Fantasy Football 2017 - Week 7 Studs & Duds, Rising Stars, Mr. Cooper

Episode Release Date: October 23, 2017
Podcast: Fantasy Footballers - Fantasy Football Podcast
Hosts: Andy Holloway, Jason Moore, Mike "The Fantasy Hitman" Wright

1. Introduction

The Fantasy Footballers kick off their Monday Night episode by diving directly into the heart of Week 7's fantasy football action, discussing standout performances, disappointments, and emerging talents. The chemistry between hosts Andy Holloway, Jason Moore, and Mike Wright sets an engaging tone as they navigate through the week's highlights.

2. Studs of the Week

a. Houston Texans: The trio praises the Houston Texans for their impressive offensive performance, particularly spotlighting DeAndre Hopkins and rookie DeSean Watson.

• Andy Holloway: "DeSean Watson has been absolutely incredible. He's back to a stud elite quarterback." [03:35]

• Mike Wright: "He's the ultimate vegetable right now." (Referring humorously to Lamar Miller's consistent performance) [03:49]

b. Derek Carr (Oakland Raiders): Derek Carr's unexpected stellar performance against the 49ers highlighted him as a potential big waiver wire pickup.

• Jason Moore: "I don’t think he’s a trap. Derek Carr has shown that he can get it done." [24:04]

c. Amari Cooper (Dallas Cowboys): Amari Cooper's breakout game as he was moved around the field, increasing his targets and showcasing his talent.

• Jason Moore: "Amari Cooper's good to go now. They targeted him left, right, and center." [25:07]

3. Duds of the Week

a. Atlanta Falcons (Matt Ryan): The hosts express disappointment with Matt Ryan and the Falcons' offensive strategy post-Super Bowl, attributing the decline to poor play-calling.

• Jason Moore: "If you don't give it to Devonta Freeman, you running back. At least you've got Tevin Coleman." [09:20]

• Andy Holloway: "What are you doing? Second down or on third and fourth down on the freaking goal line, you like, check out these sweet trick plays." [08:59]

b. Cincinnati Bengals (Andy Dalton): Andy Dalton's underwhelming performance against a strong defense led to criticism of both his and the offensive line's play.

• Mike Wright: "Dalton looks like a groundhog that pokes his head up out of the ground, freaks out, and dives back in his hole. He is terrified." [10:05]

c. Carolina Panthers (Cam Newton): Cam Newton's inconsistent performance continues to frustrate fantasy owners.

• Jason Moore: "We all know it was awful." [47:19]

4. Rising Stars of the Week

a. Aaron Jones (Green Bay Packers): Aaron Jones emerges as a reliable running back with a strong performance, overshadowing his teammates.

• Mike Wright: "Aaron Jones, 17 for 131 and a touchdown." [39:31]

b. Kenny Stills (Miami Dolphins): Kenny Stills capitalizes on increased opportunities with Matt Moore at quarterback, showcasing his potential as a valuable asset.

• Jason Moore: "He has caught a touchdown in six of those games, including four final games where Matt Moore took over for Jay Cutler." [42:07]

c. Mark Ingram (New Orleans Saints): Mark Ingram's consistent rushing and receiving make him a dependable choice moving forward.

• Jason Moore: "Mark Ingram is a guy that you're going to start every single week from here on out." [43:47]

5. Player Insights & Analysis

a. DeAndre Hopkins (Houston Texans): Hopkins’ performance is bolstered by DeSean Watson's effective quarterback play, positioning him as a top-tier wide receiver.

• Mike Wright: "He should be right around there because the defense has lost a couple pieces." [05:00]

b. Amari Cooper (Dallas Cowboys): Cooper's increased targets reflect his importance to the Cowboys' offense, though consistency remains a concern.

• Andy Holloway: "They have to have Amari Cooper." [25:07]

• Jason Moore: "Next week will be the real telling story for Amari Cooper." [32:43]

c. Evan Ingram (New York Giants Tight End): Ingram's dynamic playmaking ability, including impressive drag routes and high yards after catch (YAC), positions him as a top tight end prospect.

• Mike Wright: "He’s going to end up ridiculous. Top four after this week at the tight end position." [38:37]

d. CJ Anderson (Denver Broncos): Concerns over Anderson's future performances arise due to the Broncos' defensive focus and his inconsistent usage.

• Jason Moore: "I'm really worried about him going forward." [49:54]

e. Matt Moore & Jay Cutler (Cincinnati Bengals): The quarterback transition from Jay Cutler to Matt Moore has been rocky, affecting the overall offensive output.

• Mike Wright: "Fantasy owners with A.J. Green and Joe Mixon got zero in the second half." [11:30]

6. Poopers of the Week

a. Marcus Mariota (Tennessee Titans): Mariota's struggles under pressure and against strong defenses have led to his designation as a top pooper.

• Jason Moore: "You don’t see how Mariota can run. He's still not able to run effectively." [46:21]

b. Sammy Watkins (Philadelphia Eagles): Due to inconsistent targeting and poor performance, Watkins is flagged as a low-value asset.

• Mike Wright: "Sammy was 3 for 40, 3 for 42. He’s not startable." [59:22]

c. Ty Hilton (Atlanta Falcons): Hilton's poor performance and offensive line issues have made him a questionable pick.

• Mike Wright: "Sammy was 3 for 40, 3 for 42. He’s not startable." (Referencing Ty Hilton's similar issues) [57:07]

7. Special Segments

a. Mr. Cooper: Focused on Amari Cooper's performance, the hosts analyze his role in the Cowboys' offense, noting his high target volume and potential for big plays despite occasional drops.

• Andy Holloway: "He’s more involved now, like he caught another touchdown." [31:59]

b. Weekly Rewind: A retrospective look at the Arizona Cardinals' disappointing season performance, highlighting Carson Palmer's struggles and Larry Fitzgerald's declining fantasy value.

• Andy Holloway: "We need to have a full-on wake for the Arizona Cardinals because it’s done." [13:28]

8. Conclusions & Recommendations

The Fantasy Footballers wrap up with strategic advice for fantasy managers:

• Quarterbacks: DeSean Watson of the Texans shows high potential, while Andy Dalton's future remains uncertain.
• Running Backs: Aaron Jones and Mark Ingram are strong picks, whereas CJ Anderson's reliability is questionable.
• Wide Receivers: Amari Cooper and DeAndre Hopkins are top choices, while Sammy Watkins and Eric Decker present risks.
• Tight Ends: Evan Ingram is a rising star, potentially challenging established tight ends like Travis Kelce.

The hosts emphasize the importance of monitoring player performances and adjusting lineups based on emerging trends and weekly outcomes.

Notable Quotes

• Jason Moore on Amari Cooper: "Next week will be the real telling story for Amari Cooper because we can't fool ourselves and say, okay, just because they target him 19 times, this is going to happen going forward." [32:43]

• Mike Wright on Matt Ryan: "This week, my kicker got negative one points. You're a genius." [29:00]

• Andy Holloway on Evan Ingram: "He's almost like the dump off to Devonta Freeman or Lev Bell out front. And you just let him run with the ball and he gets it done." [37:24]

Final Thoughts

Week 7 of the 2017 NFL season brought a mix of expected and unexpected performances. The Fantasy Footballers provide insightful analysis, helping fantasy managers navigate the complexities of player performances, injuries, and tactical decisions. With rising stars like Aaron Jones and Evan Ingram emerging, and duds such as Matt Ryan and Marcus Mariota faltering, the episode offers valuable takeaways to enhance your fantasy football strategy moving forward.

For more detailed discussions and ongoing fantasy football advice, join the Fantasy Footballers community at thefantasyfootballers.com and follow them on Twitter @TheFFBallers.