Podcast Summary: Fantasy Footballers - Fantasy Football Podcast Episode: Fantasy Football 2017 - Week 11 Studs & Duds, Rising Stars, Kenny Lives
Release Date: November 20, 2017

Introduction and Episode Overview

The Fantasy Footballers kick off Week 11 with a lively discussion about standout performances and underwhelming showings in the NFL, focusing on key players' impacts on fantasy lineups. Hosts Andy Holloway, Jason Moore, and Mike "The Fantasy Hitman" Wright delve into the intricacies of player performances, injuries, and strategic decisions that can make or break fantasy success.

Studs & Duds of Week 11

Duds:

1. Nathan Peterman (Buffalo Bills)

   • Disappointment on the Field: Mike Wright humorously shares his disdain for Peterman’s performance, stating, “You guys all saw me with much delight celebrating his each and every interception” [13:05].
   • Fantasy Impact: Jason Moore questions the viability of starting Peterman, highlighting his high interception rate: “Some of those throws were just asinine” [01:22].

2. Dak Prescott (Dallas Cowboys)

   • Underperformance: Jason Moore expresses profound disappointment in Prescott’s game, likening it to parental disappointment: “I felt like a disappointed father” [46:35].
   • Injury Concerns: The absence of key players like Tyron Smith and Ezekiel Elliott exacerbates Prescott’s struggles, leading to significant fantasy repercussions.

3. Alex Smith (Arizona Cardinals)

   • Letdown Performance: Despite expectations, Smith failed to deliver, completing only a few passes in harsh weather conditions. Andy Holloway critiques his lack of touchdowns: “It's really the lack of two picks. Yeah. No, not the interceptions” [48:06].

4. Joe Mixon (Cincinnati Bengals)

   • Inefficiency: Mixon’s workload didn’t translate into effective performance, resulting in low yardage and disappointing stats: “He had 24 touches and yet 20 for 49” [50:34].

5. Others Mentioned:

   • DeMarco Murray, Jerick McKinnon, Rex Burkhead: These running backs also saw underwhelming performances, with particular emphasis on inconsistent usage and lackluster outputs.

Studs:

1. Tom Brady (New England Patriots)

   • Consistent Excellence: Jason Moore praises Brady’s performance, noting his impressive stats despite age: “At 39 years old, he's on pace for 5,000 yards, 35 touchdowns and three interceptions” [26:12].
   • Fantasy Reliability: Brady remains a top-tier fantasy quarterback due to his consistent production and ability to “hit Brandon Cooks on the long ball” [34:31].

2. Adam Thielen (Minnesota Vikings)

   • Outstanding Performance: Andy Holloway lauds Thielen’s dominance, stating, “If Adam Thielen is in the question, it's Adam Thielen. The guy is. He is dominant” [35:22].
   • Fantasy Value: Thielen continues to be a reliable WR1 option, showcasing strong target numbers and yardage.

Rising Stars

1. Samaj P. Ryan (Washington Redskins)

   • Breakout Performance: Andy Holloway highlights Ryan’s impressive stats: “23 for 117 and he looked really good” [40:27].
   • Future Potential: Jason Moore emphasizes the importance of Washington’s healthy offensive line in Ryan’s potential rise: “Samaj P. Ryan and now we're finally seeing it come to fruition” [41:51].

2. Devonte Adams (Green Bay Packers)

   • Consistent Targeting: Despite sitting him in some leagues, Adams remains a primary target when healthy: “He was 8 for 126. He had a touchdown the week before” [42:53].
   • Reliability: Jason Moore regards Adams as a safe and dependable WR option, especially in high-target scenarios.

3. Kenny Stills (Cincinnati Bengals)

   • Emerging Potential: Kenny Stills shines as Mike Wright discusses his connection with Matt Moore, making him a valuable rising star: “Kenny Stills and Matt Moore, they have a connection and that's good enough for fantasy football glory” [43:38].
   • Fantasy Upside: Stills benefits from favorable matchups and increased quarterback play, enhancing his fantasy appeal.

Player Injuries and Their Impact

Injuries play a significant role in fantasy football dynamics this week:

• Chris Thompson (Houston Texans): Suffered a fractured fibula, ending his season and impacting the Texans’ backfield.
• Calvin Benjamin (Washington Redskins): Exited with a knee injury, though details remain sparse [14:10].
• Deonta Foreman (Baltimore Ravens): Torn Achilles after a breakout game, sidelining him for the season [14:27].
• Robert Woods (Los Angeles Rams): Spotted with a sling post-game, necessitating monitoring for the upcoming week [16:15].
• Marshawn Lattimore (New Orleans Saints): Injured ankle after a brief reentry [16:19].

These injuries necessitate timely bench decisions and potential waiver wire pickups to maintain competitive fantasy rosters.

Matchup Analysis and Strategy

Quarterback Decisions:

• Tyrod Taylor vs. Nathan Peterman (Buffalo Bills):
  • Diverging Opinions: Mike Wright leans towards Peterman as the starter [02:59], while Jason Moore supports Tyrod Taylor, trusting Sean McDermott’s coaching [03:04].
  • Strategic Implications: Fantasy owners must weigh Taylor’s stability against Peterman’s potential upside, considering the Bills’ defensive vulnerabilities.

Running Back Utilization:

• Doug Martin (Miami Dolphins):

  • High Volume vs. Low Efficiency: Despite numerous carries, Martin’s 2.7 yards per carry makes him a risky start [07:22].
  • Decision Making: The hosts debate whether to bench Martin or keep him as a potential trap for opponents picking him up.

• Alvin Kamara & Mark Ingram (New Orleans Saints):

  • Top Performers: Both running backs secured the top spots in running back rankings, a rare occurrence highlighting their consistent performance despite limited carries [27:12].
  • Coaching Strategy: Sean Payton’s game plan maximizes their strengths, making them reliable fantasy options.

Weather Considerations:

• Alex Smith’s Game Conditions:
  • Impact of Wind: Harsh weather conditions led to inaccurate throws for Alex Smith, affecting his fantasy output [48:27].

Notable Quotes

• Mike Wright on Nathan Peterman: “You guys all saw me with much delight celebrating his each and every interception” [13:05].
• Jason Moore on Dak Prescott: “I felt like a disappointed father” [46:35].
• Andy Holloway on Adam Thielen: “If Adam Thielen is in the question, it's Adam Thielen. The guy is. He is dominant” [35:22].
• Jason Moore on Tom Brady: “At 39 years old, he's on pace for 5,000 yards, 35 touchdowns and three interceptions” [26:12].

Rising Stars of the Week

1. Samaj P. Ryan (Washington Redskins): Blossoming into a primary backfield option with significant carry volume and improved performance [40:27].
2. Devonte Adams (Green Bay Packers): Becoming a consistent target and reliable receiver, making him a safe play in various leagues [42:53].
3. Kenny Stills (Cincinnati Bengals): Enhancing his fantasy value through a strong connection with quarterback Matt Moore and favorable matchups [43:38].

Strategic Recommendations

• Benching Underperformers: Players like Doug Martin and Nathan Peterman exhibit concerning efficiencies and may warrant benching or cautious use.
• Capitalizing on Rising Stars: Investing in Samaj P. Ryan, Devonte Adams, and Kenny Stills can provide significant upside, especially during fantasy playoffs.
• Monitoring Injuries: Staying updated on player injuries is crucial for timely adjustments to fantasy rosters, ensuring minimal disruption.

Conclusion and Future Teasers

The Fantasy Footballers wrap up Week 11 by emphasizing the importance of strategic roster management, highlighting both the pitfalls of overvalued duds and the opportunities presented by emerging stars. They tease upcoming content, including the anticipated “Megalodon” episode and ongoing engagement opportunities through their community platforms.

Notable Promotions:

• Fantasy Champs: Encouragement to visit FantasyChamps.com for customizable championship gear using promo code "ballers" [00:00].
• Pristine Auction: Highlights of sports memorabilia auctions available at PristineAuction.com [20:15].
• Raising Cane’s Giveaway: Details on entering for signed jerseys and championship rings at FootclanGiveaway.com [56:21].

For more detailed analyses and community discussions, listeners are encouraged to join the Fantasy Footballers community at JoinTheFoot.com and follow them on Twitter @FFballers.