Podcast Summary: Fantasy Football 2017 - Week 8 Studs & Duds, Rising Stars, Dying in Flames

Podcast Information:

• Title: Fantasy Footballers - Fantasy Football Podcast
• Host/Author: Fantasy Football
• Episode: Fantasy Football 2017 - Week 8 Studs & Duds, Rising Stars, Dying in Flames
• Release Date: October 30, 2017

Introduction

In the Week 8 episode of the Fantasy Footballers podcast, hosts Andy Holloway, Jason Moore, and Mike "The Fantasy Hitman" Wright delve into the latest happenings in the fantasy football landscape. Skipping over advertisements and intros, the trio focuses on pivotal player performances, injury updates, standout players (“Stud Muffins”), emerging talents (“Rising Stars”), and underperformers (“Dying in Flames”).

Weekly Recap & Injury News

Zach Miller's Severe Injury

• Andy Holloway opens the injury segment with heartbreaking news about Zach Miller, who suffered a severe knee injury with potential life-changing consequences. [09:23]

Jordan Reed's Hamstring Trouble

• Jason Moore comments on Jordan Reed's recurring hamstring issues, a common concern since 2015, expressing worry about Reed’s future contributions. [09:55]

Chris Hogan's Dental Injury

• Mike Wright reveals that Chris Hogan lost two front teeth during the game, necessitating prosthetics. [10:19]

Andrew Luck's Ongoing Struggles

• The hosts discuss Andrew Luck still being in pain and unlikely to play this season, highlighting his phantom pain post certain games. [11:12]

Ty Hilton and Other Trades

• Jason Moore predicts Eric Ebron might be the next player to be traded, with rumors swirling about Calvin Johnson's potential trade from Detroit. [13:14]

Ezekiel Elliott's Legal Battle

• Andy Holloway mentions Ezekiel Elliott's upcoming hearing which could impact his availability for the remainder of the fantasy season. [14:19]

Stud Muffins (Top Performers)

DeSean Watson vs. Russell Wilson

• DeSean Watson delivered a stellar performance, finishing 19-for-30 for 402 yards and 4 touchdowns, setting a franchise record for single-season touchdown passes by a rookie quarterback.

  • Mike Wright: “Number one. You can't put him anywhere else but number one.” [06:00]
  • Jason Moore: Initially skeptical, Jason acknowledges Watson's transformation from doubt to admiration after witnessing Watson’s prowess. [08:18]

• Russell Wilson also shines with 26 completions on 41 attempts for 452 yards and 4 touchdowns.

  • Andy Holloway: Claims Wilson as a top performer due to his high passing volume and favorable schedule. [15:10]
  • Jason Moore: Highlights Wilson’s increasing passing attempts, projecting a pass-heavy Seahawks offense. [15:32]

Tom Brady's Underwhelming Performance

• Tom Brady continues to disappoint, recently ranked 11th, but Andy opts to stick with Watson over Brady for future rankings. [07:15]

Drew Brees' Performance Dip

• Drew Brees posted a sub-20 point game with 299 yards, lacking touchdowns and impacted by a less productive receiving corps.
  • Andy Holloway: Questions Brees' standing among elite quarterbacks but still considers him valuable. [41:10]
  • Jason Moore: Supports Brees’ reliability despite the recent dip, expecting him to remain a top-six quarterback. [43:15]

Rising Stars

Juju Smith-Schuster

• Juju Smith-Schuster emerges as a promising talent, contributing significantly in Week 8 and showing potential to be a consistent starter.
  • Andy Holloway: Labels Schuster as a "trepidatious rising star," emphasizing his versatile involvement in the Steelers' offense. [34:22]
  • Jason Moore: Enthusiastically supports Schuster’s growth and reliability, citing his dynamic playmaking ability. [35:07]

Robbie Anderson

• Robbie Anderson proves himself as a reliable target for Josh McCown, becoming a staple in the Jets' offense.
  • Mike Wright: Recommends prioritizing Anderson as a steady and high-upside player. [37:32]
  • Jason Moore: Agrees with Anderson’s reliability and big-play potential. [38:33]

Juju Smith-Schuster’s Breakout

• Jason Moore recounts Schuster’s impressive game, highlighting his speed and ability to make significant plays, reinforcing his status as a rising star. [36:19]

Dying in Flames (Underperformers)

Dak Prescott and Jameis Winston

• Both Dak Prescott and Jameis Winston struggled in Week 8, with minimal touchdowns and underwhelming performances.
  • Andy Holloway: Expresses disappointment, describing Prescott’s performance as a big letdown. [39:02]
  • Jason Moore: Attributes their struggles to adverse weather conditions but remains hopeful for future performances. [39:38]

Deshaun Jackson and Jarvis Landry

• Deshaun Jackson and Jarvis Landry failed to produce significant fantasy points due to poor matchups and offensive inefficiencies.
  • Andy Holloway: Criticizes Jackson’s performance and Landry's limited involvement. [50:49]
  • Mike Wright: Suggests moving Landry to the waiver wire for better opportunities. [51:27]

Jimmy Graham and Other Tight Ends

• Jimmy Graham underperformed with only 2 touchdowns on 5 targets, raising concerns about his consistency.
  • Andy Holloway: Questions Graham’s reliability despite a strong offensive setup. [31:09]
  • Jason Moore: Highlights the tight end landscape challenges, but still prefers reliable options. [31:46]

Stefan Diggs and Others

• Stefan Diggs had a subdued performance due to acclimation issues in London games but remains a valuable asset.
  • Andy Holloway: Notes Diggs’ slow start but maintains confidence in his future performances. [47:53]
  • Mike Wright: Agrees, attributing the dip to weather-related acclimation challenges. [48:11]

Notable Player Discussions

Deshaun Watson's Ascendancy

• Andy Holloway and Jason Moore discuss Deshaun Watson’s meteoric rise, emphasizing his record-breaking performances and potential to dominate the rest of the fantasy season.
  • Andy Holloway: Commends Watson’s confidence and ability to thrive in challenging environments. [07:02]
  • Jason Moore: Shares his personal shift from skepticism to becoming Watson’s biggest supporter. [08:18]

Lamar Miller's Consistency

• Lamar Miller is highlighted for his consistent performance and securing the running back position for the season.
  • Jason Moore: Praises Miller's reliability and potential to stay RB1 for the rest of the season. [18:58]
  • Andy Holloway: Points out the stability Miller brings to his team’s backfield. [19:14]

DeAndre Hopkins vs. Will Fuller

• DeAndre Hopkins and Will Fuller are discussed as the top wide receivers, with both players showcasing exceptional performances.
  • Andy Holloway: Apologizes humorously to Fuller for his intense play style but emphasizes their fantasy value. [23:10]
  • Jason Moore: Highlights the necessity of starting both players due to their high efficiency and touchdown potential. [24:07]

Antonio Brown and Alshon Jeffery

• Antonio Brown remains a valued asset, while Alshon Jeffery shows promise with improved matchups.
  • Jason Moore: Advocates for maintaining Brown’s spot due to his consistent track record. [25:32]
  • Andy Holloway: Acknowledges Jeffery’s improved performance but remains cautious about his long-term reliability. [29:02]

Final Thoughts

The hosts conclude the episode by reiterating the importance of adapting to player performances and injuries. They emphasize the potential of Deshaun Watson and Russell Wilson as top quarterbacks, while advising caution with underperforming players like Dak Prescott, Jameis Winston, and Jimmy Graham. The Rising Stars segment highlights the value of emerging players like Juju Smith-Schuster and Robbie Anderson, encouraging listeners to monitor their progress closely.

Notable Quotes:

• Jason Moore: “He went from literally, I mean, you, you, everyone in the room here was, was with me when we were watching that game. I hated everything Deshaun Watson was doing. And by the end of that game, I'm number one super fan. I'm madly in love with Deshaun Watson.” [08:56]
• Andy Holloway: “Jimmy Graham grabbed two touchdown games. No, I love everything about everything about Russell Wilson.” [25:32]
• Jason Moore: “I am a full believer now and will treat him as he deserves to be treated. Deshaun and Deshaun. Mom, I apologize.” [33:03]

Conclusion

The Week 8 episode of the Fantasy Footballers podcast provides a comprehensive analysis of the week’s fantasy football action, highlighting top performers, emerging talents, and underperformers. With insightful commentary and engaging discussions, hosts Andy Holloway, Jason Moore, and Mike Wright equip fantasy managers with the knowledge to navigate their rosters effectively for the remainder of the season.

Note: This summary excludes advertisements, intros, and outros to focus solely on the content-rich discussions of the episode.