Fantasy Footballers Podcast Summary
Episode: Fantasy Football 2017 - Starts of the Week, Week 5 Matchups, Bounce Backs
Release Date: October 5, 2017

Introduction

In this high-energy episode of the Fantasy Footballers podcast, hosts Andy Holloway, Jason Moore, and Mike "The Fantasy Hitman" Wright dive deep into Week 5 of the NFL season. The trio provides strategic insights on player starts, analyzes key matchups, and discusses potential bounce-back candidates for the latter half of the fantasy football season. Listeners are treated to a blend of expert analysis, strong opinions, and actionable advice designed to enhance their fantasy football prowess.

Monster Second Half: Who to Give Up On

The conversation kicks off with a discussion on players who might be overlooked but have the potential to significantly improve in the second half of the season. Referencing 2016 examples, the hosts highlight how players like Devonte Adams and Amari Cooper transformed their rankings and became fantasy gold.

• Andy Holloway emphasizes, "Amari Cooper is an uber talented wide receiver who I believe plays for a high-powered offense." [04:11]

• Jason Moore adds, "Isaiah Crowell... really has the talent and opportunity to turn it around for a monster second half." [05:14]

Key Takeaways:

• Amari Cooper: Despite current underperformance, his talent and team situation make him a prime candidate for a second-half surge.
• Isaiah Crowell: With a favorable matchup and potential increased opportunities, Crowell is recommended as a sleeper pick.

Week 5 Matchups Analysis

1. Bills vs Bengals

The Bengals are slight favorites, but the Bills' strong defense raises questions.

• Starts Recommendation:

  • Flex: Joe Mixon is recommended if he continues to receive substantial touches despite a tough matchup. "Mixon is absolutely a flex-worthy RB3 guy that you can play." [10:00]
  • Tight Ends: Avoid starting Tyler Croft due to the Bills' stingy defense against the position. Instead, consider Charles Clay despite the difficult matchup. "It's not a great matchup for Charles Clay, but the Bills offense can't work without him." [12:24]

• Predictions:

  • Andy Holloway and Jason Moore lean towards the Bengals, while Mike Wright backs the Bills. "I’m going to take the Bengals." [12:52] vs "I’m going to take the Bills." [12:55]

2. Jets vs Browns

A low-scoring game should favor certain running backs and receivers.

• Player Highlights:

  • Isaiah Crowell is a bold start due to the Jets’ weak run defense. "I'm going to take Isaiah Crowell... he has potential to have a good second half." [05:14]
  • Mike Gillislee: With a high volume of carries in key yardage areas, Gillislee remains a strong RB pick. "Mike Gillislee is a touchdown guy." [07:28]

• Receiver Picks:

  • Bradley Shepard and Kelvin Benjamin are recommended over others due to favorable matchups and involvement in the offense. "Tyler Croft is not something I look to stream." [12:24]

3. Panthers vs Lions

Focus on running backs and the impact of Cam Newton.

• Dealer's Insight:
  • Christian McCaffrey is discussed with concerns about his role despite high target volume. "Christian McCaffrey might be the most talented player in the world, but they are not giving him..." [17:42]
• Running Backs:
  • Frank Gore is selected for his favorable matchup against the Lions' weak run defense. "Frank Gore... favored at home against a bad run defense." [44:18]

4. Colts vs 49ers

A strategic battle where both defenses could influence fantasy outcomes.

• Quarterbacks:

  • Brian Hoyer vs Eli Manning: "Brian Hoyer could throw a 350-yard game, multi-TD display." [25:34] vs "Eli Manning is a great start with Odell Beckham back." [41:25]

• Wide Receivers:

  • Randall Cobb is favored due to his involvement and matchup advantages. "Randall Cobb... he's utilized near the goal line. I love it as a high-powered offense." [47:15]

5. Chargers vs Giants

A mismatch between two struggling teams could lead to high fantasy points.

• Running Backs:
  • Melvin Gordon is expected to excel against Detroit’s porous run defense. "Melvin Gordon is at 18.5% for 10+ yards, which is great." [35:00]
• Wide Receivers:
  • Evan Ingram is a standout due to his high target volume and matchup against a weak Giants’ secondary. "Evan Ingram... a mismatch for secondaries. That's fantastic." [36:31]

6. Cardinals vs Eagles

Focus on Carson Palmer’s performance against a stingy defense.

• Kicker Picks:
  • Dan Bailey is selected due to a favorable over/under and home advantage. "Dan Bailey... he's a great kicker, favored at home." [48:10]

Starts of the Week

Quarterbacks

• Jason Moore: Philip Rivers is favored due to his recent high-yardage games. "Philip Rivers... coming right off of a 340+ yard game." [43:03]

• Mike Wright: Jameis Winston is his top pick, given the Patriots' weak pass defense. "I'm firing up Jameis Winston with absolute full confidence." [43:41]

• Andy Holloway: Eli Manning is the preferred start against the Chargers, bolstered by recent strong performances. "I love Eli Manning this week." [41:25]

Running Backs

• Mike Wright: Mike Gillislee remains his top pick, citing consistent opportunities and touchdown potential. "Mike Gillislee is a touchdown guy." [07:28]

• Jason Moore: Isaiah Crowell is selected for his favorable matchup, despite being an under-the-radar choice. "I'm going to take Isaiah Crowell when I can start him." [44:14]

• Andy Holloway: Frank Gore is favored against the Lions’ weak run defense. "Frank Gore... favored at home against a bad run defense." [44:55]

Wide Receivers

• Jason Moore: Devonte Parker is chosen for his matchup against a permissive defense. "Devonte Parker... a great week to start him." [46:41]

• Mike Wright: Jaron Brown is recommended due to the Eagles' lenient coverage. "Jaron Brown... solid start this week." [46:45]

• Andy Holloway: Randall Cobb is preferred for his consistent involvement and favorable game conditions. "Randall Cobb... he’s utilized near the goal line." [47:15]

Tight Ends

• Mike Wright: Hunter Henry is the starter against a weak Giants’ defense. "Hunter Henry... this is the time for the goose egg." [48:05]

• Jason Moore: Devonte Parker remains a strong option due to volume and matchup. "Devonte Parker... great week to start him." [46:41]

• Andy Holloway: Austin Sparrion Jenkins is selected for his increasing involvement and matchup advantages. "Austin Sparrion Jenkins... leading them in targets." [49:25]

Kickers

• Andy Holloway: Dan Bailey is his choice, benefiting from a favorable game and high scoring potential. "Dan Bailey... he's a great kicker, favored at home." [50:47]

• Jason Moore: Dan Bailey is also recommended despite some humorous banter about performance. "My boom boom kicker of the week this week, Dan Bailey." [50:26]

Bounce Backs: Players to Watch

The hosts identify players who have slipped in rankings but possess the potential for a significant uptick in performance. Amari Cooper and Isaiah Crowell are highlighted as key candidates to watch as the season progresses.

Mailbag: Listener Questions Answered

Question 1: "Would you trade Devontae Freeman or Doug Martin for Joe Mixon?"

• Response:
  • Andy Holloway: "I still believe in Doug Martin... adding the opportunity and depth at a really important position." [51:37]
  • Mike Wright: "I will take a top five known running back asset instead of these mystical beans." [52:02]
  • Jason Moore: "If your team is not cruising, you need a week. Devontae Freeman is on the buy." [52:24]

Question 2: "Is it okay to start Sammy Watkins and Gurley the same week they play Seattle?"

• Response:
  • Andy Holloway: "Would try to avoid it in that specific matchup situation." [53:10]
  • Mike Wright: "I would try to avoid playing Sammy Watkins as well." [53:21]

Question 3: "Thoughts on Amendola vs John Brown for the rest of the season?"

• Response:
  • Andy Holloway and Mike Wright favor Danny Amendola over John Brown due to health and consistency concerns. "I'd much rather have Danny Amendola." [53:49]

Kicker Segment: Boom Boom Daniel Bailey

In a light-hearted exchange, Andy Holloway and Jason Moore discuss their kicker picks, settling on Dan Bailey as the Kicker of the Week. Despite some ribbing about performance, Bailey stands out due to his favorable matchup and consistency. "Dan Bailey is a great kicker, favored at home." [50:50]

Final Predictions and Recommendations

As the episode wraps up, the hosts recap their top picks across all positions, ensuring that fantasy managers are well-equipped to make informed decisions for Week 5. The emphasis remains on leveraging favorable matchups, player consistency, and potential for high-yardage or touchdown opportunities.

Conclusion

This episode of the Fantasy Footballers podcast is a treasure trove of strategic insights and practical advice for fantasy football enthusiasts. Whether you're looking to optimize your lineup for Week 5, identify sleeper picks, or navigate challenging trades, Andy, Jason, and Mike provide the expertise needed to elevate your fantasy game. Don't miss their thorough analysis and engaging discussions to stay ahead in your league.

Notable Quotes:

• "Amari Cooper is an uber talented wide receiver..." – Andy Holloway [04:11]
• "Isaiah Crowell... really has the talent and opportunity..." – Jason Moore [05:14]
• "I'm firing up Jameis Winston with absolute full confidence." – Mike Wright [43:41]
• "Devonte Parker... a great week to start him." – Jason Moore [46:41]

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This summary provides a comprehensive overview of the episode, encapsulating all key discussions, insights, and recommendations to aid fantasy football managers in making informed decisions.