Cure the Christmas blues with a win in the Finals | The Fantasy Rush
If Jared wants to win a championship in his work fantasy league for the second straight year, he’ll have to defeat his toughest opponent yet: Yahoo Sports Fantasy Expert, Liz Loza. In the penultimate episode of The Fantasy Rush, Liz dismantles the Next Year Bowl to sell for useable parts, explains how the Jaguars ineptitude is David Montgomery’s gain, and gives Jared the present she had been dying to give him since last Christmas.
Video Transcript
TONY POLLARD: No, it would be for me like a dream come true. You know, being in the league, you know, getting a chance to start the game out, you know. You know, knowing the team that would be depending on me a little more, but I just try to take advantage of my opportunities and make the most of it.
JARED QUAY: I ain't gonna lie, it's a huge week. First of all, it's Christmas. And now that Dr. Fauci vaccinated Santa, I'm definitely getting that PS5. It's in the bag, baby! But this week is also big for another reason: it's the end of fantasy football. Check it! I'm still playing for money in most of these leagues, but there's only one that matters. Where is it? Oh, there it go. "Campbellieve the Hype." This is my most important league, because it's my work league, and your boy's the defending champion.
See, last week I survived a tough semifinals match against rush editor Greg, but if I want to hold on to the crown, my biggest challenge is coming up. That's because for the second straight year, I'm in the finals with fantasy expert Liz Loza. I might have made it last year, but we all know lightning doesn't strike twice. And if I want to go back-to-back, I'm probably gonna need at least one and maybe two more running backs. Fortunately, my co-host will know just what to do because she's a fantasy expert. Unfortunately, she's also the manager of Rosé All Golladay, Liz Loza.
LIZ LOZA: We all have our reasons for needing to win the finals. For some, it's money. For others, bragging rights. But me, well, I work with Jared Quay.
JARED QUAY: The people's champion. The best ever ever, a.k.a. the GOAT-est GOAT.
LIZ LOZA: As you see, the stakes couldn't be higher. Whatever your motivation might be, here are some players who could help you win it all. Dallas and San Francisco are very much out of the 2020 playoffs. However, their Week 15 showdown was still important from a fantasy perspective. For the first time in his entire career, Zeke Elliott missed a game due to injury. That opened the door for Tony Pollard, who had 69 yards on 12 carries. Plus he was targeted nine times. Dallas gets Philadelphia next week, meaning if Zeke is still out, you can expect more big things from Pollard.
JARED QUAY: But what if Zeke comes out?
LIZ LOZA: Well, then you might want to look across the field. Raheem Mostert was having a typical Raheem Mostert day, which is to say he balled out before leaving early with an ankle injury. We know one thing about Kyle Shanahan-- if Mostert is out, the Niners head coach will cover him with a veritable carousel of options. The one I like best is Jeff Wilson. The downfield runner had three red zone carries in back-to-back games heading into Week 15, and then he kept it rolling on Sunday.
JARED QUAY: 60 yards and a touchdown.
LIZ LOZA: Next week, he gets Arizona. And while the Cardinals D may have limited Miles Sanders and Jalen Hurts, they've still allowed the second-most scores to opposing running backs. Look, if you're going to gamble on the Niners backfield, there's always a chance you'll get burned by Shanahan-igans. Nailed it! But if that's a risk you're comfortable taking, then I recommend taking it on Wilson.
There's one team uniquely poised to become the unexpected fantasy heroes of the 2020 season. Wait for it: the Jacksonville Jaguars. They're allowing the second-highest completion percentage to opposing signal callers, and the third-most fantasy football points to opposing running backs, which is not what you want, unless you're David Montgomery. The Chicago running back heads into the Bears' Week 16 match-up with the Jags on a roll, having rushed for over 100 yards in three of his last four games.
The Jags aren't likely to have much fight, so don't expect some high-scoring ping-pong match. The Bears will likely employ the same strategy they did on Sunday against the Vikings: let Mitch Trubisky be a game manager while Monty grinds it out. Am I sure David Montgomery will go off in Week 16? Of course not. But if there's a team itching to let him, it's the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Santa Claus may have been personally vaccinated by Dr. Fauci, but he's pretty much the only one, meaning a lot of people are set to have a very lonely Christmas. But not us.
JARED QUAY: Why not?
LIZ LOZA: Because this is a fantasy rush, baby! We don't let things like a pandemic get in the way of a Christmas party! Yo, Greg!
JARED QUAY: Oh, this is dope. Tree, Christmas carols. We've got everything.
LIZ LOZA: Almost everything.
JARED QUAY: Aw, you're the best, Liz. Thank you. Got me a gift.
LIZ LOZA: I wanted to get it for you last year, but it just didn't work out.
JARED QUAY: What is it?
LIZ LOZA: Just the big, fat L I'm gonna drop on you in the fantasy finals!
JARED QUAY: You're really giving out L's for Christmas?
LIZ LOZA: Oh, and be sure to share it with the whole family.
JARED QUAY: You're kind of like a Scrooge, ain't you, Liz?
