Fantasy Football - 2nd Half Sleepers & TNF Preview + BREAKING NEWS! - Podcast for 10/22

Summary

Fantasy Footballers Podcast Summary

Episode: 2nd Half Sleepers & TNF Preview + BREAKING NEWS!
Date: October 22, 2025
Hosts: Andy Holloway, Jason Moore (Mike Wright absent)

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Episode Overview

This episode packs actionable advice and classic Footballers chemistry, featuring:

• Second-half fantasy football sleepers (with some gross, deep-dive picks)
• A detailed Thursday Night Football (TNF) preview (Vikings vs. Chargers)
• Ongoing breaking news updates on injuries and depth chart changes
• Listener mailbag tackling draft woes, waiver wire legends, rookie RB breakouts, and more

Mike “The Fantasy Hitman” is out parenting solo, so Andy and Jason bring extra banter and keep things lively—especially with mid-show "breaking news," classic in-jokes, and a healthy dose of humility.

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Key Segments & Insights

[03:20] Megalobowl Update & Socials

• Congrats to "Puka Newcomb," 1st place in the Megalobowl (20,000+ entrants)
• The team’s own Megalobowl record: 12–2
• “Don’t give out Mike’s Twitter handle while he’s out. He’s got to earn it!” – Andy [04:01]

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[05:11] News – Tyrod Taylor Injury

• Tyrod Taylor (Giants) day-to-day with a knee injury. Discussion shifts to backup QBs and the recurring cycle of Taylor getting opportunities then getting hurt.

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[05:52] Backup Options & Waiver Wire Rundown

• Most-dropped on Sleeper: Justin Fields, Caleb Williams, Emmanuel Wilson, Mike Evans, Cameron Johnson, Michael Mayer, Darren Waller, more.
• “Waller probably should hang around if you got an IR spot.” – Andy [06:14]

Backup Adds:

• Harold Fanin (TE, Browns):

  • Still out there in ~29% of leagues.
  • “Fifth most targets among tight ends, almost 80-reception pace.”
  • With David Njoku out, Fanin is “the Browns’ downfield target” [07:34]

• Bam Knight (RB, Cardinals):

  • “17 opportunities last week. Scored two weeks in a row. Not amazing, but starter-level volume” [07:51]
  • Scoop if you can before Arizona’s bye.

• Matthew Stafford (QB, Rams):

  • About to go on bye and may be dropped. “Quarterback 4 over the last month. Touchdown variance has ruined his fantasy, but with Adams there, upside returns.” – Jason [08:38]

• Baltimore TEs:

  • Rumblings that Lamar may miss, but rest-of-season outlook: “When Lamar comes back, Andrews and maybe Isaiah Likely could emerge. Don’t forget them.” – Jason [11:23]
  • Ravens’ passing attack likely to rebound; defense is bad, will need shootouts (see: last year’s Bengals comp).

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[11:38] News & Notes (Rapid-Fire)

• Commanders: Dan Quinn’s offense “the most injury-ravaged in the league.”
• McLaurin, Deebo Samuel: Set for full week of practice, trending toward playing.
• Bucs: Bucky Irving & Chris Godwin “getting better” but uncertain to play pre-bye.
• Browns: Kevin Stefanski “hopeful” Njoku plays this week.
• Vikings: Aaron Jones designated to return. “Could play very soon.” – Jason [15:12]

Memorable Moment:

• Andy tries (and fumbles through) a classic ad disclaimer rapid-fire style, cracking up:

  “Progressive quality insurance… third party insurers not available in all states or situations… Uh, you started real bad with different words, but the rest of it was pretty good.” – Jason [15:50-16:06]

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[17:33] Thursday Night Breakdown: Vikings vs. Chargers

Game Lines & Context

• Vikings (3-3) @ Chargers (4-3), SoFi Stadium
• Chargers -3, o/u 44.5

Key Discussion Points:

• Chargers’ offense: “Unstoppable in spurts, bogs down under pressure. Herbert pressured 35 times last week, most in a game since 2019.” – Andy [19:03]
• Vikings’ D: “At times an elite unit, at times breakdowns. Thursday short week = wild card for both sides.” – Jason [21:32]
• Andy's ‘Almost Upset’ Pick: Vikings over Chargers! [20:49]

Fantasy Angles and Start/Sit Advice:

• Both teams are “run funnel” defenses (good vs. pass, soft vs. run).

• Kamani Vidal Sassoon (MIN RB): Strong flex play, especially w/ Haskins likely out.

  “If you play Vidal on Thursday, put him in the RB slot, not flex, for in-week flexibility.” – Jason [22:40]

• Chargers WRs:

  • Tough matchup: “Minnesota is statistically the hardest team for fantasy WRs.” – Jason [23:27]
  • “Startable” receivers: Keenan, McConkey, Johnston, Gadsden—but expect at least two to disappoint.
  • If you paid up for Aronde Gadsden (TE, LAC): “Chase last two games; Vikings weak vs. TE—he could pop.” – Jason [24:19]

• Vikings Playmakers:

  • Jordan Addison: “Undervalued. WR14, WR20, WR10 last three weeks. Dream rest-of-season schedule for Vikings WRs.” – Andy [25:46]
  • “Addison is an honorable mention for 2nd half sleeper—buy if you can” [26:30]

• RBs:

  • Jordan Mason (MIN) vs. Aaron Jones (coming off IR):
    • “I’d play Mason if Jones is eased in. Jones is a classic ‘startable, but risky’ case.” – Andy [28:16]
    • “With so many teams on bye, deep leaguers may have to roll with either.” – Jason [28:36]

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[29:21] Second-Half Sleepers (Main Segment)

Selection Criteria:

• Targeting players that give a “gross” gut reaction—true sleepers, NOT obvious answers like Saquon or Derrick Henry.

  “I want you to feel gross about it… otherwise this show is meaningless to you.” – Andy [29:27]

Mike (via Jay Grizz): Colston Loveland (TE, Bears)

• “100% unusable to this point.”
• Rookie, great athletic profile, offense should improve, and Bears have 2nd-easiest TE schedule rest-of-season.
• “I don’t believe in him, but Mike does—and the Bears do.” – Jason [32:09]

Jason: Chase Brown (RB, Bengals)

• “Vomitusly bad so far… but with Flacco under center, we’ve seen a real uptick: 4.7 and 9.8 ypc last two weeks.”
• Target count: 8th-most among RBs. “Still has the opportunity all to himself.”
• Fifth-easiest RB schedule ROS.

  “If you have him, you think ‘Thank God I can sell high.’ I’d BUY. I think this is real.” – Jason [38:40]

Andy: Jordan Love (QB, Packers)

• “Only one good fantasy game but is actually playing fine football. Great schedule—two CHI, PIT, NYG, BAL down the stretch. Will get weapons back.”

  “He can win you a league as a late-season streaming QB—low floor, but big-game potential.” – Andy [39:28]

Debate:

• Jason is skeptical: “Played great last year, also terrible for fantasy. Packers are still a rushing/goal-line team w/ Josh Jacobs.” [43:08]
• Andy: “If Christian Watson & Jaden Reed both return late, I’m optimistic. This is a pure upside stash.”

Bonus Sleepers

• JJ McCarthy (QB, Vikings): “If he starts, phenomenal remaining schedule, worth a gamble in deep leagues.” – Jason [45:03]
• Joe Flacco (QB, Bengals): “Has been a late-season league-winner before. Cincy’s playoff schedule is juicy; Flacco and T. Higgins could both go off.” – Andy [45:42]

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[48:27] Mailbag: Fan Questions

Waiver Start Combinations:

• “Tez Johnson a viable rest-of-season WR3?”
  • Both agree: Startable now w/o Godwin & Irving, but not ROS lock.

Quitting Fantasy After Injuries?

• Listener devastated after losing a core of stars.
• Jason: “You need the lows for the highs. That’s why you play.”
• Andy: “It’s about the connection with your friends and the emotional swings. Don’t quit!”

Rookie RB Breakouts:

• “Which underperforming rookie RBs are playoff gold?”
  • RJ Harvey > Bashaw Tutin > Travion Henderson > Caleb Johnson.
  • “If Dobbins goes down, Harvey is the guy. Tootin’s still in play if ETN gets hurt.” – Jason [55:27]

Best Waiver Pickups Ever:

• Andy: Kurt Warner, Tyreek Hill, Puka Nacua for $3
• Jason: Tim Hightower “won me a league because I was adamant he was the guy” [58:19]
• Multiple all-timer stories; always chase the upside on waivers.

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

“I want you to feel gross about it and uncomfortable. Yeah. Otherwise this show is meaningless to you if it’s a player that you love.” — Andy, on the spirit of sleepers [29:27]

“He’s pretty much in a coma. I am not a huge fan… I didn’t love his tape… Fast asleep. That’s the definition.” — Jason, on Mike’s Colston Loveland pick [31:54]

“He came in, looked okay. Then Burrow goes down… two weeks with Flacco—9.8 yards per carry last week. I’m starting to believe.” — Jason, making the case for a Chase Brown revival [38:40]

“He can win you a league as a mid-season pick up—Jordan Love is my sleeper.” — Andy [39:28]

“You need the lows for the highs. That’s why you play fantasy football.” — Jason [51:00]

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Timestamps for Key Segments

• 03:20 – Megalobol update & social banter
• 05:11 – Tyrod Taylor News / Backup QB talk
• 05:52 – Backup waiver options & must-stash players
• 11:38 – Comprehensive injury news & quick-hitting updates
• 17:33 – Vikings/Chargers TNF Deep Dive (almost upset pick: Vikings)
• 22:40 – Start/sit analysis for RBs and WRs
• 29:21 – Second-Half Sleepers revealed, in-depth debates
• 38:40 – Case for/against the sleeper picks
• 48:27 – Mailbag (waiver wire triumphs, quitting fantasy, rookie RB stashes)
• 56:40 – Waiver wire goats: stories from the past

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Episode Tone & Takeaways

Classic Footballers blend of expertise and entertainment. Strong opinions, plenty of self-deprecation, plus helpful reminders:

• Don’t assume the bottom of your waiver wire is trash—each season brings hidden gems (look at Flacco or Gadsden)
• Second half is win your league territory—seek uncomfortable stashes
• No one is immune to injuries or bad beats, but the emotional rollercoaster is what keeps fantasy football fun

Final thought:

“If you’re going to quit fantasy, do it after a win—that’s how Elway did it!” – Jason [53:15]

Transcript

[Andy Holloway]

Thursday Night Football is on and it's only on Prime Video. Join Al Michaels, Kirk Herbstreet and Kaylee Hartung this Thursday as the Minnesota Vikings take on the Los Angeles Chargers. Coverage begins at 7pm Eastern with Football's Best Party TNF tonight presented by Verizon. Not a Prime member? Not a problem. Simply sign up for a 30 day free trial. It's the Vikings and chargers Thursday at 7pm Eastern only on Prime Video. Restrictions apply. See Amazon.com Amazon prime for what's up Foot Clan. This episode is brought to you by NFL Sunday Ticket and YouTube TV. Watch every game, every Sunday all in one place. And now get NFL Sunday Ticket month to month and Cancel [e-mail] fantasy footballers local and national games on YouTube TV. NFL Sunday Ticket for out of market games excludes digital only games. Base plan required. Renews every month during the 2025 regular season. Only your membership for the following month can be canceled anytime before your renew date. Terms, restrictions and embargoes apply. Commercial use excluded. No refunds.

[Podcast Announcer]

The Fantasy Footballer studio is sponsored by Walmart. Welcome to the Fantasy Footballers Podcast with your hosts, Andy Holloway, Jason Moore and Mike Wright.

[Andy Holloway]

Oh, welcome in Wednesday, October 22, Jason Moore, Andy Holloway and a cardboard bear. Today. Mike is, he was going to be here. He is Mr. Mom this week, single dad this week. His wife is out of town. Everything was smooth, everything was fine. Then one of the kids got sick.

[Jason Moore]

It happens.

[Andy Holloway]

And so he is taking care of that and we are here today. We've got second half sleeper picks on the show. A Thursday night game to get into some news to catch up on your questions to answer. Yeah, no, it's going to be a good show. We just saw waivers go through in all of our leagues right before. There's a new manager for Brock Bowers in the Chopped League.

[Jason Moore]

So you got seven days.

[Andy Holloway]

That team is doomed.

[Jason Moore]

I mean it's virtually impossible for it to happen again. But I have to imagine everyone in the league is rooting for that to happen.

[Andy Holloway]

There's a reason I only bid a little bit.

[Jason Moore]

I couldn't believe I still, I've been.

[Andy Holloway]

On the edge of chop for like three, three weeks and I was like, this is the thing that would push me right over the edge.

[Jason Moore]

It's so funny because he's not playing this right. He's on. Well, that was my hope. Maybe that breaks the curse. He can't hurt you on by. But still, it was fascinating to me how much clearly the curse has factored into real bids because he's gone for A lot of money.

[Andy Holloway]

Yeah.

[Jason Moore]

He's going to come off the buy. I want to be one of the best tight ends in fantasy football. That's my belief.

[Andy Holloway]

You know, for a bunch of teams going out that week. Right. That's how it feels. There you go. Megalobol leaders right now through seven weeks. Puke Newcomb number one overall out of 20,000 plus players on the Megalo Bowl. So congratulations. Pook Newcomb in first place. Smokey the Bear, though, hot on his heels. Oh, only you second.

[Jason Moore]

Prevent forest fires. You can find us in 4713th place with what record? 12 and 2.

[Andy Holloway]

Okay. You can find us on X at the FF Ballers. You can follow me at Andy Holloway. Jason at Jason. Ffl.

[Jason Moore]

Don't give up. Mike's.

[Andy Holloway]

Mike's.

[Jason Moore]

No, don't you do it.

[Andy Holloway]

Okay.

[Jason Moore]

Yeah. He's got to be here. He's got to earn it.

[Andy Holloway]

Yeah, we deleted his Twitter because he's not here today.

[Jason Moore]

Right.

[Andy Holloway]

YouTube.com the fantasy footballers. Make sure you subscribe just in case AWS goes out.

[Jason Moore]

Yeah, that's true.

[Andy Holloway]

We had this show on Monday where we couldn't post the podcast because the entire Internet's hinging on one US East AWS server. And, well, Google doesn't use AWS. So YouTube was up and the show was up and we were waiting to post a podcast for like, what, five hours, guys. The producers were clicking the button to try the upload again every five minutes. Every five minutes for five hours. And yeah, so you want to subscribe YouTube.com/the fantasy footballers and then click the bell and then you'll be alerted when Mike goes live on Sundays for Sunday Live, which is an hour before kickoff, gets you ready with the last minute news and unfortunately meteorology reports.

[Jason Moore]

Yeah, yeah. Thankfully it does not appear as of this moment to be as bad of weather as it was last week for some of those games.

[Andy Holloway]

I'm just seeing this news that to Rod Taylor, who had a chance to start on Sunday, is considered day to day with a knee injury.

[Jason Moore]

Yeah. He has not been a model of health. He is a backup that it seems like every year. Every year he is needed. The starter goes down only so that Tyrod can go in and go down.

[Andy Holloway]

It does seem that way. It has been that way for a while. So we'll see who we get in New York. But let's talk some backup options.

[Podcast Announcer]

Backup options presented by Progressive Insurance.

[Andy Holloway]

All right, well, the most dropped players on sleeper over the last 24 hours. Justin Fields, Caleb Williams, Emmanuel Wilson, Hassan Haskins, Sean Tucker, Michael Carter, Whittington McCaffrey, Mike Evans. Pour one out. Cameron Johnson, Michael Mayer, Darren Waller, AJ Barner, Mason Taylor. So most of those make sense to me.

[Jason Moore]

Yeah, I would say most of them.

[Andy Holloway]

Waller probably should hang around if you got an IR spot.

[Jason Moore]

Yeah, it's right. I mean, a lot of leagues don't have ir. You're going to miss it more than likely at least two weeks. And with the bipocalypse where six teams are on by, you might just have to do that. I mean, Jeremy's over there with gonna have to drop a starter. He doesn't have anyone on his bench to be able to drop to find a tight end right now. So you're gonna have to make a trade or something, Jer.

[Andy Holloway]

That's right. Yeah.

[Jason Moore]

I would say make a trade with.

[Andy Holloway]

Me or do nothing. None of that's players. So we have backup options for you though. So if you didn't get the waiver ads that you wanted, we were just going through all of our leagues. We definitely missed out on some players we wanted to. Here are some backup options you can pay attention to. And you know, for me, there were kind of two names I wanted to just float out there. Check to see if Harold Fannin was dropped.

[Jason Moore]

Yes.

[Andy Holloway]

Just due to kind of reaction to the roulette of tight ends. These. It looks like 29% of leagues he's out there. You know, through seven weeks he has the fifth most targets of all tight ends and the fourth most receptions. You had a weather game last week, so he didn't perform up to, you know, what you hoped for, but he's on pace for, you know, almost 80 receptions. That's probably going to go up with no ninjoku.

[Jason Moore]

Yeah. Oh yeah, for sure. I think he has a great start this week. He is used in the area of the field where you're actually going to get targets because you know the Browns aren't pushing it downfield. So like downfield to the Browns right now is Harold fannin. It's like 15 yards.

[Andy Holloway]

Yep.

[Jason Moore]

It's really juicy.

[Andy Holloway]

The other. The other name I was just going to throw out is because they're going into the bi week just. I mean, Bam Knight's going to be everywhere and we're talking like people are stuck starting really bad players. Bam Knight had a ton of opportunity in the last Cardinal game and Trey Benson is not eligible to return until week 10. The trend in Arizona has actually been to give Bam Knight more work and Michael Carter less work. That is what has happened and so 17 opportunities last week. He had scored two previous weeks last week, 57 yards on the ground. You know, I don't think Bam Knight or Micah Carter are very good, but a starting running back for a period of time, including Dallas, right after the bye week, pick them up during the buy if you have the ability to do it and stash them on your bench.

[Jason Moore]

That is, that's something that I think people need to take advantage of. The player I wanted to highlight is another player going on to buy. It's Matthew Stafford. He is the type of player I expect to be dropped in a lot of leagues. He's not been, you know, he wasn't drafted super high. He hasn't, he hasn't finished very high in fantasy for a number of years. And with all the buys and him being one of the players going on by, I would imagine many leagues he's dropped, I would scoop him up. You know, it's. It's been with Devonte Adams around the goal line, it's been not just Kyron Williams. And that has made all the difference for Matthew Stafford. He's been great the last few years, but for fantasy purposes, the touchdowns have come on the ground and that's just wrecked him the last month of football. Matthew Stafford is the quarterback four in fantasy points. He was the quarterback two, five and five in three of those four weeks. So going on the rest of the season, they've got a good schedule. I think that Devonte Adams makes a difference and I've got a couple other names to throw out there. I now there's. There's been new talk this morning that I saw that it is legitimately concerning that rumors are that Lamar really might not play this week. Now currently the over under the Vegas lines of how many points they're expecting to score. The Baltimore Ravens being favored. The expectation appears that Lamar is playing. So I don't, I don't know if that line has moved this morning with more rumors that maybe he misses. However, there will come a time I think this year where the tight end position, whether that's likely or Andrews matters with Lamar there. I mean, the Baltimore Ravens have kind of been deleted from our thought process because the last month without Lamar has been so bad. They're not going to be that bad. They are going to be a team that is scratching and clawing to get back in the playoffs. And the best part is their defense is wrecked. You know who it reminds me of a lot last year? The Cincinnati Bengals. They started. What were they? They were probably 1 in 5 something like that.

[Andy Holloway]

They were 1 in 5 and their.

[Jason Moore]

Defense was healthy and awful and you saw people win championships with that Burrow, Chase Stack because they were scratching and clung, almost made the playoffs and they did it because MVP caliber play from Joe Burrow. When Lamar comes back, he's going to put that team on his shoulders and he's going to throw a ton of yards, ton of touchdowns. And so the weapons there, yeah, you got flowers, but I think Andrews and maybe Isaiah likely, who hasn't really had an opportunity yet to do anything this season. Those are guys I'd be looking at on the waivers.

[Andy Holloway]

That was backup options. Sponsored by Progressive Insurance quote [e-mail] let's talk some news.

[Podcast Announcer]

News and notes from around the league presented by Progressive Insurance.

[Andy Holloway]

Well, no team has really been more hurt on the offensive side of the football than Dan Quinn and the Commanders. When you don't have your quarterback or your best two starting wide receivers, I would say that that is a tough position to be in there.

[Jason Moore]

It's fair. I mean the 49ers say, you know, hold my beer, but at least they have Christian McCaffrey. Yeah, they've lost their quarterback. They're starting to their starting tight end.

[Andy Holloway]

Yep.

[Jason Moore]

And their entire defense.

[Andy Holloway]

Yep. They're getting some back though. In fact, when we get to second half sleepers, I have a name from the 49ers worth mentioning. Dan Quinn said the plan is for Terry McLaurin and Debo Samuel to have a full week of practice ahead of their Monday night game against the Chiefs.

[Jason Moore]

That's great.

[Andy Holloway]

So that's exciting. I just was going to mention the Chiefs are ten and a half point favorites right now against the Commanders.

[Jason Moore]

Yeah, right. Right now I don't think we have information on Jayden Daniels, whether he has a chance to play play or not. The expectation and that line says I think as of this moment that it.

[Andy Holloway]

Should be Mariota Buccaneers head coach Todd Bowles said Bucky Irving and Chris Godwin are getting better but didn't know whether each could play in their play or return to practice this week and they.

[Jason Moore]

Have a bye week next week. They you know this is three weeks missed for Bucky Irving. They didn't put him on ir. So usually that means you're trying to get a player back before four weeks. However, with the buy next week, I would not be surprised at all. You know, I don't know how true it is or isn't. Like we talk about this and they are, they're all human beings so maybe there is truth. But like you're playing the Saints. You're, you know the Buccaneers are going to play the Saints and I feel like you go do we want to rush them back? We can beat the Saints without Bucky.

[Andy Holloway]

No.

[Jason Moore]

And then give them another week for the bye week.

[Andy Holloway]

Yeah. Yeah. It's a very different report than the McLaren and Debo going to have a full week of practice. Kevin Stefanski says he's hopeful David Najoku will play in week eight. Remains day to day so he could be back sooner than we expected.

[Jason Moore]

That would suck. That would be awful for Fannin. Yeah for because Fannin and a Joku if you combine like if you look at just tight end stat team tight end. The Browns are hot this year. I mean they are they're on fire. You just can't start either one of them because they, they're they're both getting a good chunk. Neither is getting a great chunk together it would be great. So please either one of you don't play you they should take turns, stay fresh just like every other Sunday is Fanon and every other Sunday is Najoku.

[Andy Holloway]

Or they both wear the same jersey each week.

[Jason Moore]

Oh and then so every play, every.

[Andy Holloway]

Play just gets a tribute. The jets are moving forward towards naming Tyrod Taylor the starter to Rod Taylor. Sorry but the reports is like they know who the quarterback is going to be. They don't want to publicize it. Don't want to give the in a competitive advantage.

[Jason Moore]

No. They also have not named their starting wide receiver. They, they don't have them to name so they're like looking for wide receivers. I think they're doing open tryouts right now.

[Andy Holloway]

You see the comments from their owner.

[Jason Moore]

Yeah.

[Andy Holloway]

Where it's like he said if they'd look good if they could just complete a pass and then they also said with this quarterb. But like the quarterbacks on your team.

[Jason Moore]

Yeah, it's pretty rough.

[Andy Holloway]

Aaron Jones Vikings running back designated to return from injured reserve he's got a 21 day window to return. Was limited on the walkthrough but he's going to come back soon.

[Jason Moore]

Soon.

[Andy Holloway]

I think they really need him.

[Jason Moore]

Yeah, they definitely need him.

[Andy Holloway]

He's a different type of player than Jordan Mason obviously.

[Jason Moore]

Yeah. Soon would be very very soon. Couple days.

[Andy Holloway]

You'Re saying. Do you think he'll be back in a couple days?

[Jason Moore]

I do. I think he plays this week that.

[Andy Holloway]

Was news and notes sponsored By Progressive Insurance quote today at progressive.com, progressive Casualty Insurance Company affiliates and third party insurers not available in all states or Situations coverage subject to policy terms, limits and conditions. I was just thinking about how fun it would be to listen to the Falcon try to read the disclaimer at the end of an ad. You know what I mean?

[Jason Moore]

That would be. So do you want to give it a. I would love to.

[Andy Holloway]

You want to give it a rip?

[Jason Moore]

You see the show, Doctor? Yeah. You're kind of. You're, you're employed.

[Andy Holloway]

Let me just hear it.

[Jason Moore]

All right, let's go.

[Andy Holloway]

You can get through this perfectly. Let's go.

[Jason Moore]

You got this.

[Andy Holloway]

Progressive quality insurance.

[Jason Moore]

Yes.

[Andy Holloway]

Third party insurers not available in all states or situations coverage subject to policy terms, limits and conditions. Okay, you got. You got out there. Yeah. You started real bad with different words, but the rest of it was pretty good.

[Jason Moore]

Yeah. Good job. I am proud of you.

[Andy Holloway]

Didn't see that coming, did you?

[Jason Moore]

Reading is not blah for everyone.

[Andy Holloway]

Reading is not for everyone. Okay. I don't know why I did that. Sorry, buddy. All right, we'll take a break. We'll come back with Thursday Night Football. Thursday Night Football is on, and it's only on Prime Video. Join Al Michaels, Kirk Herbstreet, and Kaylee Hartung this Thursday as the Minnesota Vikings take on the Los Angeles Chargers. Coverage begins at 7pm Eastern with football's best party, TNF Tonight, presented by Verizon. Not a Prime member. Not a problem. Simply sign up for a 30 day free trial. It's the Vikings and Chargers Thursday at 7pm Eastern only on Prime Video. Restrictions apply. See Amazon.com Amazon prime for details.

[Jason Moore]

Lowe's knows Sundays are for football, so tackle your home improvement projects by Saturday and earn your Sunday with great deals on Cobalt power tools, pit boss grills, LG appliances, and more. Then once your to do list is done, get ready to kick back, relax and enjoy the game. Shop in store or online now and earn your Sunday with help from Lowe's, official partner of the NFL. Falcon's a good sport.

[Andy Holloway]

Oh, he is. Yeah, he's the best. All right, here we go. Thursday night breakdown.

[Podcast Announcer]

Thursday night breakdown.

[Andy Holloway]

The affirmation.

[Jason Moore]

I'd love to see the Falcon break down this.

[Andy Holloway]

Break down this entire game. Yeah, solo.

[Jason Moore]

Just him and J. Griz.

[Andy Holloway]

Okay, well, the Minnesota Vikings, we just talked about them briefly with Aaron Jones. They're three and three hanging in there with the quarterback situation. Heading to Los Angeles to take on the Chargers at SoFi. The Chargers are four and three. Vegas line Chargers minus three over. Under is 44 and a half. You know, this is. This is a really interesting game to me because I don't I feel like the Chargers, to a lesser degree, but maybe, maybe similarly to the Broncos, a little bit of Jekyll and Hyde going on. There are games in which the Chargers. I know that, you know, there's a lot of things to blame there. The offensive line, the injuries to the running back core, those would be the significant reasons why they struggle. But at times they look unstoppable. Even in the game they just lost. They looked unstoppable on offense for parts of that game.

[Jason Moore]

Once they got it going. Yeah. I mean, when they had to put the pedal to the metal, they can. And I think part of that is. That's kind of the issue is like they try to be conservative. You know, they want to play a conservative brand of football. Usually the Harbaugh defense and run game, and it's not working. And so when they got down by a bunch and we're like, hey, we're just going to have to go high tempo, push the ball down the field. That's like, that's what they do best.

[Andy Holloway]

Yeah. And I don't. I think. I would probably disagree that that's what they. That they want to do the slow thing. I don't think I buy that narrative anymore. Coming off of the second half of last year and the first half of this year basically leading in neutral pass rate. I think they do want to lean on Herbert. They just can't successfully lean on Herbert when they allow so many pressures. They have allowed the most pressures in this last game against Indianapolis, which credit to their defense 35 times in that game. Justin Herbert was pressured. That is the most since 2019 in any single game. I. Herbert is so capable of 404.

[Jason Moore]

Any week, but you have 420 and three last week.

[Andy Holloway]

Yeah. You just don't know exactly what week it is going to be. Which is like why Bo Nix was irrelevant through three quarters and great for a quarter. And that was a perfect microcosm of Denver. They actually looked horrible for three quarters. They just figured out how to turn it on in one game, not the next game. Minnesota, though, that's what they do. They bring the pressure. I could see this being an almost upset. I could see this being Minnesota taking this one on the road. You know, Carson Wentz, I would say, was borderline awful last week against Philadelphia and they were still in that game. That's just the way Minnesota plays and the way that they're coached and the way their defense plays. They're just in games that they shouldn't be and the way that their defense lines up against the Chargers. It's. Man, I learned last week. I just go with it.

[Jason Moore]

Yeah, you just follow.

[Andy Holloway]

I'm supposed to just go with it, right?

[Jason Moore]

You just go with whatever you feel.

[Andy Holloway]

But this feels early.

[Jason Moore]

It was early last week.

[Andy Holloway]

I don't even have it in the board. My board drop isn't even there.

[Jason Moore]

I'll bet. Jeremy. Jeremy, hit it. Hit it. Jerry.

[Andy Holloway]

That. That was fast.

[Podcast Announcer]

Andy's almost upset of the week.

[Andy Holloway]

Yeah, I'm just going to go with it. I'm going to go with it early. That's how it feels.

[Jason Moore]

Yeah. With the spread. I did take the Vikings on this one. It's. I think it's going to be a competitive game. The Vikings defense has been a question to me. The way that the Chargers offense and the Broncos offense has shown up where sometimes they look unbelievable, unstoppable, and sometimes they look, you know, incompetent. That's kind of how I feel about the Vikings defense. At the beginning of the year, I wanted to be like, they are. They're one of the, like top three defense. They just looked, you know, I still feel that way. You still.

[Andy Holloway]

I do.

[Jason Moore]

But. But they've had a few breakdowns. Yeah, they've had a few breakdowns where it's like they didn't. They didn't show up. So I don't know.

[Andy Holloway]

They had big plays last week.

[Jason Moore]

That was the problem on a Thursday night, short week on the road. That's where it's like, are they going to show up in a massive way in that setting?

[Andy Holloway]

Yeah. And Hassan Haskins right now did not practice on Thursday. It looks like Kamani Vidal Sassoon will have the backfield mostly to himself. He's already been called doubtful. That would be Haskins by Jim Harbaugh. So.

[Jason Moore]

And that.

[Andy Holloway]

That hurts too. And Joe Alt limited on Thursday with the ankle injury. If he plays, he's playing a little bit less than 100%.

[Jason Moore]

Yeah. I think that is a massive deal for the Chargers for Justin Herbert. Both of these teams are kind of run funnel defenses, really good at stopping the pass and average against the run. So I think Vidal Sassoon is a fine start reminder because this is Thursday night football and Vidal is pretty much like a borderline flex player. He's not a guy that you see. It's like you're running back one if you are going to start and make sure you put him in the running back slot so that your flex is open for, you know, injuries through the week or pivots with, you know, whatever it is.

[Andy Holloway]

Absolutely and then based on what you just said, pass funnel situation or. Sorry, you said run funnel.

[Jason Moore]

Run funnel. Yeah.

[Andy Holloway]

Because of that, the Vikings ninth against the pass, you have four players that are actually start sit questions in the game with McConkey, Johnston, Keenan and Gadsden. All four of those were 100% startable. Last week, Mike wanted Keenan to show him something after this strong start and weak middle. He did. McConkey's been great. Johnston's just getting back into the swing of things. Got back into the end zone. And then. How do you not play Gadsden if you spent up on waivers today for seven and 164 and you have two straight weeks with the six first read targets and the athleticism.

[Jason Moore]

Yeah, it's.

[Andy Holloway]

It's like you play all four guys even though the matchup isn't amazing.

[Jason Moore]

So when you adjust for the schedule right now on the season, the Vikings are the most difficult matchup for fantasy wide receivers. So putting three wide receivers out there, it's not going to work.

[Andy Holloway]

No, it's not. It's a roulette.

[Jason Moore]

It's going to be, you know, one guy's going to have a good game and two guys are going to have a bad game and you don't know who. I can't sit here and tell you who to. You know which one is going to have the good game. If I had to take a stab at it, I'm going to take the highest odds at a touchdown and that would be Quinton Johnston. So I would rank them in order of touchdowns, which would be honestly huge. Keenan, Allen, Ladd, you could start all, any of the three. But I think it will be disappointing when it comes to Gadsden. That is kind of the weakness of the Vikings past defense. Adjusted for schedule, they're 24th against tight end. So I think Gadston, if you. If you paid up and you got him, you've got to chase the last two games.

[Andy Holloway]

I think he has played 75 and 79% of snaps over the last two weeks. So it will be interesting to see if he stays right around there. On the other side.

[Jason Moore]

Would you rather play Gadsden or Hawkinson? Same game.

[Andy Holloway]

Gadsden by so much.

[Jason Moore]

Yeah, it's crazy. I think that is absolutely true because.

[Andy Holloway]

I want a chance to be happy in a big way, you know, not just like a. Okay.

[Jason Moore]

Well, last week, Hawkinson, I mean, he had a touchdown that was called a touchdown and overturned. And he was super upset about it because he felt like it was a catch even after the review. And Honestly, I think it was slightly debatable. But had, had he, had that not been overruled, you would have looked at last week and been like, what a great game, Hawkins.

[Andy Holloway]

And you would have fallen for a trap there, I think, because I mean, you're looking at 15, 12, 49, 39, 38 and 43 yards. He doesn't. He's literally kind of the opposite of Gadsden right at this juncture of his career. He's no longer. He's going to be a screen game guy, he's going to be a short area guy. Gadsden can give you one play to outpace the fantasy points of five Hawkinson plays.

[Jason Moore]

Where would Jordan Addison rank among those Chargers wide receivers? You realize how good he has been. So Jordan Addison right now, he's been back for three weeks. He's the wide receiver 14, the wide receiver 20, and the wide receiver 10 with 114 yards, 128 yards and a game with 41 and a touchdown.

[Andy Holloway]

Undervalued. Also was in strong, strong consideration for second half sleeper pick for me on this show when we do it in a few minutes. I didn't pick him because of the quarterback change that is coming for sure. Like Carson Wentz is.

[Jason Moore]

McCarthy is.

[Andy Holloway]

Yeah, so. So. But the schedule, the schedule for Minnesota wide receivers. You remember why Mike traded for Jefferson?

[Jason Moore]

Shut up. I hate that.

[Andy Holloway]

They're the best. They're the best strength of schedule situation in the league. If you have a wide receiver named Jefferson or Addison, the rest of the year is the best for you than anybody else.

[Jason Moore]

And yeah, I've got Van Jefferson, baby.

[Andy Holloway]

Oh, sorry, not that one.

[Jason Moore]

Oh, you said if I have a.

[Andy Holloway]

Wide receiver named that plays on the Vikings. I'm sorry. I'm sorry.

[Jason Moore]

Dang.

[Andy Holloway]

Addison is hiding in the shadows to have an amazing second half if McCarthy can get it together. So consider that an honorable mention second half sleeper, a player to go acquire.

[Jason Moore]

Yeah.

[Andy Holloway]

In terms of this game specifically, I wish that I had a better like, like a strong conviction about which wide receiver in Los Angeles to put in what order. I don't have that. I literally. If you told me you like Quinton first, Keenan second, McConkey third.

[Jason Moore]

I did tell you that.

[Andy Holloway]

Is that exactly what you just said?

[Jason Moore]

Is what I told you a minute ago.

[Andy Holloway]

Yeah, I was. I must not have been listening. Or you told me McConkey's first.

[Jason Moore]

Yeah, I agree.

[Andy Holloway]

Or you told me that put him in a blender. I mean, it doesn't. It doesn't matter. So how does Addison line up? Well, he doesn't have two other guys to fight with.

[Jason Moore]

I was going to say, I feel like I. Three other guys. If you include Gads tonight, I think I would take Addison. Like, if I'm going to start one of those four, I think Addison is a safer bet.

[Andy Holloway]

I think he really could be.

[Jason Moore]

Yeah. This is a fascinating game because these two good defenses, but you're on Thursday Night Football. You got to make your decision early. And there's question marks everywhere. No one is like, must start outside. Even Justin Jefferson.

[Andy Holloway]

Even Mason, Right? You have. It should be good for Mason if.

[Jason Moore]

Aaron Jones actually comes back and plays this week. Now you've got a split where you're concerned, you know, were you starting Jordan Mason week one, week two, when Aaron Jones was there? Yeah. I mean, he was a questionable start, but Aaron Jones.

[Andy Holloway]

According to Kevin o', Connell, he expressed optimism earlier Tuesday that Jones would be able to play. I mean, that is probably. I think I would play Mason. I think I'd be comfortable doing it.

[Jason Moore]

What about Jones? No, you would not play Aaron Jones?

[Andy Holloway]

No, I would wait a week because I just don't know what the workload is going to be.

[Jason Moore]

Me, personally, yeah, that's fine.

[Andy Holloway]

But the Chargers, like you said, the run funnel, that's the one area that they've been more vulnerable to, giving up fantasy points.

[Jason Moore]

So I would say I would call Aaron Jones a startup bowl player if he goes. There are so many teams right now that are.

[Andy Holloway]

Yeah, Al, it would be his number one player.

[Jason Moore]

I mean, that would be his best player on his roster.

[Andy Holloway]

Yes, but other teams probably not, right?

[Jason Moore]

Well, because he had Justin Jefferson, he's like, I don't want good players.

[Andy Holloway]

Oh, yeah, he would have been. Jefferson was.

[Jason Moore]

Jefferson was his best player, but then he gave him to Mike for.

[Andy Holloway]

Oh, Garrett Wilson. Oh, he's holding up the. Oh. Even moved the camera. Already sold up his trophy. Is that trophy for bad teams?

[Jason Moore]

It was a great team last year.

[Andy Holloway]

No, it was.

[Jason Moore]

I paid the price this year.

[Andy Holloway]

You did. All right. We good? Anything else from that game? Jason? Al?

[Jason Moore]

No.

[Andy Holloway]

Jay Grizz? No. Okay, moving on.

[Podcast Announcer]

Second half sleepers.

[Andy Holloway]

All right, I want to give a. An opening statement before we get into these names.

[Jason Moore]

All right.

[Andy Holloway]

Second half sleepers. We have a lot of data on the season. If you've been on the website and the premium tools, you get the strength of schedule, the stream finder, you can see all that data in which teams are playing well against different positions. We reference it all the time. I wanted to make a conscious effort on this show today to not take a layup or. I want you to feel gross about it and uncomfortable. Yeah. Otherwise this show is meaningless to you if it's a player that you love that you.

[Jason Moore]

I think Saquon Barkley is going to be better the second half of this year, actually.

[Andy Holloway]

That's a perfect example of somebody that could have been thrown out there.

[Jason Moore]

Me too. Derek Henry. Yeah.

[Andy Holloway]

Yeah. But. But what I want is. I want the names. When we say them, you might recoil a little bit. And that's okay. Yeah, that's okay. Because that's what makes them an actual sleeper that could be easily acquirable in your league. And we'll share Mike's as well.

[Jason Moore]

Yeah, let's. Let's start with Mike's, which really should be Jay Grizzes, right?

[Andy Holloway]

Yeah. Let's see what he thinks.

[Jason Moore]

Oh, he's a big fan. He's a big fan of Colston Loveland of the Bears.

[Andy Holloway]

Yeah. Colston Loveland is Mike's second half sleeper. It is not an overstatement to say he's been 100% unusable so far in fantasy in his career.

[Jason Moore]

Well, has he scored four points in a game yet?

[Andy Holloway]

He has not.

[Jason Moore]

Okay. So, yeah, that is an irrelevant player who is on the vast majority of waivers.

[Andy Holloway]

Fast asleep.

[Jason Moore]

Fast asleep. He is. He's pretty much in a coma. I am not a huge fan. I was not a huge fan. I didn't love his tape. We talked about Loveland quite a bit on the Dynasty podcast that came out today, and we had some disagreements there because Matthew Betts was. That was like his guy in the off season going into the draft. Obviously the NFL agreed. Everyone was trying. It was reported that people were trying to trade up for him. So this is someone that the NFL thinks is a great player drafted with that capital on an offense that should be ascending. And part of the reason Mike picked this pick is because they have the second easiest rest of season schedule for the tight end position. Tight end is one of those positions that is schematically relevant for starts and sits. So you have a highly drafted rookie you would expect to be better in the second half of the year than the first half who was injured. So you expected him to get off to a slower start. If he gets incorporated in more and more as the season goes along, he's certainly a good sleeper option. I don't believe in him, but Mike does and the Bears do.

[Andy Holloway]

Yeah.

[Jason Moore]

Where do you stand on Loveland? Do you think he's going to. Do you think he's going to, like, really be a Impactful fantasy player.

[Andy Holloway]

I will say this Aronde Gadson was not relevant two weeks ago.

[Jason Moore]

Right.

[Andy Holloway]

Nonexistent rookie, athletic tight end.

[Jason Moore]

Yeah.

[Andy Holloway]

Draft capital for Loveland. Through the roof. Targets have gone up, snap counts have gone up. Cole Comet is banged up. Schedule is good. Kind of the definition of a sleeper to me. I think Loveland.

[Jason Moore]

That's not what I asked you though. I mean, I like. What do you believe? Do you believe Colson Loveland this season will become.

[Andy Holloway]

No.

[Jason Moore]

Okay.

[Andy Holloway]

But I don't think that's a great question for this segment.

[Jason Moore]

Interesting. I feel like it's the most important question we could actually try to answer.

[Andy Holloway]

Okay.

[Jason Moore]

Well, I mean.

[Andy Holloway]

Okay, let me explain myself.

[Falcon]

All right.

[Andy Holloway]

I don't think that this second half sleeper is not like a probability argument.

[Jason Moore]

Okay.

[Andy Holloway]

So when you asked me a question about like Loveland, I don't think the probability is that Loveland is going to be that. The possibility is there and Mike obviously believes that that's a high likelihood. Like our individual picks, we might have a high probability attached to it. I hope so.

[Jason Moore]

Yeah.

[Andy Holloway]

But. Okay, I see the path, but I don't believe it will happen.

[Jason Moore]

Okay. You said something that I thought was so stupid.

[Andy Holloway]

Okay.

[Jason Moore]

And then you really redeemed it. Oh, that was. That was a.

[Andy Holloway]

That was a good.

[Jason Moore]

Yeah. I'm proud of you.

[Andy Holloway]

Follow up.

[Jason Moore]

I'm proud of you. All right. So my feel so validated after being called stupid. My second half sleeper is a guy who has been vomitusly bad. And this is great that Mike is not here.

[Podcast Announcer]

Breaking news.

[Andy Holloway]

I'm not stupid. No, that's not the. That's not the breaking news. That would be really breaking news. Jayden Daniels officially ruled out.

[Jason Moore]

Okay.

[Andy Holloway]

So there you go.

[Jason Moore]

The line makes sense. Mariota will start. Yeah. Mike being gone. This is great because I know it's. It's been, you know, tough sledding for.

[Andy Holloway]

Him once a week since you.

[Jason Moore]

This was a my guy for him. Chase Brown has been one of the worst picks so far in fantasy football. You know, high draft capital in your fantasy draft and irrelevant. You know, week one was, you know, he got. He got to 10 fantasy points. But until this past week, he hasn't done it again the entire season. I think most people benched him even for this last week and he's been an irrelevant player. He's looked bad. You know, it's not like he on the season. Okay. Burrow went down and he's doing everything he can. The truth is he was not doing anything good. He wasn't breaking tackles he wasn't looking efficient. He wasn't overcoming the obstacles in front of him. But I think Joe Flacco really has made a difference for the Bengals for Chase Brown. We saw it this last week.

[Podcast Announcer]

Breaking news.

[Jason Moore]

That's strike two, man. That's strike two. One more.

[Andy Holloway]

The hit you twice with breaking news was no irresistible.

[Jason Moore]

I just saw the breaking news, man.

[Andy Holloway]

Darren Waller has been placed on ir.

[Jason Moore]

Come on, man.

[Andy Holloway]

I need you to keep talking about what you're talking about.

[Jason Moore]

Trade a 4th round pick to you.

[Andy Holloway]

For a guy who never scored for your one game.

[Jason Moore]

He went in my lineup to goose me.

[Andy Holloway]

So can I, can I.

[Jason Moore]

And I lost by 0.33 fantasy points. And then he goes on IR.

[Andy Holloway]

Al, let me tell you. Let me tell you about this trade, guys. So Jason had kind of wanted Darren Waller and he's not doing anything on Sunday two weeks ago, just nothing disappearing. And I. So I sent him a trade offer for this fourth and he. Or a fifth or something like. I don't remember a third. I guess it was a fourth.

[Jason Moore]

You were asking for a third and I was countering with a fifth.

[Andy Holloway]

Yeah. And I. Nothing's happened. And the game is like two minutes left in the game. And he catches a garbage time touchdown Darren Waller. And I fire over that trade. And under a second I'm like meet in the middle. I'm like let's go, let's go. And he tries to squeeze me for a little fab. And then I. And then he. You technically sent the offer because I. I had rejected. But anyway, so. So yeah, you. You fought for him and then this is bad luck. I mean it's just unfortunate. And I. I assume this is four game IR and then we'll see. Do you have any news on that? Oh, they signed Greg Dulcich off their practice squad.

[Jason Moore]

Irrelevant.

[Andy Holloway]

Sorry, you got to keep talking about Chase Brown who grossed people out all first half of the year. Because I want to see if one more piece of news comes in.

[Jason Moore]

Okay. So if you watch Chase Brown the very first game of the season, he was okay, you know, then Burrow goes down.

[Podcast Announcer]

Yeah, I was waiting for breaking news.

[Andy Holloway]

Bucky Irving and no.

[Jason Moore]

Is it real? You have more. Get out of here.

[Andy Holloway]

Bucky Irving and Chris Godwin will not be back for Sunday's game of both officially not playing. So you're Tess Johnson in your mecca.

[Jason Moore]

Bucha. I'm not talking.

[Andy Holloway]

You can't possibly feel like you can make an argument of any kind right now.

[Jason Moore]

I'm done. I'm out of here.

[Andy Holloway]

But you Like Chase Brown, huh?

[Jason Moore]

Maybe we'll never know.

[Andy Holloway]

Oh, the hat trick on breaking news, never before seen. I don't even know where to.

[Jason Moore]

Okay, so here's what happened. Talk about Chase Brown here. What happened is he came in, he looked okay. Then Joe Burrow goes down and he's. Joe Flacco comes in for two weeks and in two weeks he was a very efficient runner.

[Andy Holloway]

Okay.

[Jason Moore]

So they can't, you know, it's like 50s schedule.

[Andy Holloway]

Yeah.

[Jason Moore]

There was absolutely no threat of an offense with Jake Browning. The, you know, so Chase Brown couldn't do anything. You've had two weeks with Joe Flacco. In those weeks you had 4.7 a carry. And then last week was, you know, monsters, 9.8 a carry. Had, you know, the 37 yard run, had over 100 rushing yards. You know that the checkdowns can come from Joe Flacco as well. So you combine that with how bad he's been and how good the schedule is coming up. They have the fifth easiest schedule for running backs the rest of the season. And you know that that's juicy. You, you get into the playoffs with Baltimore and Miami in your first two weeks. I think, I think he's going to turn it around. He's still got the eighth most targets at the running back position. He's had two plus receptions in all seven games. Very few other running backs have done that. And so I, you know, he is a target for me. Like I would try to go acquire him because I think the Chase Brown managers are going. This is a mirage. I've had to deal with them. Thank goodness he had a good game. I can get something for him. I'm on the other side where I'm starting to believe this is. Now we can see what he can do because the opportunity is still his. He's not sharing the work.

[Andy Holloway]

Nobody else is coming up. So this one will give you a negative reaction.

[Podcast Announcer]

Breaking news.

[Jason Moore]

I can hit the button too. That was the breaking news. Sorry.

[Andy Holloway]

You know, we are running a podcast here, Jason. I had breaking news each of those times.

[Jason Moore]

All right, I'm real important. You talk. I'm going to Twitter, not a clown show.

[Andy Holloway]

Oh, you're going.

[Jason Moore]

I'm not listening to a word you say.

[Andy Holloway]

Second half sleeper pick for me is actually Jordan Love. And you know, this is not. He's had one good game. Fantasy wise, one good game.

[Jason Moore]

You did, you did start this segment by saying it should, it should feel. You and I are in disagreement on Jordan Love. I know. We're going to talk about him. More tomorrow. And I was surprised about that.

[Andy Holloway]

Jordan Love is. Yeah, well, I mean that's, that's our job. We got to find the players that we think are going to emerge that are not necessarily who everybody agrees on. Jordan Love is not playing bad football. You and I might disagree on that. Jordan Love, from a passer rating and effectiveness standpoint is not playing bad football. What has happened is he is not producing for fantasy. Those things are, there's a lot of times that they're not correlated. He had a quarterback for finish against Dallas. Bad defense. Okay, we're done. He's lost Jaden Reed, the most kind of firmly established, highly talented wide receiver that he had. He has no Jordan Reed, he has no Christian Watson. They're not working Matthew golden into the target share of this offense very much. I mean the pass attempts. We just went through 55 pass attempts with Justin Herbert the last two weeks. For Jordan Love, it's 26 and 29. He has a top 10 schedule for quarterbacks over the back half of the year. He's going to get Christian Watson back eventually. He's going to get Jaden Reed back into this offense. And again, this is not a, you must start him every week. This is a second half sleeper who's somebody that you could end up winning your league with. You're going to play the 28th ranked passing defense in football, the Chicago Bears, two times going into your fantasy playoffs and then you're going to play Baltimore in championship week. You're going to play the Giants. You're going to play Pittsburgh at 30. You know, in week eight. It's Pittsburgh this week. He's going to get more and more weapons there and he's not incapable of having those type of big games. In fact.

[Jason Moore]

Breaking news, the Giants have designated kicker Graham Gano to return from injured reserve. He will practice today with the intention of kicking Sunday against the Eagles in Philadelphia. Oh, I found some, I found some news.

[Andy Holloway]

Kicker news. You found kicker?

[Falcon]

I did.

[Jason Moore]

I do what it takes. I dig deep.

[Andy Holloway]

So obviously you didn't have any real argument against Jordan Love, which is nice.

[Jason Moore]

So I mean the issue I have with Jordan Love, you know you talked about you lose Jaden Reed. I don't know that he's coming back this season.

[Andy Holloway]

That's the plan.

[Jason Moore]

I mean, I mean like soon.

[Andy Holloway]

Yes. I mean, I think, I think week 10, right? I mean I think that was the original estimate. So he's eligible to be activated from injured reserve in following week eight. That is too aggressive of a timeline. Six to eight weeks was the recovery timeline. I'm saying over the second half of the year he's going to get weapons back. On a per play basis, Matthew golden has actually been really good. I know nobody agrees with that. On a per game basis, Jordan Love's been very good. Fifth in yards per attempt, seventh in completion percentage, a career high. Seventh in passer rating.

[Jason Moore]

Here's my great quarterback.

[Andy Holloway]

This is the same as Justin Herbert. That's what it is.

[Jason Moore]

My issue is entirely that what we saw. Did Jordan Love play bad football last year? No, no. He was very good. He was very, very good. And the second half of last season he played very good football and he was terrible for fantasy.

[Andy Holloway]

Yep.

[Jason Moore]

Josh Jacobs was the touchdown machine. They figured out how good Josh Jacobs was and down the stretch they just said hey, you're our best chance to score touchdowns. And it's carried over to this season. So my issue is really that I don't know that they're going to change what the recipe that is working. He can play good and not be good for fantasy. And I get what you're saying. It's a sleeper. You're trying to find someone that we're not necessarily expecting. Someone that has been asleep who has the ability to overcome that and he very well could. I think that they're going to keep relying on Josh Jacobs around the goal line and if that happens with they don't have a wide receiver here like they don't have a Devonte Adams anymore. They don't have a guy that's just going to demand the ball around the goal line. Golden, isn't it? At least not rookie or goal.

[Andy Holloway]

Christian Watson has always been that. He has been a high touchdown guy. My, my point is that they have the, they will have the capability soon to do it. I agree with you. I don't think they have that capability right now but I think that that will come and I think you look at the final five games of the season and you could be optimistic that, that you know, we've seen people win championships with Joe Flacco. We've seen people win championships with low ranked quarterbacks. You know you're playing roulette with Herbert when you start him right now. There's a lot of quarterbacks in that tier and I think Jordan Love is my second half sleeper and I, I will say that I think I do think golden, if given the more opportunities in the offense will have success for Fantasy.

[Jason Moore]

He's been good on a per target basis. He's just not getting the targets. So yeah, we'll See if. We'll see if.

[Andy Holloway]

I mean obviously Zach Cruz had put out there that he is 60.9% success rate, 78% catch rate, averaging 10.8 yards per target, which is number one among all rookie wide receivers in all three of those. So that those are all the best numbers. There's not. He's not getting a buka target share. He's getting, you know, a very minimal amount of involvement because they don't need.

[Jason Moore]

To because you can run it with Josh Jacobs Josh Jacobs team right now. So I want to throw. This is a bonus second half sleeper. JJ McCarthy. The same schedule that we're talking about for Justin Jefferson being great for the past catchers. I think second half, he is a great sleeper candidate. If I had to personally put a dollar on who scores more fantasy points from week 10 to 17, I think I would take McCarthy over love personally.

[Andy Holloway]

You got to put more than a dollar on that, brother. As much as you want.

[Jason Moore]

As much as I want?

[Andy Holloway]

As much as you want.

[Jason Moore]

All right, let's do it.

[Andy Holloway]

We'll figure it out. Okay.

[Jason Moore]

All right.

[Andy Holloway]

All right. Joe Flacco is much more that in that category for me. Joe Flacco and T. Higgins are two other names I want to mention for the second half. They're connected. Cincinnati's schedule for quarterbacks, third best in the league, fourth easiest for wide receivers.

[Jason Moore]

Still no defense.

[Andy Holloway]

Flacco has been amazing in both of his games. Fantasy wise, 25 and 35 points.

[Jason Moore]

Do you know what this feel a.

[Andy Holloway]

Lot more comfortable with Flacco than McCarthy.

[Jason Moore]

Yeah, Flacco with this team. Bad defense, great weapons. Do you want to know who it reminds me of? Reminds me of Joe Flacco 2 years ago @ the end of the year when he won people championships with the Browns. With the Browns because he also did.

[Andy Holloway]

Similar stuff with the jets for a brief amount of time.

[Jason Moore]

So now I will say both were brief amount of.

[Andy Holloway]

No, it wears off. It does seem to wear off but there you go. It mentioned in JJ McCarthy that would. It's terrifying to me because he's not looked good but for a quarter of football on the year. But yeah, the schedule, you're right. The weapons. He didn't have Addison yet.

[Jason Moore]

So those are.

[Andy Holloway]

Those are there. So we'll take a break and hit some mailbag. I wonder who'll do the drop.

[Falcon]

Today's show is brought to you by our friends at US Bank. With the US Bank Smartly Visa Signature Card you can earn unlimited 2% cash back on every purchase. Yep, every purchase. 2% cash back on a new TV and sofa. 2% cash back on groceries, even 2% cash back on concert tickets. Visit usbank.com smartlycard to learn more. The creditor and issuer of this card is U.S. bank National association, pursuant to a license from Visa USA Incorporated. Some restrictions may apply.

[Jason Moore]

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[Andy Holloway]

Who do you feel like is the most deserving of the opportunity to do the mailbag drop?

[Jason Moore]

I think because Falcon did such a good job on the disclaimer of disclaimers.

[Andy Holloway]

Yeah.

[Jason Moore]

That he gets the opportunity again.

[Andy Holloway]

Oh, just.

[Jason Moore]

I think he's earned it, man. I think he's earned it. All right.

[Andy Holloway]

Well, there's only one way to get there.

[Jason Moore]

There you go.

[Podcast Announcer]

Mailbag NFL Sunday Ticket on YouTube TV.

[Jason Moore]

Yes. No editing. Oh, he came in hot.

[Andy Holloway]

I want to. I want to say that felt like a horse kicking me in the face.

[Jason Moore]

I want to apologize to our audience.

[Andy Holloway]

That's not singing.

[Jason Moore]

That was.

[Andy Holloway]

That was not singing.

[Jason Moore]

That was not singing. I don't think it'll be as bad for everyone. Hopefully you're not in airpod mode right now, listeners.

[Andy Holloway]

That was so loud, I think you could smell his breath.

[Jason Moore]

Yeah. Wow.

[Andy Holloway]

You're having a day, Falcon.

[Jason Moore]

Man, you are crushing it.

[Andy Holloway]

Honestly, if I were you, I would hit the bathroom.

[Jason Moore]

Yeah, I got a trophy for you.

[Andy Holloway]

I guess we could have gone, Jay Grizz. Whoops. My bad. All right, into the mailbag we go. If you have a question for us, head to the website, the fantasy footballers.com youm can click that Submit a question button. You can also dial our voicemail hotline 302-464-TFFB and leave us a voicemail question. First question comes in from Patrick and Pittsburgh been struggling to find a third wide receiver. Am I crazy in thinking I may be able to start Tez Johnson alongside this guy Emeka Egg Big Boo for the rest of the season? I mean, that's a tough one to break down. I think Tez is a very good start in the short term because it's a math problem, right? It's if Baker equal production then has equal production.

[Jason Moore]

If Baker's throwing for 350 yards in the majority of his games.

[Andy Holloway]

Fuck Irving out again.

[Jason Moore]

Obviously that's good. I would agree with you. It's more short term. Chris Godwin is going to come back, and when he comes back, it will be a. A hit to Tez. I don't look at Tez Johnson as an auto start rest of season. I certainly want to roster him. Went after him on waivers there. He's exciting, it's fun. There's a chance that it could happen, but no, I, I don't. I don't anticipate that. He's just going to be a weekly starter going forward.

[Andy Holloway]

All right. This is an ominous title for a question that says quit fantasy football forever. At Taylor Given writes in I have lost Austin Eckler, Mike Evans, Amarian Hampton, James Connor, Aaron Jones to injury this year.

[Jason Moore]

Okay. You starting with Austin Eckler, really, in.

[Andy Holloway]

My main league, why should I not quit fantasy forever?

[Jason Moore]

Because the emotional downside that you are feeling right now, which you're not aware.

[Andy Holloway]

Of or familiar with.

[Jason Moore]

No, I've never experienced a player or a bad beat neutral. That's actually why you play. It's frustrating when it's injuries. It's really, really frustrating. It's sad and it's your fault. It's just bad luck. But the fact that you are probably pulling a little bit of your hair out. It might sound like something you don't want to do, but that is why you enjoy it. The emotional roller coaster of something to care about in life. You know, it's like you can't have highs without lows.

[Andy Holloway]

Okay, all right. Existential. But go on.

[Jason Moore]

You can't. If it's all good all the time, it's not good. If that makes sense. Most everything in life is actually that way. You just don't believe it.

[Andy Holloway]

Yeah, it's. We've said it before. It's, you know, the lows are lows, the highs are high. And it's fun and it's a lot of why we built this show is around the. Like, we have a league that's almost at 20 years. There's no money in it. You're playing for the emotional and, you know, the connection with your friends and.

[Jason Moore]

For the false sense of superiority.

[Andy Holloway]

That's the right phrase, the false sense.

[Jason Moore]

Of superiority for you guys. Mine is.

[Andy Holloway]

But another reason to not quit is I. I mean, we sell a draft kit and we need somebody. Right.

[Jason Moore]

Yeah.

[Andy Holloway]

To play this game. Yeah.

[Jason Moore]

Ultimate Draft Kit.com in the off season. FootClan.com right now in season Tools Resources, Waiver Wire, pickup tools, all sorts of great things that you can purchase from us. So I would say don't quit.

[Andy Holloway]

Right? Yeah.

[Jason Moore]

They are great tools. They are great tools though. So footclan.com go check them out.

[Andy Holloway]

I would say that it would be really interesting if AI could analyze our Slack company channel over 10 years. I don't think we and try to figure out like track the sentiment on your joy versus pain over a 10 year period.

[Jason Moore]

I think that.

[Andy Holloway]

Oh boy. Kyle says I got you. I'll figure it out.

[Jason Moore]

Yeah, he will too. If you're going to quit fantasy football, do it after a win. You know what I mean? Don't. If you quit now, what John Elway.

[Andy Holloway]

Style, two super bowl titles and walk away.

[Jason Moore]

Exactly. There's highs and there's lows. If you leave now, you're leaving.

[Andy Holloway]

I'm out of here.

[Jason Moore]

The league. Yeah, you're a loser.

[Andy Holloway]

Oh, okay.

[Jason Moore]

You don't want to, you know, if you're going to lose.

[Andy Holloway]

So far your reasons to not quit are you're a loser and don't be buy stuff from us.

[Jason Moore]

Those are great reasons, Andy.

[Andy Holloway]

They're two good reasons. Yeah, that's good. Underperforming rookie running back question from ikefrash. Which underperforming rookie running back has the best chance to break out now and the fantasy playoffs? I don't think I said it out loud but I was definitely thinking it on the Monday reaction show. I definitely like RJ Harvey more than Travion Henderson in that category. I think Bayshaw Tutin is still, I.

[Jason Moore]

Still think he's there because ETN's been very inefficient.

[Andy Holloway]

ETN's been inefficient and he's kind of fallen in and out of favor historically. So like, you know what happens if the best question is what? What happens if one of these guys has a big game? Okay, RJ Harvey, Trevon Henderson, Bashaw Tootin, Caleb Johnson. If one of those guys has a big play like the big one Caleb have on Saturday, if one of those guys have a big game, what are the implications for the team? If you look at RJ Harvey and he has a big game, I can see a logical and rational way that they give him more work. Because Jacob Dobbins is a veteran, you get more explosiveness and past game work. I can see R.J. harvey's workload increasing. If Travion has a big game, I'm not sure anything changes.

[Jason Moore]

Well, and another way to learn big play. Yeah. Another way to look at this is actually as silly as it is and unpredictable as it is, injury is the most likely method to one of these guys having a championship winning end of season, the starter ahead of them goes down. So take a look at each one and say, well, if the starter ahead of him goes down, which one would have that breakout? JK Dobbins went down. It's RJ Harvey alone, it's his team and it's a good offense. So that's great. Chalk that up to awesome. If Ramon Dre Stevenson goes down, I want they're going to find someone off the street to put in over Travion Henderson right now. That's how it feels. I don't think they would just give him the everything. They will split reps with Travion Henderson. I do think that if Travis ETN went down, Bashel Tutin would get everything. But it's not as good an offense as the Broncos. He's not as good a player as RJ Harvey. And should Jalen Warren go down, I would be really, really excited to see what Caleb Johnson could do. But Arthur will 100% use Kenneth Gainwell there because so to me the answer is clearly RJ Harvey because he has both the opportunity to gain more work on his own and if an injury happens in all these situations, he would be the dominant.

[Andy Holloway]

And I actually ranked Toot in second there.

[Jason Moore]

I don't, I don't, I don't blame you there.

[Andy Holloway]

All right, Twitter question from D. Packer fan. What is the best waiver pickup you have ever had in your fantasy careers? Mine was Devon HN at 5am in the morning. The Dolphins dropped 70 points on the Broncos a few years ago in my keeper league. So I guess you are, you don't have a waiver timer that goes through at one time. You're just first come, first serve. I do remember those days. Oh, you and I lapped them up.

[Jason Moore]

Yeah, there was one that I remember that was brutal. Brutal because it was, it was genuinely something that you, you saw with your eyeballs in preseason and went, oh, okay, I'm going to call my shot. And then the shot was right. But I went to pick this player up at the same moment that you did. We both, we weren't together. We were at different places. You were at your house, I was at my house.

[Andy Holloway]

Both watching the same game.

[Jason Moore]

Both watching the same game. We both saw exactly what we believed. We both went to pick him up. You got him minutes before me. I was so upset. And then I believe you went and won a championship that year with him.

[Andy Holloway]

I think so.

[Jason Moore]

And that would be Kurt Warner.

[Andy Holloway]

Yeah, I. That was a good one. I remember getting Marshawn lynch when the rumors around the Raiders were about to happen and I got him on the team like a day before that happened. I remember. I'm fairly certain that in our Dynasty league, I got Tyree Kill off the waiver wire.

[Jason Moore]

Yeah. Oh, Tyreek was a Dynasty waiver wire in tons of Dynasty leagues.

[Andy Holloway]

I just posted mine in slack.

[Jason Moore]

But Pukinakua.

[Andy Holloway]

$3 in Dynasty.

[Jason Moore]

Fab. Dynasty. That's my greatest pickup. That is incredible when you talk about all timers like, you know what's. What's puka right now. Is he getting to the fifth pick in a startup Dynasty draft?

[Andy Holloway]

Probably not, no.

[Jason Moore]

And you got him for $3 on Dynasty.

[Andy Holloway]

I just thought of another one too. A few weeks ago I picked up but Darren Waller was able to turn him into a fourth round pick.

[Jason Moore]

I don't like you. My favorite pickup, the one that comes to my mind was, I believe it was Tim Hightower.

[Andy Holloway]

Oh yeah, this was. You've always remembered this one.

[Jason Moore]

I remember that one because I was so adamant. So this was right before the fantasy playoffs. I don't remember the exact running back core, but the starter got injured and everyone thought the waiver pickup was not Tim Hightower. Someone else. And I was so absolutely adamant. I was telling everybody that everybody's wrong. It is Tim Hightower. He is the guy you want and you got him. And then I picked him up and then I won a championship with him because he was great.

[Andy Holloway]

He was great guy.

[Jason Moore]

That was my favorite one of all time.

[Andy Holloway]

Yep. Yep. Absolutely. All right. That was today's mailbag. Watch every game, every Sunday with NFL Sunday Ticket and YouTube TV. Visit YouTube.com fantasy footballers tempted to hand this over to Falcon here, but local and national games on YouTube TV NFL Sunday Ticket for out of market games. Base plan required. Excludes digital only games. Commercial use excluded no refunds. No refunds is also our policy.

[Jason Moore]

Oh, yeah.

[Andy Holloway]

On this show it's more like if you hear the podcast, we can't make you unhear it like it's done.

[Jason Moore]

I apologize.

[Andy Holloway]

The damage is done. We'll catch you tomorrow starts of the week. Goodbye.

[Podcast Announcer]

Thank you for listening to another episode of the Fantasy Footballers podcast. Join our fantasy football community on jointhefoot.com and follow us on TwitterFFballers.

[Andy Holloway]

What's up, foot Clan? You know the feeling when your fantasy lineup needs a miracle? Maybe you got that big injury. I wish that I could just plug in a backup and keep things rolling with progressive you get a winning combo. Quality coverage you can count on all in one place with a playbook full of customized options for your home and auto so you can have peace of mind that you're covered no matter what life throws your way. Don't get caught without a great backup. Switch to Progressive Progressive Casualty Insurance Company affiliates and third party insurers not available in all states or situations. Coverage subject to policy terms, limits and conditions.