Fantasy Footballers Podcast Summary
Episode: Fantasy Football 2017 - Starts of the Week, Week 11 Matchups, Disappointing WRs
Release Date: November 16, 2017
Hosts: Andy Holloway, Jason Moore, Mike "The Fantasy Hitman" Wright

Introduction to Week 11 Fantasy Football

The Fantasy Footballers kick off their Week 11 episode with a mix of banter and essential fantasy football insights. After a brief, humorous exchange about pre-show routines, the hosts delve into the critical discussions shaping the fantasy landscape for the week.

Key Highlights and Notable News

Ezekiel Elliott's Legal Update

• Andy Holloway (02:18): Announces that Ezekiel Elliott has dropped his case and its appeals, marking the end of an extensive legal saga.
• Jason Moore (02:45): Expresses relief, likening Elliott's situation to the Brady saga but is happy it concludes swiftly—"I feel so great about never talking about this again after that moment."

Aaron Rodgers' Recovery Status

• Andy Holloway (08:05): Mentions Aaron Rodgers taking snaps during his recovery from collarbone surgery, expressing skepticism about his return.
• Jason Moore (08:22): Advises against such practices post-surgery, stating, "Not recommended after collarbone surgery."
• Mike Wright (08:26): Notes, "It has now, because you just announced it," highlighting the unprecedented nature of the situation.

Disappointing Wide Receivers: DEZ Bryant, Demarius Thomas, Keenan Allen

The hosts analyze three wide receivers who have underperformed thus far in the season but show potential to finish strong.

Keenan Allen vs. DEZ Bryant vs. Demarius Thomas

• Jason Moore (04:21): Favors Keenan Allen due to his team's favorable upcoming matchups despite current disappointments.
• Andy Holloway (05:22): Chooses Demarius Thomas, citing consistent touchdown opportunities with quarterback Brock Osweiler.
• Mike Wright (05:36): Agrees with Demarius, highlighting Osweiler's reliance on Thomas in the red zone—"one touchdown per game with Brock Osweiler as the quarterback."

Conclusion:
The trio leans towards Demarius Thomas as the best option among the three, considering his steady usage and potential for touchdowns.

Week 11 Matchups Analysis

Detroit Lions vs. Chicago Bears

• Mike Wright (11:30): Highlights Golden Tate's exceptional performance—"56 receptions on 71 targets" with a "79% catch rate."
• Jason Moore (13:07): Cautions about Marvin Jones' performance in adverse weather affecting his reliability.
• Andy Holloway (17:18): Strongly supports Demarius Thomas over DEZ Bryant due to matchup concerns.

Weather Impact:
A significant storm near the Great Lakes is expected to affect games in Green Bay, Cleveland, and Chicago with low temperatures and high winds, likely diminishing passing game performances.

Cleveland Browns vs. Jacksonville Jaguars

• Andy Holloway (17:09): Predicts a run-heavy game favoring Leonard Fournette, despite his recent sluggish performances.
• Jason Moore (19:12): Supports starting Duke Johnson over Isaiah Crowell due to Crowell's limited passing game value.
• Mike Wright (19:53): Agrees with the confidence in Duke Johnson, highlighting his consistent performance in PPR formats.

Conclusion:
Leonard Fournette is expected to rebound with increased volume, while Duke Johnson remains a safe and valuable start.

Ravens vs. Packers

• Jason Moore (25:07): Recommends monitoring player conditions and emphasizes the importance of weather forecasts provided on their website.
• Mike Wright (25:21): Recounts a historical matchup affected by severe weather, stressing the importance of accurate weather reporting.

Houston Texans vs. Arizona Cardinals

• Andy Holloway (28:11): Labels this a "pick them game" due to both teams' quarterback issues and the Texans' declining season.
• Jason Moore (29:12): Advises against relying on David Johnson despite his appeal, aligning with the general consensus to avoid high-risk players.

Starts of the Week

Each host shares their top picks for the week, focusing on players they believe will outperform expectations.

Running Backs

• Andy Holloway: Jordan Howard (Week 11)
  • Rationale (47:13): Confidence in Howard's involvement against a methodical Detroit offense.
• Jason Moore: Latavius Murray and Jerick McKinnon (Minnesota Vikings vs. Los Angeles Rams)
  • Rationale: Strong matching against a weak rushing defense and consistent volume.
• Mike Wright: JJ Watt (New York Jets)
  • Rationale: Increased usage and potential for offensive plays despite previous down performances.

Quarterbacks

• Andy Holloway: Blake Bortles (Cincinnati Bengals)
  • Rationale (57:10): Positive outlook on Bortles' performance despite some concerns.
• Jason Moore: Derek Carr (Oakland Raiders)
  • Rationale (48:10): Expectation of a high-scoring game in Mexico City with favorable quarterback conditions.
• Mike Wright: Blake Bortles as a streaming option, suggesting flexibility based on tight end performance.

Wide Receivers

• Andy Holloway: Michael Crabtree (New England Patriots vs. Oakland Raiders)
  • Rationale (50:40): Anticipates Crabtree's significant involvement in a high-point game.
• Jason Moore: Devonte Parker (Tampa Bay Buccaneers)
  • Rationale (51:30): Believes Parker's downfield ability will outperform his ranking.
• Mike Wright: Sterling Shepard (New York Giants vs. Kansas City Chiefs)
  • Rationale (52:10): High target count and matchup against a favorable Chiefs defense.

Tight Ends

• Andy Holloway: Jason Whitten (Washington Redskins vs. New Orleans Saints)
  • Rationale (55:37): Increased role as a safety valve with improved offensive support.
• Jason Moore: Hunter Henry (San Diego Chargers vs. Houston Texans)
  • Rationale (55:59): Recovery from a tough week and potential for better performance.
• Mike Wright: Tyler Croft (Cincinnati Bengals vs. Denver Broncos)
  • Rationale (50:07): Goal-line threat facing a Denver defense susceptible to tight ends.

Forecast and Game Scripts

The hosts provide insights into anticipated game flows, emphasizing how weather and defensive strengths influence fantasy projections.

• Detroit vs. Chicago: Expect a controlled, run-oriented game with limited high-scoring plays.
• Cleveland vs. Jacksonville: Predicted to be a ground and pound affair favoring the Jaguars.
• Minnesota vs. Los Angeles: Favor strong running game contributions from Murray and McKinnon.
• Washington vs. Saints: A balanced game where Washington needs to bounce back, leveraging tight end performances.

Fantasy Picks and Strategies

• Andy Holloway: Advocates for stacking with quarterbacks and wide receivers who have favorable matchups and high upside.
• Jason Moore: Emphasizes starting high-volume running backs and reliable receivers despite current rankings.
• Mike Wright: Suggests targeting players with consistent usage and favorable defensive matchups, ready to pivot based on opponent strengths.

Closing Remarks and Community Engagement

The Fantasy Footballers wrap up the episode by promoting their community platforms and upcoming events:

• Pristine Auction Sponsor: Showcases autographed memorabilia available for listeners.
• Omaha Steaks Deal: Offers a discounted family gift pack for listeners using the promo code "Fantasy."
• Mailbag and Listener Interaction: Encourages audience participation and feedback through their website and social media channels.

Notable Quotes:

• Jason Moore (02:45): "It's over. I feel so great about never talking about this again after that moment."
• Mike Wright (05:36): "He takes on a tough matchup and still finds the end zone—Demarius has my vote."
• Andy Holloway (55:37): "Jason Whitten's been a safety valve, and his seven receptions last week prove his value."
• Jason Moore (59:09): "Jason Moore's ironclad, locked and loaded, 100% guaranteed. Boom, boom. Kicker of the week: Greg Zurline."

Conclusion

This Week 11 episode of the Fantasy Footballers Podcast offers in-depth analysis of underperforming wide receivers, key matchup forecasts influenced by weather conditions, and strategic player starts to optimize fantasy lineups. The hosts provide a blend of expert insights, humorous banter, and interactive segments, ensuring listeners are well-equipped to make informed decisions for their fantasy teams.

For more detailed discussions and daily updates, join the Fantasy Footballers community at jointhefoot.com and follow them on Twitter @theFFballers.