FantasyPros - Fantasy Football Podcast
Episode: Fantasy Football Takeaways: Fact or Fiction + Week 18 Waiver Wire & Trade Advice | Out of Bounds (Ep. 1920)
Date: December 30, 2025
Host: Joey P.
Co-host: Scott Bogman
Episode Overview
This episode delivers an in-depth review of the fantasy football landscape post-Week 17, shares actionable advice for the turbulent and often controversial Week 18 of fantasy championships, and dives into lively “Fact or Fiction” debates on league coaching, playoff outcomes, and future draft strategies. Joey P. and Scott Bogman mix strong opinions, banter, and plenty of league insights—while lamenting some tough personal fantasy losses and decrying the fate of Week 18 championships.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. Personal Reflections and Week 17 Gripes
- Fantasy heartbreaks:
- Joey P. recounts losing the Flex League championship to a Derrick Henry explosion.
- Bogman laments the Steelers’ incapacity to win in Cleveland since Roethlisberger's departure.
- The hosts both note the perils and frustrations of fantasy football at season’s end.
Joey P.: “I am sick of losing in championships. I lost to you two weeks ago by Puka Nacua's massive game. And then I lost the Flex League championship to Derrick Henry…What an incredible performance.” (02:24)
Bogman: “Sick of this offense. Sick. Aaron Rodgers. I am also sick with the Steelers flu.” (01:27)
2. Around the NFL: Historic Performances, Trivia, & Quality of Play
- Discussion of Trey McBride’s record-setting season for tight ends.
- The Jets’ ongoing offensive woes—Garrett Wilson remains leading receiver despite lack of production.
- An ongoing theme: the NFL’s increasing quarterback injury crisis. The hosts reiterate their call for two bye weeks.
Bogman: “This is what happens when you don't have enough bye weeks and these injuries start to pile up at the premier position in the NFL.” (03:51)
3. Coaching Hot Seats & Quality Debate
- Aaron Glenn (Bears DC): Whether a coach should be judged harshly if the roster is weak.
- Arthur Smith & Josh McDaniels: Both cited as coordinators who struggled as head coaches.
- Mike Tomlin’s Steelers legacy: With Pittsburgh at the edge of another 9-8 season, the hosts discuss if Tomlin could be traded rather than fired, respecting his legacy and Pittsburgh’s unique head coaching history.
Bogman: “If you hired the guy, you gotta give him the legs to kind of see it through for at least a couple seasons.” (06:43)
4. Fact or Fiction Showdown: Audience Participation
Multiple live fact or fiction prompts fuel spirited back-and-forth:
- Bears as NFC’s best: Hosts respect the Bears’ improvement but see the Rams (when healthy) as more threatening.
- AFC hierarchy: Patriots and Broncos called out as current upper-tier teams; Texans and Jaguars highlighted as “dark horses.”
- AFC North: Coaches Fired?
- Hosts speculate 2-3 openings likely; Tomlin could get “traded,” not fired.
- Texans vs. Jags in the Playoffs: Differing views—Bogman doubts Houston’s offense, Joey P. thinks their playoff experience could push them further.
Joey P.: “My argument back is…they beat everybody they put in front of them. They won all these road games, which is hard to do, especially with a young quarterback.” (11:15)
Bogman: “Texans…that offense just does not inspire any confidence in me.” (24:28)
5. Takeaways from Week 17
- Bucs need to fire Todd Bowles:
- “I’ve had it with the Buccaneers…they can’t win a game. I want to write in the Saints for the playoffs…” (18:00)
- NFC South playoff picture:
- A divisive, talent-poor division. The Saints, behind the emergent Tyler Shough, look more inspiring than the Bucs or Panthers.
- Steelers frustration & 9-8 memes:
- Internet jokes abound about Tomlin’s “magical” 9-win threshold; memes celebrate his consistent mediocrity.
- Notable on-field moments:
- Chase Young’s strip-6 vs. Cam Ward; Buffalo’s missed extra point shift in momentum.
6. Fantasy Football Strategy & Week 18 Guidance
- Never play your championship in Week 18!
- Both hosts strongly caution against it, citing player rest/unpredictability.
- Key Week 18 Dilemmas:
- “Would you recommend Dart or Burrow at quarterback this week?”—lean toward Burrow’s reliability, even against the Browns’ defense.
- Playoff structures:
- Critique of leagues starting playoffs in Week 14 due to bye weeks.
Joey P.: “You cannot be playing championships in Week 18. It’s a terrible idea.” (16:10)
7. 2026 Draft Preview & Early Debates
- Early QB in fantasy drafts—done trend or fluke year?
- Both expect “overcorrection” after a bad QB injury year—don’t count out early QBs in future drafts.
- Who’s #1 overall next year?
- Arguments for CMC, JSN, Jonathan Taylor, Puka Nacua—uncertainty abounds.
Bogman: “I think a lot of people are just going to go ahead and put CMC at number one. Right. Which is not a bad strategy…” (30:15)
8. Memorable Quotes & Moments
-
“Hand the ball to Derrick Henry in December and good things happen. Shock!”
– Joey P. (03:17) -
On the Rams:
“If everybody’s healthy and right for the Rams … they have the best head coach…a quarterback that’s won a Super Bowl…”
– Joey P. (08:23) -
On the perils of Week 18:
“Would you guys recommend Dart or Burrow? … It’s really, really hard to sit Burrow right now.”
– Scott Bogman (15:46) -
On the Steelers’ 9-8 destiny:
“He got the nine wins, his job is done. It’s cruising to the end of the year at this point.”
– Scott Bogman (14:39)
Timestamps for Key Segments
- [01:27] Steelers/Cleveland loss, fantasy heartbreaks
- [03:51] The call for more NFL bye weeks & QB injuries
- [06:43] Patience with rebuilding coaches, staff firings
- [08:17] “Fact or Fiction” Best NFC Team Debate
- [11:52] Coaches on hot seats: AFC North “loser leaves town”
- [15:23] Week 18 championship warning; Dart vs. Burrow QB debate
- [17:06] Rant against Week 18/championship structures
- [18:00] Bucs’ coaching critique; NFC South playoff hopes
- [20:52] Notable Week 17 moments—Chase Young, blocked kicks
- [26:39] Early 2026 draft/debate: Jefferson, CMC, QB early
- [34:26] Seahawks as NFC’s most complete team?
- [36:46] 3-1-1 predictions for Week 18 – players to watch
- [38:46] Teams to watch in Week 18—shout-out to bold preseason takes
Episode Tone
- Honest, self-deprecating, and often exasperated (especially regarding league structures and their own fantasy misfortune)
- Lively and interactive—audience “Fact or Fiction” questions drive productive debate
- Snarky yet analytical; a blend of deeply knowledgeable and candidly emotional reflection on both the fantasy and NFL real-world landscape
Useful for New Listeners
This episode is ideal for fantasy managers seeking straight talk on Week 18 pitfalls, a window into 2026 draft trends, or simply wanting to laugh/commiserate with fellow managers navigating the unpredictability of late-season fantasy football. The mix of bold opinions, nuanced coaching discussion, and rapid-fire “Fact or Fiction” challenges delivers insight and entertainment in equal measure.