Fantasy Footballers Podcast Summary

Episode: Fantasy Football 2017 - Week 4 Waivers, QB Streams, Stay Calm
Release Date: September 26, 2017
Hosts: Andy Holloway, Jason Moore, Mike "The Fantasy Hitman" Wright

1. Monday Night Football Recap

The episode kicks off with a discussion on the exhilarating Monday Night Football game featuring Dak Prescott. The hosts commend Prescott's performance, highlighting his ability to connect effectively with his wide receivers despite defensive pressures.

• Andy Holloway praises Prescott’s strategic play:

  "I love a quarterback who gives his wide receiver a chance. He did it twice with Bryce Butler down the field." (01:35)

• Mike Wright elaborates on Prescott's patience and decision-making:

  "He’s waiting as long as he possibly can because he’s ready to run. But he sees that there’s a possibility Butler might break free and he waited the right amount of time." (02:09)

• Jason Moore compares Prescott’s rollout to Aaron Rodgers:

  "Very Aaron Rodgers. Rodgers rolls out. He’s always willing and able to run, but he’s looking downfield because he’s going to get five or he could pick up 40 with a good rollout bomb." (02:10)

The trio also reflects on Prescott’s comparison to Donovan McNabb, emphasizing Prescott’s capability to make significant downfield plays and his overall impressive game performance.

2. Arizona Cardinals Analysis

A significant portion of the discussion revolves around the Arizona Cardinals' performance and key players.

• Mike Wright highlights Larry Fitzgerald’s resurgence:

  "Larry Fitzgerald had an absolute monster game. 13 for 149 with a touchdown." (03:18)

• Jason Moore advises on holding or selling Fitzgerald:

  "I would keep right now. I don’t think you’re going to get enough if you sell." (04:07)

The hosts delve into the Cardinals' offensive line issues, mentioning injuries to key linemen like DJ Humphries and Mike Iupati. Jason Moore identifies Carson Palmer as a potential QB streamer for Week 4, considering the upcoming matchup against San Francisco and the offensive line's current struggles.

• Jason Moore provides strategic streaming advice:

  "He’s going to be my stream of the week and a big part of that is going to be the offensive line play and the matchup at home against San Francisco going forward." (04:24)

3. Listener Question: Overcoming a 0-3 Start

A listener named Nathan Schultz shares his frustration with a 0-3 record, prompting the hosts to offer encouragement and strategies to recover.

• Mike Wright empathizes and motivates:

  "We are both oh and three. But that doesn’t mean when the season’s over, you could be 10 and 3, because whatever happens can happen in reverse." (07:02)

• Jason Moore reinforces the possibility of a comeback:

  "Don’t be that person, Nathan, because you can come back from 0 and 3 and you can still absolutely make the playoffs." (07:30)

The hosts share personal anecdotes and emphasize persistence, advising listeners to remain active on the waiver wire and not to give up early in the season.

4. Injury Updates and Player News

The hosts provide comprehensive updates on player injuries and their implications for fantasy football players.

• Andrew Luck is ruled out for Week 4 against Seattle, with hopes for his return in subsequent weeks:

  "[Andrew Luck] ruled out for Week 4 against Seattle." (08:58)

• Tyler Eifert faces a multi-week absence due to a back injury. Jason Moore suggests dropping him unless you have an IR spot:

  "If you do not have an IR spot, I would encourage you to be confident to drop him if you need to because it’s going to be a game every single week." (09:26)

• Melvin Gordon misses snaps due to a knee injury, signaling potential opportunities for backup running backs like Jamal Williams:

  "He only played 42% of snaps. Good news for Calvin Benjamin." (10:08)

Additional updates include injuries to Matt Forte, Julio Jones, and Tom Montgomery, with the hosts discussing potential waiver pickups and streaming options in response to these injuries.

5. Waiver Wire Recommendations

A significant segment of the episode focuses on waiver wire pickups, offering strategic advice on which players to target for immediate impact and long-term value.

Wide Receivers:

• Marquis Lee vs. Alan Hearns:
  Jason Moore favors Lee for his volume and red-zone targets:

  "Marquis Lee is going to be their number one wide receiver." (19:02)

• Sterling Shepard is recommended by Mike Wright for his solid target volume:

  "He's an excellent player. I'm getting two fingers pointed at me from Andrew." (19:43)

• Paul Richardson vs. Tyler Lockett:
  Jason Moore prefers Richardson due to his increasing target share:

  "He had a good matchup coming up at home against San Francisco." (21:15)

Running Backs:

• Wendell Smallwood gains attention as a potential starter due to Darren Sprols' injury:

  "He saw his snap percentage jump from the 20s to over 50." (28:40)

• Corey Clement is highlighted for his performance and potential behind the Eagles' offensive line:

  "With Danelle Pumphrey and Darren Sprouls on IR, you have three backs there." (29:32)

• Alvin Kamara vs. Jamal Charles:
  The hosts debate between Kamara's upside and Charles' reliability, with a slight preference for Charles for immediate impact:

  "I think I lean Jamal." (30:37)

Tight Ends:

• Vernon Davis is recommended by Jason Moore over other tight ends due to his rapport with Cousins:

  "I trust Jordan Reed about as much as I trust Tyler Eifert when it comes to injuries." (35:39)

• Ben Watson remains a solid pickup despite limited involvement:

  "I would still take a flyer on Benoit." (36:32)

Quarterback Streams:

• Carson Palmer is selected as a favorable QB stream for Week 4 due to his matchup against the weakened San Francisco defense:

  "I really like the home start of Carson Palmer. That's my stream of the week." (41:20)

• Trevor Siemian is another recommended QB streamer, praised for his home performance and connection with Emmanuel Sanders:

  "Trevor Siemian at home." (41:52)

6. Streaming Options and Defensive Picks

The hosts discuss optimal streaming options for quarterbacks and defensive units, emphasizing matchups and defensive strengths.

• Detroit Lions Defense is favored by Andy Holloway for their consistent interceptions:

  "...they play Minnesota. And yes, Case Kinematic, a very good week." (38:18)

• Cincinnati Bengals Defense is another top pick, praised for their legitimacy and performance against strong offenses:

  "The Bengals defense has really kept them in games that Andy Dalton has tried to get them out of." (38:38)

Conclusion and Upcoming Segments

As the episode wraps up, the hosts preview upcoming topics, including the "Keep, Trade, Cut" segment and an interview with Matt Forte. They encourage listeners to engage with the podcast community and stay active on social media for more insights and updates.

Notable Quotes:

• Andy Holloway:

  "Derek Henry had a thigh injury in week three that he disappointed some owners that week." (14:03)

• Mike Wright:

  "I'm done with Hunter Henry." (37:01)

• Jason Moore:

  "Do not bail." (08:43)

This episode provides valuable insights into player performances, injury impacts, and strategic waiver wire pickups, equipping fantasy football enthusiasts with the knowledge to navigate Week 4 effectively. The hosts blend expert analysis with engaging discussions, ensuring listeners remain informed and competitive in their leagues.