FantasyPros - Fantasy Football Podcast

Episode: Fantasy Football Takeaways: Fact or Fiction + Week 16 Waiver Wire & Trade Advice | Out of Bounds (Ep. 1902)

Date: December 16, 2025

Episode Overview

This week's episode of "Out of Bounds" brings together hosts Joey P (Joe Pisapia), Scott Bogman, and Welsh for a lively, insight-packed breakdown of fantasy football news, Week 16 waiver/trade tips, and the ever-popular Fact or Fiction panel. The trio delivers hard-hitting advice in their trademark banter-filled fashion, covering key injuries, team outlooks, fantasy player values, hot waiver adds, and mailbag questions—all with a balance of sharp analysis and good-natured ribbing.

Main Discussion Highlights

1. Kansas City Chiefs’ Tumultuous Season & Mahomes’ Injury (04:06–10:57)

• Background: Chiefs miss playoffs and lose Patrick Mahomes to a late-season ACL tear—a major turning point.
• Rebuild or Reset Debate:
  • Joey P: Stresses the importance of supporting Mahomes (bigger receivers, improved O-line, legit run game). Suggests this is a chance for a "reset"—not a full rebuild.
  • Bogman: Highlights timing as the biggest setback: "It's not just that Mahomes is hurt, it's that he got hurt so late in the season... It’s getting him back healthy after that and figuring out this coaching staff if these guys decide to leave." (06:01)
  • Welsh: Strongly opposes the rebuild narrative: “There will be no rebuild. It will just be putting some Tussin on it and they'll figure it out.” (08:47)
• Key concern: If Andy Reid retires, the team faces a potential identity crisis.

2. Packers’ Micah Parsons Injury and Playoff Picture (11:12–13:20)

• Issue: Losing their top pass rusher (Parsons) exposes Green Bay’s already weak secondary.
• Welsh: “I just think this puts them on a pretty even playing field right now... A lot of the NFC teams are on a much greater even playing field.” (12:35)
• Joey P: Suggests the Texans’ surging defense makes them one of the most dangerous playoff teams.

3. Surging Houston Texans as Playoff Threat (13:21–15:15)

• Joey P: “I think the most dangerous team right now…is the Houston Texans. That defense is ferocious.”
• Bogman: Notes offense is still the question: “If they can get the run game going for the playoffs, they're going to be real dangerous...” (14:25)

4. Player Performances & Notable Week 15 Moments

• James Cook Appreciation:
  • Joey P: “Every time James Cook touches the football, he wants to score.” (16:33)
• Miles Garrett Sack Record Chase:
  • Playful banter about who should give up the record-setting sack to Garrett (17:10)
• Old man moments: Noting Philip Rivers' mobility struggles and triumphs in his recent comeback as Colts QB.
• Kyle Van Noy’s unselfish INT lateral:
  • Joey P: “He tossed it to Gilman…and the fact that he ran all the way for a touchdown was brilliant.” (29:50)

Takeaways Segment (17:51–22:38)

1. J.J. McCarthy and Justin Jefferson Disconnect

• Welsh: "He is incapable of getting the ball to Justin Jefferson." (18:37)
• Bogman: Frustration at Jefferson’s lack of production despite promising QB play.
• Joey P: Notices many playoff teams survived despite Jefferson’s bust year.

2. The Colts' Offense with Philip Rivers

• Welsh: “The Colts are exactly what we thought they were…Phil Rivers…serviceable, can't move…[they’re] check down city. I think all the offensive options outside of Jonathan Taylor are a really, really big risk and kind of cooked.” (21:03)

3. Houston Texans as the Playoff Sleeper

• Joey P: “They’re the most dangerous team.”

4. Joe Burrow’s Future

• Joey P: Points to Burrow’s worrisome comments about losing the ‘fun’ in football, suggesting a potential Andrew Luck-type early exit or a future trade request (23:00).
• Bogman: Predicts Rams should trade “three first-round picks for Joe Burrow in the offseason” if Stafford retires (23:29).
• Welsh: “I think there’s a better chance he Andrew Luck’s…but I think he’s just being a crybaby.” (24:22)

Fact or Fiction Mailbag (32:02+)

• Parkinson as Rams streamer (TE):
  • All 3: Fact. If receivers are out, “he’s a good pivot.”
• Troy Franklin worth a pickup:
  • Bogman: Fiction, unless Pat Bryant is confirmed out. Otherwise, can’t trust the usage.
• Will Kyler Murray be a one-year rental?
  • Joey P: Fiction. Salary cap and possible long-term suitors make a rental unlikely.
• Can Jacoby Brissett outscore Joe Burrow ROS?
  • Joey P and Bogman: Fact (lean). Recent performances and Burrow's moodiness vs resilient Brissett make this plausible.
• Travis Kelce Retires this Offseason? (41:54)
  • All agree: Fact is more likely. Welsh: “The dude’s checked out.” (41:54)
• Brenton Strange’s Week 14 breakout was a fluke?
  • All: Fiction. Don’t trust him as a consistent option—prefer Parkinson.

Notable Quotes:

• Welsh on the Chiefs: "There will be no rebuild. It will just be putting some Tussin on it and they'll figure it out." (08:47)
• Joey P on Cook: “Every time James Cook touches the football, he wants to score.” (16:33)
• Scott Bogman, on Brock Purdy's run: "He just needs to be out there running bowlegged with no football protection at all and then sticking the ball in the defender’s face." (39:15)
• Bogman on the Giants’ playoff chances: “Giants, 100% Giants.” (46:10)
• Joey P on Philip Rivers in pads: “Why does he look like he got that outfit from Spirit Halloween?” (26:34)

Notable Moments & Lighter Touches

• Extended humor over recurring post-it note gags about Justin Jefferson's stat line (02:03–03:30)
• Banter about AI generating images of Joe Mixon as the wrestler Sting (15:23)
• "Moment of the Week" stories: Each host picks a funny or feel-good NFL highlight.

Timestamps for Key Segments

• [04:06–10:57] — Chiefs Season Post-Mahomes ACL Injury: All angles and fantasy implications
• [11:12–13:20] — Packers Lose Parsons, NFC Playoff Race
• [13:21–15:15] — Why the Texans Are Scary Contenders
• [17:51–22:38] — Weekly Takeaways
• [23:00–27:36] — Will Joe Burrow leave/retire? Trade suggestions, head coach shakeups
• [29:50] — Kyle Van Noy's unselfish INT
• [32:02–37:08] — Fact or Fiction Mailbag (Streamers, WR pick-ups, TE usage, Brissett vs. Burrow, Kelce's retirement)
• [38:00+] — 3-1-1 Contest Picks & Fun Wrap-up (Purdy as a Hail Mary, James Cook, Nico Collins, Michael Wilson)

Advice & Waiver/Trade Insights

• Waiver names to watch: Parkinson (TE - Rams), Brissett (QB stream), Drake London (if active), Troy Franklin (only if Pat Bryant is out).
• Trade/value advice: Don’t panic on Rashee Rice if Mahomes is out—still usable; monitor Jonathan Taylor's role in the Colts’ checkdown-fueled offense; don't force fringe WR pickups unless roles are clear.
• Opportunistic Play: The Texans D/ST is becoming a difference-maker if they’re still available in your league.

Conclusion

Filled with humor, spirited debate, and detailed analysis, this episode is a must-listen for fantasy managers navigating playoff pushes. The hosts keep things accessible, actionable, and entertaining, covering critical news while balancing the show’s established playful energy.

Final words:
"That's it for us here and out of bounds today. Great show boys. ...But the story of the game goes on. We'll see you next time kids!" (47:21)