Fantasy Footballers Podcast - 2015 Season, Week 15 Summary

Release Date: December 15, 2015

The Fantasy Footballers Podcast hosts—Andy Holloway, Jason Moore, and Mike "The Fantasy Hitman" Wright—delivered a comprehensive and engaging episode focused on Week 15 of the 2015 Fantasy Football season. The trio delved deep into waiver wire pickups, streaming options, latest news, and strategic insights to help listeners navigate the critical late-season matchups and playoff push.

Playoff Showdown Recap

The episode kicked off with a humorous yet insightful recap of a recent playoff matchup between Andy and Mike. Mike’s team, despite not scoring any touchdowns, managed to amass a significant score, leading to Andy’s lighthearted jabs:

Andy Holloway [02:10]: "While I was dancing, I felt the joy."

Mike Wright [02:32]: "I felt I really did something to put up a tremendous score. But still with no touchdowns."

This exchange highlighted the unpredictable nature of fantasy playoffs and set the tone for the episode’s focus on strategic plays and unexpected outcomes.

Listener Review Highlight

The hosts took a moment to share a heartfelt listener review from Hot Cup of Tea in Canada, commending the podcast for transforming his fantasy football experience:

Jason Moore [06:26]: "Bonjour, playoff bound and it feels so good... By far the best football podcast I've come across and I will continue to listen when the season is done."

This endorsement underscored the podcast’s impact and dedication to assisting listeners in achieving playoff success.

News and Updates

Injury Reports and Team News

The hosts provided essential updates on player injuries and team statuses:

• Brian Hoyer Out: Houston Texans' coach Bill O'Brien confirmed that starting quarterback Brian Hoyer is likely out for the week, opening the door for T.J. Yates to take over against Indianapolis.

  Andy Holloway [07:54]: "Texans coach Bill O'Brien said Brian Hoyer is Most likely out."

• DeAndre Hopkins and Ty Hilton: With Ty Hilton dealing with injuries, Trevor Decker stepped in, complicating decisions for Hilton and DeAndre Hopkins owners.

• Denard Robinson Potential Pickup: The Jacksonville Jaguars signing of Jonas Gray from the Dolphins' practice squad raised concerns about TJ Eldon’s availability.

• Other Notable Injuries: Spencer Ware’s rib injury and Todd Gurley’s status update, confirming he is fit to play against the Broncos.

Waiver Wire Pickups

Running Backs

The discussion centered around the critical running back position, especially with significant injuries affecting top players:

• Tim Hightower: Emerged as a top waiver pickup due to increased carries and potential for high fantasy points.

  Jason Moore [18:19]: "I would go T.J. Eldon. Tim Hightower."

• Denard Robinson: Praised for his consistency and potential to fill Jonathan Stewart’s role.

  Andy Holloway [26:02]: "Denard Robinson takes the cake here."

• James White and Brandon Bolden: Highlighted as valuable options, with James White showing promise in filling part of Dion Lewis’s role.

• Cameron Artis-Payne: Recognized as a potential backup running back, especially if Jonathan Stewart remains uncertain.

Wide Receivers

Top WAiver Wire wide receiver pickups included:

• Tyler Lockett: Universally favored among the hosts for his consistent performance.

  Jason Moore [19:03]: "Mike Wright: Tyler Lockett."

• Ted Ginn Jr.: Identified for his explosive potential against the New York Giants.

  Jason Moore [19:23]: "Ted Ginn can go out there and get you 30 fantasy points by catching only three long bomb touchdowns."

• Doriel Green Beckham: Noted for his big-play capability despite limited targets.

• Michael Floyd: A valuable option with multiple 100-yard games, though widely owned.

Tight Ends

• Zach Miller: Recommended as a top tight end pickup due to his strong rapport with quarterback Jay Cutler and consistent production.

  Andy Holloway [34:23]: "Zach Miller had a very good week... I like Zach Miller a lot."

Streaming Options

With playoff matchups approaching, the hosts emphasized the importance of strategic streaming, particularly at the quarterback position:

Quarterbacks

• Alex Smith: Endorsed for his favorable matchup against the Baltimore Ravens, leveraging the Chiefs' seven-game winning streak.

  Andy Holloway [41:53]: "Alex Smith is on a seven-game winning streak. I like the matchup this week."

• Ryan Fitzpatrick: Lauded for his hot streak, especially considering his average rank as the ninth quarterback of the year.

  Mike Wright [42:38]: "Ryan Fitzpatrick is the number nine quarterback on the year because he is on fire."

• AJ McCarron: Suggested as a viable streaming option in two-quarterback leagues, especially against the tough San Francisco 49ers.

  Jason Moore [43:37]: "AJ McCarron... He put up over 200, 280 yards and two touchdowns."

Strategic Insights and Player Evaluations

The hosts provided in-depth analysis of specific players and their roles:

• Lamar Miller vs. Devonte Parker: A debate ensued over the reliability of Lamar Miller versus the upside of Devonte Parker, especially in light of Miami’s offensive distribution.

  Andy Holloway [02:58]: "Can you trust these guys moving forward? And why doesn't Miami give the ball to their best players?"

• Seattle’s Running Game: Discussed the competition between Bryce Brown and DeJuan Harris, assessing their potential impact on Seattle’s offense.

  Mike Wright [10:56]: "Bryce Brown is the more explosive guy."

• Chuck Pagano’s Quotes: Highlighted for their motivational value, particularly Chuck Pagano’s statement on not being "eaten alive."

  Mike Wright [12:29]: "He said, well, they can't eat you."

Notable Quotes

Throughout the episode, standout quotes encapsulated key sentiments and humor:

• Mike Wright [05:14]: "He's killing their draft pick."
• Andy Holloway [15:27]: "Two parts offense, one part defense going on in the waiver wire now and it stinks."
• Jason Moore [44:40]: "It was weird that that report came out two weeks ago."
• Andy Holloway [22:20]: "You can't play Austin Severian Jenkins because he's Thursday."

These quotes not only provided memorable moments but also reinforced the strategic discussions.

Conclusion and Upcoming Segments

Wrapping up, the hosts teased upcoming segments, including a special guest appearance by Nando Defino to discuss playoff strategies. They also encouraged listeners to participate in their community at jointhefoot.com and stay engaged through their Twitter handles:

• Andy Holloway: Andy Holloway
• Jason Moore: @JasonFfl
• Mike Wright: @FFHitman

The episode concluded with a reminder of the importance of strategic decisions during the crucial final weeks of the fantasy football season, ensuring listeners are well-equipped to make informed choices and secure their playoff positions.

Key Takeaways:

• Waiver Wire is Crucial: With multiple injuries impacting top players, timely pickups like Tim Hightower and Denard Robinson can provide the needed boost.
• Strategic Streaming: Leveraging favorable quarterback matchups, such as Alex Smith against Baltimore, can optimize weekly performance.
• Injury Monitoring: Staying updated on player statuses, especially with playoff implications, is vital for making informed roster decisions.
• Flexibility and Adaptation: The unpredictability of late-season games underscores the need for adaptability in lineup choices.

The Fantasy Footballers Podcast continues to be an invaluable resource, offering expert analysis and actionable advice to help fantasy managers excel in their leagues.