Fantasy Footballers Podcast

Episode: Week 16 Matchups + Wheel of Shame, THE PUKA SHOW
Date: December 19, 2025
Hosts: Andy Holloway, Jason Moore, Mike “The Fantasy Hitman” Wright

Overview

In this energetic and advice-packed episode, Andy, Jason, and Mike (The Fantasy Footballers) deliver their comprehensive Week 16 fantasy football preview. The trio recaps the madness of Thursday night’s Rams vs. Seahawks game—christened "The Puka Show"—and break down all the key injuries, roster moves, and start/sit dilemmas for the fantasy semifinals. The crew then dives into detailed matchup analysis across the Sunday and Monday slate, debating big-name busts, under-the-radar sleepers, and potential league-winners before capping the episode with their signature "Wheel of Shame" segment.

The tone remains lively and irreverent throughout, with memorable banter and sharp, actionable insights—“fantasy advice that will win you your league…in style.”

Thursday Night Recap: "The Puka Show"

Key Moments & Takeaways

• Wild High-Scoring Game: The Rams and Seahawks delivered a shocking offensive outburst, far exceeding pre-game expectations.
  • “Last night…two of the best defensive teams in football?...They doubled the [over/under]. The game was 38, 37.” – Andy (01:47)
• Puka Nakua’s Historic Performance:
  • 12 catches, 225 yards, 2 TDs (including an overtime score).
  • “It was the Puka Show. 12. Nobody had more than three catches other than Puka.” – Andy (06:09)
  • "He’s not just one guy, Mike. He’s one dude. A manimal out there." – Jason (06:29)
  • Puka is labeled "a manimal" and the hosts recall painful experiences of sitting or facing him in their leagues.
    • “We benched Matthew Stafford. We played against Puka Nakua. So we're toast.” – Jason (07:00)
• Seahawks Backfield Chaos:
  • Ken Walker made big plays but was inexplicably rotated out for Charbonnet.
    • “A singular player kept you in the game. And then you're like, we should 50-50 these carries. It's so weird to me. So weird.” – Mike (09:22)
• Matthew Stafford Surprise:
  • Pre-game “sit” advice on Stafford didn’t age well as he exploded (457 yards, 3 TDs).
    • “If you then told me ahead of the week that you'd have 457 passing yards and three touchdowns for Matthew Stafford, I would have doubled down on [Colby Parkinson].” – Andy (06:01)
• Fantasy Fallout:
  • Benching key Rams (Stafford, Kyren) was costly.
  • Colby Parkinson, a much-hyped streamer, flopped.

Notable Quote

"Anything I saw happening in that game went the complete opposite." – Mike (03:06)

News & Notes

(11:13 – 20:46)

Major Injury Updates and Transactions

• Jaguars Extend Jacoby Myers:
  • 3-year, $60M extension; implications for Brian Thomas Jr. and Travis Hunter's long-term role.
  • “The implications here are significant for Jacksonville’s long-term fantasy perspective.” – Andy (11:45)
• Injury Roundup:
  • Josh Jacobs, Christian Watson: questionable, watch status for Saturday games.
  • Watson likely to play, but risk of exiting early.
    • “He’s scary—could leave the game after even a good play.” – Jason (14:15)
  • Marvin Harrison, T. Higgins: both limited, check status.
  • Dalton Kincaid: did not practice (knee).
  • Woody Marks: uncertain for Texans (monitors “waddling” and repeated injuries).
• Kansas City Chiefs:
  • With playoffs hopes fading, Chiefs may rest Mahomes, Rashi Rice.
  • “No Mahomes, no Rice at home against an eliminated Chiefs.” – Jason (17:33)
• Other Notables:
  • Alvin Kamara DNP, Audric Estime “probably starts” for Saints per Nick Underhill (15:58).
  • Drake London and Kyle Pitts: both limited.

Matchup Previews

Minnesota Vikings at New York Giants

(23:51 – 30:11)

• Both Teams Trending Down
  • Giants have lost 8 straight and sport NFL's worst record.
• Start/Sit QB Debate
  • Jackson Dart vs. Caleb Williams: Split among hosts, slight edge to Caleb for Mike (25:43).
  • Stafford now considered the better play after Thursday’s outcome.
• RB Situation
  • Aaron Jones (“contract incentives?”) vs. Tracy: Both fine, small edge to Aaron Jones for Jason.
• WR Notes
  • Justin Jefferson: Coaches targeting 1,000-yard season despite recent dud games.
  • Darius Slayton, underwhelming, inconsistent; “Eat a butt” frustration from Andy (29:04).
  • Theo Johnson: viable TE streamer (six top-12 games in last ten).
  • Addison: top-24 drought, not trustworthy per Mike (30:33).

Notable Quotes

"You can still criticize a team when they win. The use of Ken Walker and Charbonnet blows my mind." – Mike (09:22)
“He’s on Justin Jefferson over the last three games on pace for 209 receiving yards, 34 catches on 102 targets.” – Andy (28:54)

Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Carolina Panthers

(30:36 – 35:37)

• Playoff Implications Abound
• QB: Avoid Baker
  • "You pretty much have to wait and see it [with Baker]." – Jason (31:13)
• WR/TE
  • Mike Evans is a must-start, regardless of “snap tempering.”
  • Chris Godwin: DNP with fibula/rest, but likely just rest; both Evans/Godwin expected to play (33:07).
  • DJ Moore regarded as highest ceiling option among secondary WRs in blended WR question.
• RB
  • Rico Dowdle vs. Ken Walker: Lamentations and regret for wrongly benching Walker.

Jacksonville Jaguars at Denver Broncos

(36:01 – 44:10)

• Broncos on 11-Game Win Streak
• QB: Trevor Lawrence
  • Comes off monster 6-TD game but faces his toughest test at Denver.
  • Jason: “Dangerous start, but probably don’t bench him.”
• RB Debate: Travis Etienne vs. RJ Harvey
  • Etienne: Volume is king, but touchdown-dependent, receiving usage sporadic (38:57–39:55).
  • Harvey: High TD upside but fewer opportunities.
• Denver WRs: Unpredictable
  • Pat Bryant back from injury ruins confidence in Troy Franklin.
  • Courtland Sutton is the only trustworthy play.
• Jaguars WRs: Jacoby Myers = safe floor; Brian Thomas = high upside.
• Britain Strange: Mike’s “Start of the Week” at tight end.

Notable Quote

“Every single receiver in Denver, despite the record, has been completely unpredictable.” – Andy (42:00)

Arizona Cardinals at Atlanta Falcons

(44:11 – 46:55)

• All Fantasy, No Defense
  • “Defenses are actually not traveling this week…see if they can break the all-time record.” – Jason (44:19)
• Startable Players
  • Bijan Robinson, Jacoby Brissett, Michael Wilson, Trey McBride, Kyle Pitts (if active), Drake London (if active).
  • Michael Carter edges out DeMercado in Arizona’s RB committee should you need a last-gasp starter.

Pittsburgh Steelers at Detroit Lions

(50:03 – 55:20)

• High Stakes, High Total (O/U 51.5)
  • “If Detroit wins, they have a 46% chance to make the playoffs. A loss pretty much eliminates Detroit.” – Andy (50:03)
• Lions Offense
  • Goff, Amon-Ra, Jameson Williams (hot streak), Gibbs (three-TD/no-TD yo-yo), all strong starts.
  • David Montgomery: Only for “touchdown or bust” flex plays—lower ceiling.
• Steelers
  • DK Metcalf expected to benefit from Detroit’s weak secondary.
  • Jaylen Warren vs. Kenneth Gainwell: Gainwell edges Warren due to usage and recent performance (54:57).

Raiders at Texans

(55:20 – 59:07)

• Impossibly Low Vegas Line for Raiders Offense
  • Implied total: 11.5 points; lowest of the year.
    • “It’s the second lowest of any team since 2013.” – Andy (55:45)
  • Avoid all Raiders except maybe Ashdon Genti (deep leagues) and Brock Bowers (as a desperation TE).
  • Texans: Nico Collins locked in, Houston RB (if Woody Marks plays), Dalton Schultz a fine TE start.

New England Patriots at Baltimore Ravens (Sunday Night Football)

(59:07 – 63:32)

• Fantasy Trust in QBs?
  • Both Lamar Jackson and Drake May: playable, but May is more risky.
  • “May has more risk to me than Lamar in this game and that's how I have him ranked this week.” – Andy (60:58)
• Other Plays
  • Zay Flowers: low-end WR2.
  • Treyvon Henderson, Derrick Henry: both in lineups.
  • All tight ends (Henry, Likely, Andrews): Stay away unless desperate.
  • Patriots WRs: Booty, Matt Collins, Diggs—"dart throws" at best.

San Francisco 49ers at Indianapolis Colts (Monday Night Football)

(63:32 – 67:18)

• QB Situation
  • Philip Rivers making his second start; could see more downfield shots after a conservative opener.
  • Only sure WR start: Jauan Jennings (San Francisco).
• RBs
  • CMC, Jonathan Taylor, and George Kittle are every-week locks.
  • Michael Pittman, Alec Pierce: Benched if possible.
  • Tyler Warren: led team in targets last week, viable at TE.
  • Michael Carter: Confirmed as starter.
  • “If your name starts with P and you play wide receiver, take a seat.” – Andy (65:58)

Notable Quotes & Moments

• On Unexpected Outcomes:
  • “Anything I saw happening in that game went the complete opposite.” – Mike (03:06)
• On Puka Nakua:
  • "He is a manimal out there.” – Jason (06:29)
• On Darius Slayton:
  • “Darius Slayton can just eat a butt because...this dude is like, always on the cusp of mattering, and then he just drops passes or runs routes he shouldn’t run.” – Andy (29:04)
• On Injury-Prone RBs:
  • “Woody Marks…he's a waddler.” – Jason (49:48)
• On the Lions’ Secondary:
  • “They have not done well against the pass. You’re going to need DK Metcalf. If you can target him enough, you’ll succeed against this Lions defense.” – Jason (53:34)

The Wheel of Shame / Fantasy Face-Off

(68:27 – End)

• Andy is shamed and “wrapped up like a Christmas present” live on air.
  • “This is the worst time for me to be wrong again. I can’t access [my picks] due to being wrapped as a present.” – Andy (72:36)
• Each host shares Prize Picks and debates start/sit props involving Jacoby Brissett, Caleb Williams, Tony Pollard, Audric Estime, Michael Evans, Jamar Chase, Dallas Goedert, and Colston Loveland.
• Classic irreverence with in-studio hijinks (“bone rest,” “milk IV,” “present the hut”).

Advice & Takeaways

Play These Guys with Confidence:

• Puka Nakua, Mike Evans, Amon-Ra St. Brown, Jameer Gibbs, DK Metcalf, Nico Collins, Bijan Robinson, Trey McBride, Zay Flowers, CMC, Jonathan Taylor, George Kittle

Cautious Plays / Watch Status:

• Christian Watson, Josh Jacobs, Drake London, T. Higgins, Kyle Pitts, Dalton Kincaid, Woody Marks, Audric Estime, Kenneth Gainwell

Truly Desperate / Fade:

• Raiders RBs (Ashdon Genti), Michael Pittman, Alec Pierce (with Rivers under center), Darius Slayton

Key Timestamps

• 01:23 — Thursday Night Recap: Rams vs. Seahawks ("The Puka Nakua Show")
• 11:13 — News & Notes
• 23:51 — Start of Matchup Previews: Vikings @ Giants
• 30:36 — Bucs @ Panthers Debate
• 36:01 — Jacksonville @ Denver Analysis
• 44:11 — Arizona @ Atlanta (Fantasy Carnival)
• 50:03 — Pittsburgh @ Detroit (AFC/NFC Playoff on the line)
• 55:20 — Raiders @ Texans (impossibly low implied total)
• 59:07 — Patriots @ Ravens (Sunday Night)
• 63:32 — 49ers @ Colts (Monday Night)
• 68:27 — Wheel of Shame / Fantasy Face-Off Segment

For further lineup debates, rankings, and tools, the hosts urge listeners to check updated rankings at thefantasyfootballers.com up until kickoff, as their advice evolves with injury and depth chart news throughout the week.