Fantasy Footballers Podcast Summary

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

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.

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]

[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.

[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).

[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]

[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]

[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]

[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.

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]

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

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]