Fantasy Footballers Podcast Summary
Episode: Fantasy Football 2017 - Week 11 Matchups, In-or-Out, Three-Headed Worm
Release Date: November 17, 2017

1. Week 11 Matchups Overview

Hosts: Andy Holloway, Jason Moore, Mike "The Fantasy Hitman" Wright
Location: Play Draft Studios
Key Segment: Analysis of Thursday Night Football and Week 11 NFL matchups.

The Fantasy Footballers dive into the intricacies of Week 11, focusing initially on the highly anticipated Thursday Night Football game featuring the Pittsburgh Steelers. The hosts dissect the Steelers' offensive strategy, highlighting quarterback Ben Roethlisberger's impressive performance despite the team's heavy reliance on the passing game.

• Andy Holloway [02:08]:
  "I think there were two defining factors that made that game seem that way to you... Mariota had four turnovers, giving Big Ben short fields."

• Mike Wright [02:43]:
  "Big Ben had a fantastic game with nearly 300 yards and four touchdowns, but the offense lacked a substantial ground game with only 12 carries for Le'Veon Bell."

2. Detailed Steelers vs. Titans Analysis

The discussion centers on the Steelers' offensive adjustments and defensive schemes. Jason Moore emphasizes the importance of communication in the Steelers' strategy, especially when playing at home.

• Jason Moore [03:16]:
  "Big Ben at home versus Big Ben on the road makes a difference because of communication... This is a big reason why Big Ben is more effective at home."

Antonio Brown's performance is scrutinized, with the hosts addressing concerns about his target count and reliability.

• Andy Holloway [04:44]:
  "I was actually really happy with utilization. It was an underwhelming performance, but you're going to get that from everybody."

3. Injuries and Player Updates

A significant portion of the episode is dedicated to injury reports and their implications for fantasy football lineups.

• Leonard Fournette:
  Fournette's ongoing ankle injury remains a concern. Despite being a high-profile player for Jacksonville, his limited practice participation raises questions about his availability and performance.

  • Andy Holloway [13:34]:
    "He says he's not looking forward to playing in the cold weather. I wouldn't mind if it wasn't cold."

  • Jason Moore [14:11]:
    "It's exactly why I talked about Blake Bortles as my start of the week."

• Philip Rivers and Drew Stanton:
  Rivers remains active and on track, while Stanton is confirmed out, solidifying Blaine Gabbert's position as the starting quarterback.

  • Anna_Holloway [13:03]:
    "Rivers is in. He practiced in full on Thursday."

• Terrence West and Danny Woodhead:
  Limited information is available, but the consensus leans towards both players being out.

  • Jason Moore [15:12]:
    "I would expect to hear things if he was practicing in a meaningful, full participant way."

4. League News and Player Contracts

The hosts touch upon Larry Fitzgerald's unexpected one-year extension with the Arizona Cardinals, sparking discussions about dynasty league implications.

• Larry Fitzgerald Extension:

  • Andy Holloway [10:29]:
    "Larry Fitzgerald is signing an extension through 2018... Why would Larry sign on to be a part of a Blaine Gabbard experiment or a rookie quarterback?"

  • Mike Wright [11:26]:
    "Assuming health for Larry Fitzgerald, he will end up as the number two all-time in receiving yards."

5. Fantasy Start/Sit Decisions and Player Evaluations

A comprehensive analysis of player performances and recommendations for Week 11 starts and sits.

• DeMarco Murray vs. Derek Henry:
  The hosts express confidence in DeMarco Murray over Derek Henry, citing usage patterns and game scripts.

  • Andy Holloway [07:15]:
    "I'm still a much bigger DeMarco Murray fan than I am Derek Henry."

  • Jason Moore [07:24]:
    "I'm also a much bigger Corey Davis fan than I am Rashad Matthews."

• Corey Davis and Rashad Matthews:
  Davis is favored due to his target volume, while Matthews is deemed unreliable.

  • Mike Wright [07:05]:
    "Corey Davis has been very good all year and you do have that game where Fitzpatrick used him a lot."

• Orleans Darkwa:
  A heated debate ensues over Darkwa's viability against the Chiefs' defense.

  • Jason Moore [27:05]:
    "I think you can't bank on Orleans Dark with a running game for the Giants... he has been good for this system."

  • Mike Wright [27:46]:
    "I have Orleans Darkwa ahead of those guys."

6. Matchup Highlights and Strategy

The hosts examine specific matchups, emphasizing the importance of understanding team strategies and defensive strengths.

• Chiefs vs. Giants:
  Andy and Jason advocate for starting Kareem Hunt, highlighting the Chiefs' offensive prowess and the Giants' struggling defense.

  • Andy Holloway [23:54]:
    "I think this is the week that people can shut up about Kareem Hunt."

  • Jason Moore [23:28]:
    "I think this is going to be a good offensive output for Kansas City."

• Dolphins vs. Buccaneers:
  Concerns about Miami's offense and Tampa's defensive improvements influence player recommendations.

  • Andy Holloway [28:29]:
    "Julio Jones is back to his not practicing in Marquis Lee. I'm going to say in Alshon Jeffery."

7. Playoffs and Championship Strategies

Insights into playoff preparations and championship-winning strategies are discussed, with an emphasis on player consistency and high-volume targets.

• Drafting and Player Selection:
  The hosts engage in a mock draft, illustrating strategic picks and the importance of balancing high-floor and high-ceiling players.

  • Andy Holloway [53:16]:
    "I'm going with Kareem Hunt number one overall."

  • Jason Moore [55:35]:
    "I'm going with Russell Wilson at home against Atlanta."

8. Concluding Thoughts

The episode wraps up with final thoughts on upcoming games, reminding listeners to stay updated with the latest player news and continue refining their fantasy strategies.

• Andy Holloway [58:30]:
  "This is the time to maximize your lineup and ensure you’re set for the week ahead."

• Jason Moore [59:01]:
  "Thank you for listening to another episode of the Fantasy Footballers Podcast. Join our fantasy football community on jointhefoot.com and follow us on Twitter the FFballers."

Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• Andy Holloway [02:08]:
  "I think there were two defining factors that made that game seem that way to you... Mariota had four turnovers, giving Big Ben short fields."

• Mike Wright [11:26]:
  "Assuming health for Larry Fitzgerald, he will end up as the number two all-time in receiving yards."

• Jason Moore [27:05]:
  "I think you can't bank on Orleans Dark with a running game for the Giants... he has been good for this system."

• Andy Holloway [53:16]:
  "I'm going with Kareem Hunt number one overall."

• Jason Moore [55:35]:
  "I'm going with Russell Wilson at home against Atlanta."

Conclusion

This episode of the Fantasy Footballers Podcast offers a deep dive into Week 11 NFL matchups, player performances, injury reports, and strategic fantasy football advice. The hosts provide valuable insights, backed by comprehensive analysis and engaging discussions, ensuring listeners are well-equipped to make informed decisions for their fantasy teams.