Fantasy Football Podcast 2015 - Week 15 Review, Studs and Duds, MNF Preview, Fantasy News Release Date: December 21, 2015

The Fantasy Footballers delve deep into the highs and lows of Week 15, analyze standout and underperforming players, provide a comprehensive preview of Monday Night Football (MNF), and share crucial fantasy news that could impact championship week lineups. Hosted by Andy Holloway, Jason Moore, and Mike "The Fantasy Hitman" Wright, the episode is rich with insights, strategic advice, and engaging banter tailored for fantasy football enthusiasts aiming to secure a league title.

1. Week 15 Playoff Review

The trio kicks off the episode with an enthusiastic celebration of David Johnson's stellar performance, highlighting his game-changing impact on fantasy matchups.

• Mike Wright [00:16]: "Come on. David Johnson. David Johnson. What the. Woo hoo hoo. David Johnson. Wow."
• Andy Holloway [01:22]: "It's week 16, so you're just getting a sneak peek into next year. This is the Monday show. We are fresh off a slate of Week 15 playoff games."

David Johnson's Dominance: David Johnson's exceptional Week 15 performance is a focal point, with multiple listeners sharing their experiences where Johnson's output swung matchups dramatically.

• Andy Holloway [02:30]: "Some of the games were so close, it was like I won by three and David Johnson scored 47 for me."
• Mike Wright [02:54]: "You have to think if you're the other guy, oh, you got this locked up. David Johnson has to go for 46 points."

The hosts discuss the emotional rollercoaster of playoff games, emphasizing how Johnson's performances can make or break championship hopes.

2. Fantasy Rewind: Studs and Duds

The Fantasy Rewind segment evaluates players who either exceeded expectations (studs) or fell short (duds) during Week 15.

Stud Performers:

• Cam Newton: Celebrated as the best quarterback of the year, Newton's versatility both in passing and rushing has made him indispensable.

  • Andy Holloway [17:48]: "33 touchdowns through the air and rushing the ball. Well, just an incredible season."
  • Mike Wright [18:11]: "He is the MVP this year."

• Teddy Bridgewater: Achieved a career-high with five touchdowns, showcasing his potential as a reliable fantasy asset.

  • Jason Moore [20:06]: "Teddy Bridgewater, man."

• David Johnson: Highlighted as potentially the best rookie running back outside of Marshawn Lynch, Johnson's breakout game reinforces his value.

  • Mike Wright [31:23]: "David Johnson's been the best rookie running back."

Duds:

• Odell Beckham Jr.: His erratic behavior and possible suspension have significantly impacted fantasy owners.

  • Andy Holloway [08:15]: "Odell Beckham Jr. is likely to be suspended one game."

• Adrian Peterson: Limited effectiveness following a sprained ankle, though he is expected to return next week.

  • Jason Moore [10:33]: "He left the game right before the half. He did come back in, but he was not very effective."

• A.J. Green: Injuries and questionable performances have made him a risky start.

  • Andy Holloway [12:14]: "A.J. Green was another guy that really killed people this Week, Twitter."

3. Injury News Affecting Championship Week

Injury updates are crucial as the fantasy playoffs approach. The hosts provide detailed insights into injuries that could derail championship dreams.

Key Injuries:

• Odell Beckham Jr. (ODJ): Potential one-game suspension due to on-field behavior.

  • Jason Moore [09:14]: "I highly doubt that he's suspended this week. He will appeal and play and be suspended later."

• Adrian Peterson: Sprained ankle expected to heal quickly, possibly returning for the championship game.

  • Mike Wright [10:58]: "I expect both Odell Beckham Jr. and Adrian Peterson to play."

• Marcus Mariota: Likely out for the rest of the season following a sprained ankle.

  • Andy Holloway [10:33]: "Marcus Mariota sprain is the word. Probably out for the rest of the year."

• LaShawn McCoy: Suffering an MCL sprain, with his status for the upcoming week uncertain.

  • Jason Moore [11:51]: "It looked worse than I was walking out with just a sprain."

Impact on Fantasy Lineups: These injuries necessitate strategic adjustments, with owners needing to find reliable replacements to maintain their playoff viability.

4. Stud Muffins and Pooped Stud Muffins

The segment categorizes players into "stud muffins" (reliable high performers) and "pooped stud muffins" (players who underperformed).

Stud Muffins:

• Cam Newton continues to be a fantasy cornerstone with his dual-threat capability.
• Teddy Bridgewater and Chris Ivory are highlighted for their consistent performances.
• Lamar Miller is noted for his high-ceiling potential despite inconsistent game-to-game outputs.
  • Mike Wright [46:55]: "He's one of the most frustrating guys to own because you have a couple of guys like DeSean Jackson and Aaron Allen Robinson and Lamar Miller with high ceilings."

Pooped Stud Muffins:

• A.J. Green and Ty Hilton are cited as significant underperformers.
  • Andy Holloway [48:24]: "AJ Green, who went out. He went out and killed fantasy owners."

The hosts discuss strategies for leveraging these categories to optimize starting lineups for championship week.

5. Monday Night Football (MNF) Preview

A comprehensive preview of the upcoming MNF game, focusing on key matchups and player performances that could influence fantasy outcomes.

Key Players to Watch:

• Jordan Reed: Dominant performance with two touchdowns, making him a must-start.

  • Andy Holloway [38:07]: "Jordan Reed, seven for 84 and two touchdowns."

• Delaney Walker: Emerged as a reliable option, especially in PPR formats.

  • Jason Moore [38:33]: "Delaney Walker is the main receiving option for the Titans. I like Delaney Walker for sure."

• JuJu Smith-Schuster: Highlighted for his big-play potential against a vulnerable defense.

  • Jason Moore [36:54]: "Bryce Brown had a productive game against an awful defense."

Defensive Considerations: Defenses like the Kansas City D and Patriots D are discussed for their potential impact on opposing offenses, influencing fantasy decisions on quarterback starts like Aaron Rodgers.

6. Mailbag Q&A

The hosts address listener questions, providing personalized advice for specific lineup dilemmas.

Listener Queries:

• Jared from Philadelphia: Struggling with choosing between Calvin Johnson and Hightower for his flex position while trailing by 17 points.

  • Mike Wright [52:10]: "I would start Calvin Johnson. Calvin has a better history against a bad defense."
  • Jason Moore [52:32]: "I would still go with Calvin. You need to make up 17 points in a standard league for Hightower."

• Rob from Long Island: Torn between starting Chris Ivory or Bilal Powell against the Patriots.

  • Jason Moore [54:37]: "If Edelman is back, I might go with Powell. Otherwise, Ivory has volume advantage when Powell is injured."
  • Mike Wright [54:57]: "Powell has shown better recent performance and upside."

The advice centers on risk management, player history against specific defenses, and the importance of matchups in making optimal fantasy decisions.

7. Final Thoughts and Conclusion

Wrapping up, the hosts reiterate the critical nature of strategic lineup decisions heading into championship week. They emphasize the importance of leveraging reliable studs, monitoring injury reports, and making informed decisions based on matchups and player performance trends.

• Andy Holloway [55:24]: "Hopefully you're in that final game. Hopefully you're still alive."
• Jason Moore [55:25]: "It was fantastic."

The episode concludes with well-wishes for listeners' playoff pursuits and a preview of upcoming content, including special episodes and continued support through their website and social media platforms.

Notable Highlights:

• David Johnson's Week 15 performance revolutionizes fantasy expectations.
• Injury updates on key players like Odell Beckham Jr., Adrian Peterson, and Marcus Mariota are pivotal for championship preparations.
• Strategic insights into studs and duds empower fantasy owners to make informed lineup decisions.
• Personalized listener advice underscores the show's commitment to addressing individual fantasy dilemmas.

For more in-depth analysis, rankings, and updates, listeners are encouraged to visit The Fantasy Footballers website and follow them on Twitter at @the_ffballers.