Fantasy Footballers Podcast Summary

Episode: Fantasy Football Podcast 2015 - Sits of the Week, Stat Quiz, Week 14 Mailbag
Release Date: December 9, 2015
Hosts: Andy Holloway, Jason Moore, Mike "The Fantasy Hitman" Wright

Introduction and Show Overview

The podcast kicks off with the hosts, Andy Holloway, Jason Moore, and Mike Wright, engaging in their signature banter, setting a festive yet competitive tone as they navigate the holiday season intertwined with the fantasy football playoff bye week. Jason Moore warmly welcomes listeners, highlighting the show’s interactive elements such as "Sits of the Week," a "Stat Quiz," and the "Week 14 Mailbag" where listener questions are addressed.

Stat Quiz: Player Performance Trivia

The hosts engage in a trivia game where Jason Moore presents scenarios describing players' performances, and Andy Holloway and Mike Wright guess the player in question.

1. Thomas Rawls' Consistency

   • Clue: "I've been the starter for only half of my team's games since week 11. I have the most fantasy points for running backs, averaging 24.9 per week."
   • Guessed Player: Thomas Rawls
   • Timestamp: [02:31]
   • Quote: Jason Moore confirms, "That is correct. The answer is Thomas Rawls."

2. Jonathan Stewart's Reliability

   • Clue: "Most consistent player in fantasy football since Week 6, getting 20-24 rush attempts and at least 60 yards every game."
   • Guessed Player: Jonathan Stewart
   • Timestamp: [03:25]
   • Quote: Jason Moore remarks, "That's extremely consistent since week six. Double digits every single week."

3. Golden Tate’s Performance Downturn

   • Clue: "Only two touchdowns scored, high ADP despite recent performance drop."
   • Guessed Player: Golden Tate
   • Timestamp: [06:14]
   • Quote: Mike Wright analyzes, "His decline from this year is clearly his monster games last year... now when Calvin Johnson came back, it was a disaster until Jim Bob Cooter stepped in."

Sits of the Week

Each host presents their recommendations on which players to bench for Week 14, focusing on matchups, recent performances, and injuries.

1. Quarterbacks to Sit

   • Andy’s Picks:
     • Matt Ryan: "Matt Ryan was still started in over 30% of the leagues. Why would you do that? Please stop it."
     • Derek Carr: "I'm sitting him down. I'm sorry. Derek Carr, I do believe in you, but there's just so many better options."
   • Jason’s Pick:
     • Philip Rivers: "This is just not a good matchup for Philip Rivers, so I don't put him in consideration."

2. Running Backs to Sit

   • Andy's Picks:
     • Melvin Gordon: "He hasn't been good all year. I just don't expect anything from Melvin Gordon."
     • CJ Anderson: Advises caution due to recent ankle injury.
   • Mike’s Pick:
     • DeMarco Murray: "Even if Ryan Matthews was out this week, he's just not a guy I'm going to trust."

3. Wide Receivers to Sit

   • Andy's Picks:
     • Randall Cobb: "I want upside and I want to win my playoffs. I'm not going to win my playoffs with Randall Cobb unless he has a resurgent game out of nowhere."
     • Amari Cooper and Mike additionally suggest sitting Marvin Jones due to unfavorable matchups.
   • Mike’s Pick:
     • Kamar Aiken: "The matchup is just too bad against the Seahawks. I'm just not going to trust Kamar Aiken in this situation."

4. Tight Ends to Sit

   • Jason’s Pick:
     • Antonio Gates: "He doesn't have a lot of options there and maybe he gets you some small baseline."
   • Andy's Pick:
     • Charles Clay: "Facing the Philadelphia Eagles, they've been giving up very few to the tight end."

Mailbag: Listener Questions and Fantasy Advice

The mailbag segment features listener questions about lineup decisions, player starts/sits, and playoff strategies. The hosts provide tailored advice based on player matchups and current performances.

1. Flex Position Decision

   • Question: Should I start Buck Allen, David Johnson, Martavis Bryant, or Alan Hearns?
   • Advice:
     • Andy: Recommends Martavis Bryant for his higher upside against the Bengals.
     • Mike: Suggests David Johnson as a solid second option.
     • Jason: Agrees with starting Martavis Bryant.

2. Quarterback Showdown: Big Ben vs. Russell Wilson

   • Question: Should I start Big Ben over Russell Wilson in Week 14?
   • Advice:
     • Andy: Leans towards Big Ben due to consistent yardage.
     • Mike: Favors Big Ben for his reliability.
     • Jason: Acknowledges it's a tough decision, ultimately supporting Big Ben for his potential.

3. Wide Receiver Choices in Playoffs

   • Question: Who should I start: Brandon Cooks, Danny Amendola, John Brown, or Devonte Parker?
   • Advice:
     • Andy: Recommends Danny Amendola against the Texans for his reliable target volume.
     • Mike: Also leans towards Brandon Cooks, highlighting his recent touchdown streak.
     • Jason: Prefers Brandon Cooks, anticipating a high-scoring game against the Saints.

4. Fantasy Playoff Resegening

   • Question: Should fantasy leagues implement playoff reseeding similar to the NFL?
   • Advice:
     • Andy: Opposes, valuing the strategic element of knowing future matchups.
     • Mike: Agrees, emphasizing the advantage of strategic planning.
     • Jason: Finds merit in both sides but ultimately supports maintaining current seeding to preserve strategic depth.

News and Player Updates

The hosts discuss key injury reports and player statuses heading into Week 14:

• Kevin White (Chicago Bears): Expected to play if cleared, after being on the PUP list with a leg injury ([08:28]).
• Ryan Matthews: Returned to practice post-concussion and is expected to have a significant role if healthy, though caution is advised due to past injuries ([08:41]).
• Marshawn Lynch (Seattle Seahawks): Continued uncertainty around his return from injury, with discussions on whether to keep or drop him depending on league type ([09:57]).

Promotional Segment

A brief sponsor segment features Harry's, promoting their high-quality shaving products with a special offer for listeners: "$5 off your first order with the code Footballers" at Harry's.com. The hosts commend the product's quality and attractive packaging, positioning it as an excellent holiday gift option.

Conclusion

The episode concludes with the hosts reiterating their commitment to assisting listeners throughout the fantasy football playoffs. They encourage listeners to engage via Twitter and the podcast’s website for ongoing support and updates.

• Jason Moore: "Thanks for listening. Tomorrow we'll have our fantasy forecast or starts of the week to get you ready for week 14 in those playoffs."
• Andy Holloway: "Thank you for listening to another edition of the Fantasy Footballers podcast."

Notable Quotes

• Jason Moore on Jonathan Stewart: "That's extremely consistent since week six. Double digits every single week."
• Andy Holloway on Matt Ryan: "Matt Ryan was still started in over 30% of the leagues. Why would you do that? Please stop it."
• Mike Wright on Kamar Aiken: "The matchup is just too bad against the Seahawks. I'm just not going to trust Kamar Aiken in this situation."

This comprehensive summary encapsulates the key discussions, strategic insights, and listener interactions from the Fantasy Footballers Podcast Episode released on December 9, 2015, offering valuable takeaways for fantasy football enthusiasts navigating their Week 14 playoff decisions.