Fantasy Footballers Podcast 2015 - Week 12 Thanksgiving Episode Part 1: Detailed Summary

Release Date: November 25, 2015

The Fantasy Footballers hosted an engaging Thanksgiving-themed episode where Andy Holloway, Jason Moore, and Mike "The Fantasy Hitman" Wright delved deep into Fantasy Football strategies, news, and insights to help listeners dominate their leagues during the holiday season. This comprehensive summary captures the essence of their discussions, highlighting key points, notable quotes, and essential advice for Fantasy Football enthusiasts.

Introduction and Thanksgiving Spirit

The episode kicked off with the hosts sharing lighthearted banter, setting a festive tone for the Thanksgiving special. Mike Wright humorously remarked on the show's length, stating, "We've got a long show today" (01:05).

Hosts' Gratitude

Embracing the Thanksgiving spirit, each host expressed what they were thankful for:

• Mike Wright: Highlighted his appreciation for Thomas Rawls, his recent league pickup. He shared, "I picked him up... and this coming to fruition is just like Christmas morning" (03:04).

• Jason Moore: Emphasized gratitude for their dedicated listeners, affectionately referred to as the "Foot Clan." He stated, "I am thankful for our listeners... intelligent, smart, funny, fun loving listeners" (03:47).

• Andy Holloway: Appreciated the reliability of online leagues, specifically ESPN's platform, mentioning, "I'm thankful for online leagues that actually function correctly" (04:50).

Trivia Challenge

To add an interactive element, Mike introduced a trivia segment where he posed challenging questions about NFL players:

1. Question 1: Identifying a player with consistent rushing yards but limited touchdowns. Answer: TJ Yeldon (07:31).

2. Question 2: Recognizing a wide receiver with steady PPR scores. Answer: Alan Hearn (09:09).

3. Question 3: Guessing a consistent fantasy quarterback. Answer: Jameis Winston (09:40).

Despite the difficulty, the hosts engaged enthusiastically, fostering a fun and competitive atmosphere.

News and Updates

The hosts covered significant NFL and Fantasy Football news impacting Week 12:

• Marshawn Lynch's Injury: Reports confirmed Lynch was undergoing sports hernia surgery, sidelining him for the season. Mike noted, "Marshawn Lynch... will be irrelevant for fantasy owners, most likely for the rest of the season" (03:28).

• Johnny Manziel's Demotion: Manziel was demoted to third-string quarterback following reports of partying and poor performance. Andy speculated, "He could have a legitimate problem... he doesn't care about football as much as his personal life" (15:31).

• Peyton Manning's Absence: Manning was announced to miss the next two weeks. The team discussed potential play strategies, citing Andy's analogy, "If Osweiler plays well, they might reconsider Manning's role" (13:23).

• Steadman Bailey's Shooting Incident: Bailey was shot in the head twice in Miami but remained in critical but stable condition. The hosts extended their thoughts, "Thoughts and prayers with his family" (18:55).

Sits of the Week

The hosts recommended several players to bench for optimal Fantasy Football performance:

• Quarterbacks:

  • Tyrod Taylor: Given Kansas City's strong defense against QBs. Mike advised, "Sit him down. Pick somebody else like Brian Hoyer" (22:22).

• Running Backs:

  • Jeremy Langford: With Matt Forte returning, Jason suggested, "I would sit Langford and look for other options" (24:24).
  • James Starks: Mike recommended benching Starks against a tough Chicago Bears defense, stating, "I don't want him in my lineup" (25:05).

• Wide Receivers:

  • Tavon Austin: Facing Cincinnati's solid defense, Andy agreed with Mike's advice to bench Austin, emphasizing his unsustainable opportunities (26:21).
  • Devonte Adams: Jason argued against starting Adams due to his underperformance and challenging matchup (26:40).

• Tight Ends:

  • Eric Ebron: Facing the Eagles' stout defense, Jason warned, "He should not be played and is going to score 0 fantasy points" (29:09).
  • Charles Clay: Andy noted Clay's decreased involvement, recommending benching him against a formidable defense (30:25).

Starts of the Week

Conversely, the hosts highlighted players poised for strong performances:

• Quarterbacks:

  • Blake Bortles: Mike championed Bortles against the struggling San Diego defense, predicting a standout performance (31:02).
  • Eli Manning: Andy favored Manning against Washington, appreciating his favorable matchup (31:43).
  • Ben Roethlisberger: Jason defended Roethlisberger despite a tough matchup, citing the Steelers' revamped defense and Packers' offensive dynamics (32:07).

• Running Backs:

  • Javorius Allen: Andy advocated for Allen against the Browns' weak run defense, anticipating significant rushing yards (33:20).
  • TJ Yeldon: Jason supported Yeldon against the San Diego Chargers, expecting high involvement in both rushing and receiving (34:47).
  • Thomas Rawls: Mike expressed strong confidence in Rawls' performance against Pittsburgh's defense (34:47).

• Wide Receivers:

  • Stevie Johnson: Mike recommended Johnson in PPR leagues against Jacksonville, highlighting his target volume (34:47).
  • DeSean Jackson: Jason endorsed Jackson in a high-scoring game against the Giants, anticipating big plays (35:35).
  • Travis Benjamin: Andy favored Benjamin against Baltimore, recalling his impressive stats from previous encounters (36:07).

• Tight Ends:

  • Rule 86: Andy advocated for Rule 86 facing the Giants' weak tight end defense, provided he's healthy (36:27).
  • Betty Crockett Gilmore: Jason humorously supported Gilmore, emphasizing his increased involvement due to team changes (37:09).
  • Delaney Walker: Mike highlighted Walker's consistent performance, especially against Oakland's defense (37:55).

Matchups and Fantasy Forecast

The hosts analyzed key matchups on Thanksgiving Day, providing strategic insights:

1. Philadelphia Eagles vs. Detroit Lions:

   • Eagles' Quarterback Situation:
     Pelegership uncertainty with Nick Foles potentially starting over Donovan McNabb due to a concussion (40:54).
   • Fantasy Advice:
     • Mike recommended starting Brent Selleck, Timber Hill's likely absence (42:13).
     • Jason favored Steele over other running back options, noting Lions' vulnerability against the run (43:02).

2. Carolina Panthers vs. Dallas Cowboys:

   • Quarterback Dynamics:
     Tony Romo's short rest could affect his performance against Carolina's robust defense (47:26).
   • Running Backs Showdown:
     Darren McFadden vs. Jonathan Stewart debate, with Jason leaning towards McFadden for his consistent involvement (48:07).
   • Wide Receivers:
     Mike advised starting Sammy Watkins given his increased target potential (55:05).

3. Chicago Bears vs. Green Bay Packers:

   • Weather Impact:
     Cold and potentially rainy conditions could influence game dynamics.
   • Running Back Focus:
     Eddie Lacy was projected to excel against Chicago's defense, with Andy confidently recommending him (50:45).
   • Wide Receiver Considerations:
     Concern over Alshon Jeffery's availability, leading to a spotlight on Marquis Wilson as an alternative (52:33).

4. Buffalo Bills vs. Kansas City Chiefs:

   • Chiefs' Rushing Prowess:
     Kansas City, led by Spencer Ware, was highlighted for their high rushing touchdowns per game (53:08).
   • Defensive Matchups:
     Mike discussed balancing Chiefs' strong running game against Buffalo's solid defense against the run (53:45).
   • Fantasy Recommendations:
     Mike supported starting Spencer Ware, while Jason leaned towards Darren Sprols for deeper leagues (54:40).

Final Thoughts and Closing

As the episode neared its end, the hosts reflected on the ongoing strategies and upcoming games, emphasizing adaptability and informed decision-making in Fantasy Football. Their dynamic discussions, coupled with strategic recommendations, provided listeners with actionable insights to enhance their fantasy rosters during the bustling Thanksgiving week.

Notable Quotes:

• Mike Wright: "I'm confident starting Stevie, but he's my start of the week at the wide receivers" (35:35).

• Jason Moore: "I am thankful for our listeners... smart, funny, fun loving listeners" (03:47).

• Andy Holloway: "If Osweiler plays well, they might reconsider Manning's role" (13:23).

This Thanksgiving episode of the Fantasy Footballers provided a wealth of information, combining humor with expert analysis. Whether you're looking to tweak your lineup, understand key player matchups, or simply enjoy some football-themed camaraderie, this episode delivered valuable content to bolster your Fantasy Football prowess.