get a $75 sponsored job credit to help get your job the premium status it deserves@ Indeed.com footballers. Just go to Indeed.comfootballers right now and support our show by saying you heard about Indeed on this podcast. Indeed.com Footballers terms and conditions apply. Hiring do it the Right Way with Indeed.

[C]

Fantasy Forecast presented by prize picks.

[A]

Two Saturday games this week, Philadelphia nine and five against the four and ten, we're done with the season commanders Vegas line. Philly minus six and a half over under 44 and a half. They shut down Jaden Daniels. Philadelphia can clinch the division with a victory and will become, if they do that, which they should, they're heavy favorites. The first repeat NFC east champions in 20 years.

[C]

That just feels impossible, especially in a division like that. But wow.

[A]

Yeah. So look, I feel I was close to making Jalen Hurts. Jalen Hurts. A start of the week. I feel like Jalen Hurts is going to have a very good week. You're obviously going to play Saquon Barkley. You're going to play A.J. brown, the one player I'm feeling pretty. I'll just put it on display like we. There's nothing better as an example than our own situations and decisions. So, guys, I have devonte Smith in a league I'm in a semifinal in. He was in my lineup yesterday. I made the swap after looking at the numbers to Rico Dowdle.

[B]

Okay.

[A]

Now, devonte Smith has not been very good. No, I mean, you look at, he had a number two overall finish in week seven. That's amazing. Since then he's had three wide receiver two starts and low end wide receiver two. And then he's had four games where you were like, crap, I shouldn't have started Devontae Smith. I felt like my team, which is favored against Mike in League of Shadows, would be better served by the consistency of Rico Dowdle. With the upside versus does devonte Smith catch a bomb? What are your thoughts on that?

[C]

No, I think you're right. I've had him.

[B]

I think you should play Smith against me.

[A]

Okay. That tells you what you need to know.

[C]

I think Goddard has been great. Devontae Smith is someone that you can definitely start, but he is in a category. Like if you're looking at Devonte Smith, who's been in a lull since the super squeaky wheel of AJ Brown, has demanded the ball and then received it, you know, versus a Jacoby Myers who's been really consistent. I would probably go Jacoby Myers in that. There's a lot of other players that I think I would start over. Devonte Smith, he's still a fine, you know, flex offense.

[A]

If you were Flexing Goddard or Devonte Smith, you'd still go DevonTae Smith.

[C]

I would.

[B]

I think I'd go Goddard.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

I mean, that's, that's where I'm with you. I really like Goddard this year.

[A]

It's crazy because, like, Jason has brought this up a zillion times like when Goddard is out and not a part of the offense. Devonte Smith thrives when he's there. He's much more inconsistent. He's a C, I believe, right now in our consistency scores, which puts him at a consistent C. Yeah, he's 47% of the time above 10 points. That's a 50, 50 shot this week. I don't want that. I feel like Dowdle is pretty guaranteed for 10 points.

[B]

Yeah, I agree.

[A]

So that's that side of the situation. Now the other side. No Jaden Daniels. Mariota will start. Chris Rodriguez is back. Full practices. You can kind of take your JCM and say goodbye. Say bye to Bill. Terry McLaurin. He's looked like Taryn McLaren the last few weeks. Are you okay with him in this one or are you scared?

[C]

I'm okay with him, but I'm scared of the matchup. I mean, the Eagles have one of the best defenses in the league. This is a divisional game. So I think it's going to be really hard fought, grueling battle. Like Mariota is a guy that I'm really curious on because he's been very good for fantasy. Plenty of top 10 finishes and like in our, in our listener league, I had Jayden Daniels, I've been riding Marcus Mariota without Daniels and it's been working great. I had the bye week and now I'm here and I'm terrified because I'm starting Mariota. And so it's one of those things where I think Mariota can be okay. I think Terry McLaurin can be okay. But you're not excited about the matchup. So if you have better options, pivot. I don't have a better option.

[B]

And I would say despite a career high 57% of the snaps.

[C]

I am the.

[B]

I wouldn't play him.

[A]

Don't play.

[B]

I wouldn't. Maybe next week.

[A]

No Ben Senate.

[B]

But I won't play. I'm not going to play.

[C]

No.

[A]

All right. This one's much more exciting. Green Bay nine four and one. Chicago ten and four. Vegas line. Chicago minus one and a half. The over under is 46 and a half. I do like Chicago to win this game myself.

[B]

The line flipped was favored.

[A]

This is only the fourth time that these two teams have played in the super bowl era where both teams entered the game in the playoff picture at the end of the year.

[C]

Shocking.

[A]

So Green Bay won 28, 21 in Week 14. It went down to the wire in that game. If you remember, Chicago had the ball with the chance to tie doesn't that.

[C]

Just mean the Bears haven't been good for a long time? Because it's like the packers are always.

[B]

Yes.

[C]

Pretty.

[A]

Pretty much.

[B]

I mean I've been great for the Bears.

[A]

Throw some respect on Rex Grossman era.

[B]

Yeah, the Hester era.

[A]

That's right.

[B]

Oh man, Devin Hester. That was fun.

[A]

But you know, you, you have. This is just a fun game. It's. It's Saturday night.

[C]

So excited for this.

[A]

It's going to be cold, but not to the point of damaging the game in any capacity. The wind should be fine. It's in Soldier Field. I mean this is, this is awesome. And it's crazy because, you know, like Chicago, Chicago could be a very high seed or they can still like miss the playoffs.

[B]

Yeah, there is a. I think it's a low odds, but it could happen.

[C]

But not only, but it's actually realistic.

[B]

Right?

[C]

Like when you look at the things that have to happen, it's like that could happen. I don't think it will but like they, they have a lot to play for here. Both teams really need this victory.

[A]

And the line was Green Bay minus one and a half. Now Chicago minus one and a half. Nothing's happened on an injury front that affects that. It's literally basically a heads up game in the minds of those in Vegas. I'm excited about it. I just talked about Caleb. We don't need to talk about him again. The DeAndre Swift groin injury though, popping up on Wednesday, we know he's had a tendency to play through injuries even to his production detriment. He was like high snap counts, big production last week. This has kind of been the way things have gone. All of a sudden you think you can trust Swift and Manangai has a monster game. The groin injury now has to throw a little bit of, you know, hopefully we get another injury report saying he's doing okay. But you know the running game against Green Bay. How do you feel about those two.

[B]

Running backs if Swift is in? I'm going to play him.

[C]

Yeah, for sure.

[B]

He's been, he's been too good. If the he's entering the week limited Manon guy at least becomes an option.

[A]

Like a flexible or manungai Right now based on what? Everything.

[B]

You know, I would go quorum, I.

[C]

Would go manangai just see, I mean that, that's.

[B]

Yeah, it's close.

[A]

It's a heads up situation. I think I, I think I lean Mananga myself but yeah, it's tough. Roma Dunes a we don't think will be playing he had the setback. We would love to say, hey, Luther Burden has this huge opportunity. He hasn't practiced in two days with an ankle injury. So DJ Moore, you're the. You're there. Yeah, you're there and there's an opportunity.

[B]

If Luther Burden plays, I do think he is a startable.

[A]

Not over more though, right? Even if Burden's there.

[B]

No, I think I'd go with DJ Moore just because of the injury. And then if. Look, Colston Loveland is a. He has an 18% target share over the last month. He is a startable option. The matchup is pretty rough. Green Bay fourth on the season against tight ends, third over the last six weeks. But should wide out.

[A]

Let's just call him a wide.

[B]

Should Burden miss then? I mean, you just. You. The targets have to be consolidated to your. Your good players. And Loveland should see a, I don't know, 20 or higher percent of the target.

[C]

If Burton and Rome are out, how high does that put DJ Moore? Like would you start DJ Moore or Terry McLaurin more? I would as well. I think there's a lot of players like Justin Jefferson, lad McConkey, Jacoby Myers, that tier. I think I would put DJ Moore above all of them. And he becomes a very interesting playoff guy.

[A]

And his swift is healthy. I think he catches a bunch of passes too with the absence of those guys.

[B]

Yeah, that makes sense.

[A]

Jacobs didn't practice Tuesday or Wednesday. We know that if he can go, he will go.

[C]

And he can and he will.

[B]

Josh, you're man. Think about. Think about the future.

[C]

He's. He's a.

[B]

Think about now.

[C]

Yeah. He says he doesn't like watching the game.

[A]

He doesn't have to turn it off. Nobody likes watching.

[B]

Close your eyes.

[A]

Waddle does Josh James Marshawn Lloyd does.

[C]

Is a manimal.

[A]

It is still, no matter what psychological things you're having to do for your brain right now, it is 100% terrifying. Josh Jacobs. Just because he played through an injury last week doesn't mean. Look, you don't want your star running back playing hurt. The Bears defense is number five against the running back position. They have stepped it up considerably since the beginning of the year. The matchup is a. It's not a plus matchup. You do have an injured Josh Jacobs. The knee hurts. You also have Emmanuel Wilson, healthier than he was last week. Wilson was very questionable due to illness.

[B]

It wasn't an injury.

[A]

No, but due to illness. So you've got a week removed from that where you can lean on somebody else. I'm not saying that Jacobs won't perform or that you shouldn't play him. I'm just saying he is riskier than a lot of other players this year.

[C]

There is definitely risk with Josh Jacobs for sure. I mean, tough matchup can be spelled. He will. He could only have one touchdown in this game. There it is.

[B]

Yeah, I. There it is. With all the jokes. I am terrified to see Josh Jacobs on the other side.

[A]

Yeah. No, no question. Jordan Love, 4 and 1 against the Bears in his career. Quarterback 12 on the season. I don't. I don't know if I'm fighting to play Jordan Love. Would you do Stafford or Love this week? You should have Christian Watson playing. Jaden Reed is back. Romeo Dobbs, Don Tavian Wicks, Matthew Golden. I mean, you have a wide array.

[C]

Yeah. And this is usually so far this season. They kind of flipped the script from last year. They become a pass funnel where you can throw on the Bears easier than you can run on the Bears. So I think that Love will be necessary in this game. And I could see this game scoring a lot of points. 46 and a half points on the over under right now. Yeah, I think. I think when I go Stafford or.

[B]

Love, they're back to back in the rankings.

[A]

I would probably go Love.

[C]

I think Eileen Love as well.

[B]

All right.

[A]

I just want to know how a game itself scores a bunch of points though. You have to explain that one to me later. Sunday games. Buffalo.

[C]

I think you can see the leap we took to get there.

[A]

Buffalo at Cleveland. The bills are 10 and 4. The Browns are 3 and 11. Goodness gracious. Buffalo minus 10 and a half. Over. Under 41 and a half. I've seen some people be like, oh, I'm scared. Like Josh Allen against Cleveland. What? What are you talking about? Just play Josh Allen, man. Don't. Don't detour from the entire. Like they say, you know, whatever. Ride on the horse that brought you. He's like four horses.

[B]

Josh Stallion, man.

[A]

Yeah, he is a horse. I mean, this is not a fair fight. The short fields that they're going to have the opportunities like Josh, he could have five touchdowns with 120 passing yards. That could legitimately happen in this game. The Buffalo defense is a great play. Buffalo. It's ten and a half point favorites. The over under is low, but the gap is so wide that they give Buffalo 26 points. So. Yeah, don't overthink that one.

[B]

Agreed.

[C]

What are. What are the Browns doing with their Shador Sanders quinch on Judkins utilization Like.

[A]

I really wanted to make Judkins the start of the week because of the match, because he should be. And then I was like, dude, I'm.

[B]

Actually really tired of him because he should be.

[C]

He is their best offensive player fan and I don't want to, you know, throw him out, but he is a real true stud for them and they're giving him the ball like 10 times while they're letting Shador drop back 40 times a game. Well, stop it.

[A]

Letting them and being down by a million points. This is the old Isaiah cruelty problem with Cleveland and you can't hand it off when you're down.

[C]

But when in the beginning of the game, like the first half, the first half, when it can't be really, truly out of reach. Judkins should have 15 carries or 12.

[B]

It's.

[A]

I agree.

[B]

It's also not gone very great for Judkins is averaging 3.6 yards per carry on the, on the season. Since the bye week, which is six games. He's averaging 3.1 yards.

[C]

You got to give that man more work.

[A]

So I Wonder.

[B]

They tried 14 for 26 against Tennessee, 12 for 21 against the Bears. And the pass catching, like the pass catching work of college, of the college version of Judkins is not showing up.

[A]

You have. I'm looking at the game splits with Shador and without his points per game is down about three targets. Stay the same. Yeah, I just, it's. It's a little bit more nerve wracking than I thought it would have been.

[C]

The matchup is good. You can run on Buffalo. So I would still be willing to play Judkins. I'm just frustrated with it.

[A]

He's averaging fewer rushing attempts with Shador.

[C]

Harold Fannin, who I think you just have to keep starting him. It's not a great matchup.

[B]

I'll play Fannin, but he's the entire. Yeah, he's the entire passing office.

[C]

Exactly.

[A]

Yeah. Fannin should be fine. I don't know about the whole Dalton, Kincaid, Dawson, Knox situation. The utilization of three tight ends there mixed with the injury of Dalton Kincaid and the fact he's having to constantly play through stuff which by the way, didn't practice again, managing a knee injury.

[B]

Goodness gracious.

[A]

It kind of puts Kincaid on the shelf for me a little bit this week.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

Because we've named a million tight ends this week. Colby Parkinson, there's a lot of Gadsden and Joanne Johnson. I know that. Yes, Papa Josh and them are playing and I just feel like Kincaid. We just don't know how healthy he really is. There are some things we just don't understand. We don't. If you're playing in the game, we don't know if you're 10% hurt or, you know, playing through it like Josh Jacobs. It's. Are you. Are you of the same opinion, Mike, with Kincaid?

[B]

Yeah, like, I would play fan and over him. Yeah.

[A]

That one's pretty easy to me. I think that there are some deeper.

[B]

Okay.

[A]

Your start of the week, Brenton Strange. Like, I think that's a better player.

[B]

I would play Brent Strange and I.

[A]

Would play James Cook and I would. I would not play the roulette with the wide receivers again.

[B]

Agreed.

[A]

So. And not. I would never play Jerry. Judy, you can't make me do it. You can't even pay. You can't even pay me to do it.

[C]

I really don't like him.

[B]

You loved him. This is. This is why you hate him so much.

[C]

Maybe.

[A]

Maybe is because when you love somebody and they let you down.

[C]

Yeah.

[B]

When. When you love a prospect and then they go in and it's just you keep holding that hope for them because like Judy. Judy gave you a couple flashes where you're okay. No, no, I was right. I wasn't crazy when I saw it. He was a first round pick.

[A]

I think he was him and Ceedee, right.

[B]

He was taken in front of all of them.

[C]

Like he was the 15th.

[B]

Was he in front of CD? Was that the Jefferson year?

[C]

I think CD went ahead of him.

[A]

No, CD was 17.

[C]

Oh, wow. Yeah.

[A]

Yeah. So it was two apart.

[C]

Yeah. He was a great prospect. I'm thinking of a different year with that.

[A]

Rugs was ahead of him.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

Rugs, Judy, cd.

[B]

But anyways, when you love a prospect like that and then they just really let you down, your heart turns bitter.

[A]

Yeah. After a while, you end up out. All right, let's take a break. We got more matches. For years, everyone thought Verizon had the best network because they did. But now the best mobile network in the US is T Mobile. T Mobile's network has the most advanced 5G with more towers and their signal reaches further than ever. So you can text an Insta talk and say, you won't believe where I am. T Mobile has the best mobile network in the US based on analysis by Ookla of speed testing intelligence data 1H2025CT mobile.com network.

[C]

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'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.

[A]

This one's really interesting to me. You know, a lot of names came up in the starts of the week for this one. The Los Angeles Chargers 10 and four against the six, seven and one Dallas Cowboys. You know Jim Harbaugh now 10 wins or more in each of the first two years in Los Angeles. Disappointing year for Dallas. But Hampton and Dak are both starts of the week this week. The over unders 49 and a half. Dallas minus two and a half in this one, man.

[B]

Oh, oh, really?

[C]

Yeah. I get your hesitation because the Cowboys are now out of the playoffs so they have less motivation. The Chargers need the game. The Chargers are the better team. And so the fact that Dallas is favored by two and a half, that is really. Yes. I would have assumed it would be two and a half for the Chargers.

[B]

What do they know?

[A]

Yeah, no, I did. That's. I'm not hitting any buttons because I'm thinking the same thing. I mean, maybe just from a matchup perspective. They believe Dallas is still out. They're giving it their all.

[B]

I believe they will. NFL, they don't lay down.

[A]

The Chargers are the current. Well, Pickens would. Chargers are currently the fifth seed in the afc. They play Dallas on the road, then they play Houston, then they play on the road against Denver. If they win out, they might still end up the fifth seed. So you're talking about they could lose.

[C]

Out on those three.

[A]

Yeah, they could. They could miss the playoffs.

[C]

Then you would imagine that they will not be favored. Yeah, I would imagine.

[A]

What are the playoff odds of the Chargers? Because you would have what the Colts would have to win to get in. The Colts would be the one to beat them, Right?

[B]

The Chargers, I'm looking at like 90%, 92% article on. Yeah. On NFL.com right now. The Chargers are 92% chance to make.

[A]

But I mean with those, they could.

[C]

Lose out these three games. Like if they're really underdogs in this game, I would imagine they're going to be underdogs on the road in Texas and underdogs on the road if they're.

[B]

At home against the Texans. If they lose, based off of the formulas, they would drop to an 87% chance of making the playoffs if they lose this game. Yes.

[A]

Okay, well, they still need to win it. You know what I mean? Justin Herbert, Amari and Hampton Ladd McConkey. It has been rough.

[B]

Lad McConkey season been rough for the Chargers.

[A]

I mean, the McConkey season as a whole, where he was drafted, we haven't really talked about it in like, not talking about the little chunks of, you know, the first four weeks of the season, you're like, this is a complete bust. The next four weeks of the season, you're like, this is awesome. He is back, lad. McConkey's the dude. Their offensive line goes through struggles. Now he's basically back into, oh, I'm scared. And he's wide receiver 24 on the entire year.

[C]

I'm not that scared. I mean, the last two weeks have been abysmal. But that was against Philly, that was against Kansas City. This is the best matchup for wide receivers. Even though Quinn and Williams has really helped shut down the run. I don't view the Cowboys as having some great pass rush.

[A]

Man. Man, I.

[B]

Mean, are you, are you scared? You got to start at the top. Are you scared of Herbert?

[A]

Yes. That's what I was kind of getting at is like it's been, Some of it has been missing McConkey down the field. Herbert has not thrown. It's been one time in the last five weeks. He's been two touchdowns. Otherwise it's one zero one and one and you've got two running backs they have confidence in. It should work. I'm just saying they just.

[B]

The week one pump fake of Justin Herbert and the trajectory that we all.

[C]

Thought it was a. I don't think it was a pump fake. Their offensive line, they've. They've had so many injuries.

[B]

I'm not saying it all. I'm not saying Justin Herbert's playing bad. I'm saying what you, what you dreamed was about to happen with Herbert season after week one, when he goes, oh.

[C]

I lost some money.

[B]

318 yards and three touchdowns against Kansas City. And then it just has. I mean, over the last, his last five games played, he is, he is losing you your match.

[C]

He's the quarterback. 17 or worse. And keep in mind, quarterback 17 is bad in each of those five games.

[A]

This is the. Every, every year you see the overemphasis of week one and what happens in week one because people traded for Herbert everywhere. But the people were trying to get first round picks for Herbert in our league.

[C]

I will say this, I will Say this. That's funny. Thank you for saying that. This week, the matchup for Justin Herbert.

[A]

It should be great.

[C]

I think you can play. He should have a lot of yards. I mean, obviously, I made Gadsden my. My start of the week. I would be fine playing lad McConkey. You know, I'd play him over Terry McLaurin and that tier of people. Despite two bad games against tough opponents. It's not like over the last couple of weeks, we have thought Herbert was going to go out and have a great game, or we've been saying, you got to start these guys in these tough matchups. You know, people haven't really.

[A]

JJ was fine last week.

[B]

Exactly. That's all you need to know.

[A]

Enough. Enough said. Herbert should be playable lad McConkey or Zay Flowers.

[B]

Oh, man. Wow.

[A]

I'd go Lad.

[B]

If you need upside, Lad is fine, but if you just need some. Zay Flowers is safe for points.

[A]

Christian Watson against Chicago or Lad Lad Courtland Sutton against Jacksonville.

[B]

Or Lady Sutton.

[C]

That one's close.

[A]

Where are you with Mr. Hasn't hit 10 points since week seven. Jake Ferguson, who had taken the league by storm. Is he.

[B]

Oh, yeah. Yeah.

[A]

Okay. And George Pickens. Mr. Maybe I'll be here. Maybe I'm still on the bus.

[B]

I'm still playing him. It was. It's two bad week. Two horrifically bad weeks. But I mean, what. Whatever it is. 10 plus of greatness.

[A]

Kansas City 6 and 8 taken on the 2 and 12 Tennessee Titans in a game that means nothing. Vegas, Kansas City -3 and a half over under 37 and a half.

[B]

It means a lot to Tennessee.

[A]

Gardner Minshew, Cam Ord. All right. Yeah. It means a lot to Tennessee. If they want to keep their top pick, you mean.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

And they could accidentally win this game.

[B]

Oh, man.

[A]

Because it's in Tennessee.

[B]

Tennessee. Don't do it.

[A]

You know what?

[B]

You know what? Yeah.

[A]

Yeah. Hit it. If you can find it, hit it. I think they took the button away from me.

[C]

Andy's almost upset of the week.

[A]

Heck yeah, man. Heck, yeah. At home. Tennessee been putting up points the last two weeks. People want to play the Kansas City defense. That's fine. I get it. You can still do that. I said I think they'd be medium. Tony Pollard somehow found the fountain of youth for the last two weeks, 31 and 20 fantasy points.

[B]

Yeah, I think that was the last two weeks.

[A]

We have not watched the Chiefs play a game in which they are not in the playoffs since we started the show.

[C]

Ever. At least that they've been eliminated from the play.

[A]

Right. That's what I mean.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

I mean, they have. This is. We also would never have expected a line of three and a half against Tennessee with Patrick Mahomes. I mean, Gardner Minshew.

[C]

You don't know if you've got Rushy Rice.

[B]

Are you playing. Are you playing anyone from Kansas City?

[C]

No.

[A]

Are you playing anybody from Tennessee?

[C]

I could see a world where I still play. Travis Kelsey, he's.

[A]

I mean, he's Kelsey and Pollard.

[B]

I would be very, very scared of Pollard. Travis Kelsey is fine, but I mean, it's like Rashid Rice in the concussion protocol. Worthy with Gardner as the quarterback. Not really interested in that. The, the, the, the game environment with Kareem Hunt, who's a touchdown machine. But the, the Titans are shockingly good against running backs. Over the last six weeks, they are the sixth worst matchup for running back. I, I think I'm just going to bail out of this game. Yeah. If possible.

[C]

If you can. And you can, you can, you can, you can find guys on the waivers. I mean, you know, we're talking about Johnson, Parkinson.

[A]

Would you play them over Kelsey?

[C]

Yeah, I would. And, and, you know, Audric estimate versus Tony Pollard. Tony Pollard's been on fire, but he's, he's had easier matchups. This is a very tough run defense. And so I think I would go. I think there's other options for every position you would consider, which is really just. I mean, I guess the one questionable is, let's say Rushy Rice clears concussion protocol in time. He's close to the line of scrimmage.

[B]

Yeah. I feel like I'm okay playing him, but it's wild.

[C]

Yeah.

[A]

Cincinnati's four and ten taking on the six and eight Miami dolphins. Cincinnati minus four and a half on the road over under 47 and a half. Quinn ewers. You from the sewers. 70s round pick out of Texas. We are relying on Quinn Ewers to keep Devon Hn going.

[C]

Sweet. Sweet. Darren Waller. I don't think Darren Waller is like, unplayable. You're going to have to throw to someone. But I mean, with all those other options out there, I'm pivoting for this week. It stinks to take that away.

[A]

Eight targets for Waller last week.

[C]

Semifinals to take it away. It's really. I do think Darren Waller.

[A]

It's the fear of the bottom. It's the fear of the nothing.

[C]

And it's a unlikelihood of touchdowns. Darren Waller has been a touchdown machine with TUA in this matchup. You Almost would expect like, I'll bet you if Tua was starting, he'd be like minus 130 for a touchdown.

[A]

Zach Wilson is frustrated that he did not get the starting job. He's a little confused as to why, but will be a good teammate and do what's asked of him, said Barry Jackson.

[C]

To answer, they put on his film. They say, here's why.

[B]

Yeah, it's got to be brutal to.

[A]

Be the first string and then when the first guy goes down, you're like, because you're not the two. That means you're not.

[B]

It's a weird.

[A]

That means you're a fake two.

[B]

It's a weird situation where if. It's just like if Tua had gotten.

[A]

Hurt, it's like Al's the number one producer and then Papa Josh is the number two.

[B]

Right.

[A]

But obviously the Falcon would take over if Al were to meet his someone if potential.

[B]

If Tua had missed one game.

[A]

Let's see the reaction to that.

[B]

Yeah, if Tua had missed one game, it would have been Zach Wilson. But this is now the let's find out what yours has just in general, of course. So Zach Wilson, you is not the future of the Dolphins. Also. Wait, where's the button?

[A]

What button?

[C]

Oh, just breaking news.

[B]

I want to hear how good this is for him. Josh Jacobs, with a knee and an ankle won't practice again on Thursday.

[C]

Thank goodness.

[B]

Oh, thank goodness.

[C]

He is powering up again, baby. I said it last week when he was sitting. I'll say it this week. He needs to be hurt. He plays better. So just let the knee swelling go down a little bit. Get in that game, take that first hit. It's going to hurt a lot. The knee is going to swell up. The coach staff's going to say, you're done. He's going to put two hands up, say, I'm staying on the field. Don't ever take me off again. He's going to score 12 touchdowns. Good job, Josh Jacobs.

[A]

All right. It's good for him, Mike.

[C]

Good for him.

[A]

Officially. Good for him.

[B]

The.

[A]

You know, we're all curious to see if Joe Burrow can get it going from a fantasy perspective. He has only had multiple touchdown games twice in his five starts. That is not ideal. Last week was abysmal, obviously.

[B]

The.

[A]

What is it? Two interceptions in each of the last two weeks. But Buffalo and Baltimore, I don't know.

[B]

What the chances are of T. Higgins making it back, but I have.

[A]

You would like him back.

[B]

I have always been on the side of the. For the Bengals and for Jamar Chase, T. Higgins is better to have on the field one of the touchdowns or two of them. The touchdowns might go to T. Higgins when he's on the field. That is an option, but the team is just better. Your chance of having a monster Jamar Chase game to me goes up if T. Higgins is playing.

[A]

So Joe Burrow's in your lineup, Mike?

[B]

Yeah, Joe Burrow. And like if people want to hear my decisions, it's like in. In the dynasty, our main dynasty league. I could go Joe Burrow. I could sit with my stack or I could put in Jared Goff. As of right now, I have Joe Burrow in over Jared Goff in the league of record against Jason I have Joe Burrow. I could choose to pivot to Jackson Dart against Minnesota. As of right now, Joe Burrow remains in my lineup.

[A]

Chase Brown has been good.

[B]

Yeah, somehow it Chase Brown because he's catching all the passes. Samaj P. Ryan is getting way too much work if you have Chase Brown on your fantasy team. But he is, I mean, what, 16 since returning from injury. 16 opportunities, 7:15 p. Ryan will still get work.

[C]

The Dolphins I am so fascinated. I've been trying to find to no success like interviews with Dolphins players post the two of benching because, you know, sometimes a coach is fired and you get that first game bump from the team. It's very common. They beat their spread usually on that first game for the interim head coach, I feel like this is almost the opposite.

[B]

We did hear from Tyreek.

[C]

From Tyreek. Yeah.

[B]

He did put a. He put a tweet up saying peace.

[C]

Yeah. I don't think this is one of those moves that the team who has been rallying and playing hard like for instance, the last six weeks. This is the number one most difficult matchup for running backs in fantasy points given up. Like the Dolphins have been shutting down the run. They've been motivated. They've won their previous four games before this last week. And now benching to a. I feel like demoralizing. Demoralizing to this team. Now, I don't know that for sure.

[A]

But that's how a very official white flag.

[C]

Yeah. I mean you're not. It's not a galvanizing move. And so I worry that this team is going to start having some players making business decisions and phoning it in. I still can't wrap your head around this decision.

[B]

Are you playing waddle?

[C]

I think he is an okay play if you don't have those others.

[B]

Bengals shockingly good against fantasy wide receivers as in shutting them down.

[C]

Yeah. I mean, it's because you just passed to the tight end. I mean, we've seen it. Despite this last week when Lamar only completed eight passes and that's all he needed to do to beat the Bengals. Every single week it has been. The team's tight ends are open, and so you don't throw the. To the wide receivers. You can play him, but all those other guys that I mentioned, Joanne Johnson, Parkinson, and obviously Gadsden, I would play those guys over Waller.

[A]

If T. Higgins is active, are you willing to take a semifinal week chance in this one with the concussion situation?

[C]

Yeah. Yeah.

[A]

If he's out there over McLaurin.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

DJ Moore.

[C]

I'm kind of excited for DJ Moore.

[B]

I think I would still go T. Higgins.

[A]

The jets are 3 and 11. They take on the 4 and 10 New Orleans Saints. By the way, if we didn't say it and you need to, like, play hn still.

[B]

He's the only one I'm playing.

[A]

Don't play Waddle. Don't play Waller.

[B]

Play Waddle.

[C]

I'm not.

[A]

You're not starting Quinn. Yours.

[B]

No, I'm saying the, like, the. The hope, if you have waddle, is like, okay, Quinn errors and just comes out and throws 28% of his passes to Waddle. I'm not. I'm not banking on it.

[A]

Saints and jets take on one another. New Orleans minus four and a half over under 40. Right now, the top picks in the draft. Giants, Vegas, Tennessee, Cleveland, Jets, Arizona, New Orleans. So if I'm doing Cardinal math correctly, the Cardinals will win. New Orleans will win. Win.

[B]

Yeah. New Orleans is winning this game.

[A]

Okay. You like New Orleans minus four and a half. Well, I like Tyler Shuck.

[B]

I like. Oh, I do. Yeah, we'll talk about Tyler Shuck. I like Brady Cook on the other side of the field if I'm starting the New Orleans defense. Brady. Brady Cook has thrown two interceptions, which you are. In his first match, and then three in this past week against Jacksonville. How does that make you feel?

[C]

Jay?

[A]

You remember when I started.

[C]

Great.

[A]

Remember when I started the Dolphins defense against quarterback book? Yeah. For New Orleans.

[C]

And it was over.

[A]

Do you remember that, Al? Do you have any recollection of that one?

[C]

Nope. Oh, there's a.

[B]

It was like, the third play of the game.

[A]

I. Al. Had like, a lead on me, and I needed a defensive touchdown, and it happened so fast.

[C]

That's the one you have printed on the wall in the office.

[A]

That's right. I do have the screenshot printed out. It's Coming back to me. Do you still see that?

[C]

Yeah.

[A]

Okay. Estimate start of the week for New Orleans. Tyler Schuck is still in like with this matchup in this game. Tyler Schuck is sort of a. He's interested. Break glass emergency start situation. Olave, you know, without Vale, Olave seems like a must start in this one. And then Juwan Johnson, you expect him to come in and. And kind of.

[B]

He'll be target number two.

[A]

Yeah. I mean his targets the last two weeks. Four. Four before that, nine and seven. He's good for four targets. I don't know if his ceiling is through the roof, but if you got to go, let's play him against the jets at home.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

On the other side. Are you starting? AD&I Mitchell, John Metchie.

[B]

AD&I is. He's. I think he's okay. The Saints defense is. It's very strong. Seventh against wide receivers on the season. Fourth over the past six weeks. But if you're looking, if you're trying to find someone who's going to get volume. AD and I, Mitchell, will get it. A 27% target share over the last month and 27% of targets is. That's a top tier piece of the pie.

[A]

All right. That is going to do it for Fantasy Forecast presented by Prize Picks. They have a great boxing max discount this week. Like Anthony Joshua needing just 0.5 punches. That's right. Against Jake Paul.5 punches. I think he'll probably hit that and use the code footballers to get $50 instantly in lineups when you play. $5. There you go. We have more matchups tomorrow. The Fantasy Face off, the Andy Holloway Wheel of Shame and then we'll be back on Sunday, brought to you by Andrew Halton. Yeah. Welcome to Jackass. We'll be back though, Sunday live. Is it me this week?

[B]

It is.

[A]

Yeah, it's me. It's me. And we'll get you ready right before kickoff. Make sure you're following us over on YouTube for that. You can find us on Instagram. Instagram.com fantasy footballers on X at the FF Ballers. And you can check out our free discord channel ballers discord.com if you'd like to be a part of the community, you can check that out. We are going to say goodbye for now, but hello tomorrow. Another episode coming your way to get you ready for week 16 semifinal time. I bet Jason hopes he doesn't practice tomorrow, too.

[C]

Goodbye. Thank you for listening to another episode of the Fantasy Footballers podcast. Join our fantasy football community on jointhefoot.com and follow us us on TwitterFFballers.

[B]

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.

[C]

Guys, it's fantasy football season, which means you might have crazy dreams where you're trying to pick up a new wide receiver. But the only options are your childhood dog or your first grade teacher, who have shockingly impressive yards after the catch. If this describes you, that means you're sleeping well enough to dream. But if you have sleep apnea, you might not be. That's where Inspire Therapy comes in. It's an implant that's proven to treat sleep apnea without a mask or hose and gets you sleeping well enough to dream. View safety info@ inspiresleep.com.