Fantasy Football 2017 - Starts of the Week, Week 14 Matchups, Quadruple Waterbet
Fantasy Footballers Podcast | December 7, 2017

Introduction

In this exhilarating episode of the Fantasy Footballers Podcast, hosts Andy Holloway, Jason Moore, and Mike "The Fantasy Hitman" Wright dive deep into Week 14 of the NFL season, focusing on playoff preparations, crucial matchup analyses, and strategic player recommendations. As fantasy playoffs commence, the trio provides listeners with invaluable insights to navigate the final stretch and secure championship glory.

Playoff Preparations and Upset Tips

With the fantasy playoffs kicking off, the hosts emphasize the importance of strategic planning to pull off upsets. Andy Holloway underscores the value of leveraging late-season pickups, particularly defensive and special teams (DST) units:

Andy Holloway [05:21]: "If you're going into week 14 right now, plan like you are going to be in the championship week."

Jason Moore complements this by advising underdog teams to "swing for the fences," targeting players with high upside who might not have been primary options earlier in the season:

Jason Moore [05:21]: "If you're the underdog, go for those players who are fresh, are new, have a good matchup, and you can string together victories like that."

This dual approach highlights the necessity of both stability and boldness in roster decisions during the playoffs.

Player Spotlight: Larry Fitzgerald

A significant segment of the discussion revolves around Larry Fitzgerald, ranked as the seventh-best fantasy wide receiver of the year. The hosts express surprise and reconsider their earlier skepticism about Fitzgerald's fantasy value:

Jason Moore [07:45]: "It's crazy because people still doubt him, people still don't play him. And I would say one of the Three of us should make him our start of the week this week."

Andy Holloway [08:41]: "I was wrong on Larry. I apologize to you, Larry."

This acknowledgment reinforces Fitzgerald's reliability and prompts listeners to reassess his role in their lineups.

News and Updates

The episode features a comprehensive news roundup, covering key injuries, team changes, and player statuses:

• Mark Ingram is expected to play despite a toe injury, alleviating concerns about his availability for Thursday night games.

  Mike Wright [09:05]: "The big news for you today, injury-wise, is the Mark Ingram news that he's supposed to play tonight."

• Amari Cooper has cleared concussion protocols but remains sidelined with an ankle injury, hinting at a potential return against a top-ranked defense.

• The Cleveland Browns announce the firing of GM Sashi Brown but retain Hugh Jackson for the 2018 season, signaling a shift in team management strategy.

• John Ross, the Bengals' first-round pick, is placed on injured reserve due to a shoulder injury, raising concerns for dynasty league holders.

• Marcus Peters is suspended by the Kansas City Chiefs for unsportsmanlike conduct, impacting both the team's defense and Peters' fantasy value.

Matchup Previews and Fantasy Advice

The hosts dissect several high-stakes Week 14 matchups, offering tailored fantasy recommendations:

Colts vs. Bills

With doubts surrounding the Bills' quarterback situation, Andy advises a cautious approach:

Jason Moore [18:20]: "A lot of questions. I know, Andy, you said, okay, you got to play shady..."

Andy remains non-committal about specific must-starts but highlights Adam Thielen as a reliable option:

Andy Holloway [26:31]: "I still have confidence going out on Thielen."

Vikings vs. Panthers

This defensive showdown poses challenges for fantasy managers. Andy praises Latavius Murray for his consistent workload:

Andy Holloway [25:42]: "I still have some confidence in Latavius Murray in that workload."

Jason adds confidence in Adam Thielen despite the tough matchup:

Jason Moore [26:42]: "Adam Thielen, he's just a must-start."

Raiders vs. Chiefs

Highlighting the impact of potential returning players, the hosts discuss Josh Gordon's explosive possibilities against the Packers:

Mike Wright [35:42]: "I am feeling the clamped over here. I'm so excited for Josh Gordon this week."

Jason expresses cautious optimism, considering the Packers' defensive vulnerabilities:

Jason Moore [37:48]: "If I am that team, I'm worried about that."

Packers vs. Browns

Andy and Jason debate whether the Browns can secure their first win, potentially derailing favorite Aaron Rodgers' playoff hopes:

Jason Moore [35:32]: "If you've got them, if you've picked them up, you are rooting against Andy's almost upset this week."

49ers vs. Texans

Focusing on Marquise Goodwin and Jimmy Garoppolo, the hosts weigh their fantasy viability:

Jason Moore [42:02]: "I think you should start Goodwin this week."

Andy Holloway [43:22]: "I think Garoppolo is actually a good quarterback."

Starts of the Week

The trio shares their recommended starting players for Week 14, providing strategic insights for each position:

Quarterback (QB)

• Jason Moore: Jameis Winston – Balancing solid fantasy production with an advantageous matchup.
• Mike Wright: Samaj P. Ryan – Leveraging the Chargers' weak run defense.
• Andy Holloway: Case Keenum – High completion rates and favorable opponent defense.

Running Back (RB)

• Jason Moore: Lamar Miller – Consistent volume and touchdown potential against the 49ers.
• Mike Wright: Creed Humble – Reliable performance despite Raiders' defensive strengths.
• Andy Holloway: Rex Burkhead – Back-to-back touchdowns boost his ranking.

Wide Receiver (WR)

• Jason Moore: Larry Fitzgerald – Undervalued yet highly reliable with strong home performance.
• Mike Wright: Michael Crabtree – Potential explosive performance with defensive suspensions.
• Andy Holloway: Josh Gordon – High target volume and explosive playability make him a standout.

Tight End (TE)

• Jason Moore: Cameron Braid – Increased targets with returning quarterback.
• Mike Wright: Hunter Henry – Favorable matchup against Washington's tight end defense.
• Andy Holloway: Stephen Anderson – Emerged as a valuable streaming option for tight end needs.

Promotional Segments

The hosts seamlessly integrate sponsorship messages, maintaining an engaging flow while informing listeners of valuable offers:

• NFL Game Pass: Andy promotes accessing every NFL game replay to enhance fantasy strategies.

  Andy Holloway [00:07]: "NFL Game Pass has got it. Best of all, NFL Game Pass is now available for just $49.99, the lowest price of the season."

• Sherry's Berries: Highlighting an ideal holiday gift option with a special discount code.

  Jason Moore [22:51]: "These berries, they've got all sorts of the juiciest berries and other treats too, like chocolate truffles or cheesecake Christmas trees."

• Omaha Steaks: Promoting a family gift pack deal with substantial discounts.

  Mike Wright [24:00]: "49.99. You get the family gift pack when you go to OmahaSteaks.com and enter that code fantasy in the search bar."

Concluding Remarks

As the episode wraps up, the hosts reinforce their key recommendations and encourage listeners to stay proactive during the fantasy playoffs:

Jason Moore [39:20]: "Never give up. Never surrender."

They emphasize the unpredictable nature of the playoffs, reminding fantasy managers to stay flexible and capitalize on emerging opportunities.

Jason Moore [16:28]: "Three weeks from now, we will get a ton of emails saying, oh my gosh, I started 04 or 1 and 5 or whatever the case was, and I just won the championship."

Final Takeaways

• Strategic Roster Management: Prioritize high-upside players and reliable performers tailored to Week 14 matchups.
• Injury Awareness: Stay updated on player statuses to make informed decisions.
• Capitalize on Matchups: Leverage favorable opponent weaknesses to maximize point potential.
• Flexibility in Playoffs: Adapt strategies based on team performance and emerging player opportunities.

By incorporating these insights and staying vigilant in lineup adjustments, fantasy managers can navigate the complexities of Week 14 and enhance their chances of securing the fantasy championship.

Tune in Next Week: The Fantasy Footballers will continue to provide actionable advice, injury updates, and matchup analyses to keep you ahead in your fantasy leagues. Join their community at JoinTheFoot.com and follow them on Twitter @TheFFBallers for more expert guidance.