Week 15 Preview: Grandpa Rivers, Drake and Josh, Sad Burrow, Hobbled Herbert, and the Kenny Pickett Revenge Game

Summary

The Ringer Fantasy Football Show — Week 15 Preview

Episode: Grandpa Rivers, Drake and Josh, Sad Burrow, Hobbled Herbert, and the Kenny Pickett Revenge Game
Date: December 12, 2025
Hosts: Danny Heifetz (A), Danny Kelly (B), Craig Horlbeck (C)

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Episode Overview

This week’s episode is all about navigating Week 15—fantasy football’s first playoff week in most leagues. The trio dig into the most compelling games, fantasy-relevant news, and impossible lineup choices, all under the darkly comic mood of a season marred by injuries, washed legends, and quarterback desperation. Themes include: old quarterbacks making unlikely starts (hello, Philip Rivers), the realness of Drake May’s MVP candidacy, Josh Allen vs. the world, decimated offenses, and the emotional toll of surviving advanced rounds of fantasy under these wild circumstances.

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Main Topics & Key Insights

1. Bills at Patriots: The AFC East, MVP Race, and the “Drake May Realness” Debate

• High-stakes matchup: Winner likely determines the AFC East. “This is probably going to be, narrative wise, a big game for the MVP race. Josh Allen versus Drake May, both of whom are playing incredibly right now.” (B, 03:33)
• Despite the Pats being 11–2, they’re still underdogs. All hosts, despite building up New England’s resume, ultimately pick Buffalo ("I just think Buffalo will win this game. But… Drake May for the MVP…” A, 04:31).
• Drake May for MVP?
  • May’s deep passing and insane completion % (71%) highlighted. “Drake May is going to have like the sixth best completion percentage ever… But he’s throwing passes further than every quarterback downfield… except Jalen Hurts...” (A, 05:24)
  • He leads the NFL in numerous efficiency stats, yet Danny Kelly still leans Allen: “Efficiency is cool, but Josh Allen has 34 touchdowns… Josh Allen leads all quarterbacks in rushing and rushing touchdowns. He's third in the NFL in rushing touchdowns.” (B, 09:20)
  • All three hosts admit unconscious bias—reluctance to crown new stars due to lack of NFL resume, with May’s "rookie-ness" held against him.
  • Quote: “There’s a boomerness to me that the MVP needs to be earned. Matt Stafford has been grinding for 17 years… Drake May has played 20 football [games].” (C, 07:41)
• Fantasy Angle: Stefan Diggs is a must-start in revenge games; both Patriots backs (Henderson & Ramondre) likely to split—start if desperate but ceiling is capped.
  • “I think you have to play Trayvon Henderson just because that’s the way the Patriots are going to try to win this game is the running game because that is the weakness of the Bill’s defense.” (A, 14:16)

2. Ravens at Bengals: Lamar's “Bounce Back” & “Sad Burrow” Press Conference

• Ravens desperate; Bengals adrift: “Bengals are cooked and dead and I don’t know if T. Higgins is going to play and the Ravens are desperate and Cincinnati has the worst defense…” (C, 15:57)
• Focus on Burrow’s dispirited mood and media speculation about his future:
  • “Obviously, the first thing you think of is the Andrew Luck situation, where he just stopped loving football and decided to retire and live his life.” (B, 17:22)
  • Heifetz points out the Bengals front office has actually modernized and paid their guys.
• Fantasy Play:
  • Obvious starts: Joe Burrow, Jamar Chase, Chase Brown, Lamar, Derrick Henry.
  • Zay Flowers is risky vs. Bengals' ascendant shadow coverage; Isaiah Likely and Mark Andrews suggested as sneaky starts against a defense that “allows the most targets, catches, yards, touchdowns, and fantasy points to tight ends.” (A, 23:42)
  • “The Bengals this year have allowed 1,258 yards to tight ends. That is already the most in the NFL since 2015. There’s a month to go!” (C, 24:03)

3. Chiefs at Chargers: “Hobbled Herbert” and the Chiefs’ Playoff Hopes

• Massive injury attrition: Both teams down to backup linemen; Herbert and Mahomes are top 3 in QB rushing this year (“because they’re running for their goddamn lives.” C, 33:26).
• Despite dire straits, if Chiefs win, “they have a very viable path to make the playoffs. And frankly, I think all of us got out over our goddamn skis last week, including myself.” (A, 25:58)
• RB situation for Chargers is a true split. Jim Harbaugh on carries: “Because I’m not a prognosticator. I’m not a seer of the future.” (Harbaugh, quoted by A, 31:10)
• Fantasy:
  • Play K.C.'s Rashee Rice and Kelce and… that’s it. For Chargers, it's dicey with Lad McConkey due to injury; others are benchable unless desperate.
  • “Well, the running back… I think Kimani Vidal is more likely to get double digits without a touchdown… Amirian Hampton’s more likely to play inside the 10. So like, you’re fucked if you have them.” (A, 32:05)

4. Quarterbacks Causing Chaos: Grandpa Rivers, Kenny Pickett, and More

• PHILIP RIVERS' RETURN:
  • Rivers, age 44, possibly starting for the Colts in a playoff game against the Seahawks (“This is like my grandpa working Apple TV…” C, 67:19).
  • Split between comic horror and nostalgia: “It’s like, should Phil. Should we actually be allowed?” (A, 65:44)
  • Betting lines and confidence reflect skepticism; fantasy-wise, Colts pass-catchers are untouchable, even Michael Pittman: “How could you have less confidence playing somebody in fantasy…” (A, 73:28)
• KENNY PICKETT “Revenge Game”:
  • Raiders QB faces old team, the Eagles—raucous speculation about how few points the Raiders will score (“What is the highest number you’d feel comfortable saying the Raiders score? Three.” C, 42:35)

5. Late Window: Rams-Lions Shootout & High Drama

• Ringer hosts giddy about a potential Stafford vs Goff “revenge family dinner” shootout.
  • “Jared Goff… still seethes with anger at McVay. But they still go to dinner… one of the four is fucking pissed.” (A, 59:50)
  • Both teams' defensive backfields depleted; Amon-Ra, Jameson Williams, Puka, and Kupp are all major fantasy green lights. “I think this game is going to have like 70 points.” (A, 60:38)
  • Hot debate and “name game” on whether to start Montgomery or Blake Corum, among others (63:05).

6. QB Roller Coaster: Jets, Giants, Commanders, and Trevor Lawrence

• Trek into Jets QB hell: “35-year-old hobbled with a groin injury, a rushing quarterback who won’t be able to run or an undrafted free agent Brady Cook, who scares you the most…” (A, 48:56)
• Giants/Commanders battle invokes fantasy dread. Quote: “This game sucks. I’m sad about it.” (A, 54:06)
• Jags: The addition of Jacoby Myers has reinvigorated Lawrence as a reliable fantasy starter (“He is playing better. And I think that’s because Jacoby Myers is kind of laying this foundation and just kind of taking some of the heat off of Brian Thomas…” B, 47:53)

7. Fantasy Lineups: Trust, Betrayal, and Desperation

• Bear RBs preferred against Cleveland due to shifting defensive personnel.
• Eagles’ offense under a microscope: “If the Eagles don’t look good this week, I don’t know if the Eagles will look good the rest of the year.” (A, 45:19)
• Vikings-Cowboys: Only Jefferson and Aaron Jones suggested as safe plays, with strong caveats.
• Steelers-Dolphins: “Kenneth Gainwell's quietly been great. Like the last four weeks he's put up 13, 5, 15 and 26 [points].” (C, 86:35)
• “If you have to use [Giants/Commanders] for fantasy I feel bad for you.” (A, 54:06)

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Notable & Memorable Quotes

• “There’s a boomerness to me that the MVP needs to be earned. Matt Stafford has been grinding for 17 years and he deserves it right now. I’m like, fucking Drake May has played 20 football [games].” (C, 07:41)
• “That’s what the money’s for, dude.” (B, 17:51) — On Joe Burrow’s moodiness despite being highly paid.
• “The Patriots are super underrated and disrespected and also we’re all picking the Bills to win.” (A, 13:01)
• “Herbert and Mahomes are having, like, 70 yards less rushing than Josh Allen this year. Pretty crazy… because they’re running for their goddamn lives.” (C, 33:26)
• “This is like my grandpa like working Apple TV 100%. You know what I mean?” (C, 67:19) — On Rivers starting
• “How could you have less confidence playing somebody in fantasy that might have to be in your lineup truly than like Michael Pittman or Alec Pierce this week?” (A, 73:28)
• “What is the highest number you would feel comfortable saying that the Raiders score? Three.” (C, 42:35)

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Timestamps for Key Segments

• Bills-Patriots & MVP Debate: 02:47 – 13:06
• Ravens-Bengals & Sad Burrow Segment: 15:09 – 25:31
• Chiefs-Chargers, O-line Injuries & RBs: 25:31 – 34:01
• Philip Rivers Speculation / Colts at Seahawks: 65:00 – 74:47
• Raiders at Eagles / Kenny Pickett Revenge: 41:01 – 45:53
• Rams-Lions Potential Shootout: 59:21 – 64:11
• Jets, Giants, Commanders, Jags: 46:07 – 54:43
• Packers-Broncos, Coaching Grudges: 55:14 – 59:04
• General Fantasy Lineup Struggles: Scattered throughout (see especially 73:15 – 74:47, 41:01 – 45:53)

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Episode Tone & Takeaways

True to the Ringer’s signature style, the episode is irreverent, neurotic, and loaded with gallows humor. The hosts blend sharp football and fantasy analysis with meme-able banter and a fondness for unlikely comebacks and underdog stories—even the ones that seem primed to end in disaster (like Rivers’ comeback). If you’re setting your fantasy roster or chasing playoff glory, this episode is essential—especially to commiserate over how ridiculous and unpredictable this season and Week 15 have become.

• The mood: Frustrated, amused, resigned; knowledgeable yet self-mocking about the limits of fantasy advice in such a chaotic year.
• For fantasy managers: Expect the unexpected, don’t trust any backup QB, and if Philip Rivers wins in Seattle, it will be “one of the more improbable things in American sports.” (A, 68:14)

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For More

• Rankings and start/sit advice: ringers fantasy football dot com.
• Participate in the Discord: Invite link in the episode description.
• Contact: [e-mail]

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Transcript

[A]

Foreign. Welcome to the Ringer Fantasy football show. My name is Danny Heifetz and I'm joined by Danny Kelly and Craig Korbeck. And we are going over all the games from Week 15 of the NFL season, aka the first round of the playoffs in fantasy football season. Unless your commissioner screwed up this scheduling, we're going to go through all the games and honestly, the games are pretty good. Some of the games sucked toward the end of the year. And you know what? There's actually a lot of good games. There is the Bills versus the Patriots with Drake May and the AFC east and the MVP on the line. There's Rams, Lions, Stafford versus Golf. There's a lot of good stuff. There's also bad games, but there's a lot of fun stuff. Dk, you're nodding. Are you excited?

[B]

Absolutely. Cannot. Wait.

[A]

All right, that sounded super fake. Craig, are you excited?

[C]

Well, I'm not in the ring or fantasy playoffs, but I would love to be included in one of those one day. So I'm. You guys are probably more excited than me, but yeah. No, no.

[A]

Well, we're on by. So technically nothing going on.

[B]

We're actually less exciting than you because you're playing for something.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

Tonight just have buys.

[A]

Yeah.

[C]

Yeah. That sucks.

[B]

I actually kind of think bye weeks suck.

[A]

It's the worst take.

[B]

That's my hot take. Having a buy is awful.

[C]

You know what sucks about the bye week is all you do is just hope your players don't get injured for the entire week.

[B]

That's what I'm saying.

[C]

And you're just like, don't get hurt. Don't get hurt.

[B]

And if they go off, it's like, oh, great. What was that for?

[C]

I know, it is weird.

[A]

All right, we're going to get to all that and more, but first we're going to take a quick break. This episode is presented by Chime Bank Smarter. This season, fantasy football is all about strategy. Well, here's a winning strategy for your money trade banking fees for fee free banking, 1.5% cash back getting paid when you say and a higher APY on your savings. That's a lineup that wins. Stop banking the old way. Bank Smarter through Chime Chime is a financial technology company, not a bank. Banking services and the secured Chime Visa credit card provided by the Bancor Bank NA or Stride Bank NA members FDIC optional services and products may have fees or charges. [e-mail]/fees Info with a qualifying direct deposit Earn 1.5% cash back on eligible secured Chime Visa credit card purchases. APY means annual percentage yield. Learn [e-mail] all right, getting to these games. Starting off here, Buffalo Bills are at the New England Patriots. Craig, do you think a bigger game for Bill Simmons this week is the Patriots Bills game or your matchup with Bill in the ringer fantasy league where the person with less points goes to the toilet bowl championship and someone has to do the last place punishment has.

[C]

To be the ringer league, right? I mean, the Pats are still in first even if they lose this game.

[A]

And.

[C]

And like Bill, not getting last place has to be the top priority for him. He was already angling to get out of it. We when the season ended, he was like, oh, wait, isn't Van. Van's in last place? Like, it's over, it's done. And we're like, no, no, there's a toilet bowl. So you can already feel it. He doesn't want to wear that jersey.

[A]

Dey, what did you make of Bill thinking the last place was after week 14?

[B]

Just another confirmation that no one reads the texts, which is fair. Honestly, I kind of understand it.

[C]

And then the nail in the coffin was h it sending 2,000 words over a simple ab drop situation.

[A]

Look in retrospect. So it didn't matter. TK what do you think of Bill's Patriots, though? So is did the Patriots clinch the AFC east if they win this game?

[B]

Yeah. So if the Patriots win, they are the winners of the n the AFC East. If the Bills win, they can still technically catch the Patriots in the division. And this is also not only just for the AFC east. This is probably going to be, narrative wise, a big game for the MVP race. Josh Allen versus Drake May, both. Both of whom are playing incredibly right now.

[C]

It's kind of weird that the Patriots are not favored in this game. Like, The Patriots are 11 and 2. They've already beaten the Bills.

[B]

They.

[C]

They're at home. They are not favored in this game. What do you odd.

[B]

What do you know? Vegas?

[C]

Yeah.

[B]

I don't know.

[C]

The best record in the NFL. They're at home and they already beat this team and they're not favored.

[B]

But do you think that they're. They're going to win?

[C]

No, I'd probably pick the Bill, right? So fuck Vegas. Vegas is good.

[B]

Sometimes they just know.

[C]

Sometimes they just know.

[B]

The Patriots have won the last two. Do you think they'll make it three in a row? I'm kind of just like, that's my only analysis is like, I feel like the Bills will win this one.

[A]

Yeah, it just feels that way.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

It's so true that you can make all the arguments for New England, but I just think Buffalo will win this game. But I, I will say Drake May for the mvp. I gotta tell you, I wasn't very into it. I was kind of like, oh, are we gonna do this? Drake May mvp after they we identified in March that the Patriots are gonna have the easiest schedule in the NFL and like the one seed and they would roll through the easiest schedule and honestly in a long time add Mike. We're going to give Mike Frable coach of the year and Drake May the mvp. Like Drake can't be the second best player the third. We have to be like Mike Frable's the best coach and Drake May is the singular most valuable player in the league. That's both true. I will say though, we have not talked enough that Drake May, we talked about Drake May's the deep passing all year. Drake May has the second deepest average completion. Like in terms of how far downfield the ball's traveling. Drake B is also completing 71% of his passes.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

Which I actually think we haven't talked about enough. I, I, I don't talk about completion percentage a lot. I feel like I kind of hate it. And it's because people lead the league in completion percentage. Like if you look at the top.

[B]

Completion percentage dump offs.

[A]

Yeah, it's, it's Drew Brees that had 75% completion percentage one year.

[C]

Yeah, that's some Dylan Gabriel at Oregon, some Bo Nick.

[A]

Like Drew Brees ranked dead last in completion average depth of target. And then the next season is the best ever. Is Drew Brees the year after ranking dead last a completion percentage. And then it's all these guys who are dump offs. Drake May is going to have like the sixth best completion percentage ever if he didn't play any games the rest of the year. But he's throwing passes further than every quarterback downfield in the, in the league except Jalen Hurts who only passes it to on screens to Dallas Goddard or bombs to AJ Brown where he's not running full routes. So I will say I the Drake Bay. It is actually pretty insane to see him like completing passes literally 7 out of 10.

[B]

He's bombing passes the so he right now leads the NFL in adjusted yards per attempt. 9.3. He's second in yards per attempt. He leads the NFL at EPA for drop back. He leads the NFL in success rate. He's second only to Matt Stafford and passer rating. However, if I was going to like vote right now. I would probably vote for Josh Allen. Who would you guys actually vote for? You had a vote right now?

[C]

Stafford.

[B]

Well, Stafford.

[A]

Yeah, I, you know, it's so funny.

[B]

I don't think I would vote for Drake May is kind of my point.

[C]

Well, don't you think it's weird that I, I feel like the Drake May conversation for the MVP is. Is kind of indicative of like the current state of NFL. The NFL. And like, it's a lot of teams that are good right now but have not been good in the past, so we don't really know how to think of them yet. And I'm like, if another quarterback was doing what Drake May was doing right now, that was more established, I would be like, give them the mvp. But because it's Drake May and they have this easy schedule and this is like kind of the first real season we've seen of Drake May. I feel like nobody wants to admit that this is real. Nobody wants to admit that the Patriots have probably a top five quarterback in the NFL. Just like nobody wants to admit that the Patriots are a top five team in the NFL.

[A]

That is true. It's kind of like how it took years for us to acknowledge that Brock Purdy is actually good because we were anchored to it and great people need to see it before it happens. Like, like before, like, we don't want to give him MVP because he hasn't done it yet. It's almost like. I totally agree with that and I think that is part of my inclination. And I agree.

[C]

There's like a boomerness to me that's like, the MVP needs to be earned. Matt Stafford has been grinding for 17 years and he deserves it right now. I'm like, fucking Drake May has played 20 football.

[A]

100%. It's like we just don't want to. Yeah, we're going to annoy. Yeah, we're going to crown his ass. The flip side is, what I keep thinking about is sometimes I'm like, again, the flip side is the mvp. And part of it's like the value and the concept of value has been totally changed in the last 20 years with Moneyball. And part of me is like, yeah, but like, how many games with these teams have each one if all of these quarterbacks had just been torn their ACL in the first quarter of the first game of the year? And I feel like, frankly, the patriots still win nine or 10 games and make the playoff season with Josh fucking Dobbs. I'm not taking away from Drake May, but part of me just thinks that Mike Vrabel kind of still gets the Patriots to the playoffs over this schedule of the jets and the Browns, all these shitty teams and the Titans. And part of me thinks honestly that the Rams kind of still make the playoffs and win 10 games with fucking Jimmy, Jimmy Garoppolo. I, I know it would probably be a lot worse, maybe they win at eight or nine games if Josh Allen had gone down and Mitchell Trubisky was the quarterback for the Bills all year. I, I kind of think the Bills win five games. I know maybe that's not the mvp.

[C]

Yeah, that's how it works, right? Like in terms of valuable to their team. Josh Allen has more responsibility to the offense's success than probably any quarterback in the NFL. And yet. Or maybe Mahomes. It's like him and Mahomes every year, but like it's the LeBron argument. Like LeBron should have had 15 MVPs, but what do you do?

[A]

Well, every year it's like we're going to stop giving Ohtani the MVP because I'm tired of it. But, but, but you're right. I'm probably anchored to the fact that I know Josh Allen's good and I've seen it. So yeah, Drake is Drake May.

[B]

To me it's like it boils down to I just gave you a bunch of efficiency stats for Drake May and efficiency is cool, but Josh Allen has 34 touchdowns and Drake May has 25. And Josh Allen leads all quarterbacks in rushing and rushing touchdowns. He's third in the NFL and rushing touchdowns.

[C]

Well, you know what's funny about that, dk is this is the flipped argument from last year. Lamar had way more touchdowns than Josh Allen did last year. Josh Allen did not have a lot of touchdowns. Josh.

[B]

Lamar.

[A]

I stick with Josh, but I feel the way. No, I hate that my least favorite argument in the world is the, well, should he be a three time mvp? I hate that. I think it's the, the, the dumb. It should be silo to the season. But. And I think, I'm not saying I.

[B]

Would do that, but it, it does matter.

[A]

The reason I wanted Josh to win last year was that at fundamental level, the Ravens added Derrick Henry and the Bills lost Stefan digs. Like they got rid of Stefan Diggs. And I think you see that again this year where it's like, you know, Stefan Diggs, Drake May, and again, I'm not. The surrounding talent argument gets dangerous because the Patriots surrounding talent honestly is kind of ass. And I think that is also very much in Drake B's favor. I don't know. I just, when you, when I watch the I agree. I, I, I don't know. I guess I feel like Patriots fans are going to get all mad, but I'm like, is it really, is it insulting to say Drake May is the third best player?

[B]

Go cry. Is that mean awesome ascending quarterback?

[A]

I know, I'm kind of like, I.

[C]

Don'T totally agree anyway, but Matt Stafford added devonte Adams. Does that mean he doesn't deserve the mvp?

[A]

That's, well, that's kind of where I, that's kind of where I am with the Josh thing. Cause I'm like Sean McVeigh and Devonte Adams and, and Puka. That, that is kind of why I do. I, I could be convinced to put Drake May ahead of Stafford for that argument of, dude, the infrastructure Stafford has is crazy. I think he's playing at a higher level than Drake May, but also he has way more talent around him.

[C]

But no, I, I don't like judging it based off of, like, how good is your surrounding talent? I, I like to look at it a little more. I'm just like, how good is your team? How good are you playing? How good are your abilities right now? Do I feel like you are the best quarterback in the league when I watch you? And Stafford looks like that almost every week? I, Drake May and Josh Allen are right there too. But I think it's Stafford. They are the best team and he looks the best.

[A]

And so the truth is, throwing to all pros, the truth is, from this moment on, it will be decided like, DK is right. Like, I think your Drake May beats Josh Allen in this game, he'll probably win.

[B]

Josh Allen's 14:1, by the way, Stafford.

[A]

Which is crazy because if the Bills.

[B]

Second, yeah, if the Bills finish and.

[A]

Win out, like, I feel like Josh Allen can still totally win it, but it depends how it'll play going forward. So I don't know.

[B]

Jordan Love is actually ahead of him in the NBA race right now.

[C]

Jordan loves nuts. Bo Nicks is sixth, which is like.

[A]

Kind of a sign.

[B]

Not happening.

[A]

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[C]

Well, it's funny. It's like, it's all a part of like this entire narrative of the season. You know why we're all picking the Bills to win? Because the Patriots were like, I don't know. I just, like, I don't care what the numbers say. I don't care what his completion percentage is. I don't care what their record is. I just like, I don't know. Bills.

[A]

Yep.

[C]

Josh Allen.

[A]

That's exactly where I am. Yep. I agree. All right.

[C]

This is a tough fantasy game, though. Like you have the Patriots running back situation that you're playing. Trayvon. But I was a little worried about the split with Ramandre the last time they played. Every single Bill's pass catcher is a complete dice roll. Every single Patriots pass catcher is a complete dice roll. It's really tough.

[A]

You have to play the person. You have to play. Stefon Diggs. He was huge in the game against the Bills. Like I think the most underrated thing we, you know, they have the little projections of how many points they're going to score. I promise you the, the number one factor that matters in real life that is not considered in those little numbers is the fact that Stefan Diggs is going against his whole team. Like that kind of revenge. It actually is considered in the game planning. Like the Bills. Actually the Patriots absolutely went out of their way to get Stefan Diggs the ball in the first game they played against Buffalo and also just genuinely thinks the fund Diggs is. I mean he's been unbelievable on a per route basis this season. But I would not bench Diggs. Obviously you're playing Drake, man. I think you have to play Trayvon Henderson just because that's the way the Patriots are going to try to win this game is the running game because that is the weakness of the Bill's defense.

[C]

So Ramandre out touched him.

[A]

Well, it's tough but I think the Bills run defense, I don't. What do you think dk? I think you. I look. It depends on.

[B]

I'm starting Trayvon. I'm not playing Andre. Even though that might not look great on Monday.

[C]

Yeah, I think it's going to be a split. Like I think we know what variable is. Like this is one of those things where it's like you just have to accept what variable's telling you. When these two guys are healthy, like at best they will split.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

And I think it's split against the bad one.

[B]

Yeah, that's the type of running back Henderson is. Anyway. He's a.

[C]

You have to basically bank on him getting one or two explosives to round.

[A]

Out a stat line and you probably don't have a better option. So the next game here, another game. This is weird. Ravens at Bengals. Another divisional game.

[C]

Yeah, a must win for the Ravens. This, these teams played on Thanksgiving. The. The Bengals won that Lamar looked terrible. However, I do want to kind of retcon this a little bit with Lamar because last week the fantasy numbers were there a little bit. That Bengals game was really wonky. Like that was the game where Isaiah likely fumbled the touchdown at the half inch yard line. Zay Flowers had a touchdown called back. So if you basically add both those things back. Also Lamar's interception was a tip pass that also could have been a touchdown to Mark Andrews. Lamar really had like 280 yards and two touchdowns in the game. And so if you have that plus last week it does seem like he's a little bit more back to me the Bengals are cooked and dead and I don't know if T. Higgins is going to play and the Ravens are desperate and Cincinnati has the worst defense.

[A]

In the league and Joe Burrows waxing burrowetic about a lot of things.

[C]

Yeah, I mean we could talk about that. I wrote down some of the quotes at Oppressor. Basically him just talking about how he's not happy right now and things are going on off the field and on the field and he needs to be able to. He needs to try to like, find the fun in playing football again. So I'm like, am I going to bet on that team going into this game against. In a meaningless game for them versus a team that desperately needs to win? The spread in this game is only.

[B]

Two and a half.

[C]

The Ravens are favorite. So I'm like, you know, to me, I'm very into Baltimore in this game. Even though they're on the road and they've kind of looked bad.

[A]

I think people are going way too far with the Joe Burrow is, like, not going to be in the Bengals thing next year. I don't know why that's becoming a story, but it is weird.

[C]

I'll tell you why it's becoming a story. Because Adam Schefter on ESPN today deliberately was like, let me tell you something. A lot of front offices watch that video. A lot of front offices are interested in what Joe Burrow had to say. I'll just say that.

[B]

What does that mean?

[C]

Like, the teams are going to try to go get him because he's miserable and gets hit all the time. And this is Andrew Luck 2.0. And Schefter, you know, said, you know, in 13 fewer games, Burrow versus Andrew Luck, he has 29 more sets.

[A]

I cannot.

[C]

Oh, but I'm telling you, you asked, why are people doing it? It's because Adam Schefter is, like, trying to build that propaganda.

[A]

Before I say anything. What do you think of that, dk?

[B]

I mean, obviously, the first thing you think of is the Andrew Luck situation, where he just stopped loving football and decided to retire and live his life. He had a bunch of money, and he's like, I'm gonna go do stuff. I like doing. This sucks.

[C]

Now he's the GM of. Of Stanford, which, when I retired, dude, GM of San Diego State. Sounds like a blast.

[B]

Craig's gonna put together a hell of a.

[A]

We're gonna make you the fourth most famous Craig in American history. Since there's so. We're so light on Craig's.

[C]

That's true.

[B]

But I mean, I think generally my reaction is like, he's just bummed out because they suck right now. Like, he. He'll be fine.

[A]

Yeah, I. I totally agree.

[B]

I think I saw somebody tweeted. It was like, that's what the money's for, dude.

[A]

That. Well, you're not happy. That's what the money's for. Remember, like, nine days ago when we were so happy because Joe Burrow, they were like, why are you coming back to play? And he's like, I get paid A lot of money to play a kids game. 60 million a year to play a kids game. And then 10 days later he's like, I don't know. I'm like, this guy's gonna force his way out. I don't know. I. Anything could happen. You never know, he said. Personal life and professional. You never know what's going on in people's lives. And then obviously he's had a weird string in Cincinnati, but my, when I come, I can't believe I'm going to defend the Cincinnati Bengals, who I've been as hard on in anyone. Twenty years ago, the Bengals were locking up footballs after practice so they couldn't throw the ball. And then the, I mean, TG Hushman Zada had the story about how they had to pay for their own fucking jock straps or whatever. But the Bengals have modernized the goddamn team. They are building a practice bubble. And also they paid all the guys. They gave Joe Burrow a quarter of a billion dollars and timed his announcement to overshadow Mahomes on the opening week of the NFL season a couple years ago. They gave Jamar Chase the most money for I think any non quarterback in the entire league. I think Myles Garrett passed them. They paid to keep T. Higgins. They even fucking paid Mike Kisicki for some goddamn reason. You think Joe Burrow wasn't consulted on keeping Chase, Higgins and Kisicki? And like they had to not pay Trey Hendrickson to do that. They've missed a bunch of picks on defense, but the whole, like they haven't invested in the offensive line. They drafted Ameris Minns in the first round at tackle. They kept every player that Joe Burrow fucking passes to. The idea that the Bengals haven't treated him right, the sacks, Andrew Luck. The Colts completely botched the offensive line situation. That was crazy. There were weird things with his injuries and his shoulder. Joe Burrow taking hits is a complete stylistic decision on how Joe Burrow approaches the game of football. Joe Burrow has literally said sacks and turnovers on third down are totally overrated. Like that Joe Burrow would rather hold the ball and take hits and try to get big plays downfield. But I don't know. Blaming the Bengals to me is, I, I, I think that's super unfair, to be honest.

[C]

He didn't do that. All he said was, I'm not having fun.

[A]

I agree. I'm not saying the Bengals, I'm not saying the Bengals. He's blaming the Bengals. I'm saying people, people blame the Bengals for Burrows injuries. And I'M like, do you feel that way, dk? Like they've invested a shitload into this.

[B]

No, not really. I mean, a lot of his injuries have been totally fluky, so I don't know, I think he was probably in a bad mood. And they're, they're not going to make the playoffs. Very, very likely. I think they have like a 2% or 3% chance. You just have a bad day kind of at the wrong moment.

[A]

It's just athletes are honest.

[B]

He's thinking about his life right now.

[A]

This is why they're not honest in press conferences. Because they're like, fight with his girlfriend.

[B]

I don't know.

[C]

Also, like, just, just because your quarterback is your, is your franchise quarterback and the cornerstone of the organization, you don't have to like, make every decision that he wants. Like, you don't have to sign all the people he wants. You can still like everyone being like, look, the Bengals did what Joe Burrow wanted. That doesn't mean it was the right decision. Like, they didn't have, they, they didn't need to sign T. Higgins, they didn't need to sign Mike kissing like just because the quarterback wants it. And he'd be, and he'd be pissed for a month if you let T. Higgins walk ultimately, if that makes the offensive line better or the defense better. And then when the season starts and they're actually winning games, Joe Burrow probably okay with it.

[B]

Winning solves everything.

[A]

Yes. And to be clear, I think what Burrow wanted aligned with what the Bengals do. The Bengals. The Bengals, even though they're an old school team, have weirdly always believed in two really high caliber wide receivers. You can go back to like the, the late 80s with Collinsworth in the early 90s. The Bengals have always weirdly been ahead of the curve on wanting two good receivers. And so I think Burrow wanted to keep those guys, but the Bengals kind of did too, but, so it's not necessarily like they did what LeBron James wants. So you know what I mean? But I, I don't know. I, I, I don't think, I think I agree with you, dk. I think Burrow's just upset and people are like, does he want to leave? And I'm like, no, probably not.

[C]

So it's funny because, I mean, I would actually say where the, the Bengals are positioned right now in the AFC north, it's kind of not that bad. Like, if you kind of like the Ravens are teetering on collapse, the Steelers have a 42 year old quarterback who knows what's going to happen with their head coach. Like, I would say the Ravens and the Steelers are the most vulnerable they've been in a decade, and the Browns are a disaster. So I'm like, I. I mean, the Bengals could absolutely go 12 and 5 next year and win the AFC North.

[A]

I think that's the right point, Craig. Because think about it this way. If I told you that the Bengals. Joe Burrow would miss, how much time did he miss? Like two full months or almost three full months from Joe Burrow. And the Bengals would have the worst defense in arguably decades. And yet if the Bengals beat the Ravens this week, the Bengals will have one fewer win than the Ravens, who were the super bowl favorites entering the season. And it's gone about as bad as you could hope for the Bengals. Like, that's pretty good as a worst case scenario.

[C]

Yeah, I agree. It's like, you know, the Bengals are going to have Another fringe top 10 pick, take another offensive lineman and like, run it back.

[B]

Yeah. Okay, so who do you start in this game?

[C]

I think you're starting. I mean, you're starting Derek Henry, obviously. He's probably going to have a huge game. You're starting Lamar, I think you start Save Flowers. You're obviously starting Jamar Chase. If Higgins, if T. Higgins plays, you're playing.

[A]

I don't think.

[B]

I think it's very unlikely. Higgins plays. I think he might not play the rest of the year.

[A]

I think this is simple. It's Joe Burrow, it's Jamar Chase, and it's Chase Brown. The guys that you don't think about, you play. And then Lamar and Derrick Henry, the guys you don't think about. You play the complicated part, people.

[C]

I think you play Zay Flowers.

[A]

That's the, that's the question. The Mike Clay adsbn had a great breakdown, which is, oh, now I'm forgetting the name of the Bengals cornerback. We've given them a lot of grief, but they've actually been really good against receivers and that.

[C]

They're terrible against tight ends.

[A]

Bengals cornerbacks. Actually they. God, I'm forgetting his name, that. But they shadowed Zay Flowers in the first game and outside of that one touchdown, Zay Flowers ended up with six yards in the goddamn game.

[C]

You talk about D.J. turner.

[A]

Yes. And so he shadowed Zay Flowers and he's been a better. I didn't realize that he's been that good as a shadow cornerback because it's actually way rarer than you think. But basically Zay Flowers got shut down outside of that play. And the Re I actually think Isaiah Likely and Mark Andrews are totally viable at tight ends options.

[C]

Yeah.

[A]

Because the Bengals flex is basically the Bengals allow literally the most targets, catches, yards, touchdowns, and obviously fantasy points to tight ends. Literally, the Bengals allow the most to all of that. So again, when the Steelers played the Bengals on Thursday football, the Steelers had three different tight ends catch a fucking touchdown. So I think Mark Andrews and Likely are playable. But I Zay Flowers scares me quite a bit.

[C]

I'll one up you on the. On the Bengals how bad they are against tight ends. The Bengals this year have allowed 1,258 yards to tight ends. That is already the most in NF in the NFL since 2015. There's a month to go and they've already allowed the most in a season in 10 years.

[A]

So I think. But that's. It's kind of like at that point, it's a decision by the defense. You know what I mean? That's like, pick your poison. And every week they're like, let the tight ends do it.

[C]

I just think there's gonna be a lot of points in this game and I think you could do worse than.

[B]

Say, for what it's worth, sorry, go back to Higgins real quick. He was limited in practice today.

[C]

I know. That's what I'm saying.

[B]

My initial reaction was like, oh, another concussion. After he had a concussion two weeks ago, I'm like, they might shut him.

[C]

Down, but I could be wrong here. I don't think he's been diagnosed with a concussion.

[B]

He was just placed in the protocol. He was certainly placed in the protocol after reporting symptoms.

[A]

He.

[C]

He checked in twice during the game last week for a concussion, came back in the game twice and then showed symptoms after the game, and then. Oh, and then entered protocol.

[A]

So he believe the definition of limited participation in practice is literally anything between non participating in full.

[B]

Right. So he's doing like walking.

[C]

Walking around.

[A]

Yeah, literally. Yes, that would be limited. So we will see. But I mean, if Tegan's plays. Sure. But like, I don't think he's going.

[C]

He was wearing pads, going through warm ups.

[B]

That's shocking, actually.

[A]

Yeah, that is kind of weird. Don't feel great about that. Okay. Another divisional matchup, another rematch. Chargers are at the Kansas City Chiefs.

[B]

God, what do you make of these two teams?

[C]

God, the last time these two teams played, we were in Brazil. It was. It was the Friday of the beginning of the NFL season.

[A]

The.

[C]

The Chargers looked fantastic. The line was firing. Both teams look good. We thought they were both going to Be top two seeds in the afc.

[A]

Yeah, it was long ass season, Craig.

[B]

It was a long season.

[A]

It was completely different. I mean, Travis Kelsey kind of like wasn't on the same page as Mahomes for like a game losing moment right at the end.

[C]

It was completely different.

[A]

Stop.

[C]

No, it was.

[A]

No, it was. And so, I mean, it's funny because I think that, I mean, the stakes in this game are pretty big because the Chiefs, as much as we all did the ding dong, the witch is dead with the Chiefs last week. The reality is the Chiefs are mathematically eliminated if they lose this week versus the Chargers. However, if the Chiefs beat the Chargers this week, I think the Chiefs have a very viable path to make the playoffs. And frankly, I think all of us got out over a goddamn skis last week, including myself.

[B]

In writing, the course of their demise was greatly exaggerated.

[A]

I got a little caught up, but I'm looking at this and I'm like, do me a, do me a favor. Let's just pretend the Chiefs beat the Chargers this week, which is not crazy. They're favored by almost six points. The Chiefs win this week. Tell me which part of this you think is unlikely. The Chiefs go three and oh. With two of those games being against the Titans and Raiders, who are two of the worst teams in the NFL? The Broncos. That's the hard game. But I don't think anyone thinks the Titans or Raiders are beating Kansas City.

[C]

Also, the Broncos is Week 18. The Broncos might not have anybody to play for you.

[A]

No, the Raiders are week 18. The Broncos are 17.

[C]

Oh, 17.

[A]

Yes. So it's a big game. I admit that. However, I don't think anyone thinks the Titans are or the Raiders are beating Kansas City. The other one is the Chargers kind of just have to go 1 and 2 versus Dallas, Houston and Denver, which that's also not crazy at all. So I'm just saying I don't think it's likely. But if the Chiefs win this game, right, like just this week, they have the New York Times, the athletic playoff machine has them at like 19% odds. Like it's. Which goes up to like 45. If the Chiefs beat the Broncos in week six. I'm just saying if you are one of those people who is excited that the Chiefs were out of the playoffs. If they don't win this week, you're gonna hear about it.

[B]

The Chiefs are like Will Ferrell in Austin Powers. He's like, help. I'm very badly burned.

[C]

You go in and you shoot him. I'm very badly burned.

[B]

If you come down, can you get some help?

[C]

FanDuel has the Chiefs missing the playoffs at minus 900.

[A]

I bet the Chiefs to win the super bowl this week at 55 to 1. I didn't put much money on it, but I'm, I'm just tell if the Chiefs win this game, I'm glad everyone's going to collectively realize that they have to just b beat the Broncos, cakewalk over the two of the worst teams in the league. And then the Chargers just have to not win two of their next three.

[C]

The thing is about the Chiefs. I keep saying, well, they can't lose this week, they can't look like this week and then they do.

[A]

Well, I'm not saying they should. Yeah, I think I'm surprised they're favored by five and a half to be honest. I go through that this line, this is a sloppy game. I mean this is, this is the Mahomes Herbert battle. But I looking at these two games, Chiefs and charges combined have had eight different left tackles this season, which is fucking crazy.

[B]

Brutal.

[A]

And in this game alone, the Chiefs are going to be down.

[C]

I heard they called Philip Rivers to see if he'd play left tackle.

[A]

Yeah, no, they did. It's true.

[C]

He was booked.

[A]

Yeah, weird coincidence.

[B]

It's like, sorry, I got a thing like I'm busy.

[A]

That'd be funny. Cam Newton was all mad that the Colts didn't call him. And the Chiefs could call Cam Newton, but they put him at right tackle.

[C]

Honestly, be pretty good.

[A]

Chiefs are on the third string left tackle and maybe second string right tackle. And then the Chargers will have their fifth string left tackle and their third string right tackle in this game. So you know the Chiefs are cursed, man. Sorry, The Chargers are cursed. Not the Chiefs.

[B]

I meant the Chargers.

[C]

The least cursed team of the last 10 years.

[A]

Yeah, but related Chargers. Related to the Chargers being their fistering left tackle. Justin Herbert's the most pressured quarterback in the NFL this season. Justin Herbert's taken the most hits of any quarterback this season. Justin Herbert has won three different games this season where he was pressured 20 times, which is preposterous.

[C]

Yeah.

[B]

Sheesh.

[A]

But I, I, I mean fantasy wise man.

[C]

Are you playing any pass catcher on the Chargers?

[A]

That's what I was going to ask you guys. I don't know. I mean, I don't feel good about it. I mean a Ronda Gadsden for the Chargers. Like, I mean he's not done very little Herbert. Ironically, he missed Gadsden on his best, probably his most open play. Gadsden had on Monday football, but I don't feel good about playing around Gadsden with my season on the line. I think Lad monkey I would play because I don't think anyone can cover Lad on the Chiefs as well as Cooper tin did last week with the Eagles. I think Lad was the focal point. Trent McDuffie's good, but he's banged up. I I think Lad but I don't feel great about Quinton Johnson or even Keenan Allen.

[C]

Yeah, yeah, Lad is limited this week. He picked up a foot injury last week. I agree that he's the only one you're even considering. It feels kind of weird to bench him because probably started him all year and he's been like fine. With that said, Herbert has not thrown for more than 150 yards in a game since November 9th. Like it's it's been over a month since he's hit.

[B]

So who do you play at the running back spot then?

[A]

Well, the running back, so. Well, no, I'm glad you asked. DK Jim Harbaugh had totally answered this. So Marion Hampton's back, the rookie running back who broke who had an ankle fracture and then came back from reserve Kimani Vidal has been fling in. So Harbard just answered this. This is from Chris Ream, who you.

[B]

Know, I'm serial so ready for this.

[A]

I can serial basketball Fowler.

[C]

Something's coming. I think a reversal is coming from Heifetz here. Go ahead.

[A]

Chris, the charges reporter for espn asked Harbaugh about how Kamani Vidal and Marian Hampton did exactly the same amount of carries last week. Will that he continue that going forward? And Harbaugh said, it's really impossible to predict the amount of carries for somebody. And then Chris was like, why is that? And Harbaugh said, because I'm not a prognosticator. I'm not a seer of the future.

[C]

He's right.

[B]

I mean, he's being brutally honest.

[C]

You know what Harbaugh should have said? It would have been funny if he was like, yes, they will both see the exact same number of carries and that is my top priority in this game. 12 each.

[B]

So who do you start? I mean, I think you lean Omarion Hampton, right?

[A]

I think you start Kimani Vidal.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

Because Vidal still struggled in pass protection, but Amirian Hampton was destroyed by Nicobe Dean like three times. And I think that it's one thing for the tackles to have issues for the Chargers, but the amount of. Ironically, the only fucking Charger that hasn't got hurt in the offensive line is Bradley Bozeman. Who it. There's nothing more of an ick than when a center goes the wrong way in pass protection like that is. I didn't realize that was an ick until that happened. But the amount of times they fooled Bradley Boseman at center, you can't have a rookie running back like either missing the assignment or getting blown up. So I think. And Vidal's a way better receiver too. So I think that if you're in a full PPR league, Kymani Vidal is more likely to get to double digits without a touchdown. But I also think Amir and Hampton's more likely to play inside the 10. So, like, you're fucked if you have them. I think.

[C]

Will they get inside the 10? This game's going to be ugly. Be a nasty game.

[A]

I don't know, but it's. I think the running backs actually for the Chargers are viable. Everyone else is kind of brutal, but anyway, yeah, I don't. And then the Chiefs. It's also Rasheed Rice and Kelsey and like that's it. And Mahomes. But yeah, I agree with that.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

Also Mahomes. I just to add, I mean, obviously the Chiefs are going to make the playoffs maybe for the first time ever with Mahomes, but Mahomes already has the most scrambles of his career.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

And it's entering week 15, so I think that alone is a good little embodiment of just how bad the Chiefs line is. Highest SAC rate of his career. So. Yeah. Ugly game.

[B]

Who.

[C]

Who are the leaders in rushing yards right now at quarterback? I feel like Mahomes and Herbert are like top three.

[B]

Josh Allen is, I think, number one.

[C]

Let me pull this up.

[B]

He leads Jamie in rushing yards and touchdowns. At quarterback, Mahomes has 407. He's third. Herbert is second.

[C]

Yeah. That's crazy.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

Because they're running for their goddamn lives.

[C]

Yeah.

[B]

Speaking of Which, Herbert has 19 design rushes this year. That's this, like half of those came last week when they decided their pass game just wouldn't work.

[C]

Yeah. I feel like he was calling his own. By the end of the game.

[B]

He was like, it.

[C]

I'm just doing them all.

[A]

It did feel like one of those was him just being like, you know what? They're not going to crash down and I'm just going to keep this kind of like Joe Flacco had the. The design, the option that he just like got the play wrong and is kept.

[C]

Yeah, dude. Herbert and Mahomes having let you know, 70 yards less rushing than Josh Allen this year's. Pretty crazy. Herbert weeks into the season.

[A]

This Herbert season is another added to the list of years the Chargers will not make the playoffs will give an excuse. And we're like Herbert's amazing. And yes, Eagles fans go like jalen hurts one Super Bowl MVP and he's not better than Herbert. And we're going to be like we're watching that game. The amount of times Justin Herbert literally had a free rusher in his face and then like dodged the guy and then just made a completion was crazy.

[C]

I I really do think that the Chargers figured something out where you can actually add another blocker by just having the quarterback absorb the first hit of the pressure.

[A]

Steelers should have figured that with Roethlisberger.

[C]

Like he wants to get hit.

[A]

They basically did other games in this window that I mean this is a pretty good window. I mean you got Bill's Patriots, Ravens, Bengals and Chargers. Chiefs are all at one o' clock but the other one, yes I can.

[C]

I mean the multi view is going to be perfect. You have those three games in red.

[A]

Zone and you're chilling now which, yeah, now it's true. Now which of these other ones are going to make it to red zone? We'll see. The Browns are at the Bears this week. 1. This is just like the content ball between Shitter Sanders and Caleb Williams. You know what I mean? Yeah. I mean these are generational content quarterbacks.

[C]

Yeah, sure, sure.

[A]

I wanted to ask you as a question, dk. Do you think I'm crazy? Part of me wants Kevin Stefanski to get fired by the Browns and I want the Giants to hire him.

[B]

What do you like about him? Put it that way. Obviously he's a two time coach of the year winner so there's that.

[A]

I mean I just think.

[B]

What specifically do you like about it?

[A]

I think believe it or not, the Browns have pretty consistently been better than the pieces he's been handed. And I think that he has actually done pretty well when you. I think that he makes chicken salad.

[B]

Out of chicken on off.

[C]

Yeah.

[A]

The only double digit wins seasons the Browns have ever had have been with Tifansky. And I look and I'm like, it's not like I don't think he wanted Deshaun Watson. I think the owner Jimmy Aslam wanted Deshaun Watson and like they're crazy. And he got handed a bunch of weird situations over the years but including the shooter Sanders 1. Which is also strange because people think that there's like conspiracies that Steansky's trying to sabotage Jitter Sanders, which I also think is funny because I think it's true that he didn't want him in the draft. I also don't think he's pulling him off the two point conversions to sabotage him. I think that he just genuinely wanted quinch on Judkins running the wildcat. I don't think it has to be sabotage.

[B]

And again, they would have scored probably if Judkins hadn't fallen asleep at the wheel. What was he doing? There was like a story that came out later this week or that week that was like they practiced this. You know, they ran this in practice a couple times this last week. They had this installed, blah, blah, blah. And apparently Judkins had forgotten all of that.

[A]

Well, you know, blanked. You know what it is? You know when you go upstairs to get something, you walk in a room and you're like, why did I come?

[C]

Where?

[B]

Why did I come up here?

[A]

It was just the football version.

[B]

He's running the fridge.

[A]

Yeah. What was I doing?

[B]

What am I doing?

[C]

I mean, I wonder, I wonder how many Wildcats he had run this year. It's probably, he's probably just nervous.

[A]

He's 21 years old and he's like, wait. And he's just, he's probably never had to pitch crucial moment game.

[C]

He's basically the quarter quarterback for a play. Probably just forgot.

[B]

Also, I, I've always thought this or it seems more obvious lately that there's like no actual good way to run a play on a two point conversion. There's like, I, I feel like you can have such a wide range of play options in a two point conversion from. You're from the two yard line, right? Yeah. And some people just like legitimately line up and run the ball and it's like, that's okay. That's a fine play. A lot of people do like a stupid little sprint out. I hate that. I feel like there's no good.

[C]

Yeah.

[B]

Two point play.

[C]

Every time it fails, you're like, well, why would you run that 100?

[B]

That's what I'm saying. That's what I'm getting at. I'm like, it either works or it looks stupid as hell.

[A]

100. And it's the same with 4th down where every time people go for it and don't get it, I'm like, well, that was a dumb play.

[C]

Right?

[B]

Of course.

[C]

You just run it up the gut. That's not going to work.

[B]

Yeah, that's what I'm saying. Like, like, honestly, from the two yard line, running it is probably like a fine play, but it just looks so lazy when they do it on a so true conversion.

[C]

Dude.

[A]

And nothing.

[B]

You just ran it.

[A]

What the fuck? Nothing angers me more than when they like have a two yard thing in the or like especially the fourth and inches or one and they get in shotgun. I'm like why would you move the ball so far away? And then they do the sprint out throw to the pylon and it works every time and I'm still angry about it. I'd rather them fail and get under center. My God. Anyway, this game's gonna be ugly as hell. This episode is brought to you by United Airlines Flying just got easier with the United Airlines app. Get real time flight updates like a live countdown clock to boarding even if your screen's locked, as well as play by play directions through the airport with a personalized map. And if you want to make a game time decision and go home early or stay longer, there are no fees to change your flight. Get the united [e-mail] app no fees to change your flight Excludes basic economy applies to flights originating in the U.S. fair difference may apply. The world of Avatar will Change Forever on December 19th. Discover why Avatar Fire and Ash is being hailed as bigger, better and more emotional than ever. And the best one yet. Avatar Fire and Ash in theaters, IMAX and 3D screens everywhere December 19th. Get tickets now. I will just note, I think that the rushing in this game is kind of interesting. I don't want any Bears receivers. Like even if Roma Dud plays, I don't want him. Like the Browns defense has been really good versus Mike Clay. Also noted that the Browns haven't allowed a receiver to get more than 17 fantasy points in like more than two months. I don't want Roma Dun if he plays. I don't trust DJ Moore even if Roma Dun doesn't play. I mean, I don't, I don't. If you have DJ Moore, you're probably not the goddamn playoffs. I don't trust Luther Burden. If you have to, go for it. But the I, I, the Brown, the Bears running backs have been amazing. They're averaging the most yards before contact per carry.

[C]

Yeah, you're probably playing both of them, right?

[A]

I think so. And the Browns, but they have like the one of the best rush defenses because they're average. They're allowing half a yard before contact.

[B]

But Malik Collins just let Tony Pollard have his best game.

[A]

Well, that's where I'm going. Malik Collins, the defensive tackle for the Browns, he's the guy that Remembers why everyone, all the Browns were mad at you on Jennings and they were like, he's a hoe. It's because he was talking Malik Collins while Malik Collins is being carted off. Since Blake Collins has been carted off, the Browns defense has not been very like the running game has been totally different.

[B]

Straw that stirs the drink in the run game.

[A]

I didn't really understand. I. I wasn't familiar with his game. Kevin Clark at ESPN had Trey Smith, the Chief's right guard, on his show a couple months ago and he asked him who's the hardest person to block. He's a guard, so he's not going into all these shackles. And Trey Smith said now that Aaron Donald's retired, he said Malik Collins really was the hardest person to block in the NFL.

[B]

I wonder if they're the same agent and they're just doing him a solid there.

[A]

You're smarter than me anyway.

[B]

I'm like Dexter Lawrence, like Leonard Williams. No. Okay.

[A]

Dexter Lawrence of the second worst rushing defense in the NFL.

[B]

Well, maybe last year.

[A]

I fucking hate the Giants. Anyway, I. You played the Bears running backs. Raiders are at the Eagles this week.

[C]

And you play Fanon. You play. You play Harold Fanon?

[A]

Yeah, Harold Fan. Do you play the. The Raiders Eagles game? Do you play the. The rabbit. The inflatable rabbit that they put in the Eagles locker room for the five days.

[C]

What was it called? Like the positive vibes Rabbit Positivity rabbit. I just get it.

[A]

I assumed it was because Kevin Patullo, the offensive coordinator, got his house egged and then as a joke they got an Easter rabbit because of eggs. I just thought that was the bit. I don't understand what the they were doing otherwise.

[C]

I kind of never believed. I thought I was getting clanked, but that apparently was a real story. The Eagles are the last team to me that like that would work for.

[A]

What do you think Jalen hurts?

[B]

Ted Lasso.

[C]

What are we doing?

[A]

What do you think Jalen hurts thought when he walked in the locker room and just saw a inflation invatable rabbit that was like 8ft tall.

[C]

He just tried to have a staring contest with it and won.

[A]

Why the rabbit had to leave.

[C]

Yeah, this game is very interesting because. So Kenny Pickett, it looks like is going to start this game. So yeah, former super bowl winning Eagles quarterback Kenny Pickett revenge game against his former team. Can't be overstated. Dude, how many points are the Raiders going to score in this game? I mean, the Eagles defense looked fantastic last week. Obviously they are spiraling and need to save their season. Like if you were betting somebody that you had to guarantee the Raiders will score a certain amount of points and you know, and you put your house on the line, what is the highest number you would feel comfortable saying that the Raiders score three. Yeah, the Raiders haven't scored more than 17 points in four, five weeks and now they're playing with Kenny Pickett.

[A]

If I, if part of me thinks we should, I don't know if it's helpful or not, but sometimes I'm like, who's the best player that I'm like, I don't even want to play them in my lineup this week. But you will.

[C]

Ashton Genti.

[A]

I was going to say, I'm like Genti is the kind of guy that you can't bench him. But If Genti has 30 yards in this game, I wouldn't be shocked.

[C]

Genti is, is one of the main contributors to me not making the playoffs in the ringer league. I mean any other running back I could have taken a that range, I would have had a much better season. Genti has been so frustrating. The waddle model how many times he's outperformed his projection on Yahoo. 4 out of 13 games he has outscored his projection this season. He has single digit fantasy points in three of the last four weeks. So I mean if you have him, you're probably not in the playoffs anyway. Such a bizarre year for him. He only has 660 rushing yards this season.

[A]

He has too. And you have to play him this week because he's going to get all these carries and the Eagles whole thing is we're going to let you run and we're going to.

[C]

And yeah, they just gave up a ton of yards to Hampton and Vidal. But like dude, I mean you're basically banking on him getting like five catches for 50 yards because that's what saves his fantasy performance every week. But he is, he is borderline playable. But you kind of have to because it's running back and it's usually thin. What are you going to do?

[B]

But man, it's bad Hertz bounce back.

[C]

I mean you're playing him.

[A]

He better, he better. Imagine if Jalen Hurts does not bounce back versus the Raiders.

[C]

Yeah, I mean look, you're playing Hertz, you're playing AJ Brown, you're playing Saquon, you're playing Brock Bowers, you're probably playing Genty. Dante Smith is the one that. It's like a little bit dicey. The thing about Devontae Smith is it's like A lot of the targets have not been translating, but like, his yards per Route Runner, like, a lot of the underlying metrics still show that he's playing well. He's at eight targets in three of the last. Each of the last three weeks. He's honestly just not scoring touchdowns. Like, he has three touchdowns this entire season. He's kind of in the safe Zay Flowers range, where it's like, maybe he'll get you 50 to 80 yards. And that's what you kind of have to hope for. But they're playing the Raiders.

[A]

I don't know. You have to. Here's the thing with the Eagles. As bad as they looked, I w. I'm just going to go. I wish I thought of this earlier, but I'm doing this now. I think if you just look at how many times the Raiders opponent had one of their two best games of the entire season against the. Like, the Raiders made them look the best they look the whole year, I think, outside, like the. The Commanders. Playing the Raiders in week three, they scored 41 points. That was by far the high point of the Commander season. The Colts won 40 to 6 over the Raiders. That every. That was the high point of the Colts season by far. The Chiefs beat the Raiders 31 to nothing. That was by far the best the Chiefs looked the entire season. Even the Browns beat the Raiders, like, 24 to 10. That was probably the best the Browns looked all year. You could debate, but, like, that was really high in the list. The Cowboys beat the Raiders 33 to 16. I mean, you could argue. I think you could argue that half the Raiders games this season they made the other team look is the single best game they played the entire year.

[B]

The Rainbow.

[A]

So if they. If the. But that's my point. If the Eagles don't look good this week, I don't know if the Eagles will look good the rest of the year. And like, again, the Eagles could write the ship. The Eagles could. The Eagles could score 40 points this week and just use last week as rage. But Jalen Hurts has to bounce back. Back.

[C]

I mean, they've lost three straight games and they've kind of looked bad for three straight games. Yeah, I mean, they looked bad all year on offense, but they've lost three straight spreads. Eleven and a half.

[B]

Ultimately. I'm gonna start hurts begrudgingly.

[C]

You have to start.

[A]

You have to start hurts, dude. I. I've been as hard as Jalen Hurts as anybody and I. I would never bench Jalen Hurts.

[B]

Right.

[A]

There's an entire play they're gonna ban this off season because Jalen Hurts is too easy to score a touchdown. Do you think Jalen Hurts is the first quarterback to ever turn a ball over twice in one play and then be favored by 11 enough points next week?

[B]

I think so, probably in fact.

[A]

Short list the jets are at the Jaguars. Every time Trevor Lawrence plays the Jets, I think about how the jets could have had Trevor Lawrence and then beat the Rams by like when they were 17 point underdogs. So that's all I think about. But I don't know that dk. I feel like Trevor Lawrence played his best game of the time entire year last week.

[B]

I know the Jags are a mysterious team to me because that game made me maybe more of a believer than I was certainly before that. I don't really know what to make of this team. They're coming off a big one over the Colts. Obviously didn't, didn't help the Colts that Daniel Jones towards Achilles in that game. But still The Jags are 5 and 1 since they're by they've beaten the Colts, Titans, Cardinals, Chargers and Raiders with a loss to the Texans. But by the way, they beat the Texans in week two. So they've actually had some pretty good quality wins this year. The Jags have beaten the Chiefs, Chargers, 49ers, Texans, Panthers and Colts this season. So all those teams could be playoff teams. I don't know what to make of this team. I do know something. Jacoby Myers has been quietly a very good addition for the Jags since he came to the team. He is in fantasy the wide receiver 18. He has a 24 target rate. But Lawrence more importantly has really improved a lot of his numbers. He since Jacoby Myers was acquired in that trade. Lawrence is tied for second in touchdown throws. He has nine. He's third in off target rate which was, which has been a big issue for him, only 8.3%. So that's huge. Fifth in success rate, seventh in yards per attempt, ninth in explosive pass rate. So he's top 10 in a lot of really important categories for corner quarterbacking. He's just been a lot better since Jacoby Myers got there. He's like Jacoby Myers is this reliable target. He absolutely needed Brian Thomas. Very talented, not reliable. He's.

[A]

He's playing better.

[B]

He is playing better. And I think that's because Jacoby Myers is kind of laying this foundation and just kind of taking some of the heat off of Brian Thomas, you know what I mean? So I don't know. I think that that acquisition has Definitely helped a lot. I don't know if it's like the key to their season, but it's certainly been a good thing.

[C]

I kind of think that the Jags defense is just playing really well and Trevor Lawrence is fine and I can.

[B]

Accept that as well.

[A]

I think I still think Lawrence is.

[C]

Is going to be good, but going to be good.

[A]

I think I, I believe in Lawrence actually I am a believer.

[C]

There's such a bill and they always do the Shakies game. You know in the playoffs it's like the two worst. It's like the worst playoff game. They always go watch at Shakey's Pizza. Dude, the AFC is only shaky's teams like the Jags are such a shaky. The Steelers, the Chargers, the Texans, the Colts, the Ravens, every single one. Even the top two seeds in the afc, the Broncos and the Pats, are borderline shaky teams. Maybe not the Pats, but I'm like I don't trust this single.

[A]

There's a chance the best team in the AFC is the Broncos who played the worst game of the entire season which was that Broncos Raiders Thursday.

[C]

I don't just.

[A]

We have to talk about the jets quarterback in this game though. Satara Taylor, who's 35 years old, has a groin injury which Justin Fields, who got benched because he had under 60 passing yards four times, has a knee injury. So I don't know DK, do you feel that 35 year old hobbled with a groin injury, a rushing quarterback who won't be able to run or an undrafted free agent Brady Cook, who who scares you the most of the jets options because Aaron Glenn won't fucking tell us.

[B]

Well, here's something that's helpful. Tyra Taylor and Justin Fields did not practice on Thursday, so it's probably going to be Brady Cook starting for the Jets.

[A]

I, I think is Jags are favored to win by 13 1/2 points. I actually kind of wonder if that's too like that's low if Brady is playing Brady Cook, bless his heart. It's horrific.

[B]

2025 on draft of free agent out of Missouri. Yeah, the jets are bad, man. All right, so yeah, I'm with you on that one.

[A]

Cardinals are at the Texans this week. This is another weird game because this is like a classic. The Cardinals kind of quietly haven't. I mean they put up a lot of stats with Jacoby Brissette, but they're not always in competitive games.

[B]

But the Right. Yeah, they've, they, they're putting out numbers but they're bad. They're losing every time.

[A]

Cardinals are 3 and 10.

[B]

Yeah, they've lost in a lot of very depressing ways in. In the sense that like they're in some games but then they end up losing in the end.

[C]

So they're one for their last 11. Like would you have said that it's almost like they've lost 10 of 11.

[B]

That's the funniest part because they've been good in fantasy. So we're like it's fine, whatever, who cares?

[C]

True.

[A]

The funniest part about Kyler being benched is that they're not even playing playing. They're not even winning games.

[C]

They've lost five straight with Jacoby Brissette. They've out of their one win in 11 weeks is they just somehow beat the Cowboys.

[B]

Yeah. Weird team. Really weird team. Since week six when Brissette first took over for Kyler, the Cardinals are or Brissette is first in passing yards, first in past attempts per game and second and three and outrage. So like they're moving the football. They're passing it all over their 10th and third down conversion rate. The only problem is, and the big problem here I think is they're not balanced. They have a horrific run game, 28th and stuff rate, 30th and rushing guards in that stretch, 28th and third down distance. So like they're, they're getting backed up and behind the sticks. Basically they're a one dimensional offense that puts up fun fantasy points. But this is not a really a very good offense.

[C]

The ideal bad fantasy.

[B]

They're there. They're 18th in points per game. They're 18th in points Per drive. You know, like they're putting up passing numbers.

[A]

They're the least cool possible version of the Cincinnati Bengals.

[C]

Right.

[A]

Where Jacoby Brissette's like Joe Burrow. Where Joe Burrow on Thanksgiving through 30 passes in the first half. That's kind of Jacoby Brissette in the second half of these games.

[B]

I mean Jacoby Brissette, he set the record for most completions or attempts.

[C]

What was it, 47 for 57.

[A]

I think he was. Yeah, he had 57 passes in a game. Like last week they around 35 points and they were kept throwing and it's like. So instead of Marvin Harrison Jr. Though, it's Trey McBride. He's by far the. I mean he leads the NFL in targets, I think. Trey McBride tight ends.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

And then you have Michael Wilson is market corrected. Marvin Harrison Jr. And then every. So yeah, they're just throwing the ball. It's on it's crazy. Also the fact that Marvin Harrison, if Marvin Harrison can't put up numbers when Arizona literally is like leading the league on his passive terms. I don't know when we'll ever trust him.

[B]

The. I think the, the dilemma here I, I have this in a couple of leagues because I picked up Brissette and I handful of leagues and he's been awesome for me. I don't know what to do this week with him because the Texans are freaking great.

[C]

You don't play them.

[B]

I know you probably don't play him. You have to play McBride.

[A]

Texans will not be up enough. You have Trey McBride. There's no one in the world.

[B]

I mean you definitely play McBride but probably play Michael Wilson, right?

[C]

Yeah, you do.

[B]

You have to put Wilson to me is like that. That's a dilemma. I'm most likely sitting him in most of my leagues. Like I have Trevor Lawrence and Brissette in one league. I think I'm going with Lawrence.

[A]

I wouldn't.

[B]

Yeah but. And the reason for that is the Texans defense is sick. They are second in dvoa, first against the pass which is huge because obviously the, the. The Cardinals are a pass first team Texans league best 25% of opponent drives and in a score 16 they're allowing 16 points per game which is league best. They're not giving up very many points to opposing running backs. I don't know. I. The Texans defense is just going to stifle this Cardinals team I think. And so I like the Texans this game and I don't know that's about it.

[A]

Commanders are at the New York Giants. These teams played in Week 1. Giants lost 21 to 6. Another game just like makes me sick how far we done fell. Unbelievable. Jaden Daniel is not going to play this week. He re injured his non throwing elbow and Dan Quinn's just afraid that he'll that up again. Zach Herz is cooked. Marcus Mario is going to. Marcus Mariota is going to play for Washington. Vibes are atrocious all around. Two years ago the Giants were going to have a top pick in the draft and then they beat Washington late in the season and then it cost them Jaden Daniels and Drake May and it's going to happen again because right now the Giants are the number one pick and they're going to win this game and they're going to blow it. But I think you can play more guys than you think in fantasy. I think you can play like Chris Rodriguez because the Giants running back. Yeah, Chris Rodriguez. If he Plays. I think Washington starting running back. You can play against the Giants defense so bad. Terry McLaurin, Debo Mariota just because the Giants defense sucks. And then Theo Johnson at tight end is a usable tight end. Wando Robinson for the Giants. But Jackson Dart. But overall, this game sucks. I'm sad about it. And if you have to use it for fantasy, I feel bad for you.

[B]

So what do you get?

[A]

Those are my thoughts.

[B]

The question that comes to my mind for Washington is do you think that Jaden's going to come back this year or are they going to do this charade where he like, practices and he's kind of running around on the field. But then they just play Mario to.

[A]

The right of the time. I think Mario. Because they did their whole look, man, you can't be afraid playing football. Like, you know, it's like these guys get paid money to go out there and play. Like, you can't just think about next season. You can't be scared. And then immediately got injured again. And they were like, oh, yeah. And they got scared. And so I think. I think honestly, Dan Quinn could get fired. Like, if Dan Quinn. I mean, this is.

[B]

I don't want to get fired for that reason.

[A]

That's the thing. If Jane Daniels comes back and gets hurt again after coming back and getting hurt again, like, if that happens twice. Yeah, yeah. That people are gonna hate him. So I think. I don't think Jaden comes back. He shouldn't. The late games are really good. The packers are at the Denver Broncos, which is quite pretty incredible contender versus contender matchup. Dk, just honest. Who. I think this is hard. Who do you think wins this game? Packers.

[B]

Brian.

[A]

Broncos.

[B]

I kind of like the Broncos in this one. I just think the Broncos defense is really good. They have. They are tied in the NFL for fewest yards per play allowed. They are tied for with the Seahawks and Texans for fewest net yards per attempt allowed. So they're good. They're good against the run, they're good against the pass. The only weird thing about them is they only have 10 takeaways this year. But that almost like makes me more impressed with everything else they've done because they're not just doing it by getting a bunch of takeaways. They have the fourth fewest takeaways, but they're giving up only 18 points per game, which is fourth best. It's in Denver. It's hard place to play. The packers are pretty banged up. Josh Jacobs still not practicing and he might not be back this week. I think that makes them a little bit more one dimensional. I think Emmanuel Wilson's like a solid backup, but I don't know, I just kind of lean Broncos in this one in a low scoring kind of defensive slot game.

[A]

There's a fun wrinkle to this, which is when Sean Payton took over the Broncos, he said about Nate Hackett, the previous coach, he said it was one of the worst coaching jobs in the history of the NFL, which you never hear coaches shit talk other coaches. And guess who is the defensive analyst for the Green Bay Packers?

[C]

Hackett.

[A]

Nate Hackett, baby. And so, and if you think coaches don't care about that stuff, one of the reasons Mike McDaniel and the Dolphins ran up the score on the Broncos 70 to nothing a few years ago was because Mike McDaniel's like friends with Nate Hackett like that. Like coaches fucking care. And so I.

[C]

You're saying the packers are going to be extra motivated or even Sean Payton as well will be extra motivated?

[A]

Oh, I think they. I think my point. Yeah, I'm not saying like, oh, they'll win because of that. But these staffs hate each other and they're going like, I, the Packers staff hates Sean Payton.

[C]

It kind of feels like every staff hates Sean Payton, though.

[B]

Who doesn't hate Raylan Givens? Run into an Sean Payton's a hateable guy.

[C]

Like, every team is like this, we're gonna beat Sean Payton. And they don't.

[B]

I think it honestly is though, like, to be serious, everyone knows why I hate Sean Payton is just because of the fantasy stuff. But like, Peyton is one of the coaches in the NFL who is like not afraid to say controversial in the media. You know what I mean? He'll like go out and call someone out at a press conference. It's not gonna like beat around the bush. I think he's made a lot of not enemies, but like people are like, this guy's an.

[A]

Peyton's an old school like alpha, like Parcels esque. I will dominate. I am the alpha of the locker room. Also, I know DK hates Sean Payton's style and how he always mixes and matches who gets the ball anyway. Broncos 10 game winning streak.

[B]

Hey, I've said I've. How many times do I have to say the caveat? He good football coach. Annoying as in fantasy.

[A]

That's all the. I do think it makes it really hard for to play Denver outside of RJ Harvey at running back in Bo Nicks. I don't think you want to play any of these receivers in Denver, I guess. Yeah, it's not great. So I don't know. I. I got.

[B]

I feel like big Lil Jordan Humphrey week. I can feel it.

[A]

And big Jordan love.

[B]

Yeah. The Broncos have given up big Jordan. The fewest, second fewest pass touchdowns this season.

[C]

I think you can play Cortland Sutton.

[A]

Yeah, well, Craig's saying Cortland Sutton, you can play him.

[C]

I think you can. I think honestly, Pat Brian, Pat Bryant being out doesn't make things a lot clearer for Troy.

[B]

I think that's.

[A]

I can't wait for him to have no catches. I think packers should win this game, but I'm curious to see if the packers are favored. Jordan Love is way better than Bonix. I also kind of think Jordan Love is still a little more likely to it up more than Bonixes.

[B]

But Craig, who do you like? Denver. Okay.

[A]

Why?

[C]

They've won 10 straight games, they're at home and they're underdogs.

[A]

It's a good argument. I think this will be a really good game. There's a lot. The late window's really good. The other game.

[B]

RJ Harvey, by the way, has been playing pretty well. He's definitely been flashing, so that's exciting for the Broncos.

[A]

He only needed J.K. dobbins to have a season ending injury.

[C]

I don't know why, but I continue to not believe in Green Bay and I'm kind of wrong every week, week now. So eventually I'll learn.

[A]

We've all got our. It's been amazing. Lions are at the Rams. Rams are favorite to win by 6:1. I look at this game.

[B]

Look at this game.

[A]

I don't know. I. I think it's worth marking that Jared Goff has now played more games for the Lions than he ever played for the Rams.

[C]

Is this, this is not a revenge? Like, is. Is this even like a bad. Is this when like a team, like people break up and then they both find great partners and then they meet up later, they're like on the road and you're like, oh, my God, it's.

[B]

So great to see you.

[C]

I'm so happy things worked out for you.

[B]

I think they're great co parents.

[A]

I think it's like that. And I think McVeigh's cool and Stafford's cool with it and Dan Campbell's cool with it and Jared Goff is so not over it.

[C]

Oh, you think?

[A]

I think Jared Goff. Oh, I think he still seethes with anger at McVeigh. But they still go to dinner. Like the couples get dinner. But one of the four is fucking pissed, right?

[B]

Yes.

[A]

I think this is going to be a crazy high scoring different game because.

[C]

It'S like forgetting Sarah Marshall, Jared Gosling eating dinner alone.

[A]

Oh yes.

[C]

And McVeigh and, and Dan Campbell and Matt Stafford. Steve, like hey, why don't you come sit with us.

[A]

He's like, dude, honestly Stafford is just.

[B]

My eyes but not the shirt.

[C]

I take my eye, dude.

[A]

Stafford in the middle of the 20 touchdowns and no picks. It's just Russell Brand being like okay, so you want to stim. You want to get ideally you want to stimulate all three things at the the same time here. Just like watching him with a big chess board. I think this is going to be a crazy. I think this game is going to have.

[B]

You think it's high scoring, huh?

[A]

I think it's like 70 points in this game because the everyone's kind of figured out that the Rams are starting Emmanuel Forbes who weighs like 150 pounds in the NFL and I think the Panthers kind of were like why is no one fucking just throwing at this guy every time?

[C]

Dude, he was getting torched in that.

[A]

Panthers game and I think that's going to be. And I think Dan Campbell, all he's going to do is just sick. Amon Ra and Jameson Williams on Emmanuel Forbes and ski. Everything is going to be about finding manual forms and a killer weatherspoon. The other safety of the rims, he just got back from a collarbone injury. That's secondary in the Rams I think is going to get exposed more. But then the Lions are too man because Brian Branch is towards Achilles and he's one of the better defensive backs in football.

[C]

I kind of missed that. I didn't realize that happened.

[B]

It did kind of fly under the Raider are a little crazy.

[A]

I he Brian that's a huge injury for Detroit because Lions have had a lot of injuries on defense the last couple years but Brian Branch is consistently like you know in modern Cody Alexander at match quarters who's the fucking man talks about. So defense is kind of like a house and the defensive line is kind of like the foundation and they set like the like your defense the floor. But that those nickel cornerbacks, they're kind of like the glue. Like they kind of keep all the pieces tied. So when you lose Brian Branch in the middle like between between safety, nickel cornerback, the ability to stop the run, stop the pass. And then Kirby Joseph, the other lion safety, he's been out for like two months and if he plays this week I think that's Kirby Joseph rushing back from injury cause Brian Branch is out so either way, I think, I mean, DJ Reed just got back from injured reserve for them for the Lions, but they're still. The Lions are still out to. Ryan Arnold's out for the whole season. Like they're going to have Thomas. Matt Stafford is going to be doing no look passes against Thomas. Harper, Avante, Maddox and Daniel Thomas are going to be playing for the Lions at points in this game. And I vs. Devonte Adams and Puka, like this is a lot of the line. Dan Campbell and Sean McVeigh are looking at each other secondaries like, holy shit, there are big holes.

[C]

Puka's gonna have like 250 yards in this game.

[B]

It's gonna be a fun one.

[A]

I do think there will be like 700 passing yards.

[B]

Do you guys think you start Jameer Gibbs in this game?

[A]

Well, that's. That's good. Should we play him?

[B]

Dude, he's been fucking lapping the field the last like month in terms of just like point scored. He's been absolutely going nuclear.

[A]

What would you say the odds are that Blake Corum is more fantasy points than Jameer Gibbs in this game? If I gave you that, what would you say?

[B]

I mean, Jameer Gibbs got hurt.

[C]

No, no, but he's. You're asking for the odds, right? Fucking 12%, 15 to 1.

[A]

I'm not going to take that. But I thought about it. I think you play Blake Orum though, is my point. I don't think last week was an aberration.

[C]

You think you play Blake Corum. Can we do name game for people? Because I think.

[A]

I think Blake Corum has earned a share of the. Of the best, most productive offense in the NFL.

[C]

Let's do name game because I think a lot of people probably have Quorum on their bench and are considering what.

[B]

To do with him.

[A]

Like, if you told me last week was a fluke for either Tony Pollard or Blake Corum and one of them had more points this week, I would take Blake Corum.

[C]

All right, well, let's keep it in the same game. Blake. Blake Corum or David Montgomery?

[A]

Oh, dude, Quorum way more better.

[B]

I would feel better about Montgomery.

[A]

It's like the Josh Allen Drake May thing at the beginning where it's like, well, you see Montgomery do it, but I kind of think corn's actually Gibbs is not coming off the field at nearly as much because that's.

[C]

That is a good name game. Because David Montgomery is so entrenched as somebody that it like just feels like a starter. You kind of like feel comfortable putting him there every week. Blake Corum feels the opposite. Okay. Aaron Jones.

[B]

That'S like really close.

[C]

Trying to think of other guys drafted this year to be a star.

[A]

Sorry, I mean Aaron Jones, because It's Dallas.

[B]

Yeah.

[C]

DeAndre.

[B]

I was confident about Corum as hyphens.

[C]

Is DeAndre swift or Manungai? Are you starting both of those guys over the Bears?

[A]

What Ben Johnson's done in the running game, I think the entire Bears running game today or this week is going to be about like just scheming around Miles Garrett, just getting Miles Garrett hit by tight ends from the weirdest angles. And I. You can't bear bench of Bears, right?

[C]

Oh, Mar and Hampton, we haven't ranked.

[A]

Higher, but I got to tell you, man, if Corum out scores, I wouldn't be. I just think Corum's gonna get double digit carries. The Rams are the best offense in like, Rams score 30 points every week.

[C]

Jaylen. Warren.

[A]

Warren, you can't. I don't think you can betch Warren against the Dolphins on Monday Night Football.

[B]

Okay. All right.

[A]

Hampton is a good example of a guy where I'm like, we haven't ranked ahead and I, I think I might switch that. I. I don't know. Maybe I'm crazy. You guys clearly don't agree. All right, the next game here, the culture at the Seahawks. Dk, first of all, let's just get to it. Is Philip Rivers playing this week or what?

[B]

I think so. I think he might based on the reporting. Look, no one's going to say anything until it's. We'll probably find out like the day of. But let me just pull this up. Stephen Holder, who covers the Colts, covers elder abuse.

[C]

If he plays in this game against Seattle, what, he's gonna get destroyed.

[A]

It's kind of like if you. Sometimes there's hard conversations of whether your parents should have a driver's license. It's like, should Phil. Should we actually be allowed?

[B]

Have you seen him? Dude, he's. He's thick, man. He can handle it.

[A]

He can handle it. He was like, more than it should be.

[B]

He could take the heat.

[A]

This is like such a cutesy, folksy story of like, wow, Philip Rivers is back. Dog gone.

[C]

How fun.

[A]

Dude, he's gonna get annihilated here. I think super not cool. Like 10 minutes.

[C]

It's gonna be a disaster.

[B]

Here's my point of view. Do I think he's going to do well? Probably not. Do I think he stands a better chance of playing well compared to Riley Leonard? Yes. I think he would be way better option for the Colts than Riley Leonard.

[A]

Way better mean as much if Riley Leonard gets obliterated.

[B]

I think Riley Leonard would go out and have a Brosmer. Brosmer type performance.

[A]

Riley Leonard.

[B]

I think Philip Rivers actually gives them a chance.

[A]

But that's how I feel.

[B]

I don't know. I can't prove anything.

[C]

I think, I think, I guess that is technically correct. But I still think in both situations.

[B]

This is a disaster.

[A]

This is the chance infinitesimal.

[B]

They lost their first two quarterbacks.

[A]

The Seahawks were the team that Max Brosburg. Max Brosburg 26 to nothing. And that was low. And now like this is the best defense. The two best defenses are the Seahawks and the Texans. The difference is.

[B]

And Broncos, I guess.

[A]

Yeah, yeah, sure. The difference is the Seahawks are also the most complicated defense. This shit wasn't even fucking happening when Philip Rivers was NFL. What they were, what the Seahawks do was like an entire era of the.

[C]

NFL has Phil's looking for the stick shift right now.

[B]

This is like me coming back and playing basketball. Everyone's doing Euro steps and I don't know what the you guys doing in basketball anymore.

[C]

This is like my grandpa like working Apple TV 100%. You know what I mean?

[A]

They're like, tell me goddamn remote.

[B]

I don't know what the.

[A]

Philip Rivers ran the Colts offense in high school this season. So you know, it's like that. And I'm like, dude, the Seahawks defense, Nick Edwari is going to be coming from the blind side. You guys are going to set it to another dimension.

[C]

He has a kid old enough to be playing in high school.

[B]

He's a grandfather. I, you guys are making me nervous.

[C]

I feel like, dude, he's 44 and hasn't played in five years.

[A]

Well, let's just do it right now because we're going to be. I, I, I, the fact that it's the Seahawks who are at the, at the undisputedly the best defense in the nfc. If Philip Rivers comes in and like outplays them. And it's not like Sam Darnold shits out six turnovers. Like Jalen hurts last week. If Philip Rivers outplay wins this game. This is one of the more improbable things that has ever happened in the history of American sports.

[B]

I don't like it when you frame it all like this because now, now it feels like it's going to happen.

[C]

I need to find what his totals.

[A]

Are this, this week.

[C]

Phil. Phil.

[B]

Oh, Phil.

[C]

Because like what do you guys think he's over under is passing yards. Maybe it's not even up yet because they don't know if he's playing.

[A]

It should probably be one. It should probably be 140 because it might be down 30.

[B]

I said 179.

[A]

Well, he could hit the overs because they're gonna be down 30 to nothing and no one else is gonna be healthy enough to play. I. I think there's a serious chance that he just gets rocked in last, like two drives.

[C]

It's 150 yards.

[B]

Is the over under nice.

[C]

He's gonna take one hit and his spleen's gonna explode.

[A]

Well, that's the thing. Austin makes a good point that Riley Leonard's been a full participant. That's the thing. It's. Why did they sign him? Cause he's still in the practice squad. So here's the thing. Maybe. I think there's honestly two answers. It's Riley Leonard's knee. It's a PCL injury. It's just worse than we think. And so they need him to play. I think it's basically like, oh, if Riley Leonard is already injured going in, who could play play? And it. Maybe it is Rivers. So I don't know if he's gonna play or not. We'll see.

[B]

But what I was saying, Stephen Holder says he's pretty convinced that Philip Rivers is starting. And then Adam Schiffer, he just said, sounds like Philip Rivers is tracking. To start on this is Seattle.

[A]

He was.

[C]

Must watch television.

[A]

You guys don't watch House of the Dragon, I don't think. Which is the Game of Thrones spin off. It's not a spoiler or anything.

[C]

I saw the first like eight episodes or something.

[A]

It's not a spoiler if you haven't seen. But there's a point where they're like, oh, we need someone to ride this dragon. And they find this guy and they meet him and they're like, wow, this guy is awesome. He's really cool.

[B]

Wow.

[A]

Like, great vibes. Kind of like a Philip Rivers. And then he goes out to, like, do the dragon. And the dragon burns everybody alive, like, immediately as soon as it sees this guy. And like, one you. That meme of one of the guy pulls the knife out and it's like rather than burning alive, like slits his own throat. Yeah, that's like, this is such a cutesy thing.

[B]

This metaphor would be like, if that guy that they found to ride the dragon was just nominated to go in the hall of fame for dragon riding. Like, yeah, Philip Rivers has fucking played before. Like, I think I. Obviously he's 44. I understand like all the limitations of getting older. He hasn't played in a long time, but like acting like he's never fucking played before is a little bit silly. I think like he'll go out there and he at least knows how to fucking read a defense. He's, he's inarguably a better option in my mind than Riley Leonard from the opposing fan point or viewpoint or whatever. Like, who do you want to start? I would way rather go against Riley Leonard as a Seahawks fan, that is.

[A]

I guess you're right that like there's no chance Riley Leonard or it's so funny. Brett Rippon is like on this team. What is Britt Ribbon into doing there that Brett Rippon is there? Like what do you consider playing him?

[C]

Yeah, I, Dirk Nowitzki retired five years ago. Imagine if Dirk Nowitzki just showed up in a game.

[B]

Is crazy that it's been five years. I, I, I sent you guys a video the other day. Phil Rivers is practicing and taking snaps. He's got the no show socks on with like. And I'm like, oh God, this is how you can tell this guy's old. He's got the no show socks.

[A]

Now I'm thinking like, man, maybe Rivers will win this game.

[C]

Can we talk about fantasy for this game? Like which Colts players are you playing? If you're gonna, you have to start Jonathan Taylor.

[B]

Are you any of the taking Tyler. Tyler Tyler, Antonio Gates, Warren and that's it.

[A]

I think Tyler Warren, because you have no choice, you don't have a better tight end. And I do think that a lot of the offense is that right?

[C]

Like if you could just like start Kyle Pitts.

[A]

I think Tyler Warren, because what is the offense going to be? And I think it's going to have to be a lot of Jonathan Taylor and they're going to have to do play action off Jonathan Taylor. And I think there's going to be a lot of Tyler Warren screens in the, in the flat and a lot of Tyler like, I think there's going to be a lot of Tyler Warren targets that also frankly, it's more realistic Philip Rivers will be able to do that. What I'm, I'd rather rather play him than like, I mean Michael Pittman, Alec Pierce, whose whole game is down the field. Michael Pittman. I am very concerned about starting Pittman or Pierce.

[C]

I think, I think Tyler Warren's gonna suck. I think Seahawks are gonna sniff all this shit out and they're gonna try to throw screens and before Tyler Warren can Even catch the ball. There's going to be three. Three Seahawks defenders up his ass.

[B]

Four catches for 27 yards.

[C]

Yeah, I do. I think there's going to be like six Tyler Warren targets three catches, 22 yards is what I my prediction.

[A]

I, I don't know about you guys, but when we went through rankings this week I thought the Colts pass catches were the heart. Was one of the hardest things I've ever had to rank of deciding where I'd play these guys with either tore the bowl or championship on the line. And where we. Where we landed is we have Michael Pittman 34th among receivers, Alpier 36. I kind of want to move them down overall among flex players, I think even more running backs. But we have Pittman and Pierce basically above like Jaden Reed on the packers and like Luther Burden on the Bears and like Quentin Johnson the charges. Jerry Judy for the Browns, D.J. moore on the Bear. People that we don't trust for deep reasons. And I think that's right. But we have them behind basically like any other receiver that has of any substance which I think is probably like Even Marvin Harrison Jr. We have above these Colts receivers which I think is probably right.

[C]

Yeah, I think him being next to like guys like Jordan Addison is fair.

[A]

Other people who have huge quarterback problems or guys like Jaden Higgins on the Texans who has he had 60 yards in a game. Xavier Worthy wasn't a double digit since week one. I'll put him behind cause Pittman, Pierce, who knows. But I can't think of a guy that I have. How could you have less confidence playing somebody in fantasy that might have to be in your lineup truly than like Michael Pittman or Alec Pierre years this.

[C]

Week would you feel comfortable starting Isaiah Likely or Mark Andrews over Tyler Warren or no.

[A]

Yeah, the Bengals. I mean how many times have we said all year that the number one tight end of fantasy this year is Trey McBride and the number two is just tight ends versus Cincinnati?

[C]

I think so too. Also it's not like Tyler Warren's been going crazy. He has been single digit fantasy points five of the last six weeks. It's been quietly kind of a bummer the. The last two months.

[A]

Would you play like Harold Fanon this week or Tyler Warren?

[C]

Oh, Fannon.

[A]

Yeah. Yeah. I guess we probably have to move Warren down. I kind of actually playing. I kind of was wondering if Leonard was going to play and the Rivers was just there as like a backup or emergency. But yeah, Richard Rivers is going to. This is, this is crazy.

[C]

I don't love the, like, well, someone's got to catch passes. Oh, the. The. The. The young quarterback or the old shitty. The back of quarterback always targets tight ends. I'm like, they're playing the best defense in the league on the road. The quarterback's 44. I'm like, this is. This could be. Nobody might have 40 yards in this game.

[A]

Look at who's announcing it. God, I wish Brady would be like, this is crazy. No. Oh, no. It's Jason McCordy and Charles Davis.

[C]

Oh, Brady would have been so good. I mean, what. Brady win a Super bowl at 44?

[A]

It would be Brady's first game that he was good at announcing because he'd actually be like. Couldn't shut off the part of his brain where he'd be like, I could fucking do this. Which is like, all any of us want is okay.

[C]

Brady was 43 and a half when he won the last Super Bowl.

[A]

This episode is brought to you by Velveeta. Game day is all about the tailgate spread. First things first. Who's bringing the Velveeta drip? Just like your favorite players on the field, Velveeta fans go all in on what they love. Creamy shells and cheese, melty Velveeta blocks and cheese, cheesy jarred quesos. They're taking down one taste, bud at a time. Velveeta is the real MVP of the tailgate. You've got to respect the drip. Do yourself a favor and stock up on Velveeta before kickoff. Dk, would you play Xavier Worthy or Michael Pittman?

[C]

Oh.

[A]

You guys don't have the hatred.

[B]

Xavier Worthy, Hitman, probably.

[C]

No, I. I hate Xavier Worthy.

[A]

Okay.

[C]

Don't you worry.

[A]

I have them ahead of 80, Mitchell. But that's also because, like, you know.

[C]

Brady Cook.

[A]

Brady Cook. Yeah. Okay.

[C]

What a messy week.

[A]

It's. That's kind of first week of playoff theme.

[B]

Welcome to the playoffs.

[A]

Yeah, the quarterbacks. The first week of the fantasy playoffs could be Philip Rivers maybe, or someone that. I mean, Riley Leonard with an injury. Brady Cook for the Jets. Shitter Sanders is suddenly, like, not even one of the worst quarterbacks in the league. Like, this is. There's a lot going on. All right, other late games here. Carolina Panthers are at the Saints. I mean, my God, I mean, the.

[C]

Last time these two teams played, the Saints fucking won in Week 10. The Saints won 17 to 7, and they just beat the Bucks in the rain. Dude, I was looking at Bryce Young's like, like, game log. I've never seen anything like this in my life. Like, if you look at this is a quarterback, his last five games. Here are his points, starting with Week 13 and going backwards. 22, 8, 31, 1 2. Also the game, he had two, they won. I'm just like, I, I have no fucking idea what's going on. This, this entire game is like the. Who do you play in your flex bowl? It's like Ted McMillan has three catches over his last two games. Jalen Coker's there. You have the two Panthers running backs. That's now a complete, complete timeshare. Dowdle, it's like Camara might play as he was banged up. You have Juwan Johnson, the tight end, who Carolina has been bad against tight ends. I kind of think you could maybe play him. But I'm like, yeah, this whole game is, is a mess in terms of. Outside of Chris Olave, who you're definitely playing. I, I guess you feel okay about the two Panthers running backs, Dowdle and Chuba. Has there ever been a more obvious regression candidate, by the way, than Rico Dowdle? Like, we all get so blind to this shit. And then the last three weeks he's just become, you know what Rico Dowdle was early down running, middle of the road running back. Who. His last four games he's averaging 3 and 3.2 yards per carry.

[A]

Were you not impressed in Dowdle having back to back games with more scrimmage yards than McCaffrey ever had in every, any two game period ever for the Panthers?

[C]

Yeah. And now he's. Now he's, you know, Chuba Hubbard's very playable.

[A]

I. The Bryce Young thing. You're so right too, dk. I'm curious what you think part of me thinks to Craig's point about. I can't figure this out. I think that there's like, you know, when you dig into all these things and what's actually going on with the teams and who's hurt, you don't know about what schemes and what was the game plan. And like there's a thousand variables we don't know about. And you dig through that and I think if you ask Dave Canalis, the true serum, do you think Bryce Young's good? I think Dave Canalis would be like, man, I don't know.

[B]

No, I think he'd be like, no, not really. I mean, I think that, yeah, the, the Panthers are good when they can run. Obviously there was that one huge game for Bryce, but that. I feel like that's not gonna happen. That's not gonna happen very often or ever again. Probably never again.

[C]

If we had to draft players to start in fantasy in this game. Your first pick is Chris Olave, right High Fitz. Who's the second pick?

[A]

I think it's Chuba Hubbard, man. Or I guess. No, sorry, no, I guess it would be Chuba.

[B]

You like, you like Chuba more than, than Dowdle now even.

[A]

I think, I think you have to. Yeah, he's totally. Chuba's taking the job back or he's basically the efficiency. He's good.

[B]

This is the hot hand approach.

[C]

It's an old school split now. Now it's like dabbles. The early down guy and Chuba's the third down and the long down and distance guy.

[B]

If you, if you start either one of these guys, just pray early in the game that one of them, that the guy that you have has like a 10 yard run because then he's getting the rest of the carries that he.

[C]

I do think like, I don't know, man. Gun to my head, I'm like, could you start Juwan Johnson over Tyler Warren? Maybe I'm overthinking it, but I'm like.

[B]

I think you could.

[C]

Shuck has not been that bad.

[A]

I put it this way, put it this way. Going back to the Colts Rivers thing, this is important. Everyone who has Colts players. The quarterback for The Colts is 44 and has been retired for five years and has come to back on four days notice. You can bench whoever the fuck you want. The question should be, can you bench Jonathan Taylor?

[C]

Well, no, you can't do that because.

[A]

You'Re like, no, it's like when the game comes on and the quarterback's 44, I think you can do it. Like you have permission to do whatever you want.

[C]

In Philip Rivers defense, Tyler Shuck is 42. So that's a good point. It's also hard.

[A]

I like, yeah, well, look, Tyler Warren.

[C]

The last time the Panthers and the Saints played, Juwan Johnson had 92 yards and a touchdown season high for him. Tyler Shuck, when he's kept clean, has been pretty good. The Panthers have the lowest pressure rate in the NFL. Just something to think about. If you have two shitty tight ends you're deciding between, one of them is Joanne Johnson.

[A]

Consider that I, I am not going to tell anyone that they need to play any of the Colts. But you could if you just don't want to feel like an idiot. You're like, oh, my season on the line. I played a rookie tight end who his quarterback was 44.

[B]

My buddy sent me this. He goes, I got a fact for you. He Goes Philip Rivers started his college career when Bill Clinton was president.

[C]

No.

[B]

Isn't that insane? He started his college career in the year 2000. Kind of weird.

[A]

Tyler Warren was super not bored.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

Sunday Night Football. Craig. Another primetime banger.

[C]

Right? We have the Vikings playing the Cowboys. The return of nine to prime time. Nine time is what we call it.

[A]

Nine time.

[C]

This is a question of who has a better unit, the Dallas offense or the Vikings defense. And can. And can nine score 21 points in this game. This is an impossible fantasy situation and I feel bad for all the people who have Vikings but players because Dallas's defense through the air has been extremely vulnerable. And yet Justin Jefferson. You want to rip your hair out if you have them. Justin Jefferson has 15 yards combined in his last two games. 15 in his last two games. I know one of them was with the Bro Brosmer, but it's been so bad. And I think the only player. I think you're. I think you have to play Justin Jefferson as. As much as it pains me to say it. And I think you play Aaron Jones. I think those are the only two players you play on Minnesota.

[B]

Yeah. Addison is rough.

[C]

You don't want to go down with Addison.

[B]

No.

[C]

He hasn't done it for you all year. You're not going to bet on it now?

[A]

I kind of think they're going to be okay in this game and I think there will be shots actually, but I don't think you could bet on it. Like, I think with the season on the line, I think it's one of those, like, if you need to, you can do it. Like I understand playing Jordan and Justin Jefferson. I like there were shots last last week where McCarthy, like, I think there will be opportunities, but I don't think, I think, yeah, you can't go down with anyone other than Jefferson or Aaron Jones. And yet I kind of think Jordan Addison will be fine, but I don't.

[C]

There is not a single player on the Vikings who has average double digit points when J.J. mcCarthy plays.

[A]

Yeah, yeah, I just bench them off. Jesus Christ.

[C]

You think. I don't think you bench Jefferson. I think you play him.

[A]

Yeah, I think you bench, you play Jefferson and then you lose because of it. And you'd be mad at Justin Jefferson all year and McCarthy.

[B]

But this is like one of those impossible process things where you're like, the process says you play Justin Jefferson. Yeah, but the process also says what is he. He hasn't actually done anything.

[A]

Yeah, it's one of those. We're not gonna tell you to Bench Justin Jefferson. And you won't find anyone to tell you to bench Justin Jefferson. But you should. But no one's going to tell you, including me.

[B]

I'm playing him. I don't care.

[A]

Yeah, and you're gonna lose.

[B]

Yeah, maybe I forgot. By the way, it looks like CD Lamb could play in this game, which.

[A]

Would obviously you're playing George Pickens and even Jake Ferguson. Either way, I forgot. Titans. Niners is not a prime time game early and who cares? It doesn't matter. These teams suck. The Titans suck. Niners are gonna rock them. So I don't think there's anything to say, to be honest. I think we're not counting, like Tony Pollard's gonna do that.

[C]

No, you're not playing a Titan.

[A]

No. There's no Titans. You're playing with your season online and there's no Niners. You're gonna. You know, it's like you're playing all the night News Monday Night Football. Another just incredible primetime game. Craig.

[C]

Steelers.

[B]

Dolphins.

[C]

God. Just a bizarre Steelers prime time lineup.

[A]

I know.

[C]

I. I think we have to start here. What happened to T.J. watt? T.J. watt has a lung situation going on. He is in the hospital right now getting evaluated for some discomfort he experienced. Brook Prior reported that that it occurred during treatment at the team facility on Wednesday. We're getting Tyrod Taylor.

[B]

Does this involve Chargers vibes?

[C]

Yeah, I don't know. Tomlin didn't have much to say. He. TJ Watts spent the night in the hospital dealing with this lung situation while he was getting treatment.

[B]

Doesn't seem great.

[C]

It's Thursday. Yeah. While receiving treatment, so.

[B]

Sure seems like a Tyra Taylor situation. Yeah.

[A]

I can see TJ Watt having the game ending strip sack right now. And after like hearing for two and a half hours that he was in the hospital with some stabbed lung and then he's going to come in for two plays and just win the game or out for the season. Who knows?

[C]

It's classic Steelers, like literally every time they stand up. Like anytime you see something that makes you think one way, just go the other. Like, you should probably just bet TJ Watts have three sacks because of this. That's how the Steelers work this game in general. Like this the steel. I mean, Rogers had his best game of the season last week. Rogers was fucking awesome. And even if you go back and watch like the throws he was making, dude, he could still rip it and is making throws. Even some of his incomplete passes were incredibly impressive. And then Miami's been playing. I mean, Miami's Basically completely shifted their focus to running the ball. Tua has thrown the ball 26 times or less than six of the past seven games. I mean, like, they are just fully committing to the run. HN has been awesome. I mean, they're scoring touchdowns on the ground. Tua only has three touchdown passes in his last five games. HN just has a rib injury, so he's a little beat up. He's. He was a limited participant today. On Thursday, McDaniel said. McDaniel said it's going to be a gradual increase in activity and physicality also. I mean, you're obviously playing HN I'm. In terms of like the Steelers winning this game. The Steelers have been okay at times at stopping the run. Like, they really limited Jonathan Taylor when they needed to. And a lot of it does come down to their rookie Derek Harmon out of Oregon. He's been really good this year. He's been battling a knee injury. There's a crazy stat about him when he plays. They, they. They give up a hundred less yards rushing per game. When Derek harmon plays, basically 96 to 196 is the difference.

[A]

Having 250 without him.

[C]

But like, that. What do you mean skewed?

[B]

That's.

[C]

That's a factor. That's like what happened in the game. So, yeah, I mean, in terms of fantasy, it's like hn, yes.

[B]

Waddle.

[C]

Yes.

[B]

What do you do with Metcalf?

[C]

I think you play him.

[B]

He's been so all over the place.

[C]

But yeah, I think you play Metcalf. And I think the hardest decision you have in this game is like the two Steelers running backs. Kenneth Gainwell's quietly been great. Like the last four weeks he's put up 13, 5, 15 and 26.

[A]

I think you play both of them because they've replaced. They're the receivers in the off offense. Honestly can't get Warrant like, they're. Rogers trust those two dudes more than basically anyone in the offense.

[C]

I kind of don't disagree. Like, I think you kind of can play both of them. They're both kind of good bets for, like at least 10 points. Like, they kind of will get you that each week. Darnell Washington might not play with a concussion, so I don't know. This could be like a dart throw Friarmouth game. But yeah, I think you could play both running backs.

[A]

How do you feel about TJ Watt, who just got a massive contract, extended extension, being stabbed? Allegedly. We don't know what happened.

[C]

But how do I feel about that? I. I don't feel Good. No, I wish that didn't happen. Yeah.

[B]

I wish against it.

[C]

Yeah.

[A]

Anti.

[C]

Let the record show I'm against that.

[A]

Just wanted to check. All right. Ringer 107. Today's Ringer 107 is brought to you by FanDuel. Yeah, we gotta go through doing this contest between all the other pods here at the Ringer. Also meant to mention, you give starts to questions. Fantasy football.com for all the rankings, but we're doing this. The Ringer 107 competing with the other teams. We're tied for first, right?

[C]

No. Oh, yeah.

[B]

We are. Right.

[A]

Okay. Part of me wants to just blindly take Seahawks minus literally. I don't care what the line is versus the Colts. Like Seahawks minus 13 and a half versus the Colts. Come on, Philip Rivers. Come on.

[C]

Do you think everyone's going to take that?

[A]

Yeah, I don't.

[B]

Your guys's confidence makes me nervous.

[C]

We need four more games. Do we want Denver? Do we want Baltimore?

[A]

Yeah, we'll do Denver.

[B]

Giants.

[C]

Denver. Baltimore.

[A]

Are we doing the Giants?

[B]

Do you want the Giants?

[C]

Do you want. Do you think they're going to win by three?

[A]

They're underdogs, right?

[C]

No. No.

[B]

They're favorite by two and favored.

[A]

Oh. Oh.

[C]

Which I don't. I don't like that.

[A]

I'm not.

[B]

I'm fine staying away from that game. I threw out the Dolph. I threw out the Cowboys. I don't know if you guys like that at all.

[A]

Why don't we do the Cowboys? Because DK said it. And then. Should we do the crazy parlay or should we just lay all these points with all these.

[C]

No, I like the crazy parlay. That's funny.

[A]

I know. But part of me is like, should we just bet against all these. Should we just bet against Brady, Cook, Rivers, Kenny Pickett?

[C]

Probably.

[A]

Why don't we just do that?

[C]

All the spreads.

[A]

Why don't we just do the Colts? Why don't we just do the Seahawks to beat the Colts, the Jaguars to beat the jets, the Eagles to beat the Raiders, and the Niners to beat the Titans. All those crazy games. And then we'll do dk. You want to take the Cowboys, too? And we just bet against the five worst quarterbacks in the NFL with all the points.

[C]

I don't want to do the Niners.

[A]

Okay, so we'll take the night. No, we don't have to.

[B]

Let's do Baltimore instead. Yeah. And then I don't feel strongly about the Cowboys. So if you guys aren't feeling that, we can do something Different.

[C]

I mean, we don't.

[B]

Yeah, but in the spirit of betting against quarterbacks, like, it's Dak versus JJ McCarthy.

[C]

I mean, why don't we. We could replace the Cowboys with the fucking. Oh, no.

[A]

We have Jags, Seahawks, Jags, Eagles. Cowboys is four.

[C]

And Ravens would be.

[A]

Why don't you want the Niners?

[B]

I don't know.

[A]

I want the Niners.

[C]

Okay. Instead of who the Ravens are. The Cowboys.

[A]

I don't know why? You guys like the Ravens this game.

[B]

That's fine. Okay.

[C]

We'll do nine. We'll just do massive favorites. Five massive favorites.

[A]

Oh, well, that's what I'm wondering. If you want to flip them. Just take them. Should we flip it?

[C]

I don't know. This is. This is excruciating. I don't even care. It doesn't matter. We're going to go two and three.

[A]

I know. It's true. That's true. All right, let's just do it then. Seahawks, J. Seahawks over the Colts. Rivers, Jaguars over the jets with Brady Cook, Eagles over the Raiders with Kenny Pickett, Cowboys over the Vikings of J.J. mcCarthy, and. Yeah. The Niners over the Titans. The Cam Ward. Yeah, I like that.

[B]

Oh, Cowboys. Okay.

[C]

Okay.

[B]

All right.

[A]

Just playing like we're laying combined, like, 60 points. We're saying this will be an uncompetitive end flow weekend, Correct?

[B]

What could go wrong?

[A]

We could flip it right now.

[C]

No, let's just. Let's end this misery.

[A]

Do it. All right, today's Ringer 107 was brought to you by FanDuel. Odd subject to change. Okay. The only thing I wanted to mention was I never. We talked about raccoons being domesticated, and I. We didn't talk about how in Virginia there was a raccoon that broke into a liquor store, drank a bunch of liquor, and then passed out drunk in the bathroom.

[B]

Hell, yes, in the bathroom.

[A]

Did you guys see the photos of this?

[C]

So they're. They're evolving to become humans, not pets.

[A]

They're replacing us. We thought it'd be AI Meanwhile, it's the raccoons. Did you guys see the raccoon?

[C]

No.

[B]

All right, wait, was it. Was it a real picture? This is like.

[A]

Yes.

[B]

No, this laid out.

[A]

No, this. This was. This happened. Look at. Look, I'm texting you this. Look at the phone.

[B]

Look at.

[A]

At the actual damage. The raccoon, it drank so much. It drank rum. It drank tequila, like banana tequila or something. It destroyed the store.

[B]

I like the picture of the raccoon just splayed out.

[A]

It's weirdly related.

[B]

What is it that you call the.

[A]

Way that this spluted splooting?

[C]

I mean, the fact that it went to the bathroom and he's next to the toilet.

[B]

So relatable.

[C]

Unbelievable.

[A]

I think they're ready to be domesticated, to be honest. They're here.

[C]

They're cute.

[A]

Would you rather have an AI robot in your home like the weird Elon Musk ones that he wants, or just a raccoon as a pet and you have to do that rest of your raccoon.

[C]

Raccoon. I don't want a robot in my house.

[A]

Okay, just checking.

[C]

No, I don't want some clanker walking around. Tell me what to do.

[B]

I'm with you, Craig.

[A]

No.

[B]

All right.

[A]

Thank you, dk. Thank you, Craig. Thank you, Carlos. Thank you, Kai. Thank you, Ronick. Thank you, Ryan. Thank you, Austin. Thank you, everyone for listening. Email us at ringer fantasy football gmail.com join our discord. The Discord invite is in the episode description. Discord's Popping Ringer Fantasy Football show. Thank you, Lord Lauren.

[B]

Thank you, 50 Cent. Fitty.

[A]

Because of the documentary?

[B]

Yeah, it just came to mind.

[C]

Did you watch it?

[B]

Not yet. I've heard it's very interesting.

[C]

Oh, yeah?

[B]

Did you watch it?

[C]

No. 50 Cent is a very captivating speaker.

[B]

Somebody told me that he's doing all these, like, interviews with only the stations that Diddy will be able to watch in prison. So that's a whole level. A whole level something.

[A]

All right, goodbye, everyone.

[B]

Foreign.

[A]

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[C]

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[A]

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[C]

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[A]

You the gift of 50% off unlimited. To be clear, the that's half price.

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Not half the service. Mint is still premium unlimited wireless for a great price. So that means a half day.

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Yeah.

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