Fantasy Football 2017 - Week 13 Matchups, In-or-Out, Hairy Friday

Summary

Fantasy Footballers Podcast Summary Episode: Fantasy Football 2017 - Week 13 Matchups, In-or-Out, Hairy Friday Release Date: December 1, 2017

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Introduction

In this episode of Fantasy Footballers, hosts Andy Holloway and Jason Moore dive into Week 13 of the fantasy football season. Although Mike "The Fantasy Hitman" Wright is absent this week, Jason fills in seamlessly, bringing fresh insights and energy to the discussion.

Personal Updates

• Jason Moore shares a heartwarming story about attending his children's school winter concerts, highlighting the amusing antics of his third-grader during the event. (01:13–02:57)

  Jason Moore: "He's up on stage and he's literally shaking his head left and right. And we get in the car and he goes, yeah, when she was saying that, I was just thinking, lies, lies, all lies."

• Andy Holloway talks about recording an episode of the Fantasy Footballers DFS show, praising its early success. (02:57–03:32)

In-Or-Out: Player Injury Updates

Andy and Jason provide a comprehensive overview of player statuses, helping listeners decide who to start or sit in their fantasy lineups.

• Quarterbacks:

  • Tom Brady and Cam Newton are both expected to play without issues. (06:37–06:45)

    Jason Moore: "Tom Brady's going to play. Same with Cam."

• Running Backs:

  • Devonta Freeman has cleared concussion protocol and is marked as "In." (06:46–06:49)
  • LaShawn McCoy missed Friday practice but is expected to play. (06:55–07:14)

    Andy Holloway: "LaShawn McCoy will play."

  • Mike Tolbert is out, suggesting fans protect themselves with Trevartis Cadet. (07:14–07:20)
  • Damian Williams is out for several weeks. (08:10–08:14)

• Wide Receivers:

  • Robert Woods is officially out, while Josh Reynolds is expected to play. (10:00–10:06)
  • DeSean Jackson is limited Thursday but expected to play. (10:12–10:20)

• Tight Ends:

  • Jimmy Graham will not practice but is expected to play and is recommended as a good play. (10:35–10:43)

• Others:

  • Adrian Peterson has returned to practice and is projected to play. (08:14–08:37)
  • Keenan Allen and other key players are discussed with their respective statuses. (Throughout)

Week 13 Matchups Analysis

The hosts break down nine key matchups, providing strategic advice for fantasy managers.

1. Broncos (3-8) vs. Dolphins (4-7)

• Garbage Game: Described as a likely low-scoring affair with both teams on losing streaks.
• Focus Players:
  • Kenyon Drake is recommended due to increased volume opportunities. (11:12–13:30)

    Andy Holloway: "Kenyon Drake could be a pretty good start."

2. Chiefs (5-6) vs. Jets (4-7)

• Dynamic Offense: Robbie Anderson and Josh McCown discussions highlight the Chiefs' defensive vulnerabilities against wide receivers.
• Top Picks:
  • Tyreek Hill is favored as a top start against the Jets' defense. (16:05–16:35)

    Jason Moore: "Robbie Anderson, excited about him."

3. Texans (5-5) vs. Titans (6-4)

• Running Game Emphasis: DeAndre Hopkins is highly recommended given the Titans' weak run defense.

  Andy Holloway: "DeAndre Hopkins is the only somewhat safe option."

4. Browns (5-6) vs. Chargers (9-2)

• Must-Stars: Philip Rivers, Keenan Allen, and Hunter Henry are highlighted as must-starts against the struggling Browns.

  Jason Moore: "Philip Rivers a must start in this game."

5. Panthers (6-5) vs. Saints (7-4)

• Defensive Battle: Predicted to be a low-scoring game with both defenses performing well.
• Recommendation: Take the under on the 48-point over/under and start Jimmy Graham. (30:47–35:02)

6. Eagles (10-1) vs. Seahawks (7-4)

• Star Performers: Jimmy Graham and Doug Baldwin are recommended due to favorable matchups.

  Andy Holloway: "Jimmy Graham is the only somewhat safe option."

7. Steelers (9-2) vs. Bengals (6-5)

• Big Ben’s Performance: While Ben Roethlisberger is a key player, the matchup against the Bengals’ run defense suggests cautious optimism.
• Top Pick: Joe Mixon is a must-start given his high volume. (47:43–49:08)

8. Rams (8-3) vs. Cardinals (5-6)

• Receiver Focus: Larry Fitzgerald and Cooper Kupp are solid starts based on their consistent performances.

  Andy Holloway: "Larry Fitzgerald is at home. He's played far better at home."

9. Giants (3-8) vs. Raiders (4-7)

• Running Back Surge: Marshawn Lynch is praised as a great play due to the Giants' weak run defense.

  Jason Moore: "I love Marshawn Lynch this week."

Fantasy Recommendations & Strategies

• Start High-Volume Players: Emphasis on selecting players who have increased opportunities due to favorable matchups or injuries on opposing teams.
• Defense Matchups: Consider the opposing team’s defensive strengths and weaknesses when making lineup decisions.
• Risk Management: Avoid players with uncertain statuses or those recovering from injuries unless they pose significant upside.

Interactive Segments

• Daily Dose: A head-to-head fantasy draft simulation where Andy and Jason pick players based on the week's matchups.

  Andy Holloway: "Take a look at the rest of your roster and pick bigger play options."

Closing Remarks

Andy and Jason wrap up the episode by emphasizing the importance of monitoring player statuses and making informed decisions based on their analyses. They tease upcoming live events and encourage listeners to engage with the podcast community for the latest updates.

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Notable Quotes:

• Jason Moore (00:53): "It's Friday, and we are so awake right now."
• Andy Holloway (02:11): "Ah, the old age split."
• Jason Moore (16:35): "Robbie Anderson, excited about him."
• Andy Holloway (30:47): "Jimmy Graham is the only somewhat safe option."

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This summary encapsulates the critical discussions and insights from the Fantasy Footballers' Week 13 episode, providing valuable information for both seasoned and novice fantasy managers.

Transcript

[Jason Moore]

Hey, foot clan. Today's show is brought to you by our good [e-mail]. the one place that you need to go for your fantasy football trophies, rings, engraved cases, everything to celebrate your fantasy championship. And right now, if you have a fantasy team of any kind, you can celebrate that team with brand new customized fantasy football jerseys that they have [e-mail] this is the number one place. Make sure you use the promo code ballers to get your custom fantasy football jersey.

[Andy Holloway]

Welcome to the Fantasy Footballers Podcast, coming to you from the Play Draft Studios with your hosts, Andy Holloway, Jason Moore and Mike Wright.

[Jason Moore]

It's Friday, and we are so awake right now.

[Andy Holloway]

Yeah, there's one word bringing my A game. This is Show 712 this week without Mike, and it feels like it's only the 70th.

[Jason Moore]

J. Grizz has not been the help that we expected. I'm sorry to say, but it's. Yeah, well, you know what? You're lazy. That's what it comes down to.

[Andy Holloway]

He hasn't moved all week.

[Jason Moore]

No. And that's what's embarrassing. Mike will be back next week.

[Andy Holloway]

That's what's embarrassing.

[Jason Moore]

Yeah, pretty embarrassing. Gosh, nailed the pause button. Am I right? Welcome to the show, the Fantasy Footballers back again. And in Jason in the house. I am fresh off of one of those exceptional dad life evenings. Now, let me preface this by saying I love my children.

[Andy Holloway]

So that always means a good story is about to follow.

[Jason Moore]

I love my children, but we are at the grade level with a kindergartner and a third grader where they have these winter concerts for the school. And there's a concert A, the first concert is kindergarten, first and second grade. And then there's concert B, and that's third through fifth grade.

[Andy Holloway]

Ah, the old age split.

[Jason Moore]

Yeah. Which means I get to go to two concerts back to back. So I was gone for about four hours of listening to small children sing. And when my kids are on the stage, it's great.

[Andy Holloway]

But that's only two of the five minutes of the five hours.

[Jason Moore]

Oh, and it was great because my. My third grader, he's very funny. Not. Doesn't exactly love going to these things. And he's up on stage and the music teacher's talking to the parents. The field auditorium, and she's going. And these kids, they just love singing and they love everything about. They've learned how to do this and that, and they just enjoy it so much. And he's up there and he's literally shaking his head left And Right.

[Andy Holloway]

Nope.

[Jason Moore]

And we get in the car and he goes, yeah, when she was saying that, I was just thinking, lies, lies, all lies. So it was very funny. So that was my evening. How was your evening, Jason?

[Andy Holloway]

My evening? Well, hey, you know what I did last night, I recorded. Now, this is just, you know, it's not official yet, but I believe the early reports are the best episode of all time of the Fantasy Footballers DFS show, which just released this morning. Mike out of town. So I had to step up, take over that.

[Jason Moore]

Oh, yeah, you hosted that show last night.

[Andy Holloway]

So make sure if you. If you haven't been listening to that, if you're, you know, maybe out of the playoffs. I had so much fun on DFS this week. So if you're playing FanDuel DraftKings Draft, if you just want to hear more of the dulcet tones of my voice.

[Jason Moore]

Yes, that's available for free.

[Andy Holloway]

For free. Just search Fantasy for.

[Jason Moore]

When you said you recorded it, I thought maybe like on dvr, like, that's what it sounded like. But you. You actually, you recorded it with Ben and Chris last night.

[Andy Holloway]

That is correct.

[Jason Moore]

All right, well, today we've got nine matchups to get through. We'll get you Prepped for week 13. Hopefully this is a, you know, it might be a big week for you, might be clinching playoffs this week. This could be deciding a bye week.

[Andy Holloway]

Oh, this is week 13 is always huge. I mean, this is. People are in, people are out. Playoffs are decided.

[Jason Moore]

Brooks and I are head to head in our dynasty league. The final week. He's trying to break up my 120 season. Got off to an okay start. You had Alfred Morris, Samaje P. Ryan and Vernon Davis last night. Now, Davis let you down. Brooks. How you feeling, alf? The Dallas offense lives. Alf. Yeah, that. That offensive line, it's always nice as a running back when you don't get hit till about 7, 8 yards into the opposing secondary. But that game last night, DEZ Bryant came down with a big catch. Finally got off the schneide, so to speak. I think he had gone seven games without a touchdown, and Dak did enough to get it done. But they leaned on the running game, and that's what makes Dak good. If you can play action pass. If you can keep the defense guessing, get him to pull a safety down, get him in man coverage, that's when Dak can do some work. But when the running game and the offensive line was not working, he did not look like a good quarterback.

[Andy Holloway]

The running offensive line has been Working while Zeke's been gone. They just haven't. They've kind of changed their game plan. They just need to act like Zeke is still there because Alf can do enough to, you know, to placate that role and allow Dak to do the play action like you're talking about.

[Jason Moore]

The funny thing is, I think in the major metrics this year, Alf is actually outperforming Zeke.

[Andy Holloway]

Yes.

[Jason Moore]

So it came down to something else than just Dak. Yeah, it was Dak. So it is Friday, so.

[Andy Holloway]

Foot clan Friday.

[Jason Moore]

All right, we've got a $40 gift card giveaway to shopballers.com where you can get all of the fantasy footballers gear. Some fun fantasy football gear in general on the winner today.

[Andy Holloway]

Did I win it? Did I win?

[Jason Moore]

It's not true. It's Daniel Fernandez.

[Andy Holloway]

Dang it.

[Jason Moore]

Daniel Fernandez. Congratulations. Well, yeah, that's that. You're not eligible.

[Andy Holloway]

Really?

[Jason Moore]

$40 to shotballers.com congratulations. We'll send that out to you today. And thank you for supporting the show [e-mail] youm can follow us on Twitter at the ffballers. Get all the rankings and information you need at the website thefantasyfootballers.com we're also on Facebook. We did a live event this week over on facebook.com the fantasy footballers. And obviously we're over on YouTube where you can see Jay Grizz in all of his hairy glory. Hairy glory. I've never used that word in my life.

[Andy Holloway]

That's a great phrase. If I had a dollar for every time.

[Jason Moore]

All right, we're gonna skip the news and notes, get right into in and out and talk about some of these injuries.

[Andy Holloway]

What's it gonna be, McFly?

[Jason Moore]

Are you in or out? All right, Position by position. Jason, it's all about you right here. Your opinions, they matter.

[Andy Holloway]

They're the only ones that usually do. So let's just go ahead.

[Jason Moore]

All right, Quarterback Tom Brady, Cam Newton.

[Andy Holloway]

No practice Wednesday, limited Thursday. And of course, Tom Brady's going to play. Same with Cam. No. No issues there.

[Jason Moore]

Devonta Freeman. Is he back?

[Andy Holloway]

Devonta Freeman passed concussion protocol. He is in.

[Jason Moore]

Ooh. LaShawn McCoy. Not practicing on Friday but expected to play. Do we have to worry about this?

[Andy Holloway]

You know, I think you. You have to worry a little bit because a Friday missed practice is. Is rare. But this is what LaShawn McCoy does. I mean, he's. He's injured, but he plays. And when he plays, he gets injured for a play that looks like you've lost him for the season and then he's back the next play. So I fully expect Lashawn McCoy to play.

[Jason Moore]

Mike Tolbert is out, so Trevartis Cadet, handcuff. Protect yourself.

[Andy Holloway]

Sure.

[Jason Moore]

Maybe, maybe, maybe. Mir Abdullah.

[Andy Holloway]

Amir Abdullah did not practice on Thursday because of his neck. I, you know, it's. That one's a little bit hard to tell. I'm going to say that he's going to be in.

[Jason Moore]

Okay, fair enough.

[Andy Holloway]

That's all I got for you. But that being said, I would not recommend Abdullah this week because of the combination of the injury and the Baltimore Ravens defense has just been outstanding.

[Jason Moore]

Ty Montgomery, Aaron Jones.

[Andy Holloway]

Ty Montgomery, Aaron Jones. Both were participating in or. Out. Out. Out.

[Jason Moore]

Okay. Doug Martin. We just have a lot. Jason, I'm sorry. I'm sorry.

[Andy Holloway]

Sure. Let's get through it.

[Jason Moore]

Doug Martin.

[Andy Holloway]

Doug Martin. Not through the concussion protocol. Out.

[Jason Moore]

Lamar Miller.

[Andy Holloway]

He'll play.

[Jason Moore]

DeMarco Murray. Sick.

[Andy Holloway]

He is sick. He will play.

[Jason Moore]

Damian Williams.

[Andy Holloway]

Damian Williams will not play. He is going to be out several weeks.

[Jason Moore]

Adrian Peterson.

[Andy Holloway]

This one is.

[Jason Moore]

He actually did practice yesterday. He got updated. That's the last report that I had was that Peterson actually got moved to practice. Have you not heard that, Brooks?

[Andy Holloway]

I had not heard that from what I had seen from some of the beat reporters.

[Jason Moore]

Let me give you a most recent.

[Andy Holloway]

Little bit of concern.

[Jason Moore]

Updating an earlier report. Adrian Peterson returned to practice on Thursday. He's on track to play well.

[Andy Holloway]

That's great news for Adrian Peterson. I actually do think it's a great matchup for him. So if he's. If he's a go, I was going to have him in my DFS lineup for yesterday's show, but I pivoted because of the neck injury. Matt Forte, limited practice Thursday. I expect he will play.

[Jason Moore]

Mike Davis.

[Andy Holloway]

Oh, full practice Thursday. This is actually big news. Mike Davis looks like he's on track to play and he will be the starter if he plays for the Seattle Seahawks. Now, it's the worst matchup possible, so I would not recommend playing him against the Philadelphia defense. But it's great news if you picked him up off of waivers or if he's still on waivers, go grab him. Stash them.

[Jason Moore]

Yeah. Lacy McKissick, Davis, some form of those three, will be in the backfield against the Eagles wide receivers. Amari Cooper.

[Andy Holloway]

Not practicing. Not expect. He's a long shot to play.

[Jason Moore]

Julio.

[Andy Holloway]

Julio is always limited in practice. Barely practices. Plays like a monster.

[Jason Moore]

That's an end.

[Andy Holloway]

That's an in.

[Jason Moore]

Robert Woods.

[Andy Holloway]

Robert woods is out officially. Josh Reynolds upgraded to full Practice Thursday. He should be in.

[Jason Moore]

Calvin Benjamin out.

[Andy Holloway]

Jordan Matthews, limited Thursday. He'll be in. Still don't love his.

[Jason Moore]

Any worry about Jarvis Landry, you know.

[Andy Holloway]

A little bit because he was a late addition to the injury report. So you've got to just keep monitoring. But I expect he'll play as of this moment.

[Jason Moore]

Upgrade to Devonte Parker if he's out, obviously.

[Andy Holloway]

Yep.

[Jason Moore]

Rashard Matthews did not practice.

[Andy Holloway]

30 missed last game, so I'm going to lean out.

[Jason Moore]

Hogan.

[Andy Holloway]

Hogan doubtful. I'm going to say out. Will Fuller not practicing out.

[Jason Moore]

Desean Jackson.

[Andy Holloway]

Desean Jackson, limited Thursday. I think that's more of a veteran thing. I expect he'll be in tight ends.

[Jason Moore]

Do you expect Greg Olson to play? And if so, would you play?

[Andy Holloway]

I do expect him to play the Resting that foot. I think they're going to be cautious with him. I would play him if I needed to if there was, you know, I see him as a low end, startable option.

[Jason Moore]

Jimmy Graham.

[Andy Holloway]

Jimmy Graham did not practice Thursday or the rest of the season. He is fine. He will play and I think he's a good play this week.

[Jason Moore]

Tyler Croft, Cameron Brake, Kobe Fleener, all.

[Andy Holloway]

Limited practices on Thursday. Kobe Fleener out. He is. He is officially out. Josh Hill, a sneaky snort Craft Croft and Brait, I think will suit up.

[Jason Moore]

All right. The Tomb Raider back out there.

[Andy Holloway]

Yeah. Fantasy forecast.

[Jason Moore]

All right, let's jump back in the matchups. If you don't hear the matchup you're waiting for, it's because it was on yesterday's show.

[Andy Holloway]

Oh, and what a great show. Brooks.

[Jason Moore]

How do they. How do they get yesterday's show? How would you recommend them Getting yesterday's show? YouTube. ITunes, wherever you want. Completely free.

[Andy Holloway]

Where would. Where would you want. YouTube. Yeah, you're darn right YouTube.

[Jason Moore]

I got a CJ Grizz. Yeah.

[Andy Holloway]

And all his. What about us? Hairy Glory.

[Jason Moore]

Not my proudest moment. I love it sometimes. Yeah. All right. The Broncos 3 and 8 take on the Dolphins 4 and 7 in the garbage game. This is the garbage game of the week. 38 and a half point over, under. I'm not excited about anything in this game. And both teams have huge losing streaks that they're inevitably going to. One of them is going to survive.

[Andy Holloway]

One of them will break it. And I believe it'll be the Broncos because they finally have gone back to their best quarterback trip Trevor Simeon, who.

[Jason Moore]

Is dealing with a flubug.

[Andy Holloway]

Yeah, of course it's. The flubug is called the Denver Broncos. I think this is also a get Right game for the Denver Broncos defense, or I should say I hope I don't actually they've been okay.

[Jason Moore]

They've had two bad, bad games where they were blown out this year. The rest of the games I think they've held opponents under 30 points. So they're not a terrible defense. And look, the Dolphins are a terrible offense. This is why 38 and a half point over under is in play.

[Andy Holloway]

Yeah, I agree. I think that the Broncos defense is a good enough play. One of the things that we have to kind of update ourselves on when we talk about the Broncos defense due to some injuries and also some just, you know, coming back to what we saw last year. In the beginning of the year, the Denver Broncos defense when it came to rushing on them was so good. They were one of, if not the best over the first few weeks of the season. And since that point, like in the last six weeks, they are the 31st as far as giving up points to the running back position in fantasy football, they have been atrociously bad. And so now on the season, they're middle of the pack. This leads me to believe that Kenyon Drake could be a pretty good start. Damian Williams is out. There's no one else that's going to be competing for any kind of voluminous touches over there. And volume is. If the. If the cornerbacks and the pass rush stay as good as they've been for Denver, then they're going to have to use Kenyon Drake. He's just a volume play who might be able to break something off long.

[Jason Moore]

Yeah, if he's featured, he already has the upside of the big play, like you said. So Kenyon Drake, I'm comfortable starting him. Landry, if he's active, you always start him. Otherwise, right now Kenny stills is outperforming Devontae Parker. Stills actually has 322 receiving yards since Week 9 of the season, tied for eighth most in the league. You get Cutler back, who I like more with devonte Parker. I think you should avoid both if you can.

[Andy Holloway]

Yeah, definitely agree. I would lean Parker if I had to choose one because of the quarterback. Stills has been better because of Matt Moore and because of Parker's stretch where he was out when Jay Cutler was in. But it's not the greatest matchup for wide receivers.

[Jason Moore]

Do you expect Trevor Simeon and demarius Thomas to get some things done in this game? Emmanuel Sanders doesn't quite look healthy. I'm less confident in him. But Thomas, a bounce back game. Can we see it in this one?

[Andy Holloway]

Yeah. I think we can Miami, for all of their, their faults, their best against the wide receiver.

[Jason Moore]

But demarius Thomas, compared to other positions.

[Andy Holloway]

Yes, compared to other positions. Demarius Thomas should have a good game. And I'm excited to see what Devonte Booker does. This appears to me to be a team wanting to see what they have for the future. I mean, they obviously put Paxton lynch in last week and said we're not playing for right now. I mean, when you make that move, you're talking future. And C.J. anderson, I don't necessarily expect him to be back with the team next year because of his contract situation. So that says Devontae Booker. The Dolphins, you know, they were bad. They're bad on the season. They're bad in the last six weeks against the run. I think the two running backs that have kind of come out of nowhere this year, Devontae Booker and Kenyon Drake are my two favorite plays in this game.

[Jason Moore]

All right, let's move on to the Chiefs and Jets. The Chiefs are in a tailspin. The jets, they're 4 and 7, basically out of playoff contention. 44 and a half point over under. The jets are at home. Head coach came out and said, Look, Josh McCown is going to be my quarterback rest of season. They're not looking to get Petty or anybody else in there. Right now you have Matt Forte battling injury. You've got a mixed up backfield with Elijah McGuire and Bilal Pal in New York. If you had to play somebody in that backfield. Are you going with Forte despite the knee soreness?

[Andy Holloway]

Yeah, I am going with Forte. I mean, I'm, I'm almost always in a three way timeshare going to go with the guy I expect to be the starter, the first option. And that appears to be Forte right now.

[Jason Moore]

Robbie Anderson. Oh, been absolutely great. And the Kansas City Chiefs have been absolutely not great against the wide receiver position. They give up 29.6 fantasy points per game. They've been 24th in the league over the last six weeks, 31st on the year. And they're one of the best teams to pass against.

[Andy Holloway]

Yeah, and what, what their problem is is the amount of big plays they give up. They give up number one in the.

[Jason Moore]

League in terms of plays. Rushes over 11 yards, passes over 15 yards. Explosive plays is how you find that.

[Andy Holloway]

Explosive plays, passes over 15 yards. They're numb. They're number one as in worst. So they're number 32 in.

[Jason Moore]

The Vikings give up the least, the Chiefs give up the most.

[Andy Holloway]

And then you have Robbie Anderson who's averaged 17.4 yards per reception this season. That's the fourth best in the league. This is a perfect prime matchup for him.

[Jason Moore]

Yeah, he's contractually obligated to have only explosive plays. That's the rule. So Robbie Anderson, excited about him. Josh McCown, I really like him as a top 12 top 10 play this week with upside.

[Andy Holloway]

I also think that Jermaine Curse is. If you're in one of those pinches, where you going, man? I really don't like my wide receivers. Jermaine Curse, he's on your waivers right now and if you start him, I would be shocked if you get a gooser or, you know, One of those two for 12 games, I think he's going to be serviceable. And if you're, if you're strong elsewhere, I think Curse is a sneaky snort.

[Jason Moore]

A lot of fantasy questions about the other side of the ball with Kansas City. Look, Alex Smith, he's returned to his vanilla ways. He's averaging just 9.2 yards per completion since week nine. That is the second worst in the league. And that is the old generic Alex Smith underneath passes, not threatening downfield. Everybody's feeling that in Kansas City. Right.

[Andy Holloway]

I heard a couple weeks ago he took his, you know, he had just gotten a pair of cut off jean shorts like, whoa. And that, you know, to. And then he threw him away.

[Jason Moore]

He did.

[Andy Holloway]

I think he's going back to just.

[Jason Moore]

He was in the Dockers.

[Andy Holloway]

Yeah. He's straight khakis now, so he's looking check down short passes. I still think this is the type of defense with the jets that you could see Tyree Kill take one of those short passes and turn it into a 70 yard bomb touchdown. So for those reasons, I like Tyreek Hill. He's actually my start of the week. And Alex Smith, I think his floor is okay due to that. But I don't think we can bank. I mean, obviously we cannot bank on Alex Smith as a top option anymore. He's not doing what made his game work in the beginning of the year. Someone needs to actually threaten that Pat Mahomes could take over this season because I feel like that's what started the year off where it was like, oh, Pat Mahomes, maybe he'll be the future. And so Alex Smith is like, oh, I got to throw the ball deep.

[Jason Moore]

This falls on everybody. This falls on Andy Reid for sure. Not using Kareem Hunt. Kareem Hunt is not in, you know, an automatic one anymore. I mean, this. He hasn't had a 100 yard game in a while. He's not getting into the end zone. And Kareem Hunt right now you have to lower your expectations. You cannot build your team around Kareem Hunt as though he's going to carry it.

[Andy Holloway]

I don't think he's an automatic start this week either. Not just an automatic one. There are several teams that I've fielded questions for where they have enough good options, where I would rather start one of those over Kareem Hunt. Cream Hunt has had some really, really bad games lately and now you look at this matchup, you think of the jets as a bad D or a bad overall team. But in the last six weeks they are in the number two in the league at points given up to the running back position, pushing them to top 10 on the season.

[Jason Moore]

So you're not starting a guy like Latavius Murray or Adrian Peterson over Hunt, are you?

[Andy Holloway]

I'm not starting them over.

[Jason Moore]

But here's Christian McCaffrey though, against New Orle.

[Andy Holloway]

Christian McCaffrey, I would. Deon Lewis, I would. I mean, there are some guys out there that that's. You're going to have on teams with Kareem Hunt. Where I might go, I'm just going to wait because if Cream Hunt comes out again and gets 11 carries against a great pass rush while he's not looking good and the Kansas City defense is reeling, I'm not saying you need to bench.

[Jason Moore]

This is full panic alert, though. If this is a, if he, if he has a complete dud of a game, teams are going to have to adjust to win in the playoffs. Yep, that's the plain and simple truth. Before we get onto the Titans and Texans matchup, I do want to take a second thank today's sponsor, Casper Mattresses. Now look, Jason and I, we're heading out of town. We'll be in New York for the weekend for the draft event. And I'm going to miss my Casper. I might need to write a little note, leave it on the pillow. Tell my Casper mattress I'll be back soon because I'm going to miss it. That hotel mattress is not going to stand up to what the Casper brings me. And the Casper, that's a sleep brand that continues to revolutionize its line of products. Now they have the original Casper the Wave mattress and the essential mattress perfectly designed to soothe and cradle your natural geometry. That's important, right, Jay?

[Andy Holloway]

Yeah, my geometry needs cradling.

[Jason Moore]

My wife and I, we bought a Casper a couple years ago. We still absolutely love it. Great night's sleep. The unboxing experience was easy. Look, it comes in the mail if you don't like it. They've Got a guarantee 100 night risk free trial and you can start sleeping ahead of the curve right now with Casper. Get $50 towards any mattress purchase by visiting Casper.com Footballers and using Footballers at checkout. That's Casper.com Footballers offer code is Footballers for $50 off your mattress purchase terms and conditions do apply and like I said, this is an absolutely great mattress. They have a breathable design, it helps you sleep cool and most importantly, it cradles your natural geometry.

[Andy Holloway]

Yes, most importantly. Hey, we also want to give a big shout out to Harry's this holiday season. Harry's. They're the razors that I and Andy have used for years now. A generation, almost a generation. Not factually accurate, but a while. And I love the razors because one the actual blades and the razor head is as good as any razor I've ever seen in my life. But I actually prefer the handle. I like the weight, the meat of it. It makes a great holiday gift set. Right now this holiday Harry's is offering a custom and limited edition shaving sets that really do make the perfect gifts. Their gift sets come, you know they're built with your guy or yourself in mind so you know that you're going to love them. Here's some of the things that come in those sets. Five blade cartridges that provides a provide a close, comfortable shave. A really nice special limited edition winter chrome and emerald green handles and you could personalize it with engraving. The gift sets, they start at just 10 bucks so it is very easy. You will be very happy with Harry's. So this holiday give Harry's and give handsome. Get your holiday shopping done early. Take advantage of free shipping to get the limited edition holiday shave set while supplies last. Go to Harrys.com that's Harry's.com Footballers all.

[Jason Moore]

Right, let's talk Texans Titans. What are the headlines in this game? I mean you have a matchup where I think a lot of people want to start the Titans. D based on Tom Savage and his inability to hold on to the ball, I think if Savage has another terrible game in terms of ball security, you may see a benching in line for Tom Savage. He's looked fine at times. He knows how to lock into DeAndre Hopkins. That makes him look good. Are you confident with any of the pieces on the Houston side of the ball?

[Andy Holloway]

Yeah, I'm definitely confident with DeAndre Hopkins. He has been otherworldly in very Difficult matchups. It's one of these things I kind of mentioned on the DFS show. The only thing that would get in the way of Hopkins having a great game because the matchup is fantastic, is the fact that nothing says he can have a bad game. I mean, it's just one of those he just put up against the Los Angeles Ramsay, the Arizona Cardinals with Patrick Peterson, the Baltimore Ravens, three back to back to back games with over 110 yards or a touchdown in all of those with Savage. And now you come up against a terrible Tennessee defense. I mean, there's no projectable reason that DeAndre Hopkins wouldn't be a top five wide receiver, which is why he'll end up the wide receiver 200 on the week.

[Jason Moore]

Just from the Fantasy Football predictability Index.

[Andy Holloway]

Absolutely. Lamar Miller, I also think as a startable asset, has vaunted the backups behind him aren't, you know, encroaching on his touches. And this is, this is a game where they're going to need those two guys to stay in it.

[Jason Moore]

Lamar Miller owners need to handcuff with Alfred Blue remainder of the season. You saw Miller miss some time last game. Mariota been very disappointing. He's already got more interceptions this year than he's had in either his of his first two years. Not protecting the ball, not finding a groove. His predictability has been some of the maybe the most difficult quarterback in the league in my opinion. Now you also have the split backfield of Henry and Murray. What are you looking at from the Tennessee side? Is there anything that you can bank on? Is it just Delaney Walker as the only bankable asset here in this matchup?

[Andy Holloway]

You know, because it's against the Houston Texans. I would usually say that you can still start DeMarco Murray in, you know, in just about every matchup. But the Houston Texans, they're third best on the season, six best over the last six weeks against the running back. So I would say Delaney Walker is the only one that is a sure fire. If you have him, you're going to start him. Now that being said, DeMarco Murray is so involved in the passing game that if you are in a half point or full point league, I would still say despite the tough matchup against Houston, I'm willing to throw him out there because he always has, just like last week, the chance of touchdowns and he'll have a safe floor with the receptions. But I don't think you can expect any, you know, a couple of weeks ago, his big 30 point game, that's not happening Against Houston.

[Jason Moore]

All right, let's move on. Let's talk Browns and Chargers. The Browns still fighting for that first win. They're owing 11. They take on the Chargers, who are almost two touchdown favorites at home. Chargers are on fire right now. That offense is on fire, 41 and a half point over under.

[Andy Holloway]

Their defense is on fire.

[Jason Moore]

Absolutely. You know, they're playing great. I mean, they started the year at what, on four? And now you're looking at Philip Rivers coming off a 400 plus yard game. He's averaged 300 and I'm sorry, Rivers or Allen? Keenan Allen has 379 receiving yards since week nine. If you listen to Philip Rivers talk about their situation, Philip Rivers likens it to when Allen got off to that super hot start before the injury. He said, they're back on that level. And he even said, hey, maybe it's not sustainable, but right now he's playing at that level. Keenan Allen is. Whenever you have a quarterback that has an elite wide receiver playing at that level, all the fantasy points, they rise together. Keenan Allen is a must start. Philip Rivers a must start in this game. Melvin Gordon, a must start in this game. Hunter Henry.

[Andy Holloway]

Yeah, Hunter Henry, to me is also a must start because the Cleveland Browns are notoriously bad against the tight end. I believe they've given up a touchdown in their last four games and in the majority of their games on the season. So Philip Rivers, who has not only a knack, but has records for throwing touchdowns to the tight end position, with Hunter Henry, this is just a prime matchup. He was my start of the week. You can't always bank on the Goose. That's why he's nicknamed the Goose. But this is one of those matchups where I think you pretty much are going to start all of those aforementioned Chargers against Cleveland. They're in Los Angeles. Should be a great game for the Chargers.

[Jason Moore]

Yeah, one of the keys there, Philip Rivers only sacked one time since week nine.

[Andy Holloway]

It's helpful.

[Jason Moore]

Yeah, it makes it makes it easier. And he's throwing the ball a lot, so that's impressive for that offensive line. Now the Browns on the brown side of the ball. I like Isaiah Crowell. Look, there is a giant gaping hole in the Chargers defense. You said how well they're playing. The hole has been in the running game. They're giving up 25.4 fantasy points per game over the last six weeks. The running back position, I think Isaiah Crowell can capitalize on that opportunity. And so he's the one player now I'm more excited to Watch Josh Gordon return. Everything that Hugh Jackson seems to indicate is that they're going to put him out there. He's starting. We know that now.

[Andy Holloway]

Right.

[Jason Moore]

He's starting the game. They're going to give him as much work as possible. I think they're going to force feed him a little bit. I like him more than Corey Coleman. I know I'm in the minority there.

[Andy Holloway]

You are certainly in the opposite opinion of now.

[Jason Moore]

How opposite are we?

[Andy Holloway]

Man, what a. What a brutal matchup to bet anything on these wide receivers, but you got it. Water bet. Yeah.

[Jason Moore]

No, I want, I want some skin in the game for Josh Gordon this week.

[Andy Holloway]

Sure. You know, and this is where make, make your side bets on Josh Gordon. Don't put him in your fantasy lineup this week.

[Jason Moore]

I agree with that.

[Andy Holloway]

Even if he. You might win because he has one catch for eight yards and Corey Coleman gets shut out. I mean the Chargers, that's the way.

[Jason Moore]

It looks right now.

[Andy Holloway]

This is why you're saying if you're going to bank on someone from the Browns, bank on the running game. And the reason why is because the Chargers are the second best team on the season against tight end, their third best on wide receivers over the last six weeks and fifth best against quarterbacks. They are a funneling defense that is shutting down the passing game, but they're 30th against the running back. So that is where you want to focus. The only other one that we can't, we can't move on before saying start the Chargers, defense, special teams, they are getting after the quarterback like crazy. DeSean Kaiser, his best move in the NFL is holding onto the ball too long.

[Jason Moore]

Yes.

[Andy Holloway]

Like that is his forte. That's. You know, he has won awards for just standing there and taking sacks and he going to take a lot.

[Jason Moore]

He's one awards.

[Andy Holloway]

He is going to take a lot of sacks in this game. So yeah, I love Corey Coleman and what I've been seeing from him. Definitely would rather bank on him than Josh Gordon, but I don't want either option in this game. I think Duke Johnson is fine. I agree. Isaiah Cruella's fine.

[Jason Moore]

All right. The Panthers and Saints, 8 and 3. 8 and 3 divisional game. Look, it's a 48 and a half point. I'm sorry, it's a 48 point over under in New Orleans. Yet both of these defenses have been incredible over the last six weeks and on the season there aren't really gaping holes in either defense. Lattimore should be back out there. At least that's what I'm hoping to see for the Saint secondary. So something's got to give.

[Andy Holloway]

The last report that I saw it was that I believe I thought Lattimore was more on the doubtful side. So it is worth monitoring. I agree with you, Andy. I've seen a lot of analysts and a lot of articles written up that are really hoping for big things, offensive things in this game. And everything in my gut says, why? What's going to make you look. I realize that the Saints rushing game has been unbelievably good, but they're going up against the fourth hardest to run on team in the league in the Panthers. And you've got two offenses that aside from that one segment, I don't think either offense has been, you know, blowing down the walls and both defenses have been stifling like the big bad wolf. Like the big bad wolf. Huffing and puffing and blowing it down. So this. This is a. I worry that this could be a trap game. I would love to see.

[Jason Moore]

Do you take the under of the 48?

[Andy Holloway]

I would take the under of the 48. Now that. Don't get me wrong, I'm still starting. Devon S. Funches. There it is.

[Jason Moore]

You got to give me some lead time on that, man. Yeah, I was looking at the.

[Andy Holloway]

It's a Friday. I can do whatever I want.

[Jason Moore]

Do whatever you want.

[Andy Holloway]

You know, I think I really like Cam Newton in this game.

[Jason Moore]

From think you do. You actually are the authority on whether you think that or not.

[Andy Holloway]

Hold on, let me check.

[Jason Moore]

That's like when the head coach says, I think that we'd like to get, you know, right him.

[Andy Holloway]

The ball.

[Jason Moore]

Get this guy that snaps some more, snaps.

[Andy Holloway]

You. You call the players.

[Jason Moore]

So do you believe Cam Newton's a good player?

[Andy Holloway]

I do believe Cam Newton is a good play because of the stupid rule in fantasy where quarterbacks get so many more points for rushing yards than passing yards. Cam Newton has been rushing the ball a ton. I do believe that his finger has caused an issue right now with his passing. But good news, he's never been a great passer, so he's going to be fine for fantasy. Of course, you're still going to start both Mark Ingram and Alvin Camara. You can't get off of those.

[Jason Moore]

So I guess the shade you're throwing on the game from a total point standpoint, is there anybody that. That impacts in terms of starting like Drew Brees? He's not been that great this year. I think people want to know, do you play Drew Brees in this game?

[Andy Holloway]

Yeah. You do? I mean, I guess what, the shade that I'm throwing is not, hey, sit these guys. The shade that I'm throwing is take a look at the rest of your roster and pick if you, if you're playing, you know, Cam and Ingram or if you're, if you're going to be starting Drew brees and Christian McCaffrey. I'm saying take a look at the rest of your fantasy roster and maybe make a decision to have bigger play options. Throw DeSean Jackson in your lineup. Throw those guys because you might need those points to catch up if this is a trap game. Breaking news.

[Jason Moore]

I want to report a report.

[Andy Holloway]

That's what we do there.

[Jason Moore]

There's some rumors that Aaron Rodgers may begin practicing on Saturday.

[Andy Holloway]

Yes. Yes. I need to make the playoffs in the Dynasty League. Cause I win the championship. Cause my team is so good. If I have Aaron Rodgers back for the playoffs.

[Jason Moore]

Wow.

[Andy Holloway]

That's how I feel about that.

[Jason Moore]

That's how you feel about that report.

[Andy Holloway]

Sorry, everybody.

[Jason Moore]

No, no apology needed. Aaron Rodgers is well worth a tune.

[Andy Holloway]

No, I'm apologizing to the curmudgeons in the car that just went. I hate that guy.

[Jason Moore]

Well, look, he's not eligible to return until week 15. Let's make that clear. True, he won't be able to play until week 15. But like I said yesterday on the show, you've got Tampa, Tampa Bay at home for the Packers. Then you have Cleveland. Cleveland has they got no wins.

[Andy Holloway]

I will say this from that report, from that report, the Minnesota Vikings defense, because of some of their schedule, they've been dropped in, you know, a good chunk of leagues and people are looking at the playoff schedule and they go, oh, my goodness. The Minnesota Vikings defense plays Green Bay. That, that championship week, you might be picking them up. If that report is to be believed, then less of a good pickup, maybe. Look elsewhere.

[Jason Moore]

Well, let me say this. First of all, Brooks, you let me down a little bit. You did not switch over to that camera quick enough to see that solo song by Jason. I'm sorry I don't get you to work harder.

[Andy Holloway]

I don't think he or you or nobody myself knew it was going to last that long.

[Jason Moore]

No, no, nobody.

[Andy Holloway]

I let the joy flow out my body. Which also means, hey, guys, go look at Jordy Nelson on the waivers if. As a stash option if he is going to come back for those playoffs. Week 15, week 16.

[Jason Moore]

Yeah. Okay, let's talk about the Rams and the Cardinals. The Rams are 8 and 3. Big win last week. Head to Arizona, taking on the blonde Bombshell himself, Blaine Gabbard. The Cardinals are seven point home underdogs.

[Andy Holloway]

I think a lot of that is on the basis of the last time these two teams met. They had a 40 to nothing shut out in London.

[Jason Moore]

33 to nothing. But I'm almost positive.

[Andy Holloway]

All right, you check that because 40 to nothing sounds so much cooler that I'm going to stick with that.

[Jason Moore]

Okay, but if it's inaccurate.

[Andy Holloway]

If it's inaccurate, I will. I will.

[Jason Moore]

33 to nothing. Jason.

[Andy Holloway]

Just like I thought. Felt like it's like the wind chill. 33 to nothing. Felt like 40 to nothing.

[Jason Moore]

Like 40 to nothing. Fair, Fair. Just like the wind till factor.

[Andy Holloway]

Yes. No, but I mean they got shellacked. The Arizona offense couldn't do anything in that game. And the.

[Jason Moore]

That was a Palmer game.

[Andy Holloway]

That was. Was that the game that Palmer got injured and left?

[Jason Moore]

Yeah, it was a game in which the.

[Andy Holloway]

Everything went wrong.

[Jason Moore]

Souls of Cardinals fans were injured. It wasn't good. Now this is, this is interesting because the Rams are coming off the big time win against the New Orleans Saints. But Arizona, they won last week. They beat the Jaguars. And you know Larry Fitzgerald, he's not going to face Jalen Ramsey for a second time. And what do we expect out of, you know, Fitzgerald, Cooper Cup, Both of them are in the top 10 in reception since week nine. Do you start both of those players in this game?

[Andy Holloway]

Yeah, you definitely can start either one of those options. Larry Fitzgerald is at home. He's played far better at home.

[Jason Moore]

Far better. Now we've seen 12 points a game better.

[Andy Holloway]

Yeah, we've seen a game with Blaine Gabbard to know, okay, he is going to get targeted. He's going to be the number one guy. So you can start Larry Fitzgerald. It's not the best matchup for either team and you do need to realize that because there was the narrative of Patrick Peterson is shutting down the wide receiver one and Justin Bethel is letting all the other wide receivers go to town. But Justin Bethel got the bench about seven weeks ago and over the last little while, the last six weeks, the Arizona Cardinals, they're the sixth best team now against wide receivers. So the Cooper cup love he's been getting, I think it's, you know, it's warranted without Woods. He has been involved enough. The targets are there. I'm definitely not saying you have to bench Cooper Cup.

[Jason Moore]

I love Cooper Cup. We are definitely in opposition on this one. I seem to not. You don't like the narrative that cup is going to go ham with Peterson shutting down Washington I see Cooper cup.

[Andy Holloway]

This week as one of those wide receiver low into OR3 flex area type of guys. And I think a lot of people see cup as that monster game coming where he's going to finish the week up in the top 15. I just don't.

[Jason Moore]

I see him right around 15. So I don't think we're very different on our prediction. I think maybe you think I like him more than I do. But look, he was great last week. That's what it comes down to.

[Andy Holloway]

I would.

[Jason Moore]

No Robert Woods. They expect Robert woods back in week 15.

[Andy Holloway]

Yeah. And no shocker here, but this is a great game for Todd Gurley. The funneling defense to the running back, especially Todd Gurley through the air. I think he's going to get it done. You're going to play pretty much all of those options. I wouldn't play Sammy Watkins.

[Jason Moore]

No.

[Andy Holloway]

You know, Patrick Peterson has done a great job on the wide receiver ones. Adrian Peterson on the other side of.

[Jason Moore]

The ball at home. They'll feed him.

[Andy Holloway]

Yeah, they will feed him at home. He's looked much better at home and on the season. The rams are the 31st worst team.

[Jason Moore]

31St worst.

[Andy Holloway]

31St best, right? Yeah, they're the 31st best.

[Jason Moore]

Just 31st at.

[Andy Holloway]

Yeah.

[Jason Moore]

Is that what you're going for because they're bad. Yes.

[Andy Holloway]

There you go. They just haven't been a.

[Jason Moore]

They're the worst.

[Andy Holloway]

They haven't been able to shut down the running back. So I do think you could play Adrian Peterson in this game. And that's coming from a guy who has not always believed in ap. I think he is a matchup. Home, road and rest. You got to take a lot of things into consideration. But those things point to a good week from AP this week.

[Jason Moore]

Ricky Seals Jones take a shot with Seals Jones. Would you play him over a guy like Tyler Croft?

[Andy Holloway]

Man, that's. That's a. That's a good one. I don't think I would. I don't think I would play him over Tyler Croft this week. I want one more week. I have picked Seals Jones up where I can and he's one more week hold before I line him up.

[Jason Moore]

The Giants take on the Raiders in Oakland. If you want the inverse of the Carolina New Orleans defensive battle that we're kind of looking at despite the 48 point over under. The Giants and Raiders, well, they suck. They just can't play defense in the last. And it doesn't matter if you look on the year or in the last six weeks, they both. It's all Green, it's all bad in against every position. Both teams are outside the top 15 in terms of giving up more fantasy points. It's amazing the amount of points that the Giants are giving up to the wide receiver position right now. And then the Raiders are like, hey, hold my beer. Watch this.

[Andy Holloway]

And Janoris Jenkins is out at the, you know, so that's even better news for, I know, Seth Roberts. Another great sneaky play this week. Because if Amari Cooper doesn't play, which.

[Jason Moore]

We don't expect him to, and Michael.

[Andy Holloway]

Crabtree is suspended, someone's going to get those targets. Now, if it's Quarterell Patterson, which, you know, our man Ben Cummins believes there, or Johnny Holton, I mean, that's the one downside of Seth Roberts.

[Jason Moore]

He's not locked and loaded to be the guy. He's just a bet.

[Andy Holloway]

Right?

[Jason Moore]

There will be a guy.

[Andy Holloway]

Yes. That's for sure. One of those three guys will have a great fantasy game. This is why on dfs, I was saying you might want to construct some lineups, like three different lineups, plug each one of those guys in because someone there is going to have a really nice game.

[Jason Moore]

It's a good point. And Marshawn lynch is going to be the biggest benefactor of limited pass catching options. They used him a ton last week, more than we've seen him used all year. And he's going to have an opportunity against this Giants defense. It's just not that good. He's at home in Oakland. I really like Marshawn.

[Andy Holloway]

Love Marshawn lynch this week. He is a great play if you've got him on your roster. He's usually one of those guys you're considering every week. Do I bench? Do I play? This is an absolute play week. Now, on the other side of the ball, if I was Geno Smith, this is the defense I would want to come in against.

[Jason Moore]

Yeah. Soft landing spot.

[Andy Holloway]

Yeah. So can you stream better feathers? A bed of feathers. Geno has a nice baseline because he's a rushing quarterback. I mean, we've seen, you know, when Jacoby Brissette first got his start, he was terrible. I mean, awful when it comes to throwing the ball and knowing the scheme and, you know, having the rapport with the wide receivers. But he was still okay for fantasy because he was rushing the ball.

[Jason Moore]

Yeah. And look, I think people may, they may want to be fully hands off on the Giants, but that may cost you if you don't take a shot here.

[Andy Holloway]

It's great matchup for Sterling.

[Jason Moore]

It's going to cost You? Yeah, I think Shepard and Ingram, while I don't have the knowledge like you're taking a guess here as opposed to a track record that you had with Eli. But look, Eli wasn't moving the ball very well. I mean, it's not like we don't know who Gino's going to love to throw to. But guess what? You throw it to your best players and Evan Ingram, second most targets at the tight end position. Fifth on the year at the tight end position. You can't sit him.

[Andy Holloway]

No.

[Jason Moore]

You got to play him against Oakland and then the same thing. Sterling Shepard, by far the best wide receiver they have.

[Andy Holloway]

Yeah, I mean the thing is sometimes the backup doesn't come in. It comes in, it doesn't throw to that wide receiver one. But this is the case where you have one guy who can separate and get open on almost every play and then you have, I don't know, three other guys that you are going if you throw towards them. Well, I guess maybe, maybe Oakland will say, you know, they can get separation this week, but I do think Sterling Shepard has a good week this week. His health is under control right now.

[Jason Moore]

Just to reemphasize that with a younger quarterback, a quarterback coming into his first start with the Giants, you're talking about read progression. If you're the number one wide receiver and you're the first read, you know, generally you're not going to have these younger quarterbacks be able to, to walk through that progression as well. So if the shot is there and he has separation, Shepard, Ingram, I think they'll be okay. Let's talk about a much more exciting matchup.

[Andy Holloway]

Yeah. The one thing I will say before we move on, and I know we said it yesterday because it was your start of the week, but Jared Cook is another great option. I think he's as close to a must start tight end as there is this week.

[Jason Moore]

Yep, absolutely. The Eagles 10 and 1. They head to Seattle to take on the Seahawks. I was listening what a game to the radio yesterday. I believe the Seahawks have four of their next five games. They are technically underdogs. So this is going to be push comes to shove for the Seahawks without Sherman Chancellor in that defense. Seven and four. Right now they're five and a half point underdogs at home. When's the last time the Seahawks have been five and a half point underdogs at home? I don't know when that's been. I'm going to guess 100 years.

[Andy Holloway]

Yeah, I'll take the over on that guess it's it's fascinating. I mean, this is two of the best NFC teams. Forget fantasy for a second. This is a game that the entire NFL and the entire world of NFL fans are going to be watching, salivating, saying, this could be the NFC championship game between the Seahawks and the Eagles. The Eagles have been the best offense and the best defense over the last few weeks. And when you get that combination, ah, 10 and one, it's, yeah, you're 10 and one. You're pretty good. Over the last six weeks. The Eagles, this is one of the reasons I really like Jimmy Graham in this matchup. The Eagles, they're the second best against quarterbacks, the first best against running backs, and the second best against wide receivers. That's pretty good. But they're 15th against tight end. The ball has to go somewhere, and I think Jimmy Graham is the only somewhat safe option. Now, you're still going to play Doug Baldwin, right?

[Jason Moore]

Yeah, you are. But I love the Jimmy Graham take, too, because, yeah, you're definitely playing Baldwin, but I love the Graham take because not only can they not run the ball like Seattle cannot run the ball, but then the Eagles. The Eagles don't allow running the ball. So you mix those two things together. If they get around the goal in which they will, they're at home. It's going to be a Jimmy Graham opportunity every single time. That's what we've seen all year long. He's their running game inside the five. So I love Jimmy Graham. I'm with you on that. He's your start of the week, right?

[Andy Holloway]

Yep.

[Jason Moore]

Okay. And then maybe he should. Honorary.

[Andy Holloway]

Honorary. It's a. Oh, yeah. I got the goose as my start of the week.

[Jason Moore]

Jimmy Graham's an auto start. That's why you didn't do start of the week. Exactly. Doug Baldwin, you're playing. We talked about the running backs already. I would avoid all of them. We just said why Russell Wilson's an auto start.

[Andy Holloway]

If you're not going to avoid one and you had to play one. It would be J.D. mcKissick for me.

[Jason Moore]

Okay. On the other side of the ball, there's not a lot to talk about. Carson wins. You know, Carson Wentz, you're starting him. The Seahawks defense is. Yeah, yeah. Voice of public opinion.

[Andy Holloway]

Carson Wentz is going to Seattle and they're really, really, really good quarterbacks.

[Jason Moore]

They're pretty good. Sunday night game, they'll probably be all amped up, but against wide receivers, they're 20th in the league. Tight ends, 20th. He's got Zach Ertz to Throw to quarterbacks. The middle of the pack this year over the last six weeks, certainly, yeah, Carson Wentz is. Yeah, that was last six weeks, but Carson Wentz is great. The only, the question people need to ask is, can I start any of the running backs? Because on one hand, the Eagles, they've averaged 180 yards rushing per game. So somebody's going to be great.

[Andy Holloway]

Or several.

[Jason Moore]

However, the Seahawks eighth against the run. And then Jay Ajayi, no confidence. And no fantasy owner has confidence in him right now. So is it. How do you rank Blunt Ajayi Clement before we move on?

[Andy Holloway]

Blunt Ajayi Clement. I would, I would rank exactly like that. Blunt Ajayi Clement. But my, you know, Clement has been the one that looks the best. When I watch the games, I think he looks the best. But they traded for Ajayi and Ajayi has not looked bad. Nobody's looked bad. I mean, this Eagles offensive line, they're opening it up. So I think you can start any one of those three guys, but I don't expect them to. You know, I feel like all three are going to finish at like that, you know, running back 25 to 30 range where they're not going to completely crap your team, but they're not going to help you win if you're going up against a really tough opponent.

[Jason Moore]

All right, let's talk about the Monday night matchup. The Steelers and the Bengals, 43 and a half point over under in Cincinnati. The Bengals need this game in order to stay in the playoff picture. The Steelers obviously on Fire at 9 and 2. Big Ben, two straight huge games. Now, I pumped the brakes on Big Ben because over the last two years, not only when he plays Cincinnati, his numbers come down, but when he plays Cincinnati in Cincinnati, they become pretty bad. Now he's probably going to be able to get some things done that generally happens with Lev bell, Antonio Brown, JuJu Smith, Schuster going to be back. However, the Bengals pretty good against the wide receiver position. Okay. Against the quarterback at home. Do you agree with that take? Are you tempering expectations for Big Ben or are you starting him as an automatic top 12 guy?

[Andy Holloway]

No, I'm not starting him as an automatic top 12 guy. You know, Big Ben's home road splits are notorious and he's had those stretches where you have those monster back to back touchdown games and then he disappears. The fact that he's in division in a game that, you know, Vegas is saying is not going to be a shootout on the road, and the road games are, you know, look, that's Le'Veon Bell's territory. Le'Veon Bell is great on the road. They run the ball. And if you look at what the Bengals defense has been doing lately, they're they're over the last six weeks, they're top 10 against wide receivers and they're 27th against running back. So I think they have given up so many games to a running back. One or two over the last few weeks. I think over the last six weeks they've given up eight RB1 or two performances. So the Bengals, who you view as a stout run D, that's kind of gone away a little bit. So Le'Veon Bell, obviously you are going to start him, but because he succeeds, if he succeeds, I think that takes away a little bit from Big Ben. Now juju is practicing in full. Should be back. He is a star in the making. I keep saying that.

[Jason Moore]

Juju or fungus I would go funchus. Okay, just make it.

[Andy Holloway]

He's the number one option on his team versus Juju still, he's never going to be the number one while Antonio Brown is there.

[Jason Moore]

Is Jesse James a sneaky snart in this game? The Bengals can't cover the tight end.

[Andy Holloway]

Yeah, I mean Jesse James is one of those guys where at the end of the week you'll be happy because he'll have two for eight and a touchdown. So I don't really like starting those type of guys.

[Jason Moore]

Andy Dalton, Joe Mixon. Look, Joe Mixon. Second most rushing attempts in the NFL since week nine. 65 attempts. I've been saying it all week. Despite the Steelers being a stout run defense, Joe Mixon's volume dictates you have to start him. Last week played the Browns. Browns were a stout run D but had a feeling about him. He went out there and performed. I think you got to start him and they need to lean on him at home in this game and it's going to be in the passing game too. So Joe Mixon, I think you can start him. He's a must start for me. AJ Green, obviously. Otherwise I'm probably avoiding Dalton. I'm probably not taking the dice roll on Croft myself. You got. You have any other thoughts on that?

[Andy Holloway]

You know, the only other thought I would have, you know, I'm not quite as confident on mixing. I mean you should still start him because of volume. But the Steelers have been really good against the run all year and then.

[Jason Moore]

Over the last Jamal Williams last week Jamal Williams had a good game.

[Andy Holloway]

Yeah, a lot of that came in the passing game. Do you Think. Never mind. I was going to throw out Brandon lefell, but no, let's move on. This is week nine.

[Jason Moore]

Let's move on. Let's talk about something else. So, by the way, crazy stat. The Steelers have run the ball the second lowest amount of time since week nine. 35%. That's crazy. When you have a great runner.

[Andy Holloway]

Yeah. It's because they don't use anyone else. Like you think, oh, they hand the ball off all the time. No, just to one guy. But still that they don't let anybody else touch it.

[Jason Moore]

That's crazy.

[Andy Holloway]

It is.

[Jason Moore]

That's crazy. All right, look, this week, and I mentioned it before, Jason and I, we're going to be up in New York City for the World Series of Fantasy finale. We'll be hosting that event. And right now it's time for.

[Andy Holloway]

The Daily Dose, brought to you by draft.

[Jason Moore]

All right, Today's a head to head matchup and we're going to mirror the format for the World Series of Fantasy final event. There's an eight man tournament, only the morning games and the afternoon games. No Sunday night, no Monday night football. Jason and I picking five players. Going head to head. Head to head. And Jason, you are, you're on the clock.

[Andy Holloway]

I am on the clock. And I'm going to take Levy on Bell.

[Jason Moore]

Oh, that's not allowed.

[Andy Holloway]

That is not allowed.

[Jason Moore]

He's in the Monday night game, Jason.

[Andy Holloway]

That's correct. So that stinks. You know, this, this week there are, you know, there's obviously a lot of different good options. We've gone through every matchup. If I've got the number one pick, I'm trying to see, you know, there's only one position that I actually think has a tier of one player by himself. So even though this is the least valuable position usually this week I'm going to roll. Terrific Tom out there. I think I'm fine with the second pick at every position this week.

[Jason Moore]

Interesting.

[Andy Holloway]

And I like Tom the most at quarterback.

[Jason Moore]

So I get to draft back to back now. And I'm going to take Alvin Camara straight away.

[Andy Holloway]

Yeah, I don't blame you.

[Jason Moore]

Going to make him my first pick. I love Alvin Camara. His baseline's great. You know what I'm going to do? I'm going to put Todd Gurley right in the lineup with him. I'm going to go running back. Running back right out of the gate.

[Andy Holloway]

Well, that means just strategically wise, it would make no sense for me to draft running back. So at this point I've got to flip over to the other side and probably forced to go wide receiver, wide receiver, or at least pass catcher. Pass catcher. Because I'm going to stack Tom Brady with Rob Gronkowski on draft. You've got that wide receiver, tight end flex role. And the only other option. You know, I'm almost tempted. This might sound crazy. I'm almost tempted to go devonte Adams, your start of the week with all the other great options out there just because of how bad the Tampa Bay Buccaneers have been. But I'm going to actually stick with my guy who's been winning me weeks lately, Keenan Allen at home against the Cleveland Browns. Those will be my. My two wide receiver, tight end position.

[Jason Moore]

Yeah. And again with the strategy. I don't need to draft quarterback.

[Andy Holloway]

You.

[Jason Moore]

You took a quarterback to start this matchup. So my two picks are going to be pass catchers as well. I'm having a hard time deciding now between I think Antonio Brown's a done deal. I'm going to take Antonio Brown, but now I'm trying to choose Hopkins against Tennessee or Julio Jones against Minnesota. I'm gonna go Hopkins.

[Andy Holloway]

Yeah, that's what I was hoping you would not say.

[Jason Moore]

So I'm down to my quarterback. You've got two picks on the board.

[Andy Holloway]

And I've got two running backs to select. I'm going Le'Veon Bell again.

[Jason Moore]

Don't you cheat on me.

[Andy Holloway]

But then I would win. If I got to go Le'Veon Bell, that would be great. I like that.

[Jason Moore]

I just broke the rules.

[Andy Holloway]

Did you?

[Jason Moore]

Yeah. I took Antonio Brown.

[Andy Holloway]

Oh, well, then I am going levy on Bell and we're even. Boom, Bam.

[Jason Moore]

Yeah, I broke the rules. I wasn't supposed to touch the Monday night game.

[Andy Holloway]

I appreciate it, but I'm going to go with the home game with the guy who's up near the top and carries Jordan Howard against the San Francisco 49ers.

[Jason Moore]

I can't believe I did that.

[Andy Holloway]

I appreciate it because if I had to pick one of Antonio Brown or Le'Veon Bell this week on the road, I got the one. Yeah.

[Jason Moore]

And I can't even complain. So I've got Rivers as my last pick against Cleveland. Rivers, Camara, Gurley, Brown and Hopkins are my five.

[Andy Holloway]

I got Tom Brady, Le'Veon Bell, Jordan Howard, Rob Gronkowski and Keenan Allen.

[Jason Moore]

Boy, when it's head to head, you get all the best players, don't you?

[Andy Holloway]

Yeah. Our teams both sound pretty good.

[Jason Moore]

Pretty darn good. All right. Don't forget draft.comballers to come and play along with us. It's been a really fun year with the guys over at draft. It's going to be a fun event in New York and it's fun to play every week. I mean, the DFS game is great when you're, if you're knocked out of the playoffs this week, you got something fun to do for the remainder of the year over at drafts.

[Andy Holloway]

What's great is like, think about this week, right? We're going to have fun in New York. But Monday night now, you and I, we literally have. We already know that our matchup is going to be Le'Veon Bell versus Antonio Brown in some way, shape or form. And we got something riding on that Monday night game now.

[Jason Moore]

Absolutely. So it's been fun this week. Thanks, Jay Grizz, for filling in for Mike. Yep. Okay. We know he's always bragging.

[Andy Holloway]

Yeah, he's very braggy in all of his hairy glory.

[Jason Moore]

Okay. We had to bring that back. Don't forget, Mike will be on Periscope Sunday morning. We will be giving you the latest information, all of the in and out reports. Brooks makes sure on Patreon that you have the game day alerts [e-mail] so you don't miss anything. Follow us at on twitter @the ffballers. It's been a lot of fun. Jason, thanks for sitting next to me this week.

[Andy Holloway]

Yeah, thank you for letting me.

[Jason Moore]

All right, we'll. We'll talk to you on Monday. Take care.

[Andy Holloway]

Goodbye. 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.