Podcast Summary: Fantasy Footballers - Fantasy Football 2017 - Title Talk, Studs & Duds, Week 17 Waivers

Release Date: December 26, 2017
Hosts: Andy Holloway, Jason Moore, Mike "The Fantasy Hitman" Wright
Podcast: Fantasy Footballers - The Fantasy Footballers Podcast

1. Season Championship Highlights

Andy Holloway opens the episode by celebrating the culmination of the fantasy football season. The hosts discuss their personal league championships, with a humorous nod to Jason Moore's consecutive listener league victories.

• Jason Moore shares his experience in the Dynasty League championship:
  "[02:16] Jason Moore: ... Des Bryant, Evan Angrum and Michael Crabtree combined gave me 5.6 points."
  He reflects on his challenging matchup against Andy, highlighting unexpected low scores from key players.

Mike Wright commends Jason's back-to-back listener league championships, teasing about open spots for listeners next year and awarding a "loser trophy" to Jason's opponent.

2. Todd Gurley: The Fantasy MVP Debate

A significant portion of the discussion revolves around Todd Gurley and his pivotal role in fantasy playoffs. The hosts debate Gurley's performance, his matchup advantages, and his potential MVP candidacy.

• Jason Moore expresses unwavering support for Gurley:
  "[04:12] Jason Moore: ... I believe you should be the MVP of the NFL because you have carried the Los Angeles Rams into the playoffs."

• Andy Holloway counters by highlighting Gurley's exceptional playoff performance:
  "[02:16] Andy Holloway: ... Todd Gurley put up, I think the all-time highest points in fantasy championship weeks."

The hosts agree on Gurley's impact but acknowledge the upcoming challenging defenses he will face, questioning if he will maintain his performance.

3. Season’s Studs & Duds: Player Performance Breakdown

The trio delves into standout performances and disappointments across various positions.

Running Backs:

• Jason Moore laments unexpected low scores from Des Bryant, Evan Ingram, and Michael Crabtree, leading to his championship loss.
• Mike Wright discusses DeMarco Murray's knee sprain and its implications for fantasy owners.
• Devonta Freeman is highlighted as a significant letdown, especially with critical fumble situations:
  "[43:03] Jason Moore: ... he had the ball on the one-yard line twice."

Wide Receivers:

• Larry Fitzgerald delivers a strong performance with a touchdown and impressive yardage, maintaining his relevance despite team struggles.
  "[26:00] Mike Wright: ... Larry has been Pro Bowl Larry all year long."

• DeAndre Hopkins continues to dominate, showcasing his reliability:
  "[29:10] Jason Moore: He's not better than Antonio Brown, but he's certainly right there."

• Julio Jones and Keelan Cole receive praise for their consistent performances, with Cole being recommended for Week 17 waivers.

Tight Ends:

• Eric Ebron emerges as a reliable tight end, overcoming previous inconsistencies:
  "[32:25] Jason Moore: ... Eric Ebron is 24 years old. First-round tight end."

• Antonio Gates is recommended as a top tight end pickup for Week 17 due to his consistent target volume and touchdown potential.

Quarterbacks:

• Jimmy Garoppolo (Jimmy G) is lauded for his strong performances and is encouraged as a valuable streamer:
  "[36:12] Andy Holloway: ... Jason, you've picked my guy from last week."

• Dak Prescott faces criticism for his performance decline in the latter half of the season, with discussions on his future outlook:
  "[40:08] Mike Wright: ... Dak was one of my guys this year, but he's based on film-wise been a bad quarterback."

4. Rising Stars: Promising Players to Watch

The hosts identify emerging talents who could significantly impact fantasy leagues.

• Matt Burritta of the San Francisco 49ers is highlighted for his impressive performances under uncertain roster conditions:
  "[34:16] Andy Holloway: ... Matt Burrito has done enough this year to impress me."

• Keelan Cole is recommended for his hot streak and favorable matchup against Tennessee:
  "[37:18] Andy Holloway: ... Keelan Cole has been on fire."

• Jimmy Garoppolo continues to rise, with Mike Wright noting his decorated season and potential:
  "[35:48] Jason Moore: ... Jimmy Garoppolo has been unbelievable what he has done in the past four starts."

5. Week 17 Waiver Wire Recommendations

The trio provides strategic advice for last-minute roster moves to secure Week 17 victories and potential titles.

Wide Receivers:

• Keelan Cole and Dede Westbrook are top recommendations due to their recent performances and favorable matchups.
• Brandon Oliver is suggested as a viable backup option if Melvin Gordon remains injured.

Tight Ends:

• Antonio Gates is the primary recommendation, with Eric Ebron as a solid alternative.

Quarterbacks:

• Jimmy Garoppolo and Blake Bortles are advised as valuable streamers, especially against struggling defenses.

6. News and Notes: Injuries & Coaching Changes

The hosts discuss recent NFL news impacting fantasy football:

• Melvin Gordon is in a walking boot, affecting the Los Angeles Chargers' playoff hopes.
• Bruce Arians reportedly not stepping down as Cardinals coach, countering earlier rumors.
• Injuries to key players like Joe Mixon, Samaj P. Ryan, and Sterling Shepherd are analyzed for their fantasy implications.

7. Final Thoughts and Upcoming Episodes

As the episode concludes, the hosts tease upcoming content, including deeper playoff scenario analysis and fan mail segments. They encourage listeners to engage with their community and prepare for the new fantasy season.

Notable Quotes:

• Jason Moore on Gurley's MVP Status [05:24]:
  "I believe you should be the MVP of the NFL because you have carried the Los Angeles Rams into the playoffs."

• Andy Holloway on Jason's Championship [07:12]:
  "Jason managed against all odds on this earth... Congrats to you, Jason."

• Mike Wright on Keelan Cole [37:18]:
  "Keelan Cole has been scorching hot. I'm absolutely staying in the flames."

• Jason Moore on Dak Prescott [40:08]:
  "Dak was one of my guys this year, but I'm basing this off of film. He's a bad quarterback."

Conclusion

This episode of the Fantasy Footballers provides a comprehensive review of the fantasy football season, spotlighting critical player performances, strategic waiver wire advice, and insightful discussions on upcoming fantasy football trends. Whether you're prepping for Week 17 battles or gearing up for the next season, the Fantasy Footballers deliver expert analysis and engaging commentary to enhance your fantasy experience.

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