Starts of the Week + Week 3 Breakdown, Trade Techniques - Fantasy Football Podcast for 9/18

Summary

Fantasy Footballers Podcast Summary

Episode: Starts of the Week + Week 3 Breakdown, Trade Techniques
Date: 9/18/2025
Hosts: Andy Holloway (A), Jason Moore (B), Mike “The Fantasy Hitman” Wright (C)

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Main Theme

This episode dives deep into week 3 of the fantasy football season, highlighting key matchups, player injuries, and the trio’s famous “Starts of the Week.” The hosts also provide nuanced trade tactics for maximizing your roster’s value as data accrues and fantasy managers’ patience wanes. As always, the tone is witty, fast-moving, and filled with practical advice for listeners from league newcomers to grizzled veterans.

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1. Trade Techniques & Strategies

(02:04 – 06:33)

• Optimal Trade Timing
  • “This is a pretty good time to do sell high, do the buy low. Like couple weeks in … there’s a bunch of these rookies not performing. There’s a bunch of veterans.” (B, 02:04)
• Identifying Trade Targets
  • Andy’s tactic: Selling high-profile players for a ‘haul,’ only to flip those assets mid-season for present talent and ultimately field a dominant team. Jason: “He has such a better team, and I, I can’t stand it.” (B, 03:20)
• Trade Tools Are Coming
  • The team is building tools for the ultimate dashboard: trade analyzers and “league health” indicators to spot ideal trading partners and assets.
• Targeting Discontented Managers
  • “I identify trade partners by their record … If you have started the year, 0-2, right, or 1-3, 1-4. I’m definitely looking at those teams because I think there’s just a generalized discontentment and they may want to make a trade just to trade …” (B, 05:32)
• Notable Quote
  • “Try to see how discontent the other person is with their team, potentially.” (B, 06:22)

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2. Key Injuries & Lineup News

(06:53 – 09:29)

• Jalen Waddle (Dolphins): Game-time decision; if playing, move from flex to WR spot for flexibility.
• Emeka Egbuka (OSU WR): Not seen at practice, but expected to be limited—trending positive.
• Jaden Daniels (QB): Knee injury, earliest practice Friday. “If he starts, he will be more limited mobility-wise. … I will still start him.” (A, 08:29)
• Other Key DNPs: Juan Jennings, Zach Charbonnet, Evan Ingram (calf/back), Tyler Warren (maintenance), Brock Bowers (limited), Christian Kirk (limited). Brock Purdy doubtful.
• General Advice: Don’t panic over Wednesday practice absences, especially for vets.

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3. Starts of the Week

(10:06 – 25:05)

Quarterback

• Mike: Dak Prescott vs. Chicago Bears
  • “Not only are these two potentially high scoring … they both play fast … The Bears pass rush is 30th right now. … Dak is a top five option this week for me.” (C, 10:41)
• Jason: Jared Goff @ Baltimore
  • “I’m taking Jared Goff in back to back weeks … this idea that he’s only good at home hasn’t been true statistically. … I want a piece of Monday Night Football.” (B, 11:28)
• Andy: Justin Herbert vs. Denver
  • “He’s been on fire. … Number one in pass rate over expectation … number two in average depth of target.” (A, 12:47)

Running Back

• Mike: Jaylen Warren vs. New England
  • “Running backs with 30+ touches and 100+ receiving yards: CMC, Bijan, Jaylen Warren … Steelers are two point road favorites.” (C, 14:26)
• Jason: Travis Etienne & BayShawn Tuten @ Houston
  • “ETN right now, 7.1 yards per carry on the season … Buccaneers ran all over Houston.” (B, 15:57)
• Andy: Jordan Mason @ Cincinnati
  • “He was averaging over 90 rushing yards per game … Bengals have allowed the third most fantasy points to RBs through two weeks.” (A, 17:57)

Wide Receiver

• Mike: Ricky Pearsall (SF) @ Arizona
  • “I’m going with Pearsall to feel confident … The Cardinals are down currently three of their top cornerbacks.” (C, 19:17)
• Jason: Rome Odunze (CHI) vs. Dallas
  • “The Dallas Cowboys just gave up 264 deep passing yards … Odunze is that dude.” (B, 19:53)
• Andy: Michael Pittman Jr. (IND) vs. Tennessee
  • “Colts WR1 this week … Titans have allowed the fourth most fantasy points to opposing receivers.” (A, 20:03)

Tight End

• Mike: Jake “Turd” Ferguson (DAL) vs. CHI
  • “Usage is elite, averaging nine targets per game … reliable top 12 option with sneaky high ceiling.” (C, 21:36)
• Jason: Juwan Johnson vs. Seattle
  • “Basically a slot WR playing tight end … 20 targets through the first two weeks … on pace for 170 targets.” (B, 22:44)
• Andy: Zach Ertz vs. Raiders
  • “Playing 90% of snaps, ran 41 routes, averaged 13.1 fantasy points across last 7 games. … He’s in that startable category.” (A, 24:03)

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4. Matchups Breakdown

(25:34 – 67:44)

Packers @ Browns

(25:34 – 32:14)

• Jordan Love: “He’s spreading the ball around … highest odds for a TD go to the tight end, probably Kraft.” (A, 26:36)
• Josh Jacobs: Start, but temper expectations; consider ETN/Javonte over him if you have depth.
• Quinshon Judkins: Trending up after snap share rise, now atop Browns’ depth chart.
• TEs: Harold Fannin is a desperation start; moving away from Njoku. (C, 30:59)

Colts @ Titans

(32:14 – 36:12)

• Daniel Jones: Caution on ‘trap’ game; may not repeat Week 2 magic.
• Michael Pittman: Strong endorsement from Andy; clear No. 1 target.
• Tony Pollard: Solid RB2 value; lack of targets limits ceiling but favorable matchup.
  “He was really good last week … but no involvement, two targets on the season.” (A, 35:46)

Bengals @ Vikings

(36:12 – 41:07)

• Jake Browning: Viable 2QB/Superflex play; weapons ensure fantasy value still possible for Chase.
• Tee Higgins: “Bench for me this week because of the matchup … Vikings secondary has shut people down.” (B, 39:43)
• Hockenson: “I am looking for options on the waiver wire … a wait-and-see week.” (A, 40:36)

Steelers @ Patriots

(41:07 – 49:41)

• Metcalf: Play if Christian Gonzalez OUT, bench otherwise.
• Wide Receivers: Targets distributed; neither team funneling targets to WRs.
• Drake May vs. Bo Nix debate: “You go with the guy who has done it a lot of times … Bo Nix.” (A, 46:22)
• Rhamondre Stevenson: Volume RB2; speed backs have gashed PIT, but Stevenson not a speedster.

Rams @ Eagles

(53:37 – 57:57)

• All main WRs: “Too many stars to bench. You have to play A.J. Brown, Adams, Puka, Smith.” (Summary of ongoing segment)
• Kyren Williams: “Would play Warren, Javonte, Mason over Kyren this week; needs a TD to pay off.” (A, 57:11)

Jets @ Buccaneers

(58:03 – 61:18)

• Garrett Wilson: Startable; volume will be there with Tyrod Taylor.
• Breece Hall: Risky RB2; Bucs run defense is for real.
• Mike Evans: “Still on track for a thousand?” “No, on track for 909.” (B/A, 60:07)
• Godwin: Likely out this week.

Raiders @ Washington

(61:29 – 65:49)

• Bill: Divided panel. Jason is bullish, Mike and Andy want to ‘see it’ before trusting.
• Gentry (Ashton Genty): “Try to trade for him. They will figure it out and give him more touches.” (A, 65:49)
• McLaurin: Startable, despite QB downgrade if Mariota starts.

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5. Memorable Moments & Quotes

• Classic banter:

  • Jason (re Andy’s trade style): “He has such a better team, and I, I can’t stand it.” (03:20)
  • Mike, on Ferguson: “If he just kind of Brian Thomas Jr.’d it, didn’t really go after the ball…” (21:36)
  • Jason, on the “booty” debate: “It’s Booty. You can go listen to him tell people…” (B, 53:03)

• Bathroom Humor Running Bit:

  • “You may notice that the show came out a little bit later than usual.” (C, 51:36)
  • Andy: “Some tummy issues … fully legitimate. I delayed the show due to … sorry, Foot Clan.” (A, 52:04)
  • This joke about Jason’s “toilet trophy” runs throughout the show, lightening the heavy analysis.

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6. Other Notables

• Rest-of-Season Rankings Coming Soon: Membership site will feature continually updated, rest-of-season rankings.
• Injury Monitoring: Multiple DNPs and “questionables” at mid-week—check for updates before Sunday.
• Start Your Studs: Despite some low starts, the general consensus is to roll with proven high draft picks and bet on volume and regression.

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Timestamps for Important Segments

• Trade Philosophy & Tools: 02:04 – 06:33
• News & Injuries: 06:53 – 09:29
• Starts of the Week: 10:06 – 25:05
• Matchup Breakdowns Begin: 25:34
  • Packers/Browns: 25:34 – 32:14
  • Colts/Titans: 32:14 – 36:12
  • Bengals/Vikings: 36:12 – 41:07
  • Steelers/Patriots: 41:07 – 49:41
  • Rams/Eagles: 53:37 – 57:57
  • Jets/Bucs: 58:03 – 61:18
  • Raiders/Washington: 61:29 – 65:49

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TL;DR

• Week 3’s landscape is full of opportunity for trading—target the frustrated 0-2 teams, look for overlooked upside, and don’t be afraid to “sell high” early.
• Key veterans and rookies are shaking up positional ranks: Names like Jaylen Warren, Michael Pittman Jr., and Ricky Pearsall are highlighted as potential difference-makers.
• Injury news is fluid: Keep an eye on Friday practice reports for players like Jaden Daniels, Emeka Egbuka, and Brock Purdy.
• Start your stars—but be shrewd: Risks on guys like Kyren Williams and Breece Hall are outlined, and the pitfalls of trusting old narratives (e.g., Tee Higgins without Burrow) are called out.
• Classic Footballers energy: Irreverent humor, strong analysis, and practical advice combine for a can’t-miss episode for fantasy players searching for an edge.

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Listen to the Fantasy Footballers for the full breakdown, but if you need the bottom line in time for waivers, this summary has your lineup and trading decisions covered!

Transcript

[A]

The Fantasy Footballer studio is sponsored by Walmart. Welcome to the Fantasy Footballers Podcast with your hosts, Andy Holloway, Jason Moore and Mike Wright.

[B]

Oh.

[C]

Welcome in.

[A]

Football team here. Sounded like you said that on a very uncomfortable toilet. Mike.

[C]

I was.

[B]

There was some straining.

[C]

I was speaking on behalf of the Miami Dolphins.

[B]

Oh.

[C]

For it shall be difficult.

[A]

I like it.

[B]

Your offense shall be constipated this evening.

[C]

I hope not. Because if the Dolphins offense is constipated, then at halftime it will be about 73 to 0.

[B]

There doesn't seem to be a lot of hope there. No. For the Dolphins, but I hope that Jalen Waddle plays. That was the report.

[C]

Oh, you're going to play him if he plays?

[A]

No, no, no. I just hope he plays football.

[C]

Okay.

[B]

That was the report for Miami was that they hope he plays.

[A]

Right.

[B]

They have no further insight.

[C]

Jade, as the last week we had the decision of the Ravens v Browns and the Ravens were laying 11 and a half in our pick them. The office pool. I think it was at a 12 and a half.

[A]

Yeah.

[C]

That the Bills are laying. Where are you going with that one?

[A]

I'm going to. If it was 22 and a half, I think I'm taking the Bills.

[C]

Okay.

[B]

I think I took the Dolphins to cover.

[A]

Oh, man.

[B]

I took them to cover.

[A]

Good. I like it. I like it. That means we get a point. Mike and Andy loses out on a point. Great.

[B]

Oh, yeah. Is that. Are you sure about that? No, I'm just.

[A]

You were going to almost upset it. I really want you to.

[B]

No, sir. We have a big show today. Welcome in one and all. It is Thursday, September 18th. We have our matchups on the show today. Starts of the week on the show today. News to catch you up on. And a lot's going on in the fantasy football universe. I've been trying to trade almost constantly, move players around. This is a pretty good time to do the sell high, do the buy low. Like couple weeks in. You know, we talked about data gathering. We talked about the fact that, you know, there's a bunch of these rookies not performing. There's a bunch of veterans.

[A]

Can I share one of your tactics with the Foot Clan? Because I think it's helpful for anyone.

[B]

I don't even know which one it is, but go ahead.

[A]

I hate it. It's disgusting and I don't like you.

[B]

All right, here's the sound of that.

[A]

If you're in some kind of keeper league or it would work in a dynasty a little bit, not quite as well. But if you're playing in A keeper league and your team just don't got it. You know, you're like, I don't know if I can win a championship or not. Andy has done this probably three or four times over the last dozen years, and it annoys the garbage out of me. I get so mad. Whoa.

[C]

This is a family show.

[A]

He takes his really great pieces. You know, he's got, like, right now, this year, he's doing it again. He had the Jamar Chase and Joe Burrow stack and he sold him for a ton. And it looks like he's selling. He looks like I'm going to. You know, in keeper Lee quad, you got buyers and sellers. Yeah, I'm in it for next year. But what he's really doing is he's just accumulating more value than the players he gave up. He's taking his great pieces and trying to get a haul of haul for thems. For them, for thems. And then he turns around and he will sell all of his future assets for players in the now. And then at the very end of two series of trades, he. He has such a better team and I. I can't stand it. So stop trying to trade, Andy. Just go play for the future and bow out, man.

[B]

I'm just not. It's two weeks in, Jay.

[A]

You suck.

[B]

I will lay down.

[A]

Yes, lay down.

[B]

Go behind the barn. No. Look, one thing that we are working on here are a couple of trade tools, and one of them will undoubtedly be a trade tool for the ultimate dashboard that allows you to identify trade targets and teams in your league to help you start to build offers and trades and find, you know, quickly identify which teams are weak or strong in different areas. And we're going to build that out. Another aspect that we're going to build out as a trade analyzer tool to help break down winners and losers in a broad sense on trades as you begin to prepare them. People want trade tools. We're working on trade tools. People have asked for it forever. We're working on it. One thing that when we were talking philosophically about trades yesterday in the office, we were talking about the things that you look at when you're trying to make trades. And I shared something that it seemed to catch a couple people off guard. I love trading. I try to trade all the time, but I identify trade partners oftentimes by their record.

[C]

Yeah.

[B]

And so I try to put myself in the shoes of how content are you with your team in either side? Right. Like, if you're. If you're performing really, really well, Then maybe you want to put yourself over the top in a weak area. But if you have started the year, oh, and two, right. Or one and one or, you know, whatever, a few weeks into the season, you're 1 and 3, you're 1 and 4. I'm definitely looking at those teams because I think there's just a generalized discontentment and they may want to make a trade just to trade, just to make a change, even if it's. I don't, you know, maybe it's, you know, the buy low situation where they have a guy, Ashton jinty. Right. If you're 02 right now with Ash and Genti, that's a big, That's a lot different feeling about Ashton Genty than if you're. You've managed to go two and oh and just survive with him on the roster. So it is. I think that's one thing that I can share that's really important for fantasy players is, you know, try to see how discontent the other person is with, with their team potentially. I am very discontent with your team. Yeah, but you won last week.

[A]

I know, but I'm, I am very discontent. So let's work some trades together.

[B]

Oh, I know what that means. That means you're going to send me K Sean Booty in a trade.

[A]

Hey, could be the number one. It could be a boat.

[B]

Yeah, yeah. He had one catch, so you're right. Let's, you know, we got a lot to talk about, so let's jump into news.

[A]

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

[B]

All right, well, blitz this. We already said they hope Waddle can play tonight. We all hope that's the case because it's a better chance at a good game.

[C]

Miami needs them.

[A]

Reminder, if you do end up playing Waddle or anybody in tonight's game, make sure they are not in your flex. Move them into the running back wide receiver position so that you have flexibility.

[B]

There were a bunch of Wednesday did not practices that we'll run through. One that I'm more encouraged of in the last 30 minutes than I was an hour ago. Emeka Buka, he didn't practice yesterday. Hip and groin injury. Now he was a Monday night game. You got to remember that, right? That was a Monday night football game. Also was not seen at practice today so far. But then it was reported just 30 minutes ago that he still expected to practice. Just wasn't at the media open portion. So a limited designation is what I would expect from a bucket today, which is much more encouraging to get him out there.

[A]

On the field and I don't see him on the growing end of the so.

[C]

So he's, he's actually fine.

[A]

Fine.

[B]

Juan Jennings not practicing on Wednesday. Zach Charbonnet.

[C]

Oh, oh.

[B]

He said, nay, I shall not practice. Evan Ingram with the back. Things have not been good for Ingram on that injury. It was, it was a calf at all.

[C]

Hey, we know it always starts with the calf and it finds its way somewhere else in your body.

[B]

Jaden Daniels with the knee. We're still waiting to see if Jaden Daniels is going to be there this week. I talked about if he plays, I do not expect him to run as much and he may not play. They said the earliest he could practice was Friday. You could see Marcus Mariota.

[A]

Of all these, you don't really care about Wednesday practice reports that much. It's just like you want to be aware of them in case you need to be prepared. But you don't like make roster decisions today based on Wednesday practices because it's very common for veterans and even rookies now to rest. I believe Tyler Warren as well was kind of given the Wednesday off. Jaden Daniels is a legit concern. I will say this. If he starts, he will be more limited mobility wise. He'll probably be playing with a brace on his knee and I will still start him. He is. If he was just a pocket passer, I think he's really good.

[B]

Yeah. Isn't it a. Let me see where I have him on my rankings for the week because I just went in there and was looking at this. I think you have him down there maybe at 7 range or something like that. No, I got him. I have him at 12.

[A]

Ooh.

[B]

Well, I have him at 12 right now.

[A]

Okay. So he's still a starter.

[B]

Yeah. Xavier Worthy returned to a limited practice on Wednesday. Brock Bowers limited, Christian Kirk limited and Brock Purdy quote, has a chance to play in week three. Kyle Shanahan it said it doesn't really matter how Mac Jones is playing. It's just a matter of Brock Purdy's health. So we'll see if he somehow gets out there on the field against the Cardinals. It seems doubtful though. That was news and notes sponsored by Progressive Insurance quote [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. We're jumping right in. It's week three.

[A]

Starts of the week Presented by Paramount Plus.

[B]

I'll be honest, I was pretty disappointed in how it worked out last week and Starts of the week. We do watch intently on the weekend to make sure our advice comes through. That's the goal.

[A]

I didn't have any Jets.

[B]

No. And yours were better than ours. We had jets and that was our, that was our bad.

[A]

That's like a. Should be like a five year rule like no Jets.

[C]

No jets ever.

[A]

Right.

[C]

Okay.

[B]

It's not helpful. Mike, why don't you kick us off with your quarterback start of the week.

[C]

For week three, I'm going with Dak against the Chicago Bears. The game sitting at a 50.5 over under.

[B]

That means we have multiple games over 50 this week.

[C]

Yeah, we've got a few. And this one was Chicago and the Dallas Cowboys. I am very interested in. Not only are these two potentially high scoring games or teams offenses, they both play fast as of right now and bad defense and the defenses have not been good. The Bears pass rush is 30th right now in pressure rate. And Dak, when Dak has that clean pocket, he can absolutely tear apart a secondary. And so it's just this is a game that we really want pieces of and Dak is a top five option this week for me.

[B]

Bears are giving up the most points to quarterbacks of any team in football. I'm going with another, just a kind of piggyback there. I'm going with another game that's up over 50. It's at 53 and a half. Wow. That would be the Monday Night Football game. I'm taking Jared Goff in back to back weeks. That's right. In Baltimore, Jared Goff, who was the quarterback one last week. This idea that he's only good at home, that hasn't been true statistically. Over the last three years he's averaged 19.3 fantasy points per game. Whenever there's a 50 point over under when he's on the road, when he's away from Detroit, it's the over under that we are paying attention to. But the lions have averaged 28 points a game in any 50 point over under the last three years. I want a piece of the Monday Night Football game. Too many weapons in Detroit. Too much of a potential shootout situation. You know Baltimore is going to put up points.

[A]

Oh, you know it.

[B]

So I'm actually going to follow up the golf number one overall performance at home with a streamable QB1 performance here in week three.

[C]

I imagine if they actually give Tesla.

[B]

More routes or let him use two.

[A]

Hands, he doesn't need it.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

Why?

[C]

What?

[A]

Why?

[C]

Yeah.

[A]

You think he makes Sports center with two hands?

[C]

That's like Princess Bride when he's like when he starts with his left hand because he knows otherwise, it's not a fair fight.

[B]

Yeah, well, it seems that way.

[A]

All right, my start of the week, I'm going back to the well with my dude, Justin Herbert. He's been on fire. He's straight dealing. Two weeks into the season, they are number one in pass rate over expectation and Justin Herbert at the same time, while they're throwing a ton, he's number two. An average depth of target. That is a combination you want. And then it's like, whoa, why don't you run the ball, young man? You are a very good athlete. His scramble rate, 9.6% of his drop backs, that is the highest of his career. That is something we've seen with G Row. The Denver matchup is scary, is a divisional matchup. But Daniel Jones, the Colts, they, they just showed you could challenge this defense. And last year against these Broncos at home. 284 and 2. Another 28 on the ground. The Chargers won 34, 27. Herbert is like locked for me right now. Into the lineup.

[C]

Sure. Running back. I'm going with Jalen Warren against the New England Patriots. We're two weeks into the season. We got an RB17 and an RB13 performance from Warren. Mike Tomlinson not worry about Caleb. Oh, Caleb Johnson.

[A]

Like you think he's active.

[C]

Wait, yeah. Is he still on the team? He still has a role.

[A]

That'd be the most Tomlin Arthur Smith thing ever. Just cut him just like two weeks in.

[B]

Oh, my gosh. That would be the worst thing for you.

[A]

We've seen what we need to see. That'd be the best thing. Then he could go sign for a team that's going to play him.

[B]

Stay away from Kerryon Johnson's.

[A]

Caleb Johnson, K. Johnson's. You're out anyways. Go on, Mike, because I told you.

[B]

This isn't about you. This is about Jaylen Warren.

[A]

I. I just want to echo everything you're saying. Jalen Warren is an awesome start this week, dog.

[C]

Mike Tomlin, they look the money. Said he was going to be the guy. Mike Tomlin said he was going to be the featured runner. Last week, 35% of the Steelers offensive plays. Jalen Warren touched the ball. Fun stat. We're only two weeks in, but however, running backs with 30 or more touches and 100 or more receiving yards. Christian McCaffrey, B, John Robinson, Jalen Warren. The Steelers are two point road favorites. Against New England. We saw hn, you know, 10 targets and we have this Gonzalez. His name is escaping me. Yes. Christian Gonzalez, probably who I'm seeing trending to playing.

[B]

Oh, really?

[C]

Yeah. Like things are.

[B]

He was going to miss a long period of time.

[C]

It's a situation to monitor because it was. We thought he was going to miss a lot of time.

[B]

Oh, he did return to practice 22 hours ago.

[C]

So he is. I think he's trending to play which that hurts the potential of DK Metcalf. And if you want to go narrative street. We had the quote yesterday of Aaron Rodgers. Like, yeah, no, this guy is earning my trust of I'm going to have to check the ball down to him. And we know Rogers likes the guy. He goes to it.

[A]

His quote was he brings a lot to the table. We might have to keep giving him more opportunities in the past game because every time he touches it, something good happens and when Aaron Rodgers wants something, he just does it. He doesn't ask permission.

[B]

My running back starts of the week. Travis ETN and Bayshaw tutin the two pack against Houston.

[A]

Stronger. Yeah.

[C]

Wow.

[A]

Great.

[B]

Yeah. They ETN right now 7.1 yards per carry on the season. You can keep riding that. The Buccaneers when they faced Houston on Monday Night Football, you saw the multi back success. You saw both Rashad White and Bucky Irving have success against that Houston defense.

[C]

The Rashad White success makes me think that anyone can have success.

[B]

That's what I'm saying. They are right now. Jags are running the football well, second in yards before contact per rush. What you also saw was Liam Cohen have success with those. You know it was Bucky and Rashad White with Liam Cohen last year and he's kind of putting that system into place in Jacksonville. So I'm going to. I'm going to go back to the well with Travis Etienne and then add baseball. Tutin.

[A]

Speaking of back to the well, this was a terrible start of the week last week. Sorry, Mike, but Jordan Mason this week.

[C]

I literally couldn't do it because of last week.

[A]

No, I understand. And I almost did not make him a start of the week because of last week's failure. But I think that is some stink on him still. Yeah, there's some stink, but that makes it more important. Like if you have Jordan Mason, I'm playing him everywhere. Yes, you have to start him. And, and based on how bad it was last week, you're like, oh, I got to bench them. You can't right now. The matchup against Cincinnati, we saw it last week. It was great. Aaron Jones is on IR for the Next four weeks. The quote was just said from head coach, said, I'm not sure we could have much more confidence in Jordan as a bell cow kind of back. That's what you want to hear. That's the utilization you need. They signed Cam Akers, who was on the roster last year and did a lot of jack squat. The Vikings want to run the ball. This version of Carson Wentz is needing to be protected. Jordan Mason, you saw it last year, the first seven weeks of the season when he was replacing an injured starter like he is now. He was averaging over 90 rushing yards per game. And then he was involved in the receiving game a little bit.

[C]

A little bit.

[A]

12 routes, got three targets, new career high. Is that seriously his career? Yeah, that's his career. But the point is with Aaron gone, he will be involved in the passing game. The Cincinnati Bengals, they're not great, right? They've allowed the third most fantasy points to opposing running backs through two weeks.

[C]

You have to start Jordan Mason at wide receiver. I'm going with Ricky P. From the San Francisco 49ers against Arizona.

[B]

See this one? This one is what song? I think some people need to hear encouragement around Ricky Pearsall.

[C]

I'm going with Pearsall to feel confident. And this is regardless of the news of if it ends up being Brock Purdy, which there was a tiny. Like there's some optimism out there that he ends up playing this week if he plays great. If it's Mac Jones, I don't care. I know that Juwan was the one who had the big game last week, but I'm going right back to Pearsall. The Cardinals are down currently three of their top cornerbacks. And if Will Johnson, who got hurt in the game last week, can't make it back, that would be four of their top five. This secondary will be extremely depleted. The usage is still great. 25% of the team's first read targets 2.41 yards per route run. I'm still in on Pearsall.

[B]

All right, we are at wide receiver and I'm going to go. I guess this is the theme. I'm going back to the well with Roma dunes a here 7 for 128 and 2 last week. Okay, well, maybe you're expecting some variables here and maybe you have a bad week. No, I think against Dallas, that game you were just talking about, listen to this. The Dallas Cowboys just gave up 264 deep passing yards against Russell Wilson in Week 2. That is the most such yards allowed by a defense in a game since 2016. That was what you're and Roma Dunes is that guy for Chicago and so over 50 point over under Roma Dunes A's that dude. Go back to Roma Dunes a this week start of the week.

[A]

My start of the week. Michael Pittman, this was a player I really liked in the draft process. I got him on a bunch of rosters. I played him everywhere. Week one and it was awesome. I benched him this last week. I told you guys like don't play him. That was a bad matchup. It wouldn't make sense with Patrick certain he had a bad week. This is a great matchup. Play Michael Pittman again. He is the he will be the number one wide receiver for the Colts this week. The Tennessee Titans have allowed the fourth most fantasy points to opposing wide receivers through two weeks and specifically the wide receiver types like Michael Pittman. Week one, Cortland Sutton, that was awesome. I I honestly think Michael Pittman and Cortland Sutton aren't that different as far as like archetype player type. It's a great matchup for him. He will be the number one and I think he should be started. He's one of those flex type of decisions where a lot of questions will be coming in this week. If you've got one of that, like that level of like, I don't know, should I play Tillman?

[B]

This is a way of saying downs.

[A]

As well, then a little bit. But I actually think less downs. To me, if you're in a matchup where you expect a shootout, a lot of points, a difficult matchup, you're going to be down. That's where I think downs will be better because you're going to have to throw the ball more. You're going to have to be in three wide receiver sets. The slot wide receiver will be in. I expect the Colts to handle business and if they do, it's going to be Michael Pittman. Two wide receiver sets. You're going to be trying to stop Jonathan Taylor. So this is to me, a Michael.

[C]

Pittman match was a did not practice on Wednesday. Okay, there you go. My tight end start of the week here. He's not being talked about as a top 12 option, but we're right back here. It's Jake Turd Ferguson. He's in that Chicago Bears matchup that we want pieces of the usage is elite, averaging nine targets per game, you know, targeted on 26% of his routes. We already laid out all the matchup, but he just, he was in week one. You know, it didn't End up on the box score. But he had the, you know, the six targets which was 18% should have come down with a touchdown. He just kind of Brian Thomas Jr. Did, didn't really go after the ball.

[A]

The Eagles, who are great Eagles are also.

[B]

They.

[C]

They closed on him. But then this in the shootout last week. 12 targets. Jake Ferguson is a reliable top 12 option with a sneaky high ceiling.

[B]

I've been actually targeting him in trades.

[A]

I just want to officially say my start of the week is your guys's two starts of the week. I looked so hard to find a start of the week and I was like, I really love.

[B]

Oh, I see yours now and I understand why you're apologizing.

[A]

Fergalicious, not Turd Ferguson this week. Fergalicious.

[C]

All right.

[A]

And I love your start of the weekend.

[B]

Well, it's Juwan Johnson against Seattle. 20 targets through the first two weeks.

[C]

Buy in. Yeah, I mean buy. Just buy into the usage.

[B]

Joanne Johnson is basically a slot wide receiver playing tight end right now. He's running that many routes. He's on pace for 170 targets. Obviously it's two weeks, right. You're going to have some ebbs and flows. But Juwan Johnson against Seattle this week. Seattle so far haven't stopped the tight end position. Still waiting for members of their secondary to get healthy. And so it's a good time to ride Joanne Johnson for another week.

[C]

Joanne Johnson was not picked up enough in after week one that we were still able to have him in our waiver show. I'm looking at Sleeper right now and I'm seeing a 78% roster. That means there still are leagues out there that Joanne Johnson is just chilling on the waiver wire. I'm telling you, even if you don't need a tight end, you should go pick him up at the end of your bench because eventually someone else in your league is going to wake up and go get him and you're going to be playing against the top 10 option.

[A]

One of my most roster, like my two most rostered players were Michael Pittman, which is I feel great about, and David Joku, who I'm like, oh man, he's going to crush me in these leagues. If, if Juwan Johnson was out there, I'd be a happy boy. He's nowhere. Sure, because you're in all my leagues and you spin up for him. He's a great.

[C]

He's been on my team for years.

[A]

My tight end start of the week, Zach Ertz against the Raiders. I believe that this is a could start. He's the tight end too, right?

[B]

You're talking with such sadness.

[A]

It is sadness.

[B]

Neckers is a great play. He's a great play.

[A]

Like I wanted to make, you know, craft, but who's not starting craft? Your guys starts of the week are great, but I am personally picking. I picked up Zachary. I'm playing him over Najoku.

[C]

Okay, that's. See, that's news.

[A]

Yeah. So look, he's playing 90% of the snaps. He ran 41 routes the last seven games including the playoff run. He's averaged 13.1 fantasy points. He's, he's reliable and I know that there's quarterback question. If Jaden Daniels starts, he's going to be limited mobility wise. The tight end position is probably where he's going to look to even more. And then if he doesn't start the last two games with Marcus Mariota, Zach Ertz was 4 for 40 and a touchdown, 5 for 44 to touchdown. It's not the end of the world. So Zach Ertz, he's in that startable category.

[B]

All right, that was Starts the week presented by Paramount Plus. Paramount plus is the streaming home to the NFL on CBS. Get started at paramountplus.com NFL we'll take a break. We'll hit the matchups. Into the forecast we go.

[A]

Fantasy forecast presented by prize picks.

[B]

All right, we're going to kick off week three with the Green Bay packers at two and oh, traveling to take on the Cleveland Browns who are sitting at 02 the Vegas line. Green Bay on the road minus eight and a half over unders 41 and a half Packers. That defense, it's been rolling. Jordan love, you've enjoyed watching him, you know, stretch the field a little bit. He has so many weapons. It's, it's a little bit wild because you've had injuries. Obviously Jaden Reed's not there anymore. But you have, you know, you got two tight ends, Tucker Kraft and then Luke Musgrave getting involved. You've got the running game. You have, you know, Christian Watson is going to come back soon. But you have Wicks and you have Heath and you have, you know, so many different weapons. Golden hasn't even gotten involved yet. The packers are playing great. Right? Like, golden hasn't been heavily involved yet. It's just a lot of depth. Not necessarily making it easy for fantasy players to go, okay, I like golden or I like Dobbs or I like Wicks or I like, you know, I think we all love Tucker Kraft. He might be the focal Point of the offense.

[A]

Craft.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

Yeah. He very well could be. I mean, we talked about it last week. The passing game for the packers is who's getting the touchdown. Like that's. He Love is spreading the ball around. It's like two targets, three targets, three receptions, two receptions. Those lead the team at the end of the game with the how good the defense is playing and how efficient Jordan Love is. He's looking great. It's. Who do you think is going to get the touchdown? And if you had to give odds of every pass catcher to get a touchdown, the highest odd would be the tight end. It would be Craft.

[C]

Yes.

[B]

So how do we feel about starting Jordan Love on the road here in a game that they're heavily favored? It feels like you will need to get it early potentially in this game. Like I really.

[A]

I'm actually okay with it because.

[C]

Very okay with it.

[A]

Because the Cleveland Browns front seven has been. I mean, Derek Henry couldn't run on them.

[C]

Yeah. So I am nervous about Josh Jacobs, who was. It's. But the combination of Josh Jacobs popping up with an ankle limited in practice on Wednesday against the Cleveland Browns, who have through two weeks shut down running backs, including one of the best in the business where like. Are there names that you would actually consider playing over Josh Jacobs?

[A]

Probably not. I mean, to be. To be honest, I think Josh Jacobs has been so good.

[C]

I'll give you a couple names.

[A]

Okay.

[C]

Because these guys were drafted after Jacobs. Travis ETN against Houston.

[A]

No.

[C]

Andy.

[B]

Yeah. I'm not playing Jacobs over that.

[C]

You're playing etn.

[B]

Yeah.

[C]

Okay. Javante Williams against Chicago.

[B]

Yeah, I think.

[C]

Okay. So I'm more.

[A]

Maybe there.

[C]

I'm more on Andy's side of like, this isn't a. It's not the world is burning. It's just you might have some better options this week who were drafted after Josh Jacobs. But if the game.

[B]

If they have the game put away, you could definitely see Jacobs getting some rest.

[C]

Exactly. Yeah. This isn't the type where they just run Josh Jake, they get up big and then they run Jacobs into the ground. You put some backups in.

[A]

I have Javante as my running back. 12. I think he's a really good play this week. So if you do have good options, maybe. But for the most part, I feel like you got to play Jacobs. Matthew golden is an interesting start to me in the sense that like he's done very little. He's had separation, he's had targets in air yards. They just haven't connected. This matchup, I think is okay. He's like the Thornton of this week. If you.

[B]

Okay. Is that a. Jason.

[A]

I don't see the future like you do. I do think that there is a chance he gets a touchdown and has a big play that makes for a good game. So if you're in a, like, underdog situation, I would throw Matthew golden in. But that's. That's pretty much all I could say on that.

[B]

The tough part on the other side of the ball, I mean, these are two of the best defenses, actually. They're number one and two in yards per play allowed in terms of, you know, it's a 41 point over under. The defenses are outstanding. Cleveland is going to struggle offensively and yet you have this kind of promising, exciting performance by Quinshon Judkins last week on limited snaps. You know, he's going to get more and more involved. It is the buy now time now. You might be able to do that again after this week if you think he's going to have no success against Green Bay. But I think Judkins is looking more interesting in the long term than a lot of players out there. I mean, I think you have to start asking the question, you know, is Judkins going to be a better performer than Amarian Hampton this year? Yeah.

[A]

Than Travion Henderson?

[B]

Yeah, they're.

[A]

They're coming into this year.

[B]

I think that's where he was before.

[C]

All the drama when.

[A]

When we finished our original, like launch June 1st UDK rankings and we started everybody out. I was surprised but not shocked that Quinch on Judkins was my number one. Genti was number one.

[C]

Yeah.

[A]

My number two rookie running back, ahead of Henderson, ahead of Hampton. And then all the off the field stuff made it questionable. The off the field stuff might be gone. I mean, he could still be, you know, suspended, but he's going to. He only played 27% of the snaps last week and was pretty awesome.

[B]

Sixteen and a half point implied point total for the Browns through two weeks. Jerry Judy's been the wide receiver, 31 and 59. Is he a full bench for you?

[C]

I would really try to avoid every single player on the Cleveland.

[B]

What about the tight ends?

[C]

Harold Fannin is the only one that if I'm desperate, I would put him out there.

[B]

So we're kind of moving. You're moving on from Nijoku as a start.

[C]

This week it's not. Yeah. This week it's not a moving on completely from David Najoku. It's just a Harold fan. It'll get some cheapies and I think he can cheap his way to four or five receptions.

[A]

Where are you starting Judkins? Like, are you starting him over a.

[B]

Over Tutin in that. I mean, even though start of the week with ETN in that matchup, I would go over Tutin.

[A]

It's worth noting the Browns. The Browns came out with a depth chart officially that has now Judkins as the one he was, not the one. Jerome 40.

[B]

Obvious how much better he has everything else they have.

[A]

He is going to get a workload this week. So I think I'm pretty happy to start him.

[C]

Would you play him or Bill against the Las Vegas Raiders?

[B]

I play Bill.

[A]

Yeah. Bill.

[B]

Yeah. I mean Judkins, I can tell you the stat line if you want to know the future.

[A]

Oh, I love that you know this stuff.

[B]

17 for 61, no touchdowns.

[A]

So you're not very happy.

[B]

No, you're not very happy. You get volume.

[A]

But I think he also gets involved in the passing game a little bit.

[B]

Yeah. Still for 21.

[A]

Okay. That makes. That's a big difference.

[C]

21 on two cats.

[A]

What you just said is 10 fantasy points.

[B]

Yeah, that's right. He's a 10 fantasy point guy.

[A]

This awesome.

[B]

Yeah. Indianapolis is two and oh, they take on the zero and two Tennessee titans. Titans are at home. Indy four and a half point road favorites over unders 43 and a half. Saw a lot of Daniel Jones get picked up in fantasy leagues this week, especially with all the injuries at quarterback. Right. You've had, you know, McCarthy's out, Purdy's out.

[C]

This is where Burrows out. This is.

[B]

This is when he tricks.

[A]

Is it?

[B]

This is when he tricks you, right? Is that what you're saying?

[C]

I'm saying that this is. This is a huge week. The first road game for Daniel Jones, dominant for fantasy football.

[A]

So it's a trap.

[C]

Is it a trap or.

[B]

Well, Jason brought up his view of the game. They are favored. Jonathan Taylor has been. He's looked amazing so far. The Titans defense at 02 is only giving up 13.6 fantasy points to the opposing quarterback so far this year. It was the matchup that Bo Nick struggled in. And you could say, okay, it was more Bo Nix than it was them. Debatable. Because they didn't need. I mean, they could win the game without Bo Nix in that game. That's the crazy part about it. And then last week, what was it? It was the Rams right.

[A]

Staffer was okay through two touchdowns.

[B]

He was. I mean, I think Daniel Jones will be all right, but probably not QB4 probably not QB5 this week. You know, you start to look at Bo Nicks against the Chargers, I'd go there, love. Against Cleveland. We just talked about that game. Would you go love?

[A]

I would go, love.

[C]

Still go, love. Yeah.

[B]

So, you know, obviously things can change. You can get a tush push from Daniel Jones or two of them.

[C]

And that sneak, his. His tush remains unpushed.

[B]

Yeah. I guess that is more of a sneak.

[C]

Yeah.

[B]

He's pushing his own tush with his hindquarters.

[A]

With his hindquarters. With his hinds.

[B]

It was his haunches. So how do you see? You know, you talked about Pittman. I'm probably. I'm not as bullish around Pittman as you are, but I understand the argument for it and I can see it. You've also had some other players like devontae Smith that have struggled. And you look at devontae Smith versus Pittman and that one seems like it should be easy, but maybe it's not. Tyler Warren didn't practice on Wednesday, but I think don't care. I think he played more snaps than a tight end has played in a long, long time. So we had.

[C]

He had to visit the vet for a little bit.

[B]

I mean, it was. It was outstanding.

[A]

I get it.

[C]

I don't think.

[B]

Because he's a dog.

[A]

Yeah.

[C]

Yeah.

[B]

Oh, and the dog needs a vet.

[C]

Yeah.

[B]

And so it's an animal.

[A]

The only problem with that is if very much like if it was Meowson Taylor. Oh, also needs a vet.

[C]

Yeah.

[A]

They're both animals. You need to find a dog specific reference, like just being a vet that can apply.

[C]

It was the best I could do on short notice.

[A]

Moral of the story, Tyler Warren's awesome. You're going to play him every week.

[B]

As is Jonathan Taylor.

[A]

Yeah.

[C]

Oh, man. Johnny Taylor.

[A]

He has looked.

[C]

He's looking so good.

[A]

So good. The only thing very. That has gotten in his way is just not playing in the fourth quarter of week one because he was too good.

[C]

Yeah.

[B]

Yeah. I mean, it's fair. On the other side of the ball. How long do you talk about this team on the other side of the ball?

[A]

Tony Pollard is a fine play.

[C]

He's so weird.

[A]

He was really good last week.

[C]

Yeah. Like, that's the thing is he is.

[B]

Giving you the classic.

[C]

I'm doing pretty well for the NFL, but I'm not helping your fantasy team.

[A]

Yeah. Cam Ward has not been checking it down.

[C]

He was 20 for 92 against the Rams.

[A]

Yeah. That's awesome. And 4.6 a carry. But no. No involvement in, you know, two targets on the season right now.

[C]

Yeah. Ah, catch.

[A]

But I still think that the Rams are a much harder defense than the Colts. So I'm playing Tony Pollard as like a running back too. Certainly. I'd say in my More flex. Yeah.

[B]

Judkins or Pollard?

[C]

Ooh, I would go Pollard.

[A]

Just moved Judkins and I moved him to just below Pollard. I'll go Pollard.

[B]

All right. The Bengals at two and. Oh. The Vikings at one and one, both with backup quarterbacks. Vegas line. Minnesota at home minus three. The Overrunners 42 and a half. Cincinnati could have easily lost their first two games. They managed to win them. And now it's Jake Browning season versus Carson Wentz season.

[A]

This game looked so awesome a week ago. Yeah, like, oh, man. Bengals, Vikings. I'm looking forward to that.

[B]

Jake Browning said, quote, if I didn't have some delusional confidence in myself, then I probably would have been toast a long time ago. You do like to see that. I believe he played. Wasn't he on the sidelines screaming like.

[A]

You shouldn't have cut me.

[C]

I mean, look, other words in there.

[B]

Yeah, there were.

[A]

And he was good like Jake Browning for fantasy. And I, you know, obviously if you're in a two quarterback, he's going to go in a two quarterback league that I'm in. He went for 100. Fat. That's a bit. That's a bit much for me.

[C]

As in 100%.

[A]

100% of $100. As in also $100.

[C]

But I didn't know if it was like a 200 or a thousand.

[A]

Yes. No. But back when we saw him in 2023, I said this before. He was in his seven starts. He was the quarterback 18 4. Quarterback four again. Quarterback eight. 21. Quarterback eight, quarterback nine. The majority of his games were top 10. They're going to let him throw the ball. They have the weapons to throw to. Everything takes like everything is nerfed from the Joe Burrow Bengals, but everything's still startable. I'm still starting T. Higgins. I'm still starting Jamar Chase. I'm still starting Chase Brown.

[B]

I'm a little worried about Higgins in the long run without Burrow and because even with Burrow to start the year, it's been a slow start for Higgins. Would you trade Jamar Chase for Malik Neighbors?

[A]

Yeah, for sure.

[B]

What other names would enter that list other than Malik Neighbors? CD Lamb.

[C]

Yes, Lamb. I would. I don't know if I would do.

[B]

Almond Raw. St. Brown.

[A]

I would. I would trade him For Almond Raw, I would trade him for Puka.

[B]

Yeah. Okay.

[A]

That might be the end of the list.

[B]

Not Jefferson.

[A]

Not Jefferson.

[C]

Now, the.

[A]

There's one name that is funny to me, looking at, like, the.

[B]

The top performers.

[A]

The top performers. No, no, I don't think Zay Flowers. I mean, you would never trade him for.

[B]

No, no, no. Yeah.

[A]

But jsn.

[B]

Oh, yeah. Yeah.

[A]

JSN looks like he could be, like, breakout star.

[C]

Good.

[A]

Real quick, because we're talking about the Bengals, and we just want to see what T. Higgins did when he had Browning back in 2023. T, unsurprisingly, missed two of those games. However, in the four misses games, equally with either quarterback. Exactly. He is. This is not. He's not anti.

[B]

More.

[A]

He's not anti Joe Burrow.

[C]

Not with that money.

[A]

Right, right. Two million to show up. But in those games, I want to read you his stat lines. One game was 3 for 36. So that's kind of like the floor. That's terrible. The next game was two for 72. The next game was four for 61 and two touchdowns. Was the wide receiver seven five for 140 and a touchdown.

[C]

Which year?

[B]

I don't like this matchup.

[A]

And then 1 for 19.

[B]

I don't like going on the road. I don't like playing Minnesota at home.

[C]

There's some overlap there, like a Chase missing.

[B]

He's a bench. He's a bench for me this week.

[C]

T. Higgins.

[B]

T. Higgins is a bench for me this week because of the matchup. Minnesota is. They're such a good defense. Their secondary has shut people down. They're giving up, like, 16 fantasy points a game to Whiteouts.

[C]

They're awesome.

[B]

Jamar Chase is the one to bet on.

[A]

I would. I would agree with that.

[C]

You play T. Or George? No, I play George. That one.

[B]

I mean, T or Jacoby. Jacoby against Washington.

[A]

Oh, yeah, yeah, yeah. That'd be, like, three targets. Pittman. I, I, I, I. Actually, I think there are good games.

[B]

Those numbers are helpful for the future of the season.

[A]

Yes.

[B]

But this game, in this week, now.

[A]

There will be good games for T. Higgins. This will not be one of them.

[B]

Yeah, that's how I feel. I mean, obviously, he could end up with a touchdown. Anybody can. But Jordan Mason started the week on the other side. Jefferson, slower start to the year, probably neutral or better. With Carson Wentz at quarterback playing at home, Jefferson should get fed. You know, T.J. hawkinson. I'm moving on. Yeah, I'm moving on. I'm looking for options on the waiver wire.

[A]

I am looking for options on the waiver wire. I'm certainly not cutting T.J. hawkinson.

[B]

Yeah, you don't. You don't have to cut him, but I might try to start. I mean, would you rather have Hawkinson or Ertz?

[C]

I'd play her.

[B]

Pitts. I'd rather play Pitts.

[C]

I'd play Pitts.

[A]

I would rather play both of those guys.

[B]

John who? Smith. I probably go there, but maybe not. Maybe not. Okay.

[A]

I'm not. I'm not getting Hawkstrap stuff, man. So I'm like, you're red alert. I'm yellow. Okay. I think that this is, like, I'm paying attention. I want one more week. I want to see what happens.

[B]

Maybe this week, maybe this will be better.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

No, that's fair. And Carson Wentz gets to start $134 million in lifetime earnings. So he's doing. He's doing all right. Probably doesn't want to play. Probably doesn't want to play anymore. Let's take a break. We'll jump into some more matchup. Pittsburgh one and one, New England, one and one. The game's in New England. Pittsburgh is favored by one and a half. That surprise you at all? The way their defense has looked and the fact that they. I mean, they just barely beat the Jets.

[C]

I think the Patriots, then they lose. Really disappointing.

[A]

For two weeks, they barely beat the Dolphins.

[B]

Can I, like, take this one?

[C]

Sure.

[B]

Is this one count?

[A]

Yeah. Andy's almost upset of the week. I got good news for you, Andy. I. I took the Steelers in the spread, and usually when you have an almost upset and I am, like, completely on the other side, you're right and I am wrong.

[B]

Well, New England underdogs at home over unders 44 and a half. Both teams one and one at least in their career. Jason, Mike Tomlin, three and O against Mike Vrabel. But they were all one score win. So they were very close. Both teams have not been hyper targeting the wide receiver position the way we hoped. We looked at DK Metcalf. Mike was the big fan of Metcalf all offseason, of course, and he was talking the targets, but the targets haven't been there. The Steelers.

[A]

My guy for you.

[B]

I think he was.

[A]

I think he was. I don't remember, but I think he.

[B]

Was the first my guy fantasy MVP combo.

[A]

Right.

[B]

That anybody's ever done. Yeah, Mike. Equal. Dk.

[A]

Love.

[C]

Love that guy.

[A]

Dk Mike Calf.

[B]

That's what we used to. I remember that joke.

[A]

That's right.

[B]

And then he drafted him because he loved him. Yeah, it all makes. It's all coming together. Nobody look into that. The Patriots targeted wide receivers 39% in Week 2. The Steelers targeted wide receivers 39% in Week 2. You saw Friarmuth and Johnny Smith get involved, and the offense didn't look as good for the Steelers in Week two with Aaron Rodgers through the end zone interception. That was a big play in the game. Obviously, Caleb Johnson contributed to the loss, but, you know, I mean, that game, it's funny. Hey, they got beat.

[C]

He literally didn't do anything.

[B]

They got. They got beat, but they really. It was those two plays. Yeah, it was a free touchdown and it was a touch and it was an interception in the end zone that I felt like defined the entire week. Aaron Rodgers, big drop off from week one, where he was four touchdowns and 73% interceptions through two. Two interceptions.

[A]

Not a drop off from play. Like, fantasy wise. He was great. Week one. He was not good in week one. We talked about it, like off air and there's a lot of metrics of like just showing his catchable target rate is he was not that he ended up with four touchdowns, right? Four. Week one, something like that.

[B]

Yes, four.

[A]

And so he had a great fantasy performance despite not really playing that great. And he just looked the same. Week two.

[B]

Well, Metcalf on the road here. How do we feel about Metcalf? Where does he slot in for you in your rankings?

[C]

Gonzalez matters a lot to me, honestly, like, if he is. If Christian remains out, then dk, I'm okay playing him.

[A]

If I'm happy to play him. If he's out.

[C]

If I would be on the side of. I'm okay with it if he returns, then I think that it's a very sketchy play of like, I mean, I'd probably play George over him. Tyreek will have already played, so you won't. You won't have that option. It's like Cortland Sutton. I think I'm playing above DK if. Should that. That the injury news pop into New England's favor.

[B]

Okay. It doesn't feel like Pittsburgh has a lot outside of the start of the week of Warren to offer the. You know, Warren and Metcalf and then, you know, Calvin Austin, he plays a bunch of snaps. Johnny Smith and Fryer split time, but that's kind of where we end that story.

[C]

Yeah, the Patriots made Tyree Kill look good again. So it's only one week, but that is if that feels noteworthy for Tyree Kill, who has looked terrible for all of last year and week one and then all of a sudden you're like oh maybe Tyree Kill is not washed. Maybe that's just the Patriots secondary Seen.

[B]

A wild amount of one question this week involving Patriots quarterback Drake May. The world has asked Drake May Bo Nick's rest of season. That has been the question that people have asked repeatedly. I've seen it all over the place. I see it in our show, Doc. So somebody else on our staff is asking the question. I know what I would say to that question.

[A]

I know what I would say. But more importantly for all the Foot Clan out there, if you are, you know, part of the Foot Clan @join the foot.com our rest of season rankings will be going live very, very soon.

[B]

Which we've never had.

[A]

We've never had them. So this is a new thing.

[B]

We are what do they say about this scenario?

[A]

They'll say that Bonix is the right call. I mean you look at but they're.

[C]

Going to be right next to each other.

[A]

They'll be close. But you if you have to choose one of those two, you go with the guy who has done it a lot of times like his rookie year. Bo Nix was great last week. Bo Nix was great. Who has better weapons? Probably Bo Nix who has a more offensive play calling mind at coach Bo Nick. So that to me it's a clear Bonix and I like Drake May.

[B]

All right. Well talk about a player that was reborn last week. Ramon Dre Stevenson is going to face a Steelers defense that is giving up nearly the most points to running backs through two weeks. Are we all in on Ramon Dre for week three?

[C]

All all in is not the way I would phrase it.

[B]

I was trying to get you to.

[A]

Phrase it that way.

[C]

I certainly cannot really wanted that phrase. If I have him, He's a top 24ish type of a start. But the small data point of hesitancy for me is the Steelers were crushed by speed.

[A]

Speed. Exactly. It was Breece Hall. Braylon Allen was stuffed like crazy. It was Kenneth Walker. Charbonnet was stuffed like crazy. Ramadre is not like the speedster.

[C]

That's the concern. And I'm not I am not going to tell people to play Travion Henderson after what happened last week because it feels like that is it's very difficult. But it would not while he's on your bench. It will not surprise me if things shift back to the way that they were moving.

[A]

If you're playing DFS like and you want to take a shot that is Unpopular Henderson is a good play for that type of a situation because he got benched with his holding and you know, message sent. So either they now forgive him, move on and go back to the original game plan or they continue punishing him. We couldn't possibly know the answer to that.

[B]

I think the biggest implication for last week for Henderson isn't. I think they'll forgive. He's a hardworking kid. Yeah, they're going to forgive that stuff. I'm not worried about that. It's actually the success of Ramon Dre Stevenson, the fact that he was that successful. I think this team looks at him, you know, that that redeems a lot to have a week like that where he's that productive.

[C]

Sure does.

[B]

Makes the catch, you know you. If you wanted to paint a very clean path to Henderson having huge workloads and the involvement it involves Ramondre really struggling regularly for Henderson to take over. There's no like you're hoping for committee at this point. I think before you were hoping for takeover. I. If Trayvon Henderson goes out, let me give you the situation. Let's say they give him some more snaps this week. Let's say he has 10 opportunities, five catches, five runs, he busts a long one, he's got a 38 yard touchdown run in the game. Ramondra is not off the. He's not going to stop being used. They're not going to stop using him because of that. And I think if Ramondra had been struggling or struggled for multiple weeks then you can't, you know, you can't put the genie back in the bottle. And it's a Henderson takeover. I think it's going to be a committee all year long and you're going to look to Henderson to catch more passes and you're going to try to be excited about that. But it's going to be a little bit of matchup based. It's going to be a little bit of can they get it done in the offensive side of the football? Is Drake May playing good football? Are the wide receivers more relevant? I mean it's going to be a little bit of a path like that. I don't see a takeover.

[C]

It's very mirrored to the Seattle Seahawks where Charbs and Ramon Dre are similar types of players. And that's why in timeshares, I mean this week will notwithstanding for because of what happened with Ramon Dre. If it's a timeshare you want to bet? I'm betting on the efficiency guy, the.

[B]

More or less for Trayvon Henderson. This week for receiving yards. Do you want to take a guess for what Price Picks has it at?

[A]

I would guess 20, 22.

[B]

Such a good guess. No, it's 18 and a half.

[A]

Oh, okay.

[B]

18 and a half. So that. That's where Mike says, hey, just.

[A]

I would lean more as well.

[B]

Sit him. Sit him down and let's wait and see what happens. And you know, the wide receivers right now are very unpredictable on the New England side because I think Stefan Diggs is. Snaps and opportunities are going to rise. Booty got into the end zone, but one catch, that's tough. Demario Douglas, one catch in week one into the end zone. It's just kind of. Was it Matt Collins that scored last week?

[C]

Mack did score.

[B]

Yeah.

[C]

And I think. Let me double check. I think Mac played a lot more too.

[B]

Yeah, Matt Collins has.

[C]

Well, he went from 56 to 65% of the snaps. Yeah, he's not getting targets, but just saying a body on the field.

[B]

Honestly, you know that Jason won't like to hear this, but I would. If I had to play one player this week, it would be Diggs. If I had to pick one wide receiver, I think I would take Diggs.

[A]

I just, I don't. I don't think that Diggs is going to get the type of targets that matter for fantasy like that. That's my only issue.

[B]

He's going to get the 4 for 32 targets. Exactly. And that might be true. I just. I guess I'm a little scared of getting shut out on the other guys. But I guess you.

[A]

Yeah, I mean, Booty to me is still a.

[B]

Speaking of booty. Sorry, Jason, I noticed that you have a different trophy over by you on the desk.

[A]

Back to me from.

[B]

What trophy is that, Jason? For the audio listeners?

[A]

It's a little potty. A little toilet.

[C]

You may notice that the show came out a little bit later than usual.

[B]

Yeah, about 10 minutes. 10 minutes late.

[A]

Some tummy issues.

[B]

It's just K. Sean reminded me.

[A]

Toilet. Booty trophy.

[B]

And Jason sat down and he saw the trophy in front of his spot. We were all sitting here waiting to start and. What did you say?

[A]

You said, I can't repeat what I said.

[B]

Oh, that's true. That's true. You were. You just realized that it was. It was a legitimate awarding of the trophy.

[A]

Fully legitimate. I delayed the show due to. Due. So sorry. Fuck land. Oh, that's a long drop.

[C]

Perfection for our.

[B]

Sorry, I might have cut you off when you said booty.

[A]

Booty to me. If I. If I was going to Start a wide receiver for the Patriots. It would definitely still be Booty because wide receivers go back and forth. Unless you're a super duper star, you have DUD games. Thankfully, Booty got a touchdown last week. But let's go back to rookie year with Drake. May the second half of last year, Booty was his number one target. You come out week one, he's the number one target. He gets a touchdown in week two. Disappointing that he wasn't targeted as much, but he is a up and coming, much better athlete than current Stefan Diggs.

[B]

All right, you've sold me. I'm back to Booty.

[C]

All right.

[B]

Which, by the way, I've seen a couple of people say, hey, you're not saying his name right. It's Booty. No, it isn't.

[A]

It's Booty.

[B]

It's Booty. You can go listen to him, tell people to. He's like, I don't know where Booty came from, but it's Booty.

[A]

It's probably from the way he spells his name.

[C]

Both are great.

[A]

Yeah. I mean, if I were reading it, I would say boutet.

[B]

Yeah. When someone says the way you spell your name, do you. That feels like they're the one that decided it. But they didn't really decide that.

[A]

No, you can't say I'm Jason Moore because I've got two O's in the name.

[C]

I mean, you can, I guess.

[B]

You can change it. I'm just saying you didn't decide how to spell your name. You woke. You woke up.

[A]

I woke up. Woke up.

[B]

And that's how it was.

[A]

That's right. Los Angeles, they call that the Big Wake Up.

[B]

The Big Wake Up. Yeah. Yeah. All right. The Rams 2 and oh. The Eagles 2 and oh. Okay, here we go. Games in Philadelphia. Jason just waved his hand. Vegas line, Philly minus three and a half over unders 44 and a half. He's like two good quarterbacks, four great.

[A]

Wide receivers, two good running backs, amazing offenses. Like, I've got you starting all of the players. I've got the under on this game.

[B]

Oh, okay.

[A]

So much. And I'm just curious how you guys see.

[B]

I see it the same way because.

[A]

I feel like I have too many contracts on that, not having offense here. So I just want to know what you guys feel about this game. Asking for a friend.

[C]

Yeah, I don't.

[B]

I think I see it that way. The biggest question mark in this game is what's weird about it, Is Phillies favored, Right. They have the higher implied point total, 24 to 20. Phillies 2. And oh, they're at home. And yet I want the Rams wide receivers and not the Philly wide receivers. Why is that?

[A]

Because the Eagles aren't throwing the ball. The Eagles, when they throw the ball, are not throwing it down the field.

[B]

Did puka get to 100 last week?

[A]

Oh, man, 91. Can you count the rushing yards?

[B]

Because I know. Well, I remember. What was it, 11 times. I need him to hit 100 yards. He's only one for two so far.

[A]

Man, you know, I feel like you can count.

[C]

You cannot count it.

[A]

Really?

[C]

No.

[A]

With the 45 yards, 134 yards.

[B]

If you. I will count it. In the end I'll be like, yeah, but I kind of got it. Yeah. If he's like, if it's one short, I'll allow it.

[C]

But you got to.

[B]

You would.

[C]

That's on Andy. Andy should have said total yards from scrimmage.

[A]

Now I'll be honest, I'm not. I don't remember that he said receiving yards. He might have just said yards.

[C]

Okay, well, check the tape, Kyle.

[B]

We actually burn the tape after every show. So we thank goodness we scrub it all and then we just blur it out on YouTube and it's indistinguishable language. So you don't know what we said.

[A]

Puka, there's no world where you don't start. No.

[B]

And 13 targets for Adams. You have to start Adams.

[C]

The question. But the discussion is really the guys on the Eagle side. Jason, you have A.J. brown. You're probably forced into playing him. But.

[A]

And I have. I have shotgunned 800,000 trades.

[B]

The problem is if you had Debo right now and AJ Brown, would you play Debo or would you play AJ.

[A]

Brown against the Cardinals? I feel like I'd probably go Debo.

[B]

Tough questions.

[C]

I feel like Jacoby is just such a good baseline of his. Jacoby is safe. He will give you yards. He has a little bit of ceiling. Would you play Jacoby or would you just stick with the self hatred and play A.J. brown?

[A]

I think that's A.J. brown. Yeah. I mean it'll live with the consequences. Part of it is he's so good is matchup. Like if I'm favored and I just need a floor, then I do think Jacoby Myers might be safer. You got to play A.J. brown there. You got to play A.J. brown.

[B]

I think you do. Now Caleb or Caleb. Kyle dug up the prediction.

[A]

Oh, okay.

[B]

Matt Stafford stays healthy for 17. Puka becomes the first player in NFL history with 12 or more hundred yard games. Okay.

[A]

He had a hundred yard game. So you're two for two.

[B]

All right, we're good there. Yeah. The I think you're two weeks in. You got to play your wide receivers for Philly and you just got to hope it gets a little bit better and the game's more competitive and you know Matthew Stafford could put up some points and if they're good, Jason's going to be wrong on his under. That's the truth. I think you're going to be definitely wrong on if AJ Brown and Devontae Smith have good games. You'll be wrong there.

[A]

But Kyron is another question. This week Kyren is going to be splitting 6535 with Blake Corum which I am fine with that in a normal week but against the Eagles this is a matchup where like Jalen Warren I feel like I would play Jalen Warren your start of the week Mike over Kyron Javante Williams I would play over him. Jordan Mason I would play over him. Kyren is, you know, always, always, always a touchdown threat. It's not, it's not like the Rams.

[C]

Are going to have it that way too.

[A]

It's not like the Rams aren't going to score a touchdown and you know he's got the highest odds of a Ram to score a touchdown but you have to have it. If he doesn't get a touchdown, you are going to have a very disappointing week this week.

[B]

Okay, anything else from this game you guys want to discuss? You paying attention to anything else?

[C]

Nope.

[B]

Okay. All right. Boy, we have a lot of matchups this week. Let's talk about the Jets 02 taking on the two and oh Tampa Bay Buccaneers Tampa Bay minus seven the over under is 43 and a half and that's not a lot. The jets will have to Rod Taylor at quarterback. How do you feel about their offense?

[C]

Not great.

[B]

So Garrett Wilson Breeze hall former starts.

[C]

Of the week Garrett Wilson is. He's not a must bench. He'll still like he will get the majority of the targets and I mean the bucks right now are they look better against fantasy wide receivers but he he's still an okay ish play.

[A]

Yeah, I would play Garrett Wilson. I can't imagine that I've got good enough wide receivers. Yeah exactly like not even have them in my flex. Garrett Wilson should have enough targets to Rod Taylor can get it done. The question is Breece hall because the Tampa Bay Buccaneers have a multi year very impressive run defense. This is not like oh so far through two games it's like oh they have Continued being what they have been for a long time with Vita Vea and Breeze hall can break something out, but also he could be stuffed a lot and have a disappointing offense. You know, he was the running back 43 last week. So where do you, where do you.

[B]

Slot in breeze as an RB2. 3. Yeah. RB2. Bucky Irving's averaging 20 opportunities a game right now. Baker Mayfield's a dog quarterback. 12 and 16 though the first two weeks.

[C]

Yeah. And then we.

[B]

Touchdowns haven't been there.

[A]

Would you play Breeze hall or Kyron Williams?

[B]

I'd play Kyren. Kyren, me too. Yeah.

[C]

We did get another update on Abuka is expected to practice despite not being there for the media part.

[B]

Yes, yes. So that, that's good news. Mike Evans outside the top 40 for two straight weeks.

[A]

Still on track for 1,000, right?

[B]

Well, it's not, I mean.

[A]

No. On track for 909.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

Wasn't that our more yards are coming.

[B]

Didn't we make a bet on that? I'm almost positive we made a bet on Mike Evans and I think we did. And whether this is the drop off year.

[A]

Yeah. And I'll win that.

[B]

Well, I mean they're going to get more players back, not less. So we'll see. That was a really strong pronouncement. After two bad weeks.

[C]

They will force feed him yards.

[A]

Let's double our bet.

[B]

First he goes. He's still on pace. Then he goes. No, he's not at all. Then he goes. Let's double our bet. That is called human nature in its finest. As us. As us men.

[A]

The reason that I think that I'm so confident Mike Evans will get it is not because of how he's playing or what he's done so far. It's really because of what they did last year. At the end.

[B]

You do know it will stop, right?

[A]

Yes, I know.

[B]

That will be true in your mind all the time, forever, until it stops.

[A]

Until he's injured. Yeah.

[B]

I mean it stopped for Larry Fitzgerald and Heinz Ward and all of the. I mean Julio Jones and Andre Johnson.

[A]

They'll manufacture it like they did at the end of last year. He's here so much like the human.

[B]

Beings Bulls, they can't manufacture it after a certain point.

[C]

Well, they're still trying because he was 27% of targets week one, 31% this past week. He's just, it's. He's not getting touchdowns.

[B]

Godwin's not going to play this week, but he's in consideration for next week. Ebuka should be back out there. And if those guys miss, Kate Otten would be relevant at the tight end position. The Raiders are one on one taking on the one on one. Washington Commanders, the Vegas line right here. Washington - three at home over Unders 44 and a half. These are three straight low over under games. So it's going to be, you know, Dan Quinn, the backwards cap against the youngest old man in the league, Pete Carroll, 74 years old, doesn't look it at all. No, but 74, setting a record there. We talked about Jaden Daniels at the top in the news section about the knee. It is at home. It is against the Raiders and you can play Jaden Daniels regardless of the knee injury if he's active. Let's, let's talk about are there changes that you'd make if he's not active in terms of Debo, McLaurin, Ertz McLaurin's out.

[A]

To me, if Mariota is playing because the manufactured touches, the easy stuff, the close to the line of scrimmage, I think Debo is okay. But Terry McLaurin has not been good so far. You take a downgrade at quarterback with Debo's involvement and I don't think I want to play with Terry.

[B]

Terry McLaurin was the wide receiver five last year, but did start the year very slow his first two weeks. Last year, despite a five finish, his first two weeks was wide receiver 78 and 53. This year at 75 and 54.

[C]

Oh, almost identical trends continue.

[B]

You know, Mike said the, the, the missing the offseason was undefeated. This was what he did to start the year last year. He is at home. I'm probably not going to go too far away from McLaren in terms of, you know, a desperation play. Like I'm not playing Josh Downs over McLaren.

[C]

I'd still play Terry, like if I Terry someone that I'm already playing, then Mariota is not going to scare me off of him.

[B]

And then we're going to see what the running back room looks like without Austin Eckler, who is getting the majority of the work. There's going to be. Bill will be plenty of Bill, but there'll also be some Chris Rodriguez and Jeremy McNichols.

[C]

We did have a quote from Cliff Kingsbury talking about Bill saying that, you know, the challenge is going to be playing without the ball. Complimented him that every time he touches the ball, good things happened.

[B]

No points will be happening during those.

[C]

Days, but pass protection or just running his routes pretty properly is a big deal.

[B]

Well, he was a running back 11 in Week 1. 64 in Week 2. We were very afraid of Green Bay in Week 2, and he did not perform only four carries at home. Favored. He'll get lots of opportunities. Where does he fit into your rankings this week? Would you play him over Hampton?

[C]

Oh, I would not see.

[B]

I would. I would definitely pay him over Hampton.

[C]

I would not play him over Hampton. I want to see one week of what this shakes out to be because you have McNichols. He was limited on a Wednesday, but McNichols profiles to take the passing part of Eckler's work. And then there still is that sound bite of the coaches talking about, hey, Chris Rodriguez probably is our goal line guy.

[A]

So, like, he'll definitely be active this week.

[C]

Yeah, he will be active some. That's what I'm saying. I just want to see it of. Does Bill get relegated to. He's just getting some touches in between the twenties and he's not on the two minute drill.

[B]

I'm a little surprised that you guys are not more bullish on Bill or Bill.

[A]

I can. I like it. I like Billish.

[B]

I am. Okay, what do you got?

[A]

Well, you can win a game of Connect four and three moves.

[C]

Okay, okay, okay.

[B]

All right.

[C]

So you're just.

[B]

You're all. I'm just more. I'm much more confident. I mean, like you said, you want to see a game and how it shakes out. Well, he did play with Austin eckler in week one and was a top 12 running back. I feel like we haven't seen one game of Omari and Hampton where he is good for fantasy. So it's like the standard needs to be the same on both sides. And I, I like the fact that they're home. I like the fact that he's supposed to be the guy. Chris Rodriguez, quote or not, healthy scratch. I mean, McNichols dealing with the hamstring. I. I am more billish.

[C]

Okay.

[B]

I'm more billish.

[C]

All right.

[B]

McLaurin and Debo. Debo's been good. Zach Ertz, your start of the week, Jason. And we talked about Jaden Daniels on the other side. Ashton Genty, keep playing him. I'm trying to trade for him. Yes, that's what I'm trying to do.

[C]

Exactly.

[A]

He came out and talked about getting more carries, more touches. They're going to do that. He is so much better than their other options. They will figure it out. They will give him out there. Yeah. So I'm not. I'm not worried at all. Genti is definitely someone you Try to.

[B]

Trade for both of these teams have been good against the run so far. Two weeks in, for what it's worth. Jacobi Myers, seventh most targets in the NFL. Brock Bowers. Yeah, you play him unless he's out for some reason, which he won't be. But I did not like, I did not bring me joy watching him run around with a brace on.

[C]

Oh, he's going to be playing with one.

[B]

It didn't look, I mean, you just don't like it.

[A]

I paid up to get him in a chop league and I immediately regret it. I worry that it's going to be a month or so before he looks like himself. He had eight targets. He will be involved. You have to play him. But the upside of him just dominating NFL defenders and linebackers that can't handle his speed and safeties that can't handle his size. Like he doesn't have that extra 10% that makes him so special right now with a knee brace on.

[B]

You might have taken that toilet trophy from Geno Smith who earned it last week with his performance. Is he going to be able to do enough with in this matchup?

[A]

Yeah, if I'm in a three quarterback league, I'm definitely throwing him in.

[B]

All right. Well, that was Fantasy forecast presented by prize picks. Check out max discounts on the app now. Like Patrick Mahomes at more than 0.5 passing yards for September 21st. Use the code FOOTBALLERS and get $50 instantly in lineups when you play. $5. We'll be back tomorrow with the rest of the matchups. The fantasy face off which will be tweaked and improved. My shame and Mike's shame. The wheel of shame shall come like normally.

[C]

Normally when you get the shame, you're. You're upset about it. You're like, I got hosed something. No, no, I mean I got hosed because Russ decided to be the greatest quarterback he's ever been.

[A]

Let's just say you were buried.

[C]

Yeah.

[A]

And tomorrow you're going to.

[C]

You're going to emerge.

[A]

Emerge. You're going to peek out of the ground tomorrow.

[B]

Yeah, it's going to be great.

[A]

Let's leave it at that.

[C]

Am I a zombie?

[B]

Well, you'll find out. You'll find out. The wheel of shame. So stay tuned one and all. Check out the foot cast if you want an extra [e-mail] and we'll talk to you soon. Goodbye.

[A]

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