Transcript of Starts of the Week + Week 5 Games, Smooshed! - Fantasy Football Podcast for 10/8

Welcome to the Fantasy Footballers Podcast with your hosts Andy Holloway, Jason Moore, and Mike Wright.

Oh, welcome in.

It's football time. Do something. Something, George.

Here we get Dallas tonight.

Please, George.

Thursday, October 8th, 2026.

George, I see. I see the money slipping away.

Yeah, I mean, I see it falling through your hands, George.

He's going to be fine.

I know. I know.

He's always been inconsistent. Like we had a, we had a, we had a fake consistent stretch last year where it was like, oh, Oh, he's the guy. It's just, this is who he is.

Well, I mean, he was the guy when there was no CeeDee.

Right. That's, that was the big stat.

He was good when CeeDee was there as well, but not consistent. Right.

Thus those last 2 weeks where everyone was like, oh, George has quit on the team.

I mean, I think it is unfortunately a fair conversation to have about like what he was always inconsistent with, with Pittsburgh. Then you're the dude for Dak, which is, it's a big upgrade to anything you had in Pittsburgh. And then CeeDee came back.

I mean, calling someone inconsistent playing for the Pittsburgh Steelers when they have absolute hot doo-doo trash throwing you the ball.

I'm not calling him anything. I'm just speaking.

Jason is.

I'm speaking statistically.

Yeah. I mean, I'm saying he was inconsistent.

Yes.

I only said that because he was inconsistent. So otherwise, his reasons for being inconsistent, I don't know. But I also think it's not just the doo-doo trash garbage throwing him the ball, which was for sure due to traffic.

Thank you. It was bad.

But it's also his, his archetype. Like the same reason that Jameson Williams is not going to, you know, he's not the every third down possession, you know, chain mover type guy. He's the run down the field, catch amazing, crazy cool, fantasy relevant bombs.

4 of the last 6 games, he was wide receiver 30 or later last year. Which is crazy because he had it mixed in with the wide receiver 5 on the year.

Yeah.

But maybe we saw, I mean, you go back to about week 7.

Which games were you saying?

Well, just go from week 7. So week 7, you had 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 6 of 8 at 27 or lower. So I think that is archetype. And then you had the super high volume in that 5-week stretch where that's 150 target pace.

Also from week 7 on, all those bad games you talked about, 3 times in the top 5. Like, he's awesome. Not only play George Pickens, trade for George Pickens. Like, yeah, he's going to have bright, amazing days ahead. And right now I think some people are afraid that, especially after last week where CeeDee got everything, where it's just like, oh, we were wrong. This is CeeDee's team and George is not involved. That's not the truth either.

Yeah. I mean, this is not Jamo because Jamo has more competition in a lot of regards in terms of LaPorta, greater sign Ferguson. Gibbs, greater sign Javonte in the receiving game. Like Pickens is the second fiddle. Jamo can be the fifth fiddle.

Yeah.

If the game goes the wrong way.

Tell you what, that's not beating the devil.

No, no, it's not. We have so much to talk about today. NFL news to get into, starts of the week, tons of matchups for week 5. Lots going on, a lot of like injury situations that are just like murky and quiet right now. So it's important if you have an injured player. You'll want to tune in on Friday to our Injury Blitz podcast hosted by our injury expert Matthew Betz. It comes out in the afternoons on Friday after the final practice reports are released. We'll get you, we'll get you up to date as much as we can today on stuff. The community's over at jointhefoot.com. That's how you get access to that podcast. A bonus episode of this show every week. The Ultimate Dashboard, which is an elite tool to get your lineups right for all your leagues. You can import from every platform and optimize your lineups. Lineups. We've got all the in-season tools and all that at jointhefoot.com. Let's talk some news.

News and notes from around the league.

Yeah, Brooks does point out the fact that, you know, Pickens was drafted as the wide receiver 10 this year, whereas like J-Mo was drafted in the 5th round, 3rd round, 5th round. Yeah, because I mean, that's, that's right.

Through 4 weeks, you expected at least, at least one big play. bought a boom from George.

It could happen tonight.

So yeah, it shall.

I'm excited.

We shall speak it into existence.

There you go. The Panthers are hopeful Jalen Coker will be ready to return to action following the Week 5 bye. So they're on bye this week. You don't get Tett after his huge performance. No Darren Waller, no Chuba, no Coker, but they're hoping he's back, which I mean, cool. It's good for Bryce Young, good for the offense. Lamar Jackson did not practice on Wednesday. They're the Sunday Night Football game. Hopefully we have answers so that Mike doesn't have to panic attack.

It was being reported that today is going to be like, if he practices today, he's got a chance to play. If he doesn't practice today, he's not going to play. So I think we'll know well in advance. But the assumption is that it's an uphill battle for him to play because he has a mysterious type of ankle injury.

No, no, it's unorthodox.

Unorthodox.

It's not high. It's not low. It's just right. It's Goldilocks ankle. Matt LaFleur says Jeremiah Love's ankle injury, quote, shouldn't impact him for week 5 against the Lions. So that's helpful.

That's helpful because Jeremiah Love sure sounded like it was going to impact him.

There's just some players like I have a league with Jeremiah Love, right? I have to choose. Do I play Jacob Dobbins this week over Love? Do I play Ollie Gordon this week over Love? Like I think Jeremiah Love is an actual like start-sit conundrum for this week because the matchup, we love it.

For sure.

If LaFleur isn't a liar here, that his ankle injury shouldn't impact him, then he should get a lot of work, right? I watched some—

I'd play Love over both of those.

I watched some practice videos. Which one in particular? Both. Certainly over J.K. Dobbins. Dobbins has been so bad.

Put them in order is what I'm saying.

Oh, of the 3?

Yeah. Would you play Ollie Gordon and Love?

I mean, I'd definitely play Ollie Gordon ahead of J.K. Dobbins. Love—

Even with the matchup?

Would you play Jeremiah Love or Aaron Jones?

Asking for Aaron Jones.

Aaron Jones is a great play.

Aaron Jones is a great—

but you would play Jeremiah Love over Ollie Gordon against Cincinnati?

I personally would.

All right. I'm gonna make that change for my friend over here. I mean, it's all in your hands, Mike.

Don't blame me.

Justin Jefferson says he plans to play in week 5 against the Saints. Final decision has not been made, but He said he feels great.

That's awesome. That's bad news for TJ Hockenson, who was the big, one of the big waiver pickups this week. I think you can still start him. He is, the matchup is okay and Kyler has obvious comfortability with him. That being said, don't expect if Jefferson is there for Hockenson to go out there and get a dozen targets and 100 yards. That's, that's just not in the cards.

Yeah, those targets should go to— it rhymed. It did. Yeah, they should go to Jefferson. Steelers head coach Mike McCarthy said that the worst wide receiver of all time, according to Aaron Rodgers, Michael Pittman reinjured his foot and is now expected to miss multiple weeks.

Do you think that was like a misery Aaron Rodgers in the night? I think he—

yeah, he stepped on his foot.

He's got plantar, man. He's been trying to gut it out. It's just one of those like, if you don't play, you're soft. If you go out there and you have a bum foot, you're like, that guy sucks.

Yeah.

No, it's an impossible situation for Pittman.

But Roman Wilson, the Metcalf targets to continue.

Roman Wilson is a fascinating stash. He's been playing very well. I know he's not getting like the peripherals aren't—

It's like 30% snaps or something.

Yeah. They aren't outrageously great, but maybe with If Pittman is for sure out of the way, Roman, Jeremy Bernard, the matchup for the Steelers and Aaron Rodgers this week is—

No, just dominating Metcalf performances coming up. Just, we all know.

The targets. We all know what's up. The target share will be dominance.

He looks—

What about the catch share?

Can I tell you, he looks too big for his pads. He really does. He looks like, like if a kid tried to dress up as a football player because I mean, he's just gigantic. I always look at him. I'm like, you, you are a, he is a weird man in that side. He should dominate. He should dominate.

He should. That is true.

All right. We got starts.

Starts of the week brought to you by Apple Card.

All right. Starts of the week for week 5, starting at quarterback. Jason, we'll let you lead the way.

I'm going to stay in the flames. Jared Goff has been on fire. He's in Arizona. It's a massive over-under through the first month of the season. Goff is 2nd in passing yards, tied for 2nd passing touchdowns, 3rd in completions. Arizona's defense doesn't exist. So yeah, I mean, if, if you have been playing Jared Goff, congratulations. Continue to do so with confidence.

Quarterback 5 on the year, Mike, who do you have at quarterback?

It's my streamer from streamer to starter, start of the week.

And you picked him up everywhere and it pisses me off because I needed him in a couple of places and you just, you, Foot Clan, Mike believes in the start of the week. You literally every single league we're in picked him up.

Look, this is what I'm giving the advice. I'm not just talking about it. I'm living it. So if this fails, Foot Clan, I fail with you. But it really should not. Although the entire process here, it's Jacoby Brissett in that game. Jay, you laid it all out and I did on the stream of the week as well. But the highlights, Detroit allowing over 300 passing yards per game. The guys who put up top 5 finishes, Shuck Daddy, Josh Allen, Geno Smith, Bryce Young. I feel confident enough in Jacoby this week.

I like both your starts. more than mine. But if you got Mahomes, Bryce Young, somebody on bye, you need a spot start. You don't like Herbert.

This one's wild because yes, it should work.

Bo Nix. Bo Nix against the Chargers. They're 3.5-point road favorites. Chargers defense right now. What messes up Bo Nix the most? Pressure does. 24th in pressure rate, 24th in explosive pass rate allowed, 25th in yards per attempt. Not a real running game to like You know, we forget the 10 targets, the running through the air with RJ Harvey, that benefits a player like Bo Nix.

Sure.

So I think Bo Nix is—

Sean Payton taking over play calling duties. Yes.

Is that the rumor mill? I think the most recent report is that he will be more heavily involved in play calling duties according to Ian Rapoport.

The way that I—

it will remain collaborative with Davis Webb continuing to be a major voice in the game day and during the week.

Here's what I genuinely believe is the case. I believe Sean Payton is going to fully take over play calling duty this week. And because the next following week is a short week, he's going to say, hey, Davis, I'm not taking it all over. You do next week. You can prepare. I'll do this week. Next week is the Seahawks. And so it's good. He's just putting Davis Webb out there to die. Like, oh, I got to take it back again. You didn't do good against the Seahawks.

Does Sean Payton Make Davis Webb call him coach.

For sure.

Or, or Mr. Payton.

Yeah. The same way that, yes, chef.

You ever heard Sean Payton talk before?

Yeah. Oh, I have. That's why I'm asking the question.

Not a dude who gives up power very easily.

Yeah.

Hey, coach.

But so I've— Sean, I have Jalen Hurts, Tyler Shuck, and Bo Nix in my dynasty league. Oh, Andy, are you telling me as a start of the week you would—

Shuck is against Minnesota, right? Yes.

Yeah.

And Jalen Hurts has to go, buddy.

He's against suck.

I mean, that's the Jacksonville matchup. No, I would play Boneyard.

That's who I have in my lineup right now.

You have him in dynasty?

Yeah.

Running back starts of the week, Jason.

I've got in that Jalen Hurts game, Bayshell Tootin. He's averaging 17 opportunities a game. I know the Eagles defense is good. They look awesome. You know, they're scary on paper. But they were destroyed by Kyren Williams last year. They are tied for second— last year? Last week. I pulled an Andy there.

I've done that before.

Tied for second most rushing touchdowns allowed so far this season. They're 28th in yards after contact per attempt. So I think Tootin is fine here. I wouldn't be scared off of the matchup. He's getting enough opportunities and you just love the Jags offense.

And look, The Tootin breakout. Yeah, we're just, we're on the verge. He's played so well. Like eye test, fantastic. Advanced metrics, fantastic. Total fantasy points, just lacking. But he feels like we're just, we're there, man.

He still hasn't been bad. Like last week, 10 fantasy points. You're not excited. It's like, that's not killing you. That's not killing you while he's not breaking out. He's been absolutely fine.

So would you trade for him?

Yes.

Yes.

All right, Mike, who's your running back?

It's gross, but I'm waving the white flag here of the Denver Broncos backfield. RJ Harvey, 17 opportunities this past week, and which it was a— we know that that matchup, we're getting a lot of targets to the running back position, but 10 targets. Target is worth so much more. The disgusting nature of the Denver Broncos Broncos offense. It's because Bo Nix is throwing it down, just checking it down real short. And I don't know why.

Boring points.

Yeah, they're boring points, but I'm, I'm just going to accept them from RJ Harvey against the Chargers this week.

All right. My running backs start of the week. It's an and/or situation.

Or, and/or both.

Yeah. No, I, that's, you know, Swift and Minungai. Just Minungai.

Just Swift. Swa-Namungai.

They're both—

Swa-Manungai.

Here's the thing. They get to play the Green Bay Packers.

Miffed.

And the Bears identity has been to run the football without Caleb Williams. 30 carries for Kyle Manungai last week. He hurt his thumb. Swift coming off the hamstring. Both guys didn't practice yesterday. There was a point this week where Jason and I just had— he had Swift, I had Manungai as starts of the week. With the practice reports, we're like, hey, let's just go Bears running back. Bears running back this week. I mean, I think Manongai is the better pure runner. I think DeAndre Swift obviously adds some more versatility. Last week was dominant for Manongai. On the year, 5.4 and 4.5 a carry. Yeah, that's like the— that's insane. So great rush success rate, but Manongai is on fire. If they're both active and I had to choose one, I would choose Manongai this week. I'm less worried about a thumb than a hamstring taking you off the field. Swift, He fumbled, right?

Yeah.

He fumbled, but he had 35% of snaps. Like that was his total for the game. So, and that happened in the 3rd quarter. I, I imagine that the limitations, because we thought Swift could miss the game, are there as well.

Yeah.

I'm fine starting either one, both and or. At wide receiver, Michael Wilson, we, you know, to pair with Jacoby Brissett over there with Mike, you want pieces in this Detroit game. 54.5-point over-under. Lions secondary is bad. And the important thing is Michael Wilson is what we saw at the end of last year with Parker Washington and Michael Wilson. It was like, is this real? Well, they looked great. They passed the eye test and they had great runs of fantasy success. But coming into this season, will it stick around? The answer is yes. The answer is they're the best wide receiver on their team. 30 targets the last 2 weeks. You got to keep starting Michael Wilson.

They, they're Through the first 2 weeks, they tried not to. Right. Yeah. Like the Arizona Cardinals, like we're going to try and be more balanced. We'll spread it out. Just 7 targets in week 1, 7 targets in week 2. And then what, 30 over the past 2 weeks?

Yeah. And if you heard, you know, LaFleur came out yesterday and talked extensively about how impressed he is with Michael Wilson and how much better he has gotten. Like, well, that's for sure. But I think one of the things that's been said before is, hey, he's always going to be the second target. Trey McBride.

Yep.

Hasn't been the case so far this year. Like McBride's had a couple of like medium weeks and the targets have gone Michael Wilson's way. So there is a kind of like dominator factor taking place in Arizona where when you throw the ball to Michael Wilson, it is a high probability play compared to going, you know, certainly to Marvin Harrison or Kendrick Bourne. So I love it. I think he is ascending and I think the matchup is just another way to cement himself. Mike, who do you got?

I'm going Davante Adams against the Buffalo Bills. We had a down week. Puka's back, yada, yada, yada. I still believe in Davante Adams. I mean, like weirdness. He's yet to see a target inside the 10. Davante Adams, last year's goal line wide receiver. That's very bizarre. And then the matchup, the Buffalo Bills, the terrifying Buffalo Bills. Their defense is completely in shambles. 29th in explosive play rate allowed. We love that. And 31st is schedule adjusted to the position. So I have no, I have no concerns that like, oh no, Puka's back. We're, we got to take the back seat. No, Davante Adams still great play.

Dropped the touchdown last week. He catches that ball. You don't have any perception of a down week. I'm going Pickens light at wide receiver start of the week. Jamo, I'm taking Jameson this week against Arizona. You have to live with the ups and downs of Jameson Williams. I thought there was a concerted effort last week to get him more involved. Caught a big play down the field, had some big first downs. We saw this last year. I mean, he was at 8 fantasy points per game, similar reception— or sorry, receiving yards per game before he took off last season. Where do you want to take off? How about Arizona? Dead last in schedule-adjusted fantasy points to wide receiver. None of us are going to sit here and say, hey, play Amon-Ra. He's an auto start every week. But Jamo this week against Arizona, who cannot defend the wide receiver position, you know, we lost Will Johnson already on the year and doesn't have the depth at secondary to Control Jamo. I think it's a good start.

Yeah. Tight end. I'm going with Colston Loveland.

Oh baby. Oh, come on.

The current, you know, bust pick that was not helpful for the first month of the season. But last week started heating up, had as many targets in that game as he had the entire season. His target share, 10%, 12%, 29%. Most importantly, it was with Tyler Bagent. So this is, you know, I expect him to be really involved in this game. You look at last year against the Packers. 15 targets. He was 8 for 137. It's a matchup that they know how to exploit. And at some point you've got to play the more talented player. The other thing that I really like is he— I can't believe it didn't happen in week 1, but he started playing more and more of the single tight end snaps over Cole Kmet, which should have happened, but we're seeing that happen. He barely leaves the field right now. So I'm fine starting Loveland. He's off the bench back into the lineup.

Mike, I'm going with Isaiah Likely of the New York Giants against Washington. We had to hold our breath for 2 weeks after what looked like he was going to be the breakout late-round tight end, him and Dalton Kincaid. Jackson Dart goes down, Jameis comes in. It's a disaster for 2 weeks in a row. Well, last week shows that maybe Jameis is still Jameis, that yeah, the mistakes will be there, but the big plays, the good stuff, the fantasy gold. will be there. He in fact through the first month leads all tight ends in target share. Like this is, he is absolutely being utilized. Take the first 2 Jameis games. I'm setting them to the side at least for now. He also talking about likely he leads the Giants in first downs and red zone targets plus the matchup against Washington is delicious for the position. And I mean, they, is there going to be any lag? They had to come back from Overseas. I like him.

All right. I'm going back-to-back Lions on mine. I am taking Sam LaPorta against Arizona. Did you know TJ Hockenson had 13 targets last week?

I did.

Did you know LaPorta had 13 targets last week?

I did not realize.

13 targets last week. This is a team whose defense is just not getting it done. Arizona should be able to put up points. And when you are moving down the field, you're going to have Sam LaPorta wide open tied with McBride, most red zone targets among tight ends. Most routes run among all tight ends in the NFL. Currently the tight end 4, number 1 in end zone targets. I mean, Arizona, they can't defend wide receivers, right? They're dead last. Oh wait, they're 29th against tight ends. So really bottom of the barrel secondary play. Linebackers can't keep up with LaPorta. He's played outstanding this year. So I'm going to make him start of the week. That was Starts of the Week brought to you by Apple Card. Apply in the Wallet app on your iPhone today, subject to credit approval. Apple Card issued by Goldman Sachs Bank USA Salt Lake City branch. Terms and more at applecard.com. We'll take a break. We'll jump into the forecast. By the way, if you, if you would like to, either of you guys want to peruse the waiver wire in our Chopped League, our Guillotine League, you guys know I'm in a desperate situation this week.

I want you to go discover how desperate this man over here is to survive a week where Ja'Marr Chase and Ken Walker's on bye and Cam Skatteboe is banged up, which we have mentioned, and I'll mention right now, but I added a little player that I have to play this week. How desperate? How desperate? Whose hands am I in to survive a chop league where I have a bunch of injuries and, and bye weeks?

Marvin Harrison Jr.

See you later, guys.

Wow.

By the way, we should have mentioned it. I don't know why it wasn't in the news, but yesterday Cam Skattebo played in a non-contact jersey.

Right.

So one of the things you can do there is Najee Harris is available in most leagues everywhere. If you want to kind of ensure that start, if you have Skadaboo, that's what I would do. Let's go into the forecast.

Fantasy Forecast presented by PrizePicks.

Yeah, according to the Falcon, he dropped Marvin Harrison as a landmine.

Yeah.

Well, here's the problem. Wide receivers that I could play over him. Right now. Um, Ja'Marr Chase.

Okay.

Okay. I'll play Ja'Marr Chase.

Yeah.

I would say he might not play. Okay. DJ Moore. How are we doing?

If he plays, I would play him over him.

Okay. How about Chris Bell? Oh wait, he showed up as questionable on the injury report yesterday. Would you play Trey Harris or Marvin Harrison? That's the decision I actually have. That's my actual start decision.

I don't hate Trey Harris this week.

I know. I know it'll be the difference in being alive and dead, but there you go. We have another London matchup. Are we doing this? We're doing this again.

Well, yeah, I think from like, I know, what is it here on out?

We're going to get a good game here. Philly 2-2 taking on the Jacksonville Jaguars 3-1. Vegas line, Jags -7. Over-under 41.5.

Hmm.

That is the second lowest implied point total for Philadelphia. So Philadelphia this week alone. Saquon got hurt. Tank Bigsby to IR. DeVonta Smith could miss multiple weeks. I doubt he plays and travels.

We'll see.

You lost Lane Johnson to retirement and you traded Cam Juergens and you're going to move forward with a different center. And Darius Cooper is getting picked up in leagues.

Cool, man.

So cool.

Cool.

Cool. Cool.

They should have spent a first round pick on a wide receiver.

They did.

Oh, dang.

They should use him and throw him the ball because he's open all the time.

Is Jalen Hurts a startable fantasy asset? Yes or no?

No, not in a single quarterback league.

Especially not this. The Jags are for real on the defensive side. Dude, the fact that we can be listing all those things off, we're like, you got to get weapons. Like, you should have taken a wide receiver.

You did.

And they did.

What about a stud pass-catching tight end?

And they are not like Eli Stowers. Well, Swing and a miss sometimes. That does happen.

It was high draft capital.

Mekhi Lemon is far more like, that is malpractice. What are you doing? You need—

he's out there.

With DeVonta Smith gone, you need to just tear it all up, build it back up and say, how do we feature Mekhi Lemon? Yeah.

The weird thing is the routes. Like I, you know, I've watched a ton of his film and he is out there. He is used in every single way. He has gimmies. He's got middle of the field. He's got, intermediate. He goes deep sometimes. Jalen Hurts just does not look his way. He just, I don't know what Mekhi said to Jalen Hurts, but it's personal.

He's got a problem with the—

I think it will.

I do think it will change. I do. I think—

With Goedert? Goedert might come back.

This week?

He's returning to practice, I believe. Jalen Hurts' prize picks projection is 193.5. Passing yards. That is his lowest of 2026. He has averaged 176 a game. He is not getting enough. He's not scoring enough. If the offense is not near a tush push zone, you're not getting any of that. And so, you know, if you have to make a decision, Jason, you could chase Darius Cooper and his touchdowns. He's had 3 of them. You can chase Dontayvion Wicks and his sort of like hit and miss nature.

His peripherals. I mean, he's actually out there running and getting targets.

I watched him run a route one time last week and I was like, well, I don't know about that.

You got to watch more then because he's got plenty of great routes.

And then Mekhi Lemon.

Yeah. I think if I had to start them, the order I would go is Wicks because he's getting the deep shots. So the chance that one play hits your week and then I would go Lemon for talent and routes and then I would go Cooper.

Cooper had 28% of the targets last week.

I'm kind of in on the Cooper. Like you're like, hey, maybe you'll get a touchdown.

I think I'd go Wicks, Cooper, Lemon, which is crazy stupid.

Crazy. Trevor Lawrence on the other side going up against—

Hold on, the running backs. Like, are you playing Will Shipley?

Oh, I'm so sorry. Yeah.

Like that's really the biggest conversation, I believe.

Damian Pierce is playing for me in a league this week.

All right.

I'm not proud of it. I said it out loud, but I'm not proud of it.

I have no other option.

No other option.

Yeah.

I mean, if you listen to what Nick Sirianni talked about, he's like, we have a starting NFL running back that we've hidden on the practice report. I didn't want to talk him up because I didn't want people to take him off the practice report, but we've got a practice squad. Like, I, you know, he's like talking about him like we have a starting—

Damien Pierce?

Yeah.

Yeah.

Mr. Sirianni, they all knew. All the teams are aware. You think? These billion-dollar franchises.

They were so aware that you didn't have him on your active roster as well. Like he's such a stud. You think this is what like, you know, you were talking about this with the players on another team yesterday. You get asked about a player. What are you going to say about a player? Yeah. I mean, he wasn't better than Shipley. He wasn't better than Tank Bigsby.

That is hilarious.

I mean, the truth is though, they will not just give Shipley every carry. So that's the—

another front office as soon as like Damian Pierce gets called up and they're just, what? They had Damian Pierce this whole time?

I am committing.

If only they had talked about him, we would have known.

I'm committing my entire season to take away the, the number 1 pick from Matt, from the Falcon and from Papa Josh in our dynasty league. And you guys got to be worried, Darius Cooper and Damian Pierce coming your way this week. But in turn, I would play Shipley over Pierce. I would just hope you get some pass catching.

Would you play Shipley over someone like J.K. Dobbins?

No, not against Jacksonville. Jacksonville's 7th against running backs. It'll be split up. They're going to be in a position where the running game is not how they're— how the Philadelphia Eagles are going to get back into the game. I— it's close to me on that one. I think Shipley We'll get some opportunities in the passing game, but I kind of, I think I lean with Mike. I mean, 48% of snaps last week for Shipley led to 1 target, no catches, 6 for 23. It might be nasty. Trevor Lawrence, Baysaw, Tootin, Jason's start of the week. Parker Washington, only 3 targets last week, 1 for 7.

Yeah.

No, that's not true, is it? How many targets did he have last week? I feel like that was 3 targets.

Yeah. No.

Oh, 1 catch for 7 yards.

Yes.

He was a disaster. It's all right. It would look— Brenton Strange went crazy last week. It happens.

He also had a touchdown, like, drop. Like, he was— there was a play where if that play connects, you're fine and you're still happy with Parker Washington last week.

It's the Bengals. Tight ends destroy the Bengals and Jacksonville adjusted. Yeah.

We have outside of Parker Washington, what are you doing with Jacoby Myers, Brian Thomas Jr., Brenton Strange? Strange was really good last week.

I don't think I'm looking to start any of them. I mean, anyone can have a game. Obviously Brian Thomas Jr. caught the touchdown last week, but I, I'm kind of Parker Washington confident and everyone else I'm looking elsewhere.

Chicago's 3-1 taking on the Green Bay Packers. We already kind of talked a little bit about this game talking about—

oh my goodness—

talking about the situation of running back for Chicago, but the Vegas line here Chicago minus 1.5 on the road. So you are road favorites with a backup quarterback.

With Tyson Bagent.

It's been such— I mean, I don't—

We are— it's a good thing that Jeremy is not here.

It's not good for Green Bay, but they are the—

Oh, that's embarrassing.

They're the worst 2-2 team out there.

This is the first time that Chicago has been a favorite in Lambeau in 20 years and they've got a backup quarterback. So some of it's been Johnson and like credit and some of it is the pass rush. Packers and like, I mean, a lot of it is the Packers. Yeah.

Watching them is, well, do you have—

I can't believe they're 2-2.

If you have Minungai and Swift, do you see a world where the Bears can't just ball possess like they did last year or last week? Oh my gosh.

You guys have a sickness.

It's something weird has happened in the last 48 hours. I don't know why. Well, I don't, I just don't see them.

If you adjust for the schedule played currently, the Packers are dead last against running backs, giving up 8.8 fantasy points more than expected. So yeah, this is going to be a run down your throat type of game.

Yeah. Yeah. That's, that's just, it's hard to see that stopping. Now offensively, it's, it's, you know, Watson and Golden are in your lineup for Green Bay, right? What do you do with the— and so is Kraft. But what do you do with the wide receiver room for the Bears?

It's really hard. I mean, some of this just feels like you're, you're chasing the previous week. I want to say Rome. Rome is definitely out there for the most snaps and single wide receiver sets. He's out there. He's getting the targets. We saw it last week. You follow that up with, you know, hey, it's finally the same quarterback in back-to-back weeks. Maybe we have something we can go off of. You know, Ben Johnson is the type of guy where it's like every week is going to be a new game plan.

He'll put both quarterbacks on the field to start the game just because he's—

Oh, did you? So on that note, it officially, because of rules, the start, I mean, it did go to Case Keenum. So in the record books, Case Keenum got the victory as the starter, not Tyson Bates.

Okay.

You outsmarted yourself on that one, Ben Johnson. As of right now, if you're going off of the prize picks projections, Burden would be the favorite.

Oh, really?

But it's not great. It's 44.5 receiving yards for Burden. Rome's at 38.5.

Did you see the stats on Khalif Raymond? He went above 50% rostered last week and ended up with 6 total yards as predicted on this show.

We all knew it was going to happen.

I mean, we, we've been there long enough to know what Khalif Raymond is. So yeah, I mean, Jordan Love has not hit 20 fantasy points yet this year.

Is that true?

Brother.

Crazy. He hasn't been that bad.

I thought week 1 there was a whole bunch of disgusting—

19.5, 13.8, 18.5, 13.1.

Just under in week 1 with 387 and 2.

So would you play Love or Drake Maye against Vegas? I mean, when you say Love is in Lambeau, you feel like you should be able to start him.

Yeah. I have, I have Love higher in my projections as of right now.

But I'd play Bo Nix, my start of the week over.

Oh wait, no, I apologize. Drake Maye is one spot ahead of Jordan Love.

Yeah, but where are they in your weekly rankings?

8 and 9.

Okay.

Which that, that right now just says, because that's got like Jayden Daniels behind the two of them, which when we get like systems go.

We do have systems go.

Well, I, yeah, it's Thursday. People lie. So it's just when you're like really confident that's going to happen, I imagine Jayden will move up. That's a tough call. I would like both the over-unders better for Drake. The implied total looks about the same for both. I would probably, I think I'd play Jordan Love.

Do you guys have permission from your doctor to talk about the running game for the Packers? Is that sure? Is that okay with blood pressure?

Yeah. Gosh.

Cholesterol and things like that.

Not mine. My blood work is, is actually pretty good, but I want it to stay that way.

I mean, do you mess around here? So the Chris Brooks is not practicing.

There is a path that's called Chris Brooks is out. So Marshawn Lloyd gets another 5+ targets. That's the path.

I mean, but that doesn't matter.

I mean, Marshawn Lloyd is just Talk to your friend Andy over here. He just said he's starting Damian Pierce in a really crappy dynasty league. It does matter. It's gross. I mean, last week, RB 34 last week for Marshawn Lloyd.

Wait, that's the positive spin?

Well, I'm saying like, it's like not in the top 32. People are playing more than 24 running backs.

He had 5 targets last week.

Yeah.

He did not score 8 fantasy points.

57% of runs have been stopped at the line of scrimmage for Green Bay.

The fumbling issue for both Caleb Johnson and Marshawn Lloyd was talked about and it's just like they will be benched. If either of them fumble the ball, they will not touch the ball again. Like genuinely, they will be out for the game.

So then who's after they both fumble, then what happens?

They just start.

We just go zero.

Yeah, zero. They just throw it every, every single time.

All right.

Houston 0-4. Tennessee is 0-4. Oh boy. Somebody has to win probably. 2-0-4 AFC South teams. We had news that DeMeco Ryans is taking back play calling duties on the defensive side of the football, which the defense has been the most surprisingly bad part of this team. They're 25th in fantasy points allowed to quarterback, 32nd to wide receivers, dead last.

I mean, this was a team that no one could throw on last year.

No, they did. They've been able to now. Tennessee is a team that we've never seen throw the ball well, really.

But they're going to get smushed. I don't— Kyle, look this up. This has to be like the only time that an 0-4 team— Andy's Almost Upset of the Week.

Number 1, smushed is your new word of the week.

Yeah.

Because you must have said on the Sunday morning when we were watching games, Oh man, that guy got smooshed. Well, to be fair, more times than I can—

To be fair, this was a smooshed. When I was watching people get tackled, it was more of a smooshed.

Yeah, that's true.

Yeah, there's a difference.

More or less home 7.5-point dogs for the Titans.

That's what I was curious about. Is there a time where an 0-4 team has been over a touchdown favorite before? Because that's wild.

Over-under is 38.5. There is not a lot of fantasy value to be had in this one. You know, you're going to play Nico Collins because he's in that stud tier. We had long debates about Montgomery and Marks. I don't want to play either one of them really.

Marshawn Lloyd or—

I'd play Lloyd.

Okay.

If Chris Brooks is out. Yeah. Just for pass catching.

Right.

Right.

Yeah. No, I mean, you know, Tony Pollard is not practicing on Wednesday with the foot. They seem to be resting him periodically. I think the biggest actual question mark in this game from a start-sit perspective is just Carnell Tate. You know, 12 targets, 9 for 145. You don't want to, you know, that's, that's a great line.

He should be started.

He fumbled and needs to hold the ball closer to his chest.

Yeah.

The way he runs. I mean, he, I think he fumbled twice, lost one of them and looked like he was going to fumble every time. Hopefully that was brought up.

2 fumbles. Yeah.

Hopefully that was brought up in the film room. But yeah, I mean, this is a player who he got 9 targets 2 weeks ago.

I'd play him over Marv.

Yes. Yeah.

I play him over Cooper. There's Cooper.

Obviously, DeMeco Ryans taking over play call. Maybe they completely fix it. But this has been a team that has given up a lot of points to wide receivers. Carnell Tate has, you know, 21 targets in the last 2 weeks and is awesome.

Would you play him over Vailly?

Yeah. This week against the Vikings.

I would too.

I don't think Carnell Tate's a bad start.

No. No, I think it's Nico and Carnell Tate and then the rest of it you're trying to avoid.

Yeah, we needed to see it first with Carnell Tate. I like all the people, if you have 9 for 145 on your bench, that sucks.

But you needed to see it.

But I had to see at least something. So the targets plus that the Texans defense to the wide receiver position, at least thus far, they're giving up an extra 9 points over expectations. So that's 3. 30th against the position. Yeah. You're going to, you're going to hold your breath, but I'd put him out there. All right.

We'll take a break and jump into some more matchups. We've got another 0-4 team about to try to get off the schneid.

There's a skeeter in here.

You got a— oh no, that's a mosquito.

Yeah.

So you flicked the mosquito at me.

Did you not see that?

Why would you not smoosh it?

I'm trying to smoosh it.

No, you flicked.

Yeah.

Well, you could kill it with a flick.

No, you can't.

Oh, I kill it with a flick.

But you said I tried to smoosh it. No, you don't.

You don't flick them all the time and kill them.

I do too.

That's a lie.

With flies. With flies, that's the number one way to—

With flies, I can't slap a fly. You said it was a mosquito.

Oh, I can only slap a fly.

What?

Yeah.

I can never slap a fly.

You must have a yoga—

You can flick a fly?

Oh, I can flick a fly.

I've seen it.

But what about the skeeter you flicked at me? Why do you want it to eat me?

Well, I'm hoping it's dead when it's on you.

I don't think you killed that. First of all, you missed.

I did miss. I know for a fact you missed.

I know.

I saw. Second of all, I'm not sure it was a mosquito.

Oh, I know it was. Okay.

Yeah.

That's why you didn't smash it.

Josh, you are— Josh is thinking you can't flick the fly. Yes, you can. Oh, you approach very slowly.

Yeah, you approach slowly.

I flick flies all the time.

You're locked and loaded to fly fast.

I can flick a fly. Absolutely.

Yes.

Papa Josh doesn't believe you.

It's true.

Yeah.

Yeah.

I can do the monkey bars too.

No. Okay. You can't, Jay. You can't do that. I was backing you, man.

Yeah.

I was supporting you.

I can flick a fly.

And then you're like, this thing that everyone knows is not true.

Mike has seen me flick a fly. Yes.

Why can't I? Cincinnati Bengals 2-2. Miami's 0-4. Cincy -6.5 on the road. Over-under 42.5. It's a nice implied point total of just under 25 for the Bengals. Miami is leading the way every week on lowest implied point totals. They have 1 passing touchdown in 4 weeks. So yeah, again, already apologized last week. Nothing is working. And now Achane's gone. It's been really, really bad.

Achane's gone. The running game got way better somehow.

Yeah. I mean, it was really good for Ollie Gordon last week. It was 9 for 101. He is the one that looks like a 3-down back. But the pass catching, it was like 2 targets intentionally to start the game. Never got another one. You know, Jaylen Wright, don't worry about it. And the wide receiver room, you have injured rookies. Caleb Douglas won't play. Chris Bell is banged up with a knee. You got Malik Washington who is—

he's safe.

PPR secure for 7, 8 points.

He is safe for that.

And so I look, Ollie Gordon against Cincinnati. Cincinnati's defense is much, much improved and musty, very musty as well. But they're 11th against running backs. I think Ollie Gordon, if he was in your lineup last week, you're probably playing him again.

It's funny.

I don't really see a reason to bench him.

It's funny how we look at Cincinnati's defense. They are playing so much better than they were last year that I just look at them as like elite. Oh no, it's Cincinnati. Watch out. They're not the defense target, but they're, they're really just now like an average NFL defense. They can, they can present problems, but they're not some complete shutdown defense. I think Ollie Gordon is, he should earn more work. What he has done the last 2 weeks on the field, if they come out and they do this 50-50 split again, I think it's silly.

Yeah.

We got a hot one here. Ollie Gordon or Braylon Allen for the New York Jets, which Braylon Allen got. It wasn't— we didn't really get fantasy points because the Jets ran about 2 plays, but Braylon Allen was a full workhorse in that game.

I would go Ollie.

I think I would go Ollie as well. It's not like the Jets aren't trying to have few— they're playing so slow. I just am fearful if you're not—

Hampton against the Bears. Broncos or Ollie Gordon. I'm sorry, Jason.

That's disgusting.

I knew it was.

I'm going to stick.

Oh gosh.

I will. I will go Hampton.

Yeah. We're waiting on news from Ja'Marr Chase going through concussion protocol. Tee Higgins did not practice with a groin injury. My policy on the Bengals this week. I had some people text me asking me the same thing. I'm playing Dante Meyers no matter what. If both those guys are really— if both of them are out, he is a must-start to me. What if it's just one?

I don't think so. Personally, I don't think he's a must-start. He is talented. He's explosive. I don't think he's 10 targets because you're going to— first of all, the tight end does very well against the Dolphins. The Dolphins don't do enough to where you continue passing. So you basically, in most of these games, it feels like you get a quarter and a half, maybe a whole half. that you're really throwing the ball.

I mean, how do they— if you don't have Chase and Higgins, you've got to do something to take the lead. I have enough confidence in Dante Meyers, who once Chase came out, got 9 targets last week. I get what you're saying. Yeah, the Dolphins have to get ahead somehow. And I think Meyers will play a big role.

Yeah. But if Gesicki gets a touchdown or Chase Brown gets a touchdown, then the wide receiver core is— honestly, I think you might be being bailed out here because like Tee Higgins, Obviously you're going to start in all games. It's probably not going to— like if he was active, it's probably not great. Right now the Dolphins adjusted fantasy points, they are dead last. Like they're the worst matchup for wide receivers. Not because they shut people down because you don't need them.

No, you might be right there. You're making me second guess the level of conviction. I do think if they're both out, you can play him, but maybe there's more risk than I originally thought.

Yeah. It's more of a matchup thing to me. Dante Myers is very explosive. and an exciting guy to plug in a lineup if those other 2 guys are gone. And I'm certainly not saying he can't do something really special and great. You can start him, but I just don't— I'm worried they're not going to need wide receivers in this game because the Dolphins are not good.

So speaking of that, you have Mike Gesicki in 7 games without Tee Higgins since 2024 averages 49 receiving yards per game. It's a decent matchup. Mike Gesicki has always— almost always come through when Tee is out. Are you throwing him in?

Yeah, I think so. I think Gesicki deserves a start. I mean, I wouldn't throw him in over really good options, but if you're talking about the tier of like, okay, we don't know what we have in Kenyan Sadiq. Yeah, I'd throw— I would throw Gesicki in over him.

Do you guys know the most points Miami scored in any single game this year?

Was it last week against Minnesota? 20?

No, they, they only scored 10.

Oh, they— wait, what am I thinking of?

Am I wrong about that?

I thought, I thought the Vikings barely won.

It was 10 to 15.

Oh, I added it. I gave them both an extra 10.

How about the week before against Kansas City? How many points did they score?

3.

10.

10. Okay.

What about San Francisco?

10.

No, it's 13.

No, come on.

What about the Raiders? 13. So they have not surpassed 13. So to Jason's point, yeah, they stink. Now, you know, your first point was that, hey, this, this Bengals defense isn't actually special. It's just more middle of the pack now. So maybe at home they can find a way to 14 points. But yeah, they're, I mean, they have an implied point total of 18.

Middle of the pack. Oh, maybe they could find a way to 14 points for the first time this season.

And you're like, you're not doing it, but we got to call it out or I'm going to call it out just because it's fun. The Bengals. Which over and over they get killed by the tight end position. Greg Dulcich, if you are a very desperate person, maybe just more like a DFS situation, but it's like he should get, he should get 5 or more targets.

Las Vegas, the Raiders, 3-1. My Raiders taking on the 2-2 New England Patriots in New England. They're favored 3.5 points. Over-under is 45.5. This is, this is like one of the things that happened this offseason with the Raiders that we were in love with was the acquisition of Tyler Linderbaum.

Dude, it, it's so easy. Fix your offensive line and everything looks great.

Kirk Cousins is not fleet of foot and yet is pressured the second least among any quarterback in football. When you let a veteran quarterback stand back there and pick you apart. This is why he's leading the league in touchdown passes. I mean, it hasn't worked in the running game in terms of efficiency, but it's worked in my opinion. You know, Jeanty has been viable every single week. The efficiency, the big plays, maybe that's Mike Washington's game, but Jeanty's been the running back 5, 26, 20, and 15. He's RB 10 on the year and he's never had fewer than 15 rush attempts in a game. 8 targets for Jeanty last week. 8.

8.

He's on pace right now for 102 targets. So he is a do-everything back that frees up, you know, your offensive line to play action and use these tight ends in Michael Mayer and Brock Bowers and Ian Thomas. It's just been an impressive offensive product put out there by Kubiak, which is what we hope for. But we said, do you have the personnel to do it?

Right.

And I don't even know if the answer to that is really yes on offense. And yet he's still doing it.

No, they're getting it all done even without Jack Besh.

Incredible work. Incredible.

I mean, you thought it couldn't be done.

When he went down, I was like, it's over.

On the Dynasty Show this week, we actually had a really fun kind of informative segment where we were drafting NFL play callers, current active NFL play callers. And Kubiak, I believe he was 4th. Oh, like we were very, very bullish on his designs, his systems. Obviously last year with the Seahawks, but it goes back many years. What he's getting out of this offense right now is fantastic. And I love the consolidation. I mean, the fact that, you know, you want to start Brock Bowers and you're not afraid. Gente, even if he's inefficient, you're going to start him and then you can be done.

And I will say just real quick, Jalen Naylor got a concussion last week. Trey Tucker did have 8 targets and there is not bad.

And on Wednesday, Tucker, Dante Myers.

Trey Tucker.

Well, just hold on. Part of Wednesday's practice report, 3 Patriots cornerbacks were absent, including Christian Gonzalez.

Oh, fantastic. So Trey Tucker's very interesting.

Yeah.

If you make sure you're following the news, I think Tucker's interesting regardless. But if Gonzalez especially is out, then all right.

You think New England handles this game or no? I think they're at home. They're favored. Drake Maye got his mojo back. Romeo Doubs had a couple touchdowns.

You're the Raiders guy. What do you think? What do you— how do your Raiders fare here in New England?

I feel like I think New England's going to win the game.

I mean, I want to see before Drake Maye is on the field.

Didn't New England start last year with a loss to the Raiders?

They did. That was the Raiders' only win. Yeah, I don't know. I don't, I don't have the conviction this week that, that New England's going to lose this game. I like what I saw on defense last week. Maybe if those corners are out, you got a problem. I don't think they're all going to be out and, you know, I feel like this is a real pick 'em game.

So like if I'm picking the line because New England is 3.5, I'll be on the Raiders side. I'll take the field goal. But I expect it to be pretty, pretty close. That being said, that those close games are usually really good for fantasy. You know, as the game goes into the 4th quarter and, you know, that they took the lead. Now we've got to get the lead and you get a lot of passing volume. That's the opportunity we have here. Yeah.

Yeah, the overrunner is not terrible. What about the running back situation for New England? Rhamondre was limited on Wednesday, not a full out according to the report I have. Travion Henderson, it's been, you know, one hit and a lot of miss. But if he's alone, then you play him. Then you got to go with Travon.

If he gets all the volume, he will get 2 explosive plays.

I mean, you saw last year when Rhamondre was injured and they brought in Jamal Williams for a workout. That's not I mean, it could just be coincidence on timing, but the Rhamondre Stevenson knee injury could, could rule him out this week.

The last 2 weeks, he hasn't had the big play. 8 for 23, 14 for 42 on the ground. We'll see what happens this week if Rhamondre is limited. Would you play if Rhamondre is active? Are you benching Trevo or are you flexing him?

I play him over Damian Pierce. Yes.

Okay.

Just another—

that shouldn't really be our benchmark. I'm just saying that if you've seen my dynasty team, you understand why he's in my lineup.

There's a bar there.

Are you playing Mike Washington Jr. or Damian Pierce, Mike?

Hmm.

Because that's the actual decision. I probably play Washington.

Oh gosh.

One of those guys can house it from 50.

Yeah.

The thing that I, the thing that I love, like, so last year there were 3 games that Rhamondre missed. And in those games, You had a game with 5 targets and a game with 6 targets for Tre'Vion Henderson. I don't know why they don't throw him the ball as it is currently enough. I mean, they really use Rhamondre as their passing back far more, but that's what excites me about the opportunities that Henderson would receive if Rhamondre is gone.

Mack Hollins left the game with a non-contact injury this past week.

Calf.

Calf. Pay attention to it. Romeo Doubs, maybe we're starting to Figure things out with Drake Maye. 9 targets. He gets deep shots. He did score twice. The matchup against the Raiders, they like, they've been holding wide receivers under their expectation. So I don't love that. But if Mack Hollins is out, Romeo Doubs is pretty much a top 24 must-play.

Agreed.

The Minnesota Vikings in their miraculous 4-0 start despite not scoring touchdowns in 2 of their 4 games. Take on the New Orleans Saints who are 1-3. The game's in New Orleans. Minnesota favored by 1.5. The over-under is just 42.5. So this one's tough because there, there's just a lot of players that you've been very confident in.

Yeah.

You know, Tyler Shuck, obviously, Devon Vailly has been a worthy play. Juwan Johnson's the tight end 3 on the year. And obviously Olave, who he didn't practice on Wednesday, which might alarm you because he left early on Monday night. But you got to remember, it's a short week for them. A rest day is what they're— they've come out and vehemently said, this is not about the knee. Because they knew those questions would be there. They said it's a rest day. But if there's another non-knee rest day on Thursday, I will be worried about the knee.

Exactly. Olave is going to be started no matter what if he's active. He's, he's too good. The matchup sucks. Everything could go bad. But the other guys, Shuck, Kamara, Vailly, Juwan Johnson, I think that there are probable pivots in most situations for those guys. The Vikings defense is just been too doggone good. They're number 1 against quarterbacks, number 1 against running backs, number 6 against tight ends. They're just, they're awesome. There's a reason why Minnesota's 4-0. And what's crazy here is the Saints, because of the defense, the Saints who have looked really good this year, like they're, they're passing my eye test other than getting boat raced at home on primetime this last week.

Yeah, they failed the eye test on that one.

It feels like they're about to be 1-4.

Yes, they will be.

Yeah. And it's, you know, Juwan Johnson. Is he a start this week? Do you stay in the flames? Minnesota is so good against the tight end position.

Pretty much. I don't know.

He is to me like he's okay. Colson Loveland, I would play over him.

I'd play him over Sadiq. Would you? What about Fannon?

No, I would play Fannon.

Yeah, I would try to stay—

I would play Gesicki. I would play Isaiah Likely and then After those guys, that's basically where I go. Juwan Johnson, he's my 12.

We do have the precedent of last week.

Oh, the garbage man can. Yeah.

Even if they're down, there may be opportunities there. I wouldn't touch a running back on New Orleans with a 1,000-foot pole right now against Minnesota. And we'll monitor the Olave situation. Chuck, I'd be trying to find another option because he could have an okay game, but his ceiling is very capped by Minnesota. Aaron Jones has been a top 24 back in all 4 weeks, guys. He's just sneakily part of this operation, right? You don't have the best quarterback in football. You do have a great defense. Run the ball.

Yeah. I mean, with Jordan Mason on IR, they really don't have— they don't believe in Claiborne to come in as a rookie and protect the quarterback and do those things. Aaron Jones, you know, we talk about these older veterans getting off to pretty hot starts to start the season. Maybe they fade down the stretch. It's still early. I think Aaron Jones is just a fantastic start. It was almost my start of the week.

Kyler's on the Malik Willis plan right now. 1 touchdown in 3 starts. So, you know, he's not an option.

No.

And the question I have for you is with Jefferson potentially returning, how do you view Jefferson in this, in the grand scheme of rest of season? Like, like Kyler, I don't think maybe he gets a little bit better as he acclimates and they figure out what he does better.

You take a big breath and you hope and you pray. I mean, whatever you thought in draft season is what, you know, when we were looking at the back of the first with Justin Jefferson, we were a little bit more hesitant because we knew that it could go poorly with Kyler. Now, early in the season, it was like, okay, obviously Justin Jefferson is still him. And when Carson Wentz was there, he was fantastic. But with, with, with Kyler, I do think you're going to have a nerfed version of Justin Jefferson. the best wide receiver in football.

And then Hockenson, if Jefferson's back, are you benching him? Are you playing Loveland? Are you playing Jauhanson?

Yeah, I would play those guys over him.

Just not chasing 13 targets if Jefferson's back in there.

Correct.

And then Addison is a full bench.

Yeah.

That, yeah. And that being said, if Jefferson doesn't play this week, then Hockenson is a must start.

Yeah, I would agree with that. And then Jordan Addison's a DNP right now with a hamstring. Could be Hawk. It could be Hawk and Jefferson. There is a third scenario where Addison's out.

Yeah.

So something to kind of keep an eye on if there's consolidation there. Don't, you know, you probably— if a lot of people went and spent on Hockenson at some point.

Yes. If Addison is out. So coming in this morning, TJ Hockenson was my start of the week. He was who I was. I like the matchup. I like what we saw last week. We know how Kyler plays. But with— oh, the Skeeter's back.

Are you getting a mosquito bit?

He's trying. I'm, I must be.

At least you started slapping. You're not like flicking around like a weirdo. He's just really good podcasting.

But the matchup, the matchup is very good for Hockenson. I just don't want him to be the 3rd target. If Addison or Jefferson are gone, he moves ahead of that, that other tier of the Juwan Johnsons.

Did you see that video that is going around? on Instagram out in Arizona with that spider coming out of the—

Oh yeah. No, I have not.

Yeah.

I have not. Will not.

I've seen it. You don't want to see it.

It's climbing out of the vent of a car.

You don't want to see it.

Remember you had a spider in your car and you had to pull over in the middle?

Okay.

You took your headphones off. Cleveland 3-1, New York 1-3.

Even I'm not a— no, I have no problem with spiders. Even that video was like, that was a bad video.

Yeah. Can you call AAA for that?

That was like the one years ago where it crawls out of a girl's mouth. Huh?

It was like the one years ago where a spider just crawls out of this girl's mouth.

Oh yeah.

Don't click that link in Slack. Cleveland 3-1, New York 1-3, the Jets. The Vegas line here, Jets -1.5, over-under 39.5 in a battle of slow. These are— this is— you want to take the Frank Reich-led offense of the Jets that's 29th in pace of play and combine it with Todd Monken's 25th in pace of play. This game will be— this game might be over before you know it.

Seriously.

I mean, the clock will be a full running clock.

Yeah. Good.

The clock will never stop.

So under 39.5. What are your choices here? Denzel Boston been so impressive. Garrett Wilson. He's an auto start for your team. Is Boston entering that category of auto start with the amount of shots they take to him?

He's entering it. I watched all of his film this last week and he's doing a little bit of everything, but he's got plays on film as a blocker like that. This team has to be just doing handstands about their excitement over Denzel Boston. And even though they drafted Concepcion first and he's good, It feels like Boston is their, their wide receiver 1. I think he should be started like going forward week in and week out. He should be, he should be in there. Now the matchup isn't great simply because very similar to the Dolphins and then you add in the pace of play. You just don't need a lot against them. But I mean, maybe the Browns will.

Yeah. The Jets have been a run funnel. So, or I mean, a running back funnel. So you're like Judkins.

It was a nice week.

The targets, the targets really, really helped last week. I don't know if those will continue. I'll probably still play Judkins though in this matchup.

And then Braylon Allen, we saw the good and the bad, the opportunities, the good. The bad was how slow and incapable the offense was. Well, Wilson had a tough week. game last week.

I'm still taking the volume. 94% of the snaps.

Ja'Korey Crosby, Merritt, or Braylon Allen.

He got 4 snaps.

Was JCM or Braylon Allen returning Jaden Daniels?

Probably still Braylon.

I would go JCM.

This is a battle of a 60 and 64-year-old play caller.

What?

And that's some front porch Yeah. Rocking chair offense.

Get off of Malone.

Harold Fannon, keep playing him if you've been playing him.

Yeah, I guess.

And just like live with the slow. Colts 2-2, Steelers 2-2. Vegas line, Pittsburgh -2.5, over-under 44.5. You know, this is Indianapolis. They had to play in Europe last week. Now you got to play a road game in Pittsburgh. You know, That's only happened twice in history where you have a team with that bad of a draw where you go from international to a road game.

How'd the other 2 teams do?

They did bad. They lost both of the games. And the Steelers have an extra 3 days rest. They come off Thursday night game. It's kind of not matching up there.

Dude, that's not—

that's disgusting.

That's mean. Yeah. You get extra time and you get to stay on the road.

So— That got—

The thing that's funny right now for Pittsburgh. Can't be what?

It can't be that hard to like get an actual fair schedule.

There's a lot of teams, a lot of moving parts, Mike.

Yeah. I mean, I've never tried, never sat down and tried to figure it out. I'm just—

Do you think they get to the end of it and then they just go like, they see a couple of problems and they're like, well, the rest are— I don't want to redo this math. I guess that's okay.

Have you ever numbered something? Yeah. Putting a list together and then you find out you You missed 18.

Yeah.

And you're like, well, what do I do now? And you're like, whatever.

17B it is. I guess this one that I, that would have been 18 is now 38.

Yeah. It's funny because I don't, we haven't liked the Pittsburgh offensive like potential and yet they should be okay in this one. The turnstile defense of the Colts, the fact they're at home, Jaylen Warren's been on fire. We don't know if Rico will even play either way. You play Warren, you don't play Rico. And then the wide receivers, I mean, I, I still think Metcalf is somebody you can keep playing because the targets have been there.

Yes, the targets are there. It's disgusting.

Right.

But it just kind of is what it is.

And Rodgers, top 10 quarterback 2 straight weeks.

When you add in the matchup, when you add in the fact that the, you know, you don't— the Colts defense has just been really bad. I don't know, Sauce Gardner, I know he was coming off of an injury, but he's just He has not changed this defense at all. There's still a defense you target. So I think DK Metcalf is an okay play this week.

Would you play him over Josh Downs? Because Downs—

Yes.

Yeah, see, I would too. And we thought Downs would break out last week. He was on the field for almost every snap. But, you know, Aaron Jones or Daniel Jones doesn't look like the Daniel Jones of last year. His fantasy points.

It's not just fantasy points.

9, 11, 7.9, 7.9.

Looks like a guy who's coming off of an Achilles tear.

They, I mean, it's not even like they won last week.

They won because of Zach Galifianakis.

Absolutely. They won an easy blowout victory and it masked—

I can't remember his real name. Yeah. Because you'd love to correct me, wouldn't you?

Yeah, I would.

And I wanted to say the right name, but I couldn't remember it either.

It just masked how bad Daniel Jones was on a—

I know it's 8th.

His accuracy was awful. Just missing guys. He's looked terrible.

56%.

So you're going to have to try to run the ball with Jonathan Taylor as much as you can. That's your only path to winning this game.

I thought Kyle was giving me the pronunciation of A-Fan Kaliakmanis, but he just spelled Galifianakis. So yeah, Josh Downs is a really scary start. I'm kind of like, there's nobody to target in the receiving game. And then Tyler Warren. It's just wild. You'd be like, okay, well, Tyler Warren's going to blow up last week. I mean, 13, 21, 55, and 41 yards.

But he did not.

He did not blow up.

This offense, other than Johnny Taylor, this thing is kind of stinky.

Does Tyler Warren feel like the oldest 24-year-old on the planet?

Yeah, he does.

Yeah.

Yeah.

He's aging like Hockenson did. Just rapidly.

Dog years.

Because he's too—

he got too much dog.

He's got too much dog. I love Tyler Warren.

His hair is the opposite of ours though.

Oh yeah. Yeah.

Bowers is aging as well. Some updates on the injury report. Lamar Jackson not seen participating again, but Zay Flowers is back.

That's good. Because if you missed that, Zay Flowers didn't practice. This one was not hamstring. It was foot, AKA new injury.

Yeah. Stefon Diggs hamstring working on the side field. Don't see McLaurin out there. Terry McLaurin may miss another week.

Antonio Williams is a sneaky start.

I think he actually is. I actually moved him into one of our— we got our Scotty Fish lineup, Mike. We got some bye week situations. I put Antonio in there.

I don't hate it.

No sign of Breece Hall and A.D. Mitchell at practice for the Jets as well. Should be Braelon again. That was Fantasy Forecast presented by PrizePicks. Make sure to follow our account at theFFballers in the app to see our best picks every week. PrizePicks, run your game. Tomorrow we have Well, we'll recap this, the big breakout performance by Pickens, Mike. Look, give me a stat line. Stat line for Pickens tonight.

I'm going to give you for George Pickens.

Yeah. The other Pickens. Yeah. George Pickens.

George Pickens. Well, I just was trying to think.

Yeah.

Let's go. We're going to go 5 catches for 117 and a score.

Okay. And how many targets?

Is that 8? Yeah, probably 8 targets.

I got, I got 7 targets, 4 for 84 and a touchdown.

Oh, so you guys both have him in the end zone?

Yeah.

Do I have to do this now?

Yeah.

If you want.

We'll go, we'll go 5 targets. We'll go 4 catches, 74 yards, no touchdown.

Okay. Like this.

I'm sorry.

This week, the Cowboys tonight should put on an absolute show.

Yeah.

They really, really should. Dak is playing great. CeeDee Lamb, great.

Well, we talked about it.

We just need a little bit of joy.

It's been much more meticulous of an offense than a big play offense. So we need to get a big play from that team. You can roll your eyes into the back of your head when it ends up being not Pickens, but Turpin tonight or something.

No, if it's anyone, it'll end up being Turd Ferguson.

That could be, yeah.

Stealing the touchdown.

So we'll talk about Thursday night. We got more matchups tomorrow. Fantasy Faceoff, the Wheel of Shame, and we head into week 5. Doing our best to help you win. The Foot Clan, mighty and strong. You can check it out at jointhefoot.com. Otherwise, Jason, your job at this point is to conquer that mosquito. Find it.

It's still around here.

Find it.

Flick it.

Move on.

Twist it.

Goodbye.

Bop it. Thank you for listening to another episode of the Fantasy Footballers Podcast. Join our fantasy football community on jointhefoot.com and follow us on Twitter @theFFballers.