Fantasy Focus Football – "STOP Making These Lineup Mistakes in Week 2!"

Date: September 11, 2025
Host: Liz Loza (with Producer Presley/Dave), Guest: Jeff Ratcliffe (FTN Fantasy, SiriusXM)

Episode Overview

This episode of Fantasy Focus Football tackles the recurring theme of mistakes in fantasy football—specifically, common lineup errors managers make heading into Week 2. Liz Loza, with occasional input from Producer Presley (Dave), brings in fantasy analyst Jeff Ratcliffe for a candid discussion of Week 1 misfires, strategic advice, and listener questions. The tone is energetic and self-reflective, blending data-driven takes with personal anecdotes and lighthearted moments.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

Owning Your Week 1 Mistakes

• Speaker: Liz Loza & Producer Presley
• Timestamps: [00:40]–[01:25]
• Summary:
  • Presley admits benching Keon Coleman and trusting Trevor Lawrence, both backfiring.
  • Quote [00:47]: "The biggest one... I left Keon Coleman on the bench... also switched out a couple QBs for Trevor Lawrence... he was not it." – Presley
  • Liz reframes mistakes as learning opportunities, encouraging interaction and voicemail submissions from listeners to discuss their own gaffes.

Analyzing Key Week 1 Surprises

Justin Herbert’s Usage

• Speaker: Liz Loza
• Timestamp: [02:30]–[03:30]
• Key Points:
  • Coaches abandoned a run-heavy script; Herbert had sixth-highest pass rate in the NFL (66.9%) and showed mobility (7 rushes, 32 yards).
  • Quote [02:30]: "We made a mistake about [Herbert's] utilization... He is undoubtedly the engine of the Bolts offense, moving him from low-end QB1 territory into a top 10 starter in week two." – Liz Loza

Breece Hall's (Jets) Value

• Speakers: Presley & Liz Loza
• Timestamps: [03:30]–[04:58]
• Details:
  • Hall dominated backfield snaps and was efficient (5.6 ypc), with improved volume and opportunity thanks to a mobile QB (Justin Fields).
  • Concerns remain about the Jets offense's consistency, but Hall is now a solid RB2.
  • Quote [04:39]: "The claims of his bust potential were wildly overstated... He is absolutely now a solid RB2 moving forward." – Liz Loza

Brian Thomas Jr.’s Disappointing Start & Outlook

• Speaker: Liz Loza
• Timestamps: [05:06]–[06:28]
• Notes:
  • Only 1 catch for 11 yards but had promising usage (7 targets, creative touches).
  • Bengals' porous defense is a promising Week 2 matchup.
  • Liz ranks Thomas as WR8 for Week 2, predicting a bounce-back.

Guest Segment – Jeff Ratcliffe Interview

Owning Fantasy Miscalculations

• Speaker: Jeff Ratcliffe
• Timestamps: [07:05]–[09:28]
• Highlights:
  • Admits overestimating Trevor Lawrence in Week 1 (Carolina matchup), and overlooking Quentin Johnston (who scored twice).
  • Quote [08:27]: "...the biggest one for me was the idea that Trevor Lawrence was actually going to be a thing in Week 1... Instead, we got Travis Etienne..."
  • Quote [09:09]: "Quentin Johnston... Yeah, okay. And of course, Quentin Johnston scores two touchdowns... I was wrong on Quentin Johnston in Week 1."

Outlooks Moving Forward

Trevor Lawrence and Jacksonville Offense

• Speaker: Jeff Ratcliffe
• Timestamps: [09:55]–[11:07]
• Liam Cohen's offense will need time; Ratcliffe expects improvement as Lawrence adjusts post-Urban Meyer and Doug Peterson era, given strong supporting cast.
• Quinton Johnston: Too inconsistent, needs reliability before trusting as a fantasy starter.

“Return of the Wide Receivers” Week

• Speaker: Jeff Ratcliffe
• Timestamps: [11:49]–[12:38]
• Expects fantasy "stars" (e.g., Jamar Chase, Nico Collins, Brian Thomas Jr.) to bounce back after a shaky Week 1.
• Quote [11:49]: "All the panic after Week 1... is going to subside after the action this week. These guys get back on track."

Streaming Tight Ends: George Kittle Out

• Speaker: Jeff Ratcliffe, Liz Loza
• Timestamps: [12:38]–[13:46]
• Juwan Johnson (Saints) preferred as a widely available volume play; converted WR and likely 3rd target on his team.
• Caution for weak offenses, but decisive action recommended for desperate managers.

Week 2 Wide Receiver Understudies

• Speaker: Jeff Ratcliffe
• Timestamp: [14:41]–[15:42]
• Hollywood Brown is the favorite among widely-available understudy WRs, primarily due to expected heavy targets from Patrick Mahomes.
• Others (Juju Smith-Schuster, Tyquan Thornton) have either low ceilings or questionable opportunity.
• Quote [15:03]: "I can't ignore 16 targets and I can't ignore Patrick Mahomes... I actually do have [Hollywood Brown] as a wide receiver 2 this week..."

Start/Sit Recommendations

• Speaker: Jeff Ratcliffe
• Timestamps: [16:31]–[18:23]
• Start: Justin Herbert—well inside top-12 for Week 2; surrounded by weapons, high volume expected.
• Sit: Harold Fannin (Cleveland)—flavor of the week, but too small a sample size to trust. Don't drop known quantities (e.g., David Njoku) for him yet.
• Quote [17:27]: "My sit is Harold Fannin... I want to see two weeks of production before we go after an unknown commodity."

Fantasy Therapy: Listener Questions

Timestamps: [18:42]–[26:06]

1. Pacheco Panic (Andre from Arizona)

• Speakers: Jeff Ratcliffe, Liz Loza
• Timestamps: [19:24]–[20:56]
• Pacheco losing snaps, minimal upside unless passing game role increases; lower his rest-of-season expectations to more of a flex.
• Quote [19:48]: "I have very real concerns. Pacheco has a very low ceiling. He needs to be involved in the passing game in order to raise that ceiling, and they just will not do that." – Ratcliffe

2. "Zero Wide Receiver" Regret (Toby from Georgia)

• Speakers: Jeff Ratcliffe, Liz Loza
• Timestamps: [21:29]–[23:51]
• General advice: avoid loading up RBs early, as elite WRs are irreplaceable on waivers. In-season, target emerging undervalued WRs (e.g., Alec Iomanor).
• Quote [21:50]: "There is a ton of depth at wide receiver, but... there isn't a lot of depth at elite receiver, and those guys do not grow on trees." – Ratcliffe
• Quote [22:51]: "This week's waiver wire was absolutely booty cheeks... But if you want to keep the joy alive, I don't mind Alec Iomanor... He might be brought along and could surprise down the stretch." – Liz

3. Will Jerry Jeudy or George Pickens Outscore DK Metcalf? (Luke from Reno)

• Speakers: Jeff Ratcliffe, Liz Loza
• Timestamps: [23:51]–[26:06]
• Ratcliffe doubts either surpass Metcalf due to uncertain volume and roles; Metcalf's situation (even with questionable after-catch production) provides higher floor/ceiling.
• Quote [24:09]: "I think it's a little bit of a hot take... DK Metcalf, he's seeing all the targets now... No, I don't think either of those guys outscore DK Metcalf." – Ratcliffe
• Stability at QB an issue for both Jeudy and Pickens.

“Daddy, I Love Him” – Justin Fields Hype

Speaker: Liz Loza
Timestamps: [27:00]–[28:25]

• Fields showcased elite rushing (12 carries, 48 yds, 2 TDs) and uplifted Garrett Wilson (7 catches, 95 yds, TD).
• Difficult upcoming matchup vs. Buffalo, but viable as a top-7 QB, even over Kyler Murray and Justin Herbert.
• Quote [28:21]: "He is my QB7 on the week and you know that I really love him if I am starting him ahead of Kyler Murray and Justin Herbert."

Notable Quotes & Moments

• [02:14] Liz Loza: "When I'm wrong, I say I'm wrong."
• [11:49] Jeff Ratcliffe: "Week One is a fantasy mirage in a lot of instances... all the panic... is going to subside after... this week."
• [17:27] Jeff Ratcliffe: "My sit is Harold Fannin... I want to see two weeks of production before we go after an unknown commodity."
• [28:21] Liz Loza: "...he is my QB7 on the week and you know that I really love him if I am starting him ahead of Kyler Murray and Justin Herbert."

Important Timestamps & Segments

• [00:40] – Presley shares his Week 1 fantasy mistakes
• [02:30] – Liz analyzes the Chargers' pass-heavy offense & Justin Herbert's outlook
• [03:35] – Liz and Presley discuss Breece Hall’s emerging value
• [05:06] – Brian Thomas Jr. discussion: “Don’t panic”
• [07:05] – Guest segment: Jeff Ratcliffe on Week 1 miscalculations
• [11:49] – Ratcliffe’s “Return of the Wide Receivers” Week 2 prediction
• [12:38] – Tight end streamers (post-Kittle injury)
• [14:41] – Which understudy WR to trust (Hollywood Brown)
• [16:31] – Start/Sit: Justin Herbert (start), Harold Fannin (sit)
• [19:24] – Listener “Pacheco Panic”
• [21:29] – Listener “Zero WR Regret”
• [23:51] – Listener “Jeudy/Pickens vs DK Metcalf”
• [27:00] – Justin Fields hype: “Daddy, I Love Him” segment

Episode Takeaways

• Admit and learn from lineup mistakes—Week 1 is notoriously misleading, so don’t let recency bias drive panic or rash decisions.
• Adjust valuations: Breece Hall’s usage and efficiency, Herbert’s pass volume, and creative coaching with Brian Thomas Jr. all point to shifting expectations.
• Monitor situation-dependent “starts/sits”: Herbert up, Fannin caution; Hollywood Brown as an upside WR plug-play.
• Don’t overreact to Week 1 busts: Many fantasy “stars” will recover in Week 2.
• Strategic tip: In redraft, avoid over-stacking RBs; elite WR scarcity is a real challenge to solve in-season.
• Listener engagement: Honest self-reflection and asking for help is encouraged—mistakes are part of the game.

For More

• Liz Loza: Week 2 edition of “Facts vs. Feelings” column (details at the end of the episode).
• Jeff Ratcliffe: FTNFantasy.com, @JeffRatcliffe on social, SiriusXM radio weekday mornings.

End of summary. This coverage highlights all critical strategic insights, listener engagement, and memorable moments from the episode, with attributions and timestamps for easy reference.