FantasyPros - Fantasy Football Podcast

Divisional Round Weekend Recap | Out of Bounds (Ep. 1942)

Date: January 20, 2026
Hosts: Joey P (Joe Pisapia), Scott Bogman
Guest/Producer: Seth Diewald

Episode Overview

This episode delivers an in-depth, entertaining recap of the NFL Divisional Round, with the FantasyPros team breaking down every key game, major injuries, coaching moves, standout performances, and controversial moments. Joey P and Scott Bogman give candid fantasy and NFL analysis while also poking fun at their own teams and each other. Notable topics include the end of the Bills’ season and Sean McDermott’s firing, the dominant Seattle win over the 49ers, defensive showdowns, and memorable clutch plays. Listener questions and “Fact or Fiction” rounds add sharp takes and fun speculation about coaching hires, player futures, and the upcoming championship games.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Buffalo Bills' Collapse and Sean McDermott's Firing

• Joey P and Bogman recount their live betting adventure during Bills-Broncos. Joey wore both teams’ gear to “jinx” the outcomes, culminating in Allen’s postseason exit, Denver’s dramatic win but QB injury, and the Bills firing Sean McDermott.

  “I wanted to somehow jinx both teams. …It worked because Josh Allen's out of the playoffs.” – Joey P (01:03) “It is right to break your ankle in the last play of the game to go into the AFC title game.” – Bogman (02:20)

• Bogman analyzes the decision to fire McDermott, explaining the Bills’ stagnation and poor player development:

  “You just don't want to get stuck in that Tomlin middle where…it’s been nine seasons. You can't get over the hump.” – Bogman (02:57) “You've hit on some big picks, right? You hit on Josh Allen…but you've whiffed on like everybody in the secondary, a lot of offensive line picks.” (02:56)

• Lamenting the lack of a true WR1 replacement for Stefon Diggs:

  “You still haven’t replaced him in the offense. You haven’t given Josh Allen..." – Joey P (04:00) “You can't go into a playoff game with Brandon Cooks as your best wide receiver at this juncture.” (04:20)

• Joey and Bogman debate the timing and wisdom of McDermott's firing given coaching musical chairs.

  “Now, when you have Stefanski off the board and Harbaugh off the board, and you make this decision now, it better be a Kubiak and you better be right.” – Joey P (07:16)

2. Game-by-Game Divisional Round Recaps

a) Buffalo Bills vs Denver Broncos

• Recap: Allen’s late-half heroics backfire, leading to a critical turnover and OT loss for the Bills. Both hosts agree Allen often tries to do too much, compounding the team’s fate.

  “He's spectacular, but the burden of having to do too much all the time takes its toll on him mentally, I think.” – Joey P (05:13) “This is like, you feel like Sisyphus, you know, you're pushing that rock up the hill to no avail.” – Bogman (05:50)

b) Seattle Seahawks vs San Francisco 49ers

• Seattle’s defense dominates a beat-up Niners squad. The hosts joke about conspiracy theories regarding San Francisco’s injury woes.

  “This game was over at the jump. …That soccer tackle, I wanted to jump through my television and punch that kicker right in the nuts.” – Joey P (09:17) “We knew the Niners were too beat up to be in this position.” – Bogman (10:07)

• Hosts riff on the infamous substation “tissue damage” rumors:

  “49ers look pretty dead on Saturday night.” – Joey P (11:40)

c) Houston Texans vs New England Patriots

• Defensive slugfest. Both teams’ D-lines get rave reviews. Stroud is harrassed all game, and rookie QB May makes several clutch throws despite mistakes.

  “That is one of the best fronts I’ve ever seen.” – Bogman (12:01) “Give [Drake May] some credit. He made a couple big plays when he had to...The booty throw and catch was unbelievable.” – Joey P (12:13; 12:39)

• Deep dive into why Houston’s offensive line cost them and the Patriots secondary’s excellent play.

  “They just had nothing. … It just all worked perfect to harass CJ Stroud.” – Bogman (14:36) “If you play anybody but Pittsburgh last week, you get your ass kicked with the fumbles and the interceptions and the tip balls…” (14:15)

d) Chicago Bears vs Los Angeles Rams

• Dramatic finish: Caleb Williams’ miracle 20-yard retreat and bomb to Cole Kmet, aided by a debatable OPI. Hosts debate Williams’ style—magic vs. bad habits.

  “To create that space to get the ball off is incredible...We also had 100% offensive pass interference.” – Bogman (18:46) “Everything about that play was wrong and the outcome was right.” – Joey P (19:48)

• Williams’ lowest completion % is noted as a developmental concern, but his magic and ceiling draw optimism.

  “He already has the magic. Now get him the basic stuff.” – Bogman (20:13)

3. Notable Moments & Player Debates

• Catch of the week:

  “That catch was spectacular.” – Joey P, discussing the Pop Douglas or Booty highlight vs. the Texans (12:39)

• Moment of the week:

  “It’s obvious, it’s Caleb touchdown. There’s no doubt about that.” – Joey P (21:27)

• DJ Moore controversy (Bears WR) after apparent lack of effort on an OT route. Seth disputes quitting accusations, citing injuries, route misunderstanding, and season-long effort:

  “If you’re that down bad and you’re that tired, get your ass off the field because that was pathetic.” – Bogman (22:39) “From what I’ve seen from DJ Moore this entire season...I think the dude’s given 100%.” – Seth (24:18)

• Defensive praise:

  “The Patriots have had a perfect defensive game plan two weeks in a row.” – Bogman (14:36) “That’s a Ravens-level defense.” – Bogman (16:00)

4. Fact or Fiction: Listener Hot Takes & Questions (27:37+)

• Cooks play catch vs. INT?

  “Fiction. Interception.” – Bogman
  “He doesn’t maintain through the catch when he hits the ground. …But the rule is you have to maintain contact through the complete catch.” – Joey P (27:52)

• Will Kevin Stefanski elevate Falcons?

  “Fact. I agree.” – Both (28:42)

• Did Giants overpay for Harbaugh?

  “Fiction. He’s worth it. …He brings a level of professionalism, stability too…” – Joey P (28:54)

• Will Maxx Crosby be a Bear?

  “Maxx Crosby is going to be gone from Las Vegas. Bears would be a good landing spot.” – Joey P (31:00+)

• Josh Allen: Never reaches a Super Bowl?

  “Fiction. It may not be for the Bills, but...” – Bogman
  “Fact. I’m worried they missed the window.” – Joey P (35:43)

5. Championship Week Lookahead & Bold Takes

• Hosts preview AFC and NFC title games, touting Patriots defense and Seattle’s home advantage, while citing Rams’ late-game luck and questioning Darnold’s health.

  “I think the Pats move on and I think that the Seattle Seahawks move on as well.” – Joey P (41:29) “I’m going to go with the Rams because of Matthew Stafford... If that’s what it was and he’s going to be okay, then fine. But if it’s more than that...I do have questions about the Seahawks.” – Bogman (43:27)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On McDermott’s firing and being stuck in the “Tomlin middle”:

  “You just don't want to get stuck in that Tomlin middle where...you can't get over the hump.” – Bogman (02:57)

• On the pressure on Josh Allen:

  “Sometimes he trips over his own cape.” – Joey P (05:08)

• Joey's take on the Rams' repeated late-game letdowns:

  “The Rams once again let a team hang in it too long, as they do every single week. And I’m sick to death of it.” (17:45)

• On the Patriots' vaunted defense:

  “The Patriots have had a perfect defensive game plan two weeks in a row.” – Bogman (14:36)

• On the 49ers’ injury substation conspiracy:

  “They should look into it. I think there’s enough smoke there.” – Joey P (11:04)

• On DJ Moore giving up on a route:

  “If you’re that tired, get your ass off the field because that was pathetic.” – Bogman (22:13)

• Seth, the Bears fan, defending DJ Moore:

  “From what I’ve seen from DJ Moore this entire season, and I’ve watched every Bears game closely. I think the dude’s given 100%.” – Seth (24:29)

• On the Bills’ window closing:

  “I think what's happened here is the window for the Bills to shut.” – Joey P (35:49)

Timestamps for Important Segments

• Bills/Broncos recap & McDermott firing: 00:52 – 08:46
• Seahawks/49ers, Niners injury woes, substation theory: 09:17 – 11:40
• Texans/Patriots, defense, rookie QB growth: 12:01 – 17:21
• Bears/Rams ending, Caleb Williams' wild play, DJ Moore debate: 17:45 – 26:24
• Listener “Fact or Fiction” Q&A: 27:37 – 35:39
• Championship game picks and preview: 39:41 – 44:20

Flow & Tone

• Banter-heavy, irreverent, with deep football insight and plenty of friendly trash-talking.
• Quick pace, lots of side-jokes ("jump through the TV and punch that kicker right in the nuts"), and running gags about teams’ long-term futility (“Sisyphus”/Bills fans, “Tomlin middle”).

Takeaways for Fantasy & NFL Fans

• Coaching turmoil has major fantasy impact—keep an eye on Buffalo’s hire and new play-callers in the AFC.
• Weapons matter; teams without a true WR1 or O-line depth crumble under playoff pressure, both for fantasy and real-world value.
• Good defenses (Patriots, Texans, Seahawks) seized control of playoff games—impacting fantasy lines but also underscoring coaching prep.
• Clutch performances (Caleb Williams, Drake May, Pop Douglas, Stefon Diggs, etc.) will shape fantasy draft narratives for 2026.
• Don’t sleep on emerging stars like Jayden Higgins (Patriots) or potential bounce-backs for out-of-favor veterans like DJ Moore.

Final Notes

This episode balanced sharp, actionable football analysis with memorable moments and strong opinions – the perfect listen for fantasy managers and NFL fans hunting for both clarity and comic relief as the postseason storms ahead.

For a more detailed game-by-game breakdown or specific fantasy impact, fans can fast-forward to the relevant timestamps or check out the Fact or Fiction Q&A for bold predictions and offseason rumor mill chatter.