Fantasy Football - Week 18 Mini-Megalodon, Wheel of Shame, Happy New Year! - Podcast for 12/31

to the fantasy footballers podcast with your host, Andy Holloway, Jason Moore, and Mike Wright. Welcome in the fantasy footballers podcast, Mike, the fantasy hitman, right? Jason Moore. I'm Andy Holloway. Welcome in one and all. Wednesday, December 31st. It's New Year's Eve. Oh, man, tomorrow is a great day. Because it's next year, and I can't wait for next year. Oh, you got big plans? Well, I just wanted to be next year. He's turning. I think it's a symbolic turning the page on his fantasy season. Yeah, on the not winning the championship while Mike won the championship this year. So, starting tomorrow. You said it was like, I won the one. Yeah. Well, deal with it. Yeah, I mean, you won. This is a show of, of, Jay, we had three, the three pillars of the show. What are the three pillars of the show, Jason?

Great production quality. Yeah, yeah, check that we got that. Yeah, entertainment. I think we got that. Oh, no. This is where it's where the accuracy. Yeah, yeah, yeah. He feels like you were inaccurate. I was not inaccurate. I don't have to check my emotions. I was not inaccurate with what I said. Simply not saying everything. Where's my scepter? That thing was heavy. That was a real. It was a real ruby. The, uh, whoever built like the. The handle of the scepter? They did not. The integrity of that structure would be out with one swing. It is locked back in the vault with Brooks's eggs. Oh, okay. Yeah, thanks for letting me borrow that, Brooks. We haven't, Brooks hasn't been in the office for a while. He must have been spending most of that time on his yacht. Yeah, he's actually got one of those permanent airplanes. Oh, right, yeah, lives up there. Uh-huh. Refuel's in the air. Just in case. You can never be too safe. Those things, yeah, that'd be neat.

uh we've got a week 18 show this is technically a megaladone of sorts but we can't really like it's week 18 so it doesn't get the full growl you know what right it's like a backup growl yeah or like a third string growls like this is the the cat the kitty cat of this is a large cat I mean, backup, it's the backup growl, not unlike all the backup players that you will be playing in week 18. That's what it's the Tanner McKee of growls is all I'm saying. But we're here and we're going to jump in. We've got backup options on the show. We've got some news. We've got the fantasy forecast. We do have the much anticipated wheel of shame. Sure. Mike is acting immune to it. But when we get done with you, we'll see how you feel.

Foot clan title t-shirt, shopballers.com, head over there. Trophies, rings, belts, head over to fantasychamps.com and swag out. I, you know, I am, did I mention on the show? I think you did. That might have been the foot cast, how I had won a championship. You went to sleep a winner. I went to sleep so far ahead. with Puka Nakua left that I did say on this show I had won a title with Malik Willis and accuracy is a pillar of this show yeah so I'd like to when basically what happened was yesterday the truth yesterday in the middle of the day and I didn't pay attention to that league during the Monday night game I didn't pay attention because I had puka and a huge lead and anyways

It was a league for charity. And I wake up the next day and I was in the championship against Mike Clay, Mortal Enemy at ESPN. Yes, Sworn. Fantasy podcast. But don't worry. We also field. We don't like you either. We don't like you either. Oh, curly-haired field Yates. But I went to bed thinking I'm a champion. Woke up and. Apparently Bijon outscored Puka by like a thousand. And I lost by like a couple points. And so, you know, my charity got the shaft. That's all I'm saying. Yeah. All we're saying is Mike Clay. Congratulations. Shopballers.com. Our footclan title shirts are there. That's that's what we're. So you are the champ. You can dawn that. That's what we're saying. Um, this might as well be the nickname of week 18. Backup options presented by progressive insurance.

Well, real backup options will be taking the field in week 18. So we've comprised a small list to share with you of the sneaky ads and starts that may end up helping you out this week. A lot of starters are going to sit down. We found out this morning the Eagles are going to sit there starters now. You're going to have players that maybe play a limited amount of snaps, limited playing time. And so you should pay attention to a handful of these names. You should play Tank Bigsby. Yeah. Tang Bigsby. Yeah, no, I mean, this is a good start. Tank Biggsby of the Philadelphia Eagles. Also, you may see some Ty Johnson Ray Davis in Buffalo. You may see Kamani Vidal or somebody. Oh, no, even better. Jarrett Patterson. Oh, yeah. No, Jay and Hanskins. Oh, man. Jared Patterson and Hassan Haskins are the OG nasty boys. Yeah, but we. I'm the same roster. We want a title.

on the legs of Jarrett Patterson once upon a time. And you can do it too. We did win a championship with Haskins in the lineup. Yes, he didn't do. He did not assist much. He didn't chip in very much. Packers are locked into the seven seats. So Malik Willis, Emmanuel Wilson both seem to be in play this week. We don't know for sure about Jordan Love, but that seems the most likely situation, Josh Jacobs as well. Why play him dealing with the knee swelling? Emmanuel Wilson, Chris Brooks. And then there's some injury things, and we already know that Dallas is, you know, crafty old. Dak is going to start. Yeah. Oh, great news if you've got Dak. Now, I'm not sure. They're not going to say what their plans are for how much. I mean, this is you could see him getting like the start for consecutive starts or something and then just not playing. They bring in Joe Milton. You have no idea. So it's like if you had Dak, are you comfortable putting him in your lineup? Not at all.

Not even a little bit. No. Yeah, but Giovante Williams and Breezo also got banged up last week and are in situations where they're not needed that much. So Malik Davis for Dallas and Isaiah Davis, the Davises could be in play as well. And then Jason, you were mentioning Jake Tongis. He is on the most dropped list this week. But still, I mean, there's not a guarantee that George Kittle plays. Honestly, I put it at... I see that George Kittle has like projections on all the platforms. And I was really surprised by that that he would have a projection already. I feel like they had said last week that more than likely he'll be available next week. I think George will play. But seeing him as one of the most dropped guys, I'm like if you had him or need him, I would still hold him. Yeah, that's a that is a big game. That's one that you can feel confident with all the players in. As far as motivation goes. Yep.

And there are some of those this week. That was backup options sponsored by progressive insurance. Quote today at progressive.com. We'll move into news. News and notes from around the league. Presented by progressive insurance. Well, I said it already. The Eagles are expected to rest Jalen Hertz and most of the starters. The original line on the game for Monday was Philly minus seven and a half. Now it's Philly minus three and a half against Washington. Washington. Well, they're already on their Thursday. You're joking that they're still. When the team's like, hey, we're sitting down our starters, we're still projected to win by more than a field goal. I mean, it will be second string versus third string. Commanders are still one further behind on the strings. Tanner McKee will start for the Eagles. Stefan Diggs, we found out more. It's not good. He faces felony, strangulation or suffocation, and misdemeanor assault charges. They are, there are reports that he's trying to.

settle this out of court um tbd i i read the i read the police report he better settle it out of court for his i mean this is bad oh it's not looking good it's not good no no but this is also yeah i mean it's tough with a player likes to find diggs when there's enough there's enough news over enough years around a player it's hard to give them the benefit of the doubt yeah so we'll see what happens he is like eight receptions away from a lot of money and some yards away from yeah if i was if i was new england i'd play him give him seven catches and take him out yeah i think that's what i would i think the you're right the punishment for this don't play might be like you know you don't get that money you won't even get a chance and then uh we also one thing that we may enjoy this weekend is getting to see a few youngsters get out there and and take snaps i

We won't see Caleb Johnson because they're in a must-win game. But Jaden Blue will get to see. Rookie running back Jaden Blue. Yeah. For the Cowboys. So anybody that has had limited snaps that you'd love to get to see out there, I'll be keeping my eyes on some of those players like Jaden Blue and others. Let them get some snaps, get opportunities. I mean, seeing Tank Biggsby run with the ones will be fun. That one is like the... only positive like hey here's someone that I think you can play who is a talented player on a team that is favored against a good matchup it's like across the board okay that's the that's the pickup and play this week and that wasn't that wasn't meant to be some like blind shot at Caleb Johnson it was just I was thinking through the rookies that haven't had a lot of snaps and I was thinking you didn't mean it but you did it no I I

I know what you're saying. No, I just admit, like, I'm playing through who didn't, we didn't get a watch that we were excited about before the season. It's not like Caleb played and failed. Caleb just didn't play. Mm-hmm. You know, not when Kenny Gainwell is there. That was News and Node, sponsored by Progressive Insurance Court today at Progressive.com, Progressive Casualty Insurance Company affiliates and third-party insurers, not available in all states or situations, coverage subject policy terms, limits, and conditions. And here we go. The Fantasy Forecast, Week 18. Fantasy Forecast, presented by prize picks. Well, big game, Carolina, Tampa Bay. For the division. Maybe. Probably. Maybe. Yeah, Tampa Bay minus two and a half over under 43 and a half. We've been waiting for this game for weeks, but we might wait no longer. Maybe. Maybe. It's, yeah, the situation is basically if Tampa wins, but then Atlanta beats the Saints.

Tampa's win will be meaningless. Which is just, are those games at the same time? No. No, so this one is Saturday. Yeah, this one is Saturday. Oh, that's right. Yeah. The good news is, is that when this game is being played, it will be being played for all the marbles, even though it might not be. Yeah. They may have to take the marbles back. Motivation will be there. Tristan Worf's been dealing with a toe injury might not play again. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are playing terribly. The feel good players in this game probably, you know, Tetero and McMillan, Bucky Irving, are we comfortable there? Mike Evans. It was a disaster for Tet last week. I'm sorry, Tetero and McMillan. But last time he played against Tampa Bay, 6 for 73 with a score. Tampa Bay's defense is not, what they played Seattle last week? I'm trying to remember the top of my head. It wasn't Seattle. Who did they play? They got beat by Miami.

I'm talking about Carolina. Oh, I thought you said Tampa Bay. You definitely said Tampa Bay. Oh, man, it's week 18. I'm already done. I'm already done here for the people. They played some guys last week and probably didn't play good. McMillan played Seattle last week. Seattle has a top tier defense. Two weeks ago against Tampa, that's when McMillan was six for 73. So I'm comfortable playing him. He is the wide receiver 16 on the year. How do you feel about Tetero McMillan's rookie season? I think it's a very, very good NFL rookie season. Yes. That might be a little disappointing for fantasy purposes in the sense of maybe where you drafted him. And what we've seen over the last several years of just incredible year one breakout sensations. And, you know, he didn't Brian Thomas Jr. Malik neighbors. So a little disappointing. But you're talking about a guy who's.

You know, got a good chance to go 1,000 yards. Plenty of touchdowns appears to be the dominant one for their team. So I'm very bullish on Tetaroa for the future. I'm less bullish just on the quarterback front. I don't know. Sure. I don't think Bryce Young can supply what you need to be a perennial top 10 guy. But consistency will be there, I think, in the future. It's like he had, he's the archetype of player. Like me and Kyle have talked about this of, kind of like Drake London. And London's a good comp. London's rookie year was 866 and 4. His sophomore year was 905 and 2, and then bang. So, Tederoa McMillan might start a little slow in the NFL, but I think he's going to be a stud. Okay. And then Rico Dowdell didn't practice on Tuesday. Canales says he'll be fine. He only needs seven yards for a million dollars. And a tuti for 250K. And they're going for the playoffs here. If they get on the goal line and they give it to Chuba. Oh.

I don't think they can do that. You know what I mean? The only way they can do that is if there is a camera locked on Rico. And I just need to see him. And he's just like two inches from Canales's face staring at him. But I will say that that is one of those. I mean, it's only once they're on the goal line. But I would genuinely believe that if they're on the goal line, this week they're practicing with like Rico on that goal line package. It should be Rico regardless. Right. Yeah. It's not one of those where they're forcing something dumb to hit that bonus, but that bonus matters. Don't feel good about Baker. Don't feel good about Abuka. Nope. The Emeka Abuka story, he's accumulated 906 incomplete air yards, the second most in the league. So the targets, we've saw it for weeks and weeks. Now the targets aren't even there. I honestly don't know how to think about him moving into the future. I need time.

He's very tough. And now that Jalen McMillan has come back, he's running basically, he's splitting with McMillan. But five targets last week. I don't, I mean, we're not playing Abuka, but you've asked the question in the offseason of like, who is better for next year, James and Mecca Abuka? And I keep going back and forth. Well, this week, I would play Godwin Evans McMillan ahead of him. Yeah. So that's the depressing truth right now. The Seahawks are 13 and 3, the 49ers, 12 and 4, another Saturday game here, 8 Eastern, Seattle minus 1 and 1 half, over under 49 and a half. That line, I saw it yesterday in the middle of the day. It was like half a point. I'm considering this one like a pure heads up. I like San Francisco to win this game. They're playing so well. This one's fun of it.

I think this is a huge test for San Francisco in terms of can you win? Can you beat a real playoff team? Seattle has a chance to win the Super Bowl. Can you beat them with just your offense? Because San Francisco is offensive firepower, and Seattle is more, we are the rock, the defense that you just can't score on us. So it will be fascinating to watch how. you know, a little mini preview of what San Francisco should expect in the playoffs. And we've mentioned this in the past, but if you didn't hear it then or aren't aware, you know, the Super Bowl is played this year in San Francisco. If they get the number one seed, they finish the season with two home games. Wild. Followed by every playoff game all the way to the Super Bowl is at home. They're not leaving town. So this is a huge game for both teams, obviously, the bye week.

in play for both parties. But the home team usually gets it. All right. The JSN, Christian McCaffrey situation, I can't imagine the psychological state Mike would be in if this was a report from one week ago. Oh. Or Christian McCaffrey did not practice due to back stiffness. That's what Shanahan said. Didn't practice on the Tuesday walk through. Back's a little stiff from carrying Mike in all those leagues. He carried all of us, Jason. They were Monday night, right? No, they weren't. No, they were Sunday night. They were Sunday night. I think he'll be fine. I do. But the matchup does stink. We talked about Kenneth Walker and Zach Charbonnet right now at 10.1 fancy points per game each. Charbonnet had the big week last week. Walker two weeks ago, flip a coin and cry to your mama? I mean, what do you do here? Which one do you start? I mean, I'd probably guess.

I guess I'd go with the touchdown chance. I don't know. If you had to start one? I don't either. If I had to start one, I would start Kenneth Walker, because I think he's just better. 20 opportunities for Charbs last week. Oh, Walker's at 17? Oh, man. I think you're going to have to throw the ball more in this one. They're going to get scored on a little bit. I don't know what that means for those running backs, but it means that maybe those opportunities aren't going to be at 37. Brock Purdy's been on fire. The matchup sucks. but they're at home and the game matters. So I imagine you're playing him. He's playing so well. John Jennings back into the end zone. Ricky Pearsall has been limited and banged up. I probably prefer Jennings to Pearsall, yeah? I think so. He's been, he has been Brock's main target in the games where they've played together. I was seeing this, this stat here from Sam Donald in the last eight games.

I saw this on Twitter from Janick Eckhart, nine touchdowns, nine interceptions, 220 yards a game, 29th to 33rd in PFF grade, 23rd in adjusted EPA has been not playing very good football. Right. Seven and one. Seven and one in those eight games. That's how good the defense is. Yeah, that defense is doing some lifting. Yeah, no question. George Kettle, I do agree with Mike. I think he will definitely be out there. If he plays, I'm playing him. It's too big of a game, and he was really pushing to play last week. And there you go. So we'll take a break and talk Sunday games. All right, the New Orleans Saints at 6 and 10 take on the 7 and 9 Atlanta Falcons. Vegas line is Atlanta minus 3 and a half, over under 43 and a half. So Atlanta is favored, which would make Tampa Bay very sad. A very funny part of this matchup is they're,

Atlanta can spoil a division rivals chances and everything. And yet you would think, well, no, you want your pick to be better. They don't have their pick. No. So, no, that's true. So if I'm Atlanta, and I mean, I know, look, your second and third, it's one spot, maybe one spot lower or whatever. If I'm Atlanta, I am trying everything I have in my team to ruin the day for Tampa Bay. You would ruin the day for Tampa Bay and for the Rams with the pick. Yes. Yeah. And your coach has been under fire. It seems like they played really hard for him last week. Rahim Morris wants to, you know, get to eight and nine here. The Saints have won four in a row. They currently have the eighth overall pick. The division right now is sitting eight and eight, seven and nine, seven and nine, six and ten. And so what's wild is this like Atlanta can win this game. They can get to eight and nine.

which would be tied with Tampa at 8 and 9 if Tampa beat Carolina, which would put them at 8 and 9. So Atlanta would be tied. Disgusting. But no chance to win the division, which is just disgusting. But like it's very possible that all three teams are 8 and 9 at the top of this division and Carolina sneaks through. Bijan is officially indestructible. Yeah. Jason pronounced it. Not once on an injury report. Never missed a practice all year long. I mean, I guess you got one more game. No, not happening this year. Chris Oliva, also indestructible this year, which is an incredible accomplishment for him. I would not have predicted that one so boldly. No, he's been a quiet assassin when it comes to fantasy football teams, you know, picking him up, playing him. It's never seemed very, it's not like the sexy performances from...

Jamar Chase or something, but it's just so consistent. OLAV on the course of the season is one of the, yeah, he is one of the best picks and fantasy as far as ADP versus points per game where you finish. I mean, OLAV has been super helpful. In the maybe start category, how do you feel about Tyler Shuck, Drake London, Kyle Pitts, Juan Johnson? Tyler Shuck is, if you've been with him, I have no problem. Juwanson. With Velae not there, he will be the number two target. So the Falcons over the last six weeks have been tougher against fantasy running backs, but Audrake Estimate will get the work. I think last week confirmed what the press conference said, where Taysam Hill was talking, saying, that was all just for me in front of the home crowd. And now they're going to go back and say, our best route forward is.

Let's find out what Adrick Estimate has. Do you believe Kirk Cousins will be a starting quarterback in week one next year for somebody? No. I think he's starting for Atlanta. I don't know that Pennix will be ready. Cleveland's 4 and 12. The take on the 6th and 10 Cincinnati Bengals. Cincinnati minus 7.5. The overrunners 44 and a half. The last couple weeks for CINC has been to put on display what they knew they could do, but Joe Burrow. Didn't get a chance to do. Joe Burrow is. playing fantastic. It's a huge, huge bummer that he missed so much of the season with the injury because he's just dealing right now. He's got the chance to play Miami and Arizona the last two weeks. So that has helped significantly. Because if you remember, three weeks ago, he got straight up shut out by Baltimore. Yes, yeah, yeah, yeah. But the last two weeks. The Browns who have such a good defense.

You're not worried at all? No, I'm not. Well, this is your last chance, right, for Miles Garrett to break the record. Break the record, yeah. Yeah, he could break the record, and Joe Burrow can be awesome. Yeah, I think I'd temper my ceiling with Joe Burrow this week. I mean, you saw in a must-win game for the Steelers last week, the Browns just shut them down. Sure, but watching that game, my honest belief is the Steelers completely shut themselves down. They... For whatever we... By putting it in Aaron Rogers. They decided, no, we're going to win with Aaron Rogers instead of our running backs who... I mean, like this is fantasy nerd stuff, right, where we are analyzing the games. But when I look at a team, the Brown's defense over the last six weeks, just fantasy points against quarterback, the seventh worst matchup, against wide receiver, the third worst matchup, and running backs is at 28. I'm going to run the ball. Like...

Well, look, I like playing them. It's just the divisional matchup situation. I'm talking for the Steelers of their game plan last week. Oh, no, I know. But like, what in the world? These two teams played in week one. The Bengals scored 17 points in that game. And then the divisional games with Burrow back. Have they all been rough? They've been fairly rough. I mean, did he play week 11 though? When did he come back? Week 13. Oh, okay. So in week 13, he came back against Baltimore. They did score 32 in that game. Then they lost 24-0. Those were the only two since he came back. So, yeah, I'm not saying he's a bad play. I'm just saying I don't think he's going to be a top five quarterback this week. You're certainly starting him if he's gotten you this far over the last couple of weeks. You're just going to keep riding it and just adjust expectations from Miami-Arizona defenses. Exactly. Harold Fanon, if he plays, you play him.

You know, if you need to get dirty, Chador Sanders against Cincinnati's defense, maybe you could get dirty there. Harold Fanon, man, he's been so good on an inept offense. He's the tight end four on the season in his rookie year. Which is awesome for the future. Yeah. I mean, he's listed as questionable right now. He was highly questionable last week. Got knocked out. Is he on the groin index? Yeah. Oh, he's got to be. Oh, for sure. Groin Index.com. It sees everyone's groins. He is on there. In fact, his quote is, ah, my groin. Okay. Also, Mason Tipton is on there. Ah, my groin. But also Cody White is on there, who also said, ah, my groin. Okay. Not AC. No, they're very different things. Yeah. Only three groins on the groin index right now. But yeah, I feel confident with Chase Brown, Jamar Chase, Joe Burrow, T. Higgins, Harold Fanon, and then I'm probably not messing around anymore. The Green Bay.

I do think Dylan Samson. I mean, if you've got one of those situations where you had Sequin and now you can't play Saquorn, I mean, obviously pick up Tank Pigsby. But if you can't, Dylan Samson is widely available. He had 14 opportunities last week, and it's a good matchup. He didn't do well last week against the Steelers, but against the Bengals, maybe you can. Green Bay Packers, 9, 6 and 1 against Minnesota at 8 and 8. The Minnesota minus eight and, it's Minnesota minus six and a half over under 36 and a half. All right, we get to play this one, huh? Minnesota will have Brosmer, most likely. That pretty much ends your sentence. I think Justin Jefferson is the biggest bust in fantasy this year. I think relative to draft position, he is the worst pick you could have made. And you started him over and over and over thinking.

He's Justin Jefferson and they'll find a way and it has not worked. It wasn't like an injured guy who you had to pivot off of and you lost that draft pick. He's hurt you more. And I don't disagree. I just hate it because it's like you have, you have J.J. McCarthy devastating or I'm sorry, Justin Jefferson devastating pick. Brian Thomas Jr. was in the second round. I blame Brian Thomas Jr. for the most of his ineptitude this year. Like Trevor Lawrence, we dunk on him all the time, but Trevor Lawrence in the last month and a half, two months is playing awesome. And Brian Thomas Jr. is still not getting it done. All of Jefferson is related to his quarterbacks. But still a bust of a pick, devastating. You'll get to officially vote for the Poopias Pants Award next week on the footies. But Minnesota's won four in a row with Brosmer in tow. Green Bay have lost three in a row.