Fantasy Footballers Podcast Summary: Episode 500 – "Fantasy Football 2017 - 500th Episode! Week 15 Matchups + Greatest Moments"

Release Date: December 15, 2017

The Fantasy Footballers celebrated a significant milestone with their 500th episode, delivering a jam-packed show filled with insightful analyses, engaging discussions, and entertaining banter. Hosted by Andy Holloway, Jason Moore, and Mike "The Fantasy Hitman" Wright, this episode not only commemorates their journey but also dives deep into Week 15 matchups, crucial injury updates, expert draft strategies, and memorable moments from previous episodes.

1. Celebrating 500 Episodes

The show opens with heartfelt gratitude from Andy Holloway to the loyal listeners and the Foot Clan community for their unwavering support over 500 episodes. Highlighting their ambition, Andy shares aspirations to reach even greater numbers:

Andy Holloway (00:02): "We're gonna do number 500 right now, and we're gonna go for a thousand, two thousand, three thousand."

Mike Wright chimes in with enthusiastic encouragement, setting a celebratory tone for the milestone episode.

Special Appearance: Jay Grizz makes a rare appearance, adding a humorous and light-hearted element to the celebration.

2. Week 15 Matchups & Fantasy Forecast

The trio dives into the critical Week 15 matchups, focusing on playoff implications and fantasy football strategies. Key discussions include:

• Cincinnati Bengals vs. Minnesota Vikings

  The Vikings, boasting a 10-3 record, face the struggling Bengals (5-8). With Carson Wentz sidelined, Andy recommends starting Case Keenum:

  Andy Holloway (21:05): "They'd have never travel. And that's something that would actually really, really help. I think a guy like Case Keenum to be solid enough in the playoffs."

  Fantasy Advice: Start Latavius Murray and Jerick McKinnon for their favorable matchups.

• New York Jets vs. New Orleans Saints

  Analyzing the Saints' defense and Bryce Petty's potential impact, the hosts suggest cautious optimism with players like Robbie Anderson:

  Jason Moore (25:14): "I would go with him because of the volume."

• Philadelphia Eagles vs. New York Giants

  With Nick Foles leading the Giants after Carson Wentz’s injury, the hosts discuss Alshon Jeffrey's reliability against a struggling Giants defense:

  Mike Wright (27:33): "Everything comes down to where is your faith level in Nick Foles."

• Dallas Cowboys vs. Oakland Raiders

  Highlighting the high-stakes nature of the game and potential fantasy plays like Michael Crabtree, the hosts weigh in on Derek Carr's performance:

  Jason Moore (48:53): "He has been bad and you know, I'm not putting my fantasy playoffs in his hands."

• Tennessee Titans vs. San Francisco 49ers

  Despite the Titans' respectable 8-5 record, they are underdogs against a 3-10 49ers team. The discussion centers on Carlos Hyde and Marquis Goodwin’s potential contributions:

  Andy Holloway (44:16): "DSurface The Giants give up a lot of points."

Overall Fantasy Forecast: Emphasis is placed on starting players with favorable matchups and avoiding those facing tough defenses.

3. Injury Updates

Timely injury updates are crucial for fantasy decisions. The hosts provide comprehensive information on key players:

• Adrian Peterson (Arizona Cardinals): Placed on injured reserve due to a neck injury, leading to Kerwin Williams finishing the year as the lead back.

• Leonard Fournette (Miami Dolphins): Continues to miss practices with a hamstring issue, prompting caution in starting him.

• DeAndre Hopkins (Arizona Cardinals): Added to the injury report with skepticism about his availability, leading to considerations of alternatives like Michael Crabtree.

Andy Holloway (15:25): "If you're added to an injury report after you had a full practice and then you miss a full practice, you might have hurt yourself in practice."

Key Takeaways:

• Monitor injury reports closely.
• Consider handcuffs and backups for high-risk players.
• Adjust lineups based on the latest health updates.

4. Expert Draft Segment

In this interactive segment, the Fantasy Footballers engage in an expert draft, demonstrating strategic decision-making by omitting top-tier players to uncover hidden gems. Highlights include:

• Draft Strategies:
  • Jason Moore opts for players like Golden Tate, considering matchups and player usage.
  • Andy Holloway focuses on balancing quarterbacks and elite wide receivers, eventually selecting Mike Evans.
  • Mike Wright navigates his draft choices, balancing between reliable starters and potential breakout players.

Jason Moore (58:14): "I'm going to take Dak Prescott and get my quarterback out of the way early."

Educational Insights:

• Importance of depth in critical positions.
• Balancing high-risk, high-reward picks with steady performers.
• Adapting to draft dynamics and remaining flexible.

5. Highlights & Mailbag

The episode concludes with a nostalgic look back at memorable moments from the past 500 shows, infused with the hosts' signature humor and camaraderie. They engage with listener questions and share entertaining anecdotes, reinforcing the strong community bond.

Jason Moore (63:16): "Five stars is titled withstanding Victories. I have been able to withstand multiple victories since I started listening to this podcast."

Notable Moments:

• Hilarious exchanges about social media and the hosts' antics.
• Reflective discussions on past fantasy football strategies and their effectiveness.

Conclusion

Episode 500 of the Fantasy Footballers Podcast effectively blends celebration with actionable fantasy football advice. From in-depth matchup analyses and critical injury updates to strategic draft insights and entertaining highlights, the hosts provide immense value to both seasoned and new listeners. Their blend of expertise, humor, and community engagement underscores why this podcast remains a beloved resource in the fantasy football realm.

Andy Holloway (74:43): "Thank you for listening to another episode of the Fantasy Footballers Podcast. Join our fantasy football community on jointhefoot.com and follow us on Twitter the FFballers."

For comprehensive fantasy strategies and engaging football discussions, tuning into the Fantasy Footballers is a must for any dedicated fantasy football enthusiast.