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Hello and welcome to Fantasy Focus Football presented by Boost Mobile.My name is Daniel Dopp here with my two best friends on a very special Halloween episode of Fantasy Focus.
I'm going to reveal my two buddies as they have not yet seen my costume and I have not fully seen all of theirs.
So without further ado, we're gonna bring out Mike Clay next to say hello Mike Clay and welcome in on this very amazing Halloween day episode of Fantasy Focus.Oh, there's Michael Clay. making his way to the stage for those audio listeners.
I cannot wait to be able to see what this octogenarian has going on for us today.All right.Oh, we're getting there.He's almost there, my friends.I cannot wait for him to tell you what he is going to be on today's show.
By the way, if you're listening to the audio podcast, you're definitely going to want to check out the YouTube feed for this one.Mike Clay finally in a seat and now Field Minister Yates coming to the set.Hello, my friend. Look at you, buddy.
Look at that spry young man.
How are you, bud?If you are not watching the YouTube version of this stream.You jerk.You should be.
You.I will take this football and I'll throw it at your face right now.
I just want you to know I am Field's worst nightmare.Yes, you are.I went into the bowels of all of the bad things that have happened to Field in life. I am a tackling dummy from the Bahamas, my friends.How?Where did you get that?
Uh, well, for what it's worth, Rosie ordered it off the internet and has been working tirelessly to find a way to get me inside of it, keep it inflated, uh, for a handful of nights, for what it's worth.
Are you going to be able to do the entire show?I'm going to have to do the entire show like this for what it's worth.
We'll see.Fields, what are you?
You look fantastic as well.
I'm a bell cow running back, baby.I got my pads on.I got my Darren McFadden jersey that Mike Clay very kindly allowed me to borrow.And I have my cow costume, which is my costume for the rest of my day, because my kids are also going as a cow.
But I'm so mad at you right now, but also laughing on the inside.
I'm the impossible the unthinkable.I am a 28 year old NFL running back.Wow.
How dare you?How dare you do that?I'm not sure which one he's a bigger jerk. I, you know what, to be fair, I probably am a bigger jerk field.I was trying to be like a scary Halloween costume and I thought this was my best bet for this year.
The best part about this, for those that aren't watching right now, if we can get a shot of Daniel's face, is that like his head barely squeezes through the hole that you guys have cut out.
to make the face, it's like your eyebrows are being pulled up towards the top of your head right now.
It's not the most comfortable of costumes, because you gotta keep it inflated, but then we put this gigantic hole in it, you know what I mean?We're fighting against gravity here.
Do you have some sort of source of air?
Yeah, there's a pump that's pumping in air.It's doing the best it can right now.
So, very fun.Very fun Spooktacular show.Strength of Schedule Spooktacular show lined up for us today on this Halloween.
Don't you really just want to throw a football?We have balls here.
Yeah, I did bring in footballs.
I do want to throw a football at Daniel.Unfortunately, right now my capacity to throw a football with my good hand is not exactly at full strength.And if I threw it with my left hand, I might break something in the studio with my inaccuracy issues.
So, well done.Honestly, well played by you.That's legit.
Well played by everybody.I mean, we all have good costumes here.I like it. Everyone has been fantasy related.Mike, you're an old running back.Field, you're a bell cow running back.And I am someone from our Bahamas.
You're an unathletic white guy from Connecticut.
That's what it is.All right, on today's show, we are going to do a, like I said, a strength of schedule spooktacular, talking about a couple of different matchups for the rest of the season.
Mike put out a big tweet a little bit ago talking about whose schedules is getting easier, whose schedules are getting harder, and what we should be able to expect for the second half of the fantasy season.
We're gonna do this from a little bit of a Madden perspective for all of those video game nuts out there in case you didn't know.And just in case, we got four different levels.
I wanna make sure that in case you don't play Madden that you understand how this works.We got Rookie, which is the easiest schedule.Rookie should be a walk in the park. Even a rookie could do this one.And then you got Pro coming up next.
That's the next step up.A little bit tougher, more of a challenge, but still on the lower end of the scale.Then you have All Pro.Now we're getting difficult.It's kind of like high school algebra is what All Pro is.And then you've got All Madden.
We're talking best of the best, hardest of the hardest, like the 85 Bears or the 01 Ravens.
Honestly, that tackling dummy was set to All Madden when it absolutely smoked me in the bum.Actually, I smoked it.Let's be honest.
Yeah, yeah, it was a hit stick.That was the problem.You went in for a hit stick and you should have just done a regular tackle, a form tackle.
I learned a lot of lessons during that moment in my life, a lot that will stay with me forever, a lot that I'm going to have to live with shamefully for a long time.
But I can't tell you how excited I am to, and honestly, I don't think we have a choice but to return to the Bahamas next year.I think we need to.I think there's some redemption next year.I'm telling you, I'm going to be so jacked next year.
At the Bahamas.You look jacked right now.Do you have pads on?I do have pads on.Do you have shoulder pads on?Yeah, I have shoulder pads on right now.
I just would love to be so jacked for that trip that I can go up there and the tackling number would just look me in the eyes and just fall over.
It would deflate by itself.It was so nervous.I'm totally with you on that one, Field.Let's hope that that happens.All right.Oh, man. Let's dive into some of these things.We got a fun show today.
Obviously, we're going to talk about Thursday Night Football as well and preview that, but we're really looking at the rest of the season here with a lot of these strength schedules.
I'm going to do the best I can just to keep my face from not looking crazy here.
If you need any help, let me know because the truth of this show is that it's mostly Mike Clay's analysis because Mike, of course, is the person who has the information as it pertains to
Pretty much everything, but he definitely is more dialed in on strength of schedules, both behind us and going ahead of us than I am.
I can speak for myself, and I think probably you when I say that Mike is way far ahead of the rest of the ESPN Fantasy team.So, Mike, take it away.
What?I didn't hear any of that.Speak up.
Speak up, sir.My clay is the best.
Yeah, he's pretty great.He's the greatest.Let's just be nice one day to Mike Clay.
Because I'm sophisticated and old.
I love that you being old means you brought in a newspaper.I did.
You had to go out and spend... Where did you find that?
What?Newspaper?Yeah, did you have to describe to your kids what it was?No, I get delivered to my house because I'm an old person.Stop it.Stop it.My daily newspaper.Gotta read the news.
I don't believe that one bit.
When you showed that to your daughters, what was their reaction?
They're used to it.This is a local thing, like in the Cheshire, they send out for free.Oh, gotcha.Okay, all right.They're aware of this nonsense.
Well, let's dive in, Mike.I mean, a lot of this was a little bit of your idea.I mean, obviously, you've got the strength of schedule.You put out the tweet, at Mike Clay NFL.
For those that have not been able to see it, I suggest you go check it out, because it's a really good insight to be able to figure out what we're thinking for the rest of the season.Uh-oh, my headband is coming undone just a little bit.
We're going to do the best we can here for the rest of the show, guys.
Two things here before we get going is again, Daniel, total pro costume.Second of all, Mike, if you didn't need a nap during the show, just let us know.Oh, I will be.
You know I need a nap for sure.
Alright, so 28-year-old running back, a modern Marvel.I love that.Stop, Mike Clay.
I'm just reading the paper.
That is unbelievable.Oh, you're so mean to old people.
What did you Google to find that image?
A 20-year-old running back.
Did you Photoshop the number 28 on it?
No.Do you remember this story?It was like that old guy.
On the Onion or something?
I don't remember.I think it was just a video.He went back to his high school or something.So good.All right.So you ready?Yeah.Bring it.Let's do it.Yeah.Football starts at 10.08.All right.Rookie of the All Madden.OK.
So these are guys going from super easy schedule so far to super hard schedules going forward.And the Browns jump off the page.This might be hard to believe. But the Browns have had basically the hardest fantasy schedule so far this season.
Going forward, Browns quarterbacks go from the easiest schedule to literally the hardest schedule.Going forward, the wide receivers, third easiest to the hardest.And the running backs, tougher Nick Chubb, third easiest to the fifth hardest.
We also have the Broncos.Running backs on here, they go from second easiest to third hardest going forward.
So definitely some interesting, actually some recent breakouts or recent return from injury players here, as well as Javante Williams, who, you know, he was doing well for the last, he's been doing well for the last month, but things are going to tighten up going forward.
Interesting.Specific to this week, I'll just say this on Jameis.I've got him as quarterback 27.I've got Nick Chubb outside my top 25 as well.Some numbers, and I know this is not about just this week, but it does start this week.
For the Browns, the Chargers have allowed the fourth fewest points to opposing quarterbacks, and they have just six passing touchdowns allowed all season.That's the second fewest in the NFL.They've actually been better against the run.
No team has allowed fewer rushing touchdowns than the Chargers this season.Just three total. So far for the Chargers, yes, they have already had their bye.So one fewer game than some other teams.But still, they have been downright stingy.
I can't quite figure it out.Like, they're not racking up the sacks.They're OK in the interception department.But they have just been rock steady all year, probably in part because of not a heavy hitting schedule.
But it does not get heavier hitting this week.It does not get heavier hitting next week either.
Yeah, no doubt about it.And, you know, same thing.We just saw, like, Jameis Winston have a good game for the passing game.Cedric Tillman, too, kind of a breakout player.Great.
The last two weeks, number one in fantasy points among receivers over the last two games.And I like him a lot.He was a favorite prospect of mine, third rounder last year.And he looks the part.
But it's going to be tougher going forward here, including this week against the Chargers, who have allowed the fewest fantasy points to wide receivers.So that's interesting.But what do you think about Javante?That was your guy.
That's what I mean.He was on your like list.And he's been good the last month, but now the schedule's kind of brutal.So he's tended to disappear when the schedule's been hard.
Yeah.That makes me nervous, for sure.But I guess the question would be, what are you doing with him?I think you're shopping around him.Trying to trade?I think so.Here's the question I'd ask for you, though.Just spitball some names here.
If you have Givante, who is a running back that has less value right now but still has a good enough role that you can still utilize him in a 10 or 12 scene.Yeah, I almost wonder if- Is that like a Chase Brown?
Yeah, that seems too low for me.I feel like, I think what I would try to do is move him with maybe a smaller, a slightly smaller asset for maybe like a Bryan Robinson or something along those lines, like kind of a top 15 running back.
Because Javante's been playing like a top 15 running back lately.And if you have this information that tells you, look, schedule's going to be, A lot harder going forward, maybe you try to take advantage of that.
Can I just like for a second talk about trades?Or maybe some other guys we're going to talk about.Can we talk about trades just in Fantasy Ball?Yeah, let's do it.Right now.Do you guys ever feel like the least logical thing ever?
are fantasy football trades.I can't figure them out.Like, it's very, very rare to come across a fantasy football trade that I say to myself, like, I get it from both sides.I try my best.Like, I'm a big believer and I believe in fantasy karma.
And I've been in some leagues in recent years where people with more experience have just basically taken advantage of the people with a lot less experience and done some BS trades that were clearly imbalanced.But because the leagues that I play in
where those trades were made do not allow for any vetoes of trades.They were upheld.I really believe in trying to find equitable, balanced trades.
But you really think Javante Williams could be turned into, with a smaller asset, into Brian Robinson Jr.?I hope so.
Well, we're ranking Robinson 12th to 15th most of the week.We're ranking Javante 20th to 22nd.I mean, I think if you include something in there, you could try to make a little bit of an upgrade.
Or you could go to another position, if you're good at the running back position. I mean, you said there are some names out there.That's what I'm aiming for, is a player of similar value.
And I should say this, at some point- Do you think it's another running back, or do you think it's going to be a different position?Well, we're going to get to players that have schedules that lighten up as well here.
So maybe those are the kind of- Okay, all right.
He's a grumpy cow right now.
I will stop.I think the people out there listening or watching right now probably have the same feelings about fantasy trades that I do, is that we love fantasy football trades. Kind of live for them, I'm not going to lie.
And yet, every time I see a trade go through, I'm like, wait, what?
That's a natural reaction.Yeah.
Yeah.But sometimes I get it, and I'm like, OK, a two-for-two trade where one person needs to beef up their running back room but has good wide receiver depth, the inverse is true for the other team, I kind of get it.
You trade a superior running back and an inferior wide receiver for an inferior running back and a superior wide receiver.Those trades I can ride with. But I feel like a lot of the times I'm just left perplexed and confused.Yeah, sometimes.
Maybe as I get older, you'll understand them more.
Yeah, that definitely happens.
I got that.I got that joke.That was a good joke, Field.
I just get it, I guess.I've been around longer.That's what it is.
That's what it is.Do you want to reveal to the masses right now that this is your natural colored hair? When you show up to work every day, you just get a hair job.
That's why Mike is always the first person in amongst our crew, because it takes him several hours to get his hair dyed every day.
That's exactly right.It's got to be nice, so you get some extra sleep time.Actually, it was kind of easy to dye it like this, because I already had a lot of gray hair.So easy.Made it a lot quicker.
Will you be doing some coloring to your hair soon or no?
I'll think about it.We'll see.Maybe I'll sing in pink.Bright pink or something.It'll work for you.Anyway, Daniel, any thoughts?Can you speak?
Yeah, I got Gervonta Williams is running back 27 this week.Here's the thing.He absolutely crushed against the Saints and then was kind of disappointing against the Panthers.
I thought he was going to have a much better matchup and he didn't really take advantage of it the way that I had hoped he did.Although, you know, this is one of those games where the Broncos still, you know, did a really good job against Carolina.
Game script just didn't work out for him.
You know what's pretty wild about the Raven to the Broncos play this weekend is the Ravens have allowed the 10th fewest running back points this season.If you just took away that game against the Buccaneers, it would look so much different.
And I know that we tell you, well, you can't take away just one game or one play from a team or a player.But 51 of the 162 points that the Ravens have allowed to opposing running backs this season came against the Buccaneers.
Meanwhile, 25.1 of those 51 came from Rashad White as just a receiver.Wow.And almost all of that came in the fourth quarter when they were up by 21 points and there was no Mike Evans.And of course, late, late in the game, Chris Godwin got hurt.
So, I am not generally one to dismiss the outlier because you could do that for every team and next thing you know, everybody's numbers look better or look worse.But that one game has kind of skewed the data.
Buyer beware for Javonte Williams this week.
I feel the same way, Field.Obviously, we still have him inside our top 30, but I would rather go a different direction if I could.
Thank you so much, my friend.
Maybe I was overrating the perception of Javante Williams.I feel like it's higher than that, based on how he's played the last month.But I guess it's a, yeah.
Maybe someone as savvy as yourself, you young bell cow, understands the value a little better.But I think a lot of people might not think that gap's as wide.
Uh, well, hopefully, I mean the Broncos do feel like they've been playing a little bit better as of late with Bo Nix, so like that may be a part of it, but definitely going to be a tough one for him moving forward.
Let's go from pro to All-Madden, right?So, obviously not the easiest of schedules to start the season, but it wasn't too shabby, nothing to take a shake, shake a stick at.
There we go.Say what you were going to say before.I'll shake a stick. All right, so here we go.Yeah, so these are going from pretty easy to very hard going forward.Jags running back, so from 10th easiest to 4th hardest.
Chargers running backs, oh we love J.K.Dobbins, but he goes from 5th easiest to 6th hardest.And then Steelers running backs as well.Mid-pack schedule so far, but they have the hardest schedule going forward this season.
That's a tough one with Najee Harris seemingly like heating up lately, but now the schedule going forward is going to be brutal.
Yeah, I just want to remind everyone, Travis Etienne has been dealing with a hamstring injury, so we're going to see how that works out heading into Week 9.We're going to hope so.Here's the thing, Tank Bixby has been back and forth.
Last four weeks, RB1, RB51, RB8, RB31.So he's been a little bit all over the place with what he's done.It's been kind of matchup dependent.Mike Clay?
You know what that sounds like?It sounds like a running back who never gets targeted.
Or a touchdown-dependent running back.
Well, that's what I mean.You need the touchdowns.Think about Rashad White.He doesn't have to score because he might go 5-for-60 through the air and make up for it.That's the problem.
Tank's best finish this year? in a given week without a touchdown is running back 31.
Without a touchdown.Wow.So if he scores, he's got a chance, obviously, but it's harder to count on touchdowns.
By the way, for those that might be watching, I've been... Mike, he offered me this and I took him up on it, so I'm assuming it's okay, but he said he gave me some witch's potion to drink for the show.Witch's brew, huh?Witch's brew.I don't...
He said it would make me even better at fantasy football than I already am, which is hard to believe.I'm already at All-Pro, so is there something better than All-Pro or no?
Yeah, you want to get the All-Madden level.
All-Madden.Should I be nervous?
Yeah, you should be nervous.
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Does this sound familiar?You're a maintenance specialist, and you've been squaring off with a leaky radiator at your facility for hours.You're both drenched in sweat.
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It's got some cayenne pepper and water in there.I don't know what else is in there, but it's awesome.
Wow, love it.A little milk of magnesia.
That's why I say so sharp looking at my old age of 28.
Oh, it's all the cayenne pepper, huh?That's it.That's it.Nice, congratulations.Thank you.
I do want to ask this, how are you guys approaching J.K.Dobbins?Mike, you had a spot earlier in the season where you were talking about now might be a good time to trade him.
Taking on Cleveland this week who have allowed the 8th fewest fantasy points to running back.But he has not, I mean he's had a couple of really nice weeks, 16 or 8 more or more fantasy points in 4 of his 7 weeks.How are you approaching J.K.
Dobbins for the rest of the season?
I don't think you have to trade him just because A, his volume has been terrific.He's pushing 20 touches every week, has involvement in the passing game.And B, he has very little competition.Gus Edwards might come back at some point.
He's not really a threat.
He's got two more games before he can even return.
And Vidal is playing a situational role. There is a minor concern maybe Vidal would steal a lot of the passing game work.That has not happened.He's gotten a couple carries, a target here or there.So Dobbins is in a good spot.
The problem is the efficiency might be trickier going forward with this 6-hardest schedule for running back.So I don't think this is a panic in trade.But again, this is just good information to have when you're evaluating trades or considering moves.
Two things.First of all, J.K.Dobbins had eight targets last week.He's had just ridiculous volume.Second of all, agree or disagree with the statement from you guys?
You know, we went through this phase recently where it felt like Balcow running backs were going out of style.I, of course, have brought them back.Does it feel like the NFL has brought them back a little bit this year as well?
Like, there's some backfield.It feels like there's a few.Like, a few backfields where you can tap into either or.Like, the Lions, obviously, are in a category unto themselves.
Those two guys are going to be pretty much elite every single week or close to it, right?How many other backfields are you like, you know what?You can scrape by with either or.
Cincinnati kind of hanging on the fringes there, Atlanta when Algier gets some work, but like it feels like this year we have actually more guys who even if their upside isn't quite as high as our traditional sort of construct of a bell cow running back.
Feels like the number of backs that are usable this year has actually decreased, whereas I thought we might get to, like, 35-ish usable backs.
Like, Tampa's still in the mix there, but there are so few teams that actually offer two valuable running backs.
Yeah, and I'll let Daniel take this one, because I, speaking of Chargers running backs, I have a little something I'd like to give you, son.Oh, great.Oh, I can't wait.
All right, so let's talk about this a little bit.
You need a hand getting up?
I mean, I do agree with you, Phil, because, I mean, if you remember last year, too, it felt like Devon Achan or Raheem Mostert, both were like in a conversation.
And right now, you know, Mostert, unfortunately, has been banged up for a majority of the season.
It does feel like there's more singular backs than there are, you know, like being able to find ways that, like you had mentioned, Bucky Ravino, Rashad White, or, uh-oh, Mike is officially back here with whatever he's got going on.
There you go, son, enjoy that.
Oh, I don't have any hands, but I would love to.What does that say?A natron bomb?I refuse to become a nugget.I love it.Yeah, you can just prop that right here.That's perfect.
Look at how great this is, first of all.
Natron means was the man.That dude was a bell cow running back back in the day.You know that?That's exactly right.That's why I gave that to you.
How cool is this?It says San Diego Chargers on it, even.That's how old that is.
Painting was a gift, Todd!You're welcome for the gift.
It's been passed down for generations.I want you to have this.
Who was the first person to own it?
My slightly older brother.
This thing is expensive.It was $5.99.
Oh, did you get this yesterday?That was originally.
That was when he bought it, originally 40 years ago.So now it's obvious.
I was like, this sign is so obnoxious, I'm just going to make feel to have to have it now.
Honestly, like, I got to, you know, obviously I'm still way ahead in terms of the generosity department after I gave you that signed Alan Lazard card.But that's, you're putting a dent to my lead there, man.Well done.That's the real deal.
I think the frame's worth more than the poster, to be honest with you.
You can take your teeth out for the rest of the show, Mike.You don't have to fake it with the dentures today.Uh-huh.What?Say that again?What?
I'm telling you right now, if you're just listening to the audio version of this, you should definitely go check out the YouTube version just for today.Yeah.It is definitely worth it.All right.Hold on.Oh, yeah.
Maybe set it in front of the mic stand here so that it's propped up.There we go.Like that.I like that.I appreciate you, Grandpa.Thanks for that.
I refuse to become a nugget, a chicken nugget. I'm not gonna lie, I understand the relevance here of Natron means of the show.Is that just a random sign you found?
I just, I wanted him to have it, that's all.You know?It's just, it's Daniel.I'll understand it one day.I'm just, I'm passing along my, all my treasures.These are heirlooms.Yeah, heirlooms.This is family treasure right there.
Speaking of family treasures, let's talk about- The chat's gotta be unbelievable today.
This is important, okay?Gotta check right now.
Mike, we're going to go from rookie to all-pro.Easiest to second-hardest schedule.Obviously, we've seen the Chicago Bears do a handful of things.Field and I were in on Caleb Williams last week.What do you have for them the rest of the season?
Yeah, easy to hard, but not the absolute hardest.We're going Bears quarterback, second-easiest to mid-pack.Running backs go from fourth-easiest to tenth-hardest.The Bears receivers actually also have the easiest schedule.
the rest of the season, so something to keep in mind.How about the whole Dolphins offense?5th easiest to 10th hardest.Easiest for running backs goes to mid-pack and then they've had the 7th easiest receiver schedule goes to 8th hardest.
Tight ends also tighten up, go from 10th easiest to 8th hardest.Tighten up!Yeah, the whole Dolphins offense here and really the Bears offense as well.It gets much tougher going forward. Very easy early on.
Yeah, I mean, that's been sort of the, that's a fantasy, excuse me, in a real life story for the Bears too, is that they are now 4-3, but the schedule becomes much tougher down the stretch because they have yet to play a division game.
Chicago has not played any of Minnesota, Green Bay, or Detroit, so a huge stretch from them kind of makes these next two games that Chicago has against Arizona and New England very, very essential to their playoff hopes.
I mean, obviously it works this way, but 7 of their next 10 games, I think, are against divisional opponents.
That would sound accurate.They played 7, so that means they have 10 left.
So 6 of their final 10 are against divisional opponents.Here's a tricky one on Kaleb Lames.
If you have confidence, or you can find someone who has confidence in him this week, you might be able to stack back-to-back good weeks together for Caleb and then make a move after either this week or next.Yeah.
Because if he plays well against the Cardinals and then does it again against the Patriots, who, by the way, the Cardinals have allowed the fifth most fantasy points to quarterbacks, the Patriots have been even worse with the fourth most fantasy points allowed to other quarterbacks, then you might have a chance to turn Caleb Williams into either a quarterback upgrade, not that you're leaning on Caleb Williams right now,
or potentially a separate spot on your roster because somebody's got a bi-week or an injury concern and all of a sudden they need themselves a new quarterback.
Yeah, absolutely.And I said something slightly wrong there.With the schedule tightening up for the Bears quarterbacks and running backs, the receivers do have the easiest schedule.So I said that part right, but a little misleading.
Where it's getting tougher for others, it gets super easy for the receivers, which is kind of interesting because remember in the offseason we were talking about how
You know, they might have three startable fantasy options, and they have like barely one right now, because DJ Moore has been under 12 fantasy points in six games, over 16 one time.Keenan Allen, yet to clear 41 yards in a game.
He's hit seven fantasy points once, six or fewer targets in four straight games.I know Doonzay had that big week three game. Otherwise, he hasn't had more than six targets, 41 yards, or nine fantasy points.I mean, they have not been good.
But the good news is the schedule going forward, at least for the receivers, is very good.So perhaps they get back on track.
In the fantasy department, it's been DeAndre Swift each of the last four weeks.I mean, he has just crushed it every single week, over 18 and a half fantasy points.
Is this a situation where, in spite of the fact that the running backs get harder and the wide receivers get easier, that you would hold tight with DeAndre Swift with what he can mean to this offense? He's kind of done it in some different ways.
He hasn't always been a pass catching running back here with Chicago and still found ways to be able to score a lot of fantasy points.
Yeah, it's very much the same analysis as J.K.Dobbins where it's like the volume is there.He's in a good spot.He has a little more competition because Roshun Johnson looks pretty good and he's stolen some touches, some touchdowns for sure.
That makes me a little nervous. Yeah, especially if the matchup clears up, what'd you say?
Doug Kramer looks OK at the goal line.That's the guy who got a goal line.
Yeah, no doubt.But yeah, I mean, maybe now that the matchups are so good for the receivers, it frees up more fantasy points for them, less for Swift.So I don't know that we're going to rank Swift top 10 every week going forward.
It's going to be a little tougher to do that.So he might be at peak value right now.But again, not a situation where some of these guys are really worried. Maybe not so much him and actually being worried.Miami, I mean they're healthy now.
We feel good about it, but it's going to get cold out and the schedule.It gets a lot harder.So what do you do there?
It's a good question.I had to have a really hard time partying with Devon Achan just because he's so good that he could carry you for the next month if it stays warm.It's tricky, man.No, you're right.
It's just a funny thing.It seems to be real, though, for them.
If you look at the games that Devon Achan has played where Tua has started, he has absolutely crushed 23 or more fantasy points in every game that Tua has started.
That included Week 2, before the defense was able to go in and decide, hey, you know what, they don't have a real quarterback under center.It's been so much different with that.
I'm just laughing at you, first of all.But second of all, I was going to say, on the Dolphins, too, is I lost my train of thought.I'm sorry.I'm having a senior moment like Mike.This is very much a thing.
Uh, yeah.So each and yeah.Um, go ahead.No, no, no, no.
I just, you lost it.Yeah.Yeah.I get, I get that as my, as an old time, an old man.
It just happens sometimes you forget what you're doing.Yeah.Um, so the Titans we're talking about, who's, uh, uh, the dolphins. Just messing with him.
They got on Buffalo this week.Yeah, Echan is interesting, because it's not like his rushing efficiency has been very good.He hasn't been running it a while.
It's been a lot of passing game work, although he seemed to run it a little better this past week.So maybe that gets him going in the right direction.I'm still worried about him being so small, though.
And Raheem Oster did take a touchdown away, and he's going to be a factor here.
Good matchup in week nine.Yeah.So you know what, Mike?I'm glad you mentioned that the Dolphins are in the potential for fading.And the reason why I bring this up is I feel like we're over halfway through the fantasy football regular season.
We're almost halfway through the NFL's regular season.On Tuesday we will be halfway through the NFL regular season, as crazy as that is.And I feel like by now I have a general sense on my teams.
What I want to warn people about is this, because my war room team is hanging in there.The war room's got a very weird set of standings this year.There's no major gap, like the top to the bottom is basically it's like it's a big huge cluster.
There are a couple teams that I think feel pretty darn good about themselves.There are two out of the 16 that probably feel like it might not be our year.And then there's 12 that we kind of all look interchangeable.
And so the reality of that is like when you're not looking at everybody else's team, you're looking at just your own, you're like, yeah, come on, man, like Tough goes here or there.
I went back and looked at some of the playoff scores across leagues last year in leagues that I played in.Anything can happen in the final month of the season, people.No doubt.
And whether it's teams who all of a sudden have less to play for and players become less valuable, whether it's guys, like literally the Dolphins who might become less valuable because they're playing games in cold weather, like all kinds of bizarre stuff can happen.
Like high stakes championship games that I went back, look at the box scores on.The best players on teams were duds. And they still found a way.
So anyways, I say that as an aside to like if you're sitting there stuck in the mud, but not left for dead.And this is me perhaps looking in the mirror and talking to my own War Room League team that like, you know what?
Hasn't been a dominant start, hasn't been a bad start.We're gonna find a way.We're gonna keep plugging away here, hoping for the best and don't count us out.Don't do it.I'm just telling you, don't do it and don't do it to your own team.
That's totally fair, you're right.I've won some championships with some unreal, I think about like Elijah McGuire, like as a starting running back.But I'm thinking about our championship game last year.
We're literally on the set of the pot and you added, you tried to snipe me off waivers by picking up... Jared Stidham.Jared Stidham, so I couldn't start him.
And we battled it out with like these backup quarterbacks and we were both missing all these players and stuff.
We have, that could be very fun.That Dynasty League that we're in is now half ESPNers and half former ESPNers, including Matthew and Damian Dabrowski and a few others people probably have either heard of from the show or heard us mention on the show.
All three of us have good teams this year.Yeah, we do.Yeah, mine's underachieving, but we'll be back.No, but your team battled some injuries.
It's excellent.You're the defending champions.You have an excellent team.You've got CeeDee Lamb and Brees Hall and Pukunukuwa and Ace. Yeah, you've got an excellent team.Daniel's team, huge turnaround, like you've got an awesome team as well.
Do you have Jaden or do you have?
I have Jaden Reed.I have Jaden Reed.No, I don't have Jaden Daniels.I have Bo Nix, Jordan Love, and CJ Stroud.Nice job building that quarterback spot up.
You just completely turned your team around in like a year, and I'm probably like, yeah, I probably have like a year and a half left with this roster.I've got Derek Henry, Aaron Rodgers, my second quarterback, although now it's Joe Flacco.
A couple other players that are kind of like Kittle and Kelsey and Deebo, some declining players perhaps. But this year, like, all three of us could be, like, I could envision a semifinals where all three of us are involved.I could see that.
I could absolutely see that.
Yeah, FFNOW League, too, I think, right?Yeah.
All right, let's move ahead and talk about All Madden to Pro, the hardest schedule to the second easiest schedule, Michael.Things get easier from here on out.
Yeah, how about this one?Now, shout out to Stefania Bell, big on Aaron Jones in the offseason.And I, of course, as a fellow senior citizen running back, was not really on board with that.But he is crushing it.And how about this?
Second hardest schedule so far for Vikings running backs, and Jones has been crushing it.It frees up going forward.Ninth easiest.So better days ahead for Aaron Jones.If you've been leaning on him, he's in a good spot.
And how about the Jets quarterbacks here?So Aaron Rodgers going for the 10th easiest schedule, or excuse me, the hardest schedule so far. Aaron Rodgers has had the hardest schedule so far, which might explain a little bit of his down numbers.
It goes to 10th easiest going forward.Jets running backs, by the way, go from 6th easiest, so it's been easy so far, to the easiest.So good news for the Jets offense.
And actually, we're going to talk about them in a little while because they play Thursday night.But at least from a fantasy perspective, the Jets should be in a better spot offensively.
Yeah, we'll talk about them a little bit more for our Thursday Night Football recap, but for the rest of the season, it does feel like if you had Brees Hall, we've been waiting.
Feels like we continually are on the precipice of like, oh, this is going to clear it up for Brees Hall.Oh no, getting Aaron Rodgers and Devontae Adams and everyone healthy is going to clear it up.
Now the schedule, okay, now we're finally going to have Brees Hall.
I feel like we've seen this with Bajon and Breeze Hall this year where they're more likely than some other teams to kind of give them a break every few games and like scale.
Like sometimes you'll see Braylon Allen get like nothing and same thing with Tyler Algier and then the next week they have 12 touches and then back to three touches.
Like it just goes every few games that seems to happen they're kind of giving those guys breather so. I don't know.It's irritating for fantasy, but all in all, they've been understandable in real life.
Yeah.All right.So Aaron Rodgers, that's interesting.All right.
Maybe maybe it gets up to QB 20 in our ranks with the easy schedule.
Really?We'll talk about the the ranks for tonight's game a little bit later on in the show, but encouraging at the very least for Aaron Rodgers or Tyra Taylor.
Yeah, and the idea that Aaron Jones had the 31st hardest schedule, and he was still doing so well.17.9 or more fantasy points in four of his last seven games.He's looked great.He really has.And it's just going to get easier from here on out.
Adding TJ Hawkinson, hopefully, too, will be able to help open things up a little bit more for this running game as well.
Yeah.What's also interesting about Jones is they feel like giving up on Ty Chandler.He barely even saw the field last week.Aaron Jones is pushing 80-plus percent of the snaps, which he's... And this is part of why I wasn't in on it.
He's setting career highs all over the board in terms of usage, and this is not how he was used in Green Bay.They just didn't feature him like this, so it's kind of interesting how he's being utilized this year, but it's been great for Fantasy.
Good reminder.That actually might be a time, and again, I don't know that I got a strong stance from either of you, but whether you agree there are more bell cow backs this year than recent years or not.
But if you agree with my statement on there, I actually think that the idea of adding insurance running backs comes into play earlier this year than it does in prior years.
And so as an example, like Ty Chandler, no longer, I don't believe, like you could have made the case from the jump that he needed to be rostered because he was a solid insurance policy to a 28-year-old running back.Aaron Jones gets hurt.
Are we even sure he's the lead back?
No, Cam Akers probably, right?
There's a reason why they trade for him, right?Yeah, I'd say at the very least, yeah.So, um, fascinating time right now.
Like, this would be the time that I would say, like, start to monitor the likes of, and there's a longer list than just this, but like, even though he's not playing at all, like Kamani Vidal and Trey Benson and some of these young rookie running backs that
You know, there are other guys who we have seen in good spots.And I don't necessarily have a ton of, like, Antonio Gibson's not the kind of guy that, like, if Raimondre's out, I feel super confident in, right?
But maybe, and maybe that will prove to be the case with somebody like, as an example, Trey Benson.But we haven't seen him not do it well enough yet.So I would be interested in adding him.
Obviously, Zach Charbonnet amongst the most valuable second man in running backs.Handful of others that I think should be added now as opposed to waiting.
Yeah, I think the reason why there's so many featurebacks is because I feel like running back injuries are down.They've been pretty healthy.They're holding up this year.
We've had all these receiver injuries and even tight ends at times for some star guys like Ingram and Njoku.And obviously, Hawkinson's been out.Got it now.But running back's been healthy.We talked about this yesterday in our ranking show.
You get into the teens and you're still like, man, how are these guys not top five?Jonathan Taylor outside the top 10.The position is healthy and deep right now.And I think that's part of why it looks like that. I cannot agree with you more.
There are a lot of those number twos that will skyrocket in value if someone gets hurt.And those are the kind of guys you want on the end of your bench.
I have teams, I think like the Focus League, for example, like my entire bench basically is those guys, those number two backs like Braylon Allen and Benson and guys like that.So a lot of guys out there like that.
Braylon Wright, Blake Corum, all these guys.Yeah, that's another one.Good example right there.Yep.And we're going to talk about one right here, another one.
Let's talk about some pros to rookies.Second easiest schedule to easiest schedule, as if it needs to get any easier for the New York Giants.Mike, is this finally going to give us some more fantasy value here?
Yeah, perhaps.The whole Giants offense looking good here, going from mid-pack, basically a mid-pack schedule for them across the board to extremely easy going forward.Quarterback, easiest schedule going forward.
So maybe Daniel Jones, more streaming value.Running backs, third easiest.Tyrone Tracy, I don't think he's going to play this week, but going forward in a good spot.Receivers, second easiest, tight ends. Second easiest there.
And we also have the Eagles running backs.How about this?Ninth hardest schedule so far for Saquon Barkley.It's second easiest going forward.Wow.And that's another kind of sneaky spot to look at.
Throwing darts at backups, especially deep leagues like a Gainwell or Will Shipley.And then Cardinals running backs.We just talked about Trey Benson applies to James Conner.If he's healthy, mid-pack to fifth easiest going forward.
And the Cardinals' schedule during the fantasy playoffs for running backs is outstanding.So two top five run defenses in terms of fantasy points allowed.So James Conner in a pretty spot here as well. Dude, I'd love to be able to hear this.
I mean, ideally, the Giants can get some consistency, because we've seen some boom weeks, right?Obviously, Malik Nabors has crushed in certain given situations.Tyrone Tracy has looked really good across a couple of games.
But we haven't had that consistency that we've wanted.Hopefully, this easier schedule can maybe give us some of that.Taking on Washington this week, that defense has gotten a little stiffer, which we've noted the last couple of weeks.
A little bit more difficult over the past few.
Do you feel like when you say boom going forward, we got to pay homage to Big Justice? Probably feels like it's at least- Boom!How many booms?What is this?What are we talking about?Big justice?You haven't seen this kid and his dad?
No.I don't know this.Never mind.Back in my day, we didn't have this technology.
There's no booms in my newspaper.No.There wouldn't be.Just bookmarks?Yeah.What's black and white and red all over? A newspaper.There you go.No, it's a bleeding zebra.Reading about the golden years.OK, how's this look?I'm looking for a home.
Question for you, Mike.Have you been watching The Golden Bachelor and The Golden Bachelorette?I've not.I've been roped into Love Island.Oh.Through Love Island USA.Wow.Strong take.Should we do a show on that?Yes.No.Next week.No.
That is one thing I have not watched, unfortunately.Man, I got roped in.I got roped in.But anyway.
Well, a couple things really quickly just to pay off for this week.Saquon Barkley taking on Jacksonville at home.Jacksonville has been beat on the ground a handful of times.I feel like this is a win for Saquon.
Ideally, Jalen Hurts stops stealing touchdowns from Saquon Barkley.And then this week, James Conner takes on and the Arizona Cardinals take on the Chicago Bears at home in Week 9.
Yeah, I think we should talk about Connor because it's just so rare in fantasy football, right?We always have everything.We talk all offseason.We have everything set up.We evaluate all these players, and then there's chaos everywhere.
And guys are better or worse or injured.One guy gets hurt, it changes everything else.James Connor is exactly what we thought he was going to be.
Exactly.18.1 touches and 89 yards per game, four touchdowns in eight games.
so he's a solid rb two is six top twenty fantasy weeks already this season but doesn't have like a super high ceilings is that solid rb two uh... and again chicago the season four point seven yards per carry allowed a six highest actually maybe a good opportunity from the run uh... the football but again it's just
We undervalue him every year a little bit, and we gave him a little respect this year, but probably never enough.He just is that guy.He's that guy.He's a solid RB2, and he's doing it again.
He was at the tail end of that RB2 conversation before you hit the running back dead zone, and it was like, all right, well, I guess I got to take James Conner rather than wait and get one of the other guys.
And he's been one of those few guys that has really panned out.Yeah, he's been good.
He's this year's James Conner. He just keeps doing it.
Well done, well done, well done.I love it, Mike.
All right, next one.Let's talk All Madden to Rookie.This is our last category?Yeah, it is.Hardest schedule by low player.This is the fun one, OK?Save the best for last.Yeah, this is what you want to hear.
So this goes from brutal schedule so far to super easy. Going forward, we've got Steelers receivers.I love this one.George Pickens with Russ under center now goes from the hardest schedule to the second easiest.
Panthers receivers, this might be tough with Bryce Young under center for the near future.Third hardest to fifth easiest, maybe Xavier Leggett, Adam Thielen there.Dylan Coker, thank you.
Cardinals quarterbacks and running backs also go from tough to easy. So shout out Kyron Williams.Yeah, Kyron baby.7th hardest to 4th easiest going forward.
So that's another reason, by the way, to invest a little and Blake quorum on your bench in case in case Kyron misses time.Bucks quarterbacks.There's another one.Respect Baker Mayfield.Hardest schedule so far.
It's in the top 10 in terms of one of the easiest going forward.The running backs free up to tight ends free up as well.Kate on and a good spot.And then finally Titans quarterbacks and receivers on there.They go from top five hardest to
top six easiest for both of those positions.Maybe Calvin Ridley gets saved a little bit down the stretch here.So yeah, these are the ones we like.A lot of good situations going forward.
Steelers are on buy this week for what it's worth.So when we're talking about George Pickens, we're looking forward to the future for that one.But ideally.
But a perfect chance then to try to trade for him, right?
Because people are going to see the buy next to his name, and you're going to get a little discount on him.
Do you think if Mike Williams got traded to the Steelers, he would have value for you?
I don't think so.I mean, I think he'd be pushing maybe for throw him in your flex, but he had a hard time beating out some guy named Alan Lazard in New York, so I don't know if he's going to... Interesting.Yeah, you're shocked by that?I don't know.
Williams was so good with the Chargers.I mean, so good.It's hard to believe that he's kind of a non-factor, but... Okay, well, I bring it up for this reason.
Let's say that he goes to the Steelers or the Chargers.Would you be interested in him?
uh... probably again uh... i have them on a bench or two i i think he's his ceiling is flexed out of it so it's not a matter of special even in the chargers you would just be a flex i think yeah i think so i don't think he i think what the copies being treated yeah okay
I would add him.Here's the reason why.I agree.I would add him tonight.I would do it today because the Jets play tonight.So if he does not, obviously he's going to play tonight, but he will lock on waivers as of tomorrow.
By the time the trade deadline hits here.The trade deadline is Tuesday at 4 p.m.Eastern time.I see what you're saying.So if you're going to grab Mike Williams and he's eventually traded,
You're doing it before the game tonight, because if you don't do it now, you're going to have a bunch of competition on the waiver wire.
So if you have a flexible bench spot, and I'm guessing a lot of you do, I think it's worth adding Mike Williams for the possibility of him being traded between now and Tuesday at 4 p.m.Eastern time, because if he does,
he will obviously have an increase in value.And if he gets traded and you don't add him tonight, then you're not going to get him easily, because he'll certainly have competition.You will certainly have competition on waivers.
And if he doesn't get traded, honestly, he's a guy that you can just drop him after Tuesday.Add someone else off a waiver once it runs.
I agree with that.Yeah, I think he should be on benches.I've had him to a couple benches over the last two weeks when the rumors started that he'd be traded.I would do it again.I still think there's maybe a limited ceiling there.
I just have a hard time with how little impact he made with the Jets.But as we just talked about, they did have a pretty tough schedule to start the year.
Yeah, he's coming off of an ACL. I know it's going to grind you to a nub to hear this, but Aaron Rodgers freaking loves Alan Lazard.Yeah.
And Devontae Adams, who they acquired.
It's been a tough schedule, right?It's been a tough schedule.Coming off of an ACL tear, minimal time working with Aaron Rodgers, Devontae Adams now, Garrett Wilson, Alan Lazard.
Wouldn't exactly say they're running the most sophisticated offensive system there, right?So I believe that you should go add Mike Williams tonight If you have a bench spot, just in case.
I'm looking at this Natron mean sign here and I'm just wondering what Mike Williams might look in a Chargers uniform, you know?What that might look like.
I have a Photoshop guy who I could work with.
And on top of this, again, to Daniel's point, if he stays a Jet, Past Tuesday at 4 p.m.Eastern time?Yep.Snip.Got it.Yep.
Sometimes it's nice when you're like, you know, you want your roster to be strong, but sometimes it's like, I have an easy cut for waivers this week.Sometimes that feels good.Yes.
Not the worst thing.So I want to ask you about this too, because obviously I love being able to hear that the Panthers wide receivers, especially now that Deontay Johnson is there.
Xavier Leguette is the guy that it feels like if there was someone that was going to have a second half surge, he's the one that we want to manifest it with the most.And no offense to Adam Thielen or anyone else that's there, but
He's the guy that we have been most excited about to see what he's going to do.
Going from, what did you say Mike, the 30th hardest schedule to the 5th easiest schedule, all of this is going to be solely dependent upon whether or not Andy Dalton is under center though.
Yeah, we want him in there.I mean, they did move the ball a little right out of the gate with Bryshong last week, and then it just fell apart for basically the rest of the game.It's too bad.And Dalton might be back under there in a couple of weeks.
We'll see.But I don't know.With Trey and Deontay, they just might be like, let's ride it out with Bryshong.
The tenor has changed a little bit.
Yeah, I agree.But yeah, I mean, Xavier Leguette, even with Dalton in there a little bit, with Deontay Johnson in and out, Thielen out.He's been all over the map.Touchdown in every other game going back to week four.
Seven or more targets in three games, but under five in the other five.You know what that's worked out to from a fantasy perspective? Under 13 and a half fantasy points in seven of eight games this season.So we just haven't been for the look at yeah.
So not a guy that I'm considering starting right now.Now if the land does not return this week, they're playing the Saints who give up a lot to receivers.Maybe he's a 12 team league flex option, but definitely definitely risky.
I don't have a great feel on Thielen right now.They have another week between he and Jonathan Brooks to decide.So they have to decide by next Wednesday whether to activate either or both of those players.
Jonathan Brooks, for the first time, was a full participant in practice as well.Does that make Chuba Hubbard a potential sell-high candidate right now?I don't know.
I think it's going to be a while before they turn that thing over, because Hubbard just played so well. I know, but I'm just wondering, even if he doesn't play, Jonathan Brooks I don't think becomes the starter, at least over the next few weeks.
But is he going to have enough of a workload to take away from Chewbacca Hubbard?
Yeah, maybe.But what's the market value for Hubbard right now? I don't know if you're going to get a lot for him.I think everyone kind of has anticipated the return of Brooks.So I know what you're getting.
But maybe, I mean, yeah, you think his workload may lessen going forward this season.But it's a tricky one, because Brooks also might hit some, you know, a little bit of a rookie wall here.
It might take him a while to get going.They're going to be judicious with him, for sure.
Yeah, no doubt about it.I'm curious to see if Miles Sanders gets cut or traded on Tuesday.
I think trade is possible.I'd be surprised if they cut him.
Yeah, but he's not going to be thrilled not playing at all.He's just not going to be on the field.I mean, if they're going to work Brooks in for eight touches, even Hubbard's going to play.I mean, that leaves Sanders with nothing, basically.
Mike, I want to ask you about Kyron Williams, because I think he's scored a touchdown in every single game so far this year, and now he gets an even easier schedule.
Are you saying he's going to score two touchdowns in every single game for the rest of the week?
Clearly, yeah.I mean, if you scored one with a hard schedule, I mean, come on. No, I think it just is going to sustain his dominance.He's been terrific.Nothing has really changed in terms of his usage from last season.
They did make a shift of Ronnie Rivers downgraded and Blake Horum upgraded into that number two role, but it hasn't meant more than a few touches a game.
He's the James Conner of RB1s.
He's the James Conner of RB1s.
We thought coming into the season he was just a rock steady RB1 and he has been a rock steady RB1.
Remember when people were panicking about him because he was going to return two punts?He has returned, I believe, two punts this season.
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When you look at these bucks, obviously we saw one week.I know we need to see a second week.The second week is going to be really difficult because they take on the Kansas City Chiefs.
Obviously we have Baker Mayfield a little bit lower than we have had.And this has turned into a running back by committee with Bucky Irving and Rashad White.Rashad White's still the guy that is getting all the passing game work there.
But knowing that this is going to become an easier schedule, first off, I am thrilled for the couple of shares that I've got of Kate Otten. because it feels like he is going to be the premier pass catcher in this one.
No one has really taken, at least in the first week, we didn't see any one of those three wide receivers take over as the de facto number one pass catcher in this Bucs offense.
He absolutely did.Two straight games with 10 plus targets for Kate Aughton.He's been crushing it.He seems like he's blooming into a factor in it.And it makes me wonder, like, again, he was a mid-round pick and sometimes those guys develop into
you know, just solid back-end QB or tight end ones.And he was kind of blocked a little bit by Chris Godwin and Mike Evans, not to mention Rashad White out of the backfield.
So maybe now he's getting an opportunity and will bloom into a consistent long-term fantasy starter, like a Dalton Schultz type, you know, that kind of player.Yeah, would be nice.That would make sense.
Yeah, that'd be great.Last one that I have here is talking about the Titans.I mean, the quarterbacks and the wide receivers.We've been waiting for Calvin Ridley to do something.Finally saw it last week a little bit. You look great last week.
It was very different than the entirety of the rest of the season.
That's what $23 million a year is supposed to buy you.That's exactly what I was just going to say.You pay him that much money, you should be utilizing him like they were last week.
I have it on radar for this week that Calvin Ridley did not practice yesterday, nor did Tony. Pollard for that matter, so we'll monitor each of those injuries very closely.
That being said, Calvin Ridley, they have to find a way to utilize him closer to where they did, or where we expected them to coming into the season.And of course, with no DeAndre Hopkins, plenty of room in that receiver.
Yeah, no doubt.I have, I drafted him a bit.I liked him as a target.It hasn't worked out well so far, but there's reason for optimism going forward.
I'm going to give you one quick nugget before we wrap this segment up, which is just a quick look at weeks 15 to 17.
I refuse to become a nugget.
Yeah, you shouldn't.You gave me a sign that says that.I just told you to do that.For what it's worth.I'm still going to give you a nugget, anyway.Easiest schedules weeks 15 to 17, the fantasy playoffs for most people.Yeah.
Panthers, Raiders, Cardinals.Interesting, Cardinals is interesting with Marvin Harrison and a slow start.Easiest, Seattle.Sorry, those were the easiest.
The hardest, Seattle, Cincinnati, and Detroit Lions, which I don't think anyone could stop the Lions anyway, to be honest.But just something to keep in the back of your mind.
Hardest schedule, is that by position?
That's just like as an offense, they're going to play a stable of tough defenses and vice versa for the easy ones.Just something to keep in the back of your mind, so that was fun.I love it.
Alright, go check out at Mike Clay NFL on Twitter for the rest of the schedule if you want to take a look at it.It's all color-coded and everything, really easy to look at and fantastic to be able to see.Let's dive into Thursday Night Football.
Texans at Jets.We talked about these teams just a little bit earlier on in the show, but let's dive in for this game specifically, Mike. Obviously for the Texans, we got no Nico Collins.He might be back next week.
Stephon Diggs on IR, done for the season.Tank Dell and Joe Mixon, are those the only two lineup locks that you would have for the Texans in this one?
Yeah, I would say so.Joe Mixon has been fantastic.You know, I always say I love old running backs.That's why I'm an old running back for Halloween this year, okay?28-year-old running back.Of course.I love them.I love them all.And yeah, plenty of
massive rushing volume involved in the passing game as well, so we're locking him in.And I'm sticking with Tankdell.You know, I know he did score last week, but the targets have been underwhelming.
He had that big game, the first game Nico was out 7 for 57 and a touchdown on nine targets, so we thought we were off and running.Then falls to the catchless game on four targets and then Last week, caught all four for 35 and a touchdown.
We need more than four targets.We need that.
The good news is two touchdowns and a 20% target share with Nico out.That's enough where you're still starting him.This is a tough matchup against a really good Jets secondary.
Remember, the Jets have allowed the second fewest fantasy points to receivers.And they've been missing DJ Reed and Michael Carter for a chunk of the season so far.They've been in and out of the lineup.They've not been fully healthy.
They've still gotten the job done against that position.So I'm sticking it.I know it's a tough matchup, but I'm still sticking with Tank Delta.
I've got Tankdale's wide receiver, 21 this week.Mike, you mentioned four targets last week for Tankdale.He has exactly four targets in three of the last four games.But circumstances do change tonight.
He's played basically one quarter without both Nico Collins and Stephon Diggs.Tonight will be four quarters without either of those players.Does South Gardner shadow?Are we going to get a shadow from South Gardner?
No, they don't.They almost never shadow. They'll just play sides.
They only shadow in practice when he has to cover Lazard.
That's fair.That's fair.That's right.You can't let him ruin all that practice.
Whenever you have someone that needs to pretend to be the other team's best wide receiver, Alan Lazard is always the guy.He's a very useful player to have on your team.Yeah.
That makes a ton of sense.By the way, I mentioned this yesterday, but I believe the Jets are still favored in this game.They were as of last night.
I'll tell you right now, Mike.I'll open up the old app here.The answer should be no while Field looks this up, but Mike, are you trusting any of the auxiliary pass catchers, Xavier Hutchinson or John Mechie?
Confirmed, yes.That's still favored, yeah.Minus two and a half.They're at home.They have to win this game.Tankdell's the only one you're thinking about.Yeah, Tankdell's the only one.
I'm not touching Xavier Hutchinson, who's probably going to run into two.We'll see Robert Woods.We'll see John Mechie. Those guys will be working.Deep league flyers.Yeah, there you might see a couple plays for Stephen Sims.
They're going to get creative here, but no.We're using Dell, and if you're in a deep league and you're desperate at tight end, Dalton Schultz should see a boost in usage.It's been down this year, but not super trustworthy there, but that's about it.
Yeah, how about this for Dalton Schultz?He has yet to reach double-digit fantasy points in a game this season.Yikes.If it doesn't happen tonight, if he wasn't already droppable, fully droppable, right?
If you can't get the job done, yes, in a tough matchup, but with no Stéphane Diggs and no Nico Collins, then how can we ever expect you to be a consistent threat?
And he's been good for the last, like, five years.So you think, like, this might be one of the situations where, like, he's this week's
week you know who well like like a kid on last year for a kind of force in the like nine targets are ten targets might be the same thing for don't i would hope yeah yeah i did i just will it so i i i am hoping for that as well but if it doesn't happen then it's like all right well it was a good run while lasted for
for him this year for Dalton Chelsea.
Is this the week that we see Devontae Adams take over as that number one wide receiver or do you think it's going to be, I mean which one would you rank higher I guess?
So I've got Garrett Wilson as wide receiver 10 and Devontae as wide receiver 19.What has happened that I did not necessarily fully anticipate is that defenses have literally treated Devontae Adams as a different species than the rest of this offense.
Paying all their attention to Devontae Adams and saying if Garrett Wilson feasts, that's fine by us.The results for Devontae Adams, wide receiver 47 and wide receiver 51 in his two games as a New York Jet.
You don't get points for defensive pass interference, penalties drawn for Devontae Adams, unfortunately. Aaron's going to look his way.He did have nine targets in his first game with the Jets.
That being said, Garrett Wilson has been the big beneficiary.He went up over 100 yards last week, and he has 17 targets in those two games with Devontae Adams.
Yeah, and Adams is right behind with 15.So the target shares as a.
combined are a little lower we like seem go up a little bit I think that could happen keep in mind your point but Adams got the Christian Gonzales shadow treatment last week that's really chose to shadow and that's why I think that you saw the better game from Wilson over ads that's why we said Wilson could benefit from Adams arrival because of exactly that reason but I think
There's, I mean, this is still a tough match.If you look at the perimeter corners for Houston, they have Derek Stingley, who was a top five pick, what, a couple years ago?
And Kamari Lassiter, who's a rookie and has played pretty well.So they have a good situation on the perimeter, but they do move these receivers around.
I don't think you're going to see shadowing, but if they do match up, it's going to be putting each of those corners on each of these two receivers.
Houston, six lowest EPA allowed to opposing passing game, so they've been good there, but they have allowed the third most touchdowns to receivers this season, so perhaps there's something there, but I do feel a little bit better about Adams this week than I did last week.
Yeah, Stingley was taking one pick ahead of Sauce Gardner.How about that?
Third and fourth overall at corner.
Well, hopefully this is going to be another good one for Breece Hall managers like we had talked about a little earlier in the show.Schedule E gets a little bit better after this game, but still.Who are you picking?
I learned my lesson, and I'm just out on trusting the New York Jets.I'm gonna go with the Houston Texans.
I don't think the Jets, especially the injuries in Houston, I think there's a reason, like these books are sharp, I think there's a reason the Jets are favored.I don't think they're gonna lose.I don't think they're gonna be 2-7.
Like, I feel like the Texans are better.If this was in Houston, it'd be a different conversation.
It's a big confidence test to take the Jets right now.
I'm going, yeah, I think the Jets are going to find a way to get this done.They have to, they have to.They need a run here to have even a chance at a wild card.
Yeah, tomorrow will be interesting, as if it hasn't already been interesting.
Yeah, you're right.If the Jets lose.If they go to 2-7, are you kidding me?It's game over, like it's... It already probably is.I mean, they have to basically win all, but you can get into the playoffs at maybe 9-8, so that'd be two more losses.
I would agree.I would agree with you that it's going to take at least nine wins to get into the playoffs this year for the Jets. If they lose tonight, kiss the season goodbye.Who are you taking?
You're taking the Jets or the Texans?I like it.
Yeah, the Texans are... I feel like the Texans are better, but I just think... The Texans have not put it all together, and they've had some real problems protecting C.J.
Yeah, and now they're missing Nico and Stephon Diggs.I mean, that's a lot.
That's half the targets gone right there.You know, it's... I'm probably... Where Daniel said he was mentally is that there are a lot of reasons to want to trust the Jets, and then there are more reasons to not want to trust the Jets.
New kicker alert, by the way, for the Jets, by the way.New kicker alert.New kicker alert on Injured Reserve now for the next four weeks at minimum.
And by the way, I'll say this.The Texans have played, I'd say, like an above average team this year.The Jets have played, I think they've played like an average team, maybe a little below.A little variance gone wrong.
So I mean, like literally, zero line makes a field goal.That's a win.I mean, they had a bunch of close losses.But they did, I mean, when they played tougher teams, they've just not looked as good.
San Francisco and the Steelers kicked their butt the other week in Pittsburgh.Patriots got them last week.Well, yeah.I mean, but again, that could have went either way.Those games that go either way have knocked on their direction.
Sometimes that's a real thing.
Well, especially if you're a Jets fan this week and you want to have a little fun while watching the game, because sometimes watching Jets games aren't always fun.Why not try out the Fantasy Focus Parlay?
We're talking about an anytime touchdown for any three of Brees Hall, Joe Mixon, Garrett Wilson, and the aforementioned Dalton Schultz.Sorry, that was my play.
No, he broke a hip.But he's okay.I did.
Odds were plus 400, now plus 475.Again, a touchdown, three touchdowns amongst these guys combined.Brees Hall, Joe Mixon, Garrett Wilson, and Dalton Schultz.
Mike almost broke the set right there.It's OK.I did want to send one question.We have several that have been submitted to the mailbag, but I wanted to ask you guys this one.And it's an important one.It comes from Tim, at tduels on Twitter.
What is the meaning of life according to Daniel Dopp versus Mike Clay?
All right, so I'll go first, Tim.The first part of the meaning of life is what up, Doe?What up, Doe?I just want to say that, obviously.Being a Detroit sports fan is the meaning of life.
Being nice to your friends and finding ways to make sure that your friends know that you love them specifically like by picking on them, being mean to them, letting other people know how you feel.
Yeah, like this is the way that you know that like you really love somebody else is that you feel comfortable being able to, you know, like have some fun at their expense like we do with Mike Clay, like we do with Field, like you guys do with me every once in a while.
Mike?That's my meaning a lot.
Yeah, well me as a senior citizen, 28-year-old running back knows that isn't, by the way isn't it funny that I'm 39 and I had I had to decorate myself to look older when I'm actually making myself look younger.
In all seriousness, I would say something that's been very apparent to me the last couple of years as I've gone through some interesting relationship things is just being with people you love.
Making sure you're with the right people, especially at this age.You realize that as your kids get older, you're with one person. all the time and you want to make sure you're with that right person.
It's a very important way to look at your relationships and just make sure it applies to friends too.Just be with the people you love and want to be around.
I will co-sign with that and say, just on a very serious note, the idea of, as far as we know, we only have one shot on this planet and being able to find happiness and joy and whatever brings you happiness and joy, hold on to that.
Right now, it's me holding on to this inflatable dummy.That's where I get my happiness and joy, but I fully co-sign with that, Mike.
I just want you to say more serious stuff.Inside of this thing while I do it?
I've got a whole list of things that are not serious to say right now.So I think I'll just keep it to myself.
Breaking news.Breaking serious news.Daniel needs to report right now.
I'll tell you what.You've got to become a Detroit Lions fan.That's one of those things.That's the meaning of life. Right?It's been, I'll tell you what, for the first 40 years of my life, it was the opposite of the meaning of life.
It was the reason why we were all miserable.But now I feel like the Lions have injected that lifeblood into my veins.
I was going to quote Big Al from the Little League World Series about four or five years ago.No, Big Al.He was a player on one of the Little League World Series teams.Big Al hits dingers.Correct.I think his goals were to get chicks and hit dingers.
So I add one more, get chicks, hit dingers, and win fantasy football. We're in fantasy football leagues.The YouTube chat wants to know, Starr, you or me this week in fantasy?
I would start me in an IDP league because we know that I'm pretty good.I'm pretty good in a seven on seven, like a flag football game.There you go.
Did we have a football for that?Were we holding a football?Did you fumble?
No, I don't think football security is job security.This has been fun.I appreciate you guys being able to have fun.Phil, please don't come over here and tackle me.
I'm worried for both of us.You can try.
I mean, that's why I gave you guys the extra footballs.Again, if you're just listening to the audio version of this podcast, just for a little bit, go check out the YouTube version. You'll have yourself a good day.That's going to do it for us.
We'll be back tomorrow.Obviously, make sure you set your Thursday night football lineup.Put your Thursday night people in your flex position if you can help it.Today's show was presented by Boost Mobile.Don't forget to love each other.
Be kind to yourself.We'll see you guys tomorrow.I'm not actually going to do it.I would have gotten in trouble with my doctor if I actually tackled him.
It was a nice form tackle.I could see you coming at me, though.
It's no secret, not a mystery The one that we depend on for all our podcast needs Graduate, full cell youth Alliance fan through and through With the hippest beard, I'm telling you Eastern U-Dub Who's that?
Who's that squirt?Who's that squirt?Eastern U-Dub
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