Fantasy Footballers Podcast Summary Episode: Fantasy Football 2017 - Starts of the Week, Week 7 Matchups, Bad Luck
Release Date: October 19, 2017
Hosts: Andy Holloway, Jason Moore, Mike "The Fantasy Hitman" Wright

Introduction and Strategy Insights

The Fantasy Footballers kicked off the episode by addressing a listener's question about adjusting waiver, trade, and start/sit strategies based on a team’s record and the type of league (redraft, keeper, dynasty) they are in.

Andy Holloway emphasized the importance of cautious risk-taking for teams with strong records:
"When you are off to the races 5 and 1 and you are looking like you're a lock for the playoffs... it affords you the opportunity to take some risks"
(02:43)

Mike Wright discussed the nuances across different league formats, highlighting that keeper and dynasty leagues require a balance between immediate success and long-term positioning:
"In a keeper league with three or less, things change dramatically... but you still need to position yourself with next year in mind."
(04:35)

Injury Report and Player Management

A significant portion of the discussion centered around Andrew Luck's injury and its implications for fantasy managers.

Andy Holloway advised that without an IR spot, it might be prudent to drop Luck due to his uncertain return timeline:
"If I don't have an IR spot, then I think I would drop Andrew Luck at this point."
(07:54)

Jason Moore and Mike Wright debated the reliability of Luck versus maintaining depth with players like Corey Davis:
"You could take a Corey Davis or an Andrew Luck?"
(09:30)

Ultimately, the consensus leaned towards prioritizing more reliable assets, especially as Luck's return became increasingly uncertain.

Week 7 Matchups and Bye Weeks

The hosts delved into the impact of bye weeks on upcoming matchups, noting that six teams — Cardinals, Packers, Jaguars, Rams, Giants, Titans — have their bye weeks in the following week, presenting both challenges and opportunities for strategic adjustments.

Mike Wright highlighted the importance of preparing ahead for these bye weeks:
"Take a look at your league and your matchup next week and if you can make a waiver move right now... you can buy wins."
(11:40)

Key Player Recommendations and Starts of the Week

Quarterbacks

• Andy Holloway chose Matt Ryan despite his recent performance struggles, citing the New England Patriots' weak defense:
  "The Patriots are giving up an average of more than 10 points on top of every week, the quarterback that plays gets an extra 10 points."
  (48:43)

• Mike Wright favored Tyrod Taylor over other options, considering his dual-threat capability:
  "Tyrod's my start."
  (47:32)

Running Backs

• Andy Holloway recommended C.J. Anderson for his consistent workload and favorable matchup against the Chargers:
  "I think C.J. Anderson, don't be afraid. I'm giving you the confidence to start him, man."
  (50:28)

• Mike Wright supported starting Tevin Coleman, citing his involvement in both the running and passing game and the Patriots' poor run defense:
  "If I had Coleman and Freeman, I'd play them both."
  (50:04)

Wide Receivers

• Andy Holloway identified Alshon Jeffrey as a breakout candidate due to the favorable matchup against Washington and the questionable status of Josh Norman:
  "Alshon Jeffrey is going to have a party Monday night."
  (54:54)

• Mike Wright selected Devin Funches, expecting increased targets and utilization:
  "This guy could be a very wide receiver two level player this week."
  (53:21)

Tight Ends

• Andy Holloway advocated for Hunter Henry, leveraging his increased involvement and the Denver Chargers' leaky defense:
  "Hunter Henry can exploit that. He's my start of the week this week."
  (56:15)

• Mike Wright opted for Baby Hands Doyle (Jack Doyle), anticipating favorable matchups and target volume:
  "I'm going Jack Doyle. I think he can do it."
  (56:15)

Kickers

• Jason Moore crowned Graham Gano as the "Kicker of the Week," though brief mentions suggest agreement among hosts regarding reliability:
  "[...] Kicker of the Week."
  (58:53)

Special Segment: Water Bets and Audience Engagement

The hosts introduced the concept of "water bets," a playful mechanism to add stakes to friend interactions based on fantasy outcomes.

Mike Wright explained the term and its relevance:
"Some people, new listeners, they don't know what a water bet is... it's a free app."
(40:58)

This segment fostered community interaction and added an entertaining layer to their fantasy advice.

Final Thoughts and Closing Remarks

As the episode concluded, the Fantasy Footballers reiterated the importance of strategic starts and being adaptable to weekly changes, especially considering injuries and bye weeks.

Andy Holloway emphasized leveraging favorable matchups and being proactive:
"I think Jordan Matthews, who looked good in his very limited time. If you are in need of a wide receiver, he might start this week."
(14:54)

Mike Wright encouraged listeners to stay engaged through their platforms and promised continued coverage of the remaining matchups in future episodes.

Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• Andy Holloway on Taking Risks with a Strong Record
  "When you are off to the races 5 and 1 and you are looking like you're a lock for the playoffs... it affords you the opportunity to take some risks."
  (02:43)

• Andy Holloway on Dropping Andrew Luck
  "If I don't have an IR spot, then I think I would drop Andrew Luck at this point."
  (07:54)

• Mike Wright on Tyrod Taylor
  "Tyrod's my start."
  (47:32)

• Andy Holloway on Alshon Jeffrey
  "Alshon Jeffrey is going to have a party Monday night."
  (54:54)

• Mike Wright on Devin Funches
  "This guy could be a very wide receiver two level player this week."
  (53:21)

• Andy Holloway on C.J. Anderson
  "I'm giving you the confidence to start him, man."
  (50:28)

• Mike Wright on Tevin Coleman
  "If I had Coleman and Freeman, I'd play them both."
  (50:04)

Conclusion

This episode of the Fantasy Footballers provided comprehensive insights into Week 7 strategies, player starts, and the impact of injuries and bye weeks. The hosts combined expert analysis with engaging discussions, equipping listeners with the knowledge to make informed decisions and navigate the complexities of their fantasy leagues effectively.