Championship Studs & Duds + Lucky Breaks, Owl Wins! - Fantasy Football Podcast for 12/30

Welcome to the Fantasy Footballers Podcast with your hosts, Andy Holloway, Jason Moore, and Mike Wright. Welcome in. Monday, December 30th. The Fantasy Footballers Podcast. Woo! Big breath, everybody. Welcome in.

There's a lot of celebrating going on right now. Yeah. There's a lot of crying going on right now. Yeah. And then there's where Mike is, which I'm sure a lot of you listening, you're there, which is you're... Sweating. You're just holding your breath for about 16 hours. I will lay it out for you. First of all, genuine, actual congratulations to Al Borland. He will not accept it yet. He will not accept it. He is up by 60 points with Jameer Gibbs left. He has won the championship. The trophy's on his desk, but he will not accept it because he doesn't know how to feel

right now. But I think... I just don't want to Jonathan Taylor this thing and drop the ball before I get into the end zone. All right. Okay. If you drop the ball before you get into the end zone, that will be really cool. I will not be repeating as champion, but I am happy that it's going to... First time league of record champion with an extraordinary team who, you know, dodged... You know, when you talk about what it takes to win a championship, we heard from people all weekend long. There's a number of things that come into play. This weekend, I think luck was a big part of it.

It's always a factor. Sometimes you don't want to focus on the luck factor, but when weather and game day and weekend of injuries happen and you've got motivation factors for teams, you've got guys saying they're going to play through injuries, there is always an aspect of luck involved in fantasy football. Our job, our show, our purpose is to give you whatever percentage isn't luck, the best possible advantage in that percentage. But, you know, this weekend we saw a lot of craziness going on, but I was thinking, you know, with your team, Al, and, you know, top to bottom, very good roster.

Knew that Trey McBride touchdown was coming. Knew it. Oh, yeah. Knew it. But, almost two of them. Doink. Yeah. But also, you avoided catastrophic injury. I mean, when you think about your roster top to bottom, whether, you know, you've got B. John and Kyron, Jacobs, Jefferson, Sutton, and Jaden Daniels and Trey McBride. Like, those are guys that all stayed healthy for the most part this year. Jaden missed a game or something in between, but you've got to have a little bit of depth. And now Mike is going into Monday Night Football in our Dynasty League. Cool, man. Looking for his own repeat situation is, I believe he's up 47 points.

It's 47 points. 47.1. Thank you. Facing. And I am up against Gibbs, Laporta, and Debo tonight. It's all Debo. It's half points. It's all Debo. I think I agree with that. There is some accumulation of Gibbs and Laporta points that is going to happen. Yes. So, to me, it's like, I think Laporta and Gibbs are good for 30. That's what I think. They're good for it tonight. Right. But they can't both score in the same place. Can Debo cover the excess? Can Debo cover? Does Debo have a big game? Which, there were a lot of people asking questions before Championship Weekend about Debo.

I was on for like an hour answering start sits. Mike had Sunday Live answering start sits. And, you know, a lot of people were saying, I need upside. This guy or Debo. I pick Debo a lot. Yeah. Not because he will do it, but because at least if you see the possible outcomes for the game tonight, Debo has got a shot at, you know, being the guy for a night. And what the complete unknown tonight is, if you have not followed the trajectory of just the NFL, you've been just hyper-focused on fantasy. The Detroit Lions tonight, the game is completely and totally meaningless.

If they win, it's a morale boost. You keep your momentum. But if they lose, their seating doesn't change. Everything for the Lions is next week's – are they the final game? Yeah, it's the final game. It's the final game of the season. It's going to be amazing. A battle for the North. Yeah, it's the Lions, Vikings. Winner gets the number one seed. And a bye. And a bye week. Loser goes on the road. I think to the five seed. And so it's what will the Lions do tonight? Look, Coach Campbell is very high-T, nonstop, nitro espressos. We're going to bite your kneecaps, all that stuff.

He has said, we're going in, everything. We're going to win this game on the West Coast. Now, at halftime, what happens, I don't know. I think the scary thing or the nice thing, depending on what side you're on, is that if the Lions do really, really well, right? They go out there and they put a beat down on the 49ers. They're not going to do it for as long. They will take these players. And when they know that they've probably got the game in hand. I think they'll – I mean, you can't risk Jameer Gibbs to an injury in a game that isn't going – your goal here is Super Bowl.

Now, again, Dan Campbell has come out and said, we are going hard after this game. We're going to win this game. We're playing our guys. But I do think there comes a point near the fourth quarter where outcomes could make it a – you know, set these guys down. It's one thing that it's not – like the 49ers are not a pushover victory. The game's in San Francisco. So, it's one of those things. It could stay competitive longer, being that point. The other thing is it's just weird because you are – you have almost like a pre-set your guys situation, right?

Like you could, if you're the Lions and it's all about next week, you could sit all your starters, right? Like that would be the extreme on that side. You could sit them all so you could win a game so you can sit them again, right? Because you want the chance to have the bye week. Like, it's tough. Like you said, Dan Campbell's a certain type of guy. You know, I doubt that they want to potentially lose this game, potentially lose next week, then have to go play on a two-game losing streak too. So, you can unravel it any way that you want.

I think the – to me, Gibbs is the biggest question mark because if like – he – He could do enough and a half. Well, yeah, he could do enough and a half. But I'm saying like, if I'm the Detroit Lions, Jameer Gibbs is the guy that cannot – Yeah, you can't lose him. He cannot get hurt. Because if Gibbs goes down, your Super Bowl odds plummet. Like even Amon Ross is a superstar wide receiver. I think that Gibbs is more important to the way that this offense functions. It's the fact that you already lost Montgomery too. Yeah, it compounds.

You can't lose both of your starting running backs when that's like the foundation and identity. The game is in Detroit next week for the division. And it's going to be very, very fun. It will be also fun for you out there if you're not playing fantasy that week. Yeah. Now, we will be here for you because we are a year-round show. And unfortunately, week 18 is part of the year, the calendar year. No, we joke about it, but we will be here for those of you that have week 18 title games. For those that don't know or are new to the show this season, we shift to two main shows a week after week 18.

We still have our footcast at jointhefoot.com. It's our community. We are here all offseason. In fact, we started this show, believe it or not. We basically started this show when the offseason began because we knew that there were other people very thirsty and hungry for fantasy football talk in the offseason. And it's a good time to reflect. We have a lot of fun. Rookies, free agency. And it happens quick. It does. Those footy awards. Oh, yeah. The footies. You know what they say is stress lowers your immune system. Now, did you know that? I figured that out. Did you know that?

It's the cortisol. It suppresses your immune system. Are you? I'll try not to talk too much. Okay. All right. By the way, if you are deceased, you do not receive the title. Yeah. It posthumously returns to its former owner. I don't know if you knew that. Don't die. I will also try not to die. Hashtag don't die. If you have already won a title, congratulations. A couple of headlines for you today and tomorrow. We have brand new Foot Clan title t-shirts. A couple different designs up. Oh, yeah. At shopballers.com. One is a more, I believe it was inspired by a, one of the mid-90s Buffalo Bills title sweaters.

Our designer, Andrew Schneider, got that taken care of. And then we have another design as well. Shopballers.com. If you want Foot Clan title swag, you win. You want to, you want to pimp it out. I'm sure Al Borland will be wearing- The hoodies, the mugs. Yeah. He'll be spending money over there. And then if you need a trophy or a ring or a belt for your league, we do this every year, partnering with fantasychamps.com. There's a very special free ring code exclusive to this show that you can use. It gives you a free championship ring if you buy a trophy or belt from the website.

So if you go to fantasychamps.com, put a trophy in your cart, add a ring of your choice, put in the code free ring. You get the ring for free. And you can take lots of pictures with the ring and send them to your league mates. I mean, you've got to swag it up. If you won, you've got to make sure everyone knows. I got a picture yesterday on Twitter. It was from longtime fan of the show, Dustin. And he's got three Foot Clan rings on his fingers, or three title rings. Nice. He's smoking a cigar, and he's got three in six years.

Let him know. Wow. That's quite a run. But he's doing it the right way. Look, it's hard to let it go. I really wanted the repeat. I did. But no can do. And also, bad news for the Foot Clan as well. You were going after it in the listener league? Oh, yeah. I got whooped. You got laid over a lap. I got burrowed, chased, and higginsed. Yeah. So it is what it is, man. There's not going to be an extra spot open in the listener league. But I tried. I tried. I got there. At this point, it was kind of our three major leagues.

I got to semifinal title, title. I'm going to walk away with nothing, which is how it goes sometimes. Would you rather that, or would you rather be the champion of the family league like me? I think I'm happy. I think I'm content. I'm going to go to Shop Ballers real quick. Swag out. Yeah. You did defeat my wife. Yep. After getting Mike's kid. Yeah. That's right. After beating Mike's kid. Family. Just beating on kids. That was the fight. Beating on women. Jason, this is inappropriate. Whoa, whoa, whoa. Whoa. Yeah. You still want that? You still want that shirt? Yes. You're darn right I do.

Yeah. All right. Well, it's Monday, Punday. Let's go champ. It's Monday, Punday. We got your reactions from the weekend, and here you go. Starting with the good. Why don't we let Mike's start of the week kick it off? Oh, the start of the week. Three. He gets. I needed three chase for a shot. How about T Winnings? And Bo Namath. Oh, Bo Nix has gotten it done. Or Trey McBoutime. Or hooray McBride. Trey McWife. Yeah, it's about time. He's your wife. Wee, John Robinson. Jalen McMillions, baby. You have elite neighbors. Or there goes Joe Burr. Oh, my gosh. He's really good at football.

We did have some bad this weekend. This wasn't the only bad, but like Jerome Bord. That one hurt Mike. Come on, A-chan. Or nay, Flowers. Or Terry McSnoring. Oh, brutal. Jaden can't read. Oh. He's illiterate. James Conner. Oh, no. Oh, our James Con artist. Yeah. And Breeze Hell. Oh, man. That's a simple one. That's a life you're living. Con artist is right. I mean, I. It. You know, we said. That feels so bad. We said the joke. Not the joke, but we brought up the storyline. Like, James Connors never played a full season. We wish he never had. Like, we wish he didn't try to do that.

Yeah. Because his. He was so elite. And then hurt. But still elite in that game. But this is the one that killed you. And I. I went down to the wire on the Connor McMillan start set decision. I. I was Connor McMillan and worthy. I end up going McMillan that night. It ends up being the right call. And yet. Irrelevant. Yeah. Uh, McMillan was. Was great. Uh, James Connor. It was really tough because it was right off the bat. He had four carries. Got a little banged up. And then wasn't allowed to return to the game. Stayed on the sideline with the helmet on.

Every time they'd show him on the sideline, you're like. Oh, he's. He's ready to come back in. But it was. It was kind of like a con artist type of. Situation where. You got hoodwinked. And you thought you were good to start him. Hopefully. You know, like. Like Andy did. You did pivot to someone else. But I know a lot of people that. You know, Connor was in. They were going to play him. He was so hot. You know, he's the running back seven. The running back one. The running back six. Very hard to just bench someone like that. Because.

They might re-aggravate an injury. Which. Unfortunately. Did happen. Yep. And there were lots of. Those situations. This weekend. That were tough. And. You know. You can overcome it. I've seen the. I've seen the tweets. You know what. You know who you can't overcome. Like. I think the one player. Through the playoffs. That. You couldn't. You could only overcome so much. Which Andy. You did. In three leagues. You overcame Cooper Cup. He was devastating. You. You did it. In the playoffs. But it was. Every. Single. Yeah. Week. In the playoffs. Just so. And it came to. Bizarre. It came to bear.

In the. Listener league title game. Obviously. And. If you want. I think you just watch. The retirement. Cooper Cup. Ceremony. I mean. It's. I think you watch. The final moments. It's crazy. The last three weeks. The playoff weeks. I don't. Zero for zero. Three for 24. One for 29. And that. But. There was a five for 92. Right before that. Oh. His. His pace. With a touchdown. His pace on the season. Before those three games. You talking about the division winning. L.A. Rams. Oh. That's right. Your. Bold prediction. It took. It took quite the path. To get there. The. The insanity of.

The tiebreaker. They had to go down to what. Strength of victory. And then. Depending on which teams. Won this week. It. Settled. Everything. The Rams won the division. Wait. Oh. They did. Yeah. It's done. When I didn't. I missed that. It's done. Like. They're playing next week. And we all thought. Oh. This. Is it going to be great. Another divisional match. For the spot. But it's done. Wild. Yeah. But yeah. Cooper Cup. Strength of victory. As Kyle said. A sputtering Oldsmobile on his final mile. Is the way it went down. 15. 16. 17. And by the way. Matthew Stafford had one.

Passing touchdown over the final three games. Did you know that? I did not know that. That'll hurt your Cooper Cup. Yeah. They. They're winning games with 12 points. 19 and 13. Puka was fine all three of those games. Yeah. Volume man. He is just. He's automatic. All right. News. News and notes from around the league. Presented by USAA Insurance. Part of the crazy morning was beyond the weather and other news. Chuba Hubbard. Surprising. Goes on IR with a calf injury. Out of lineups. Despite during the week Dave Cannell saying he's going to play. So you lose Chuba Hubbard. You lose to a tongue of Iloa.

Downgraded to out. Didn't play. They're actually the team. They're the next closest to the playoffs. Because. Yeah. It's. Denver. Yeah. Here's the thing. Kansas City is going to bench their players. They're playing Denver. By benching their players and playing Denver. They keep Cincinnati out of the playoffs. Because. Smart. I would want Cincinnati out of the playoffs. If I was Kansas City. Now. Denver wins. They're in. Denver loses. And Miami wins. They're in. Denver loses. Miami loses. Bengals win. They're in. So. The odds are extremely low for the Bengals to get into the playoffs. Tua. Could play. But was downgraded. Was out for this game.

You know. You looked at the situation. That was a lot of questions we got on Sunday morning. Mike. I'm sure you fielded them. It was A-Chan. Johnny Smith. And Tyreek Hill. My advice that morning. Was basically. If you had multiples. I would hedge. I would not play all of them. I'd play. Whatever. Guy you're most convicted about. I thought A-Chan would be okay. He was the dud. Johnny was good. And Tyreek was good. Yeah. That's so wild. So that's a real kick in the. The one guy who felt like was. Oh. He's the safe one. Yeah. With the dinks and the dunks.

We saw this though. When Tua was gone. With the. Yeah. The reception. With the head injury earlier. From whatever. It was like week three through seven. Those were. Those were his worst games. Those were A-Chan's worst games. Because. When you could stack the box against a lighter back like him. It just doesn't work. He needs that. That room. And. And also the targets from. From Tua that have really been. Lifted him up. He is the. The one most hurt by this offense. I think. And then. We also had other injuries. We had Chase Brownlee with a mild high ankle sprain.