Transcription
What's up? What's up everybody? Welcome to Fourth and Gold Championship weekend. Dave, lot of games Thursday, Saturday, Sunday, Monday. Great slate of games, although little bit tough in terms of lineup. So, congrats to everyone who made the championship game. Although I made a terrible mistake in a couple of my leagues and it's frustrating me right now, but I'm sure every a lot of people are in that same position. So, congrats again and uh we have a couple of cool updates. Uh but hopefully some positive updates. Fingers crossed. So, let's see what happens.
Uh Dave, uh what's the uh how do people prepare for the championship weekend? It's a unique weekend.
>> Yeah, it's definitely a unique weekend. So, it's one of those where like if you have guys that are questionable or limited, it's something that, you know, all all season long we've said, you know, don't, you know, disregard Tuesday, Wednesday practice reports. Well, today and tomorrow, they're very important obviously for those three those three games that are happening on Thursday and even the games that are occurring on Saturday because if a guy's not getting in a full practice by Thursday for a Saturday game, likely unlikely to play. So this week, my advice is if you got guys on your bench that have just been there on your bench, scrap them for your contingency plans. Drop all the guys that you need to either get handcuffs or things like that because this is the week where you do not want to get beaten on the waiver wire. Um so I mean just about everyone else is out out of it anyway. So it's yourself and one other person fighting, but you don't want to look back on it and said, "Man, I really should have planned ahead of time a little bit better." This is super imperative this week to do that.
>> Y Okay, let's get started. couple of uh few injuries. We were not battered by injury week 16, but some major ones. Gardner Mchu, dude, that was unfortunate. He's done for the season. I don't think um he won't get recovered. He won't be ready for 2026 either looking at everything.
>> Yeah. Yeah, I mean when they said um you know the ACL was spared that's actually you know that's the positive side but the the negative side is that it's was a tibial plateau fracture and that mimics kind of what an ACL injury is like. It just is a different part. It's more of a bone injury versus a ligament injury. Um it still is a very complex injury. Takes a long time to rehab and it's very frustrating from a rehab perspective. Um so Gardner Mchu I think he's going to be a free agent anyway. he may go elsewhere, but I mean honestly the Chiefs are I don't know if they're going to win a game. Obviously they're big underdogs against the Broncos on Christmas. Um so I mean if you got Broncos defense I don't even I don't really know this third string quarterback at all. So Chiefs are in trouble.
>> Yeah, Jordan Love, that's the big one. A lot of people holding their breath. They play Saturday again. He he was called out for concussion. I mean I don't know. My gut feeling says he plays because it's like a must-win situation. Green Bay. They have to win it out to make it to the playoff. Plus, I think we um mentioned it earlier uh in our pregame meeting today. It was not on the sides, more like a helmet to helmet in the front where the contact happened. I don't know if that affects any does that change anything with concussion?
>> I mean, if anything, it may be a little more mild um of a concussion. like you said, he took kind of a direct frontal shot, face mask to face mask versus a lot of times you see a guy's like side or what we call your temporal lobe um or the brain that kind of really kind of ricochets. That's a really soft spot compared to your frontal lobe here. Um or sometimes you'll hit the back of your head against the turf um maybe a whiplash. So, it may be just a little bit more mild. I would kind of be surprised if he is kind of ruled out. Like you said, like we mentioned in our pregame show, CD Lamb had a bad concussion. the week before that even had posturing where his hands were kind of going in that um pose where it's a more moderate brain injury. So, like you said, must-win situation. Um Malik Willis has been decent, but he just brings the whole fantasy, you know, output of the offense down. He's more of a safe option. So, I mean, if you have any Packers players, even, you know, Josh Jacobs, which we're going to touch upon, you're hoping that Jordan Love can suit up. But, like we mentioned, Saturday game, so really pay attention by, you know, Thursday's final injury report. And even if love plays, it is really tough to start any Green Bay wide receiver. It's been brutal.
Uh Lamar Jackson back Bruce.
>> No clear clarity out there.
>> Yeah, I mean it's kind of frustrating with I feel like every time Baltimore and Lamar has been down this road, we don't have a lot of clarity on exactly what it is. They keep it kind of close to the vest. Um and it didn't really seem too bad. He just got like a knee to like that kind of side back flank position. Um, but they're calling it a back bruise. You would think that's not probably that bad, but if it's impacting the lower ribs, could be very, very uncomfortable, especially with all that torque that you need from your obliques to throw. Um, even if he does play, he's going to be very limited in the running game, you know. So, expect just a heavy dosage of um, Derk Henry. Um, but
>> it's going to be Katon Mitchell. Derrick Henry will be sitting on the sideline. That was
>> Yeah, don't get me
>> scattered. I don't understand what's going on. I mean, I'm kind of close to Baltimore, as you know, and Ravens fans are very, it kind of feels like, you know, I went through it with Andy Reid at the end there, and it's just like, okay, time to go separate ways. It kind Andy Reid, and they brought him back one more year, then it was just disaster the next year. I think they went four and 12. So, weird vibes in Baltimore all around. Hey, JJ McCarthy hairline fracture in his uh hand. Max Brassmer. Oh my god. Detroit Lions are angry. They're going to come in Thursday game.
>> Yeah. Yeah. I mean all the I feel like all these Christmas games could get ugly. Um I mean I think Dallas could whoop up on Washington. Um and like we were saying, uh JJ McCarthy was actually ruled out um I think late today with that hairline fracture. So Max Bromer just again brings the whole I mean they were kind of struggling for fantasy production anyway. Justin Jefferson owners, I'm sorry. Rough year for y'all. Um, but yeah, I mean, it's the Lions defense is going to be a popular streaming option this week for sure.
>> Okay, let's jump onto some running backs. Josh Jacobs, we mentioned earlier, I don't know why he played week 16. He didn't look great. He had a couple of catches, dumb passes here and there. Tried running just I think he aggravated his injury again. I think if he plays on Saturday, which he will, but it's going to be a 50/50 split. I think Wilson's still going to get the bulk load for the running back.
>> Yeah, I mean, I have so I actually have Josh Jacobs in my one league that I'm in the finals uh with in my in-laws league. So, I'm really hoping to win that. I'll be back to back. Um and I don't really know if I'm going to play I have Emanuel Wilson as well, but he's been kind of fighting through Josh Jacobs this this knee bruise for a few weeks now. Other than that one game, I think it was against Denver where he had that long receiving touchdown. You know, he's just kind of been eh. So, um, you know, I'm starting James Cook and R.J. Harvey in my running back spots over Josh Jacobs this week. Um, and of course, you don't know. You got to wait about the quarterback position, like we said, too. Um, but they're fighting for their lives, and I I think you're right. If if Josh Jacobs even plays, it's going to be more of a kind of even split with him and Wilson.
>> Okay. We had the brutal injury with Judkins. That was a
>> that was a big blow. Again, it it impacted I mean granted compared to the injury fantasy impacts are nothing >> but uh going through his injury reports and what Dr. Moors uh explained looks like even in the worst case scenario there was a best scenario I feel. I don't know how to put it but his knee was spared. So looks like it's mostly in his ankle and fibula.
>> Yeah. I mean, yeah, if if you're going to injure one of those two joints, you definitely want to have a, you know, an ankle um or type injury versus a knee. Knee is a lot more complex of an issue. Um so, you know, all you know, all things considered, rehab goes pretty smoothly. He should be fine by week one of the regular season, even though it looked pretty gnarly. Um at this point, all Browns except Harold Fannon are pretty much irrelevant for fantasy.
>> you don't think you don't want to start Jerry Judy as your wide receiver one. I mean, if you made it somehow with Jerry Judy on your roster, hopefully he's like a deep bench sash or something. But I see people saying like, "Oh, go grab, you know, Dylan Samson." But he's been banged up, too. So, you don't even know.
>> Hey, Dylan Samson was ruled out last couple of weeks, so even if he comes back,
>> yeah, it's going to be Jerome Ford, mix everything, and
>> yeah, it'll be done. They play Pittsburgh, so come on.
>> Yeah. And I mean Pittsburgh's fighting they I mean I'm pretty sure if they win they're I think they lock down that division I think because with the big win against Detroit um
>> yeah it's got a it's got a feel of like the Saints situation last week. Everyone rushed to the the way to get um Esté and then what do you know Taesm Hill had like 12 carries. So um we don't know just kind of avoid all Browns except Harold Fannon.
>> Okay. And Trayvon Henderson another uh bad beat for fantasy out there after his injury. had 1.9 points on fantasy concussion. But again, all indications he he's going to play. We I mean, especially if you're taking CD as the radar, if a concussion player is going to play next week, I think um um what I say Henderson plays, they have a Sunday matchup, too. So, I think they're they're okay.
>> Juicy match up, too, against the Jets. Jets run defense has been terrible. Um so, I mean, if you have Trayvon, I would kind of wait. That's a tough start though because Stevenson had a great game.
>> Yeah, I mean,
>> they're not going to sit him out.
>> No, I think again it's going to be a frustrating split. You know, it might be one series Trayvon, another um series Raandre um Stevenson, but I mean at this point, you know, I think the upside of Trayvon Henderson is so significant that with that juicy matchup, even with splitting carries, um with all the other injuries, all be all things being considered, I mean, it's championship week. want to have those kind of high upside plays um in order to hopefully bring it home. I know I also have him on a league and if he is active I will be starting him in my RB2 slot.
>> I think a league winner is going to be Mr. Omar on Hampton. He got lucky with by like he came into form and Vidal got injured. So looks like uh this upcoming week they're
>> they're going to feed Hampton. That's going to be u and they play Houston although a tough matchup though.
>> Yeah, I mean that's what I mean honestly. But think about what happened the last couple weeks with Houston. I think Michael Carter had a pretty decent game against Houston. I mean, I know a lot of it wasn't garbage time, but then Ashton Genty last week, 120 some yards rushing. Um, even with a poor offensive line, 60 yard touchdown reception as well. Um, Vidal, it looks like he is probably not going to play with the neck injury. Um, so I I'm with you. I think a lot of Omar and Hampton. I think it's going to be a lowscoring game, but I think Hampton's going to get um a lot of volume in the kind of carry department, but also in the short kind of dump off passes as well. So, um I I could see that as well. I think Amarian Hampton when it's all said and done could potentially be a top 10 finish and could be a league winner, which I mean for what he dealt with throughout the season, it's not about how you start everyone. It's how how they finish at the end here.
>> Yep. And wide receiver, no major injuries. I think uh Keshan Booty had a concussions against same case scenario
>> but the big one was DK Metaf not injury related. He could have caused an injury to the fan but um suspended for two games and the worst case scenario for him his guaranteed 45 million for next year can be voided. Ah frustrating frustrating for uh Steelers fans. I mean they just are going on a good run. Boom.
>> Yeah. I mean, you you as a Seahawks fan, I mean, you've seen this kind of from DK. Um, time.
>> Glad we got rid of Gino and DK. I mean, got lucky there.
>> I mean, and you guys didn't miss a beat. Um, props to Coach McDonald and I mean, Sam Darnold. I mean, that game Thursday was awesome. I kept saying I had to go to bed. Couldn't go to bed,
>> right? Yeah. Incredible game. But, yeah, I mean, awful. I mean, the Steelers, why wouldn't you try to play hard ball now with his contract? I mean, in the two biggest games of the season, you know, just win one and you're in. um that's a pretty successful season. I'm sure they would, you know, Steelers fans want to see a playoff win, but uh they're he's really screwing him over at the wrong time. Um so if anything fantasy aspect, I just think it's going to be a lot of Jaylen Warren and Kenny Gainwell um who is, you know, valuable in the they're both valuable in their own ways. Um, so I think if you're just going to see more of those guys, um, without DK
>> and tight end, uh, George KD, um, he came out and said he doesn't feel like it's eye ankle, uh, sprain, he was, uh, tackled, hip drop tackle on the pass before, and the video was, which is online. That's not the play he got injured. I think that's the play he walked off, but the play before on the sideline catch, that's when he got injured or reactivated his uh injury. Knowing KD, I feel he's going to push to play.
>> Yeah, I mean, it's he kind of it was interesting if you want to go and read back, he kind of ripped the hip drop t the hip drop tackle, but then he also ripped the the playing surface as well. he was saying, you know, the the type of turf that Indie has. Um, very kind of unforgiving or kind of almost too forgiving in a way. Um, so the way that he explained it, it seemed like it got worse throughout the game, which to me that signified it probably was high ankle, but then it came out today. I think um, Ian Rapaort or one of the insiders reported that's going to it's either a low to mid ankle sprain. If you're hoping for a low ankle sprain, he'll probably play um on Sunday, but if it's a mid or high ankle, but again, San Fran's playing for a lot. They win the last two games, they could be the number one seed. Um but at tight end, I mean, you probably don't have really much better options. So, you might as well just wait and see. And I would think he's probably going to play. Um based off of what we know right now on Tuesday.
>> And Tesus might be a good start if KD is off off. So, that's a good back.
>> Pie was balling last night. He he looked he looked real good. Um,
>> and Amandra St. Brown, I was just looking at it. He missed practice yesterday. That's something I think I missed. That was like weird. He he was inactive and they played tomorrow.
>> I think a knee injury, I think they said. Um, yeah.
>> Is this like I think is this an injury from a couple of weeks back? Remember?
>> Yeah. I mean, well, he had the ankle injury. So, I mean, again, when we talk about the ch kinetic chain, right? If you have a deficit at one joint, the joints above or below are going to have to work harder for those deficits. So, he could have been a little bit more susceptible in that knee. Um, and he tweaked something, but I mean, you know, at the day after Thanksgiving, he said he couldn't walk. Then all of a sudden, by the following week, he's playing. Um, Grant, I know this is a shorter turnaround. Um, he doesn't have a full week this time.
>> That was a short turn around, too. Sunday to Thursday. So,
>> okay. So, I mean, the dude's tough as nails. Um, but again, I would again just have some backup plans just in case. um you know scoop up any guys that are you know might have good matchups or anything high upside plays but of course if Ammanra St. round is active, you're going to start him. I mean, he's carried you this far. Um, so yeah, I mean hopefully he will play
>> and uh no major uh defensive injuries, but I want to highlight I know like initially start of the season we were back like we were talking about 49ers every week somebody was getting injured but kudos to the 49ers their defense looks amazing like they top two players probably top 10 two of the top 10 players are out and they're still performing and amazing. Kudos to them. You can't name any really. I mean, if you look at their depth chart, you don't really know who those guys are.
>> And I learned about Stout yesterday. And
>> yeah, right. I mean, I got some good names yesterday.
>> Um, yeah, even the guy the linebacker with the pick six. I mean, I I names escaping me, but um
>> Williams.
>> Okay. Um, other ones I think also real quick that I saw today, I think Hawinson from the Vikings, not going to play, but again, like we mentioned, I mean, you're trying to avoid really all Vikings players at this point anyway. Um, and then defensive, I think I saw Milton Williams for the Patriots is designated to return from his high ankle sprain. Missed the last four games. That'd be a big boost for the Patriots defense who are playing the Jets this week. Um, and Brady Cook, I think
>> that would be a good warm-up game for him.
>> Yeah. Yeah. I mean, I I could see I mean, I'm sure the overunder isn't going to be a lot. Drake May's pushing for the MVP. New England's going for the one seed. So, that game could get ugly. I think Stafford has like I mean Stafford has that locked up. I don't I don't think May has
>> the overunder is 42 and a half. So I think it's going to be like a 369 game or something like that. That's the best case.
>> Jets Jets look like crap against the Saints. So I mean another rough season up there
>> or the Saints are turning around. You never know. Don't don't come on now.
>> Well, I mean I like I like Hell Moore. Props to him last year um with our Super Bowl run. But I mean it seems like they got a solid quarterback out there and the guys are playing hard for him. Saints have always been a pesky team, even in down seasons. Um, so yeah, and then we'll see how the NFC South shakes up. I have no idea. I don't know what's going on with the Bucks down there.
>> Oh yeah, people are pissed off out here. So
>> unfortunate. Started great again that I think Bucks and India have the same trajectory leading up to start of the season weather right now.
>> Crazy.
>> Hey, well uh good luck everyone with your championship u week. Hope you guys win. I know there's going to be one loser, but uh I'm sure 50% of you are going to be really happy. And still, second place is a good payout, too. So, good luck everyone, and we'll see you guys next week.