Fantasy Footballers Podcast Summary: Week 4 Fantasy Forecast, Starts of the Week, TNF Preview, News
Release Date: October 1, 2015
Hosts: Andy Holloway, Jason Moore, Mike "The Fantasy Hitman" Wright

Introduction

In this engaging episode of the Fantasy Footballers Podcast, hosts Andy Holloway, Jason Moore, and Mike Wright delve into Week 4 of the 2015 NFL season. The trio provides a comprehensive fantasy forecast, discusses their starts of the week, previews Thursday Night Football (TNF) matchups, and offers the latest news and injury updates affecting fantasy lineups. Their analysis is both insightful and entertaining, ensuring listeners are well-equipped to dominate their fantasy leagues.

News and Updates

The hosts kick off with critical updates on player injuries and team news that could significantly impact fantasy decisions.

• Arian Foster's Status:
  Jason Moore (07:10): "He's practicing."
  Foster's limited practice indicates he might not play this week. However, Andy Holloway (08:00) remains optimistic about his potential return, citing positive trends and support from multiple Houston reporters.

• Victor Cruz's Injury:
  Andy Holloway (09:23): "Victor Cruz re-aggravated his calf and is now indefinitely out for New York, which bumps up Julian Edelman's status."

• Alshon Jeffery and Drew Brees:
  Both did not practice adequately, raising concerns about their availability. Mike Wright (14:22): Expressed skepticism about Drew Brees' readiness but expects him to play.

• Reggie Bush's Return:
  Mike Wright (15:04): Anticipates Bush taking over the third-down role, potentially impacting Carlos Hyde's usage.

• Justin Forsett and DeMarco Murray:
  Andy Holloway (10:01): Discusses Bruce Arians' optimistic reports on Forsett's touch count, though Jason Moore (10:25) expresses doubts about their reliability.

• Cam Newton's Role:
  Jason Moore (31:32): Highlights Newton's potential resurgence with increased rushing and touchdown opportunities.

Fantasy Forecast

The heart of the episode revolves around analyzing Week 4 matchups and providing recommendations for starting players across different positions.

Quarterbacks

• Philip Rivers vs. Cleveland:
  Andy Holloway (46:35): "Philip Rivers is my start of the week at quarterback. I predict 300+ yards and at least two touchdowns."
  Rivers faces a Cleveland defense coming off two losses, presenting a favorable matchup.

• Andy Dalton vs. Pittsburgh:
  Jason Moore (47:03): "I'm going with Andy Dalton. He's had back-to-back 300-yard games and is paired with Amari Cooper, a top-tier wide receiver."
  Dalton's improved performance and strong offensive support make him a viable start.

• Derek Carr vs. Chicago Bears:
  Mike Wright (47:32): "Derek Carr is a consistent performer with back-to-back 300-yard games. Combined with Amari Cooper, his value is high this week."

Running Backs

• Alfred Blue vs. Atlanta Falcons:
  Mike Wright (49:28): "Alfred Blue had 31 carries for 139 yards and a touchdown last week. Facing Atlanta's top-ranked run defense, it's a prime matchup to exploit."
  Blue is favored to capitalize on Houston's opportunity to control the running game.

• Carlos Williams vs. Houston Texans:
  Jason Moore (50:24): "Carlos Williams is a solid start this week, especially if Shady McCoy is out. Houston's run defense has been underwhelming."

• Matt Forte vs. Cleveland Browns:
  Andy Holloway (51:01): "Matt Forte is my start of the week. Facing a Cleveland defense that allows significant rushing yards, Forte is poised for a productive game."

Wide Receivers

• DeAndre Hopkins vs. Atlanta Falcons:
  Andy Holloway (43:52): "DeAndre Hopkins is my number one wide receiver this week. Facing the Falcons' struggling pass defense, he's a target monster ready to exploit vulnerabilities."

• Amari Cooper vs. Chicago Bears:
  Mike Wright (35:50): "Amari Cooper is top five for me this week. His chemistry with Derek Carr and Chicago's weak secondary make him a must-start."

• Leonard Hankerson vs. Baltimore Ravens:
  Jason Moore (44:57): "Leonard Hankerson is a valuable start against Baltimore's tight coverage. With the Ravens' defense under pressure, Hankerson can capitalize on opportunities."

• Alan Hearns vs. Indianapolis Colts:
  Mike Wright (53:20): "Alan Hearns has shown consistent yardage over the first three weeks. Facing a Colts defense with Allen Robinson guarding tight ends, Hearns is primed for a big game."

Tight Ends

• Charles Clay vs. Jacksonville Jaguars:
  Andy Holloway (54:33): "Charles Clay is my top tight end this week. With his target volume and favorable matchup, he’s a reliable start."

• Jason Witten vs. Oakland Raiders:
  Mike Wright (54:05): "Jason Witten is an ironman for me. Despite minor injuries, his target count remains high, making him a staple in my lineup."

Starts of the Week

The hosts reveal their personal starting recommendations, providing listeners with actionable insights.

• Quarterbacks:

  • Andy Holloway: Philip Rivers
    "Philip Rivers is predicting a strong performance against Cleveland."
  • Jason Moore: Andy Dalton
    "Andy Dalton is a streamable option with low ownership but high upside."
  • Mike Wright: Derek Carr
    "Derek Carr paired with Amari Cooper is a formidable quarterback-WR duo."

• Running Backs:

  • Andy Holloway: Matt Forte
    "Matt Forte has a favorable matchup and is set to perform well against Cleveland."
  • Jason Moore: Carlos Williams
    "Carlos Williams offers a solid return against the Falcons, especially if McCoy is sidelined."
  • Mike Wright: Alfred Blue
    "Alfred Blue's capacity to handle Houston's run-heavy game makes him a prime start."

• Wide Receivers:

  • Andy Holloway: DeAndre Hopkins
    "Hopkins is set to dominate against the Falcons' weak pass defense."
  • Jason Moore: Dante Moncrief
    "Moncrief benefits from Jacksonville's struggling secondary, making him a high-value start."
  • Mike Wright: Alan Hearns
    "Hearns is poised for a big game against the Colts, leveraging the Bears' defensive weaknesses."

• Tight Ends:

  • Andy Holloway: Charles Clay
    "Clay's target volume and matchup make him a must-start."
  • Jason Moore: Jason Witten
    "Witten's consistent target count against the Raiders ensures reliable points."
  • Mike Wright: Jason Witten
    "Witten remains a top-tier choice despite minor injuries."

Thursday Night Football Preview

The hosts preview the TNF matchup between the Baltimore Ravens and the Pittsburgh Steelers, focusing on fantasy implications.

• Joe Flacco vs. Pittsburgh Defense:
  Andy Holloway (19:19): "Joe Flacco ranks highly in our quarterback start list due to Pittsburgh's lenient passing defense this week."
  Flacco is expected to exploit Steelers' defensive vulnerabilities, making him a strong fantasy candidate.

• Le'Veon Bell vs. Steelers Defense:
  Andy Holloway (22:34): "Le'Veon Bell is an auto-start given the favorable matchup against a Steelers defense that's seventh against the run."
  Bell's consistent performance and volume make him a reliable start for fantasy managers.

Concluding Insights

Throughout the episode, the hosts emphasize the importance of leveraging favorable matchups, staying updated on player injuries, and making informed decisions based on defensive performances. Their collaborative analysis ensures fantasy managers are well-prepared to optimize their lineups for Week 4.

Notable Quotes:

• Jason Moore (04:15): "Ty Montgomery is a guy who has the potential to have a gigantic blow-up week."
• Andy Holloway (04:53): "Nelson Aguilar has a chance to come out of the way. He had such a good preseason."
• Mike Wright (20:49): "This could be the end of Antonio Brown's streak if he has a lower game."

Final Thoughts

Andy Holloway, Jason Moore, and Mike Wright wrap up the episode by encouraging listeners to engage with their community through the website thefantasyfootballers.com and social media channels. They reiterate the importance of staying active on waiver wires and being ready to adjust lineups based on the latest news.

For fantasy enthusiasts seeking expert advice and in-depth analysis, this episode of the Fantasy Footballers Podcast delivers valuable insights to enhance your Week 4 performance.