Fantasy Footballers Podcast: "Week 17 Waivers & Streamers + Championship Pick Ups, Commish Problems"

Date: December 23, 2025
Hosts: Andy Holloway, Jason Moore, Mike "The Fantasy Hitman" Wright

Episode Overview

This episode is a must-listen for anyone heading into their fantasy football championship week. Andy, Jason, and Mike bring high energy, deep analysis, and championship-winning advice as they break down the critical Week 17 waiver wire pickups, streaming options, and the playoff motivations impacting player value. The show also features playoff horror stories, commissioner drama, and listener questions, all in the Fantasy Footballers' trusted style.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Fantasy Playoff Drama & Listener League Stories

• Championship Runs Recap
  The hosts open with colorful recaps of playoff wins and heartbreaks, emphasizing the fine line between fantasy glory and agony. Personal office league exploits and legendary trash-talking moments are recounted for laughs.

  • [04:24] Andy shares about losing to “the biggest loser” who sent him trash-talking paraphernalia but is now a friend:

    “He sent me a signed photograph of himself ... white chocolate dipped Oreos ... Did not work out well for him in the championship.”

• Epic Monday Night Swings
  Wild stories from Week 16: Brock Purdy’s late interception leads to a 0.8-point win; Christian McCaffrey’s minus-one yard touchdown is a game winner.

  • [05:23] Andy:

    “The Brock Purdy interception flipped it to where they won and are moving on to the championship ... That’s an incredible one.”

• The Agony of Defeat
  The hosts empathize with “Josh” and other fantasy managers who suffered painful semifinal losses and discuss the emotional roller coaster:

  • [07:47] Jason:

    “Fantasy football is painful. This is normally when people quit for a bit.”

  • [07:48] Andy:

    "I quit."

  • [07:49] Jason (deadpan):

    "Yeah, yeah. This is normal."

2. Injury & News Roundup (Week 17 Impact)

Notable Player Injuries

• George Kittle (TE, SF): Left with an ankle injury, potentially a hip-drop tackle. Initial thoughts are it’s not a high-ankle sprain, but the status is murky. Given it's a Sunday night matchup, owners need backup plans.

  • [08:15] Jason (on Kittle’s post-game comments):

    “He doesn’t think he has a high ankle sprain. He is not a doctor, but he’s had enough of them probably.”

  • [10:03] Jason:

    “If it’s game time decision, you’re going to be in a real pickle ... Do we have another Monday night game?”

• DK Metcalf (WR, SEA): Two-game suspension for a sideline fight; also risks losing $40 million in guaranteed money.

  • [10:41] Jason:

    “Far more significant for him ... It voids $40 million in future guaranteed money. He is appealing.”

• Lamar Jackson (QB, BAL): Day-to-day with a back bruise; QB streaming is in play for managers.

• Josh Allen (QB, BUF): Foot injury, X-rays taken, expected to play.

• Gardner Minshew (QB, IND): On injured reserve with leg fracture—a reminder of QB volatility for championship teams.

• RB Updates: Rhamondre Stevenson (concussion protocols impacting workload), Quinchon Judkins (Cleveland RB, out), Josh Jacobs (knee swelling, questionable).

Other News & Playoff Motivations

• AFC & NFC Playoff Races
  Every AFC team with fantasy-relevant players is playing to win (for seeding or division). In the NFC, most teams still fighting for playoff position, keeping fantasy options safe for Week 17.
  • [16:26] Jason:

    “Basically everybody you care about cares about this week. It’s wonderful. That’s rare.”

  • [16:02] Andy:

    “Every year it’s a PSA: convince your commissioner, or if you are the commissioner, change it to week 17.”

3. Waiver Wire & Championship Pick-Ups

Running Backs

• Rhamondre Stevenson (NE, 57% rostered):
  Top pickup with championship-winning potential, especially if Henderson remains in concussion protocol.

  • [21:42] Andy:

    "It's insane that he is pickupable ... I would just be so in love with a player like that to go into championship week."

  • [22:06] Jason:

    "New England still trying to win their division ... It's a very significant opportunity coming back."

• Emmanuel Wilson (GB, 48%):
  Benefiting from Josh Jacobs’ knee issues; poised for a bigger workload.

• Michael Carter:
  In a committee, but solid volume and efficiency against a favorable Cincinnati matchup.

• Chris Rodriguez (WAS):
  Compelling deep play facing Dallas; value rose after Week 16.

• Blake Corum (LA):
  Reliable flex with a multi-week touchdown streak; plenty of workload, essentially startable amid injuries.

• Cleveland RB Situation:

  • Dylan Sampson & Raheim Sanders as speculative adds (pending injury news).

Wide Receivers

• Parker Washington (JAX):
  Boom-or-bust game plans, with Week 17 bringing a favorable matchup against the Colts.

  • [28:23] Mike (on Parker’s outlook):

    “He is a dart, a worthy dart throw ... but I would also, if I saw someone with Parker Washington in their lineup, I'd be a bit nervous about it.”

  • [29:19] Andy:

    “He is my number one pickup this week ... I would throw two other guys out there that are close: Mac Hollins and Adonai Mitchell.”

• Mac Hollins (ATL):
  Value hinges on Kayshon Boutte’s concussion absence.

• Adonai Mitchell (NYJ):
  Jets’ WR1, but hampered by low-end QB play.

• Josh Downs (IND):
  Sneaky volume; Alec Pierce close to the 60% roster cutoff but high-upside if available.

Tight Ends

• Taysom Hill (NO):
  Do-it-all threat amid Saints’ RB injuries, offering unique championship upside at TE.

  • [31:20] Andy:

    “My number one tight end pickup, as gross as it sounds, is Taysom Hill ... it feels like cheating.”

  • [32:53] Mike:

    “Man, it makes so much sense, but that would be terrifying.”

• Britain Strange, AJ Barner, TOnjas:
  Streamable only if injury situations break their way (e.g., Kittle out).

Defenses / DST

• Patriots DST:
  Smashing spot facing the Jets.

  • [31:01] Mike:

    “The New England DST is out there.”

• Lions DST:
  Facing a backup QB.

• Saints, Broncos, Jaguars DSTs:
  All viable, though Jaguars' outlook dimmed by Philip Rivers’ Week 16 resurgence.

4. Quarterback Streamers

• Trevor Lawrence (JAX):
  QB4 since the bye, widely available, in a great matchup with the Colts.

  • [37:09] Andy:

    “He’s the quarterback four on the season since the bye – he’s been on fire.”

• Tyler Shough (TEN):
  Quietly QB8 over the last month.

  • [38:06] Mike:

    “Tyler Shough ... I think he’s good – he’s playing Tennessee, QB8 over the last month with a floor of 18 points.”

• Jacoby Brissett (ARI):
  Over/Under darling in a projected high-scoring game versus Cincinnati.

  • [39:30] Jason:

    “Highest over/under of the week. Jacoby can get it going again ... Past attempts will be crazy.”

Highlighted Listener Mailbag & Commish Horror Stories

Memorable League Stories

• Superstitions in the Finals
  [43:21] Listener Jake (TX):
  League-mates all changed their names to pictures of him; hosts advise embracing the superstition:

  • [43:47] Andy:

    “You change your name to Your Fantasy King and you put your favorite picture of yourself up there and you accept it.”

• Commissioner Foul: Changing Playoff Structure During Playoffs
  [44:41] Ray (Boston):
  Commissioner changed playoff reseeding Sunday at 7pm, costing listener a win.

  • [44:52] Andy:

    “You cannot do anything in season without a league wide vote ... this is an all-time NO NO.”

  • [46:09] Mike:

    “This is a turd ... this is a turd of a human.”

  • [46:54] Andy:

    “Imagine your matchup this week ... and the commish flips it. No way.”

Championship Week Start/Sit Advice

• Would you start Tyron and Corum together given their matchup? Generally fine with it if other options are weak; upside is high ([49:38]).

• Listener questions on QB streamers (Burrow vs Brissett): Play Burrow; Brissett is nice for upside, but Burrow is the anchor ([49:12]).

Notable Quotes

• [07:47] Jason:

  “Fantasy football is painful. This is normally when people quit for a bit.”

• [22:06] Jason (on Rhamondre):

  “New England still trying to win their division ... It’s a very significant opportunity coming back.”

• [31:20] Andy (on Taysom Hill):

  “My number one tight end pickup, as gross as it sounds, is Taysom Hill ... it feels like cheating.”

• [44:52] Andy (on commissioner scandal):

  “You cannot do anything in season without a league wide vote and everyone basically agreeing. Yeah, we should re-seed.”

• [46:09] Mike:

  “This person has revealed themselves. This is a turd ... a turd of a human.”

Timestamps for Important Segments

• Playoff/League Recaps: 01:32 – 04:54
• News & Injury Notes: 08:09 – 15:38
• NFL Playoff Motivations: 15:38 – 19:52
• Waiver Wire (RBs): 21:31 – 27:24
• Waiver Wire (WRs): 27:24 – 30:19
• Waiver Wire (TEs): 31:11 – 33:56
• Defense/Streamers: 34:02 – 36:49
• Quarterback Streamers: 36:52 – 41:00
• Mailbag (Commish stories and Listener Qs): 43:02 – 51:09

Tone and Style

The hosts deliver their expert analysis with the same friendly, competitive, and self-deprecating banter that endears them to their audience. There's a strong camaraderie and a “we’re-in-this-together” feeling, balancing actionable fantasy advice with relatable storytelling.

Summary Takeaway

If you’re setting your lineup for a championship—especially if you’re scraping the waiver wire or streaming positions—this episode is crucial listening. The Footballers break down every option by both statistical merit and the emotional realties of fantasy football’s wildest week. Plus, learn what not to do as a commissioner, and heed the advice that fantasy superstition might just be your best friend over championship weekend.