Fantasy Footballers Podcast - Episode Review: Week 12, Studs and Duds, MNF Preview, and Fantasy News

Release Date: November 30, 2015

Welcome to a comprehensive summary of the Fantasy Footballers Podcast Episode released on November 30, 2015. Hosted by Andy Holloway, Jason Moore, and Mike "The Fantasy Hitman" Wright, this episode delves into a thorough analysis of Week 12, highlights the week's top performers and underachievers, previews Monday Night Football (MNF), and covers the latest fantasy news crucial for fantasy football enthusiasts.

1. Opening Remarks and Holiday Reflections

The hosts kick off the episode with light-hearted banter about their Thanksgiving experiences, sharing personal anecdotes about indulging in holiday meals and dealing with the aftermath of overeating.

• Jason Moore [00:26]: "Gobble, gobble. Welcome back to the show. It's Monday, it's November 30th, and we're back again."
• Mike Wright [02:25]: Discusses the challenge of balancing dessert intake after a hefty Thanksgiving meal.

2. Recap of Week 12 Performances

The trio provides a detailed review of the past week's NFL games, focusing on standout performances and disappointing outings that impact fantasy football decisions.

Injuries Impacting Fantasy Teams

• Rob Gronkowski's Injury:

  • Jason Moore [07:39]: Highlights Gronkowski's dramatic fall and subsequent knee injury.
  • Mike Wright [08:26]: Explains that Gronkowski hyperextended his knee, akin to past injuries, raising concerns about his availability for upcoming fantasy playoffs.
  • Andy Holloway [09:18]: Expresses hope that Gronkowski misses only a week or two, allowing him to return for the playoffs.

• Jimmy Graham's Tendon Tear:

  • Jason Moore [10:58]: Reports on Jimmy Graham tearing his patellar tendon, an injury likely to be career-altering.
  • Mike Wright [11:05]: Mentions historical parallels, such as Ryan Williams' career-ending injury.

• Ben Roethlisberger's Concussion Protocol:

  • Jason Moore [11:51]: Updates on Roethlisberger's status, noting he’s expected to return after a brief evaluation.
  • Andy Holloway [12:24]: Confirms Roethlisberger is clear to return to practice.

Key Player Performances

• Jason Moore's Duel Seasonillon:

  • Jason Moore [03:45]: Shares his challenging fantasy record shift from 1-4 to 8-4 due to week’s outcomes.

• David Johnson's Emerging Role:

  • Mike Wright [12:29]: Applauds David Johnson's performance and potential as a reliable running back.
  • Jason Moore [13:18]: Notes David Johnson’s enhanced receiving capabilities compared to Chris Johnson.

• Matt Stafford's Stellar Game:

  • Jason Moore [17:23]: Praises Matt Stafford’s exceptional performance against the Eagles, marking his best game since 2011.
  • Mike Wright [17:39]: Discusses the unexpected strength of the Eagles' defense despite Jason's praises.

3. Studs and Duds Analysis

The hosts evaluate fantasy football players who excelled (studs) and those who underperformed (duds) during Week 12.

Quarterbacks

• Studs:

  • Matt Stafford [17:23]: Achieved 337 yards and five touchdowns, dominating a struggling Eagles defense.

  • Russell Wilson [18:36]: Exceeded expectations with five touchdowns against the Steelers, despite initial reservations.

  • Notable Quote:

    • Jason Moore [17:23]: "Matt Stafford's at the top of the quarterback list. Guys that performed incredible this week."

• Duds:

  • Todd Gurley [37:15]: Experienced a significant drop in performance, linking his downturn to the Rams' quarterback Nick Foles.

    • Jason Moore [39:23]: "Gurley is not in fact matchup proof. And the reason I people are asking me, oh, Chiefs D or Bengals D? I love the matchup for the Bengals at home. Gurley's the reason why I didn't say Bengals defense. It's because you figured Gurley's had success against everybody. I thought that might continue. It did not."

  • DeAndre Hopkins [48:57]: Failed to meet expectations, leading to ranking him 15th among wide receivers.

    • Andy Holloway [49:13]: Defends his ranking, stating Hopkins' underperformance warrants it.

  • Aaron Rodgers [34:11]: Underperformed with 202 yards, one touchdown, and one interception—considered a dud despite being a top draft pick.

Running Backs

• Studs:

  • Adrian Peterson [28:28]: Displayed reliability with 158 yards and two touchdowns.
  • Spencer Ware [28:28]: Emerged as a strong option, especially when backups like Char West are unavailable.

• Duds:

  • Todd Gurley [37:15]: As mentioned, faced a steep decline in Week 12.
  • DeMarco Murray [40:39]: Had a lackluster performance against the Lions' defense.

Wide Receivers

• Studs:

  • Marcus Wheaton [23:39]: Achieved nine receptions for 201 yards and a touchdown, benefiting from the Steelers' defensive strategies.
  • Seth Roberts [23:38]: Logged two touchdowns on 13 targets despite being categorized as a flash performer.

• Duds:

  • Devonte Adams [43:07]: Continued struggles with minimal receptions and targets, leading to criticism.
    • Andy Holloway [43:14]: "Devonte Adams stinks. I said this weeks ago. He still stinks."

4. Injury Reports and Their Fantasy Implications

The episode dedicates substantial discussion to the recent injuries affecting key players:

• Rob Gronkowski: Potential missed games could significantly impact fantasy tight end selections.
• Jimmy Graham: A torn patellar tendon likely ends his season, forcing fantasy managers to seek replacements.
• DeAndre Hopkins: Continued underperformance raises concerns about his reliability as a top receiver.
• Julius Thomas and Alan Hearns: Questions arise about starting Julius Thomas given Hearns' recent concussion but potential quick return.

5. Fantasy Playoff Strategies and Recommendations

The hosts offer strategic advice for fantasy managers preparing for the playoffs:

• Quarterback Selection:

  • Andy Holloway [05:47]: "Dalton and Rivers are more comfortable choices, while Brady, Palmer, and Rogers might be better streamed rather than started consistently."
  • Jason Moore [37:56]: Emphasizes starting reliable quarterbacks like Russell Wilson over Eli Manning due to favorable playoff matchups.

• Running Back Utilization:

  • Jason Moore [40:15]: Advises against starting underperforming backs like Todd Gurley despite his name recognition.
  • Mike Wright [28:28]: Reiterates the importance of David Johnson's role, suggesting his high usage makes him a prime candidate.

• Wide Receiver Decisions:

  • Doug Baldwin vs. Randall Cobb:
    • Jason Moore [22:49]: Recommends Baldwin as a safe starter due to consistent performance.
    • Mike Wright [22:49]: Views Baldwin as a reliable flex option but not essential enough to prioritize over other receivers.

• Tight End Considerations:

  • Jason Moore [32:11]: Ponders between Julius Thomas and Scott Chandler, leaning towards Chandler as a safer option due to Hearns' injury.

6. Monday Night Football (MNF) Preview: Ravens vs. Browns

The hosts provide an insightful preview of the upcoming MNF game between the Baltimore Ravens and the Cleveland Browns, focusing on fantasy implications:

• Ravens’ Offensive Line Issues:

  • Mike Wright [51:31]: Discusses the Ravens' injury woes on the offensive line, potentially limiting their offensive production.

• Ravens’ Quarterback Options:

  • Jason Moore [51:55]: Suggests Matt Shaub as a viable option due to increased usage and volume.

• Ravens' Defense Performance:

  • Andy Holloway [52:25]: Highlights Gary Barnage's solid performance despite Ravens' overall defensive strengths.

• Fantasy Recommendations:

  • Jason Moore [53:09]: Recommends starting Gary Barnage based on his consistent yardage and touchdown potential against a vulnerable Browns’ defense.

7. Mailbag: Listener Questions and Expert Answers

The episode concludes with a segment where the hosts address listener-submitted questions, offering personalized fantasy advice:

• Quarterback Playoff Choices:

  • Marty from Boston [56:09]: "Russell Wilson versus Eli Manning?"
    • Andy Holloway [56:19]: Prefers Russell Wilson based on favorable playoff matchups.
    • Mike Wright [56:27]: Agrees with selecting Wilson.

• Wide Receiver Options in Deep Leagues:

  • Patrick from Connecticut [57:42]: "Devin Funches vs. Kenny Stills vs. Martin Keyshawn Martin?"
    • Andy Holloway [58:00]: Recommends Devin Funches due to his involvement.
    • Mike Wright [58:00]: Aligns with choosing Funches over inconsistent alternatives.

8. Notable Highlights and Memorable Moments

• Tony Romo's Season-Ending Injury:

  • Andy Holloway [34:03]: Announces Romo's broken collarbone, categorizing it as a major fantasy setback.

• Aaron Rodgers' Decline:

  • Mike Wright [37:02]: Criticizes Rodgers' regression, comparing his performance unfavorably to former heights.

• Humorous Banter and Personal Stories:

  • Mike Wright [58:53]: Shares a personal anecdote likening his restless holiday night to Charles Dickens’ "A Christmas Carol."
  • Andy Holloway [60:22]: Engages in playful mockery about co-hosts’ fantasy decisions and in-show segments.

9. Conclusion and Future Show Plans

The hosts reassure listeners about the show's continuity through the offseason, promising ongoing content focused on dynasty leagues, rankings, trades, and strategic advice.

• Jason Moore [53:13]: "Good sir, there is no offseason. [...] We'll still have shows recording every week."

• Andy Holloway [54:19]: Mentions future segments like Game of Thrones lookbacks and strategic planning for the upcoming season.

10. Closing Remarks

The episode wraps up with final thoughts on player performances and a reminder of the upcoming fantasy playoffs. The hosts express excitement and readiness to assist listeners in navigating their fantasy teams toward postseason success.

• Mike Wright [60:36]: "We got fantasy playoffs next week."
• Jason Moore [60:43]: "Thank you for listening to another edition of the Fantasy Footballers Podcast. Don't forget to visit us on the web at www.thefantasyfootballers.com and follow us on Twitter the FFballers."

Key Takeaways

• Injuries Play a Pivotal Role: Rob Gronkowski and Jimmy Graham's injuries necessitate immediate strategy adjustments for tight end positions.

• Performance Fluctuations: Players like Matt Stafford and Russell Wilson delivered strong performances, while stars like Todd Gurley and DeAndre Hopkins faltered, highlighting the volatility in player performances week-to-week.

• Strategic Playoff Planning: Emphasis on starting reliable quarterbacks and running backs with high usage rates like David Johnson is crucial for playoff success.

• Player Selection Based on Matchups: Importance of evaluating opponent defenses, as seen in the recommendation to start Gary Barnage against a struggling Browns' defense.

• Dynamic Content Beyond Regular Season: Assurance of continuous content including dynasty league discussions and strategic advice, ensuring fantasy managers remain well-informed year-round.

This episode of the Fantasy Footballers Podcast serves as an essential resource for fantasy football managers aiming to optimize their teams, offering expert insights, strategic advice, and up-to-date information to navigate the complexities of the fantasy football landscape effectively.